Chapter 294: Huang Ying'er is missing

Father Liu said, "There were so many people yesterday, and you were already too busy to handle it, and you had to split your attention to take care of us, so you decided to come today."

As he spoke, he took out a purse and handed it to Wen Yan.

Wen Yan took it with both hands: "Thank you, Dad and Mom. Come with me to the ancestral hall. Today's banquet will be held there."

They talked as they walked.

Father Liu curiously asked what happened in the ancestral hall yesterday.

Wen Yan said it one by one.

Zhang Gan's mother was both happy and worried. "Once you wear this compliment, isn't the burden on your shoulders very heavy? Others just need to do their best. You should not only help your own people, but also help others."

Zhang Gan'niang doesn't care about reputation and popularity.

She only cares about whether Wen Yan is living a good life and is happy.

Wen Yan was touched and leaned in Zhang's arms and acted a little coquettishly. This made Zhang Gan's mother very happy, and she felt like her biological daughter had finally returned.

When they arrived at the banquet venue, Grandma Dai enthusiastically took Zhang Ganniang and her two sisters-in-law to talk, while Father Liu was pulled away by other clansmen to chat.

**

Soon, it was time for the meal.

There aren't many guests today, they're all from nearby neighborhoods, so there's no need to hold a buffet, the seats will be full in one sitting.

After everyone was seated, the meal began.

Ying Zhilin toasted at each table.

Boss Liu was very considerate and always followed Ying Zhilin and poured him wine.

Once he found someone trying to force him to drink, Boss Liu would help him block the drink.

You should know that Lin is a juren after all, so others would not dare to force him to drink.

In addition, Boss Liu had a good eloquence from his business experience, so even if those people were refused wine, they did not feel embarrassed. Instead, they were arm in arm with Boss Liu and treated him as their brother.

At the banquet, a young lady of fifteen or sixteen years old, with half of her oval face covered by a fan, revealing only a pair of big watery eyes, looked at Ying Zhilin again and again.

She thought she was being subtle, but in fact, it was obvious.

With every glance, her cheeks turned redder and her expression became more shy.

When others see this situation, there is nothing they don’t understand.

Another young lady who was ignorant of the world was bewitched by Ying Zhilin's appearance.

Wait for Ying Zhilin to go to the next table.

The woman next to the young lady whispered to her, "Dear girl, did you see clearly? Isn't what your mother said right? The candidate is a handsome man with a handsome face and a beautiful complexion. You will not lose out at all if you marry him."

"Mom, what are you talking about! It's so embarrassing!" The little girl shyly bumped the woman with her shoulder, her cheeks red as if blood could drip out.

That candidate was really good-looking.

Even Mrs. Ying pales in comparison to him.

If I could marry a man like this, I would have no regrets in this life.

Not to mention the little girl, even the wife of a wealthy man was fascinated by Ying Jieyuan's beauty.

I thought to myself, if I were ten years younger, I would at least taste the saltiness of Ying Zhilin.

The wealthy man next to him also said: "That Ying Jieyuan is not only good-looking, but also extremely knowledgeable. Our county is not small, right? How many Jieyuans have you seen?"

As long as he performs normally, it will be no problem for him to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi in the future.

When the time comes, we will spend some money to smooth things over for him and find him a good job. Then you, my girl, will never have to worry about anything in your life."

This family is full of famous wealthy people in the county. Because they give out porridge from time to time, they have earned the reputation of being righteous gentry.

The little girl's gaze was filled with disappointment as she followed Ying Zhilin's back, "But... his wife is also very beautiful, and she comes from a famous family..."

Wen Yan, who was passing by them, heard them talking about herself and Ying Zhilin, so she slowed down her pace to listen.

"There's even less to worry about." The wealthy gentleman was calm and composed, as if everything was under control. "Ying Jieyuan's wife is indeed not bad looking, but she can't compare to those true beauties.

The most fatal thing is that she comes from a prominent family and has developed a competitive character. Yesterday, she entered the ancestral hall and was even listed on the same level as Ying Jieyuan in the family tree.

Marry a virtuous wife. Few men can stand being dominated by their own women.

What's more, he is the top scholar in the imperial examination, and he is more arrogant than others.

When you come with a generous dowry, and you show tenderness and consideration to your husband, like a flower that knows how to speak and how to be kind, then by comparison, you will easily win his exclusive favor."

The little girl covered her face with a fan and said coquettishly, "Dad, you are not serious."

The rich man laughed heartily.

His wife asked anxiously, "Husband, when do you think we should go and propose marriage?"

"We have to hurry and grab a spot first. Once he passes the imperial examination, we won't be able to cling to him anymore."

"I'll go back and prepare after the banquet and come the day after tomorrow. Oh, and be sure to ask for a matchmaker. With her clever words, she can even make the dead come alive..."

Wen Yan listened to the whole thing and raised her eyebrows slightly.

This family has good vision.

After the banquet, she went to ask Patriarch Ying about the character of this family.

If he is really as kind as the rumors say, it would be fine to let his daughter wait a few more days and let Ying Zhilin become his legal wife.

The banquet is coming to an end.

Ying Zhilin and Boss Liu just returned to their positions.

Wen Yan poured each of them a bowl of soup: "Drink some soup to wash away the alcohol in your stomach."

"Thank you, sister." The corners of Boss Liu's mouth were almost raised to the sky, and he also gave Ying Zhilin a boastful look.

"Your sister is nice, but my wife is the best woman in the world." Ying Zhilin couldn't help laughing and boasted back, "If big brother was here yesterday, I wouldn't have drunk so hard."

At this moment, a group of people suddenly rushed in.

She glanced around and locked onto Wen Yan.

He walked a few steps to Wen Yan and knelt down in front of her with a plop.

She didn't say anything and kowtowed three times to Wen Yan.

Wen Yan was startled, stood up suddenly, and hid aside: "Aunt, what are you doing? If you have something to say, just talk it over nicely. You're kneeling and kowtowing, aren't you trying to shorten my life?"

She went forward to help Aunt Jiao, but Aunt Jiao dodged her.

Aunt Jiao knelt down and took a few steps back, crying, "Wen Yan, my nephew's wife... no, Madam Juzi, please let Ying'er go for once. Please give her back to me!"

Wen Yan was confused: "I don't know what you are talking about."

Aunt Jiao sobbed, "I know you mind my daughter and Zhilin, growing up together as childhood sweethearts. You don't want my daughter to be Zhilin's concubine. We all accept it and have resigned ourselves to it, but you shouldn't hide her away just because you're angry."

Ying'er is my life. If anything happens to her, I won't want to live anymore."

Ying Zhilin took the lead and stepped forward to protect Wen Yan, then said, "Aunt, we have never seen Huang Ying'er, nor have we ever hidden her.

She's missing, most likely she went to the county town to buy something. Don't panic, go to a few more places to ask around. If there's no news, reporting her to the police is the best option."

They all testified for Ying Zhilin.

They really didn't see Huang Ying'er yesterday.

"You... you dare not admit it! How could I easily come to my house without evidence!" Aunt Jiao grabbed someone from the crowd and said, "Tell me, did you see my Ying'er here yesterday?"