Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 424 New Year’s Gift Request (2)_1

Chapter 424: Chapter 424 New Year’s Gift Request (2)_1

"So, what exactly do the Count and Countess mean? Will they agree to this marriage?"

Liu Tinglan nodded but then shook her head, her expression wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, "My father isn’t particularly satisfied with the man, but he can’t stand my mother’s constant nagging in his ear, so he can only go along with her wishes. They say the marital contract will be set next June and we’ll be married the year after."

Mo Yan couldn’t bear to see her like this and comforted her, "There are still several months to go, who knows what might change? Maybe in the end, your mother herself won’t be satisfied. Don’t worry too much about it yet."

She hadn’t seen the man, so she couldn’t judge whether he was good or not, nor if he could bring happiness to her good sister, so she couldn’t rashly speak well of him. She could only comfort her sister in this way to think positively.

The possibility was slim, but Liu Tinglan still appreciated her sister’s kindness and perked up, "It’s not often we get together; let’s not talk about such vexing matters. I’ve made a screen for you. I’ll show it to you now, and if you like it, you can take it home!"

With that, she stood up and opened the chest beside her, taking out a neatly folded screen.

Liu Tinglan, the only daughter of the Liu Family, had been doted on by her parents since childhood. Yet, the couple didn’t spoil her indiscriminately, they insisted she learn everything a young lady should, and learn well. Thus, not only was Liu Tinglan kind and virtuous, but her needlework, taught by a careful embroideress, was exquisite, and even her cooking skills were not lacking.

Mo Yan hadn’t expected her friend to put in such effort and quickly stood up to help, and upon seeing the screen’s embroidery, she couldn’t help exclaiming, "So beautiful!"

This was a botanical screen, large in scope, with eight panels. The vibrantly colored flora and fauna were embroidered so lifelike they seemed ready to burst with fragrance. The bees and butterflies buzzing among the flowers seemed as if they could fly off the screen... Such a screen was perfect for use as a room divider in a bedroom, but creating one of such size would have taken several months of work.

Seeing her friend so moved, staring fixedly in admiration at her creation, Liu Tinglan felt very proud, yet humbly said, "It’s just so-so. If you like it, take it home. Have a carpenter fit it with a stand to use as a divider in your room. If not, it’s also fine to leave it at the bottom of your chest."

This was the coquettish modesty suggesting that the screen was merely an idle pastime.

"I love it, of course I love it! Even if you embroidered just a blade of grass for me, I’d treasure it dearly!" Mo Yan said without lifting her head, her eyes still stuck on the screen.

Her words were more pleasing than mere flattery. Liu Tinglan, with eyebrows raised and a smile on her face, proudly quipped, "I spent three to four months on this screen, but who asked you to be my best sister! Seeing how much you like it, my effort wasn’t wasted."

Mo Yan was deeply moved, speaking earnestly, "Sister Lan, I will always cherish your kind gesture. When you find a good husband, I will definitely send a generous gift."

But Liu Tinglan turned slightly red and pinched Mo Yan playfully, "Look at you, little minx, making fun of me! Don’t just talk about me. Next year, you’ll come of age, and Uncle Mo, who adores you so, will surely find you a good husband!"

Mo Yan, careful not to drop and dirty the screen, didn’t dare let go and got caught by Liu Tinglan, who tickled her incessantly. Mo Yan, who was highly ticklish, burst into pleas for mercy: "Stop, stop, dear sister, no more tickling, please spare me!"

"Hehe, now that I’ve got you, don’t even think about escaping! Stand still and be good, and let your little Lord here give you a kiss!" Liu Tinglan, holding onto Mo Yan, pretended to be a rakish noble from a stage play and planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

The two sisters were in stitches, laughing until they were nearly in tears, and even the three heads of the households, sipping tea and chatting in the living room, heard them and exchanged glances before shaking their heads helplessly.

It was rare for them to be so happy, so they just let them be!

After spending nearly two hours at the Liu Family, Mo Yan and her father declined the invitation to stay for dinner and, after saying goodbye, drove their carriage towards the Huixian Residence.

The business at Huixian Residence was as bustling as ever, and being close to the New Year, it was even busier than usual. When Mo Yan and her father arrived, the Punishing Shopkeeper was busy attending to the distinguished guests on the second and third floors, running off his feet. Once he had a moment to spare, the father and daughter had already polished off three pots of Biluochun green tea in the guestroom.

"My apologies, Mr. Mo, Miss Mo, for keeping you waiting!" The Punishing Shopkeeper rushed in, wiping his forehead and immediately expressing his apologies with a formal bow.

Mo Qingze stood up, his voice mild, "It’s we who came at a busy time, we can hardly blame the Punishing Shopkeeper."

The Punishing Shopkeeper let out a hearty laugh and, after asking the father and daughter to sit down again, he also took a seat. Noticing two piles of gifts in the room with an alluring fragrance leaking out and two baskets of fresh green vegetables beside them, he realized they were New Year presents from the Mo Family, and he lavished father and daughter with hospitality.

After some pleasantries and as noon approached, the shopkeeper, noticing the Mo Family pair hadn’t caught lunch, took the initiative to have the kitchen prepare a few exquisite dishes for them.

The father and daughter, unable to refuse and truly hungry, no longer demurred. The Punishing Shopkeeper, who had been busy all morning and was starving himself, joined them at their invitation, asking the Waiter to add another set of tableware.

After dining, the Punishing Shopkeeper had the Waiter serve tea and pastries. It seemed he had something on his mind, giving Mo Yan several significant looks.

Mo Yan made an excuse and left after speaking to her father. She hadn’t been standing in the corridor for long before the Punishing Shopkeeper joined her.

The corridor was too public a place for private conversation, so the Punishing Shopkeeper invited Mo Yan into an empty room in the back courtyard where Yun Zhao Siblings had once stayed. Once they were assured no one would interrupt them in the courtyard, he solemnly closed the door and said, "Miss Mo, if you hadn’t come to Huixian Residence today, I would have gone to Liu Yang Village to find you."

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan sensed that what the Punishing Shopkeeper was about to say must be of great importance.

As expected, before she could inquire, he eagerly asked, "I wonder if the medicine you prepared could be made stronger?"

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