“It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if your uncle drinks too much, he won’t talk nonsense or spread anything around,” Yu Hongyu said, not particularly concerned.
“Xiaxia, if these things really start bringing in money later, I’ll split it with you.”
“That’s great! Then I’ll draw some more blueprints for you later, so you can make big money faster, hire workers and take on apprentices. Then I can just lie at home collecting money.”
Yu Banxia’s money-grubbing expression made Yu Hongyu burst into laughter.
Madam Wu happened to walk in just then. Seeing her youngest son laughing so heartily, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s going on? Why are you laughing like this?”
“It’s nothing, nothing, Mother. You were right back then—our Xiaxia really is the lucky star of our family.”
“Her new brain really works well. She just told me something, and I think it’s feasible. I’m planning to share the profits with her once we start earning.”
Hearing Yu Hongyu say this, Madam Wu couldn’t help but laugh as well. “You rascal, you haven’t even started yet, and you’re already trying to sweet-talk your little niece.”
“Mother, it really is feasible,” Yu Hongyu emphasized again. Madam Wu grew curious—had they really discussed something serious?
Yu Banxia chuckled and then said to Yu Hongyu, “Then, Uncle, I’ll leave this matter to you. I’m going to town with my third brother and also visit Elder Sister in Xiaozhang Village.”
“Alright, go ahead. I’ll try to get it done for you within three days,” Yu Hongyu said, full of confidence.
Madam Wu looked suspiciously at them. What kind of riddle were this uncle and niece playing at?
“Grandma, I’m heading to town now. I’ll bring you something delicious when I return,” Yu Banxia said happily.
Madam Wu affectionately patted her bottom. “You think Grandma is as much of a little glutton as you are?”
“Alright, it’s your granddaughter who’s greedy and can’t wait to go to town,” Yu Banxia said, acting coquettishly.
Madam Wu laughed heartily and said repeatedly, “Alright, go ahead.”
Yu Banxia ran back home. She had already discussed it with her parents during breakfast that morning.
She was going to town to sell the wild ginseng and also deliver the meat she had preserved yesterday to her elder sister, Yu Banta.
“Third Brother, Elder Sister, we can set off now,” Yu Banxia called out to her siblings inside the house as she ran home.
The two of them came out quickly. Yu Banyue was carrying a bamboo basket, which held the meat and two pig’s trotters for their elder sister, along with some of the braised dishes made the day before.
“Father, Mother, we’re off now. Sister-in-law, I’ll bring you something delicious when I return,” Yu Banxia said cheerfully, waving to her family.
Wu Zhuxiang smiled and nodded. She was feeling more and more at ease these days.
That morning, her sister-in-law had mentioned that she had found a wild ginseng plant the day before and was going to sell it to pay for Little Tiger’s tuition. Wu Zhuxiang had been stunned.
After seeing off Yu Banxia and her siblings, Wu Zhuxiang busied herself with her chores.
The weather was good that day, so she went into Yu Banxia’s room, took apart their bedding, and washed it. She hung the quilts out in the yard to dry.
The weather in early April was already starting to get warm. She wiped the sweat from her forehead but didn’t feel tired at all. With new hopes for the future, how could she not be happy?
Just as Yu Banxia and her siblings boarded the ox cart to Yunshan Town, over in Xiaoxu Village, the Xu family had also sought out the village matchmaker. Carrying some shabby gifts, they were making their way toward the Yu family.
Wu Zhuxiang hummed a little tune, happily washing clothes.Fan Cuilan was holding her four-year-old granddaughter Xialian, feeding her.
“Oh, sister-in-law, busy, are you?” A slightly grating voice suddenly came from the main gate.
Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked up simultaneously and were startled to see a heavily made-up woman with a large flower in her hair peeking in.
They then recognized her as the matchmaker Ge from Xiaoxu Village, and upon seeing Madam Ji and Xu Xiucai smiling as they entered, they instantly felt the courtyard had become dirty.
Aunt Zhao, Yu Meihua’s mother, also came out upon hearing the noise. Seeing Xu Xiucai and his mother arriving with a matchmaker, she was also taken aback.
She immediately brought her bowl over to the Yu household, ready to watch the commotion and lend a hand if needed.
“Matchmaker Ge, what brings you here?” Fan Cuilan’s expression was not good, and Wu Zhuxiang’s face also darkened instantly.
She wiped her hands and lifted little Xialian from her mother-in-law’s lap.
“Oh, sister-in-law, today is a joyous occasion. Why do you look so unhappy?” Matchmaker Ge was also surprised. Hadn’t the Yu family’s youngest daughter always dreamed of becoming Xu Xiucai’s bride?
Seeing her come with Xu Xiucai and his mother to propose marriage, shouldn’t she be overjoyed?
Why was she acting this way?
Matchmaker Ge had been out yesterday arranging a match for someone else and wasn’t in the village, so she didn’t know about Yu Banxia calling Xu Xiucai a dog.
No one had told her about the incident either. When Madam Ji came to her door this morning asking her to propose the match, she had agreed without hesitation and followed them here.
“What joyous occasion? My youngest son has no plans to marry for now, and my two daughters are still young. We have no intention of arranging marriages for them either.”
Fan Cuilan didn’t give Matchmaker Ge a chance to elaborate, directly and bluntly refusing.
“Ah? But hasn’t your youngest daughter always hoped to marry Xu Xiucai and become his bride?”
“Xu Xiucai invited me to his home today specifically to propose this match. Sister-in-law, you should be happy.”
“Xu Xiucai will soon be taking the imperial examinations. If he passes the provincial level and earns the title of juren, how far can the top scholar title be?”
Matchmaker Ge truly didn’t know the situation and spoke without thinking.
“Our Xiaxia has never once thought of becoming Xu Xiucai’s bride. We will not agree to this match.” Wu Zhuxiang couldn’t hold back any longer. Holding her child, she stepped forward to push them away.
Matchmaker Ge was also displeased. What was wrong with the Yu family’s daughter-in-law? How could she physically push people away?
“Oh, sister-in-law, does your Banxia know you’re ruining her good fortune like this?”
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuxiang became even angrier. They had just started to see better days and have hope.
Now Xu Xiucai had to pull this stunt—not coming earlier, not coming later, but right when her Xiaxia had finally changed her mind. He had to come and cause this mess.
Wu Zhuxiang was furious and even more anxious. If Xiaxia found out about this, would she revert to her old ways?
Fan Cuilan was actually somewhat hesitant as well. She was naturally soft-spoken and had only retorted earlier out of anger at Xu Xiucai’s past attitude.
Hearing Matchmaker Ge’s words, she began to waver.
“Then let me tell you, our Xiaxia will not marry.” Madam Wu hurriedly arrived and shouted directly at Matchmaker Ge.
Matchmaker Ge looked at Madam Wu and couldn’t help but shrink back.
Back when she had introduced a simple-minded bride to Yu Banxia’s uncle, she had been thoroughly cursed by Madam Wu, who had almost stormed into her home.
So, seeing Madam Wu arrive, Matchmaker Ge was still somewhat intimidated.
Xu Xiucai also hadn’t expected this reaction from the Yu family, even after he had condescended to come himself. He couldn’t help but grow even angrier.But he put on an excellent facade, bowing and saluting to everyone present.
“Madam Yu, I know my previous hesitation was wrong.”
“Miss Yu and I are truly fond of each other. Earlier, Banxia even attempted self-harm to provide me with travel expenses for the imperial examination, and I feel deeply ashamed.”
“Recently, my mentor assigned a policy essay, and I was buried in writing. It was only yesterday that I learned Banxia nearly lost her life.”
“So last night, I discussed with my mother and came to propose marriage, also to protect Banxia’s reputation.”
“I know my family only has a widowed mother who washes clothes to support me, and life is indeed difficult. But I promise I will treat Banxia well.”