bookcurios Chapter 165 Just Like
Chapter 165 Just Like
Yu Wanran calmed her thoughts and responded to Si Yuankai with as sincere eyes and expressions as possible.
She simply didn't want to get married and didn't want to make enemies with the other party!
Offending a man with a powerful family background and a fifth-rank military officer would be more harmful than beneficial to her.
"But as you know, sir, I am a female merchant! Someone like me naturally doesn't want to be confined to the inner quarters. Commander, if you marry me, would you still want me to be out in the public eye, working hard in the fields?"
Si Yuankai was greatly surprised, not expecting her to have such an idea!
"I can support you! Are you worried that if you marry me, I can't give you a life of luxury? I'm quite well-off..."
Having some assets was just a modest way of putting it; in reality, the Si family was a prominent and wealthy clan. Si Yuankai was just wondering if he had been too modest and might not have won over the beauty.
Then Yu Wanran said firmly, "No! It has nothing to do with money! If I were to marry, I would not ask for wealth and honor from my husband's family. I only need to agree to two things."
"What two things?"
Si Yuankai's hope was immediately rekindled, and he hurriedly asked.
"First, I cannot be confined to the inner quarters; I must have absolute freedom and a voice to do what I want to do!"
"Secondly, I will not allow my husband to have other women, not even concubines!"
Si Yuankai was stunned.
He could understand the second point, but what the hell was the first one?
He married a wife, requiring her to be virtuous and gentle. His wife shared common interests with him, and they would discuss martial arts in their leisure time, a kind of intimate pleasure in their private lives.
If his wife runs off every few days after they get married, leaving him the one left alone in the empty house, wouldn't he be laughed at to death?
Although he found Yu Wanran different from other young ladies and had aspects that greatly attracted his interest, this liking was far from enough to condone all her behavior.
He simply thought she was a good match and went to her door to propose marriage. He didn't care about her commoner status and was willing to take her as his wife, thinking she would be flattered and agree immediately.
really……
Any woman with ability is independent and unconventional.
Si Yuankai was in a state of utter confusion.
Seeing Yu Wanran bow apologetically to him, he wanted to turn away but felt reluctant. However, he couldn't accept the conditions offered by the other party no matter what.
Even if he agrees, he won't get past his parents and family! He might even face severe punishment under family law...
After thinking it over, I was at a loss for what to do.
He sighed and said to Yu Wanran, "Alright... I was careless and rash! Miss Yu, I'll take my leave now! I hope this matter hasn't affected your mood."
Yu Wanran curtsied.
"Thank you for your kindness, Commander Qianhu. I am truly unworthy of your favor."
Si Yuankai gave her a deep look and left her with a single sentence.
"If you ever need my help in the future, Miss Yu, please don't hesitate to come to me!"
Having said that, he turned and strode away.
Yu Wanran watched his retreating figure and breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was a reasonable person; otherwise, things could have been very troublesome!
Zhong Yeliu only entered after Si Yuankai had disappeared from sight. Seeing Yu Wanran sitting there alone in a daze, she felt a sense of shared sorrow, yet also a secret sense of relief.
She truly didn't want her mistress to marry blindly and be confined to the inner quarters. So what were the rest of them supposed to do?
She was fed up with the disgusting faces of men, even those within her own family, let alone outsiders.
If she couldn't find the right person, she'd rather remain unmarried for life! Did she believe her mistress shared this sentiment?
"Master, it's windy by the river. Should I send Shunzi into town to buy a few more quilts to distribute to the people staying at the workshop?"
Yu Wanran snapped out of her daze: "You can arrange it as you see fit."
The two tacitly skipped over what had just happened and went to see the room. The so-called room was actually a very simple, unfinished house, with a few wooden planks dividing it into small rooms.
Given the limited funding, it's quite good that it's been repaired to this extent. We'll have to tear it down and rebuild it when we have more money; for now, we'll just have to make do. At least it offers good privacy; once the door is closed, there aren't even any window openings.
The two were making the bed and taking some of their luggage out to put in the closet when they heard Lin Anzhi calling "dun dun, dun dun" in the yard, as if he was teasing something.
Yu Wanran immediately remembered the pregnant dog, put down her work, and turned to walk out. She saw Lin Anzhi holding a small, tan-colored dog in his arms, his eyes gentle as he stroked it.
"Is this Dundun's child?"
Yu Wanran had long lost her childlike joy of walking dogs and playing with cats, but this was Dundun's child, so she couldn't help but feel a little closer to him. Looking into the puppy's clear, innocent, and shiny black eyes, she couldn't resist reaching out to stroke his head.
Where is Dundun?
Lin Anzhi lowered his head, trying to hide the tears welling up in his eyes.
After calming down, she replied with a sense of loss, "Dundun is gone! She was already badly injured after being kicked by that bad guy. She barely managed to give birth to a litter of three puppies before she passed away..."
A smile crept across his lips as he stroked the puppy's fluffy head.
"Sister Yu, doesn't this puppy look the most like Dundun? I'll still name it Dundun, as if Dundun is still alive..."
His voice choked up as he spoke the last sentence.
Yu Wanran patted his shoulder: "That's right, they really do look alike, almost identical? And there are two little dogs too..."
Lin Anzhi paused for a moment, as if he had just remembered, and led Yu Wanran to a corner.
There was a simple doghouse made of straw and rags, where two puppies, one white and one black, with their dark eyes wide open, huddled together. For some reason, they trembled when they saw people.
Yu Wanran squatted down and gently stroked the two dogs' heads. The white one looked especially beautiful and adorable.
That's strange, why are the three puppies all different colors?
Lin Anzhi, holding Dundun in his arms, looked at her and hesitated before asking, "Sister Yu, do you like dogs? How about I give you these two puppies?"
One dog is enough for the workshop; three would be too much trouble once they grew up. After all, they're still struggling to make ends meet and don't have enough surplus food to feed three dogs. Grandpa's idea is to give two away.
Yu Wanran was slightly surprised, picked up the two puppies and stood up: "They are Dundun's offspring! Xiao An, are you willing to part with them?"
Lin Anzhi looked at the little dumpling in his arms and didn't hesitate.
"I'll just keep this little dog that looks most like Dundun. Those other two... seeing them will remind me that Dundun is gone! I'd rather not keep any more; you can't raise too many properly anyway?"
Yu Wanran thought she could give one to her parents and keep one for herself, perfect for guarding the house. Xinran readily agreed: "Okay, thank you so much, Xiao An!"
She will have to stay in the workshop for a while, which will give her a chance to get to know the two puppies.
Three puppies were born, but Dundun died and had no milk to drink. Lin Anzhi begged a craftsman who had sheep and lambs that had just given birth to buy some goat milk every day to feed the dogs.
This expense was considerable, so the Lin family grandfather and grandson felt that raising three dogs was too much trouble.
Knowing the situation, Yu Wanran took over the task of buying goat milk without hesitation. She was determined to fatten up the three puppies so they would be weaned by the time she left.