Chapter 109 Peng Ximing and Yu Cai confront each other: Listen to me.
The so-called showdown meant clarifying the terms with Peng Ximing.
Although Peng Ximing's words were sincere and heartfelt, Wu Fulang had to be wary of the example set by County Magistrate Yu.
Moreover, Peng Ximing seems very reliable.
So reliable that he even had the idea that Yu Cai might actually grow old with him.
Therefore, he wanted to use a contract to bind Peng Ximing.
As Peng Ximing said, this is a deal.
Since it is a transaction, a contract should be drawn up.
Furthermore, Ye Li and Jiang Ji were to be found to act as intermediaries, and three copies were to be made, with each clause clearly explained.
For example, Peng Ximing was not allowed to accept money after marriage, could not continue his studies or make progress after marriage, and had to leave with nothing if he changed his mind in the future. None of these conditions could be omitted.
Although such a contract cannot prevent Peng Ximing from turning his back on his promise, it is better than nothing. If Peng Ximing really goes astray in the future, this contract may be able to bring him back.
However, when Wu Fulang told Yu Cai about his plans, he was immediately met with strong opposition from Yu Cai.
That's incredibly ruthless!
Even though this marriage was essentially a transaction, he and Peng Ximing had feelings for each other, and it wasn't just a naked exchange of money.
Peng Ximing claimed to be a worker, but the Wu family could never truly treat him as one.
He himself didn't want to share a bed with his partner!
Making such a harsh contract will only chill Peng Ximing's heart!
He never sought a lifelong commitment, so why humiliate Peng Ximing to the point of losing all his dignity?
These words angered Wu Fulang.
He was only doing it for Yu Cai's own good!
Furthermore, Peng Ximing gained many benefits from this marriage.
After marriage, he could help Peng Xiliang and Peng Xiaomei find high-paying jobs in the county town, and he would also send noodles and meat to Peng's parents, Peng's second uncle, Peng's eldest uncle, and Peng's second uncle every month.
Everyone in the Peng family will receive tangible benefits!
Besides, aren't these the most basic conditions he set?
Weren't Peng Ximing himself the one who said he didn't want money or ambition?
Where was he being harsh?
The father and son could not reach an agreement, so the next day, when Ye Li brought over the taro paste, they saw Yu Cai with slightly swollen eyes and a haggard face.
Ye Li asked in surprise, "Brother Cai, what's wrong with you?"
Yu Cai sighed softly, her face full of sorrow, and recounted her argument with Wu Fulang.
Upon hearing this, Ye Li immediately said, "Brother Cai, this is all for your own good. This way, you've got the entire Peng family under your control."
Peng Xiliang and Peng Xiaomei had to collect their wages from Wu Fulang.
The remaining members of the Peng family had to receive food and drink from Wu Fulang.
Even if Peng Ximing changes his mind in the future, it depends on whether the Peng family agrees.
Moreover, two of them were actually requested by Peng Ximing himself.
"I know it's all for my own good. Now that we've got the Peng family under our control, why bother to humiliate Scholar Peng completely?"
"Hmm...so how do you want to draw up this contract?"
Ye Li asked.
"Let's part ways amicably from now on," Yu Cai said without hesitation.
Ye Li: "..."
This guy is obsessed with love.
But Yu Cai said, "Since he has already humbled himself so much, why should I keep pressing him?"
"Besides, didn't you also say that enjoying the present is the most important thing? I can't let him drift away from me now because of the future."
"...You're right."
Ye Li had no choice but to nod.
"Then please help me persuade my father." Yu Cai immediately grabbed his hand, her face full of expectation.
Ye Li hesitated for a moment: "Brother Cai, since you're using what I said before to persuade me, why don't you also use what Uncle Wu said to persuade Uncle Wu?"
"Furthermore, instead of setting up these unenforceable rules and regulations, it would be better to encourage Brother Yu and Jiang Ji to work harder so that they can pass the imperial examination as soon as possible."
"This is your strongest guarantee."
Yu Cai felt a little embarrassed after hearing this.
This is his business; how can we put pressure on his older brother?
Moreover, because his elder brother had previously opposed his marriage, neither he nor his father had revealed a single word about Peng Ximing to his elder brother.
If he were to approach his elder brother now, his elder brother would surely agree with his father's suggestion.
But Li Ge'er's willingness to bring Jiang Ji along really touched him.
So he said, “Brother Li, I understand your intentions, but this is my business. I’ll try to persuade my father.”
Everyone around him was doing it for his own good.
Although he has difficulty walking, he is already very lucky compared to most people in this world.
I've never suffered any hardship other than being lame.
Whether he's naive or a fool, he's currently in love with Peng Ximing.
Since he was interested, Peng Ximing and he were equals.
He was naturally worried about the future, but he was willing to take a gamble.
Yu Cai's idea left Wu Fulang speechless.
Moreover, he couldn't really refute Yu Cai's words.
Normally, since the rest of the Peng family members have been brought under control, Peng Ximing should be treated with kindness.
But he was afraid.
I'm so scared.
His youngest son has never experienced the pain of love, so he has no idea how devastating it is to be betrayed.
But this stalemate between father and son is not a solution.
Moreover, he understood that the real security for his youngest son lay with his eldest son.
So he told Yu Shiting about it.
However, the matter of the contract was omitted, and Yu Shiting was only urged to study hard.
Yu Shiting didn't really know Peng Ximing. He rarely went to Banxianju, only hearing Yu Cai mention that a classmate worked as a waiter there.
Now, this fellow even thought of his younger brother.
Even her own younger brother agreed to the marriage!
That's outrageous!
But he had already agreed to his brother's marriage, and now that there was a suitable candidate, he had no face to object.
His mission was to pass the imperial examination.
Wu Fulang and Yu Shiting had no objections. With the Lantern Festival approaching, the saying goes, "The moon rises above the willow branches, and lovers meet after dusk." Such a festival is the perfect time to pledge their love.
So Wu Fulang made the decision: on the Lantern Festival, Yu Cai would personally confront Peng Ximing!
The Lantern Festival is a statutory holiday in the Xia Dynasty, with a three-day holiday: the 14th, 15th, and 16th of the twelfth lunar month.
Therefore, the county school was closed for the holiday at noon on the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Private schools, on the other hand, would have a holiday in the evening.
At this time, Ye Li naturally came to pick up Jiang Ji in person.
Jiang Ya and Jiang Liu were also traveling with them.
After picking up Jiang Ji, the three of them also gave Peng Ximing a ride, and the group went to Banxianju together.
Peng Ximing sat on the oxcart, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, struggling with great effort to maintain a calm expression.
Just after class, Jiang Ji stopped him and explained that Yu Cai and Yu Shiting were going to Yezao Slope to dig for wild vegetables, and invited him to go with them.
This news eased his anxiety and torment of the past few days.
The fact that Manager Yu agreed to see him means there's hope!
There's a very good chance!
This made it impossible for him to contain his emotions.
Manager Yu actually agreed to see him.
Agreed!
To prevent himself from laughing out loud, he had to grit his teeth and try hard to recall the tragic events of the past.
They arrived at Banxianju, only to find that Manager Yu was not there!
His excited heart calmed down a little.
Suppressing his thoughts, he put on his robe and went to work.
The business at Banxianju was incredibly good; Ye Lijiang and his three companions had to wait a while before they could get a table.
After the meal, Jiang Ji gave Peng Ximing a few instructions, and then the four of them drove the oxcart to buy meat so they could entertain guests the next day.
After purchasing all the ingredients, they went to pick up Jiangmai.
On the other side, after finishing his work at noon, Peng Ximing went to Manager Xing to ask for leave.
Afterwards, he hurriedly returned to his lodgings, stuffed some coins and a change of clothes into his pocket, and ran to the bathhouse to bathe, wash his hair, and tidy himself up.
He is not particularly good-looking.
So I have to clean myself up.
On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, he went to Banxianju early in the morning.
Today, Jiang Ji delivered the taro paste, and I also gave him a ride back to Yezaopo.
When they arrived at the Jiang family's residence, it was not yet 9 AM.
The weather is nice today; although there's a light breeze, the chill of winter is gone.
Ye Li invited him to sit down in the courtyard, where tea and snacks were laid out on a small dining table.
In the time it took to drink a sip of water, the Wu family's carriage arrived.
Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Peng Ximing immediately stood up from the bench and looked towards the courtyard gate with obvious nervousness.
Ye Li, Jiang Ji, Jiang Mai, and Jiang Ya also stood up, and the four of them walked towards the main gate—Liu Yi and Ye Adie were making tofu in the workshop at that moment.
Peng Ximing took a few deep breaths and walked over.
Upon arriving at the courtyard gate, Yu Cai had already alighted from the carriage.
Yu Shiting, Madam Yu, and their two children, Yu Liqian and Yu Linian, also got off the carriage. The four of them were curiously looking at the Jiang family's courtyard gate.
His gaze instantly fixed on Yu Cai, burning with intense heat, as if it were on fire.
Manager Yu has arrived.
It's really here!
Moreover, it has been a full ten days since I first had this thought on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.
During these ten days, he could only catch a glimpse of Manager Yu, whether near or far, in the gaps between his busy schedules.
There was always someone sitting next to Manager Yu, and he never even made eye contact with them, let alone greet them!
This made him very worried, extremely worried.
Now that he can finally see people face to face, how could he not be excited!
Peng Ximing made no attempt to hide his gaze, and Yu Cai could not ignore it at all.
Fortunately, he had made a plan before coming; he didn't want Peng Ximing to know that he had already secretly fallen for her.
Therefore, he first greeted Ye Lijiang, Ji Jiang, Mai Jiangya, and then his gaze shifted naturally to Peng Ximing standing to the side.
He didn't meet Peng Ximing's gaze, but only looked at the courtyard gate behind Peng Ximing, and said with a smile, "Scholar Peng, what a coincidence."
After uttering those five words, he looked away without waiting for Peng Ximing's reply.
This is reasonable.
As an unmarried young man, once you know a man's feelings for you, how could you stare directly into his eyes?
They'll all get shy!
Moreover, Peng Ximing's gaze was so intense at that moment!
He didn't dare to look at it at all.
His gaze darted around quickly, leaving Peng Ximing somewhat disappointed.
But the fact that everyone else is here is the greatest affirmation.
Therefore, Peng Ximing hurriedly replied, "Brother Jiang couldn't bear to see me running around all day, so he told me to come over and relax."
"But I was born in the countryside and I'm not very interested in digging for wild vegetables. I'll stay home and help my brother-in-law out."
Upon hearing this, Yu Cai gave a soft "hmm" and remained silent.
He didn't go dig for wild vegetables either.
Yu Shiting, who was standing to the side, frowned so deeply that he could have trapped a fly in his brow.
Fortunately, the adults present knew what was going on today; otherwise, judging from Peng Ximing's eyes, others would have assumed that Cai Ge'er had been flirting with him for a long time.
So enthusiastic!
He swallowed his anger and entered the courtyard at the invitation of Ye Li and Jiang Ji.
Tea and snacks were laid out.
Everyone took their seats.
Yu Liqian is nine years old and Yu Linian is seven years old.
The two little ones were fair-skinned and good-looking, but they were both a bit reserved.
Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya then picked up the snack plates and moved them closer to them.
Ye Li had already given instructions that their task today was to play with the two boys from the Yu family.
The adults chatted for a few minutes, then picked up their baskets and shovels and prepared to go to the nearby hillside to dig for wild vegetables.
Yu Cai had difficulty walking, so she stayed behind.
Ye Li, as the host, naturally had to stay.
Peng Ximing also had a task—to kill chickens!
Ye Li bought three young roosters yesterday, planning to make braised chicken with potatoes.
So Ye Li went into the kitchen to knead the dough and prepare to make hand-pulled wide noodles—the wide noodles in the braised chicken dish are even tastier than the chicken itself!
Yu Cai wasn't afraid of the chicken slaughtering scene. He sat not far from the well and watched Peng Ximing break the chicken's neck, pluck its feathers, and gut it...
Peng Ximing worked quickly and efficiently, and soon he had tidied up the three little roosters.
Then he took out some taro from the kitchen.
Without potatoes, I can only stew taro in the braised chicken with potatoes.
Prepare these two main dishes, and Ye Li has also kneaded the dough.
The next step is to blanch the chicken.
Peng Ximing took the chopped chicken pieces to the shed behind the new house and used the stove there to make a big plate of chicken.
Ye Li carried the ingredients over.
Granny Wang helped Yu Cai and they went over there as well.
However, after putting the chicken pieces into the pot, Ye Li and Granny Wang left.
The two squatted beside the small vegetable garden, which was already lush with greenery, and carefully peeled garlic.
Under the shed, Peng Ximing sat in front of the stove, tending the fire.
Yu Cai stood three feet behind him, leaning against the wall.
This unprecedented experience made both of them a little reserved, and neither of them spoke for a moment.
But Peng Ximing was a man, and he felt that Peng Ximing had been the one who had the idea first.
Therefore, he stared at the flames in the stove and asked softly, "Manager Yu, how have you been lately?"
Upon hearing this sound, Yu Cai's breathing quickened.
Here it comes!
He breathed a silent sigh of relief and said, "Okay, everything is fine."
The familiar, gentle voice greatly boosted Peng Ximing's courage.
He gripped the fire poker in his hand and took a deep breath.
He went over the words he had thought of many times last night in his mind again, and after confirming that there were no problems, he said, "The words I asked Brother Jiang and his wife to pass on to you before were all from the bottom of my heart."
"But to show my sincerity, I need to repeat myself."
“We can draw up a contract for these words and have Brother Jiang and his wife as witnesses.”
"If I ever have the opportunity to serve you, I will stop studying and ask for nothing. I will simply stay by your side and be your crutch."
"Of course, this contract can't really punish me, so I suggest you give my family some small favors so that they will be on your side."
"I don't know how to prove my sincerity."
"If you have a good solution, I will do whatever you suggest."
Yu Cai: "..."
His nose felt incredibly sore.
Peng Ximing's testimony is unprovable.
The only solution is to block all the conditions that could lead to a change of heart.
Peng Ximing had considered all the rules and regulations his father had set.
This person is willing to give up everything and trap himself.
How could he not be moved by such sincerity?
He was a cripple, yet someone was willing to treat him with such sincerity.
Tears blurred his vision, and he said softly, "You don't need to belittle yourself like this."
“I’m looking for a husband, not a servant.”
The slight sob in his voice made Peng Ximing flustered: "Manager Yu, may I turn around?"
"……Can't."
Yu Cai felt even more heartbroken by this cautiousness.
Peng Ximing didn't dare turn around and could only anxiously ask, "Are you alright?"
"What could possibly happen to me?" Yu Cai retorted.
This sentence caught Peng Ximing off guard. After a pause, Peng Ximing said, "Of course I hope you are safe and sound every day and every year."
"If you really want me to feel at ease, then stop belittling yourself."
"I've also come up with an idea, you can listen to it."
Peng Ximing nodded hurriedly: "Please go ahead."
Yu Cai took another deep breath and tilted her head back to force the tears back.
"If you're willing to serve me, you'll get paid."
"Read the book if you want."
"I only ask one thing: if you find someone new in the future, remember what I said today, and part ways with me amicably."
"I will let you go."
These words can be seen as an admission that she is willing to marry Peng Ximing.
But Peng Ximing didn't have time to be overjoyed; he was deeply moved.
It was also incredibly painful.
Manager Yu is so generous, so generous that one doesn't know how to repay him.
Yet Manager Yu, as bright as the moon in the sky, had such low demands that he only asked for a peaceful parting.
It's clear how much harm that martial arts graduate caused Manager Yu!
Damn it!
He's just a military officer, what's with all the arrogance? With his intelligence, if only he could...
He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and heartache, and explained, "Manager Yu, don't laugh at me, but I just didn't want to study anymore, it was too hard."
"I'm terrified of being poor. I'd be content with just having enough to eat."
"Do as I say, and draw up a contract."
But upon hearing this, Yu Cai frowned and asked, "You're not listening to me?"
"……listen!"
Peng Ximing nodded hurriedly.
"Then do as I say. When you leave this afternoon, I'll give you two hundred taels of silver. Take it and ask a matchmaker to come and propose marriage."
"I've calculated the dates, and February 2nd is a good one."
Peng Ximing paused for a moment, then nodded gently: "Okay. May I turn around and look at you now?"
Now it was Yu Cai's turn to fall silent.
But today, he hasn't even given this person a proper look.
These days, he has been thinking about Peng Ximing all the time; it was he who first had the idea.
After hesitating, he agreed.
Peng Ximing was overjoyed by Yu Cai's permission.
Without a moment's hesitation, Peng Ximing turned around on the small stool, changing his position to face Yu Cai directly.
Yu Cai also looked at him.
Their eyes finally met.
Yu Cai's eyes were red and her face was flushed.
But he didn't look away, staring straight at Peng Ximing.
Today, Scholar Peng looks quite radiant.
When Peng Ximing saw his expression clearly, he felt heartbroken: "I was wrong today, but from now on, I will listen to you."
"You are the manager, the person in charge."
These words made Yu Cai blush even more.
I belatedly felt ashamed.
But I felt happier than ever before.
He could tell that Peng Ximing's words were not meant to imply shame or inferiority, but were purely meant to flatter and pamper him.
Although there wasn't much personal affection involved, there was genuine affection.
And as Brother Li said, feelings can grow over time!
She even praised him, saying he deserved to be loved.
Given enough time, he was convinced that this person wouldn't be tempted!
Thinking of this, he raised an eyebrow and stared at Peng Ximing, saying, "Then you should resign from Banxianju."
"Our house is too small to fit us all. After we get married, we'll move out. I know a few nice houses. Go check them out yourself and see which one you like."
"……ah?"
Peng Ximing froze, his pupils widening in shock.
Looking to buy a new house?
But Yu Cai added, "If you know that we need to meet Li Ge'er, it would be best if our two houses were closer together."
This winter, Li Ge'er will definitely be able to buy a yard.
He wanted to be closer to Li Ge'er!
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