Chapter 34 Braised Pork Knuckle

The marriage of one's children is a major concern for parents.

After the banquet, the Xu family received high praise. When the guests left in the evening, Madam Xu and her husband specially kept Madam Lin behind for a questioning.

"It's like this, we haven't been in Lin'an City for long, and there are many things we don't know. My son is of marriageable age, and I wanted to ask you which official matchmaker has a better reputation?" Madam Xu looked at Madam Lin earnestly. She hoped that her son would get married and have a grandson for her, so that she could pass away in peace.

"If I had to pick the best matchmaker, it would be Zhou Guanmei. She's the most sought after. But she mainly helps wealthy families with their matchmaking, so I haven't met her personally. I've only heard that she has a good reputation," Lin said honestly. "From what I've met, Zhang Guanmei is the best. She doesn't exaggerate; she just says what she's like."

Madam Xu understood. "Alright, I understand. Thank you all for taking care of things today. My health isn't good enough; I certainly can't manage on my own."

"Oh dear, we're neighbors, it's only right to help each other out, especially since I already accepted your money." Hearing that Mrs. Xu was satisfied, Mrs. Lin felt relieved and happy.

She went home happily, while Mrs. Xu and her husband continued to discuss their son's marriage.

Xu Jingzhi sighed. After moving and being separated from his brother, he looked much more haggard. "Ah, if we were in Bianjing, we would still have many acquaintances in our family. Why would we worry about Mingxuan's marriage?"

“Even in Bianjing, none of our family members hold a proper official position. Why would ordinary official families look at us?” Madam Xu knew perfectly well. “There are countless scholars in Bianjing, but they are more valuable in Lin’an. Given our current situation, we should either find Mingxuan a wealthy family or a family of scholars of similar standing.”

Studying requires financial support. Although the Xu family had some savings, it wasn't enough to support Xu Mingxuan's future path to becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and an official. If he had a wealthy in-law family to support him along the way, he might have a brighter future.

For those from scholarly families, this wasn't an easy choice. They didn't have much savings, and it was uncertain when they would pass the imperial examinations. If they had to wait eight or ten years without passing, their enthusiasm for studying would be greatly diminished.

Therefore, Madam Xu already had her own ideas, which is why she asked Madam Lin about official matchmakers.

"I'm useless," Xu Jingzhi sighed.

“Sir, there’s no need to blame yourself like this. As parents, we have done our best to support him, and we have a clear conscience,” said Madam Xu. “Mingxuan’s marriage must be carefully chosen. We only have one son left, and his future is the hope of our whole family.”

Seeing her son return, Madam Xu called him over and said, “I was just telling your father that your future requires the support of a wealthy in-law family. Now that you have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, our family still has some savings. I am holding this banquet to let people know that our family is not really so poor that we have fallen on hard times.”

“Mother, I can achieve the same result by working hard myself,” Xu Mingxuan said.

“My son, you are still young,” Madam Xu sighed. “Now that you have passed the imperial examination, you will have to change academies. Do you know how much the tuition is for a year? How embarrassed you will be when you have no money to socialize with your classmates from wealthy families? Do you know that even for studying, you have to spend money to bribe your way to the best teachers?”

“Each of these things costs money. If we rely solely on our family, at most we can pay your tuition. You won’t be able to attend classmate reunions. When you visit your teacher, you can only bring the simplest gifts. Even if you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, without money to bribe your way in and out, you might have to wait another five or ten years before you get a chance to be assigned to a post outside the capital.”

After speaking at length, Madam Xu had to stop and catch her breath. "Although finding a husband with an official position would be of greater help to you, our family's current situation is just too difficult. You need to think carefully: do you want to achieve success in the imperial examinations and rise above others, or do you want to remain unknown for the rest of your life?"

Xu Jingzhi chimed in, “Yes, Mingxuan, the imperial examination is just the beginning of becoming an official, not the end.”

Madam Xu told Xu Mingxuan to think it over carefully. This matter couldn't be rushed; Xu Mingxuan had to come to a conclusion himself. "Go back to your room. I've said everything I needed to say. Think about it yourself."

After Xu Mingxuan left, Xu Jingzhi asked, "Madam, does Mingxuan have someone he likes? I've never seen him so evasive before."

“It’s perfectly normal for a young person to be attracted to someone. But the fact that he doesn’t dare to bring it up means that the person he’s interested in is far from our ideal match and not a good match for us.”

Madam Xu took a deep breath. "I know my son well, especially after Dalang passed away. Mingxuan will not be content to remain unknown for the rest of his life."

The Xu family was discussing their son's marriage, while at the Wang family's house, Madam Wang almost resorted to violence.

"This one won't do, that one won't do either, what kind of family are you looking for?" Madam Wang was being supported by her eldest daughter-in-law, otherwise she would have rushed over and beaten her youngest son. "If she were truly a celestial being, why would she be interested in you?"

"Don't be so picky! The daughters of respectable families won't even look at me. A respectable family from a humble background would be just fine." Wang Chuang hugged the door frame, planning to run away as soon as his mother rushed over. "I'm lucky if I can pass the county-level exam and become a scholar. I know my own limitations. I don't have the ability to become a provincial-level or imperial-level scholar. Why are you so picky? I don't care about family background. I just want someone I like."

Wang Chuang observed the interactions between his three older brothers and their wives: the eldest brother and his wife treated each other with respect, the second brother and his wife argued and bickered, and the third brother and his wife were always the ones who coaxed their wife.

His conclusion was that he needed to find someone affectionate, not someone he could live with like his eldest brother and sister-in-law, just going through the motions. She also needed to be generous and not petty like his second sister-in-law. Most importantly, she needed to be reasonable; his third sister-in-law always had to be coaxed by him, no matter what she was doing, which was exhausting to watch.

Family background is completely unimportant!

He had never been married, but he learned a lot from his three older brothers: liking someone and finding someone suitable are the most important things.

"I'm asking you, have you taken a fancy to someone?" Madam Wang asked angrily, pointing at her youngest son.

Wang Chuang shook his head and said no, "I spend every day with Mingxuan and the others, how could I have seen any girls? I'm easygoing, as long as my family is clean and my family members are nice. I don't want to be like my brothers, sighing and complaining in private."

After saying that, Wang Chuang ran away.

The three Zhou sisters-in-law immediately looked at their husbands.

moan and groan?

What are they unhappy about?

Even the most dignified and composed Zhou Shi stared intently at Wang Chuang, causing the Wang brothers to inwardly despise him. This brat had actually betrayed his three older brothers for his own sake!

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Madam Wang quickly changed the subject. "Forget it, let's not talk about that brat. It's getting cooler in the fall, we should hire a tailor to make clothes. Third son's wife, you take care of this, you're the most free." She knew her third daughter-in-law was the most troublesome, and if she didn't give her something to do, her third son would be in trouble.

The Wang family makes new clothes every year, but because there are so many people, if they make summer clothes, they won't make winter clothes. They haven't made new clothes yet this year; they're making autumn clothes now, so they won't make winter clothes.

Even the wealthiest family can't support a large number of people. If everyone gets a set, it will cost quite a bit of money.

Speaking of making new clothes, Zhang from the Qiao family took the money and made new clothes for Lin Xiahe and Qiao Mianmian.

"Grandmother, I still have clothes." Lin Xiahe opened her arms so her mother could take her measurements.

She had new clothes made for her coming-of-age ceremony last year, but no one in her family wears new clothes every year. She felt bad about having them made again now.

Qiao Mianmian was quite happy. Her jacket had two large patches on the front and back, which didn't affect its warmth, but it was very ugly.

What girl doesn't love to look beautiful?

She smiled and said, "Fourth Sister, Grandmother wants you to dress up nicely so that more young men will like you. You're so beautiful; if you wear new clothes, what young man wouldn't like you?"

"Mom, listen to what Mianmian said!" Lin Xiahe blushed instantly.

Madam Lin smiled faintly, "Your sister is right, clothes make the man. Your grandmother's kindness is appreciated, so you should accept it. Besides, your sister has one too, not just you. Your grandmother is not biased."

Zhang continued, "If we count the days, Wangchun should give birth in another month. I'll prepare some extra fabric. I'm getting old and my eyesight isn't good, so I'll trouble you two to make a couple of clothes for her baby."

Lin Xiahe and Qiao Mianmian's new clothes were made by a tailor outside, while the children's clothes could be made at home, since they were just children and all they needed to do was wear them.

When Lin heard her mother-in-law mention her three daughters, she was delighted and said, "Then let's make a set for Jiawang and Jiaxing as well. Jiawang will be visiting relatives at the Hu family's house this year, so he needs to dress smartly to make our family look good. Jiaxing will also need to be considered for a wedding next year, so let's get the clothes made first."

When it comes to new clothes, everyone wants them. When Qiao Jiaxing heard that he had his own, he looked longingly at his grandmother.

Lin wanted to do her best, and Zhang understood, so she nodded and said okay, "But Jiaxing's clothes have to be left with me first, otherwise, with his temperament, the new clothes will turn into old clothes in less than a month, and I'll have made them for nothing."

"Grandmother, I... I don't know how!" Qiao Jiaxing snorted.

“I know what kind of person you are even with my eyes closed. Alright, everyone must be tired today. Heat up the dishes we brought back from the Xu family, eat, and then go rest,” Zhang said.

Qiao Mianmian brought back braised pork knuckle and stewed beef from the Xu family. The skin of the pork knuckle was dark brown and had a honey-like sheen.

With a gentle flick of her chopsticks, Qiao Mianmian caused the tender, stewed pork knuckle skin to split open in two, revealing the fatty meat soaked in broth.

Qiao Mianmian took out the braised pork knuckle that had been heated up, stir-fried some greens, and then it was time to eat.

Having eaten meat every day for the past few days, Qiao Mianmian wasn't particularly interested in it. However, the braised pork knuckle was not only tender but also incredibly flavorful. Especially the smooth and tender skin; it melted in her mouth with its rich aroma, making her eat a few extra bites of rice.

"Delicious!" Qiao Jiaxing was always the most enthusiastic. "I didn't dare to eat my fill at the Xu family's house today. Home is the best."

"Slow down."

Qiao Mancang reminded him, "You're such a grown-up, watch your table manners."

"Dad, how can I slow down when faced with such delicious braised pork knuckle?" Qiao Jiaxing said, his mouth still full of rice and pork knuckle meat. "When the Xu family was stewing pork knuckle, people kept coming over to ask what was being cooked, so I had to keep an eye on it. I was afraid someone would steal some."

Qiao Youfu laughed and said, "To actually let you watch over the pork knuckle is like letting a mouse guard a rice jar."

"Grandfather, why are you saying that to me? I may have a sweet tooth, but I can resist!" To be honest, if it were his own family hosting a banquet, Qiao Jiaxing would definitely sneak some food. But since it was someone else's house, he still maintained his principles.

After eating three large bowls of rice, Qiao Jiaxing let out a satisfied burp. "That's great! I wish there were banquets being held in the alley every day."

Across the street, Qingjiu exclaimed in the same way, "The people in the alley are so kind. We didn't have time to eat lunch, so the Xu family sent over two dishes. This braised pork knuckle is so tender and flavorful, especially the fatty parts inside, which aren't greasy at all, but melt in your mouth like a thick soup. Sir, this was also made by Miss Qiao Wu. She's really amazing."

Lu Zhao also ate two bowls of rice. The Xu family had hosted a banquet, but he didn't have a day off today, so he only sent a red envelope. Unexpectedly, as soon as he passed by the Xu family, they gave him two dishes, saying that they had specially saved them for him.

The master and servant ate a large pork knuckle and a stir-fried yam dish, finishing everything clean, even using the broth and rice wine at the bottom of their bowls to soak up the remaining food.

Qingjiu patted his round belly and let out a satisfied burp. "If I could eat Miss Qiao's cooking for every meal of the day, that would be the happiest thing in the world. My lord, what do you think I could do?"

Lu Zhao thought for a moment, "Let's spend the money."

"But we don't have that much money." At this point, Qingjiu suddenly thought of a solution, and his eyes lit up instantly. But he didn't dare to say it aloud; he only dared to think about it silently in his heart—it would be good to arrange a marriage between the adults and the Qiao family.