A slight smile finally appeared on Ye Daquan's face:

"That's right. From now on, we'll stay in the village and live there forever."

Ye Caiping coughed lightly: "Well... it's very likely, probably... that Zhiyan will stay in the capital to serve as an official."

"What did you say?" Ye Daquan's eyes widened. "Didn't we agree to hold another banquet when we go back to the village in March?"

Ye Caiping touched her forehead: "Let's go back to the village first, and then go to the capital in December."

She and Shen Zhiyan had discussed it with the Empress Dowager, and Shen Zhiyan agreed to serve as Grand Tutor and Imperial Tutor to the young emperor.

But he was given a year to accompany Ye Caiping back to her hometown to deal with business issues.

The Empress Dowager also agreed.

Ye Caiping said, "We'll go back to the village for a year, and then we'll go to Beijing."

Ye Daquan was a little overwhelmed: "This...this...I remember when we proposed, he said he would stay in Yue'an County...How did he change his mind?"

Ye Caiping said, "Brother, people strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. Let's not talk about us, but about Xuan'er. What is he working so hard for in the imperial examinations?"

Du said, "Of course, it's to become an official!"

Ye Caiping: "That's right! Two years later, after Xuan'er passes the provincial examination, he will have to go to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination. Once he passes both the metropolitan and palace examinations, he will have to stay in the capital to become an official."

"When the time comes, elder brother and sister-in-law, won't you go to the capital with him?"

Ye Daquan and Madam Du were stunned; they hadn't considered this possibility...

Ye Daquan said, "Well... I was thinking that after he passes the imperial examination, he can come back to our Yue'an County and become the county magistrate or something..."

Ye Xuan said speechlessly, "Father, even if I were truly unworthy and demoted to a county magistrate, it wouldn't be Yue'an County. No local official can return to their hometown to serve."

Ye Daquan was stunned: "Why?"

"Because it will lead to nepotism and abuse of power... Does that mean if I return to Yue'an County as magistrate, wouldn't the entire county have to cater to our Ye family? Even our relatives could act with impunity, using their power to cause trouble and oppress the people. The imperial court doesn't want this to happen."

Ye Daquan understood what was said afterward.

Ye Caiping said, "If Xuan'er stays in the capital in the future, you brothers can also come to the capital. We'll be in the capital too, so we can all be together, right?"

Ye Daquan paused, then said, "That seems to be the case. What about Yong'er and Xiuxiu...?"

Ye Caiping said, "Then it depends on where they prefer. I plan to set up a furniture workshop and a glass workshop in the suburbs of Beijing. If they like Beijing, they can stay in Beijing. If they like the village, they can stay in the village."

Ye Daquan thought to himself, "Wherever my little sister goes, I'll go!"

Since Xuan'er is going to stay in the capital to become an official, he'll stay here no matter what!

Once he understood, Ye Daquan wasn't so unhappy anymore.

When Ye Caiping saw him smile, she smiled too.

Ye Jin'er asked, "Mother... after you marry Mr. Shen, will we also be included in the Shen family genealogy?"

"Um."

"Then will we still have the surname Ye?"

Ye Caiping smiled and said, "You can choose whatever surname you like!"

Madam Du said, "Then we'll do whatever is most convenient. We're not without family members, and we don't expect you to carry on the Ye family line."

"You two will both get married in the future, Jin'er and Huan'er. After the marriage, can the children take your surname Ye?"

"If you still plan to stay in the capital, how will people introduce or address you when you interact with others or in various situations? Will they say, 'This is Ye Jin'er from the Shen family'?"

"Those who know the facts won't ask, but those who don't will always ask, like, 'You're from the Shen family, so why is your surname Ye?' I have to explain it every time, it's so troublesome!"

Even Ye Daquan nodded in agreement, saying, "We'll listen to your aunt."

It's not like I can't accept Shen Zhiyan as my stepfather, there's really no need to make myself an exception.

Ye Caiping takes such matters lightly. She herself is an orphan, and her surname is chosen according to the order of the Hundred Family Surnames. Those admitted this year will be surnamed Zhao, and those admitted next year will be surnamed Qian.

Her batch was surnamed Ye.

In modern times, it's easy to understand to say someone takes their mother's surname, but in ancient times it would require several rounds of explanation.

There's no need to create trouble for yourself just to flaunt your so-called individuality. The Great Zhou Dynasty is a feudal dynasty; why go looking for trouble?

Ye Jin'er and Ye Huan'er exchanged a glance and nodded: "Then let's take the surname Chen!"

The group chatted until nearly midnight before returning to their rooms to rest.

As Ye Daquan returned to his room, he muttered to Madam Du, "Tomorrow is the wedding day. Let's see how I make things difficult for him."

Du pinched him: "You're not a kid anymore, why are you still so childish! Don't piss people off."

"Pah! Who doesn't overcome numerous obstacles to get married? If he gets angry just trying to get married, what's the point of him even getting married!"

"Also, we couldn't make things difficult for Li Zhiyuan's wedding last time, it was infuriating just thinking about it! If he acts all high and mighty like a big shot, then he's just like Li Zhiyuan! Tomorrow I'll stand there and not let him pass!"

When Li Zhiyuan married Ye Caiping, he acted all high and mighty.

When they went to fetch the bride, all they asked was for him to drink one more cup of wine, but Li Zhiyuan immediately turned stern and said he was going home and wouldn't marry her.

Back then, Ye Caiping was also eager to get married. When she saw others leaving, she rushed out in her red dress and jumped into the bridal sedan chair, and even scolded Ye Daquan and the others.

......

The twentieth day of the first lunar month was the wedding day of Ye Caiping and Shen Zhiyan.

Early that morning, Ye Caiping was woken up by the servants and then began to wash and put on makeup.

Ye Jin'er and Ye Huan'er also dressed up carefully today, wearing a water-red brocade dress, with their hair styled in the same double-loop bun, and each wearing a red tassel hairpin.

Du and Jinhua were also in the room, watching Ye Caiping put on her makeup.

Only after Ye Caiping put on the phoenix crown did Ye Jin'er exclaim, "Mother, you look so beautiful today!"

Ye Huan'er covered her mouth and laughed, "Like an older sister."

The wedding attendant, who was combing her hair, smiled and said, "Ye Shuren has such good skin; she looks six or seven years younger than her peers."

Ye Caiping looked in the mirror and smiled.

Besides her natural good looks, she also has advanced technology and is incredibly skilled! She uses skincare products costing tens of thousands of yuan every day, how could she not be good?

Ye Daquan kept going in and out, and every now and then he would say with a proud look, "My little sister is so beautiful!"

She went out, then came back in a moment later, looking heartbroken: "It's a pity she was snatched up by someone else..."

The matchmaker and the wedding attendant were furious and chased them away: "Go away, go away, the man can't come in anymore."

Ye Daquan could only peer through the door, looking utterly aggrieved.

"The wedding is here! The wedding is here!" At this moment, cheers rang out from outside.

"Quickly." The matchmaker handed Ye Caiping a round fan.

During the Zhou Dynasty, nobles did not wear veils when getting married; instead, they covered their faces with fans.

Ye Daquan jumped up excitedly, shouting, "Quick, Shanzi, get Xuan'er, Siquan, and Bajin together, grab your weapons! Let's meet the enemy!"