After joking with his old friend, Grandpa Lin was still a little uneasy about this hastily arranged deal, and couldn't help but ask again, "What did your grandson say? Is he willing to settle down in the village?"
As he spoke, he glanced outside the door but did not see the young official.
His expression darkened.
Could it be that he's unwilling, or that he's unaware of it yet?
Mentioning this, Shi Xiucai couldn't hide his smile; he was quite pleased with himself.
"Don't worry about me handling things. I already need your help, so why would I make things difficult for you?"
"This kid probably suffered on the road and learned a thing or two about the world, and his brain has finally opened up a bit. You wouldn't believe it, when we first came out, he was still nagging me to go back, but then he calmed down. Now when I explain things to him and reason with him, he's willing to listen."
"Later on, he not only knew how to take care of me, his grandfather, but he also started to speak clearly and logically. It was like he became a different person. He was so sensible!"
"I knew it! This child has a good nature, but he's been led astray. He can still be taught!"
"After returning to the county town, I spoke to him beforehand. I also had a heart-to-heart talk with him and explained things to him. He said he would listen to me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come with me. How could I possibly swallow my pride and beg Brother Lin to take him in?"
This is absolutely true.
Even if he, as the grandfather, were to shamelessly beg for help, he would only be doing so in vain, without persuading his grandson Guangyao.
Even if he has many plans in his mind, it's all in vain.
That day at the inn, he held his eldest grandson's hand and spoke many heartfelt words.
“Our Shi family has been farming for two generations, so it’s not shameful for you to go back to being a farmer. Besides, your father was an official, and our Shi family’s wealth is there. Do you really think your grandfather would let you be a complete farmer?”
"This time when we return to our hometown, besides leaving behind our Shi family's old house and ancestral property, we've sold all the other houses and fields. We've also given you all the money that your grandfather has accumulated over the years, as well as the silver he got from your father when he left. I've also brought your household registration with me. Once things are settled, your grandfather will register you directly in Linjia Village and then buy you other land there."
"As long as you live a down-to-earth life with the Lin family girl, and don't gamble or visit prostitutes, this family fortune will allow your little family to live even more comfortably than a wealthy man in the countryside."
"As for whether you want to stay in the village or move to the town after you get married, it's up to you."
"If you want to study and pass the imperial examinations, it's not too late to start now; if not, once you have a son, teach him to read and write from a young age, nurture and guide him well, and who knows, he might even achieve something great in the future. Then your lineage will rise again, won't it?"
These words can be described as those of a wise and experienced person.
These words were meant to persuade his eldest grandson, but in reality, they were also a way for Scholar Shi to persuade himself.
The seemingly ordinary path he painstakingly paved for his grandson is actually a broad and prosperous road. As long as his grandson doesn't do anything reckless, he can not only live a smooth and wealthy life, but also help the next generation move forward.
For example, his parents, who came from a peasant family, helped him become a scholar, and he in turn helped his son embark on an official career, thus ultimately changing the social standing of the Shi family.
This is a source of pride for his parents and him, and he hopes his eldest grandson can also have this kind of pride.
That makes sense, but I don't know if my grandson will listen to it or be willing to go down this path.
After all, the sudden change from the son of an official to a peasant boy is like falling from the clouds to the ground.
Let alone a seventeen-year-old boy, even Shi Xiucai, the grandfather, initially found it hard to accept. If he had other options, he might not have let his grandson go down this path.
It was all just a desperate measure taken when all other options were exhausted.
Therefore, while speaking, Shi Xiucai kept a close eye on his grandson's every move, fearing that he might suddenly jump up and refuse to comply to the death.
Unexpectedly, Shi Guangyao's reaction was beyond his grandfather's expectations.
After hearing his grandfather's heartfelt words, the boy was surprisingly sensible. "Grandson understands grandfather's good intentions and will follow his grandfather's arrangements."
When Shi Xiucai heard this, he couldn't believe it.
I couldn't help but wonder, when did my grandson become so sensible?
When Shi Guangyao added, "My grandson is willing to settle in Linjia Village," Shi Xiucai exclaimed excitedly, "Good, he's a good grandson of his grandfather..."
Overjoyed, he burst into tears, choked out those words, and could say no more.
Having settled things with his grandson, Shi Xiucai was finally free of a major worry.
After quickly dealing with the Shi family's assets in the county, he immediately brought his grandson to Linjia Village to stay with his old friend.
*
Old Master Lin's worries were all resolved.
It's time to think about which granddaughter to choose to match with the Shi family's son.
He has several granddaughters; even excluding those who are too young to be suitable, there are still three.
The eldest son's eldest daughter, Hongmei, is sixteen years old; the second son's eldest daughter, Erya, is fourteen years old; and the third son's eldest daughter, Taohua, is fifteen years old.
So which one should you choose?
Both sides are his flesh and blood, so he needs to think it over carefully.
Although this prospective grandson-in-law had some bad habits, judging from his grandfather's words, he had improved somewhat and was willing to settle down in the village and marry a country girl, so he seemed to be a good prospect.
I'll give him a good beating later; he'd be a pretty good grandson-in-law.
Although his father, who was an official, regarded him as a discarded child, he was still a son of an official, so it was truly an honor for the Lin family to marry into such a powerful family.
Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. No matter how much the son of a wealthy family is not favored, he will not be able to inherit the family business. However, with the several thousand taels of silver that the old scholar Shi Xiucai saved for his grandson, not only will his future life be more comfortable than that of these peasant families, but even the richest people in the countryside may not be able to match him.
Official families bowed down and humbled themselves to serve.
This was a devastating blow to the Lin family, who were farmers.
If the sons' families found out about this, they'd fight tooth and nail over it.
Furthermore, this matter also depends on the wishes of the Shi family.
I overheard the scholar saying that he wanted to meet the Lin family's granddaughter.
Hmph, he's just trying to pick on people, doesn't he think he can't tell?
In terms of age, Hongmei is the most suitable. It just so happens that this granddaughter is currently looking for a husband. One wants to marry and the other wants to be married, so it would be a perfect match.
That girl went to her uncle's house recently. Apparently, her uncle's family found her a young man from a well-off family and asked her to come and meet him. She should be back in a day or two.
Er Ya has disappeared without a trace; currently, only Lao San's family's peach blossoms remain at home.
Shi Xiucai's plan to select people was futile.
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