Chapter 375: Revealing the Truth About His Background - Yun Zhao Recognizes His Parentage (5)
Chapter 375: Revealing the Truth About His Background - Yun Zhao Recognizes His Parentage (5)
However, Mo Qingze could only stay at home for two days, which wasn't enough time to prepare. Additionally, November 30th was not an auspicious day. On the other hand, December 8th, the "Laba Festival," was a good day. Changshan Academy would also be on break for a day, making it a perfect occasion for the recognition ceremony.
With the date set, the next step was to finalize the guest list.
Despite Yun Zhao's strong objections, Mo Qingze had to agree not to make it a grand event, only inviting close friends like the village chief, Lin Yong, and a few other friendly families as witnesses. The old Mo family would also be informed, though their attendance was optional.
Even though the number of guests was limited, the ceremony still needed to follow the necessary rituals.
Early the next morning, Mo Qingze went to the best silver shop in the city to order longevity locks for Yun Zhao and his sister Yun Sheng. The locks had to be engraved with their names, so they needed to be custom-made.
After returning, he took Yun Zhao and Yun Sheng to invite guests, starting with the Yang family.
The Yang family, though puzzled as to why Mo Qingze, who had children of his own, would adopt a pair of siblings, still warmly congratulated him.
After visiting the other close families, the three finally went to the old Mo family.
When they explained their purpose, Old Mo felt a tightness in his chest, struggling to breathe. However, unlike in the past, he managed to force a smile and say, "Good."
Hong Shi, however, was so angry that she smashed a teacup, cursing Mo Qingze for preferring to take in two unknown children rather than care for his relatives. If not for the intervention of Mo Yongfu and Mo Yonglu, she might have attacked Yun Zhao and his sister.
Ignoring her outburst, Mo Qingze politely said a few words to Old Mo and then left with the calm-faced Yun Zhao and the somewhat fearful Yun Sheng.
Within half a day, the news of Mo Qingze adopting Yun Zhao and Yun Sheng spread throughout Liuyang Village. Those who had previously regarded the siblings as mere servants of the Mo family were silenced.
Most people envied Yun Zhao and Yun Sheng for their good fortune in being adopted by the Mo family, considering it a stroke of luck. Even though adopted children might not be treated the same as biological ones, the Mo family would still take responsibility for their future marriages.
Moreover, given the Mo family’s reputation, having accepted them meant they would not be treated poorly. The siblings would enjoy the same benefits as the Mo family’s children. With property, a rice shop, and good food, the siblings were seen as having fallen into a nest of good fortune.
"Tsk tsk, the Mo family must be so rich to take in two extra children and treat them so well. Why couldn’t such good luck come to my Tang Bao?" lamented Tang Yu's wife, holding her youngest son and kissing his rosy cheeks while jealously watching her husband, Tang Zhu, weaving baskets.
Tang Zhu didn’t look up, his voice muffled as he replied, "The Mo family isn’t foolish. They have their reasons for doing this."
Though she understood, Tang Yu's wife couldn’t help but feel resentful, saying sourly, "Our Tang Bao is so good, smart, and clever. If we had money to send him to school, he might earn us a noble title."
Mentioning money darkened Tang Zhu's expression, making him work even faster.
Seeing him silent and dejected, Tang Yu's wife grew more frustrated, kicking a finished basket. Her voice became sharp, "Weaving baskets for just three coins each, even if you worked non-stop until New Year, you wouldn’t earn enough to cover the interest on our loan. What use are you? I must have been blind to marry such a useless man!"
Tang Zhu paused, retrieved the kicked basket, and continued working silently.
Tang Yu's wife grew angrier, her voice rising as she complained, "You’re neither strong nor smart, and you can’t keep up with others’ work pace. Mo’s family wouldn’t hire you for collecting soybeans or land clearing. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be in such dire straits, needing to borrow money for that greenhouse. Now, with the vegetables frozen and the money lost, I suggested selling your daughter, but you refused. If you can’t repay the ten taels of silver, we’ll have to sell her anyway."
Tang Zhu’s shoulders slumped further, stammering, "If… if we can’t repay the loan in time, then… then we’ll sell her."
Tang Xin, returning with a basket of greens, overheard her stepmother’s words. Her face, already red from the cold, turned pale. When she heard her father’s agreement to sell her, her numb hands finally lost their grip, and the basket fell to the ground with a thud…
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