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Xingxing said anxiously, "Really?"

Yu Siyang also nodded, "It's true. Xingxing wasn't at fault."

Xingxing looked at Wei Pozi and then at Yu Siyang before finally letting herself relax.

Wei Pozi took Yu Siyang and Xingxing back home. Bai Xiaofeng could read from her mother-in-law's face that things hadn't worked out.

Bai Xiaofeng was perceptive, but Li Chunhua didn't understand. She asked point-blank, "Mom, how did things go with Fourth Brother?"

Wei Pozi glanced at Li Chunhua and replied succinctly, "It fell through."

Li Chunhua was surprised, "It didn't? Why not? Did Fourth Brother not like the girl?"

Bai Xiaofeng nearly yanked her sister-in-law away!

Why was she still prying?!

However, in Li Chunhua's eyes, her brother-in-law Siyang was both handsome and kind. If things didn't work out, it must have been because he didn't like the girl.

Truth be told, this perception subtly pleased Wei Pozi.

Wei Pozi felt slightly better and snorted, "It didn't work out, that's all. No need for so many questions. Get back to work."

Li Chunhua didn't press further and obediently went about her tasks.

Chapter 75: You Didn’t Actually Take a Dislike to My Cousin, Did You?

The Yus had written it off and didn’t dwell on it. Unexpectedly, two days later, Zhou Wuniang came again.

Zhou Wuniang arrived at the Yu household beaming, grabbing Wei Pozi's hands, "Auntie, great news!"

Wei Pozi was puzzled, "What great news?"

Zhou Wuniang winked at Wei Pozi, "What do you think? It's about my cousin's daughter and your Siyang!"

Wei Pozi sounded indifferent, "Oh, that. What's so great about it?"

Zhou Wuniang chided her, "Auntie, why pretend otherwise? My cousin sent word, and from how I understand it, she’s agreed!"

Wei Pozi was taken aback.

"Are you mistaken?" Wei Pozi frowned slightly. "I didn’t get that impression."

Zhou Wuniang laughed, "Auntie, my cousin made it very clear... Let’s discuss a date to meet and talk about the betrothal gifts. It’s as good as done!"

Wei Pozi’s frown deepened.

At first, Zhou Wuniang was all smiles, but she wasn’t foolish. Seeing Wei Pozi’s reaction, she guessed in disbelief, "...Wait, Auntie, don’t tell me you didn’t actually take a dislike to my cousin?"

Wei Pozi coughed and spoke politely, "...You know my Fourth Son’s situation. We wouldn't want to burden Miss Xun. Let’s just drop it."

Zhou Wuniang was stunned.

Straightforward and rushed, she said, "Auntie, don’t joke with me. My cousin may have a lame foot, but she’s perfectly presentable otherwise, and my aunt is easy to get along with. How could you possibly object?"

Wei Pozi replied coolly, "I said it’s not that we’re unsatisfied—it’s that we’re not good enough."

That's the same thing!

She wasn’t fooled—this was clearly just polite refusal!

Zhou Wuniang was so flustered she was momentarily speechless. Finally, she said, "Auntie, you sure about this… If I relay this to them, there’ll be no turning back."

Wei Pozi didn’t bat an eye as she nodded, "Fine, just tell your relatives that."

Seeing Wei Pozi’s firmness, Zhou Wuniang started reading between the lines.

When she went to see Xun's Mother again, she couldn’t help but complain, "...I know my Aunt Wei well—she’s not the arrogant or rude type. If she says they’re not good enough for you, could something have gone wrong during the meeting? Auntie, you didn’t explain it clearly to me."

Xun's Mother was also incredulous at first, but then she recalled her daughter’s behavior that day and felt a pang of guilt.

"...Nothing really went wrong. It’s just... my daughter asked if he might be a fool," Xun's Mother said defensively, though it sounded like a complaint. "She didn’t mean any harm. And given his condition..."

Zhou Wuniang thought the same but bit her tongue. She sighed, "Well... if that’s the case, then..."

"We can’t just drop it like this!" Xun's Mother, however, couldn’t let it go. She was too upset. "I’ll go to their house later and talk to them again!"

Zhou Wuniang thought for a moment. "Alright! The Yus are good salt-of-the-earth folks—honest, easy to get along with, doing well for themselves. Even during these lean years, I’ve seen them never show up empty-handed when visiting kin. If my cousin marries into such a family, she’d have a good life!"

The more Zhou Wuniang spoke, the more tempted Xun's Mother became.

She had already been very satisfied with Wei Pozi and Yu Siyang. Now, hearing Zhou Wuniang’s words, she was all the more set on making this match.

With that, Xun's Mother had Zhou Wuniang lead the way to the Yu household.

Yu Siyang was out working that day and not home.

Wei Pozi had taken Li Chunhua and Su Rouer to the creek to wash clothes, so she wasn’t home either.

Even Bai Xiaofeng was out visiting folks in the village.

Not a single grown-up was home—even Ju Geer had gone out to play, leaving only Xingxing behind.

Recently, Wei Pozi had bought some fertilized eggs, and the old hen had gone broody.

Xingxing crouched in front of the hen’s nest, studying the nesting hen for nearly half an hour.

Most people would’ve grown bored by then, but Xingxing was completely fascinated.

The Yus’ gate stood partway open. Zhou Wuniang and Xun's Mother stood at the entrance and called out tentatively, "Auntie, are you home?"

Xingxing looked up and, seeing Zhou Wuniang and Xun's Mother, paused, surprised.

"Auntie Wu, Granny’s not home," Xingxing stood up and greeted them politely. "Hello, Grandma Xun."

Xun's Mother suddenly remembered her daughter mentioning she’d gotten into it with this little girl... Was that why the Yu family had rejected her daughter?