Chapter 180

Wang Yuan’er and her siblings stayed at their maternal grandparents’ house for five whole days before returning to Changle Town with big bundles of luggage. After all, the Lantern Festival was only a couple of days away, and Wang Yuan’er needed to oversee the management at the workshop, so it wasn’t practical to stay too long.

Naturally, Grandma and Grandpa Liang were reluctant to see them leave, but they knew they couldn’t stay indefinitely. Grandma Liang repeatedly reminded and urged them as she bid farewell at the carriage.

“Don’t worry. As soon as there’s news, I’ll send you a letter,” Grandma Liang said, holding Wang Yuan’er’s hand. She was referring to the matter of arranging a marriage for Wang Chun’er. Although Grandpa Liang had been networking for the past few days, he hadn’t found a suitable match. The few leads he did have resulted in hesitation once people learned of the siblings’ family background. They said they would need to meet them in person before deciding further.

Given the hesitancy, there was no need to pursue it. Grandpa Liang wasn’t someone who would go out of his way to curry favor with people, so he outright rejected these prospects. For several days, he hadn’t found an ideal match.

Wang Yuan’er understood that such matters couldn’t be rushed. Smiling, she said, “There’s no hurry. Marriage is about forming a harmonious bond between two families; otherwise, it’s just a recipe for resentment. Let’s take our time—there will be a suitable match eventually.”

Grandma Liang shared the same sentiment.

After bidding farewell to their maternal family, the carriage headed back to Changle Town. Wang Qing’er, sitting beside Wang Yuan’er, eagerly asked with a nosy expression, “Elder sister, these past few days, you kept whispering with Grandma and avoiding us. What were you talking about?”

“What were we talking about? Obviously, we were discussing when to get you, this troublemaker, married off,” Wang Yuan’er teased half-jokingly.

“Then find me a handsome man, one with no worries about food and drink, and prepare a generous dowry for me, too,” Wang Qing’er replied boldly without a hint of shyness.

“You shameless little lady! Aren’t you embarrassed?” Wang Yuan’er said with a laugh, giving her a playful pinch on the waist.

Wang Qing’er giggled and dodged, while Wang Chun’er laughed as well but cast a hesitant glance at her eldest sister, wanting to say something but holding back.

When they returned to the Wang family home in Changle Town, Grandma Wang frowned and said, “Why did you stay so long?”

“Oh, come on. They haven’t seen their in-laws in ages. What’s wrong with staying a few extra days?” Grandpa Wang spoke up in defense of Wang Yuan’er and her siblings.

Grandma Wang let out a slight snort but didn’t say anything more, turning and walking into the house.

With the Lantern Festival not yet over, most of the shops in Changle Town had already reopened for business. Wang Yuan’er quickly immersed herself in managing the workshop.

At the same time, she discreetly sought out Matchmaker Zhu, handed her a red envelope, and asked her to find a suitable marriage prospect for Wang Chun’er.

For a matchmaker, it’s only natural to seize business opportunities. Wang Yuan’er was generous, even subtly mentioning that the dowry wouldn’t be less than fifty taels of silver. This motivated Matchmaker Zhu to put in extra effort.

Soon enough, word spread across Changle Town that the Wang family’s daughters were entering the matchmaking process.

When Grandma Wang found out that Wang Yuan’er had directly approached the matchmaker, Madam Zhu, she sulked all day and complained to Grandpa Wang: “Just look at her! She doesn’t treat us as elders. What kind of girl arranges her own matchmaker to discuss marriage?”

Grandpa Wang sighed deeply, puffing on his tobacco pipe one bag after another.

Madam Zhang, not missing the chance for schadenfreude, said to Wang Yuan’er: “Your wings have really grown strong. Now you’re even deciding your own marriage affairs.”

Wang Yuan’er ignored her and, after some thought, went to the main room. First, she admitted her mistake and then said, “In the end, when the matchmaker discusses and evaluates the prospect, we’ll still need Grandpa and Grandma to help organize and preside over things.”

Grandma Wang, still wearing a stern expression, replied, “Since you’re so decisive, what need is there for me and your Grandpa to organize? Handle it yourself.”

Upon hearing it was about Wang Chun’er, Grandpa Wang felt slightly less troubled and said, “An elder sister is like a mother. It’s not unreasonable for you to care about your younger sisters. But you yourself haven’t settled down, yet you’re prioritizing someone else’s match ahead of yours…”

Wang Yuan’er had her response ready: “I’m not in a hurry. If someone suitable comes along, it won’t be too late to consider it. Besides, wasn’t my situation unsuitable for marriage talks these past two years? But Chun’er is already sixteen now. If we delay further, it won’t look good. She should find a match sooner.”

Grandma Wang snorted a few times but remained silent.

Grandpa Wang nudged her a few times in secret, but she didn’t react. Left without a choice, he said, “Well then, if there’s any news, come back and tell us what kind of family they are.”

Wang Yuan’er knew Grandma Wang was upset, but she didn’t plan to say much and excused herself.

“You see? Told you or not, you still put on that sour face,” Grandpa Wang remarked to Grandma Wang after she left.

Grandma Wang glared at him, saying, “This is a case of acting first and reporting later. Who couldn’t do the surface-level gestures? She just wants to stop us from criticizing her behind her back!”

Grandpa Wang sighed and said, “You know very well how we’ve treated the eldest family these past years. It’s understandable if they’ve become distant from us. Even now, they still call us Grandpa and Grandma. Must you drive them even further away? After all, the eldest couple is no longer with us.”

Grandma Wang opened her mouth but ultimately had no rebuttal.

The people outside were all aware that it was time for the Wang family’s daughters to discuss marriage prospects. Among them, the second daughter of the eldest Wang family was known for being the most gentle and virtuous.

The people of Changle Town had varying impressions of the Wang family’s daughters. The eldest was clever and capable; the second was mild-tempered, skilled in handicrafts, and virtuous, while the third was fiery and brash. Comparing them, the second daughter was the preferred choice for many families seeking a good daughter-in-law.

Upon learning that the dowry would not be lacking, many people started making inquiries, much to Wang Qing’er’s delight, as she exchanged mischievous glances with her second sister.

Wang Chun’er, on the other hand, felt a mix of shyness, anger, and urgency. She was shy because she had reached the age of marriage, annoyed that her elder sister didn’t inform her before finding a matchmaker, and frustrated that everyone else knew before she did—she was the last to find out.

“Elder Sister, why didn’t you tell me… about finding a matchmaker?” Wang Chun’er, flustered and upset, confronted Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er replied calmly, “I was just asking someone to keep an eye out for a match. You’re not young anymore.”

“But you should have told me first!” Wang Chun’er stomped her foot, her face flushing red.

Seeing her younger sister’s eyes brimming with tears, Wang Yuan’er hesitated and gently explained, “I was thinking I’d wait until there was a suitable match to tell you. I didn’t expect you to react so strongly…” She stopped mid-sentence and cautiously asked, “Are you mad at me, Sister?”

“I… I…” The more flustered Wang Chun’er became, the more muddled her thoughts grew. In the end, she stomped her foot and ran off.

“Chun’er! Chun’er!” Wang Yuan’er called after her, taking a few steps to follow. But the little one, Baolai, woke up and began crying at just the right moment. Left with no choice, she had to stop and soothe the child, wondering if she had made a mistake.

Wang Chun’er, feeling angry and upset, stormed out of the house and wandered aimlessly, lost in her thoughts and overcome with a sense of grievance. Her elder sister was too domineering and decisive. This matter concerned her, so why hadn’t her sister discussed it with her first? To think she was the last to find out—was her sister planning to inform her only when the potential match was finalized?

The more Wang Chun’er thought about it, the worse she felt. Her indignation grew, and her eyes turned red with unshed tears.

“Miss Chun’er?” Suddenly, someone called out to her.

Wang Chun’er looked up and froze for a moment. She had unwittingly wandered to Zhao’s courtyard, and the one calling her was Hou Biao.

“Brother Hou.” For some reason, seeing him caused her to lose control, and her long-suppressed tears finally fell.

Hou Biao was startled and hurried out from the courtyard to comfort her. Seeing her crying, he fumbled awkwardly and said, “What… what happened? Who bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll go teach them a lesson.”

His clumsiness made Wang Chun’er laugh despite her tears. She wiped them away and shook her head, saying, “It’s nothing.”

Hou Biao saw her smile and was a bit puzzled. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Do you want to come in and sit for a while?”

Wang Chun’er glanced inside, thought for a moment, then nodded. She walked to a wooden bench in the courtyard, sat down, and looked around. “Where’s Dan’er?”

“She’s sleeping inside,” Hou Biao replied. He returned to the house, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her before sitting not far away.

Wang Chun’er held the bowl in her hands, feeling a bit awkward. After a long pause, she asked, “It’s been a while since you brought Dan’er to our house to play.”

Hou Biao hesitated for a moment and said, “I’ve had time to take care of her these days.”

Wang Chun’er took a sip of water and looked over, noticing that he was holding a piece of clothing and a needle in his hand. She was momentarily stunned, put down the water, and walked over. “Why are you mending this yourself?” She noticed the patch, which looked like it had been chewed by a dog, and snatched it away, muttering, “You’re a grown man and can’t sew. Let me help you.”

“This… it’s not good to keep troubling you,” Hou Biao said awkwardly. Watching her lower her head to thread the needle, he thought of the rumors among the townsfolk. His mind heated up, and he blurted out, “I heard you’re getting engaged!”

Wang Chun’er’s hand trembled, and the needle pricked her finger, causing a drop of blood to appear. She quickly put her finger in her mouth to suck on it. After a moment, she said, “You… you know about it too?”

Hou Biao nodded.

Wang Chun’er gave a bitter smile. Of course, Changle Town isn’t that big—once something spreads around, who wouldn’t know?

Seeing her desolate expression, which didn’t seem joyful, Hou Biao asked, “You… you’re not happy?”

Wang Chun’er shook her head and looked at the piece of clothing in her hand. “I can’t really say. It’s just that I’m upset my elder sister didn’t discuss it with me first. She went ahead and found a matchmaker. Everyone knows, but I didn’t.”

“She did it for your good. An elder sister is like a mother—you should understand her,” Hou Biao finally squeezed out after a long moment.

“I know. Our parents passed away early, and over the past year, my sister has taken on both the roles of father and mother, holding this family together. I know how hard it’s been for her. But still…” Wang Chun’er’s voice grew urgent. “She should’ve at least told me. Why did she have to keep it from me?”

“When a young lady gets engaged, there are naturally many choices to be made. I know that when a match isn’t finalized in those wealthy households, they don’t tell the girl about it. Maybe she was worried you’d feel shy—especially since you’re such a gentle and reserved person.”

Hearing him praise her, Wang Chun’er’s face grew warm. She lowered her head and stayed silent, her hands swiftly threading and sewing.

Hou Biao watched her profile and opened his mouth as if to say something but felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask a young lady. He swallowed the words instead.

“Second Sister, Second Sister, why are you here?” From afar, Wang Qing’er saw Wang Chun’er sitting in the courtyard. She ran over, panting heavily, and said, “Elder Sister said you got angry and ran off. She couldn’t find you and is so worried she’s about to cry!”

Wang Chun’er wasn’t too angry. Upon hearing this, she stood up and said, “I… I was just taking a walk.”

Wang Qing’er gave her a strange look, glanced at Hou Biao, and said, “Hurry back home, or you’ll make Elder Sister worry herself to death.”

Wang Chun’er responded with an “oh,” bit off the thread in her hand and handed it back to Hou Biao. “Brother Hou, next time you need to mend clothes, just come to me.”

Hou Biao also responded with an “oh,” watching as the clever and mischievous Wang Qing’er dragged Wang Chun’er away. He then looked at the thread she had just bitten off, touched it with his fingers, felt an almost electric jolt, and withdrew his hand as he furrowed his brows and pressed his lips together.