"Yes, someone came by early in the morning to say so," Mother Zhou replied to her father-in-law.
"Uncle Laogeng, how can your memory be so poor? Haven’t I already sent someone to inform you earlier? My family planned to come today to propose marriage. Your Sangsang, ah, she’s truly blessed. My son Liang’er hasn’t stopped thinking about Sangsang to this day. That’s why I specifically came to propose. I’ve even brought the betrothal gifts."
She smiled and gestured to the servants behind her to bring the items forward.
"Uncle Laogeng, these items are all top-quality goods. In Ya Village, one wouldn’t see such fine things in a lifetime, yet I’ve brought them for your granddaughter’s marriage proposal."
Lin Laogeng didn’t even glance at them and immediately turned his head toward his grandson, Lin Changhong.
Understanding his meaning, Lin Changhong walked briskly over, took two steps for every three, and picked up the two shabby chests that no one fancied. He strode to the outside of the courtyard and threw them with a swing of his arms.
"What... What are you doing?"
Seeing Lin Changhong’s actions, Mother Zhou’s face immediately turned awkward. After finally regaining her composure, she asked indignantly.
"Uncle Laogeng, we’re here to propose marriage. Isn’t what you’re doing inappropriate?" she asked, looking at Lin Laogeng.
If it weren’t for her son’s upcoming autum imperial examination and counting on Caisang for a prosperous sign, who would deign to grovel at the doorstep of this beggar’s abode? It would have been easier to have the lord’s residence deal with them!
And now to dare and let her lose face here, it was truly humiliating!
"Old Zhou, I’ve been considering our years of acquaintance and didn’t want to take matters too far, but this time, your Zhou family has truly gone too far. Don’t blame me for disregarding past sentiments!"
Lin Laogeng said to Elder Mr.Zhou with a cold voice.
Elder Mr.Zhou, knowing full well how excessive his actions were, wore a face full of embarrassment.
"Laogeng, I was just considering that Sangsang has been abandoned, and, well... out of pity for her, I thought to offer her a good marriage proposal? Rest assured, my son Liang’er will definitely treat Sangsang well in the future and will not let her suffer the slightest grievance," he reasoned.
For his grandson’s future, for the future of the Zhou family, he really was risking his old face.
"Elder Mr.Zhou, be careful with your words, lest you twist your tongue!" Clan Chief Lin, upon hearing his words, immediately pushed Caisang to the side and stepped forward.
"Who said Sangsang has been abandoned? Where did you hear this? Bring me that person! I must ask him how he came to know that Sangsang has been abandoned. To spread rumors all the way to Ya Village—I want to see for myself just how bold this person is!"
"Clan Chief Lin, you’re still covering for that little girl, Caisang. Who doesn’t know, she had just gotten engaged and Ya Molian ran off? This news has already spread throughout Qianlin County," chimed in Mother Zhou, looking disdainfully at Clan Chief Lin.
"At this time, for our Zhou family to step forward and offer her the status of a concubine, we’re already being more than humane. One should be content. Otherwise, if she misses out on our Zhou family, could Caisang ever marry out?
Uncle Laogeng, concerning your granddaughter, she’s been spoiled by your doting, who would dare to marry her? Only my son Liang’er, who remembers past kindness, is willing—"
"Shut your mouth!" Uncle Jin interrupted, furrowing his brows.
"With your Zhou family full of beasts, anyone who marries into your family is unlucky. And you still dare to covet our Sangsang? Keep dreaming!"