Chapter 95: Looking for someone My daughter is getting married
Facing Song Jin's questioning, A Rong stroked the cup in his hand and felt a little embarrassed.
"If you have something to say, just say it." Song Jin hates people who dither.
"I... Dujuan, I want to marry Dujuan, but it's not possible right now."
"Why not? Is she unhappy?"
Song Jin thought, A Rong had received education after all, and when he came to his own shop in the future, even if he made a lot of money, he should have no problem supporting the family. He and Du Juan were also in love with each other, so why couldn't he do it?
"It's her father. Her father wants to hire money."
"How much does he want?"
"Thirty taels."
Song Jin pursed his lips tightly, anger overflowing from his eyes, and cursed in his heart: You old man, this price is enough to buy your two daughters, you are really asking for a high price.
She went through great pains to get the person out, but he just picked up a ready-made one and sold her daughter to Arong at a higher price.
Song Jin was furious.
"That's what you're worried about?"
Ah Rong lowered his head and said, "That's right. Every time I go back, I can't see Du Juan. Her father said that Du Juan is old enough, and if I can't get the money together by the end of the year, he will find someone else."
Song Jin curled her lips. It turned out that while she was thinking about the person being old enough to work, the person's family was thinking about the person being old enough to get married and receive a dowry. They were really birds of a feather. None of them had simple thoughts.
After a long silence, Song Jin asked, "If you only have thirty taels of silver, can you marry Du Juan?"
"This is what Du Juan's father meant."
"What if I lend you thirty taels?"
Song Jin suddenly asked a question, which made Arong both happy and surprised.
He was happy that he could marry Dujuan, but was shocked that thirty taels was not a low price. Given his current situation, plus the interest, he couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to pay it back.
"Well... I, I'm afraid I can't pay it back right now."
"It doesn't matter." What Song Jin wanted was that she couldn't pay it back. If she did, how could she restrain others?
"I'll lend you the money. If you come to work in my shop, the money will be deducted from your monthly salary. I won't sign a contract to sell my body to you. Let's just sign a loan agreement. How about that?"
"Who will be the guarantor then?"
Song Jin thought for a moment and said, "Let Du Juan come."
She couldn't find anyone to act as a guarantor at the moment. Since her target was the couple, why not let them both owe her the debt? That would be great.
Ah Rong was truly delighted at this, and agreed immediately. He was about to go find a matchmaker to propose marriage, but Song Jin said there was no rush, as two servants and two maids had not arrived yet. He should go back with her to have a meal today, and they could discuss the next steps, as the wedding was not going to take place today anyway.
A Rong followed Song Jin without saying a word.
When they got home, Song Jin told this matter at the dinner table, and Old Lu was the first to jump out and object.
"How much money do we have? Renting such a large yard requires daily expenses. We haven't started our business yet, so why do we need so many helpers?"
"It's up to him to marry. If you can't afford such a large sum of money, then don't marry. It's the same if you marry someone else. Who's daughter wants 30 taels of silver as a betrothal gift? She really thinks she is a rich lady."
Song Jin picked up a piece of chicken and gnawed it. When he looked up at A Rong, he saw that he had his head lowered with his hands tucked under the table. He didn't eat a single bite of food and just listened to Lao Lu scolding him.
"Dad, this is my idea. It's not like I can't earn thirty taels of silver."
"I know you can earn money, but you can't earn money every day. We are now spending more than earning. If this continues, how are we going to make a living?"
"I have already made an appointment with Lord Ji, and he will recommend me. Maybe I can go to the Chai family to cook again in the future. If I go there several times a year, the reward money alone will be enough for us to live for a year."
As the saying goes, the little money that leaks out from between the teeth of a rich person is enough for a poor family to get by for a while.
After hearing this, Old Lu's expression finally eased a little: "Then did Lord Ji agree with you..."
"Dad, don't think about it." Song Jin knew what he was thinking, but she didn't think about it that way. The thing about class was weighing on Song Jin's head, and it was useless for her to think about it alone.
As for Ji Shubai, he didn't even like Miss Pei, so how could I expect him to like me?
"Actually, it would be nice to be a concubine."
Song Jin almost choked on a piece of chicken. He coughed a few times and glared at Lao Lu.
He was such a nice person, he made her his concubine.
Song Jin said angrily, "Why would he, a serious and upright official, take a concubine for no reason?"
"So what? Many people have concubines, or even mistresses. Besides, he is a fifth-rank official. If you marry him, you will have no worries for the rest of your life, and we can also benefit from it."
Song Jin was so angry that he had nothing to say. He picked up a large piece of meat and put it into A Rong's bowl: "A Rong, eat it. After you finish eating, we will go find the others."
"Still looking?" Old Lu stared at the piece of meat and kept complaining.
Song Jin ignored Lao Lu's complaints, motioned to Arong to eat quickly, and picked up another piece of food for Chunyun with his chopsticks.
As soon as the meat entered Chunyun's bowl, she heard Lao Lu sigh.
“They are all raised in vain.”
Song Jin ignored him.
After lunch, Song Jin didn't stop for a moment and pulled Arong to find a few other people. Before leaving, Chunyun grabbed her clothes and said she wanted to go too.
Song Jin guessed that he was not happy to stay with Lao Lu, so he agreed, and the three of them went out together.
The trip was neither smooth nor easy. What went smoothly was that the two guys, Meng Qi and Zhang Hongan, were found quickly and readily agreed that they would come immediately as long as Song Jin needed help.
It's not that they are loyal, it's just that when Song Jin was the shopkeeper, he was a bit generous with the wine and meat. As long as he got a reward, he would definitely treat everyone. At that time, it was to keep people quiet, but I didn't expect that now he has won over these people.
There was nothing clever about the two women.
Song Jin arrived at Caiwei's house first, but didn't see anyone. He sat in the small hall and listened to Caiwei's mother talking.
"My daughter is not young anymore, and she is a decent girl. It's not a big deal for her to be your cook."
Song Jin rolled her eyes in her heart. When she sold her daughter into slavery, did she think that this was a legitimate way out? Now that she helped them get rid of slavery, everyone became more legitimate. Was it because she was doing business that she was not legitimate?
"My daughter is pretty and has already arranged a marriage. She has even submitted her marriage certificate. Wouldn't it be a waste of my daughter's time if she cooked for you? What decent girl would stay in the kitchen of a restaurant? You are harming my daughter."
Song Jin pursed his lips and said nothing.
"Yes, my daughter was able to come out, thanks to you, but we didn't ask you for anything. You want to be a good person, but you can't force me to repay you after doing good deeds, right? That's not how a Bodhisattva acts."
"Yes," Song Jin forced a smile, "I came here today just to reminisce with Caiwei. Since the marriage has been decided, I naturally shouldn't bother you anymore."
Song Jin dealt with it with a fake smile and went out. He had a sullen face and started cursing all the way out.
"What do you mean by decent and what is not decent? How decent were I when I was sold to someone as a servant? Now you are saying that the cook is not decent, how am I not decent?"
"I just came here to ask, but before I could say anything, you started to make up stories about me. You didn't ask me to do anything, so I was the one who was meddling. I was so bored, but I insisted on getting your daughter out of the country, I insisted on you repaying me, I insisted on being a living bodhisattva, I was really committing a sin."
The more Song Jin scolded, the angrier she became, until Chunyun tugged at her skirt and said, "Sister Mancao, don't be angry. You might get hurt."
"Yes, it's not worth it just for Caiwei. Besides, we haven't started yet. When we are successful, we can find someone when we need him."
"Yes, I can help you in the kitchen. I can light a fire. When the time comes, I can move a stool and stand on the chopping board, and then I can help you cut the vegetables."
The two of them persuaded Song Jin together, and finally calmed her temper.
But soon after, the three of them suffered a setback at Hong Xing's house again.
"My daughter is getting married."
A tune, Song Jin thought.
"It's a wealthy family, and they are very generous. I have to thank you for this. If it weren't for you, my daughter would never have had such a good thing happen to her."
Song Jin thought, at least the words sounded nicer this time.
"Where will Hong Xing marry?"
"It's in our county, not far away. Now that the ceremony has been completed, we are just waiting to have the clothes made for the bride."
Hong Xing's father's face glowed when he spoke. Song Jin thought that this must be a good marriage.
In the Ming Dynasty, what kind of marriage was considered a good marriage? Song Jin was not sure, but he wanted to see it.
"Hong Xing's father, when Hong Xing gets married, can I come and watch the ceremony?"
"Okay, okay. You are my benefactor after all. I will definitely keep a place for you."
"Then can I meet Hong Xing today?"
"Forget it. My daughter is engaged, so it's better not to see outsiders."
Song Jin didn't say much. After all, she was wearing men's clothes today. She didn't care, but that didn't mean others didn't care either. So she had to give up and stood up, bowed and left.
On the way back, Song Jin was feeling unhappy and lacked energy.
Speaking of which, Hong Xing Caiwei was about the same age as her, but she got engaged quickly in the month when she was away and was about to start a family. This made her feel a bit sad.
They are all married, what about her?
It's not that she is eager to get married, but when she thinks about what Old Lu said today about giving Ji Shubai a concubine, it's possible that her father is already planning to find someone for her.
If things develop to that point, it will be difficult to deal with.
Song Jin thought that she had to strike first.
As for the tactics, she had already thought of it.
She can earn money now, and under the name of filial piety, she helps her father make money for his retirement. When she earns enough, she will find a handsome son-in-law to be filial to her father together.
In the county government, she had seen too many documents of this kind, such as adopted sons and sons-in-law who married into the family. She followed suit. The most important thing was to shut up Old Lu and let herself live an easy life.
As for the rest, just step aside.
Song Jin's thoughts are very lively. Be it the ideas of the 21st century or the rules of the 16th century, she will choose whichever one makes her convenient and happy.
Not advanced, not decadent, learn and apply flexibly.
In the evening, when Song Jin took Chunyun and said goodbye to Arong and went home, Lao Lu was already waiting in the hall. When he saw someone come in, he asked:
"Are those kids coming?"
Song Jin said honestly: "Boys come, girls don't come."
"I knew it, it's a heartless thing. Let's not do things that would make things easier for others in the future."
Song Jin ignored her and took Chunyun to the kitchen to find something to eat.
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