Zhang was getting anxious and wanted to explain for Yunling, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Yunling's mother said again:
"In the end, our family's money was earned by Ling-jie. Even if Chun-jie helps, it's just a small favor. She knows that, so even if we force things on her, she won't accept them."
"Besides, the Qin family is interested in Chun-jie because they value her as a person, not because of how much dowry she has. They certainly don't look down on us."
Zhang knew that what Yun's mother said was somewhat reserved; parents like them naturally wanted to give their children all the good things in the world.
If a woman marries into a family outside the home, it will be difficult to see her again in the future. I am also afraid that she will be mistreated in her parents' home. Of course, I want to do my best to provide her with a sense of security and a safe haven.
“Mother, how about we leave it at that? We can wait until Ling’er comes back to talk about the big items. Let’s buy the small items for the betrothal first. We’ve only exchanged the draft invitations today, and the betrothal process is still a long way off.”
Old Lady Yun agreed with Zhang's words. In the end, the money was earned by that girl Ling'er. It was best to inform her in advance how to use it. After all, Ling'er was no longer a three-year-old child. She should be treated with respect to avoid future misunderstandings.
**
Yunling shuddered at the nagging and quickly tightened her collar.
Lu Yinghuai emerged from the cabin, carrying two pieces of dragon's beard candy wrapped in oiled paper. They had made an agreement before boarding: the candy couldn't be eaten in large quantities; it could only be enjoyed on special occasions.
What is Lingniang thinking?
“I’m calculating the price of my new product. It’s your fault, really. You didn’t tell me the transportation cost of these two hundred kilograms of wool, so I’m not quite sure how to calculate it.”
Lu Yinghuai stood beside Yun Ling, leaning against the deck, his eyes smiling.
"I'm also a young master, so I know exactly how much of an impact this amount has."
Yunling shifted her posture, resting her chin on her hand, and said directly without any pretense:
"I was thinking, do you think the young ladies in the city will still remember that fashion show after all this time? What a failure it would be if we couldn't even sell a hundred pieces in the end."
"I remember."
"I don't want you to remember, I want them to remember."
Lu Yinghuai said gently:
"What I'm saying is that they'll remember that good things will never go out of business, and right now you're the only one selling this stuff. There are no other competitors on the market, so don't worry."
"That's what I say, and I'm not afraid to admit it, but this is the belief that kept me moving all the way to Bianjing. There were many times when I thought, it's been too long, they don't even remember me, maybe I should just give up."
Yunling's words became somewhat sentimental, like a unique melody in the night, making one especially eager to listen.
"But the ship had already sailed away from Pingcheng, like an arrow released from a bow. There was no turning back. I could only grit my teeth and keep going. With each step closer to Bianjing, I tried to convince myself a little more: maybe, maybe, maybe they are all with me."
"But now that I've bought the wool and am heading home, with each step I take closer to Pingcheng, my mental defenses weaken a little. I'm a little scared, scared that I won't be able to shoulder that burden."
Lu Yinghuai opened his palm, revealing the two pieces of dragon beard candy, and said indulgently:
"May God bless Lingniang so that her wish may come true and her business may prosper."
"God won't listen to you."
"God will surely listen to me today!"
Yunling didn't know where this person's confidence came from, but then she thought about it, and realized that this person had just said "today," today... She was immediately surprised:
Is today your birthday?
Lu Yinghuai nodded slightly, his smile still full of affection.
"So, can I eat this dragon's beard candy?"
"sure!"
Yunling recalled what she had eaten that day and suddenly realized:
"Hey, everyone says you have to eat longevity noodles on your birthday, how about some noodles with lard?"
"We have noodles, but where's the lard?"
Yunling slapped her thigh, stood up, put her hands on her hips, and said:
"Didn't we buy cured pork? We can sauté the cured pork until fragrant, and use the oil to mix with noodles. It'll be so savory and delicious."
Lu Yinghuai originally felt that he was not very hungry since he had eaten dinner a quarter of an hour ago, but after Yunling said that, he felt a little hungry. Although it was only a little, he would be starving if he couldn't eat this bowl of lard noodles.
At Yunling's urging and Lu Yinghuai's permission, the two quickly went to the stove to cook. However, with one being a poor cook and the other having some cooking skills, the combination of the two, who could be described as "the sleeping dragon and the young phoenix," soon resulted in a burnt smell emanating from the stove.
Soon, a bowl of lard noodles—a rather culinary disaster—and two faces covered in soot appeared on the table. Yunling took a shallow sniff and cautiously asked:
"This should be edible, right?"
Lu Yinghuai also frowned slightly and responded softly:
"It shouldn't kill you. With you here, there's nothing to fear."
As soon as they finished speaking, Yunling and Lu Yinghuai picked up a noodle with expressions of "heroic sacrifice" and reluctantly put it in their mouths.
But as soon as the noodles entered their mouths, their expressions lit up, and they both nodded in agreement.
"It's delicious! Today is your birthday, so eat up!"
"I see that Lingniang likes to eat it, and a gentleman does not take what others like, so let Lingniang eat it."
"No, no, even if you like it, there has to be a limit. Today is your birthday, you are the eldest, and I absolutely cannot compete with the birthday person for noodles."
"Actually, I ate a bit too much for dinner just now, and I'm still full. Why don't you eat it for me, Lingniang?"
As the two were politely declining, Chen Jie arrived, drawn by the aroma, and the two of them naturally and enthusiastically offered up the delicious food...
**
Time flies, passing swiftly amidst laughter. After checking Yun Ruochun's birth chart, the Hu family anxiously asked Master Qin to write a detailed note listing her grandfather, great-grandfather, and father's ancestors, as well as information about their land, property, and official titles.
Then he sent someone to arrange a load of Xu Kou wine, and also to select the eight most beautiful large flowers, silk, and eight silver hair ornaments, which were tied to the load with red silk and carried away.
Then they discussed a good day to let Yun Ruochun take a break and return home, so that the clan members could take a look at her. For them, it was just a formality, so there was no question of them not being a good match.
Soon it was the Dragon Boat Festival again, and Madam Hu sent people to deliver some of the new jewelry from Linglong Pavilion, eight fat chickens, six fat geese, ten pieces of pork ribs, two loads of fine wine, and this year's new tea.
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