Yu shi pulled Song Mingyue into her embrace, stroking her long hair, and sighed, "Who did you get this temper from? Isn't it from your father? You never want to think things through..."
"Why do I hear you talking about me?" Song Zhili walked in, taking out a paper packet from his embrace and handing it to Song Mingyue.
Upon opening it, a faint fruity scent wafted out; it was dried apricots. Song Mingyue picked up a piece and put it into Yu shi's mouth, "Yes, my mother says my temper is just like yours."
"What's wrong with taking after me? People with simple minds have fewer worries," Song Zhili said with a grin.
Yu shi shot him a glare, "You have fewer worries, but what about me? I'm running around like a spinning top all day, it's exhausting."
Song Zhili smiled ingratiatingly, "Isn't it because my wife is capable? Come, come, let me give you a massage. You rest for a while."
Yu shi snorted, "What do you think about this marriage proposal with Mingyue's aunt's family?"
"Eldest sister-in-law has always treated Mingyue well, and Yusheng is also a good lad. I hear many families are interested in the Ge family," Song Zhili said. "It seems like a good choice. However, wife, you know Mingyue's temperament best. I'm just afraid that when she was a niece, she seemed perfect in every way. But if she becomes a daughter-in-law, your eldest sister might not be as pleased with Mingyue. Your eldest sister raised Yusheng with such hardship and made him so successful; she probably wants a capable daughter-in-law to help out with the family?"
Yu shi hadn't expected Song Zhili to say something like this. It was a well-reasoned statement, something that could only be said after seriously considering their daughter's well-being.
"Then why didn't you refuse when this was first discussed?"
"You're so smart, you'll surely figure it out."
Yu shi gave him another glare, "Don't flatter me. Whether this matter works out or not, I need to think carefully. As you said, Yusheng is a good young man, and many families are interested. Besides, our Mingyue is not bad either. Although my elder sister has a few more demands, she is Mingyue's maternal aunt. Even if their status changes, for our sake, she will surely be tolerant of Mingyue. And there's no rush with this matter; it was agreed that the families would formally discuss it only after Yusheng passes the provincial examination."
"I'll listen to you. Mingyue is your darling, you wouldn't do anything to harm her, would you?" Song Zhili agreed.
Yu shi flicked Song Zhili's forehead, "Alright, alright, I know what I'm doing."
Song Mingyue watched her parents leave the room one after another, feeling uneasy. If what Zhenzhen had said about marriage didn't happen, she would still be willing to marry her cousin, after all, her cousin treated her well and was recognized by everyone as someone who would be successful in the future. But if it was as Zhenzhen described, Song Mingyue certainly didn't want to make things difficult for herself.
The next morning, Song Mingyue went to find Qi Zhenzhen without even eating breakfast.
"So why are you looking so glum? Your mother hasn't completely shut down the idea. Look, you're thirteen this year, and you still have two years until you come of age. Perhaps in these two years, you can successfully win over your aunt? What I said earlier was just to give your mother a reminder," Qi Zhenzhen said while busy cooking.
"That's true. I'll take it one step at a time. My father is right, I'm my mother's darling, she wouldn't harm me, would she?" Song Mingyue grinned again.
Since she was here and hadn't eaten, she naturally had to stay for a meal.
At the end of the first lunar month, Lin Ruixue, after her miscarriage, had completed her confinement. Old Madam Lin insisted on not staying at the Qi family's anymore and returned with her two sons.
Confined indoors for the entire first month, Lin Ruixue was well-fed and cared for. She had become a bit plumper and her complexion had improved considerably. Qi Zhenzhen specifically invited Doctor Mo, who, after examining her pulse, declared her recovery to be good and advised her to drink more soups and broths in the future.
"Zhenzhen, I plan to go to the county town tomorrow."
Lin Ruixue was eager to get busy. Being cooped up at home for this month had made her quite unaccustomed to it. Moreover, the academy in the county town would officially start classes on the sixth day of the second lunar month, and she needed to take the two children to get familiar with it.
"Alright, then let's pack up and go together," Qi Zhenzhen thought. Opening a shop was not an easy task. Since they were partners, the beginning was always the hardest. She couldn't not be there. Moreover, the most important thing was Yi Ge'er's studies; she had to check on it.
Qi Zhenzhen informed Yu shi that during her days in the county town, she would ask Yu shi and Song Mingyue to stay at the Qi family's for company and assistance.
Xinghua Village was one hundred and sixty li from the county town, and the carriage would take a full day to travel.
A stack of flatbreads, a jar of kimchi, a small jar of braised meat, four pairs of chopsticks, and sweet bean feed for their horse.
Everything was ready. Before dawn, amidst Yun shi's reluctant gaze, the group set off. Fortunately, they only needed to follow the official road, which was simple and in good condition. Before dusk, the group arrived at the city gate.
"Quick, quick, the city gate is about to close. If you dawdle any longer, you'll have to spend the night outside the city," a yamen shouted. "Someone in the carriage needs to get out. Show your travel permits."
Lin Ruixue and the two younger ones alighted from the carriage. Qi Zhenzhen handed the travel permit issued by the village to the yamen, along with a small piece of silver.
The yamen, clearly accustomed to this, squeezed the silver with satisfaction and a cordial smile appeared on his face, "You look unfamiliar. Is this your first time in the county town? Are you visiting relatives or here on business? If it's business, then stay at Hao Zai Lai. The prices are fair, honest dealing, and it's convenient for dining. Hao Zai Lai's first floor is the dining area."
Qi Zhenzhen replied with a smile, "Thank you, yamen elder brother. We are visiting relatives."
The yamen waved his hand, "Hurry and enter the city."
After they had moved a distance away, Lin Ruixue smiled and said, "This yamen is quite enthusiastic."
"Either Hao Zai Lai is their inn, or they get a commission for introducing us there," Qi Zhenzhen chuckled.
Lin Ruixue was a little surprised, "It can be like that?"
"To us, yamen seem very prestigious, but in reality, their annual salary is only six taels of silver. In the countryside, this amount of money is not small; it's enough to support a large family. But this is in the county town, where food and drink cost money, and even firewood has to be bought. What can six taels of silver do? So, most yamen find other ways to earn money. Of course, these are usually harmless ways; they generally don't do anything illegal," Qi Zhenzhen explained. She had heard these things from Song Mingyue. It was like her cousin-in-law; he seemed imposing as a constable, but in reality, his annual salary was only ten taels of silver, which wasn't enough to support a family. Wen Cen's family also owned two shops.