The Nie family husband and wife prepared a dowry for Yan Niang and did not hide it from their son and daughter-in-law, the brothers of the Nie family thought in their hearts, their sister married into the Ling family with this appearance, if the dowry was more, the Ling family would also look up to the Nie family. But the Liu family and the Yu family didn't think so, and the concubines felt that the married daughter was like water spilled out, and the in-laws prepared so much dowry for the sister-in-law, which was equivalent to sending the Nie family's wealth to the Ling family, without taking into account the other children and grandchildren of the Nie family.

The two of them didn't dare to tell their in-laws, but they were angry with Yan Niang, and later couldn't help but say several times in front of Aunt Nie, although Aunt Nie was angry, but after calming down, she also felt that the words of the two daughters-in-law were quite reasonable. The twins of the eldest daughter-in-law's family are about to get married, and they also have to buy a dowry to marry, the eldest son of the second daughter-in-law, and the eldest grandson of the Nie family will marry a wife in two years, and the dowry is another expense. Not to mention that there are four little grandchildren below, all of whom are going to study in the school, and it takes more than a dozen taels a year to tie their bowels.

She pondered for a few days and told Father Nie about these concerns, and Father Nie was silent for a while, and did not object to cutting Yan Niang's dowry. As soon as the husband and wife combined, they decided to keep half of the dowry sent by the Ling family, and the Nie family gave another six dowries, making a total of twelve. Although this is a little unfair to Yan Niang, the water spilled by the married woman can't lose her own family, so she has to grieve Yan Niang.

On the second day, Aunt Nie informed her two daughters-in-law of this result, although Liu and Yu felt that the dowry of twelve was still a bit much, but the in-laws had already given in, and they couldn't say anything. I just made up my mind that I should never add too much makeup.

Yan Niang didn't know anything about the reduction of the dowry, since the wedding date was set, she was locked in the house by Nie Auntie to embroider the dowry, plus there was a small screen in her hand that was not embroidered, except for eating and sleeping, she basically stayed in the house all the time to fly needles and threads.

Nowadays, when a woman gets married, the wedding dress, hijab, quilt and other things are all taken care of by the bride, and at the same time, she has to give a gift to her in-laws. Yan Niang held the embroidery needle in her hand, and every stitch and thread was full of longing for the future.

Sometimes when she was tired and resting, she would imagine Ling Erlang's appearance, thinking that he should be a very good person, otherwise how could he agree to marry a woman like herself. Thinking like this, Yan Niang suddenly felt that there was hope for her life after marriage.

Ling's family in Xiaohe Village

After Ling Erlang and Ling Jiming decided to marry themselves, except for the days when they went to school in the county school, they locked themselves in the study when they returned home. He heard from his eldest sister Ling that Yan Niang was ugly and fat, and she didn't even have the heart to study. He really wanted to persuade his father and mother to quit this family business, but the Ling family valued credibility, especially Father Ling.

I heard the rumors before that Nie Yanniang looked like no salt, and the Ling family had been dragging it out and not going to propose marriage, and Father Ling had long felt guilty, but now that the marriage date has been set, according to Father Ling's temperament, there is no room for change.

Ling Jiming was not in a good mood, and felt that the books in front of him were also a bit of an eyesore. He went out in a rage, only saying that he was going to Lingjiang Town to get together with his classmates. Father Ling and the Wen family didn't dare to detain him, so they should let him go out for a walk.

Lingjiang Town is built along the Lingjiang River, and there is a restaurant called Jufulou in the town, and Ling Jiming and his classmates are in this restaurant. The three classmates invited were all students from the county school, two of whom lived next to Xiaohe Village and the other lived in the town.

As soon as the wine and food were served, Ling Jiming drank all the wine in the cup in one gulp, and the classmate named Hu Xiusheng next to him said: "Brother Ling is not kind, invite us to drink but drink alone, we should be punished, we should be punished." ”

Another scholar named He Wencai said: "Brother Ling, I heard that your family has set a marriage for you, and Brother Fool is here to wish you and your future brother and sister Qin Se and Ming, and love Baishou." ”

Hearing this, Ling Jiming's face suddenly sank, and he beckoned Xiao Er to settle the bill, and then ignored the three people on the table and walked away.

He Wencai was confused, he didn't know why he offended him by his words, or Hu Xiusheng relieved him, "Brother He really can't open any pot, Brother Ling wants to marry a famous faceless girl in Niejia Village." You may not know if you live in the town, if the daughter of the Nie family is unsalted and stout, Brother Ling must be unwilling to marry such a woman, but he was forced to marry because of the last wishes of his elders. ”

He Wencai suddenly realized, only because he lived far away from the other three, so he didn't know these reasons, but now that he knows, he is a little blamed for his straightforwardness.

I was thinking that I would apologize to Ling Jiming well when we met next time, but I heard Jiang Yucheng, who had not spoken up, say: "I think Brother Ling's anger is really too big." Although the daughter of the Nie family is not outstanding in appearance, she has a superb embroidery skill, and I have heard that this woman is gentle and obedient, and if she marries a wife, she will definitely be able to keep the house in order. ”

Hearing this, Hu Xiusheng shook his head and retorted: "No, no, although "The Female Ring" does not require that women must be outstanding, but you and I are both scholars, and officialdom entertainment is indispensable in the future. ”

His words seemed reasonable, but they couldn't stand scrutiny, Jiang Yucheng said: "In my opinion, a woman's inner appearance is more important than her appearance, if I want to marry a wife who looks like a fairy but has a femme fatale's heart, it is better to have a girl with an ordinary appearance and a kind heart." So I don't dare to agree with Brother Hu's words. ”

His voice fell, but He Wencai quipped: "My cousin is in the blessing and doesn't know the blessing, you have a beautiful and virtuous fiancée in your family, how can you marry that saltless ugly girl, these words are just said in front of us, but don't say it in front of Brother Ling." ”

He Wencai said this for a reason, he and Jiang Yu are brothers-in-law, He Wencai's wife is Jiang Yucheng's fiancée Leng Jiaojiao's sister, and this Leng family sister is the daughter of Jiang Yucheng's aunt, just because their parents died early, they have lived in the Jiang family since they were children, and later He Wencai's wife also married from the Jiang family when she married him.

He Wencai's wife Leng Ruru is different from her sister Leng Jiaojiao's gentleness and obedience, she has always been spicy and bold, since marrying He Wencai, she has managed He Wencai to death, and when he goes out to party with his classmates, Jiang Yucheng must be present.

Jiang Yucheng heard him talk about his fiancée, and he felt a little uncomfortable. A few days ago, my cousin Leng Ruru went back to Jiang's house to mention his marriage to his cousin, because his cousin's health was getting worse and worse, his mother disagreed, and because of the marriage contract she had made since childhood, she only said that she would make her own decisions.

Jiang Yucheng didn't have much feeling about this marriage, he only had brother and sister affection for his cousin, and his cousin didn't seem to have any love for him between men and women, but if there was a marriage contract, the two had to get married. The original date was on the tenth day of the lunar month, but after discussing with my cousin for a while, I decided to change the date to September 19, so that it overlapped with the day when Ling Jiming got married.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Speaking of this, I'm going to invite Brother Hu to a wedding wine." ”

Hu Xiusheng hurriedly asked, "When?" ”

Jiang Yucheng said: "The same day as Brother Ling." ”

Hu Xiusheng said with a broken face when he heard this: "Did you discuss it?" It turned out that they were all married on September 19, so where should I go to watch the ceremony? ”

Jiang Yucheng smiled and didn't speak again.

On the other side, after Ling Jiming left Jufu Building, he walked around the town twice before returning home at dusk. Wen was looking forward to it at the head of the village, and when he saw his son's figure, he hurriedly stepped forward, "Erlang, you are finally back, go home with your mother, your mother made your favorite braised elbow." ”

Ling Jiming's face flashed with surprise, since he entered the school, the originally wealthy family has been slowly hollowed out, in the first two years, he entered the county school, and in addition to receiving some corn from the county school every ten years, the family's income depends on her mother's dowry shop in the town. The dowry of the eldest sister's marriage, and the dowry of his wife are not small, and the family's food has been much more frugal in the past two years. I didn't expect to be able to eat braised elbow today.

After the mother and son returned home, Wen beckoned her youngest daughter Ling Sanniang to set up a meal, Ling Sanniang was already hungry when she smelled the fragrance of elbows, and immediately went to the stove room after hearing the sound.

After the meal was set, Ling Sanniang went to call Father Ling again, and the family of four began to eat dinner. Ling Sanniang swallowed her saliva and wanted to clamp her elbow, but was scolded by Wen: "What are you in a hurry, can't you wait for Erlang to eat first?" ”

Ling Sanniang pursed her lips and put down her chopsticks sullenly.

"My mother is too partial, the second brother has just come back from the town, and lunch must have been eaten in Jufulou, but I haven't eaten elbows for a long time."

was repudiated by his daughter, Wen's face was a little unsightly, Father Ling hurt his daughter, and gave Ling Sanniang a big chopsticks of oily elbow meat, and she ate it with a smile. Wen naturally takes care of her son, she complained about her youngest daughter while sandwiching meat for her son: "Your second brother is forced to marry an ugly monster, you don't feel sorry for your brother as a sister, forget it, and grab meat from him to eat, and I'm embarrassed to say that I'm biased." ”

As soon as these words came out, Father Ling put down his chopsticks with a snap, "How many times have I told you, don't put the ugly word on your lips." Although Yan Niang is not good-looking, she is capable, and Erlang will not suffer a loss if she marries such a daughter-in-law. ”

Wen's dissatisfied retorted: "Where don't you suffer, that Nie Yanniang is ugly and fat, my son married her, which blind date in these ten miles and eight villages doesn't make fun of him." Hey, it's also my Erlang's hard life, but my father-in-law wants to make this marriage contract with the old man Nie, if there is no such thing, Erlang's daughter who marries the county lord is also qualified. ”

Her words made Father Ling speechless, although he thought that Yan Niang was good, but as a father, how could he not want his son to marry a wife who would help his future, but the last wish of his deceased father could not be violated, thinking of this, he could only sigh helplessly.

The meal was tasteless, and Ling Erlang only ate a few bites before putting down his chopsticks and going back to the house. Ling Sanniang originally wanted to ask him to teach her how to read, but seeing that he was in a bad mood, she had to give up.