Chapter 63: Chapter 63 – My marriage, my decision
Translator: 549690339
As they needed to grind more soybeans, Qiao Xiaomai and Qiao Changsun woke up even earlier. It took them over two hours to make the tofu and bean curd.
They weren’t particularly skilled at using a donkey to turn the millstone, but as they became more accustomed to it, they were able to work faster.
When Yuan Ding arrived and learned that there were four jars of bean curd this time, he was very pleased.
“Miss Qiao, when I was on my way here, the shopkeeper asked me to relay a message to you. He said that the bean curd sells well and hopes you can produce more. You made four jars today, he will definitely be delighted!”
“So, how much does your shopkeeper sell a bowl of bean curd for?” Qiao Xiaomai asked curiously.
“For each bowl, he splits it into two and sells each for twenty wen.” Yuan Ding answered truthfully without hiding anything.
Qiao Xiaomai,
Unsurprisingly, he’s a merchant!
“Miss Qiao, I didn’t bring enough silver today, let’s settle the rest in the afternoon.” Yuan Ding added.
He usually pays daily, but he wasn’t prepared for Qiao Xiaomai’s sudden increase in production.
There were only four jars in Qiao Xiaomai’s house, so he would have to return the jars in the afternoon.
Qiao Xiaomai nodded, “Okay.”
After helping Yuan Ding load the tofu and bean curd onto the cart, Qiao Xiaomai turned and headed back to the courtyard.
After making undergarments for Qiao Dami yesterday, it was time to make her own today.
She brought a stool into the courtyard and sat under the sun, sewing swiftly. Qiao Changsun finished feeding the chickens and then gathered the dirty laundry, sitting beside the well to wash them.
Qiao Dami also brought a small stool over and sat next to the well. Using a little brush made from a willow twig, he began to clean the river snails they caught yesterday.
Qiao Changsun’s attention was always on Qiao Xiaomai. Seeing her sewing only caring for speed without considering aesthetics—he frowned even more, “Xiaomai, if you keep on sewing like this, you will be despised by your future in-laws.”
Qiao Xiaomai, who had been concentrating on her work was,”….”
She opened her mouth somewhat helplessly, “Father, why do you keep thinking about this?”
“You’re of marrying age, how can 1 not think about it?” Qiao Changsun sighed.
In the past when they were poor, other than the Jiang family who had once proposed marriage for their foolish son, no matchmaker had ever visited.
Now that their family’s situation had improved, Zhuang Luhe had eloped with a rogue.
The bad influence this incident brought was much worse than being poor.
He genuinely worried that Qiao Xiaomai wouldn’t be able to get married, and even if she did, he feared she would be mistreated by her in-laws.
“All. it’s all my fault.” Qiao Changshun murmured, sighing deeply. The
wrinkles on his face deepened, and in combination with his dark, sallow complexion, he looked even older. “I’ve never considered for you three ladies before. It’s my fault…”
Qiao Xiaomai,”….”
She held her forehead in exasperation, “Father, can we not talk about this?”
“How can we not talk about it? You’re bound to get married someday. We have to arrange it as early as possible, or else all the good men will be chosen by others. Should I arrange for someone to keep an eye out for potential suitors?”
“I will not get married.” Qiao Xiaomai declined categorically.
“How can you not get married?!” Qiao Changshun was astonished.
“What’s so good about getting married? To meet a mother-in-law like grandma and be bullied for a lifetime?” A glimmer of coldness flashed through Qiao Xiaomai’s face. And men, when in love, they would take vows and make grand promises, but when the passion faded, they would start to cheat.
Qiao Changshun,”….”
With the bloody example of Zhuang Luhe laid plainly before his eyes, Qiao Changshun found himself unable to refute Qiao Xiaomai’s words.
After a long silence, he finally muttered, “1 will make sure to choose a good one for you.”
“No need, I will decide my own marriage. Father, don’t bring this up again. No matter what you say, I won’t listen.” Qiao Xiaomai rose to her feet, took her sewing basket back to her room.
With a gloomy face, she carried a basket on her back, took a hemp bag and walked towards the courtyard gate, “I’m going to chop some grass for the donkey.”
Before the echoes of her words died down, she had already left the courtyard.
Qiao Changshun was left, stunned..