Chapter 12

Chapter 12

When Zhong Yizhu opened his eyes, it was already broad daylight.

After not sleeping well for a long time, he slept deeply that night. He moved his stiff neck and, as he got up, his hand rested on the handle of the firewood knife—a familiar touch he had grown used to over these days.

Even though Pei Mu had told him that Lai Laoer wouldn’t come again, he still didn’t go back to sleeping in the bed. He placed the thin quilt back on the bed, got dressed, and opened the door to step outside.

Yesterday, Zhong Yizhu had already conveyed Pei Mu’s words to Sun Yunniang. Although Pei Mu hadn’t said it outright, both understood what he meant.

Sun Yunniang had spent these days evaluating prospective matches without finding anyone satisfactory, and on top of that, she had been infuriated by many people's ugly attitudes. The letter she wrote to her uncle's family got no reply either. When she went to trade for meat yesterday, Liu Fulang from the village pulled her aside and spoke at length. The main gist was that their family didn’t despise Zhu Ge’er and was willing to marry him into their home, but it would be tough to get past his in-laws.

“After all, you know, Zhu Ge’er’s reputation in the village these days is really...” Liu Fulang first looked troubled. When he saw Sun Yunniang frown, he put on a considerate tone and said, “I know that Zhang Guihua was just spouting nonsense, but my in-laws don’t believe it. If we could reduce a little on the betrothal gifts, it would disprove Zhang Guihua’s lies. Then I’ll put in good words with my in-laws, and this matter can be settled.”

He acted like he cared for Zhong Yizhu, but treated her son as if he were a young man begging to marry into their family. Sun Yunniang had long seen that Liu Fulang was outwardly kind but inwardly malicious, yet she hadn't expected him to come and take advantage of her difficult situation at such a time.

Sun Yunniang was so angry that her chest ached, and she replied stiffly, “Tell your in-laws to rest assured—my son will never set foot in your house.” Then she quickly walked off. When she got home and heard from Zhong Yizhu that Pei Mu had already dealt with Lai Laoer and had said he would come tomorrow, the contrast made her feel that Pei Mu was far more reliable and agreeable than any match she had considered, and her earlier resistance melted away.

The main point was that her son was clearly willing. Zhong Yizhu’s spirits were much better than before she left. Although meeting in private was improper, the situation was exceptional, so she let it go.

Well, Zhu Ge’er’s judgment was probably better than hers. She couldn’t keep Zhu Ge’er at home forever, watching him fade away for no apparent reason. How could a person endure such a toll?

Now that the marriage was decided, Sun Yunniang didn’t hesitate and got up early to prepare.

Seeing Zhong Yizhu come out of his room, she glanced at him and said, “Why are you still wearing these clothes? Go change into something brighter. Didn't you have that light apricot-colored shirt? Go change into it and let your mother see.”

Sun Yunniang had put on her nicest outfit that day, her hair meticulously arranged. Seeing this, Zhong Yizhu suddenly felt a real sense of the upcoming event.

He went back to his room and changed into the shirt Sun Yunniang had told him to wear. After washing his face and combing his hair again, he looked at his reflection in the water, unsure of his own feelings.

He had too many questions, but no matter what, Pei Mu’s move had cracked the shell that had been trapping him, allowing him to breathe and break free. He could only feel gratitude.

The sky above was an endless blue. Willow Mountain Village always woke early in the mornings, with smoke rising from every household.

Zhong Yizhu felt nervous, though it came belatedly.

When Sun Yunniang came out of the main room, she saw Zhong Yizhu staring blankly at a corner of the wall. After all, he was still an unmarried young man. No matter the reason for this engagement, how could he not be affected by the thought of an engagement?

Sun Yunniang called Zhong Yizhu over and told him to go back to his room and cut some fabric for sewing. Keeping busy was better than letting his mind wander.

Her Zhu Ge’er was too innocent and kind-hearted, which made him overthink and worry. It was his parents' fault for not protecting him enough.

Sun Yunniang didn’t press Zhong Yizhu about what had been troubling him lately. If he wanted to talk, he would have said so long ago. She didn’t want to put even a little extra pressure on him. As long as she confirmed his condition was improving, she was already more than grateful.

Sun Yunniang cleaned the yard outside. After a while, Zhong Yizhu came out carrying some fabric and said he wanted to make her a dress first.

Sun Yunniang felt a warm glow inside, her brows and eyes relaxing. She felt happy even while working.

Both of them were naturally clean, and they didn’t keep any poultry. The house was already tidy; after this cleaning, it looked even more spotless, nothing like a farmer's courtyard.

Over at the old Zhong family home, everything was harmonious, but at the Liu family at the village entrance, all hell broke loose.

Liu Fulang had been plotting a marriage with the Zhong family ever since Zhang Guihua, after her proposal was rejected, started spreading rumors and slandering people. Seeing Sun Yunniang flustered these days, Liu Fulang grew even more confident.

Half a month had passed. He felt the time was ripe, so he deliberately watched for Sun Yunniang's movements and found an opportunity to bring up the marriage with her.

He was full of confidence, thinking that his offer was like providing charcoal in the snow, and that Sun Yunniang and her son should be grateful to him. He never expected that Sun Yunniang would outright refuse him without any regard for saving face.

He swallowed his anger all the way back home. Just as he finished explaining the result and hadn’t yet let off steam or cursed, his son started making a scene.

“Dad, you said this time it was a sure thing! Grandma has already picked an auspicious date. I don’t care, I want to marry her!”

Liu Fulang’s husband’s family name was Li. Li Jian was the youngest son in the family. He had been sent to a private tutor in the neighboring village for half a year but hadn’t learned anything worthwhile. Instead, he developed a lazy bone.

As soon as Zhong Yizhu arrived in Willow Mountain Village, Li Jian had already thought of connecting with the Zhong family to enjoy a good life in the county town. Later, when his plan failed, he didn’t bring it up again. After Liu Fulang learned that Zhong Yizhu owned land, he started scheming again. He knew his son’s habits well. Instead of marrying a common farmer’s daughter or young man, it would be better to marry someone with land who could make money. That way, even after their children split the inheritance, the youngest son wouldn’t be left without support.

Liu Fulang had discussed this plan with his family from the start. Li Jian had already decided that once he married, he would never have to work again. The moment he heard that the Zhong family refused, he exploded like a firecracker.

Liu Fulang held in a breath of anger, hating Sun Yunniang even more for her refusal, which caused his son to lose face. He quickly comforted Li Jian, saying he would find him another good match. But Liu Fulang’s in-laws, feeling sorry for their youngest grandson’s ruined marriage, started scolding Liu Fulang for not spending enough on the betrothal gifts, claiming he had lost a big catch by being stingy.

Liu Fulang was caught in the middle, pleasing no one. He endured for a while, but eventually couldn’t hold it in anymore.

It was clearly the in-laws who insisted he reduce the betrothal gifts, saying that a young man with a bad reputation didn’t deserve the same price as one with a good reputation and skills. They wanted to give less. Now that things had gone wrong, they put all the blame on him! If they had followed his plan, Sun Yunniang might have agreed long ago!

Liu Fulang was never a particularly good-natured person. He immediately started retorting sarcastically. His in-laws weren’t easy to deal with either, and soon they were arguing.

This matter dragged from yesterday until today. Neighbors and relatives came to mediate. Zhang Guihua somehow heard the news and came to watch the spectacle, standing in the crowd with a gleefully triumphant smile.

The Liu family was at the village entrance, with many people gathered in the yard and at the gate, drawing considerable attention.

“Excuse me, ma’am, could you tell me where the Zhong family lives in the village? I’d appreciate directions.”

A matchmaker-dressed young man pulled on the smiling Zhang Guihua to ask for directions, looking somewhat impatient.

“Oh, another one coming to propose?” someone nearby remarked in surprise. There was only one Zhong family in the village. Inside, they were still arguing about Zhong Yizhu, but outside, someone else was already heading to the Zhong home.

Someone who saw the matchmaker’s urgency pointed out the way. The matchmaker thanked him and was about to leave, but Zhang Guihua grabbed her arm and asked, “Which family sent you to propose? Someone from Willow Mountain Village or from town?”

The matchmaker glanced at the sky, quickly pulled her arm free, and replied, “It’s the Pei family from your Willow Mountain Village,” before hurrying off.

Author’s note:

Thank you for the nutrient solution~ Kisses to every lovely reader, little dears.

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