Chapter 200

Wang Yuan’er explained her plan to marry Wang Chun’er off to Hou Biao in full detail to Grandpa and Grandma Wang.

“What? Hou Biao?” Grandma Wang was the first to react with surprise and shock. She frowned and said, “Leaving aside that we know little about Hou Biao’s background, he’s also raising a little girl. What are you thinking?”

In her opinion, Wang Chun’er was kind and virtuous, with no shortage of suitors. Even the matches proposed by Madam Zhu were far better than Hou Biao. Why would her elder sister fixate on him?

Wang Yuan’er understood Grandma Wang’s concerns all too well, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that Chun’er genuinely liked him. Seeing the girl distressed over her feelings, who could bear to object?

As Cui Yuan once said, “Whether shoes fit or not is something only the wearer knows. What others consider good may not necessarily be what she wants.”

“Don’t let her have her way too easily. Look at Min’er—she’s a living example. Didn’t we all think Tang San was a good match? But she insisted on him, and you’ve seen how that turned out,” Grandma Wang said, her heart aching at the mention of Wang Min’er.

“I understand, Grandma. Actually, Dan’er isn’t Brother Hou’s real daughter. She’s…” Wang Yuan’er then shared the truth about Hou Dan’s background.

Upon hearing the story, Grandma and Grandpa Wang couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. How was this any different from Min’er’s situation?

“Hou Biao’s features are honest, and he doesn’t seem like a drifter. But as for supporting a wife… he doesn’t have a stable job,” Grandpa Wang remarked. However, recalling how Hou Biao had helped during Wang Er’s troubles, he had gained some favor in his eyes. Thus, he wasn’t entirely against the idea.

“Since he plans to settle here, he will surely look for stable work,” Wang Yuan’er said. “I agreed to this marriage not for other reasons. First, Hou Biao has no parents and lives alone. If Chun’er marries him, she won’t have to serve in-laws, so there will be no mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts. He has no brothers, so there won’t be disputes with sisters-in-law either. This way, there’s no chance of her being mistreated. Second, since he is settling in Changle Town, no matter where he lives, it will be close to us. If anything happens, we’ll be able to help each other. What do you think, Grandpa and Grandma?”

Grandpa Wang nodded while Grandma Wang pressed her lips together thoughtfully.

“As for work, I don’t think he’s a lazy person. Finding a proper job shouldn’t be difficult. Chun’er is kind and easygoing. Since they like each other, they’ll naturally work harmoniously to build a good life. With mutual support, they won’t have to worry about getting by. Wealth and prosperity can come with time—what matters most is that the two of them live together harmoniously,” Wang Yuan’er added.

“You’re right. In the end, a good life depends on the couple supporting each other and making decisions together,” Grandpa Wang agreed.

“And you, Grandma?” Wang Yuan’er asked.

Grandma Wang lifted her eyes to glance at her. “Since you’ve already decided, what else is there for me to say?”

“You can’t put it like that! You’re the Grandma—you’ll be drinking tea served by your granddaughter’s husband. Of course, it’s important that you drink it with joy!” Wang Yuan’er said with a playful smile.

Grandma Wang’s expression softened slightly, but she still maintained a stubborn tone as she said, “You’re all grown up now, with firm opinions in your hearts. I can’t control much anymore. Since the decision is made, just make sure you don’t regret it in the future. It’s like planting fruit—you reap what you sow, and whether it’s sweet, sour, or bitter, it’s yours to taste.”

“Grandma, we understand,” Wang Yuan’er replied.

Grandma Wang nodded but suddenly gave her a peculiar look and asked, “Chun’er’s matter is settled, but what about you? Do you have any plans?”

Wang Yuan’er froze in place.

“Yuan’er, you’re the eldest daughter, already seventeen this year. Your marriage is something to consider seriously,” Grandpa Wang reminded her.

Feeling her face grow warm, Wang Yuan’er gave an awkward laugh and said, “I’ve got it all figured out.” Worried that they might continue questioning her, she found an excuse and quickly slipped away. Grandpa and Grandma Wang watched her hastily retreating figure and shook their heads, commenting, “When it comes to firm opinions, who in this household matches her? I wonder what kind of man would be worthy as her husband.”

As for the matter of marriage, Wang Yuan’er herself hadn’t given it much serious thought. For daughters of a humble farming family like hers, the best choice was likely someone from a similarly modest background.

Yet there was one certainty in her mind—whoever the man was, he would have to respect her and not be overly bound by trivialities. After all, she still had several younger siblings to care for and manage.

Wang Yuan’er shook her head, clearing her mind of these thoughts.

…

Now that Hou Biao and Wang Chun’er’s engagement was openly acknowledged, given their age, it was time to formalize the marriage plans.

Wang Yuan’er first sent a letter to their grandmother, briefly explaining Chun’er’s situation and her intent to arrange the engagement with Hou Biao, asking to forgo any other suitors. She had expected only a reply, but the grandmother came in person to oversee the matter. After meeting Hou Biao and finding his demeanor honest and respectful, she was pleased.

With the elders’ approval, Wang Yuan’er enlisted Madam Zheng as the matchmaker. Following tradition, they organized a banquet, exchanged marriage documents, and formally set the engagement. According to the almanac, the wedding was set for August 8th.

The arrangement was now firmly settled. As the newly betrothed, Chun’er, naturally shy, was blushing furiously like a cooked shrimp whenever teased by Wang Qing’er and the others.

With a few months left until the August wedding, preparations for the dowry had to begin. Fortunately, Chun’er was skilled in needlework and capable of embroidering her wedding dress, pillows, and other items with ease.

As this was the first daughter being married off, Wang Yuan’er, acting as both elder sister and parental figure, was determined to prepare an abundant dowry for Chun’er. She knew that a wealthy dowry would give Chun’er confidence and status in her husband’s household, ensuring she’d be treated with respect.

Even though Hou Biao’s household consisted only of himself and a young girl, Wang Yuan’er was determined that Chun’er would not be shortchanged.

“Land in Changle Town is as valuable as gold now—it’s impossible to buy any. I’m thinking of checking the neighboring towns to find a good plot of farmland to purchase and add to your dowry,” Wang Yuan’er said, flipping through the family’s account book while calculating in her mind.

Wang Chun’er quickly responded, “Elder Sister, there’s no need to buy land—that’s far too much. Just prepare some bedding and fabric for me, and that will be more than enough.”

Wang Qing’er chuckled. “Second Sister, most people worry about having too little dowry, but you’re the other way around, worrying that it’s too much. If Brother-in-law Hou heard this, he’d probably think you’re a fool!”

Blushing, Wang Chun’er retorted, “What brother-in-law? We’re not married yet, so don’t call him that!” After a pause, she added, “And he’s not that kind of person. He said that as long as I’m willing to marry him, even if I didn’t bring a single piece of cloth as dowry, it would still be fine.”

“Oh my, Elder Sister, did you hear that? She’s already speaking up for him, and they’re not even married yet!” Wang Qing’er teased loudly.

Wang Chun’er, overwhelmed with embarrassment, put down her embroidery and started tickling Wang Qing’er. “You cheeky girl! All you do is laugh at me. Just wait until it’s your turn to marry!”

“Ah! Second Sister, spare me! I won’t do it again!” Wang Qing’er laughed as she dodged, raising her hands in surrender.

Once the commotion between the two sisters died down, Wang Yuan’er smiled and said, “Qing’er is right—no one complains about having too much dowry. Chun’er, you’re just too honest.” This honesty only made her care for Chun’er even more.

“Elder Sister…” Chun’er began, but before she could continue, Wang Yuan’er placed a hand on her shoulder and added, “Land is something we must buy. You may not farm it yourself, but you can lease it out. With just a few tenants, you’d have enough grain for the year and could sell the excess for extra money. Don’t tell me not to do this—it’s not easy managing a household, and countless things require silver. If it weren’t for the family’s current expenses, I’d have even considered getting you a shop.”

Shocked, Wang Chun’er exclaimed, “Elder Sister, that’s too much—I don’t need that!”

“Even if you wanted it, there isn’t one right now,” Wang Yuan’er replied with a laugh. “We’ve spent quite a bit recently to keep everything in order. The investment in the trading ship hasn’t yielded returns yet, and the profits from the fermented tofu are still tied to initial costs. There’s only around two hundred taels of silver left at home.”

Despite these limitations, Wang Yuan’er continued, “But in the future, when the family earns more silver, I’ll make sure to get you a shop as well.”

“There’s really no need, Elder Sister,” Wang Chun’er insisted. “I’m already taking so much, but there are still two younger sisters to think about. Besides, you haven’t married yet either—there’s so much we still need money for.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve got it all planned out,” Wang Yuan’er said, gently pinching Chun’er’s cheek. “You just focus on embroidering your dowry. Leave everything else to me.”

Wang Qing’er chimed in, “Elder Sister’s right, Second Sister. Just relax.”

With the two of them urging her, Wang Chun’er had no choice but to sit down uneasily, already considering whether she should talk to Hou Biao about it tomorrow. Meanwhile, Wang Yuan’er glanced at the land deed tucked away at the bottom of the chest. She thought about including it in Chun’er’s dowry.

The deed belonged to the Zhao family’s small property. Ever since Zhao Goudan had disappeared without a trace, Wang Yuan’er had held the deed, though she had never considered it her own asset. While she had paid some silver for it, it wasn’t much, and land prices had risen significantly since then. The house wasn’t valuable, but the land certainly was.

However, Wang Yuan’er hesitated. If she included the house as part of Chun’er’s dowry, she worried it might make Hou Biao uncomfortable. For a man to rely on his wife’s dowry to have a home—it could feel akin to being seen as a kept man or entering into her family instead. Considering this, Wang Yuan’er decided against it, not wanting to create any misunderstandings before they were even married.

But to her surprise, Hou Biao approached her directly about the house.