Gu Qingmei did not see the affection she wished for from Chen Erlang. She lifted her head towards him and saw his disdainful eyes. Her heart sank. Brother Erlang didn't like her gift?
Grievously, she asked, "Brother Erlang, don't you like what Mei'er gave you?"
Seeing her face, smeared like a ghost's, Chen Erlang nearly gagged. It wasn't that he disliked the gift; he disliked *her*.
He turned his face away and said to Old Father Chen, "Father, let's go. We can't be late."
Old Father Chen nodded, flicked the whip in his hand, and the ox bolted off.
"Brother Erlang, Brother Erlang!" Gu Qingmei reacted and chased after them, but her two legs couldn't keep pace with the oxcart's four wheels. Before long, the oxcart was out of sight.
Gu Qingmei walked back, her expression deeply dejected.
"Well, well, look at the Gu family's eldest daughter! What happened? Couldn't catch up? You should have chased him all the way to town! TSK TSK TSK… The younger sister just broke off her engagement, and now the older sister is so eager. Chen Erlang is really in demand," Zhang Qiaozui chattered incessantly.
Today was market day, and Zhang Qiaozui had come out early, happening to witness this scene. This would give her enough gossip material for several days.
"Qiaozui, what rare sight did you stumble upon to get you so excited?" Fourth Aunt Tian from the village came over and asked.
Zhang Qiaozui gestured with her chin towards Gu Qingmei's retreating figure. "Look over there. She came early this morning to intercept Chen Erlang. Do you think Chen Erlang is actually sought after or not?"
Looking at Gu Qingmei, Fourth Aunt Tian said with contempt, "HEH. Indeed. The morals in our village have really declined. All these girls think about is chasing men."
"Exactly! You'd better watch your own daughter."
Fourth Aunt Tian retorted irritably, "Don't you have a daughter too?" Talking with people like her was infuriating. They always tried to drag others down. Fourth Aunt Tian let out a HMPH, quickened her pace, and walked away.
"PTUI!" Zhang Qiaozui spat in Fourth Aunt Tian's direction, pursed her lips disdainfully, and followed.
HMPH! Her daughter would never go for men like that. In the future, when her son passes the imperial examinations and becomes a scholar, he'll have no trouble finding a suitable husband for his sister; he can pick anyone he wants for her!
「In the mountains, Gu Qingli led Dashuang and Xiaoshuang into the deep forest.」
"Second Sister, this spot is fine. Let's not go any deeper," Dashuang said, stopping and calling out to Gu Qingli, who was still heading further in.
Gu Qingli stopped, used her machete to clear away the dead leaves on the ground, and inspected the medicinal herbs. She nodded. "Alright. In a moment, I'll tell you which ones to dig."
Dashuang asked in surprise, "Second Sister, you only looked at them once yesterday and you remember them all?"
"Yes, your sister has a good memory."
"HEH HEH, my memory isn't that great. I looked several times yesterday and only managed to remember a few," Dashuang said, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Xiaoshuang also asked, "Second Sister, did you memorize all of them?"
Gu Qingli pinched his cheek. "How could I? Do you really think your sister has a photographic memory? I recognized about twenty or thirty types."
Actually, I knew these herbs long before, silly little brothers.
The two brothers covered their mouths, almost crying out. It's true what they say: 'Comparing people is infuriating; comparing goods makes you want to toss yours out!' Their Second Sister was just too formidable!
They felt thoroughly outmatched. They resolved to redouble their efforts to memorize everything when they returned.
Gu Qingli was amused by her brothers' expressions. She gave each of them a kiss on the cheek before starting to dig for herbs.
「In the county town, Xiao Yunjing carried the wild boar on his shoulder directly from the oxcart into the Auspicious House Restaurant.」
He frequented this establishment, knowing the proprietor, Boss Liu, to be an honest man who wouldn't cheat him.
Wang Po, who did odd jobs in the kitchen, saw the tall man carrying another huge wild boar and quickly made way for him, rushing off to call Boss Liu.
Just as Xiao Yunjing set the wild boar down, Boss Liu arrived.
"Well, Brother Xiao, you've brought in such a big one today! HEH HEH, perfect timing! Just today, a few wealthy patrons were asking for game meat, and I was wondering where to find some."
Xiao Yunjing chuckled good-naturedly. "It seems this good fortune was meant for your business, Boss Liu."
"HAHAHA! Brother Xiao, I haven't seen you in days, and your tongue has practically turned to gold! You wait here, I'll have this weighed for you right away."
"Alright."
Boss Liu quickly called someone to weigh the boar. It was a full two hundred and ten catties. Amazed at Xiao Yunjing's strength, Boss Liu paid him the silver.
After receiving five taels of silver and two hundred and fifty copper coins, Xiao Yunjing gave ten copper coins to Mrs. Wang and left.
Mrs. Wang was overjoyed. Every time this tall man came, if she helped call for someone, he would give her a few copper coins. She wished he would come every day; it would certainly improve her family's livelihood.
Xiao Yunjing left the restaurant, mounted his oxcart, and headed back to the town.
Selling goods in the county town was better because prices were higher. If he had sold this wild boar in the local town, he would have received at most four taels of silver. In the county town, however, he earned an extra tael.
One tael of silver was enough for an ordinary farming family to live on for three to four months.
It was also enough to buy a fine wedding dress for the Gu family's second daughter.
It was already afternoon when Xiao Yunjing arrived back in town. He found a noodle shop, ordered a bowl of noodles, and after eating, he went to a ready-made clothing shop to order a wedding dress.
"Young Master, did you say you want to order a wedding dress?" The female shopkeeper looked at the large man curiously; it was rare for a man to come order a wedding dress. She asked again to confirm.
Xiao Yunjing nodded. "Yes, that's correct."
"Measurements?" the shopkeeper asked.
Xiao Yunjing looked puzzled. "Do you need measurements?"
He had no idea. He thought buying clothes was as simple as picking something and leaving.
"Of course. Wedding dresses are tailor-made."
"Oh."
Xiao Yunjing understood. A wedding dress is worn only once in a lifetime; it couldn't be too large or too small.
He said, "Then I'll go back, ask for the measurements, and return tomorrow."
"Certainly," the shopkeeper replied. "But please be prompt. Making a wedding dress takes time. Otherwise, if there's a delay, it could cause problems."
Xiao Yunjing nodded. He left the clothing shop and went to a silversmith, where he bought a set of silver head ornaments. By the time he headed back, he had very little silver left.
「When Xiao Yunjing got home, he tied up the oxcart, went inside to put away the silver head ornaments, and then found Ms. Jiang.」
"Mother, could you please go to the Gu family and ask for the second daughter's clothing measurements?"
Ms. Jiang was making shoes. She nodded. "Alright. As it happens, I also need to ask for her shoe size."
"Thank you, Mother."
"No need to thank me. You are my son. All I wish for is that you and your brothers live well," Ms. Jiang sighed. She put down her work, took a few pastries, and headed towards the Gu family's home.
Ms. Wu was sweeping the courtyard when she saw Ms. Jiang arrive and went to greet her.
"Sister-in-law, you're here! Please, come in."
Ms. Jiang asked, "Are you busy right now, Sister-in-law?"
Ms. Wu replied, "Not at all. Is there something you need, Sister-in-law? Why don't you come inside and sit for a while?"
As she spoke, she glanced towards Ms. Hua.
Ms. Hua's eyes were fixed on what Ms. Jiang was carrying. She said with a smile, "Relative, do come in and sit for a while. Ms. Wu, why haven't you invited our guest inside?"
Ms. Jiang said coolly, "Grandma Gu, I just need to have a few words with my sister-in-law. I'll leave once we're done."
She disliked Ms. Hua's scrutinizing gaze. She quickly asked Ms. Wu for Gu Qingli's measurements, pressed the pastries into Ms. Wu's arms, mentioned they were for the second daughter, and then promptly left.