Master San had just passed the age of thirty, with a tall and handso stature, and a graceful deanor, and held the title of Scholar. After the death of his wife, there was no shortage of familiar families proposing marriage on his behalf, but worrying about his young daughter being mistreated, and not having t soone who truly appealed to his heart, he let the matter drag on.
The first ti Master San t Lixiu, he was moved by her calm and gentle deanor, feeling an awakening of affection like that of a young boy. Of course, he was not really a young boy and would not act timid and cautious like one, nor would he probe with ambiguity. After confirming his own feelings, he promptly found an opportunity to et Lixiu and expressed his admiration for her.
Lixiu had never considered remarrying, even if she thought well of Master San, she did not entertain any distant thoughts, but she did not expect Master San to be so bold and direct.
However, the flowers had intentions, but the flowing water was heartless. Lixiu decisively rejected Master San and henceforth avoided him whenever possible, taking a detour. If there truly was no way to avoid him, she would rely nod from a distance, cold yet polite, giving Master San no opportunity to speak.
Master San had no choice, and could not turn this issue into a scandal, lest he damage the reputation of the woman he admired. Thus, he had no choice but to seek out Mrs. Zeng for her help in brokering the matter.
The families of Zeng and San were neighbors, separated only by a wall, and Mrs. Zeng, not being of the sa generation, usually treated Master San as a junior. Knowing him to be a reliable person and not one of frivolity or superficiality, she readily agreed to help, planning to find an opportunity to ntion it to Lizhong first.
Lizhong was always at the rice shop, only returning ho for festivals and holidays, which made it difficult for Mrs. Zeng to find the right occasion. Fortunately, with the minor New Year’s festival just over ten days away, she intended to feel out the situation on that day. If Lizhong had no objections, everything else would be much easier.
Running all the way ho, Lixiu caught her breath, her heart pounding a fraction faster than usual. She had no feelings for Master San, but his boldness worried her he might say sothing inappropriate to Mrs. Zeng, prompting her to leave quickly without eting anyone.
"Auntie, why have you co back so soon? Did Master San say anything for you to bring back?"
Seeing her aunt returning so quickly, clearly without ti for a private conversation with Master San, Liyan couldn’t help feeling sowhat disappointed, yet she still harbored a glimr of hope as she tentatively asked.
Liyan was unaware of the hurt her aunt had once suffered; she simply thought that her aunt still held onto feelings for Zhang Ming and hoped she could move on and find true happiness. In her view, Master San was a suitable choice.
"No, no, Master San didn’t say anything." Concerned that her niece might detect sothing amiss, Lixiu suppressed the slight turmoil in her heart and responded as usual.
But what she thought she concealed well was already known to Liyan, who wholeheartedly approved and eagerly wished the two of them could co together.
Upon hearing this, Liyan dared not inquire further and could only say, "That’s alright, if there’s anything important, he’ll co and speak to Sister Yanyan in person."
At these words, Liyan suddenly changed the subject, asking, "Auntie, why don’t you think Master San, with his fine conditions, has taken another wife?"
Lixiu, wanting to avoid any topic related to Master San, rarely showed disapproval, but upon hearing her niece raise the subject, she put on a stern face and scolded, "Master San is neither kith nor kin to us. What does his marriage have to do with us? You’d be better off spending your free ti practicing your needlework than concerning yourself with unrelated people."
To see one who seldom showed anger now putting on a stern face was much more intimidating than from those who were frequently angry. Confronted with her aunt’s reaction, Liyan turned ek and dared not speak further.
Picking up her needle and thread, Lixiu continued her unfinished screen, but her heart could not quiet down as she thought of those persistent eyes...
On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, it was a very auspicious day, suitable for weddings.
That day was Tie Tou’s wedding, and the Wu family’s door was opened early to welco the villagers coming to congratulate.
Although the Wu family had no relatives, they had good relations with many families in the village. With these people coming to watch the ceremony and offer congratulations, the atmosphere was lively and far from desolate,
The sales of vegetables from the greenhouse had brought benefits to most families in the village, making them much more generous with social reciprocation. For the Wu family’s celebration, the gift money alone amounted to nearly Ten Taels of silver, sothing unimaginable in the past. With that silver, the Wu family could afford twenty tables of high-quality feasts.
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