The Gu family's face lit up with a smile as she recalled Yang Jianxiu's performance: "Yang, you're really something. To be honest, Ye Lin may not be as beautiful as your mother, but she's still a young and innocent girl. However, you just don't think highly of her. Anyway, we have to advise your mother to agree to this marriage." After finishing speaking, she pulled Ye Zhuo out the door, "Let's go over there now and let your grandfather deal with his good brother."

  "Alright." Ye Zhuo agreed.

  So the two of them didn't bring anyone, just told Autumn Moon and left the house, heading towards Qingyun Alley. Ye Yupi had sent Yang Jianxiu back home and ran into them in the alley, learning that they were going to Zheng's place, he was quite supportive, reminding them to do a good job on Zheng's ideological work, then bitterly smiled and returned home to deal with the three people from the second house.

  Zheng lived alone as a widow, bringing up the old couple's servants, and usually stayed at home, only going out occasionally. Every day she would do embroidery at home, and only go to the Ye family's main house to ask Zhao for help when she encountered difficulties with her needlework.

  The old couple, the man's surname was Zhao, and everyone called him Uncle Zhao. He usually stayed in the outer courtyard, except for answering the door, he did some rough work such as carrying water, chopping firewood, watering flowers, and planting vegetables. His wife, Auntie Zhao, cooked meals, washed clothes, tidied up the house, and also did some needlework. This couple was originally a distant relative of Wang's family in the countryside. Because their son fell ill, they sold their land and house to treat him, but unfortunately, he still didn't recover. With no more house or land, they had to live in a shabby hut that leaked wind everywhere, struggling to survive. Then, Wang let them sell themselves into servitude at the Zheng's place.

  The couple had a hard life, honest and diligent. At first, they thought their lives were hopeless, thinking that the second half of their lives would only be poor and lonely, waiting for death in despair. But unexpectedly, after coming to Zheng's house, the master was kind, the work was light, they could eat well and dress warmly, and there was still a monthly allowance. The couple were very grateful to Zheng. An honest person shows gratitude by working hard with their head down. They save their own expenses and think of everything for the master. So after buying them, Zheng didn't need to worry at all, and life went on very peacefully.

  So when she heard that Yang Jianxu was willing to marry her and asked if she was willing to get married, Zheng shook her head: "My days have never been as comfortable as they are now. I earn my own money and support myself. I don't need to ask for help from others, I don't need to look at other people's faces, I don't want to serve men again."

  "But Director Yang is really exceptional, with good character and temperament, and he's also knowledgeable. He's a government official, and isn't it true that you get along well with him too? What's most remarkable is that since Director Yang took office as county magistrate, countless matchmakers have come to his door, but he refuses to marry anyone except you. This shows that he has feelings for you. Such a good marriage opportunity, if you don't accept it, will be gone forever. Manwen, now that you're single and carefree, you may not feel it yet; but as time goes on, you'll start to feel lonely and desolate. Especially when you're ill, those servants or relatives can't compare to having a partner by your side who cares for you deeply. At that time, you'll feel the sorrow."

  "Lonely and desolate. It's just a temporary emotion, I'll be fine once I cheer up. What's the point of living life looking at other people's faces? That Yang gentleman, being an official, will inevitably take concubines in the future, right? At my age, I'd have to compete with those young girls, vying for attention and scheming against each other - isn't that just asking for trouble? Moreover, I've heard his family has a father and stepmother, and he's very close to his brother. His two half-brothers are also not considerate. They haven't separated from the family yet, so even though he lives alone outside now, as soon as his parents say something, he'll have to move back home. Just thinking about having to deal with this whole family makes me feel fed up. Auntie, if you want what's best for me, please help me decline politely. Yang gentleman is powerful and influential now - what kind of woman wouldn't he be able to get? He definitely won't take offense at your family because of this."

  "What are you talking about? Am I afraid of him scolding us that's why I'm advising you?" Guan Shi scolded, "I'm doing it for your own good! You're young and don't know the hardships of life. My older sisters who have been widowed, although they don't lack food and clothing, their lives are not very satisfactory."

  "I know Auntie is doing this for my own good, but I'm saying this because I'm afraid that if I refuse him, he'll take it out on you." Zheng Shi hastily explained, "In any case, I don't want to get married yet. If in the future I have such thoughts again, I'll ask Auntie to help me find a suitable match. As for Yang's household, I really can't reach that high."

  Guan saw how to advise, Zheng did not relax his mouth, had to sigh a long time, looked out the window. Just now afraid of Zheng's embarrassment, Ye Zhuo came here and found an excuse to hide, I'm sure he's outside the window right now.

  At this time, Ye Zhen was indeed standing under the tree in front of the window, holding a grass in her hand, looking at the pond in front of her with some anxiety, wondering what she was thinking. After a long while, she threw the green grass to the ground and slowly walked away along the small path in the courtyard.

  Zheng's words just now made her think of herself. She too only wanted to rely on her own two hands to eat and live freely, rather than marry any man. But could she really not get married? In this world, was it possible for a woman to remain unmarried all her life and live alone?

  "Yu'er, what are you thinking about? Hurry up and persuade your mother, she's not willing to." Guan Shi's voice sounded from behind.

  Ye Chou shook her head: "Didn't Lord Yang say that even a little bit of coercion is not allowed? Since my mother doesn't want to, then let's just forget it."

  Guan's eyes widened as he stared at Ye Zhuo: "Don't you want your mother to live a happy and fulfilling life?"

  "Is it only by marrying a man that one can be happy and content? What if Master Yang wrongs my mother in the future? My mother is already living happily now, why force her to change?"

  Guan was asked by Ye Zhuo for half a day and couldn't say anything, sighed and said: "Although your mother's concerns are reasonable, is there anything perfect in this world? Can you be hurt by someone who is unfaithful and unrighteous, worry about being betrayed again, and choose to avoid and retreat, preparing to spend the rest of your life alone? Without a loving family, one cannot enjoy the joy of family, what's the point of living?"

  Ye Zhuo heard these words, his whole body shook, and he stared blankly at Guan Shi, speechless for a long time.

  "Yu'er, Yu'er, what's wrong?" Guan Shi hastily called out upon seeing her expression was off.

  "Ah, I'm fine." Ye Zhuo woke up and turned over. After a while, he said: "You also don't tell Yang Daren that my mother is unwilling, just clearly tell him about my mother's experiences and her concerns in her heart. If Yang Daren is sincere, he will definitely tell you whether he will take concubines or move back to the old mansion to live in the future. At that time, you can have a good talk with my mother again."

  "Why don't you go and persuade your mother?" Guan Shi asked in surprise.

  Ye Chou shook his head and smiled wryly: "I myself think that Mother's words are quite reasonable, how can I persuade her?"

  "That's all that can be done." Guan sighed. It turned out that she had been helping Zheng notice whether there were any suitable men, but unexpectedly, Zheng didn't think Yang Jianxiu was good enough despite his excellent conditions. It seemed that Zheng really didn't want to get married, rather than it being specifically about Yang Jianxiu himself.

  "Come inside, it's windy here, you look like you've caught a chill." she said to Ye Zhuo.

  "Hmm." Ye Zhuo was about to follow Guan Shi into the house when he saw Zhao Shu hastily enter, seeing Guan Shi and Ye Zhuo, he quickly paid his respects and said: "Old lady, young lady, Zheng's uncle's wife and aunt have arrived."

  "How did they come?" Ye Zhuo exchanged a glance with Guan Shi and hurriedly went into the house to tell Zheng Shi the news.

  "Hmm, let Uncle Zhao lead them to the small hall and bring in a brazier." Zheng's hands moved swiftly with needle and thread, her head not lifting.

  Ye Chou went out and told Zhao Shu about it, then turned back and asked: "Have your uncles come here before?"

  "He came once. Your uncle met your grandfather outside and asked him about my situation, so your grandfather told him that I was living alone here. Two days later, he and your aunt came to visit." Zheng picked up the scissors and cut off a thread, letting out a sigh. "Anyway, it's all in the past, no need to make it like a life-and-death feud. From now on, just treat each other as ordinary relatives."

  "This is for the best." Although Ye Zhen was somewhat dissatisfied with Zheng Peng, she was still grateful from the bottom of her heart that he had taken her in without hesitation when the Zheng family was at its most difficult time, giving herself room to maneuver. Otherwise, when the Zheng family was driven out of the Ye household and she herself was trapped in the second house and couldn't even get out, let alone take out money to help the Zheng family, who knows what would have happened if Zheng had gone out alone to rent a place to live?

  "Do you want to go and see?" Zheng stood up and twisted her sore neck.

  "Let's go and have a look." Ye Zhuo responded with a sound, turning his head to Guan Shi, "Grandma together?"

  "Never mind, I won't go, I'll just sit here in this room."

  Ye Zhuo followed Zheng Shi to the small hall, as soon as they entered, they saw a big charcoal brazier burning brightly in the center of the room, the whole room was warm and cozy. Zheng Pengju and Liu Shi were sitting there, holding hot tea cups, sipping slowly. Seeing them come in, they quickly put down their tea cups and stood up.

  Everyone pretended that nothing unpleasant had happened before, and they exchanged pleasantries and chatted about family matters. Zheng Pengju glanced at Ye Zhuo and cleared his throat, saying: "Sister, that... Yesterday Ye Jiaming came to my place, he said he wanted to take you back home and remarry. What do you think?"

  Zheng held the tea bowl to his mouth, hesitated for a moment, but then steadily brought it back to his mouth and took a sip before putting it down. He looked up at Zheng Peng: "What do you think, brother?"

  "This kind of thing, of course, is up to you." Zheng Pengju said with a smile.

  "But I'd like to hear your opinion," said Zheng.

  Zheng Pengju glanced at his wife, concentrated for a moment, and cautiously said: "If you think going back to Ye Fu is better than living here, then go back. I see that Jiaming seems to have some regrets too; if you think the current days are more relaxing, then I'll go talk to him and let's not mention this matter again."

  "Hmph, Guang Han Palace's master A is indeed that carrot hanging in front of your eyes, visible but unattainable. Ling Shui is an office worker and now that school has started, coupled with Ling Shui's slow typing speed, it takes 7-8 hours to type 6,000 words, and typing is a long-term task, aside from working, sleeping, and eating, the body can't handle more than 7 hours a day, so I'm really not updating quickly, please forgive me. Also: There will be another update tonight."

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