It was also no wonder that those people did not know. When Mo Hanyue first came to Xi Ling Village, she had always followed the sisters-in-law around, wearing ordinary coarse cloth clothes that did not stand out at all in the crowds.
After settling down here, she basically never went out the front or back door, and when she recently went out to take care of the medicinal fields, she was also afraid of tanning her skin and had wrapped herself up tightly.
The Mo Family people also did not deliberately mention to outsiders that there was an unmarried daughter in the family, so the villagers were unaware that the Mo Family also had a marriageable daughter.
Seeing that the county magistrate had gone to the Mo Family in such a high-profile manner, even if they were still unclear about the Mo Family’s situation, they could not help but believe the facts.
Meng Huaining did not know that his high-profile proposal had aroused countless guesses among the villagers. At this moment, he was so nervous that his forehead was sweating.
When he arrived at the Mo Family’s door, Meng Huaining waved his hand to signal the drums and music to stop. He then walked into the Mo Family’s yard, followed closely by the smiling matchmaker he had invited.
The betrothal gift boxes were also carried into the yard in an orderly manner by the yamen runners.
It just so happened that today was the day that the roof ridge was going to be installed at the Mo Family's new house. All of the Mo Family members had gone there to watch it, even 8th elder brother who had an official position at the yamen had taken leave to be at home today.
Other than 4th elder brother who had limited mobility, there was no one else at home.
Having already heard the commotion outside, Mo Xiuyan unfortunately still could not get out of bed and walk around. He could only call out loudly from his room, "Who is it?"
Meng Huaining knew that the roof ridge of the Mo Family's new house was being installed today. He had deliberately come a day earlier to propose specifically in order to join in the lively event.
He often visited the Mo family and was not unfamiliar with where the Mo family members lived.
Based on where the voice came from, he could judge that it was Fourth Elder Brother speaking. Since he had limited mobility, it was normal for him to call out.
So Meng Huaining immediately knocked on Fourth Elder Brother's door, and said, "Fourth Elder Brother, it's me, Meng Huaining. I came today specifically to propose marriage to Young Lady Mo."
Although Fourth Elder Brother had not participated in the discussions about Mo Hanyue’s marriage matter, his wife had told him everything she heard. Thus, Fourth Elder Brother also knew about this matter.
Although he did not have much interaction with Meng Huaining, if mother looked favorably upon this person, his character must be good.
"Elder Brother Meng, please come in," he called.
Meng Huaining did not stand on courtesy and pushed the door to enter.
He first cupped his fists towards Fourth Elder Brother: "Am I disturbing Fourth Elder Brother's rest?"
Fourth Elder Brother waved his hands: "No, no, Elder Brother Meng please sit."
Meng Huaining had come to propose, and had no intention to stay long since he was here merely out of courtesy to meet Fourth Elder Brother.
"Fourth Elder Brother, where have all the family members gone?" he asked.
Fourth Elder Brother had gone through this process himself when marrying his wife in the past. He personally went to deliver the proposal gifts and felt somewhat nervous and impatient at that time too.
Therefore, he could empathize with Meng Huaining’s current mood.
"They have all gone to the new house over there, today is the roof ridge installation ceremony."
Meng Huaining cupped his fists again: "Many thanks to Fourth Elder Brother for informing me, I will go over now to find everyone."
At this moment, he wished that he could immediately finish the proposal so that his heart would feel at ease.
After speaking, Meng Huaining directly led a few men to follow him to the Mo Family's new house.
The new house was quite some distance from the rented yard in the village, and the scene there was exceptionally lively. Even with Mo Jiuye's good hearing, he did not hear the drums and music of the proposal party.
Fifth Elder Brother had already hung the firecrackers. Sixth Elder Brother stood below with a lit match, just waiting for the auspicious timing to light the firecrackers.
The female family members were all crowded around Old Lady Mo at the front, waiting to watch the roof ridge installation ceremony.
Mo Jiuye stood at the back of the women, holding He Zhiran's hand with one hand and supporting her by the waist with the other, for fear that something might happen to his wife amidst the dense crowd.
Eighth Elder Brother stood at the back of the group responsible for maintaining order. When he turned around, he saw Meng Huaining coming over with some yamen runners.
He knew Meng Huaining had been busy over the last few days preparing to propose to his little sister. He had not even appeared much at the yamen, so Eighth Elder Brother was unclear why he had rushed over today.
Eighth Elder Brother walked over: "Elder Brother Meng, why did you come today?"
He remembered not inviting him to the family’s roof ridge ceremony!
Although Meng Huaining often visited the Mo family, he had never been to the Mo family's new house here. As soon as he walked in, he was attracted by the unusual shapes of so many different buildings. If he wasn’t still thinking about finalizing the big matter in his heart, he would definitely have walked around to take a careful look at these exotic houses.
Seeing his future older brother-in-law personally coming up to welcome him, Meng Huaining strode forward a few steps. "Eighth Elder Brother, I've come today to propose marriage."
While the two were talking, Sixth Elder Brother had already lit the firecrackers hanging from the roof ridge over on his side. The deafening loud bangs drowned out the sound of everyone talking, so Meng Huaining and Eighth Elder Brother stopped chatting and both looked towards the roof ridge.
The roof ridge ceremony was not complicated. After setting off the firecrackers, Hu Cong said a few auspicious words to the Mo family. Then he instructed the workers to symbolically tap the roof ridge a few times with hammers, and the ceremony was considered completed.
In ancient times, the roof ridge ceremony required entertaining relatives and friends. The Mo family was no exception.
Although they had not been here long, they got along well with villagers from both the Zhou and Zhao families. They naturally also invited over the Fang and Xie families to liven things up.
As for Tang Mingrui, Old Lady Mo had seen that he had feelings for Mo Hanyue, and did not intend to get too close with him. Thus she did not notify him.
Similarly, she knew from Mo Chuhan that Meng Huaining had been extremely busy over the past two days preparing for the proposal. So she did not extend an invitation either.
What they didn't expect was that Meng Huaining had gotten ready much quicker than anticipated and rushed over to propose formally today.
With the ceremony over, a banquet was prepared for noon. The Mo family women were about to head to the kitchen to help out.
As soon everyone turned around, they saw Meng Huaining standing behind the crowd.
Not waiting for the Mo family to speak, Meng Huaining took the initiative to walk up and offer sincere congratulations.
“Congratulations, congratulations!”
After some polite remarks, Meng Huaining eagerly got to the point of his visit.
“I’ve already brought the proposal gifts today and invited a matchmaker. Old Lady Mo, when would it be convenient for you to propose marriage to Young Lady Mo?”
Meng Huaining was just asking a question he already knew the answer to. He knew the procedure for roof ridge ceremonies generally arranged the banquet at noon. The Mo family people should not be too busy at this time.
Eager to finalize her daughter's marriage matter as soon as possible, Old Lady Mo made a gesture of invitation and said, "Official Meng, let's go speak of this in our home."
This was her daughter’s lifetime event, all of the elder brothers generously made way to participate.
Seeing that mother had agreed with Meng Huaining to go back home and discuss the proposal, several people followed along.
Mo Jiuye assisted He Zhiran and walked behind the group.
Back at the Mo family home, they directly went to Old Lady Mo’s main hall. Only then did Meng Huaining formally instruct those yamen runners to carry the betrothal gift boxes inside. He stood up respectfully and handed over a stack of papers to Old Lady Mo.
"Esteemed Elder, please look over this list of proposal gifts I've prepared for Young Lady Mo."
Old Lady Mo casually flipped through them. They were all fine items. To call them fine items was to say they were good by Yun City standards. In the eyes of honored officials in the capital, they would not count for much.
