Chapter 13

Soon, there was nothing left to move out of the big residence.

After locking the door, Lu Yuan directly said:

"Let's go, buy a horse first."

The horse market is still nearby; Lu Yuan's star-rating system is useful not only for people but also for horses.

He went in and found the highest-rated horse in the market, three stars, paid on the spot, got a saddle, and then registered the horse at the horse market's registry, stamping its butt.

Taking care of this horse is still quite simple, since it's not a warhorse; it doesn't need premium feed or raw eggs—just ordinary forage, regular hoof trimming, and that's it.

Cost of materials, plus the horse, plus the saddle, altogether came to 220 silver dollars.

After taking care of all that, Lu Yuan directly swung onto the horse.

At this moment, Su Liyan gazed at Lu Yuan with eyes full of little stars; her man's mounting posture was too handsome, and she also felt that her man seemed somewhat different from yesterday.

While Su Liyan was dazed, Lu Yuan reached out his hand to her below and said:

"Come."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Liyan stepped onto the mounting block, was grabbed by Lu Yuan's hand, pulled onto the horse, sat in front of him, and was tightly held in his embrace.

Lu Yuan first went back to the big courtyard; the pork and such were still there.

It wouldn't do to bring these things in a storage space; after all, showing up empty-handed and then suddenly producing a big pile of stuff would scare people to death.

Su Liyan, waiting on horseback at the gate for Lu Yuan, watched him pull out this big pile of things and tie them onto the horse, then asked curiously:

"Brother, what is this?"

While turning back to lock the door, Lu Yuan said:

"Betrothal gifts."

"Betrothal gifts?"

"Isn't a betrothal visit just about bringing ten dollars, seeing the parents, and that's it?"

"What's inside this bag? Su Liyan couldn't see."

As Su Liyan was curious and about to ask, Lu Yuan had already swung onto the horse.

Thereafter, under Su Liyan's guidance, they rode the horse outward from Huangcheng.

Now Su Liyan had changed into yesterday's overcoat and also her little leather shoes.

Originally, Lu Yuan wanted to give Su Liyan a big wave hairstyle, but then he thought better of it, fearing there wouldn't be time; they could do it later when they had free time.

Su Liyan, tightly embraced by Lu Yuan, felt his breath behind her; having never been this intimate with a man before, she was now exceedingly shy.

It's a pity that Lu Yuan couldn't see that lovely sight.

This was Lu Yuan's first time riding a horse, and he was indeed quite excited.

A horse-drawn carriage is faster than an ox-cart, and likewise, a person riding a horse is faster than riding in a carriage.

They set out at 9:30 a. m., and by around 1:00 p. m., Lu Yuan, on horseback with Su Liyan, had arrived at Qiu Qiu Village.

It is a village built on a stretch of hills.

The fields are terraced.

Now it's winter, with little farm work; after lunch, everyone gathers in the sunshine to chat and pass the time.

From afar, these people also saw Lu Yuan and Su Liyan on horseback, and instantly the village erupted in commotion.

Hearing the commotion, the Su clan's parents also came out of the courtyard upon hearing the sound and hurried out to greet them.

Lu Yuan was now feeling proud and elated, and a phrase came to mind: 'a youth in fine clothes riding a spirited horse.'

Indeed, he was feeling proud and elated.

However, it's a pity that it's winter now, with no beautiful scenery along the way—just barren expanses everywhere.

However, the air is still very fresh.

This world also lacks factories and carbon emissions; everywhere smells of fresh cow dung~

Moreover, having a beauty in his arms made his heart feel indescribably wonderful.

Although this world has no phones or computers, and there's little to do at night, they went to sleep early.

But from today onward, things are different.

He could play with Su Liyan at night… no, he could play with Su Liyan at night~

This life is getting more and more promising, thriving day by day~

After meeting the villagers on horseback, Lu Yuan dismounted from his tall horse and then also brought Su Liyan down.

He tidied the disheveled hair before the forehead of the blushing Su Liyan, then led the horse toward the crowd.

Soon, a person stepped out of the crowd; Lu Yuan didn't yet know who it was, and the person immediately greeted him with a smiling face:

"Brother-in-law."

While saying that, he took the reins from Lu Yuan's hand and helped Lu Yuan lead the horse.

Meanwhile, Su Liyan, looking like a shy young bride, somewhat bashfully introduced Lu Yuan:

"This is my younger brother, Su Changliang."

Lu Yuan glanced at this sixteen- or seventeen-year-old brother-in-law, nodded, and considered the greeting done.

Then Lu Yuan looked at the crowd before him—goodness, had the whole village come out to welcome him?

It looked like there were several dozen people.

This left Lu Yuan not knowing who was who.

Meanwhile, Su Liyan quickly said:

"This is my father, this is my mother……"

At this moment, the mother, looking at Lu Yuan, welcomed him joyfully from the heart:

"I heard from Liyan yesterday that little Yuan is really handsome."

Su Liyan's father is rather honest and simple; he isn't very talkative, standing to the side with a dry pipe, just smiling and nodding, which also shows he is very happy.

Then Su's mother enthusiastically said:

"Hurry, Xiao Yuan, go home first."

This group of villagers were very curious about Lu Yuan, the son-in-law who came from Huangcheng, and they followed along as well.

On the way back, Su's mother curiously asked:

"What do you do in Huangcheng, Xiao Yuan? Liyan came back late yesterday, and being tongue-tied, she didn't explain clearly—how exactly did the two of you meet?"

Huh?

Lu Yuan froze for a moment.

Didn't Liyan explain it clearly?

Such a thing couldn't be unclear—it's just a matter of a few sentences.

But when Lu Yuan saw that the villagers following him were also looking curious, he then understood.

Wanting to show off is only natural.

Immediately, Lu Yuan promptly said:

"I work at the Forging Bureau as a third-rank forge worker, earning thirty-six taels a month."

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the villagers beside him looked astonished.

"Thirty-six taels a month?"

"How could that possibly be enough to spend?"

And as Lu Yuan finished speaking, Su Liyan suddenly wore a proud look beside him and said:

"Yuan Ge's third uncle is a vanguard general; after his third uncle died for the country, he left Yuan Ge the large three‑courtyard residence and two shops, and Yuan Ge also has an uncle who is an official."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan beside them also couldn't help but chuckle.

Lu Yuan had told Su Liyan before not to flaunt his wealth, but that was in the city.

Saying it to the countryside folk is fine.

Anyway, we won't be living together in the future.

This marriage proposal, whether it's Su Liyan or Lu Yuan, both are people who care about face.

Naturally, we had to say it.

Otherwise, to not return home in glory would be like wearing fine clothes at night.

Everyone looked stunned.

"This… the Su family… is really going to prosper!!"

"A residence with three gates in and three out??"

"This is something one only hears in storytellers' tales."

"And two shops??"

"Isn't that the young master of the household?"

"The key is that Lu Yuan is also extremely handsome."

"What great fortune has the Su family encountered to be able to marry into such a son‑in‑law??"

(End of chapter)