A clever young maid tugged at Miss Peng's sleeve and whispered, "Miss, please invite the Princess and the Old Madam inside."
"Ah, yes, yes." Miss Peng panicked even more and quickly invited the old lady and Jiayin into the house.
The room contained no valuable decorations, mostly just embroidery frames and books, all kept very clean and tidy.
Jiayin was young, so no one would hold her accountable for saying anything wrong. She pretended to be curious and kept asking questions.
"Sister Peng, do you do embroidery every day? You're so amazing! I can only sew sachets."
"Sister Peng, you've read so many books!"
Miss Peng was very patient and answered all questions. Even when Jiayin messed up the embroidery thread, she wasn't angry at all. Instead, she was afraid that Jiayin would prick her hand, so she quickly put the embroidery needle away.
Grandma Li watched from the side, occasionally chiming in with a few words, becoming more and more satisfied with what she heard.
Seeing her grandmother laughing heartily, Jiayin decided to make her escape and pulled the little maid to go to the outhouse.
The maid led Jiayin out to the small room next door, giving the old lady and Miss Peng some private space.
Miss Peng pulled out her handkerchief, hesitated for a moment, and then knelt down before Old Madam Li. "Madam, it's my fault. I've been relying on Brother Jia Huan to help me secretly sell embroidery. I... Anyway, please don't blame Brother Jia Huan. It's all my fault. I'm willing to make amends. I'm willing to do anything I can."
Grandma Li reached out to help her, feeling the thin calluses on her fingers, and sighed softly.
Having lost her mother at a young age and with a careless father, this girl endured a great deal of hardship living under the care of her stepmother and concubines.
“Child, it is indeed wrong for you to be secretly seeing Jia Huan, but Jia Huan told us about your difficulties and your helplessness, and our family does not blame you.”
"As for Jia Huan, he is a son of the Li family. He acted rashly and did not consider his older and younger brothers who were studying at the academy. This is his fault. The family is punishing him, which is a lesson he needs to learn. No one can do it for him. Do you understand?"
Miss Peng bit her lip, feeling increasingly guilty and anxious, but she didn't know how to stop or make amends.
The old lady couldn't bear to see her worry, so she asked, "Child, last night I asked Jia Huan, and he said he was willing to marry you and treat you well for the rest of his life. I came here today to ask for your thoughts. If you feel the same way, I will go and discuss your marriage with your father."
"You know, you and Jia Huan used to visit each other so much that your servants noticed, and it's no wonder that other people have noticed too. It would be the best outcome if you two got married. Even if others gossip, it's not too impolite for an unmarried couple to visit each other frequently."
"But if you don't like Jia Huan and have no intention of marrying him, you should tell the truth. Our family will do its best to help your father cover this up, so as not to damage your reputation or delay your future marriage."
Miss Peng was surprised by the old lady's blunt question and felt both ashamed and flustered, wishing she could hide in the ground.
The old lady couldn't delay for too long. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Here's what we'll do: nod if you're willing, and shake your head if you're not."
Miss Peng hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage, raised her head, looked at Old Madam Li, and tears streamed down her face. "Madam, Brother Jiahuan told me a lot about your family, and I was very happy to hear it. I've never had a mother since I was little, and I also want a lively and bustling family like this..."
"Alright, alright, good child, don't cry!" Grandma Li quickly hugged her and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Grandma knows. Just live your life in peace. As long as you and Jia Huan are of one mind, Grandma will do everything she can to make you a couple!"
Ms. Peng subconsciously snuggled closer to the old lady, feeling the warmth of her embrace even more clearly, and her tears fell even more rapidly.
For so many years, no one has held her since her mother died.
She endured it all, and finally fought back once, managing to secure a good outcome for herself.
Even now, she still can't quite believe it. It must be her mother watching over her from heaven!
Jiayin played in the yard, looking at the flowers here and the grass there, and talking to the little maid. When she felt that she had figured things out enough and was tired and thirsty, she called for her grandmother.
Miss Peng's eyes were red as she saw the old lady out.
Jiayin ran over, hugged Miss Peng's neck, and kissed her on the cheek. "Sister Peng, I like you!"
Miss Peng blushed again, gently returned the kiss, and whispered, "I like you too. Come visit me when you come to Luo'an."
“Okay, sister, if you come to our valley to play in the future, I won’t charge you any money!” Jiayin patted her little chest, looking very generous and righteous, which made everyone laugh.
Soon, Grandma Li led Jiayin back to the front yard.
Miss Peng stood in front of the door, watching them go. When she turned around, she saw someone peeking out from a distance, but she no longer felt the resentment and anger she used to feel.
In the future, she will marry into a lively and harmonious family.
Concubines, half-brothers, and even whether her father would remarry—none of that mattered to her anymore!
"Xiaoyue, Xiaoyue! Help me open the box and find that embroidered booklet with the red cover!"
The little maid was overjoyed and skipped off to help her mistress find her things.
In the study in the front yard, Mr. Peng was talking to the Li brothers.
He had initially thought the atmosphere would be a bit awkward, since Li Laosan was a carpenter who also worked as a cook, and Li Laosi was a martial artist, so they didn't have much in common with him, a scholar.
Unexpectedly, Li Laosi, having traveled extensively and gained a wide range of knowledge, had carved out a path for himself during his previous campaigns.
Now he's already the Grand Commander; the next step up is general.
Li Laosan was not as capable as his younger brother, but he still fought his way from the north to the south.
Killing wolves, fighting tigers and leopards, slaying mountain bandits—what haven't I experienced?
The three of them chatted and drank tea, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Even after Grandma Li returned with good news, Mr. Peng was still somewhat reluctant to leave.
Having figured things out, Old Mrs. Li decided to get straight to the point: "Mr. Peng, a family with a daughter is sought after by many. I just saw that your daughter is dignified and gentle, and I like her very much. I wonder if our two families are destined to become in-laws?"
"Although my grandson is not very good, he is still young and will be more successful in the future. My eldest son will be coming back from the south soon and plans to reopen Sihaiju. My grandson will definitely become the head chef and take charge of the area. He will never let Miss Peng suffer."
"Furthermore, to show our sincerity, our family is willing to use two hundred handwritten copies as a betrothal gift, and prepare the rest according to the rules, with no less than a few extra. Would you be willing to consider this further, sir?"
Mr. Peng gripped his teacup tightly, a pleasant surprise welling up inside him.
Previously, he definitely would not have agreed.
But now that their daughter has done such a thing, if word gets out, their whole family will be too ashamed to face anyone.
The Li family, with a princess, a fiefdom, and a son who was a commander, suddenly became more valuable.
Given this ebb and flow, it's fair to say that the Peng family is marrying above their station.
Unexpectedly, the Li family not only did not use this to their advantage, but instead showed great sincerity.
If the dean knew, he'd probably want to have a daughter right now and send her to the Li family. What could he possibly object to?!
"It's a blessing that the old lady has taken a liking to my ugly daughter."
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