Chapter 93 (The Marriage Proposal)
After holding her nephew for a while, Qiao Mianmian's arms were sore when she came out.
"Mom, holding this baby is more tiring than cooking." Qiao Mianmian rubbed her arms, saw the crucian carp soup simmering on the stove, and thought, "Okay, I don't have to cook dinner tonight."
She recounted what had happened that morning, saying, "You know, I couldn't just sit idly by, and it was also timely. Just after the doctor finished seeing Grandma Lu, we ran into Grandpa."
"Of course I'll help. I didn't say you did anything wrong, so why explain so much?"
Looking at the noodles in the pot, which were almost cooked, Lin first scooped out a bowl, added crucian carp soup and fish meat, and asked her second daughter-in-law to take it to her eldest daughter-in-law. Then she went to see her youngest daughter. "I'm still in a daze. I was terrified when I heard you run over to say you were going into labor. Normally, a woman is due in ten months, so this is about ten days early. Thank goodness, God is protecting you, and your sister-in-law and her baby are safe."
"Yes, I didn't expect that either," Qiao Mianmian said. Her little nephew hasn't been named yet; they said they'd name him after his one-month celebration. For now, they've only given him a nickname.
Amidst the joyous atmosphere at the Qiao family's house, across the street at the Lu family's house, Old Mrs. Lu, having slept too much during the day, wasn't sleepy and called Qingjiu over to ask her questions.
"You asked about the Qiao family? They're a very nice family. Uncle Qiao and Aunt Qiao are very warm-hearted, Brother Jiawang is the most hardworking, and Brother Jiaxing is also a good person, often helping out the neighbors. You've also tasted Miss Qiao's cooking; it's truly superb. Moreover, they never quarrel; every time I visit, everything is harmonious and peaceful. The adults have even said they envy them." Qingjiu spoke his mind, and he felt that these were all positive things to say, so he should elaborate.
"Zhao'er is envious?" Old Mrs. Lu looked at Qingjiu.
Qingjiu nodded and said yes.
Grandma Lu lowered her eyelids. Yes, after the chaotic life of the Lu family, who wouldn't envy the harmonious neighbors now?
"Then your master, has he never looked for a girl before?" Old Mrs. Lu asked tactfully. Her grandson was already this age, so he should have someone to take care of him.
Qingjiu thought for a moment and said no, “You should be able to guess that when we first came to Lin’an, we had no money after buying the house. I burned the rice every day, and my husband was really thin from hunger. The aroma of food from next door was always coming from next door. My husband and I had to find ways to earn more money. We would go out before dawn and come back after dark, and we could fall asleep as soon as we lay down.”
The more she listened, the more Mrs. Lu felt sorry for her grandson and the more she wanted to arrange his marriage.
At this moment, Lu Zhao arrived. "Greetings to Grandmother. It's getting late, please get some rest. We can talk about it tomorrow."
"Yes, you may go." Looking at her grandson's face, Old Madam Lu felt only heartache. After waving her hand, Granny Kong came in with a letter from Bianjing.
"This was just given to you by the eldest young master. Please take a look." Granny Kong handed it over.
Grandma Lu opened the letter, glanced at it, snorted, and tossed it aside. "I've been in Lin'an for less than ten days, and he's already sending letters urging me to come. Did he send a letter the moment I stepped out the door?"
Granny Kong couldn't say anything bad about the master anymore, otherwise she would anger the old lady even more. "There is no mistress in the house. The master needs you, that's why he wants you to go back quickly."
"Hmph, he doesn't need me at all! If it weren't for me, he would have really let that vixen into the house. What sins did I commit in my past life to give birth to such a stupid and ignorant son, completely seduced by a fox spirit?" Old Mrs. Lu took a deep breath. "Never mind, let's not talk about this. Today we received help from the Qiao family's young lady. Tomorrow, go to the dried goods shop in town and send them those nourishing dried goods to thank them for me."
She was very tired and probably still couldn't get out of bed.
The next morning, Granny Kong went to buy dried abalone and scallops and sent them to the Qiao family. However, Qiao Mianmian was not there today; only the Qiao family elders and Qiao Jiawang were present.
"No need to be so polite, these things are too precious." Zhang glanced at them; the things that Granny Kong had sent were all expensive tonics that she had never even touched, let alone eaten, so she really dared not accept them.
"Please don't be so polite. My grandmother said that you have always taken good care of my eldest son, and Miss Qiao was a great help yesterday. She would feel bad if you didn't accept these things." Granny Kong smiled as she put down the things, insisting that it was Old Madam Lu's wish before leaving.
Looking at the tonics on the table, Zhang sighed softly, "I really didn't expect that a wealthy family would live in our alley."
Qiao Youfu pouted, "Who cares? Since they said they were thanking us, we'll accept it. Lord Lu and Qingjiu have indeed eaten a lot of our food."
When Qiao Mianmian and the others returned in the evening, they saw the tonics sent by the Lu family. Lin wanted to return them, but Zhang stopped her.
"We've already accepted it, it's not appropriate to return it." Zhang shook her head.
Seeing that the elders had accepted the abalone, Qiao Mianmian said happily, "Then I'll soak the dried abalone and make braised pork with abalone in a couple of days, which will be good for my sister-in-law to nourish her body."
"Such expensive stuff!" Mrs. Lin was reluctant to eat it.
“Even if it’s expensive, it’s still food for people. We can’t afford to buy it ourselves, but if someone gives it to us as a gift, we can’t just take it and sell it, can we?” Qiao Mianmian wouldn’t let herself go hungry, so she went to soak the abalone.
In the evening, I first cooked loofah soup with dried scallops. You don't need to add too much, just a little to enhance the flavor.
The second batch of loofahs we planted at home is also nearing the end of the harvest season. They are not as sweet as they were in the height of summer, and the flavor is rather bland.
Adding dried scallops to the soup enhances its umami flavor, while the soft loofah soaks up all the broth. A bite of loofah followed by a sip of soup, paired with fragrant rice and a touch of tangy and spicy kimchi, makes for the perfect meal.
After dinner, Qiao Mianmian went to see her nephew. The baby had just been born, and the whole family was excited.
The next day, Qiao Manyu and his wife also arrived. Qiao Manhua, who lived in the village, was unaware of this. He would go to Hejia Village to inform them before Le Ge'er's one-month celebration.
After several days, Le Ge'er became even more fair and tender. Qiao Mianmian would come to see him every day when she returned home, and sometimes she would even help change the cotton cloth. Watching the child grow up day by day was especially interesting.
On the ninth day of the tenth month, Qiao Mianmian had lunch and then returned home from the food stall. She had taken a half-day off today, strolled around the market, and sold two catties of chestnuts.
When they got into the alley, they saw the official matchmaker leading people in. They thought they were going to the Lu family's house, but the official matchmaker turned right and went into her house.
Just then, Jin was picking vegetables at the door and saw this scene. "Mianmian, that's going to your house. Do you know what's going on?"
Qiao Mianmian shook her head, squatted down and pinched Erlong's chubby face, "Sister-in-law, Erlong has lost weight, did you not feed him enough?"
“How could he not have eaten enough? It’s just that boys get thinner as they grow up and like to run around. How come you still have the leisure to chat with me here? Why don’t you go back and see what kind of family I told you about?” Jin said with a smile.
"You told me?"
"Then who should we find a spouse for? Your little nephew?" Jin looked at Qiao Mianmian teasingly. "In your family, only you and your little nephew are not engaged. Now that you've come of age, it's definitely you who should be the one to find a spouse."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Mianmian finally realized what was happening and turned to run home.
But when they arrived at the door and heard the official media and their grandmother actually talking about them, they became even more curious.
"Grandmother, I'm back." Qiao Mianmian smiled as she went in, nodded to the others, turned and went into the backyard, where she eavesdropped against the wooden wall.
"Your fifth daughter is truly beautiful. If you ask me, she's the prettiest girl in the entire southern part of the city. No wonder the Fu family went to such lengths to ask me to visit them; they were afraid someone else would beat them to it." The official matchmaker, who identified himself as Wu, said with a smile.
When Qiao Mianmian heard the words "Fu family," she tried hard to search her memory. What Fu family? She had no recollection of it at all.
Zhang had never heard of the Fu family before, but since the matchmaker had come to the door, she had to hear what the other party had to say. She asked the matchmaker, Wu, to have some tea, and then subtly inquired, "There are quite a few families with the surname Fu in the city. I wonder which one you are referring to?"
"Oh dear, it's my fault, it's my fault, I didn't even explain it clearly."
Wu Guanmei put down his teacup. "It's the Fu family, the head of the canal transport in the west of the city. Their youngest son is twenty years old this year. He's tall and strong, and very handsome. The Fu family has been in the canal transport business for many years. They own boats and land, so they're a very good family. Last month, the second son of the Fu family ate at your restaurant and took a liking to your fifth daughter at first sight. I've come here today on his behalf."
Zhang didn't understand things at the docks, but it sounded good to her now. However, she couldn't make decisions for her granddaughter, so she said calmly, "It's really sudden."
“Your daughter is exceptionally good; the Fu family is very pleased with your family. However, marriage is all about mutual attraction. You don’t need to give me an answer immediately. You can first inquire about the Fu family’s character. If you feel it’s worthwhile to meet them, I will then make arrangements for you.” Matchmaker Wu tactfully stood up. Having worked in this industry for many years, she knew that facilitating a marriage was not easy. “I’m not exaggerating, the Fu family is indeed very wealthy. Their mansion has three courtyards!”
Ms. Zhang nodded, and as the woman, she was expected to be reserved, so she didn't show too much enthusiasm.
When Wu, the matchmaker, saw that Zhang remained calm and composed, he wondered if the Qiao family girl had someone else to propose marriage to. Why was she so composed?
Leaving the Qiao family home with her questions in mind, she ran into another official matchmaker coming out from across the street. The two walked together, and upon exchanging information, Wu, the official matchmaker, secretly thought to herself, "This is bad. With such a distinguished family living across the street, no wonder the Qiao family wasn't excited when they heard about the Fu family." She realized she had to go to the Fu family and urge them on; she couldn't just wait for the Qiao family's response.
Meanwhile, at the Qiao family home, Qiao Mianmian came out and spoke to her grandmother, "Grandmother, what do you think of the Fu family?"
"A three-courtyard house with fields and land, and the family also had a job in the canal transport business, it was indeed quite good."
Zhang paused, "Just listening to the conditions, they are indeed quite good. But marriage is a major event, and it's not just about family wealth; the man's character and family traditions are also very important. When your second brother comes back, have him inquire about him; he used to work at the docks. But... why aren't you shy at all?"
"What's there to be shy about? It's all still up in the air, I don't even remember who the second son of the Fu family is. I can be shy when we actually meet," Qiao Mianmian chuckled, curious about what the second son of the Fu family looked like.
When her second brother returned in the evening, Qiao Mianmian immediately chased after him to ask.
"The Fu family has come to arrange a marriage for you?"
Qiao Jiaxing was very surprised, and then he slapped his forehead, "No wonder I said that a few days ago, someone asked about us siblings. It turns out that the Fu family asked someone to inquire about us."
"Oh, stop talking nonsense. I'm asking you this: isn't Fu Erlang handsome?" This is what Qiao Mianmian cares about most.
With so many men in the world and her own business, she has the right to choose, and she must find a husband she likes.
"Fifth sister, how come you're not shy at all, you're a young lady?" Qiao Jiaxing asked, seeing his sister's eager expression. "Could it be that you're really looking forward to getting married?"
“It’s not that I want to get married, it’s just that the Fu family has already come to propose marriage, so I have to find out the truth. Tell me quickly, is he handsome or not?” Qiao Mianmian pressed.
Qiao Jiaxing hadn't been to the docks for a while, and he wasn't familiar with Fu Jia Erlang, only knowing that such a person existed. After thinking for a moment, he gave what he considered a fair assessment, "Actually, he's alright. The main thing is that this Fu Jia Erlang is exceptionally tall, taller than both me and my older brother, and incredibly strong!"
Qiao Mianmian looked up at her second brother, who was 1.8 meters tall, and thought that if Fu Jia Erlang was that tall, he seemed quite good.
After hearing what her mother-in-law had said, Lin also came to ask Qiao Jiaxing about the Fu family.
“Mother, I’m not familiar with the Fu family. But the Fu family does have some wealth. That Fu Erlang is tall and strong. At the dock, he could carry both of me by himself!” Hearing Qiao Jiaxing say this, Lin Shi was even happier and turned to look at her daughter.
"Then let's meet?" Mrs. Lin asked her daughter.
Qiao Mianmian didn't want to meet formally so soon, so she asked her second brother to take her to see him first. "Anyway, there's no rush, right?"
Qiao Jiaxing nodded in agreement. Lin wanted to say something, but didn't. She finally gave a few instructions: "Look around, but don't talk to her. Otherwise, people will think we're not reserved. Jiaxing, keep an eye on Mianmian. Once you see what kind of person she is, bring her back."
"Don't worry, Mother, I know that dock area best," Qiao Jiaxing said with a smile.
The following afternoon, Qiao Mianmian went to the dock with her second brother.
"Second brother, do I really have to wear this veil?" Qiao Mianmian felt very uncomfortable through the veil.
“Mother said that someone just went to propose marriage yesterday, and we’re going to see the South today? That’s too unreserved. I specially went to borrow it, so you’re not allowed to pick it.” Qiao Jiaxing walked beside his sister. “If you feel uncomfortable, let’s slow down.”
“But if others recognize you, they’ll know you’re carrying me, so shouldn’t you wear one too?” Qiao Mianmian pouted. Wearing this thing makes walking uncomfortable.
Qiao Jiaxing hadn't really thought of that, but they had already arrived at the dock. "Never mind, if anyone asks later, just say you're a distant relative of mine. I'll take you on a less crowded route so we don't run into anyone we know."
The brother and sister wandered around the dock, and when Qiao Jiaxing saw Fu Zhongming carrying cargo, he nodded to his sister, "Look, the one carrying cargo back and forth between the ship and the cargo is Fu Zhongming."
"Which one?" Qiao Mianmian lifted the lip a crack and saw several people on the boat.
"The tallest, strongest, and darkest one. The one carrying three sacks, walking towards the boat!" Qiao Jiaxing pointed unconsciously as he spoke.
Following the direction her second brother pointed, Qiao Mianmian's vision went black. Fu Zhongming was indeed very tall, and his arms were thicker than her thighs.
But what part of it looks good?
His small eyes and nose made his square face appear even larger, and he also had some pimples.
Sorry, she really is a sucker for good looks.
Having never been in a relationship in her previous life, Qiao Mianmian is determined not to compromise herself after being reborn.
Qiao Mianmian glared at her second brother and then turned and left.
"Hey, Fifth Sister, you're leaving already?" Qiao Jiaxing chased after them, puzzled. But the two of them made too much noise and attracted the attention of the Fu family. He quickly said, "Run! We can't let them recognize me!"
The brother and sister ran all the way until they reached a secluded place before stopping to catch their breath. Qiao Mianmian, still furious, took off her veil. "I'm asking you, didn't you say yesterday that you looked alright? How is this alright? Second brother, are you still my real second brother?"
"He's actually alright. He has a decent appearance and isn't crooked or weird."
Qiao Jiaxing leaned against the wall, panting heavily. "I said, Fifth Sister, a man's appearance is not important. What matters is his character and ability."
"No, it's very important to me." Qiao Mianmian was tired, and regardless of whether the stone was dirty or not, she sat down directly. "Character takes time to develop, and even if someone is bad, you can pretend to be good at first. As for ability, I can earn money to support my family on my own. I don't expect to live a good life by relying on a man. Only looks don't lie; handsome is handsome, and ugly is ugly!"
Qiao Mianmian was very insistent on this point!
Unbeknownst to the siblings, Lu Zhao and Qingjiu were passing by around the corner. Qiao Jiaxing disagreed with his sister's opinion, "You may be capable, but you can't choose a man who's all looks and no talent! If we're talking about handsome men, among the people we know, Lord Lu is the most handsome. Are you going to look for someone according to Lord Lu's standards? Or..."
At this point, Qiao Jiaxing suddenly stopped, staring wide-eyed at his sister, "You...you wouldn't have fallen for Lord Lu, would you?"
They live across the hall, and I see them from time to time. If my younger sister takes a liking to Lord Lu, it is indeed very possible!
Meanwhile, Qingjiu, standing at the corner, stared wide-eyed like a copper bell. Could it be that Miss Qiao has taken a liking to her master?
Actually, she thought Miss Qiao was quite nice. If the master married Miss Qiao, his family's food would definitely be better in the future!
However, the old lady probably wouldn't agree, given the vast difference in social standing between the two families. And his parents have never mentioned this matter.
Qingjiu grew increasingly curious, turned to look at her master, opened her mouth, and tentatively asked, "My lord, if Miss Qiao truly loves you, would you be happy?"
He had barely finished asking when he saw his master's fierce gaze, so he immediately shrank back, "I won't ask anymore, just pretend I was talking nonsense. Huh, why didn't I hear Miss Qiao's reply?"
Qingjiu tried to peek, but her master grabbed her collar. When she turned around, she saw that her master's cheeks were flushed, and she couldn't help but say, "My lord, you're blushing."
At this moment, Lu Zhao really wanted to poison the mute Qingjiu, but why were the Qiao siblings silent?
After a long while, still hearing no movement, Lu Zhao went to look into the alley, only to find no trace of the Qiao siblings.
The alley was deserted; there wasn't a soul in sight.
"Why did they leave?" Qingjiu stood on tiptoe and looked into the distance. "They were just talking here a moment ago!"
"Sir, could it be that they heard me talking and ran away in embarrassment?"
"Do you even know what embarrassment is?" Lu Zhao left those words behind, tossing down the wine without looking back. If he really was discovered, then... then how could they ever meet again?
However, Qiao Jiaxing and Qiao Mianmian left because Qiao Jiaxing saw an acquaintance at the alley entrance and gave Qiao Mianmian a wink. The siblings didn't have time to talk and quickly turned around and left.
"I've worked at the docks for too long, I know too many people there. This isn't the place to talk, let's go home first." Qiao Jiaxing looked back to make sure no one was behind him before letting out a sigh of relief. "Speaking of which, you still haven't answered me?"
You mean Lord Lu?
Qiao Mianmian had seriously considered this question. "He is quite good-looking, and his face is indeed pleasing to the eye. It's just that..."
"Just what?"
"I think he's a bit boring, too rigid and inflexible. Qingjiu is much more lively and cute."
If we're talking about looks, Qiao Mianmian would definitely like Lu Zhao's face. He has thick eyebrows, big eyes, and handsome, well-defined features. Every time she sees Lu Zhao, she takes a few extra glances, just to feast her eyes.
But when I thought about living with Lu Zhao, I realized that although he was indeed polite and well-mannered, I rarely saw him smile, let alone chat and laugh with others.
People who haven't yet tasted the bitterness of love always fantasize about its beauty. Qiao Mianmian, of course, also hoped that her future husband would have an interesting soul. She wasn't a reserved ancient woman; the first time she saw Lu Zhao, she wondered if it would be fun to date such a handsome man.
They were just getting to know each other. Although she hadn't gotten tired of Lu Zhao's handsome face yet, she still shook her head. If they really became husband and wife, it probably wouldn't be very interesting.
Qiao Jiaxing gave a very fair assessment: "That's true."
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