Chapter 1057: Setting the Date

"Third Aunt, don’t worry." Mrs. Cui supported Third Grandma, patting her back to soothe her, then spoke to Mrs. Chen: "Little Sister-in-law Da Gui, Second Mrs. Xu said Miss Xu’s nickname is Linglong. It’s a wonderful name; just hearing it makes one like her. By then, Brother Xing can call her Linglong. Miss Xu has a good appearance and temper, she’s generous, understanding, and respects elders. She won’t look down on us country folks, much better than Xu Ling."

She continued: "Our families have just become wealthy and lack deep roots. Many wealthy young women will disdain us, but Miss Xu doesn’t have such disdain, which shows she has long-term vision. Marrying such a wife can benefit three generations."

Choose a wise wife, and Miss Xu Zhong is precisely a wise and generous good girl.

Mrs. Chen was still a bit dissatisfied: "Xu Zhong is sensible, but what use is sensible? Her family is the second branch, they won’t get much inheritance."

The conversation was really about disliking that Xu Zhong’s family couldn’t inherit from the Xu family, typical of snubbing the poor and loving the rich.

Gu Jinli said to Erqing: "Go ask Da Tuan if the Xu housekeeper left any messages?"

Since it hints at a marriage proposal, the male servants should leave some words too.

"Okay." Erqing left the flower hall to find Da Tuan for inquiries and indeed got a crucial message, returning to tell Gu Jinli: "Young Master, Da Tuan said Xu’s housekeeper inadvertently mentioned that Old Master Xu was going to divide the estate. He said Old Master Xu, having been angered by the first branch’s failure to properly educate Xu Ling, decided the first branch would only inherit forty percent of the estate, with the remaining sixty percent divided equally between the second and third branches. Being the first granddaughter of the Xu family, Old Master Xu would also give Miss Xu additional dowry."

"What? Are you serious?" Mrs. Chen rushed over, grabbing Erqing’s hand to ask: "Is it true the Xu family’s second branch can really get thirty percent of the estate, and Old Master Xu will give Xu Zhong more dowry? How much more? Is there a specific number?"

Oh dear, if that’s the case, then marrying Xu Zhong wouldn’t be too bad.

Erqing nodded: "That’s what Da Tuan said. If you don’t believe it, you can personally ask him. As for how much more dowry, it’s the top share among the Xu family’s daughters."

The top share among Xu family’s daughters indeed, Mrs. Chen’s eyes lit up, but she still asked: "Is it more than Xu Ling’s?"

Erqing nodded: "Yes, it’s more than Xu Ling’s."

"Really? Oh dear, that’s wonderful. Xu Ling, that insolent girl’s mood is terrible; she ought to be taught a lesson this way." Mrs. Chen was satisfied but still somewhat disdainful of Xu Zhong: "Second branch, if a division happens, it wouldn’t be worth much; after all, collateral is never as good as the direct line."

"Xiao Ji, go get the broom, this old lady will beat this clueless one today!" Third Grandma couldn’t stand it anymore, directly grabbing the broom to hit Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen quickly begged for mercy: "Please don’t be angry, I’m just trying to find Brother Xing a better wife, comparing is only natural... Wait, don’t hit!"

Third Grandma was so upset by Mrs. Chen that she didn’t want to move, supported by Mrs. Cui to sit on the chair, saying: "Dashan’s wife, you talk to her, I can’t speak any longer."

Mrs. Cui laughed and handed Third Grandma a bowl of soy milk, saying: "Please don’t be angry, let Xiao Yu talk to Little Sister-in-law Da Gui."

Little Sister-in-law Da Gui was rightfully afraid of Xiao Yu, so when Xiao Yu spoke, she would listen.

Third Grandma said: "Fine, let Xiao Yu speak."

Gu Jinli was reluctant to waste words with Mrs. Chen, directly saying: "Xu Zhong is fine, she can stabilize the household. If Brother Dexing marries her, not only will he not need to worry about family affairs, but when he becomes an official, Xu Zhong can help him strategize. As for collateral and direct lines, you’re yourself collateral, so disdainful of yourself, I have nothing to say."

Mrs. Chen was choked by the words.

Mrs. Cui said: "Xiao Yu is right, whether life is good or not doesn’t depend on collateral or direct lines, it lies in the people... Though the Xu family’s first branch has Xu Zhao Ming, Xu Zhao Ming’s parents are unclear; otherwise, they wouldn’t have educated Xu Ling this way. The Xu family’s second branch is pretty good, Ms. Lu is such a good person."

Third Grandma tired of seeing Mrs. Chen any longer and said angrily: "Hurry up and leave, we still have to host the Qin and Luo families, have no time for you."

She added: "Regarding Miss Xu’s matter, you and your husband should tell Da Fu today, whether it can succeed is up to Da Fu and Brother Xing. If you don’t want to propose, this old lady will take the matchmaker herself; if you dare to hide it, I’ll tear you apart."

Mrs. Chen saw Third Grandma and Gu Jinli were both angry and hurriedly said: "Don’t be angry, I know the importance, I’ll go back immediately to talk to Da Gui, and wait for the elder brother and Brother Xing to come back, then go with Da Gui to find them and discuss the Xu family’s matter."

Hearing this, Third Grandma’s anger subsided a bit, pointing at two boxes of gifts: "These two boxes are apologies from the Xu family, take them quickly."

She couldn’t help adding: "Look at how well the Xu family manages, their apologies to you are as much as Dashan’s family, just count your blessings."

If she messed up Brother Xing’s marriage, she’d fight her!

Mrs. Chen heard and her eyes lit up, without staying any longer, calling Tian Xiaohua: "Xiao Hua come over, help Aunt carry the gifts back."

Third Grandma glared at her: "You only know how to make others work."

Tian Xiaohua didn’t mind, laughing and saying to Third Grandma: "Helping Aunt Gui with some work, no big deal. Grandma, you don’t need to worry."

As she spoke, she took the largest box and walked away, not forgetting to say to Gu Jinli: "Sister Xiao Yu, I’m heading back, I’ll come find you to learn tomorrow."

Sister Xiao Yu’s family wants to discuss the engagement gifts, so she didn’t want to stay long.

"Alright, come whenever you want tomorrow." Gu Jinli liked Tian Xiaohua very much; she was sensible, hardworking, and not annoying. Seeing Tian Xiaohua busy with serious work, she often left wisely.

"I’m leaving, or my mother will start scolding me." Luo Huiniang waved to Gu Jinli and Gu Jinxiu and left with Tian Xiaohua carrying the boxes.

Mrs. Chen was unhappy, muttering: "Huiniang, this girl is so oblivious, only two boxes, doesn’t know to come and carry one, insists on carrying with Xiao Hua."

But she didn’t dare to say it too loudly, taking the boxes back.

After they left, Mrs. Cui said to Zhu Chahua: "Chahua, take Xiaoxue and divide the gifts from the Xu family, then send them to several families."

"Okay." Zhu Chahua responded, taking Tong Xiaoxue to move the gifts to the side hall to organize.

Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli were urged by Mrs. Cui to return to the residential courtyard: "You two stay in the boudoir today, by then the female elders from the groom’s family will visit you in the boudoir. Don’t think it’s a hassle, it’s a tradition, can’t skip."

After speaking, she specially looked at Gu Jinli, making Gu Jinli feel resigned: "Brother Qin’s family has no female elders, no one to visit me."

Mrs. Cui said: "Your Aunt Luo will help the Qin family see; you just stay home, the pharmaceutical workshop can wait until tomorrow."

Gu Jinli had no choice but to bring Erqing and Xiao Ji back to the room, continuing to wrestle with the piled-up ledgers.

Mrs. Cui and Third Grandma went to prepare the dinner for hosting the Qin and Luo families.

Gu Jin’an and Brother Cheng kept in mind the timing of the two families’ visits, hurried home before the hour of the monkey, changing into clean and festive clothes to wait.