Chapter 36

Tao Yu ran out in a hurry, then suddenly remembered that he couldn’t show his face when someone came to propose. He quickly stopped and hid behind the door, preparing to observe secretly. Huang Manjing slowly came from behind, saw the little fellow peeking from behind the door, and rubbed his hair with amusement and helplessness, standing with him. In Tao Yu’s expectant gaze, a woman with her hands tucked into her sleeves entered their sight. “Little Six, have you eaten breakfast?” Ji Yangzong, upon hearing Da Niu say someone had arrived, felt a surge of energy, thinking Huo Shu had come. He rushed out of the study and found it was his third sister. He wasn’t particularly happy, but siblings shouldn’t hold grudges. After all, they grew up under the same roof. He didn’t put on a cold face. “I’ve eaten. Third sister, please sit inside.” Ji Wanglan followed Ji Yangzong into the courtyard house and into the main hall. She rubbed her hands and looked around. “This house is spacious, but it’s still cold in the middle of winter.” “I told you not to renovate and expand so much when you divided the family. The original size was enough. You spent so much money. Alas, but it was when you got married. When you married Manjing, their demands were many. A city girl marrying into the countryside couldn’t endure hardship.” “It’s a shame you treated her so well, and after so many years of marriage, she only gave you one son.” Ji Yangzong heard his third sister’s words pour out like a flood. His face darkened. “It’s cold in winter. This room doesn’t have a charcoal fire. If third sister feels cold, go sit in the kitchen for a while.” “Look, I’m just joking. You are the village head. It’s convenient for large gatherings to have a bigger house. It’s a facade for the Ji family.” Ji Wanglan patted Ji Yangzong. “Look at your bad temper. You get serious about everything, just like when you were a child.” Tao Yu, hiding to the side, was greatly disappointed to see the visitor. He also heard that his third aunt’s mouth was as annoying as ever. He gently tugged on his mother’s hand, signaling her not to be upset. Huang Manjing didn’t take it too much to heart. Her third sister-in-law had never said anything nice to her since she married into the Ji family. She had gotten used to it over the years. Ji Yangzong didn’t respond. He poured some tea for Ji Wanglan and asked, “How is Yuan Fei?” “Speaking of this boy, he’s like something I owe him from a past life. Why did I give birth to such a troublesome son? But yesterday, Elder Brother and his father persuaded him carefully, and he finally understood. He’s no longer clamoring to go out and make a living. The world is chaotic now, so it’s better to stay in the village for stability.” Ji Wanglan said, “He said he wants to get married and live a stable life.” Ji Yangzong said, “It’s best if he can understand. He’s already past the age of twenty. Not to mention major achievements, he should at least know to be sensible and worry his parents and elders less.” “Yes, yes, yes. Elder Brother and his father also say the same thing about him.” Ji Wanglan agreed a couple of times, then said, “His father and I are also partly to blame for him not settling down. The boys in the village his age already have two children. We haven’t found a suitable marriage for him. There were suitable ones before, but he refused. He always remembers childhood friendships and is hesitant to get engaged.” As she spoke, Ji Wanglan looked at Ji Yangzong. Ji Yangzong immediately understood her meaning. He pretended to be deaf and dumb and took a sip of tea. Seeing Ji Yangzong like this, Ji Wanglan said, “When they were young, Xiao Fei and Tao Ge’er got along well.” “Yes, Little Tao Zi is gentle and gets along well with his cousins.” Ji Wanglan chuckled. “Back then, the children playing together were lively. It’s just that Tao Ge’er wasn’t in good health, so he couldn’t be as mischievous as he wanted.” “I see that now that Tao Ge’er’s marriage to the You family is off, and Xiao Fei is not married, why don’t the two children who were close from the start get together? That would save us some worry, wouldn’t it?” Ji Yangzong saw Ji Wanglan bringing up the matter again, and his tone immediately became serious. “Third sister, I told you before that I don’t like this kind of thing.” “You’re just being stubborn. You know each other well, and the two families are not far from each other. It’s so good. Parents can’t just consider their own wishes and not consider their children at all.” Ji Wanglan said, “Tao Ge’er’s health is not good. The marriage with the You family was decent, but as soon as they gained power, they turned their backs on us. It’s a shame you supported them so much. In the end, they are outsiders. Who knows what their intentions are.” “The current situation is embarrassing and known to everyone. It spreads from ten to a hundred. Others shake their heads when they talk about Tao Ge’er. It’s been so long since they broke off with the You family, and no matchmaker has come to the door. He is the only son of your village head. Even if no one proposes, don’t others care about what is said outside?” “I watched Tao Ge’er grow up. Seeing him suffer so much, I thought of a solution.” Ji Yangzong’s anger was rising to his throat. “Third sister, in your words, you’re saying bad things about our Little Tao Zi, while your Yuan Fei is a sought-after commodity, condescendingly wanting to marry our Little Tao Zi. Your Yuan Fei has proposed several times and been rejected. You should know what kind of person he is. It’s fine to put on a show for outsiders, but among family, everyone knows everyone. Who are you trying to offend by saying this?” “It’s fine if no one wants Yuan Fei, but our Little Tao Zi has plenty of people who want him!” “Hey! I say, Little Six, you’re saying some pretty nasty things.” Ji Wanglan slammed the table and stood up. “What do you mean our Yuan Fei is unwanted, and your Little Tao Zi has plenty of people who want him! Who is the one pretending to be dignified!” “Yuan Fei is a man. Even if he’s thirty, someone will marry him. Your Tao Ge’er is over twenty, and I don’t know if anyone will marry him!” “You’re still being picky and choosy in this situation, and you’re still finding fault with our Yuan Fei. Do you think your Tao Ge’er is a noble young master? Even if he’s widowed, there are still plenty of people who want him!” “I want to see if any matchmaker will come to the Ji family’s door this year!” Huang Manjing and Tao Yu saw them arguing and cursing so nastily, they quickly went out to persuade them. Da Niu, however, ran in first, slurring, “Qiu Fulang is here!” Ji Yangzong immediately stood up upon hearing this. “A matchmaker is here?!” How timely! Da Niu didn’t say that he saw Qiu Fulang on the outer path while sweeping the courtyard. Seeing Yuan Niangzi and Huo Shu accompanying him, he knew they were coming here, so he nodded eagerly. Tao Yu pursed his lips, both happy and unable to show it too much. He held his mother’s hand and shook it with shining eyes. The argument’s fire was instantly extinguished. Ji Wanglan was suddenly stunned. The matchmaker arriving so early or so late, but precisely at this moment, seemed to be timed to spite her. If it were someone else, it would be one thing, but it was the best matchmaker in the village. Even with her thick skin, she felt a little embarrassed. At this moment, Ji Yangzong patted his sleeves, looking proud. “Third sister, I have to entertain the matchmaker. If you’re busy, you can go back first.” Ji Wanglan stuck her neck out. “What’s so busy about this cold winter? If there’s anything to be busy with, it’s the children’s marriages. I’m also Tao Ge’er’s elder. Since a matchmaker has come, I can stay and oversee it, and see whose son is proposing.” Ji Yangzong couldn’t be bothered with her. “Then do as you please. I’m going to entertain someone else.” With that, he left Tao Yu in the room and went out with Huang Manjing. Ji Wanglan looked at Tao Yu, whose face was full of unconcealed joy. “Look at you, child, eager to get married. Aren’t you afraid the matchmaker will laugh at you?” Tao Yu ignored her. Ji Wanglan tucked her hands into her sleeves and quickly followed Ji Yangzong and his wife out, wanting to see whose family dared to come to the Ji family’s door. As soon as they went out, they saw Qiu Fulang with a joyful smile, followed by a stern man. Although she hadn’t interacted with this person much, anyone who had seen him in the village once would never mistake him. She didn’t see Yuan Huiru beside him, but she recognized him immediately as the adopted son recognized by the Zhao family. Seeing that he had brought the matchmaker and was confidently carrying the wild geese, she couldn’t help but laugh. Her sixth brother was trying to maintain his dignity, and looking at the man proposing now, it seemed even men from less fortunate backgrounds dared to propose, and he seemed so confident. This showed how much Tao Ge’er was looked down upon by outsiders. She wanted to see how her strong-willed brother’s face would fall. “Look at the cold weather, it’s drizzling and you still came. It’s cold outside, quickly go sit in the hall.” Ji Yangzong looked at Huo Shu, who was wearing a dark blue brocade robe with a waistcoat, dressed more lightly than others, carrying a wild goose, and standing straighter than anyone. He was very pleased. He put in the effort. Today, he even changed out of that short hemp jacket that seemed to be welded to his body. “Da Niu, go scoop some charcoal fire and bring it to the hall to warm the room, and bring out some pastries and fruits.” Huang Manjing also said, “I’ll get some hot tea to help ward off the damp cold.” “The village head and Madam Huang are too polite,” Yuan Huiru said with a smile. The group walked into the hall, talking and laughing, leaving Ji Wanglan, who had wanted to watch the excitement, dumbfounded. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she squeezed her nose awkwardly, tucked her hands into her sleeves, and followed behind them. “Knowing that the village head’s son is of age today, with excellent character and appearance, we are troubling you today. The Zhao family, with gifts, wishes to form a lifelong bond.” Qiu Fulang entered and saw the attitude of the Ji family, knowing that the marriage was eighty percent settled. However, the necessary words still had to be said, and compliments had to be given. Ji Yangzong sat in the main seat and happily waved his hand. “We are all fellow villagers. We have frequent interactions and know each other’s character. Today, Madam Yuan bringing Huo Shu to ask for a matchmaker is also the Ji family’s good fortune.” “Since we are familiar with each other, let’s not go through the motions. Let’s talk directly.” “Yes, a basket of flowery sweet talk is not as practical as an acre of land.” Ji Wanglan seized the opportunity to act as an elder. “My brother is not good at speaking, so I, as his third sister, will speak directly. Madam Yuan’s adopted son, do you know how much property he has, and how much betrothal gift can he afford?” Huo Shu looked at the unfamiliar woman he had rarely seen. Her face looked somewhat similar to Ji Yangzong’s, so he could probably guess who she was. He glanced at the woman but didn’t say anything. Instead, he took out the betrothal gift list he had prepared earlier. “This is the draft betrothal gift. We can discuss any discrepancies.” Ji Yangzong looked at the prepared betrothal gift list and quickly took it. Huang Manjing poured tea and couldn’t help but step forward to look. Ji Wanglan was also curious. How much betrothal gift could the impoverished Zhao family prepare with an adopted son they recognized halfway? She glanced at the gift money and felt a jolt of disbelief in her heart. Unsure if she had misread, she tried to lean closer, but Ji Yangzong had already closed the betrothal gift list. “You’ve prepared too generously. You can’t do that, you can’t!” Huo Shu said, “I don’t have any property in the village, so I can only compensate more in terms of gift money. This is just my sincerity in wanting to marry Tao Yu.” Tao Yu was secretly watching the events in the main hall from behind the door. Hearing their conversation, he became even more curious about the amount of the gift money. He remembered Huo Shu teasing him about the dowry from the You family. He wondered if he had added to that. This person is truly something. The thirty taels he mentioned earlier covered almost all the expenses of the wedding. Could it be that he was giving so much just for the betrothal gift alone? Finally, his big-mouthed third aunt, without guarding her words, revealed his doubts. “One hundred and twenty taels of gift money. You can’t be joking!” Tao Yu was also stunned when he heard the amount. “Miss Ji San, the three letters and six rites are not empty talk. The betrothal gift will be written into the marriage letter. How can it be a joke?” Yuan Huiru, seeing that Ji Wanglan had an intention to look down on them, was not polite. “My adopted son wants to get married with sincerity. Once he recognizes someone, it’s that person. It’s not about haggling over a marriage proposal, giving a stingy betrothal gift, and then belittling the bride or groom, making them lose face.” Ji Wanglan’s expression froze. Losing face. Earlier, when their family went to propose to the Zheng family, it fell apart due to the betrothal gift. The Zheng family was not discreet. Not only did the engagement fail, but they also gossiped everywhere. They were truly unbearable to deal with. She forced a smile. “Indeed, our Tao Ge’er is fortunate to be favored like this.” One hundred and twenty taels of gift money is enough to marry three times. To marry a weak and sickly young fellow, they are truly crazy! She secretly sized up Huo Shu. He didn’t look stupid, so why would he do something so foolish? Come to think of it, this quiet, dust-covered young man was actually hiding his wealth. If she had known earlier, her son’s health was better than Tao Yu’s. For a moment, Ji Wanglan forgot why she came. She couldn’t help but regret not paying more attention to this young man who had recently arrived in the village. Ji Yangzong said, “Regardless, it’s too generous. I mean, as long as the appearance is maintained.” “After all, after getting married, mine will all be his. Giving more gift money is fine.” Ji Yangzong and his wife heard this and were visibly pleased. “If you insist, then my wife and I will not touch this money. It will all be added to Little Tao Zi’s dowry. You can use it yourselves after you get married.” Ji Yangzong was beaming. The betrothal gift itself wasn’t the main point; the face they gained this time was truly significant. “The next thing to discuss is the wedding banquet. Should it be held here or at the Zhao family’s side?” Ji Wanglan was confused by this. Not to mention that her sixth brother was greedy for money and was already discussing the wedding banquet after seeing the betrothal gift. What wedding banquet held here or there. Yuan Huiru said, “My intention is that the Zhao family is an outsider surname, and there are not many relatives in the village. The village head’s family has many friends and relatives, so it will definitely be lively. Since the two children will live here in the future, it would be better to hold the wedding banquet here, so as not to make the guests travel back and forth.” “Good, good! Let’s have a lively celebration here. It’s time-saving and labor-saving. If appropriate, we can also invite the Four Divisions and Six Bureaus from the city.” Ji Yangzong was even happier. “We must also invite the drum and gong team.” “That’s a given. We must also set off plenty of firecrackers.” Seeing that both parties were discussing harmoniously, Ji Wanglan realized that both families already had the intention, and this was just a formality with the matchmaker. She felt a strange feeling in her heart and acidly said, “So, he’s going to move in?” “Third sister, your words are too harsh. Huo Shu doesn’t want Tao Ge’er to travel and suffer. He’s afraid he won’t be used to being elsewhere, which is why he’s giving the betrothal gifts like this. What do you mean by moving in?” Ji Yangzong said coldly, then turned to Huo Shu with a smile. “Let’s finalize the marriage here today. I’ll put up the joyous couplets to announce it to the villagers. Once the date is set, we’ll prepare and send out the invitations, so you don’t have to come back and forth.” Huo Shu responded. “I’ve chosen two dates, the eighth and the twenty-second of the twelfth lunar month. Are they suitable?” “These two dates are auspicious for marriage. I’ve also checked the almanac. They are both good days. Let’s go with the eighth. The twenty-second is close to the Little New Year, and families will be gathering for reunion.” “I think that’s fine too.” Ji Wanglan saw that both families were happy and felt like an intruder here. Taking advantage of the lively discussion, she left dejectedly without even saying goodbye. Tao Yu, who had been eavesdropping from behind the door, was getting tired of standing. Although it was his wedding, he couldn’t participate in the discussion, which was a bit boring. Seeing that his third aunt had left, he wanted to go out, but he couldn’t afford to lose face with the matchmaker present. He secretly observed Huo Shu’s expression. He saw that the man would frown and then smile, and his expressions changed little over time. However, judging by the frequency of his expression changes, it could be seen that he was seriously discussing the marriage matters. After more than an hour of discussion, it finally ended. Tao Yu saw that they were about to leave. While his parents were talking with the matchmaker and Yuan Huiru, he quickly stooped and ran to Huo Shu, stuffed a piece of paper into his hand, and then quickly ran away. Huo Shu’s palm felt warm for a moment, but the warmth didn’t linger. When he looked up again, the person had already disappeared. His gaze softened, and he put away the note. “It’s really much easier to discuss matters with someone who has good intentions. Today, a major worry has been resolved.” Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing sent Huo Shu off, feeling very comfortable. “Hey, where did third sister go?” “She left a while ago.” Huang Manjing said, “She wanted Tao Yu to settle for their Yuan Fei. Today, she lost face, so she shouldn’t say anything more.” Ji Yangzong said, “I told you Huo Shu was efficient and didn’t drag things out.” Tao Yu came out at this time, pretending to be unaware. “How is it?” “Who doesn’t know you were eavesdropping?” Huang Manjing said with a smile. “We were just telling your father about putting up joyous couplets.” Tao Yu raised his eyebrows and didn’t respond. “Huo Shu said he told you to look at the betrothal gift list. If you need anything, tell him.” “Since we’ll be living at home, there’s nothing we need.” “That’s true! But I didn’t expect this boy to be willing to give such a generous betrothal gift.” “By the way, we need to send word to Father early so he knows about this happy event.” “No rush. I’ll tell Father in person when I go to the city to buy things.” Tao Yu saw his parents talking happily and didn’t interrupt. Now that everything was settled, he had nothing else to look forward to. He returned to his room with light steps. The walls of the village are porous. This village, in the idle month, can’t hide anything. The matchmaker had barely left someone’s house when the village started talking. They didn’t expect the marriage to be settled, but Yuan Huiru was generous. When asked, she agreed to everything. “The engagement has been set, and the marriage will be completed in the twelfth lunar month.” The villagers were in an uproar. They didn’t expect the first marriage to be settled by the end of the year to be between the Ji family and the Zhao family. Two families that were miles apart had quietly gotten engaged. “Don’t you think our village head is quick? He broke off with the unlucky You family and immediately found a new match for his son.” “I said from the beginning that there was something between them. That stern-faced man even gave Tao Ge’er a ride on his horse.” “Regardless, we’ll have another feast to attend.” Several villagers cupped their hands, hunched their necks, and discussed this happy event, some approving, some not, or just watching the excitement. From the side path, Sun Yuanniang, wrapped up so that only her eyes were visible, heard the gossip and stopped to listen. It was unusual. They hadn’t talked much about the You family today. Hearing this news, she was still a little incredulous. “The Zhao family is an outsider surname, let alone that soldier-looking fellow. His background is unclear, and he doesn’t look like a good person. The Ji family dares to marry him. They are truly desperate to get married, accepting anyone.” Sun Yuanniang went home, brought the washed fruits into the inner room, and told You Lingxiao, who had a silent, sallow face, about the gossip she heard. The listless You Lingxiao seemed struck by lightning. He glanced at Sun Yuanniang. “He’s engaged!” Sun Yuanniang looked at the excited person and quickly said, “He’ll get married sooner or later, so stop thinking about him. They can get engaged so quickly, it’s not like our family can’t quickly find someone. I’ll ask a matchmaker to find you a marriage too.” You Lingxiao muttered to himself, “He’s going to marry such a rough person.” Sun Yuanniang thought her son had let go. She brought up the Ji family casually, but it seemed to strike him like lightning again. She opened her mouth. She had persuaded him too much these days, but it seemed like none of it had reached her son’s ears. Seeing this, she decided to do the opposite. “Since he’s getting married and marrying such a person, you should cheer up and make him regret his choice today.” The infatuated You Lingxiao paused as if he had really taken her words to heart, or as if he had no more strength to support himself. Outside, it was stormy, but Tao Yu had no mood to think about it. It got dark early in the rain. He ate his dinner quickly and hurried back to his room to lock the door. The window in the room was wide open, and the cold wind, visible with rain mist, blew into the room. The slight warmth from the charcoal basin was blown away. He gasped from the cold, hunched his neck, and looked for the lampshade for the lit oil lamp. Just as the lampshade was brought over, there was a sudden “bang” by the window. A dark shadow flashed by with the wind, and the oil lamp was suddenly blown out. The room immediately plunged into darkness. Only the open window could be seen with a bit of gray light. Tao Yu was so scared he almost shrunk back. Suddenly, it went dark in front of him, and something warm was covered over his head. When the fire starter was lit, the room immediately became bright again, and a tall figure appeared in the room.