When Liu Xianglan saw the Fei family coming to her house, her mouth was almost split from ears. When she saw Zhang Fangyuan's carriage passing by outside, she didn't even say hello and led the Fei family directly into the yard. Xu Shaochun was both embarrassed and excited. After taking a few glances at Fei Lian through the window, he quickly hid in the house.
"Mr. Fei, please sit down. Madam Fei, have some tea. We just bought some new tea from the tea plantation."
The Fei family has been praised and admired a lot these days, and in response to Liu Xianglan's enthusiasm, they could only respond with a good face. To be honest, Fei's mother's vision has become much higher, and she has looked down on other families' children recently, but they are still not as good as Xu Shaochun.
There was a matchmaker from the city who came, and she was very attracted to the girl. The girl's family was well off and she ran a shop. They were more wealthy than farmers and her dowry was also very attractive. But unfortunately, the girl was spoiled since she was a child and refused to come to the village to take care of things. Her words implied that she wanted Fei Lian to be their son-in-law, but she was not willing to do that.
After some consideration, Xu Shaochun is more suitable.
"Ms. Xu, you are too polite. Is your brother Changren feeling better?"
Liu Xianglan thought that he had been injured for so long and he hadn't come to ask about it. It would be a bit perfunctory to ask now. However, she didn't say anything and just smiled: "I'm much better now. I can get out of bed and move around a bit now."
"That's good." Mother Fei said, "Our Lian'er passed the imperial examination and has been so busy with social activities these days that he has put all the important things on the back burner. It's really unforgivable that he has just come to our house today."
"Oh, what Madam Fei said is wrong. A man's career is the most important thing. We have already agreed on it. We are both honest and down-to-earth people. How can it be ruined? We must trust each other."
"I just love talking to Madam Xu."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries. Fei Lian looked at the Xu family and saw that there was one less person. It seemed as if a lot of things were missing. For a moment, he was reminded of some ancient stories. He became absent-minded and didn't say much. Actually, matters like marriage are usually handled by the woman in charge, so a man like him has no say in anything.
It was not until Xu Shaochun was called out and the beautiful girl spoke to him gently and tenderly that he was able to break free from his sadness.
Xu Shaochun dressed up specially today and looked more beautiful. Fei's mother's eyes lit up. Seeing that her son was not as gloomy as he was at home, she felt relieved. After the two parties met, Fei's mother and Liu Xianglan went aside to discuss the issue of the bride price.
Mother Fei said frankly, "Since we are a family, I am not afraid of being laughed at. Lian'er has spent a lot of money on his studies these years, and this morning he spent a lot of money on entertaining his teachers. We are really short of money. I know that the Xu family is a kind family. They certainly don't care about the empty gifts such as the betrothal gift. They just hope that the child will be well and have a good home."
After hearing what Liu Xianglan had said, she widened her eyes, unable to believe her ears, as the Fei family only wanted to offer a dowry of 2,800 yuan. This was so much less than what the butcher from the Zhang family offered. Not only was the marriage proposal gift brought by the Fei family the same, she also thought that they would get more in return for the betrothal gift, but unexpectedly it was still the same amount.
No matter how much she spoiled the Fei family, she couldn't bear this tone: "Madam Fei, when our He'er married that bastard from the Zhang family, he asked for a dowry of more than 3,000 yuan. Even if you said that you wanted the child to be good, I never raised the price to make things difficult for him. But the dowry you gave is lower than the dowry of ordinary people in our village. Not to mention the character of our Shaochun, you gave so little, I'm afraid you want me to be laughed at by the villagers."
Mother Fei pondered for a moment and said, "Mrs. Xu, you can't just focus on the present. Our Lian'er is already a scholar now, and you know how many benefits he has. The betrothal gift may be a little small now, but after your Shaochun comes into the family, won't there be many good days ahead?"
Liu Xianglan sneered: "Since there are so many benefits, how can you be worse than a butcher? Madam Fei, you are not afraid of being laughed at by the villagers."
Mother Fei’s face turned pale.
"Three thousand. If it weren't for the affection between the two children, I wouldn't have let them go."
However, this price was still far below Liu Xianglan's expectations. Based on their Shaochun's looks and popularity, they could have gotten at least four thousand coins. The Fei family really changed their attitude when they raised the price too high.
She said stubbornly, "Madam Fei, do you think that there is no good family in Shaochun except the Fei family? If the husband's family is not sincere, then my daughter will not rush to go. Madam Fei, please go."
Mother Fei couldn't help but get angry when she heard this. The Xu family didn't even consider their family background. She was silent for a while: "If that's the case, then there's nothing to say. Sorry for disturbing you."
After saying that, he called Fei Lian and was about to leave. Liu Xianglan's pupils dilated in shock. He said he was leaving and really had no intention of staying. The boy from the Fei family didn't even say a word. She was so angry.
Xu Shaochun was dumbfounded. Seeing the unhappy look on Fei's mother's face, it was obvious that the talks had failed. She anxiously pulled Liu Xianglan and said, "Mom, what's going on? We were talking fine just now!"
Liu Xianglan said irritably: "The Fei family is going too far by giving such a small gift!"
"It's okay if you give me less. It's not a big deal." Xu Shaochun lowered his voice: "Does mother care so much about that little money?"
Liu Xianglan was even more angry when she heard this and shouted, "You gave me even less than Zhang Fangyuan asked He Ge'er for money. You can't afford to lose that man if you are willing to marry me!"
Xu Shaochun was also shocked when he heard this, and was quite unbelievable: "Less than...less than He Ge'er..."
Watching the mother and son of the Fei family leave the courtyard, Liu Xianglan hesitated for a few times, but finally called them to stop unwillingly. She also knew that if the Fei family left today, the marriage would be completely ruined, and Xu Shaochun might make trouble with her by then.
"Add another two thousand dollars. Both children are mine. There can't be a difference between the older and the younger."
Mother Fei paused. Liu Xianglan's reason made sense. She glanced at Fei Lian beside her and asked, "What do you think, son?"
"I always listen to my mother."
Mother Fei's expression immediately changed, and she turned around and said, "Look at what a fuss this has caused. It was originally a happy occasion."
The two parties sat back at the table and discussed all matters concerning the marriage. The people from the Fei family were very busy, asking questions here and there, including discussing the dowry. Liu Xianglan felt more and more how straightforward Zhang Fangyuan had been before. After they left, her face immediately fell again.
Liu Xianglan was very furious. Not only had she been hung up for so long, but now he wanted to marry their Shaochun for such a small gift. His plan was so loud that it could be heard outside the village.
Although Xu Shaochun felt uncomfortable, he had been so shocked by Xu He's marriage that he had lost his mind. Now that the marriage was settled, he was more happy than unhappy.
Liu Xianglan was angry when she saw her daughter was so useless. If it weren't for his daughter's future good life, even if he randomly found a family, he would get more gift money than the Fei family.
She had a feeling of being on the verge of success.
At this moment, the chickens in the yard were still clucking, the ducks were also making noises, and the pigs in the pigsty in the backyard had not been fed and had already started banging against the door of the pen, making a banging sound. She was so annoyed that she almost pulled her hair out.
"Why haven't you let the chickens out yet so early in the morning? The ducks need to be driven to the river!" Liu Xianglan was disturbed by the noisy voice and subconsciously wanted to scold Xu He. Then she remembered that people had gone to Zhang's house to do work, leaving a mess at home. She had to turn to Xu Shaochun and said, "The pig food hasn't been cooked yet. The pig is about to jump out of the pen!"
Xu Shaochun felt that her mother's expression changed so quickly, and she felt aggrieved. She was obviously happy when Heger's marriage was settled, but why was she unhappy now that her marriage was settled?
There was a pile of shit in the chicken and duck pen, and the animals stank terribly. Even if she knew how to do it, she would never be willing to do it.
Seeing that he was standing there motionless, Liu Xianglan could not help but scold him, "Go! I can't handle it all by myself! What can I do with you? You don't even know how to help with household chores."
Xu Shaochun's eyes were red, and hesitantly went to release the ducks, as if he was afraid of stepping on shit. His cautious look made Liu Xianglan angry.
It's really annoying. When Xu He was around, I never felt that there were so many chores at home. After he left, I had to get up before dawn to cook. After the family had eaten, I still had to take care of the livestock, and I also had to work in the fields.
She really regretted it now. If she had known earlier, she would not have married Xu He off so early just for the few thousand coins. Even if she had to pay a little more tax every year, it was better than being busy all the time.
…
Xu He went to Zhang Shicheng's house to deliver something. The couple went all the way there, sat there and talked for a while before returning.
Zhang Shicheng and his wife were very happy that the two had gotten married. They briefly explained a few things to each other and didn't complain about the newlyweds. They just let them live their lives as they would have many opportunities to meet each other in the future.
"Although my uncle's land at home has been planted, we still need to open up two acres of land to grow some vegetables."
Xu He moved the basket he was holding and said, "My aunt gave me a lot of vegetable seeds. I'm going back to sow them in the fields."
"Let's not be busy today. Let's take a day off."
Xu He said, "It doesn't take much effort to plant the seeds early and plant the seedlings early."
Zhang Fangyuan was helpless: "Okay, I'll go with you."
Xu He raised his eyebrows: "I can do this by myself, why don't you go buy some animals?"
Zhang Fangyuan wanted to stick with him, but Xu He was a little boy, but he was a hardworking person. He sighed slightly and said, "Can I go early tomorrow morning?"
Xu He shut up when he saw this. He knew that he might be boring, but he just wanted Zhang Fangyuan to feel that it was not in vain that he spent so much effort and money to marry him.
"Then let's go sow the seeds together. We can also go up the mountain to dig some wild vegetables in the afternoon."
Zhang Fangyuan was happy then: "Okay, let's take the hunting tools to the mountain this afternoon. It's spring now, and we may get something."
The two went home happily, one carrying a hoe and the other carrying vegetable seeds to go to the fields. Zhang Fangyuan was afraid that Xu He would be burned by the sun, so he gave him a small straw hat to wear.
While Zhang Fangyuan was loosening the soil, Xu He was counting the vegetable seeds. There were many fruits and vegetables suitable for sowing in spring, and he got eggplants, pumpkins, Chinese cabbages, etc. from He... Zhang Fangyuan had said before that the green onions he planted at Xu's house were growing very well, so he specially asked for some.
He found that Zhang Fangyuan liked to eat fried pork offal with green onions and could eat three bowls of rice.
"Oh, you two are still working in the fields today?"
When the villagers passing by saw the two of them together, they couldn't help but stop and chat with them.
"Yeah, grow some vegetables."
Seeing that Zhang Fangyuan was quite protective of Xu He and even followed her husband out today, the villagers thought that Xu He would be the head of the Tuzi family in the future, so they tried to get close to Xu He and said, "Brother He, I have loofah and bitter melon seeds, garlic, chrysanthemum and chili peppers at home. Come and get whatever you need."
"Thank you, Auntie. I will definitely come when the time comes."
The woman agreed with a smile, and then went to her own field carrying the basket.
Zhang Fangyuan was shoveling the ground with his head buried, and there was a smile in his eyes when he heard this.
In the distance, Xu Shaochun, who was forced to carry a backpack to go to his own field to cut cabbages to feed pigs, saw the couple working quietly. Although they were not joking, he could feel the atmosphere of a newlywed happiness.
Thinking about her own marriage, she couldn't help but feel her eyes turn red.
She gritted her teeth. Everyone feels comfortable after a recent marriage. But it would take a long time for the couple to live together. She didn't believe that she would live worse than Xu He.
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