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Old Lady Ji’s favorite grandson, Ji Xuan, wanted to talk about marrying someone else. The woman was the daughter of a teacher in the academy in town, named Li Rulan. Both pretty and intelligent and demure. She has read poetry and books from her father since she was young. Her temperament was outstanding as well. This Li Rulan was a strange woman. It was said that Ji Xuan met her by the Jade Wave Lake outside the town. He went with his classmates one time and happened to meet her. In the face of the students who came out to play, Li Rulan was neither arrogant nor humble. She used her own strengths to join the group of men along with her maid.
Unlike ordinary women, she was familiar with poetry and books and could write. Her father often lamented that his daughter wasn’t a man. If she were a man with good knowledge, he would definitely gain fame and power. Her father’s words sunk into Li Rulan’s heart, and she also became conceited and ambitious. She was proud.
She hated herself for being a woman and could only cry about it. That time at Jade Wave Lake when she met Ji Xuan and the group of academy students, it was because the weather was getting cold and the cold wind was blowing, but Li Rulan had sneaked out of the house. She met these strange men, and the group of scholars, seeing that she was a beautiful woman, all pursued her. They praised her endlessly, flattering her until she had become the world’s most talented woman in their mouths. Li Rulan was extremely happy. Mixed with this group of men, she felt like a fish in water, very happy. This was the time she felt the most alive.
A woman who wasn’t married, flying around like a flower among men would ruin her reputation. But she thought it was unique. She thought it was unusual. And she was flattered as the most talented women in both ancient and modern times. But in the eyes of others, she was just a piece of meat that was sent to their door for free. Not eating it would be a waste. Everyone played with her and applauded her like she was a pet.
“I touched her hand and wrote some words.” “I hugged her waist. I wonder how it would feel to push her under me…” “…” The inferior nature of men was endless. There were several male students who endlessly flattered her on the surface, but in private, they judged her body in between their words. They regarded her as a wanton woman.
The news spread, and rumors flew everywhere.
The words of the students were heard by Mr. Li Yicheng, who was her father. He hated that he wasn’t strict enough and that his family education style wasn’t right and raised such an unruly child. Rumors slowly became true, and reputations were on the line. He heard his neighbor spreading rumors saying that his daughter was easy and could be tricked into bed with just a few sweet words.
Laying in bed with Li Rulan’s mother, Li Yicheng sighed about his daughter. Li Rulan, who was smart, didn’t regret it at all. So his father could only find a matchmaker to marry his daughter off. If they kept putting it off for a few more years, then who would marry her? After choosing, they chose Ji Xuan.
In the past, Li Yicheng would never have married his daughter to Ji Xuan, who wasn’t wealthy. He had to at least be an excellent student with great talent. As for Ji Xuan…since he was the teacher at the academy, could he not know of his potential? He originally wanted Du Feibai, who had a good family background and handsome appearance. But with her daughter’s current reputation, good people would only look down on her. After searching high and low, he could only pick Ji Xuan.
Ji Xuan’s family background was clear, and the children from peasant families were easy to handle. He was also a student of the academy, and his appearance was excellent. As for his knowledge, he could barely get by, but at least he could use those flowery words to please Li Rulan. Li Rulan was also satisfied when she learned about this marriage. After she married, her parents couldn’t control her. She could also mix with those men and be her own “talented woman”, chanting poems with her husband, adding perfume to her red sleeves. So comfortable.
The Li family was satisfied with this arrangement, but what about the Ji family?
Ji Xuan told the family about him becoming the son-in-law of the Li family, and his entire family was overjoyed, especially Old Lady Ji. Her waist didn’t hurt anymore. Her legs didn’t hurt anymore. The eight tales of silver she lost before were also all forgotten about. She was overjoyed. The wrinkles in the corner of her eyes became more intense. The age spots on her cheeks emitted a strange color.
Her good grandson, Ji Xuan, was the best in the family. The other three grandsons, Ji Shu, Ji Ya, and Ji Qian were not even as good as his finger.
Old Lady Ji gave birth to three boys in her lifetime. She was proud of this fact. The Eldest Ji was the most filial, but she disliked him the most. He couldn’t talk and it was like talking to an invisible person. His wife also gave birth to two shuang’er, making her lose face. Old Lady Ji looked down on Eldest Ji’s family the most.
Although Second Ji, Ji Youjin obeyed her, his wife, Liu Yufeng, was very stingy and mean and dared to hide private money right under her nose. Old Lady Ji hated this daughter-in-law the most. She gave birth to two sons, Ji Ya and Ji Shu, but neither of them were good. At least Eldest Ji’s three children looked good.
And the Third Ji, Ji Youyin, had been Old Lady Ji’s treasure since he was born. The third child gave Old Lady Ji a good reputation by giving birth to three boys in a row. The people in the village praise her for her good fortune whenever they talk about her. In the envious eyes of others, Old Lady Ji was very satisfied. Because of this, she became even more preferential towards boys. If one couldn’t give birth to sons, then they couldn’t compare to her. If they gave birth to less sons than her, then they still couldn’t compare.
She loved her third son and everything about his family. Her grandson Ji Xuan was also her favorite. Ji Youyin grew up under Old Lady Ji’s doting and had never been scolded before. He was closer to Old Lady Ji, though. Eldest Ji and Second Ji never dared say anything, but he could say whatever he wanted. Like father, like son. Ji Xuan was deeply loved by Old Lady Ji.
Ji Xuan’s marriage swept away all the bad luck the Ji family had recently. Old Lady Ji hugged her good grandson and baby Ji Xuan and said, “You are the lucky star of the Ji family. You are my whole heart.”
In Third Ji’s house, a group of people from the third family gathered around to talk. Ji Youyin’s wife, Liu Li, said, “For Xuan’Er to be able to find such a good marriage match, I’m very happy as his mother… Xiao-Ru, let’s go to the county town to buy a few pieces of cloth to make new clothes for the family. We can buy red cloth to make wedding clothes too.”
Ji Xuan’s sister, Ji Ru, was very happy when she heard her mother’s words. Her brother’s affairs brought honor to her, as the sister. Her brother was marrying a wife from the town. Her family would move to the town too…Going to the town…She would be able to see her dream lover, Duji Cloth Shop. Duji Cloth Shop was the son of the boss of Duji Cloth Shop from the county town. Since her mother said they were going to buy cloth…hehe, she might be able to see him. “Okay, okay! Mother, when are we going!!!! I really want to see Young master Du…”
Ji Xuan tsked at her and looked at his sister with disgust in his eyes. Even on such a cold day, he found a white paper fan and pretended to fan himself, thinking he looked very chic. “As a girl, are you not ashamed? It’s embarrassing to have a sister like you! What do you mean young master Du? He already has someone in his heart, how could he like someone like you?”
Ji Ru jumped up from the stool and rushed to Ji Xuan, making her braids bounce on her head. “Does he have someone he likes? Who? Ge, tell me quickly. Mother, look, it’s all my brother’s fault. He’s delaying my marriage. How can I have such a brother? Mother, you should scold him. If he was willing to introduce me to young master Du, I would have married him a long time ago. His family runs the cloth shop in town. Mother, don’t you want your daughter to marry a rich husband?”
Ji Ru angrily stomped her feed, turned to take Liu Li’s hand to act coquettish. Liu Li had no choice but to say to her son, “You already found yourself a wife, so just help your sister. That young master Du, does he really have someone in his heart?”
“I’m not too sure, but according to my classmate, he does.”
“What others say might not necessarily be true. I don’t believe it. Ge, you have to help me get close to him.”
“Let’s talk about it after I get married. When the time comes and we go to the county town, you can do whatever you want.”
Ji Ru waved her hands, as if she was seeing her future as Mrs. Du. “Where’s the mirror? I want to look in the mirror!!”
“Mother, how much silver does our family have?” Li Rulan was the daughter of an academy teacher. He couldn’t wrong the other party. Ji Xuan wanted to save face too, so he needed to marry his wife in a beautiful way.
“Don’t worry. If we don’t have enough, we still have your grandmother.” In any case, her son must marry a wife from town.
No matter what, her grandson must marry this wife, Old Lady Ji thought in her heart. She took inventory of her books. Her grandson would have to spend a lot of money to get married and needed to move to the county town. It would be expensive. She would have to take out so much money at once, which was like cutting off a piece of her flesh. Old Lady Ji frowned. Liu Li, who was on the side, saw her hesitate and coaxed the old lady. “Xuan’Er is getting married, which is a good thing. You have always loved him…When the time comes, we’ll move to the county town together. Mother, you will also go with us. Don’t worry, you will follow us to enjoy blessings…”
Follow Third Ji to the county town. This Ji family…was splitting up? Old Lady Ji was confused. Liu Li had no choice but to go another route. “In a few years, you’ll have a great-grandson.”
While Old Lady Ji was hesitating, another good thing befell the Ji family, but this good thing could not be considered good for the Old Lady Ji’s entire family. It could be said as a bolt from the blue.
A middle-aged Shuang’er, who looked like a matchmaker, came to their house, congratulating them for their good news. He had big lips coated red in rouge and a big chicken butt. He spoke loudly to Old Lady Ji. To sum up his words, it was: There was a rich family who would buy Ger Yu for 40 taels of silver as a child bride.
