Chapter 113 Recognizing an Uncle
With his two sons each carrying a pile of pastries, Ma Qianhu walked happily into the main hall and said, "Changping, I can smell the aroma from afar. Uncle has brought two jars of good wine to drink with you."
Lin Changning smiled and welcomed the man in: "Uncle Ma, you've gone to so much trouble."
Ma Jia Dalang glanced at his future daughter-in-law nestled in his mother's arms, his eyes practically glued to her. Lin Changning teased, "Brother Ma, you'll have your chance to see your bride once she's married. Don't scare her away by staring at her like that."
As soon as these words were spoken, the women around them began to tease the two of them. A little while later, Zhang Qianhu and Zhou Qianhu also arrived. A group of people sat at the dinner table, with the men at one table, the women at another, and the remaining children and girls sitting together. The women sat at the table and discussed something in hushed tones. The girls at Ma San Niang's table were talking about something, and while they were eating, they looked at Lin Changning at the next table and covered their mouths and laughed.
Ma San Niang blushed, glanced at Lin Changning, quickly looked away, and shoved the girl next to her: "Hey, what nonsense are you talking about? Sixth Brother already has an unmarried wife. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
The girl next to her hummed a few times: "Alright, alright, whatever Third Sister says goes."
The girls at the table were mostly fourteen or fifteen years old, and all were engaged. The younger ones were twelve or thirteen, at an age where they were beginning to understand the ways of the world. So, they were at the age when their hearts were still budding with romantic feelings. Their parents had invited them over to let the children show their faces. After all, everyone knew that the two boys from the Lin family were good. The older one, needless to say, had already become a commander of a thousand men at a young age. Even the younger one would have no worries about food and clothing if he followed them in the future. It was just a pity that the two brothers from the Lin family did not have any relatives by their side at the moment, and Lin Changning was engaged early on, which made many families quite regretful. But if they couldn't get the older one, they could at least get the younger one.
Several families with daughters came under the guise of inquiring, and they also brought their husbands along, hoping to find out at the dinner table whether Shilang was engaged yet.
At Lin Changning's table, two centurions sat next to Shilang, while Lin Changning sat opposite him. He had originally intended to sit at another table, but since the other two tables were occupied by women and children, it would be inconvenient for him to sit there, so he sat with Lin Changning's colleagues.
A centurion surnamed Zhou sat down next to Shilang, his red, rough face fixed intently on Shilang: "This must be Lord Lin's younger brother. He is indeed a handsome man. Is he married this year?"
Shiro had also drunk some light wine. Upon hearing this, he blushed and shook his head, the blush on his face making him appear even more shy and bashful: "I have never been married."
The centurion surnamed Zhou's eyes lit up, and he was about to say something when the centurion surnamed Wang interrupted him, saying, "Unmarried? Good! I have a daughter who is thirteen years old and of marriageable age. She is looking for a husband. Shi Lang is handsome and has excellent medical skills. Have you ever thought about settling down on the frontier?"
Shiro wasn't stupid; he understood what was being asked. He looked at Lin Changning for help, while the two centurions beside him stared at each other, neither willing to back down.
Lin Changning had drunk a few cups of wine, his face slightly flushed but not yet intoxicated. He naturally heard the two centurions' words: "Ahem, you two?"
Zhou Baihu raised his eyes, and Wang Baihu also straightened his expression. Lin Changning looked at the two of them and smiled, "Shilang is my cousin. When it comes to marriage, it is natural for the elders in the family to make the decision. I am also a junior, so it is not appropriate for me to overstep my bounds in marriage matters. When I return home next time, I will ask my cousins for their opinions, if that is alright?"
The two centurions smiled and raised their wine cups: "Thank you, Commander. We were the ones who were presumptuous."
What a joke! Who isn't troubled by their children's marriages? Good men and good women are the same; if you don't settle down early, you might not be able to find anyone in a few years. Most of these people on the border are living on the edge, their lives are like living for today and never having a tomorrow. Every family is planning ahead for their own family.
The Lin brothers are a perfect match. The elder brother is undoubtedly successful, and the younger brother is handsome and has excellent medical skills. He won't have to go to the battlefield in the future. What a wonderful marriage!
The two men sighed slightly with regret and drank the wine in their bowls in one gulp. It was good, but unfortunately, neither of them had any relatives around. They could only ask the two men over drinks. Anyway, they were just drinking, and it wouldn't matter if they got a few words while drunk, and it wouldn't affect their children's reputation.
Several thoughtful men on the field felt a slight pang of regret. Commander Ma chuckled as he watched the group of men fretting over their children's affairs. Years ago, when he went to ask this young man surnamed Lin for a marriage proposal, it didn't work out, and countless people laughed at him behind his back. Now, look how fast this young man has risen through the ranks, commanding a thousand soldiers at such a young age, and repeatedly achieving military merits in Daxing. Countless people are envious of him. Now he knows to come and curry favor and ask for a marriage proposal. Heh heh, with his elders not around, he's left with no face, hahahahaha.
Fortunately, he had the foresight to do so. Even though the marriage didn't go through, he didn't offend anyone and often treated people to meals. His son also frequently came to help. He knew that this kid was a good person. This time, when he was imprisoned, it was he who advised his daughter to find evidence. It was also he who secretly bribed the prison guards so that she didn't suffer any punishment. Old Zhou said that Lin probably spoke well of him to the commander that day.
He knew he hadn't mistaken Lin Changning for someone else. Old Ma chuckled and bumped his bowl against Lin Changning's: "You little rascal, I knew I hadn't misjudged you. It's just a pity you don't like my daughter. Oh, Changping, let me tell you, my daughter is really wonderful. She's gentle and virtuous. Now her pastry shop is making more money than mine. You're just unlucky, hmph."
Lin Changning reluctantly clinked glasses with someone: "I've already told you the reason, Uncle Ma. Third Sister is a very good person. It's just that I'm not lucky enough to have her. Come on, bottoms up."
Commander Ma was amused by the flattery: "Hehe, you're so good with words, kid. I've remembered everything that happened this time."
Commander Zhang joked, "Look at the two of you, why don't you just become sworn brothers!"
Old Ma, a little tipsy, stood up abruptly, his face flushed: "Old Zhang is right! Alright! We should become sworn brothers! All of us, we should all become sworn brothers!"
Old Zhang and Old Zhou chimed in, "Alright, we're all brothers anyway, one more bowl of wine won't make a difference. Let's just become sworn brothers today!"
"Alright! Bring the wine!"
Ma Jia Dalang glanced at his younger sister, who was glaring at him from the next table, and hurriedly grabbed Ma Qianhu, saying, "Father! Father! You're drunk!"
Old Ma tossed his son aside and said, "Mind your own business!"
Then he poured drinks for the three of them without a second thought: "Come on, drink! After this drink, we'll be true brothers!"
Ma Jia Erlang stared in disbelief as his father filled the wine cup to the brim.
Lin Changning didn't think much of it. The three commanders in the garrison took good care of her. So what if they became sworn brothers? She could even be a generation older, hehe.
The three men clinked glasses: "From this day forward, the four of us, we do not ask to be born on the same day, month, and year! We only ask to die on the same day, month, and year. Heaven and earth are our witnesses. We three are now sworn brothers. We will share weal and woe, wealth and honor, and difficulties together."
The three men stood up, clinked their bowls together, and drank their wine in one gulp. Ma's eldest son and second son covered their faces in the middle of the meal, feeling that they couldn't bear to watch. Lin Changning was almost his father's son, and what kind of trouble was he causing!
After the four of them finished their drinks, Mom patted her eldest son on the shoulder with a cheerful smile: "Come on, eldest son, second son, come and meet your third uncle, hehe~"
Ma Jia Dalang: ......
Ma Jia Erlang: ......
Silence is Cambridge tonight...
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