Chapter 123 Jiang Yu proposes marriage, Yu Cai also goes to the prefectural city
After Bao Beiyuan and Jiang Liu got engaged, summer arrived.
The sun was blazing.
But for the people of Yezaopo, this is a good time to make money.
The grand scene of last year has reappeared.
Every household was filled with jars of preserved eggs.
Moreover, there were sheds attached to the back and sides of the houses, and apart from Ye Li, every household was building haphazardly.
In fact, several families have renovated their houses this year.
Firstly, the limited space restricts the number of preserved eggs that can be made.
Secondly, some families, like Jiang Dachuan's, want to marry a new wife and welcome a new husband.
So they simply took advantage of the springtime to build the house.
However, it's not worthwhile to build several more houses just to make preserved eggs.
A house requires quite a few bricks.
Therefore, these families built low sheds next to their brick and tile houses specifically for making preserved eggs.
This makes the overall effect seem very jarring.
But the villagers didn't care at all.
As long as it works, that's fine.
Jiang Dahe finally secured his son-in-law Bao Beiyuan, relieving him of a worry.
But besides Jiang Liu, he also had Jiang Yu.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Yu is sixteen years old, and half of the year has already passed.
So he went to Ye Li again and asked her to keep an eye out for Jiang Yu.
With Bao Beiyuan as his son-in-law, he didn't have any requirements for his second son-in-law. It all depended on Jiang Yu herself. Whether she married or took in a son-in-law, as long as Jiang Yu liked it, he and Liang Erxiang would agree.
Previously, when Jiang Liu confessed that she wanted to find a husband, fourteen-year-old Jiang Yu also clamored to find a husband.
He was moved and driven by impulse at the time, so he made a bold statement.
Two years have passed, and having seen more, he has become even more determined.
What's so good about getting married?
Serving tea and water to unfamiliar elders and acting subserviently—how can that compare to the comfort of staying at home?
He wants to find a son-in-law!
And he also wants to find someone good-looking.
He didn't really care whether he was strong or not, since his family wouldn't be farming anymore and there wouldn't be any heavy work.
Therefore, when Ye Li went to the workshop the next day to ask for his opinion, he shyly but clearly stated his requirements: it had to be good-looking.
Ye Li chuckled upon hearing this: "Your request is quite practical."
Jiang Yu felt a little embarrassed by Ye Li's laughter, and he shook his wet hands.
He was just filtering soybean pulp.
Not far away, his father, mother, sister, Jiang Ya, and others were busy working under the jujube tree.
So he lowered his voice and said, "After all, we'll be seeing each other all our lives. If it doesn't look good, how agonizing would that be?"
"You're right, appearance is indeed important. Besides appearance, are there any other requirements?"
Ye Li nodded.
Jiang Yu's eyes lit up when she saw that Ye Li didn't try to dissuade her.
He didn't dare tell his parents before because he was afraid of being scolded.
In a respectable family, who would only focus on whether the other person is good-looking or not?
Unexpectedly, his brother Li agreed with him.
He then added, "Besides being good-looking, you also need to have a good personality. As for the rest, just be an ordinary person. For example, as for being diligent, just don't be so lazy that I want to curse you out."
"After all, I don't have much money."
He is very self-aware.
Upon hearing this, Ye Li patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Your requirements aren't high. Don't worry, it's easier to find someone than Xiao Liu did back then."
Back when Jiang Liu was young, Jiang Dahe either required his partner to be a strong laborer or hoped that she had received an education.
Nothing can be lacking.
In other words, Jiang Dahe wants to find someone whose specialty score is above 90, and whose other aspects score no lower than 80.
This is so hard to find.
But right now, Jiang Yu only has two requirements: a good-tempered, poor but handsome guy. That's not difficult at all.
After all, this is the Great Xia Dynasty, and ordinary people don't have many ways to monetize their appearance.
Furthermore, Jiang Yu earned quite a bit.
His income was similar to Jiang Liu's; after deducting food, clothing, housing, and transportation expenses, he could still save about 150 taels a year.
This income is very advantageous.
Hearing Ye Li's words, Jiang Yu was delighted and quickly said, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Li."
"Oh right, I've finished making Ya Ge'er's little shoes. I'll have him come back with me to get them later."
"Okay," Ye Li replied.
Jiang Ya, that little guy, doesn't need to change his shoes every year.
There's wheat growing up there.
Jiang Ya could wear Jiang Mai's old shoes—actually, Ye Li didn't approve of this, since the family wasn't short of money.
But Jiang Ya himself didn't care. If he didn't wear the good shoes, then no one else would.
It would be such a waste to throw it away.
Frugality is a virtue, and Ye Li shouldn't forcibly stop it.
But Jiang Ji was about to head to the prefectural city to take the imperial examination.
Jiang Ji wanted him to go too.
If he goes, then Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya will also go; he doesn't feel comfortable leaving the two little ones at home for more than a month.
Therefore, the new shoes Jiang Yu is making now are for the trip to the prefectural city.
As evening approached, Ye Li drove his oxcart to the county town.
This time, Jiang Ya didn't follow.
He was there on official business.
And the pigs and chickens at home also need to be fed.
With Father Ye away and he having to go out, only little Jiang Ya can fill in.
Nowadays, he buys firewood and pig feed from the villagers, so the work is not heavy. After feeding the pigs and chickens, Jiang Ya can also cook a meal.
The seven-year-old should start doing some chores.
The oxcart soon arrived at Banxianju.
After waiting for a while, Yu Cai and Peng Ximing arrived.
In the hot summer, the couple usually came over in the evening.
Ye Li entrusted the matter of Jiang Yu finding a husband to Yu Cai. In addition, he also wanted to inquire about someone: "Is that scholar that County Magistrate Yu introduced before married yet?"
His biggest impression of this student was that he was good-looking.
Moreover, he was chosen by County Magistrate Yu, so his character should be impeccable.
Of course, a student who has completed the preliminary examinations is unlikely to become a son-in-law, but with examples like Bao Beiyuan and Jiang Liu, everything is negotiable.
Peng Ximing was standing nearby when Ye Li asked this question.
But neither he nor Yu Cai noticed Peng Ximing's slightly furrowed brows. After all, in their eyes, Yu Cai and the scholar had no connection whatsoever and had never even met.
At this moment, Yu Cai recalled Ye Li's advice to him years ago and chuckled: "That boy Yu is a practical person."
"That's right, that's exactly how I praised him. Anyway, I'm leaving this matter to you. If that scholar is already married, then find someone else."
Ye Li also smiled.
Yu Cai agreed: "I'll go home tomorrow and ask my father."
After finishing that matter, the two began discussing their trip to the prefectural city.
Previously, Yu Cai had heard that Ye Li was also going to the prefectural city, and he couldn't help but be tempted.
Ever since he broke his leg in the prefectural city, he has never gone back to that place of sorrow.
But a few days later, he learned that his older brother was also going to try out the competition, so he immediately made a decision: he and Peng Ximing would also go to the prefectural city.
Twenty-two years have passed.
Moreover, everything is going well for him now.
Now that his worries were resolved, he wanted to go on a trip.
Wu Fulang did not stop him, so when he met Ye Li recently, the two of them would ask each other how their luggage preparations were going.
Since it's a rare trip out, shouldn't we prepare some beautiful clothes?
The Wu family does not have a residence in the prefectural city, and Jiang Ji will not be staying at Master Han's old house this year. They plan to rent a large courtyard and live together then.
Just then, Boss Yue was about to arrive, so Ye Li thought she would ask him to help her rent a courtyard first.
Peng Ximing listened to their discussion without interrupting.
Soon, Ye Li got up and prepared to go home.
Jiang Ya was left alone at home; he no longer ate at Banxianju.
Seeing this, Yu Cai said, "There's something good here today, so wait a moment."
"What good stuff?" Ye Li asked curiously.
Speaking of this, Yu Cai immediately smiled: "Ah Yue Hunzi fruit, this stuff is transported from the Western Regions, it's more valuable than gold. The owner of Zheng's grain shop sent me two catties and asked me to make it into thousand-layer cakes."
"I asked him for four ounces of pistachios. Not only did he not charge me, he also gave me an extra hazelnut crepe."
"I had someone make a double portion of these four ounces with hazelnuts; you can take half of it."
Upon hearing this explanation, Ye Li immediately exclaimed in surprise.
Ah Yue Hunzi, this is a pistachio!
Despite its fancy name, pistachios actually existed as early as the Tang Dynasty.
However, it is limited to Xinjiang.
Given the conditions of this era, it's not easy to buy even if you have money.
Yu Cai finally got four ounces, but she still thought of him. He's really a brother!
A short while later, the chef brought over this precious nut-filled mille-feuille.
There were too few pistachios, so this mille-feuille was mostly hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts are also quite precious, but they are grown in many parts of the north, so their price is much lower than that of pistachios.
However, upon smelling the familiar aroma of pistachios, Ye Li was overwhelmed with excitement and emotion, and no longer had time to think about how many pistachios there were.
well.
No matter how comfortable his life is now, he still misses his past life from time to time.
He carried the food box containing the thousand-layer cake home, feeling utterly dejected.
If I go to Jiang Ji now, he might see through my scheme.
He should go home and find Jiang Ya.
Such delicious food is sure to make the little one extremely happy.
Yu Cai and Peng Ximing asked someone to go out and buy two servings of cold noodles and two bowls of drinks.
Afterwards, the two of them happily devoured the remaining half of the mille-feuille.
Pistachio has a lighter texture than taro paste, and its aroma is also unique.
Of course, hazelnuts are also delicious and flavorful.
It is truly a great fortune in life to be able to taste such delicious food!
Yu Cai's belly was round from being so full. Supported by Peng Ximing, she strolled around the courtyard for a while before getting into the carriage to go home.
Night had fallen, and hot water was ready, so the two of them took a bath without delay.
Then they sat on a bamboo couch in the courtyard to cool off.
Artemisia was burning all around, and there were no mosquitoes.
Yu Cai rested his head on Peng Ximing's lap. Peng Ximing gently cupped his face with one hand and waved a round fan with the other. He quickly became sleepy from the comfort.
But then, Peng Ximing's hand moved down his cheek.
Next, continue.
A familiar pleasure washed over him, and he hummed twice, then rolled over and began using both his hands and mouth.
Peng Ximing chuckled and then lay down on his stomach.
Both the front and back gates of the main courtyard were locked. This wasn't the first time the two of them had been here. A gentle night breeze carried the lingering heat, making them feel even hotter.
But this did not dampen their enthusiasm, especially Peng Ximing, who made every move more vigorous than usual, making Yu Cai feel so comfortable that her whole body turned pink.
But when he was almost at the top, Peng Ximing suddenly stopped.
His joy vanished, and he blinked, somewhat bewildered: "What's wrong?"
Peng Ximing gently hugged him, first kissing his lips, and then said, "What did you mean by talking about practicality with Li Ge'er just now?"
pragmatic?
Li Ge'er?
Yu Cai was stunned for a moment, and her thoughts, which had flown into the clouds, gradually returned to her mind.
He honestly said, "As long as the other person has a nice face, even if you argue, they'll automatically calm down because of that."
"……I see."
As he said those four words, Peng Ximing jerked a few times, but before Yu Cai could get back into the conversation, he suddenly stopped and said, "In my opinion, this is the only practical way."
Yu Cai: "..."
He blinked.
Blink again.
The brain finally started working.
This means...
He raised his hand and poked Peng Ximing's sweaty chest, saying uncertainly, "You're unhappy because I praised that boy's good looks?"
Peng Ximing grabbed his hand and shook his head, saying, "No, it's just that you two are talking in riddles, which makes me confused."
"Suddenly it came to mind, so I asked."
This explanation amused Yu Cai, who hugged Peng Ximing's neck and said, "You're so distracted when you're busy with important matters. I'm going to get angry."
Upon hearing this, Peng Ximing found his lips and kissed him, while also apologizing.
And then he started moving vigorously again.
Yu Cai was no longer in the mood to speak and quickly became immersed in pleasure again.
Both of them were drenched in sweat when the match ended.
Peng Ximing first used a cloth to wipe Yu Cai's face, then got up to fetch water.
After walking a long way away with his back to Yu Cai, he suddenly sighed softly.
That's what we should have acknowledged earlier.
He was just unhappy.
But isn't he being too greedy...?
He was already incredibly lucky to have the moon in his arms, but he also wanted the moon's heart...
A few days later, the county school and private school were closed for the holidays again.
After dinner, Ye Li took out the new clothes and shoes she had just picked up from the fabric store that day and asked Jiang Ji and Jiang Mai to try them on.
It wasn't appropriate to always leave these tasks to Jiang Liu and Jiang Yu, so he entrusted the brothers' clothing to the cloth shop.
There's still a month before departure, so if it doesn't fit, we can make some alterations.
Jiang Mai, clutching his little robe, stood at the entrance of the main room, frowning as he asked, "Brother Li, do I really have to go too?"
"Of course, this is the first time our whole family has gone on such a long trip, we can't leave you behind."
Ye Li crossed his arms and said matter-of-factly.
Normally, Jiang Mai would have been very happy to hear this.
As the second oldest, he really appreciated this kind of equal treatment.
But he's studying now.
He was gone for more than a month. How could he have missed so many classes?
He said with difficulty, "By the time I get back, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with the teacher's pace."
"It's okay, just study more on the way."
It's all just memorizing anyway, unlike those elementary school students in his previous life who had to learn every subject. Even if he missed two months, he could catch up quickly.
Besides, how can elementary school students not have summer vacation?
He said earnestly, "Xiaomai, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. There is no benefit in just burying yourself in books."
At this moment, Jiang Ji changed his clothes and came out of the west room.
Hearing Ye Li's words, he nodded and said, "Xiaomai, your brother Li is right, we still need to go out and see more of the world."
"Besides, I can just give you a quick pointer along the way."
After hearing Jiang Ji's words, Jiang Mai hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.
That's true. Given the difference between him and his older brother, even if he were to give him pointers, it wouldn't take up too much of his older brother's time.
I've figured it out.
He carried the new clothes back to the east room.
With Uncle Ye gone, he and Jiang Ya moved back to their old house.
Ye Li then looked at Jiang Ji.
A slender belt accentuated the curves of his loosely draped robe.
In the summer, when clothes are thin, the shoulders and waist are clearly visible.
Ye Li admired it for a while and was quite satisfied.
Being good-looking is an advantage.
For the past year, he has been living alone, single-handedly supporting the family.
But seeing Jiang Ji like this, he felt no resentment at all, but rather joy.
This was a decision they made together, and Jiang Ji was also contributing to this family!
Jiang Ji saw his expression in the dim candlelight and couldn't help but smile.
Jiang Ji took two steps toward him, wrapped his arms around his waist, and whispered in his ear, "Wait a minute, you take it off?"
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, and a smile immediately appeared on her face: "Okay."
His good husband is under a lot of pressure, so he needs to balance work and rest.
So, after Jiang Ya and Jiang Mai finished showering and returned to their room, the two of them went to the bathroom.
The bathroom was stuffy and hot.
The two finished quickly and soon returned to the west room.
However, the two did not dare to indulge too much. With the big exam approaching, they could only exercise appropriately and not become addicted.
After the short holiday ended, Ye Li sent Jiang Ji and Jiang Mai back to the county school and private school, and then went to Banxianju.
He hasn't been back for several days. Yu Cai should have heard from him by now, right?
Wu Fulang has indeed finished his investigation.
That student was still unmarried.
Actually, this young scholar was engaged last year, but the girl met someone more suitable, and ultimately she disliked his age, his height, and his gentle nature, so she broke off the engagement.
This year, he's even older, and having broken off an engagement, it's become even harder for him to find a partner.
After hearing about the flower, Ye Li became curious: "How gentle is his nature? Does he listen to his parents a lot?"
Could he be a mama's boy?
"No, it's because the girl thought he lacked backbone, that he only knew how to reason but couldn't fight."
Yu Cai explained.
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