Chapter 248

Chapter 248

On the high table in the main room, a row of dried small gourds was neatly arranged by size. Both the upper and lower parts of each gourd were perfectly round, neither too big nor too small, clearly chosen with care, making them pleasing to the eye.

Gu Lanshi carried Xingxing inside. Seeing the gourds, Xingxing stretched out his arms, arched his body, and shouted, "Want, want."

Miao Qiulian took her grandson and placed him on a high chair next to the table.

Xingxing stood steady on the chair, smiling as he reached out to grab one of the gourds, slapping its belly with his little hands.

"Oh my, those chubby little hands, so strong," Miao Qiulian praised from the side, making Xingxing even happier.

Early this morning, Miao Qiulian had gotten Zhu Ge'er ready, washing his hair and dressing him in new clothes. He looked fresh and bright as he went to Fang Jinfeng's house to play needlework with her youngest daughter.

Of course, playing needlework was just an excuse; the real purpose was matchmaking.

The young man who came today was from Qing Shui Village, surnamed Liu, a year older than Zhu Ge'er, now seventeen. His family was well-off, with an elder brother and three younger siblings, indicating a thriving household. The elder brother was already married to a kind and honest wife who treated her younger siblings well.

Gu Tieshan had a good relationship with Liu Xiang from Qing Shui Village and had made detailed inquiries. Additionally, since the neighboring village was close, they had heard about major events happening there, giving them a solid understanding of the situation.

Gu Lanshi had already learned about the Liu family's son when Fang Jinfeng mentioned the match.

After Xiao Ya was born, apart from the others in the family, Hua Xishuang visited almost every day. When he had nothing to do, he would bring Xingxing over to chat and play with his niece. However, today, Hua's eldest brother came to take Hua Xishuang and Xiao Ya back to their grandparents' home for a few days, saying that they missed their granddaughter dearly.

"How did it go? Did you see him?" Gu Lanshi asked Zhu Ge'er.

Zhu Ge'er poured tea for everyone with the teapot, his face slightly red despite knowing this would happen. Especially when he glanced up and saw his brother's curious eyes shining brightly.

"Ah." He couldn't help but fidget, trying to hide the smile on his face, but it still showed through.

Seeing this, Gu Lanshi knew it was promising.

At this stage of matchmaking, his parents knew their youngest child well. If Zhu Ge'er didn't like it, it wouldn't work out, but if he agreed, things would be easier.

He pulled his brother to sit down, delighted, and asked repeatedly, "What is he like? Did he see you?"

"Take it easy, keep your voice down," Miao Qiulian scolded him, thankful they were at home, otherwise, people might misunderstand their conversation about a man.

Gu Lanshi grinned, knowing no one could hear them at home. Seeing Zhu Ge'er blushing, he turned to Miao Qiulian, "Mother, how did it go? You two aren't saying anything, leaving me anxious."

Miao Qiulian smiled and then said, "You didn't see him, but that Liu family boy is quite handsome."

"He's not as tall as your husband, but in the surrounding villages, few can compare to him."

Gu Lanshi nodded. Indeed, he was surprised by Pei Yan's height when he first met him after returning from the border.

Miao Qiulian continued, "But he's not short, quite strong, not skinny like a stick. When he works, he's really powerful."

Farmers choosing a son-in-law don't look for wealth or power; strength and skill in work are what matter. They wouldn't want someone who can't carry or lift, unable to farm, leading to hardship for the whole family.

"Handsome?" Gu Lanshi picked up on these words, teasingly laughing and nudging Zhu Ge'er with his elbow, winking at him.

Zhu Ge'er couldn't hold back his laughter, biting his lower lip to suppress it, feeling too embarrassed to show it.

Seeing Gu Lanshi's expression, he was struck by the hidden thoughts in his heart, feeling both shy and flustered. He pushed Gu Lanshi away, "Oh, why are you like this?"

He stomped his foot in frustration, shouting at Miao Qiulian, "Mother! Look at him, how can a brother act like this?"

Xingxing stood on the high chair, slapping the small gourd continuously. Seeing his aunt laughing, he stopped and giggled too.

Miao Qiulian carried Xingxing over to sit down, full of joy. Seeing Zhu Ge'er embarrassed, she gave Gu Lanshi a playful glare, "Enough, enough."

"Mother, did you talk to Aunt Jinfeng?" Gu Lanshi asked with a smile.

Xingxing held onto the gourd tightly, and Miao Qiulian played with her grandson, patting the gourd's belly. Then Xingxing patted it too. She looked up and said, "Yes, after the Liu family boy left, I talked to Aunt Jinfeng. Seeing Zhu Ge'er willing, I nodded to her. Now we wait for their response."

Gu Lanshi nodded, thinking that their Zhu Ge'er was handsome and of the right age. Besides, their family wasn't doing badly, making it a suitable match.

*

Qing Shui Village.

Liu Zhi'an and his mother Zhang Yunfang entered their home together. His father Liu Cai and his elder brother Liu Zhifu were working at home, waiting for them.

As an outsider, he couldn't stay long after finishing work, so he returned with his mother. Later, the matchmaker would come to discuss further matters.

Liu Cai squatted by the window smoking his pipe. Seeing them enter, he knocked the pipe against the ground and stood up, asking, "How did it go?"

As soon as he spoke, he noticed his second son's joyful expression, immediately feeling relieved.

Liu Zhi'an didn't say much, only nodding to his father and elder brother, indicating his willingness.

"This is the fourth time. If you weren't willing, it would have driven your father and me crazy," Zhang Yunfang said, heading to the kitchen to tie her apron and start cooking. This time, unlike before, she was smiling, filled with joy.

She had already asked her second son on the way back, and he was clearly happy.

Liu Zhi'an was handsome, and their family was well-off. Since he was fifteen, matchmakers had been coming to propose marriage, some even specifically because of his looks.

But Liu Zhi'an was stubborn. He had seen several matches and even accidentally bumped into another, yet he always said he wasn't interested, mumbling something about fate that no one understood.

She often scolded her second son, saying that a bit of education made him arrogant, ignoring marriage proposals and living alone.

However, recalling Gu Lanshi, he was handsome and pleasing to the eye.

In the west room.

Liu Zhi'an took off his new clothes, revealing a strong physique. He changed into old clothes and stood by the table to drink water, his lowered eyes covered by long lashes.

When he raised his eyes, they revealed gentle, unsharp eyes, with black pupils and a straight nose. His lips were neither thin nor thick, making him look very handsome.

Lan Zhu.

The name sounds good.

Liu Zian sat on the edge of the kang, a slight smile unconsciously appearing in his eyes. When he first saw her through the window, it wasn't breathtaking, but there was a brightness to her that caught his eye. Something inside him was gently stirred, a feeling that lingered.

He had met another girl before, who was actually more attractive and better dressed than Gu Lanzhu. He knew she was pretty, but he just didn’t feel motivated; he couldn’t muster the spirit to get married.

His mother scolded him for being stubborn, and indeed, he was. No matter how much his family tried to persuade him, he refused to marry until today.

---

Before meeting Liu Zian, Gu Lanshi already knew who he was, though he wasn’t familiar with the people in Qing Shui Village and had to ask his mother which family he belonged to.

After returning to the back mountain, he mentioned it to Pei Yan. The next day, Pei Yan went to the butcher’s house in Qing Shui Village to buy meat, pretending to stroll casually and passing by Liu Zian’s house.

Though he didn’t see Liu Zian, he noticed that the Liu family seemed well-off, with neat houses and walls. Pei Yan felt reassured, at least that Zhuge would have no trouble eating well and staying warm after marriage.

It made sense; the in-laws had carefully chosen this family, so it must be good.

*

Fang Jinfeng responded to the Gus the next day, and both families were delighted. Thus, the marriage was settled.

Gu Lanshi, concerned about Zhuge’s marriage, lived nearby and learned about it early. He was happy but also felt a sense of Zhuge growing up.

When Zhuge was little, he was so tiny, white, and cute, but he cried easily, like a little teardrop. A pinch on the cheek would make him cry. Now he was of marriageable age, truly without realizing it.

Living in the neighboring village would be closer than his older sisters’ visits home. Moreover, their villagers always went to Qing Shui Village for tofu if not for meat, ensuring they could look after Zhuge anytime. Thinking about it, Gu Lanshi felt relieved.