Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 632 - 315 Bug_2

Chapter 632: Chapter 315 Bug_2

Qian Sangui was much more amiable than most, smiling and greeting the villagers as they passed, his voice loud and clear as he said, "In a couple days we’ll host a banquet, and you’re all cordially invited to feast. Please be sure to come, please do..."

Upon entering Qian’s Main Courtyard, Steward Wong, Landlord Li, Wan Lizheng, Doctor Lin, Mr. Zhang, and other distinguished guests all rose to welcome them.

Qian Sangui was invited into the main hall. Once everyone was seated, Old man Qian began to boast. Wearing his brocade robe and soap-colored boots, with a turban on his head, he was even more formally dressed than the groom, Qian Sangui. He spoke with great eloquence about how majestic the Palace gates and walls were, how the Capital City was a world of splendor, how he spent his days leisurely taking his bird for a walk, drinking tea, listening to operas, and spending money like water... Seeing the envious gazes of those around him made him both proud and happy.

In the room, only Mr. Zhang wasn’t listening to the old man. Clutching the letter from Zhu Sujin and his brush and inkstone, he was thrilled that the Princely Heir, having been his student for just over a year, was still so thoughtful of him.

No sooner had Yixiu entered the gate than Yiduo pulled her straight into her own little room. Stepping into this room was like entering another little world. The courtyard outside, though affluent, still betrayed its rural roots. But this room was akin to a young lady’s boudoir, with some of its arrangement even resembling Yixiu’s own bedroom: a canopy bed, a desk, an embroidered stool, a carved round table, and a vase filled with chrysanthemums.

Yiduo, once a little friend, had completely blossomed into an upright and graceful young girl, albeit slightly more voluptuous. With her fair skin, smiling eyes, and face like a full moon, one could tell at a glance she was destined for a life of fertility and fortune. She had been betrothed the previous year to a certain Liu, the grandson of a big landlord from Wenzhou Prefecture. Not only did his family own thousands of acres of fertile land and run a tavern, there were even relatives holding official positions in the prefecture of Wenzhou.

This marriage proposal had originally come from the Liu family head, which had sent Lady Wang into an ecstatic frenzy as she eagerly accepted. To help Yiduo resemble more the daughter of a distinguished family, they purchased two twelve-year-old maids for her to accompany her after her marriage.

Inside the small room, Qian Manting and Yiduo asked Yixiu which family she was set to marry into. When Yixiu told them she wasn’t betrothed yet, they didn’t believe her.

Yiduo said, "How is that possible? Sister Embroidery is so beautiful, and with Grandfather being the groom and Father serving by the Emperor’s side, all the young men in the Capital surely must be lining up to propose."

Yixiu laughed, "Our family might be considered good here, but in the Capital, there are at least a hundred families better than ours. How could they possibly be queuing to propose to me?"

Manting whispered, "But Embroidery, there’s Jinwa... no, there’s Heir Ning, he would definitely want to marry you. If you married him, you’d be a Princess. My goodness, the exalted Princess, I’ve only heard of such a person, never seen one."

Yixiu glanced at this ambitious young girl and said with a smile, "Heir Ning grew up with me, he’s like my own brother. Besides, his marriage has to be arranged by the Emperor himself. It’s not just Heir Ning’s decision, not even Prince Ning could decide such matters. Aunt Ting, you must be careful not to speak so carelessly in the future, speaking for the Emperor can bring trouble."

At this, Manting quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Yixiu continued to advise, "Once you marry into the Huo family, you’ll understand. In a large family, one must be careful with their words and actions. Some words can bring trouble upon oneself, and others can bring trouble to the entire family."

Manting nodded and said, "Mm, my father says that Young Master Huo is a concubine’s son, and once I join his family, I must be very cautious. I’ve heard that some large families are full of dark secrets, and it’s easy to fall afoul if you’re not careful."

Yiduo laughed, "Aunt Ting is smart, she’ll definitely adapt to being part of a high official’s family. I wouldn’t be able to - Mother says I’ve eaten too much pork since I was a child, and just like a pig, I don’t like to use my brain. If I married into a high official’s family, I’d surely be squeezed out."

Her words sent both Manting and Yixiu into laughter. Manting said, "With the Old Liu family being so wealthy, there must be no shortage of people in their household."

Yiduo laughed, "I’m not worried. If the Old Liu family ever bullies me, I’ll just bring up Third Uncle, Uncle Manjiang, Auntie Xia, and Aunt Ting."

Yixiu said with a laugh, "In marriage, there needs to be mutual respect and love, as well as careful nurturing and protection. You can’t just rely on intimidation for a harmonious relationship. Duo Duo is a simple and adorable girl, and Yixiu hopes she’ll be happy for the rest of her life."

Qian Yiduo’s face turned red as she declared, "If he treats me well, I’ll be good to him. If he bullies me, then I’ll scare him back."

Their meal was also taken in the small house. Qian Manting and Qian Yiduo were destined to marry into families of high-ranking officials and big landlords, so they had been raised to be young ladies of high status from early on.

After the meal, Qian Yixiu and Qian Sangui listened to the financial report from Cai Ming, the manager of Jinxiu Embroidery Workshop in Xishan County, and Li Jinhu, the chief steward of Guiyuan, in the front courtyard. They also reviewed the accounts.

They managed the affairs very well. Both Qian Sangui and Qian Yixiu expressed their satisfaction, and each awarded them fifty taels of silver.

When Qian Yixiu returned to the back courtyard, the stars were twinkling in the sky.

Standing in front of the Lianxiang Water Pavilion, she peered through the gallery bridge and marveled at the breathtaking beauty of West Lake under the stars. In the lake, there were some lingering lotus pods, and the water shimmered with ripples that glowed phosphorescently. On the little wooden bridge over the lake, there were two people holding hands, walking slowly. Upon a closer look, those two figures were Father Jiang and Mother De Wa.

Qian Yixiu couldn’t help but laugh, realizing that Father Jiang and Mother De Wa were not only in search of old memories but were also here for a romantic tryst.

At this time, Qian Manhe took two large packages intended for Lady Tang from Qian Manduo to Lady Tang’s little courtyard in Darong Village. Lady Tang sorted through the items in the packages, which included two sets of silk garments, two silver hairpins, a pair of gold earrings, and one gold ring. The remainder was various delicacies from Capital City.

There was also a letter which Qian Manhe read to Lady Tang. It roughly stated that their family was doing well, Li Ahcai had become the steward of the Glass Factory and had earned quite a bit of money, and so on.

Lady Tang cried and said, "Only my Mother Duo is filial to me. Your father is no good; when I was his wife, he only bought me a pair of silver earrings. But now, how things have turned. That vixen is adorned with gold and silver, her head bristling with them—all the things I saved up in the past. They are mine..."

Qian Manhe sighed and said, "Mother, let’s not talk about that. Who told you to always be so foolish before?"

Lady Tang cursed back, "You ungrateful thing. Didn’t I do all that back then for your sake?"

Qian Manhe snorted and retorted, "Mother, don’t speak such hurtful truths. If you and my eldest aunt hadn’t done those deeds without conscience, and if my father and eldest uncle hadn’t feigned ignorance, our family could have been much better off. Just look at how smart my fourth uncle is, maintaining good relations with my third uncle and buying a big courtyard house in the provincial city. Even Aunt Ting is about to marry the son of a third-rank official. She’ll soon be the legitimate wife of a high-ranking family, and Third Uncle’s family will be in-laws to high officials."

Upon hearing this, Lady Tang smacked her lips and sneered, "Aunt Ting is getting married to a high official’s son in the provincial city? That explains why Lady Wong didn’t greet me this afternoon; she must be climbing up the social ladder. I’m not wishing ill on Aunt Ting, but a peasant will always be a peasant. Even if she marries into a high official’s family, she could still be sent away."

Infuriated, Qian Manhe’s face turned crimson as he bellowed, "Mother, after all the lessons you’ve had, how can you still speak so carelessly? If Fourth Uncle’s family hears such talk, they won’t just hate you; they’ll hate us too. If Aunt Ting fares well, De Wa, Sheng Wa, and Bi’er can all benefit from her success. Just do something good for once and watch your mouth, accumulate some virtue for the younger generation."

Having said that, he left in a huff.

When he returned home, Little Lady Wong was busying herself with preparations for the next day’s feast, leading Er Gui’s concubine, Lady Zhu, along with the wives of two workers. The next day, Er Gui’s second household was going to host the third household. The third household didn’t have many masters, but they had many guests and many face-saving servants.

Upon seeing his son’s red face, Er Gui asked, "Has your mother been running her mouth off again? That wicked woman, she still hasn’t been disciplined enough."