Luo pursed her lips and said, "Working as a handyman at Baiweilou only earns 600 copper coins a month! That's less than half of what you make in your furniture workshop."
Du said angrily, "Whose fault is it if he can't be selected? Besides, our workshop mostly selects people from our own village, very few from other villages! I've already done enough for my family! What more do my sister-in-law and mother want?"
He glanced at Luo Shi as he spoke, then looked at Du's mother.
She has been filial enough.
Her mother treated her quite well. Although her younger brother and sister-in-law used to look down on her, her mother would still secretly give them food.
Therefore, I have always been filial to her.
They not only gave gifts during festivals and holidays, but also gave three or five taels of silver at a time. Throughout the year, they would always give ten or twenty taels of silver.
This amount of money alone is enough to support her entire family.
Unexpectedly, they even set their sights on her children.
Madam Du looked at her mother and said, "Mother, you need to keep a close eye on them from now on. If they cause trouble like this again, we won't even be relatives anymore."
Mrs. Du was taken aback, and finally sighed softly, "Don't worry, such a thing will never happen again."
Mrs. Du nodded; she knew her mother's character well.
At least she didn't let herself feel disheartened.
Thinking of her son's foolishness and Du Daya's disappointing behavior, plus the fact that Du's mother no longer supported the idea, Luo realized that the matter was completely hopeless.
He could only chuckle awkwardly and say, "Don't worry, don't worry. In that case, we'll have to rely on you, eldest sister, for Daya and Congming's future marriages."
Du rolled her eyes at her: "Can't you find a matchmaker yourself? What are you counting on me for?"
"Do you want me to find a rich young lady for your son? Or have Daya marry a high-ranking official? Or how about I find you an emperor to be your son?"
Luo's face turned pale and then red as she was scolded, but she was still hoping that Du would have a good life, so she was too scared to say a word.
Seeing that the matter was resolved, Ye Xuan said, "At this time, the banquet should be ready soon."
Luo said urgently, "Yes, yes, let's go out and take a look first."
Luo dared not stay any longer and pulled Du's mother out the door with her.
Ye Xuan breathed a sigh of relief: "When I came back, I saw Manman, Jin'er, and Huan'er playing with the dog. When did you arrive, sir? Where are you?"
"Oh, you went to see the glass workshop with your aunt. What about Mr. Qian and your four former classmates?"
"We've already entertained them; they've come to Jinshan's house for a visit."
...
At noon, the cooks had prepared the meal.
All relatives and villagers took their seats together.
Upon seeing the food, all the villagers were filled with surprise and excitement.
There are ten dishes in total, eight meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, including chicken, goose, duck and fish, you name it!
As soon as the villagers sat down, they began to eat voraciously, not even daring to utter a word.
On the main table.
Ye Caiping, Shen Zhiyan, Old Mrs. Ye and her husband, Ye Daquan and his wife, Ye Xuan, and Master Qian sat at a table.
Ye Yong sat down at a table with Xiuxiu, Jin'er, Huan'er, Jinhua, Manman, Ye Xing, and Ye Wang.
Master Qian was so happy that his face turned red. This was the first scholar he had ever taught!
Although he only taught for two months, he still taught me.
Thinking it over, he poured himself a glass of wine: "Mr. Shen, Xuan'er owes his success today entirely to you."
Shen Zhiyan gave Master Qian face and smiled as he toasted with him.
Master Qian was flattered and even happier.
At the same table as Shen Zhiyan, Old Madam Ye and Madam Du didn't even dare to speak loudly while eating.
Because Shen Zhiyan eats with genuine elegance and grace.
Ye Daquan was a little sullen; he was used to eating in big gulps.
Everyone was enjoying their meal and drinks.
A light laugh rang out: "Ha, I've come at a really bad time. It turns out to be Ye Xuan's banquet today?"
Ye Caiping and the others looked up and were surprised to see Li Jiaojiao walking over with her hands behind her back and an old woman by her side.
They all frowned involuntarily.
Mrs. Du said unhappily, "Li family member, what are you doing here?"
Li Jiaojiao slightly raised her chin: "No matter what, our two families are somewhat related. Ye Xuan passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, such a great thing, but he didn't even inform us."
"My parents were so disappointed! That's why they specially asked me to bring you a generous gift."
As she spoke, the old woman behind her handed a palm-sized wooden box to Li Jiaojiao.
"Here, this is our gift for you!"
Mrs. Du snorted coldly: "We won't—"
"Give it here!" Unexpectedly, Ye Caiping spoke up, raising her eyebrows and saying, "Guests are always welcome. Since Miss Li has come to deliver a gift, how can we refuse it?"
Li Jiaojiao's face froze.
Jin Hua, who was standing to the side, rolled her eyes, got up from her seat and walked over: "Give it to me."
Li Jiaojiao's face turned ugly: "Oh...you really accept it?"
Why won't you accept it?
Li Jiaojiao: "..."
Before she could react, Jinhua had already snatched the wooden box, opened it, and looked inside:
"Oh dear, it's empty inside? Are you so poor that you can't even afford a gift, so you're sending an empty box?"
Li Jiaojiao's face turned a deep purplish-red.
There was nothing inside to begin with!
She came today just to show off!
She originally thought the Ye family would not accept gifts, so she brought an empty box.
Unexpectedly, the Ye family was so shameless that they actually accepted it! They even snatched it away.
Li Jiaojiao's face turned pale: "How...how could this happen? Did you forget to put the gift in?"
As he spoke, he turned to look at the old woman.
The old woman is secretly plotting something; didn't you hand her this box?
But the old woman didn't dare to dismantle the altar, and said guiltily, "I seem to have forgotten..."
Li Jiaojiao said, "Did you hear that? My servant forgot to put something in. It was originally... an inkstone, worth ten taels!"
"Oh." Jin Hua nodded. "Since it's worth ten taels, just bring ten taels. It's both a congratulatory gift and a monetary gift."
Li Jiaojiao, with a blank expression, reached into her sleeve and finally pulled out two small five-ounce ingots.
"Thanks," Jin Hua said, accepting the gift.
Li Jiaojiao was furious. She had come to show off, but she never expected to lose ten taels of silver for nothing!
Do you know that in order to earn those ten taels, you risk being caught and beaten up by the casino at any time?
Moreover, it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to earn money. She's already visited all the casinos near Yue'an County, but going there too often will make her recognized.
These ten taels are enough to make her bleed.
Li Jiaojiao was so angry that she wanted to turn around and leave, but then she thought that since she had already come all this way, there was no reason for her to lose money and not do anything productive!
Thinking it over, she snorted coldly, "Take it. This is a congratulatory gift for your brother!"
"Oh, by the way, my brother also passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai, as you all know! And he was the top scholar! That means he was number one!"
Du and Ye Daquan already knew, but seeing Li Jiaojiao's smug face still made them very unhappy.
"And another thing," Li Jiaojiao continued, "my brother's banquet will be postponed because the provincial examination is on August 25th, and my father will be taking the exam then!"
"When my father passes the imperial examination and becomes the top scholar in the provincial examination, our family will have two top scholars! Then we'll celebrate together!"
"Please invite Aunt Ye and the entire Ye family to the banquet. Remember to bring generous gifts!"
After saying that, Li Jiaojiao felt completely relaxed.
That's right! Even though I've lost ten taels, they'll still have to send a gift even if they don't want to come! That way, I won't lose out!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
