Chapter 114 The Sky Is About to Change
Seeing his two sons not moving, Old Ma slapped his eldest son hard on the back: "Impolite! Get up! Greet him!"
After being slapped by his father, Ma Dalang stood up with a forced smile, picked up his wine bowl, and walked to Lao Zhou. Ma Er, who had also been kicked by his father, stood up with his bowl and followed his elder brother.
Uncle Zhou.
"Oh, my good nephew!"
Old Ma watched with satisfaction as his two sons toasted Old Zhou and Old Zhang. Lin Changning sat down happily, her drink already filled for her. Ma's eldest son, with a hint of resentment, led his younger brother to Lin Changning. Looking at Lin Changning's handsome face, which was much younger than theirs, he gritted his teeth and said, "Uncle Lin!"
"Oh, my good nephew~" Lin Changning was overjoyed. He had gained a generational title for nothing in just one drink. After the two finished greeting him, Old Ma happily waved to his daughter, "Yanyan~ come here, come here."
Ma Jia San Niang, on the verge of tears, walked to her father. Ma Qianhu pointed at Lin Changning: "This is your Uncle Lin, come and greet him~"
Seeing Lin Changning's flushed face, Ma San Niang felt utterly ashamed and indignant, but unable to resist her father's urging, she could only whisper, "Uncle Lin~"
Lin Changning scratched his head, surprised that Commander Ma had even called his daughter over. He took out a few loose silver coins from his pocket and stuffed them into the hands of Ma's eldest son, second son, and Ma Yanyan, saying, "It's not for nothing, it's for nothing. This is New Year's money from your uncle~"
Seeing Lin Changning give out silver, the other thousand and hundred households all started to grab their sons and have a group of children call for help.
The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests, and everyone was quite happy, except for a group of young women each with their own agendas.
Aside from Ma San Niang, on the way home, Ma Jia Da Lang and Er Lang supported their father, while San Niang followed behind with her mother, somewhat confused as to why they suddenly had to call Lin Chang Ning "Uncle."
"Mother, look at Father, he has made his daughter feel utterly ashamed today."
Even though she knew that Lin Changning wouldn't marry her and didn't like her, Ma San Niang still liked Lin Changning. But now she couldn't even call him "Sixth Brother" anymore, and she was suddenly a generation younger than him.
Ma San Niang was utterly aggrieved, while Madam Liu could understand why her husband had suddenly become sworn brothers. Her husband was getting older, and their two children were getting married in the next couple of years.
Now that Yan Yan has opened a shop, many families have started to inquire about her, both openly and secretly. Life is slowly getting better. They understand their daughter's thoughts. As parents, they all want to fulfill their child's wishes. However, the Lin family's son has no ambition in this area and is already married. The two are really not suitable for each other. It's just that their daughter is young and always has some unrealistic fantasies. This is good too, as it will also put an end to the child's thoughts.
As Ma Qianhu approached his doorstep, he seemed to suddenly come to his senses. He firmly shook off his two sons and waited for his daughter and wife to arrive before speaking: "Yan Yan, are you blaming your father?"
Ma San Niang was somewhat angry, but thinking of her father's weathered face and the sudden appearance of white hair after he went to prison, she felt a pang of sadness: "I don't blame Father, I just don't understand."
Ma Jia Dalang also said, "Yes, Father, I'm so much older than Changping, yet I'm a generation younger than him and have to call him Uncle. It's so embarrassing for us."
Commander Ma couldn't help but slap his son on the head: "Why did I give birth to two idiots like you!"
After beating the people up, he took a few family members back to the house, sighed, and said, "The commander of the garrison is about to be replaced, and I can't guarantee how long your father will stay in this position. The same goes for Old Zhang and the others. The three of us were all promoted by Commander Qi, and we've been in this position for many years. The new commander will definitely not like us."
Changping is different. That kid is quick-witted and knows how to get along with people. Besides, he's only been here for a year. If he wants to please the new commander, it won't be difficult for him. Today, you uncles and I swore brotherhood with him, hoping that in the future, if anything happens, Changping can protect you.
He's a loyal and strong man, the most likely among us to be kept alive. So, eldest and second eldest, remember this: if I'm gone one day and you run into any trouble, go ask your Uncle Lin for help. He's trustworthy; although he's young, he's much more thorough than you two."
After speaking, Commander Ma lowered his head and remained silent. Ma San Niang stepped forward and grasped her father's rough hand: "Father, you will be alright."
Ma Qianhu looked up at his obedient and sensible daughter: "Yanyan, don't be interested in that boy anymore. What that brat said at the banquet today was actually a way of politely rejecting these matchmakers. He has no interest in this. There's no chance for you two. Don't blame your father for speaking harshly. I'm doing this for your own good. I know you like him. I understand."
Ma Yanyan felt a little sad and shook her head: "I understand, Dad. I won't be willful anymore."
Ma Qianhu patted his daughter's hair: "Go to bed early, your father has something to tell your mother."
After sending the three children away, Commander Ma went inside and carefully calculated the silver he had saved over the years with his wife, then divided it into three parts.
"One portion for the eldest son's wedding, one portion for the second son, and the rest can be used as dowry for Yan Yan. I reckon the new commander will arrive in a few days after the New Year. Old Zhang, Old Zhou, and I have all received favors from the commander, and this new commander will most likely not let us off the hook. At best, we'll be demoted to low-ranking soldiers; at worst, well, we should make plans early. How are things going with your brother's family? Yan Yan should also start making plans."
“I’m from the province. I wrote to ask about it the day before yesterday. Last time, my sister-in-law said that the family is doing poorly these days, and it might be difficult to afford the dowry. She likes Yan Yan very much, and her son is honest. If Yan Yan marries into the family, she will definitely not suffer. She told us to rest assured.”
"Whether or not you hire her doesn't matter, as long as she's good to the child. Just pay attention, this year Dalang will get married, next year it will be Erlang, and find Yanyan a good family. Even if I die, I won't have anything to worry about."
"Honey, please don't say such things, it hurts my heart..."
Commander Ma sat on the bed and embraced his wife, saying, "Why are you crying? It's just a precaution, there's no need to worry too much." As he spoke, Commander Ma wiped away the woman's tears.
Without exception, all the men on the border are extremely devoted to their families. The customs of the border region are rugged, and most of the wives of these military households are daughters of military households. They have known each other since childhood, married young, and have all gone through poverty together. Therefore, most of the men are extremely family-oriented. When Commander Ma was imprisoned and his superior was about to be replaced, he began to make plans for his children and wife early on.
"I don't know what kind of temperament the new commander has. Our commander was really wronged this time. It's all that guy surnamed Shi's fault. Tell me, how could he do this? He burned down the granary, ruined the commander, and dragged his own family down with him."
Madam Liu sighed and held her husband's rough hand: "Who can argue with that? Poor thing, Juqing is a good girl, but she's been dragged down to this state by her uncle. Today at the banquet, many children from other families were mocking her."
If it weren't for Changping speaking up for me today, saying that the fire was started by the man surnamed Shi and had nothing to do with her, that child would probably have a hard time getting along with us individual households. I was listening outside the door, and Changping is a sensible person; she really woke me up. That child is a good child. Originally, she was so angry that she wanted to break off the engagement, but now I think she's very patient. Dalang seems to like her today, so let her go with Dalang. As long as the children are happy, that would be the best outcome.”
Commander Ma replied, "You decide on this matter. If you think the child is good, then we'll marry him. Dalang is at an age where he shouldn't be delayed any longer."
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