Second Aunt Yang really wasn’t modest.
Her daughter, Li Yun, had married soone from the town, a worker at a textile factory. Zhang Minghua had once ntioned in passing that Cousin Yun had picked out her own suitor. Initially, the man’s parents didn’t want a daughter-in-law from the countryside, but Cousin Yun had skills, and she insisted that he marry no one but her. The wedding was hurried, and Second Aunt Yang even gave away a sewing machine as part of the dowry. However, the bridegroom’s side didn’t offer anything particularly impressive. Overall, the wedding was very low-key, which didn’t seem to match Second Aunt Yang’s showy nature at all.
When Zhang Minghua heard her niece’s words, her expression paused for a mont before she asked about Li Yun, "Why didn’t Xiao Yun co with you? It’s been three or four years since I’ve seen her."
"Oh, she’s too busy. Her husband’s family has many relatives, and her mother-in-law keeps her close to learn things. You see, my Xiao Yun married well, didn’t she? She’s left farming behind, doesn’t have to work the fields, and she’s kept plump and fair. She’s saved up a little money, she can spare ti to make so new clothes, buy a few pounds of at to enjoy. Life like that is beyond what we country folk can even dream of. Yu Aiguo’s family is pretty similar to my son-in-law’s situation. Marrying off is all about living a life of ease." Second Aunt Yang went out of her way to bring up Yu Aiguo.
Third Aunt Chen Zhaodi, sitting not far from Yang PeiMin, seed to have sothing she hesitated to voice. She shifted awkwardly on her seat, and Yang PeiMin happened to catch this gesture. Recalling her words in the kitchen, she said with a laugh to Second Aunt Yang, "Cousin Yun is really accomplished. Among us sisters, she’s certainly the first to do so. Without her, Yingzi wouldn’t have had such an opportunity. Looks like Peidi and Peiyan will have to rely on her to introduce them to so good matches in the future."
Pride was written all over Second Aunt Yang’s face.
Seizing the opportunity, Third Aunt hurriedly said, "Minmin is right, Second Aunt. You see, our Peidi is already nineteen, a year older than Peiying, and there’s not even a hint of a marriage prospect. You must help keep an eye out for us."
Second Aunt Yang turned her head, casting a glance at her sister-in-law with a look of surprise. It was known that she previously wouldn’t dare to speak up like this. It seed that her own influence was vast. Her sister-in-law couldn’t help but speak out, and Second Aunt Yang nodded with a smile, "We’re all relatives after all. If there is a chance, you’ll be the first to know."
"At this point, I’m sowhat puzzled," Yang PeiMin seed to revert to her oblivious and tactless forr self, speaking out of turn, "And don’t be offended by what I’m about to say. You introduced a match for Yingzi, but why didn’t you consider Peidi first? I don’t an anything by it, we’re all family. It’s just out of curiosity, because Peidi is older than Yingzi."
Third Aunt also looked puzzled at Second Aunt Yang.
A look of discomfort crossed Second Aunt Yang’s face, and she glanced at Yang PeiMin with so irritation. Her tone dropped significantly from before, "Minmin, what is this way of speaking? Do you think I play favorites? All you nieces are equal in my heart. But I have my own considerations, there’s propriety in what I do. I thought since Peidi has a younger brother and is in a rush for the mont, it’s better to help out at ho for a few years, which is more important than anything. She can take her ti to choose. Yingzi is different; she’s the youngest in your family and of a suitable age to marry... Speaking of which, I need to put in an extra word, PeiMin. Being married is different from when you were unmarried. It’s lucky for you that we’re among family, and your husband is tolerant, not taking these words to heart. Otherwise, saying things like this might co across as stirring discord between and your Third Aunt, and people would have spit on you. Don’t ever do this again, or it will speak poorly of your parents and their upbringing."
A look of chagrin appeared on Yang PeiMin’s face, "Look at what I’ve said, thankfully, Second Aunt, you’re here to teach . Third Aunt, please don’t take it personally, you watched grow up, and I didn’t an anything by it."
"I don’t mind, I don’t mind; you’re also thinking of your cousin Peidi," Third Aunt hurriedly said. "Actually, I’m quite curious myself. Regarding this matter with Second Aunt, we’re counting on you. If Peidi makes sothing of herself, she’ll certainly not forget you, Second Aunt. We’re not asking for much, just soone like Yingzi’s beau is fine. All her sisters married into the town, isn’t that like having Xiao Yun as company? It’d also an more chances to visit."
Impatience flashed in Second Aunt Yang’s eyes.
Grandma Yang also said, "Your sister-in-law is right, go back and see if your niece Xiao Yun’s husband knows any relatives or friends who are still unmarried and of a suitable age. Look out for your niece, find a few options for her to consider, pick a good one."
Second Aunt Yang hadn’t expected her mother to join in the fuss and couldn’t help but frown. "Mom, do you think choosing a husband is like picking cabbages? Those people have city hukou, jobs, prospects—how could they fancy a countryside girl..." Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Second Aunt quickly tried to fix her blunder, "What I an is, we should be aware of our circumstances. I’ll keep an eye out, but I can’t make any promises. City folks usually prefer city girls. It’s different with my Xiao Yun; she is beautiful, and her in-laws were chard by her. It’s her good fortune and not everyone is as lucky as her..."
Third Aunt was stunned, then began to cry, "Second sister, you can’t disregard our Peidi. In what way is Peidi inferior to anyone else? When it cos to capability, she handles both indoor and outdoor chores perfectly. She’s also skilled in raising livestock—we have two pigs this year, all cared for by her, weighing a total of three hundred pounds. When she earns work points, she’s as good as any man. She’s filial and caring toward her younger brother. Whenever there’s anything tasty at ho, she won’t take a bite, saving it all for her brother. She’s solid and sturdy, and will likely be fertile. How could such a girl be inferior to anyone?" As she spoke these last words, she pointedly looked at Yingzi; it was quite obvious that she was comparing Peidi with Yang Peiying.
Second Aunt Yang rolled her eyes, "Girls like her are a di a dozen in the village..."
"But not every girl in the village has a Second Aunt like you," Third Aunt sobbed.
"Look at this! What’s this crying about during the New Year?" Grandma Yang was dissatisfied.
"It’s not that, Mom. It’s just that what Second Sister said... I feel so upset..."
"Sister-in-law, look at you, getting all petty with your family. With a mother like you by her side, how dare I introduce anyone to Peidi?"
"Ow, it’s all my fault. You’re magnanimous, Second Sister; don’t hold this against . I’ll have Peidi co and kowtow to you, please have pity on her. The eldest brother and sister-in-law are competent, and son-in-law Pei Min is promising too. Yingzi can pick any beau she wants, but our Peidi didn’t get a good lot. Neither her father nor I have any skills... Please, for the sake of the many years we’ve looked after Mom, have pity on our Peidi."
"The more you talk, the more you stray from the point. What attracted them to Yingzi was her craft..."
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