"Mother, we’ve received word from Brother Wang. He wants Teacher to invite the matchmaker over tomorrow to propose marriage for elder sister!" Ye Shiqi let go of her mother, her face brimming with a smile.
Ye Fengqi, not annoyed at being outpaced by her younger sister, ran out to call a few elder sisters into their mother’s room.
"Is that true?" Mrs. Li was very satisfied with Zhong Xingwang as a son-in-law, but she was a bit worried; her daughter was marrying into a wealthy family so far away, she wondered if she would be mistreated there.
As a woman, marriage was the only way out, and marrying anyone could present such difficulties. As a mother, she hoped her daughter would not experience bitterness before sweetness like she had, but would always live harmoniously and beautifully.
"Of course, it’s true. He received a letter from home. Also, there’s something I haven’t yet discussed with mother and father. I asked him to help us look for a house so that once we buy a property in the Capital City, we can visit elder sister at any time."
Mrs. Li was startled by her daughter’s words: "Properties in the Capital City are so expensive, can we afford it?"
"Mother, don’t worry, the income from our estate these past two years can certainly cover the purchase of a five-compound residence."
Ye Shiqi kept in her space the wealth her parents had accumulated over these two years; they had converted it all into silver notes, a sum she remembered well!
"But your sister’s dowry and many other things need to be purchased—that will require a considerable sum of money. After buying the house, we will have no liquid assets left! We might even run out of money!"
Mrs. Li’s words of concern did not diminish Ye Shiqi’s confidence in buying the house. She reassured her mother, "Elder sister’s dowry can be prepared over two months to make money. I was thinking that after elder sister’s engagement, our family can go to the Capital City to buy the house and take the opportunity to assess the situation."
Mrs. Li hesitated for a moment and could only nod. Over the years, their family had continually engaged in business, and while outsiders were unaware, they had followed their daughter’s advice to keep innovating their business scope.
Knowing that their youngest daughter had significant ambitions, her parents couldn’t hold her back; they could only shield her from hardships and do their utmost as a couple to protect their young daughter.
"Mother, did you need us for something?" Ye Luoqi and her other two younger sisters, hearing from the fourth sister that their mother wanted them, put down their work and came to their mother’s room.
"Yes, all of you sit down." Mrs. Li smiled as she looked at her daughters and then gazed quietly at Ye Luoqi. Among the five daughters, the eldest’s looks were not the most outstanding.
Yet as the eldest sister, she was very sensible and had been helping her out since she was little. Her daughter was getting married so far away; truthfully, she really couldn’t bear to let her go.
Mrs. Li thought that buying a house in the Capital City was essential; it could cover her daughter’s dowry, the house, and the shop. She would assign dowries one by one to her daughters.
She believed that her daughters, beautiful as flowers, had all married splendidly. As the maternal family, they couldn’t lag behind; they needed to provide a dowry for her daughter to hold her head high in her husband’s family.
"Mother, why are you looking at me like that?" Ye Luoqi was bashful under her mother’s gaze.
"Hehe, my big girl, you should be more composed in front of others in the future. Don’t get shy when someone looks at you. Be bolder!"
Mrs. Li was coaching her daughter, as mothers do before their daughters get married, teaching them skills.
"Mother, I understand!" Ye Luoqi seemed to sense something, her face turning red.
"Tomorrow, Young Master Zhong will send someone to propose marriage, so get ready."
When Mrs. Li mentioned preparation, she didn’t mean just dressing up prettily. As a farmer’s daughter, her greatest skill was her cooking, so she instructed her daughter to prepare tomorrow’s meal.
Though there were cooks in the kitchen, she didn’t have to make every dish herself. However, the pairing and style of each dish must be listed first.
Then personally make a few small dishes to entertain the guests, that was what she instructed her daughter to prepare.
"Yes, Mother, I understand." Ye Luoqi immediately understood and discussed the menu with her younger sisters, then wrote it down and handed it to the farm’s Young Uncle to manage.
Mrs. Li had someone clean the house, making it a bit more elegant, as the guest was well acquainted and had been to their home many times. Basic courtesy was still necessary.
Aunt Lai... What is this all about? Could it be that guests were visiting? She found a little maid to inquire; the little maid knew nothing.
After a serious illness, Mrs. Lai’s spirit was not as good as before, although her mouth was no longer crooked and she no longer drooled. With support, she could now walk slowly.
After all, she had suffered a severe illness, her body was weaker; she lost interest in scheming and seemed to be showing signs of senile dementia, having forgotten many things.
Li Zhihao at the farm received the menu from the workers and smiled happily, instructing the workers to prepare meat and vegetables early the next day, all fresh.
Upon learning that the owner was hosting a banquet tomorrow, though it was only two or three tables, the workers felt sure that there must be a joyous event in the owner’s family, thinking they were celebrating to bring happiness.