Chapter 1618: Tao Shi Seriously Ill?

But now, the letter in Meng Han's hands, though also sent by the Tao Shi, carried a pessimistic tone.

After reading the letter, Meng Han was stunned and looked at her cousin, Shu Yu, in a flustered manner. "What should I do? Shu Yu, my mother is sick, seriously ill. I have to go back."

Although Meng Han disliked how Tao Shi favored her sister Tao Qin, she couldn't wish for any harm to her own mother. She was still young and felt overwhelmed by this situation.

Shu Yu grasped her hand firmly. "Calm down. Does the letter mention what illness she has?"

Meng Han handed the letter to her. "Take a look."

Shu Yu quickly scanned through the letter and finished reading it.

The letter sounded urgent, but Tao Shi didn't specify the illness, only mentioning that the doctor advised her to eat well and relax. Tao Shi also expressed her strong desire to see Meng Han and hoped she would return to see her one last time.

"One last time??" Shu Yu's mouth twitched. The letter was sent as an urgent delivery.

However, to be honest, Shu Yu couldn't tell if Tao Shi's words were true or false. Although she leaned towards them being false, it was still just her speculation. She didn't want to stop Meng Han from going back based on mere guesses.

Meng Han was visibly anxious as she handed the letter back to Shu Yu, letting out a sigh. "Don't panic. Your brother is still at home. If it's really serious, he should directly notify you to come back."

Meng Han was taken aback, feeling like she had caught a lifeline. "So my mother is okay?"

Shu Yu hesitated, "...what I mean is, even if she is sick, it shouldn't be too serious."

Meng Han listened to her and her confused mind began to clear a bit.

Yes, Shu Yu is right. If it's really that serious, then the letter would have been written by her brother.

She took a deep breath and looked at Shu Yu, "But I still have to go back."

Shu Yu nodded and glanced at the sky. "Ah Yun should be coming back soon. When he arrives, discuss it with him..."

Before Shu Yu could finish her sentence, the footsteps of Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng were heard outside the door.

The father and son entered together and saw their niece, who had been away for several days, returning. Meng Pei immediately smiled and asked, "Has Ah Han been having a good time in the city these days?"

Meng Yunzheng noticed Shu Yu's slight frown and Meng Han's tense expression, so he asked, "What happened?"

Meng Han took a few steps closer, her mind filled with the contents of the letter, and her voice choked with emotions, "Uncle, cousin, my mother sent an urgent letter, saying... she wants me to see her one last time. What should I do?"

Both Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng felt their hearts skip a beat as they took the letter from Meng Han to read.

After a moment, Meng Yunzheng comforted her, "Rest well today, and tomorrow morning, I will contact the escort bureau to arrange for someone to take you back to the Changjin Prefecture."

Meng Han nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I'll listen to my cousin."

Meng Pei, on the other hand, rubbed his chin and said to the two of them, "I'll take Ah Han back."

"But, father, didn't you say you were going to escort a shipment to the south in two days?"

"It's alright. There's another batch of goods that need to be sent to Huajiang Prefecture. I'll talk to the leader of the escort and exchange my route with someone else. I'll go to Huajiang Prefecture instead. It's closer to Changjin Prefecture, and once I ensure the safety of that batch of goods, I can take Ah Han back separately. There shouldn't be any problem."

Chapter 1617: Little Named Huo Huo

The news of Shu You giving birth to a child quickly spread throughout the Lu family.

Unfortunately, old Doctor Zhao was not around. To ensure that Meng Yunzheng's plan wouldn't be exposed, he had to make a trip southwestward. Although it wasn't to Tai Fu, he was indeed not in Jiangyuan County anymore.

Zhao Xi named the child Zhao Ziyan, with the nickname Huo Huo, saying that the child had a fiery temperament from birth, which perfectly matched the name.

Shu Yu rolled her eyes when she heard it. She wondered why he gave him so many "fire" elements if he had a fiery temperament from the start.

However, despite her complaints, Shu Yu adored little Huo Huo.

The little guy had a loud voice, and when he was hungry or needed to pee, he cried loudly. Surprisingly, he could cry without shedding tears. When someone went to soothe him, he quickly stopped crying, changing emotions in an instant.

The first time Shu Yu held him, he accurately peed on her hand.

Shu You lay on the bed, eating and smiling, "It seems he really likes you, Aunt Yu."

Shu Yu's mouth twitched, "How do you see that he likes me?"

Zhao Xi said, "Because he has only peed on me and you." As a father, he was sure that his son liked them.

Shu Yu, "... Well, that makes sense."

In the evening, the news also reached the Meng family.

Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi were good friends, so when he saw that Zhao Xi now had a wife and child, he was delighted and gave Huo Huo a big red envelope.

Meng Han also wanted to hold the little guy, but she refrained from doing so as newborn babies had soft bones. She could only look at him with envy and then pulled Shu Yu aside to talk.

Shu Yu could tell that she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Sister Shu Yu, I told my cousin about the letter from home, asking me to return. He said he couldn't arrange it right away, but he will find someone to send me back to Changjin Prefecture after a while, and he will write to my brother about it."

She had a relieved expression, but she felt her cousin could actually arrange it if he wanted to. Perhaps he was just not willing to let her travel alone.

Shu Yu knew that Meng Yunzheng's concerns were similar to hers, probably not feeling at ease with the situation in Changjin Prefecture.

So she nodded, "Then just stay here comfortably. No rush, you can still come to the city to visit when you have the chance."

Meng Han also thought the same way. She had explored many places in the county during her time here, but she had only briefly visited the city of Dong'an Prefecture on her first day and hadn't been there since. She should take the opportunity to explore the city while she was still here. Otherwise, if someone asked about Dong'an Prefecture, she wouldn't know how to answer.

Meng Han acted quickly. After Shu Yu finished bathing Huo Huo, she followed her to the city.

Meng Han had her hands full with recording the journey, while Ying Xi accompanied her as they roamed around.

Shu Yu stayed in the city for three or four days, and Meng Han spent the same amount of time exploring the surroundings.

When they returned, they were both satisfied with their experience.

However, as soon as Shu Yu brought her back to the Meng family, they saw Niu Shi with a letter in hand.

When Meng Han saw it was from Changjin Prefecture, her face fell. She had a bad feeling about it.

As expected, the letter from Changjin Prefecture was urging her to return. This time, the tone was more commanding, asking her to come back soon. They scolded her for being an improper young girl, staying outside for so long, and causing neighbors to gossip.

Meng Han was furious after reading the letter and naturally became even more resistant to the idea of returning.

 Chapter 761: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (2)

Mo Yan didn’t know how Liu Qingqing and Tie Tou had met, but from what Tie Tou had said, the two of them had fallen in love with each other, with one saying “I won’t marry anyone but you” and the other “I won’t marry anyone but you.” Mo Yan couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t asked Liu Qingqing for help back then, Liu Qingqing might never have left Yanyu Tower, and perhaps she would never have met Tie Tou. Without that connection, the conflict between the Wu family’s mother and son might never have happened.

No one would want a daughter-in-law from a brothel. Aunt Wu’s reluctance wasn’t necessarily because she looked down on Liu Qingqing; it was more likely her concern that Tie Tou, marrying a woman with such a tarnished background, would face constant gossip and rumors that could break them both.

Rather than letting the two of them suffer in the future, it would be better to end things now, preventing a lifetime of regret.

The snowball-like figure in Mo Yan’s consciousness, Xue Tuanzi, who hated seeing its master unhappy, quickly comforted her: “Yan Yan, they were destined to meet. Even without your help, they would have crossed paths. Don’t blame yourself.”

Mo Yan, hearing this, wasn’t quite convinced: “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?”

Xue Tuanzi, feeling untrusted by its master, became very upset and retorted, “Believe it or not!”

Mo Yan, helpless, entered her space, picking up Xue Tuanzi (confirming that it had a rear end, or not), and sincerely apologized: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted your words. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Xue Tuanzi’s adult-like voice always made Mo Yan forget that it had the temper of a child.

Xue Tuanzi, feeling satisfied with her apology, cast Mo Yan a proud glance, showing forgiveness.

Seeing Xue Tuanzi's adorable expression, Mo Yan’s fingers itched, and she finally gave in to her inner desire. Amidst Xue Tuanzi’s wary gaze, she gave it a couple of enthusiastic rubs.

Its soft, white, fluffy body, without a hint of fur, was softer than dough, and it felt heavenly under her touch!

“Ah, ah, ah—Stinky Yan Yan, stop it! Stop right now!” Xue Tuanzi shrieked in a high-pitched voice, but there was no real threat in its words.

Mo Yan indulged her hand cravings for a while longer before showing mercy and stopping, leaving Xue Tuanzi blushing from the excessive attention.

Xue Tuanzi was formed from her blood, so it should have been blood-colored. However, it claimed that its form was shaped by virtue, as white as snow, the purest color in the world. Rather than being born from her blood, it was more accurate to say that its virtue gave it a tangible form.

After the playful moment, Mo Yan hurriedly smoothed Xue Tuanzi’s fur to calm it down and distract it. “You said Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing were destined, but does that mean they are destined to be married?”

Xue Tuanzi, fully aware of its master’s thoughts, had originally not wanted to give in so easily. But after being pampered so much, it had grown attached to the attention and honestly responded, “They were destined to meet, but if you hadn’t helped the Wu family escape the Old Mo family, they wouldn’t have gotten married. How could they be destined to be husband and wife?”

Mo Yan suddenly understood, but then sighed dejectedly, “So, it’s still my fault, isn’t it?”

Xue Tuanzi rolled its eyes. “Where did you go wrong? Would you have just stood by and done nothing to help the Wu family because of this?”

Mo Yan froze, then shook her head, feeling both frustrated and enlightened. She had truly overthought it, running in circles. In the end, helping the Wu family escape the Old Mo family was the right thing to do. Whether or not Liu Qingqing had helped, the outcome would have been the same.

After a moment, she asked Xue Tuanzi again, “So, what about now? Can Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing still end up together?”

“They will!” Xue Tuanzi answered without hesitation. “If you hadn’t helped the Wu family escape the Old Mo family, Tie Tou would never have married Liu Qingqing. He would have become disheartened, left home, worked for a courier company, been attacked by bandits, lost his legs, and died poor and lonely. Liu Qingqing would have had a tragic end, dying of depression. All in all, by helping, you saved two lives. Now, do you still feel guilty?”

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 760: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (1)

The disappearance of Si Ni'er, who had been sold and whose whereabouts were unknown, was a deep pain in the hearts of everyone in the Wu family. It also temporarily eased the tension between Wu Shi and her son, Tie Tou.

As Mo Yan left the Wu house, her thoughts were tangled. The first time she heard Tie Tou mention “Qingqing,” she found the name familiar. When she connected it to the fact that the woman had also come from a brothel, she was almost certain of her identity. Yet, she couldn't let go of that last shred of doubt and asked in her mind, reaching out to the snowball-like figure in her consciousness: “Is the Qingqing that Tie Tou mentioned the same person who helped orchestrate the plan against the Old Mo family—Liu Qingqing?”

Soon, the voice of the snowball, sounding older than it was, echoed in her mind: “Who else could it be?”

It really was her!

Mo Yan rubbed her forehead, suddenly feeling that she had made a foolish decision.

To help Tie Tou and his siblings escape the Old Mo family, Mo Yan had once used a token given to her by Yan Junyu and visited the Yanyu Tower to find a woman to stage an act. After all, respectable women valued their reputations more than anything else, and no amount of money would persuade them to participate in such a ruse.

Yanyu Tower was a place that Yan Junyu had won in a bet years ago. On the surface, it looked like any ordinary brothel, but the women inside were stunningly beautiful and had been carefully trained as spies, gathering all kinds of information from their customers.

The women there would entertain the guests, and whether or not they spent the night with them was up to the individual woman, with Yanyu Tower not interfering as long as the women gathered the necessary information.

Liu Qingqing was a special case. She had been one of the original girls at Yanyu Tower before it was restructured. After the other girls were dismissed by the madam, she was left with nowhere to go. Having been deeply hurt by her family, she knew that even if she returned home, she would only be sold again.

Upon learning that she would no longer need to accompany clients, she had begged to stay, intending to earn some money and find a quiet place to live out the rest of her life.

Although Yanyu Tower was wary of keeping an “outsider,” they couldn’t resist Liu Qingqing’s pleas. Seeing her truly pitiful, they relented and gave her a new contract, with strict orders not to divulge any secrets of the tower. She was then allowed to remain, tasked with entertaining regular customers. Whether or not she spent the night with them was left to her discretion.

Having escaped the dark life of the brothel, Liu Qingqing refused to return to it. She spent her days playing the piano, dancing, and reciting poetry for the guests. With the protection of Yanyu Tower, her life was relatively comfortable, and over the years, she saved enough money to think about changing her life.

Because Liu Qingqing was intelligent and obedient, she had brought a lot of business to the tower, and learned many valuable secrets. The madam, reluctant to let her go, wanted to keep her for a few more years and even promised to find her a good family to marry after that.

However, Liu Qingqing had long abandoned the thought of marriage and was unmoved by the madam’s promises. When Mo Yan came to the Yanyu Tower, Liu Qingqing was in the middle of negotiating with the madam.

The madam, recognizing Mo Yan as a friend of her master, was very polite and, upon hearing Mo Yan’s request, eagerly gathered the girls together for her to choose from.

At that time, Liu Qingqing saw it as an opportunity to leave Yanyu Tower, and so she stepped forward. Her condition was that Mo Yan help her plead with the madam to release her contract and allow her to leave the brothel.

The madam, seeing that Liu Qingqing was determined to leave, knew it would be futile to force her to stay and that it might cause more trouble. Before Mo Yan could speak, the madam had already agreed, saying that once Liu Qingqing helped the guest resolve the matter, she would release her contract and set her free.

In the end, Liu Qingqing completed the task Mo Yan had entrusted to her and paid a hundred taels of silver to buy her freedom. She then left the brothel, accompanied by her maid.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 759: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (4)

As they walked, Mo Yan asked why Tie Tou was home and why Wu Shi had become so angry. She soon learned that it all involved a woman.

The Wu family had built a large house, and the scent of meat often wafted from within. No longer wearing ragged clothes, it was obvious that the Wu family’s fortunes were improving. Many people in the village had noticed this and hoped to marry off their daughters to the Wu family, hoping to secure a better future for their own families. Likewise, the eligible bachelors in the area hoped to marry Da Nier, knowing that the Wu family would be a strong ally.

Even the original residents of Liuyang Village began considering distant relatives and friends, thinking it would be beneficial to establish ties with the prosperous Wu family through marriage.

The nearby villages had heard of the Wu family’s newfound wealth and were eager to gather information. They knew that Tie Tou, though simple, had no major flaws and had found a good job at the rice shop. His prospects seemed bright.

As for Da Nier, she was hardworking and docile, and almost every suitor in the area had tried to propose to her. Yet both Tie Tou and Da Nier had not easily accepted any of them. Wu Shi, though eager to see her children settled, wanted to be careful about who they married. She had suffered in the past and didn’t want her children to follow the same difficult path.

Wu Shi, especially concerned about Tie Tou and Da Nier, had always been determined to find suitable matches for them. However, even though she had always sought the best for her children, she had recently taken drastic action against Tie Tou, using a large wooden rod to strike him. Tie Tou, ever obedient and dutiful, had simply knelt and let his mother hit him without defending himself.

When Mo Yan arrived at the Wu house, she saw Wu Shi, exhausted and tearful, sitting on a chair holding the wooden rod. Her eyes were filled with anger and pain.

In the corner, Shi Tou held San Nier, both crying in fear. San Nier, though scared, was trying to comfort her younger brother, her face showing her deep fear.

Tie Tou was kneeling with his back to the door, and Mo Yan couldn’t see his expression. As she stepped into the hall, her first action was to try to ease the tension. "Aunt Wu, let’s talk calmly. Mother and son should be able to work things out. Look, San Nier and Shi Tou are scared!"

Wu Shi, lost in her determination to correct her son’s path, hadn’t noticed Mo Yan’s arrival. When she heard the voice, she turned to see Mo Yan standing there.

Seeing Mo Yan, Wu Shi suddenly seemed to find a vent for her frustration. Without caring for the family’s dignity, she grabbed Mo Yan’s hand and choked out, "If I had known… if I had known he was bewitched by such a woman, when the matchmaker came to propose, I would’ve accepted it right away. It would’ve been better than... better than that woman!"

From Da Nier’s vague words earlier, Mo Yan hadn’t known much about the woman Tie Tou liked, but now, hearing Wu Shi’s words, she was shocked. Was the woman married?

However, Wu Shi’s next words cleared up her confusion, and Mo Yan was even more taken aback by the woman’s identity:

"...There are so many good girls in the world. Why did he pick a woman who came out of a brothel? As a woman, I sympathize with her circumstances, but I will never accept such a woman as my daughter-in-law, never..."

Before Wu Shi could finish, Tie Tou suddenly lifted his head, loudly defending the woman. "Mother, Qingqing is a good girl! She’s not a filthy woman. It’s not her fault I fell for her. If you’re angry, blame me, not her! Qingqing is innocent!"

Mo Yan, who had known Tie Tou for so long, had never heard him speak so forcefully. It was clear that the woman from the brothel had deeply affected him.

As Mo Yan was thinking of a way to ease the tension between mother and son, Wu Shi suddenly stood up and swung the wooden rod at Tie Tou’s back with all her might.

The blow came so quickly that Mo Yan had no time to stop it.

The rod struck Tie Tou’s back with a dull thud. Pain flashed across his face, but he gritted his teeth and bore it, continuing to defend Qingqing. "Mother, Qingqing really is a good girl! Aside from her background, she’s a perfect match for me! You may not like her origins, but she didn’t choose them. You always say you regret letting Fourth Sister be sold, and you must have felt sorry for her. But Qingqing, when she was my age, was sold to a brothel by her family. How could a little girl have the power to resist? She didn’t have a choice. She never demeaned herself, and she even found a way to redeem herself to live a decent life. With all that, she’s not a bad girl! Mother, even if you don’t pity her, at least pity me! If I can’t marry her, I’d rather stay single for the rest of my life!"

Tie Tou spoke in one breath, his eyes locked onto his mother’s, showing a determination Mo Yan had never seen in him before. He wasn’t just making empty threats; he seemed ready to live his life alone if it meant not being with Qingqing.

With a loud thud, the wooden rod fell to the ground.

Wu Shi staggered back two steps, her eyes filled with tears as she collapsed into the chair. It was unclear whether she was crying for her lost Si Nier or for the words Tie Tou had just spoken.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1616: Speed Beyond Imagination

As soon as Grandma Lu entered the courtyard, they suddenly heard the cry of a baby from inside.

Everyone who hurriedly rushed to the courtyard was stunned, looking at each other.

"She's giving birth??" It's too fast; she didn't even have time to catch her breath.

Inside, the midwife's voice was heard, "Is the hot water ready?"

"It's ready, it's ready." The maid behind Grandma Lu entered the courtyard with the hot water.

Next moment, Shu Yu came out of the Courtyard, and Grandma Lu grabbed her hand with excitement, her eyes bright. "Did your sister give birth? How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's fine, she's fine, Grandma. My sister gave birth to a little nephew for me." Shu Yu couldn't contain her smile.

"What do you mean 'gave birth for you'?" Grandma Lu scolded her with dissatisfaction but relaxed, "It's a boy? How can it be so fast?"

"I was also astonished." Shu Yu exclaimed, "My brother-in-law was helping my sister breathe, and then he asked her to push a few times, and the baby came out."

Compared to Zhou Qiao, Shu You's delivery was incredibly speedy.

Grandma Lu smiled, "It's better to be fast, your sister will suffer less. As long as the child is healthy, it's good. This is Zhao Xi's credit. For the last few months, he took your sister for walks every day and adjusted her diet. Otherwise, if the child was too fat, it wouldn't be easy to give birth."

Grandma Lu wanted to go inside and see, but she came in a hurry and got covered in dust in the kitchen, so it wasn't appropriate to enter.

Fortunately, after a while, the midwife came out carrying the baby, smiling, "Congratulations, congratulations, Lady Zhao has given birth to a little young master. Look at his handsome appearance, taking after his parents."

Grandma Lu went forward and looked at the baby wrapped in a blanket. The little face was wrinkled with closed eyes, and she couldn't see any handsome features.

But the midwife's words made her happy, and she immediately rewarded her with a string of copper coins.

The midwife's eyes lit up, and more sweet words came out. Earlier, Doctor Zhao had already given her money inside, and now the old lady gave her more; this family is indeed generous.

When it comes to washing after delivery, there will probably be more rewards.

Satisfied with what she saw, Grandma Lu asked the midwife to take the baby inside and not stay outside in the cold.

Then, she took Lan Hua and went to the neighboring courtyard to chat with Yu Fenglin.

With one happy event following another, the old lady's mood was truly excellent.

When Lu Erbai, and Ruan Shi received the news and rushed back, they stood in their daughter's courtyard, staring at the silent door, feeling puzzled.

Why was it so quiet? Did something happen?

Ruan Shi's face turned anxious, and she was about to go inside.

Zhao Xi happened to come out and hurriedly stopped them, whispering, "Dad, Mom, Ah You just fell asleep. Let's wait until she wakes up to see her."

Ruan Shi was taken aback, "Didn't Ah You start labor? Why is she sleeping again? Didn't she give birth?"

"...," Zhao Xi felt that his mother was incoherent with anxiety. He smiled and explained, "She has already given birth. It's a boy. Do you want to see? I'll bring the baby out."

Lu Erbai was surprised, "She has already given birth?"

They rushed back as soon as they received the news, and the servant who delivered the message said Ah You had just started labor. They hadn't been home for more than a quarter of an hour.

Is it really that fast to give birth?

Ruan Shi realized and immediately asked with joy, "So, Ah You didn't suffer much? She gave birth to a boy? How much does he weigh? Does he look like anyone..."

 Chapter 1615: Shu You Gives Birth

Grandma Lu shook her head, "They brought this upon themselves. Your mother is right. From now on, you must not associate with Xu Cai anymore."

"I understand, grandma."

The matter with Xu Cai is too distressing, and Grandma Lu doesn't want to talk about it further. She changes the topic and asks if they have visited Old Master Yu.

Lan Hua nods, "We went there yesterday afternoon, and Uncle Tang sent us many gifts."

Old Master Yu lives in the town, not far from Shishi Village. As matchmakers, Lan Hua and her husband went to express their gratitude and present gifts.

Moreover, since Yu Fenglin has no parents and hardly any close relatives, Old Master Yu played a significant role in their marriage.

Old Master Yu's wife is still bedridden, so he approached his sister to take care of the arrangements for the wedding feast and other matters. The servants from the house also assisted in getting everything done properly.

On the day they went to Lu's family to fetch the dowry and welcome the bride, the uncles and brothers who helped were all called upon by Old Master Yu.

The relationship between Yu Fenglin and the relatives from Old Master Yu's family grew closer over time.

However, they never met Old Master Yu's wife throughout this period. Old Master Yu mentioned that she was unwell and didn't want to see anyone.

Lan Hua felt it might be impolite not to visit, but since Old Master Yu said so, she didn't want to push it.

Hence, in her mind, Old Master Yu's wife remained a mysterious figure.

When Shu Yu heard this, she almost spit out the tea she was drinking.

Mysterious? Perhaps...?

"By the way, where is Sister Shu You? I want to talk to her about Yiren Pavilion."

Grandma Lu answered, "She's in her own courtyard. You can go there, and Zhao Xi is also there. I'll go to the kitchen to instruct them to prepare lunch here."

Lan Hua agreed and took Yu Fenglin to Shu You's courtyard.

However, after entering the courtyard, she quickly ran out with a pale face.

Shu Yu was about to return to her study when she saw Lan Hua's panicked look and hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

"Sister Ah You is about to give birth. She's in labor."

Shu Yu was taken aback, "Already?!" Feeling anxious, she instinctively wanted to rush in.

But then she remembered something and turned to instruct Ying Xi, "Quick, go to the kitchen and boil water, find two midwives to help."

What else? What else should she do?

Shu Yu's mind was in chaos, even though she had witnessed Zhou Qiao giving birth before, she was unsure what else needed to be done now.

Ying Xi hurriedly complied and ran off.

Shu Yu stood there for a moment before pulling Lan Hua along and rushing back inside.

Yu Fenglin was standing in the courtyard. He wasn't familiar with the Lu family, so he left finding help to Lan Hua. Since he couldn't go in while they were giving birth, he simply stayed outside to keep watch.

As soon as Shu Yu entered, she anxiously asked, "How is she?"

Yu Fenglin also didn't know, he could only say, "Brother-in-law is inside assisting with the birth."

Just as he finished speaking, they heard Shu You's cries from inside.

Shu Yu's heart trembled, and she quickly went in.

Inside the room were Zhao Xi, the midwife, and the maidservant assisting Shu You. Zhao Xi was a doctor who understood Shu You's situation, so he personally oversaw the delivery.

At this moment, he was comforting Shu You while instructing her to adjust her breathing.

Shu Yu didn't dare disturb her and could only help the maidservants tidy up things around the room.

Before long, Grandma Lu arrived. She had been in the kitchen, but upon hearing Ying Xi's report, she rushed over immediately.

 Chapter 758: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (3)

Xiao Ruiyuan suddenly smiled and pulled the stunned girl before him into his arms. "I won't!" he said firmly.

Mo Yan found herself lost in his smile, unable to look away. It wasn’t until the mischievous howl of Xiao Hua, who had come back to watch the scene, broke the moment that she snapped out of it. Her cheeks flushed pink—not from embarrassment, but from anger at Xiao Hua’s antics.

She shot a glare at the tactless Xiao Hua, silently vowing to remember this.

Hmph! She had intended to help him in his pursuit of Da Bai, feeling sorry for how hard he’d been working at it. But now, seeing his foolish behavior, why should she bother? Let him remain single for life!

Xiao Hua, still rolling on the ground in laughter, completely missed the opportunity to impress Da Bai, yet again pushing his goal of winning her heart even further into the distance.

Still mindful of their surroundings in the Mo household, Xiao Ruiyuan reluctantly released Mo Yan after holding her for a moment. Yet as soon as she left his arms, an emptiness settled in his heart. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently brushed aside the strands of hair on her forehead. Then he brought up the proposal Chu Heng had mentioned the other night.

Mo Yan had initially planned to act reserved, but it wasn’t in her nature. She suggested instead, “The tenth day of the twelfth month is my father’s birthday. He’s planning a small gathering with family and friends to dispel the bad luck from his previous wrongful imprisonment. Coincidentally, you’re off that day, so why don’t you and your cousin come by under the pretense of offering birthday wishes?”

Her expression turned slightly troubled as she added, “My father doesn’t know about us and has already picked someone he sees as an ideal son-in-law. He’s even dropped hints to me, but I played dumb to brush him off. On his birthday, that person will likely show up, and there’s a chance my father will bring up the matter.”

She briefly explained Shen Ji’s background to Xiao Ruiyuan, giving him some context. She knew that compared to Xiao Ruiyuan, her father would likely favor Shen Ji. In terms of family background and personality, Shen Ji was undoubtedly the more suitable son-in-law in her father’s eyes.

Hearing that his future father-in-law had found him a rival—and a formidable one at that—Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression darkened. “Don’t worry, my cousin and I will definitely be there that day!”

It was rare for Mo Yan to see him this tense, as if preparing for a great battle. She couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re so nervous. Are you afraid he’ll outshine you?”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression turned solemn, and though he didn’t respond verbally, the pride in his gaze made it clear he didn’t see Shen Ji as a threat.

Mo Yan’s heart softened as she decided to subtly prepare her father for the truth. She worried that her father, shocked by the revelation, might not outright chase Xiao Ruiyuan away but would certainly not treat him kindly.

...

After enjoying tea with Mo Qingze, Xiao Ruiyuan joined him in the study for a few rounds of chess. They played until the last trace of daylight disappeared. Despite Mo Qingze’s insistence that he stay, Xiao Ruiyuan only stayed for dinner before reluctantly bidding farewell.

As much as he hated leaving, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t dare linger for fear that Mo Qingze might notice something amiss. Mounting his horse, he rode away without looking back, vanishing into the moonlit night.

The winter nights were long and quiet, with little to entertain, so most households turned in early. The Mo family was no exception. After sending Xiao Ruiyuan off, the family gathered around the fire to warm themselves before bedtime.

Just as they settled in, the urgent sound of bells came from the eaves. Li Yan quickly got up to answer the door. Moments later, she returned, followed by a visibly distressed Da Nier.

Before anyone could ask, Da Nier rushed forward and grabbed Mo Yan’s arm, blurting out anxiously, “Yan girl, come with me quickly! My mother is about to beat my brother to death!”

Everyone was stunned. Seeing Da Nier’s panic, it was clear something serious had happened. Mo Yan didn’t have time to ask why Tie Tou, who usually stayed at the shop overnight, would be home and in trouble. She hastily informed her father before hurrying out with Da Nier.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 757: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (2)

As soon as Mo Qingze heard that Mo Yan had found more mist tea, his anger dissipated somewhat, though he still maintained a façade. He turned to Xiao Ruiyuan and said, “That tea is excellent. Once Han Zhang finishes his tasks, join your uncle in the front hall for a tasting.” 

Xiao Ruiyuan eagerly agreed, cupping his hands in respect. “It would be my honor!”

Noticing that Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression remained composed, clearly unperturbed by the earlier outburst from his daughter, Mo Qingze slowly exhaled in relief. He shot a sharp glare at Mo Yan before nodding politely to Xiao Ruiyuan and leaving with his hands clasped behind his back.

The moment Mo Qingze was out of sight, Mo Yan shooed away the four beasts who had been sitting and watching the drama unfold. Turning to Xiao Ruiyuan, she immediately asked, “How do you have the time to visit today? Is there news of Chen Ji?”

Her question was partly a guess, but Xiao Ruiyuan confirmed it. “Anjiu, who has been tracking Chen Ji, sent word that Chen Ji was spotted in Bincheng, a thousand miles from the capital. The search is underway, and if nothing unexpected happens, we should have news within three days.”

Mo Yan, already aware from Xue Tuanzi that Chen Ji would be found, wasn’t particularly surprised by this update. However, thinking about the need to save Du Shi’s life, she clung to a sliver of hope and asked, “Once Chen Ji is captured, what will happen to his wife and daughter?”

She wasn’t sure if she could save Du Shi, but if Du Shi’s life could be spared, Mo Yan intended to arrange a stable future for her as repayment for the life debt.

Xiao Ruiyuan assumed she still harbored feelings for Du Shi as her mother and couldn’t bear to tell her the harsh truth: Emperor Hui'an had already decreed the execution of the entire Chen family. If not for Chen Ji being an orphan without extended relatives, the punishment might have extended to the ninth degree of kinship.

This hesitation on Xiao Ruiyuan’s face extinguished Mo Yan’s faint hope entirely. With a heavy heart, she asked, “Is there no way to spare Du Shi’s life?”

Xiao Ruiyuan hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Chen Ji participated in poisoning the late Empress, a crime that neither His Majesty nor my cousin would forgive. The Lin family narrowly escaped extermination, but only because Marquis Wenzhong sacrificed his life in exchange.”

Frustrated, Mo Yan paced back and forth before stopping abruptly. “What if I trade my title as a princess for her life?”

Xiao Ruiyuan was momentarily stunned but then considered it, albeit uncertainly. “Perhaps... it’s possible. I’ll ask my cousin about it. But... is it worth it?”

“It’s worth it!” Mo Yan replied without hesitation. Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s furrowed brows, she guessed he misunderstood her intentions. She didn’t explain that saving Du Shi was crucial to preserving the blessings of her siblings. Instead, she decided to say nothing more.

Xiao Ruiyuan couldn’t understand Mo Yan’s reasoning, but he wouldn’t interfere with her decisions. As long as it was something she wanted to do, he would help her accomplish it. “Du Shi is indeed innocent. I’ll speak to my cousin, and as for His Majesty... considering your contributions to the kingdom, he might grant leniency. Once Chen Ji and his family are captured, I’ll accompany you to the palace.”

Mo Yan was deeply moved by Xiao Ruiyuan’s willingness to risk angering Emperor Hui'an and Chu Heng for her sake. However, guilt weighed on her as she hurried to stop him. “You shouldn’t get involved in this. No matter what, His Majesty owes me a promise. There’s no need for you to be put in a difficult position.”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression darkened, his deep voice carrying unmistakable displeasure. “What matters to you matters to me. You don’t want me to be troubled, but do you think I can stand by and watch you face His Majesty’s wrath alone?”

Mo Yan wasn’t afraid of his reaction. Instead, warmth filled her heart. She realized that continuing to argue would only upset him further. Knowing his determination, she understood that even if she tried to stop him, he would still act on her behalf.

With that thought in mind, Mo Yan stopped rejecting his goodwill and earnestly said, “When the time comes, we’ll go together. You’re not allowed to keep anything from me or take everything on yourself.”

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 1614: Getting Married One Month Later

The Xu family felt uneasy about the situation, but considering their daughter's disgraceful actions, they couldn't demand too high of a dowry. However, they still needed to show some sincerity; they couldn't give nothing, or it would be embarrassing for the Ge family.

But even the Xu family felt this way, Xu Cai was even more reluctant.

She believed she wasn't inferior to Lan Hua, so how could her dowry be lower? Xu Cai had inquired about Lan Hua's dowry, which amounted to a substantial thirty taels. That was quite an astonishing sum.

As the dowry in those days was given to the bride's parents, and since Li Shi was fond of her daughter, and their family was well-off, they left only five taels as a symbolic gesture, giving the rest as Lan Hua's dowry.

Back when Shu You first got married, Ruan Shi had asked her to bring the full dowry with her.

Li Shi considered herself generous and wouldn't want to be inferior to Ruan Shi. Xu Cai had heard about this and was envious; in most villages, the dowry might be up to five taels at most. But the Ge family ran a tofu shop and had some small business, so perhaps they could manage thirty taels?

At that time, Xu Cai felt that Ge Qifei loved her deeply, and her appetite was whetted by Lan Hua's thirty taels. She thought that she should have the same amount for her own marriage.

But she hadn't considered whether her family could afford the corresponding bride price.

So, when Xu Cai mentioned the dowry amount, both the Ge and Xu families thought she was crazy.

The Ge family immediately left, and Ge Qifei even flipped the table, scolding Xu Cai as a delusional fool, a pitiful woman with no prospects.

The first round of negotiations ended without success.

Later, Xu Cai's neighbors said that the Xu family had quarreled loudly that night, and Xu's father had slapped Xu Cai, causing her to cry for most of the night.

The next day, when the dowry was brought up again, it had been reduced from two taels to one.

The Ge family really didn't want this disgraceful woman to marry into their family, but the fact that they had caused a commotion in the sunflower field was handled personally by the village head of Shishi Village. If they backed out now, it would hurt Fan Zhong's face, and he might even report the matter to the County magistrate.

In the end, nobody asked for Xu Cai's opinion, and the dowry was set at one tael of silver. As for the three golden items, there was no need to even think about it.

Under these circumstances, it's easy to imagine the life Xu Cai and Ge Qifei would have after getting married.

When Lan Hua heard about this, she was truly shocked. Li Shi advised her to stay away from Xu Cai and not even speak to her.

Lan Hua merely nodded, but who would have thought that when she returned to the village, she would cross paths with a haggard-looking Xu Cai while sitting in the mule cart.

Lan Hua wanted to say something, but Xu Cai glared at her fiercely.

This person was unbelievable.

Lan Hua wasn't one to back down, so she glared back with disdain and pulled down the curtain.

From then on, the two completely went their separate ways.

Shu Yu asked, "Is the wedding date set?"

"Yes, my mother said it will be around mid-October."

Grandma Lu exclaimed, "Isn't that too soon? It's only September 10th now, just one month??"

Lan Hua smiled wryly, "Xu Cai is already Ge Qifei's woman. Both families are afraid that if they wait too long, she might become pregnant. Besides, this matter is a scandal for both families, and they don't want to make a big fuss. They don't need to prepare too much."

 Chapter 1613: The Two Families Prepare for the Marriage

Upon hearing Xu Cai's name, Grandma Lu and Shu Yu exchanged a glance.

"Is her situation resolved?"

Lan Hua was taken aback, "You both know?" She quickly realized that it was impossible for them not to know. The place where Xu Cai and Ge Qifei met secretly was in Lin's sunflower field, and it was Da Zhuang who personally caught them. On that day, both Shu Yu and Grandma Lu were in Shishi Village. Da Zhuang might have kept it a secret from others, but he would surely have told Sister Ah Yu.

She suddenly remembered that during the dowry delivery, Grandma Lu had asked about Xu Cai's whereabouts but was taken away by Third Aunt.

Afterward, she didn't bring up Xu Cai's name again.

She realized now that they had chosen not to tell her to avoid affecting her mood.

Thinking of this, Lan Hua forced a bitter smile. Xu Cai used to be her best friend, but now she silently got involved with her ex-fiancé.

Back when Ge's family broke off the engagement, they had even cursed Ge Qifei together.

Now, thinking back, while Lan Hua cursed, Xu Cai probably hated her to death in her heart.

Yu Fenglin patted her back and handed her a cup of tea, silently comforting her.

Lan Hua raised her head and smiled, "I'm fine."

It had all passed, and over these two years, she and Xu Cai had limited contact. Moreover, with the experience they gained and as they grew older, the distance between them had grown wider. When they occasionally met, they found themselves speechless.

Later, Xu Cai blatantly tried to sow discord between her and Shu Yu, making Lan Hua realize that their values and paths for the future were completely different from their childhood days.

It made her feel a bit uncomfortable, but not too seriously.

Now that Xu Cai's actions were mentioned again, Lan Hua couldn't help but sigh, "I found out about their situation during my return visit yesterday. It has become the talk of the village. My parents said that both Xu's family and Ge's family know about their meetings, and both families were originally planning for them to marry."

Even children wouldn't believe such a story.

If they were already planning to get married, why sneak into the sunflower field? Even if the engagement was fixed, the disheveled appearance of the two when they crawled out of the field was disgraceful.

Besides, a few days ago, there were rumors that Xu's family wanted to propose marriage to Da Qiang's family.

And now, they changed their minds in just a few days?

With Ge Qifei's character, most people in Shishi Village knew about it. He even pitifully squatted in front of Lu's family gate trying to meet Lan Hua. And then, he secretly had an affair with Lan Hua's friend? Xu Cai was equally shameless and foolish.

Regardless of what everyone knew, the two families had to cover things up.

At this point, unless they got married, it would be difficult for them to find new partners.

So, in a mixed mood of joy and helplessness, the two families began to discuss the marriage.

Little did they know that there would be a big disturbance on the day of their negotiations.

The Ge family was unwilling to give a large dowry. As Xu Cai was no longer a young maiden, they were already dissatisfied. Seeing that their son didn't seem too eager to marry, they wouldn't be willing to offer a substantial dowry. The Ge family even considered not giving a dowry at all, just quietly marrying them off without any grand celebration.

 Chapter 756: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (1)

Xiao Ruiyuan, burdened with numerous duties, rarely had time to visit the Mo household. However, he couldn't resist the deep yearning in his heart. After spending several nights completing his accumulated work, he finally carved out half a day and used a convenient excuse to make the trip to Mo's residence.

What he hadn't anticipated was overhearing his beloved expressing such... bold and uninhibited remarks to a wolf!

In Xiao Ruiyuan's mind, the woman he adored was refined and intelligent, exuding elegance and grace. Even occasional lapses in decorum were but expressions of her authentic self. Yet, today's experience completely overturned his perception, nearly making him doubt his ears.

These words would sound coarse even if uttered by a man, likely leaving an uncomfortable impression. But having spent years in military camps, Xiao Ruiyuan had seen and heard it all. Moreover, the speaker was the woman he cherished. Witnessing this candid and vibrant side of her, he found himself inexplicably delighted, his heart swelling with an indescribable joy.

This, perhaps, was the so-called "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder." To love someone meant to embrace them entirely—even their flaws.

While Xiao Ruiyuan was swept away by love's indulgence, Mo Qingze, encountering this shocking side of his daughter for the first time, felt anything but pleased. Closing his eyes, he longed to plug his ears and convince himself it was all an illusion. How could his daughter possibly say such humiliating things?

But no amount of self-delusion could erase the truth. Fearing she might utter even more shocking words in front of a guest, Mo Qingze barely resisted the urge to smack her on the head and instead gave a couple of heavy coughs.

Hearing the sound, Mo Yan whipped around and saw her dear father glaring at her with fiery eyes. Beside him stood a tall and graceful figure—the man she admired. Yet... why did his cold face and barely suppressed smile seem so incongruous?

Mo Yan's confusion lasted only a moment before the realization struck her like lightning. Understanding their expressions' true cause, she widened her eyes, wishing she could vanish into a hole and never come out again.

Humiliated! Completely humiliated!

Mo Yan was utterly crushed. Standing up, she tried to force a smile, but facing her father’s dark expression and Xiao Ruiyuan’s amused one, she found herself unable to muster even a semblance of a grin. Tears of frustration nearly welled up.

Xiao Ruiyuan, feeling her distress, quickly stifled his amusement. Stepping forward to rescue his beloved from the awkward situation, he said, “The County Princess is truly kind and virtuous, earning the trust of such noble beasts. Xiao cannot help but be in awe.”

On a normal day, hearing his daughter praised, Mo Qingze would have happily agreed. Yet now, the memory of her earlier behavior played vividly in his mind, making his pent-up frustration bubble to the surface. His face darkened further.

Afraid her father might harm his health out of anger, Mo Yan shot a sharp glare at the troublemaker. She rushed forward to soothe her father. “Father, we have a distinguished guest today. You should have sent Xin’er to fetch me instead of coming yourself. By the way, I recently found some wild tea that’s perfect for hosting Lord Xiao.”

The wild tea Mo Yan referred to was an exceptionally rare type of mist tea, seldom seen even in the imperial palace. She had stumbled upon it during a recent mountain excursion, growing on a cliff edge. There were only four bushes in total. Mo Yan transplanted two into her spatial pocket, and they soon bore fresh leaves.

After harvesting and roasting the tea within her spatial pocket, she kept a small portion for herself and gifted the rest to her father. A tea enthusiast, Mo Qingze treasured the mist tea dearly and rarely indulged in it.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 755: Sharing Money and Losing Face (4)

On the day the silver was distributed, nearly every member of the 35 households gathered at the Mo family’s residence early in the morning. After being informed they would receive enough silver to build three large tiled houses, they were so excited that many hadn’t slept well for two nights.

Seeing the villagers with dark circles under their eyes but full of energy, Mo Yan couldn’t help but laugh. After greeting them briefly, she had Tang Xin and the four supervisors begin distributing the silver.

Each household sent a representative to collect the money. Every time Mo Yan announced the amount a household would receive, gasps of astonishment echoed through the crowd.

Each representative would thank Mo Yan before carefully holding the gleaming silver and sharing the joy with their family members.

Watching the satisfied smiles on their faces and the children chattering around the adults, begging for candy, Mo Yan couldn’t help but smile. It was a joy that went beyond accumulating good karma.

After the silver was distributed, none of the 35 households had any objections to the amount they received. They trusted that the Mo family, who didn’t lack silver, wouldn’t embezzle even a single coin. Moreover, with the accounts double-checked by the four supervisors, there was no room for doubt.

Still, Mo Yan had them verify their amounts one last time and press their fingerprints in the "received" column next to their names. This measure prevented unnecessary disputes and was beneficial for everyone.

Once the villagers left, Mo Yan took the 19 taels her family received and handed 9 taels to Tang Xin. When Tang Xin tried to refuse, Mo Yan said firmly, “You’ve worked so hard these past few months; this silver is rightfully yours. You can’t decline it.”

Tang Xin was flustered, her face reddening as she protested, “Sister Yan, you’ve already been paying me monthly wages. It’s more than enough for my needs—how can I accept so much silver?”

Though the Mo family had technically purchased Tang Xin, meaning they weren’t obligated to give her any wages, they treated her and the Li family as their own. Tang Xin, along with the Lis, worked diligently and contributed significantly to the household. Mo Yan ensured that Tang Xin, Li Xiu, and Li Yan each received one tael of silver per month, while Li Zhong received three taels.

Since the greenhouse project began, Tang Xin had been working even harder, overseeing the fields while still handling household chores. The 9 taels, though substantial, were well-earned through her effort.

When Tang Xin continued to refuse, Mo Yan feigned annoyance. “You’ve been doing two jobs—why shouldn’t you get paid for both? Besides, this isn’t just for the past three months; it covers your wages for the upcoming winter months as well. If I hired an accountant, it would cost me more than 9 taels. By not accepting it, are you saying it’s too little?”

Tang Xin shook her head frantically. “No, Sister Yan! I have enough to eat and wear; I don’t need to spend money. I’m grateful you’ve taught me to read and given me this opportunity. No matter what, I can’t take this silver!”

Seeing her determination, Mo Yan sighed and relented. “Fine, consider it deposited with me. If you ever need silver, I’ll give it to you then.”

Mo Yan thought to herself that in four or five years, when Tang Xin got married, she could add it to her dowry. This way, she wouldn’t feel awkward about accepting it now.

Tang Xin nodded, relieved. “Alright, Sister Yan, you can hold onto it for me.” She had no intention of asking for the silver back while living in the Mo family, where she didn’t have to spend money at all.

That afternoon, after a nap, Mo Yan was tugged awake by Mao Tuan, who wanted her to play.

The little one was still a child and loved to play, so Mo Yan grabbed a bamboo ball and teased it in the yard. Soon, Xiao Hua, who usually scorned Mao Tuan as childish, couldn’t resist joining in. What started as a playful game turned into an intense two-beast battle for the ball.

The bamboo ball was fortunately well-made, and the animals were careful not to destroy it, or they would run out of toys.

Even Da Bai and the Golden Beast, who had been watching, couldn’t resist joining. (The Crimson Python was hibernating.) Through a draw, Mao Tuan and the Golden Beast teamed up, while Xiao Hua and Da Bai formed the other team, with Mo Yan acting as the referee.

She gave their teams “mighty” and “impressive” names: the Rocket Team and the Carrier Team.

The Golden Beast was the fastest, while Mao Tuan was the slowest, but their teamwork was flawless, making them a formidable duo.

In contrast, Xiao Hua and Da Bai, despite their long-standing friendship and shared species, lacked coordination. Xiao Hua harbored a crush on Da Bai and had spent over a year failing to make progress. Seizing this opportunity, it repeatedly tried to get close to Da Bai under the guise of playing.

However, Da Bai wasn’t one to be taken advantage of. Whenever Xiao Hua tried to sidle up, it would dart away swiftly. On one occasion, it even lost the ball to the Rocket Team due to Xiao Hua’s interference.

Frustrated by Xiao Hua’s antics, Da Bai finally lost patience and bit Xiao Hua’s leg—hard, with no restraint.

Xiao Hua limped to Mo Yan, its bloodied paw held out for sympathy. Instead of comforting it, Mo Yan burst out laughing and patted its head. “Haha, serves you right! If you’re serious about courting a girlfriend, pursue her properly. Taking advantage and acting like a scoundrel isn’t the way! You’re lucky Da Bai is kind—if it were someone else, they might bite off your little ding-ding and make you a eunuch wolf!”

Unbeknownst to her, two people stood behind her, staring in stunned silence, their faces dark with embarrassment... 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1612: Li Shi's Fear of Yu Fenglin

The next day, Shu Yu went to the city to check on the situation at Luji store.

Wei Ronghua showed her the accounts for the past few days and also reported on the recent business transactions.

At present, Luji's business has stabilized, and even though it wasn't as booming as the first day, the daily income was still decent.

On the day of the lucky draw, a family that was preparing for a wedding unexpectedly bought a lot of sunflower seeds to treat their guests. Many attendees at the wedding loved them and came to Luji to buy more.

While listening to Wei Ronghua, Shu Yu quickly went through the account book.

Wei Ronghua's capabilities were indeed impressive. He not only managed the store efficiently but also took the opportunity to teach Ren Yiping and An Letian.

Both apprentices were eager learners, absorbing the knowledge and becoming more competent.

Shu Yu closed the account book and said, "Good job, shopkeeper Wei. Keep a close eye on this side. If things go well, we can consider opening another store in the northern part of the city."

Wei Ronghua's eyes lit up. Naturally, he wished for Luji to grow stronger.

With everything at Luji in order, Shu Yu didn't stay long and quickly returned to the workshop. If she planned to open another branch, the current production volume was still not enough.

Thankfully, when she returned to the village a couple of days ago, many people expressed interest in growing sunflowers.

Shu Yu was considering expanding further, so she called the managers for a meeting.

Da Niu had not returned yet; as the elder brother-in-law, he and Er Niu went to the groom's family today.

Tomorrow, Lan Hua would return from her husband's home, so Da Niu wouldn't be able to come back for a few days.

However, now that the workshop managers had gained experience, they could handle things independently. Even if both Shu Yu and Da Niu were absent, the workshop's operation would not be a problem.

As for the request Da Zhuang made about buying nearby land, quite a few people responded, and the land prices indeed experienced a small increase, causing some worries for Da Zhuang and the others.

Shu Yu advised them to buy as soon as possible if they intended to, as it was highly likely that land prices in the area would continue to rise.

This area might even become like a sought-after location for school districts in the future.

For the past two days, Shu Yu had been staying at the estate and only returned to the county town when Da Niu came back.

As she arrived at her doorstep, she ran into Lan Hua and her husband.

After getting married, Lan Hua's whole demeanor had changed. Standing beside the tall and sturdy Yu Fenglin, she looked particularly delicate and shy.

Shu Yu clicked her tongue and led the two inside to see Grandma Lu.

Seeing them coming hand in hand, Grandma Lu was so happy that her eyes almost disappeared. While Lan Hua and her husband were having tea, Grandma Lu whispered to Shu Yu, "You can tell how well a person is doing after marriage. Although Fenglin seems fierce, he absolutely adores his wife."

Though spoken quietly, Lan Hua, who was close by, heard it loud and clear.

Her face instantly turned red, and her voice was barely audible, "Granny..."

Grandma Lu chuckled, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything to make you embarrassed. How was the return visit yesterday?"

Lan Hua nodded, "It went well. Dad and Fenglin got along well. As for Mom..." She hesitated for a moment and then confirmed, "Mom is also quite satisfied with Fenglin."

In truth, her mother was a bit afraid of Yu Fenglin. He didn't say or do much, but merely with a stern face, he silenced Li Shi, who wanted to give orders to him like she was the mother-in-law. It made her wish she could stay far away from him.

Lan Hua didn't want to talk about this matter, so she changed the topic, "By the way, during this visit, I heard about Xu Cai's situation..."

 Chapter 1611: Lan Hua's Marriage

Now it's all settled. Yu Fenglin is quite straightforward. When asked to give red envelopes, he does so, and when asked questions, he answers. The group of people assisting in welcoming the bride wanted to break through the crowd but hesitated upon seeing a bunch of children inside.

Grandma Lu couldn't stand it anymore and had Lu Erbai, the leader of the group, taken away.

Seeing this, others realized things were getting better and took a step back, opening the main gate.

Then, they saw Yu Fenglin with a serious and displeased expression. Everyone's heart skipped a beat, fearing they might have taken too long to block him or asked for too many red envelopes, which might have angered the groom.

That would be troublesome. If they ruin such a joyous occasion, they'll be in big trouble.

At this moment, Li Shi felt the urge to scold them. These people have no sense of propriety, especially Third Brother, who, despite being of a mature age, behaved like a child and dared to trouble a younger person.

However, as Yu Fenglin finally entered the house, he let out a long sigh, relieved that he had prepared enough red envelopes; otherwise, it wouldn't have been sufficient.

He still had a few small red envelopes left and decided to give one to each of them: Xiao Songle, Quanquan, Bao Ya, Lai Yuan, and the young children from Li Shi's family.

Seeing this, the corners of their mouths twitched as they finally recalled the rumors about Yu Fenglin's imposing stature and fierce expression.

It turns out he can wear the most ferocious expression while making the gentlest gestures.

The atmosphere became lively again, and everyone surrounded Yu Fenglin as they walked toward Lan Hua's room.

Shu Yu didn't join the commotion; she stayed by Grandma Lu's side, supporting her to avoid getting bumped into.

Inside, they seemed to talk for a long time, and finally, Lan Hua, wearing a red veil, was carried out on Yu Fenglin's back.

Sounds of celebration continued without pause, and firecrackers were lit at the entrance.

Amidst the crackling sounds, Lan Hua was carried outside and placed in the grand red sedan parked by the door.

Shu Yu heard a subtle sound beside her and turned her head to see Grandma Lu's eyes slightly red.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Grandma Lu wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "Since Cuihua's wedding, seeing each of you getting married and leaving home, I can't help but feel uneasy. I'm afraid you'll be mistreated at your in-laws' homes or suffer silently."

"In the future, that won't happen. Lan Hua's in-laws are gone, and as long as Yu Fenglin treats her well, her days will be good. My sister is a good example; she spends more time at her parents' home than at her in-laws', and she even brought her husband back, making Zhao Xi seem like the one who married into our family."

"And Cuihua, as a couple with children, lives in the county, closer to me than her in-laws."

For her granddaughters, Grandma Lu would meet them whenever she wanted.

Thinking of this, Grandma Lu became happy.

However, at this moment, a loud cry came from behind. Shu Yu turned and saw Li Shi and Lu Dasong supporting each other, watching the sedan that had already gone far, crying in sorrow.

Shu Yu and Grandma Lu exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile.

The wedding of Lan Hua went smoothly. Except for Grandma Lu, Liang Shi, and Lu Sixing staying in Shishi Village to help, the others returned to the county after the midday banquet.