Chapter 135: Making Arrangements

"Ouch, easy there, easy!"

Gou Ye sat on the bed, wailing while enjoying the sensation of Yunniang’s soft, fair hands as she gently rubbed medicinal ointment onto his arm. As she applied it, Yunniang scolded him with a look of feigned annoyance, "You're a grown man, yet you still cause me such worry. That restaurant is truly unreasonable; it’s not as if we said we wouldn't pay them. How could they just resort to violence like that? Is there no sense of justice left in this world?"

Gou Ye chuckled, "I can’t entirely blame them, after all, we didn't pay first. But the waiter’s attitude was indeed quite unpleasant. Ouch! Ouch, that hurts!"

Yunniang blew gently on his arm and said, "I’ve noticed, Brother Gou Ye, that you are truly a social butterfly. You make new friends wherever you go. But from what you’ve told me, that man named Long Zhao does seem quite interesting."

"A friend? I wouldn't call it that yet. We’re just chance acquaintances. But I could sense that he must have heard of me; otherwise, he wouldn't have reacted so strongly when I mentioned my name."

"Perhaps he is a scholar himself? Didn't you tell me that Xuanyuan Changfeng said your reputation has already spread throughout the scholarly circles?"

Gou Ye shook his head, "Unlikely. Within those circles, I am only known by the title 'Poet God.' Even when we were doing promotional work, we used that title. Most people probably don't even know my real name yet. Forget it, let it be. Whether we meet again or not, the capital is so vast, it’s hard to say if our paths will ever cross again."

Just as Gou Ye finished speaking, Yunniang finished applying the ointment. She sat down beside him and said, "Brother Gou Ye, there is something I would like to discuss with you."

Gou Ye looked at her, "Go ahead, Yunniang."

"Dali’s family has been here for quite some time now, and Dali and Xiaodie have been together for a while as well. Unlike us, they are both of marriageable age. If you aren't too busy, and since Dali’s mother is in good health, I was thinking we should organize their wedding."

Hearing this, Gou Ye pondered. It had been half a year since the two got together. Looking at the situation, there was mutual affection, and it was certainly time to stop delaying. Unlike him and Yunniang, they had reached the age where marriage was expected. He found it quite rare and admirable that in this feudal society, there was a strict rule that men must be over eighteen and women over sixteen to marry.

"Very well. First thing tomorrow, I’ll call Dali over and ask him what he thinks. Since the expenses are being covered by the Merchant Clan, we might as well borrow flowers to offer to Buddha and give the two of them a grand wedding." After saying this, Gou Ye pursed his lips and leaned in toward Yunniang.

Yunniang dodged, and Gou Ye lunged into empty air. Instinctively, he used his hands to steady himself on the bed, but he used the wrong arm. A loud "Ouch!" escaped him as he collapsed back onto the bed.

The next morning, Gou Ye summoned Dali to the backyard. "Dali, what do you think of Xiaodie?"

"She is very good, Master. She is kind to me and kind to my mother," Dali replied.

Gou Ye nodded and continued, "Then tell me honestly, do you actually like her?"

Dali lowered his head, feeling shy. "Of course I like her. Is there any need to ask, Master? You and the Mistress have seen it all along."

Gou Ye laughed heartily, "Good, that makes it simple. Then I’ll ask you this: do you want to marry her? I’ve seen you together for so long, and yet there’s been no movement."

Dali became fidgety, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Seeing this, Gou Ye feigned a frown, "If you don't speak, I’ll take it that you don't like her. If you don't like her, don't waste her time. Tomorrow, I’ll have Laifu send her back to the county town."

Dali shook his head frantically, "No, no, no, Master! I like her! Of course I like Xiaodie. But we haven't been together for very long, and our circumstances are modest. I don't know if she would be willing to marry me. Furthermore, we just arrived here, and I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Gou Ye looked at the small pond in the garden and draped an arm over Dali’s shoulder. "Brother, having your word is enough. What trouble are you talking about? We are family; there is no need to be so formal. I understand your intentions. As long as you are willing, Yunniang is already working on Xiaodie. Once she nods, you should marry her. Affection isn't measured by time, but by whether you are willing to spend your life with that person. Both of you are of age. At your age, many people in the village are already married. I will reach the age of twenty next year, and you are already twenty-one. By rights, I should even call you 'elder brother.' Since we are family, it is only fitting that a younger brother hosts a wedding for his elder brother, right? Hahaha!"

Dali stepped aside and bowed deeply to Gou Ye, "Dali would never dare to consider himself an elder brother. Master is still Master; I am used to that. Dali thanks you for your profound kindness. I have nothing to repay you with, other than to serve you with all my heart until the very end."

Gou Ye frowned, "Gratitude is fine, and serving with your heart is fine, but never mention death again, do you hear me? Once you are married, you will be a man with a household—a mother to care for, a virtuous wife by your side, and children in the future. You will have heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. You mustn't speak of death so lightly."

"Yes, Master. Dali understands."

The two talked for a long time. Meanwhile, Yunniang was doing her best to talk to Xiaodie. Naturally, Yunniang was more tactful and less forceful than Gou Ye. For a long time, the two had regarded each other as sisters, and Xiaodie had long since considered this place her home, viewing Yunniang as a younger sister and Gou Ye as an elder brother.

At the same time, her feelings for Dali were genuine; otherwise, she would never have traveled thousands of miles to the capital with his family. Having lost her parents young and with her grandfather having passed away years ago, she was truly without ties, which was the only reason she was able to follow Dali to the capital.