Li Hua beamed as she sputtered out a string of compliments. Once she was done, she smiled at Miao Cui Lan. She looked proud of herself as if she was waiting for Miao Cui Lan to stand up, shocked and pleased with her and her ancestors.
However, Miao Cui Lan was merely a little startled as she smiled back. She asked curtly, “The Master and Mistress of Zhou Family, you say? I did hear about them—”
“Who else can they be?” Li Hua beamed, “The Zhou Family is very rich, and they’re a very kind family. How could anyone in Gu Xi Town not hear of the Zhou Family? Whoever is married into that family would be so lucky and she would become the envy of many people!”
Miao Cui Lan was getting annoyed at her enthusiasm as she smiled blandly, “Indeed, the Zhou Family is truly prestigious. Since my family is a small household, how can we be good enough for them?”
Miao Cui Lan spoke faster to finish her sentence when she noticed that Li Hua was about to interrupt her.
Li Hua’s expression showed no disappointment because she had gotten used to this after more than ten years of matchmaking. She knew that they might be an ordinary family, but they had a Juren as their uncle. How could they not use that to bargain for a better husband for their daughter?
Li Hua smiled, “Tsk, that’s where you’re wrong! Your family isn’t some ordinary household. Hoho, you’re the most well-off family in Feng Ye Village! Besides, your eldest daughter is brilliant. If you say that she’s not good enough for someone that good, I’m afraid that you as her mother do not have the heart to send her away. They say that the groom must marry one with a lower status while the bride should marry someone better than her. This saying is not at all wrong! I was told by the teachers in the academy that the Zhou Family’s Young Master excels in his studies. Moreover, he has his uncle who’s an officer to guide him, making sure that he will definitely be successful in the future. In that case, your eldest daughter would be one without hardships.”
Of course, everyone loved hearing compliments, including Miao Cui Lan who loved her daughter. Even though she did not fully trust Li Hua’s words, she could not help smiling at her words, “Since you mentioned it, let’s be frank. As parents, we can only pray that our children can live happily in a well-off family. Haha, as for living luxuriously, our family might not be lucky enough to be living luxuriously. This is not something we’ll be able to handle!”
“Mistress Lu…”
“Li Hua, I’m really sorry to disappoint you, but my girl is very gentle and shy. She really isn’t suitable to marry into a prestigious family like the Zhou’s. I don’t think she has the ability to fit into a family like that. I think you can forget about this proposal. I’m really sorry to trouble you, but please let the Master and Mistress of the Zhou Family know of this. I’m very grateful for your work!” Miao Cui Lan smiled apologetically and thrust a small red packet into Li Hua’s hands.
When Li Hua realized that Miao Cui Lan really rejected the proposal, she was a little startled, but not disappointed. After all, matchmaking was just like any other business. A settlement would require negotiations. All she needed to do was to come again another day.
As Miao Cui Lan made it obvious to see her out, she rose and nodded with a smile. Kindly accepting the red packet, she grinned at Miao Cui Lan, “Alright, I’ll head back so as to not take up more of your time. Hehe, I think you shouldn’t make your decision so quickly. You should think about it and discuss it with your husband first. I’ll send your word to the Zhou Family and see if they have anything else to say. After all, this is something good and everyone should give it more thought. It would be perfect if we could accommodate both families!”
Li Hua chuckled as she rambled on while walking out, leaving no gap for Miao Cui Lan to say anything.
Although Miao Cui Lan was a talkative person, having met with Li Hua, she had no chance of speaking. She could only speak when she was given the opening to say anything.
If Lu Xiao Shu were there, she would definitely have thought that “an amatuer is no match for a professional.”
Li Hua obviously meant that she would be making another trip to their house. Miao Cui Lan sighed lightly as she contemplated. She thought about it and decided that it would be best to wait for her husband to return and discuss with him. She should also have someone inquire about the Zhou Family and the Zhou Family’s Young Master.
Perhaps, it could be a good match!
Miao Cui Lan daydreamed for a moment before changing into some old clothes. Then, she headed to the backyard to continue her work.
Lu Xiao Shu, who loved to gossip, ran over to her mother enthusiastically when she saw her mother coming back and asked who came over. Why was there such a weird accent? And what did they talk about?
Miao Cui Lan grinned at her, “Geez, you’re so little and already so busybody! It’s just a woman selling random trinkets. What is there to talk about?”
She mumbled some excuses to cover up what happened as both mother and daughter got back to work.
When they retreated to their bedrooms, it was the dead of the night when Miao Cui Lan told Lu Zhong everything that happened in the day.
Lu Zhong was relieved to hear his wife rejecting the proposal. He nodded and sighed, “ You are right. All our daughter needs is a well-off family and a peaceful life. It would be better not to get involved with those families of squires or lords.
“Yet I feel that it’s a pity to reject it!” Miao Cui Lan countered.
Lu Zhong smiled, “Look at yourself! You can be brilliant for a moment, but you confuse yourself sometimes. You should know that every matchmaker on Earth knows how to twist the truth to put up a perfect show. Would you believe everything they say? Besides, our Xiao Xue is so gentle and shy. She’s also kind and not cunning. Do you think she could handle a prestigious family like that? What if Young Master Zhou had a concubine? How would she be able to cope with that? Our daughter grew up with all the love we can give. How could she withstand such injustice?”
His remarks made Miao Cui Lan realize her confusion. She hastily replied, “Exactly! Thank god that you reminded me. I must have been confused!” Her eyebrows furrowed as she sighed and grumbled, “But I think that she will come back again. She’s so annoying!”
“This kind of proposal requires both parties to agree. If we’re not okay with it, they can’t force our hand anyway. Just deal with them as it is!” Lu Zhong laughed.
To be honest, he knew how annoying those matchmakers were. It was very important not to cross them. Otherwise, they would go around every household and spread rumors about his daughter. Soon, the girl would not become a respectable match to marry.
“You should watch your temper.” After some thoughts, Lu Zhong could not help laughing as he reminded her.
“Of course! Do you think I don’t know where the boundaries lie?” Miao Cui Lan shot her husband a glare.
Her hot temper was useful in many situations, but as a mother, she would not dare to put her daughter’s future on the line.
“It’s very peculiar now that I think of it! There weren’t any hints or indications that this was coming. What do you think happened to have the Zhou Family ask for Xiao Xue’s hand in marriage?” Miao Cui Lan wondered curiously.
Xiao Xue had always followed the rules and she rarely went out, unlike Xiao Shu who never seemed to be home every day.
After working for an entire day, Lu Zhong was quite exhausted. He shut his eyes and mumbled, “It’s nothing strange if the Zhou Family heard about the girls from Feng Ye Village… Hmm, it’s nothing. Didn’t you say that Li Hua is coming again? You can ask her about it then. Of course, it would be better if she doesn’t show up anymore…”
Come to think of it, Miao Cui Lan agreed with him. Since her husband’s eyes were shut and he looked quiet and tranquil, she did not say anything else as she lay down to rest, knowing how tired he must have been.
Several days later, Li Hua showed up as expected.
She was wearing a floral shirt this time, but she still had her cheery expression and high pitch voice.
Miao Cui Lan sent Xiao Xue and Lu Xiao Shu to Xiao Yu’s house to play before inviting Li Hua inside to talk.
Again, Li Hua praised the Young Master of the Zhou Family by telling how great he was. She also spoke of the Master and Mistress of the Zhou Family as if they were a living Buddha. She said that Mistress Zhou specially told them not to worry. The Zhou Family had long since heard of the many talents of the Lu Family’s eldest daughter. They had wanted to propose for marriage long ago. She would be treated extremely well. It sounded like they were boasting from the way it was told.
Even if she had a lot more to say, Miao Cui Lan already had her husband’s words from the other night firmly ironed in her mind. How would she be swayed by the matchmaker’s words?
That was why she merely smiled along as she waited for Li Hua to finish her speech. Miao Cui Lan pretended as if she paid no mind when she asked, “By the way, my eldest girl rarely leaves the house. She’s quite boring and rarely catches anyone’s attention. How did the Zhou Family find out about her?”
“Mistress Lu, you’re too modest! Hehe, I think your eldest daughter is quite extraordinary. Perhaps Mistress Lu heard about her from people’s gossip, so she asked around. Who knew that it turned out to be a perfect match?” Li Hua beamed.
Once she was done, she kept urging Miao Cui Lan to accept the proposal.
Miao Cui Lan watched as the matchmaker kept trying to change the topic, obviously not telling her the truth. However, she was good with her words, and it was not offensive, so Miao Cui Lan merely smiled as those modest and tactful words were repeated to her.
“Mistress Lu, are you sure you thought this through? Are you sure that your husband has the same thoughts? Gosh, this is such a huge honor! I’m telling you the truth. Were you worried that I’m just trying to coax you? What other proof do you need? You can ask around in every neighborhood and you’ll know that I’m not bluffing! Mistress Lu, the Zhou Family is sincerely proposing for this marriage. If you’re worried of the dowry, it’s all real minerals and silk. Would you need more time to consider such a prestigious family as your in-laws?”
Li Hua noticed how she did not secure an agreement immediately. It seemed that Miao Cui Lan was serious about rejecting it. She could not help feeling a little anxious, which could be noticed from the tone of her voice.
When Miao Cui Lan heard her ramble, she was even more distressed as she said with a poker-face, “That’s enough, Li Hua. We’ve discussed this and it’s decided! My daughter is not fit for a family like that, and I wish to send my deepest apologies to the Zhou Family. Besides, I want my daughter with me for two more years. There’s much to do at home, so I won’t take up more of your time now.”
