Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 501 Good news, the lady came to propose marriage and it was settled

The two were standing in the restaurant. When Huang's mother walked in, she saw Li greeting customers.

When Li looked up and saw Mother Huang, she thought she was seeing things.

Mother Huang smiled and walked forward, bowed and said, "Mrs. Li, how are you? Can I come to your house to talk?"

Li stood there in surprise, and for a moment she even forgot to answer.

It was not until Zheng Sanniang pulled Li's sleeve that Li finally reacted.

She forced a smile, greeted Huang's mother, and then took the two of them to the small courtyard in front of the restaurant to talk.

Shen Yu is also in the store today. At this moment, she is steaming lotus cake with a new recipe in a newly set up small compartment next to the kitchen in the backyard.

Just as I took the steamed lotus cake out of the small steamer, I saw Zheng Sanniang hurrying over.

She looked at Zhou Dalang and several newly hired waiters who were busy in the big kitchen, and quickly closed the door of the small compartment.

She lowered her voice and said to Shen Yu, "Miss, Mrs. Huang from the Lu Mansion is here, along with a mother-in-law who looks very dignified."

"This old lady came yesterday with a very impressive old gentleman, and she asked me about you."

"The lady is talking to them in the front yard right now."

Shen Yu was confused and wanted to find out what happened.

But Zheng Sanniang had quickly prepared two cups of honey mint tea, and picked out a plate of lotus cake that Shen Yu had just steamed but had not had time to taste, and put them on the tray.

She said expectantly, "Girl, when Mrs. Huang came over, she was smiling. I guess there must be good news. You wait here. I'll go serve some refreshments and come back to tell you."

Without thinking, Shen Yu reached out to untie the apron tied around her body, and said with some concern: "Is mom alone over there? Then I'll go over with you to take a look."

Zheng Sanniang smiled and stopped him, saying, "You can't say such things in front of a girl. Just wait, I'll be back after I've brought you some tea."

Having said that, he held the tray steadily and walked quickly to the small courtyard in front.

Shen Yu was left standing in the kitchen, thinking: "Good news?"

"Mr. Lu didn't pass the imperial examination. Did he successfully convince Old Master Lu to agree to this marriage?"

"Or is it because she failed to convince Old Master Lu that Madam Huang came here to apologize?"

"Who is the old lady that Sister Zheng mentioned?"

Even though Shen Yu usually had a clear understanding of people and things, he still felt a little confused when he was concerned about the matter that concerned his lifelong event.

Before I could figure out a clue, I saw Zheng Sanniang jogging towards me with a happy face.

When he saw her, he knelt down, bowed, and congratulated her, "Girl, great news!"

"That mother-in-law is Mr. Lu's grandmother, the madam of the Lu family!"

"She came here today to propose marriage!"

Shen Yu exclaimed "Ah" in surprise, but before she could answer, Zheng Sanniang urged Shen Yu to take off her apron.

She helped her to re-do her hair and clothes and said, "The lady asked me to call you over. The lady wants to see the girl."

Shen Yu's mind was in a mess. He was pushed by Zheng Sanniang and went to the main room of the front yard involuntarily.

The front yard was only separated from the back yard of the restaurant by a small door. It only took a few steps to reach the door of the house. By the time she walked into the house, she had calmed down.

After she stopped, she quickly glanced at the old woman sitting opposite Li, who was dressed casually and looked at her with a smile on her face when she came in.

She squatted down steadily and bowed, and said in a smooth voice: "My daughter greets the Madam, I hope she is well."

Only then did Old Madam Lu get a good look at Shen Yu.

I saw that she was neither humble nor arrogant, and her behavior was calm and composed, without any shyness. I nodded secretly in my heart, thinking that this woman was indeed a lady of great talent.

She smiled and stood up, took two steps forward, held out her hand to help Shen Yu up and said, "Miss Yuzhi, please get up quickly. We are a family from now on, so there is no need to be so polite."

"Hurry up and sit down, let's talk."

Although Shen Yu was a little surprised that the lady personally stood up and helped her, she did not show it on her face.

With just the right smile on his face, he thanked her graciously, helped the lady to sit down, and then turned around and sat on a chair beside him.

Although this was the first time that the lady met Shen Yu, she had already heard Lu Lang talk a lot about Shen Yu.

When I met her at this time, I didn't feel strange at all, it was as if I had known her for a long time.

After a few words, the two of them started asking and answering each other. People who didn't know the situation thought that they were just a casual chat between the two grandparents.

After chatting for a while, Madam Lu got straight to the point and said, "Xiao Si is still in the capital waiting to be appointed as an official."

"Once the official position is decided, I will send someone to formally propose marriage."

"I have already discussed it with the Madam. After the engagement is officially made, I will use your and Xiao Si's birth dates to choose an auspicious date for the wedding."

At this point, Madam Lu paused and said apologetically, "We still don't know what official position Xiao Si will be given. We can only discuss it after we decide where you will settle down."

"But in Beijing, we have already prepared a house for Xiao Si to live in after his marriage."

"The courtyard is not big, but it is big enough for you and your wife to live in."

"I know that young people don't like living with the elderly. They feel constrained."

"According to the rules of our family, once a man gets married, he will move out and live on his own. During the New Year holidays, everyone will gather in the old house for a few days. This way, it is cheaper for both parties."

Li was listening to what Old Madam Lu said and she never stopped laughing.

When I heard that the Lu family had made such complete preparations, including formally proposing the marriage proposal and preparing a house, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

She muttered to herself, "Such a wealthy family will surely pay a lot of betrothal gifts, but how can I prepare Yuzhi's dowry to be worthy of her?"

"Even if we convert all the money from the restaurants and inns into silver, I'm afraid we still won't be able to prepare a dowry that looks good in the capital."

Thinking of this, Li's previous joy disappeared without a trace, and she began to feel sad.

Shen Yu said, "Thank you Madam for your kindness, but I don't know when I can meet Mr. Lu. I still have something to say to Mr. Lu."

The lady thought Shen Yu was worried about Lu Lang, so she smiled and said, "Xiao Si is doing well in the capital, you don't have to worry."

"He doesn't know we're here to propose yet. If he knew, he would definitely be very happy."

"As for when I can see him, I can't say for sure. I have to wait until he is appointed as an official."

"But we will be returning to Beijing in a few days. If you have anything to say, you can write it in a letter and I will give it to him for you."

Shen Yu was actually worried that after getting married, she would have to live with Lu Lang wherever he worked.

When I leave Anping County, will Li and her family be able to sustain running the restaurant and inn on their own?