Chapter 58: Marriage Proposal

Chapter 58: Marriage Proposal

Qiu Huanian wiped his hands and came over, "Has your family given their consent?"

Just yesterday they realized their feelings, and today he's proposing marriage—what a rush!

In ancient times, society could be conservative or progressive, but generally, once mutual feelings were acknowledged, they skipped courtship and went straight to marriage.

"I have already discussed it with my mother, and she asked me to come and invite you to be the matchmaker for both families."

In the countryside of Liaozhou, when two families wish to marry, even if there is already a mutual understanding, it is not proper to approach directly. Instead, they should invite a matchmaker to mediate, which is considered appropriate.

In such cases where both parties have chosen each other, there is no need to hire a professional matchmaker; selecting a married elder who is familiar with both families is sufficient.

Qiu Huanian, this "brother-in-law," is indeed a good candidate.

Qiu Huanian smiled, "Your mother has already agreed, so you're leveraging my influence to get the clan leader to agree as well."

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse are now the most promising in Du Village, having some influence in front of the clan leader. Having Qiu Huanian propose the marriage reduces the likelihood of the clan leader disagreeing.

The relationship between Meng Yuanling and Yun Cheng has been overseen by Qiu Huanian all along, and their mutual feelings are partly due to Qiu Huanian's efforts.

Qiu Huanian, eager to see things through to the end, gladly accepted this task.

He asked Yun Cheng to go back first, tidied himself up, changed into clean new clothes, and then headed to the clan leader's house.

The clan leader was unaware of Qiu Huanian's intentions, but Meng Fuyue knew exactly what was going on, and Bao Ren obviously knew as well. The couple followed Qiu Huanian to meet the clan leader.

Qiu Huanian met the clan leader in the main room, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then came to the point.

"Clan leader, I came today to propose a good match for Yun Cheng. Please hear me out."

The clan leader took a puff of his pipe, unaware of the situation, "Brother Hua, proceed."

"It's about Meng Yuanling, the nephew of Sister Fuyue, and our Yun Cheng."

Qiu Huanian used his PR skills from his past life to craft a compelling narrative, "Brother Ling, you've watched him grow up. I've seen him and Yun Cheng grow up together, knowing each other well, matching in both talent and appearance, so I came to propose this match."

Yun Cheng stayed out of sight, but Meng Fuyue and Bao Ren followed Qiu Huanian as soon as he entered. The clan leader looked at his eldest son and daughter-in-law, then considered the candidates Qiu Huanian mentioned, and understood everything.

It must be that Bao Ren and his wife had already approved, and invited Qiu Huanian to propose the match, to secure his agreement as well.

The clan leader took another puff of his pipe. If Qiu Huanian hadn't come to propose, he wouldn't have considered Meng Yuanling for Yun Cheng's marriage.

Yun Cheng is the most promising among the younger generation in the clan leader's family, having passed the scholar exam at a young age, and might pass the imperial examination in a couple of years, with a bright future ahead, destined to leave a small village like Du Village.

The clan leader preferred to wait a few years, until Yun Cheng passed the imperial examination, and then arrange a marriage with a daughter of an official family, to aid his future career.

Qiu Huanian could guess some of the clan leader's thoughts, and this was where his role as a matchmaker became crucial.

"Clan leader, as the saying goes, a harmonious family leads to prosperity in all endeavors. Proposing a match should consider the compatibility of the younger generation's feelings and intentions, as well as the social status of both families. This social status doesn't just refer to future status and position, but also to the living habits and values of both families."

"If Yun Cheng marries a spouse from an official family in the future, and they or their family look down on Yun Cheng's family, how will Yun Cheng handle that?"

Hitting the nail on the head, Qiu Huanian's words resonated with the clan leader.

Seeing the clan leader wavering, Qiu Huanian continued, "In my opinion, with Yun Cheng's abilities, he doesn't necessarily need the help of a powerful in-law. Rather than adding flowers to brocade in the future, it's better to support each other from humble beginnings. Yun Se and I are living proof."

"Brother Ling is both filial and capable. For the past half year, he's been selling sorghum candy with me and has already saved some money; he knows how to live. If he and Yun Cheng get together, both are our beloved younger brothers, and Yun Se and I will naturally help as much as we can in the future."

"..."

Qiu Huanian looked into the clan leader's eyes and asked with a smile, "What do you think about this matter? If it's settled, I'll take the birth dates and betrothal gifts to Brother Ling's family this afternoon."

Qiu Huanian's words tipped the scales in Meng Yuanling's favor in the clan leader's mind.

Although Meng Yuanling was not from an official family, his close relationship with Qiu Huanian was evident. In the future, when Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian prospered, they would back Meng Yuanling.

Matchmaking Meng Yuanling would allow Yun Cheng to become even closer to Yunse's family in the future.

The clan leader glanced at his eldest son, Bao Ren, whose expression showed no surprise. In fact, it seemed that if the clan leader didn't agree, Bao Ren would even help persuade him.

As for Meng Fuyue, it went without saying—Meng Yuanling was her nephew from her maiden family, and Qiu Huanian was likely invited by her.

As for Yun Cheng... the clan leader recalled that Yun Cheng wasn't entirely indifferent either.

With both parents and Yun Cheng himself willing, and Meng Yuanling being a decent choice, the clan leader had nothing more to say.

"Eldest son's wife, go to the storeroom and fetch Yun Cheng's birth dates and the accompanying list."

Meng Fuyue happily went to do so.

The clan leader said to Qiu Huanian, "Yun Cheng is the eldest grandson. I've always prepared his betrothal gifts, adding to them whenever the family has a good harvest. I'll ask Brother Hua to propose the marriage to the Meng family."

"I was thinking that since Bao Ren and his wife only have Yun Cheng as their child, and we've known the Meng family for many years, having been related for many years, it would be better to arrange the marriage early. Young couples supporting each other would be a beautiful tale."

"Please convey my thoughts to the Meng family."

Bao Ren and his wife having only one son had always been a concern for the clan leader. If it weren't for the earlier thoughts of matchmaking an official's daughter or son, the clan leader would have arranged Yun Cheng's marriage long ago.

Now that Meng Yuanling had been chosen, the sooner the marriage, the better, and it would also put one of the clan leader's concerns to rest.

Thinking this way, the clan leader became even more satisfied with Meng Yuanling as the choice for Yun Cheng's husband.

Meng Yuanling and Yun Cheng were mutually fond of each other, and young love couldn't wait. An early marriage would fulfill their desires. Qiu Huanian smiled and agreed, not worried that this matter wouldn't succeed.

Yun Cheng, to avoid suspicion, didn't go to the main room and was anxiously pacing the courtyard, awaiting the outcome.

Seeing his mother come out of the main room, Yun Cheng hurriedly went up to her.

After pulling her son a few steps toward the storeroom, Meng Fuyue smiled and tapped him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, it's settled. Brother Hua will go to your uncle's house to propose this afternoon."

"You've always been the type to not make a sound even if pricked by a needle, never showing what you like or dislike. As your mother, I never expected you to be so taken with Brother Ling."

"If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have tried to matchmake Du Yunjing for you, almost letting the best match go to someone else."

Meng Fuyue happily went to fetch the keys to open the storeroom. She was the happiest in the family, aside from Yun Cheng, about Yun Cheng marrying Meng Yuanling.

Qiu Huanian's words had also resonated with Meng Fuyue. She didn't consider herself a harsh mother-in-law, but she feared that a future daughter-in-law of a significantly higher status would make it difficult to get along in the household.

She knew her father-in-law's thoughts, and for her son's future, she could endure some hardship.

But still, choosing her beloved nephew from her maiden family was more to her liking.

"Part of your betrothal gifts have already been prepared and stored separately. When the formal marriage takes place, we'll buy more to add to them. Don't worry, your mother will ensure everything is handled properly."

She had been a matchmaker for many couples and husbands, and now it was finally her own son's turn to be matched.

The clan leader invited Qiu Huanian to stay for a meal, but Qiu Huanian excused himself, citing the need to manage things at home and that he still needed to take his medicine, and left first.

After lunch, Meng Fuyue brought over the birth chart and the list of betrothal gifts.

Qiu Huanian glanced through them and noted that Yun Cheng's betrothal gifts were quite generous by rural standards, including a full eight taels of silver, a bolt of silk, two bolts of cotton cloth, and a pair of silver bracelets.

These were the big-ticket items; smaller things like green tea and new rice could be picked up closer to the wedding.

Meng Yuanling had been on edge since last night, waiting anxiously. In the afternoon, when he saw Qiu Huanian arrive, he didn't know why he had come and wanted to pull him aside to share his thoughts.

Qiu Huanian deliberately said, "I have important business today, so your little thoughts will have to wait."

Meng Yuanling pouted and muttered, "Then hurry up, I'm waiting. If I don't talk to someone soon, I'll go nuts."

Qiu Huanian pinched his puffed-up cheek, "No, this important matter can't be done without you."

Meng Yuanling asked naively, "Why not?"

"Go and call your parents and siblings over. Once everyone's here, I'll explain."

"So mysterious, why does it involve my parents and siblings?" Meng Yuanling muttered in confusion but obediently went to call them as Qiu Huanian had instructed.

Once everyone was there, Qiu Huanian greeted them and got straight to the point: "I've come today on someone's behalf to propose a good match for Brother Ling."

"Huh?" Meng Yuanling was stunned, his round eyes filled with confusion.

The rest of the Meng family was equally puzzled, except for Meng Wudong, who had already caught on and chuckled.

"Brother Hua, which family's boy are you proposing?" Meng Wudong asked deliberately.

Yun Cheng had already filled him in, so Qiu Huanian played along, "It's Du Yuncheng from Du Village. You know him better than I do. I've brought the birth chart and betrothal gift list. If you think it's a good match, let's get a fortune-teller to check the charts."

"Yes, of course!" Meng Yuanling blurted out before anyone else could speak, his voice brimming with excitement.

The Meng family atmosphere was relaxed, and with no outsiders around, Meng Yuanling's reaction wouldn't have been proper if overheard.

Seeing him like that, the Meng family got the picture.

Meng Yuanling's sister-in-law laughed, "No wonder Brother Ling's been all over the place these past few days. I figured he'd grown up and was lovesick, but Wudong said no way."

Meng Yuanling's mother shook her head, "It must be Wudong and Brother Ling hiding it from us."

Meng Wudong shrugged, "Brother Ling's shy, as you all know. If I didn't help keep it under wraps, what would happen if he got too worked up?"

"Anyway, now the two kids have already hit it off, and Yun Cheng's family has formally sent someone to propose. Brother Ling is marrying into his aunt's family, so there's no need to worry about him being mistreated or pushed around. I don't think we could find a better match, so let's just go with it."

Meng Yuanling gave his second brother a grateful look, and Meng Wudong waved his hand, signaling it was all good.

The Meng family naturally had no objections, and Meng Yuanling and Yun Cheng's engagement was settled on the spot.

Qiu Huanian took their birth charts to a fortune-teller, and the result was a perfect match. With the matched birth charts in hand, both families were finally completely reassured.

The clan leader's family wanted an early wedding, and though Meng Yuanling didn't say yes outright, his expression showed he was eager. The Meng family joked, "A grown boy can't be kept at home," and let him have his way.

The wedding date was set for early spring of the following year, leaving a winter to prepare.

Not long after the engagement, Yun Cheng had to return to the county school to continue his studies. This time, Meng Yuanling could openly see him off.

The adults from both families tactfully stepped aside, leaving the young couple alone.

Meng Yuanling lowered his head, shuffled over to Yun Cheng, and handed him a small package.

"Inside are the knee pads I sewed for you and the woolen gloves I learned to knit from Brother Hua. I just started learning, so they're not the prettiest, but they'll keep you warm. Don't hesitate to wear them if your hands get cold. I'll make better ones later and send them to you."

Yun Cheng, not one for sweet talk, said simply, "What you made is perfect. I'll wear them every day."

Meng Yuanling smiled shyly and whispered, "I'll be busy this winter sewing my wedding dress, new bedding, and quilts... My parents said they'll give me all the betrothal gifts and even add more to my dowry."

"Yun Cheng, I'm so happy. I still can't believe this is happening."

"I'm happy too."

Meng Yuanling chuckled, "You're such a fool, always echoing what I say."

Seeing her laugh, Yun Cheng's heart softened even more, his eyes lingering on Meng Yuanling's dimples.

He handed Meng Yuanling a stack of papers, "These are the notes I quickly copied for you over the past few days. They'll help you learn to read and write. Since I'm far away at the county school, if you have any questions, you can ask Sister Hu Qiuyan first, and I'll teach you when I return for the New Year."

Meng Yuanling wanted to learn to read and write because of Yun Cheng, and now that her wish was granted, she didn't plan to fall behind in her studies.

Meng Yuanling knew Yun Cheng had a bright future ahead, and she didn't want to be illiterate and embarrass him. She was also afraid that if she didn't learn to read, she wouldn't have much to talk about with Yun Cheng in the future.

Meng Yuanling took the warm papers and tucked them close to her chest, "Alright, I'll wait for you to come back for the New Year."

...

The young man left his hometown with a heart full of longing, striving for his future as the weather grew colder each day.

The news of Yun Cheng and Meng Yuanling's engagement reached Mrs. Song, but she didn't comment much. She stopped mentioning trips to Du Village and never brought up Yun Cheng again.

When Chi Qinghe found out, she quietly sighed in relief and pretended nothing had happened.

The cold wind blew down the last stubborn leaves from the branches, and the mountains turned from green to yellow, then to a deep, lifeless gray.

If you didn't bundle up in extra layers when going out in the morning or evening, the biting wind would seep into your skin and bones, making you shiver uncontrollably.

After Xia Xing figured out how to spin wool, Qiu Huanian gave him a two-tael silver bonus and asked him to focus on spinning cotton and processed wool into yarn at home.

Hu Qiuyan and Wei Liuhua saw an opportunity and each bought a spinning machine. They brought gifts to Xia Xing to learn how to spin wool.

Hu Qiuyan's family grew their own cotton, and after making new clothes, they spun the rest into yarn.

Wei Liuhua didn't have raw materials, so she used Qiu Huanian's. She helped Qiu Huanian spin yarn without charging, asking only that when Qiu Huanian knitted sweaters, she would make one for her son, Youge.

Working together, they spun yarn quickly, and since they didn't go out much in winter, they knitted sweaters just as fast.

Qiu Huanian decided to get creative and used natural dyes and alum to color some of the yarn, knitting a vividly lifelike tiger hat.

Youge, who had grown strong, looked like a little tiger running around the yard in his tiger hat.

He was now walking steadily, perhaps because he had spent so much time lying in bed as a weak child. Now, he would run if he could, walk if he couldn't run, and sit only if he had to. Wei Liuhua often smiled with both pride and helplessness, saying she had never seen such a lively child in all her years.

Qiu Huanian wanted to dye more colors into the yarn, but the natural dyes available were limited, and controlling the shades and hues was difficult. She would have to wait until she could find a professional dye workshop to solve this.

In the end, Qiu Huanian only managed to dye red, yellow, and dark blue yarn. The colors weren't very even, but from a distance, the knitted sweaters looked fine.

Ye Taohong learned how to knit sweaters from Qiu Huanian and made one to send to Bao Yi at the border. Xia Xing also knitted one for his younger brother-in-law, Yun Lei, who was serving in the labor corps.

Qiu Huanian was concerned about Wu Shen. Though young, Wu Shen had lived a life of luxury as a young general before his family's misfortune. Spending the New Year alone at the border this year, his life was likely not very comfortable.

Qiu Huanian had only met Wu Shen once, but she had a good impression of him. Over the past half year, Wu Shen had kept in touch through letters, sharing many stories from the border.

Qiu Huanian went ahead and knitted a sweater for Wu Shen too, and got Wei Liuhua to whip up a thick cotton-padded jacket and some cozy cotton shoes. Finally, he rounded up some homegrown goodies, like roasted dates, red fermented tofu, and canned sweet pears, to put together a care package for the New Year, which he entrusted to the Wanshi Escort Agency to deliver to Wu Shen.

Back in the day, it was tradition to exchange New Year's gifts. Qiu Huanian prepared five more gifts following the same pattern, sending them to Song Juren, Magistrate Wang, the Huang sisters, Shu Huacai and his wife, and Zhu Jingcheng and his brother.

These New Year's gifts were all homemade items, just a little something to show they cared, no matter who they were.

After some time, Qiu Huanian gradually received their return gifts.

Magistrate Wang's gift included the usual New Year's fare, along with paper, brushes, and books; the Song family's gift, probably put together by Mrs. Song, consisted of four sets of silk clothes that fit perfectly, one for each family member. Since Chi Qinghe was studying with Du Yunse, the gift was a bit more generous.

The Huang sisters must've had a chat with the Zhengs, as the gifts from both families were of the same category but not identical. Being close to the sea, they sent some dried seafood, perfect for spicing up the New Year's feast.

Qiu Huanian couldn't help but smile as he checked out the dried kelp, shrimp, fish, and scallops the escort agency dropped off.

After traveling to ancient times, due to inconvenient transportation, he had not yet tasted these seafood items. Finally, come New Year's, he'd get to mix things up.

The Zhu family's New Year's gift arrived a few days late, not via the escort agency but hand-delivered by their own folks.

Leading the pack was Jiang Er, who Qiu Huanian knew ran the red fermented tofu shop, along with a new face, Fang Cai, one of their stewards.

"Our big boss got your New Year's package and was totally into that sweater you made. Following the materials you mentioned in your letter, he had the weaving workshop use cotton and wool to replicate the yarn, but they're still scratching their heads over how to knit the sweater."

"Fang Cai runs the Zhu family's weaving shop. The big boss sent Fang Cai to ask you in person if you'd be willing to sell the method of spinning yarn. If you're cool with it, Fang Cai'll bring some folks over to learn the ropes."

Qiu Huanian grabbed Zhu Jingcheng's letter and gave it a once-over.

In the letter, Zhu Jingcheng first wished them a healthy and prosperous New Year, then mentioned that he'd passed around the New Year's goodies to his family, and they all dug it, especially his mother, husband, and younger brother Zhu Jingwei. Then, he kinda slid into the whole buying-the-knitting-method thing.

Qiu Huanian had just tossed out a quick note about the yarn materials when he was explaining the sweater, never expecting Zhu Jingcheng to have someone replicate the yarn so quickly.

But this was normal. The Zhu family was in the fabric business and was very familiar with this field. Zhu Jingcheng's sharp business sense wouldn't miss the goldmine in yarn and sweaters.

The Zhu family had several workshops with highly skilled craftsmen. Knowing the raw materials for the yarn and having a sample, replicating it was not difficult.

If it weren't for respecting Qiu Huanian and knowing it's not cool to copy and cash in on someone else's gift, Zhu Jingcheng might not have needed to send a steward to buy the knitting method. Given more time, their own craftsmen could have figured it out.

Back then, with no machines and all hands on deck, you couldn't knock the craftsmen's smarts.

The weaving shop was a big deal for the Zhu family. This time, Zhu Jingcheng could not discuss a partnership with Qiu Huanian, but knowing what Qiu Huanian's family currently lacked, he threw in another solid move.

"I once purchased a two-courtyard villa in the south of Xiangping Prefecture, only half an hour's walk from Qingfeng Academy on Xiuyan Mountain. It's a modest little spot, quiet with some neat quirks. The furnishings are all new. If you two good guys are okay with it, you may accept this house as a place to stay. Then Yun Se can easily travel between the academy and home, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Although Zhu Jingcheng was a merchant, he was well-read and wrote with elegant diction.

Qiu Huanian figured a two-courtyard pad in a nicer part of Xiangping Prefecture would set you back at least a hundred taels.

Although Zhu Jingcheng's house was not in a bustling area, it was close to Qingfeng Academy, the most famous academy in Liaozhou, equivalent to the best school district housing, and its price might not be lower than in prosperous areas.

Zhu Jingcheng modestly called his house a humble abode, but any house that caught the eye of the eldest young master of the Zhu family would certainly not be ordinary, and the furnishings he had arranged himself were undoubtedly of considerable value.

The value of this house was probably over two hundred taels.

More importantly, if Qiu Huanian were to buy it himself, he might not be able to find a house so close to Qingfeng Academy.

Du Yunse was studying at Qingfeng Academy, and living closer would be more reassuring and convenient.

After some thought, Qiu Huanian agreed to Fang Cai, "You can bring three to five skilled craftsmen to my house to learn. The technique is not difficult; there are five or six basic stitches, and it would take at most ten days to master."

Fang Cai smiled and handed over the deed given by Zhu Jingcheng. Qiu Huanian carefully stored the expensive deed at the bottom of his money box.

With this ready-made house, it would be more convenient to go to Xiangping Prefecture after spring.

Zhu Jingcheng's New Year's gift was also very generous, and it was something Qiu Huanian's family could not refuse—he sent enough precious medicinal herbs to last two months.

With the letter and gift in hand, Qiu Huanian let out a quiet sigh to Du Yunse, "I finally understand why you said before that if not for his merchant status limiting him, Zhu Jingcheng could have achieved great success in the imperial examinations."