"Mom, what's going on with uncle today? Didn't we discuss it before that uncle, as the eldest son of the You family, will announce the marriage in front of everyone at the banquet today?"
"Why did you say you were preparing for the exam and didn't entertain me well? Doesn't this make the Ji family feel guilty? As an elder, why didn't you mention anything about the marriage? Uncle Ji's face was not good when he left."
After the You family party was over, You Lingxiao, who had just returned home, couldn't help but ask urgent questions.
Mother You and Sun Yuanniang saw that her son was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, but she said slowly: "Look at how anxious you are, you are already a civil servant, and you don't have any stability at all."
You Lingxiao suppressed his impatience and said in a calmer tone: "Isn't it just my mother here, and there are no outsiders?"
Sun Yuanniang had a smile on her face when she heard this, and she waved: "Erlang, come here."
Sun Yuanniang pushed a box in front of the table forward: "Look what this is?"
You Lingxiao opened the box in confusion and took out a transparent jade pendant.
"Who gave this beauty to me?"
The joy on Sun Yuanniang's face became even brighter: "This is a gift from Mr. Xue, my colleague, saying it is a congratulatory gift for you."
"Since you are anxious and ask why Mom didn't mention your marriage at the banquet, Mom will talk to you nicely."
"What the elder said today is right. My son has already won the imperial examination at a young age. He has a good career and is not to mention handsome. There are only a few such talents in the scientific examination room."
You Lingxiao immediately understood what his mother meant, but still said: "I don't understand what mother said has anything to do with the Ji family's marriage."
"My son, now that you have a good career, how can you be hastily buried in such an ordinary family?"
Sun Yuanniang said: "The Ji family is quite respectable in our village, but what is it outside of this village? Can the Ji family pave the way for you?"
"Mom, do you mean you want to regret your marriage?"
You Lingxiao just blurted out his words, and then said: "No, this matter must not be decided! Not to mention that Taoyu and I were childhood sweethearts, and Li Zheng has been good to our family these years. Everyone in the village also knows it. This marriage is going on, if I regret it rashly, how much publicity will be lost, and if I become an official by then, it will also hinder my moral character and reputation."
"Mom, we can't do that either emotionally or rationally."
"Look at how anxious you are. When will my mother say she's breaking off the engagement? Let me tell you the pros and cons."
Sun Yuanniang laughed and said: "Master Tongzhi appreciates you very much. He even sent someone to bring you something this morning, and his young lady Yunying is not married. Isn't this a clear hint?"
"Although the governor of the state is not a big official, my mother heard that the governor of the state has been an official for generations and has a wide network of contacts, which is better than some senior officials. If my son can have a capable Yue family, his career in the future will be sure It's also much smoother. This is a rare opportunity!"
She looked at You Lingxiao and said alertly: "Although the candidates who have been elected in high school are already great, there are not only one or two candidates in Jiangnan City. Looking at it, there are many who can't plan and live in poverty." Erlang , if you don't seize the opportunity that comes to your door, you will regret it in the future."
"The Xue family has never said it clearly. They just want to see how you fare in the spring. They are just weighing the pros and cons. You think this is good. My son will do his best to prepare for the spring. If the Xue family's affairs don't work out after the spring, we will still marry the brother of the Ji family. . If you become obsessed with Taoyu, it doesn't matter. There is no man who has three wives and four concubines, so you will take him over when the time comes. You will be a Jinshi by then, so it won't be considered as wronging him."
You Lingxiao hesitated for a moment: "Taoyu is the only child in Lizheng's family. How could he want Taoyu to be a child for others?"
Sun Yuanniang saw that although You Lingxiao did not agree, her reaction was not that big, so she agreed to leave an extra way out.
She was overjoyed and comforted her: "Silly boy, although there is only one brother in the Ji family's house, the family feels particularly distressed, but who can bear to make some profit from the child? The Ji family is afraid that they will have to pay back the hair." He's anxiously waiting to rely on you to protect him and pay taxes. Isn't that what he wanted from the beginning?"
"I'm not making a baby for you, I'm not making a baby for those big two-wheeled old men. It's not shabby. But you still have to be angry. You have to act like it, otherwise you won't tell people outside. You know what's in his heart. That's the idea."
You Lingxiao remained silent and did not respond.
Seeing this, Sun Yuanniang turned to her mother-in-law and said earnestly: "Ling Xiao, how easy is it for a widow to drag your sister into marriage and still provide for you to study till today?"
"In these years, you only know how to study, but do you know how hard it is for my mother? My uncles look down on our family. After your father passed away, they not only did not pity us orphans and widowed mothers, but cynicism was commonplace. Life is difficult, and my mother can only endure the pain and set a rule for you. The sick man in my family became my husband, and this is how I got help from the Ji family."
"If you are weak in talent and learning, it will be fine if you become a scholar. Mother, considering the care given by the Ji family over the years, will not think otherwise. But who could God have mercy on my son, allowing you to have such talent and learning? A great opportunity lies ahead of you. , we can't give it up for nothing, if we don't care for ourselves, we will be punished by heaven and earth, we are just trying to find another way for ourselves."
You Lingxiao saw the sassy look on his mother's face: "So what uncle said today was to drag down the Ji family?"
"Secure the Ji family first, so we can have more time, right?" Sun Yuanniang looked distressed: "Ling Xiao, you won't make your mother sad, right?"
"It's not that we won't marry Tao Yu, it's just that we will marry him later. There is no difference. It will only be better for you and him."
You Lingxiao had a struggling look on his face. He was at a high-spirited age, and he longed for a grand territory in his heart. However, it was indeed the time when he was just beginning to fall in love, and he was afraid that he would miss the one he loved because of his future.
Seeing this, Sun Yuanniang knew that her son had listened. She held You Lingxiao's hand and said, "Lingxiao, don't blame me for being calculating and unkind. It's not easy for us three to get to where we are today."
"Do you know how much money it costs to buy a book per pen and paper? The cost of studying is like running water. If my mother doesn't count, how can I get you to study and pass the exam? Life has just gotten better, we can't slack off."
You Lingxiao's eyes were red. He knew that his sister was forced to marry far away because of his Shu Xiu.
This is why I am particularly struggling and heartbroken: "I know, mother."
Sun Yuanniang wiped her eyes: "Now we are the only two who are of the same mind. Those uncles of yours just want to take advantage of you. We have to step on these people who only have profit in their eyes before we can do anything." Go the long way."
"Tomorrow, you go and thank Mr. Xue early in the morning. I hope you can cope with it. When you come back, go to Ji's house. You have to keep your head steady to avoid trouble."
You Lingxiao immediately said: "I will go over and apologize to Uncle Ji now."
But Sun Yuanniang called the person: "You are tired today. Get some rest and go back tomorrow. Don't be in a hurry. Besides, your Uncle Ji must be angry. Why do you go and provoke him again? For the sake of the clan, he I will figure it out and I don't dare to offend you."
You Lingxiao paused: "Okay then."
.........
The Ji family was so quiet at this time that Ji Yangzong had three cups of cold tea in the patio room. The cold autumn wind and rain blew on his face, but it did not wipe away the anger in his heart.
"The You family is great. The scientific examination is a big deal and the future is very important. They shut people's mouths tightly. They completely forgot about the face they used to please here."
"The most ruthless scholar! This is indeed true. The You family wants to drag our little Taozi with them, but that's not possible!"
"As long as I live for a day, the You family will never be comfortable in the village!"
"Without the support of our family these years, would You Lingxiao be where he is today?"
Ji Yangzong was so angry that he kicked the foot of the stool: "I really made a mistake! It caused little Taozi to be in today's situation!"
Huang Manjing looked at the person who had been cursing for a long time, and couldn't help but persuade: "Okay, okay! You have been cursing at the patio for a long time. You are not afraid of being angry with yourself, and you are not afraid of letting Xiao Taozi hear it."
Although Ji Yangzong's arrogance did not change after hearing this, he still raised his head and glanced in the direction of Taoyu's bedroom, and then slapped the corner of the table: "I have to go to You's house to find out!"
"Are you really going to go to their home to interrogate them?"
"The eldest son of the You family said something like that today, and You Lingxiao and his son pretended to be deaf and dumb the whole time. Aren't they just deliberately crossing the river and burning down the bridge? Can't they be forced to ask?"
"If you dare to deny your innocence now, I have a token of love in my hand. I can even go to the government to sue him."
Huang Manjing grabbed Ji Yangzong and said coldly: "With the You family's attitude today, this is no longer a good marriage."
"Then they are unwilling to force the You family. Even if Xiao Taozi is really married now, can she still live a good life?"
With a word that woke up the dreamer, Ji Yangzong suddenly became quiet when he looked at his wife.
"Whether you are marrying because of the power of the You family or because of Xiao Taozi, I think you have completely forgotten."
Ji Yangzong paused for a moment, calmed down his anger, and said in despair: "I'm really lost. In order to gain a moment of morale, I have to rush to force the marriage. My father-in-law just told me not to do this."
He suddenly realized: "After all, my father-in-law understands better."
Huang Manjing held Ji Yangzong's hand: "Yangzong, I am ashamed that I only gave you one child, and Xiao Taozi is still in poor health. It's all my fault. But he was born so fragile. If his husband's family is not kind, he will How to survive."
Ji Yangzong said hurriedly: "Even though we only have one child, I never feel sorry. How can I blame you for Xiao Taozi's poor health? He is born like this."
"I know your concerns, don't worry, I have never forgotten the original intention of betrothaling Xiao Taozi. I will not let Xiao Taozi suffer for a moment's power and profit."
The corners of Huang Manjing's eyes were slightly red.
Ji Yangzong said: "The You family cannot pretend to be confused and delay the marriage. If the other party doesn't give a definite answer in the past two days, we will go to the You family together to decide whether we are together or not. There is a clear result."
Although Ji Taoyu in the room did not hear the quarrel outside, she was not in a happy mood at this time.
He stayed in his room behind closed doors, leaning on a chair, looking at the poetry notes placed in front of the dressing table and some envelopes at the bottom, feeling filled with emotion.
After returning from the You family's banquet, although his parents didn't say anything in front of him, they knew they were unhappy.
His father was the most honorable person. He originally thought that he would be a great success today, but he was secretly poked at him. How could he not be angry?
You Erlang did not announce the marriage at the banquet, and the eldest brother's words were enough to slap his father in the face. Others probably thought that the two families had discussed it first and put the scientific examination first, and the wedding would be discussed after spring. Little did they know that the You family had previously promised to get married in Qiu Wei if they won the lottery, but now their family has suffered a huge loss.
You Lingxiao didn't say anything about the You family's attitude, and he didn't come to explain it at this time, which showed that he approved of it.
Although Taoyu didn't feel any heartbreaking pain in her heart, she still felt uncomfortable.
Can fame and wealth really make people betray their faith and change their appearance?
Ming Ming came to visit his home that day, and he also told himself that he should go there early on the day of the big banquet, and something big would be announced by then.
Not only his parents, but also he was sure that the You family would announce their marriage today.
Things have turned out like this today, and it would be a lie to say that I am not disappointed.
I don't know if he is in trouble or if he has really changed his mind.
While he was lost in thought, there were two clicks on the window.
Taoyu came back to his senses and looked over cautiously. He realized that it was not just imagination but the real window was moving. He stood up and slowly moved to the window.
"Is there any news?"
Just as the window was opened, a sound fell down. Ji Taoyu was so frightened that his hands shook and he subconsciously closed the window. Something was stuck under the window lattice, and the resistance bounced him.
He lowered his head and saw four pinched fingers, and quickly let go of his hand: "Are you okay?"
Huo Shu took back his hand and curled his fingers: "Fortunately, it's not broken."
Taoyu blushed a little apologetically, but then she thought about it, it wasn't entirely his fault that this man was pinched when he broke into a private house.
So he raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why are you here?"
He looked around nervously.
Outside his window is an aisle with several peach and plum trees. The trees occupy the aisle, making it seem a bit narrow.
Normally, no one would pass by, but the courtyard wall of the house was so high, and this person actually came in quietly, which was enough to scare people.
Huo Shu held his hands and said, "I'm afraid that you will worry about your own sorrow and forget my entrustment."
Upon hearing this, Taoyu turned around and glared at Huo Shu, who lowered his eyes a little.
Why didn't the window pinch this man's mouth just now?
"Since Huo Yishi knew that I was sad, he was still cruel enough to make me busy with other things."
Huo Shu's eyes narrowed after hearing these sour and depressing words: "In that case, I will teach the person who made you sad, and you will be able to do things for me when you are relieved."
Taoyu saw Huo Shu clenching his fists and his fingers making a clicking sound. He hurriedly said: "Those who beat Ju will be sent to prison!"
Huo Shu lowered his eyes and glanced at the anxious expression on his little brother's face: "Are you worried that I will go to jail, or are you worried that You Lingxiao will be beaten?"
Ji Taoyu opened his mouth, but found that he didn't know how to respond. This question seemed to make no sense.
This man looked at Leng Su and actually made fun of others.
Taoyu pursed her lips unhappily and said nothing. Men are really bad.