The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1652 - 1646: Marriage Arrangement

As soon as the girl was born, she quickly became Wang Yongping’s favorite, pampered like no other.

She was always held in Liu Xiaoqiao’s arms, and Liu Xiaoqiao carefully put her down at this moment.

The little girl had been asleep earlier but was awakened by Brother Rong’s voice. Fortunately, she had always been good-tempered; even when awakened, she did not cry or fuss, but was now just rubbing her eyes.

Upon hearing Liu Xiaoqiao ask her to kowtow, she vaguely kneeled down to kowtow. However, she couldn’t stand stable and fell forward, rolling directly like a red ball, and suddenly stopped right in front of Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang saw the red ball rolling before her and couldn’t help but reach out to block it.

Little girl Jinsui was stopped and still looked dazed, foolishly staring at Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang was amused by the little girl and couldn’t help but pick her up, dusting off the dirt from her body, holding her in her arms. After carefully observing her for a bit, she smiled and said, "This little girl looks quite similar to her aunt when she was young—"

With that, she took out a pouch from her bosom and handed it to little girl Jinsui.

The little girl didn’t dare to take it, just turned to look at her mother Liu Xiaoqiao.

Liu Xiaoqiao nodded, and only then did Jinsui take the pouch, bowing her hands and mumbling, "Red—Festive—Flower—Prosperity—"

Everyone was stunned, what did that mean?

It was Liu Xiaoqiao who embarrassingly explained, "This girl saw her two brothers wish Fourth Brother and me a Happy New Year during the New Year, and the New Year’s money was packed in pouches. Her two brothers said ’Gongxi Facai,’ so we gave them pouches, and she remembered it—"

This explanation made everyone laugh.

The slight distance and awkwardness among the family suddenly vanished completely.

Old Granny Zhang found herself in a better mood looking at little Jinsui and then called Jindao along with his brothers and Brother Rong to come closer. After taking a closer look, she asked a couple of questions.

Then she gave each one a pouch as a meeting gift from the grandmother and great-grandmother.

Jinguan, Jinhua, and Jinpan finally approached, once again paying their respects.

Old Granny Zhang was reluctant to look at her annoying sons. She used to find them acceptable, but having not seen them for years, one became visibly aged, one got fat as if carrying a five-to-six-month pregnancy, and another with a beard all over his face had no notable progress, meeting her daughter and her like a fool.

Really, just looking at them was irritating!

However, Jinguan seemed more mature and sensible than before, asked him a few more questions, learned he was at the marriageable age, and queried if he had made any arrangements.

Although Jinguan was more mature, he was still a young man. Upon hearing about this matter of finding a wife, he couldn’t help but show a difficult expression as if having something unspeakable.

It was Jinhua beside him who explained on his behalf, "He has his eye on a girl from a family, but the eldest uncle disagrees and won’t relent."

Old Granny Zhang asked, which family’s girl did Jinguan set his sights on?

Jinguan only hesitantly revealed, she is not from the local area, but the daughter of a traveling merchant.

In recent years, the mountain goods business of Wang Family has changed, with most of the precious ones being sold first to Boss Zhang.

The remaining ordinary mountain goods were not much needed by Boss Zhang, and over the years, they’ve been sold to other merchants gradually.

One such merchant was among them, always offering fair prices, and having been a stable partner with Wang Family for years.

This merchant’s surname is Zhao, with an only daughter, and wife who passed away two years ago. Unwilling to leave his daughter alone in their hometown, he takes her with him when traveling.

She is now fifteen years old, which is the age for matchmaking.

Merchant Zhao is worried about his daughter’s marriage and occasionally hears that Jinguan from Wang Family’s Main Wife is looking for a marriage match, immediately invigorated by this news.

Knowing the Wang Family’s business, which is well-off, and protected by noble patron relatives.

Though seemingly ordinary now, it is indeed a solid marriage alliance.

With only one daughter under his knees, lacking an heir, he planned to recruit a son-in-law, but the eligible suitors looked down upon them.

The willing sons-in-law were all unworthy, and he wouldn’t let his precious flower-like daughter be ruined by such people.

Where Jinguan was concerned, he was decent-looking and good at managing business, truly a fine candidate for a son-in-law.

However, families of such caliber naturally wouldn’t want bridal sons-in-law.

Trader Zhao gritted his teeth, trying to associate with the noble patron behind Wang Family, asked the matchmaker to convey the message, saying it’s marrying off the daughter, not recruiting son-in-law, and all Zhao’s estate would be given to the couple.

Only one request, if their daughter gives birth to more than two sons in the future, one should bear the Zhao surname, that is all.

Wang Yongfu originally disagreed. Their Wang Family was never destitute enough to have sons become bridal sons-in-law, let alone now with the family’s improved conditions, many good girls waiting for them to choose from, why opt for Zhao Family?

Though it sounded good, why should Wang Family’s grandson bear the Zhao surname without needing support?

Wang Family members thought likewise, initially crossed Zhao Family off the list.

However, Zhao Family merchant was unwilling to give up, orchestrated for his daughter to meet with Jinguan.

After Jinguan met her, he thought it over for a few days upon returning and then actively sought Wang Yongfu to express his desire to settle with Zhao Family’s daughter.

Wang Yongfu almost fainted with anger, picked up a stick, and beat Jinguan half to death, declaring he’d rather Jinguan remains a bachelor for life than be a bridal son-in-law to Zhao Family.

He questioned further, given the family conditions weren’t inhibiting his ability to marry, why lower oneself? Was it unbearable at home or did someone say anything behind the scenes?

Jinguan only mentioned liking Zhao Family’s daughter for her beauty, besides, Zhao Family stated clearly it’s marrying the daughter not recruiting son-in-law, future sons could have one surname Zhao, what’s wrong?

Putting forth that statement infuriated Wang Yongfu even more, and he stated outright unless it’s him, otherwise, forget about the marriage.

The father and son have been at odds for half a year now, neither relenting.

Old Granny Zhang listened to this, went silent for a while.

Jinguan expressed this hoping Old Granny Zhang would intervene decisively to persuade Wang Yongfu into agreeing to the marriage.

But seeing Old Granny Zhang remained silent, he wanted to plead a few words, looking up into her seemingly amused yet knowing gaze. Suddenly, his spine felt chilled, his plan quickly dissipated, obediently stood aside. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Old Granny Zhang moved on to ask about Jinhua’s marriage matter, nodding satisfactorily.

The Lizheng is a decent individual, the family has good customs, and she met Lizheng’s sister before.

Though somewhat fierce, also not unreasonable. Considering Wang Family’s status in Qilidun, even Lizheng might yield a bit, hence Lizheng’s sister is unlikely to act like a lofty mother-in-law towards Jinhua.

As for Jinpan, currently studying, already exhibiting certain scholarly qualities, behaving and speaking in ways different from Wang Family’s other children.

Old Granny Zhang merely asked a few questions as she didn’t understand academics, thus left it at that.

Asked several questions, spoke some words, and the sun set, shed a red glow across the sky.

Yao Da then reported, stating dinner was ready, inquiring where to set it up.

Wang Yongzhu looked at the sky’s color, noting it was still bright before dark.

Decisively said, "Set it up in the yard, how convenient!"

Upon hearing this, Yao Da led a team of guards to set up tables and chairs in the yard, with several maids and old ladies arranging bowls and chopsticks, delectable dishes laid out like flowing water.