Madam Jia was even more surprised, because she was unaware of this matter, and was slightly annoyed.
She thought she had reached a consensus with the Li family, and that they were both willing to bring the marriage together.
But what does it mean that the Li family suddenly sent their child abroad for study?
Master Xing, oblivious to his sister's expression, continued, "I heard that the Li family has a small fleet that frequently travels to Quanzhou to transport seafood. This time, the academy rented a passenger boat to travel with the Li family."
"The Li family children work as boatmen in their own fleet, doing all the work along the way. Li Jiaren and his younger brother are both scholars, so they are no exception. Before, the other boys in their family had also gone."
"This is truly rare and admirable! You know, nowadays, many scholars can't even take care of themselves in daily life, let alone study, which is shameful."
These words immediately changed Madam Jia's mind. It turned out that the Li family was not going back on their word, but that all the boys in the family had made such arrangements.
If I come back after the New Year, a few more months won't make a difference...
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Since you think it's good, I'll find an opportunity to visit the Li family again in the next few days to ask about the divine doctor."
"At that time, I will accompany my sister-in-law and take Wan'er to the doctor, so that my sister-in-law and Wan'er can also take the opportunity to see how the Li family is doing?"
After a moment's thought, Mr. Xing nodded.
"Alright, our family doesn't expect Wan'er to marry into a wealthy and powerful family. We only hope that the other family will be harmonious and treat our children well. As her aunt, you'll have to put in a lot of effort."
"What are you saying, brother! Wan'er is like my own daughter. Of course I will do my best in arranging her marriage."
Madam Jia glared at her brother reproachfully, then instructed her sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, you must take good care of yourself. If the marriage goes through, you will have to prepare a dowry for Wan'er."
Madam Xing nodded repeatedly and replied, "Good, I'm relieved that Wan'er can marry into a good family."
After sitting for a while, Madam Jia hurried home.
She is the matriarch of the household, and she has a large family to take care of.
Seeing that her father had gone to the front study, Xing Wan'er went into her mother's room and fed her ginseng soup.
Madam Xing took her daughter's hand, looked her over carefully, and couldn't help but tear up. "My daughter has grown up so much. I still remember when you were born, you were such a tiny little thing, and now you're about to get married."
"Mother, I won't get married. I'll stay home and take care of you!" Xing Wan'er blushed as she said the lie that all daughters had told.
Madam Xing found it amusing but didn't take it seriously. She asked, "Tell me, when you bumped into that boy from the Li family in front of the pastry shop that day, did you get a good look at what he looked like?"
Xing Wan'er's face turned even redder, and her voice became even lower, "Mother, I didn't dare to look closely either, but... his voice was very gentle, and he was very polite. Even though it was the coachman's fault, he took the initiative to apologize to me."
As she spoke, she seemed to drift into memories, and her speech became even more fluent.
"He was very tall, but neither burly nor thin. He wore a long robe, neither ostentatious nor shabby. Moreover, he doted on his younger sister, Princess Kangning. The reason he was in such a hurry was because he had heard that his sister was injured and was very anxious..."
Madam Xing nodded in agreement, her expression brightening even more. "If what you said is true, then this child is truly remarkable."
"He's good at studying, gentle and polite, at least he won't lay a hand on his wife; it's even better that he loves his younger sister, so he'll definitely love their children too..."
"Mother, what are you talking about? This is still far from certain. We should focus on getting you treated first!" Xing Wan'er was extremely embarrassed. She used the excuse of preparing medicine to get up and run away.
In the Li family courtyard, Old Mrs. Li sat doing needlework while chatting with Madam Wen and Hui Niang, "Why haven't we heard anything from the Jia family? Jia Ren has gone out. Otherwise, we could have asked Mr. Wen to take him there under the pretext of seeking his advice, and we could have gone to visit them."
"Auntie, marriage can't be rushed. To be honest, if that Wan'er is destined to be Jiaren's wife, even if Jiaren is delayed for two months in Quanzhou, or even two years, she won't run away," Madam Wen comforted her with a smile.
Hui Niang traced a line on her scalp with the needle, then continued sewing shoe soles. "Yes, Auntie, look at me and Dayong. The Yan family was so against it, but we still got married in the end, and our children are so grown up now. A marriage destined by fate can't be avoided."
Grandma Li couldn't help but laugh, "You two are taking turns reassuring me!"
At this moment, Jiayin came in from outside with Granny He, Shuiling, and Shuiyun, carrying bundles of various sizes.
"Grandma, the Hou family has finished making the winter clothes and sent them over!" Jiayin went over and hugged her grandmother's arm, smiling and taking credit. "I also added a long coat and a cloak for you, so you can wear them when you go to play with the old lady of the Jia family."
"Silly girl, Grandma's clothes already fill a whole closet, why are you making new ones?" Old Mrs. Li complained, but her face beamed with joy because of her granddaughter's filial piety.
Hui Niang and Madam Wen both stopped their needlework and helped open the package.
Uncle Zhao and his friends in the backyard, Doctor Zhang, Mr. Jiang and his page Guli from the school, and even the village elders all got a share.
These winter clothes are made of fine cotton cloth and new cotton, without any embroidery patterns. They are simple in style but warm, and the matching cotton shoes are the same.
After a brief look, Madam Wen praised, "The needlework lady of the Marquis's mansion is truly remarkable. Her skills are excellent, and her stitches are fine and even."
“Yes,” Hui Niang also said, “the cuffs and trouser legs are all left loose, so if the size is not right, you can take a piece out.”
Grandma Li also fiddled with her two pieces, liking them more and more as she looked at them. She instructed her granddaughter, "Besides subsidizing the reward money for these needlework ladies, remember to pack some snacks at the shop and thank them properly."
"Grandma, I've already given the orders. The reward money and snacks have already been delivered to the Marquis's residence." Jiayin patted her chest proudly. "Your granddaughter never fails to do things right!"
Everyone laughed as they listened, and Grandma Li even hugged and kissed her granddaughter, saying, "My Fu Niu'er has grown up and can manage the household affairs now."
Hui Niang thought of the Second Village and asked, "Have the coats and trousers for the wounded and veteran soldiers in the Second Village been made yet?"
There are over a hundred wounded and veteran soldiers in the second village. Their measurements were taken beforehand and entrusted to the relief agency.
The coarse cloth and cotton were provided by the Marquis's mansion and sent to the relief office to help the elderly and weak there find some work and earn some wages.
The wounded soldiers and veterans now receive enough wages each month to support themselves, with a considerable surplus.
They initially insisted on paying for their own winter clothes, but the Marquis said that since it was the first year, he would subsidize them, and they could pay for them themselves in the future.
Of course, if they get married in the future, they won't have to worry about it anymore; their wives will take care of everything...
As a result, the wounded soldiers and veterans are now working even harder, hoping to get married as soon as possible.
Grandma Li said, "I'll ask my second son when he comes back tonight. It should be in the next couple of days. It's almost winter, and it'll snow soon. We should be wearing thick coats and trousers."
As everyone was talking, Li Lao Er suddenly came over from the front yard, his face beaming with joy...
Served at midnight~~
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