Chapter 40: Act Fast
The Xiucai Scholar that Master Hong had sent word about was not doing well, and the message was vague. Clan Elder Li Shikuan questioned the steward who delivered it.
The steward spread his hands. He had been overseeing the granary repairs when his Old Master called him over and gave him that message. He knew nothing more.
After Li Shikuan saw the steward out, he frowned and thought for a moment. He then sent his grandson, Da Zhuang, to fetch his father.
Li Wenliang returned in a hurry with his son. Seeing his father, Li Shikuan, standing at the entrance, his heart immediately tensed. He quickened his steps, “Did something happen?”
“Mm. Let’s go inside and talk.” Li Shikuan patted his young grandson and, with his son, headed towards the backyard.
“What happened?” Before they even sat down, Li Wenliang asked again.
“Master Hong just sent word saying our Xiucai Scholar is not doing well. That’s all. Can you think of anything?” Li Shikuan’s brows were tightly furrowed.
“I can’t think of anything that could have happened.” Li Wenliang thought carefully and shook his head.
“Master Hong wouldn’t send such a message for no reason. You pack up and go quickly. Take plenty of silver notes with you. If something has indeed happened, money will surely be needed,” Li Shikuan instructed.
“Mm.”
“When you go to Pingjiang City this time, don’t rush back. Buy another house there. This house shouldn’t be too far from our Xiucai Scholar, nor too close. Our original house is too far from our Xiucai Scholar, which is not suitable.”
“Also, look at our shops. See if any can be bought back for us to operate ourselves. If not, buy another one. I don’t need to tell you more about this; you handle it as you see fit.”
“Also, write a letter asking Da Zhuang’s mother to return quickly. She needs to come home for a visit; I have a few things to tell her. And bring Da Zhuang along. Leave the shop in Linhai Town to Second Brother.”
“Pingjiang City is the priority now. As for Linhai, let Second Brother mess around there; it will just be a loss of some money,” Li Shikuan continued to instruct.
“Alright.” Li Wenliang listened intently and smiled, “Second Brother is much more sensible now. If the business in Linhai is put in his hands, he might even earn more than I did. Father, don’t always look at him with old eyes.”
“As long as he doesn’t cause me trouble!” Mentioning his second son, Li Shikuan became annoyed.
His second son was much smarter than the Xiucai Scholar in their clan. If he were more sensible and studied hard, the Li family’s current fortune could have fallen upon him.
Alas, he’s not ambitious and lacks good fortune!
………………………………
When Li Wenliang received the message, it was already half a day later than Master Hong. He had many things to pack, and despite rushing, he arrived in Pingjiang City a full day later than Master Hong.
Li Wenliang first found an inn on a street next to Academy Street, left his luggage, and hurried towards Cai Lian Lane.
Just as he reached the alley entrance, an old servant of Master Hong emerged from a tea house opposite.
“Greetings to Master Li. My Old Master instructed this old servant to wait for you here. Please come over first, as my Old Master has something important to tell you,” the old servant said with a deep bow and a smile.
“Is it far?”
“Not far, just around the corner,” the old servant replied with a smile.
“Then let’s go.” Li Wenliang bowed and smiled.
Master Hong was drinking tea and talking with Teacher Zuo. Seeing the old servant bring Li Wenliang in, Master Hong gestured towards Li Wenliang with his chin.
Teacher Zuo carefully observed Li Wenliang and said with a low smile, “His steps are steady, his footing is firm, his complexion is bright yellow. Hmm, this family truly has good fortune rising.”
“Enviable,” Master Hong sighed.
“Your family is not bad either; no need to envy others. I’ll excuse myself.” Teacher Zuo stood up and brushed past Li Wenliang.
“Da Lang, you’ve come so quickly. Come sit. What kind of tea do you like? I still have some good tea here,” Master Hong said casually and warmly to Li Wenliang without standing up.
“Thank you, Old Master. I’m not particular about tea.” Li Wenliang sat down somewhat stiffly in the seat Teacher Zuo had just vacated.
A servant stepped forward, replaced the tea cup, and brewed fresh tea.
After Master Hong let Li Wenliang drink a cup of tea, he put down his cup and smiled at Li Wenliang, “Let our two families get married.”
“Ah?” Li Wenliang was stunned by Master Hong’s words.
Their two families getting married? What kind of marriage?
“My little grandson, A Ye, whom you and your Old Master have met, hit it off with your Xiucai Scholar immediately and they are very close. I think your Xiucai Scholar’s Third Sister, Yin Zhu, is quite a good match for my little grandson. What do you think?” Master Hong said with a smile.
Li Wenliang couldn’t react immediately. “Your family’s second young master? This… this is probably not something I can decide. It depends on the Xiucai Scholar and his sisters’ wishes.”
Li Wenliang, though shocked, reacted extremely quickly.
Master Hong looked at Li Wenliang with some admiration and smiled, “Of course, the Xiucai Scholar and his sisters will have the final say. But since the Xiucai Scholar’s family has no elders, it would be best for an elder to preside over this matter. Don’t you think we should ask your Old Master to preside over this matter?”
“What Old Master says is very true. I will have someone deliver a message to my father right away and ask him to come over to discuss it with Old Master in person.” Li Wenliang paused, looked at Master Hong, and smiled, “Old Master also knows that although the Xiucai Scholar’s family has no elders, the Xiucai Scholar and his sisters are all very knowledgeable and have strong opinions. Shouldn’t we first ask the Xiucai Scholar’s opinion on this matter?”
“That’s what I was thinking too.” Master Hong bowed slightly and smiled, “My little grandson is not young anymore. Many marriage proposals have been considered for him, but something was always not right. I’m quite anxious. How about we invite the Xiucai Scholar over now to ask him?”
“Alright.” Li Wenliang also smiled.
………………………………
The five Li siblings sat in a circle, looking at each other.
“You didn’t mishear, did you?” Li Yuzhu asked Li Xuedong, frowning.
“How could I have misheard? Master Hong said: Brother Hong thinks Third Sister is very good, and he also thinks Third Sister is very good. He asked me to come back and ask Eldest Sister and Third Sister for their opinions. If they think it’s suitable, he will send a matchmaker.”
“Eldest Uncle is also here. Master Hong said one sentence, and he nodded.”
Li Xuedong repeated it again.
Li Jinzhu, Li Yuzhu, and Li Xiaonan all looked at Li Yin Zhu.
Li Yin Zhu pointed at herself and managed to say, “I, I really don’t know!”
“What kind of family is the Hong family, and what kind of family are we? We can’t afford this marriage,” Li Yuzhu said, frowning.
“What does A Nan think?” Li Jinzhu looked at Li Xiaonan.
“What kind of prominent family are the Hongs? They are considered prominent only because they have a Xiucai Scholar. They only have one Xiucai Scholar, and we have one too,” Li Xiaonan said unceremoniously.
“Your brother’s Xiucai…” Li Jinzhu’s words trailed off. “I mean, our family is too poor. If Yin Zhu really marries into a family like the Hongs, I’m afraid she won’t be able to stand her ground and will be bullied.”
“What do you think, Third Sister?” Li Xiaonan looked at Li Yin Zhu.
Li Yin Zhu’s brows were tightly furrowed. She looked at Eldest Sister, then at Second Sister, then at Li Xiaonan, and shook her head honestly and sincerely, “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about getting married. Second Sister isn’t married yet.”
“Don’t worry about others. Think about it now,” Li Jinzhu said to Li Yin Zhu.
“It’s too good. I feel I’m not worthy.” Li Yin Zhu drooped her shoulders.
Silence fell upon them. This marriage proposal was indeed too good.
“Eldest Uncle said that Tang Weng Weng will arrive tomorrow. Once Tang Weng Weng arrives, we’ll see what he says first,” Li Jinzhu decided after thinking for a moment.
