“I went there today intending to have a good talk with Sister-in-law Zhao and tell her to stop being so picky. Guess what? They got engaged yesterday! The bride price is eight taels! They've lost all sense of shame over just three taels of silver. I had a huge fight with them. Everyone in Zhao Village is laughing at them. Don't worry, the Zhao family is too ashamed to face anyone. I'll make them live with their tails between their legs for the rest of their lives! Bah, they're worse than pigs and dogs!”

"Jin Fu, Grandma Xu is sorry for you. Let's call off this marriage. Don't worry, Grandma will introduce you to someone better. Yue Fang's family is no good, so let's just forget about them."

Matchmaker Xu patted Jin Fu's arm apologetically.

"Mother, if you don't want to marry her, then so be it. I didn't want to marry her anyway. Today's events only prove that we are not meant to be. Mother, I'm a little tired. I'm going back to my room to rest."

Jin Fu looked extremely downcast.

After saying that, he went into the house without looking back.

"Oh dear, it's all my fault. It seems Jinfu is heartbroken. What sins have I committed to meet such beasts as the Zhao family? Xia, don't worry, your aunt will definitely introduce you to a better daughter-in-law."

"Auntie, I don't blame you, it's not your fault. I just want to know, who stole my prize?"

Yan Xia wasn't actually that angry; she had long looked down on this family.

If it weren't for Jin Fu's favorability.

On the day of the discussion, she even wanted to overturn the Zhao family's table.

"He's the son of the owner of a pastry shop in town. I heard he had him late in life. The shop belongs to a relative, and his father works for that relative for wages. But they own a small house in town, so they're doing pretty well. Apparently, Yuefang went to town with her mother a few days ago and this kid took a liking to her. He practically begged his father to come to Zhao Family Village to propose marriage. Don't be fooled by the 8 taels of silver; his family won't give her a gilded hairpin or make her any clothes. It's 8 taels, but that's only 1 tael less than what you spent. So, all that talk about doting on a granddaughter is bullshit!"

Matchmaker Xu spoke with utter disdain.

If someone truly loved their granddaughter, they wouldn't have asked for such a large dowry and wouldn't have provided a bride price.

Unfortunately, that girl Yuefang was also foolish, helping her family sell herself.

In her opinion, marrying Jin Fu would be wonderful.

What a foolish girl, she has such a beautiful face but nothing to show for it.

"Auntie, thank you for your hard work. Please look for her again. I don't care how beautiful she is, as long as she has good character. I'm scared after this experience. Luckily, I didn't marry her, otherwise the family would never have peace. Marry a virtuous wife! What if we marry a fool who gets coaxed by her family to take her things back to her parents' house? How could we live like that?"

Yan Xia sighed and smiled wryly, rubbing her forehead.

"Alright, alright, it's just a matter of a word. I'll definitely find a good one for Jinfu. I'll head back now. You should try to persuade Jinfu not to let the child misunderstand. I noticed his expression was off just now."

"Okay, take care, Auntie."

After seeing off Matchmaker Xu, Yan Xia went to her eldest son's room.

The door wasn't locked, it was just ajar, and it opened with a gentle push.

Upon entering the room, one would find Jin Fu lying on the bed, lost in thought.

"What, you've only met her once, and you're already set on her?"

"Mom...no, it's just, it's just that I'm not in a good mood, I feel a bit suffocated. Mom, is it because I'm so bad that she chose someone else?"

Jin Fu was startled awake when he saw his mother enter the room.

He looked dejected.

“Silly child, it’s because they’re materialistic and greedy. Do you believe me? If I gave her ten taels of silver as a bride price, her family would immediately break off the engagement and choose you. But is that the kind of wife you want? If you do want her, why shouldn’t I give her ten taels of silver? Tell me, do you want her?”

"I don't want to... I hate people who are only interested in money. How are they any different from scum like the Chen family? I'm overthinking it. I'm sorry, Mother. Just ask Grandma Xu to find me someone good. I don't want someone pretty anymore. It turns out that beauty and a kind heart are not the same thing at all..."

This was the first time Jin Fu had seen through a person so clearly.

"It's good that you know. Don't stay inside feeling down. Go to the yard and make a big bamboo basket for your mother. The bamboo baskets and carrying baskets at home are too small."

Yan Xia chuckled and patted her eldest son's head.

"Yes, Mother, I'll go right away."

After comforting her eldest son, Yan Xia felt a little regretful about the gilded hairpin she had just bought. It cost two taels of silver, and she probably couldn't return it. Besides, she was too old to wear such a brightly colored hairpin. Oh well, she would give it to her future daughter-in-law later.

Shaking her head helplessly, Yan Xia picked up a hoe and prepared to go to the field to weed.

The corn planted in the wasteland has been sprouting for quite some time.

It is currently the time when the leaves are growing, also known as the three-leaf stage.

Unfortunately, the wasteland had many weeds that had escaped the net.

It needs to be cleaned from time to time, otherwise it will affect the corn's absorption of nutrients.

The eldest son was making baskets at home, the third son was chopping firewood on the hill, and the second and fourth daughters were looking for insects for the chicks. So, all the work in the fields fell to her.

I had nothing else to do, so I decided to give it a try.

Stepping outside, you see her family's fields right in front of you, where the once barren land is now covered with dense green leaves.

Full of vitality.

There were also many slender little grasses crowding around the small green leaves.

This weed can grow to 5 centimeters tall in just one night.

It grows at an astonishing speed; if left untreated for three days, it will grow to at least the height of a calf.

In that time, the corn seedlings will have all their nutrients drained by them, causing them to wither and die.

'Huffing and puffing'

Yan Xia started doing farm work under the scorching sun.

It was getting hotter and hotter, and soon her clothes were completely soaked with sweat.

The breathing sounds grew louder and louder.

When you encounter long, dense weeds, you have to squat down and pull them out by hand, which is even more tiring!

"Mother, your son is here. You go back to your room and rest for a while."

Yan Xia had only been working for half an hour when Jin Fu stopped her.

"Oh dear, Mother's health isn't what it used to be. She's only been working for a short time and she's already panting for breath. What will she do in the future?"

Jin Fu took the hoe from her hand.

He said it casually.

"Mother, I'm here. I thought you were going to the mountain to find my sister and the others, but I didn't expect you to come and work. I can handle the work in the fields. You don't need to do it anymore."

"Alright, alright, you brat, you're trying to tell me what to do. I was just thinking that you all have work to do, and the fields need weeding, so I thought I'd help out. But my body won't allow it. My back, ouch, it hurts so much. I'll go back and take a shower first. I can't stand the smell of sweat."

Yan Xia readily agreed and turned to leave.

Without stopping for even a second.

It seems I need to complain more in the future, so that I can establish a persona without having to do any work.

I'm absolutely thrilled.

Back home, Yan Xia boiled a pot of water and brought it inside. Before moving, Jin Fu had made her a small bathtub, not very big.

When you sit inside, your chest and above are exposed, but it saves water, making it perfect for summer use.