Chapter 649 - 651: Handle It All at Once

Chapter 649: Chapter 651: Handle It All at Once

In Shi Dayong’s view, since the two girls were raised by the Gu family, they were considered young ladies of the Gu family, and their status would naturally rise with it.

But now, it sounded like the plan was to marry the two girls off to ordinary families, which was a far cry from what he had imagined.

This time, his seventh brother-in-law was personally training ten children, and he had toyed with the idea of squeezing his own eldest son in among them.

But when he actually met his seventh brother-in-law, he didn’t have the courage to bring it up.

He later wanted Gu Yuanfeng to put in a good word for him, but who knew that foolish woman would try to send their own young son instead? She even angered her mother and was promptly thrown out.

"You think I want to handle this hot potato? I’m on my second marriage with you, and now I have to bring these two girls back. I can only imagine the gossip that will spread through the village." Gu Yuanfeng felt utterly wronged and had finally found an outlet for her grievances.

Shi Dayong asked, "Did your mother give any specifics? Or any requirements? That way, we can help keep an eye out."

Even though he was furious inside, Shi Dayong was adept at concealing his emotions.

"Not really. She said I could make the decision," Gu Yuanfeng said, as if taking credit. "But don’t worry, my mother said she will provide the dowries, so we don’t have to handle it."

Shi Dayong’s face darkened with displeasure. "How can we do that? No matter what, those two are your biological daughters. I consider them my own daughters, too. How can we let Mother provide their dowries?

We just need to choose their future husbands very carefully. If the old madam isn’t pleased with our choices, we’ll be in a difficult position."

Gu Yuanfeng looked touched. "Husband, I know you’re just looking out for me, but since my mother has already made her decision, we should respect her wishes.

As for the candidates, I have no idea where to even start. If it comes to it, we can just leave it to a matchmaker.

Besides, Lai Cai and Niu Niu are also of age now. We can handle everything at once."

’I can get that eyesore of a girl married off and find a simple, obedient daughter-in-law. The more I think about it, the more I like my plan.’

Shi Dayong said, "I’ll find a matchmaker, then. But let’s prioritize Chuncao first. You’ll be overwhelmed trying to handle too many happy occasions at once."

Thinking her husband was just being considerate, Gu Yuanfeng agreed with a smug expression.

Shi Dayong offered a few more placating words before walking to the backyard with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Dad, why did you bring those two girls here?" Shi Niuniu, who had been waiting for him, immediately asked when she saw Shi Dayong approach.

Shi Dayong replied, "First, go clear out a room and let them settle in. We can talk after.

They might be staying with us for a while, so you and your brother will have to put up with it."

"Putting up with it again," Shi Niuniu snorted. "Dad, things are already unfair enough! Now you’ve brought two more people here. Will there even be a place left for my brother and me in this house?"

"Don’t talk such nonsense," Shi Dayong said, tapping her lightly on the head. "Don’t forget, we need to rely on the Gu family’s reputation to find you a good match. Even if you’re just putting on an act, you cannot afford to upset them.

Besides, they’re just two girls. Once they’re married off, you can just think of it as having another branch of the family to visit."

"What?" Shi Niuniu cried out, agitated. "They’re going to be married off from our house? Back when you two got married, didn’t you say she wouldn’t be bringing them over?"

Shi Dayong glanced back quickly, then hissed, "Shut up! This was the idea of the old Madam of the Gu family."

Shi Niuniu wouldn’t let it go, her face flushing red as she yelled, "Dad, you promised me! You said you would prepare a generous dowry for me. Now that they’re here, does this mean you’re going to take from mine to give to them?"

"I always keep my promises," Shi Dayong said. Seeing that the backyard was empty, he no longer tried to quiet her. "The Gu family will provide their dowries. Your mother is their birth mother, so it’s only natural she arranges their marriages. Right now, we cannot afford to offend the Gu family, so you’d better restrain yourself."

Shi Dayong knew his daughter’s temperament all too well. She constantly made trouble for Gu Yuanfeng, but thankfully, it was always just petty squabbles over trivial matters. Coupled with his own ability to soothe his wife, he had managed to prevent her from making a big scene.

"Dad, I can let this slide," Shi Niuniu said. "But you better remember: that woman is not to have any say in our marriages."

With a helpless look, Shi Dayong said, "When have I ever broken a promise to you two? Now, go get your brother and have him come back to help you. He runs around all day and hasn’t made anything of himself. What girl is going to be interested in him like that?"

"My brother doesn’t like being at home because he doesn’t want to see that woman either.

Besides, you also promised you’d get our uncle from the Gu family to take my brother and me under his wing, and that didn’t happen either!"

After saying her piece, Shi Niuniu ignored Shi Dayong’s flushed face, tossed her head, and stalked off toward the kitchen.

＆

As their arduous journey continued, Ancient Wen Heng and his party spent more and more nights camping in the wilderness. Sometimes, they traveled for several days without reaching a single county town.

Jin Qianqian used to think the road to Lu City was difficult enough, but the journey ahead taught her the true meaning of a winding mountain road.

"How long have we been winding through these mountains?" Jin Qianqian asked, lifting the carriage curtain to look out at the dense forest.

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "We should be more than halfway through. We’ll be out of these woods in a few more days."

He thought for a moment before adding, "When we reach the next county town, let’s hire a guide."

’Even though there was only one road, having a local to lead them would be better than stumbling along blindly.’

’These days, not knowing when this road will end, are certainly trying.’

Jin Qianqian gazed at the endless road ahead. "When we get to the next town, we have to stop and rest for two days. No matter how comfortable this carriage is, it’s no substitute for a real bed."

Ancient Wen Heng had no objections. With the constant, day-long jolting, he also felt as if his bones were about to be shaken loose.

Earlier in the journey, they could still catch up on sleep, but the further they traveled, the more rugged the road became, with frequent sharp turns. Some of the older women in the carriage behind them had been suffering from motion sickness for a while.

They even preferred to get out and run alongside the carriage rather than stay inside.

Just as they were gazing at the scenery and counting down the time until their next stop, the convoy abruptly halted.

A scout sent ahead ran back to report that the mountain road had collapsed at some point and was now impassable.

The color drained from Jin Qianqian’s face. Deep in this mountain forest, where could they possibly find another way out?

"You stay here for now," Ancient Wen Heng said. "I’m going to take a look."

Unsettled, Jin Qianqian replied, "I’m going with you. I could use the chance to stretch my legs anyway."

As she spoke, she quickly finished getting dressed and slipped on her shoes.

Seeing she was determined, Ancient Wen Heng helped her down from the carriage.

"What exactly is the situation?"

Ming Feng replied, "Master, I just went to check. It looks like the rain from a few days ago caused a mudslide that’s blocking the road. It will probably take some time to clear."