“…That actually makes sense.”
If that was the case, Jiang He thought it sounded acceptable.
It seemed she’d have to find an opportunity to spend some time with Lu Changgeng and see what he thought.
If he was willing, that would be for the best.
“So you can’t sell the house,” Xie Zhao said. “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll figure something out. As for those three hundred and eighty taels…”
A fierce expression spread across his face, making him look every bit like a fearsome outlaw.
“As long as we find the right people using the address in the ledger, I’ll make sure they cough up every last tael they owe.”
But that was a problem for the future.
Right now, they didn’t even have enough money for the journey.
Jiang He took out all the money they had and spread it across the table—broken silver and copper coins alike.
After counting everything, they had four taels of silver and thirty copper coins left.
They had been spending quite a lot recently.
She took out the household ledger and pointed through each expense one by one.
Rice, flour, cooking oil, firewood…
Aside from the cost of their recent trip to Linjiang Prefecture, nearly all of their expenses were daily necessities.
After explaining everything, she sighed.
“Money really disappears fast.”
“I need to visit the grain shop again in the next couple of days and buy as much rice as possible.”
“It’ll still be another two months before the rice harvest around here.”
“A lot of families are already starting to run out of food.”
“We should buy enough grain to last us at least two months.”
Xie Zhao nodded.
“Then we’d better take care of it as soon as possible.”
“Let’s go early tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll help carry it back.”
“No need.”
“I’m buying it from Liu Si’s grain shop.”
“As long as I pay, he’ll deliver it after work.”
“That works too.”
Xie Zhao didn’t think much of it and agreed without another word.
The work of raising roof beams was dangerous.
Many skilled carpenters had been crippled or killed doing it.
But the pay was good.
Without hesitation, Xie Zhao accepted the job.
When Jiang He went to the Liu family’s grain shop, Liu Si’s youngest son was as enthusiastic as ever.
He agreed to deliver the grain after work and even offered to take it over immediately if she was in a hurry.
Jiang He felt rather embarrassed.
She had bought so little that she hardly qualified for delivery service.
Although grain shops did deliver with handcarts, they usually only did so for large purchases.
Smiling, she said,
“Brother Liu Si, I’m not in a hurry.”
“You can bring it over later.”
“Thank you.”
Liu Si scratched the back of his head with a bashful grin.
His father, Old Uncle Liu, smiled from the side.
“No need to thank us.”
“When your parents were alive, they brought our family plenty of business.”
“We’re neighbors.”
“It’s only right that we help each other.”
So…
They were simply taking pity on her because she’d lost both parents.
There really were many kind people in this world.
After finishing her shopping, Jiang He updated her accounts and realized she’d spent another large sum.
Living in the city really was expensive.
Everything cost money.
With Xie Zhao’s monthly wages of only a few hundred copper coins, they could barely keep themselves from starving.
Getting sick wasn’t even an option.
Besides, he couldn’t keep doing this job for another two years.
Once the current project ended, there was no guarantee he’d find another one.
And even if he did…
There was no telling how much it would pay.
Their future felt so uncertain.
Who knew how long it would take before they could even save enough money for the trip to collect those debts?
Toward evening, Liu Si delivered the grain.
In the sweltering heat, he’d carried everything himself and was drenched in sweat.
Jiang He invited him inside for some water.
“Brother Liu Si, come in and sit for a while.”
“I’ll get you a bowl of water.”
“Are you home alone?”
“Yes.”
“My brother’s still at work.”
“Oh…”
“In that case…”
“I won’t trouble you for water.”
“I’ve delivered everything.”
“I should get going.”
Jiang He blinked.
Why did he suddenly refuse the water after hearing Xie Zhao wasn’t home?
“It’s alright.”
“You helped deliver everything.”
“If I can’t even offer you a bowl of water, I’ll be too embarrassed to ask for your help again.”
“W-Well…”
“Alright.”
Unable to refuse after her repeated invitations, Liu Si shyly agreed.
“Then… lead the way.”
“I think I’ll stay out here instead.”
“I’ll just wait here.”
His face was completely red.
Whether from the heat or embarrassment, Jiang He couldn’t tell.
Ancient men really were even shyer than young maidens.
Smiling helplessly, she nodded.
“Alright.”
“Please wait here a moment.”
The Jiang residence consisted of three courtyards.
Liu Si remained seated in a side courtyard near the entrance.
A short while later, Jiang He returned carrying a bowl of water.
After thanking her, Liu Si gulped it down in one breath.
Seeing the empty bowl, Jiang He smiled.
“That probably wasn’t enough.”
“I should’ve brought a bigger bowl.”
“Brother Liu Si, wait just a moment.”
“I’ll get you another.”
Liu Si hurriedly waved his hands.
“No, no.”
“That’s enough.”
“It’s getting late.”
“I should be going.”
He quickly said his goodbyes and left.
After Liu Si had gone, their neighbor, Auntie Zhang, wandered over while cracking sunflower seeds.
“Jiang He.”
“What do you think of Liu Si?”
Jiang He blinked.
“He’s a nice person.”
“Honest and dependable.”
“Exactly.”
“He’s a good man.”
“It’s just a pity…”
“He has three older brothers.”
“And he’s so honest that he probably won’t inherit much from the family.”
Jiang He looked at her blankly.
“What do you mean?”
Auntie Zhang spat out a sunflower seed shell.
“Well, since we’ve already started talking about it, I might as well tell you.”
“The Liu family who owns the grain shop has taken a liking to you.”
“They want their fourth son to marry into your family as a live-in son-in-law.”
Jiang He’s mind went blank.
What?
“They figured your father only recently passed away, so they didn’t think it was appropriate to bring up marriage yet.”
“But they said they’re willing to wait until your mourning period is over.”
“They even asked me a few days ago to act as the matchmaker.”
“Normally I shouldn’t mention marriage before six months have passed since your father’s death…”
“But since the conversation came to this, I just couldn’t keep it to myself.”
Jiang He never expected herself to be such a sought-after bride.
It seemed this three-courtyard mansion really did have its appeal.
But…
When she pictured Liu Si’s rather ordinary appearance…
She simply couldn’t bring herself to feel interested.
“Auntie…”
“Brother Liu Si is already two years older than me.”
“If he waits another three years, won’t he become an old bachelor?”
“We really shouldn’t.”
Auntie Zhang spat another sunflower seed shell onto the ground and widened her eyes.
“Old bachelor?”
“He’s only just come of age!”
“Even if he waits another three years for you, he’ll only be twenty-three.”
“How is that old?”
Jiang He felt that since she had no feelings for him, she shouldn’t let him wait.
Youth was precious in ancient times.
She couldn’t waste someone else’s best years.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to use Xie Zhao as her shield.
“To tell you the truth, Auntie…”
“Before my father passed away, he personally entrusted my marriage to my brother.”
“I can’t decide these things myself.”
“It’s fortunate you mentioned it today.”
“Otherwise, delaying Brother Liu Si would really have been unfair.”
She thought she’d politely refused.
Unfortunately…
Auntie Zhang didn’t seem to hear a word of it.
“That’s only natural.”
“A young lady shouldn’t decide her own marriage.”
“But that’s easy enough.”
“Once six months have passed since your father’s death, I’ll personally speak with young Ziming.”
“…”
Jiang He could only laugh awkwardly.
Fine.
Go ahead and talk to him.
The person Xie Zhao favored was Lu Changgeng.
He would naturally refuse Auntie Zhang’s matchmaking proposal.
Even so…
Jiang He felt she should warn him first.
“If Auntie Zhang brings up my marriage with you, remember to refuse.”
Xie Zhao looked up from his dinner.
“Auntie Zhang wants to arrange a marriage for you?”
“Mm.”
“She mentioned today that Old Liu from the grain shop wants his youngest son to marry into our family.”
“I told her that you were the one who’d decide my marriage, so I turned her down politely.”
“If she asks you about it…”
“Just remember to refuse.”