Chapter 195 – Trouble Arises
The words “good news” drew Ms. Wang’s interest.
Putting down the corn cob she was handling, Ms. Wang dusted off her hands and gave Ms. Hu a look. “Shuxiu’s mother, what’s this great news? Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Ms. Hu glanced at Tian Dazhuang, who was nearby. “Dazhuang’s mother, has your son Dazhuang found a bride yet?”
This topic ignited a fire in Ms. Wang. If it weren’t for her foolish son’s lack of cooperation, the daughter of the Yan family’s third branch could have become her daughter-in-law by now.
“Not yet, Shuxiu’s mother. Why are you suddenly asking about this? Don’t tell me, you want to betroth your daughter Shuxiu to my Dazhuang? He’s strong and healthy, and knows how to treat people well. Shuxiu would be happy if she married him.”
Hearing this, Ms. Hu was slightly displeased and her expression changed. Fearing that Ms. Wang might continue and ruin Shuxiu’s reputation, she quickly interjected: “Dazhuang’s mother, indeed, I have come to propose a match for Dazhuang, but not with my daughter Shuxiu.”
Her daughter Shuxiu was a precious young lady; how could she possibly marry someone like Tian Dazhuang, a mere country bumpkin?
“Not your Shuxiu?” Ms. Wang’s smile faded.
“Then whose daughter are you talking about?”
Ms. Hu replied with a smile, “My elder brother’s daughter.”
Ms. Wang, thinking she had misheard, quickly cleaned out her ears. “Shuxiu’s mother, who did you say again? I didn’t hear clearly.”
“My elder brother’s daughter, the eldest young lady of the Yan family, Yan Shujing.”
This time, Ms. Wang heard clearly. She thought for a moment, looking at Ms. Hu suspiciously. Ms. Hu wouldn’t even marry off Shuxiu, yet Yan Shujing was the cherished eldest daughter of the Yan family. She was raised with great care and was talented and beautiful. How could the Yan family possibly allow her to marry Dazhuang?
“Shuxiu’s mother, are you joking with me? Yan Shujing is the Yan family’s eldest daughter. How could Old Master Yan and Ms. Jiang allow her to marry into our family?”
Ms. Hu sighed slightly, “After this year, Shujing will be twenty years old. No matter how pretty or talented, she is still an old maid and not worth much. My father-in-law and Ms. Jiang are worried she’s getting too old to marry off. That’s why they sent me to inquire about your willingness. Dazhuang’s mother, do you agree to this marriage? Give me a straightforward answer so I can report back to my father-in-law and Ms. Jiang.”
Realizing that this was Old Master Yan and Ms. Jiang’s intention, Ms. Wang was overjoyed.
Ms. Wang, thrilled, asked Ms. Hu, “Shuxiu’s mother, how much dowry will the Yan family provide for the eldest daughter’s marriage to our family?”
The Yan family was wealthy, and a generous dowry could turn their fortunes around.
Ms. Hu confidently declared, “Our Yan family never skimps on a dowry when marrying off a daughter.”
With the promise of a substantial dowry, Ms. Wang didn’t hesitate, “Alright, let’s exchange betrothal gifts soon and settle the matter.”
Tian Dazhuang, who had been listening, finally understood Ms. Hu and his mother’s intentions. Marrying the delicate and pampered eldest daughter of the Yan family, Yan Shujing, was something he couldn’t handle.
Ms. Wang hadn’t finished speaking when he interrupted, “Mother, I’m not worthy of the Yan family’s eldest daughter. Please decline this marriage proposal for me.”
Ms. Wang, however, was reluctant to refuse such a favorable marriage proposal.
Ms. Wang walked over to Tian Dazhuang angrily and grabbed his ear. “The Yan family’s eldest daughter is beautiful and talented. In what way is she not suitable for you?”
Tian Dazhuang winced in pain and replied with a grimace, “Mother, I’m just a simple man, it’s me who’s not worthy of the Yan family’s eldest daughter.”
“The Yan family’s old master and old lady have agreed, what’s there for you to worry about? Just listen to your mother and wait to be the groom,” she insisted.
Suddenly, the image of Yan Xiaosi’s lively face flashed through Tian Dazhuang’s mind, making him angry. He jerked his head, freeing his ear from Ms. Wang’s grip.
“Mother, no matter what you say, I won’t marry the Yan family’s eldest daughter. If you like her so much, you marry her,” he retorted, leaving a harsh word for Ms. Hu before striding out.
Tian Dazhuang had rarely defied Ms. Wang from childhood, but today, he had blatantly disrespected her in front of an outsider, infuriating her to the point of twisting her face in rage.
Seeing Tian Dazhuang storm out, Ms. Wang grabbed a broom and chased after him, scolding as she went, “You ungrateful brat, how dare you talk to your mother like that! The Yan family’s eldest daughter is so beautiful. If I were a man, I would definitely marry her.”
Unfortunately, she couldn’t catch up and watched helplessly as Tian Dazhuang ran out of the house.
Seeing her return with the broom, Ms. Hu said, “Dazhuang’s mother, is this marriage happening or not? If Dazhuang disagrees, I can ask the Chen family.”
Fearing that Yan Shujing might be taken by the Chen family, Ms. Wang hurriedly replied, “Yes, of course. Children’s marriages are arranged by their parents. Now that I’ve agreed, Dazhuang won’t dare to say anything.”
Ms. Hu smiled slyly, “Since your family has agreed, I will go back and share the good news with my father-in-law and Ms. Jiang..”
“Alright, Shuxiu’s mother, take care, and please visit us again when you have time.”
After leaving the house, Tian Dazhuang wandered around the village, afraid to return in case Ms. Hu was still there and his mother hadn’t calmed down yet. Not sure about what to do, he headed straight for Big Sister Peak.
In a cave on Big Sister Peak, Yan Xiaosi’s family was preparing food for the next day. The craftsmen would arrive early in the morning, so they needed to prepare the cabbage, pork, and chopped ginger and garlic for dumpling fillings in advance. Fortunately, it was deep autumn, and the cool mountain temperatures meant the fillings wouldn’t spoil overnight.
Ms. Zhong and Yan Shuxue were in the cave, singeing the hair off pork skin with hot pincers, while Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuqin were washing cabbages by a mountain stream. Hearing footsteps, Yan Xiaosi turned and saw Tian Dazhuang approaching.
From a distance, Yan Xiaosi noticed Tian Dazhuang’s unusually troubled expression. His honest face was clouded with worry, a sign that something serious had happened.
“Brother Dazhuang, what’s wrong? You look upset. Did someone cheat you out of money, or something else?”
Tian Dazhuang gave a bitter smile and joined them in washing the cabbages. “Xiaosi, I’m really troubled, please don’t make fun of me.”
