dtnovels Chapter 357 - 189: Reactions (2)
Chapter 357 - 189: Reactions (2)
Zheng Changhe finally brightened up and enthusiastically discussed the betrothal gifts with the woman from the Yang Family.
Juhua and Qingmu also breathed a sigh of relief.
’They had intended to come home and tell their parents first,’ they thought. ’But their maternal grandmother had insisted that a maternal uncle’s authority was absolute, so they had gone to the prospective bride’s house for the meeting first. Who knew their father would actually get so jealous?’
In the days that followed, Zheng Changhe and the woman from the Yang Family became a whirlwind of activity. They procured all sorts of betrothal gifts, hired a matchmaker, and sent word to Liujiatang to set the formal engagement proposal for the tenth of the month.
Juhua and Qingmu could hardly get involved. Every time they tried to offer an opinion, the couple would shoot it down, always finding some reason why it wasn’t appropriate.
Juhua pulled her brother into the backyard to check on the acorns they had planted—there was still no sign of them sprouting. She smiled at her brother and said, "Just let Father and Mother have their fun. You’re their only son; you have to let them get their fill of busying themselves with your engagement and marriage. Father used to always hear people complaining about how much trouble it is to find a wife for their sons. Those people meant it, but him? He was just filled with envy."
Qingmu laughed as well. Remembering their father’s unbridled excitement, he shook his head and said, "They don’t seem to find it tiring at all. I just try to lend a hand, and they tell me I’m doing this wrong or that’s not appropriate. It’s just a village engagement, why be so particular about everything!"
Juhua smiled. "He’s not really being particular; he’s just enjoying being busy and happy."
’Her parents weren’t just happy; they were absolutely reveling in it.’
Juhua looked up at the vegetable patch on the east side of the backyard. Spring had arrived. The garlic shoots were especially thick and verdant, perfect for stir-frying with cured meat. The new batch of chives was a pale green, fresh and tender; they would be delicious fried with eggs.
On the west side stood several waist-high apricot, peach, and plum trees. The joints on the peach tree branches were swelling, looking as if flower buds were about to burst forth. Beyond the backyard wall was Little Qing Mountain, which had yet to don its new spring attire, so the view was still somewhat desolate.
A sudden, profound peace settled in her heart. She felt no rush to achieve something earth-shattering or make a great fortune, nor did she have the uncertainty and guardedness from when she had first transmigrated. There was only a deep attachment to the mountains and waters, to this courtyard, to the distant fields, and to the family by her side. She wanted to live this life forever, until the end of time.
Seeing his sister standing quietly with a smile, as if lost in some wonderful thought, Qingmu asked, "What happy thing are you thinking about?"
Juhua turned to him and smiled. "I soaked some acorns in warm water, so I’ll plant them tomorrow to see if they sprout faster. These peach and plum trees also need pruning. We should still transplant more wild chrysanthemums onto the empty land outside the courtyard walls. By the river this year, we should plant more than just willow cuttings; we need more fruit trees. Liu Xiaomei planted a lot of fruit pits there last year. The fish pond needs to be checked on, too, maybe dug out a bit wider..."
Qingmu listened and smiled contentedly. ’I told Yunlan so much the other day,’ he thought. ’I wonder if she’ll like our home?’
The news of Qingmu’s engagement soon spread through the village, causing several families to stomp their feet and sigh in regret.
It turned out that ever since people had seen the promising future for their village, some families had become reluctant to marry their daughters to outsiders. Instead, they all set their sights on the village’s own eligible bachelors, and Qingmu was naturally the most sought-after.
The first among them was Li Gengdi.
He actually wanted to keep his daughter, Jinxiang, close to home. However, his sister had told his wife that she would help find a wealthy family in Qinghui for Jinxiang to marry into, so Jinxiang hadn’t been to any matchmaking meetings.
But last autumn, after Meizi and Li Changming got engaged, he’d had a change of heart—he no longer wanted to marry Jinxiang off to Qinghui. ’I’d have to travel so far just to see her,’ he thought. ’And if she were to be mistreated, she’d only have her aunt to rely on. How could that be right? Since Meizi can marry Li Changming, why can’t Jinxiang marry Qingmu or Zhang Huai?’
At the end of the year, after hearing from his older brother, Li Gengtian, about the village’s plans for the coming year, his resolve only strengthened.
Who would have thought that just after the New Year, Qingmu would get engaged? Li Gengdi was instantly filled with bitter regret. He silently blamed Zheng Changhe. ’My Jinxiang is such a wonderful girl, right under his nose, and he didn’t even come to ask for her hand! And that Liu Fugui once looked down on Juhua, so why are they becoming in-laws with his family?’
He hadn’t mentioned this to anyone, so he was left to sulk by himself.
On the sixth of the month, he was having lunch at his older brother’s house. When the talk turned to the Zheng Family busily preparing betrothal gifts, Li Changyu laughed and said, "We were just talking about him on New Year’s Eve, and who would’ve thought he’d get engaged just a few days later? We didn’t hear a single rumor beforehand. It’s so strange."
Li Gengdi’s expression soured, and he lost all interest in his wine.
After the meal, once the children had scattered, Li Mingrui said to the sullen and silent Li Gengdi, "Regretting it now, aren’t you? If you’d been quicker, how could Qingmu have gotten engaged to someone from Liujiatang? I told you long ago it’s not good to marry a daughter so far away. Her aunt moved with her husband; there was no other choice. Otherwise, do you really think I would have sent my own daughter that far?"
Li Gengdi asked in surprise, "Father, how did you know I wanted to..."
Li Gengtian was also puzzled. ’Even I didn’t know my brother was thinking that, so how did Father find out?’
Li Mingrui scoffed. "You think you can hide those little schemes of yours from me? You’re a grown man, yet you still act so thoughtlessly. Since you had the idea, why didn’t you quickly find someone to make the proposal?"
Li Gengdi said helplessly, "It’s because I heard their Qingmu wasn’t planning to marry for another year or two, so I didn’t rush it."
Li Mingrui said, "Foolish! You should have just secured the engagement first. The Zheng Family must have really taken a liking to Liu Fugui’s daughter, which is why they’re willing to overlook the past. They’re rushing the engagement because they probably figure the Liu Family’s daughter has plenty of other suitors, and they’re afraid a delay could bring complications. Just look at how decisively they act!"
Li Gengdi was overcome with shame upon hearing this.
Li Gengtian consoled him, "There are still plenty of other bachelors in our village. You can just choose another one."
Li Gengdi sighed and nodded.
Since Li Changyu was leaving for Qinghui on the eighth, he and Zhang Huai went to the Zheng Family’s home after lunch. They both cornered Qingmu, demanding to know why he had suddenly decided to get engaged.
Qingmu was in the courtyard, pruning peach branches.
Following Juhua’s instructions, he was using a knife to cut the branches at the top of the tree to encourage more new boughs to grow.
Hearing their questions, his face flushed, and his eyes shimmered. He was silent for a moment before giving a slight smile. "I met her, thought she was a good person, and that was that."
What kind of answer was that? Far too simple. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com and vote with recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)