Many people listening around felt that Shi Wen was indeed not considerate enough.
So who thought a bit deeper felt that Shi Wen had a lot on her mind. With two n from the Shi Family going to the Ying Xiucai’s house, it showed they valued Ying Xiucai highly, but telling Miss Lin not to go and that the Shi Family would deliver the apology gift for her seed odd no matter how you thought about it.
If you said her family didn’t know etiquette, they had it perfectly.
Was this an attempt to make a comparison with Ying Xiucai?
And letting Miss Lin go with her to Scholar Qin’s house, Scholar Qin being Shi Wen’s cousin, was she thinking of matchmaking Miss Lin with Scholar Qin? Before, they had heard that even though Scholar Qin knew the truth about the water incident, he actually admired Miss Lin’s candor.
But Miss Lin refused and continued to show her honesty, expressing that she had no interest in Scholar Qin and declared she was not one to endure hardships.
They thought the matter was over.
Miss Lin was indeed beautiful, and her family was decent, but her previous remarks had already made many people keep their distance.
Coming back to Miss Shi, the more they thought about it, the more they felt this girl had too many thoughts.
"I’m sorry, Chenchen, I didn’t think that far." Shi Wen had already sensed sothing was off, annoyed with herself for being too hasty, mainly because she hadn’t predicted Lin Chen’s reaction.
Now it was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it. If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have said those things.
"Miss Shi, it’s weighed accurately," Lin Daming spoke up at this point.
Shi Wen paid the money, took the at, her face changed slightly, and paused for a mont. Lin Daming asked, "Is sothing wrong? You said two pounds, divided into one-pound pieces, that’s correct, right?"
"Indeed it is." Shi Wen nodded, it’s just slightly different in quantity from what she used to buy.
Though mostly before it was bought in incrents of half a pound, she also ca during festive tis to buy one or two pounds of at, clearly more than today.
Because of various reasons, she was always the one to co and buy the at.
Naturally, Shi Wen didn’t think Lin Daming would short the weight; if he did, there wouldn’t be a precise scale in the entire county. If not short, then it ans there was usually more given before, but not this ti.
Shi Wen guessed that yesterday’s incident had offended Lin Daming. He adored Lin Chen so much, he wouldn’t say anything on the surface, but he must be sowhat displeased inside.
She exhaled a breath, just about to take the at and leave.
Lin Daming, however, picked up two pieces of at and weighed them in front of her: "Does it match the scale?"
Shi Wen quickly said, "It does, it does, Uncle Lin. It’s not that, I was thinking about sothing else, truly sorry."
After taking the at, Shi Wen hurriedly left, not daring to stay longer, suspecting so people’s gazes were off.
Shi Family.
"It must have been yesterday’s incident that made Lin Daming angry with you," Shi’s mother said, heart aching over the extra expenses caused by the incident, "Look at the ss you’ve made. Now, you’ve gained nothing, and you have to spend so much silver, almost ruined your reputation. After this, it’s probably impossible with Ying Xiucai."
Even if the reputation wasn’t fully destroyed, Ying Xiucai’s impression of her daughter wouldn’t be too good; he definitely wouldn’t have any thoughts for Wenwen.
Shi Wen looked upset; she knew very well the gravity of this matter.
All because of Lin Chen!
If Lin Chen hadn’t been so stupid, like a pig, her plan would have succeeded; by now, she would probably be preparing to marry Ying Xiucai.
There were so many scholars in the county, but Ying Xiucai was recognized by many ntors and would certainly succeed in the exams.
Because he had no intention of marrying, she even had a chance.
After all, those respectable wealthy ladies had their reputations to uphold; many tactics they dared not use, and their families wouldn’t pressure a promising scholar, soone praised by the County Magistrate, who would dare offend him?
"Still not giving up?"
"You should stop dreaming about Ying Xiucai, it’s simply unrealistic," Shi’s mother said, "Listen to your mother, why not agree to that proposal from Landlord Chen? The Chen Family never worries about food or drink; marrying there you’ll beco a lady, wear fine clothes, have maids to attend to you, enjoy a good life without waiting for soone’s success. What’s wrong with that?"
Shi Wen’s face turned worse: "Mom, can you stop ntioning this? It hasn’t co to that yet. Landlord Chen is older than my father, not good looking, and though I would be the main wife, he has three sons who can already uphold the family. Marrying into Chen Family ans just eating well; the family wealth has nothing to do with . Even if I have a son, what could I fight for?"
"Besides, Landlord Chen may have a small fortune, but Ying Xiucai has the potential to beco an official in the future. The gap is huge."
Unless desperately necessary, she couldn’t consider Landlord Chen.
Shi’s mother scolded: "Ying Xiucai may beco an official, but do you think you’ll ever be his wife? Think about it again; it’s not necessary to marry Landlord Chen, consider other options. You’re already sixteen, wait another two years and you’ll be considered an old maid, you must settle the marriage sooner. If you wait until eighteen or twenty, you might not even catch the chance with Landlord Chen."
"I know, mom, please don’t worry, let think it through." Shi Wen felt frustrated, and at the sa ti, her anger towards Lin Chen grew, blaming that fool.
Later in the afternoon, Ah Chen had to go with Lin Daming to Ying Bairong’s house to apologize and thank the Qin Family.
Lin Daming couldn’t bear to see his daughter suffer, so he rented an ox cart and drove it there.
It was Qin Cheng who saved her, and the gratitude for saving a life held more weight, so they went to the Qin Family first.
Because there was no evidence to prove it was a plot by Qin Cheng and Shi Wen, they had to proceed according to appearances.
The thank-you gift for the Qin Family consisted of two pounds of at, a large bone, ten eggs, so pastries, and ten taels of silver. After all, it was nominally gratitude for saving a life, and couldn’t be stingy.
Mrs. Qin was all smiles, while Qin Cheng displayed the deanor of a refined scholar. Ah Chen wore a faint smile; they were delighted with their gains today, but when the truth ca out, it would hit them hard.
Their happiness ca at a price.
Since saving a life was sothing worth praising, the villagers knew about Qin Cheng’s deed and even ca to watch. Knowing that the Lin Family had sent so much, so people wished they had jumped in to save the person themselves yesterday. The gifts were one thing, but ten taels of silver were truly valuable.
This showed that Lin Daming truly cherished his daughter.
As Ah Chen and Lin Daming were about to leave, Qin Cheng showed so regret, saying nothing, but everyone could see his gaze. He probably had so affection for Miss Lin. Unfortunately, Miss Lin didn’t like him, and being lazy, he was powerless.
The villagers all shook their heads, thinking that marrying soone like Lin Chen, who couldn’t handle chores, wasn’t ideal.
Qin Cheng had realized that Lin Daming cared dearly for his daughter. If Lin Chen insisted on marrying into the Qin Family, could he let his daughter suffer? It didn’t matter if Lin Chen didn’t work; as long as the Lin Family was willing to pay, they could hire people to do the work.
He hadn’t thought this through yesterday, hoping it wasn’t too late.
But now it wasn’t the right ti to speak up.
Mrs. Qin stopped Ah Chen: "Miss Lin."
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