Chapter 391 A Marriage Between Two Families, A Contract Signed in One Hall
Walking back from the market, you'll reach Cheng Wanwan's lotus pond.
The bottom layer is filled with about half a meter of water. Aquatic plants have already grown, but lotus leaves are growing slowly. Only three or four round, palm-sized leaves can be seen floating on the water surface, along with some pointed, curled lotus leaf tips. It will take at least another month before the lotus leaves gracefully emerge from the water.
The soil by the pond was unusually soft and wet. Because it was all new soil, weeds and other vegetation were growing very vigorously, blocking the path. Cheng Wanwan almost stepped into the pond without paying attention.
The person didn't fall in, but some of the soil along the riverbank collapsed.
Cheng Wanwan stepped back a little, thinking to herself that perhaps a boardwalk should be built around the lotus pond, extending slightly into the center of the lake, and a flower-viewing pavilion should be built. Such a large area would probably require a lot of timber, so it would be time to cut down trees to prepare.
She squatted by the river, putting her hand into the water. If anyone had seen this, they would have been amazed, because countless small fish swam out of her palm, into the lotus pond, and disappeared into the deep water.
She released some grass carp, silver carp, and crucian carp, but not too many, because the oxygen content in the lotus pond is low, and the fish density cannot be too high. Too many fish would actually affect the growth of the lotus.
The aquatic plants, algae, and planktonic insects in the pond serve as food for the fish and do not bite the lotus leaves and roots. Fallen lotus petals also become food for them, while the fish's excrement provides fertilizer for the lotus flowers, promoting better growth of the lotus flowers and lotus roots. The two complement each other perfectly.
After finishing her business, Cheng Wanwan walked home and immediately called Manager Yan over.
Now, Manager Yan is the head of her household. If she wants to do something, she just needs to tell Manager Yan, and he will immediately arrange it. She doesn't need to personally recruit or interview people anymore.
“Here are four drawings.” Cheng Wanwan placed the hastily drawn drawings on the table. “This is the drawing for the flower garden, this is the drawing for another workshop, this is the drawing for the pond boardwalk, and this is the drawing for the expansion of our house. Since we’re going to start construction, let’s hire people to help us get these things done.”
Manager Yan looked through the four blueprints and said, "This will require quite a lot of manpower."
The walls of the flowerbeds and the boardwalks of the lotus pond are large-scale projects, while the expansion of workshops and houses is relatively simple.
“These past few days, every household has been busy cultivating seedlings and preparing the fields for rice transplanting. Everyone is busy,” Cheng Wanwan said. “I will take my time with these things, proceeding step by step. I don’t seek speed, but rather focus on meticulousness.”
Manager Yan nodded and went down to draw up the specific procedures, determine the construction period, set time nodes, how many people to recruit, how much to pay, and so on.
Cheng Wanwan sat down in the main room and spread out the red paper she had bought. This was special paper for writing wedding invitations. Cheng Zhao wasn't there, nor was Shen Zheng, and she was too embarrassed to ask Master Yu for help, so she had to write the wedding invitations herself.
Fortunately, she already knew how to write, and she had been practicing calligraphy for the past six months, so her handwriting was presentable.
Most of the villagers had worked for her family, so naturally they were all invited. Then came Cheng Zhao, and some business partners from the town, such as Master Wang, the owner of Zuixianlou Restaurant, the owner of Jixiang Restaurant... These were the people who initially supported her business, and then there was the Shen family...
That afternoon, Cheng Wanwan spent her time writing invitations—hundreds of them, until her hands were almost worn out.
After you finish writing it, go out and hand out the invitations.
As evening fell, after everyone had finished their meals, Cheng Wanwan, carrying a basket, began visiting each other's homes.
"What is this? What does it say on it? Tiezhu, read it to us."
"Two families unite in marriage, a contract is made in one hall, a blessed union is forever established, and a perfect match is celebrated. We cordially invite you to the wedding banquet held at the Zhao family home in Dahe Village on March 24th."
"Oh my, this is Er Gouzi and Miss Cao's wedding invitation. I never thought that an old woman like me would receive a wedding invitation one day."
"Grandma Dashan is so particular, she even wrote an invitation, and her handwriting is so beautiful."
“Dashan’s mother is a lady from Sui. When an official’s family holds a happy event, how can they not be particular about things?”
"By the way, if you need any help the other day, just call out to Aunt Dashan and I'll come and help right away."
"I also brought two maids to help with some chores..."
The villagers received the invitations and were overjoyed, all eager to come and help.
Cheng Wanwan didn't refuse. With more than a thousand guests, that would require hundreds of tables, which would definitely require the help of the villagers to organize.
When Zhao Ergou returned by carriage that evening, he was warmly surrounded by the villagers. Only then did he realize that his mother had already sent out the wedding invitations. Some of the women teased him, and he blushed with embarrassment.
As soon as he entered the house, Cheng Wanwan placed the remaining invitations in his hands: "Remember to deliver these invitations to these guests when you go to the city tomorrow. You should deliver them yourself."
Zhao Ergou had been looking forward to this day every day, but as it drew near, he became nervous.
He accepted the invitation: "I will definitely handle it well."
As the mother and son were talking, a carriage stopped at the gate. Cheng Wanwan recognized the carriage very well; it belonged to the Shen family.
Shen Zheng jumped out of the car and shouted excitedly, "Auntie!"
Cheng Wanwan looked up, her eyes filled with a gentle smile: "Xiao Zheng, why are you here at this hour? Dinner is almost ready, let's have some dinner."
Shen Zheng immediately pulled out a stack of vermilion invitation cards from his pocket: "My father asked me to deliver an invitation to you, Aunt. I just passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. The Shen family will be holding a big banquet tomorrow. Please get ready in advance, Aunt. My father will send someone to pick you up."
He tossed one of the invitations to Afu: "While it's still early, hurry up and go to Chengjia Village. Give this invitation to Brother Cheng."
Ah Fu took the invitation, got in the car, and drove off.
Shen Zheng smiled and said, "My father said he also needs to send invitations to the teacher, Village Chief Zhao, and Grandpa Zhao. I'll go there first."
Cheng Wanwan nodded and opened the invitation. Not only was she invited, but also her four sons. It seemed that the Shen family was going to hold a grand celebration this time. However, it was just a matter of passing the imperial examination. Why make such a big fuss? Aren't they afraid of being laughed at?
Just as I was wondering, Shen Zheng turned back, coughed, and said, "Besides celebrating for me, there's another matter, which is recognizing my relatives."
Reuniting with relatives?
Cheng Wanwan understood.
After making arrangements with Madam Shen, there was no word from her side. She was planning to find an opportunity to meet and discuss things with her, but she didn't expect that Madam Shen had already arranged everything without her noticing.
One is the son of the county magistrate, and the other is Lady Sui; the family reunion banquet should indeed be quite grand.
She put the invitation away: "Xiao Zheng will stay here for the night, and we'll go to your Shen Mansion together tomorrow morning."
Shen Zheng immediately agreed. In the Shen family, he was constantly controlled by his father and his grandmother liked to nag him, so he was eager not to go back.
He strode over, hooked his arm around Zhao Ergou's neck, and chuckled in a low voice, "The Cao family sent us an invitation yesterday. You're about to marry the eldest daughter of the Cao family. Hehehe, watch how I'll torment you during the wedding night."
Zhao Ergou raised an eyebrow: "No matter how much trouble you cause me, when you get married, I'll cause ten times the trouble back. It's no big deal."
"Hmph, I won't invite you to my wedding. Let's see how you cause trouble then."
"You recognized my mother as your godmother, and you didn't even invite me to your wedding! You clearly don't respect my mother at all!" Zhao Ergou turned around and complained, "Mother, Shen Zheng just said... um!"
"Okay, okay, I was wrong, alright?" Shen Zheng surrendered. "As your brother, I won't make trouble for you anymore. Here's a nice gift for you."
He took a book out of his pocket and stuffed it into Zhao Ergou's clothes.
Zhao Ergou was very suspicious. He took out the book, opened it, and saw all kinds of pictures. His face immediately turned red.
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