Chapter 44 Mushroom and Lean Pork Noodle Soup
Lin was stunned. Madam Wang had been very polite when she arrived in the morning, so why did Zhou make a special trip?
She was completely confused, but since the person had already come, she had to warmly welcome them into the house. "Come in and sit down. You're really something, why are you being so polite? Mianmian just made some pumpkin pancakes, come and have a taste."
Looking at the golden pumpkin cakes, Zhou took one and gave it to her son beside her, saying, "Go play by yourself, just wait by the door."
This was a hint to the Qiao family that what she was about to say could be said with the elders present, and the younger generation could temporarily stay out of the conversation.
Lin was still wondering why Zhou had come and didn't react for a moment, but Zhang realized something. "Jiaxing, you guys come with me, let's tidy up the backyard."
Qiao Jiawang immediately said that he would be fine with him.
Qiao Jiaxing was the quick-witted one. He pulled his eldest brother along and went to call his younger sister, "Fourth sister, come on over. The braised meat in the backyard looks like it's almost done."
"Okay." Lin Xiahe also felt a little strange, and followed her to the backyard.
In the front hall, only Madam Lin and Qiao Youfu remained; Qiao Mancang had gone out.
Zhou took a small sip of tea. "After my mother went back, she kept praising Xia He as a good girl, saying she liked her no matter how she looked at her. She never had a daughter in her life, and now she envies other people's daughters."
“But your four brothers are all very promising, especially Wang the scholar. He has now achieved official rank, and your family is in a different situation.” Lin said with great envy. Having a scholar in the family meant tax exemption on land and exemption from corvée labor for the men in the household—the benefits were numerous.
Moreover, a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examinations) could become a teacher, earning far more money than ordinary people. Most importantly, if one continued studying and obtained the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), that was a remarkable achievement, as it could lead to an official position.
To ordinary people like the Lin family, officials are like gods; otherwise, why would she be so enthusiastic towards Lu Zhao?
Even though Lin was kind and gentle to everyone else, she always smiled more at Lu Zhao.
“Nothing’s changed. He’s still the same person, with the same mouth and eyes, nothing’s changed.” Zhou smiled faintly. “My mother has been so worried about his marriage lately that she hasn’t been able to sleep well night after night. My fourth brother is a straightforward person, and being the youngest in the family, he’s bound to have some quirks. Today, my mother even said that someone like him should be paired with a hardworking and reliable person.”
At this point, Lin also figured out some of the meaning, but it still felt unreal.
Given Wang Xiucai's circumstances, he could choose any family, so why would he be interested in her family?
It wasn't that Mrs. Lin thought her daughter was bad, but rather that the difference between the two families was so stark that she couldn't believe it.
“My mother said that when choosing a spouse, it’s not only important to consider the girl’s character, but also the harmony of the family. She really likes the warm and loving atmosphere of your family. Every time she sees your family, she tells us when she gets home that we should learn from your family. Only when the family is united will the future be bright.”
Zhou's words were already hinting at this, but she still pointed it out, "So, our Wang family doesn't care about family background or social standing. What's most important is that we have a good family relationship. I think so too. I hope that our two families will have more opportunities to connect."
Lin felt like her head was about to explode. She usually only interacted with familiar neighbors, and she could figure out what was going on just by looking at them.
But Zhou's words were roundabout, and while she felt there was something to it, she wasn't sure.
At this point, Qiao Youfu added, "After returning from your banquet, my child also praised you, saying that your Wang family is well-mannered and kind. We are naturally happy to have connections with your family."
Regardless of Zhou's motives, since she kept praising him, he had to play along. Being able to associate with the Wang family was a great honor for his family, and he had to seize this opportunity to curry favor.
In the backyard, Zhang held Xia He's hand, while Qiao Jiaxing put his hand on his elder brother's shoulder.
After frying the pumpkin cakes, Qiao Mianmian listened to the conversation in the front hall and realized Zhou's intention. She smiled and came to her fourth sister's side, "Fourth sister, your good fortune has arrived."
One sentence made Lin Xiahe blush, but since they were still talking in the front hall, they had nowhere else to go.
When Zhou heard Qiao Youfu say he was willing, she went to see Lin. Knowing that the Qiao family had a good impression of the Wang family, she went a step further, "My mother even sighed and said that it would be great if our children could become in-laws. I thought to myself that my fourth brother and your fourth daughter are not engaged yet, so this is a great opportunity. That's why I shamelessly made another trip."
As she spoke, she took out a small wooden box. "All three of us sisters-in-law have one; it's the Wang family's rule. I feel a connection with Xia He. Could you ask her for me? If she likes it, she can accept it. If it's not suitable, she can return it, and I'll choose something else."
The sudden mention of their children's marriage gave Zhou time to consider. If the Qiao family left the jade bracelet, it would mean they agreed to the marriage, and she would immediately prepare to propose.
As Zhou got up to leave, Lin realized what was happening, but her heart was pounding. She got up and saw her to the door before remembering to have her youngest daughter pack up the pumpkin cakes so Zhou could take them back to the Wang family.
She never dreamed of marrying into the Wang family. In terms of both conditions and character, Wang Xiucai was perfect in every way, and there was nothing wrong with him.
Qiao Mianmian handed all the pumpkin cakes to Zhou's son, saying, "It's a lucky day, I just made some snacks. If you like them, sister-in-law, you can come and eat them again later."
Mrs. Zhou accepted the gifts with a smile, saying, "Thank you so much. These pumpkin cakes smell delicious; my children will surely love them."
Wang Heze nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Mother, it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it's delicious!"
After watching Zhou and her son walk away, Lin excitedly ran back and asked Qiao Mianmian to close the door.
"My father hasn't come back yet!" Qiao Mianmian didn't lock the door. When she returned to the front hall, Madam Lin had already opened the wooden box, inside which was a white jade bracelet. She didn't know much about jade and couldn't tell its quality, but the jade was fine-grained, so it should be a good piece.
Mrs. Lin beamed from ear to ear, and pulled her fourth daughter aside to ask, "So, do you like it?"
"Mother, there are so many people here." Lin Xiahe ran back into the house embarrassedly. Only then did Lin Shi notice that the whole family was there, and she quickly followed her in with the wooden box.
Qiao Mianmian tried to go in but was stopped, so she had to ask her grandmother, "Do you think my fourth sister will choose the Zhong family or the Wang family?"
To be honest, Fourth Sister and Wang Chuang had met several times, and Wang Chuang was a better match. But when it comes to marriage and settling down, it's up to the couple to choose.
Mrs. Zhang smiled and patted the crumbs off her granddaughter's hands, saying, "You seem to be in a much bigger hurry."
"Of course! Aunt Wu used to think our family wasn't good enough for Er Mao, but now look, there's a better family than the Wu family proposing marriage. If Fourth Sister chooses the Wang family, I'll definitely go when they send the invitation to the Wu family!" Qiao Mianmian was just being petty; secretly, she wanted Fourth Sister to choose the Wang family.
Zhang also felt that the Wang family was better. At this time, Qiao Mancang returned and said that he had talked with the Hu family.
"Old Hu said that the Zhong couple are both straightforward people, and their stall is diagonally opposite theirs, so they are very familiar with each other."
Qiao Mancang sat down and drank a large bowl of tea. Afraid that his family was waiting impatiently, he ran back. "I saw the second son of the Zhong family. He's an upright person, and his arms and legs are fine. Old Hu said he's quite hardworking and a very observant person. However, his family also has its downsides. The eldest son and his wife are petty and like to argue. If they don't separate the family, they'll have a lot of quarrels."
Seeing that his family didn't react much, Qiao Mancang asked in confusion, "Why aren't you curious anymore?"
Qiao Mianmian said with a smile, "Because the Wang family has also come to propose marriage."
"Wang Dazhu? Didn't your mother refuse?" The only family Qiao Mancang could think of was the Wang family next door.
“It’s not Wang Dazhu’s family, it’s Wang Xiucai’s family. His eldest sister-in-law came and said that Madam Wang likes Fourth Sister very much and likes our family atmosphere, so she wants to arrange a marriage between our families. She even left a jade bracelet as a token.” Qiao Mianmian said, “If you have something better, you’ll naturally not be curious about the Zhong family anymore.”
These days, with both parents still alive, many people don't separate their households. According to Uncle Hu, if Fourth Sister marries into that family, with a petty older brother and sister-in-law, life will be incredibly miserable.
Qiao Mancang didn't react for a moment. After confirming several times that it was the Wang family who had passed the imperial examination, he happily said, "That's great! You all know the Wang family, and Scholar Wang is easy to talk to. If Xia He marries into the Wang family, I'll have a scholar as my son-in-law!"
He never dreamed that he would be associated with scholars in his lifetime.
Qiao Mianmian gestured towards the house with her chin, "Don't be so happy yet, Fourth Sister hasn't agreed. What if she doesn't like Scholar Wang?"
No matter how good the conditions are, it has to be something Fourth Sister likes.
Inside the house, Madam Lin was also asking her daughter, "You haven't nodded. Are you dissatisfied with the Wang family, or do you dislike Scholar Wang?"
She'd talked herself hoarse, but her daughter just wouldn't agree, driving her crazy with worry.
"Speak up, Xia He. There's no one else here. If you don't want to, just say so. Your mother won't force you to marry into the Wang family just because they're rich." Madam Lin wanted her daughter to marry into the Wang family, but it was no use thinking about it; her daughter had to agree.
Lin Xiahe lowered her head, looking at the calluses that had grown on her body from years of hard work, and a tear fell from her eye. "Mother, I don't know... I don't know why the Wang family took a liking to me?"
She lacked confidence, and the thought of Wang Chuang made her feel inferior. She didn't think she was particularly beautiful or exceptional enough to be considered good enough to marry into the Wang family.
Lin Xiahe and her third sister have always been the quietest people in the family. They are sensible and perceptive, and have learned to read people's expressions since they were young.
She never aspired to great things, only hoping for a simple and ordinary life. Now, the Wang family's marriage proposal was like a windfall, so good that she dared not accept it.
Lin was stunned.
"Because you're so good!" After a while, Mrs. Lin hugged her daughter. "You're beautiful, capable, and kind-hearted. You're good in every way!"
"But……"
“No buts, you are just very, very good. If you simply don’t like Wang Xiucai, then I will turn down the Wang family. But you are not allowed to say anything bad about yourself. You and Wangchun have been sensible since you were little and have never caused me any trouble. You are my best daughters.” Madam Lin’s nose twitched. “Think it over carefully, and think about the Zhong family’s as well. Marriage is a big deal and there’s no rush. We’ll make a decision after we’ve thought it through.”
From the perspective of someone who has been through similar experiences, Lin felt that the Wang family was a good family.
Wu Ermao's mother disliked Xia He, but Madam Wang liked her very much; this is a contrast between mothers-in-law and mothers-in-law.
Zhou said that Wang Xiucai is a thoughtful person, and the reason things hadn't gone smoothly before was because Wang Xiucai himself was dissatisfied. Now that Zhou has come to propose marriage, it means that Wang Xiucai is willing, which contrasts with Yuan Qiang.
From the moment Zhou took out the jade bracelet, Lin felt that her daughter's suffering was about to end.
"Mother, Fourth Sister, dinner's ready." Qiao Mianmian knocked on the door.
"Alright, we'll be right out." Madam Lin wiped away her daughter's tears. "Remember what I said: it doesn't matter what others think, we can't look down on ourselves, understand?"
"Mmm." Lin Xiahe suddenly hugged her mother. "Mom, it's so good to have you."
Qiao Mianmian, who was outside the door, heard her fourth sister's sobbing and gestured to her second brother to be quiet and let them stay a little longer.
She didn't have time to cook today, so she made the simplest noodle dumplings, chopped some lean meat and shiitake mushrooms. The lean meat gave it a meaty flavor, while the shiitake mushrooms added freshness.
The dough balls are soft on the outside but chewy on the inside. Add some scallions and chili peppers as a garnish, and a bowl of them will warm you up instantly on a cold day.
"Your mother hasn't come out yet?" Zhang asked.
Qiao Mianmian nodded and said yes.
Qiao Youfu said that shouldn't be the case, "Such a joyous occasion, there's no reason for Xia He to be unwilling."
"What do you know?" Zhang glared at her, then heard a creak and saw the door open. She smiled and said, "Let's eat first. Mianmian cooked noodles today. Mancang has also found out. Let's think it over. Xiahe, it's most important that you think it through yourself."
She described the Zhong family's situation, but didn't offer any advice on which family to choose.
The others were curious, but seeing that Lin Shi and Lin Xiahe's eyes were red, they knew that the mother and daughter had been crying, so they didn't dare to ask.
Qiao Mianmian thought she could have a proper chat with her fourth sister later that night when no one else was around. But after only a couple of bites, she heard her fourth sister say four words:
"I choose the Wang family."
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