Chapter 106: Marriage Proposal Arrives
A Wu and Wang Yuting had traveled extensively and were experienced. A Wu, in particular, was very articulate when negotiating terms with the shopkeeper. With three people and two horses, they managed to select another town around Pingjiang City in just one day, bringing the total to two towns and establishing a fine cloth acquisition network.
Li Xiaonan weighed her limited capital and dared not expand too much. She could only afford two looms, which was just enough for one town each.
Both towns held markets every other day, so A Wu traveled to each town once every two days.
This kind of acquisition needed to continue for a sufficiently long time to spread the word about buying fine cloth among the girls and wives, and to make them aware that there was someone buying fine cloth.
This period could not be too short or too long, so Li Xiaonan decided to collect for one month first.
This month was spent idly. Li Xiaonan had already finished all the books Li Xuedong could borrow. She sat in her small bamboo chair, propped her chin in her hand, and watched Mei Jie teach Wang Yuting how to tie knots, contemplating where else she could find books to read.
There were two or three large bookstores in Pingjiang City, with many new books, but the books were too expensive for her to afford.
She originally wanted to sit in the bookstore and read as she had before. Who knew that the bookstore assistants wouldn’t let her touch the books at all? She said she wanted to flip through them first to see if they were good, and the assistants were very polite, but they just wouldn’t let her read.
If she wanted to borrow books, it seemed there was only one place left.
Li Xiaonan sighed.
Since the New Year, she hadn’t gone to teach Mr. Qian, who was surnamed Niu, even once. She wondered how he was doing now.
She hadn’t seen that Young Lord for several days.
Alas, this long, long day was so boring.
………………………………
At the entrance of Qiao Dong Lane, two streets away from Cai Lian Lane, a sturdy and elegant paulownia wood cart stopped. The old woman accompanying the cart placed the footboard and lifted the curtain.
A middle-aged woman, holding up her skirt, got out of the cart.
The woman was in her forties, her hair meticulously styled without a single strand out of place, adorned with a gold hairpin shaped like a flower tube. She wore a light green skirt and a dark blue long coat, appearing exceptionally neat and capable.
“Find a place ahead where you won’t be in the way and wait for me. Don’t wander off. It won’t take long,” the woman instructed, brushed her clothing placket, and entered Qiao Dong Lane.
Arriving at the first house at the alley entrance, the woman pushed open the slightly ajar courtyard gate and called out loudly, “Is Nanny Miao here?”
She called out twice, but the courtyard remained silent.
The woman closed the courtyard gate and walked directly into the alley.
After passing seventeen or eighteen households, the woman stopped in front of a courtyard with a brick wall reaching to the top and a brightly painted courtyard gate. She called out again with a smile, “Is Nanny Miao here?”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
With a series of affirmative replies, a woman, slightly taller than average and robustly built, hurried out. Upon seeing the woman outside the courtyard gate, she exclaimed, “Oh my!” and her eyes immediately crinkled with a smile.
“It’s Sister-in-law Yu! No wonder I felt a sense of good fortune this morning. Sister-in-law Yu, please come in and sit.”
Within a few sentences, Nanny Miao had reached the courtyard entrance and enthusiastically invited Sister-in-law Yu inside.
“No need, it’s just a few words. I’ll leave after speaking with you, old sister. I have a lot of things to do at home.” Sister-in-law Yu took a step back and descended the steps.
“Then let’s talk as we walk,” Nanny Miao readily agreed with a laugh, turned her head, and called out towards the inside of the courtyard gate, “It’s Sister-in-law Yu. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Sister-in-law Yu waited for Nanny Miao to descend the steps, then walked alongside her, saying directly with a smile, “I don’t come to you without a reason, old sister. I’ve come to ask for your help.”
“Oh my! I’ve been waiting for you to ask for my help for many years. Have you finally found someone you fancy?” Nanny Miao beamed with joy.
“This time, Da Lang himself chose her. I’ve gone to see her a few times, and she’s indeed very good,” Sister-in-law Yu said frankly and directly.
“Oh, that’s truly wonderful! This must be marriage fate arriving! Which family’s daughter is it? Since you’ve come to me, this girl must be from around our Prefectural School. Among the girls from this area, none are better than the Wu family sisters. I’m speaking out of turn, of course. Marriage fate depends on individual preferences. Which girl is it?” Nanny Miao spoke and laughed.
“From the Li family, the Xiucai Scholar’s home in Cai Lian Lane,” Sister-in-law Yu said, deliberately ignoring the middle part of Nanny Miao’s words.
“I knew it! Your standards are high, and you’ve set your sights on a Xiucai Scholar’s family. That Li Xiucai is not even twenty yet, and they say his future is very bright. If this marriage is successful, you’ll be climbing high,” Nanny Miao said, flicking her handkerchief twice.
“Whether I’m climbing high or not, I haven’t dared to think about it. There are many Xiucai Scholars in our Pingjiang City, but very few Recommended Scholars.
“I’ve taken a liking to their second sister, the one named Yuzhu. She’s capable, honest, and knows her place. It’s rare that my Da Lang also finds her gentle in nature and beautiful. Old sister, you know my Da Lang is very picky. The Wu family sisters are so good, and I adore them, but Da Lang doesn’t like them. Alas, raising a son with such a stubborn will makes me worry so much.”
Sister-in-law Yu seized the opportunity to explain indirectly once more.
“Da Lang is so promising! At such a young age, he’s not only taken over the family business but has also opened two or three more shops. Everyone who knows praises him.
“Has Da Lang settled things with that second sister from the Li family? Is it just waiting to be made public?”
“Old sister, you can’t say that! That would be like a secret arrangement. Even though I find her suitable and Da Lang agrees, the Li family doesn’t know yet. That’s why I’ve come to ask you to make a trip and inquire.” Sister-in-law Yu said with a smile.
“Then I understand. Don’t worry, this matter is on me. I’m not boasting, but there are very few official matchmakers in all of Pingjiang City who can arrange things better than I can. You can rest assured!” Nanny Miao took on the responsibility.
“Then I’ll entrust it to you, old sister. I won’t go in. I have a lot of things to do at home. When things are settled, I’ll bring Da Lang to thank you properly.” Sister-in-law Yu stopped at Nanny Miao’s doorstep and said with a smile.
“Rest assured, rest assured!” Nanny Miao agreed wholeheartedly and escorted Sister-in-law Yu to the alley entrance. She watched her get into the cart before turning back.
Nanny Miao walked past her own home and went directly to the house she had just come from—the Wu family’s residence.
Aunt Wu was standing by the threshold, peeking into the alley along the doorframe. Seeing Nanny Miao enter, she turned and walked inside with Nanny Miao, asking, “She doesn’t come without a reason. What is it about?”
“What else could it be? She fancies the Li family’s daughter in Cai Lian Lane and has asked me to arrange a marriage,” Nanny Miao snorted.
“Ah? Then Third Sister?” Sister-in-law Wu’s expression changed.
Da Lang Yu was the son-in-law she had arranged for their Third Sister six or seven years ago.
“Don’t worry. Besides our Third Sister, no one else is a good match! I’m here.” Nanny Miao snorted again.
“Alas, if it’s not meant to be, then so be it. You know me, I’ve long since converted. We shouldn’t say anything bad. Alas, forget it, it’s just that our Third Sister is not fortunate.” Aunt Wu dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
“Look at you, what are you saying? I never say anything bad, you can rest assured!” Nanny Miao patted Aunt Wu.
She had been an official matchmaker for decades. Ruining this small matter would take no effort at all!
