Yuan Li’s parents didn’t have to worry for long, and just as the Tong family had anticipated, Liu Lang soon became a free man.
When Lin Boshi heard that Liu Lang had taken a liking to a girl and wanted to propose marriage, he scolded Liu Lang harshly, saying that private dealings between men and women were improper and immoral, and that such a girl was unworthy of entering the Lin family. He also expressed great disappointment in Liu Lang. However, considering Liu Lang’s age, it would be best for him to marry as soon as possible. Yet, Lin Boshi had no desire to meet the girl and told Liu Lang to handle the matter himself. He gave Liu Lang thirty taels of silver and kicked him out. As a mother, Dong Shi didn’t even utter a word of reluctance.
In the countryside, a betrothal gift of ten taels was considered generous, and twenty taels could cover all wedding expenses. Now, Lin Boshi had given thirty taels, which was an extraordinary act of leniency. Not only could Liu Lang marry his bride, but he could also buy a few adobe houses with plenty to spare.
Being kicked out by his parents didn’t even change Liu Lang’s expression. This was already a good outcome. According to his original expectation, his parents would have treated him like his eldest brother—giving him nothing and sending him away empty-handed. This time, after working outside, he had handed over a full fifty taels to his father. Getting thirty taels back was truly generous.
Feeling the pair of gold rings in his pocket, Liu Lang felt relieved. Fortunately, he hadn’t had the chance to take them out yet. These rings were a bonus from the medicine merchant after paying his wages. He had originally intended to give them to Yuan Li as a betrothal gift, but if he had taken them out earlier, they might have been confiscated.
Carrying his bundle to the backyard, Tong Shi understood immediately: “What? Kicked out?”
Liu Lang bowed: “Yes, Aunt. I’ll need your help with the marriage arrangements.”
“Fine, I knew this would happen. Your father cares only about face and avoids trouble, and your mother has no mind of her own, blindly following your father. I don’t know what’s wrong with them.”
Seeing Liu Lang’s discomfort, Tong Shi changed the subject: “Was the village chief present?”
Liu Lang shook his head. Tong Shi pondered: “That won’t do. Being kicked out without a proper explanation will harm your reputation and could hinder your children’s future prospects. Stay here. I’ll go see the village chief. That rascal stole my herbs when he was young, and I haven’t settled that score yet.”
Exchanging a glance with Er Lang, Liu Lang remained silent. Stealing herbs as a child, and only now remembering to settle the score—clearly, the village chief had many weaknesses in Tong Shi’s hands. When it came to cunning, Liu Lang admitted few could match his aunt. In their youth, the village chief and Da Lang had been inseparable, a mischievous pair—one fat, one thin—often scolded by Tong Shi. Even now, the village chief, nearly a grandfather himself, still trembled like a mouse before a cat in her presence.
Without worrying about how the village chief would document his expulsion or what his father might say, Liu Lang entered the room Tong Shi had prepared for his eldest brother and lay down to rest. As a child, whenever he stayed with his grandparents, he had always shared a room with his eldest brother. Having just returned home yesterday and been busy all day today, Liu Lang was completely exhausted.
In recent years, his father had grown increasingly reclusive. Apart from working in the fields, he rarely left home and avoided all social interactions. For daily necessities, he would give money to his mother, who would hobble to town on her bound feet to make purchases. The exact amount was always calculated beforehand—not a single extra coin was given. Over the years, the silver Liu Lang and his eldest brother had handed over to their father, minus daily expenses, amounted to nearly a thousand taels. Liu Lang couldn’t understand why his father hoarded so much dead money. Investing in land or shops to generate more wealth would have been far wiser.
The next day, Tong Shi offered to prepare the betrothal gifts for Liu Lang. With elders around, it was improper for the young to handle such matters themselves. Liu Lang thanked her but insisted on paying for it himself. Last year, when he helped build Tong Shi’s inn and later crafted furniture for the medicine merchant, he had earned dozens of taels in tips. Combined with his savings, it wasn’t enough for a grand house, but it would suffice for a modest life.
Tong Shi didn’t press the matter. Liu Lang was skilled and clever, and Yuan Li seemed hardworking. If the two worked together, a good life was inevitable.
Before construction began on the planned house, Tong Shi acted as a matchmaker, finalizing Liu Lang and Yuan Li’s engagement. It was agreed that once the house was built and Tong Shi had paid Liu Lang his wages, they would hold a proper wedding. Like the previous year, all construction would be led by Liu Lang, who would organize the labor, while Tong Shi only needed to provide the funds—effectively subcontracting the project to him.
“Fifth Brother, don’t go. Play with Fang’er.”
Hearing his sister’s sweet, pleading voice, Lin Wu’s little feet, poised to sneak out of the courtyard, froze mid-step. He frowned, torn. His sister had become so clingy lately, always begging him to play. But he really wanted to go out and couldn’t take her. If their mother found out, he’d get a spanking. Yet, he couldn’t bear to see his sister sad. What to do?
“Fifth Brother, don’t go out. Fang’er will play with you.”
Before Lin Wu could decide, Lin Fang had already toddled over unsteadily on her short legs, grabbed his hand, and started pulling him back.
Resigned, Lin Wu let himself be dragged along, muttering, “Fine, but you’re so annoying. Little sister, are you watching me on purpose? Every time I try to leave, you make me play with you. What can we even do? You’re so little.”
“Giggle, giggle.”
*Yes, I’m watching you. Yes, it’s on purpose. Haha, you’re my chosen target. If you’re not home, surrounded by doting women, how can I exercise? But I won’t tell you that!*
Learning to walk had brought Lin Fang both joy and frustration. Her family doted on her, fearing she might fall, get hurt, or go hungry. Someone was always by her side, which, while comforting, also felt stifling. They rarely let her walk, even when she struggled. Even her parents would coax her, saying her health was delicate and too much activity would tire her out. Lin Fang wanted to cry. *Mom, Dad, don’t you see? If this continues, I’ll grow up useless again!*
If they wouldn’t let her move, she’d find her own way. After much thought, Lin Fang set her sights on the energetic Lin Wu.
Li Cuilian had stayed with her parents for a while. Her mother-in-law, Lin Shuzhen—Da Lang’s paternal aunt—personally visited Li Qingyun and Pan Shi to apologize. She pinned all the blame on Zhou Xiaosuo and even criticized herself and her husband, all to persuade Li Cuilian to return home. She made it sound as if Li Cuilian was their family’s savior, without whom they couldn’t survive.
As an elder, Lin Shuzhen had humbled herself to this extent. If Li Cuilian remained stubborn, it would be unreasonable. Besides, she couldn’t stay with her parents forever. Amid their repeated admonitions, Li Cuilian returned with her mother-in-law. Not long after, she began coaxing Lin Xia to stay with her occasionally. Lin Fang suspected she wanted to adopt Lin Xia.
With Lin Xia gone, Lin Wu lost his playmate. The servants indulged him too much, making games boring. The little boy started sneaking out to play alone. Thus began Lin Fang’s game of cat and mouse. Whenever he tried to slip out, she’d call him back, struggle free from her maid or Nanny Liu, and drag him home. Lin Wu was restless, never staying still. Lin Fang would chase after him, pausing occasionally to rest, avoiding scoldings.
This was her way of lulling everyone into thinking she was well-behaved, so they’d relax their vigilance. Ideally, they’d stop watching her so closely, giving her the freedom to move. To live freely in this life, she first needed a strong body.
“Little sister, when will you grow up? You’re so small, it’s no fun.” Lin Wu ran around the courtyard, soon sweating profusely. As Nanny Liu wiped his brow, he couldn’t help complaining.
Nanny Liu chuckled: “Fifth Young Master, when Sixth Young Miss is your age, you’ll be even older. Just as Second Young Master is always older than you, you’ll always be older than Sixth Young Miss. No matter how much she grows, she’ll always be younger than you.”
“Hahaha! Fifth Brother is big, Fang’er is small. Even when Fang’er grows, Fang’er is small!”
Lin Wu was clearly confused by Nanny Liu’s circular logic. Lin Fang mischievously added a few more twists, leaving him utterly baffled. Pouting in frustration, he ignored everyone.
“Fifth Brother, untie the rope.”
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