Chapter 989: Calculating Scholar 44

After the meal, Mother Ye took advantage of Tang Wan stepping into the house and sighed at Ye Qingtong, “Qingtong, this is the wife you chose yourself—don’t blame your mother for not finding you someone skilled.” The meaning was clear: the wife you pick, you endure… even if you have to finish her cooking on your knees.

Ye Qingtong’s lips twitched, but he quickly said, “I understand, Mother. Don’t worry—if it comes to it, I’ll cook.” Thinking back to the taste of those greens, Mother Ye finally felt reassured. “Good,” she said with relief. Otherwise, she really would have pitied him.

After a pause, she added, “By the way, although you two already completed the ceremony yesterday, we still need to invite the relatives.”

“I know,” Ye Qingtong nodded. “I’ll go to the market tomorrow to buy what we need, and the day after we’ll host them. Does that work?”

“That’s fine. I’ll have your father notify the relatives,” Mother Ye agreed.

Early the next morning, Ye Qingtong woke Tang Wan and brought her to town on an ox cart. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to sleep longer—he simply wanted to make up for what had been rushed and buy her proper clothes and jewelry.

After purchasing the items needed for the banquet, he led her to the largest jade shop in town, intending to buy her a piece of jade.

When Tang Wan saw the shop’s signboard, her eyes narrowed slightly. This was the very shop from the original storyline—the one whose owner had once coveted the original host’s beauty. However, although that man had taken advantage back then, the real culprit had been Li Fuze. The shopkeeper himself hadn’t caused further trouble afterward. As long as he didn’t show improper intentions this time, she had no plans to interfere. But if he did, she wouldn’t be polite.

Inside the shop, Ye Qingtong led her to the display of jade bracelets. Over the years, through hunting and labor, he had quietly saved more than fifty taels of silver. The twenty taels used as the bride price had come from his parents, so his personal savings remained untouched—just enough to buy her something meaningful now.

“Wanwan, which one do you like?” he asked.

Tang Wan, who understood jade, deliberately chose a bracelet within his means. “I like this one. It looks nice,” she said.

Ye Qingtong turned to the shopkeeper. “How much is this bracelet?”

The shopkeeper smiled. “Five taels of silver. Madam has a very good eye—this jade is of fine quality.”

Ye Qingtong simply nodded. “Wrap it up.”

He didn’t know that compared to the other bracelets, this one was relatively inexpensive. But since his wife liked it, that was enough. Besides, even if something better existed, he couldn’t afford it now. Still, he silently promised himself that one day, he would give her something far better.

The shopkeeper quickly packaged the bracelet into a wooden box. After paying, Ye Qingtong took Tang Wan’s hand. “Come, let’s go buy you some clothes.”

Tang Wan didn’t refuse. She smiled and nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

The two turned and walked toward the door. Just as they were about to leave, a short, stout middle-aged man stepped inside—it was the owner of the jade shop.