CH 153

Zhong Cheng’s second sister-in-law glanced at Mo Ling from time to time. She was indeed prettier than her. This couldn’t be helped, but Mo Ling’s family background was also better than her own. When she entered the family, how would her parents-in-law notice her? One could only imagine how jealous and angry she was.

For people living in the countryside, agriculture was very important. The matchmaker asked, “Ms. Liang, how many acres of fields does your family have?”

“Only a few acres of saltland, we grow medicinal herbs instead of food.”

This was a novel concept to the Mo family’s guests, but they knew that the medicinal herbs could be sold for money.

Ms. Li complimented their family further, “Their family doesn’t rely on farming. They have a workshop and a firm in the city.”

The women were both surprised and impressed, only Zhong Cheng’s second sister-in-law was still eating with a dark face.

Ms. Liang did not deny it and said that those businesses did not belong to their family, “The children are just messing around, they don’t earn much.”

Ms. Li beamed and retorted, “You’re just being modest. I heard that the tea leaves being sold in their firm cost over twenty silver taels per kilogram, and the fabrics are also top-notch. It’s impossible to find anything this good in Yi City.”

Mo Yan was taken aback, why did she boast about these two things specifically? She took tea leaves, but did she also take the fabrics? Mo Yan opened her mouth and said tentatively, “Aunt Li, don’t exaggerate, the fabrics in our firm are commonplace.”

Ms. Li had never been one to admit defeat. “I’m not exaggerating. I guarantee that none of you here have even seen anything like the embroidery of the fortune symbol on the quilts.”

She actually took some! Mo Yan took a deep breath: “When my sister gets married, I’ll give her better quilts. I guarantee that nothing in the vicinity will be able to compare.”

Zhong Cheng’s second sister-in-law said coldly, “You talk a big game, but I wonder if the mahogany furniture and the carriage is ready yet?”

“We’ve already ordered those things, so they’ll arrive without delay. It’s just that we need people to help make the quilt, and we’ll have to ask Ms. Li to help.”

Ms. Li’s face was full of joy and she said, “Of course, remember to tell me.”

On the other table, there were government official Wu and Mr. Cao, who was able to take control of the dinner. Mo Feng only toasted everyone after being reminded by Mr. Cao, and then just kept eating.

It was not until the end of the banquet that Zhong Cheng’s uncle called everyone to get up and leave. Ms. Li and Ms. Liang prepared gifts in return. Each person in Zhong Cheng’s entourage received two gift boxes, one with snacks and a second with dried fruit.

They kept half of each of the four main betrothal gifts given, and added others in their stead. Tea leaves, pork knuckles, dried fruit, and a box of sliced ginseng.

They also gave a roll of black brocade with fortune patterns, inteded to make clothes for Zhong Cheng.

When the matchmaker saw the return gifts, she praised them again, saying that Ms. Liang was a very generous person.

When they went back to the courtyard, Zhong Cheng’s second sister-in-law looked around, “This yard doesn’t look impressive! Your son is already fifteen or sixteen…”

Ms. Liang rolled her eyes at her, “I will build a new house after the fall to fulfil anything my daughter-in-law wants. I will make sure she is satisfied. She’ll have the best clothes, jewellery, and furniture, as long as she’s a good daughter-in-law.”

This was a subtle dig at the unlikable shrew.

Huffing, Zhong Cheng’s first sister-in-law was the first to go into the carriage, disregarding etiquette. Mo Yan said to Mo Ling, “See! You’ll be living in the same courtyard as her in the future. You must urge Brother Cheng to quickly build the separator wall.”

After the guests left, Ms. Li and governing official Wu also left, and Ms. Li gave each of them a gift as well.

Only then did Mo Yan Mo Feng, “Did you get a quilt for Ms. Li?”

Mo Feng replied confidently, “Isn’t it just two quilts? They’re a thank you gift for helping us out today.”

Mo Ling was so angry that she spat on the ground, “Was the meal not enough? You just had to give her such an expensive gift. Who is she? A relative of the emperor?” Then she said to Mo Yan, “With him as the manager, your firm will become Ms. Li’s sooner or later!”

Mo Feng was still arguing, “There are so many goods in the store, what’s wrong with taking a little? You’re being so petty.”

“You mean, there are so many goods you can’t take them all, right? The next day, you’ll be sending a horse and a carriage to them.”

“I only take a little, let’s talk about why we should give you so much dowry. A set of mahogany furniture and a carriage, how much would it cost?”

“How much of that money are you contributing?”

“I am the head of the family, and all the money in the family is mine!”

“When I get married, no one will even fetch water for you, so you can go cry like that old woman in the back courtyard!”

Mo Yan wasn’t in the mood to listen to them quarrelling. She remembered that she hadn’t visited her second grandma in a long time, so went back and took some of the meat and vegetables to her.

Mo Yan’s second grandma heard Mo Ling got engaged, so was happy for her. Mo Yan asked, “Second grandma, does Brother Dagan still fetch water for the old woman every day?”

“Of course!”

“Has her son sent her money?”

“I haven’t seen anyone send her anything these days, and her daughter hasn’t come to visit recently either.”

Mo Yan left, and as soon as she walked to the door of her house, she heard the sound of a willow bark flute coming from the pond. She ran towards the pond, and saw someone under the willow tree.

Wearing moon white brocade robes, standing tall and straight, who else could it be but Lu Junming!

Mo Yan ran all the way over and snatched the willow bark flute from his mouth. Then, she wiped it clean and stuffed it into her mouth. Lu Junming still had a willow branch in his hand, so he broke another section and made another willow bark flute.

Ripples of light reflected from the pond, and Lu Junming asked, “Do you still raise ducks?”

“Not anymore, I won’t have time to take care of them in the future.”

They leaned against the willow tree, staring at the water in a daze. Two little swallows skimmed across the water nimbly, circling around the pond, and landing on the opposite side.

“The swallows are back, Lu Junming, look!”

Lu Junming was still carefully making a willow bark flute, “It’s nothing worth making a fuss about, they’ll come back naturally during the spring. They might be the pair that usually nests in our house.”

“There are swallows nesting in your house? According to legend, that’s a good omen!”

“My house has always had swallows nesting there, but you didn’t notice them before.”

The willow branches were waving gently, the swallows were dancing in the wind, and the fields were greener than ever. Spring had returned to the world.

Lu Junming played the finished willow bark flute. The two started playing together, forming an unnamed duet.

“You haven’t told me a story in a long time,” Lu Junming said.

“It’s rare for me to have some time today, so what kind of story do you want to hear?”

Lu Junming looked up at the blue sky, “Just tell me a story like this spring.”

Only Mo Yan understood he wanted to hear fluffy stories. She had watched a lot of heartwarming dramas, and chose a sweet excerpt from a xianxia novel she had read.

The two sat down against the willow tree. Lu Junming stayed silent for a long time, and Mo Yan took a look at him. He had closed his eyes, entranced or asleep.

She poked his nose lightly with the willow bark flute in her hand, but he didn’t move. Then, she brushed away his loose hair, but he still didn’t move. She stretched out the willow bark flute to his eyes, trying to lift his long eyelashes. However, Lu Junming couldn’t help but curl his eyebrows and the corners of his lips.

“Stop, don’t laugh.” Mu Yan slid the willow flute across his brows, and lips. He caught it by opening his mouth, and started playing.

“Can you get rid of Mo Feng quickly?” Mo Yan asked suddenly.

Lu Junming lazily said, “Why are you mentioning him out of the blue? What has he done this time? If he’s just taking things again, just let him.”

Post-translation notes: The dichotomy between Mo Yan’s and Lu Junming’s reactions to Mo Feng’s horrible handling of the business firm speaks worlds about their upbringings, doesn’t it. As always, thank you for reading, and remember not to throw away your money!