On the way home, Xu Zhi excitedly told Zhang Zhaoci, "Mom, Mom, I met the young lady from the Li family today. She took good care of me." Xu Zhi was referring to the second daughter of the Li family's registrar, who was two years older than Xu Zhi.
The two daughters of the Li family's chief clerk, the elder daughter is thirteen years old this year, just the age to be married, and the younger daughter is eight years old. Zhang Zhaoci has met both of them and they are both kind and gentle people. Because the elder daughter is of marriageable age, she doesn't usually come out with them, but the younger daughter often comes out with Madam Li. Zhang Zhaoci has met her a few times.
Granny Lu said, "The Li family's little girl is really clever. If you ask me, this cleverness is not something that can be taught; it's innate."
Zhang Zhaoci rarely heard Granny Lu praise someone, so she became quite interested and said, "Oh? It's rare to hear Granny Lu praise someone."
Granny Lu smiled and said, "How could I not praise her for doing such a good job? To be honest, this is the first time I've seen someone as clever as the second daughter of the Li family. What's rare is that she has a kind and honest character, not the kind of person who is sharp-tongued or likes to stir up trouble. She is perceptive, good at understanding things, and very reliable."
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "Granny, I feel like you've struck gold!"
Granny Lu sighed and said, "I've been a governess for so many years, and I'm always used to judging girls by my own standards. It's rare to see a girl who catches my eye."
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "Then we should invite them to our house more often from now on. Don't we still have a young girl who wants to find a close female friend?"
Xu Zhi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. Granny Lu said, "This is indeed a good thing. What is Lord Li's background?"
Zhang Zhaoci thought for a moment and said, "It seems that he started as a minor official after passing the imperial examination, and came to Hexi to work as a registrar more than ten years ago. He has been doing this job for so many years. As for the rest, we can ask him when our Third Master comes home tonight."
When Xu Rao returned that evening, he told Zhang Zhaoci in detail about the Li family's situation.
The Li family was a prominent clan in the previous dynasty. However, during the later period of the previous dynasty, wars broke out in various places, and the Li family was affected. After dispersing their wealth, they went to live in seclusion in a remote mountain village. Later, when the current dynasty was established and the world gradually became stable, the Li family members came out again to take the imperial examinations.
Lord Li originally wanted to take the imperial examination, but unfortunately his health was not very good. After passing the examination, he found a job and worked his way up from a clerk to the current position of registrar of the eighth rank.
Hearing Granny Lu speak highly of the Li family's daughter, Xu Rao patted Xu Zhi's head and said, "Then from now on, our Xiao Jiu should get along well with her. This time, when people came from the capital, Clerk Li helped me a lot. He will definitely get some benefits from this in the future, and he might even get promoted again."
Xu Di said, "Today I met the two young ladies from the Qian County Magistrate's family. I don't know what their parents told them, but they both acted so arrogantly. Aren't officials supposed to hire a governess to teach their daughters manners? I feel like these two girls are so ignorant."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "No matter how good the governess is, the environment is very important. The most important thing is the parents' words and deeds. This is not the first time I have met Madam Qian today. But this time, I felt that the way she looked at me was quite strange. It seemed like she pitied me. I guess it's because she already knows the magistrate's evaluation of you."
Xu Rao shook his head and said, "Because of these people, those of us who want to do something face many more obstacles in the process of accomplishing it."
Xu Di said, "Dad, look at you, why are you so narrow-minded? Where there are people, there is struggle. Everyone is fighting for their own interests. Didn't your school fight tooth and nail for the title of associate professor back then?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao said, "I'm also attached to appearances. It's better if you think more open-mindedly."
Xu Di sighed and said, "Back then, you were engrossed in studying at school, and my mother was dedicated to becoming an excellent surgeon. Your circle was rather narrow."
Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "Isn't that what I'm here for?"
Xu Di said, "I'm not much better. I'm someone who spends all day in the lab. What do you expect from me? Let me tell you, never underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. When it comes to competing for interests, they really will use any means necessary."
Xu Rao said, "I will definitely pay attention in the future, I will definitely pay attention."
Zhang Zhaoci stroked his chin and said, "This afternoon, Granny Lu praised the second daughter of the Li family to me for a long time. I have never seen Granny Lu praise someone like that before. She praised her so much that I wish I could marry her daughter into our family."
Upon hearing this, Xu Di quickly begged for mercy, saying, "My dear mother, please calm down! What kind of nonsense is this? How old am I? How old is he? You're already trying to marry him off to our family? Aren't you forcing me into an arranged marriage? I don't want to!"
Zhang Zhaoci said, "Why don't we just do as the Romans do? We should seize the opportunity while we've met such a nice girl, or we'll miss this chance!"
Xu Di said, "Mother, I really don't want to. I can't stand talking about love with a girl who is not even ten years old. Let's put this matter aside for now. I'm only twelve years old now. In a few years, at least when I pass the imperial examination or something, when our family's status improves, we can go and find a wife. Then we'll have more confidence."
Zhang Zhaoci said, "That makes perfect sense. But I think it's best to settle your marriage as soon as possible. I'm afraid there might be some unforeseen changes in the capital. What if someone uses your marriage to manipulate our family?"
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