Chapter 424: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 424: Request for New Year's Gifts (2)
"What exactly do Uncle and Aunt mean? Will this marriage be set in stone?"
Lanting nodded, then shook her head, looking dispirited like a frost-bitten eggplant, "My father isn't particularly keen on that person. But he couldn't withstand my mother's constant nagging in his ear. He could only go along with her happiness. They say the engagement will be decided based on astrology next June, and we'll marry the year after."
Mo Yan couldn't bear to see her friend so downcast and comforted her, "There are still several months left. Who knows what might happen? Maybe by then, your mother won't be satisfied herself. Don't get too anxious."
She hadn't met this person and couldn't judge whether he was good or not, or if he could bring happiness to her best friend. Without more information, she couldn't simply speak positively about him. So, all she could do was console Lanting in this way.
The probability of that happening was quite low, but Lanting appreciated her friend's goodwill. She perked up and said, "Since we're finally together, let's not talk about these troublesome matters. I've made a screen for you. Let me show it to you now. If you like it, take it home!"
With that, she got up and opened a nearby chest, pulling out neatly folded screens.
Lanting was the only daughter of the Liu family and had been pampered by her parents since childhood. However, her parents didn't spoil her excessively; she had to learn everything a daughter should. Therefore, not only did Lanting have a good temperament and character, but she was also taught embroidery by skilled embroiderers and even excelled in cooking.
Mo Yan was surprised by her friend's thoughtful gesture and quickly stood up to help unfold the screens. Seeing the embroidery on the screen, she couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so beautiful!"
It was a screen adorned with flowers and plants, large in size with eight panels, vividly embroidered with colorful flowers and plants that seemed lifelike. It felt like one could smell the fragrance of blooming flowers, with bees and butterflies collecting honey amidst the flowers... Such a screen would be perfect as a room divider in a bedroom, but it would take several months to complete such intricate work.
Seeing her friend captivated by her masterpiece, Lanting felt immensely proud but modestly said, "It's just okay. If you like it, take it with you. Have a carpenter make a frame for it to use as a divider in your bedroom. If you don't like it, it can stay at the bottom of the chest."
This seemingly aloof demeanor of hers made it seem like the screen was casually embroidered.
"I love it, I love it! Even if you embroidered a plain grass for me, I would still treasure it like a treasure!" Mo Yan said without lifting her head, her eyes glued to the screen.
Such words were more heartwarming than flattery. Lanting smiled with satisfaction. "Sister, I spent three or four months embroidering this screen. But since you like it so much, it's worth my effort."
Mo Yan was deeply moved. With a serious expression, she said, "Sister Lan, I truly appreciate your heartfelt gesture. When the day comes that you find a good husband, I will definitely present you with a great gift."
Lanting blushed rare, teasingly pinching Mo Yan, "You little brat! I was just joking! Don't just talk about me. You'll be coming of age next year. Uncle Mo dotes on you so much; he'll definitely find you a good husband!"
Mo Yan was afraid of dropping the screen and getting it dirty, so she didn't dare let go. Lanting caught her and tickled her armpits incessantly. Mo Yan was extremely ticklish and begged for mercy, "Stop, stop, dear sister, spare me!"
"Hehe, if I catch you, don't think about escaping! Stand still and let me give you a kiss!" Lanting grabbed Mo Yan and, pretending to be a spoiled young master from a play, planted a kiss on her cheek.
The two sisters laughed and joked, tears streaming down their faces. Even the three elders drinking tea in the living room heard them and couldn't help but exchange knowing glances, then shook their heads helplessly.
It was rare to see them so happy, so let them be!
After spending nearly an hour at the Liu family's house, Mo Yan and her father declined the invitation to stay for lunch and bid farewell. They drove their carriage towards Huixian Residence.
Business at Huixian Residence was as bustling as ever, especially during the New Year period, it was even more prosperous than usual. When Mo Yan and her father arrived, shopkeeper Xing was busy entertaining distinguished guests on the second and third floors, rushing around. When he finally had a moment to spare, Mo Yan and her father had already finished three pots of Biluochun tea in the reception room.
"Sorry for the delay, Master Mo, Miss Mo. You've been waiting for a long time!" shopkeeper Xing wiped his forehead and hurriedly entered, bowing to express his apology.
Mo Qingze stood up and said warmly, "It's our timing that's off. How can we blame shopkeeper Xing?"
shopkeeper Xing laughed heartily, invited father and daughter to sit down again, and sat down himself. Seeing two piles of things in the room, with a tempting fragrance wafting from them, and two baskets of fresh green vegetables beside them, he knew these were the New Year gifts from Mo's family. He was polite once again to the father and daughter of the Mo family.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, and seeing it was nearing noon, Mo Yan and her father hadn't had lunch. shopkeeper Xing took charge and ordered the kitchen to prepare several delicious dishes to treat the Mo family.
Despite their initial protests, and their genuine hunger, Mo Qingze had been busy all morning and was starving. He accepted the invitation along with his daughter. shopkeeper Xing, also hungry from his morning rush, accepted their offer to eat together and had the servants bring extra bowls and chopsticks.
After the meal, shopkeeper Xing had the servants bring tea and snacks. It seemed like he had something to discuss, signaling to Mo Yan with several glances.
Seeing this, Mo Yan made an excuse and told her father she would be back shortly. She waited in the corridor for a while before shopkeeper Xing also came out.
The corridor was too crowded to talk, so shopkeeper Xing led Mo Yan to the house where Yun Zhao and his sister had once lived. After making sure no one was eavesdropping in the backyard, he closed the door and said seriously, "Miss Mo, if you hadn't come to Huixian Residence today, this old man would have gone to Liuyang Village to find you."
Mo Yan felt that whatever shopkeeper Xing was about to say next was sure to be very important.
Sure enough, before she could ask, shopkeeper Xing couldn't wait and asked, "I wonder if Miss Mo's medicine's efficacy can be strengthened?"
Next Chapter▶▶
Comments
Post a Comment