Harem Daily Life

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, as soon as Hua Yuerong's maid opened the window, she saw a magpie flying into the treetop, chirping incessantly.

"How strange, why are there magpies at this time of day? But the sky has cleared up today, the sun is out, and it's warmer than the past few days."

The maid brought water for Hua Yurong to wash up and found a light red jacket for her to wear over it to keep warm.

"Miss should wear more of these bright and cheerful clothes."

Hua Yurong didn't care what she wore. Her only requirement for clothes was that they had to be convenient, because she often had to go to the shop, and wearing sloppy clothes would hinder her from doing her work.

After getting ready, Hua Yurong went to the front hall to have breakfast with her parents. Unexpectedly, she ran into Hua Ruyan, who was also going to the front courtyard, in the courtyard.

"Oh, sister, did you deliberately dress up so brightly today because you know the Zhou family is coming to offer betrothal gifts? Do you want to make Brother Chen turn back? I advise you not to have any improper thoughts. After all, Brother Chen and I are in love, and no one can separate us."

Hua Yurong picked at her ears, feeling that hearing such mindless words so early in the morning was an insult to her ears.

"Hua Ruyan, if it weren't for my mother repeatedly telling me to be patient, I would have slapped you long ago. Your mouth is even more stinky than something in a latrine. Please go back and brush your teeth properly, so you don't come out here and stink up people."

Hua Ruyan's expression changed instantly, and her maid was also quite angry.

Hua Yurong rolled her eyes at her, took a few steps forward with her maid, and then turned back to mock her, "Also, if you're deaf, take some money from the public account to see a doctor. I told you that day, I'd be disgusted even if you gave me that filthy stuff you like for free."

After Hua Yurong finished speaking, she strode forward, leaving Hua Ruyan standing alone in the courtyard, stamping her feet.

Hua Ruyan stormed into the front yard, and seeing that her parents hadn't arrived yet, she angrily shouted, "Hua Yurong, what makes you so great? There's not a single one of those conscripts you found on the street. They were just teasing you, hahahahaha..."

"What are you two arguing about so early in the morning?" Madam Hua came out and ordered breakfast to be served: "Eat quickly, and then get on with your business."

The two sisters disliked each other and, under their mother's pressure, sat down silently.

Master Hua shook his head: "You two sisters shouldn't quarrel and fight all the time. You are sisters, blood is thicker than water. Besides your mother and me, you two are the closest people in the world. You quarrel all day long, making the house no longer peaceful."

Neither sister dared to argue, and they silently ate what was in their bowls.

Madam Hua quickly offered some words of comfort before serving Hua Yuerong a bowl of soup: "Yueyue, after you finish eating, go to the shop early. A shipment of goods is arriving from the south today, so go to the dock to check on it."

Hua Yurong knew that her mother had deliberately sent her away to avoid embarrassment when the Zhou family came to visit.

Hua Ruyan naturally understood her mother's intentions and obediently said, "Thank you for thinking of me, Mother. But let's not make things difficult for my sister. It's fine if she wants to meet the Zhou family. Grandmother Zhou will be coming today. However, Grandmother Zhou likes my sister the most. If she says anything inappropriate to me then..."

Hua Yurong looked up and glared at her: "Grandmother Zhou is an elder. It's not a good thing for you to talk about your elders behind their backs and be harsh."

Hua Ruyan was scolded again and said unwillingly, "Who are you to defend the Zhou family's grandmother? You have no relation to the Zhou family anymore, so why are you still rushing to defend my future in-laws?"

Hua Yurong felt her hands were itching so badly, she really wanted to hit someone!

Unable to stand it any longer, Hua's father slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Shut up, all of you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the butler came in from outside and said that the Zhou family had arrived.

Today is the day for exchanging betrothal gifts. Hua's parents glanced at Hua Yuerong, and Hua's father said, "We didn't expect them to arrive so early. Let's bring in the betrothal gifts first. And please invite the guests in as well."

The four of them finished eating quickly. Hua Yurong wanted to bypass the Zhou family and go out through the back door, but she was stopped by the old lady of the Zhou family who had just entered the door after only a few steps.

Since they had met, they couldn't refuse to pay their respects. Hua Yurong stepped forward and gave a slight curtsy. Old Madam Zhou held her hand, her eyes full of regret: "Yurong, it is our Zhou family that has wronged you. You... in the end, our Zhou family is not blessed."

Hua Ruyan stood to the side, her face slightly cold. Seeing this, Zhou's mother coughed lightly and said, "Mother, don't say such things again. Miss Hua tore up the marriage certificate herself. She broke the contract first. Our Zhou family has done nothing to wrong her."

The parents of the flower were very displeased upon hearing this.

"Shut up! How dare you interrupt your elders?" After saying that, Madam Zhou looked at Mr. and Mrs. Hua and smiled apologetically: "My daughter-in-law is ignorant and has made you laugh at me."

Old Madam Zhou was reasonable enough that Mr. and Mrs. Hua didn't hold it against them. After all, the two families were now in-laws, and there were some things that needed to be done outwardly to save face for each other.

Once everyone was seated, Hua Yurong couldn't leave either, because Old Madam Zhou pulled her to sit down, and she couldn't possibly disobey her elders.

The Zhou family carried the betrothal gift chests into the Hua family home. There were thirty-six people in total, all wearing red cloth, which looked very festive.

Hua Ruyan beamed with pride, and pulled her future mother-in-law into a very intimate embrace.

"I had to come along today, firstly because I value the marriage with the Hua family, and secondly because I wanted to ask about Yue Rong's marriage." Old Madam Zhou said, and both Mr. and Mrs. Hua frowned.

"Don't misunderstand, I really like Yue Rong. I was thinking, if Yue Rong doesn't mind, my nephew has a son who will take the imperial examination next year. Why don't we match their birth dates and horoscopes and arrange a marriage between us?"

"No need." Before Hua's parents could speak, Hua Yuerong interjected, "There's no need for Grandmother Zhou to worry about my marriage. I... I'm already engaged."

Although she didn't know who that person was, Hua Yurong couldn't go back on her word after saying she would take care of him for life in front of so many people.

At worst, we can ask around and search all over the capital; we're sure to find it.

Madam Zhou coughed lightly: "Ahem, I heard about what happened at the Lantern Festival that day, but so much time has passed... Yue Rong, you're young and inexperienced. Some people just talk the talk, they don't really take it seriously. How about you meet my nephew's son sometime?"

Hua Yurong was about to refuse when the steward rushed in again, sweating profusely: "Master, Master, the door is right outside! He's coming, he's coming!"

Father Hua was displeased and glared at the steward: "There are guests here. If you have something to report, do it properly." He didn't want the Zhou family to look down on him.

The steward swallowed hard, gathered his thoughts, and said slowly and deliberately, "Master, there's a young master outside who's brought Marquis Gu from the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion to propose marriage!"

"What?" Everyone present was completely dumbfounded.