Chapter 62: Another Marriage
Gu Yan rode his horse along the canal to Yangzhou. He stayed one night at Da Xiangguo Temple outside the city and then took a fast boat downstream, arriving directly at Beixing Wharf in Pingjiang City.
Beixing Wharf was orderly. Cargo ships that arrived that morning were unloaded that day, and ships that arrived in the afternoon would be unloaded by Si Hour at the latest the next day.
Gu Yan stood at the bow of the boat and surveyed the scene. He was very satisfied. The boat did not dock but headed straight back to the villa.
Gu Yan bathed and washed, changed his clothes, and came out. Seeing Wang Gui enter, he asked, “How is the business of that shop?”
“Replying to Young Lord, the business is extremely good. I heard they find the workshop too small and are looking for a place to build another one.”
Wang Gui quickly replied with his hands clasped, paused, and cautiously glanced at Gu Yan before continuing:
“Our manor placed the first order. Two days later, the Cao Division’s rear residence placed an order. They deliver once every two days, twenty preserved eggs and ten salted eggs per delivery. Another day later, the Marshal’s Office’s rear residence placed an order in the morning, and the Censorate’s rear residence went in the afternoon. The quantities were similar. After that, more and more families came to place orders. I had them make a list.”
Wang Gui took out a long, thin memorial from his sleeve and presented it to Gu Yan with both hands.
Gu Yan pinched it between two fingers, unfurled it with a flick, and scanned it as he held it. He let out a hum and handed the memorial back to Wang Gui.
“How does it taste?” Gu Yan asked.
“Extremely good. They say Madam particularly likes it, and the two Cousin Girls also like it very much. My brothers on my side also say it’s delicious,” Wang Gui replied with a smile.
“Hmm, have the kitchen prepare a dish for dinner, and I’ll try it,” Gu Yan instructed Shi Gun, then asked, “How is the marriage arrangement progressing? How far has it gotten?”
“Replying to Young Lord, yesterday Li Wenliang returned to Kunshan County and said he wanted to ask Li Xiucai’s former teacher, Mr. Gao, to be the matchmaker.”
Gu Yan gave a noncommittal hum. “And that little girl? What is she busy with?”
“She was helping at the shop in the morning and teaching her Third Sister at home in the afternoon. You can hear her from the courtyard gate.”
“Helping? What can she help with? Probably just watching the fun. Is Madam in the manor?” Gu Yan picked out a folding fan from his fan case.
“She returned half an hour ago and said she’s at Crab Lake now, watching them catch crabs.”
“Hmm, let’s go take a look.” Gu Yan unfolded his folding fan and strolled towards Crab Lake, fanning himself.
………………………………
Gao Village Market.
Mr. Gao watched Li Wenliang mount his dark blue mule and trot away. He stood still for a while before entering the courtyard gate with his hands behind his back and slowly walked into the main hall.
“I saw it was Elder Li from Li Family Market? What’s the matter? Is Xuedong alright?” Her Mother came out of the kitchen and followed into the main hall.
“Xuedong is fine. Elder Li came to ask me to be the matchmaker.” Mr. Gao took a cup and poured himself some tea.
“Is Xuedong engaged?” Her Mother asked in surprise.
“It’s not Xuedong, it’s Xuedong’s Third Sister. She’s engaged to the second young master of the Hong Family, Hong Zhenye. You’ve met him; he’s been here before.”
Mr. Gao took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and sighed deeply, filled with emotion.
“I really didn’t expect it! Xuedong’s Third Sister is getting married into the Hong Family. Truly! This is really something!”
“Something what? Ascending to heaven in one step? From a poor country bumpkin to a Xiucai Scholar, isn’t that ascending to heaven in one step?”
“If Xuedong’s Third Sister is engaged, what about his Second Sister? His Eldest Sister has cut her hair and won’t marry, but what about his Second Sister?” Her Mother sat down next to Mr. Gao.
“I didn’t ask about that.” Mr. Gao was momentarily stunned; he hadn’t thought of that.
“Look at you!” Her Mother glared at Mr. Gao displeasedly.
“Xuedong’s three sisters are all grown up. If there are good matches, they should be settled quickly. There’s no need to hold back the eldest and second. Xuedong’s Second Sister will surely find a good match, and so will his little sister.” Mr. Gao quickly corrected himself.
“What about Xuedong? Has he been proposed to? You didn’t ask either?” Her Mother leaned forward, holding her breath, and asked.
“Why would I ask that? Why are you asking that?” Mr. Gao leaned back, frowning at Her Mother.
“Why are you talking like that! Have you forgotten your daughter?” Her Mother slapped Mr. Gao on the back.
“What are you trying to do?” Mr. Gao’s eyes widened even further.
“Xuedong is such a good child!” Her Mother glanced sideways at Mr. Gao.
“Ah? When did you come up with this idea?” Mr. Gao took a moment to react.
“Ever since Xuedong ranked third in the County Examination, I’ve been thinking this. That child is so good, his sisters are so good, and now they’ve married into the Hong Family.”
Her Mother’s words paused, and after a moment, she sighed.
“In the blink of an eye, we’ve become the ones who are marrying up.”
“A father marries off his daughter,” Mr. Gao added.
“Oh, you think it’s possible? We can still try to marry up? It’s not that I’m looking at the Hong Family or anything; I just think Xuedong is a good child, and his sisters are good!” Her Mother emphasized again.
“How about I probe around tomorrow?” Mr. Gao frowned, thought for a moment, leaned forward, and discussed with Her Mother.
Her Mother nodded repeatedly.
The couple had only one daughter, Zhi’er, in their thirties. Initially, they had considered taking in a live-in son-in-law, but they felt that a live-in son-in-law would be looked down upon. Mr. Gao was also open-minded and didn’t care about lineage or anything like that.
However, once they were determined to marry off their daughter, the old couple became picky. From when Zhi’er was eleven or twelve until now, they found fault with one suitor or another.
Now, as Her Mother mentioned Li Xuedong, the more Mr. Gao thought about it, the more suitable it seemed. By the next morning, it felt like finding such a suitable match would be impossible even with a lantern.
After breakfast, Li Wenliang arrived with a cart. Mr. Gao and Li Shikuan, who was sitting in the cart, exchanged greetings and got into the cart. The curtain was lifted high. Li Wenliang sat next to the cart driver, chatting with Li Shikuan and Mr. Gao inside the cart.
After chatting for a while, Mr. Gao asked with a smile, “I forgot to ask yesterday, has Xuedong’s Second Sister’s marriage been settled?”
“Not yet. This marriage for Third Sister was proposed by the Hong Family; none of us expected it,” Li Shikuan said with a smile.
“Oh, then what about Xuedong’s marriage? Has it been arranged?” Mr. Gao asked, holding his breath slightly as he looked at Li Shikuan.
Li Wenliang turned to look at Mr. Gao.
Li Shikuan smiled and said, “Not yet. Do you have a suitable family on your side, Teacher?”
“No, no, not at all!” Mr. Gao denied instinctively, then realized, “I mean, not that there isn’t, it’s just that my wife… that.”
Mr. Gao became vague.
How should this be said appropriately?
This marriage would be too much of a climb for their Gao Family.
“Zhi Jie’er is a good child,” Li Shikuan said, not wanting to make Mr. Gao uncomfortable. “It is Xuedong’s good fortune that Teacher and his wife think highly of him.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Mr. Gao let out a breath of relief.
“I think it’s excellent, but,” Li Shikuan looked at Mr. Gao, “Teacher, you know that our Xiucai Scholar is a person with very strong opinions. His three sisters, and his little sister, are also very discerning and opinionated people. Xuedong’s marriage must be decided by him and his sisters after discussion.”
“After I meet with the Xiucai Scholar, I’ll talk to him and have him discuss it with his sisters when he gets back. What do you think?”
“That’s exactly right, that’s exactly right!” Mr. Gao agreed repeatedly.
