Ye Shiqi... could these ancestors really be so supportive? Were they truly not to be reappointed?
Why did they have to go so far away? And for more than thirty years at that!
Could it be that the waters were too deep?
Ye Shiqi merely sighed inwardly and, following the old man’s directions, offered incense to the ancestors on the memorial tablets from oldest to youngest.
Zhong Xingwang... He had grown up in the Capital, so how come he had never heard of these figures?
It showed how limited his perspective was, unable to keep pace with others.
Li Zhihao... to be able to offer incense to these figures was his honor!
The elderly man leading them to the Buddhist Hall mumbled some chants as he burned joss paper and presented offerings.
After half an hour had passed, with everyone patiently enduring, the elderly man finally completed the rituals and led them out of the Buddhist Hall.
Then he took them to a grand hall, asked them to sit down, and went inside to fetch a box.
As they waited, no one complained about whether tea was served or not, nor did any impatience show on their faces.
The elderly man solemnly opened the box and took out the house contract, land deed, and shop agreements.
He held these items in his hands and said, "I believe you’ve heard Mr. Zhao’s words, this house along with two shops, and a farm, are sold to you for 11,000 taels. Moreover, you must offer incense to the ancestral tablets in the Buddhist Hall during festivals and New Year’s, and you cannot dismantle the Buddhist Hall.
"Additionally, I have a condition. I’m old and have nowhere to go. I ask for no wages, but hope to stay here to watch over the house for you, even if only as a cleaner. Do you agree?"
Initially, the elderly man’s gaze was on Hongji, then shifted to his young son, and finally towards the youngest girl, having looked over many faces.
Hongji... I’ve said that this house belongs to my daughter. As her father, I shouldn’t always make decisions for her. Though she will certainly protect it when she’s older, she is very opinionated. It’s best to let my daughter decide!
The Ye family... We can’t make this decision!
Zhong Xingwang... It’s like I’ve heard nothing.
Li Zhihao... it might be his turn to step in for now, but he doesn’t have the right to speak.
Mr. Zhao... the old housekeeper is truly calculating, it seems he’s done a good deed today, perhaps bringing a relative to an old friend.
Housekeeper Zhao... this old housekeeper has found dependents at last. As a decades-long friend, I should be happy for him for finding a new master.
Ye Shiqi... how could she bear to refuse such a white-haired old man? Anyone might lend a hand to a passing stranger, let alone such a loyal housekeeper who has stayed here for his master’s sake. It would be quite good to have someone look after her home.
So she nodded and said, "Old man, it would be wonderful for you to watch my house for me, I couldn’t ask for a better person than you!"
Upon hearing the young Lady’s words, the elderly man’s eyes shone with tears of relief, then he said, "Is that true? Do the young Master and the masters not despise an old servant like me?"
Hongji... How could I despise such a figure?
"Old man, what my daughter says represents our feelings. If you agree, we would like to have you with us until the end."
Mrs. Li had been silent until now, but then she also expressed, "What my husband says speaks for our entire family!"
"Thank you, thank you young Master and Madam, young Master and Lady!"
As the old man said this, he attempted to kneel before them!
Ye Shiqi quickly reached out to support the elderly man, "Old man, we can’t accept such honor. From now on, may I call you Grandpa Ye?"
"I dare not, I dare not!" The old man’s face beamed with joy as tears streamed from his eyes.
Ye Shiqi... She couldn’t bear to see the elderly man in tears, so she pulled out her fragrant handkerchief to wipe them away.
Her elder sisters also gathered around to offer their care and comfort.
Ye Wenjie..., how could I possibly be absent?
"Grandpa Ye, from now on I’ll call you Grandpa, and you can’t cry anymore, okay? Let me give you a hug!"
The old man..., overwhelmed with joy, having this kind of happiness in his lifetime, would his old master be envious?
Purchasing the house afterward went very smoothly. The old man invited them to stay here instead of at an inn; there were rooms available and a yard.
Hongji..., to conduct the transaction so quickly? To be this enthusiastic?
Ye Shiqi accepted without any fuss, paid the money, then let Li Zhihao go with the intermediary to the government office to settle the affair.
"Young Master, it’s time for lunch!"
Guard from Zhong Xingwang’s household, diligently remembering his duty, brought the young Master and his in-laws to his house for a meal.
Zhong Xingwang..., had forgotten all about that. The gifts brought back from afar had been sent back; what to do now?
"Father-in-law, mother-in-law, my parents have asked that we go to your place at noon for a family gathering at our house."
Hongji..., planning everything so tight, could we perhaps do this in a day or two?
Are they afraid my daughter will walk away?
Mrs. Li..., the in-laws are inviting with such warmth, should we go today?
"Brother-in-law, let’s go now then, I’ve prepared things for you!" Ye Shiqi hadn’t forgotten that he’d put away other people’s things.
Grandpa Ye..., so joyful that I’ve forgotten to cook for them, how did they leave so quickly!
He watched them leave with longing eyes, not wanting to let them go!
"Come back for dinner, huh? I’ll cook for you!"
The Ye family..., why does it seem like an old father waiting for his children to come home?
Mr. Zhao..., so enthusiastic it’s hard for me to watch!
Zhong Xingwang..., old man, are you stealing my guests?
The party once again arrived at Mr. Zhao’s house, under the watchful gaze of Grandpa Ye, they got into the carriage, which then grandly rolled toward Zhong Xingwang’s residence.
Hongji arranged for the guards to stay with Grandpa Ye, to help cook, and then to find a place to settle down.
Ye Jiaxing..., wasn’t it just a single house that was bought? Why is another being bought now?
Unfortunately, the boss is indeed powerful, but my status prevented me from becoming a husband.
So many of them, two carriages traveled on the road.
Just now, Ye Shiqi brought out the gifts from her family and placed them on the carriage carrying her mother.
Collecting Zhong Xingwang’s items and putting them on the carriage made by them sisters.
All of a sudden, the carriage had more gifts; Li Anning..., was it sent by Heaven?
Ye Wenjie and his parents were calm..., this was yet another one of Ye Shiqi’s maneuvers.
Ye Shiqi’s four elder sisters were also undisturbed, understanding that they were going to someone else’s home and these gifts were meant as greetings to the hosts.
Although the gifts were mostly special products from their family, which might be looked down upon, they hoped Zhong Xingwang’s family wouldn’t disdain them.
Ye Shiqi didn’t bring out any lavish items, only some local specialties and some greeting gifts that the parents specifically bought for the other family; she wanted to see with her own eyes how Zhong Xingwang’s family would react, whether they would scorn them or not.
This was crucial, for if his family looked down on them, it was equal to looking down on elder sister in the future, and perhaps she would not be treated well due to her sister’s status.