After receiving seventy taels of silver from Xue Yi, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng didn’t stay long and soon left the First-class Residence.
Walking on the street, Mu Shuangshuang’s heart was still pounding.
Such a large sum, combined with what she had at ho, was enough for her to make a fortune.
At this mont, the usually calm Mu Shuangshuang was also getting nervous.
She urged Lu Yuanfeng, "Fengzi, let’s hurry back ho!"
Lu Yuanfeng was used to the fearless Shuangshuang, and seeing her so timid was a first for him.
He stepped forward, held Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, and softly said, "Shuangshuang, with here, don’t be afraid!"
The words ’don’t be afraid!’ instantly erased the little unease Mu Shuangshuang felt inside.
She grinned, "Since we’re not worrying, why don’t we buy so tasty food in town and celebrate a bit when we get back, what do you think?" Mu Shuangshuang asked with a smile.
"Good!"
With a horse by their side, the couple strolled down the street, with the silver obtained by exchanging the cold noodles recipe from the First-class Residence in their pockets.
In the middle of winter, there wasn’t much to buy on the market, but after a round, Mu Shuangshuang spotted so lotus root for sale.
The lotus roots were dug up by farrs from the pond in the dead of winter.
They could be stir-fried or used for soup. Rembering she had so ribs left at ho, Mu Shuangshuang decisively bought quite a bit of lotus root.
Lu Yuanfeng seldom saw Mu Shuangshuang buy any specific vegetable, let alone in such quantity, so he noted that Shuangshuang liked eating lotus root, thinking about the lotus roots at Lotus Pond River, which brought a smile to his face.
They also bought so seafood at the market and happily left town.
On their way back, the wind picked up, and Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want to ride the horse anymore, so they walked towards the village, reaching Er Gui Village around dusk.
Lu Yuanfeng escorted Mu Shuangshuang ho and then headed to Fu Wujia to return the horse.
Mu Shuangshuang hadn’t even had ti to catch her breath when Mu Dalang made an appearance.
As Mu Shuangshuang imagined, Mu Dalang’s face was all lit up with happiness — a sight that clearly indicated a joyful event.
He ca straight in saying, "Shuangshuang, Bita’s brothers said they’ll co by tomorrow to help Third Uncle, and they might stay for a few days to lend a hand."
The Huang Brothers thought highly of Mu Shuangshuang; as soon as they heard she was building a school in the village, they offered to help.
"Is their family busy at all?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
"Shouldn’t be; they can help until the day Bita gets married."
Mu Shuangshuang was already clued in and said, "Big cousin, why don’t you ask Sister Bita to co over too? She can cook for my family, and I’ll pay her wages. She can stay at Xiao Nan’s place at night.
As for the Huang brothers, your house can accommodate three, you and Fengzi can stay."
Huang Family Village wasn’t close to Er Gui Village. They had to traverse mountains, and with the workload on the construction site every day, the Huang brothers would definitely have to commute daily.
That sounded quite exhausting.
Upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s arrangent, Mu Dalang felt even more grateful to her.
"Shuangshuang, you’re thoughtful as always! Tomorrow morning, I’ll head over to Huang Family Village to discuss this with them.
Oh, and Shuangshuang, do rember to thank Fourth Aunt for . If it weren’t for her helping Bita and with embroidering the mandarin duck quilt, I wouldn’t know where to start."
"Big cousin, have you arranged the wedding details?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
"Not yet. I can’t find a cook, and Granny Chen isn’t willing to do the banquet for our Old Mu Family. I’ve searched for nearby chefs, still no luck. Besides, I don’t have anyone to guide on so wedding procedures..."
It was fine not to ntion, but once said, Mu Dalang’s smile disappeared.
He sighed and added, "I used to look forward to getting married, but now I fear it’s going to wrong Bita, such a great girl; she hasn’t entered our ho yet and already there’s nothing ready."
Old Mrs. Mu only cared about Mu Xiangxiang and paid no mind to others.
Whenever Mu Dalang asked, she would hand the matter over to his mother, who didn’t favor Huang Bita, always telling him ’wait and see’.
Mu Shuangshuang furrowed her brow, facing Mu Dalang, "Big cousin, this isn’t right. Regarding those procedures and stuff, grandma might not help, but Second Aunt should! As a young man, how could you know these things?
If it’s not handled properly, people’s mockery is the least of it; Sister Huang could end up being talked about behind her back."
A new bride mistreated right as she entered the house would set tongues wagging, putting Huang Bita in a poor light.
"Shuangshuang, what do you suggest?" Mu Dalang was anxious, realizing many things hadn’t been thoroughly considered, thankful Mu Shuangshuang pointed them out to prevent any serious missteps.
"Make a fuss! Cause enough ruckus for grandpa and grandma to understand the seriousness. Do you rember what Matchmaker Sun initially ntioned?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
Mu Dalang hadn’t forgotten; it was the statent that Huang Bita marrying into the Old Mu Family would bring prosperity to Uncle, the reason his grandma agreed to the marriage, or he’d have no chance of marrying Bita in this lifeti.
"I rember, but what’s the connection between the two?" Mu Dalang asked.
"Hear out..." Mu Shuangshuang waved her hand at Mu Dalang, who obediently leaned closer, whereupon they whispered for a while.
After hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s plan, Mu Dalang gave her a thumbs up.
"Shuangshuang, your idea is brilliant!"
Mu Shuangshuang’s plan was for Mu Dalang to stir things up, making Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu realize that should the marriage fail, not only would the family’s reputation suffer, but it might also impact Mu Dade’s luck.
Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu cared most about the family’s honor and Mu Dade’s future.
As long as Mu Dalang followed Mu Shuangshuang’s instructions, the issue was bound to be resolved.
"Shuangshuang, I’ll head back now; catch up later to thank you!"
"Alright, you go ahead!"
After speaking with Mu Shuangshuang, Mu Dalang returned to the main house of the Old Mu Family and started making noise in the courtyard.
He claid that the villagers were mocking him for not having the wedding preparations done.
Now he refused to marry.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin was all for it. "Son, I’ve told you, what’s the point in marrying Huang Bita? Thankfully, I haven’t prepared anything yet!"
Mrs. Lin boasted without restraint, directly exposing to everyone that she hadn’t prepared anything.
Just as Old Mrs. Mu ca out, she grabbed Mrs. Lin’s hair and dragged her backward through the courtyard.
"You damn woman, I’ve been urging you to handle this, yet you haven’t set things right! You rebel! I’ve said it, but how co no one showed up? Is this how you manage?"
Mrs. Lin was pained and still didn’t forget to explain, "Mother, it’s not that I’m not handling it. It’s Dalang who’s unwilling to marry. Since he’s refusing, my previous inaction was correct; otherwise, it would be a waste!"
"He says no marriage, so there’s no marriage? I say you should die; why don’t you go die? I insist on that granddaughter-in-law Huang Bita!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers