As soon as Matchmaker Zhang saw Zhou Yuan, she warmly greeted him as she went up, boasting, “This was Zhou-ger; he looks really good, with such bright eyes, no wonder he was able to make the second son of the Wei family fall in love.”

The matchmaker Zhang had seen many good-looking girls, so Zhou-ger’s appearance was still average in her eyes, but she was always praising Zhou-ger’s good looks when she opened her mouth; a matchmaker’s mouth was a deceitful one.

Zhou Yuan didn’t understand what was happening until Matchmaker Zhang stuffed the pastry gift box into his hand.

“It was Wei Cheng who asked me to bring this to the Zhou family’s house, and specifically asked me to hand it over to you, saying that it was a snack bought for you.” Matchmaker Zhang joked, “I have arranged so many marriages, and it was the first time I saw a man like this. Very considerate, especially buying snacks for the person he wants to marry!”

Matchmaker Zhang was invited by the Wei Family elders to go to Qinghe Village to talk about this marriage, and they said that the person she was going to meet was a ger.

It’s rare for a county townsman to marry a ger from the countryside, and it’s not like she hasn’t seen it before, but she was a little surprised. When she went to Wei Cheng, Wei Cheng asked her to bring a few boxes of pastries and hand them to Zhou-ger. She was really surprised. Those were Baixiang Zhai pastries; they were not cheap. Wei Cheng even bought them for his ger, which showed that he really cared about the other.

Matchmaker Zhang was surprised, but this also opened her eyes.

Of course, it was because Wei Cheng gave half a tael of silver as a thank you that she managed to do it properly and was warm and courteous to the Zhou family.

Zhou Yuan’s bright eyes widened, and he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

Wei Cheng really came to propose marriage?!

He even bought him some snacks!

Was he dreaming?

Mother Zhou came back to her senses. Wei Cheng asked a matchmaker to come to propose marriage; she was really happy from the bottom of her heart, and the previous anger was swept away. Now, no one in the village would dare to talk nonsense anymore. If anyone spoke ill of her ger behind his back in the future, that person’s mouth would definitely be torn apart.

Mother Zhou was usually a good-tempered person, so she was truly angry this time!

Mother Zhou warmly welcomed Matchmaker Zhang into the house, and she even listened to every word that Matchmaker Zhang said to her ger. Wei Cheng’s caring behavior for her ger made her very happy. People who give cakes usually only do so when they are already married, but this was not the case for her son-in-law, who had just met the other.

Mother Zhou’s satisfaction with Wei Cheng as her son-in-law deepened.

Mother Zhou arranged for Matchmaker Zhang to sit down, turned around, went to the kitchen, and poured a bowl of sugar water to entertain Matchmaker Zhang, and she did not forget to greet Aunt Chun, who led the way for Matchmaker Zhang: “Aunt Chun, drink a bowl of sugar water. Our hospitality was not good, but I thank you for leading the way!”

Aunt Chun drank sugar water and congratulated her, and let Mother Zhou go to work, leaving her alone, as they were all close neighbors in the village, so there was no need to greet her too warmly.

Mother Zhou thanked her again before entering the house, and she didn’t forget to ask the eldest grandson, who had just returned home, to inform his grandfather and the others.

Mother Zhou went back to the house and saw her ger standing helplessly; he looked very funny, and she could clearly see the pastry gift box this time, which she had never seen before, and the packaging grade was much higher than last time.

This time Mother Zhou was in the mood to tease her ger, “Yuan Yuan, Matchmaker Zhang came to propose marriage to you; should you go back to the room, or stay!”

Zhou Yuan blushed, feeling very nervous, “Mother, I, I’d better go back to my room.”

Zhou Yuan was so nervous that he carried the pastry gift box back to his bedroom and forgot to put it down. Mother Zhou didn’t remind him when she saw it, and let him take it back to the room.

It was a gift Wei Cheng specially bought for her ger, and she would not let the white-eyed wolves eat any of it.

Today was a happy event for her ger, so she didn’t care about those past offenses for the time being, Mother Zhou thought with a sullen face, and turned around with a smile on her face.

Father Zhou and the others hadn’t come back yet, but the two elders of the Zhou family came over.

“Third brother and sister-in-law, our parents are here; hurry up and greet them!”

Zhou Wu brought the two elders to the door and yelled loudly before she entered the room. Before she entered the door, she saw many people watching outside the door, all talking with their heads bowed. She didn’t hear what was being discussed, so she thought it was about Zhou Yuan’s rumors, and she said directly, “Father, Mother, I’m right; everyone in the village has come to see our Zhou family become a joke.”

The two elders were already angry, but after listening to her, their anger soared. Madam Zhou was furious, “It’s such a shameful thing; I must discipline Zhou-ger well this time!” With that expression, if she didn’t severely punish Zhou-ger, she wouldn’t be able to let go of this anger.

Madam Zhou herself didn’t want to see the ger. The third son had long been protecting Zhou Yuan, but she had always had a problem in her heart: a ger being regarded as a treasure- it would be good enough to have food to feed him, yet her third son’s family even favored him.

The third child doted on his ger; she could at most say a few words in front of her son, even if Zhou Yuan’s marriage failed and she was not happy– she could call him to be reprimanded, and she wouldn’t feel bad about it.

So this time, she would not tolerate Zhou Yuan doing something that tarnished the reputation of the Zhou family. The Zhou family was also a respectable family in Qinghe Village, so how could a single ger disgrace the Zhou family?

Madam Zhou only wants the best reputation!

There was another reason why she didn’t like Zhou Yuan. Originally, the third child’s family lived a prosperous life. Since Zhou Yuan was born, the third child’s family has had three accidents one after another. If it were not for sickness and spending money on medicine, it would be because of an injury and spending money to recuperate. For this reason, the third child sold a few acres of top-grade fields.

All these grievances she just complained in her heart; after all, everyone was fine afterwards, and after the separation, she seldom gave directions to the separated son.

Madam Zhou also thought that a few days ago, her husband was doing a small business outside, and there was an accident, and he had paid dearly for it.

Thinking about it now, maybe Zhou Yuan was born to restrain others.

No!

If the third child didn’t marry him off immediately, she would definitely kick him out!

Mother Zhou heard her sister-in-law say that the two elders were coming, so she hurried out of the house, thinking in her heart that the two elders seldom set foot in her house.

They couldn’t let the two elders misunderstand; her mother-in-law has never liked her ger.

She couldn’t let her ger be reprimanded and wronged.

Mother Zhou came out of the house and rushed to greet her, “Father, Mother, why have you come to visit this time? Hurry up and sit in the room; my husband should be home soon.”

“Have you been paying attention to what has been said? Your ger made…”

“Father, mother, it’s just in time for you to come. The Wei family invited a matchmaker to come and propose marriage. This time, matchmaker Zhang was still in the house, waiting for Yuan Yuan’s father to come back to take charge. It’s just in time for you to witness a happy event.”

Before Madam Zhou finished speaking, Mother Zhou interrupted her with a smile.

Mother Zhou’s words confused the two elders. Did the Wei family really come to propose marriage, or was she deceiving them?

The Zhou family’s eldest aunt was also stunned by Mother Zhou’s words.

“This time, it’s thanks to you, sister-in-law, for the introduction. My family’s Yuan Yuan could find a good marriage- then sister-in-law could now eat a few more at the wedding banquet!”

Mother Zhou pretended to be affectionate and pulled Zhou Wu. Zhou Wu didn’t know what expression to return this time, so she smiled on the surface, “It’s nothing too important!”

The two elders had doubts at first about whether Mother Zhou was lying to protect Zhou-ger, but when they went into the house and saw Zhang Matchmaker, all doubts were dispelled.

Seeing the two elders, Matchmaker Zhang congratulated the two elders again, and she praised the Wei family and the Zhou family once again.

It was even more uncomfortable for Zhou Wu on the side.

The two elders went directly to take a seat.

Father Zhou and Zhou Yuan’s three elder brothers heard that the matchmaker came to propose marriage, and even though the field was only half cultivated, they didn’t care about the cultivation of the land and immediately picked up their tools and rushed home. When they arrived, their faces were covered with sweat, their palms and trousers were covered with mud, but they went straight into the house.

When Mother Zhou saw it, she immediately wanted to scold them angrily, wishing to train manners into them, but there were guests and the two elders, so she definitely couldn’t train them at that moment.

Madam Zhou, who had the authority to teach them, immediately reprimanded the four when she saw them, “What does this look like? Go change your clothes before coming back here!”

“Hey, hey, let’s go!”

Father Zhou and Zhou Yuan’s three brothers hurried back to their rooms again; they hurriedly put on their cleanest clothes, tidied up, and came out of the room again.

Everyone was now here.

Matchmaker Zhang explained the Wei family’s willingness to marry the Zhou family and offered three taels of silver.

Generally, if you marry a ger from the countryside, you only need two taels, but the two elders of the Wei family thought that they were from the county, so they added an extra tael.

The Zhou family didn’t care about the amount of money they were offering, and they were satisfied with a few taels.

With the consent of Father Zhou and Mother Zhou, Wei Cheng and Zhou Yuan’s marriage was settled in this way.

The two elders in the seat were dissatisfied with the dowry offered by the Wei family, but their son’s family agreed, so they couldn’t intervene.

The Zhou family’s eldest aunt curled her lips in contempt and thought that three taels of silver were very shabby.

Looking at her youngest brother’s family, she really didn’t know what they were so happy about. They could smile so happily that they couldn’t even open their eyes. So what if the person was from the county? Wei Cheng was divided out by the Wei family, and he didn’t get much at all. Even the house he lived in was very dilapidated. At that time, the youngest brother’s family would regret it.

Zhou Wu finally felt at ease since she entered the door!

The date of the next meeting was three days later.

Seeing off Matchmaker Zhang, the Zhou family members were filled with joy and removed their frowns from before.

The family was full of joy, and the other three who dared not go home were still living in fear.

Zhou Yuan’s three sisters-in-law also complained that their fellow sisters-in-law didn’t keep the secret and blamed each other for their own faults. They usually got along well, but now, the sisters-in-law were almost quarreling with one another.

Fortunately, an aunt saw them and congratulated them, and the three finally learned that the Wei family had come to propose marriage.

This time, they stopped arguing, each snorted, turned their emotions, turned around with smiles on their faces, and rushed home.

After this time, the three of them were even more at odds with each other.

When the Wei family came to propose marriage, Zhou Yuan’s three sisters-in-law all thought to themselves that their mother-in-law would be happy and would not bother them.

When they went back, Mother Zhou didn’t say anything, and she still smiled as usual, but they didn’t know that Mother Zhou had her own plan in mind and that she was saving it for the next time to directly settle the matter.

It was true that she was a mother-in-law who had a good temper and worked hard, but if she didn’t teach them a lesson, she didn’t know what troubles would happen in the future.

“Auntie, was Yuan Yuan there?”

Zhou Qiu went to find Zhou Muzi to come here together, originally intending to comfort Zhou Yuan, but when they found out that the Wei family had come to propose marriage, they exchanged comfort for congratulations as they were very happy for their friend.

“Xiao Qiu and Muzi, come and see Zhou Yuan. He was in his room, so go in by yourself. Auntie would bring you a bowl of sugar water later. Stay for a light meal tonight before going back.”

Mother Zhou was really happy, wandering here and there, meeting acquaintances who came to say congratulations. They were all enthusiastic to let people in to drink a bowl of sugar water; her sons and daughters-in-law were instructed to go to the kitchen to boil water to make sugar water, and Father Zhou was instructed to go back to the room to get some of the leftover candies from Wei Cheng’s purchase last time- they were distributed to their grandchildren.

Zhou Yuan looked at the pastry box in the room and was slightly absent-minded; the joy in his eyes could not be hidden.

He didn’t notice when his friends, Zhou Qiu and Zhou Muzi, came from behind; it was Zhou Qiu who couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, making Zhou Yuan turn around.

“Why are you here!?” Zhou Yuan’s eyes revealed his surprise.

“Yuan Yuan, Muzi and I came to congratulate you.” Zhou Qiu said happily.

“Yuan Yuan, we were very worried before we came. Fortunately, when we heard at the door that the Wei family had come to propose marriage, Qiu Qiu and I were relieved. Now we are happy for you.” Zhou Qiu looked unhappy when she came to look for him. He was startled, and after hearing Zhou Qiu’s words, he was even more worried. Fortunately, the Wei family came to propose marriage, and this was an effective way to stop those vicious rumors.

“What are you talking about?” Zhou Yuan chuckled.

Zhou Yuan was still unaware of the rumors outside.

“We are congratulating you!” The two said loudly at the same time.

“….”

The three looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Enough laughing, arm in arm- they started talking about the matters going on around their lives.

Later on, his nephew Shitou went in with four bowls of sugar water. Zhou Yuan remembered the three boxes of pastries that Wei Cheng had given him. He shared the cake with his friends.

Zhou Qiu recognized the signboard of Baixiang Zhai in the county as her elder brother even bought her a pastry from there once, which was the first time she had eaten such a delicious pastry since she had been born.

“Yuan Yuan, this was the most famous pastry shop in the county. The pastries of Baixiang Zhai’s are not only delicious but also not cheap. A small piece costs more than ten wen.” That Wei Cheng was really willing to part with his money!

“So expensive!” Zhou Yuan exclaimed.

Zhou Muzi held a piece of pastry in his hand, and when he heard Zhou Qiu’s words, his mouth was still open, and he… he didn’t dare to eat it.

This, this was made of silver!!

“Well, my elder brother bought it once so this was how I know the price.”

Zhou Qiu was envious. “Yuan Yuan, Wei Cheng really cares about you. He bought you such expensive pastries. I want to find someone who treats me just as well.”

Zhou Yuan was in a daze; he was shocked by the exorbitant price of the cakes Wei Cheng bought, but he couldn’t help worrying that Wei Cheng must have spent a lot of money to buy such expensive cakes, but it was overpowered by the sweetness in his heart as he ate.

Zhou Yuan returned to his senses, smiling sweetly, “Qiu Qiu would definitely find someone who was caring towards you.”

Zhou Qiu’s eyes widened, and he jumped in front of Zhou Yuan in surprise. “Yuan Yuan, your face was so rosy, and you are so beautiful when you smile! You are shining all over now; I am dumbfounded. No wonder Wei Cheng likes you.”

“Yuan Yuan, you look good when you smile.” Zhou Muzi didn’t know how to describe it. He often saw Yuan Yuan smile, but this time, he felt that it was different, and he couldn’t tell what was different, but he looked great!

Zhou Yuan’s sweet and soft smile made his face, which was originally blushing because of Wei Cheng’s thoughtfulness, more pink and charming. His demeanor was soft and beautiful, like a breeze; his bright black eyes were softer and brighter, and his slender body stood tall- what a good look.

If Wei Cheng were here, he would definitely stick to him physically and mentally. He was originally attracted by Zhou Yuan’s bright eyes and soft temperament.

Zhou Yuan was usually ignored. It was rumored that he was an ugly ger. First, it had something to do with his height. He was indeed much taller than the usual petite guy. The second was that he didn’t pay attention to dressing up. Most of his walks in the village were related to work. The state he was in while working was basically him in old clothes and messy hair.

In addition, he walked under the sun every day, and his fair skin would turn yellowish.

Recently, because of his bad mood at home, he was asked to stay at home more, and he seldom went out to bask in the sun, and his yellowish skin became fair again.

The beauty of Zhou Yuan was like a piece of rough jade; only when it was dug would it be revealed in detail.

As for the pastries that Zhou Yuan asked his nephew Shitou to take out, Mother Zhou didn’t let her three daughters-in-law get any crumbs. Mother Zhou gave them a look so they could only be greedy in their hearts.

Father Zhou was holding the red bean cakes; his tired, sallow, and wrinkled face was smiling even more. He was full of energy and looked a few years younger.

It was the first time for Zhou Yuan’s three elder brothers to eat such delicate cakes, and they all savored them carefully, reluctant to eat them in one bite.

The young ones of the Zhou family were happy when they ate something, and they wanted to show it off to their friends, but Mother Zhou ordered them not to go out; this pastry was too eye-catching.

After dividing the cakes, there were still a few pieces of red bean cakes left, which Mother Zhou planned to keep for entertaining the in-laws on the day when the Wei family came to visit.

The Zhou family didn’t have anything they could sell. Although Wei Cheng bought the red bean cakes, she didn’t think it was inappropriate to entertain the Wei family. At least there were things she could give.

Three days later, the betrothal gift would be issued, and Mother Zhou was still busy notifying relatives to come to the door.

Thinking of her natal family, Mother Zhou frowned, as she still needed to have someone go to inform her natal family that was far away, in the next town, and she was not sure if her natal family would come or not.

As for the relatives of the Zhou family, the two elders knew that Zhou Yuan’s second uncle also lived in the next town, and they would notify them together since they were too far away. His eldest uncle’s house was in the same village, so they could just go and talk.

As for the other uncles and elders of the Zhou family, she couldn’t afford to invite them all.

Furthermore, the two elders of the Zhou family invited too many, which seemed too ostentatious, and it was not good for her ger!

Human relationships were full of twists and turns, and Mother Zhou knew how to calculate!