Chapter 197: Future Mother-In-Law

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Since Liu Lin’s matter had been resolved, it was time for Liu Xu’er to visit Shi Cheng’s family to meet with her future mother-in-law. 

According to custom, she shouldn’t be going over. It wasn’t the done thing. But because Shi Cheng’s mother was seldom here, and because she and Shi Cheng had become engaged so early – theirs was as good as a childhood betrothal – both sides had to maintain contact over the long years. As such, many rules were relaxed for their case. 

That morning, she had changed clothes and headed over to Shi Cheng’s family home. Because his mother was here, Shi Cheng hadn’t gone over to the Liu family to have meals with them recently. He knew that Liu Xu’er would come, but he also knew that she was very busy with her erge’s matter and so Shi Cheng specifically asked Liu Xu’er yesterday about it. Since her erge’s matter had been settled, she promised to come over today. 

She had already asked Shi Cheng yesterday and heard that Xing Rongrong had still not left. Liu Xu’er was feeling a bit uncomfortable about that. 

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Shi Cheng started to laugh, “Why are you talking in circles? If that’s the way you want to play it, then I can only say that our two families are also considered old friends….” Liu Xu’er started to hmph, so he quickly placated her in a soft voice, “I’m just joking. Mum did speak about sending her back, but to send her back, I will need to go with her! It’s better for her to stay here for a couple of days and return with my mother. Relax, while she’s been here, I haven’t been paying her any mind!”

Liu Xu’er turned to look at him. She sniffed and said, “Stop acting so vain! At the time, a certain someone didn’t think much of you.”

Shi Cheng rubbed his nose, “Now it’s not the same. I’ve grown up, and am a man amongst men. A jade tree with lips as red as blood…”

He hadn’t finished when Liu Xu’er bent over laughing. 

Shi Cheng smiled and supported her back up. The two of them made their way in, talking as they did. Liu Xu’er had just treated it as though he was joking, but actually, it wasn’t entirely a joke. These few years, Shi Cheng had suddenly started to grow a lot, and by now, he had the physique of a young man. When he was young, he really had been a very good looking child. Now that he had grown up, his features were still good looking, but he had more of a man’s feel. 

Before, Rong Xingxing could never have imagined that when they grew older, her heart would start to flutter for him. Although it wasn’t to the extent of doing something drastic, she would deliberately try to be around Shi Cheng more, to try and entice him. 

Shi Cheng was someone who had seen it all. Xing Rongrong’s little actions were just small potatoes to him. Naturally, he wouldn’t fall for it – who in the world was better than Xu’er? 

The two of them talked and laughed as they entered the courtyard. They had just entered the main room when they saw Shi Cheng’s mother. They hurried to offer their greetings. Shi Cheng’s mother personally went to support Liu Xu’er back up before pulling her to her side. She smiled and asked about her family’s situation. 

Shi Cheng smiled and sat to the side. He sipped tea and continued to listen to them talk. Off and on, he would contribute a sentence or two, making them laugh. 

Because Shi Cheng’s mother was asking Liu Xu’er’s about her brother’s matter, Liu Xu’er shared about her dage’s marriage. She explained her dasao’s family situation. Shi Cheng’s mother was nodding repeatedly, “That’s right! Your parents are very smart. A girl from a family like that would be good, she would be so sensible! A girl like that can hold the line as a dasao! Just based on what you said, even I appreciate your dasao – she sounds like a person who’s able to endure hardship and isn’t someone spoiled. She has good character. “

Liu Xu’er hadn’t responded when Shi Cheng smiled and said, “Mum, are you indirectly praising Xu’er? Xu’er also has that kind of character!”

Shi Cheng’s mother laughed while Liu Xu’er suddenly understood. Her face immediately turned red, “You exaggerate. There are many places that I still need to improve. I need to learn from you and my mother how to manage…. We are all so young, there are definitely places we aren’t good enough. You and my mother are our elders, and have seen and experienced more. Even if I learn a tiny bit from you and my mother, it would still take me time to properly digest it.”

Shi Cheng’s mother nodded her head and smiled. Shi Cheng was also smiling. 

The servant girl came in and softly announced. “Madam, Miss Xing has arrived.”

Shi Cheng’s mother’s face slowly turned cold. As though for Liu Xu’er to hear, “What’s the matter? Today I want to speak with my daughter-in-law and specifically told her to have fun by herself. I thought I made myself very clear. Why is she still here?”

Liu Xu’er covered her smile. 

Shi Cheng’s mother then said, “Since she’s here, it’s not good to reject her. Quickly call her in.” She said to the servant girl. Then she turned to Liu Xu’er and explained, “When I came back to Feng town, she wanted to come with me. She said she wanted to see how our family would host a banquet…. Speaking of the banquet, I was very satisfied! You and Shi Cheng, when you get married, you should plan such banquets more often. Get to know the people in Hanzhong city.”

Liu Xu’er quickly smiled and nodded her head. When Shi Cheng’s mother turned to drink some tea, Liu Xu’er gave Shi Cheng a meaningful look. Shi Cheng discreetly waved at her, indicating that this was the first he had heard of it!

Where they would stay after marriage, and whether or not the marriage would be held at Hanzhong city or Feng town were still matters under discussion. Liu Xu’er still felt that it was too early, and she had been busy with her family matters. Shi Cheng himself hadn’t expected that his mother assumed they would be staying at Hanzhong city after marriage?

This was something that needed to be discussed with Liu Xu’er. Shi Cheng had previously experienced being stuck in the middle of his mother and wife before, and knew that the best solution was to not stay together. He knew that Liu Xu’er herself would also not want to stay with her mother-in-law, so this matter definitely bore some more thinking.

Xing Rongrong came in, and it seemed that she had deliberately dressed up. Her clothes were bright and beautiful and she had put makeup on. It was not unusual that she knew how to dress up – she had been interested in the matter since she was young. And so when she dressed up, she really looked gorgeous. 

When she came in, it was the usual exchanging of courtesies. After sitting down, Xing Rongrong said to Liu Xu’er, “The banquet that day – Liu meimei was so majestic holding court in the midst of all the Young Misses. Nobody would have known that meimei was originally….” She paused when she came to this point, realising that what she said was inappropriate. But she wasn’t sure how to recover. She had originally wanted to flatter Liu Xu’er, but her words were rather unsuitable. 

Liu Xu’er’s lips turned up. Xing Rongrong was originally just a merchant’s daughter. To be honest, her upbringing and character couldn’t compete with an actual scholar’s family. Further, Xing Rongrong had been spoiled since young, and was rather conceited. She never thought before speaking, and gave others the impression of being very frivolous and not at all serious. Of course, she would say the wrong thing rather often. 

Shi Cheng smiled and said, “Mum, I was planning to bring Xu’er out to walk around the garden. Didn’t you bring her some silk? As well as some ginseng and bird’s nest for her parents? I will take Xu’er there for a look.”

Ever since Shi Cheng’s mother had heard what Xing Rongrong had said behind their backs that day in the garden, she had loathed Xing Rongrong, and didn’t want to yield to her anymore. So she smiled and nodded her head in agreement. 

So just as Xing Rongrong had entered and sat down, Shi Cheng and Liu Xu’er took their leave. 

After they had gotten to the garden, Liu Xu’er asked, “What did your mother mean about in future, at Hanzhong city…..”

Shi Cheng started to smile and say, “I still haven’t discussed this with my parents. I also want to stay here. After all, the business is here. The original plan was to completely move over to Hanzhong city and wind up the businesses here slowly, but in the past two years, Feng town has developed very well, so why should we stop? I have discussed this with my father, and he has agreed to continue to keep the store and restaurant here open. Since we will continue to open it, someone must be here to manage it. I want to stay here and not move over.”

Liu Xu’er heaved a sigh of relief when she heard, “That’s great…. I don’t want to go to Hanzhong city either.”

Shi Cheng smiled. He was about to hold onto her shoulder when he abruptly recalled he wasn’t living here by himself right now. He could only lower his arms and smile, “Stay here for a while. We can head back later and continue to accompany mum… I feel that now, my mother is very satisfied with you. She really likes you.”

Liu Xu’er smiled and nodded her head. She, too, could feel that. She continued to spend half a day here before heading home. 

When he had managed to gather everyone together, Liu Lin shared his plan to propose marriage to the Hanlin family. Liu Changgeng nodded and said a few words, while He shi stayed silent. Liu Lin was still a bit worried about his mother’s attitude, but thankfully He shi didn’t say anything, which meant that at the very least, she didn’t reject the idea. 

Liu Lin knew that the Hanlin family’s emphasis would be on their family’s station. So when he invited a matchmaker to propose marriage, he stressed that he was a xiucai. This was very important. 

When the matchmaker went over to purpose marriage, the Hanlin family deliberated over the matter for over 10 days before sending word of their agreement. But it came with a condition that Liu Lin could not accept!