MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 37

“Yu-ge’r, Rui-xiaozi.”

 

The door opened, and Miao Lianhua stood there, her hands laden with gifts and her face beaming with joy. She was too excited to sleep last night. Watching Lu Dongqing turn nineteen and finally begin to take an interest in a ge’r, as a mother, she naturally has to give them a little push.

 

Moreover, Qiao Suiman is the best match one could hope for. Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu doted on him, and the family was harmonious and united. Nothing was more important than that.

 

“Auntie, please come in.” Qiao Ruifeng pushed the courtyard gate open with his shoulder and guided Miao Lianhua to the main room to sit down.

 

Miao Lianhua took in the view of the kitchen, woodshed, and main hall as she walked through the courtyard, her heart filled with admiration. The vegetable garden was neat and orderly, clearly tended by someone who knew how to manage a household. Without elders to oversee things, they had still managed to keep everything so well organized.

 

“Auntie, have some refreshments. Xiao Man made them this morning,” Qin Yu brought over a bowl filled halfway with Immortal Peach Drink. “This is called Immortal Peach Drink, made with seasonal peaches.”

 

“Ah, yes, I’ve had it before. Man-ge’r’s skills are unmatched. The taste is truly special.” Miao Lianhua handed the things she was holding to Qin Yu. “Just a small gift, please accept it.”

 

“This is…” Qin Yu recognized the packaging of the sugar cakes. He weighed the other package in his hand. This shape… “Is it slab sugar?” Together with the meat wrapped in lotus leaves, this gift was indeed substantial.

 

After confirming with Miao Lianhua, Qin Yu’s eyes flickered with surprise. “Auntie, this is too generous.”

 

“Not at all, not at all. I just didn’t want you to think I don’t value Man-ge’r. Yu-ge’r, Rui-xiaozi, let me speak from the heart. I truly adore Man-ge’r.”

 

Miao Lianhua clasped her hands together on the table. “Dongqing, that boy, he used to be completely oblivious, barely speaking to anyone. But ever since he met Man-ge’r, he’s even started making little trinkets to make him happy. He genuinely likes Man-ge’r, and I sincerely want Man-ge’r to be my son’s fulang.”

 

Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu were both moved by her words. “Auntie, to be honest, we trust Dongqing. There’s already affection between them, so let’s not bother with formalities. As long as they’re willing and live well, we’ll be at ease.”

 

“Exactly!” Miao Lianhua nodded repeatedly, then continued, “Today, I just want to discuss things with you. Since both our families have this intention, I’ll speak frankly.”

 

She glanced around the Qiao family’s brick-and-tile house. “Your home is impressive. We can’t possibly have Man-ge’r move into our little thatched hut after marrying in. Right now, we’ve saved enough to build a new house for the couple, but we still need to earn the betrothal gifts and dowry. Dongqing’s idea is to save up while building the house, so by the time it’s finished, we’ll have enough to hire a matchmaker and formally propose!”

 

She quickly added, “Auntie isn’t making empty promises. Later, I’ll go to the village chief’s house to discuss the construction. Once the village hears about it, you’ll know it’s true. Don’t worry, we won’t delay. Especially Dongqing; he just took a job in town. Though he works from dawn to dusk, the pay is good. In less than two months, we will definitely come to propose!”

 

Qiao Ruifeng and Qin Yu exchanged a glance. Since Miao Lianhua had laid out all their plans so openly, there was no reason to refuse.

 

Besides, the Lu family had only been in Xiahe Village for a little over half a year, yet they already saved enough to build a house. It was clear they wouldn’t struggle in the future. Lu Dongqing was reliable and steadfast, so there was no fear of Qiao Suiman being mistreated after marriage. Such a match was not something to turn down.

 

Qiao Ruifeng cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Miao Lianhua. “Auntie, your sincerity speaks for itself. We’ll trust your word and wait for the matchmaker to come knocking on the Qiao family’s door!”

 

“Of course, of course!” Miao Lianhua, having received their approval, was overjoyed and clapped her hands repeatedly. Heaven had blessed them. Though they suffered hardships and left their home, they now encountered such a joyous event.

 

She would have to burn a letter to her late husband later, letting him know in the afterlife so he could rejoice too and watch over the children’s smooth-sailing future!

 

Inside his room, Qiao Suiman paced back and forth, sitting for only a moment before creeping to the window to eavesdrop, his face blooming with smiles. However, thinking about marrying and leaving behind his Da-ge and Qin Yu-ge, his mood became a bit gloomy.

 

A light knock sounded at his door, and Qin Yu’s voice came through: “Man-ge’r, come out and see Auntie Miao off.”

 

Usually, when elders from both families discussed marriage matters, the one to be wed wouldn’t appear unless the arrangement was already settled and only the formalities remained. Being asked to see off the groom’s family was a sign that the matter was as good as decided.

 

Qiao Suiman gently pulled the door open. Though it wasn’t his first time meeting Miao Lianhua, he was even more nervous than before. He smiled obediently. “Auntie Miao.”

 

“Ah, ah, ah.” Miao Lianhua has no ge’r or daughters of her own, so she finds Qiao Suiman utterly endearing. She took one of his hands in hers and patted it gently with the other. “Good child, no wonder Dongqing likes you so much. You’re truly the best. Child, I can’t promise much, but once you enter the Lu family, I swear no one will ever bully you!”

 

Except for Zhou Shuifen, Qiao Suiman rarely felt cared for by elders. At this moment, his nose tingled, and his voice trembled as he said, “I understand. Thank you, Auntie.”

 

Miao Lianhua patted Qiao Suiman’s head, noticing the bamboo hairpin her son had made for several days. She smiled with squinted eyes. “Let’s live well from now on.”

 

After exchanging a few more words, Miao Lianhua took her leave to discuss house-building matters with the village chief.

 

Although a site had been reserved during the land enclosure, the specifics of how much could be used and whom to hire for construction were still issues. Lu Dongqing and Lu Xuesong should have already gone to the Yu family. She couldn’t delay too long.

 

After seeing off Miao Lianhua, Qiao Suiman looked at the three gifts she brought, still a bit surprised. Back when Butcher Wang visited the Chen family, though it wasn’t a formal proposal, he brought wine, meat, and sugar, which already showed great regard. He never imagined that one day, someone would value him so highly.

 

“The Lu family sincerely wants to marry you. Did Lu Dongqing mention the work in town to you?” Qin Yu asked.

 

Qiao Suiman nodded. “He mentioned it yesterday. He earns two mace of silver a day! He said it’ll probably take about a month to finish. By then… he’ll have almost saved enough.”

 

Qiao Ruifeng said with satisfaction, “As long as he told you, that’s what matters. He’s sincere in treating you well, so I’m at ease.”

 

The smile never left Qiao Suiman’s face. Since Lu Dongqing was wholeheartedly working to earn money for their future, he couldn’t lag behind either. It was time to prepare for the market on the ninth.

 

The peach and green plum syrups were running low and needed to be remade. The wild tea leaves had to be picked again, and though there were still dried peach blossoms left, more needed to be sun-dried. As for perilla leaves, there were plenty. They grew in the vegetable garden throughout the year.

 

This kind of purposeful busyness brought peace to his heart. As if sensing that Lu Dongqing was also working hard for their future, Qiao Suiman found himself smiling the entire time he boiled the syrup.

 

 

 

 

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Translator [LUNE]: That’s it for this week’s update! (excited for the wedding)