76: Chapter 76: The Cunning Scheme 76: Chapter 76: The Cunning Scheme Inside the Zhou family home, a scene of cheerful harmony unfolded, with Zhou Xueli keeping Old Lady Zhou company to one side, his eyes never leaving the girl opposite him who was hanging her head low, her face so red it seemed she might bleed.
Old Lady Zhou noticed this, her face lit up with a smile, but then she spat dismissively and said, “Xueli, you silly boy, what are you staring at the girl for?
Hurry to the village head and buy two pounds of pork to bring back, so your sister-in-law can start cooking!”
Zhou Xueli’s face turned red, he let out an “ai” sound, tugged at his short tunic, reluctantly glanced at Miss Liang, and left with a three-steps-one-look-back gait.
Seeing this, the Liang family shared a glance, their eyes gleaming with pride.
It looked as if the Zhou family was overwhelmingly pleased with their daughter.
Indeed, accompanying the main party for the matchmaking visit, besides Scholar Liang’s wife, were Miss Liang’s brother and sister-in-law.
Old Lady Zhou picked up her tea bowl, took a sip of tea, and assessed the Liang family’s expressions from the corner of her eye.
Putting down the bowl, she smiled and said, “My boy is always so honest and hardworking, also very thoughtful.
This old lady here, my body wasn’t feeling so well a while back, and it was hard on him, a man, to be serving tea and running errands for me.
I always say, I would not pass away in peace until I see him married and with children!”
This was a compliment on Zhou Xueli’s filial piety and thoughtfulness.
Madam Liang then replied with a smile, “He does seem to be a filial son.”
“Mother, a filial person is also more considerate to his wife!” Big Sister-in-law Liang said, while glancing at her young sister-in-law.
As expected, her face grew even redder, prompting her to stifle a smile.
Madam Liang also smiled, observing her daughter’s expression, her thoughts on the Old Zhou family.
They were also a Scholar family, but unfortunately, Scholar Zhou had passed away, and the eldest Zhou son was a Child Student who repeatedly failed his exams.
The younger son, Zhou Xueli, was even less accomplished than his older brother, just staying at home to farm and manage domestic affairs.
This detail had been made clear by the matchmaker; although not well-educated, Zhou Xueli was good at farming and managing domestic affairs.
With careful management, he was expected to have a good future.
Moreover, the matchmaker had let slip that Zhou Xueli was a favored son, and so if the marriage went ahead, the dowry would be substantial.
But the Old Zhou family had an issue: their daughter had a bad reputation for having been intimate with a man and borne a child before marriage, even though there was a Marriage Certificate involved, but without a formal wedding ceremony, it didn’t count as a marriage.
A family with such an issue was already a notch lower in standing, and Madam Liang wasn’t too pleased.
She only had one daughter and was quite reluctant to part with her.
However, her husband’s health was deteriorating, over the years a lot of money had gone into medicine, her son needed Silver for his education, and her eldest grandson was also nearing the age to take a wife.
So, she couldn’t resist the matchmaker’s persuasive words and her daughter-in-law’s urging, and hence, they came for the matchmaking visit.
The young man was not bad, obviously filial and considerate, but…
It was just at this moment that Madam Lu walked in, holding two grass carp in her hand, her face beaming like a blooming flower.
Old Lady Zhou noticed her too, her eyelids twitching as her heart leapt, not even waiting for her to speak, Madam Lu had already opened her mouth.
“Mother, Ying Mei has bought fish to honor you, and upon hearing about Xueli’s matchmaking visit, she even added an extra one as a gift,” Madam Lu said pretentiously, lifting the grass carp in her hand.
Old Lady Zhou’s face stiffened for a moment; she glanced subconsciously at the Liang family, seeing their astonishment and curiosity.
Internally fuming, she glared at Madam Lu: of all things to mention, what was she playing at?
But as much as Old Lady Zhou was seething, she dared not show it openly, only managing a smile as she said, “It’s just two fish; was there really a need for you to fuss?
Go on and prepare the meal quickly; don’t keep our guests hungry.”
Having achieved her goal, Madam Lu briskly complied, stepping out the main house’s door, only to hear a question from the Liang family.
She couldn’t help but reveal a sly smile.
Let’s see if you can still pull this marriage off!