Chapter 423: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 423: Request for New Year's Gifts (1)
Mo Yan hadn't expected that simply teaching the Wang family a lesson would cause such anxiety among the villagers, who believed wild beasts had descended from the mountains. Feeling somewhat guilty, she took the initiative to bring back the thirteen local dogs and resumed guarding the forest entrance each night, just as before.
The villagers still held a strong belief in Xiao Hua's abilities. Xiao Hua had performed well in guarding the mountain previously. However, they were hesitant to let Mo's family feed the dogs. Most households couldn't afford rice or sweet potatoes, so they brought some as offerings.
Mo Yan was too embarrassed to accept them. She simply said that during the day, Xiao Hua could lead the dogs into the mountains to hunt, thus saving on food costs. Seeing her insistence, the villagers admired her even more for her generosity and understanding, reluctantly taking back their offerings.
Perhaps genuinely frightened and due to the ongoing discussions in the village, the Wang family didn't cause any more trouble for Mo's family. Mo Yan finally relaxed. Together with Mo Qingze, they loaded the New Year's gifts for Yan Junyu, Liu family, shopkeeper Xing, and Shopkeeper Mu onto the carriage and headed towards the city.
The gifts for Han Zhiyun's family and the scholars had already been sent by Mo Qingze the previous day. Han's family promptly reciprocated with a carriage full of various gifts from Mo's family: sausages, fresh vegetables, and barrels of wine. The Han family couple showed no disdain, grateful for the thoughtful gesture.
Though not expensive or valuable, the gifts were heartfelt. The Liu family cherished cultural transmission, so giving gold or silver would have been seen as disrespectful.
Seeing Mo Yan, Lanting was overjoyed. After greeting Mo Qingze, she immediately pulled Mo Yan to her room for a private conversation.
"Yan Yan, you're so thoughtless! You haven't come to see me for so long, and I'm dying of boredom at home!" Lanting grabbed Mo Yan's hand and sat her down on the bed, pouting and complaining.
Mo Yan knew Lanting was tightly controlled by her parents and rarely allowed out. Understanding her frustration, Mo Yan smiled and said, "It's been snowing recently, and the roads were difficult to travel. Besides, I've been busy preparing for the New Year. You're mature enough; don't blame me!"
With a pitiful look at the end, Mo Yan's apology dissolved Lanting's anger, leaving her smiling despite her initial annoyance.
"Hmph, since you put it that way, if I still argue with you, wouldn't I be petty!"
Mo Yan shook her head helplessly. Lanting appeared gentle and demure in front of others but was entirely different in private, revealing her true nature to family and friends.
"Oh, by the way, you mentioned last time that your mother found a match for you. How did it go? Have you decided?"
At the mention of this other purpose for visiting, Mo Yan couldn't wait to bring up the topic.
Lanting's beautiful face wrinkled in distaste. "Don't mention it. My mother only saw his family background and status but ignored his lack of looks and talent. I couldn't find him appealing in the slightest."
Ignoring wealth and status, every young woman hoped her future husband would be a tall and talented man. Lanting was no exception. She wasn't greedy for power and status but wished for a husband who was handsome and talented, capable of sheltering her from life's storms and bringing her happiness.
Understanding Lanting's thoughts as a fellow woman, Mo Yan couldn't help but sympathize. However, Madam Liu was determined to find a respectable match for her daughter. Any man from a decent family with talent would scorn the idea of becoming a son-in-law.
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