Chapter 119 Another year of paying respects to Jiang's parents, Bao Beiyuan's plans...
Jiang Dahe's concerns are not without merit.
Ye Li nodded: "Second Uncle, I will definitely have him come."
"Let's think this over carefully these next few days."
In fact, he already had a plan in mind, but this matter definitely needed Bao Beiyuan's approval first.
With these words from him, Jiang Dahe felt relieved.
“Brother Li, then you should make another trip. This is a good marriage, and everything can be discussed.”
Don't push people too far.
Ye Li understood his underlying meaning and smiled as she agreed, "Next time I'll go with Jiang Ji, and we'll definitely get this done."
Jiang Ji nodded: "Second Uncle, since he promised, we definitely won't let him run away."
One sentence made Jiang Liu blush even more.
But Jiang Dahe and Liang Erxiang were completely relieved.
That's right, we absolutely can't let such a good son-in-law get away.
They didn't keep Ye Li and Jiang Ji around for long; the couple had a lot on their plate.
So Ye Li took two watermelons out of the basket and gave them to Jiang Dahe, and then she and Jiang Ji each carried a basket home.
As soon as they stepped out of Jiang Dahe's house, Jiang Ji couldn't contain himself for a moment and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to matchmake Xiao Yuan and Xiao Liu? When did this happen?"
Ye Li smiled and said, "I got some pointers from Cai Ge yesterday, and we got it done today. I didn't have time to tell you."
"...You've done a good job as a matchmaker."
Jiang Ji was somewhat surprised.
Upon hearing this, Ye Li's face showed a hint of smugness.
He did put in quite a bit of effort when he tried to persuade Bao Beiyuan today.
However, he said, "It's mainly because Xiao Yuan is kind."
He repeated what he had said to Bao Beiyuan that day, and concluded by saying, "Actually, marrying Xiaoliu would be a good outcome for him as well."
"He has no parents or brothers. If he encounters someone who isn't on his side, how painful will that be for him?"
Although in most couples women suffer, there are times when men are at a disadvantage.
Bao Beiyuan was gentle by nature and felt guilty towards his father. If he were to marry a woman who always sided with her own family, his sorrow and distress would only intensify.
What if someone has a moment of weakness and does something rash? Wouldn't that be the end of them?
If he were to marry Jiang Liu, not only Jiang Liu, but also Jiang Dahe and Liang Erxiang would be of one mind with him and would consider his needs in everything.
As time healed his guilt, only love and warmth remained in his heart.
After hearing these words, Jiang Ji remained silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Ye Li's hand, which was carrying the basket on her back.
He said softly, "Thank you."
Ye Li's radiance extends beyond his family.
Even close friends benefited.
He truly didn't know how to thank him.
Ye Li didn't expect him to suddenly become sentimental, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Are you being so distant with me?"
"I remember your kindness, and you're still not happy?" Jiang Ji raised an eyebrow.
"That's true."
Ye Li nodded.
His principle is that he is willing to give.
But Jiang Ji wanted to see his hard work.
He frankly admitted it, and Jiang Ji couldn't help but laugh: "Great hero, tomorrow when we arrive at your parents' graves, I will properly recount your merits."
Ye Li laughed upon hearing this: "Alright, if you ever wrong me in the future, I'll go to my parents' graves and complain."
"...How could I possibly wrong you?"
"Besides, your methods are so gentle?"
Jiang Ji looked surprised.
"Otherwise what?" Ye Li retorted.
"Wouldn't that break my bones?"
"...You wish."
Ye Lile.
He shook their clasped hands: "Are you sure you want to do this in public?"
“It’s alright, everyone knows how loving we are,” Jiang Ji said.
"Okay, I'll go along with you."
My dear husband is deeply moved at this moment.
It's perfectly normal to be reluctant to let go.
He switched the basket to his other hand, and truly intertwined his fingers with Jiang Ji's.
Some villagers were squatting at their door eating dinner when they saw the couple holding hands, so they made a few good-natured jokes.
The two responded with smiles, but their hands remained clasped.
They arrived at their doorstep quickly.
The courtyard gate was wide open, and before we even entered, Jiang Ya suddenly ran out.
The little guy was wearing a Chinese-style short-sleeved shirt with a front opening, shorts, and open-toe sandals with layered soles.
On her fair wrist was a silver bracelet given to her by Ye Li.
The little head was decorated with two buns made of brocade cloth, and two silver bells were tied to the buns.
Two small bells jingled as he ran.
Seeing this, Ye Li let go of the basket and Jiang Ji's hand, stopped him, and laughed, "Oh my, whose little boy is this? He's so cute, I'll take him home."
As she spoke, she reached out to hug him.
Jiang Ya was amused and laughed heartily, but she twisted her little body to avoid Ye Li's hand.
He twirled around in front of Ye Li, then put his hands on his hips and asked excitedly, "Brother Li! Is it okay if I go to see Mom and Dad like this tomorrow?"
"Of course it's great! You look so cute, you're sure to make your parents' hearts flutter!"
Ye Li said with a smile.
These clothes and shoes were all designed by him and then made by Jiang Liu and Jiang Yu.
After it was finished, even the rivers and lakes praised how beautiful it looked.
These words made the little guy even more smug. He wiggled his little body a few times before jumping over to Ye Li and throwing himself into Ye Li's arms: "Brother Li! Take me away!"
Ye Li laughed heartily, bent down, and picked him up.
The six-year-old looked rather large in Ye Li's arms.
Jiang Ji stepped forward and pinched his little cheek: "You're such a big boy now, don't tire your brother Li out."
Ye Li then hefted the person in her arms and said with a smile, "You've indeed gotten heavier."
He even patted his little belly: "You didn't eat for nothing."
Jiang Ya was pleased to hear this. Of course, if he didn't gain weight after eating so much delicious food every day, he would be heartbroken.
He twisted a couple more times to get Ye Li to put him down, then he grabbed Ye Li's hand and walked into the yard: "Brother Li, let's go back and see the handkerchief I embroidered. Uncle Ye praised my embroidery."
"Big brother is here too."
"Alright, let me see your skills."
Ye Li led him into the courtyard.
Looking at the two figures, one tall and one short, Jiang Ji felt a surge of emotion.
When he came home last year, the little guy only had eyes for him, and no matter what he was doing, he would run to him as fast as he could.
But now that the little guy has finished arguing with Ye Li, he finally remembered his older brother.
Yes, he's a person with a conscience.
After all, compared to his older brother who was always in the county town, Ye Li spent more time with the little guy.
He curled the corners of his mouth, picked up the basket Ye Li had placed on the ground, and stepped into the courtyard.
In the spring, Ye Li spent money to renovate the courtyard and paved it entirely with blue bricks.
Blue bricks are not like mud flooring; when chopping pig feed, you have to hold a wooden board underneath.
Just now, Father Ye had finished chopping pig feed and was sweeping the wooden planks and the bits of grass around him with a broom.
Jiang Mai was squatting beside a small stove, roasting a duck.
When Father Ye saw him, he smiled and said, "Wash your hands, dinner is ready. Rice and braised pork."
"I'll feed the pigs, Dad. You go and get the rice."
Jiang Ji walked over, intending to take the broom from him.
"It's alright, go get some."
Father Ye shook his head.
Seeing this, Jiang Ji simply picked up the large basket containing pig feed next to him.
He took one in each hand and went straight to the backyard.
Father Ye had no choice but to wash his hands and serve the rice.
My good son-in-law has worked hard studying, so we should give Xiao Ji more meat.
Recently, Xiao Ji has been influenced by Li Ge'er and now prefers to eat lean meat.
They say that eating too much fatty meat is greasy.
It's really incomprehensible.
It's not like we're drinking fatty meat like water. We eat a few pieces every meal, so why would we get tired of it?
However, the braised pork also included some glass noodles, eggs, and eggplant.
He suggested giving Xiao Ji more glass noodles and eggplant, as these two dishes, once soaked in the broth, would taste just as good as meat and would be even more tender.
In addition, he stewed two pork hocks, which are for his in-laws tomorrow.
May our two in-laws, if they are watching from heaven, bless our family with continued harmony and happiness.
Tonight's dinner was quite sumptuous, including braised pork, cucumber salad with lettuce, and amaranth salad with bean curd sheets.
Of course, there's also the roast duck that Jiangmai bought.
After having roast duck at Yu Cai's house last time, not only Jiang Ya couldn't forget it, but Jiang Mai also thought it was delicious.
Taking advantage of Jiang Ya's birthday, Jiang Mai splurged and bought one.
This one costs over two hundred coins.
Comes with small pancakes and dipping sauce.
Although he had saved more than ten strings of cash—even though he didn't work in the workshop, he still had a fixed income.
If he passes Jiang Ji's monthly exam, he will receive a reward of 150 coins.
After the start of summer, there is also a daily high-temperature subsidy of five coins.
Ye Li would bring him food and drinks on ordinary days, and would also slip him some copper coins.
Although it was not as much as what was given to Jiang Ji.
But you can still save a few hundred coins every month.
Unlike Jiang Ya, he neither cared about looking good nor was greedy for food, so he saved all the money.
However, the poverty he had experienced in the past had left a very deep impression on him.
If money isn't spent wisely, like now, spending over two hundred coins on a duck really hurts him.
Therefore, when he gnawed on the duck neck, he ate it carefully, section by section, not wanting to miss a single bit of meat.
After he finished gnawing on them, he collected the bones and threw them into the chicken coop, telling the chickens to eat them again.
As for Jiang Ya, she was also engrossed in the delicious food.
He only hated that he only had one mouth and one stomach.
He loves roast duck.
He also loves braised pork.
He can eat a whole bowl of plain white rice without any food!
Sigh, even when life is good, there are still troubles.
Ye Li and Jiang Ji preferred the rice noodles soaked in broth, which were served with white rice. The carbohydrate feast whetted their appetites, and they each ate quite a bit.
Everyone felt a bit full after the meal.
We can't even eat watermelon after the meal.
Father Ye strolled around the courtyard a few times before returning to his room.
Now Ye Li has moved back to the west room, which is cool and has windows for ventilation, much better than the stuffy new house.
Jiang Mai refused to bathe with Jiang Ya anymore, so Ye Li and Jiang Ya bathed together instead.
After washing up, Jiang Ya wanted to sleep with him.
This time, Ye Li did not refuse. He and Jiang Ji would go to pay respects to Jiang's parents tomorrow, and they would not do anything.
Seeing this, Jiang Mai refused to sleep in her own room and came to the west room with her pillow.
Although it's improper for the younger brother-in-law to lie on the same kang (heated brick bed) as his elder brother-in-law, his elder brother is also there.
It's more lively with more people!
Just like last year, the family of four slept on one kang (a heated brick bed). Ye Li asked Jiang Mai about his experiences at the private school, and Jiang Ya would occasionally chime in. The four of them talked until very late before going to sleep.
The next day, the four of them got up before dawn.
Jiang Ya was wearing the same outfit she had worn the previous evening, and she was also carrying her large purse.
The four of them skipped breakfast and went directly to their ancestral graves with the offerings.
Summer weeds grow quickly, so the four of them first pulled up the weeds in front of Jiang's mother's grave. Then Ye Li set out offerings, including fresh peaches and pastries, as well as braised pork knuckles made by Ye's father.
After lighting three incense sticks and candles, Ye Lijiangji, Jiang Maijiangya knelt down in front of the grave.
As Ye Li burned paper money, she said, "Mother, on this day last year, I said that every day from now on would be a good day."
"Now it seems that this promise has been fulfilled."
“With more money coming in at home, and with Xiaomai and Yage growing taller, you and Dad can really rest assured.”
Jiang Ya also held a gold ingot in his small hand. After listening to Ye Li's words, he threw the gold ingot into the fire and then stood up.
Just like yesterday, he twirled around, then put his hands on his hips and said happily, "Mom! Look how well I'm dressed! Brother Li said I'm the cutest little boy!"
"I can also embroider handkerchiefs now."
As he spoke, he pulled a light green handkerchief from his large purse.
He held the two corners of the handkerchief to show Jiang's mother.
The handkerchief was plain, without any embroidery. He was demonstrating his skill: "Mom, I've done a really good job with the edging. It's neat and fine, and it doesn't prick your hands."
"Brother Li and Uncle Ye kept praising me."
Ye Li nodded upon hearing this. Jiang Ya was very patient when doing needlework, never in a hurry or getting impatient, and never pricked her hand once.
She's much better than him.
"Mother, in two years I'll be able to make clothes. I'll make a set for you and Father, and also for my brothers Li, Second Brother, and Eldest Brother!"
Jiang Ya waved the small handkerchief in her hand and said with great interest.
He was still very interested in needlework, so he spoke without thinking and made such a serious promise.
Hearing this, Ye Lizhi silently cried out in his heart, "Warrior!"
After Jiang Ya finished her rambling, Jiang Mai finally spoke up.
He also had a lot to say. This year he went to study at a private school, and his life has undergone earth-shattering changes compared to before!
He recounted everything about the private school, the teacher, the classmates, and even the details of daily life, including food, clothing, and shelter.
By the time he finished speaking, the sky was already showing the first light of dawn.
Only Jiang Ji remained.
Jiang Ji took Ye Li's hand and waved it at the wooden tombstone: "Mother, you see more clearly and more completely what Ye Li has done for this family than I do."
“He is a great contributor to our family. You and Dad are my witnesses. I will never do anything to betray him in my life.”
“If I disobey what I say today, you and Father will take me away with you.”
These words were quite harsh, leaving Ye Li somewhat bewildered: "...If you're going to praise me, then praise me. Why are you cursing yourself?"
"To put your mind at ease."
Jiang Ji turned to look at him.
Yesterday, she inexplicably said something about "complaining about him and apologizing to him," which proves that Ye Li has worries in her heart.
If that's the case, then he would make a promise to Ye Li in front of his parents.
Ye Li understood his thoughts and was satisfied.
Indeed, he took my casual remark to heart.
As for peace of mind, we'll have to wait and see.
At the very least, we have to wait until he passes the imperial examination, right?
Take County Magistrate Yu for example; he turned on us as soon as he gained power.
However, there's no point in talking about this today.
So Ye Li said, "I understand. Now tell me about your time at the county school."
“My mother is watching, everything is fine with me at the county school,” Jiang Ji said.
"Big brother, let's go see Dad!"
Jiang Ya responded.
Ye Li was delighted to hear this: "Alright, let's go see Father then."
Jiang Ji felt somewhat helpless.
However, he really had nothing important to say.
So he got up, picked up the offerings from the table, and led Ye Lijiang, Mai Jiangya to Jiang's father's grave.
Just like before, first set out the offerings, light incense, and burn paper money.
Then he knelt down and repeated what he had just said.
By the time it was over, the sun had already risen.
The four men brushed the dirt off their knees, picked up the offerings, and went home.
After breakfast, Ye Li and Jiang Ji drove the oxcart to take Jiang Mai to the private school first, and then the two went to find Bao Beiyuan.
When they arrived, only Jiang Shun was at home; Bao Beiyuan had gone to deliver goods to Banxianju.
As early as the beginning of summer, Banxianju changed its hot pot to cold pot skewers.
This format was quite novel to people at that time.
In addition, people are reluctant to go out because of the heat at noon, so diners arrive early.
Therefore, this drink should be sent over early.
The two sat down to wait for Bao Beiyuan to return, and also urged Jiang Shun to stop playing around and pay more attention to his marriage.
Jiang Da's marriage has been arranged, and it will take place in the fall.
Jiang Shun is fifteen this year; it's time to consider it.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jiang Shun will remain in the county town to continue making drinks.
Once Bao Beiyuan really becomes his cousin-in-law, won't his wages increase?
Moreover, he was considered an unofficial employee of the workshop, yet he still received benefits from the workshop.
If you save up money for two years, you might not be able to afford a small courtyard in the county town, but you could rent a detached house.
It's entirely possible that I'll marry a guy or girl from a small town at that time.
He also has a share in Jiang Dachuan's family fortune.
There are still a few acres of farmland in the village.
These are good conditions.
Jiang Shun blushed and agreed after listening to their rambling.
Half of the year has already passed, time flies!
Soon, Bao Beiyuan returned.
Upon seeing Ye Li and Jiang Ji, he was first taken aback, then felt somewhat embarrassed.
Sigh, he's going to become Jiang Ji's brother-in-law.
When he learned from Ye Li that Jiang Liu had agreed without hesitation and even said she would wait for him, he was first moved, then felt a pang of sadness.
The marriage was arranged.
Jiang Liu's image appeared in his mind.
Jiang Liu always wore a braid, was slightly taller than the average girl, and had very regular features.
Moreover, she is resilient, opinionated, responsible, hardworking, and quiet—she has many admirable qualities.
Such a wonderful girl, she readily and decisively entrusted her life to him.
She's willing to wait for him for two more years.
...
He pursed his lips, then said to Ye Li, "I thought about it last night, and I don't want her to suffer any injustice."
"According to the law, the three-year mourning period is actually twenty-five months. I will get engaged to her next summer when the twenty-five months are up."
"We'll get married when the three-year term is up the year after next."
"In addition, I'll give her most of my wealth as a token, how about that?"
You can't just tell people to wait without any explanation.
He needs to give something first.
Except for the last sentence, his plan was entirely in line with Ye Li's thoughts.
Ye Li also planned to get engaged next year and married the year after.
As for tokens of affection, that's unnecessary.
Ye Li said, "We'll do it your way. But there's no need for money. We're all so close. Jiang Ji and I trust you, and Xiao Liu will definitely trust you too."
Jiang Ji also said, "Even if you give it to her, Xiao Liu won't take it."
"Why don't you wander around the county town more and see if you can buy a shop with a courtyard? Once you get married, you definitely can't live here anymore."
"If you don't have the money, Ye Li will lend it to you."
"Yes, there are still two years left. With the popularity of the drinks, we will definitely be able to save up the money for the shop."
Ye Li also said.
Previously, when the second batch of 40,000 catties of taro arrived, Banxianju consumed 600 catties of taro paste every day.
At that time, Bao Beiyuan supplied Banxianju with 1,000 ti of drinks every day. Because there were not enough people, 700 of them were pure tea milk, which was made by boiling goat milk and tea leaves. He could only earn one wen per ti.
But the other three hundred bundles were soy milk rice mochi, and each bundle could earn two coins.
All of this together brings in 1,300 coins a day.
That's thirty-nine taels a month.
Even disregarding the 30/70 split with him, he still earns 27 taels a month.
Although this is just an ideal situation, the actual income is slightly lower than this.
In addition, Jiang Shun's wages had to be paid, and his daily food and drink also cost money.
But earning twenty taels a month is definitely possible.
In those two months alone, Bao Beiyuan could earn forty taels of silver.
Having learned from experience this year, Yu Cai placed an order with Zhengjia Grain Shop early on. The people from Zhengjia Grain Shop have already gone south to try to bring back the first batch of taro harvested this year.
In this way, taro paste can be sold for seven months of the year.
If he sells like this for two years, Bao Beiyuan will definitely be able to save enough money to open a shop.
When I marry Jiang Liu, the shop will be in front and our home will be in the back.
That's great!
After listening to the two men, Bao Beiyuan hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Indeed, now that they're married, they definitely can't continue renting.
He needs to buy a yard.
But this makes him seem insincere...
He turned to Ye Li and Jiang Ji for help: "I have to give them something as a token, right?"
Ye Li smiled upon hearing this: "That's really not necessary. Just buy her some little trinkets from time to time and have her visit my house more often."
First, cultivate a relationship; everything else will fall into place.
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