The master of the family looked listless, huddling himself in the fox fur robe. His once tall and handsome figure now seemed a bit hunched, which was quite pathetic.
He was looking through the coffeehouse accounts sent by Lu Xunguang. After just a cursory glance, he put them down with a faint look of approval gradually showing in his eyes.
"Not bad."
Lian Ji stood beside him meekly, holding a tea cup. Hearing this, she said softly, "Congratulations, my husband. A Xun has returned safe and sound, in glory, and has also corrected his past mistakes. It seems that the position of the family head will surely belong to him! Lian Ji is incompetent and is willing to admit defeat."
As she spoke, she carefully counted out a few pills, put them on a delicate silver plate, and held it in front of him.
"Husband, it's time to take your medicine. Your health is getting worse, and you can't stop taking these tonics."
After seeing the master of the family frowning as he swallowed the pills, she took out two hawthorn candies and fed them to him as if coaxing a child.
She volunteered to prepare the carriage herself to pick up Lu Xunguang from the fishing village to return to the ancestral home.
The master of the family was exhausted. After taking the medicine, he felt drowsy and had no choice but to let her make the arrangements.
Lu Xunguang sized up the rather luxurious carriage but just snorted disdainfully and wasn't in a hurry to set off.
Li Ying thought he still harbored grudges against the master of the family, so she pulled him aside to a quiet place and tried to persuade him gently.
"How can there be an irreconcilable feud between father and son? The master of the family was deceived by villains. Now, Lian Ji is furious and at the end of her rope. Only by returning to the Lu Mansion and working with me can you make the master of the family see her true colors and turn back from his wrong path..."
She had prepared a lot of persuasive words, but as soon as she started, Lu Xunguang nodded understandingly.
"A Ying has gone to great lengths to plan for me. Naturally, I won't be willful at this crucial moment."
He took Li Ying's hand and rushed to the wood - shed. He carefully took out a camphor - wood box from under the pillow.
When he opened the box, several thin documents came into view.
"My mother was not a woman who depended on others in a deep mansion. She also left a few shops. These are the property deeds. Although they're not extremely profitable businesses, the accounts are clean."
"Lian Ji is just pretending to be weak, and my father can't recognize people clearly. I'll have to outwit them and also take care of our coffeehouse. I'll be stretched thin. Please manage these shops for me, A Ying."
He solemnly held the wooden box in front of Li Ying and also put the key that Li Ying had refused to accept the other day into it. He looked at her sincerely.
Li Ying had lived two lifetimes, but it was the first time she received a man's "bankbook" and "pay - card". She couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
"Brother Lu, this is all your wealth and the foundation for your livelihood."
She knew Lu Xunguang's sincerity.
Especially since this man had been rejected by his biological father, had narrowly escaped death, and had been betrayed by Old Zheng. It was reasonable that his personality had changed greatly and he had become cold, suspicious.
But he still treated her with a whole - hearted and sincere heart. This enthusiasm was even more precious.
Li Ying was touched, but she unconsciously joked, "Brother Lu, aren't you afraid that I'll take the silver and run away?"
Lu Xunguang just stared at her.
"Money is something external. A Ying, the most precious thing to me now is your love for me."
Li Ying felt embarrassed under his gaze. She took the wooden box and gently tapped her soft hand on his chest, saying softly, "With Brother Lu's mutual affection, A Ying is also the richest person in the world."
The two held hands tightly, looking into each other's eyes, full of tenderness.
Li Ying stroked the bamboo bracelet on her wrist and was about to see him off on the carriage.
"Brother Lu, don't worry. A Ying will surely live up to your trust, guard your property well, and return it intact."
The coachman waiting at the village entrance, seeing that Lu Xunguang didn't show up for a long time, hurriedly asked A Man to go and invite him.
Coincidentally, A Man saw the scene in front of her and shouted, "Brother - in - law Lu, my sister is already very hard - working every day, and you've found another job as an accountant and housekeeper for her!"
Maybe because of the incident of misidentifying her as a Kunlun slave back then, A Man seized every opportunity to tease him.
Lu Xunguang didn't mind. He just smiled at Li Ying.
"When has the Ping An Bank ever been short of accountants? With these shops and the bamboo mountain as the betrothal gifts, A Ying, will you marry me?"
Li Ying blushed. A Man also stuck out her tongue. Only then did she realize that Brother - in - law Lu had clearly come prepared. Her joking words had actually helped him lead into the topic. She shouted, "No! My sister is the best girl in the world. You must have a grand wedding procession!"
Lu Xunguang nodded calmly and praised, "That's right. A Man and I see eye to eye."
Grandma Sun heard the commotion and came over beaming, holding the almanac in a hurry and muttering, "The tenth day of next month is an auspicious day, most suitable for engagement and marriage!"
The whole family was chatting merrily. Even though Li Ying was usually generous, she couldn't help but feel a bit shy.
She blushed and pushed Lu Xunguang out of the door, instructing him to protect himself carefully in front of the master of the family and Lian Ji.
She seemed like a little wife reluctantly seeing her newly - wed husband off on a long journey. Lu Xunguang was very pleased and nodded obediently to all her instructions.
Su Buchi saw the deep affection between the two and couldn't help but show a faint bitter smile on his face.
After things in the Lu family settled down and Lu Xunguang firmly established himself as the young master, he would probably choose an auspicious day and come to propose marriage in grand style.
A Xun was extremely sincere. As his junior uncle, he was naturally at ease about this marriage.
But as Su Buchi, he really didn't want to receive the cup of respectful tea she would offer in the future.
The weather was getting colder and the wild geese were flying south. Su Buchi put away his ever - present folding fan. Suddenly, he felt that it was time to return.
Many children in the fishing - village school had started their education. The autumn imperial examination was approaching. When the results were announced, there would surely be joy and sorrow.
The scholars who failed the exam would be more than qualified to be teachers in the fishing village. He had already selected a few candidates for Li Ying to choose from.
Li Ying didn't know that Su Buchi had already made up his mind to leave. Seeing the carriage carrying Lu Xunguang drive towards the inn, she took a deep breath and returned to the village.
The matter of Lu Xunguang taking over as the family head was at a crucial moment. Even though she was confident of victory, she still couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
"A Ying, the fishing boats from the neighboring village have ordered all the fruit cans this time! They want to place more orders with us and also said they have a big business to discuss with you!"
As soon as she reached the village entrance, she saw Zhang Lu coming towards her in a hurry.
Li Ying perked up. Hearing that he had already brought the guests back and the fishing boat was parked at the dock, she quickly followed him to greet them.