Chapter 338 The Grand Finale (Part 1)
The noise subsided, and it was already late at night.
Jiang Ling sat alone in the courtyard, holding the jade pendant Qin Qian had given her in her hand, gazing at the empty space, recalling the scene of his first time coming to harvest vegetables.
"Miss, it's late, you should rest early." Xiao Qiu quietly came over and draped an outer robe over her shoulders.
Jiang Ling snapped out of her thoughts: "Xiao Qiu, you've managed everything so well while I was away. Thank you for your hard work."
Xiao Qiu lowered her head somewhat shyly: "It's because the young lady trusts me that she gave me this opportunity. Brother Sixi... and Uncle Zhao and Sister Zhao also helped me a lot."
Her cheeks flushed slightly when Si Xi was mentioned.
Jiang Ling saw it all, but didn't point it out.
The next day, Grandpa Zhao brought a box of newly made jujube and yam cakes to the general store.
Seeing Uncle Zhao arrive, Jiang Ling put down her work: "Uncle Zhao, you're here. Please have a seat. What brings you here today? Have you finished the autumn harvest?"
"I came to see you. I brought some jujube and yam cakes that your Aunt Zhao made, and I thought I'd give you some to try." Grandpa Zhao placed the food box on the table and sat down on the stool next to him.
After sitting down, Grandpa Zhao took a sip of tea, then rubbed his hands together, a smile on his face that was both sincere and slightly awkward, typical of farmers.
"The autumn harvest is over. Thanks to the workshop this year, every household has more income and a good harvest, so everyone feels at ease. It's been quiet at home lately. Sixi is not young anymore, and his mother keeps nagging him."
Jiang Ling handed him a piece of jujube and yam cake and smiled, "Sixi is a hardworking and reliable young man. He's literate and knows what he's doing. When I was away the other day, he helped me manage the storeroom accounts, and he and Xiaoqiu worked together very well. Aunt Zhao must be eager to have a grandson, right?"
When Jiang Ling brought up Xiao Qiu, Grandpa Zhao's eyes lit up, and he sat up straighter. He followed up on the conversation, saying, "That's right! But these things can't be rushed. It depends on fate, and also on... on what the girl wants."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "Miss Jiang, the reason I came here today, besides bringing pastries, is also... I have something important I'd like to discuss with you."
He put down his teacup, his expression serious: "Our Jishui Village doesn't have so many complicated things to say, so I'll be frank. My son Sixi and your daughter Xiaoqiu have been together for the past six months, and we, as his parents, have seen it all. Sixi used to seem quiet, but ever since he started working with you, helping manage the workshop and keep accounts, he's become more and more mature and observant. He... he confided in us privately that Xiaoqiu is a good person, meticulous, and capable. After experiencing so much, she's still managed to run the workshop so well; she's a rare and wonderful girl. He... he admires her and likes her."
As Grandpa Zhao spoke, he observed Jiang Ling's expression. Seeing that she was listening attentively and showed no displeasure, he continued:
"Although our Zhao family isn't a wealthy one, we're considered a respectable family in the village. Sixi's three older brothers are all married and have their own livelihoods, leaving him the only one without a stable job. My wife and I have discussed it, and if Miss Xiaoqiu is willing, our Zhao family will definitely not mistreat her. We'll go through all the proper formalities, from the traditional matchmaker's visit to the betrothal ceremony. The house is already there, and we can renovate it. We'll make sure she lives a comfortable life from now on. You know Sixi; he's not the kind of person who lacks responsibility. He's been learning from you for so long, so whether he continues working in the workshop or finds other work on his own, his family will never go hungry."
He paused, his face full of earnestness: "Miss Jiang, Miss Xiao Qiu is your person, so we need to discuss this with you first. We know she has had a difficult past, but in our Jishui Village, no one will bring those things up. You treat her like a younger sister, and our Zhao family will certainly treat her as our own daughter in return. You... what do you think of this?"
Jiang Ling listened quietly, feeling not much surprise, but rather a sense of relief.
She saw Xiao Qiu's diligence and hard work, and Si Xi's honesty and ambition.
The two spent every day together in the workshop, worked together seamlessly, and it was only natural that feelings would develop between them.
More importantly, the Zhao family is a respectable family in the village. Uncle Zhao is fair and just, and Aunt Zhao is straightforward and kind.
If Xiao Qiu can marry into that family, she will have someone to rely on, and her later life will truly be settled, allowing her to put down roots in this land.
She didn't agree immediately. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Uncle Zhao, I thank you and Aunt Zhao for your kindness on behalf of Xiao Qiu. Sixi is indeed a good child. She is conscientious and of good character. It is Xiao Qiu's good fortune to have you value her."
Grandpa Zhao's face immediately lit up with joy.
Jiang Ling changed the subject, her tone gentle yet firm: "However, this matter ultimately depends on Xiao Qiu's own wishes. Although she has signed a contract with me, I have never treated her as a servant. Her marriage is a matter of her own consent. How about this, you go back first, and I will find an opportunity to ask Xiao Qiu. If she agrees, we can discuss the subsequent etiquette in detail. What do you think?"
"Of course, of course!" Grandpa Zhao nodded repeatedly, his face beaming with joy. "We should ask the young lady herself what she thinks! Miss Jiang, you're a sensible person, and you genuinely care about Xiao Qiu. Then we'll wait for news!"
After seeing off the briskly walking Grandpa Zhao, Jiang Ling turned and went back to the courtyard.
Xiao Qiu was washing clothes by the well, her sleeves rolled up high, revealing her slender yet strong arms. She was humming a tuneless little tune, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed, looking much more vibrant than when she first arrived, pale and frightened.
Jiang Ling walked over, picked up a piece of clothing and helped her wring it out, casually saying, "Uncle Zhao came by earlier and brought some jujube and yam cakes that Aunt Zhao made. They tasted pretty good."
Xiao Qiu smiled and said, "Aunt Zhao's cooking skills are among the best in the village. If you like it, I'll go and learn from her another day."
Jiang Ling paused, looking into Xiao Qiu's clear eyes, "Uncle Zhao... also mentioned something else."
Xiao Qiu's movements slowed down, as if she sensed something. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and she lowered her head, her voice barely audible:
"Wha...what's wrong?"
Jiang Ling didn't beat around the bush and said softly, "He came to propose marriage on behalf of Sixi and wanted to ask for your opinion."
With a "plop," the clothes that Xiao Qiu was wringing in her hand fell back into the basin, splashing up a few drops of water.
She froze, her face instantly turning bright red, even the tips of her ears turning pink. She was at a loss, her eyes darting around in a panic, her lips moving a few times but no sound came out.
Jiang Ling took her wet hand and led her to sit down on a stone bench nearby, her tone gentle yet solemn:
"Xiao Qiu, don't panic. There are no outsiders here, so just tell me what's on your mind. What do you think of Sixi? Are you willing to accept this marriage with the Zhao family?"
Xiao Qiu lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. After a long while, she said in an almost inaudible voice:
"Brother Sixi... he... he's a very good person. He's conscientious in his work, kind to everyone, and doesn't look down on my background. If I have any questions about the accounts, he always patiently teaches me... Aunt Zhao always smiles when she sees me, and sometimes she even gives me food..."
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