Yang Haiyan naturally had no opinion on the behavior of Qin Fang's uncles: "It's up to mother to decide. But... Third Uncle and Tadpole are here all year round, will Third Aunt miss them?"
When her daughter-in-law asked this question, Qin's mother was very confident: "It would be great if she could come. Before, when she was at home, I was at the Qin family and she was at the Ding family. I couldn't control her, and it was difficult to control her. If she comes to Yunxiang County, I will lock her up with my third brother and see who can get in the way of me disciplining my younger brothers and sisters."
Yang Haiyan heard what Qin's mother said, and she thought it was okay. When she was in Baili Village, Qin's mother was the son-in-law, and she couldn't lock up her younger brothers and sisters, nor could she go back to her parents' home to take care of them. But in Yunxiang County, she was the head of the family, with the power in her hands, and also a place to lock up Qin's third uncle and his wife, so she was looking forward to their coming.
Uncle Qin stayed in the General's Mansion for two days before leaving. There happened to be a convoy leaving Yunxiang County, so he took the convoy. He did not see Uncle Qin San either, but he secretly watched Uncle Qin San and his son. They were indeed much more solid and better here, and they could work hard.
For Uncle Qin, this couldn't be better. He had a lazy son at home, and finally a son to eat, which was what he wanted. And he felt relieved to lock up Uncle Qin here. As for how to explain it when he returned, he knew it in his mind.
Uncle Qin also took away a lot of small bags, all of which were prepared by Mother Qin's private room. She also secretly gave Uncle Qin some silver. Her parents were sick at home, and she was not around to take care of them. She was always worried, so she could only give Uncle Qin more silver, hoping that Uncle Qin could take good care of his parents.
After Uncle Qin left, the general's mansion returned to its former tranquility.
That day, Yang Haiyan was making Qin Fang's underwear when the wife of County Magistrate Yang came. Speaking of which, Yang Haiyan hadn't seen her for a long time. The last time she saw her was because of the county agent's visit. Now that she came, Yang Haiyan was very welcoming. "Please come in quickly."
After a while, Magistrate Yang's wife was invited into the inner courtyard. Since they were all female relatives, they could be invited directly into the inner courtyard.
The wife of County Magistrate Yang first bowed to Yang Haiyan: "I greet you, my wife." Speaking of this, she was also touched. Back in April, when Yang Haiyan first came to Yunxiang County, she was only a fifth-rank concubine, but in the blink of an eye, in just half a year, she became a second-rank concubine. Everyone knows that because of her contribution to the road construction, the emperor specially rewarded her. But this also indirectly shows the intelligence of this concubine.
In the past, Magistrate Yang’s wife thought that Yang Haiyan was lucky to be promoted to the fifth rank as a maid, even though her temperament was not like that of a maid at all. But now she finally understood how powerful she was.
Yang Haiyan hurriedly said, "Please stand up, Madam Yang. We shouldn't be so polite in private."
The wife of County Magistrate Yang smiled and said, "The courtesy cannot be abandoned. In fact, I came to visit you today, in addition to giving you this period's agent fee, I also want to talk to you about something." The previous county agent fee, Yang's family did not have so much money, so it was paid in installments. This time, the wife of County Magistrate Yang came to the house to bring this period's fee. It must be said that this installment fee is really very convenient for their family, and for this, they are very grateful to Yang Haiyan.
"Oh?" Yang Haiyan was curious, "I wonder what else Mrs. Yang wants to say?"
Nanny Lian stepped forward, took the silver returned by Magistrate Yang's wife, and then stood quietly aside.
The wife of County Magistrate Yang said, "It's about the wedding of Miss Qiuya from your family last time." She had always wanted to talk about it before, but then her family had a wedding, and the Qin family also had a wedding. Later, because of the wedding of the imperial grain franchise plan, she didn't want to disturb the Qin family at this time and add to their wedding, so she never said it. Now it's almost the New Year, and the wedding is gradually getting old. Seeing that she is here to pay the installment today, she brought up this wedding.
At this point, Yang Haiyan perked up. However, "Mrs. Yang, before you introduce the other party, I have to be honest with you about the situation between my third uncle and Qiuya. You can think about it. If the other party has no objection to this situation, then it's not too late to introduce it. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be embarrassing."
The wife of County Magistrate Yang thought what Yang Haiyan said made sense: "Please go ahead, my husband."
Yang Haiyan said, "Because my third uncle and third aunt only have Qiuya as their child, so they originally wanted to find a son-in-law for Qiuya..." When she said this, she observed the other party's expression and saw that he was very surprised. She said, "But, if Qiuya and the man really like each other, and the man has good character, the conditions for finding a son-in-law can be relaxed. We don't have to find a son-in-law. The only thing is that the first child they have must have the surname Qin, no matter if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's the first child. This is the condition of my third uncle." You can't give up on a good man just because you want to find a son-in-law. Some conditions can be relaxed.
The wife of County Magistrate Yang was very upset. This was a dilemma. They would definitely not agree to recruit a son-in-law, because the one she was going to introduce was her own son, and the eldest son. How could she let her eldest son become a son-in-law of someone else? Not to mention the Qin family, even if the conditions were good, even if it was Princess Shang, she would not agree. Even if he was not the eldest son, even if he was the second son, she would not agree to him becoming a son-in-law.
But Yang Haiyan said that the conditions could be relaxed, as long as the first child of the couple had the surname Qin. But she would not agree, no matter if it was a boy or a girl, even if a girl was not as important as a boy, the significance of the eldest daughter was different.
Magistrate Yang's wife thought for a moment and asked, "Does it have to be the first child? Can't the second or third child be done?"
Yang Haiyan said: "No. This woman's pregnancy is very mysterious. What if there is no second or third child?"
The wife of County Magistrate Yang sighed. This was not right, but it made sense. She said, "In this case, they are destined to be together. However, I think that for a situation like Miss Qiuya, I am afraid she will have to choose from poor families." Because the conditions of poor families are slightly worse, some families are willing to have a son-in-law.
Yang Haiyan knew there was no malice in her words and smiled: "That's right, it can only be said that fate has not arrived yet, and Qiuya is only thirteen years old this year, there is no rush, take your time, you will always be able to choose the right one."
The wife of County Magistrate Yang said, "Then I will tell you the good news here first." She stood up and said, "My husband is pregnant now and needs more rest. I will not disturb you."
Yang Haiyan said: "I'll ask Aunt Lian to see Madam Yang off for me."
Magistrate Yang's wife said, "Thank you for your help."
The wife of County Magistrate Yang left the General's Mansion and looked back. Although wealth and honor are good, they cannot be forced. She originally thought that letting her son marry Qin Qiuya might be good for his career, but it is not so easy to marry a girl from this family. Perhaps, this is fate.
Although the girl's parents were not well-off, she had a cousin who was well-off. If she wanted to find a son-in-law, it would not be difficult for her to do so in Yunxiang County.
But their son is not suitable.
The wife of County Magistrate Yang returned home. When it was time for dinner, County Magistrate Yang came back from the government office. She told him about what happened today: "It seems that our family and the Qin family are no longer destined to be together, and this marriage will not work."
County Magistrate Yang: "It doesn't matter if it doesn't work out. Maybe in a few years, the emperor will let go of the old Yang family. In a few years, General Qin will surely be very successful. Then I will write to General Qin to ask about this matter. Maybe our son will be able to take the imperial examination. General Qin is a man of substance. We should build a good relationship with him during his years in Yunxiang County. It will be good in the future."
Magistrate Yang's wife: "That's what you said."
Yang Haiyan used to talk about morning sickness, but she has never had morning sickness since she became pregnant. Out of curiosity, she asked Mr. Li and the experienced Grandma Qin, and they both said that it was hard to predict. But according to Grandma Qin, the baby in her belly was so well-behaved that she didn't want her mother to suffer.
The winter in Yunxiang County is different from the winter at the border. The winter at the border is dry, while the winter in Yunxiang County is cold, the kind of biting cold that can chill you to the bone.
But the general’s mansion is not afraid because it has a kang.
With a kang, Yang Haiyan doesn't want to get up. Although the kang cannot be compared with an air conditioner, it is warmer than an ordinary quilt, just like an electric blanket.
"Husband, someone has come to give New Year gifts today. Guess who it is." Nanny Lian came into the room and quickly lowered the curtains to prevent the cold wind from coming in and catching a cold.
Yang Haiyan said: "The Du family's New Year gifts have been delivered. The only ones who can send New Year gifts to the mansion now are my second uncle or the Ding family. Which one is it?"
Yang Haiyan thought for a moment and said, "Could it be those common people who sent cucumbers before?"
Aunt Lian smiled and shook her head: "Not yet, guess again."
Yang Haiyan surrendered: "Mammy, please forgive me. Tell me where it was sent from. I have to prepare a return gift."
Aunt Lian said: "It was sent from the border."
Yang Haiyan was stunned, then she said with some joy: "Could it be from Captain Han? Sister Hua sent it?" Speaking of which, she has been traveling for two years, but she still doesn't have two close friends. When she was at the border before, she had a good relationship with Yang Hua and Lu Saozi, but with the change of Qin Fang and Lieutenant Lu's official positions, Lu Saozi respected her more and more, and lost the closeness she had at the border before. She knew the reason, this was the respect and inferiority engraved in the bones of ancient people. So, now the only one she could consider as a friend was Yang Hua.
Nanny Lian replied: "You guessed it right. It's a New Year gift from Mr. Han Qianfu's mansion. He is waiting outside. There is also a letter from Mrs. Han." As she spoke, Nanny Lian handed the letter to Yang Haiyan.
Yang Haiyan opened the letter and read it. To be honest, the handwriting in the letter was not very good, but: "This letter was written by Sister Hua. She said that the Han family hired a teacher and she also learned to read, but her handwriting is not good. She is afraid that I will laugh at her."
Aunt Lian said: "Mrs. Han is an ambitious and hardworking person."
Yang Haiyan said: "That's right. Ah, she also said that the royal grain franchisee of Renzhou is Yonghe Houfu, but the Han family has become the county agent..."