Chapter 84 Chapter 84 Engagement
"I don't know whether this young man from the Luo family is handsome or not."
After learning that her family had arranged a blind date for her, Zhen'er got up early, found a new green dress, and washed up early.
So many matchmakers had come to the house before, but the family didn't like her. This time, they finally got to a blind date. Qiao'er was happy for Zhen'er and got up early to help her comb her hair.
Zhen'er blushed when she heard Qiao'er say this. "You can't just judge someone by appearance. Mother, my elder brother, and my husband carefully selected her, so she must be good."
Qiao Er smiled and thought so, then she started to criticize her sister again, blaming her for not listening to her advice: "I told you to find that new goose yellow dress, it's brighter and more eye-catching, but you just refused."
Zhen'er also thought the new goose yellow dress looked good, and she had never been willing to wear it. However, she felt that a blind date should not be made too grand, and she didn't want to dress so grandly, for fear that people would laugh at her in their hearts.
"This one is fine."
"Yes, you usually like to wear these simple colors."
The two sisters talked in the room for a while, then packed up and left. Chen Sanfang took a look and felt that nothing was wrong, so she took Zhen'er out.
This time, the blind date was held in the lotus garden in the city. The lotus flowers were in full bloom in the summer, and many young people went there to see the flowers. There were also many people going on blind dates in the summer. If they didn't go to the temple fairs like Monkey Mountain, most of them would be there.
Originally, Chen Sanfang thought that Monkey Mountain would be fine, and she insisted on staying there. She was thinking that Kang He and Fan Jing had met there, and not only did they get married, but they also lived so smoothly. It must be the Bodhisattva from Monkey Mountain who brought them together.
However, if they go there, not only is it far away, it will be difficult for Kang He and Fan Jing to follow them. If they go on a blind date in the city, they can still take a look at the young man from the Luo family from a distance.
Moreover, the Luo family also wants to be the prime minister in the city.
Chen Sanfang called Yihuan and Erxi to ride in the covered wagon that their family had just built a few days ago. It was summer now and the sun was very hot. They went out on the wagon and sweated profusely, just like the bacon on the stove.
I got a covered wagon. Although it cost as much as three carts, it could at least shelter me from the wind and rain. When I went out, no one could see who was sitting inside.
Zhen'er is dressed well today. If the villagers see her, they will definitely know that she is going on a blind date and will definitely ask about it.
If I tell others about this unsuccessful task, it will only cause more trouble.
Chen Sanfang was fanning herself with a handkerchief. Seeing that Father Fan, who was sitting opposite her, was sweating, she took out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped it for Father Fan: "Look, you are hotter than me."
Father Fan looked presentable today. He wasn't actually ugly, but he worked in the fields all year round and had little knowledge. Even when he wore nice clothes, one could tell at a glance that he was an honest man.
"This covered wagon is stuffy, like a steamer. It's not any cooler than a cart."
"The sun hasn't even risen yet, and it's so stuffy. I know you're worried about the Luo family's status."
Chen Sanfang said, "You've met my cousin Yun before. She's such a kind person. Luo Tongsheng is a scholar and respects etiquette. He won't embarrass others. Just keep quiet for a while."
Father Fan nodded.
Zhen'er felt nervous too. She clutched the handkerchief embroidered with orchids in her hand, and her sweat soaked the handkerchief.
If I hadn't taken good care of myself in recent years and had fair skin, I wouldn't have needed much powder, otherwise the light makeup on my face would have been ruined.
The three of them walked all the way to the city, and the Luo family had already arrived at the Lotus Garden.
The two heads of the family first sat in separate rooms for tea, and when the elder came in and talked for a few minutes, they called the two young men out to meet them.
Zhen'er glanced at the person and her face immediately turned red. She even lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at him, and didn't know how to approach the place where people could view the flowers.
The elder did not disturb them and went into the house to have tea, letting the two of them talk alone in the open air.
Luo Yichuan had heard earlier that his family had chosen a wife for him. He was not very old, so he was not in a hurry to get married. Instead, he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and pass the imperial examinations.
If he got married at this time, it would inevitably distract him from the imperial examinations, but seeing that his parents were busy with his affairs, no matter what his feelings were, since they had arranged a blind date for him, he still put down his books and made this trip out of courtesy.
I just wanted to meet each other, so I told my parents that after two years when my studies have made some progress, we can talk about marriage.
Unexpectedly, after his godparents took him to meet the girl from the Fan family, he immediately changed his mind.
When he first glanced at Zhen'er, he saw that the girl was wearing a green dress. It was not bright or gorgeous, but it was simply dressed, but it gave people a fresh feeling of spring.
Perhaps it was her delicate features and reserved demeanor that made him feel as if he were bathed in a spring breeze.
For a moment, he even grabbed the corner of his clothes and felt a little embarrassed.
The two of them sat under the pavilion in front of the lotus pond, both looking a little uneasy.
Luo Chuanyi tentatively raised his head to look at Zhen'er, but she lowered her head. He didn't know whether the girl was not interested in him because she was not pretty enough, or because she was shy. He tried to find a topic to talk about: "I... I heard that your family is in the countryside."
Zhen'er's eyes moved when she heard that he was a scholar with good knowledge and a good family background. She wondered if he disliked that their family lived in a remote and poor place.
But even though people dislike her, Zhen'er still feels that her family is very good. Everyone in the family is very harmonious and they are all managing their lives well. They are not inferior to others.
She nodded and whispered, "Yes. Although my home is not as good as in the city, I still feel that I live well in the countryside."
Upon hearing this, Luo Chuanyi quickly said, "I, I don't mean to think your country is bad. My grandparents' home is also in the country, and when I was a child, I always pestered my mother to take me to my grandparents' home."
"In the countryside, I could fish, catch shrimp, and catch frogs—it was wonderful. But as I grew older, with my schoolwork, I couldn't have those happy days anymore."
Zhen'er was a little surprised when she heard this. Seeing that he looked like a scholar, she didn't expect that he used to like these things like the other children in the village.
She clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hand and said, "Although studying is hard, it can teach one etiquette and teach one many truths."
"yes."
Luo Chuanyi said: "That's why I want to read more books."
The two of them were talking slowly on this side. On the opposite side of the lotus garden, two figures were squatting in front of the lotus bushes, looking curiously towards the pavilion.
"Can you see anyone?"
"Um."
Fan Jing responded.
Kang He stretched his neck, but could only see a figure and could not clearly see the face of the second son of the Luo family.
Even though I couldn't see his face clearly, I could tell that he was a man with quite a bit of temperament. From a distance, he looked a little reserved, but his back was straight.
Fan Jing grabbed Kang He to prevent him from falling into the lotus pond: "Don't spy on people like that anymore. If someone sees you, they'll think you're a thief."
"Hey, you're really good at talking."
Kang He said, "You have good eyesight, but what about Luo Erlang?"
"Not bad."
Fan Jing said this and pulled Kang He away.
Seeing that Fan Jing looked fine, Kang He smiled and followed him away. He asked him, "Are you not going to take another look?"
"Go back to the shop."
The Fan and Luo couples were still drinking tea at this time. Chen Sanfang and Cousin Yun got along very well, and both of them looked very happy to become in-laws.
On the other hand, Father Fan and Luo Tongsheng just sat there without saying a word.
Luo Tongsheng was holding a teacup and drinking tea. Although he was quite polite, he had a high attitude.
He asked Father Fan a few questions about the crops in the village, and then talked about land taxes. Father Fan felt awkward, and the two of them looked like an official interrogating a countryman.
After a few polite words, he simply stopped talking.
Luo Tongsheng thought that if this marriage went through, it would be difficult for them to get along comfortably. He had originally wanted to marry into a scholarly family so that they could have easier conversations, but now, it was just a formality.
"It seems like they're almost there. The two kids are getting along well with each other."
Cousin Yun and Chen Sanfang both wanted the two to sit alone for a while, but since Luo Tongsheng had already asked, it was difficult to say it, so they went to the pavilion to call the two young people.
When Luo Chuanyi saw his parents coming, his eyebrows moved. He felt that he and Zhen'er got along well. Before they had exchanged a few words, it was time.
The two exchanged some polite words, bowed and said goodbye.
On the way back, Luo Chuanyi was still reminiscing about the past. Luo Tongsheng called him twice before he got a response.
"How do you look today?"
In response to his father's question, Luo Chuanyi bowed to his parents and replied honestly, "I think the Fan family's daughter is very good. Thank you, Dad and Mom, for choosing this match for me."
Luo Tongsheng had been hoping that Luo Chuanyi would not fancy the girl from the Fan family, and then he could naturally reject the marriage.
I didn't expect that the child was actually so satisfied.
Luo Tongsheng was unwilling to give up and said, "The girl from the Fan family is indeed beautiful, but their family is a butcher and has no knowledge. As a scholar, how can you really bear it?"
Luo Chuanyi said, "Although I am a scholar, I am ashamed. I am now eighteen years old and still have no achievements. The title of scholar only makes me ashamed. How can I be dissatisfied with others?"
"Although the daughter of the Fan family grew up in the countryside, she is very gentle and polite. How could I not be dissatisfied with such a good girl that my parents took the trouble to find for me?"
Luo Tongsheng felt an indescribable feeling for a moment, but Cousin Yun was overjoyed: "My dear son, you are so considerate and sensible. You and I have the same taste. From the moment I saw the second daughter of the Fan family, I liked her very much."
After saying this, he put on a stern face and elbowed Luo Tongsheng: "You're always being picky about the Fan family. It's nothing more than disliking them because they're not from a family of scholars. If you dislike them so much, why did you choose a country family like mine when you were going on a blind date with me?"
Luo Tongsheng blushed when his cousin Yun said this, but then he thought about it and realized it was okay.
He is now following his old path, but this just goes to show that the son is like his father.
The second daughter of the Fan family is quiet and gentle, and there is nothing wrong with her. Although her in-laws are not very happy with her, they are not going to live under the same roof with her after all.
"Since you are so happy, your mother and I will do as you wish."
Luo Chuanyi was delighted to see that his parents had agreed, but at the same time, he felt a little melancholy. "I wonder if the young lady from the Fan family has taken a liking to me."
Zhen'er was also subjected to a barrage of questioning, but she was too embarrassed to say anything more. Her face flushed and she just nodded.
Since her family saw that she also liked the young man from the Luo family, it didn't matter if they couldn't ask her anything else.
She didn't say much to her family, as she couldn't stand Qiao'er's constant questioning, so Zhen'er spoke a few more words to her sister.
"He has a fair complexion and looks like a scholar."
"A pale-faced scholar? Isn't that what Brother Daxin looks like?"
Qiao'er said venomously, "If you say so, I don't think he's that good. Mother should hold my ears and teach me a lesson. A man like Brother Daxin can be a relative, but he can't be a husband."
Zhen Er rarely managed to argue: "He is not like Daxin who has no ideas. Although he is gentle, he has his own ideas."
Qiao'er laughed at her and said that she was already protecting him after just the first time they met, what would happen in the future?
Zhen'er felt ashamed and said she would never say another word to her.
The Fan family was also anxious for news, but because they were the girl's family, they didn't dare to ask.
It didn't take long. After two days, the Luo family came back with a reply.
This is good news.
The two families communicated with each other, and then a matchmaker came to take Zhen'er's birth date and zodiac sign, and matched them with Luo Chuanyi's birth date and zodiac sign, and then the two sides went through the formalities.
In late July, the Luo family brought gifts and invited an official matchmaker to the Fan family, and the two families discussed the marriage arrangements.
After discussion, the two sides decided to get married first and hold the wedding next year.
Firstly, both families need to make preparations. Secondly, Luochuan Yi will have to take the examination in early next year, so there is not much time left. If the wedding is held this year, it will inevitably be rushed, and it will also delay studying.
The Fan family was not in a hurry for Zhen'er to get married. Even if she stayed at home for three to five years, let alone one year, they would be happy to do so without worrying about what outsiders would say. Naturally, they did not raise any objection to the wedding date.
On the day of their engagement, the two young people saw each other again and were both very happy.
Although they didn't say much, Luo Chuanyi still found an opportunity to give Zhen'er a red hairpin with a lotus pattern, and Zhen'er also gave him a handkerchief embroidered with green bamboo.
When people left, both sides felt reluctant to leave.
"You're so generous to give me so many engagement gifts!"
When Zhang Jingui heard that Zhen'er had chosen a family from the city, she wanted to ask for details, but Chen Sanfang kept it a secret and didn't tell her.
She thought that no matter how good it was, she couldn't possibly go past Xiangxiu from her family, so she came over to take a look that day.
I don't want to look at the boy from the Luo family who is so handsome, good-looking, a scholar, and has good conversation.
She loved scholars, and she couldn't help but look up to the young man from the Luo family.
I heard that Mr. Luo was a student, which was even more remarkable. When they met, Luo, who was very stylish, responded indifferently.
After everyone left, she asked Chen Sanfang to look at the engagement gift.
When the box was opened, in addition to the eight gifts for engagement, including wine, tea, pork legs, and red dates, there were also six pieces of fine cloth, two boxes of wedding cakes, and a set of silver jewelry.
That piece of jewelry probably weighs six taels.
Zhang Jingui clicked her tongue. Regardless of how wealthy the Luo family was to be able to send such a generous gift, the etiquette was so thorough that they must have valued Zhen'er very much.
Originally, she wanted to tell Zhen'er about the child of her brother from her mother's side, but she didn't expect that before she could even speak, the person would have such a good place to go.
Zhang Jingui was happy for Zhen'er at one moment, but at another she couldn't help but feel envious.
Chen Sanfang said, "These are all external things. The most important thing is that Erlang of the Luo family loves our Zhen'er very much and will never let her suffer any injustice in the future."
She is so glorious today and is extremely happy.
Zhang Jingui said sourly, "You are so lucky."
After a while, some idle women came to the house, waiting to talk to Chen Sanfang before the engagement was completed. The house was bustling with people talking about the happy news of Zhen'er's engagement.
Zhen Er was shy and hid in the house, not coming out to talk with these aunts.
Kang He saw that the Luo family was very polite and Luo Chuanyi was also good, so he was quite satisfied.
When he turned to see Fan Jing, he didn't seem very happy and went back to the house quietly.
Kang He took Da Fu, who was in his arms, and taught Qiao Er to eat his fill. He then went back to the house and saw the man sitting by the window, still buried in his work of twisting hemp thread as usual. He looked like a sullen person, and he knew that he was in a bad mood.
"Zhen'er hasn't even gotten married yet, and you're already reluctant to let her go?"
Fan Jingjiao knew what Kang He was thinking, so he didn't answer him.
Kang He poured him a cup of tea. He had always known that this man looked cold and indifferent, but in his heart he cared more about his family than anyone else: "Girls have to get married when they grow up. It's hard to have two men in one family."
Upon hearing this, Fan Jing looked up at him.
"Are you afraid that another visitor will cause you to lose your status at home?"
Kang He said with a smile: "I'm not afraid. Even if ten more come, they will definitely not be able to defeat me."
Fan Jing also laughed briefly.
Seeing this, Kang He sat down next to him and said, "I see that Luo Chuanyi really likes Zhen'er, and Zhen'er has the same idea. It's rare for both families to agree on this marriage. You should be happy for Zhen'er."
"I know."
Fan Jing looked at all this and was happy for his sister, but after a moment of silence, he said to Kang He, "It seems that Luo Tongsheng doesn't think much of our family."
Although Kang He made most of the decisions at home, as it was an important matter of engagement, his parents were still alive and when outsiders came to visit, it was still the elders who would make the final decision.
If I let my son-in-law take the lead in discussing my sister's marriage, it would inevitably cause gossip.
In the hall, Chen Sanfang was talking to Father Fan. He saw that Luo Tongsheng seldom opened his mouth to respond, and it was mostly his wife Yun who spoke well of him.
Kang He couldn't help but frown after hearing what Fan Jing said. He also met Luo Tongsheng and they exchanged a few words.
He was a very smart man, so he could see that Luo Tongsheng had some tricks up his sleeve.
Scholars are usually very aloof and it is common for them to look down on people like them. Calling them "pig butchers" does sound indecent.
Although Luo Tongsheng was not as easy-going as the scholars of the Xu family, he was still quite friendly. He did not deliberately embarrass others and he still knew his limits.
It is a fact that the Luo family is of higher status than their Fan family. They are well-mannered and can handle things in front of them.
You can't always ask others to treat you more humbly by taking advantage of your weakness.
Instead of begging the rich and powerful to treat you with courtesy, it is better to work hard to improve your own status.
There is nothing perfect in the world, let alone when it comes to marriage. It is normal that there will always be some dissatisfaction. If you really think that everything is fine, it may just be a trap.
Today, the Luo family prepared a generous engagement gift, and the family didn't ask them to prepare a large dowry for marrying Zhen'er. They just said that it should be appropriate, which is quite reasonable.
Fan Jing said: "It doesn't matter whether he likes our family or not. I'm just worried that Zhen'er will be unhappy in the future. She has a weak personality."
Kang He knew that this was what Fan Jing was worried about. He was not the type to get upset or worried just because others looked down on him. He advised, "A daughter-in-law spends more time with her mother-in-law than with her father-in-law. Besides, the Luo family is a family of scholars and they are very particular about etiquette."
"Aunt Yun likes Zhen'er and won't make things difficult for her. Even if Luo Tongsheng isn't very satisfied, they won't spend much time together."
Fan Jing frowned, he didn't say anything, but after thinking about it, he felt a little relieved.
Kang He squeezed Fan Jing's hand and said, "It's okay. This is just an engagement. There's still a year to go, and during that time, the two families will definitely be in contact. If anything goes wrong, we still have a chance."
Fan Jing responded.
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