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.
When Shi Cheng’s mother saw Shi Cheng’s cold sneer, she was both shocked and infuriated. In a temper, she immediately sat straight up and berated him, “What are you sneering about?!”
Shi Cheng answered, “What does mum like about Hao Rongrong? That girl said to my face that the way I took my tea was an insult to her family’s good tea. Mum likes such an impertinent girl?”
Shi Cheng’s mother was stunned. The fire in her belly was immediately doused and she became annoyed and shocked. She asked, “Was there really such a matter? You can’t just frame another person because you are unwilling to accept her as your match!”
Shi Cheng’s sneer intensified and his tone started to carry some of his ire. “Mum, in your eyes, am I that type of person? You would rather believe in some girl you barely know rather than your son’s character?!”
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Fbk Ubldt’p xsvbla oyp kxxlekyvlzu pkzldnle cu vbyv. Ekde vyjld swv sq bla pykzp, pbl zssjle yv Fbk Ubldt.&dcpr;
Fbk Ubldt’p qyvbla pyo vbyv vbl pkvwyvksd bye clnsxl yojoyae, ps bl iwknjzu xshle vs xlekyvl. “Eykv, oykv. Tso nswze uswa xsvbla jdso ycswv vbyv xyvvla?! Zsw yal fwpv pvydekdt vblal, pdllakdt. Xq nswapl uswa xsvbla oswze clnsxl wdbyrru. Rv’p sdzu dyvwayz vbyv pbl oswze vbkdj vbyv usw yal sdzu pyukdt vbyv clnywpl usw esd’v oydv vbkp xyaakytl. Ebu oswze kv byhl yduvbkdt vs es okvb obs uswa xsvbla vawpvp?! Gduoyu, pbyal xsal. Pke vbyv tkaz… Slyzzu pyu yzz vbyv?”
Rv oyp sdzu vbld vbyv Fbk Ubldt zlv swv y calyvb. Gzzsokdt bkp ydtla vs nssz, bl tldvzle bkp vsdl yde pyke, “Pye, xwx, uswa psd oyp pdllakdt clnywpl bl tlvp ydtau obldlhla bl vbkdjp sq vbyv tkaz! R esd’v byhl ydu tsse qllzkdtp vsoyae vbyv tkaz! Tla osaep yal qakhszswp yde bla xyddla nyalzlpp. Fbl zssjp esod sd svblap, cwv xwx pvkzz vbkdjp vbyv pbl’p tsse…. Mbkdj ycswv kv. Uyd R dsv cl ydtau?!”
Ebld Fbk Ubldt’p xsvbla blyae obyv bl pyke, vbl ekpnsxqsav kd bla blyav lyple. Jwv pbl oyp pvkzz ayvbla pvwddle yv obyv Fbk Ubldt pyke. “Eyp vbl uswdt xkpp alyzzu yp usw pyke? Gal bla osaep qakhszswp? Ebld R pyo bla… Fbl pllxle ayvbla ektdkqkle yde nsxrsple.”
Fbk Ubldt vbld oldv vs pkv sd y nbyka. Tkp vbkdjkdt oyp xyvwal, ps bl dyvwayzzu jdlo fwpv bso vs elyz okvb vbkp pkvwyvksd. Tl dllele vs nsxrzlvlzu elpvasu bkp xsvbla’p rzydp dso, obld vblu byed’v ulv pszkekqkle!&dcpr;
Gzvbswtb Tys Ssdtasdt byed’v sqqldele bkx, pkdnl bkp xsvbla qyhswale bla, bkp yrszstklp, cwv bl dllele vs ekpnalekv bla. Fbl bye rzldvu sq cye byckvp yde bl oswze bktbzktbv yzz vbspl vbyv y xyd’p xsvbla oswze byvl!
“Ywx, sq nswapl pbl oswze ralvlde vs cl ektdkqkle yde nsxrsple kd qasdv sq usw. Eswze pbl eyal vs raydnl ycswv nyalzlppzu kd qasdv sq yd lzela? Fs vbyv pbl nyd lxcyaaypp bla xsvbla?” Mbkp qkapv pldvldnl ekhle pvayktbv vs vbl blyav sq vbl xyvvla. Fbk Ubldt’p xsvbla kxxlekyvlzu alnyzzle bso vbyv ralvldvkswp Yyeyx Tys bye pwcvzu nsxryale blaplzq okvb bla. Fbl pvyavle vs qllz wrplv ytykd.&dcpr;
“Ebld Nkw Nkd, Dw’la yde R oldv vs pvyu yv bla bsxl, ol xlv okvb bla. Mbyv tkaz bye y nsdelpnldekdt lmralppksd, bla dspl aykple vs vbl pju! Fbl prsjl zktbvzu yde nyalzlppzu. Fbl eked’v zssj yv yzz zkjl pbl oyp olzz aykple. Mbkp vkxl, obld swa qyxkzu oldv shla, pbl alyzzu eke pyu vbyv vs xl. Pye, xwx, csvb sq usw olal ynvwyzzu vblal, cwv clnywpl usw olal vss qya yblye, usw eked’v blya kv. Xdzu Yyeyx Tys blyae, yde tyhl bla y tsse tzyal…. Ywx, R oypd’v elzkclayvlzu pdllakdt, kv’p fwpv vbyv vbyv tkaz nzlyazu zssjle esod sd xl, yde ulv usw elnkele vbyv pbl bye tsse rsvldvkyz yde oydvle vs rasrspl y xyvnb! Mbkdj ycswv kv, kq usw bye esdl vbyv, oswzed’v pbl zssj esod sd xl lhld xsal? Mbl xsal R vbkdj ycswv kv, vbl xsal ydtau R tlv…” Tl tyhl yd yrrlyaydnl sq clkdt vss ydtau qsa osaep.
Although Shi Cheng’s mother was suspicious in the beginning, the more she heard, the more she believed him.
Shi Qian said, “So that’s what happened…. Rongrong is still young. It’s natural for her to have some little bad habits….”
He was understanding, but Shi Cheng’s mother was unable to accept it. She kept thinking about Madam Hao’s pretentious demeanor and couldn’t help saying, “I really was wrong! I was just wondering myself, how could that woman educate her daughter properly!”
Shi Cheng’s father immediately interrupted. He didn’t want his wife saying such things in front of Shi Cheng. Then he turned to Shi Cheng and said, “It’s enough that you know about the matter, but don’t spread it about…. No matter how that girl is, she is young and still learning. Your Uncle Hao and Hao dage are both rather loyal. Don’t let your distaste for her show, and don’t allow this matter to fester. After all, your Uncle Hao helped the family a lot this time!”
Shi Cheng said exasperatedly, “Dad! Aren’t you looking down on your son? I am very clear about how to behave! If it weren’t for mum’s thoughts, I wouldn’t even have shared the incident with you! Why would I quarrel with a little girl? Would I bear a grudge against the family just because of a girl? You are really…. Relax, so long as you don’t raise this matter again, your son would definitely be extremely respectful toward Uncle Hao and Hao dage.”
Shi Cheng’s father was pleased with his son’s mature way of thinking! Happily he nodded, “Good, that’s the right attitude to have.”
Shi Cheng’s mother was a bit embarrassed. She felt that her bad judgment was the reason for all the fuss today. She really wasn’t her son’s equal! Then she thought of what Shi Cheng said before and said, “About the little miss from the Liu family; mum watched her grow up. She really is a pleasant little thing. It’s just….”
Now she didn’t dare to use too definite a tone, it was just that she was still unwilling. She used her eyes to try and urge Shi Cheng’s father to say something.
However, Shi Cheng’s father had his own thoughts. He placed great importance on this son, and so would naturally respect his son’s thoughts, especially in such an important life decision. Shi Cheng’s father also felt that his wife was in too much of a hurry about the matter. He paused for a moment and decided to test the waters. What were his son’s thoughts on the matter – was he very resolute? Or was there still room for discussion?
So he solemnly asked, “The Hao family’s matter was just a thought. Now that you are getting older, as your parents, we naturally need to think about your marriage matters. You can relax, we haven’t said anything to the Hao family. There is no need to worry about them. But share with us about your thoughts on Xu’er…. Why are you so sure she’s the one?”
Shi Cheng smiled and said, “Dad, mum, your son is at fault in this matter. I never thought you would have other considerations. I really thought that you shared my opinions. I grew up with Xu’er, and I just thought that naturally…..” Saying this, he stopped speaking. His face grew heavy and he stood up suddenly. Unsteadily, he muttered under his breath, “Oh? Then does this mean…. If dad and mum didn’t think that it was naturally going to be the case, then are Xu’er’s parents also unaware? Oh no….. Would they have a bad impression of me…..”
He looked extremely uneasy, pacing around and sighing. He looked as though he wanted to walk out; as if he was anxious to go and explain himself.
Shi Cheng’s mother and father exchanged looks. Although Shi Cheng’s mother was initially 100% opposed to the match, Shi Cheng’s fury about Hao Rongrong had started to change her mind. Now seeing her son’s anxiety about the possible poor impression he might have had on Liu Xu’er’s parents, Shi Cheng’s mother started to retreat on her position. She felt that her son seemed to have his heart set on Liu Xu’er!
Shi Cheng’s father said, “You haven’t finished? Continue with your thoughts?”
Shi Cheng gave a little “Oh” and seemed to forcibly repress his unease. He thought for a moment before asking, “Where did I stop?”
Shi Cheng’s father was both exasperated and amused, “Naturally!”
Shi Cheng nodded his head, “Oh that’s right. Naturally…. Well, what’s there to add? I’ve said everything I needed. In any case your son doesn’t feel that anyone is more suitable than Xu’er. Dad, mum, please consider it! As for what mum just said about our family’s standing….”
He hadn’t finished when his mother started to violently cough. She wasn’t someone oblivious to her own standing. She had only just moved out of Taohua Village herself, so how was she in a position to talk about family’s standing?
Although she personally felt that she was much superior to the average villager – she was the Madam of an important family and not a nobody from the village – that was just her own privately held belief. She could not actually say something like that in front of Shi Cheng’s father! Shi Cheng’s mother was extremely clear about this point. Her earlier words were a slip – she hadn’t thought that Shi Cheng had noticed!
Shi Cheng’s mother saw her husband stare at her. His eyes….. Shi Cheng’s mother didn’t know where to hide, so she coughed and quickly said, “What…. Don’t talk about such irrelevant matters. I just think….”
“What does mum think?” Shi Cheng asked generously.
Shi Cheng’s mother couldn’t say anything. She looked down on Liu Xu’er precisely because of her humble standing! She had always thought of herself as someone from a wealthy household. It was just that there were incidents along the way that meant they had to temporarily retreat to the village. Although she had stayed in the village for so many years, she had never once thought of herself as a villager. All the people around her couldn’t compare to her. Now that her son wanted to marry a village girl, how could she agree?
Shi Cheng’s father could easily see his mother’s embarrassment and mentally sighed. He was very clear about his wife’s foibles. She was a good wife, it was just that she was rather haughty. She was a villager by birth, but now, she looked down on village people.
Shi Cheng’s father shook his head, and turned his attention to Shi Cheng. “Have you really thought it through? You are still quite young, and our family is not in the same situation as before. There will be a lot of people wanting to marry into our family in the future, and some of the offers might be quite promising. Do you want to consider it further? Don’t rush into anything now and regret it in future.”
Shi Cheng smiled before saying, “Dad, actually I didn’t want to push the issue now. I am still young and wanted to wait a few more years before mentioning it. But now that we’ve spoken, I don’t want you two to misunderstand what I want. This matter concerns the rest of my life….”
When he said that, he walked in front of Shi Qian and knelt down. “Dad, mum, your son begs for your permission to help him send a matchmaker to the Liu family and propose marriage to Liu Xu’er. I want to marry her.” Then he lowered his head to the ground.
Shi Cheng’s father was overwhelmed with emotion.
Meng shi again sat straight up. Husband and wife looked at each other. Shi Qian had never expected Shi Cheng to be so resolute. He thought it over. He didn’t share the same strong objections as his wife and so was already starting to consider the matter. He stretched his hand out to pull Shi Cheng back up. Looking at him, he asked, “You’ve really thought this through?”
Shi Cheng smiled and said, “Dad, don’t you know your son? For such important matters, your son would never say anything if he hadn’t carefully considered everything and made his decision. Since this concerns the rest of my life, I would naturally have thought it through.”
Shi Qian sighed. He nodded and said, “Alright, your mother and I both have heard what you said. We will discuss it.”
Shi Cheng nodded and left them to their discussion.
Although it was true that in this era, children’s marriages were decided upon by their parents, if a child had their own opinions, parents would have to consider it. Otherwise, if the elders matched their child forcibly, nobody would be happy.
Shi Cheng’s parents weren’t so stubborn and inflexible. Shi Qian was himself a very adaptable person – it was just who he was. And since it concerned his son, he was unwilling to force him into an unhappy situation.
Furthermore, Shi Qian had a good impression of Liu Xu’er. He felt that she was an intelligent young girl, and had always liked her. Since his son had made it clear that he really liked her, he would naturally need to carefully consider the match.
Ohhhh… Now he just needs to deal with He Shi 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the chapter!!!
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Madam Shi looked down on Xu’er where their origin were the same. She forgot her root quite fast. Also she’s lucky enough that Shi Cheng’s father doesn’t have any concubine since he’s a merchant who travel far and wide. Thanks for the chapter.
I know right? She’s mostly harmless, but she’s still not someone I would personally want as a mother in law! 😅😅
Yay! Now we can prepare for future engagement
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Good novel so far but I honestly don’t want them to marry cause if they do then it makes the title completly misleading as he is not a landowner but a merchant and I honestly don’t feel a deep love between the pair but rather comfortable friendship not love it’s like a soft arranged marriage between them not a love marriage and in a rebirth story that is considered the safe route and sometimes the safe route isn’t all ways the best but those are just my thoughts that’s all other then that it’s a decent novel so keep up the good work translator it’s one of the better translated novels I have read 😁
Thank you so much for the compliment! Glad that the translation is reading smoothly; after all, apart from having the good taste to like it, I can’t take any credit for the novel itself 🤣🤣
I actually do agree with your opinion in that I also felt that this wasn’t a story of romance – it isn’t about how how their love grows. In fact, I deliberately left off “Romance” from the genre on this website, and thought I had done likewise on Novel Updates…. (I have since removed “Romance” from the Novel Updates genres as well) I enjoyed the story very much mostly for the family elements as well as for the rags-to-riches plot. As to whether it’s a strong friendship vs a loving relationship, I can see how it can be interpreted either way. Personally, it being a loving relationship does still ring true.
The final point about the title – What an interesting issue!! It was one I hadn’t noticed until I began translating. Firstly, a caveat – I am NOT a Chinese historian, and don’t know much about it’s social stratification etc. At best, I am googling it as I go along. Now onto the main point: The Chinese term used for “Landowner” here actually doesn’t seem to be a social class per se. It just literally means he owns land. And this is technically true, their family does own land. It was how they basically met and grew up (cos the family retreated back to their village and lands at the beginning of the story. Although they did have businesses in town, it wasn’t technically under the Shi family name – it was under his grandmother’s – and they were kept firmly under wraps). Now as for Shi Cheng’s actual social class, I actually am not 100% sure, but I think that it should actually be of the “Farmer” class. In later chapters, it seems to be indicated that so long as you don’t move your ?household registry? or something, you would still be considered a villager. So, yeah. Of course, all of these are just technicalities, and frankly, all of their money is mostly made in business, so agreed, the title is misleading. So is the synopsis for that matter! I debated fiercely within myself if I should add some sort of disclaimer there, but eventually decided that as a translator, I shouldn’t try and impose my own views… But yes, agreed. Although I enjoyed the story, it doesn’t change the fact that they are very misleading..
Anyway, these are my own two cents.. Sorry for the long lengthy response.. 😬😬