Chapter 161: You want to shirk responsibility

Ying Zhilin took the wife and eldest daughter-in-law of the Ying clan leader, as well as several eloquent aunts and sisters in the village, to Fulu Village where the Huang family lived.

Although he was eager to clarify the rumors between him and Huang Ying'er, he still followed the procedures and decided to use courtesy first and then force, determined not to leave himself any room for criticism.

Pei'er came to Wen Yan's side and asked: "Is your trip today going smoothly?"

Fifth Granny, leaning on a cane, groped her way toward them. "It's not that easy. Ever since Lin passed the imperial examination at the age of eleven, Aunt Jiao has wanted to marry her daughter off to him."

At that time, Zhilin was young and his mother was the one holding him back, so Aunt Jiao's plan never succeeded.

Later, when she knew that Lin's parents had died, she ignored the exam date and asked Huang Ying'er to go to Ying's house every day.

Fortunately, Zhilin was very wary of the mother and daughter, so they didn't succeed.

This time, they've made such a big fuss, even disregarding their reputation. I'm sure they won't stop until they achieve their goal."

Although Grandma Wu can no longer see, her heart is brighter than anyone else's.

Wen Yan had the same idea as Fifth Grandma.

Ying Zhilin knew that he would not get any good results this time.

Fulu Village is not far from Songshan Village, and an adult can get there in two hours.

Ying Zhilin and his group were very eye-catching and attracted countless looks as soon as they entered the village.

Someone recognized Chief Ying's wife and curiously approached to greet her, trying to find out what was going on: "Aunt Dai, why are you coming to our village with so much fanfare? What's going on?"

"I heard that the Huang family's daughter had an affair with Ying Xiucai from your village without a matchmaker. Is this true?"

"Are you here today to discuss marriage?"

"Huang Ying'er is Mr. Ying's cousin. Wouldn't it be too unfair for her to be his concubine?"

Everyone was talking at once, their faces close together and making loud noises.

The patriarch's wife, Grandma Dai, looked unhappy.

She opened her mouth, but in the end she just sighed deeply and shook her head with a worried look on her face. "Ah, every family has its own problems. I can't say much."

The more Grandma Dai said this, the more curious everyone became.

Driven by his curiosity, he followed them to Huang Ying'er's house.

Huang Ying'er's home.

The Dragon Boat Festival had just passed, and the Huang family did not go to the fields today. They all sat at home.

Huang Ying'er sat under the eaves, staring blankly in the direction of Songshan Village.

She pulled Aunt Jiao’s arm and swayed coquettishly: “Mom, are those rumors we spread really useful?

Several days have passed, but there is still no news from my cousin.

Will I offend my cousin and he will ignore me from now on?"

"He dares!" Aunt Jiao sneered and said confidently, "As long as he still wants to participate in the Autumn Examination, he won't dare not marry you."

Huang Ying'er immediately felt relieved.

But she pouted again and said aggrievedly: "But, do I really have to be my cousin's concubine? Mother, I don't want to be a concubine."

Aunt Jiao comforted him, "As long as you can marry him, what does it matter whether you are his wife or his concubine?

We have taken care of you for so many years, how dare he treat you badly?

That girl named Wen Yan has some money-making tricks. Rather than being a mistress who worries about everything, it's better to be a concubine.

You sleep with her man and spend her money, and when you give birth to a child in the future, she will have to spend money and effort to raise the child.

Are you going to be a sucker just for the title of legal wife?"

After being persuaded by Aunt Jiao, Huang Ying'er was no longer so opposed to being a concubine.

Now, she only hopes that her cousin can marry her as soon as possible.

Just then, there was a knock on the gate.

The yellow warbler ran over to open the door like a happy little bird.

As soon as the door opened...

There was a group of people standing outside the door. Huang Ying'er was visibly startled.

However, when she saw Ying Zhilin in the crowd, her cheeks immediately flushed and she was too shy to look up.

She stamped her feet shyly, turned around and ran into the house: "Mom, there are guests at home."

When Aunt Jiao heard the call, she came out and was delighted to see Ying Zhilin and his group.

It should be known that Lin is indeed a scholar, and he is very polite.

When he came to propose marriage, he even invited the clan leader's wife.

With such rules and regulations, no one would dare to look down on Ying'er even if she married as a concubine.

Aunt Jiao praised Ying Zhilin in her heart and then went to greet him warmly.

"Hey, isn't this the wife of the Ying clan's patriarch? What brings you here today?"

She held Grandma Dai's hand and led them into the house.

The villagers came in to join in the fun.

Ying Zhilin advised them to go back first.

Aunt Jiao, however, felt that her daughter was about to marry a scholar, and such a big happy event should be publicized to the whole village. There was no reason to hide it.

Ying Zhilin stopped persuading him.

Soon, they sat down in the main room.

Huang Ying'er poured tea for everyone with a blushing face.

Everyone else used coarse porcelain bowls, but Ying Zhilin used an exquisite white porcelain teacup with a plum blossom pattern on it, which made him stand out from the crowd.

"Cousin, I specially added brown sugar to your water." When handing it to Ying Zhilin, she whispered, "This is my water cup. Don't worry about using it. It won't get dirty at all."

Just two sentences made Huang Ying'er's cheeks red as if blood was about to drip out.

She fled from the main room and hid behind the door to eavesdrop.

Ying Zhilin's face was calm, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

But he silently exchanged teacups with the grandmother Dai next to him.

After a few small talk, Aunt Jiao got to the point: "Since you are here for the marriage of our two children, let's discuss the betrothal gift first.

Our daughter Ying'er was raised with great care and effort, so the betrothal gift she received is naturally incomparable to that of ordinary village girls.

At least she should be as pretty as the rich girls in the county town.

A while ago, a wealthy family in Meng County was marrying off a daughter-in-law. They gave a betrothal gift of 200 taels, along with a lot of gold and silver jewelry...

My Ying'er can just compare his gift list with hers!"

She had already found out.

That Wen Yan is particularly good at making money.

A mere two hundred taels was nothing but a drop in the bucket for her.

This time, she was determined to take advantage of the marriage to make a fortune from her.

It was because Wen Yan had her chin on her head and ignored them the last time they met!

Not to mention the Ying family.

Even the villagers in this village grinned when they heard it.

Jiao was so arrogant. Not only did she ask for 200 taels of silver as a betrothal gift, she also wanted other items.

Is her daughter inlaid with gold?

Aunt Jiao spoke loudly, spitting everywhere.

Ying Zhilin Chaodai gave his mother-in-law a wink.

Grandma Dai understood what she meant and immediately said, "Aunt Zhilin, I think you misunderstood. We came here today not to get married, but to deal with the rumors outside."

Aunt Jiao's expression froze: "You...what did you say!"

Grandma Dai smiled appropriately and repeated the question she had just asked.

The Huang family didn't expect the Ying family to default on their debt, and their faces all changed drastically.

"You guys are trying to cheat?" Aunt Jiao screamed, pointing at Ying Zhilin. "Ying'er's reputation is ruined because of you, and now you want to shirk responsibility?"

Ying Zhilin said, "Aunt, I didn't spread those rumors outside. The person who ruined Huang Ying'er's reputation wasn't me, but the person who spread the rumors."

Huang Ying'er, who was hiding behind the door, shook her body with despair in her eyes.