Zhou Ziyang rushed to the hall, but Xie was nowhere to be seen.

He then politely greeted Madam Du and Old Lady Ye.

Because of the recent matter of taking a concubine, Madam Du was a little unhappy, but she just smiled and said, "Today is the young master's birthday, congratulations."

Ye Daquan: "Hmph!"

Even if Zhou Ziyang was slow-witted, he could tell that the Ye family members were dissatisfied with him. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Thank you, Auntie. I'll go to the kitchen to see if lunch is ready. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he left.

Jin Hua pulled Yin Hua to stand outside for a while before coming in.

"Mother, why were you making such strange noises just now?" Jinhua sat down next to Du Shi.

"How did I sound strange? I was congratulating him, wasn't I?"

Your tone is off.

"No, I'm fine."

"I also heard Dad humming someone!"

Ye Daquan: "I'll just hum, you traitor! I'll just hum once, and you're already heartbroken! You're not even married yet!"

Jin Hua blushed deeply with embarrassment and gritted her teeth.

Grandma Ye: "Stop arguing. Aren't you ashamed? Let's talk about it at home."

Jin Hua pursed her lips, turned around, and left the hall.

Ye Caiping held her teacup and sighed softly.

Soon after, it was time to eat.

After the meal, everyone went home.

After the Zhou family closed the door, Zhou Ziyang questioned Xie Shi:

"Why did you call the Ye family here? I wasn't ready!"

"Hmph, can't I, as your mother, even interfere with your marriage? Since it's someone you've chosen, then get the marriage arranged as soon as possible!"

"Mother... but what you're saying today is basically kicking people out, isn't it?"

"I'm kicking her out? What I said wasn't the truth?" After saying that, Madam Xie sneered, "If she's willing, she can marry in; if she's not, she shouldn't."

"We're not the kind of people who force marriages, right?"

Is this a matter of truth or falsehood?

Hearing his words, Xie felt a tightness in her chest: "Fine, you're all grown up now, and you've taken over the family business. You're the head of the household. I'm already sickly, and I don't want to interfere anymore. Do whatever you want!"

...

At this moment, the atmosphere in Ye Caiping's main room was also quite subtle.

The front door was tightly closed, and only the elderly couple, Ye Daquan, Du Shi, and Ye Caiping were in the house, discussing Jinhua's marriage.

After drinking two bowls of tea, Madam Du finally calmed down and said, "How could I have forgotten about this? Rich families love to keep concubines."

Ye Daquan: "I knew it! That young master doesn't seem like a good person! Look at him!"

"Alright!" Old Mrs. Ye glared at him. "When did you say that? You're such a Monday morning quarterback!"

Ye Daquan choked for a moment.

Grandma Ye said irritably, "Eldest daughter, why are you so angry? They didn't cheat or rob us, and they made it clear. What more do you want?"

Mrs. Du: "I just feel so frustrated! My son-in-law, who was doing so well, just flew away like that."

Madam Du was extremely satisfied with Zhou Ziyang. He came from a good family, was good-looking, and was a young master. Everything about him suited her perfectly.

Surprisingly, they hadn't even considered the idea of ​​taking a concubine.

Ye Caiping asked, "What about Jinhua?"

Madam Du sighed, "I'll have a good talk with her later. She shouldn't go to that cloth shop anymore. Since it's not going to work out, and they still have feelings for each other, what's the point of seeing each other every day?"

Just then, the door was pushed open with a bang, and Jin Hua stood there, tears welling up in her eyes.

Madam Du and Old Lady Ye pursed their lips. They had guessed that Jin Hua might be outside, and they had intended for her to hear them, otherwise they wouldn't know how to bring it up later.

Jin Hua gritted her teeth: "Why can't we...be together? I heard from the Zhou family's maid that Aunt Xie agrees. As long as we agree, she will send a matchmaker to propose marriage."

Du and Old Lady Ye's expressions changed.

Ye Daquan angrily retorted, "Shut up! I'm your father, and if I don't agree, I don't agree! How can you just do whatever you want? Aren't you ashamed?!"

“What’s there to be ashamed of? My brother and sister-in-law got together on their own. Why can my brother do it but I can’t? What was my sister-in-law’s situation back then? Xiuxiu’s mother even came to our house to make a scene, demanding a gold hairpin and a secret recipe.”

"It was a much more ugly situation back then, but you still agreed in the end, didn't you? The Zhou family didn't cause any trouble, and they didn't ask us for this or that, so why shouldn't you agree?"

Grandma Ye and her husband, along with Ye Daquan, were so angry they were convulsing.

Madam Du retorted angrily, "Is that the same thing? You're getting married, so naturally you need to be more careful. You said you heard from the Zhou family's maid that Madam Xie agreed, but did she tell you that Zhou Ziyang will take a concubine in the future?"

“We farmers don’t do this. I don’t want you to suffer like this!”

"I want to eat it myself!"

"What did you say?" Du asked, staring at Ye Jinhua in astonishment.

Ye Caiping frowned, and her hand holding the teacup paused.

Ye Jinhua blushed and gritted her teeth: "Mother is magnanimous, but I... but I've already thought it through."

"Back when I was dating him... Manager Yao told me that the young master and his family... were different from us. It was common for them to take concubines..."

When Jin Hua heard Manager Yao say such things, she was stunned. She felt more disheartened than ever before, and she absolutely did not want this to happen.

But he was still good to himself.

Whenever he gets close to her, she can't control her heartbeat; her heart and eyes are filled with nothing but him!

For his sake, it seems like it wouldn't be a big deal to be more tolerant.

Mrs. Du covered her head: "You, you..."

Jin Hua's eyes were red with tears: "Mother...it's common for wealthy families to have three wives and four concubines. If I don't marry him, who will I marry?"

"Are you just going to find any man from a nearby village? But how can Mother guarantee that the man you find for me won't mess around outside?"

"Let's not talk about others, just take Uncle Wu. He has a little money now. I even saw him going to Zui Xiang Lou!"

Ye Caiping: "..."

Ye Daquan, Madam Du, and Old Lady Ye: "..."

Old Man Ye: "Who are you talking about?"

Jin Hua's face stiffened: "Fifth, Fifth, Fifth Uncle! Once when I went to the county with Manager Yao to purchase goods, I saw Fifth Uncle visiting a brothel."

Ye Caiping was at a loss for words. They were clearly discussing Jin Hua's marriage, but somehow, they stumbled upon some unexpected gossip.

"Auntie!" Xiao Yan's voice came from inside. "My aunt is here."

Ye Caiping's lips twitched. What a coincidence.

She stood up blankly and quickly left the main room.

Wu Quan's wife, with her small pregnant belly, walked out of the hanging flower gate: "Sister Caiping, you said last time that you liked the salted eggs from my mother's house. My mother sent some over again this time. I'll give you some."

Ye Caiping walked over and took it: "Oh, thank you..."

Seeing that her expression was strange, Wu Quan's wife said, "Are you very busy? Then I'll go back first."

"Okay. Xiao Yan, help your aunt home."

...

The saying "hindsight is 20/20" has existed since ancient times; those interested can look it up.