Gu Jinli was very happy, her eldest sister has waited for several years, and finally this moment has arrived.
She knew that her eldest sister has always liked Brother Luo Wu. Back then, when she said she would keep her heart and that it didnât matter whom she married, it was only to avoid causing trouble for the family.
Fortunately, her eldest sister and Brother Luo Wu ended up together. The two grew up together, liked each other, and were wholeheartedly devoted to one anotherâhow wonderful.
Ms. Chu was like Mrs. Cui, shedding tears of joy. But her tears were so overwhelming they couldnât be stopped.
Mrs. Chen, seeing this, glanced sideways and said: "Sister-in-law Luo, why are you crying on such a festive day? Anyone unaware might think your household is hosting a funeral instead of..."
"Shut up!" Ms. Chu shouted urgently, cutting off Mrs. Chen, glaring at her, "Today is the big day for Sister Xiu and Brother Wuâs betrothal ceremony. If you dare say something inauspicious, Iâll have the wives of the escort masters come over and beat you up three meals a day!"
Mrs. Chen was dumbfounded, not expecting Ms. Chu to shout at her and even threaten her, so she said in shock: "Sister-in-law Luo, I was just saying casually, you really took it seriously."
She was a gossip, known for spouting inappropriate comments. She hadnât seen Ms. Chu cry so fiercely before, and couldnât hold her tongue, wanting to chime in.
Ms. Chu coldly replied: "Just saying casually? Today is the big day for Sister Xiu and Brother Wu, is it a time for casual remarks?"
Are you asking for a beating?
Mrs. Chen had always been quite afraid of Ms. Chu, knowing Ms. Chu wasnât as easygoing as Mrs. Cui, so she dared not utter a word, and apologized to Ms. Chu: "Sister-in-law Luo, calm down, I wonât dare again."
Ms. Chu valued Gu Jinxiu and Luo Wuâs big day greatly, and only let Mrs. Chen go after she said nine auspicious words.
Then she continued watching Luo Wu and Gu Jinxiu... shedding tears of joy.
Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes, how come you can cry on your festive day and I canât say a word of dissent, truly using your power to bully.
However, Mrs. Chen knew she couldnât handle Ms. Chu, and to avoid having her face slapped, she happily forgave Ms. Chu and ran off to chat with Second Mrs. Xu.
The Xu Family also had people coming today, Xu Zhong came along with Second Mrs. Xu.
"Linglong, finally youâre here, Auntie has missed you dearly." After greeting Second Mrs. Xu, Mrs. Chen pulled Xu Zhong to talk: "The two silk flowers you sent are so pretty, Auntie likes them a lot, and even Brother Xing said he likes them very much."
Hearing Mrs. Chen mention the silk flowers and Gu Dexing, Xu Zhongâs face turned red, and she shyly said to Mrs. Chen: "If Aunt Gu likes them, Linglong will make you silk flowers of other styles."
Mrs. Chen laughed: "I like them, but donât bother making other styles; no style is as pretty as the lotus, unless you make them look like mandarin ducks, then they might be prettier than the lotus."
Once said, everyone understood what Mrs. Chen meant.
Second Mrs. Xu was very happy; indeed, bringing Linglong was the right decision.
Originally, she didnât plan to bring Linglong because after subtly hinting to Mrs. Chen last time, Gu Dexingâs family hadnât shown any signs. She had nearly given up when she received a Dragon Boat Festival gift from Mrs. Chen.
Yet, the Dragon Boat Festival gift was sent jointly with Gu Jinâanâs and Qi Kangmingâs families, showing no other signs regarding the marriage for the two families.
Second Mrs. Xu was puzzled by Mrs. Chen, feeling like guessing riddles, having no clue what Mrs. Chen actually meant.
Happy or not, at least give a hint.
No hint was given, just when her family was about to give up, Mrs. Chen sent them two generous Dragon Boat Festival gifts.
Actually, Mrs. Chen was misunderstood.
Mrs. Chen had already discussed with Gu Dafu and Gu Dexing, and they are all willing. Itâs just that preparing things and finding someone to propose takes time, and the Gu Family had encountered the mountain bandit issue, so Luo Wu advised them against going out. Mrs. Chen had to bear it for now, even the Dragon Boat Festival gifts were sent together with other families by servants.
Xu Zhong was convinced by Second Mrs. Xuâs sight of those two Dragon Boat Festival gifts, deciding to come to the Gu Family to attend Gu Jinxiuâs betrothal ceremony.
Xu Zhong said, considering Mrs. Chenâs stinginess, if she sent one Dragon Boat Festival gift to Xu Family and then another gift for their second branch, it surely meant something.
No matter if guessed correctly, attending Gu Jinxiuâs betrothal ceremony had no disadvantage. If they came and Mrs. Chen still showed no indication, it wouldnât be too late to give up.
Unexpectedly, they were right to come, Mrs. Chen was exceptionally welcoming to them, not leaving out Gu Dexing and objects implying marriage in her conversation, making Xu Zhongâs face red.
Mrs. Chen held Xu Zhongâs hand and said with a laugh: "Look at our Linglong, such a beautiful girl, her face is as red as a fruit. My nephew Brother Xing loves eating fruits, if he sees you, he will surely like you."
Second Mrs. Xu was shocked, hinting is enough, donât be so blunt. The marriage isnât settled yet, with how youâre speaking, I am beginning to suspect youâre being indecent.
Gu Jinli was sitting in the flower hall, hearing Mrs. Chen shout about how much she liked Xu Zhong, and looking at Second Mrs. Xuâs expression, she was genuinely worried Second Mrs. Xu might, in a moment of weakness, beat Mrs. Chen like a rogue.
That wasnât the most outrageous moment; the most outrageous moment was when Mrs. Chen actually learned a trick from back courtyard women, sending Gui Niu to find Gu Dexing, telling him to bring two pottery basins to Gu Jinliâs house kitchen so that when guests leave, they can divide leftover meat and dishes and take them home to eat.
In the countryside, after banquets, leftovers are usually divided among relatives to take home. Gu Dexing thought it too rushed to prepare dividing leftovers before guests left but didnât suspect anything, going home to fetch two pottery basins.
However, as soon as he entered the courtyard of Gu Jinliâs kitchen, he was greeted by Xu Zhong.
"Oh, Brother Xing is here." Mrs. Chen excitedly, like a matchmaking matchmaker, while holding Xu Zhongâs hand, pointed at Gu Dexing and said: "This is my nephew Gu Dexing. What a coincidence, meeting him while fetching two bowls of soy milk from the kitchen, itâs truly fate."
Gu Jinli and Gui Niu were watching the situation nearby and almost laughed out loud.
What fate?
What serendipity?
This forced encounter is something nobody would believe.
Xu Zhong naturally didnât believe Mrs. Chenâs nonsense, but she was a young lady, and her family took a liking to Gu Dexing; barring unexpected events, the marriage between the two families should work out.
Thus, she dared not speak nor look at Gu Dexing, blushing and lowering her head.
Gu Dexing wasnât stupid, knowing Mrs. Chen well, and seeing the situation knew it was his second aunt intentionally arranging a meeting with Xu Zhong.
But he was holding two pottery basins; how did he offer a gesture of greeting to the Xu Family girl in this manner?!
Mrs. Chen also noticed Gu Dexingâs awkwardness but felt it wasnât a problem. She quickly snatched the two pottery basins from Gu Dexingâs hands and said, "Brother Xing, what are you standing there for? Quickly present a meeting gift to Linglong girl."