“This is absolutely not possible!” Old Man Yun’s face darkened as he flatly refused.
His words left Madam Huang extremely embarrassed.
She hadn’t expected the Yun family to reject such a wonderful opportunity.
Who was Prefect Chen? He was a high-ranking official of the fourth rank.
If Yun Jinshan were to join the Chen family, it would be an immense fortune for him. What more could he possibly want?
With the connections Prefect Chen had accumulated over the years, even if Yun Jinshan were undeserving, this relationship would have paved his way.
Who would dare to look down upon the Yun family in the future?
Prefect Qin exchanged a glance with Madam Xue, their faces subtly showing a hint of smugness…
That Prefect’s wife was also asking for trouble. How would anyone feel when you casually suggested their grandson become a live-in son-in-law?
Prefect Qin, on the other hand, wanted to marry Yiyi into the Yun family with great fanfare.
She wouldn’t have to be a live-in daughter-in-law, nor would she have to curry favor with others.
“Um… um, Brother Yun, why don’t you reconsider? Our Chen family has been in officialdom for generations. Even if Jinshan can’t pass the imperial examinations, my husband will arrange a position for him.”
Madam Huang still held onto a sliver of hope.
What was wrong with the Yun family?
Where was her daughter lacking?
If it were an ordinary family facing such a situation, wouldn’t they be kneeling and kowtowing a hundred times in gratitude?
“Stop talking. There is no room for negotiation on this matter!” Old Man Yun frowned, his attitude extremely firm.
Madam Gu knew very well why he was angry.
Back when Sanman was a live-in son-in-law in the Gao family, he had been so furious he almost hanged himself.
Things were slightly better after they fled to Dashui Village.
In the past, in Feiyan Village, everyone in the village knew how hard the old Yun family had to struggle.
Only by having their son become a live-in son-in-law could the family have food to eat…
Although Old Man Yun had forgiven Sanman now, he still couldn’t get over that hurdle in his heart.
Madam Gu sighed softly and looked at Madam Huang, “Madam, please don’t mention this matter again. Jinshan and Xiaoran are indeed not suitable…”
Forcing a marriage would never end well.
Madam Huang felt a pang of indignation.
It was one thing for the Yun family to reject her, but why were they giving her dirty looks?
Especially that old man Yun, his brows were furrowed so deeply they could trap flies.
What had she done to provoke him?
However, in front of Xiao Xitian, she dared not fly into a rage and curse.
The Yun family was now a prestigious household officially recognized by the emperor’s decree. This was clearly no longer an ordinary farming family…
Madam Huang glanced at Prefect Qin and Madam Xue, suppressed her inner displeasure, and said, “You two continue your efforts. I shall take my leave now!”
She left the Yun family’s gate dejectedly, found Chen Xiaoran, and returned to the county town by carriage.
After breakfast, Daman and Erman took Jinshan to work by the lake, while Old Man Yun continued to water the fields.
The irrigation channel had already been dug, and the framework for the waterwheel had been built. It was currently in the debugging phase.
When they arrived, they lent a hand, moving wood and such.
Madam Gu stayed at home, accompanying Prefect Qin and his wife for tea and conversation.
“Sister Gu, what do you think of my Yiyi?” Madam Xue asked with a smile.
Her words were quite telling.
Madam Xue wanted to betroth Qin Yiyi to Yun Jinshan.
Madam Gu: “……”
Good heavens, they had just sent one away, and another one was already eyeing her grandson.
“Yiyi is a very sensible child. Her handwriting is especially neat and upright; it’s evident she has practiced diligently!”
Madam Gu had a particular fondness for children with good handwriting.
Except for Liu Cuirong who was illiterate, everyone else in the family wrote quite beautifully.
Madam Xue’s eyes lit up. It seemed this matter had potential.
“Then, if Sister Gu doesn’t object, how about we arrange an engagement for Yiyi and Jinshan?”
“From now on, our two families will be on good terms for generations, sharing fortune and facing adversity together. It would be a marriage of close ties…”
Madam Xue said with a smile.
Prefect Qin also nodded, “Yes, Yiyi has been smart and diligent since childhood. When she marries into your family, she can handle any task!”
Madam Gu twitched her lips upon hearing this, “If I recall correctly, Yiyi is only seven years old this year, right?”
“Jinshan is already thirteen. A six-year age gap is quite unsuitable, isn’t it?”
These two were far too eager.
With their status, what kind of excellent son-in-law couldn’t they find?
Yet, they were setting their sights on a child from a farming family.
It wasn’t that Madam Gu looked down on her grandson, but when it came to matters of affection, it was better to be cautious…
If the age difference was one or two years, she wouldn’t say anything, but a six-year gap was clearly too large.
Madam Xue smiled faintly and patted Madam Gu’s hand, “Sister Gu, haven’t you noticed? Yiyi really likes your Jinshan!”
“When young people are attracted to each other, it shows they trust each other!”
“Why don’t we fulfill their wishes and bring them together!”
Madam Gu glanced towards the door and saw Qin Yiyi carrying a teapot, walking out to deliver water to Yun Jinshan…
“Madam, don’t rush, don’t rush,” Madam Gu replied vaguely.
She couldn’t just haphazardly arrange an engagement for her grandson.
This matter still needed to be discussed with her husband before a decision could be made.
Madam Xue’s smile deepened, “Alright, we will await Sister Gu’s good news.”
The plaque above the Yun family’s gate attracted many onlookers.
Even people from the neighboring Xinwang Village ambled over, standing in front of the gate to have a look.
Every morning, whenever Jinhuaihua opened the main door, several beggars would be waiting outside, holding out their worn bowls for alms.
As a prestigious household, they should indeed be helping the common people and opening their granaries.
Otherwise, how could they live up to the four characters personally bestowed by the emperor?
The Yun family had always treated beggars kindly.
Madam Gu’s principle was: no money, but some food could be provided…
Fortunately, these beggars were not lazy and would move on. They visited every village, and only returned after three to five months.
Ten days later, the waterwheel was finally completed.
It stood by the side of Gou Gou Lake, rotating day and night.
It channeled water into the riverbed, irrigating the long-parched seedlings.
The waterwheel saved all the farmland in Dashui Village. For the sake of caution, the village chief assigned two villagers to guard the waterwheel every night.
They were afraid that people from other villages might come to sabotage it.
The farm work was no longer as strenuous, and the Yun family’s tense nerves also relaxed…
Prefect Qin, having completed the task of building the waterwheel, bid farewell to the Yun family and Xiao Jinheng, and returned to Shuohan City with his family.
“Jinshan, don’t dawdle. Today you’re going to see the teacher, not the executioner!”
Yun Erman grabbed Yun Jinshan’s arm and shoved him towards the carriage.
This boy was already eleven years old; it would be too late if he didn’t start schooling.
“Dad, I don’t want to go to the academy.” Yun Jinshan pouted his lips high.
His elder brother’s schooling alone cost over a tael of silver in tuition each month.
With him added, the family would be even tighter on funds.
“How can you not go? Do you want to spend your entire life digging for food in the fields?”
Yun Erman cursed him and picked up his whip, “If you don’t study properly, I’ll whip your backside until it’s bruised!”
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiaobao clapped his hands, “Brother’s butt is going to get spanked, la la la!”
Yun Jinshan glared at him, “You little brat, what are you so pleased about? When you turn five, Grandma will send you to elementary school.”
“Elementary school is fine, I’m willing!” Yun Xiaobao stuck out his tongue at him and toddled off to play with his little aunt.
Yun Erman flicked his whip, and the carriage slowly drove out of the courtyard, heading towards the county town…