Chapter 53 Marriage
The woman pursed her lips, spat at Jiang Tangtang's back, and muttered, "We're all exiled criminals, why are you still so arrogant? You really have no manners at all."
"Shuanzi's mother, this criminal is different from the one who was exiled two years ago. I heard that the family who came today not only has a cow, but also a donkey cart, which is full of things. It seems that they are in good condition." said a woman with a long face and dark skin.
Ge Shuanniang's eyes suddenly lit up, "Sanniang, are you telling the truth?"
Ge Sanniang said, "Not only that, when they came, I saw two very handsome young men sitting on the ox cart! Isn't your eldest girl looking for someone? I think those two young men are suitable."
Ge Shuanniang was somewhat tempted, but she said, "It's not like my eldest daughter can't find a good family, why would she look for a criminal?"
Ge Sanniang said, "Don't underestimate them because they are criminals. They are all nobles in the capital. Look at the Xue family. After they married their daughter to the Gu family, the son-in-law taught them how to study. They always get first place in the academy exams. When they take the exam and become a scholar, their status will be greatly improved!"
"Not everyone is as knowledgeable as Mr. Gu." Although Ge Shuanniang said this, she walked towards the thatched house.
Under Jiang Tangtang's influence, Su and Lu Zhixi gradually stopped crying, forced themselves to cheer up, and began to clean the two dilapidated huts.
Old Madam Lu's legs were swollen from traveling these days, so Lu Shiyan didn't let her move around. He asked her to sit on the ox cart to rest, and he jumped onto the roof to repair it.
The whole family got busy, and soon the thatched house, which was originally dirty, became clean.
Ge Shuanniang was very satisfied when she saw Lu Shiyan jumping onto the roof easily. Then she looked at the two women cooking next to her and saw that they had even brought out meat to cook. She believed what Ge Sanniang said even more. It seemed that this family was really well off.
Not only do they have donkey carts and cows, they can also afford to eat meat. There must be some money left over. When the time comes, they can build a big house and help her family's Shuanzi...
Although they are criminals with no future, my daughter will not suffer if she marries into such a family, so this marriage is not bad.
Ge Shuanniang pondered this as she took out a few taro from the basket. She walked towards He Qiuniang and said with a smile, "Sister, you are the new tenants, right? These are the taro I just dug from the ground. Take some and try them."
He Qiuniang didn't dare to accept it, but turned to ask Mrs. Lu what she meant, "Madam, someone sent some taro."
Madam Lu glanced at Ge Shuanniang and said kindly, "Since it's given by a neighbor, just accept it!"
Only then did He Qiuniang put the taro away and went back to her work.
Ge Shuanniang looked at He Qiuniang, then at Old Madam Lu, and immediately came to the conclusion that this old lady was the one in charge of the family, so she hurried over to get close to Old Madam Lu.
When he learned that the exiled family not only had cows and donkeys, but also had servants with them, he felt even more excited.
She looked at Madam Lu's age, pointed at Lu Shiyan and said, "That's your eldest grandson, right?"
Madam Lu nodded and pointed to Jiang Tangtang who was carrying water in the distance and said, "That's my eldest grandson's wife. She's a blessed and good child. She gave my Lu family two grandsons and a granddaughter right after she came into the family."
Hearing that Lu Shiyan was married and had children, Ge Shuanniang's enthusiasm faded immediately. But soon, her eyes fell on Lu Shili again.
"That boy sitting on the ground is your grandson too, right? He's just as good-looking as his brother. You're so lucky, old lady. I wonder if he's married yet?"
Madam Lu said, "Yes, this is my grandson. We didn't get to know each other, but he injured his leg on the way and has difficulty moving..."
Mrs. Lu didn't say anything more, but Ge Shuanniang had already automatically understood that although he hadn't married, he was a useless paraplegic.
She was immediately extremely disappointed, and made up an excuse and left with her basket.
Jiang Tangtang saw that the woman looked very unhappy when she left, and asked curiously, "Grandma, what did she say to you just now?"
Madam Lu smiled and said, "Your second brother just arrived at the village, and someone has already taken a fancy to him and wants to arrange a marriage for him!"
Jiang Tangtang widened her eyes in surprise.
Lu Shili said anxiously, "Grandma! Don't talk nonsense."
"Don't worry, I've already rejected this marriage proposal for you!" Old Madam Lu said, "That woman has a crooked heart, and the daughter she raises won't be any better. Grandmother will carefully choose a marriage for you."
The two sat together and chatted. Ge Shuanniang was trying to get answers from Old Lady Lu, and Old Lady Lu was also trying to get answers from Ge Shuanniang.
In the past, Madam Lu had always dealt with shrewd ladies in the capital, so she didn't have to spend too much time dealing with peasant women like Ge Shuanniang.
In just a few words, he clarified the situation of the Ge family, Ge Shuanniang's character and purpose.
"I don't want to get married. This is fine!" Lu Shili said awkwardly.
"Are you still thinking about the girl from the Cui family?" Mrs. Lu's face suddenly became serious.
Lu Shili is eighteen years old this year. He got engaged to Cui Yueling, the granddaughter of Minister Cui, two years ago. The wedding was supposed to take place in December this year.
When something happened to the Lu family, Cui Yueling immediately came with the marriage certificate to cancel the engagement. Minister Cui was worried about being implicated by the Lu family, so he severely criticized the Lu family in the court.
Thinking of the Cui family, Mrs. Lu was filled with anger.
Lu Shili said dejectedly, "No, I just think we should first find a place to live and find the wasteland. I can talk about my marriage later."
Seeing that Madam Lu looked unhappy, Jiang Tangtang helped to change the subject, saying, "Grandma, we'll just live in this thatched house for now. Tomorrow we'll ask Manager Xia for a piece of land and have someone build a good house.
I heard that the winter here is generally okay, but it gets really cold when the wind blows. We'll find someone to build a big, solid house when the time comes."
When it comes to building a house, everyone's attention is quickly diverted.
Mrs. Su worriedly said, "It would cost a lot of money to build a big house, right? We would have to buy food, clothes, and everything else. Where would we get that much money?"
There was no news at all before the Lu family was raided and imprisoned, so they were caught off guard.
Everyone didn't have much money or jewelry hidden on them, and after paying officials and buying food along the way, they had already spent almost all the money they had.
If they only rely on the money they have, let alone repairing the house, it would be a problem for the family to have food and drink.
Jiang Tangtang said, "Mom, you forgot about the river clams I picked up on the road. Although I spent some of the pearls I opened from the clams, there are still quite a few left. If I sell these pearls, it will be enough to build a house."
"But that's because you're lucky. You earned it yourself. How can I use your money to build a house?" Su said without thinking.
"Mom, we are all family now, there is no reason to separate ourselves." Jiang Tangtang found that although her cheap mother-in-law was weak and tearful, she had a positive outlook and was easy to get along with.
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