Seeing that Fan Er's expression was off, Hongdou's father immediately interrupted her, "What nonsense are you talking about?" He reached for the tinderbox on the windowsill, and only after getting it did he speak to Fan Er in a leisurely manner.
"Child... do you know how much my family's bride price was?"
"I know, Hongdou told me."
Hongdou's father stuffed the shredded tobacco leaves into his pipe and said in a deep voice, "Don't blame your uncle for being heartless. Even birds know to build a nest when they're courting a mate. You don't own a house or a plot of land; you earn your food by doing odd jobs for others."
Every parent hopes their daughter can marry into a wealthy family. Logically, I wouldn't agree to your marriage, but since you were able to redeem yourself, you must have some ability.
"Buy the house first, then come and propose marriage."
Fan Er excitedly jumped up from his chair, "Uncle, you agree?"
Hongdou's father slightly raised his eyelids and looked at him steadily, "I agree... but you must remember what I said today: you can't let Hongdou go hungry, and you can't let her suffer any injustice."
My Du Household may not have much else, but we have a lot of men. If I find out you're bullying Hongdou, don't blame me for being ruthless."
When Hongdou's father said this, his eyes suddenly turned fierce.
Fan Er was so frightened that his heart trembled. "Uncle, don't worry, I will be good to Hongdou for the rest of my life."
Hongdou's father lit his pipe with a tinderbox, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke. "Alright... go check on Hongdou."
"Sigh..." Fan Er stepped out of the house.
Hongdou Girl said anxiously, "You agreed so quickly, isn't that a bit too fast?"
Hongdou's father said, "He works at the Anzhi Hall, so how could his wages be low? If any of our family members want to find work in the future, it'll be just a matter of a word from him."
Hongdou's mother slapped Hongdou Hongdou's father on the back, making him glare at her in pain. "Are you trying to kill me?" he yelled.
Hongdou Girl chuckled, "How did I, with my slow brain, end up with such a smart person like you?"
"You old woman, what nonsense are you spouting at your age?" Hongdou's father was flattered by his wife's praise, and even his cigarette felt more energetic.
Fan Er found Hongdou and handed her the household registration booklet. Watching her carefully check the booklet, he couldn't help but grin foolishly.
Hongdou looked up, her eyes filled with shimmering light. "Is the master making things difficult for you?"
Fan Er shook his head. "No, Master didn't even ask me anything before granting me citizenship."
Hongdou then asked, "Have my parents made things difficult for you?"
"No, my uncle told me to buy a house first, and then come to propose marriage."
Hongdou jumped up with a delighted shout, "My dad agreed?"
"Yes, I agree." Fan Er saw her joy and felt happy too.
Fan Er reappeared at the Anzhi Hall half a month later.
To put Hongdou's mind at ease, he had been looking at houses everywhere these days. He picked out three suitable ones and brought Hongdou's family over to discuss them.
Hongdou's mother was a master negotiator; once Hongdou made her choice, she would handle the entire price negotiation.
Only after obtaining the property deed did the Du Household family agree to Fan Er's marriage proposal.
Anzhi Hall, study.
Jin Shanyao and spread out all the books, including " One Hundred Questions on Folk Marriage Customs " and " Regulations of the Ministry of Rites," on the table.
Fan Er stood opposite her, grinning sheepishly, "Master... no need for all that trouble. Just give the betrothal gifts as Hongdou suggested. I've already prepared the money, meat, and wine."
Jin Shanyao the pages of her book, taking notes as she read. "You don't understand... proposing marriage is a major event, not to be taken lightly."
If this were her own business, it wouldn't matter whether it succeeded or not, but this was Fan Er's business. He had finally found a girl he liked, and he couldn't let things go wrong because of the marriage proposal.
Her gaze lingered on the word "matchmaker." Matchmakers were of several ranks; the highest rank wore veils and purple vests, and spoke of the emperor's favor and privileges.
They wore crowns, had yellow buns on their backs, or simply wore skirts, and carried green parasols, walking together in pairs.
For lower-class matchmakers, there are no uniform regulations; they are usually dressed in casual, neat clothes, as long as they are clean and presentable.
Jin Shanyao her head, staring at the book, and said to Fan Er, "You go back first. We'll go propose marriage together tomorrow morning."
Fan Er's cheeks flushed red, and he smiled, "Well... I'll head back now," he said, turning back to look at himself several times as he left the study.
Jin Shanyao glanced at her clothes, then looked up and shouted towards the outside, " Qing He... Qing He..."
"Oh, you're here..." Qing He put down her work and rushed in. "What's wrong, Master?"
"Go to the tailor shop and buy me a set of clothes for a matchmaker, a top-notch one..." he said, handing her the list he had on hand. "Buy these things back."
Qing He took it, glanced at it, and then turned and left.
The next day, Fan Er came to the Anzhi Hall and saw a pile of things in the courtyard: tea, snacks, wine, cloth, and a live chicken.
Fan Er was stunned. "M-Master, this is..."
Jin Shanyao checking quantities in the yard, holding a list in her hand. She paused for a moment when she saw the lively rooster, then turned and shouted towards the kitchen, " Qing He! What's the chicken in there?"
Qing He's voice drifted out, "The list said 'the betrothal gifts must include poultry,' so I caught the fattest one from the backyard."
Jin Shanyao stared at the rooster, looking it over again and again. "Is this the fattest one?"
Qing He: "Yes."
Jin Shanyao the sheet into her bosom. "Alright then." She then headed towards the bedroom, saying to Fan Er, "Wait here for me, I'm going to change my clothes... Qing He, hitch up the oxcart."
"Okay... I understand."
When Jin Shanyao reappeared, she was wearing a purple cloth jacket, with the blue veil covering her head thrown behind her, and a blue parasol tucked under her arm. Her attire was rather incongruous.
Seeing Fan Er staring blankly at her, she ordered, "What are you standing there for? Pick up the chicken."
Fan Er looked at the chicken, and the chicken looked at him.
"Master... this chicken... is alive."
Qing He, standing to the side, said with dissatisfaction, "Nonsense, can a dead animal be called a bird?" She had been busy all day preparing these betrothal gifts, and if Fan Er dared to grumble again, she would see how she dealt with him.
Fan Er scratched his head, "Me, hold him?"
"Yes, it looks more practical for you to hold him," Jin Shanyao, holding her belt with both hands, twisting her body, adjusting her clothes, and telling Xiaoli, "Keep an eye on my precious little darling. I'll be back later."
The Xiaoli purred softly... its gaze falling on Meng Anzhi.
Qing He harnessed the oxcart, and the Anzhi Hall group worked together to load everything. With everything ready, Fan Er, carrying the chicken and Jin Shanyao, boarded the oxcart and headed towards the Du Household.
The closer they got to the village, the more nervous Fan Er became; he almost strangled the chicken in his arms.
Upon arriving at the Du Household, Jin Shanyao a deep breath, turned to look at Fan Er, and saw that his face was pale and his eyes were staring blankly at the courtyard gate.
Why are you nervous?
Fan Er exclaimed in surprise, "I... I don't know... I was just nervous."
Jin Shanyao patted his shoulder and said confidently, "Don't be nervous, watch me." As she spoke, she straightened her clothes, took out the green umbrella, opened it, and held it above her head.
She raised her hand and knocked on the courtyard gate. As soon as she heard the answer, Hongdou's father came out of the house. He was dressed in a clean and neat gray short shirt. He was impressed by Jin Shanyao's attire.
He almost thought Fan Er had brought a crazy woman over. After a brief moment of stunned silence, he tentatively asked, " Shopkeeper Jin??"
Before he finished speaking, one, two, three... came out of the house. Until the fifth one came out.
They looked at each other in silence, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
Jin Shanyao, her eyes wide. The book didn't say that a marriage proposal required a large and powerful group.
This whole thing is a mess... If only I had brought all the brothers from the estate, the bride's family wouldn't have looked down on me.
Seeing her staring intently at her son, Hongdou's father smiled and explained, "They're all my sons... I heard Hongdou got engaged today, so she skipped work to see what her future brother-in-law looks like."
Jin Shanyao an awkward smile, glancing furtively at Fan Er... This wasn't looking at her brother-in-law; it was a blatant show of defiance.