Zhou Liang was also the third child in his family. He had an older brother and an older sister, and two younger brothers. The age difference between the children was not large, only one or two years.

Their family wasn't well-off before, but Zhou Liang was intelligent from a young age. Under the strong persuasion of an old scholar in the same village, Zhou Liang's father gritted his teeth and sold everything he owned to send his son to the academy.

However, since his family were farmers, sending them to school was too expensive. After barely managing to study for two years, they had spent all their savings. They simply couldn't afford to pay for the tuition for the new year, which made Uncle Zhou sigh every day.

Zhou Liang wasn't a selfish person. Knowing his family's situation, he decided not to go to the academy after the New Year.

His handwriting was quite good, and he planned to find a bookstore to help him copy books to save some money first.

He should at least save up for two months' tuition... The teacher knew his family was not well-off and had mentioned this before, saying that he could be allowed to study first, and the tuition could be paid monthly.

Little did they know that a windfall would suddenly fall from the sky and land right on his father's head.

“My father said that he had just finished delivering firewood to someone that day and was carrying a shoulder pole home when he suddenly heard someone say that a child was being snatched. Before he could react, he heard someone shout that anyone who helped stop the carriage would be given a thousand taels of silver as a reward.”

Father said that before his mind could process what was happening, his body rushed out first, but unfortunately he couldn't stop the carriage, and the child was still snatched away.

When he realized who was shouting, he thought it was just a family member who had lost their child shouting in a panic. He never expected that you would actually give my father a thousand taels of silver. He was still in a daze as he carried the silver notes home.

Only after exchanging the silver notes for real money at the money exchange the next day did he realize that he had truly received a windfall.

"Thanks to the silver notes you gave me, I was fortunate enough to continue my studies. And it was also thanks to this money that we were able to get through the heavy snow at the end of the year; otherwise, my family would have had trouble even putting food on the table. So, in that sense, Sister Yunying is my benefactor."

After listening to him, Xiao Yunying felt that this person was honest and reliable, without the arrogance that most scholars have.

But she wouldn't completely trust this young man just because of a few words. Her eyes sharpened, and she asked a rather pointed question.

"Oh, then may I assume that you know that Yingying and I have a good relationship?"

Zhou Liang readily admitted, "Yes, when someone caused trouble last time, I saw you talking to Yingying and knew that you two were close relatives."

"In that case, I'd like to ask you, did you approach Yingying because you really like this girl, or do you have other motives?"

Duan Yingying glanced nervously at Xiao Yunying, but said nothing, and then turned her gaze to Zhou Liang.

Zhou Liang's expression and emotions remained unchanged, still gentle. He bowed to Xiao Yunying and said, "I know your concerns, but I have no intention of using Yingying. I am truly fond of her, and this is a fact whether you believe it or not."

Besides, Yingying isn't your blood relative, so there's a limit to how much you can help her. You can't support her like you would a real family member. Finding her a job is already a great help.

Yingying has also told me some things about you. To be honest, the thousand taels of silver you gave us is enough for our whole family to live comfortably for a lifetime. I no longer need to use those underhanded methods to take advantage of Yingying and seek benefits from you.

Most importantly, you know the county magistrate. Just because of that, even if I had the desire to steal, I wouldn't have the guts. If I angered you, the consequences would be beyond what a commoner like me could bear.

The last sentence was witty, which greatly eased the tense atmosphere.

Xiao Yunying smiled and said, "You're quite an interesting guy, you've thought these things through."

Her tone softened considerably, indicating that she was fairly satisfied with Zhou Liang.

Duan Yingying knew that Zhou Liang had passed the test in front of Xiao Yunying, and blushed as she asked, "Sister Yunying, do you... do you think it's okay?"

Xiao Yunying said jokingly, "Why are you asking me if it's okay when you're looking for your husband? If your mother thinks it's okay, then you're willing, so that's all that matters."

Duan Yingying's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, completely lacking her usual crispness: "I just wanted Sister Yunying to give me her opinion."

Xiao Yunying then said without any politeness, "What you said just now was quite honest. I'm two years older than you, and my appearance is a good match for yours. The most important thing is that you're willing, so isn't that the best thing?"

At this point, she changed the subject: "But you are too young now. You will only be fifteen after the New Year, and you haven't even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet. If you want to get married, my suggestion is to wait a little longer and not be in such a hurry."

I remember when I first met Duan Yingying, I thought she was only twelve or thirteen years old. I didn't expect that she was from the South and that she was so thin and small because of long-term malnutrition.

These past few months, he's been well-fed and warmly dressed, and he's grown taller and gained weight. However, he's only fifteen, and in Xiao Yunying's heart, he's still an underage child. Getting married too early is not a good idea.

Duan Yingying blushed and said, "I'm not in a hurry. I need to pay back the money I owe Sister Yunying before I can think about this."

Zhou Liang immediately replied, "I know that Yingying borrowed two hundred taels of silver from you to buy this small house. I have discussed it with my parents and we are willing to use two hundred taels of silver as a betrothal gift to marry Yingying, which will be a good way to pay back the money we owe you."

Duan Yingying was touched, but she couldn't do that: "No, how can I accept so much betrothal gift? Besides, the debt is my own business, what does it have to do with you?"

Zhou Liang looked at her and said, "If I marry you, you will be my wife, and we will be family. Your affairs are my affairs."

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