Jiang Zhi left with a heavy heart. After Tian Gui saw her off, he was immediately stopped by Tao'er's mother, who was hiding in the kitchen: "Well, did Sister-in-law Jiang agree?"
Tian Gui first glanced at his eldest daughter in the main room.
At this moment, Tian Tao was excitedly telling Xiao Quan and Xiao Xi about wanting to become an apprentice while holding Xiao Si, completely unaware of her parents whispering to each other.
Seeing that Tian Tao and her two siblings were talking excitedly, Tian Guicai whispered to Tao'er's mother, "The village chief promised me that he would ask Xiaoman's family. No matter whether it works out or not, this matter must not be spread, not even to Tao'er."
Tao'er's mother breathed a sigh of relief, pinching the apron around her waist: "Alright, as long as you've said what you meant, whether it works out or not depends on fate."
I can't tell Tao'er. She's an apprentice now, and it's important for her to focus on her work and not get distracted.
Sigh, if I weren't worried about the future, I wouldn't have arranged Tao'er's engagement so early!
Tian Gui rubbed his face. He had finally said the words of arranging a marriage for his daughter, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart.
During his year or so in Xujia Village, he naturally had contact with Xiaoman.
Especially during the month or so that they spent together in Qingquan Bay, he grew to like Xiaoman and Errui very much.
Er Rui, being a married man, naturally wouldn't think much of it, but Xiao Man was increasingly satisfied with what she saw. When she got home and told Tao'er's mother, Tao'er's mother also thought it was good.
Although no one except Li Laoshi knew exactly what Xiaoman's life was like living on the mountain, the Xu family in the village knew what Xiaoman's family had been like before.
It is said that Xiaoman's parents died early, and she has elderly grandparents who can still work now, but will need their children and grandchildren to take care of them in two or three years.
There is an older brother who is paralyzed and has been bedridden his whole life. He also has a young niece. The burden of life is extremely heavy. He didn't even have the money to repair his house this time, and he relies on the village chief for help to make ends meet.
But Tian Gui felt that Xiao Man was sensible and capable, and that she was both good-looking and capable in her work.
(“撑展” can refer to a person’s handsome or stylish appearance, or to the way things are handled in a beautiful, comfortable, and orderly manner.)
It doesn't matter if young people are having a tough time now, as long as they are down-to-earth. Once Tao'er marries into the family, the two of them will work together and get through any hardship.
Xiaoman has no siblings to help her, but she will have her own family from now on.
Peach's mother shared the same thought: no one can have a good life from the start.
There's an old saying that goes, "Enjoying childhood blessings leads to hardship in old age," meaning it's better to build a successful family and contribute to society.
After her initial joy, Tao'er's mother became somewhat uneasy: "Husband, do you think Xiaoman's family will think we're too hasty and treat Tao'er badly in the future?"
Tian Gui gritted his teeth: "Then we can only leave it to Tao'er's own fate. We can't really marry Tao'er off to Xu Qiang!"
Tao'er's mother's expression darkened, and her previous joy vanished. She sighed and said, "If only Aunt Liu hadn't brought this up!"
Since settling in Xujia Village, Tian Gui and Xu Genyou, both members of the same group of eight, were in charge of arranging farm work in the village. They were both capable workers and had a very good relationship.
Especially when Tao'er's mother gave birth, Liu took great care of her and stayed by her side. Afterwards, she even brought chickens and eggs, which moved Tao'er's mother deeply, and the relationship between the two families became even closer.
But a few days ago, a remark made by Liu made Tao'er's mother uneasy.
At that time, Tao'er's mother took Tian Tao to grind corn flour with a stone mill. Liu's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were also there, and the two families helped each other grind the flour.
Looking at the diligent Tian Tao, Liu smiled and said to Tao'er's mother, "Our two families have a good relationship, and Tao'er and Qiangzi are about the same age."
"Your family is from out of town and has no connections. How about we become in-laws? That way, we'll be closer relatives, making it easier to visit each other and strengthening our bond. We can get married when our two children turn fifteen the year after next?"
These words came so suddenly that Peach's mother froze, unsure of what to do.
Meeting Liu's enthusiastic gaze, Tao'er's mother knew that she genuinely wanted to beat up her in-laws, so she could only say, "The child is still young, I can't make the decision on this matter, let's wait for her father to come back and ask him!"
When they got home, Tao'er's mother told Tian Gui about it, which immediately put the couple in a difficult position.
Xu Qiang is Xu Genyou's eldest son, half a year younger than Tian Tao'er. He is honest and quiet, and although he is young, he does not slack off when he works.
It can be predicted that he will be the same kind of person when he grows up, honestly farming and living a down-to-earth life.
Tian Gui was also a farmer, so naturally he wouldn't look down on honest kids.
Moreover, the Xu family is now one of the most prominent families in the village, and they are also locals.
To be honest, outsiders like myself usually need to marry into a local family.
But Tian Gui knew his daughter's temper; she was younger and he could tolerate it when they were in their hometown.
Now that she's older, she has her own ideas and definitely won't get along with the eldest son of the Xu family.
More importantly, Xiaoman was someone the couple had their eye on for a long time.
With the bright and cheerful Lesser Fullness of Grain in my heart, now when I look at that little kid from the Xu family who wipes his snot with his sleeve, it just seems so awkward.
But refusing the Xu family might offend them, so they dared not delay waiting for news from Xiaoman's family any longer. They could only swallow their pride and ask. After all, Village Chief Jiang was a steady person, so even if it didn't work out, it wouldn't be a loss of face.
Now that they've finally spoken first, Tian Gui and his wife are just waiting to see if fate will bring them together.
Furthermore, Jiang Zhi had some idea of what was going on when she left the Tian family.
It is said that a family with a daughter will have many suitors, and a family with a good son will also have many suitors. Xiaoman's marriage is of great concern to many people.
Aside from the aunties in Xujia Village making arrangements, Xiang Dejin and his friends also wanted to play matchmaker for girls they liked, but Xiaoman told them not to rush into it.
Xiaoman was aware of her situation and had also shared her innermost thoughts with Jiangzhi.
Although my brother's injury has improved somewhat, he is still a long way from fully recovering.
With elderly parents to care for and young children to raise, he bears the main burden of the family's financial responsibility.
Fortunately, his sister-in-law Chunfeng came back and could help take care of the family, so he had no worries.
If we get married and have children now, it will not only increase the burden on the family, but it will also be troublesome if we quarrel over trivial matters.
Rather than making things difficult for his brother, sister-in-law, and grandparents, he should wait until things go smoothly before getting married and starting a family.
He was talking about starting a family. The concept of "love above all else" doesn't exist here; ordinary people are focused on making a living.
Asking a modern single person to decide someone else's marriage across generations is truly an over-the-top problem.
Although Grandpa Xiaoman had said he would entrust Xiaoman to her, Jiang Zhi felt it was better to tell Grandpa Xiaoman and let Xiaoman's family decide for themselves.
Putting this matter aside, Jiang Zhi went to Xu Gensheng's house.
Xu Gensheng and Pi had been eager to work at the pharmacy, but the couple were too talkative.
Although they weren't bad people, forcing the two of them to refrain from talking nonsense was making things difficult for each other and would definitely cause trouble in the end. Jiang Zhi eliminated them without even thinking.
Xu Gensheng was no good, but his wife, Li Ersao, was quite nice. She was quiet, hardworking, and strong, which Jiang Zhi liked.
Sure enough, Xu Gensheng, who was eagerly awaiting news, was immediately unhappy when he learned that he had been eliminated and that his second sister-in-law had been sent to work instead: "Auntie, I have always been loyal to you and have never had any ulterior motives!"
Jiang Zhi glared at him: "If I ask you to do anything else, you won't be loyal?"
"Other things?"
Xu Gensheng's mind raced, and he instantly became obsequious: "No, no, no, Auntie, I am your closest nephew, and I will definitely be the most loyal!"
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