Chapter 30 Jinjiang First Release Chapter 30 Fang Xiucai’s Brain and…
Yu Qinglong asked, "Father, why did you come out of the backyard with Matchmaker Zhou?"
Zhou Yuehua said, "When matchmaker Zhou arrived, she not only brought gifts and a pair of wild geese, but also two jars of wine and two rolls of cloth. She said the wine needed to be stored in a cool, shady place as soon as possible, so I went and put it in the small cellar in the backyard. We started chatting there. She noticed we had so many dandelions and asked where they came from. I told her you'd brought them home in the spring to plant, and she said she'd try it next year."
Yu Qinglong said "Oh", but saw Yu Qingye rushing out: "Little brother, why did you call Hu Bo home just now? I was almost worried to death."
"What's wrong, second brother?"
"It's nothing. It's just that matchmaker Zhou came and I wanted to tell you something, but when I saw him coming out, his clothes were in such a mess!" He was so scared that he didn't dare to come out and hid back in the house.
"His father tore his clothes, but I didn't think anyone else was home." Yu Qinglong recounted seeing the Hu Bo brothers being beaten on the street. "Who cares? His brother is still young, right? He didn't do anything wrong. I brought him here, put some medicine on him, and then let them go. It's okay. After all, the marriage proposal has been completed, right?"
"That's right. Fortunately it worked out." Yu Qingye patted his chest. "Then I just have to wait for the Fang family to propose and choose a date to ask for your hand in marriage?"
"How could it be that fast?" Zhou Yuehua said. "Today I gave Long'er's birth date and horoscope to matchmaker Zhou. She'll go back and tell the Fang family, and they'll have it read by divination. If the divination determines it's a perfect match, they'll come forward to propose and set a wedding date."
"What if the divination shows that this isn't a good match?" Yu Qinglong asked, "Then the whole thing is over?"
He asked this question subconsciously, but he didn't know whether he was hoping for good or bad luck.
Zhou Yuehua said, "Pooh, pooh, pooh! How can it not be a perfect marriage? It must be. No taboos, and all the gods bless us."
Yu Qinglong: “…”
He didn't believe anything in this world was absolute. He even thought time travel was just a fantasy, but it didn't just happen, it happened to him.
So it’s hard to say what the situation is when it comes to divination.
As it turned out, something went wrong.
The Fang family received Yu Qinglong's birth date and horoscope in the afternoon, which was already quite late. It was too late to go to the temple to ask for divination, so they decided to go at an auspicious time the next day.
Unexpectedly, before Fang Wu left the house, Fang Dingman's uncle's cousin and his wife came over. The cousin asked, "Brother Man, sister-in-law, is Shu'er going to get married?"
Fang Wu said, "Yes, uncle, I was thinking of informing the relatives after the matter was finalized. Where did you hear about this?"
Fang Dingquan said, "When your sister-in-law saw Matchmaker Zhou holding the betrothal goose, she casually asked her who she was selling it to. Matchmaker Zhou said she wasn't selling it this time, so we wondered if you had found a good girl or boy for Shu'er. If so, whose family is it? Is it someone we know?"
Fang Dingman said, "I don't know him well from the clan. He's the youngest son of Yu Dayou from Shangxi Village. Shu Niang and I were just going to the temple today to ask for divination."
My cousin's wife, Li Jinque, asked, "Brother Man, did I hear correctly? The person you're talking about is the boy named 'Yu Qinglong'?"
"It's him. Does your sister-in-law know about it too?"
"Not only do I know, it sounds incredibly familiar. Not only has that child been broken off several times, but he's also incredibly uneducated. He curses at his elders, hits people, and he's incredibly tall and strong. He was originally said to be married to Wang Fugui from our East Village, but the Wang family broke off the engagement. Wang Fugui isn't handsome, his family isn't well-off, and he's quite old. You're letting Shu'er marry someone who no one wants? Aren't you just waiting to be laughed at? You're just foolish!"
"But what can we do if Shu'er wants him? Besides, it was the Wang family's fault for canceling the engagement, and it can't be blamed on Qinglong," Fang Wu said. "I've asked around, and it's clear that Wang Fugui fell for a cousin from the neighboring family who came to visit, and that's why he wanted to cancel the engagement. How can he still blame Qinglong?"
In fact, she had found out clearly that Yu Qinglong had been broken off from engagement several times, and it was always because the other party's family suddenly changed their mind for one reason or another.
If you don't like the guy's height, it's fine. But why didn't you decide on him in the first place? Changing your mind at the last minute after deciding ruins his reputation. I don't know who is the wicked person who deserves to be punished.
Fang Wu didn't like anyone interfering in her family affairs, so she made it clear, "Shu'er likes it himself, and Brother Man and I don't want to delay it any longer. Shu'er has been eyeing this person for years, and we don't want to jeopardize his marriage."
Li Jinque said, "That's right. Parents' orders and matchmakers' words are the only things a child should decide on his own marriage. Besides, Shu'er has never seen a truly good one. I have a boy here. Not only is he handsome, he's also very good-tempered and well-educated. Most boys can't read, but this boy I'm talking about can read, and he can have more to say to Shu'er."
Fang Wu asked, "Whose child is this?"
Li Jinque said, "My sister's family. My nephew, Li Jinlan, is sixteen years old. He's so pretty, I don't know how many people want him, it's almost too expensive for our family. If I hadn't thought about him being young and Shu'er studying hard these past two years, I would have told you a long time ago."
Fang Wu was not very interested. "Sister-in-law, it's no use telling me this sooner or later. Shu'er has been to the provincial capital. He's seen all kinds of people. If he only cared about looks, I would have had three grandchildren by now."
Seeing that Fang Wu was not listening at all, Li Jinque became anxious.
She thought of letting her nephew from her natal side marry Fang Shu, and then transfer all the land from her natal side to Fang Shu's name, so that she could avoid a lot of taxes that year.
Besides, it's a close relationship. Fang Shu is so smart, if he really passes the imperial examination, or even gets a higher degree, wouldn't he benefit from it?
Although they were indeed relatives now, they were the Fang family and the Fang family, not the Fang family and her mother's family, the Li family. Only by being truly tied together could they become closer.
Li Jinque said, "Since the marriage hasn't been finalized yet, why are you so anxious, sister-in-law? Why not let Shu'er meet my brother Lan first?"
Fang Dingman said, "Sister-in-law, you don't quite understand my son Shu'er's personality. He's a stubborn ass. Once he makes a decision, he won't change it just because he wants to. Even I, as his father, can't persuade him."
Fang Dingquan said, "How can a son disobey his father? Wouldn't that be rebellious against heaven?"
Fang Wu was already feeling annoyed, but she didn't want to really tear her face apart, so she said bluntly, "Why don't I call Shu'er back, and you, big uncle, come and persuade Shu'er?"
Fang Dingquan naturally said yes.
At this moment, Fang Shu was at Wu Sheng's house. The two were chatting and talking about asking Wu Sheng to help deliver the betrothal gifts. Wu Sheng naturally agreed. Fang Shu was feeling happy when he saw his mother coming to see him. He asked, "What's wrong, mother?"
Fang Wu said, "Your eldest uncle has come and insisted on finding you another son. I think you've already decided on Qinglong, and he and your eldest aunt won't leave. Why don't you go meet him and talk to them?"
Fang Shu greeted Wu Sheng and returned home. After exchanging greetings, he told Fang Dingquan and his wife, "Uncle, aunt, I've already made up my mind about the person I like, and I won't change it. If you two want to find a good match for your nephew, you'd better hurry up and ask other families. I'm sure you won't be able to get through to them."
Fang Dingquan said, "Why are you so stubborn? Come and look at this."
Li Jinque unfolded a painting at this time, on which was a half-length portrait of a young man with delicate features.
Fang Shu said without hesitation: "He is thin and looks weak. He doesn't look like an interesting person. Thank you for your kindness, uncle and aunt, but I really don't like his appearance."
"You haven't even tried to get along with him, how do you know he doesn't like you?" Fang Dingquan said, "This Lan Ge'er is not only good-looking, he's also well-educated. Shu'er, if you marry him, you two can still have conversations about things that only scholars can talk about. If you marry Yu Qinglong, what will he know? I'm afraid he won't even understand if you read a poem to him."
"Brother Long can read. He even knows a little about medicine. Besides, I've already identified him as the one who can do it. If you two have nothing else to do, please sit down and have some tea. I still have some studies to do, so I'll take my leave."
After Fang Shu finished speaking, he left without even looking back, heading towards Wusheng.
Fang Dingquan was about to call him back to say a few more words, but Li Jinque stopped him and said with a smile, "Since Shu'er doesn't want to, then forget it. A forced melon won't be sweet."
"So, you let Shu'er be with someone with such a bad reputation? If this gets out, it will make our Fang family laugh to death!"
"What's so funny? Shu'er likes it. Besides, didn't my sister-in-law say that it wasn't the kid's fault for breaking off the engagement? So it's not right for us to blame him. Let's go back."
"Oh!" Fang Dingquan sighed and stood up.
Fang Dingman and Fang Wushi didn't keep them either.
After the two men had left, Fang Wu said, "What a plan! They're trying to interfere in Shu'er's affairs. Their hands are longer than bamboo poles."
Fang Dingman said, "Let's just ignore them. Besides, they already know that a forced melon won't be sweet."
Fang Wu then kept silent.
But after Fang Dingquan and Li Jinque left, they did not really give up the idea of marriage between the Fang and Li families.
Li Jinque said, "If you can't force it, then we can only use other methods."
"Do you have an idea?"
"Let's go back quickly and find Huang San to go to the temple. Didn't they just say that they were going to the temple to divine auspiciousness? Huang San is quick on his feet, so let him take some money and go to the fortune teller to explain clearly. If he gets Fang Shu's fortune, he'll say it's bad luck. If Fang Shu is with Yu Qinglong, Fang Shu's life will be shortened. Man Di and his wife love Shu'er like the apple of their eye, and they can tolerate other things. But if it means shortening Shu'er's life, they will never agree. Then we can let them know that Lan Ge'er and Fang Shu are the best match, and there's no fear that this will fail."
"Great! You're really smart! I'll go tell Huang San to hurry to the temple!"
The temple closest to them and the one that is most effective is this one, so there is no need to worry about getting the wrong place.
The couple hurried back to get the money and find someone, and they finally got the job done.
Fang Dingman and Fang Wu were in a very bad mood after returning home in the afternoon.
Fang Shu was pacing back and forth at home waiting for the result, thinking that after Bu Ji's matter was settled, he would go and deliver the engagement letter. Then he and Long Ge'er would have a clear path forward. If they wanted to meet again in the future, as long as they didn't meet secretly, there would be no gossip, and people outside would know that Long Ge'er was his fiancé.
Why did his mother say “no” to him?
Fang Shu asked anxiously, "Mother, why is it not working?"
Fang Wu said, "The fortune teller at the temple said that you and Brother Qinglong are not a good match. He said, he said that Brother Qinglong is unlucky for you. So, what do you ask father and mother to do? Shu'er, why don't you look for other families?"
Fang Dingman was also in a bad mood. He had originally hoped to have a grandson soon, but now he was really disappointed.
He was actually quite satisfied with Yu Qinglong. He felt that Yu Qinglong was intelligent, yet not impetuous. He seemed difficult to deal with, but only to those with ulterior motives. He was polite to his elders and caring towards the young, something he had witnessed clearly in Doctor Mo's household.
But it just so happened that his son's life would be shortened, so he couldn't agree to it even if it meant killing him and his wife.
"Shu'er, listen to your mother. Why don't you wait a little longer and look at other families? We sincerely apologize to the Yu family, but since things haven't worked out, there's really nothing we can do."
"Father, if we reject Long Ge'er again, he might never get married again in this life. Even if we really want to cancel the engagement, we should send him the engagement letter and then have him come to me to cancel it."
"What did you say?"
"I can't let my son bear all this criticism alone."
"But you're a scholar, you have no shame!" Fang Wu said, "Let's talk it out privately. Everyone in the family will be reasonable and won't make things difficult for us. Our two families are not related, so there's nothing we can do about it."
"But there's no such thing as a wall that's impenetrable. If we really say our horoscopes are incompatible, someone will definitely spread the word. I'm afraid outsiders won't just say our horoscopes are incompatible, but that Long Ge'er has a tough life." After all, most people wouldn't want to offend his family. And rumors are often spread to bully the weak and fear the strong.
"Who dares to spread it?"
"Even if no one spreads it, some unpleasant things will still fall on Long Ge'er. I don't want that."
The couple looked at each other. Fang Wu sighed, "Mother understands what you mean. But it would be embarrassing to tell others that you were broken off from engagement."
Fang Shu said, "It's unpleasant to hear, but since I can't marry Long Ge'er, my son doesn't want to get married in this lifetime!"
Fang Dingman's eyes widened. "What did you say?! Brat! How can that be possible?!"
Fang Shu didn't have any success or failure in his mind at the moment. He just wanted to know how to make the divination result turn out to be good.
He has been thinking about her for so long, could it be that he can no longer be with Yu Qinglong just because of this divination result?
He doesn't believe it!
Fang Shuhuo stood up and said, "Father, Mother, I want to find another fortune teller to tell my fortune again."
Fang Wu asked, "One more divination?"
Fang Shu said, "People make mistakes, horses stumble, and this fortune teller may not always be accurate. What if that person made a mistake? There are more temples than just the Qingshan Temple here, and there are more than just fortune tellers. Why can't we go somewhere else to check? What if they say something different?"
Fang Dingman asked, "What if what was said elsewhere is wrong, and today's result is right?"
Fang Shu was determined: "Then I'll ask a few more!"
Fang Wu said, "That's it. Mother will go with you."
If she were to be the head of the household, and her son used some trick to convince her to be the head of the household, that would be absolutely unacceptable. This matter concerned her son's fate, so she had to get to the bottom of it. There was no room for negligence!
Not to mention distant places, there were fortune tellers in the town, and they were known to be quite accurate. Some people planning to marry in the town, unwilling to travel far, would seek out this fortune teller for auspicious divination. At dawn the next day, Fang Shu, his mother, and Wu Sheng rode in a mule cart to the town.
The mother and daughter went to a fortune teller and presented their horoscopes. The fortune teller counted on his fingers and exclaimed happily, "This is a match made in heaven! The fates of these two people are compatible, and they both share the God of Happiness. This man will bring prosperity to his husband, wealth, and family. If you miss this opportunity, you'll never find it again. This is truly amazing! I've been calculating all year and have only just encountered such a good match. It's truly miraculous. These two people's fates fit together like a mortise and tenon."
Fang Wu asked, "Sir, is what you said true?"
The fortune teller said, "If I tell you even a single lie, I'll be homeless and starving. I'm not going to be struck by lightning, but I'm afraid to trouble the gods!"
"Then why do some people say that this child will bring bad luck to my son?"
"That person must have accepted unexplained money and is talking nonsense! If you two nobles don't believe me, you can go to Huihua Mountain in the east of the town. There is a Taoist priest named Buyan, whose ability is greater than mine. If he says it's impossible, then it's really impossible. But I dare to guarantee that he will say it's possible!"
"Thank you, sir. If that's the case, I'm sure you'll benefit from it!"
After Fang Shu finished speaking, he paid the fortune-telling fee and rushed to Huihua Mountain without even taking a rest.
This time he didn't take a mule cart, but rented a horse carriage to go down the mountain. After helping Fang Wushi up the mountain, he met Taoist Wuyan and explained his purpose.
Taoist Priest Wuyan took a look at the eight characters and said, "These two are very intelligent and their personalities are compatible. This is truly a match made in heaven. Don't miss it."
Fang Wu said, "But Taoist priest, please forgive me for being frank. People said that my son and this boy are not compatible, and that this boy is destined to be my son. I am really afraid..."
Taoist Wuyan, with an ethereal demeanor, smiled and said, "Donor, you are afraid. If you miss this boy, your son's life will be shortened. Your son's fate is extremely rare, truly a fate with deficiencies. If someone can fill the gap, he will achieve great perfection. If not, then he will live a life of mediocrity and depression."
"Why is it that half of your life is spent in mediocrity? Then the second half of your life will be filled with wealth and honor?"
“There is no second half of life.”
"Is what you said true?"
"If you believe it, then believe it. If you don't believe it, then don't believe it. That's all I have to say."
Fang Wu didn't dare to ask any more questions. She left some money for the incense offering and went down the mountain with Fang Shu.
The two of them took the rented carriage back to the village. It was already dark. After a long day of hard work, everyone was tired, but no one had fallen asleep.
Fang Dingman was puzzled after hearing this: "The fortune teller in town said that the fortune teller at Qingshan Temple accepted money and property from unknown sources. What does this mean?"
Fang Shu said, "I'll go ask in person tomorrow and find out. Father, mother, and the relative named Lan Ge'er that my great uncle and aunt mentioned when they came here, have they mentioned anything about this person's horoscope?"
"No, I didn't. I just said the name."
"My son, I guess, if you compare this Lan'er's horoscope with mine, the fortune teller at Qingshan Temple will definitely say it's a match made in heaven. It seems my uncle is dissatisfied with the low land tax exemption for his family. If that's the case, I'll go ask him tomorrow if he doesn't want the land in my name anymore."
"Will this work?"
"We'll know tomorrow whether it works or not."
The next day, Fang Shu and his parents went to Fang Ding's house. Shortly after entering, Fang Shu sat down and said, "Uncle, yesterday my mother and I went to Huihua Mountain. The old Taoist priest there said that I must reduce the land under my name to 105 mu this year. Adding even one mu would be life-threatening. As you know, I'm only a scholar, so I can only be exempted from taxes on 120 mu. After much deliberation, I can only give up the 15 mu that belongs to your family."
"He's talking nonsense! This bastard Taoist priest is talking nonsense! Nephew, you can't listen to him!" Fang Dingquan stood up anxiously. "This is nothing! How can your life be in danger just because you exempt a little more land tax?"
"Why not? The Taoist priest said people shouldn't be too greedy. How can it be possible to have both the sun and the moon at the same time? If that were the case, it would definitely disrupt the order."
"But, but you own more than just my family's land. Why are you singling out ours?" Li Jinque asked. "Even if it's really like what the Taoist priest said, every family should share some of the burden. That's fair."
"Then I have to ask my aunt why she interfered in my affairs." Fang Shu lamented, "The fortune teller in Qingshan Temple has confessed everything. You should listen to what he said. My nephew feels so heartbroken just thinking about it now! Very heartbroken!"
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Author's comment: Fang Shu: You want to trick me into not being able to marry my Long Ge'er? I'll take away your land tax exemption [angry]
Qinglong: Good boy, you are exempted from the punishment for stealing my little wooden stick [smirk]
Fang Shu: Oh, husband! My good husband [hug]
Qinglong: You've defended the city so well today, I'll continue to collect food rations. I received my dowry yesterday, thank you aunts for your generosity. Today I'm collecting some money for repairing the kang, and I beg you aunts to continue supporting me with comments and nutrient solution [fist bow]
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