Chapter 1044 An Unequal Marriage
To bring a market to the fishing village, the guard team built a small, windproof shed by the sea, set up a fire to make tea, and anyone who came to the fishing village could come and get hot water.
Because a market was to be opened by the sea, hoping to create a lively atmosphere, the fishing village, which was usually closed off, was opened for the first time, attracting many people from the surrounding area to come and visit the fishing village's log cabins.
Before dawn on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, merchants began to move in, and the fishing village, which was no longer as quiet as before, became noisy.
There was no breakfast in the canteen, so the children were the first to get up. Tianwazi led the way, and the children ran to the market to buy breakfast.
Crispy fried dough sticks, tofu pudding with meat broth, sweet soy milk, stuffed pancakes, fried dough cakes, sesame cakes, and many other varieties, as well as roujiamo (meat sandwich), which is not commonly found in northern China.
"I'd like a bowl of rice noodles."
Zhang Qing'er spotted one of the stalls and pulled Lin Yuesha inside to sample it, saying, "Sister Yuesha, look, the rice noodle stall has pickled cowpeas and pickled radish strips. It's definitely authentic."
The minced meat rice noodles were served in a special pork bone broth that the stall owner had specially prepared. Lin Yuesha filled her bowl to the brim and sat opposite Zhang Qing'er. Neither of them spoke, focusing solely on eating.
"Boss, can we buy your pickled green beans separately?"
Lin Yuesha had tried pickling it herself before, but she didn't know which step was missing, and the taste was not satisfactory.
She ate the owner's pickled green beans, which were very fresh and tasted great with noodles and rice noodles. They were even better when stir-fried with minced meat and red chili peppers.
"I've only set aside two extra jars this year, which I can share with you."
The owner runs a rice noodle business, and pickled cowpeas are an essential ingredient. He will make more if Lin Yuesha needs them when the cowpeas are in season next year.
"Okay, if it's inconvenient for you, I'll send someone to get it."
After making an agreement with the owner and leaving a deposit, Lin Yuesha and Zhang Qing'er wandered around aimlessly after eating and drinking their fill.
“Sister Yue Sha, there are portraits at the market, let’s draw another one.”
Beside the small shed sat a scholar, all alone and ignored by everyone.
It was still early, and the craftsmen were having breakfast with their families, heading out for food, so the scholar had no business.
The scholar looked around, a look of envy on his face as he watched the smoke and fire around him.
Before leaving the North, she kept the portraits of Zhang Qing'er and Lin Yuesha in a scroll and would take them out to look at them from time to time.
Perhaps early next year, when Lin Yuesha goes to the capital with Qi Heng, the two sisters will have to part ways again.
Lin Yuesha is Zhang Qing'er's sister and one of her most important relatives.
Even if we can't meet often, looking at a portrait is still good.
"OK."
If conditions permit, Lin Yuesha wants to make a pact with Zhang Qing'er that the two sisters draw one each year, which is equivalent to a modern-day group photo.
And so, year after year, I grew old amidst anticipation.
"Please choose a background, both of you."
The scholar handed over a picture album containing backgrounds of mountains, rivers, flowers, plants, and old houses. If one did not like these, one could use real scenes of a fishing village.
Lin Yuesha flipped through the booklet and was deeply impressed by the scholar's skill.
"I am not very talented, I have not been to many places, and these are all my backgrounds."
The scholar felt a little guilty, as this was his first business deal in the fishing village, and he could have accepted only one payment.
That's not what I meant.
Lin Yuesha waved her hand, indicating that she had no intention of bargaining.
If a scholar's calligraphy and paintings are placed in a calligraphy and painting shop, there will definitely be people who appreciate them. If he makes a name for himself, he can sell them for a high price.
"I do not wish to make a living by painting; I wish to continue my studies and pursue knowledge."
The scholar spoke frankly, saying that the New Year was approaching and his family's finances were not good this year. As a scholar, he usually spent a lot of money on writing materials.
He was oblivious to everything around him. The only time he paid attention to his home was when his mother fell ill and the rice jar was empty.
He felt very ashamed about this.
Admittedly, studying and pursuing knowledge is the right path, but as human beings, we must first earn a living.
For many years, he relied on his parents' financial support, only occasionally helping out at the bookstore by copying books to earn some money, all of which he used to buy books.
When he came to his senses, he was filled with shame.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, he wants to take on some jobs writing Spring Festival couplets and painting New Year pictures to supplement his family's income.
Zhang Qing'er carefully looked through the picture book and finally decided to use a real scene. The two sisters had their portraits drawn in the courtyard of a small wooden house by the sea.
About half an hour later, the portrait was finished, and Lin Yuesha and Zhang Qing'er were very satisfied.
Are you married?
Zhang Qing'er suddenly asked.
"I have never...never been married."
The scholar was initially shocked, but then answered honestly.
He is already twenty years old this year. He has no interest in anything other than studying and doing academic research. After he suddenly realized this, he found that he was not good at interpersonal relationships and felt ashamed of his family.
"Not engaged yet?"
Zhang Qing'er nodded and then asked again.
"Never."
The scholar spoke the truth, but he didn't understand why the woman in front of him was asking about these things.
He blushed and asked shyly, "Excuse me, are you the matchmaker?"
If he helps him find a match, he will not accept the money for the portrait as a thank you.
Lin Yuesha, who was initially shocked, laughed until her stomach ached.
The scholar was a simpleton; he thought Zhang Qing'er was a matchmaker and thus inquired about his marriage in hopes of making money off him.
Indeed, despite the open-mindedness of the people in the north, there are very few women as bold as Zhang Qing'er.
"I'm a matchmaker, but I plan to find a match for myself."
Zhang Qing'er admitted that the scholar was stunned and didn't react for a long time.
So, the woman in front of him has taken a liking to him?
Who else is in your family?
Before asking the question, Zhang Qing'er explained her situation. She did not mention that her parents were officials working away from home, but said that she came from a small family and that her parents were making a living away from home.
Lin Yuesha was speechless. If her godfather, Lord Zhang, heard this, he would definitely beat Zhang Qing'er up.
However, there's nothing wrong with that statement.
"I have parents and older brothers at home, and my older brother is already married."
Out of politeness, the scholar forced himself to reply.
He passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. His family owned a few acres of poor land. During the off-season, his father and elder brother would go to town to do odd jobs, and his mother and sister-in-law would also work to supplement the family income.
He was the only scholar in his family, and he was an idle person.
His family was harmonious; his elder brother and sister-in-law were not meddlesome, and he also had three nieces.
"May I come to your house as a guest?"
Zhang Qing'er asked again.
The scholar was much calmer now. He invited Zhang Qing'er to his home the next day and offered her his lodgings.
Just as Zhang Qing'er finished asking her question, Tian Wazi took the little rabbit to find the scholar's portrait, and the scholar became busy again.
The little rabbit's mouth wasn't fully healed yet, so the scholar comforted her and painted her into a lovely, snow-white New Year's picture doll. The doll held a round fan in her hand, which just covered her mouth.
Judging from the details of the scholar's speech and painting, he seems to be a decent person. However, one cannot judge a person solely by superficial appearances.
"Sister Qing'er, why are you going to visit?"
Lin Yuesha couldn't hold back any longer; this kind of initiative to come to her door was too childish.
Moreover, Zhang Qing'er and the scholar were not a good match, and their social statuses were far apart.
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