Chapter 76 Longjing Shrimp, Sauerkraut and Pork Ribs...
After buying the jewelry and headdress, Uncle Cao was too weak to go to Qiao's restaurant for lunch; he was getting old and his body wasn't up to it. On the way back to the inn, he found a pharmacy to get his medicine.
"The old gentleman is in poor health and not suitable for travel. He should rest at home as much as possible." Doctor Li prescribed medicine.
Cao Yuan asked worriedly, "Doctor, is my father alright?"
“This…” Seeing that Uncle Cao shook his head slightly, Doctor Li said, “People are all like this when they get old. Take good care of him and don’t let him get tired.”
After leaving the pharmacy, Cao Yuan was still uneasy. "Let's go to a bigger clinic." This pharmacy was very small, and she felt uneasy about it.
"No need to trouble yourself, I know my own body, some medicine will do. Yuan'er, I'm hungry, let's go back quickly." Uncle Cao was very generous when it came to spending money on his daughter, but when it came to spending money on himself, he was much more perfunctory.
Inside the pharmacy, Physician Li got up to have some tea. Madam Li looked outside and only dared to speak after confirming that the person had gone far away, "That man just now, doesn't he have many days left?"
"Hmm, living to this age is quite a long life." After finishing his tea, Doctor Li looked at his wife, hesitated for a long time, and then pulled her into the inner room, saying, "Why did you ask the Qiao family for such a high dowry?"
"So that's why you've been sighing all night?" Madam Li pursed her lips and sat down. "What's wrong with our Ling'er compared to Cuicui next door? She can marry so well, why can't Ling'er? Besides, I'm not going to use her myself. She'll be giving her everything as part of her dowry!"
She and her neighbor didn't get along, constantly comparing themselves, especially when it came to their children. She doted on her daughter, and if her neighbor knew that her daughter's dowry and wedding banquet were inferior to theirs, wouldn't she be laughed at to death?
"Why do you have to compare and see who's better?"
After holding it in for many days, Physician Li finally couldn't help but argue, "Is Ling'er's marriage more important, or is your pride more important? Let me ask you, if there were a family willing to give you three hundred taels of silver as a betrothal gift, but the other party was disabled, or the mother-in-law was fierce and the father-in-law was incompetent, would you agree to it?"
"Of course not!"
“I’ve spent most of my life with you, and I don’t hold grudges over small things, but you made a mistake this time.”
Doctor Li took a deep breath. “I have inquired about the Qiao family many times. They are a good family. You have met Qiao Jiaxing. He is handsome and talented. He is a good match for you. Have the matchmaker go and take the initiative to show goodwill to the Qiao family.”
Since it was a daughter's wedding, they were extra cautious. Asking one person wasn't enough; they had to find out everything in detail. They wanted to know everything about the young man's character and family traditions.
After all, there's no going back in life. Once you're married, you're married. Even if you can get a divorce, your second marriage will always be worse.
"I'm not going!" Madam Li exclaimed anxiously. "What kind of family takes the initiative like this? If word gets out, it'll be incredibly embarrassing! If the Qiao family really wants something, they'll definitely send someone to say so, and we can ask for a smaller amount then. But not too much less. If they don't even have this much sincerity, how can I feel comfortable marrying my daughter into the Qiao family?"
She herself had a difficult childhood, and after having her daughter, she would give her daughter everything she had at home. Her daughter was the apple of her eye.
"You only care about saving face. Can't you be a little more practical?" Doctor Li roared. "Is it because you insisted on a dowry of 188 taels that you had to go out of your way to show goodwill and give them a way out?"
His blood boiled, and he couldn't help but yell at the man, "If you don't go, how will the Qiao family know what we're thinking?"
Madam Li cried in grievance, sobbing, "The Qiao family isn't as good as you say! From what I've heard, Ling'er will have to do housework after she marries into the family. Just think about it, at most, Ling'er will dry herbs at home. I can't bear to let her do laundry or cook. Do you really want your daughter to suffer after marrying into the family?"
"Men are responsible for external affairs, and women are responsible for internal affairs. It is natural for a married woman to manage household chores. You are too arrogant and treat Ling'er like a precious treasure. Unless you marry Ling'er into a wealthy family and make her a rich wife, what daughter-in-law doesn't have to do chores?"
Now that the conversation had begun, Physician Li made it clear: "How can a family like ours curry favor with wealthy and powerful families?"
The Li family also runs a small business, relying on the family fortune accumulated over generations to have their current small shop; they are not a wealthy or powerful family.
Li Langzhong was self-aware, and his wife kept wiping away tears as he spoke to her.
After a while, Doctor Li softened his tone, "Alright, I didn't say anything to you. The Qiao family is in a hurry to find a daughter-in-law. Pack your things and hurry up and go out."
"knew."
Madam Li was still somewhat unwilling. "If you treat the Qiao family like a treasure, then I'll go. After all, you're the head of the family."
Madam Li reluctantly went to find the matchmaker. When the matchmaker heard that things had taken a turn for the better, she quickly went to the Qiao family's shop. As soon as she saw Madam Lin, she smiled and said that she had good news.
"What good news?" Lin was pulled upstairs to the second floor, seeing the matchmaker grinning from ear to ear. "What, someone's proposing marriage for my family?"
"That's about right." The matchmaker took a sip of tea, thinking to herself that the Qiao family's shop was really good, one of the best even in the city. That Madam Li was really ambitious. If she didn't even like this, who did she expect her daughter to marry?
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin pressed on impatiently, "Tell me quickly, don't keep me in suspense, I'm getting anxious!"
"It's like this, after Madam Li returned home, she thought your young master was quite good, and you are also a kind person. She was afraid you might misunderstand, and that she was talking about the neighbor's matter, not her family's request, so she specially asked me to make this trip."
The matchmaker, being experienced and knowledgeable, immediately understood when she heard Madam Li say this that there were other people in the Li family who could make decisions. "Please don't misunderstand them. The Li family is still very willing to associate with you."
Madam Lin was bewildered. Madam Li had spoken firmly at the time, but today she had suddenly changed her tune. What did this mean?
Seeing that Lin still hadn't figured it out, the matchmaker added, "In a large family, everyone needs to discuss things together to live a good life. Such a big matter requires everyone to discuss it together, right?"
Lin understood, "Yes, yes."
“A good family’s daughter will be sought after by several families at the same time. Please discuss it with your family and give me an answer as soon as possible. It’s okay if I have to make a few more trips. As long as you are satisfied, I will consider it a good deed.” The matchmaker got up to take her leave.
Lin saw the matchmaker to the door, her feelings were complicated. Guests were starting to arrive, so she could only talk to her later.
Seeing that Cao Yuan had come by herself, he asked curiously, "Miss Cao, why did you come by yourself?"
"My father is tired, so he asked me to come and buy a couple of dishes to take home." Cao Yuan is illiterate and can't read what the sign says. She asked if they had any light dishes, "The doctor said I can't eat anything that might cause inflammation, so I have to eat something light."
Lin thought for a moment and said, "Let's keep it simple. We'll have steamed egg custard and stir-fried bean sprouts with chives. If you want something more nutritious, we can also have bone broth, with the oil skimmed off."
"Then one, please," Cao Yuan said.
"Wait a moment, I'll go and tell them for you." Seeing Cao Yuan's brows furrow slightly, Madam Lin gave instructions to the kitchen staff and then came over to ask, "Miss Cao, is your father not feeling well?"
“He’s getting old, and I’ve been telling him to go home early, but he refuses.” Cao Yuan couldn’t bear to leave her father at the inn, but he insisted that she buy food from Qiao’s Restaurant, and wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Thinking of Uncle Cao's full head of white hair, Lin knew that Uncle Cao was very old. "Then you go back and take care of him first. When the dishes are ready, I will have someone send them to the inn."
“My family already runs a food delivery business, and the prices are all the same. You should go back now; I see you sitting here looking very anxious.” She patted Cao Yuan on the shoulder, thinking that Cao Yuan was quite filial and a good girl.
Cao Yuan was indeed anxious. "Then I'll trouble you. I'll go back now." She ran to the door, then came back to give him the money. "Sorry, I forgot."
Once the dishes were ready, Zhou Shan and the others went to deliver them. Only Qiao Jiaxing could go. Lin instructed, "When you get there, see if there's anything you can help with. The Cao family has an old man and a young child, and it's not easy for them. Since they're our guests, please help them out however you can."
“Mother, I know without you saying it,” Qiao Jiaxing said.
"Go on, we'll be waiting for you to come home for dinner." Lin waved her hand and went back to the kitchen to tidy up the counter. There weren't many guests at the moment, and they were preparing to eat themselves.
Qiao Mianmian was peeling shrimp. She planned to make Longjing shrimp, but since she didn't have any Longjing tea at home, she had to use regular tea leaves instead. However, the shrimp were small river shrimp, which were plump and fresh at this time of year, and she specially set aside some for herself.
Lin felt sorry for her, but she stopped talking. "The matchmaker came this afternoon. Do you know what she said?"
"Won't anyone propose marriage to me?" Qiao Mianmian's heart skipped a beat when she saw her mother's expression.
"You're not even of marriageable age yet, it's not that early!" Lin Shi could only confide her true feelings to her youngest daughter. "The Li family has changed their minds again, they don't want so much dowry. It seems the rest of the Li family is satisfied with our family. Do you think your second brother will agree to this?"
She was extremely cautious about her children's marriages, fearing they might blame her if they regretted it.
"Why don't you ask him? How will you know if you don't ask?" Qiao Mianmian thought for a moment. "If you feel uncomfortable bringing it up, let your eldest brother and second brother talk to him. It's definitely easier for brothers to talk to each other."
Qiao Mianmian judges others by her own standards. There are some things she finds difficult to say to her elders, but she can say them freely to her sisters.
Lin, however, felt that Qiao Jiawang was no good, saying, "Don't you know what kind of person your elder brother is?"
“Then let my dad go,” Qiao Mianmian said.
“Alright, I’ll go find your father.” Lin was a woman of action, and she couldn’t put it off until the next day.
Qiao Mianmian had already peeled the shrimp, then mixed them with salt, cooking wine, cornstarch, and egg white to coat them. She heated oil over low heat in the stove, and when the oil was about 30% hot, she added the shrimp to fry them. This dish is all about controlling the heat; if the oil is too hot, the shrimp will taste like fried shrimp, and if the oil is too cold, they won't cook through.
Seeing that the cooking time was about right, Qiao Mianmian quickly scooped out the shrimp and drained the oil. She would then pour in the brewed tea and stir it, so that the freshness of the shrimp and the sedimentation of the tea leaves would be perfectly blended.
One dish of Longjing shrimp is not enough; this dish is just for tasting. The main thing is to have other side dishes.
Qiao Mianmian chopped a pot of pickled cabbage and pork bones. The pork bones didn't have much meat on them, so they were cheap. But after stewing, the rich aroma of the marrow from the pork bones infused into the pickled cabbage, creating a unique flavor.
Qiao Mianmian opened the lid and took a bite. The pickled cabbage was slightly sour, and the soup contained a small amount of oil and the sour aroma of the pickled cabbage. It was the best dish to eat with rice.
She went into the lobby and asked, "Has Second Brother come back yet? If he does, dinner can be served."
Lin said not yet. She went to the door and looked, her long eyebrows furrowing. "This child, why has he been gone for so long? It's such a short distance, he should have been back long ago! Mancang, go and check on him."
If they don't come back soon, it will be dark. After Qiao Mancang left, Madam Lin told everyone to eat first.
A large pot of sauerkraut stewed with pork bones was served, and Qiao Mianmian told everyone to eat as much as they wanted. "There's no meat on the pork bones, but you can suck out the marrow. The main thing is the sauerkraut, which is especially fresh and fragrant."
She left some Longjing shrimp for her second brother and father, and told everyone to help themselves to the rest.
The shrimp are bouncy and tender, with a hint of tea fragrance. One shrimp may not taste particularly flavorful, but after eating a few, you'll find your mouth filled with freshness. Even after several bites of rice, the flavor still shines through.
When Qiao Mianmian finished eating, her father and second brother returned. However, her second brother didn't say what had happened, but told them to eat quickly.
When they returned home, they took with them the rice dumplings they had made that day. Lin had made more than a hundred to give away, and Qiao Mancang and Qiao Jiawang carried them all the way back.
When Lin opened the door, Qiao Mianmian glanced at the Lu family's gate, which was still locked, suggesting that Lu Zhao and Qingjiu had not yet returned.
She really misses Qingjiu; she's a chatterbox, and as long as Qingjiu is around, the scene is sure to be lively.
"I'm going back to my parents' home tomorrow, Mancang, will you come with me?"
Hemp ropes hung from the rafters, and Lin hung up the zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). "My mother likes red bean paste ones, so I'll take a few over. There aren't many customers at the food stalls this afternoon, so I'll have Jiaxing or Jiawang deliver a few to the second son's family and tell them to come over for lunch on the Dragon Boat Festival." As she spoke, she looked at her parents-in-law, "Father, Mother, have you told the third son yet?"
Zhang said, "I asked before, and the third son will come. You can go back to your parents' home in peace. Your father will go to the food shop to help out tomorrow. Please give my regards to your in-laws."
Lin nodded, quickly washed up, and went back to her room. Seeing Qiao Mancang come in, she asked impatiently, "Did you tell Jiaxing about the Li family?"
"I said so."
"What are Jiaxing's thoughts? What do you think?" Before Qiao Mancang could answer, Madam Lin spoke first, "Our family and the Li family are of similar social standing, and we are indeed a good match. However, the Li family dotes on their children, and I don't think the Li family's daughter is very capable. But it mainly depends on whether Jiaxing likes her or not. I don't have a very good impression of Madam Li; she is somewhat competitive."
When arranging marriages between children, it's not just about the children's character; the atmosphere of the entire family is also crucial. Otherwise, if there's a troublesome relative, even the most hardworking and capable young couple will have a chaotic life.
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