After composing herself, Jiang Yuwei got up and said goodbye to the Princess and Ning Zixuan. When she returned to Jinglan Pavilion, Xia Yue had already prepared dinner. Jiang Yuwei sat down and ate with Ning Wan and Ning Zhao. She was listless and couldn't muster any energy, so she went straight back to her room to sleep.
The next day,
Jiang Yuwei first sent Ning Wan to the princess's residence early, then took Xia Yue and Yun Qing to the shop. Yao Guang was waiting at the shop entrance with his mother.
"Madam, you've arrived. Today I've brought my mother to discuss my marriage with Liu Shi with you."
Jiang Yuwei smiled as she looked at Yao Guang's radiant face.
"Okay, let's talk in the backyard."
Jiang Yuwei then turned to look at Xia Yue.
"Xia Yue, go and help Liu Shi watch the counter. Tell Liu Shi to come to the backyard too."
After saying that, Jiang Yuwei went to the backyard.
As soon as Jiang Yuwei sat down, Yun Qing hurriedly brought over a pot of hot tea. Yao Guang took the tea and poured a cup for Jiang Yuwei and Granny Yao. When he saw Liu Shi arrive at the backyard, he also poured her a cup before sitting down.
Seeing that there was nothing for her to do in the backyard, Yun Qing went to the front to help.
"Madam Jiang, we have now prepared one tael of silver."
As she spoke, Granny Yao glared at Liu, who was sitting at the corner of the table with her head down, then took out a money pouch from her bosom and threw it on the table.
“I consulted a fortune teller in the village, and tomorrow is an auspicious day. My son’s birth chart shows that he absolutely cannot wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival to get married, so we thought we would hold the wedding as soon as possible, so that we can put our minds at ease.”
Seeing what Granny Yao had done and hearing her tone, Jiang Yuwei frowned and looked at Liu Shi.
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. Don't you think it's a bit too rushed to get married before the festival? Have you prepared everything you need to at home?"
Granny Yao took a sip of tea, then spat a mouthful of tea leaves onto the ground.
"What's all this talk about preparations? We don't have that many formalities in our village. We just bring the bride home for a meal and the marriage is done. Besides, this Liu woman is a second-time bride. I would feel ashamed to marry her. If Yao Guang hadn't been so clueless, I would never have spent a tael of silver."
Upon hearing this, Yao Guang suddenly shoved Granny Yao under the table.
"Mother, stop talking about these trivial things. We're here today to discuss the marriage. Why are you bringing this up?"
When Granny Yao saw that her son wasn't giving her face, she turned around and glared at him.
"You good-for-nothing! You've really forgotten your mother now that you have a wife. What I said wasn't the truth? Can't I even speak the truth?"
At this moment, Liu sat there with her head down, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. She dared not look up or speak, afraid that she would burst into tears.
Jiang Yuwei seemed to notice that something was wrong with Liu Shi, so she gently patted Liu Shi's leg under the table, then looked at Granny Yao and frowned, saying:
“If you don’t want to marry Liu, just say so. I think you’re not here to propose marriage today, but rather to bully us. You’ve never had a daughter-in-law in your life, and you finally managed to trick your son into bringing one home, and now you’re thinking of giving her a hard time.”
Jiang Yuwei picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
“I understand what you’re thinking, but this isn’t how you’re going to show your power. Even if Liu doesn’t marry your son, she and Gou Dan can still earn two jobs and live a good life. Now that Gou Dan is grown up, he doesn’t need anyone to take care of him and can even earn money for the family. Even without Yao Guang, the mother and son can live a good life.”
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei glanced at Yao Guang again and then said calmly:
"But Yao Guang is different. With your family's circumstances, it will be difficult for you to find a suitable wife. Otherwise, Yao Guang wouldn't be single until now. If you lose this marriage with Liu, your Yao family may have no successor in the future."
The once arrogant Granny Yao immediately lost her temper upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, and stammered:
“You, you’re wrong about that. Besides, my son is getting married for the first time, but Liu is different. I’m not trying to intimidate her, I’m just a straightforward person and I say what I think.”
As she spoke, Granny Yao pushed the money bag in front of her toward Liu Shi.
“Liu, don’t just keep your head down and not say anything. Weigh this money. I’ve come here with sincerity. That’s enough. We’ve prepared the betrothal gifts you asked for. Don’t be so formal.”
Upon hearing what Granny Yao said, Liu looked up at Yao Guang, then, as if having made up her mind, reached for the silver on the table.
"Since you've prepared the money, I don't need to weigh it. Let's proceed with the wedding as Aunt Yao suggested; that way, it will be better for Yao Guang."
As she spoke, Liu clenched the money pouch in her hand, lowered her head, and said no more.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuwei sighed slightly. This was the path Liu had chosen herself. Since she was so determined to marry Yao Guang, Jiang Yuwei couldn't say anything more.
In short, I've said everything I needed to say, and whether they live their lives well or not is none of my business anymore.
Seeing that Liu had accepted the silver, Yao Guang was very pleased, so he got up again and poured tea for each of the three of them.
"Since Madam Liu thinks it's acceptable, then my mother and I will go back today to prepare, and I will come to pick you up from the village tomorrow."
As he spoke, Yao Guang looked at Liu Shi with a happy expression.
Liu did not look up, but simply nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Granny Yao's eyes darted around, and she looked at Jiang Yuwei.
"Madam Jiang, look, we've already given the betrothal gifts to Madam Liu, and here's the dowry you prepared for her..."
Before Granny Yao could finish speaking, Jiang Yuwei raised her hand and said:
"I will send it to Shilipu tomorrow. Remember to prepare a table for our guests from your family. We will send a few people to take Liu over."
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Granny Yao nodded hurriedly.
"Okay, okay, we'll definitely prepare everything. We can afford to treat you to a meal. You must come too!"
Jiang Yuwei nodded and gestured for Yao Guang to take his mother and leave first. Yao Guang stood up, looked at Liu Shi, blushed, and whispered:
"I will come to take you back tomorrow to get married."
Only then did Liu raise her head to look at Yao Guang and nod solemnly.
After Yao Guang left with Granny Yao, Liu's eyes reddened. Seeing this, Jiang Yuwei grabbed Liu's hand.
"If you marry into that family so hastily, you'll inevitably suffer from that old woman Yao's temper in the future. Getting married tomorrow is too rushed; they haven't even prepared a wedding dress for you."
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Liu swallowed hard, looked at the money pouch in her hand, and whispered:
“Aunt Yao is right. I am a woman who has been married twice. How can I ask for so much? I am already content with the one or two taels of silver I have received as a betrothal gift.”
Jiang Yuwei sighed.
"It's alright. There's a wedding dress in your dowry that I prepared. It's a rather festive style. You can wear that on your wedding day tomorrow."
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