Chapter 108: Rhetoric
Nanny Miao came out of Cai Lian Lane, hailed a small green oil cart, and headed straight for the Yu family residence.
The Yu family had previously lived in an alley next to Qiao Dong Lane. Seven or eight years ago, their business grew more and more prosperous, so they bought a large house on the other side of the Prefectural School and moved.
Nanny Miao got out of the cart outside the Yu family’s courtyard gate, took out a handkerchief, pressed it to her lips, and slowly turned her head to survey the Yu family’s house.
She and Little Wu had walked around the walls of this Yu family residence, from front to back, from left to right, countless times.
Their third sister loved to grow flowers and plants; it was very elegant. If she were to live in this house, how wonderful it would be!
She had to handle this matter well. No matter what, she could not hurt their third sister’s feelings, nor could she let their third sister marry worse than her two elder sisters.
Nanny Miao knocked on the door knocker and, following the old woman guarding the gate, entered the main courtyard.
“You’ve come to report already? Sister, you’re becoming more and more decisive.” Sister-in-law Yu came out to greet her from the main house.
“It’s about our Da Lang’s lifelong happiness, of course, the sooner the better!” Nanny Miao said with a smile.
Sister-in-law Yu made way for Nanny Miao to enter the room. A little girl brought tea. Nanny Miao sighed and said directly, “Look, I told you, they are a Xiucai scholar’s family, with high standards. See, I was right!”
Nanny Miao clapped her hands.
Sister-in-law Yu was very surprised. “Did you make it clear to them?”
“What are you saying, sister? Do you not trust me?”
Nanny Miao’s smile faded, and she raised her hand.
“Gods above, if I speak a single false word, may lightning strike me!”
“Sister, please don’t do that!” Sister-in-law Yu quickly reached out and pressed down Nanny Miao’s raised hand.
“We’ve known each other for decades. You know what kind of person I am, right? I’ve long since converted. I never tell lies. Not speaking falsehoods is a precept!” Nanny Miao said sternly.
“I didn’t mean it that way. I truly didn’t expect it. Please don’t be angry with me, sister.” Sister-in-law Yu sighed.
She truly hadn’t expected it. She had originally thought that, given their family’s circumstances and her Da Lang’s character, this marriage would surely be agreed upon as soon as it was proposed.
“Alas, what’s so unexpected? They said, alas, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll tell you exactly what they said. They are from a scholarly family, a Xiucai scholar’s family with a literary tradition. They explained it clearly and plainly, one, two, three.”
“First, they said, it must be a suitable match. They are a scholarly family, a Xiucai scholar’s family, so this side cannot be too inferior. Alas.”
Nanny Miao sighed.
“Let’s set this one aside. I tried my best to negotiate, saying there was room for maneuver, but the second point, alas!”
Nanny Miao let out a long sigh and clapped her hands.
“They said that at this age, she’s too old! She’s not that much older, is she? But they said, if she were truly from a good family with good character, why hasn’t she been engaged yet? There must be something going on. Listen to what they said, alas!
“And then, they said their daughter has a good temperament and has never been mistreated. They fear their daughter would be mistreated if she married into your family. The mother-in-law cannot have a reputation for being difficult. Listen to what they said! I have nothing more to say!”
Sister-in-law Yu’s brows furrowed as she listened.
“Sister, I know you have high aspirations, and Da Lang is even more ambitious. You’ve been picky for so many years, determined to find a virtuous, educated, well-mannered girl who is capable and hardworking. Li Xiucai’s family is indeed quite suitable, but you fancy them, and they are unwilling to lower their standards. There’s nothing that can be done about it!
“Sister, I’m telling you, ambition alone is not enough. You must consider your own situation, weigh it carefully. Look at your family. Da Lang’s father passed away early. Behind Da Lang are two younger sisters who cannot help him. Da Lang is so busy with his business that he’s never home. Alas, I won’t say more about this; it’s pointless to talk too much.
“Think about it yourself. In these past few years, how many families have you considered, how many has Da Lang considered? Have any of them worked out? You and your Da Lang have too high expectations. You see them, but they don’t want to look down and see you. Then there’s nothing that can be done, right?”
Nanny Miao spoke earnestly.
Sister-in-law Yu leaned back against the chair back, looking tired and discouraged.
Nanny Miao picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and glanced at Sister-in-law Yu.
After sipping half a cup of tea, Nanny Miao put down the cup, leaned forward, and lowered her voice, saying, “Sister, we’ve known each other for decades. Wu Family Third Sister, I’ve come to you again and again to talk about Third Sister, but it’s also for our Da Lang. What a perfect match they would be!
“The Wu family only has six daughters, but aren’t the husbands of sisters considered relatives? Aren’t sisters close?
“Take yourself, for example. When Da Lang’s father suddenly passed away, it was your Eldest Sister who came over again and again to help you get back on your feet, wasn’t it? Aren’t sisters close? Don’t they support each other?
“Wu Family Eldest Sister married a Recommended Scholar! You said this yourself. There are many Xiucai scholars in all of Pingjiang Prefecture, but there are very few Recommended Scholars!
“Wu Family Second Sister married Prefectural Yamen’s Bailiff Huang. Is that not a good match? If your family were to form this affinity by marriage with Bailiff Huang’s family, who in all of Pingjiang City and Pingjiang Prefecture would dare to bully you?
“Sister, think carefully!” Nanny Miao patted Sister-in-law Yu’s arm.
“Sister, you know I’m not looking down on the Wu family for having only daughters. Based on the Wu family’s two marital connections alone, they are people you would look up to. I told you, Third Sister…”
Sister-in-law Yu gave a wry smile. “I’m afraid she can’t endure hardship and can’t manage the household.”
“You’re mistaken about that. As the saying goes: Cattail is as tough as silk, but breaks easily against steel. Third Sister has grown up smoothly without any major issues. If something were to happen, I’m telling you, Third Sister could definitely handle it!
“That little girl truly has intelligence and is willing to work hard, she just hasn’t had the opportunity to show it.
“To be honest, Third Sister has a destiny of great fortune. If she were to marry into your family, your family would definitely not have to endure hardship to support her.”
Seeing that Sister-in-law Yu remained silent, Nanny Miao sighed. “Sister, this is the last time I will mention the Wu family’s daughter to you. Third Sister is not getting any younger. Your Da Lang can afford to wait, but Third Sister cannot. You look down on Third Sister, but there are many people who see her well. I already have three or four families waiting, and I’ve held them back from mentioning them.
“Firstly, Sister-in-law Wu watched Da Lang grow up and likes him very much. Secondly, we’ve known each other for decades. I consider Da Lang as my own child. When I find a good match, I think of our Da Lang first.
“Alas, sister, think carefully. If you truly miss this marriage with the Wu family, your Da Lang, alas, you really need to find a wise person to read Da Lang’s fortune. See if he is destined to be without a wife.”
Nanny Miao said as she stood up. “It’s getting late. I’m leaving. Your Da Lang is twenty-seven this year, isn’t he?”
Sister-in-law Yu also stood up and sighed. “I will discuss it properly with Da Lang. I’ll have the cart driver take you back. Little Xi’er, bring that packet of white fungus over, and pack two catties of lotus seeds and two catties of dried longan to put in the cart for Nanny Miao to take back and eat.”
