Back home, Tian Da and Tian Er looked away, not daring to look at Zhang Shi. Even when they spoke, the two brothers only dared to say "uh-huh," afraid that if they said a single extra word, Zhang Shi would find out.
Tian Sangui hid under the eaves and laughed at his two silly older brothers.
At noon, a pink silk carriage drove into Tianjia Village. As it passed the big locust tree, it was spotted by Zhang Gui, who came out to see it.
The carriage was surrounded by a white, jeweled net, with a silver tassel hanging from the rear.
As the horse swayed happily with its gait, Zhang Gui's eyes were filled with envy and longing.
Once she marries Tian Laosi, she'll definitely make him buy her a car too. When the villagers see her, won't they be incredibly envious?
Zhang, in particular, was extremely envious of her!
Little did people know that only members of the imperial family or the families of high-ranking officials in the capital were entitled to use such carriages.
Even the county magistrate wouldn't dare to be so extravagant, let alone ordinary people.
If someone catches you and reports you to the authorities, you'll be beheaded.
Besides, that tiny pearl, no bigger than a fingernail, on the carriage would take the Tian family most of their lives to buy, not to mention the brocade-like silk fabric on the carriage.
Zhang Gui, a woman who had never seen much of the world, knew nothing of these things. She only knew that if something was available in town, she, Zhang Gui, could also have it, provided she entered Tian Laosi's household.
The horse-drawn carriage headed straight for the back of the village.
It eventually stopped outside the mud wall of a house.
The wooden door was being pounded on from the outside.
"Knock knock knock!"
Is Miss Tian home?
Hearing the noise inside, Zhang hurriedly came out of the kitchen door, and Tian Laosi also stepped out of the main room.
Tian Da and Tian Er walked out of the donkey shed and looked towards the gate, wondering who would come looking for them.
Tian Sangui was sitting in her room when she heard someone calling her, so she immediately put down what she was holding and came out.
"Hey, Mom and Dad, why aren't you opening the door?"
After saying that, Tian Sangui was about to step forward and open the door.
But Zhang stopped her, saying, "Let your brother drive!"
Zhang carefully shielded Tian Sangui behind her, and the knocking sound gave her a feeling that the visitor was up to no good.
Tian Da walked to the door and asked, "Who is it?"
Upon hearing this, the knocking immediately stopped, and a response came: "We are from the Shen family. Our young lady is here to see Miss Tian. We hope you will open the door and see her, sir!"
Upon hearing this, Tian Sangui immediately jumped out from behind Zhang Shi: "Miss Chen, the landlord who rented our shop!"
The family then realized what was happening: "Tian Da, quickly open the door and welcome the guests in!"
"Why!"
Then the door opened wide, and they greeted us with smiles.
As Miss Chen helped the servant out of the carriage, she wore a pair of bright silver brocade shoes with mud on the white soles, but she showed no discomfort.
Instead, she saw Tian Sangui, who warmly took her hand.
“Sister San Gui, I’ve been looking forward to you bringing vegetables to our house every day, but so much time has passed and you haven’t come even once.”
"Look at me, I was so busy with my own little shop that I completely forgot about this. I apologize to Sister Li, and I hope you won't be angry!"
"If I wanted to blame you, I would have ignored you long ago. Why would I have bothered to come all this way to see you!"
Shen Li's every glance and smile exuded the elegance of a well-bred young lady, leaving Tian Ermei speechless.
Shen Li looked just like the fairy in his dream, fair and delicate, gentle as water.
Unfortunately, she was a lady from a wealthy family, while he was just a peasant boy who depended on the weather for a living. Even if he fell in love at first sight, he could only watch from the sidelines.
"Father, Mother, eldest brother, second brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, come quickly and greet Miss Shen!"
"Hey, hello Miss Chen!"
The whole family came to pay their respects to Shen Li, but she dared not accept such a grand gesture.
Before they could bow down, Shen Li quickly offered a gesture of support, saying, "Father, please rise. This junior is unworthy of your bow."
The gentle, wind-like voice warmed the hearts of Tian Laosi and Zhang Shi.
This young lady doesn't seem like the domineering and unreasonable rich young ladies the old people describe.
Instead, she is gentle and polite, humble and approachable.
Tian Lao Si, Zhang Shi, and their sons finally relaxed and straightened up, feeling completely at ease.
“I am Shen Li, daughter of the Shen family in Jizhen.”
"Your father is just like San Gui; he can simply call me by my name!"
"San Gui, I'm a little tired. May I come inside and sit for a while?"
"Of course it's possible," Zhang hurriedly led the two girls to the main room, while Tian Da and Tian Er stood under the eaves, too afraid to go in.
Old Tian went into the kitchen to brew a pot of hot tea for Miss Shen.
"I've come here to ask San Gui for a favor. I wonder if San Gui would be willing?"
Tian Sangui smiled and said, "How could I possibly be unwilling to have a relationship with Sister Li?"
"Just let me know if you need any help!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Li felt a little relieved of her inner turmoil.
"Tomorrow is my grandfather's 60th birthday. He is quite picky about food, and since he fell ill, he has become increasingly thin."
"He changed cooks three times a day, but none of them could satisfy his taste, so he became extremely thin."
As she said this, Shen Li looked at Tian Sangui with tears welling up in her eyes.
"As the eldest granddaughter, it is already unfilial of me not to be able to serve my father by his side, so I think..."
Shen Li pulled Tian Sangui up and placed his hands on her chest: "Sangui, your cooking skills are recognized as the best in Jizhen. Come with me to my grandfather's house in Fuzhou. Please cook a meal for him and do my part to show my filial piety!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Li tried to slide off the chair and kneel on the ground, but Tian Sangui dared not let her do so.
He quickly grabbed her and pulled her to stay seated.
"Hey, this is the matter. If it's difficult for you, sister, how can I not help?"
"But... my cooking might not suit your grandfather's taste, and I might not be able to help my sister in the end..."
"It's alright. As long as you go, whether it's good or bad, I'll always remember how good you are to me and I won't say a single word of blame!"
Since Shen Li had put it all out there, Tian Sangui had nothing to worry about. Helping others achieve their goals was a fortunate thing.
"Since my sister has said so, what reason do I have not to go?"
"Very good!"
When Tian Sangui agreed, Shen Li was overjoyed. Now her grandfather could celebrate his birthday in peace.
"Let's go now. Fuzhou is a long way. We'll stay at an inn in the county town tonight, and we'll go to Grandfather's house together at 9:00 AM tomorrow!"
Tian Sangui was stunned. Leaving now? That's too hasty. She hasn't prepared anything yet.
"This...don't I need to tidy up?"
She looked herself up and down, feeling that she was less than a maid standing next to Shen Li. Wouldn't going there make her lose face?
Shen Li didn't care: "Don't worry, I've prepared everything for you. Tomorrow morning at the inn, I'll personally help you with your makeup and hair, and the two of us sisters will look our best as we go to celebrate your birthday!"
That's good, it saves her the trouble of doing it herself.
Seeing that Shen Li was about to take Tian Sangui away, Zhang's eyes were filled with worry and reluctance.
“Miss Shen, San Gui has never traveled far alone. I, as her mother, always feel uneasy if she is not accompanied by anyone.”
"Why don't we let her second brother go with her?"
Everyone in the village knows about Zhang's precious Tian Sangui, and they would never allow her to leave home alone.
Unless someone is with you.
"It was my oversight. Your mother's suggestion is good, so it's fine to let Brother Sangui come along!"
Upon hearing this, Tian Er's eyes lit up instantly, and he was overjoyed.
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