Chapter 237

Seeing Zhang Shen upset, He Jinglan and Shitou were at a loss, and it wasn't appropriate to interject then, so they could only glance at Gu Xixi, waiting to see what she would do.

The stalemate didn't last long; Gu Xixi sighed and said, "I know Auntie has always been worried about my marriage—it's just about finding a man to marry, and I agree."

Zhang Shen looked up in surprise and said, "Really?"

He Jinglan and Shitou both spoke up anxiously at the same time.

Gu Xixi turned to Zhang Shen, smiling, and said, "Of course it's true."

She glanced at the two flustered beside her and said, "Getting married is a joyous occasion—why shouldn't I agree?"

"Don't you two want to drink my wedding wine?"

He Jinglan stared at Gu Xixi, using a rich expression to silently ask: "You're really doing this?"

Gu Xixi smiled and closed her eyes briefly, meaning: "It couldn't be more true."

Shitou didn't have so many reservations; he jumped up and shouted, "Sister Xixi, have you forgotten Mr. Chen?"

Zhang Shen said unhappily, "That person has run off; from now on, no one should mention him again."

Shitou argued earnestly, "Although Mr. Chen has run away now, I believe he'll return after finishing his business!"

"A gentleman keeps his word; speech must be trustworthy and action resolute—that's what Mr. Chen taught us!"

Shitou grabbed Zhang Shen's sleeve and said, "Grandma Zhang, just look at that lock in the west room and you'll know."

"If Mr. Chen isn't coming back, why would he leave such a big lock?"

Zhang Shen actually liked Chen Fang as a son-in-law; otherwise she wouldn't be so upset that he's run away.

Her heart wavered a bit, but she forced herself to harden.

"I don't care what he thinks; the fact is he left without saying goodbye and never said when he'd return."

"Are we supposed to let Sister Xixi keep waiting for him until she becomes an old maid?"

Shitou ran out of words, hesitated a moment, then turned his argument to Gu Xixi: "Sister Xixi, although I think there are indeed better men than Mr. Chen in the world—for example, me."

"But I still need a few more years before I can marry; Grandma Zhang would surely disagree with Sister Xixi waiting that long."

Seeing him speak so seriously about such childish talk, the three women couldn't help but laugh.

Zhang Shen laughed helplessly and said, "This silly child, you don't even know what marriage is, yet you say you'll marry Sister Xixi?"

Shitou, however, remained undisturbed, still solemn and earnest.

"So we can only settle for second best and choose Mr. Chen—at least we know his background and are familiar with each other."

"If Sister Xixi were to marry some bad man, I wouldn't feel at ease!"

Gu Xixi calmly said, "Who said I have to marry? Even if we marry, the man must move into my family as a son-in-law."

Zhang Shen pondered briefly and agreed, "Xixi is an only daughter and has plenty of farmland—wealth should not flow to outsiders."

She picked up Zhao Meipo's matchmaker register and handed it to Gu Xixi with a smile.

"Take a look and see who you like; I'll discuss the terms with Zhao Meipo!"

Gu Xixi didn't take the register, saying, "No need to look; since we're really trying to find a suitable match this time, I might as well tell the matchmaker my husband-selection criteria and let her search accordingly."

"Otherwise, if she finds someone not to my taste, we'll all have wasted our effort."

Zhang Shen thought it reasonable and said, "Then tell me, what kind do you like?"

Gu Xixi said, "If he becomes a son-in-law, our children must take my surname; his looks must absolutely not be worse than Chen Fang's; he must have studied and be learned; his stature should be tall and sturdy, not too fat nor too thin."

"His temperament must be good, not irritable; he also needs a quick mind and social skill; he should be able to handle chores at home and help me with outside work—basically like An Qinghe would do."

He Jinglan burst out laughing, then quickly covered her mouth.

Gu Xixi then reluctantly said, "I'm not young anymore; my demands can't be too high—let's leave it at that for now."

Zhang Shen's lips twitched a few times before she regained her voice and said, "Goodness, that's not high at all?"

Gu Xixi frowned, thought a moment, then asked innocently, "Auntie, which of my conditions do you think is wrong?"

Zhang Shen recalled each point and found that most of Gu Xixi's conditions were hard to refute.

In the end she reluctantly picked three objections: "How many men in the world are as good-looking as little Chen? Looks aren't something you eat or drink—why insist on that?"

"Also, requiring him to be educated—we're simple farm folk; we don't need a son-in-law to pass the imperial exams, and being learned would actually make him harder to control."

"As for being quick-witted and able to help you with work—if the husband is a bit slow, it's perfect: you can run the household entirely, he'll stay out of trouble, and you'll save yourself worry."

Gu Xixi listened patiently, nodded, sighed, and spoke solemnly:

"First, nowadays people laugh at me for not being able to keep a man; if I were to find a big, rough fellow who doesn't even measure up to Chen Fang, wouldn't that invite even more ridicule?"

"Second, my father was educated; he personally taught me when I was young, showing how much he valued learning. If my husband couldn't recognize a few characters, I think my father, even in the grave, would not agree."

"Third, if the husband is a fool, setting aside other matters, how would I deal with my future children lacking wit? How could I, for my own selfishness, burden my descendants?"

Zhang Shen felt her thoughts stall.

"It feels like something's off, yet I can't find any way to rebut it."

Gu Xixi rose leisurely and said, "Please trouble Auntie and Zhao Meipo with my marriage arrangements."

"It's getting late; I'll go call the master for dinner."

"Sister Xixi (Gu Xixi) is amazing!"

He Jinglan made an excuse to fetch bowls and chopsticks, slipped out to catch up with Gu Xixi, and couldn't help giggling.

"At first I was almost scared to death by you, really thinking you couldn't stand up to Aunt Zhang and would just give up."

Gu Xixi glanced sideways and said, "You said who's breaking the pot?"

He Jinglan bared her teeth in a smile, "Anyway, it's not you, love whoever you want."

I was just afraid Aunt Zhang would cry and you'd soften, but good thing you held firm and didn't compromise.

Gu Xixi said, "I don't blame Aunt Zhang; her thinking is just limited to here."

Some principles, if you tell her directly she might not understand; rather than confront her head‑on and make everyone unhappy, it's better to use a roundabout method.

Saves worry, saves effort.

Indeed." He Jinglan nodded, then smiled and said, "This method really is good."

With the conditions you mentioned, even if Zhao Meipo's books were all worn out, you couldn't find one that fully meets them.

Gu Xixi said, "If you can't realize the difficulty and retreat early, then if you're willing to look, just keep looking slowly."

The next day, Gu Xixi got up early and began processing the soil brought back from the border.

After finishing the first stage, she stood up, pushed open the window to look at the sun, and it was already noon.

The courtyard was very quiet, with no human voices to be heard.

Gu Xixi wondered, it was clearly lunchtime and the village school had already let out, so why was nobody around?

As she walked out, she looked around calling, "Jing Lan?"

Shitou?

Aunt? Aunt, are you there!

Gu Xixi glanced at the kitchen and main hall; indeed there was nobody.

Just as she was wondering, she turned and saw a black shadow flash by.