Full House Spring

Chapter 97 Getting what you want

Kuang Chengrui's deep, dark eyes seemed to be soaked in ink, and he could not see the bottom when he stared. He said calmly and confidently: "You and I have not cancelled our engagement, and this matter is closely related to me."

Xia Li's lips curled up slightly, with a touch of indifference on her face. She said calmly: "Before I came back, my parents had proposed to cancel the engagement many times. Why didn't you agree? If I end up living in a prostitute alley, will you still marry me?"

Kuang Chengrui looked at her deeply and said firmly: "I never assume things that didn't happen. If you are alive, I will wait for you to come back. If you are not here, I will marry you."

His voice was low and contained a hint of displeasure. Xia Li raised her eyes and met his gaze. He had a dull expression, almost too calm.

Xia Li pondered for a moment and said without any emotion: "I have been busy mixing perfume recently, and I will also be busy with business in the future. I am afraid I will not be able to live peacefully in the inner house. Can you accept it?"

Kuang Chengrui looked calm, as if he had seen through everything. He said without hesitation:

"After marriage, as long as you don't cross the line, you can do whatever you want. I have to go to the garrison to work on weekdays, so you can order me to do work in my free time."

Xia Li did not comment on this answer. She walked to the armchair in front of the desk and sat down, raising her chin slightly and said, "Can you make the decision for the Kuang family? Will the old man interfere in our affairs?"

Perhaps the word "we" pleased Kuang Chengrui. He curled his lips and explained softly, "Grandfather has told me that as long as you agree to marry me, you will be the master of the Kuang family's inner house. He will not interfere in any way. When we return home, we have to listen to you."

Xia Li looked slightly surprised. She was silent for a moment, then continued, "I heard that the Kuang family's house is not spacious enough. How long do you plan to let me squeeze in with your mother and sister?"

Kuang Chengrui frowned slightly, guessing that someone must have said something to Xia Li. He said seriously, "Grandfather has allocated another piece of land for us in the backyard, and the yard will be renovated by then."

Xia Li had many maids serving her. If she didn't repair the yard, she might not even be able to put away her dowry. She glanced at the sky outside the window and said softly, "The Fang family has a rule not to take concubines. I also can't accept sharing a husband with someone, even if it's a concubine. Can you accept it?"

Kuang Chengrui said calmly, "I fight on the battlefield and live on the edge of a knife. It's already very hard for you to live in fear. How dare you have second thoughts? If I'm unfaithful to you, you can divorce me."

Xia Li stared into his eyes. He did not dodge at all. It was obvious that what he said at this moment came from the heart. She tilted her head slightly and said uncertainly: "If I have a disagreement with your mother and a conflict occurs, will you join me in the crusade against me?"

Kuang Chengrui knew his mother's temperament very well. He said frankly: "My mother has a gentle temperament and is a person without any ideas. As long as you don't treat her harshly and deliberately make her feel wronged, you can just make the decision for her."

Xia Li had a plan in mind. Although the second branch of the Kuang family was restless, it was good enough that her mother-in-law didn't cause trouble. She stood up, looked at him with a smile and said, "I'm still too young, so I won't consider the issue of offspring for now. I'll consider it after we get used to each other. What do you think?"

Kuang Chengrui's eyes flashed with complexity, and then he said with relief: "Okay, we still have a long time to live, there is no need to rush."

Xia Li frowned and thought for a while. There was nothing more to ask. She reached out and took out a pen and paper, listed the agreement they had just made one by one, and then handed the pen to Kuang Chengrui, asking him to sign.

Kuang Chengrui had no intention of deceiving her. Looking at the treaty written in black and white, he did not feel embarrassed and signed his name happily.

With this letter of commitment, Xia Li felt more at ease. The corners of her mouth rose unconsciously, and she said in a brisk voice:
"Then it's settled. You should start repairing the courtyard in your house. You can discuss the process of proposing with my father. I think you have heard about the emperor's selection of concubines. I'm afraid our marriage will be a little hasty."

After thinking for a moment, Kuang Chengrui said calmly, "I guess the decree will be issued after Queen Lu gives birth. Even if time is tight, I won't let you feel wronged. Just wait for me to marry you."

After that, he took out the brocade box that Xia Li had seen from his sleeve and pretended to be calm and said, "This dragonfly hairpin was carved by me. Although it is not expensive, it is a token of my love. I have already made it clear to you, uncle. I hope you can accept it."

Xia Li was slightly stunned, her ears reddened as she realized it belatedly, and she said in an inaudible voice: "The hairpin is very beautiful, thank you for taking the trouble."

After saying that, she reached out to take the brocade box. Kuang Chengrui's appearance and temperament were in line with Xia Li's aesthetic, but she had no emotional experience and didn't know how to get along with him. The time they had spent together was limited, and she was sober and rational enough. It was difficult for her to develop a strong love in a short period of time. It was already very good that she didn't feel disgusted.

Kuang Chengrui looked calm and composed, but in fact he was a little overwhelmed. He approached Xia Li inadvertently and said calmly: "I will buy more jewelry for you in the future. Just enjoy whatever you like."

Xia Li felt as if the air around her was being squeezed. She felt overwhelmed by the strong aura. She leaned slightly to the side and said softly, "Thank you. Just focus on accumulating military merits and don't worry too much about money."

Kuang Chengrui stood up straight and hummed lightly. He had never thought of asking Xia Li to use her dowry to support his family. In fact, the Kuang family did not need her to do so. It was just that there were some things that could not be revealed too much before the marriage.

After the two finished their business talk, the study was silent. Xia Li took a deep breath and said in a gentle tone: "My father is still waiting outside. We should go out."

Kuang Chengrui nodded slightly, and the two walked out one after the other. Fang Zongru saw the brocade box in his daughter's hand and didn't know what to say for a moment. His daughter would get married eventually, so he could only comfort himself in this way.

As soon as Kuang Chengrui came out of Fang's house, he rushed home without stopping. At that moment, Old Man Kuang was working in the fields, and he was accompanied by Kuang Chengdong and Kuang Chengzhi. Although Kuang Chengzhi was the son of Cui, he grew up with the old man since childhood, so he had a good relationship with the eldest son.

When the grandfather and grandson saw Kuang Chengrui coming on horseback, they dropped their work and headed for the ridge of the field. Grandpa Kuang hadn't seen his eldest grandson for several days and didn't know what he was busy with recently. Seeing him coming over in a hurry, he thought something must have happened. Before he even got close, he raised his voice and asked, "Chengrui, what happened? Are the Dongyi people in unrest again?"

Kuang Chengrui tightened the reins and dismounted. He rarely smiled and said in a loud voice, "There is no war. It's because the Fang family has agreed to marry me. Because of the emperor's selection of concubines, I'm afraid the marriage is a bit hasty. We have to get started."

As soon as these words came out, Mr. Kuang's eyes narrowed into slits with laughter. He said cheerfully, "Okay, okay, this is really good news. I will find someone to repair the yard later. It's time to prepare the betrothal gifts. There are many things to do."

Kuang Chengdong stood in the middle of the field and said in disbelief, "Is this sister-in-law really going to be married home? My brother won't force her, will he?"

Old Master Kuang slapped him on the forehead and said unhappily, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Even your brother doesn't believe it? Our family has a real mistress. You must respect your sister-in-law in the future." Kuang Chengdong grinned and said, "My biological sister-in-law, of course I have to respect her. Grandfather, just relax."

Old Master Kuang nodded in satisfaction. He caught a glimpse of Kuang Chengzhi smiling, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He restrained his expression and said in a deep voice:

"After your eldest sister-in-law comes into the family, the family will be greatly changed. This will also be beneficial to your future marriage. You must not be so superficial as to not know the importance of the matter."

Although Kuang Chengzhi was young, he was smart. He knew that the old man was pointing at him, so he quickly said, "Grandfather, don't worry. An elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I will respect my elder sister-in-law as much as I respect my elder brother."

Old Master Kuang nodded slightly and said calmly, "You should also persuade your mother more and don't make the family restless."

Kuang Chengzhi nodded with a wry smile, his face showing a maturity that was not in line with his age. His mother was still immersed in the glory of the past and couldn't get out of it. She always felt that she should be the head of the family. She looked down on her aunt everywhere and wanted to compete with her in everything. In fact, her grandfather had never thought highly of her. The more he suppressed her, the heavier the resentment in her heart became. Sometimes she didn't even want to listen to what he said.

Kuang Chengrui patted Kuang Chengzhi on the shoulder. He saw all the difficulties his brother was facing. Even a judge could not judge family affairs, and some things could not be explained in just a few words.

Kuang Chengzhi felt a little sour at the tip of his nose. His elder brother had never taken his anger out on him since he was a child. Although he didn't talk much, his mind was like a mirror, which made Kuang Chengzhi very convinced.

Kuang Chengrui walked side by side with his grandfather, and Kuang Chengdong naturally took over the reins. The old man put his hands behind his back and said slowly: "I will be responsible for arranging the wedding. Your mother is easily confused, and the Fang family must not be neglected."

Kuang Chengrui said in a low voice: "You take charge of the overall situation. You can let mother help with the minor details. If you are not feeling well, let me do it."

Old Master Kuang raised his eyebrows and said calmly, "Don't worry about it. My old bones can still move. What's the point of doing this if I can't even handle such a small matter? Let's discuss how to get the betrothal gifts first. You have been hiding it for so many years. Your marriage must not be underestimated."

Kuang Chengrui didn't want to say more outside, so he said vaguely: "It's not too late to discuss it when we get back. Don't get carried away. It's better to be cautious."

Kuang Chengdong and Kuang Chengzhi followed a few steps behind. They didn't know the inside story because the old man always talked to the eldest brother when he had something to say.

While they were talking, they had unknowingly walked outside the house. There was a carriage parked at the door. Old Master Kuang squinted his eyes and saw the curtain of the carriage opened. Kuang Yulin got off the carriage and saw her grandfather and elder brother standing together. Her pupils shrank slightly and she felt guilty for a moment, then she slowly stepped forward to greet them.

Mr. Kuang was kind to his granddaughter and said slowly, "Are you back from your aunt's place?"

Kuang Yulin said politely, "In reply to Grandfather, I went to Magistrate He's residence and accompanied my cousin for a few days. I just came back."

The old man hesitated for a while and whispered, "County Magistrate He is not a close relative after all, so you should go there less often. You are about to reach marriage age, so you should learn from your sister and behave yourself."

Kuang Yulin hated it most when her grandfather compared her to Kuang Yuru. She pursed her lips, suppressed her unhappiness, and forced a smile, "I understand. I won't stay longer next time. If you have something to do, go inside with Big Brother first."

How could Grandpa Kuang not see that his granddaughter disliked him? He had never raised a daughter and didn't know how to get along with his granddaughter. He sighed and walked into the house with his hands behind his back. Kuang Chengrui walked straight past her as if he didn't see Kuang Yulin.

Kuang Chengdong led the horse to the stable, and Kuang Chengzhi followed his elder brother and was about to leave. Kuang Yulin grabbed his arm and said in a low voice, "Why are you running? Can't you see I have a bag to take? Hurry up and take it in for me."

Although Kuang Chengzhi felt annoyed by his sister, he still obediently picked up his bag and followed her to the west wing. When they were far away from the old man, Kuang Yulin whispered, "I see that grandpa's face is full of rosy red. Is there any good news?"

Kuang Chengzhi was not a gossiper. He thought that this matter was not a secret and his family would know it sooner or later, so he said lightly: "My eldest brother's marriage to the Fang family is settled. They are discussing the betrothal gifts. We need to renovate the yard behind our house. There must be a lot of things going on at home recently."

Kuang Yulin's face changed slightly, and she said in disbelief: "How could the Fang family agree to the marriage? Did you hear it wrong?"

Kuang Chengzhi rolled his eyes at her and said slowly, "Are you really stupid or just pretending to be stupid? Grandfather tried every means to get the engagement for Big Brother, how could it be so easy to cancel it? Why don't you hope for the best for your family?"

Kuang Yulin raised a mocking smile and angrily said, "You are really turning your elbow outward. If my eldest brother marries the daughter of the Fang family, the ones who benefit are the ones from the eldest branch. Even if you are biased towards that side, it will be of no use."

Although Kuang Chengzhi doesn't talk much, he has a stubborn temper. He threw Kuang Yulin's bag to the ground and said unhappily, "If you can't speak, don't speak. You just try to sow discord all day long. Take your own things yourself, don't come to me."

Seeing him walk away without even looking back, Kuang Yulin was so angry that her eyes turned red. She scolded him, "I am your biological sister. I am saying these two words to you for your own good. You really don't know what is good for you."

Cui, who was copying Buddhist scriptures in the house, heard the noise outside and came out. She was wearing a gray jacket, her face was thin and pale, and her eyes were cold and sharp. She said in a deep voice: "What are you yelling about? How can you look so decent?"

Kuang Yulin was very afraid of her mother. She restrained her expression and bowed gracefully before saying, "Mother, it was my fourth brother who supported the eldest house. My eldest brother's marriage to the Fang family was finalized. I complained a little, but he was still not happy."

Cui's eyes were gloomy, the corners of her mouth drooped, and she said coldly: "Take your bag first and go into the house."

Kuang Yulin did not dare to dawdle. He lifted the bag with great effort and followed his mother with heavy steps. When they entered the house, Cui sat upright on the bed, picked up the Buddhist beads on the small table and gently turned them. She said solemnly, "Did your fourth brother really say that the marriage is done? Did you hear it wrong?"

Kuang Yulin lowered her eyebrows slightly, and said with a slightly worried look: "Mother, the unhappiness between me and my fourth brother was caused by this incident.

I met Miss Fang when I accompanied my cousin to the flower banquet earlier. If I had known that she would agree to the marriage so quickly, I shouldn’t have said those words.”

(End of this chapter)