"Dad, both Da Lang and Xiangxiang have their marriage settled, but I’m the elder and mine isn’t settled yet. What should I do about this?"

Mu Danyan didn’t want to fall behind and followed up.

Speaking of which, there are too many kids in the Old Mu Family reaching the marrying age.

The eldest two daughters, Mu Dandan and Mu Yingying.

The second branch Mu Dalang and Mu Qingqing.

The third branch Mu Shuangshuang, and the fourth branch Mu Xiaxia.

Then there’s Mu Danyan and Mu Xiangxiang. If the Old Mu Family seriously takes care of this matter, they’d have to organize several wedding banquets within a year.

But along with that comes a large sum of money.

Betrothal gifts, dowries, all these expenses combined would be estimated to be several dozens of silver taels.

Mr. Mu took a couple of puffs from his dry tobacco pipe and said calmly.

"The date for Da Lang’s marriage is set for the twelfth lunar month, and for Xiangxiang’s it’s the second. Fifth, you can probably get married after Xiangxiang does.

As for Qing and Xia, they are still young, so let’s wait for a while. Once Da Da is confirmed if it’s going to be the county or the capital, we can find a matchmaker.

The marriage of the eldest’s two daughters will be handled by the eldest’s wife, we don’t interfere."

Mr. Mu’s words sounded quite fair.

The few people present didn’t have much opinion, but the biggest issue was the allocation of money.

However, everyone knew this straightforward conversation wouldn’t be discussed in front of others, but certainly in private.

"Dad, how much is the Qin Family’s betrothal gift?" Mu Dazhong asked Mr. Mu with a fawning expression.

"Exactly, this matter hasn’t been discussed with mom either, just mentioning the Qin Family sent five taels of silver, some clothes, and we haven’t even seen what the Qin Family boy looks like." Mu Danyan joined in the fuss.

"I haven’t seen him either." Mr. Mu admitted frankly.

Not only Mr. Mu but even Old Mrs. Mu hadn’t seen him.

Just having heard their conditions are good, with decent looks and being a Scholar, Old Mrs. Mu decided on this marriage.

"Mom, you and Xiangxiang decided on this marriage, when will you take us to the town to have a look, huh? The bride should meet the in-laws. The new son-in-law shouldn’t be hidden away, should he?" Mu Dazhong said.

Old Mrs. Mu thought about it and found it reasonable.

A daughter-in-law that she hadn’t even seen, saying it out loud might get laughed at.

"Alright, I’ll ask Nanny Li to talk to the Qin Family, and we will go to the town looking around, but you have to wait outside, while me and Xiangxiang’s father go inside, and Da Da will go to make an impression."

With Old Mrs. Mu saying this, the second branch and Mu Danyan were inevitably disappointed.

But thinking of going to the town to have a big meal wasn’t bad either.

"Mom, I probably won’t have time, I have to go to the county in a couple of days." Mu Dade stood up.

"You’ve just come back, why are you going again? Didn’t the documents from the government already arrive?" Old Mrs. Mu said surprisedly.

Mrs. Jin also looked surprised, she hadn’t heard her husband mentioning going to the county.

Moreover, Mrs. Jin noticed changes in her husband’s behavior since he returned.

He no longer discussed things with her, and, most importantly, the plan to make the third branch suffer had no progress.

Mrs. Jin watched Mu Shuangshuang coming and going in the Old Mu Family yard every day, feeling annoyed.

If the third branch doesn’t suffer a setback soon, Mrs. Jin might not be able to hold it in any longer.

"Mom, some classmates invited me to the county, saying they’d introduce me to some county gentlemen, as I have quite a chance of getting appointed in the county."

Ruan Xiao Jiao had pulled many strings for Mu Dade, using all her effort to keep the County Magistrate happy.

The County Chief Clerk’s position was reserved for Mu Dade temporarily, and if Mu Dade doesn’t become a Champion Scholar, he could take the position in the county.

These things were never mentioned to the Old Mu Family, only saying he might be appointed in the county.

Upon hearing it’s about career, Old Mrs. Mu immediately fell silent.

"Then hurry up, this matter can’t be delayed." Old Mrs. Mu urged.

Mu Xiangxiang saw Old Mrs. Mu change her attitude so quickly, and stomped her foot.

"Mom, you said earlier that big brother would go, now that he’s not going, would the Qin Family still approve of us? Xiangxiang just won’t go."

Strictly speaking, this was the first rift between Mu Xiangxiang and Mu Dade.

Old Mrs. Mu felt torn.

Heart and flesh on each side, which hurts, she is distressed.

In the end, Mu Dade made a concession.

"Mom, if you can arrange a meeting with the Qin Family tomorrow, I’ll go, but if it’s not possible tomorrow, forget it."

Mu Dade’s words let Old Mrs. Mu know there’s room for negotiation.

She thought about it, stood up, and said to everyone: "I’ll go find that Nanny Li, wait for my good news."

Old Mrs. Mu rushed to the neighboring village, paid Nanny Li a coin, and took a cow cart to town.

In the evening, the Qin Family suggested having lunch at the First-class Residence Restaurant the following day.

This was great news for the Old Mu Family, as it was rare for the whole Old Mu Family to go to the town.

Everyone took it seriously, even Mrs. Lin bathed, washed her hair, and wore the clothes given by Mrs. Jin worth two taels of silver.

Although when she first tried it on, it tore, so Mrs. Lin patched it up with other fabrics, though it looked a bit mismatched, it still looked high-end overall.

...

...

The next day, the whole Old Mu Family spent five coins renting a cow cart to rush to the town.

They had just reached the village entrance when they saw Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng coming along with a cow cart.

Accompanied by Zhao Yun, Yu Si Niang, and four little kids.

This was something Mu Shuangshuang suddenly wanted to do last night, as the autumn harvest was over, and her mother hadn’t gone to town for quite a while.

Yu Si Niang took some mountain products with her for the Zhang Family’s Master, considering it a token of appreciation for the support given by the old owner.

"Mom, isn’t that Yu Si Niang? Maybe she heard we’re going to the county to meet the Qin Family, so she’s tagging along for a free meal?"

Mrs. Lin shouted loudly.

"You’re blabbering nonsense, my old eyes aren’t blind, I can see." Old Mrs. Mu scolded Mrs. Lin angrily.

Mrs. Lin pursed her lips and obediently shut her mouth.

The cow cart came closer, Yu Si Niang greeted the people of the Old Mu Family sheepishly.

"Dad, mom, second brother, second sister-in-law..."

This group didn’t include Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin, as they took a separate carriage to town, arranged by Mrs. Jin last night.

Old Mrs. Mu snorted coldly, turned her head to the side, completely ignoring Yu Si Niang’s greeting.

"Third daughter-in-law, where are you and Shuang going?" Mr. Mu asked, knowing well.

But no one bothered about it.

"Shuang and Fengzi are going to town to deliver some things, Xiao Yun and I planned to go to town for a stroll, maybe buy something." Yu Si Niang answered honestly.

"I spit, wasteful woman, didn’t put in any effort when making money, spends my son’s money without blinking an eye."