stingy landlady

Chapter 196 Gui Hong's Engagement (4)

Dazhu nodded. He casually said to Li:

"How much of this fabric can you wear! This fabric doesn't need to be fed or grazed. It's perfect for them as dowry."

Let's eat all those pastries and snacks! Let's send some over to Mom so she can have a taste!

Li asked Dazhu with concern:

"What did the Dong family in Nagqu say about Guihong's marriage? Did they agree or disagree?"

Dazhu, slightly impatient, said:

"Let me go to the county town and take a look! I need to meet them and find out about their family first!"

Gui Hong has already been proposed to, so we need to hurry up with Gui Xiang's situation too!

Since Guizhi wasn't in Huanghua Village, Guixiang made a new friend. Jiang Xiaoyu, who also came to Huanghua Village to do needlework, was about the same age as Guixiang. She was sweet-talking and always smiling. She was always pulling Guixiang aside to talk.

"Sister Guixiang! They all call you Miss! We're about the same age, so how about I call you Sister Guixiang?"

"Sister Guixiang! I just embroidered a begonia flower handkerchief for you. I hope you won't find it unworthy!"

"Sister Guixiang! The orchids you embroidered today are so beautiful. Could you embroider a purse with a clivia design for me?"

"Sister Guixiang! The young lady of the Dong family is your own sister! No wonder everyone calls you Miss! I didn't even know that when I came from the village!"

"Sister Guixiang, you're not angry, are you?"

"Sister Guixiang! It wasn't easy for my mother to raise my brother and me! Luckily, my brother is sensible and smart! He's already passed the imperial examination at a young age!"

"Sister Guixiang! I give all the money I earn from working to my mother. My brother studies hard and wants to pass the imperial examination to become a scholar!"

Gui Xiang learned about Jiang Xiaoyu's family through her daily nagging.

Jiang Xiaoyu's widowed mother raised her brother Jiang Hongliang and Jiang Xiaoyu with great hardship!

Jiang Hongliang was intelligent and handsome, and through diligent study, he passed the imperial examination for the first degree. Jiang Xiaoyu's mother had previously worked as a wet nurse for a wealthy family and had some savings. Over the years, Jiang Hongliang's education had cost a fortune.

Jiang Xiaoyu used the money she earned from the handicraft workshop in Huanghua Village to prepare for Jiang Hongliang's examination to become a scholar.

That evening, Jiang Xiaoyu and Guixiang met Jiang Hongliang!

Jiang Xiaoyu pulled Guixiang aside and introduced her to Jiang Hongliang:

"Brother! This is Guixiang, the young lady of our workshop!"

Gui Xiang's heart pounded like a deer's when she saw Jiang Hongliang. The man before her was slender and tall, exuding a strong scholarly air. His hair was tied up with a bamboo hairpin, and he had sword-like eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and thin lips that turned up in a smile.

Jiang Xiaoyu tugged at Jiang Hongliang's sleeve again and said to Guixiang:

"Sister Guixiang! This is my brother, Jiang Hongliang!"

Jiang Hongliang nodded and said in a gentle and refined manner:

"Greetings, Miss! I am Jiang Hongliang. My younger sister is quite mischievous, and we are very grateful for your long-term care!"

Jiang Xiaoyu stomped her foot and pouted, saying:

"Brother! Are you off today? I haven't been naughty at all! I work hard every day, you can ask Sister Guixiang if you don't believe me!"

Gui Xiang blushed deeply. Back when she sold boxed lunches, she was too young to have ever been seen alone with a man in public. It was so late today, and meeting Jiang Hongliang alone with Jiang Xiaoyu made her feel inexplicably shy!

"Young Master Jiang! Xiaoyu is quite diligent!"

Jiang Hongliang stared at Guixiang and asked:

"Young Miss! My younger sister is impulsive, but she gets along very well with you! Has she caused you any trouble?"

Gui Xiang shook her head and answered softly:

"Young Master Jiang! Xiaoyu has a cheerful and lively personality! She always has something to talk about with me!"

Jiang Hongliang raised his eyebrows, slightly curled the corners of his mouth, and said gently:

"That's good! It seems that the young lady and my sister are about the same age. The young lady is beautiful and gentle. It is truly an honor for me to meet her!"

Jiang Xiaoyu had disappeared sometime earlier. This was the first time Guixiang had been praised by a boy, and in such a slightly ambiguous way. It felt as if she were secretly on a date with Jiang Hongliang, her lover sweet-talking her!

"Young Master Jiang, you're too kind! My daughter is far too good for you!"

Jiang Hongliang stepped forward and carefully examined Gui Xiang:

"Young Miss! I have long heard my younger sister praise you highly! She says you are beautiful and gentle."

Hearing about you is nothing compared to seeing you in person. This humble scholar finds you to be as beautiful as a celestial being, with a voice as melodious as a heavenly melody. Your demeanor is impeccable, elegant and graceful!

Gui Xiang felt a surge of nervousness under Jiang Hongliang's aura, her heart pounding like a drum. But hearing his sweet words again, she felt a blush of shy sweetness.

"Young Master Jiang!"

Jiang Hongliang's deep voice rang out above Guixiang's head:

"I'm here!"

Gui Xiang was startled and looked up abruptly, seeing a pair of bright eyes shining with an inexplicable light.

Gui Xiang looked around but saw no one else beside her. She became even more flustered and tried to back away, but Jiang Hongliang reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Watch out! Young lady, don't fall!"

Gui Xiang was at a loss, as if burned, and hurriedly broke free from Jiang Hongliang and ran back. Jiang Xiaoyu, however, appeared out of nowhere, stopped Gui Xiang, and reached out to pull her, saying:

"Oh! Sister Guixiang! Where did you go? I just went back to my place to get a handkerchief for my brother, and I saw you and my brother chatting happily. That's why I didn't tell you. I just got it and came back!"

"Sister Guixiang! I'll give the handkerchief to my brother and then go back with you!"

Gui Xiang gently pushed Jiang Xiaoyu's hand away and said:

"Xiaoyu! I have to go back first!"

After saying that, he ran away in a hurry.

Jiang Xiaoyu handed the embroidered purse to Jiang Hongliang:

"Brother! You're being too hasty! You've only just met, and this was embroidered by Guixiang. You should go home first! I'll go check on Guixiang!"

Don't let her overthink things, or you'll have a hard time seeing her again!

When Dazhu and Guizhi arrived in the county town, they met Guihong, who shyly told them about Madam Qu's family.

One time, Mrs. Qu brought her niece, Zhou Yuchen, to this place to choose pajamas. While Mrs. Qu was trying on clothes, Zhou Yuchen suddenly got her period, and Gui Hong immediately brought her a new menstrual pad to use.

This saved Zhou Yuchen from embarrassment; the girls' friendship was that simple. They became acquainted quickly. Zhou Yuchen often invited Gui Hong to her friends' gatherings.

Madam Qu also advised Guihong to get to know more girls in the county town and make some close friends. Whether she does business or gets married in the county town later, she wouldn't be all alone!

Once, at the Zhou family's residence, she ran into Zhou Shaoyu. It turned out he was an acquaintance—the young owner of a bookstore not far from Guihong's shop. Guihong frequented this bookstore, and that's how they became familiar!

This bookstore was set up by Madam Qu's brother so that Zhou Shaoyu could practice his skills. If he wanted to take over the Zhou family's business in the future, he would have to be trained from a young age.

When Madam Qu learned that the two were acquainted, she approached her sister-in-law and brought up the marriage proposal. The Qu family valued Guizhi highly and had always wanted to arrange a marriage between their families. However, although Guizhi was young, she was not easy to control.

Gui Hong was just like someone who had a pillow delivered to someone who was sleepy. Zhou Shaoyu's mother was both a familiar client of Gui Hong and the mother of her good friend. She had always been quite fond of Gui Hong.