Soon, the Shen Family learned of the Xie Family’s intentions.
Zhang-shi immediately set aside her tasks, leaving Shen Shao to manage the front shop on his own. She and Shen Family’s Father returned to the rear courtyard, joined by Qiao-shi, to listen as Auntie Xue detailed this joyous news.
The elderly couple of the Shen Family had discussed late into the night yesterday, concluding that the marriage alliance with the Xie Family might be difficult to secure. They had only planned to ask someone to look into other suitable families.
Regardless of financial status, as long as they could find a young man of outstanding talent, it would at least secure a good future for their daughter.
Unexpectedly, early in the morning, the Xie Family sent someone with good news.
Since ancient times, the success of a marriage often hinges on the matchmaker’s words.
Auntie Xue’s description of the Xie Family differed from that of Auntie Liu. Although she didn’t portray the Xie Family as having mountains of gold and overflowing granaries, she still praised their wealth and prosperity at length.
“Their main shop has a five-bay frontage and is the largest Herbal Medicine Shop in the county. Medical practitioners and pharmacies from dozens of miles around purchase their herbs from the Xie Family. They have servants at home and fine horses for travel.”
“The young man you met yesterday is the only son of the eldest branch. He has an elder sister already married into a wealthy family in the provincial capital, and a younger sister who is the gentlest and most amiable.”
“There’s no mother-in-law in the household either. As soon as your daughter enters their home, she will be the Wife who manages the household and upholds its discipline.”
Zhang-shi felt both elated, thinking her daughter would have a secure and prosperous future, and apprehensive, fearing there might be some hidden trap. For a moment, she was at a loss, bombarding Auntie Xue with a barrage of questions.
They talked until the sun was directly overhead, approaching lunchtime. Auntie Xue took her hand, insisting on a definite answer so she could relay it to the Xie Family.
Zhang-shi pondered for a long while before clasping Auntie Xue’s hand.
“Dear sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard. Please go home and rest for a while. Such an important matter requires me to discuss it with my daughter. I can only feel at ease if she agrees.”
Auntie Xue took a deep breath.
Today, when she came to the Shen Family, she had only mentioned that the Xie Family was willing.
She hadn’t mentioned that Second Master Xie had visited her home late last night, bringing a whole cart of generous gifts, and asked her to come first thing in the morning to inquire about the Shen Family’s intentions.
This wasn’t just willingness—it was eagerness, a thousand and ten thousand times over.
Based on her years of experience as a matchmaker, the more urgent a marriage proposal, the more it needed to be presented slowly. Acting in haste could lead to failure.
Originally, she had planned to visit the Shen Family later in the day to discuss the matter in detail.
Unexpectedly, early this morning, as soon as she opened her door, the Xie Family’s carriage was already waiting outside to take her to the Shen Family.
Even so, she maintained her professional demeanor in front of the Shen Family, speaking calmly and unhurriedly about the Xie Family’s attitude.
With such a favorable match, she assumed the Shen Family would have no reason to refuse.
Surprisingly, this matter turned out to be unusual—the Shen Family actually wanted to delay.
Auntie Xue chuckled softly and sighed.
“Sister-in-law, this is only natural. For such an important matter as marriage, it’s right to ask the young lady’s opinion.”
With that, she stood up and clasped Zhang-shi’s hand again.
“If the young lady makes up her mind, please come and tell me as soon as possible.”
After seeing Auntie Xue off, Zhang-shi returned to her room and immediately called for her daughter. She also sent Shen Ji to the front to summon Eldest Brother back.
Originally feeling hopeless, now that they saw the first stroke of the character “八” (eight) taking shape, the Shen Family wanted to carefully complete the second stroke to make the character perfect.
Father carefully recalled the events of yesterday and was the first to speak.
"I think this young man is quite good. He speaks and acts thoughtfully, knows the ins and outs of our family business well, and is someone with vision and insight."
Next, Shen Shao shared his own opinion.
"I heard he has been to many places, traveling across half the country, and has even been to the Yunnan border several times!"
Eldest Brother's tone was full of admiration.
"Only the Second Aunt in his family seems a bit unpleasant—she looks like someone who’s hard to get along with. Fortunately, she’s an elder from the Second Branch. If we don’t get along, we can just avoid talking to her."
Sister-in-law’s perspective was indeed aligned with Shen Qi’s.
"It’s just a pity his home is so far away. In the future, if she wants to return home, it will be difficult."
At the thought of this, Zhang couldn’t help but wipe away tears.
Seeing her mother’s eyes growing moist, Shen Qi quickly smiled and comforted her.
"Not everyone can have the good fortune like Sister-in-law, marrying so close to home, able to return whenever she wishes, and having such wonderful in-laws like you,"
She paused, "And a good little sister-in-law like me!"
Her words made everyone laugh. Qiao playfully nudged her, and her brother laughed until his eyes nearly disappeared.
Hearing this, Zhang wiped her tears and took her daughter’s hand.
"So, you’re willing?"
Everyone was looking at her, making her feel a bit shy.
Shen Qi didn’t rush to reply. She steadied herself and carefully considered the matter in her heart—
This family had long-standing business dealings, not a sudden fortune, so their family values were likely upright.
She heard his mother had passed away several years ago, and his father had not remarried, which spoke of a family with enduring affection.
Seeing his sturdy build and steady gait, he likely had good health and wouldn’t be prone to illness or misfortune.
Since he had entrusted the nearby Auntie Xue to propose the marriage, he had probably heard some rumors about her being a "husband-killer." Knowing this and still not changing his mind showed he was someone who could make his own decisions, not the type to believe hearsay blindly.
If she could spend this life with someone like him, it would not be in vain to live as a person.
In truth, she had already thought these things over several times during her restless night.
At the time, she felt there was no hope for the marriage, so dwelling on it was pointless. But now that the matter was before her, she pondered it again and made up her mind.
"Father, Mother, your daughter is willing."
With their daughter’s words, the elderly couple of the Shen Family breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with joy.
They were about to prepare to go and give Auntie Xue their reply, but Sister-in-law stopped them.
"It’s lunchtime now. They must have just returned home, and at this hour, their family is likely preparing to eat. Wouldn’t it be disruptive to go now? Moreover, if we rush over right after they left, it might make our family seem too eager.
Why not have lunch first? Father and Mother can change into nicer clothes, and then we can leisurely go to respond to this marriage proposal. Not only would it be proper, but it would also make them think more highly of us!"
Everyone agreed this made sense.
After this, they suddenly realized they hadn’t even eaten breakfast. So, they sent Eldest Brother to Back Street to buy a few side dishes and some baked flatbreads. There was still the rice porridge Shen Qi had cooked that morning at home.
During the meal, the family chattered happily, filled with joy.
The happiest was little brother Shen Ji, who shouted excitedly that he could finally beat Er Mao from West Street!
This made everyone burst into laughter.
Shen Qi was suddenly reminded of an urgent matter when she heard her younger brother mention the fight, and she immediately lost her appetite.
Fortunately, no one noticed.
When everyone went about their own business, Shen Qi felt the opportunity had come.
She quietly tugged at her sister-in-law's sleeve, then leaned close to her ear and asked a question of utmost importance, both nervous and expectant.
"Sister-in-law, I… I want to ask my brother, which one was it who came to see me yesterday?"
Upon hearing this, the sister-in-law looked at little Yue'er's nervous expression and burst into laughter, nearly laughing to tears.
This made Shen Qi even more anxious. She simply imitated her younger brother's tactics, clinging to her sister-in-law like sticky candy, acting coquettish and pestering her to go ask her brother right away.
Yesterday, there were two young men accompanying her brother—one with fairer skin, the other taller. She had taken a liking to the taller man at first glance and naturally assumed it was he who had come to propose.
However, since no one had explicitly told her the news, what if it was the fair-skinned young man beside him who had come to propose? Wouldn't that be a huge joke?
She shook her sister-in-law's arm while whining sweetly.
"Good sister-in-law, please go quickly! I'm so anxious!"
Unable to resist her pestering, the sister-in-law finally agreed with a smile.
Qiao Shi indeed pulled Shen Shao into the room to ask in detail. Only after receiving a definite answer did she return to her sister's side and whisper to her.
"That's right, it's the one you guessed."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qi finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Her brother was very certain that the one who had come to propose, the second son of the Xie Family, was the taller man.
The shorter, fair-skinned young man beside him was the already married cousin from the Second Branch of the Xie Family.
After receiving her brother's confirmation, Shen Qi's anxious heart finally settled, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Amitabha!"
Seeing her relieved expression, the sister-in-law couldn't help but laugh and teased her.
"Oh my, you're not even married yet, and you're already thanking the Buddha! It seems our little Yue'er really likes this future husband!"
With that, she gently pinched Shen Qi's fair, rosy cheek.
Embarrassed by her sister-in-law's teasing, Shen Qi covered her flushed face with a handkerchief and pretended to sleep on the bed.
Seeing that her parents had gone to the matchmaker's house, her brother had gone to tend to the shop, and her younger brother had gone to school, leaving only the two of them at home, the sister-in-law simply lay down on the bed as well. The two whispered some private, intimate words.
After all, once little Yue'er of the Shen Family married in the future, it would be rare to have such opportunities to talk side by side.