Chapter 116 Sweet Fermented Rice Balls
Old Mrs. Lu's carriage stopped again at the entrance of the alley. After she sat down, she remained silent.
Granny Kong called Cuizhi over for questioning. Cuizhi didn't know what was wrong, but she understood that the old lady wasn't in a particularly good mood.
"Reporting to Granny Kong, the master has been doing as usual these days. Apart from going to the yamen, he eats at Qiao's restaurant, and sometimes takes the two Xu children to read. There's nothing unusual about him," Cuizhi said.
"You really didn't notice?" Granny Kong asked.
Cuizhi glanced at Granny Kong, then shook her head. "Granny Kong, is something the matter?"
“You were raised by the old lady, and even you didn’t realize that it was the eldest son who was hiding his true identity. Go and boil some water; the old lady is tired from her journey and will need it later.”
After sending Cuizhi away, Granny Kong went to serve her mistress tea. "Please moisten your throat. The eldest young master is a man of his own mind. If you really don't agree to this marriage, we'll have to take it slow. Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance; he's actually quite stubborn at heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to Lin'an after arguing with the master."
"Sigh, there's just no way to deal with his temper." Old Mrs. Lu sighed, turning her head to look at the small courtyard. "I knew it. Why wouldn't he move away? It's not that he's used to living here; it's that there are people he can't bear to leave behind."
Just as Old Mrs. Lu finished her sigh, Mrs. Jin came over for a visit, saying that the new house had been cleaned and that if there was anything she was not satisfied with, she could speak up.
"Did Zhao'er know I was coming?" Old Mrs. Lu narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, Grandma Lu said you'd be arriving soon, so Aunt Meng and I worked non-stop with the boys to clean your new house inside and out." Seeing that Grandma Lu looked well, Madam Jin said a few more nice words, "We picked some Qingming grass yesterday, and we'll make some qingtuan for you to try later. You look really good."
The Kim family came quickly and left quickly.
The alley was small, with only a few people. Jin went back with a smile, and when she passed the Meng family, she went in for a look, just in time to meet the matchmaker who came to visit.
After the matchmaker left, he approached Chunsheng's mother and asked, "You seem to be in a good mood. Has Chunsheng's marriage been arranged?"
"Yes, it's all settled. I'll come to propose marriage in a couple of days." Chun Sheng's mother said with a beaming smile. "I've been worried about Chun Sheng's marriage for a while now, and it's finally come to an end. I'll host a small banquet to share the joy with everyone."
"You should have stayed a few more days to soak up some of the joy," Jin said, offering her congratulations. When she got home, she saw her two sons still counting ants and couldn't help but sigh, thinking that she didn't know when her good days would end.
In the evening, the Qiao family returned home before Lu Zhao.
Qiao Mianmian cooked sweet fermented rice balls today and brought back extra to eat tomorrow morning.
Each small glutinous rice ball is round and plump, paired with sweet fermented rice wine, and sprinkled with some dried osmanthus flowers. After eating a bowl of small glutinous rice balls, the taste lingers for one or two hours.
When passing by the Lu family, Qiao Mianmian learned that Old Madam Lu had arrived. She thought to herself that Old Madam Lu must have come to urge her to get married.
Madam Zhang boiled water and told everyone to go wash up. She and her granddaughter sat in the courtyard. "I saw Old Madam Lu come in the afternoon. I guess it must be about Lord Lu's marriage."
"I think so too. The weather has just warmed up a little and they're already here. It seems like Grandma Lu is in a hurry." Qiao Mianmian was just watching the show, and at this moment, she didn't connect herself with Lu Zhao.
“Who wouldn’t be anxious? Your mother has been talking herself hoarse about your marriage. I think you’re the least anxious.” Zhang held her granddaughter’s hand and looked up at the full moon. “I’m reluctant to part with you, but I also hope you can find a good home soon.”
Humans are complex, but perfect solutions are rare; it's impossible to have both. At the latest, by the end of the year, the Lin family will arrange a marriage for their granddaughter; they won't postpone it until next year.
The Qiao family, grandfather and grandson, were chatting in the courtyard when the Lu family across the street called Lu Zhao into their house.
Looking at her grown-up grandson, Grandma Lu sighed first, then asked earnestly, "Have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, Grandmother," Lu Zhao knelt down and said, "When I left Bianjing, I had no intention of starting a family."
Why?
"The Lu family is like that, and so are other families in Bianjing. What have they all become for the sake of favoritism and family fortune?"
Lu Zhao was annoyed. "I don't want to live that kind of life. From the moment I left the academy, fame and fortune have become unimportant to me. I want to live a quiet life and don't want to get involved in any struggles. I thought I would never envy anyone's life in this lifetime. But after I came to Lin'an, I saw the Qiao family living in harmony, and I started to envy them."
As a child, Lu Zhao often longed for his parents to be loving and for his family to be happy, because these were things he didn't have.
As he grew older, he realized that people were like that, all driven by greed and betraying their principles. For money, they could turn their long-standing friendships against each other.
He knew that human nature could not withstand the test, and he saw through the world. But after arriving in Lin'an, he realized that there was another kind of simple life.
It wasn't just the Qiao family; the other families in the alley were the same. Everyone had their own little schemes, which is human nature, and there were selfish moments, but everyone was kind at heart, and in the end, they would help each other out if anything happened.
After watching others live this kind of life for a long time, Lu Zhao also wanted to fit in.
At this moment, Lu Zhao also longs for a warm home.
Lu Zhao looked up earnestly and said, "Grandmother, if I can give up the imperial examinations, I can also give up the prosperity of Bianjing."
"Are you determined to live like this for the rest of your life?" Old Mrs. Lu asked.
“Yes, everyone has their own ambitions. I am willing to live a peaceful life in a quiet corner, which is my life’s wish,” Lu Zhao affirmed.
"Fine, I knew you'd say that. You've always been like this, quiet and reserved, but once you've made up your mind, you won't change it. I couldn't persuade you when you left Bianjing, and it's no use saying anything now."
Grandma Lu comforted herself, "Fortunately, the Qiao family is indeed good, and that Fifth Miss Qiao is of good character and appearance. Since you like her, I will propose marriage for you."
Hearing that his grandmother had agreed, Lu Zhao silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Grandma Lu noticed her grandson's expression and said, "Look at you! If I were a stubborn old-fashioned person, would I have sent you to Lin'an?"
She waved her hand with a smile, "Look, Granny Kong, even this boy has his petty moments. I even went all the way from Bianjing to send betrothal gifts."
The old lady Lu and her party arrived in Lin'an first, while the betrothal gifts were escorted by another person and would arrive a few days later.
Granny Kong smiled and said, "The eldest young master is still young."
"Grandmother, what...what's wrong?"
"I know I can't persuade you otherwise. Since you're here, I'll get things settled quickly. I'm getting on in years and can't take any more back and forth. Do you know how tiring that is?"
Old Madam Lu was tired. "Get up. Tomorrow I'll have Granny Kong go and formally send an invitation to the Qiao family, asking them to come over for a talk. But you can't stay like this. I've prepared some new clothes for you to change into tomorrow."
Hearing his grandmother's urgency, Lu Zhao hesitated. "Grandmother, I... I haven't discussed these things with the Qiao family yet."
Grandma Lu's eyes widened in surprise, "You go there to eat every day, haven't you ever hinted at anything?"
Lu Zhao shook his head.
"What about Miss Qiao Wu? Didn't you express your feelings for her either?"
Lu Zhao shook his head again, "I think that for such an important matter as marriage, I should first inform you, and only after you agree should I formally invite the Qiao family, as that would be a sign of respect for the Qiao family."
“That makes sense, but you see each other every day, how can you resist?” Old Mrs. Lu was very surprised. She thought her grandson and Miss Qiao had developed feelings for each other and were just one step away from getting together. She didn’t expect her grandson to be the same as before, even more old-fashioned than her.
Looking at her grandson, Grandma Lu took another deep breath. "Zhao'er, you might not be able to win a girl's heart like this. You're not in Bianjing anymore; you're living among ordinary people now. Why are you still so boring?"
Grandma Lu said, "If the Qiao family doesn't agree, wouldn't I have come all this way for nothing? Forget it, let Granny Kong go and deliver the invitations tomorrow. The Qiao family's daughter is so grown up, she must be eager to find a husband. If someone beats her to it, I'm afraid you'll really be a bachelor for life."
She then told Granny Kong to go to the door and check, "No need to wait until tomorrow. If the Qiao family's door is open, go in now and tell them that I'm inviting them for tea tomorrow to thank them for taking care of Zhao'er."
Granny Kong smiled and said okay, but when she saw that the eldest young master's ears were completely red, she pursed her lips and found it amusing.
Hearing voices coming from the Qiao family courtyard, Granny Kong went over and knocked on the door.
It was Qiao Mianmian who opened the door. After hearing that Granny Kong had invited them to the Lu family's new residence the next day, Qiao Mianmian called her mother over.
“My grandmother said that you have been taking care of my eldest son. Now that she has come to Lin’an, she should invite you over for a visit. She specifically asked me to come and ask when you are free.” Granny Kong did not directly say tomorrow, as arranging the date too hastily would seem strange. “We will make arrangements when you are free.”
Hearing that it was just a conversation between neighbors, Mrs. Lin said that she was free after noon, "Thank you for thinking of us, old lady."
"Haha, how about tomorrow?" Granny Kong then suggested a time.
Mrs. Lin smiled and agreed.
“Then we’ll be waiting for you tomorrow. The old lady likes a lively atmosphere, so if you’re all free, please come along,” said Granny Kong.
Watching Granny Kong leave, Madam Lin sighed, "The nannies in wealthy families always speak differently from ordinary people. Fortunately, Old Madam Lu is kind and approachable."
She went back and asked around; if anyone was willing to go, they could go with her tomorrow.
Cao Yuan offered, "I won't go. I'll stay and help watch the food stall. There aren't many customers in the afternoon, but there are a few occasionally. Let my elder brother and sister-in-law go."
Hu Qianqian had heard her third uncle mention the Lu family's new house and had long been curious about its size; she was willing to go.
Qiao Jiawang said he would also stay and work.
As for the Zhang couple, they were old and didn't like to join in the fun. They figured the Lu family must have invited other people from the alley, so they all said they wouldn't go.
Madam Lin glanced at the rest of the family. "Jiawang, you stay home and take care of the children. Qianqian and Yuan'er, you two come with me. Jiaxing can watch the shop. Mianmian, are you coming?"
Qiao Mianmian thought she had nothing to do in the afternoon, so she might as well go. "Go ahead, Grandma Lu is generous, she'll definitely prepare some delicious pastries."
"All you ever think about is eating?" Mrs. Lin said with a smile, glancing at her daughter.
The matter was settled, and everyone went to rest together. The next day, after noon, Lin carried the snacks she had bought that morning and led her family to the Lu family's new residence.
When they arrived at the Lu family's residence, they didn't see anyone else in the alley. Lin thought they had arrived too early, but after sitting down and greeting Old Madam Lu, she learned that Old Madam Lu had only invited them.
Unconsciously, Lin sat up straighter. Logically speaking, neighbors should be invited when they come to visit. Why only invite their family?
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