CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: TURNING THE TABLES

"I have something to do tomorrow, so I won’t be going." Song Yang coldly dropped this sentence, flicked his sleeves, and strode away.

Leaving a group of junior schoolmates looking at each other.

How come they didn’t hear Song Yang mention he had something to do before?

Some who were usually on good terms with Song Yang hesitated, should they go or not?

If they didn’t go, Brother Zhao had already invited them and they had agreed, backing out at the last minute wouldn’t be good.

If they went, what about Brother Song Yang...

There were also those who couldn’t stand Song Yang’s arrogance, bluntly saying, "Having something to do is just an excuse, I think Brother Song just has no face to show. Usually, he acts superior, thinking he’s the smartest in the school. But Brother Zhao, when he got serious, easily surpassed him. This time, Brother Zhao was recommended by the teacher to take the exam, while he wasn’t qualified."

What was said was, after all, true.

"He not only fails at studying but also at being a person. Brother Zhao invited everyone, clearly showing he bears no grudges. Many of us had disagreements with Brother Zhao before. Brother Zhao wants to use this opportunity to turn hostility into friendship." Someone else chimed in.

Indeed, he didn’t have to invite them at all.

"Anyway, whatever you guys think, I’m going. I also want to ask Brother Zhao for exam tips and borrow his notes. Next year, I want to try taking the exam myself. Why do we study? Isn’t it to make a name for ourselves? If we don’t become officials, how can we stand out?"

The students were chatting enthusiastically.

Brother Zhao doesn’t hold grudges against them, so they had to seize this opportunity.

Song Yang looked back several times, but no one followed. The anger in his heart grew more intense, he blamed Zhao Dahe, if he kept hiding his abilities all his life, it would have been fine! Suddenly not hiding halfway, it showed he was also a hypocritical person.

Zhao Dahe thought winning the top position in the county exam would bring glory? Ha, and having a big celebration banquet, ha...

Over there, Zhao Dahe and Li Chang’an arrived at the Li Family.

Meng Zhu was originally upset, criticizing Li Chang’an with Li Baixia.

Hearing about Zhao Dahe’s top ranking in the county exam, she immediately forgot about Li Chang’an.

Praising Zhao Dahe’s accomplishments continuously, saying Meng Yao’s hardships over the years finally bore fruit, and the days ahead were hopeful.

Li Baixia also said, "Your father in heaven would be happy to know."

Zhao Dahe: How would he know? He may not even be dead yet.

Zhao Dahe invited Meng Zhu and Li Baixia to the banquet tomorrow, and they happily agreed, promising to be there on time.

Li Baixia loaded many things onto the Zhao Family’s carriage, food and supplies, Zhao Dahe couldn’t refuse.

"Dahe, will Master Wang and your teacher’s wife also come tomorrow?" Meng Zhu asked.

Zhao Dahe nodded, "I’ve already informed Master. By then, Master, the teacher’s wife, and fellow students will all come."

Meng Zhu’s face blossomed into a smile, "Good, that’s great. Will your family be able to handle it? If not, I can go to the broker and hire a few workers to help you, so you don’t get overwhelmed with too many people."

Zhao Dahe pondered, he could foresee there would be many people tomorrow. Although they hired people for the banquet, there would be many guests to attend to, even with help from the village chief’s family, they might not manage.

"Then I’ll trouble Auntie," Zhao Dahe said.

"Oh, it’s nothing troubling. Chang’an, what are you standing there for? Hurry to the broker, and remember to hire presentable and quick workers, understood?" Meng Zhu urged impatiently.

Li Chang’an resignedly agreed and went out to the broker.

Meng Zhu sat down with Zhao Dahe, "Dahe, Auntie wants to ask you something."

Meng Zhu inquired about Master Wang and Madam Qian’s preferences.

"This..." Zhao Dahe hesitated.

"Dahe, look at your cousin, he’s already nineteen! Still single, Auntie is pregnant and still has to worry about his lifelong matters, why is Auntie so unlucky? Auntie doesn’t even dare to go out, people point fingers when I’m outside." Meng Zhu sighed.

Point fingers, indeed there used to be.

But after a few outbursts, no one dared anymore.

Zhao Dahe wasn’t yet of that age, so he couldn’t quite understand.

However, he did hear his teacher’s wife worry about Zhenzhen’s marriage, saying she was so worried she couldn’t sleep.

So maybe it was really a stressful matter?

"I think Miss Qian and your cousin suit each other well. Your teacher’s wife is also eager to marry off her daughter. Because of you, the Li and Qian Families know each other well, where else could you find such a perfect match, right?" Meng Zhu sweet-talked.

Zhao Dahe: It seems quite reasonable.

"Miss Qian’s marriage is a big worry for your Master and teacher’s wife, as their student, shouldn’t you help relieve their worry?" Meng Zhu guided persuasively.

Zhao Dahe: It seems I should.

"So, Dahe, helping Auntie is also helping your Master and teacher’s wife relieve their worries," Meng Zhu asserted.

Li Baixia listened dumbfoundedly. Outsiders called him smooth-tongued.

What smooth? Compared to his wife, he’s far off.

Didn’t you see? Within a few words, she had her nephew, who topped the county exam, in full agreement.

So ask yourself, do you have this skill?

Li Chang’an returned with a contract.

"Mother, I’ve hired six people, tomorrow morning, the broker will send a carriage to deliver them to Shanghua Village."

"Okay, you and Dahe shouldn’t delay, hurry back and see if there’s anything to prepare, help your aunt prepare," Meng Zhu said, "Tomorrow at the Zhao Family, there will certainly be more than just ten villages and townsfolk attending, the local gentry from nearby towns will definitely come. You should support your cousin and prevent those sly old foxes from taking advantage of him."

Li Chang’an agreed.

After the two left, Meng Zhu urged Li Baixia to prepare gifts.

"Look at your son, he’s just the same as usual. If we don’t give him a push, how long are we going to wait for him to settle down? I just love Miss Qian’s nature. If we miss out, we’ll regret it."

"They’re the girl’s family, and their family wealth is much thicker than yours. If you’re not diligent, do you expect them to come to you? I think Sister Qian has her eye on our family’s Chang’an. If both sides’ elders make an effort, it might just happen."

His wife’s reasoning was so logical, what else could Li Baixia say? He obediently went to prepare the gifts to present to the future in-laws tomorrow.

On the way back, Zhao Dahe turned to look at Li Chang’an, opened his mouth.

Then, turned his head back.

After a while, he repeated the action.

After several times of wanting to speak but stopping, Li Chang’an halted the carriage, "Cousin, if you have something to say, just say it. You’re making me uneasy."

"It’s nothing, I’m just curious why you’re not getting married, cousin?"

Except for Li Chang’an himself, only Meng Yao knew about Li Chang’an’s ailment.

Of course, Meng Yao couldn’t tell Zhao Dahe about it.

So this was it, Li Chang’an whipped up the reins again, with an indifferent expression, "Actually, I’m curious too, cousin, you’re quite handsome, how come no one mentioned a match before?"