Chapter 1216 - 10: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
Chapter 1216: Chapter 10: The Pearl Collector and the Princess
This was a treatment Wang Linglan had never received before.
Before marrying Li Anqing, she had only experienced scolding, insults, disdain, and ridicule. But now, who would mention her bad luck with husbands? Everyone says she has good fortune, especially with such a wonderful daughter.
It was her husband, Li Anqing, who changed all of this. Wang Linglan carried a basket, and on the way home, someone handed her two radishes. Wang Linglan thanked them, and the woman laughed, saying it was worthless stuff; they’d thank them properly when they found pearls.
Back at home, Li Anqing was mending fishing nets.
"Where is the girl?" Wang Linglan asked.
"She went to play by the sea," Li Anqing replied, "I don’t know why this child loves to play by the sea so much."
"Just make sure she’s careful. What would you like for lunch?" Wang Linglan put down the basket and started to sort the vegetables inside.
"Sweet and sour ribs," Li Anqing said, "She’s sensible, don’t worry."
...
Time flew by, and Li Qinghe soon turned fifteen.
The small fishing village had developed into a county town, much more prosperous than before. It had become the country’s biggest pearl production area. The villagers were living good lives, building new houses.
Li Anqing’s family had also become prosperous; the house transformed from a tile-roofed cottage to a courtyard house, and they hired a maid and a servant. Wang Linglan no longer had to do housework but instead visited the jewelry store they owned. After gaining wealth, Li Anqing considered starting a small business, which gradually expanded into the current jewelry store.
Li Qinghe remained the most skilled among the Pearl Collectors. Every year, the pearls she collected, both in quantity and quality, were outstanding, even though Li Anqing frequently stopped her from diving.
Though life was better, Wang Linglan still had regrets. No matter how many doctors she consulted for Li Qinghe, her condition hadn’t improved; she still couldn’t speak. Li Anqing, however, had come to terms with it and stopped forcing it. As long as his daughter was happy every day, that was enough. He was thinking further ahead about his daughter’s marriage prospects.
The country set adulthood at sixteen, so there was one year left until his daughter reached marriageable age. He hadn’t considered marrying her off so early, though many had covertly suggested it, and there were plenty of suitors. But many had ulterior motives, merely seeing Li Qinghe as a source of wealth.
These people weren’t genuinely interested in his daughter but just wanted to marry a money-maker. If she were married off and her in-laws pressured her to collect pearls, it would be heartbreaking for him. He had cherished his daughter as a treasure for years and didn’t want her to be treated like a laborer.
His family now had considerable assets, so even if she didn’t marry, she wouldn’t have to worry about her livelihood. However, in this world, having no man at home could make many things inconvenient. After thinking it through, he decided to find a son-in-law to live with them.
First, he sought someone whose parents had passed away; secondly, someone smart and diligent. The children would take the mother’s surname, and if he treated the daughter well, the second child could take the father’s surname.
The first condition made many people hesitate. For a time, all the suitors quieted down.
Li Anqing found peace. Sixteen was the age for marriage, but in his past life, people were still pampered by parents at that age. He didn’t want his daughter to marry so early; it would be harmful to the child.