If the Zhao family is really the one that gets bullied, Zhang Lanzhen might have to reconsider this marriage. She can't let Yang Anjin get married and suffer in vain.
The two families have been getting along for such a long time now, and they have always been in harmony, but there are always some short-sighted people who want to come and talk behind their backs.
Zhang Lanzhen felt a little frustrated. Did she look like a fool, believing everything others said? Didn't she have a brain?
Today was the same. A distant cousin who didn't live nearby got the news very quickly. As soon as he heard about the excitement, he rushed over and kept chattering all morning without stopping.
"Really? If you ask me, An Jin is such a good child. Which family would be happy if she was promised to him? Why did they choose this family? It's just an engagement anyway. There's still time to regret it. Look at what I told you. Will you think about it?"
Huang Tianxiang tugged affectionately at Zhang Lanzhen's arm, sparing no effort to praise her son to the skies: "My son is very motivated and has made some academic achievements. Last year, he almost passed the imperial examination and even the teacher praised him highly. It's a pity that his poor health delayed him last year, so he didn't pass. I had thought that if he passed, I would ask someone to propose a marriage between our two families. I didn't expect An Jin to settle so quickly. I was mad at myself for several days."
"Well, this is the child's own business. An Jin wants to do it herself. I can't make the decision." Zhang Lanzhen was polite to her for a long time. The smile on her face was almost gone, and her tone was getting colder and colder: "Let's not talk about this. Are you thirsty? I'll pour you a glass of water."
Huang Tianxiang tugged at Zhang Lanzhen's arm affectionately, sparing no effort to praise her son to the skies, trying to sway her heart: "Don't be thirsty, don't be thirsty. Listen to me, my son is very motivated and has made some academic achievements. Last year, he almost passed the imperial examination. Even the teacher praised him highly. It's a pity that his poor health delayed him last year, so he didn't pass. I thought that if he passed, I would ask a matchmaker to mediate, but I didn't expect An Jin to be engaged so soon."
After saying that, she slapped her thigh, as if she felt more regretful than losing money.
According to Huang Tianxiang's seniority, Zhang Lanzhen should call her "Auntie". She is still an elder. Zhang Lanzhen couldn't just ignore her directly, so she could only sit aside and agree with a dry laugh, thinking about finding a way to get rid of her: "Well, not bad, not bad. Your son has good conditions and can find anyone he wants. We in Anjin don't have such good luck."
"That's true. My son's conditions are among the best. I don't think that my nephew Anchen is well-educated and teaches in town. If our two families can become relatives, it will be even stronger. He will live better than that bricklayer hunter who only knows how to do hard labor."
Huang Tianxiang seemed not to understand the refusal in Zhang Lanzhen's words and continued to boast: "An Jin has been pampered by you since she was a child. If she marries a scholar, she will be able to eat and drink well, without having to do any work, and live like a comfortable young lady. Then we can move to the town together and live a life of luxury."
"An Jin is not a spoiled boy. He has also suffered hardships. Besides, I am not destined to enjoy a life of luxury. Living in the village is good enough. I can't enjoy the blessings of the upper class. I am afraid it will shorten my life."
They spoke in low voices, and Zhao Fangyu couldn't hear everything at the door. He could only vaguely hear the words "scholars enjoy happiness" and Yang Anjin's name being mentioned from time to time.
Even if Zhao Fangyu was not very smart, he could guess the purpose of this person's visit, which was probably for An Jin's marriage.
The three words "scholar" lingered in Zhao Fangyu's mind. He looked at his hands which were rough from years of hard work and couldn't help feeling sad.
Yes, how can a peasant like me compare with scholars? An Jin has better choices than me, but I can't give him a pampered life.
This reminded Zhao Fangyu of how his marriage was always delayed for various reasons. Sometimes he even wondered if it was because of his bad luck that he finally met the person he liked, but was still caught in the whirlpool of public opinion.
The confidence that Zhao Fangyu had built up with great difficulty was deflated in an instant. He hesitated again and again, but still did not knock on the closed door. He bent down to put the things at the door, and turned away without looking back.
As usual, Yang Anchen has a ten-day holiday today, but he never stays in town during the ten-day holiday. He always buys some things and goes home to visit his family.
When he was not far from home, he saw Zhao Fangyu standing at the door, hesitating about something. He thought he was unlucky and no one was at home. Yang Anchen was about to call him, but he saw him put the things away with extraordinary determination.
Yang Anchen was a little confused about the situation. When he walked to the door of his house, he saw things piled up at the door. Before he could figure out the smell, the voices coming from the yard cleared up his confusion.
I thought there was no one at home and I couldn't get in, but it turned out that someone was barking at the dog.
Huang Tianxiang continued to brag, saying that she didn't know how many people came to propose marriage to her son, but she turned down any of them. She thought Yang Anjin was the best in terms of appearance and personality, and was a perfect match for her son.
It was true that the words sounded like a compliment to Yang Anjin, but at the same time, he was secretly using Yang Anjin to praise his own son. Zhang Lanzhen couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard it, and her patience was completely exhausted.
I was too lazy to listen to her nonsense. Just when I was about to chase her away, I heard the gate of the courtyard being pushed open, and Yang Anchen walked in with an unhappy look on his face.
Zhang Lanzhen's impatience instantly transformed into a smile. She stood up and greeted her dusty son: "Why are you back? Is it your ten-day holiday today?"
"Um."
Seeing Huang Tianxiang was about to speak, Yang Anchen spoke first in a cold voice: "If your son is really as good as you say, he should be married to a princess or a county lord. We are just a small family and can't afford him. When your son's concubine gives you a grandson, you and your family can enjoy the happiness of family life. But don't get involved with us."
"What are you talking about? What mistress?" Huang Tianxiang's thoughts were hit, and she still tried to maintain her confidence, but her tone was a little weak.
Yang Anchen snorted coldly, unwilling to say more to her: "Don't you know in your heart that your son's affairs are no secret in this town? If you want to bluff people, you should hide your family's affairs first to avoid being caught by the tail."
He turned sideways to make room for the other person and said, "We didn't cook for you today, so we won't keep you here any longer. Go back and find your precious son."
Huang Tianxiang knew that Yang Anchen was not easy to fool, and was afraid that if she angered him, he would hold a grudge against her son, so she had to leave unwillingly and dejectedly.
Yang Anchen brought in the things at the door. Zhang Lanzhen felt distressed when she saw so many things. She thought Yang Anchen had brought them back from the town: "Why did you bring back so many things? Even if you have money, you can't help spending them like this."
“I didn’t buy this.”
"What?" Zhang Lanzhen was a little confused.
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