Chapter 814 - 419: Joking About Marriage

Chapter 814: Chapter 419: Joking About Marriage

Approaching them, the two sides exchanged greetings and pleasantries. Huai Zi then teased Li Changyu, "Look at this entourage of yours. It’s quite intimidating. You look like an official on an inspection tour."

Li Changyu walked over and sat down beside him. "You are truly capable," he said with a laugh. "Taking three babies, carrying a fishing net, and hauling water buckets to catch fish. Aren’t you tired walking all this way? I brought more people precisely because I was afraid I couldn’t handle it. Wan’er isn’t used to being out and about much, so I worried the walk would be too hard on her."

The two of them began chatting and laughing.

Gao Wan’er wore a peach-red jacket, looking as radiant and delicate as a flower amidst the lush green countryside. She walked over to Juhua. A maid in purple hurried to lay a small cotton cushion on the ground and helped her sit down.

Wan’er smiled at Juhua. "I stayed in Qinghui for two months. Seeing the vibrant spring outside made me anxious to come back here. But then my mother came to visit, which delayed me for a while. I only just returned two days ago."

"Is living in the city not good?" Juhua asked with a smile.

Reaching out to tease Cong, Wan’er replied, "Not exactly, it’s just that living in the countryside feels more freeing. Staying in the city during winter is fine, but I absolutely must live in the village for spring and summer. Otherwise, it would be such a pity to miss out on the beautiful rural scenery. Besides, it’s cooler here in the summer, isn’t it?"

Juhua smiled. "You’ve adapted quickly. Generally, young ladies from wealthy families wouldn’t like the countryside."

Wan’er spoke to her with sincerity. "I really wasn’t used to it when I first arrived, but now that I’ve settled in, I don’t even want to leave. Juhua, I really love it here, and I enjoy talking with you all. So I mentioned it to my husband, and he bought some more land across the river. We came out today to take a look at that land. Since we didn’t want to cross the river, we detoured here to view it from this side, and brought Xian out for some fresh air along the way. Oh, you haven’t met our Xian yet, have you? Nanny Lin, bring Xian over."

An older woman stepped forward and handed the baby in her arms to the purple-clad maid. The maid took him, crouched down, and leaned in closer so Juhua could see the little boy.

The baby was pink, soft, and very adorable. Juhua offered generous praises, as was customary, though she objectively evaluated in her heart that her own two children seemed a bit more outstanding.

Seeing how truly delicate and lively Cong looked, Wan’er also offered a great deal of praise. Once the two mothers started talking about their little ones, the conversation flowed endlessly.

On the other side, Li Changyu spoke in a low voice to Huai Zi. "Huai Zi, I am truly sorry! My father was being foolish about Laishou’s schooling last time. My grandfather gave him a severe scolding for it."

Huai Zi waved his hand. "Don’t blame Uncle Li. People in the village have complicated mindsets these days, which makes things difficult for Uncle Li as well."

Li Changyu sighed, knowing that Huai Zi probably didn’t truly feel that way in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have coordinated with Qingmu and all those younger villagers to step forward.

However, the matter had passed, and there was no use dwelling on it. Besides, as a son, it wasn’t appropriate for him to accuse Li Gengtian of being foolish. He had merely tried to console him, whereas it was his grandfather, Li Mingrui, who had actually reprimanded Li Gengtian. Precisely because of this, when He, Shi Tou’s mother, and Liu’er’s mother had their recent fight, Li Gengtian handled it impartially, acting decisively and without hesitation.

The two men fell silent for a moment. Hearing Gao Wan’er and Juhua discussing the two babies, they also changed the subject.

Li Changyu smiled. "Huai Zi, how about we arrange a marriage between our families? Betroth your Cong to my Li Jingxian. Look, my son is growing up so well. With these looks, he’s bound to be even more handsome and elegant than his father in the future."

Huai Zi burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Keep bragging! No matter how handsome your son might be in the future, right now he’s still a baby in diapers. Are you really in such a rush to arrange a marriage for him?"

Li Changyu was just about to speak when Juhua, having overheard their conversation, quickly interjected. "Don’t talk nonsense! We absolutely cannot arrange a childhood betrothal."

Li Changyu looked surprised. "Juhua, do you look down on my Xian’er? Let me tell you, my Xian’er is incredibly smart. He’s definitely going to earn the title of Champion Scholar or Second-Place Scholar in the future. Your daughter won’t lose out by marrying Xian’er!"

His look of disbelief made it seem as though Juhua was completely blind for not appreciating his son.

Juhua ignored his reaction and held back a smile. "Whether your family has immense wealth or holds the highest official positions, anyone who wants to marry my daughter must meet one specific condition. Otherwise, it’s out of the question."

The older woman and the maid standing nearby looked slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but they quickly regained their composure and pretended they hadn’t heard a thing.

Wan’er understood Juhua to some extent. She couldn’t help but grab her arm and ask with a smile, "Juhua, tell me. Whether in character or talent, our Xian won’t lose to anyone else. My husband and I are going to raise him very well."