stingy landlady

Chapter 283 Guihong's Marriage (6)

"Guizhi! This place is so big! It's bigger than our village! We walked so far and wandered around for ages before we finally found you!"

When Li saw the cassia branch, she couldn't help but exclaim loudly.

Gui Zhi smiled gently:

"Mom! This is the county seat! It's definitely bigger than our village, bigger than our town! Dad! Second sister, fourth sister! Come in and rest for a while! Have some water before you talk!"

The maid brought in tea, and Dazhu and Li began to look around the room. They saw a partitioned room with a kang (heated brick bed) and a kangqin (a type of heated brick bed), all clean and tidy.

The living room for entertaining guests is quite spacious, with bookshelves, a desk, and a coffee table, around which several people sit to drink tea and chat.

Dazhu looked at the bookshelf, the desk, and the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and sighed:

"Guizhi! You've really put your knowledge to good use!"

Guizhi's explanation:

"Father! Mother! There are many people here, and I'm afraid some things and some people might not remember them. It's better to write them down. Isn't it said that a bad pen is worse than a good memory?"

Gui Hong didn't care about any of that and said to Da Zhu:

"Dad! My third sister is amazing! She can write and draw. If women could take the imperial examinations, I bet my third sister would bring you back the top scholar!"

Even if things don't go well, my third sister is so beautiful, she should at least be third in the imperial examination! Haha!

Gui Ling laughed first:

"Hahaha! Top scholar sister! Third-place scholar sister!"

Dazhu and Li Shi laughed along. Guizhi shook her head helplessly and said to Guiling:

"Fourth Sister! Don't listen to Second Sister's nonsense! Becoming the top scholar or third-ranked scholar isn't that easy! And don't go out and tell outsiders, lest they laugh at you!"

Gui Ling nodded, but still said happily:

"Second sister is so smart and capable! She even praises third sister, so third sister must be very amazing! Let me tell you, third sister, everyone in Huanghua Village likes you and is willing to say good things about you to me."

Everyone says Third Sister is a wonderful person! Third Sister is incredibly capable! Hehe! Third Sister! I like you too!

Gui Hong pretended to be jealous:

"You little flatterer! Your mouth is like honey the moment you see your third sister, showering her with compliments. You've completely forgotten about your second sister!"

Guiling went to pull Guihong again:

"Second sister! Second sister, don't be angry! I like pretty second sister too! Hehe!"

Gui Hong couldn't help but laugh out loud, and everyone in the room laughed too.

"Father, Mother! Is there anything important that brings you to the county town this time?"

Seeing that everyone in the room was family, Li started talking:

"Guizhi! Your father and I have come about Guihong's marriage."

Gui Hong couldn't help but look at Li Shi and Da Zhu in surprise. Da Zhu nodded in the direction of Gui Hong's gaze, confirming that what Li Shi said was true.

"Gui Hong! Both Du Huaichuan and Young Master Zheng have hired matchmakers to propose marriage, but coincidentally, the two matchmakers arrived on the same day."

Huai Chuan hired the county's official matchmaker, while Young Master Zheng hired a matchmaker from our town. Your father was caught in the middle and dared not agree rashly, so he politely declined, saying that Gui Hong was still too young and they would not discuss marriage for the time being.

"I need to think about it carefully, that's why I came to the county town to ask for your opinion!"

Da Zhu retorted:

"Hmph! Guizhi! You say you're here to ask Guihong for her own opinion! Last night, your mother almost packed Guihong up and sent her to that young master Du! Listen to how affectionately she called him Huaichuan!"

It's as if Guihong has already been married off. Hey, I say, mother of the child! You should tone it down a bit; Guihong isn't even engaged yet!

Li was unhappy:

"Guihong! I think Huaichuan is good. Your father likes him too, but he's just stubborn. What do you think, Guihong?"

Gui Hong was somewhat surprised:

"Father! Mother! Young Master Du and Young Master Zheng have both sent matchmakers to propose marriage? How come I didn't know that!"

Dazhu nodded:

"Yes, it just so happens that they both came on the same day. Father thinks both young masters are good people. Young Master Zheng lives in town, which is closer to home. But his family is also a wealthy household, so I'm afraid there are many rules and regulations in the inner quarters!"

Young Master Du is also a handsome young man, and it was you who brought him back. Father wants to hear your and your sister's opinions!

Gui Hong thought for a moment:

"Father, Mother! My eldest sister just got married, I'll wait another two years before I think about it! I'm afraid I won't be free after I get married."

Guizhi considered it for a moment and said:

"Second sister! Young Master Du, Du Huaichuan, is a good person! He is responsible and has a strong sense of duty. He came from a large family and is currently working hard on his own."

After you get married, you'll have your own little family, and he shouldn't interfere in your life. He has his own things to do, and he has so many people under his care.

You can continue managing your Lirenfang business; it's safer for the two of you to be together in the county town.”

Li immediately exclaimed excitedly:

"That's right! Guizhi and I are thinking the same thing! You're a young girl doing business alone in the county town. To put it bluntly, it's not good for your reputation!"

Things will be different once you're married. Your husband will be here too, and you'll be one. It will be much more convenient and freer to do things! Besides, Huaichuan cares about you; it would be wonderful to have a grandson soon!

When the time comes, I'll help you take care of the kids!

Hahaha! "

Dazhu also laughed:

"Guihong! You're not getting any younger, it's time for you to get married!"

Guizhi secretly felt that if Guihong married Du Huaichuan, Du Huaichuan would be able to send people to protect Guihong more diligently. In case the enemy suddenly appeared, Guizhi wouldn't be caught off guard and too distracted.

Seeing that everyone unanimously approved of Du Huaichuan, Gui Hong smiled.

"Sure! Since you all think Du Huaichuan is good, then I'll ask him!"

With their worries finally put aside, Dazhu and Li Shi were able to take Guiling shopping. Since their parents had come all this way, Guihong and Guizhi also put aside their own tasks and accompanied them around.

Shopping wasn't easy, but everyone was happy despite the fatigue. After browsing a jewelry store, Dazhu picked out a set of gold jewelry for Li Shi, though it pained him a little.

Guizhi chuckled to herself and secretly slipped five hundred taels of silver to Dazhu. Dazhu's expression finally improved. She then picked out a jade pendant for Dazhu and bought silver jewelry for Guiling.

Only then did he slowly choose the gifts to take home. Dazhu not only bought beaded flowers and bracelets for his two aunts, but he also didn't forget Aunt Lan and An'ge, buying Aunt Lan a hairpin and An'ge a silver bracelet.

Guiling liked An Ge, so she specially bought him a rattle drum.

They went to a clothing store and picked out two outfits for each of Dazhu and the other two. Looking at the dazzling array of snacks on the street, Guiling's mouth watered. What else was there to say? Buy, buy, buy!

There were sticky mouse traps, donkey rolls, sugar blowing, and so on. Before it was even mealtime, Guiling's stomach was already full.

The group unknowingly wandered into Xiangmanlou. Guizhi looked at Dazhu and the others and asked:

"Father, Mother! Second Sister, Fourth Sister! How about we go to Xiangmanlou for dinner?"

Li carefully examined Xiangmanlou, praising it with admiration.

"Wow! How grand! Is this Xiangmanlou, owned by the Qu family? The food inside must be quite expensive."

"It's expensive, but we don't care! If Mom wants to eat it, we'll go try it! We don't eat it often, so it's fine to have it once in a while!"