Li Shi was happy in her heart. If she hadn’t remembered her mother-in-law’s advice, she would have been carried away. She told herself over and over in her heart that I can hold on, I can hold on. “Shěnzi.”
Zhao Shi acted as the sǎozi’s shadow and hurridly called Lin shi, “Shěnzi.”
Lin Shi glanced at Zhao Shi a few more times. According to experience, the lower the profile, the lower the sense of presence. Such people were the people with the deepest thoughts. Looking at Yang Shi from the corner of her eye, she really couldn’t believe it. The news she got was that Li Shi was stupid and Zhao Shi was timid and weak. Only when she saw them with her own eyes did she realize how wrong the information she got was!
Zhulan had been paying attention to Lin Shi, and it was clear from her reaction that she thought the information she gathered was wrong.
Zhulan knew in her heart that even though Li Shi and Zhao Shi had changed a lot in one year, the better they lived, the more jealous the young wives in the village became. In addition, Zhulan became the wife of a xiucai, and their pair of mother-in-law and daughters-in-law increased the hatred of the women in the village. When people inquire, they naturally tell the worst side. It was not the fault of Lin Shi’s misinformation. Lin Shi just misjudges the dark side of people’s hearts.
Then came Lin Shi’s gifts. Xuehan got a silver bracelet, her sūnnǚs got silver locks, and the sūnzi got pens and ink. There were also unopened gifts prepared by the County Magistrate to give to Zhulan’s sons.
Zhulan also prepared a meeting gift for Chuchu, a pair of silver bracelets with hollowed patterns, adorned with emeralds. The highlight was the green gemstones, Chuchu’s favorite color. Though not excessively valuable, the gift was full of thoughtfulness.
Lin Shi was very satisfied, and Dong Chuchu also liked it very much.
Because the guests were female family members, the Boss Zhou and the Second Zhou went out after greeting them.
As for Zhou Shuren, he went to the county early in the morning. These days, the County Magistrate has been giving Zhou Shuren some guidance on his literary studies. He went to the county every day. After all, it was a visit from the female family members, so it was not appropriate for Zhou Shuren to stay.
There was a carriage parked in front of Zhou’s house, and many gifts were carried in. People were wandering around the door all morning. If they hadn’t found out that it was the County Magistrate’s wife, someone would have come in long ago.
People were afraid of officials, especially in ancient times. No matter how curious they were, they didn’t dare come to the door.
Zhulan and Lin Shi chatted, and Xuehan took Chuchu back to the house. Even though it was their second meeting, they were no strangers at all.
Lin Shi waited for the children to leave and said with a smile: “I heard that my dìmèi is learning painting?”
Zhulan was silent. This news could only be revealed by Zhou Shuren, so she said with a smile, “I’m all figuring it out myself. Studying doesn’t count, just thinking about learning more is good.”
Lin Shi smiled, “Can you show it to your sǎozi?”
Zhulan was happy, she needed guidance, “Okay.”
After that, Zhulan took out the paintings she had done. She discovered her innate talent for painting, developing a new skill. Zhulan painted continuously for several days, but later, due to household busyness, she had to stop.
Zhulan revealed the paintings, which were of fish. She seemed a bit embarrassed and said, “They’re not well done.”
Lin Shi took them and looked through them. Since she was a beginner learning on her own, the paintings lacked some spirit, but the fish were quite recognizable. “It’s already quite good. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t believe my dìmèi is a beginner.”
Zhulan felt guilty. She, a beginner, had seen her grandpa paint a lot. Even if she didn’t learn, she still remembered how to draw. “It can impress my sǎozi, it seems that I have some talent.”
Lin Shi smiled and nodded, “You do have talent.”
That’s great. The more talents Yang Shi has, the less likely she’ll lose face when going out in the future. If the two families truly become one, she won’t be afraid of being implicated and losing face either.
She knew how much the official’s wives liked comparisons, especially since the official’s wives came from prominent families. They loved hosting tea parties and art appreciation banquets. They particularly enjoyed inviting wives from rural backgrounds to showcase their own versatility and elegance. Lin Shi had experienced quite a few setbacks in such situations, which was why she determinedly decided to learn.
Lin Shi thought to herself that her husband couldn’t estimate whether Zhou Shuren could pass the imperial examination, but in the next provincial exam, as long as Zhou Shuren’s luck wasn’t bad, passing the exam to become a Juren shouldn’t be a problem. With this thought, the smile on her face became even more genuine. Marrying her daughter into a family with a Juren wasn’t considered a hardship. Even if he didn’t pass the imperial examination, in the future, with her husband’s help, the Zhou family could still secure an official position. The more they relied on them, the more comfortable her daughter’s life would be.
Lin Shi became more friendly and more attentive in giving guidance to Zhulan, and Zhulan benefited a lot.
At noon, when the meal was ready, the few boys who went to school came back to eat. Lin Shi also saw them. Chang Lian, who was fifteen, had grown taller. According to modern standards, he was almost 1.7 meters, catching up to Zhou Shuren. With his features opening up, he looked quite good. He was dressed neatly and cleanly, the type that girls would like.
Chang Zhi was a little taller at the age of twelve, but because his facial features were not open and he had some baby fat, he looked a little younger.
Rong Chuan had become fair-skinned, but he was still thin and weak. Due to severe malnutrition, even after six months of nutritional supplements, the deficiency wasn’t completely compensated for. His height hadn’t increased much, despite being eleven years old, he looked like he was eight or nine.
Comparing the three boys, come on, Chang Lian stood out the most.
After Lin Shi asked each of them some questions, Zhulan asked the three boys to go out for dinner.
Lunch was divided into two tables. Zhulan intended to eat separately, but Lin Shi made a decision to show her daughter, so she stopped Zhulan and ate with others in the main hall.
Ever since Chuchu inquired about her two brothers, Xuehan had a clear understanding of the purpose of the sudden visit from the Dong family. While surprised, she was also curious. Thinking about her two brothers, she leaned more toward her younger eldest brother. She felt that the Third brother wasn’t suitable for Chuchu. Chuchu was straightforward, while Chang Lian had too many thoughts.
Zhulan looked at Dong Chuchu from the corner of her eye. The little girl was very measured. After a few glances, she started to eat. She didn’t show it on her face. She didn’t notice anything. This girl was straightforward but very confident in her heart. She was very satisfied with Dong Chuchu. According to her standards for finding a daughter-in-law, she indeed preferred Dong Chuchu.
Chang Lian and Chang Zhi were even less aware of it. They didn’t know the purpose of Madam Dong’s visit. They just thought that their father was really powerful and their family had a good relationship with the County Magistrate’s family!
The main reason was that the gap was so big that even Chang Lian dared not to think too much about it.
This was also the reason why Lin Shi dared to bring her daughter here. The Zhou family did not dare to say anything. To outsiders, the gap seemed huge, and they had never told them clearly. Who knew what they were here for?
In the afternoon, Zhulan sent Lin Shi and Chuchu away, thinking that when Zhou Shuren came back in the evening, she would know whether there would be a follow-up.
(End of this chapter)
Li Shi was happy in her heart. If she hadn’t remembered her mother-in-law’s advice, she would have been carried away. She told herself over and over in her heart that I can hold on, I can hold on. “Shěnzi.”
Zhao Shi acted as the sǎozi’s shadow and hurridly called Lin shi, “Shěnzi.”
Lin Shi glanced at Zhao Shi a few more times. According to experience, the lower the profile, the lower the sense of presence. Such people were the people with the deepest thoughts. Looking at Yang Shi from the corner of her eye, she really couldn’t believe it. The news she got was that Li Shi was stupid and Zhao Shi was timid and weak. Only when she saw them with her own eyes did she realize how wrong the information she got was!
Zhulan had been paying attention to Lin Shi, and it was clear from her reaction that she thought the information she gathered was wrong.
Zhulan knew in her heart that even though Li Shi and Zhao Shi had changed a lot in one year, the better they lived, the more jealous the young wives in the village became. In addition, Zhulan became the wife of a xiucai, and their pair of mother-in-law and daughters-in-law increased the hatred of the women in the village. When people inquire, they naturally tell the worst side. It was not the fault of Lin Shi’s misinformation. Lin Shi just misjudges the dark side of people’s hearts.
Then came Lin Shi’s gifts. Xuehan got a silver bracelet, her sūnnǚs got silver locks, and the sūnzi got pens and ink. There were also unopened gifts prepared by the County Magistrate to give to Zhulan’s sons.
Zhulan also prepared a meeting gift for Chuchu, a pair of silver bracelets with hollowed patterns, adorned with emeralds. The highlight was the green gemstones, Chuchu’s favorite color. Though not excessively valuable, the gift was full of thoughtfulness.
Lin Shi was very satisfied, and Dong Chuchu also liked it very much.
Because the guests were female family members, the Boss Zhou and the Second Zhou went out after greeting them.
As for Zhou Shuren, he went to the county early in the morning. These days, the County Magistrate has been giving Zhou Shuren some guidance on his literary studies. He went to the county every day. After all, it was a visit from the female family members, so it was not appropriate for Zhou Shuren to stay.
There was a carriage parked in front of Zhou’s house, and many gifts were carried in. People were wandering around the door all morning. If they hadn’t found out that it was the County Magistrate’s wife, someone would have come in long ago.
People were afraid of officials, especially in ancient times. No matter how curious they were, they didn’t dare come to the door.
Zhulan and Lin Shi chatted, and Xuehan took Chuchu back to the house. Even though it was their second meeting, they were no strangers at all.
Lin Shi waited for the children to leave and said with a smile: “I heard that my dìmèi is learning painting?”
Zhulan was silent. This news could only be revealed by Zhou Shuren, so she said with a smile, “I’m all figuring it out myself. Studying doesn’t count, just thinking about learning more is good.”
Lin Shi smiled, “Can you show it to your sǎozi?”
Zhulan was happy, she needed guidance, “Okay.”
After that, Zhulan took out the paintings she had done. She discovered her innate talent for painting, developing a new skill. Zhulan painted continuously for several days, but later, due to household busyness, she had to stop.
Zhulan revealed the paintings, which were of fish. She seemed a bit embarrassed and said, “They’re not well done.”
Lin Shi took them and looked through them. Since she was a beginner learning on her own, the paintings lacked some spirit, but the fish were quite recognizable. “It’s already quite good. If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t believe my dìmèi is a beginner.”
Zhulan felt guilty. She, a beginner, had seen her grandpa paint a lot. Even if she didn’t learn, she still remembered how to draw. “It can impress my sǎozi, it seems that I have some talent.”
Lin Shi smiled and nodded, “You do have talent.”
That’s great. The more talents Yang Shi has, the less likely she’ll lose face when going out in the future. If the two families truly become one, she won’t be afraid of being implicated and losing face either.
She knew how much the official’s wives liked comparisons, especially since the official’s wives came from prominent families. They loved hosting tea parties and art appreciation banquets. They particularly enjoyed inviting wives from rural backgrounds to showcase their own versatility and elegance. Lin Shi had experienced quite a few setbacks in such situations, which was why she determinedly decided to learn.
Lin Shi thought to herself that her husband couldn’t estimate whether Zhou Shuren could pass the imperial examination, but in the next provincial exam, as long as Zhou Shuren’s luck wasn’t bad, passing the exam to become a Juren shouldn’t be a problem. With this thought, the smile on her face became even more genuine. Marrying her daughter into a family with a Juren wasn’t considered a hardship. Even if he didn’t pass the imperial examination, in the future, with her husband’s help, the Zhou family could still secure an official position. The more they relied on them, the more comfortable her daughter’s life would be.
Lin Shi became more friendly and more attentive in giving guidance to Zhulan, and Zhulan benefited a lot.
At noon, when the meal was ready, the few boys who went to school came back to eat. Lin Shi also saw them. Chang Lian, who was fifteen, had grown taller. According to modern standards, he was almost 1.7 meters, catching up to Zhou Shuren. With his features opening up, he looked quite good. He was dressed neatly and cleanly, the type that girls would like.
Chang Zhi was a little taller at the age of twelve, but because his facial features were not open and he had some baby fat, he looked a little younger.
Rong Chuan had become fair-skinned, but he was still thin and weak. Due to severe malnutrition, even after six months of nutritional supplements, the deficiency wasn’t completely compensated for. His height hadn’t increased much, despite being eleven years old, he looked like he was eight or nine.
Comparing the three boys, come on, Chang Lian stood out the most.
After Lin Shi asked each of them some questions, Zhulan asked the three boys to go out for dinner.
Lunch was divided into two tables. Zhulan intended to eat separately, but Lin Shi made a decision to show her daughter, so she stopped Zhulan and ate with others in the main hall.
Ever since Chuchu inquired about her two brothers, Xuehan had a clear understanding of the purpose of the sudden visit from the Dong family. While surprised, she was also curious. Thinking about her two brothers, she leaned more toward her younger eldest brother. She felt that the Third brother wasn’t suitable for Chuchu. Chuchu was straightforward, while Chang Lian had too many thoughts.
Zhulan looked at Dong Chuchu from the corner of her eye. The little girl was very measured. After a few glances, she started to eat. She didn’t show it on her face. She didn’t notice anything. This girl was straightforward but very confident in her heart. She was very satisfied with Dong Chuchu. According to her standards for finding a daughter-in-law, she indeed preferred Dong Chuchu.
Chang Lian and Chang Zhi were even less aware of it. They didn’t know the purpose of Madam Dong’s visit. They just thought that their father was really powerful and their family had a good relationship with the County Magistrate’s family!
The main reason was that the gap was so big that even Chang Lian dared not to think too much about it.
This was also the reason why Lin Shi dared to bring her daughter here. The Zhou family did not dare to say anything. To outsiders, the gap seemed huge, and they had never told them clearly. Who knew what they were here for?
In the afternoon, Zhulan sent Lin Shi and Chuchu away, thinking that when Zhou Shuren came back in the evening, she would know whether there would be a follow-up.
(End of this chapter)
