Chapter 114 Returning to the Peng Family for a Banquet on the Way Back to the City
They said they wanted Ye Li to act as a mediator, but these past two days, Yu Cai and Peng Ximing really haven't had time to look for Ye Li.
Soon they boarded a carriage and set off for the Peng family to meet their relatives and friends.
However, the county town was too far from the Peng family's home, and it was impossible for the two of them to return that same day.
So today, I have to set off with Mr. and Mrs. Peng to return to the village.
The carriage swayed and rocked all the way, and even though they set off before noon, the sun was almost setting when they arrived at Peng's house.
The Peng family's new courtyard, bathed in the setting sun, was tinged with an orange hue, giving it a rather grand appearance.
The courtyard is very large, with five main rooms and five rooms each on the east and west sides.
Yu Cai and Peng Ximing's new house is in the east wing.
All five rooms are for two people.
Everything in the new house was newly purchased, from large items like the kang (heated brick bed) and wardrobes to small items like the bathtub and washbasin; Peng Ximing personally selected them all.
Of course, there are also a shower room and a small kitchen, all for the exclusive use of two people.
As for how we treat the moon...
You must cherish it.
Yu Cai, supported by Peng Ximing, took a stroll around and was very satisfied with her husband's family.
The two homes in the county town not only lacked abundant greenery.
The view isn't as expansive as this rural courtyard.
If he has a good experience these two days, he wouldn't mind coming back often.
At this moment, the courtyard was quite lively.
Uncle Peng, Uncle Peng, and others returned early in the morning and were busy preparing for tomorrow's banquet.
There were three large earthen stoves.
Three pigs were also slaughtered.
There were also many chickens, sheep, and ducks killed.
Tomorrow's banquet will also mainly consist of meat dishes.
Otherwise, the villagers would definitely think that the county magistrate's son looked down on the Peng family.
Yu Caicai would never give people such a misconception.
Many villagers came to help, and also to see Yu Cai, this high-ranking official.
The county magistrate's son!
Many villagers had never even been to the county town, and the village head was the highest-ranking official they had ever met.
But now that the county magistrate's son has arrived, everyone who can move wants to come and see what the county magistrate's son looks like.
Yu Cai was already exceptionally beautiful, and the gold and jade ornaments on her head shone brightly in the setting sun, making her stand out in a crowd.
Everyone watching couldn't help but envy Peng Ximing's good fortune.
Who would have thought that the impoverished Master Peng would marry the son of the county magistrate?
Who can still say that studying is useless?
Reading is useful!
It's extremely useful!
Seeing Yu Cai's gentle demeanor, some people mustered their courage and stepped forward to greet Peng Ximing.
In particular, his former students and their parents warmly congratulated him on marrying such an outstanding husband.
Peng Ximing was already well-liked, and now the villagers were deliberately trying to befriend him, so Yu Cai quickly got tired of laughing.
There were too many onlookers!
Peng Ximing noticed his exhaustion and quickly apologized to the villagers, saying that it was already late and they would entertain everyone when they came over for a drink tomorrow.
Peng Ximing then helped him back to his room.
The room was dimly lit. Peng Ximing lit a candle, then went to the kang (a heated brick bed) and said, "Lie down for a while, and get up when dinner is ready."
This time, Yu Cai did not refuse.
The main problem was that the carriage was too bumpy, and it took three hours in a row to bounce.
He was jostled so much that his whole body almost fell apart.
Seeing Peng Ximing place the pillow behind him and help him lie back, he couldn't help but smile and reached out to hug Peng Ximing's waist: "You lie down too."
Peng Ximing lay down beside him as instructed and pulled him into his arms.
He added, "The villagers have never seen such an important person before, so they're a bit curious. Please don't mind."
“I know, I don’t mind,” Yu Cai said.
Upon hearing this, Peng Ximing grasped his hand: "This is your home. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, point it out. Don't keep it to yourself."
"I'm not dissatisfied with anything, everything is fine."
Yu Cai could tell whether someone was putting their heart into it or not; he wasn't stupid.
However, he pursed his lips and said, "I just have some feelings."
"What are you feeling?" Peng Ximing asked curiously.
"It's truly admirable that you were able to walk all the way from here to the county town."
The road is so far.
So bumpy.
Moreover, it took the combined efforts of four parties to embark on this path.
Those repeated calls of "Master Peng" reminded him that even though Peng Ximing had successfully walked a short distance, he had still returned to the starting point.
It's too bitter.
It pained him to see him suffer.
Peng Ximing was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "It's all in the past."
He downplayed it and refused to say more.
But Yu Cai continued, "Li Ge'er plans to build a village school in their village. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be completed this year."
"...They all have the surname Jiang in their village; they are one clan."
Peng Ximing said.
“I know I don’t plan to build a village school here, but I will sponsor one or two children who are ambitious.”
As Yu Cai spoke, she stepped out of his embrace, looked at his face earnestly, and asked, "This should be alright, right?"
He asked sincerely because he considered doing good deeds a daily routine.
But Peng Ximing hesitated: "How exactly does it work?"
"How about you consider the students you've taught before? Those who are talented but from poor families, we can pay for their private schooling for a year, and if they do well, we can continue to pay for it."
"If you don't work hard, then we won't provide for you."
"Of course, this method is not perfect. If you have a better one, we can discuss it further."
Yu Cai had just had this idea and hadn't thought about it deeply.
It only costs about six taels of silver a year, which he can afford.
Peng Ximing pondered for a moment, then said, "I know you are kind-hearted, but education can only support three to five people, and it takes a long time. Moreover, even if you support one person to become a scholar, it won't be of much use."
"Most of the villagers will never leave the village in their entire lives. If we really want to help them, we should dig a few wells in the fields for them to make it easier for them to irrigate."
"It is better to benefit several generations than to benefit one person."
"this……"
Yu Cai was somewhat surprised by his words.
Seeing this, Peng Ximing added, "However, if you still want to provide financial assistance after you've dug enough wells, then go ahead and do so."
Yu Cai laughed upon hearing this: "Can't we do it together?"
His smile was beautiful, and he was so kind that Peng Ximing couldn't help but raise his hand and gently stroke his face.
He then patiently explained, "As the saying goes, 'A small favor is appreciated, but a large one breeds resentment.' I'm afraid some people won't appreciate it and will complain if you stop providing."
Such examples do exist.
Of course, given Yu Cai's status, no one dared to complain to her face.
But Peng Ximing couldn't bear to see such a good person suffer such injustice.
This possibility should be nipped in the bud!
Peng Ximing continued, "Furthermore, the surrounding area is too poor. The people are so poor that they have lost their will to live. For most of the villagers, studying is not for the imperial examinations, but to learn a few words so that they can make a living."
"Therefore, I think drilling a well is better, more practical, and can help more people."
Yu Cai wasn't stupid; he just had never lived in the countryside and didn't know what farmers truly needed most.
Moreover, the Wu family had protected him too well in the past, so he had never seen the wickedness of human nature.
After listening to Peng Ximing's explanation, he thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll listen to you and dig a well for the villagers."
Seeing Peng Ximing smile, he blinked his right eye, raised his eyebrows and said, "Master Peng is indeed more knowledgeable. I have learned a lot."
"..."
These words immediately reminded Peng Ximing of the second game last night.
He called out "Good shopkeeper!" and then, once he started acting, Yu Cai actually began to perform.
The scene being performed was still the one from when the two first met, when he came to the door to answer the call.
Ask him his name and what he is good at.
Although she was humming comfortably, she still tried her best to keep a straight face and say that she was hard to please.
He found it amusing, so he joined Yu Cai in the act, saying that he was best at using that thing to serve people, and then he demonstrated it to the shopkeeper.
He doesn't have many skills, but he's fast.
Moreover, it allows you to multitask.
While making movements, the lips, tongue, and hands also get busy.
His presentation pleased Yu Cai so much that she wanted to give him a raise.
When the mood struck, I dared to say anything crude.
But the two of them were dressed neatly, and it wasn't completely dark yet. Suddenly remembering this, he felt a tightness in his chest and instinctively pulled the person into his arms.
His shopkeeper is so bold!
Holding Peng Ximing tightly, Yu Cai felt a little amused, but asked, "Master Peng, what are you doing?"
They've actually started acting again!
Peng Ximing's large hand moved down and pinched that area a few times: "Good shopkeeper, not resting tonight?"
Yu Cai's heart fluttered as he pinched her, and she was even happier: "Good teacher, I am dull-witted. Tonight, I will trouble you to guide me."
What rest?
On the second night of our marriage, are we just going to chat under the covers?
He's really into it now that he's had his fill of it.
In fact, Peng Ximing was also itching to try it.
He only now understands the fun of it all, and the other party is his good manager. He wished he could exhaust himself to the point of exhaustion!
Previously, he was kept in check by Wu's husband at the Wu family's house and couldn't indulge himself. Now that he's at his own home, he can finally have a detailed discussion with his good manager.
So he loosened the distance between them, found Yu Cai's lips, and kissed her.
Their lips touched, and Yu Cai immediately opened her mouth.
The two shared a deep kiss.
When the kiss ended, Yu Cai wrapped her arms around his neck, her face and eyes filled with tender affection.
His heart softened at the sight, and he lowered his head to kiss the tip of Yu Cai's nose before saying, "If you can't learn it, the teacher will punish you."
Yu Cai's eyes lit up: "How should we punish them?"
Peng Ximing smiled and whispered a few words in his ear.
These words made his cheeks turn bright red instantly, and he felt a little hot all over.
But imagining that scene, he couldn't help but hug Peng Ximing tightly.
Night, come quickly.
After dinner, Peng Ximing boiled water and let the two of them take a bath first.
Last night, while taking a bath, he carried Yu Cai in and out of the tub with ease.
But with Granny Wang watching outside, the two finished quickly without delay.
But tonight...
When Peng Ximing picked up Yu Cai and gently placed her into the bathtub, Yu Cai immediately thought of the kitchen romance chapter in the manual.
Jie Yang was strong, and as he moved, he actually lifted Lin Ge'er up from in front of the stove, leaving Lin Ge'er suspended in the air!
That scene is so similar to what's happening right now.
Upon realizing this, he immediately refused to take a proper bath.
The first time he was attracted to Peng Ximing was because Peng Xiucai was very strong.
It's huge!
If you can lift him up with one hand, you can naturally imitate that action.
He whispered his thoughts into Peng Ximing's ear, and Peng Ximing immediately responded.
As a man himself, Peng Ximing was quite confident in his strength.
Moreover, his good manager is too lenient.
So tonight, in addition to the fun of the teacher and students, there is also the fun of imitation.
After a night of indulgence, Yu Cai slept soundly until dawn the next day.
Fortunately, the two places are far apart, and his father, elder brother, and sister-in-law have not yet arrived.
Moreover, with enough sleep and good sleep, he not only didn't look haggard, but instead looked radiant and full of energy.
This made him not want to go back to the city.
It's so much more comfortable in the countryside!
The banquet was held at noon, with more than fifty tables set up in a lively atmosphere. In addition, Mr. Wu and Mrs. Yu Shiting also came. Everyone understood that the Wu family was very satisfied with Peng Ximing as their son-in-law.
As soon as the banquet ended, Wu Fulang and Yu Shiting prepared to return to the city.
Yu Cai brought out the excuse she had prepared long ago:
He wanted to dig a few wells for his husband's neighbors.
He wants to handle this matter personally, so he will stay and investigate for a few days.
He was doing a good deed, so Wu Fulang didn't stop him. However, Wu Fulang only gave him two days and told him to return to the city on the third day.
He readily agreed, taking each day as it came!
So, when Ye Li saw Yu Cai again, it was already March 12th.
A week has passed since the wedding on the fifth day of the third lunar month.
Yu Cai Courtyard.
Yu Cai and Peng Ximing were originally looking at the account books in the room when Ye Li arrived. Yu Cai then told Peng Ximing to go out for a stroll.
With Peng Ximing no longer present, Ye Li immediately sighed, "Brother Cai, you're having so much fun you've forgotten all about home."
"I'm busy with important business."
Yu Cai explained his intention to sponsor the villagers in digging a well.
Upon hearing this, Ye Li immediately gave him a thumbs up: "Brother Cai is truly kind."
"It can't compare to what you do for your fellow villagers."
Yu Cai shook her head.
He was still feeling guilty.
Ye Li, unaware of the inside story, waved his hand and said, "We all share the surname Jiang. Now that Jiang Ji and I have made it big, we should definitely help our clansmen out."
Yu Cai hurriedly asked, "Is your village also digging a well?"
He wanted to change the subject.
“Yes.” Ye Li nodded.
Although every household has someone working in the workshop, they can also make preserved eggs on a daily basis.
Only Jiang Dahe and Jiang Dachuan were unable to manage their land and had to rent it out, while the rest of the families still mainly relied on farming.
Therefore, this well must be dug to facilitate irrigation for the villagers.
He also bought several farm tools, such as dragon-bone waterwheels, so that people whose fields were next to ditches could use them.
Baxian Town is bustling again, with many merchants and travelers from other places. The daily output of tofu puffs has reached 650 jin.
With increased production, profits also increased; a month's earnings were a few ounces more than before.
We don't plan to take these few ounces of tea leaves right now—if the yield is too high, the villagers will have to work overtime again.
Once enough wells have been dug and all the farming tools have been purchased, the remaining silver will be used to build a clan school.
He will take back the few taels of profit after fulfilling all his previous promises.
After listening to his words, Yu Cai said, "Compared to you, the few wells I dug are really nothing."
"Our relationship is different; you've done enough."
Ye Li replied.
However, Ye Li's visit today is not for mutual flattery.
After saying this, he immediately leaned closer to Yu Cai, smiled, and whispered, "Brother Cai, how about the wedding? Was that book interesting?"
Yu Cai: "..."
He lowered his eyes and subconsciously reached for the teacup: "It's alright."
"good?"
Ye Li laughed: "Brother Cai, you have very high standards."
This kind of guide, complete with raunchy humor, a storyline, and illustrations, would have been a rare gem even in his past life.
Ye Li's teasing remark made Yu Cai feel a little embarrassed.
These past few days, he has been discussing the dowry paintings with Peng Ximing. Compared to the ones his father gave him and the ones Peng Ximing found himself, the one Ye Li gave him is a true treasure.
He put down his teacup, took Ye Li's hand, and said, "Thank you, Brother Li. I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life."
This statement is tantamount to acknowledging the value of the manual.
Ye Li was satisfied; that was more like it.
“Brother Cai, you’re exaggerating. Just understand its benefits.”
However, this topic is too private.
Ye Li had no intention of discussing it further, so she asked, "By the way, my brother Datong is getting married in a few days. Are you and Brother Peng going?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
