Chapter 167: Apprentice Ceremony

People looked at Su Chong and Su Hua in real shock.

They were in the same village, but they had not seen them for a long time. Now, they were really talented, good-looking, gentle, and scholarly. Anyone who saw them would be tempted.

They weren’t stupid anymore. Su Chong was 16 years old, and Su Hua was 15. They could be married soon.

How good would it be to be engaged at this time? If the two of them could become disciples, would they have to worry about their future?

Even Su Xiaoling and Su Xiaolu were sized up. Only then did people realize that Madam Zhao was good-looking and her children were all good-looking.

Su Xiaoling’s face had turned white. With her quiet and gentle appearance, those who didn’t know better would think that she was from a rich family.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her eyes were really beautiful. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, and it was obvious that she would grow up to be very good-looking.

Hence, the women were especially enthusiastic and praised Madam Zhao.

When Lin Pingsheng’s family arrived, Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao brought their family out to welcome them.

Lin Pingsheng had taught for many years, and he carried himself with a seriousness that made one feel that this was how a teacher should be.

Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng cupped their hands and bowed. “Greetings, sir.”

Lin Pingsheng’s expression softened a lot. He nodded. “Okay.”

They went in together and everyone followed.

Madam Chen and Lin Yaoyao were also sized up. Madam Chen was very elegant. Lin Yaoyao had scars on her face, but she didn’t avoid her gaze. She could look straight back at whoever looked at her.

In this way, no one dared to talk about her easily.

Lin Yaoyao pulled Su Xiaolu and Su Xiaoling over and said gently, “Xiaoling, Xiaolu, this is a gift for you.”

She made two pairs of shoes for Su Xiaolu and Su Xiaoling.

Su Xiaolu’s was embroidered with pure white pear blossoms.

Su Xiaoling’s was an orchid.

Su Xiaolu and Su Xiaoling were very happy.

She held Lin Yaoyao’s arm and went to their room to change their shoes.

There was another deafening burst of firecrackers, and someone ran in exclaiming, “There are two carriages coming.”

It was actually Shopkeeper Niu from Fu Man Lai and Sun Bocheng and Sun Ziqian from Sun residence.

Shopkeeper Niu and the Sun family met on the way here. They had been traveling together all the way. When they were about to arrive, they realized that they had come to the same place.

Shopkeeper Niu thought that Su Sanlang was not an ordinary person. He actually had connections with the Sun residence. A child of an ordinary citizen could actually become the disciple of third place in the national examinations. Everyone in Goathorn Town knew that Lin Pingsheng was stubborn, it must not have been easy.

Sun Bocheng and Sun Ziqian also exclaimed that Su Sanlang was different. He could actually expand the small sauerkraut business.

The arrival of these two families had made Su Sanlang proud.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao came out to welcome them.

Shopkeeper Niu carried the exquisitely wrapped congratulatory gift and shook hands with Su Sanlang. “Brother Su, congratulations.”

Su Sanlang beamed and said happily, “Thank you, thank you.”

Sun Bocheng, Sun Ziqian and Teacher Qian also went forward to congratulate him.

They chatted and laughed as they entered the courtyard.

Su Sanlang couldn’t help but look at the empty road. Madam Zhao knew what he was concerned about. Madam Zhao said softly, “If Xiaozhi is free, she will come. If she doesn’t come today, let’s take some time to visit her.”

Ever since Su Xiaozhi was born, she came to visit them in the second year. She knew that Su Sanlang was blinded and she injured her hand. Su Xiaozhi cried and went to Madam Wang. She was scolded by Old Master Su and Madam Wang and was chased away. Su Xiaozhi was sad and only told them to lead a good life as a family. It was fine if that family was abandoned.

In the next few years, Su Xiaozhi never came because she was pregnant again and had a son. In the next few years, Su Sanlang would get someone to send something to Su Xiaozhi every year. This time, it was a joyous occasion, so he hoped that her family could come and witness it.

Looking at the time, Su Xiaozhi’s baby should be two years old. If nothing unexpected happened, she should be able to come.

Now that life was getting better, if Su Xiaozhi did not come this time, she must have encountered some difficulties. Logically speaking, they should go and take a look.

Madam Zhao would never forget the silver that Su Xiaozhi had given her.

“Okay, whatever you say.”

Su Sanlang’s heart warmed. He knew that Madam Zhao would always understand him.

The sun was high in the sky. The guests had all taken their seats. Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng were about to begin the ceremony.

Su Chong and Su Hua were personal disciples, so their salutations were the heaviest. They knelt three times and kowtowed three times.

Lin Pingsheng said with a serious expression, “Today, under everyone’s witness, I, Lin Pingsheng, will take Su Chong and Su Hua as my disciples and inherit what I have learned.”

Su Chong and Su Hua stood up and brought tea to Lin Pingsheng and Madam Chen.

Madam Chen smiled and gave each of them a red packet.

Lin Pingsheng gave them two pens, one for each person.

Su Chong and Su Hua took them respectfully.

Then, it was Zhou Heng. He was an outer sect disciple, so he did not need to do as much. He just had to bow and serve tea respectfully.

Lin Pingsheng also gave Zhou Heng a pen. Madam Chen gave him a red packet too.

Once the apprenticeship ceremony was over, it was time to begin the banquet.

Su Sanlang was not stingy, so the banquet dishes were eight big bowls.

Four meat and four vegetables. Most wedding banquets were not as good as this.

After this banquet, Su Sanlang’s family would be different in people’s hearts.

Even Chen Hu’s family would be different.

After everyone had eaten their fill and the banquet dispersed, everyone returned with satisfaction.

Shopkeeper Niu and Sun Bocheng also went back.

The village chief’s family had not left yet. His wife, Madam Wang, was personally helping to wash the dishes and clean up the aftermath. This was what the task required. After the banquet ended, it was best to clear the table.

Old Master Wang’s face was red from drinking. He looked at Su Sanlang and asked, “Sanlang, do you have any plans for Chong and Hua’s marriage?”

He also had a granddaughter.

Su Sanlang was drunk, but he was not muddle-headed. He replied, “Teacher said that the most important thing for Chong and Hua now is to study hard. We didn’t think about marriage. Teacher said that when they come out in the future, the emperor might bestow a marriage.”

Su Sanlang said that to completely cut off anyone else’s thoughts.

He actually didn’t want to make the decision to marry off Su Chong and Su Hua. He wanted them to grow up and completely mature before choosing a wife to spend the rest of their lives with.

It was going to be a lifetime, after all. He hoped they would choose someone they liked.

“That’s good. That’s good.”

Old Master Wang chuckled. In any case, since he was drunk, there were no restrictions. He had asked what he wanted to ask and knew what he needed to know. How good would it be if he didn’t hurt the harmony?

As long as Su Sanlang’s family’s roots were in Southern Mountain Village, there would be many benefits. Although they couldn’t get married, these benefits were enough.

People had to be content to be happy.

Looking at the current Su Sanlang, he could not help but think of Old Master Su. Now that he thought about it, Old Master Wang could only sigh. Old Master Su was not lucky. That family still could not see the situation clearly.