Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 11910

If it were said that Luo Fengtang had married into the Zuo family in the past, the outside world would definitely have said that he was marrying down, because Luo Fengtang held a high position and great power, while the Zuo family was just a very wealthy merchant family.

Although Zuo Junmo is a descendant of the Mo family, the Mo family has long since declined...

But things are different now. Zuo Jinling has become a top scholar in the imperial examination, and his fame has spread far and wide. The marriage between the two childhood sweethearts is a perfect match.

However, even if Zuo Jinling didn't become a top scholar in the imperial examination, Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang would still happily marry into the Zuo family as long as Luo Wuyou was willing.

Because when they look for a daughter-in-law or son-in-law, they never look at the other person's family background; they only look at the person's character and whether they are compatible with their own children.

All other fame and fortune are external things. Having them is icing on the cake, but not having them doesn't really matter.

"Madam, let the young people go and have some fun. Let's go have some tea and rest. You must be tired from your journey!"

"It's no trouble at all. To be able to come as a guest in such a capacity today is something I've only dreamed of!" said Madam Zuo.

Ever since Zuo Junmo's time, she has been clear about her son's thoughts. She fantasizes that if one day her son's wish comes true and he is with Qing'er, she will personally go to Changping Village to visit him. She doesn't know how happy she will be!

In her son's generation, her wish was not fulfilled. Unexpectedly, in her grandson's generation, her grandson lived up to expectations and married the apple of the Luo family's eye!

Madam Zuo was so happy she couldn't stop smiling!
Upon entering the main room, even Old Yang and Old Sun stood up to greet Madam Zuo and offered her the seat of honor.

Madam Zuo declined several times, after all, she was younger and more senior than Old Yang and Old Sun. However, the two old men insisted that she take the seat of honor, and Madam Zuo could not refuse their hospitality, so she had no choice but to sit down.

Ever since Old Madam Zuo sat down, Yang Ruoqing has stayed in the main room, always by Old Madam Zuo's side.

Luo Fengtang was responsible for receiving Zuo Junmo and his group, and also arranged for others to handle the generous gifts brought by the Zuo family and to entertain the Zuo family's servants.

After a while, Yang Ruoqing saw Old Madam Zuo yawn, so she leaned over and asked in a low voice, "Old Madam, there are beds ready in the guest rooms in the backyard. Shall I help you to lie down for a while?"

From Zuojiazhuang to Changping Village, it's nearly 40 li (approximately 20 kilometers). When the Zuo family arrived at Changping Village, the time converted to modern time would be around 9 a.m. Beijing time.

They were traveling by horse-drawn carriage. If they had ridden horses like Zuo Jinling and his group, it would have taken about an hour to get there.

However, it would take at least an hour and a half to bring the old lady here by carriage, and then there would be time for her to get up, wash, and have breakfast... a solid two hours.

Two shichen is four hours, so Madam Zuo and the others have to get up at 5 o'clock. But it's the dead of winter now, and it's not even dawn at 6 o'clock in the morning, let alone 5 o'clock.
They really had to travel by lantern light in the dark, especially since the temperature was at its lowest in the morning. It must have been incredibly tough for an elderly woman like Madam Zuo!

"It's alright, Qing'er, I'm not sleepy or tired at all." Old Madam Zuo naturally understood Yang Ruoqing's good intentions.

But she's here as a guest, and the feast hasn't even started yet. How can she just fall asleep as soon as she arrives?

impolite.

Yang Ruoqing understood Old Madam Zuo's intention and did not insist. She simply said, "After the midday banquet, let's come back and take a nap."

Madam Zuo replied, "No need, I can take a nap on the way back in the carriage..."

Yang Ruoqing laughed: "That's not up to you, sir. Our family has invited an opera troupe to perform in the village for five days, and we've also invited an acrobatic troupe from Qing'an County to perform. There will be acrobatics during the day and opera at night. You'll have to stay for a few days!"

When Madam Zuo heard that there was both opera and acrobatics involved, her expression showed that she was already interested.

As people get older, their innate love of watching a spectacle is naturally awakened, but she quickly restrained herself.

"Let's see another time when we have the chance. I didn't bring any spare clothes this time..."

"Don't worry, Madam, I brought you several sets!"

These words were not spoken by Yang Ruoqing, but by the personal maid standing behind Old Madam Zuo.

After the head maid finished speaking, she made a point of making eye contact with Yang Ruoqing and smiled with her lips pursed.

Old Madam Zuo surveyed the two of them with her gaze, and after a moment, smiled kindly and said, "I see! Alright, alright, I won't refuse!"

……

"Ping An, go further up the main road and see if the Zhou family has arrived."

While the head maid and Rong Gu accompanied Old Madam Zuo to the backyard to relieve herself, Yang Ruoqing took a moment to go to the courtyard gate, looked towards the end of the official road, and instructed Ping An to go ahead and meet her.

Early in the morning, Luo the blacksmith drove a mule cart alone to Zhoujia Village to pick up his sister Luo Da'e, even refusing Xingwang and Ping'an's company.

Now, all the other relatives and friends from far away have arrived, but the blacksmith Luo and the relatives from Zhoujia Village are still nowhere to be seen.

"What's wrong? Haven't your uncle and aunt come over yet?" Luo Fengtang came out of the courtyard and asked Yang Ruoqing.

The aunt he was referring to was naturally Luo Da'e.

Another aunt from the Yang family is Yang Huamei. Xu Yuanming specially delivered Yang Huamei's congratulatory gift to the Luo family yesterday morning.

Xu Yuanming said that he and Yang Huamei would not come to the Luo family today, but would go directly to Tianxianglou in town to wait for everyone.

Yang Ruoqing and the others naturally had no objections. They lived in the town, and with three young children, going back to the village first and then going to the town without a carriage would be a roundabout way.

Besides, Xu Yuanming sent the gifts in advance in the morning, which fulfilled all the etiquette. There was nothing wrong with going directly to the restaurant for the banquet!
Therefore, the aunt Luo Fengtang mentioned must undoubtedly be Luo Da'e.

“I’m not worried about anything else, but I’m worried that my uncle might run into trouble driving the mule cart alone.” Yang Ruoqing said in a low voice.

Luo Fengtang frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed.

"Not at all. Although my uncle is over sixty, he is still very skilled at driving a carriage."

"Besides, our mules are all quite gentle and intelligent, so they won't go crazy halfway through the journey."

Even so, Luo Fengtang still snapped his fingers.

He instructed a guard: "Go along this official road to Zhoujia Village, and keep an eye out for riverbanks, irrigation ditches, and ponds along the way..."

The guard understood immediately and turned to leave as swiftly as the wind.

……

After a short while, the guard returned. After whispering a few words to Luo Fengtang, Luo Fengtang waved his hand, dismissing the guard.

His expression darkened slightly, and he stood up and walked towards Yang Ruoqing. Yang Ruoqing was refilling tea for Old Madam Zuo and the others at that moment. With a glance from Luo Fengtang, she understood.

After handing the teapot to Rong Gu and the others, Yang Ruoqing walked over to Luo Fengtang without changing her expression. The two went to the small side room next door to talk.

"...What? Aunt Da'e suddenly fell ill just before leaving? What kind of illness is it? Wasn't there any warning sign beforehand?"

To be honest, this situation was something Yang Ruoqing had never expected.

According to the guard's report, he caught up with Ping An halfway there.

When Ping An was found, Zhou Wang and two children were with her.

But there was only Zhou Wang; Luo Da'e, Xiao Huan, and Luo the blacksmith were nowhere to be seen.

Upon inquiry, the guard learned that the Zhou family had originally planned to come to Changping Village for a banquet as a whole family. Luo Da'e had even accepted Luo the blacksmith's invitation, bringing several sets of clothes to stay at her brother's house for a few days, to listen to operas and watch acrobatics.

But just as she was getting onto the mule cart, Luo Da'e suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground, her eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth, and she lost consciousness...

The family panicked and quickly carried her to bed, then called the village doctor to come and diagnose her.

After all that commotion, the person woke up, but was completely exhausted. Forget about going out to visit relatives and friends, they couldn't even get up to pour themselves a cup of tea!

The doctor was also puzzled and unsure of the symptoms, so he suggested that they take the person to a clinic in the county town for a checkup.

Luo the blacksmith immediately decided to take Luo Da'e to the county clinic for diagnosis together with Zhou Wang.

But Luo Da'e stopped her with all her might.

"What Aunt Da'e means is that today is a happy occasion for our family. If she makes a big fuss and drags Uncle along to the county clinic, it will be bad luck. That's why she absolutely refuses to go to the county clinic today," Yang Ruoqing reviewed the information brought back by the guard.

“Actually, we don’t care about those things at all. It’s only right to go to a better place for treatment when you’re sick!” Yang Ruoqing continued, “Even if my uncle accompanies me, we completely understand. But Aunt Da’e… sigh!”

Luo Fengtang raised his hand and placed it on Yang Ruoqing's shoulder: "Since you're awake, there shouldn't be any major problems. We'll ask Zhou Wang properly when he comes over later."

"Well, it's fine to let Uncle stay there with Aunt for now," Yang Ruoqing said.

Soon after, Ping An and Zhou Wang and his sons arrived at the Luo family's house.

After questioning Zhou Wang, it was learned that Luo Da'e's condition did not suddenly appear today.

There were already signs of this a while ago.

"On this joyous day, I shouldn't be talking about it, but since you all care so much about my mother, it wouldn't be right for me, as her son, to deliberately hide it." Zhou Wang took a sip of tea, looking somewhat tired.

"Ever since winter began, my mother has often said that her throat is dry and sore."

"At first, Xiaohuan and I didn't take it seriously. After all, our family likes spicy food, and my mother herself can't do without a piece of red chili oil fermented bean curd with every meal."

“I’ve had sore throats before, and usually eating something to cool down my throat helps. So this time, Xiao Huan specially bought a basket of big pears to stew with rock sugar for her mother.”

"After taking it for two days, my throat feels better."

"But after a while, it started to hurt again, and I said it was difficult to swallow."

"We also stewed rock sugar pears for her, stewed daylily with meat and pears, and Xiao Huan even made Coptis chinensis and mung bean soup for her mother..."

"After some treatment, my throat feels better."

"This pain started last night. Mother went to bed without eating dinner. Xiao Huan and I were planning to take her to the town clinic to get some medicine to clear heat and detoxify after we finished the banquet today, but we didn't expect that she would faint as soon as we left the house!"

Wang Cuilian covered her mouth in shock, then asked Zhou Wang worriedly, "Oh my god, she fainted! Could it be a fever? Or something else?"

Zhou Wang looked a little confused, but quickly shook his head: "The village doctor hasn't said anything about that when he takes my mother's pulse."

"It's good that they didn't say anything!" Wang Cuilian said, patting her chest. The fear, anxiety, and even a bit of wishful thinking that ordinary people feel when facing an unknown disease were on full display.

“But this fainting spell is still something to worry about!” Wang Cuilian said again.

Zhou Wang said, "The doctor said that Mother didn't eat breakfast last night or this morning, which is probably the main reason for her fainting."

"Oh...that's what the doctor said? Then that must be it. Sometimes I don't want to eat, and then I feel dizzy. People still need to eat." Now, Wang Cuilian's worries lessened a bit. Anyway, as long as the doctor said it was nothing to worry about, she could rest assured.

“Cousin, don’t worry too much. After the banquet, I’ll go with you to see how Aunt is doing,” Luo Fengtang said.

Zhou Wang glanced at the lively scene at the Luo family's residence, where all the guests who had come to offer their congratulations were beaming with joy.

"no need……"

"Cousin, please don't refuse. Tang Ya and I will go and take a look. We'll be happy to help if there's anything we can do. We'll all feel at ease."

Hearing Yang Ruoqing say that, Zhou Wang didn't insist anymore. He said, "We're here for the wedding banquet at the Luo family's house today. Let's leave other topics at that!"
We'll talk about everything after the banquet!
Logically speaking, Mother shouldn't be in any serious condition.

……

When the sun was high in the sky, all the relatives and friends had arrived. Everyone sat in the restaurant for a while, and then Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang arranged for them to get into the car one by one and head to the restaurant in town.

The Luo family's horse-drawn carriages, mule carts, and donkey carts, as well as the horse-drawn carriages and mule carts brought by the Zuo family, all came in handy.

When San Ya Tou and Ju Er came, they also brought their own carriage.

So, with so many modes of transportation combined, relatives and friends were taken to the restaurant in town in one trip...

Today, Tianxiang Restaurant has a very conspicuous sign at its main entrance: The owner is celebrating a happy occasion, so we are temporarily closed to customers today!
Although we are not accepting guests today, Tianxianglou is completely full, both upstairs and downstairs, whether it is the main hall or the private rooms upstairs!
All the chefs in the backyard came out, each of them using their best skills, and all kinds of delicious dishes from all over the country were laid out on the table!
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Yang Ruoqing set out various return gifts in another room, with each family receiving one gift.

The return gift was also quite substantial, containing all the necessities for clothing, food, shelter, and transportation.

In other words, today was originally supposed to be a day for relatives and friends to come and offer congratulations and gifts, but the Luo family was so happy that they gave even more in return gifts than the gifts from their relatives and friends!
We must adhere to one principle: never let our relatives and friends suffer financial losses, and always ensure that they come happily and leave joyfully.