Here, Scholar Shi couldn't help but feel puzzled.
He spilled everything he should and shouldn't have said, so why hasn't Brother Lin made a move for so long?
What's going on here?
I've put on such a heartfelt performance for so long, can't you at least give me some kind of reaction?
Are they laughing at me?
Immediately, he became suspicious. Looking up with teary eyes, he realized that Old Man Lin had picked up the pipe that had fallen under the table sometime earlier.
Right now, he's there, intently exhaling smoke rings.
For a moment, Shi Xiucai was at a loss for what to do.
After a while, he rallied his spirits and continued to play the victim:
"To be honest, Brother Lin, although I have made some friends in my life, you are the only one I can truly trust."
"Guangyao is a pitiful child. He lost his mother at a young age and was then tricked and spoiled by his stepmother. But he is a good child, not bad at heart. He just hasn't experienced much and can't distinguish between loyalty and treachery."
"Sigh, my eldest grandson used to be such a good child. He was so smart when he was little. How could I bear to let this grandson, whom I've loved since he was a child, be ruined by his stepmother?"
"But my body is failing me, and I don't have many days left to live. The only thing I can't let go of is him. I've come to terms with it. Nothing is more important than a peaceful life. From now on, I'll let him settle down here and not be an eyesore in that other house."
"Once the two children's marriages are settled, I'll go back. From now on, I'll let Guangyao work in the fields with your family, teach him to endure some hardship, and hopefully cure his bad habits."
"Over the years, I've saved up some money. I also sold the big house I later acquired in the county and the 200-mu estate. In total, I have several thousand taels of silver, which I left to Guangyao."
"With your family's support in Linjia Village, he won't be ostracized or bullied by the villagers."
"Furthermore, with the money I left for Guangyao, the young couple may not become extremely wealthy, but they can still live a harmonious and fulfilling life."
This was the best path he could devise for his grandson.
It won't bother anyone, and even if someone schemes against you, it will help your grandson get rid of his bad habits and start living a down-to-earth life.
Everything in this regard has been thoroughly considered.
Believe it or not, Old Master Lin was genuinely moved.
When an old friend entrusted his son to him on his deathbed, and spoke with such earnestness, how could he not be moved, given that his heart was not made of stone?
He couldn't help but sigh:
"Alas! Every family has its own troubles."
"I thought that since you wealthy families don't lack money, there would be less trouble. I didn't expect that whether you have money or not, you won't hesitate to fight when it's time to fight."
"Well, if you, an official, are willing to let your grandson be a farmer, what can I say?"
"But, Guangyao is a boy, and the eldest son in the family. Does his father, who is an official, really not care about him at all?"
"Besides, your children's marriage is a big deal. Can you make the decision all by yourself? What if your son changes his mind later and takes the person back? You might as well cancel the marriage."
"Then how am I supposed to get my granddaughter married?"
Although Old Master Lin was quite tempted by Shi Xiucai's suggestion, he still had some concerns.
Since ancient times, it has been believed that the common people should not fight against the officials.
The Lin family were just ordinary people. Although their ancestors had produced a county magistrate and the family had once been wealthy, that was a long time ago.
A true hero doesn't dwell on past glories.
No matter how powerful the Lin family was back then, they are now just an ordinary farming family. How could they dare to provoke an official?
If Scholar Shi were to propose marriage to his family, he could still refuse.
But once the engagement is made, if the Shi family's son wants to break off the engagement or divorce their granddaughter, their family can only swallow their anger and accept it.
This is a risky marriage.
He had to be extremely cautious.
However, with his silver tongue and sincere heart, Shi Xiucai managed to win over Old Master Lin.
This finally convinced him to agree to the marriage.
"Brother Lin, don't worry. My unfilial son is not short of sons. His second wife gave birth to two sons and a daughter, and she is very much loved by him. There are also several illegitimate children in the backyard."
"He never liked this eldest son. Whenever they met, he would always scold him with a dark face. He would often point at Guangyao and curse him, saying things like, 'I really wish I had never given birth to this wretched child.'"
"Now that Guangyao is no longer in his way, he'll probably be overjoyed and won't even have time to think about it."
"Although children's marriages are supposed to be arranged by their parents, my grandson's mother passed away early and his father doesn't care. It's only reasonable for me, as his grandfather, to arrange a marriage for my eldest grandson."
"Besides, we have a marriage certificate, so what are you afraid he won't recognize it?"
“If he dares to break off the engagement, I will dare to report him to the authorities for being unfilial.”
They seemed ready to go all out.
When Old Master Lin first heard this, he felt inspired, but then he thought to himself, "When that time really comes, it's hard to say whether you'll still be here."
Scholar Shi paused for a moment and then said:
“My daughter-in-law has always found Guangyao an eyesore and wished she could get rid of him as soon as possible, but since I, her father-in-law, am still here, she can’t do anything about it.”
"Now that I've passed away, her son can rightfully inherit the family business. And she's removed an obstacle without even lifting a finger—isn't that wonderful?"
How could she not be happy to see it happen?
"Don't worry. Even if my unfilial son wants to take this son back, my daughter-in-law will not agree and will definitely interfere."
These words actually sound quite reasonable.
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