The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 8: People are like things
In the flower hall, the young ladies from each family sat quietly beside their elders, listening to them chatting and talking about daily life, or smiling at the right time, or nodding occasionally, and never speaking unless called upon.

Whenever Mrs. Zhou came in, whether they were adults or young ladies, they would all stand up and greet her with warm smiles.

Looking at this scene, Hua Changxi's gaze couldn't help but fall on Hua Wuniang.

After my fifth sister came of age, my family started looking for a suitable family to marry her to, but it wasn't very successful.

The clan has a wide network of contacts, and if they can help to make connections, it may not be a bad thing for the fifth sister.

But will the clan help for free?
of course not.

For the tribe, clan members are a kind of resource that can be mobilized and allocated.

Asking the clan to help choose a partner is equivalent to handing over the young lady's marriage to the clan.

What are resources used for? They are used for trading!

Hua Changxi thought that the elders of each family must be aware of this, but even if they knew this, everyone still participated enthusiastically.

Waiting for fate to be arranged by others, having life arranged by others, and having to thank the person who arranged it. At this moment, Hua Changxi experienced the helplessness and sorrow of the little people. At the same time, he also warned himself in his heart not to put himself in such a situation.

"Drink less tea. This is someone else's house. You can't go to the bathroom casually."

Hua Changxi was in a bad mood and wanted to use tea to extinguish the nameless anger in his heart. However, when he was about to drink the second cup, he was stopped by Old Lady Hua.

Hua Changxi felt helpless. The old lady was too cautious. No, not only Old Lady Hua was like this, but also the women in other families were like this.

After waiting in the flower hall for such a long time, only a few people picked up their teacups. Even if they drank tea, they just moistened their lips with the tea.

Even though there were no servants from the wealthy families watching over the hall, everyone just dared to sit and wait in an orderly manner, fearing that they would do something out of the ordinary and displease the master of the house.

Hua Changxi stopped drinking water and followed the other young ladies in putting on a fake smile and acting like a wooden man.

They sat like this for more than an hour, and it was almost noon when it was Hua Changxi's family's turn to meet the wife of the patriarch.

The wife of the patriarch, Zhou Yu'e, was a kind and amiable old lady. Although she was one generation older than Old Lady Hua, she was not much older than her.

"Greetings to Auntie."

As soon as Old Lady Hua entered the living room, she hurriedly bowed to Madam Zhou who was sitting in the main seat.

When the three sisters-in-law of the Yao family saw this, they also took Hua Changxi and others to do the same.

Madam Zhou waited until Old Madam Hua and her group finished their greetings before she leaned forward slightly and raised her hand to support them: "Stop greeting now."

"We are a family. In my house, we should put aside all the false formalities and have a proper conversation with each other."

After saying that, he glanced at Mrs. Zhou who was waiting beside him.

After receiving the instructions, Mrs. Zhou immediately walked forward with a smile on her face, pulled up Old Lady Hua, and led her to sit on the chair to the lower left of Madam Zhou, and asked the three sisters-in-law of the Yao family to sit on both sides.

As for Hua Changxi and the other young ladies, they were sitting on the brocade stool in the middle of the living room.

Madam Zhou first chatted with Old Mrs. Hua about family matters, then talked with the three sisters-in-law of the Yao family about their insights into life, and finally turned her attention to Hua Changxi and the others.

"Your little lady is really the best. I liked her very much the moment I saw her."

"Go and get the flower box from my dressing table."

Mrs. Zhou hurried into the bedroom and soon came out with a box that was a palm wide and a foot long.

At Madam Zhou's signal, Mrs. Zhou opened the box and tilted it towards the young ladies so that Hua Changxi and the others could clearly see what was inside.

The box contained several lifelike pearl silk flowers, with small and exquisite silver pendants hanging on the silk flowers.

Seeing the beautiful silk flowers, not only Hua Wuniang and the others, but even Hua Changxi's eyes lit up.

Although the Hua family was not harsh on the young ladies, they only made sure they had enough food and warm clothes, and almost never bought them jewelry.

Hua Wu Niang was fine when she went out to visit someone today. After all, she had reached the age of marriage, so she had her ears pierced, wore earrings, and had pearl flowers in her bun.

Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi and Hua Shierniang only had headbands tied on their heads.

When Mrs. Hua saw the silk flower, she said quickly, "Aunt, please stop wasting good things. They don't have the money to wear such good things."

An ordinary silk flower costs dozens of coins each, and one with pearl or silver pendants would probably cost several hundred coins, or even more.

If there are several young ladies together, you have to give away several taels of silver, which is too expensive!

Mrs. Zhou pretended to be dissatisfied: "Why can't they wear it? I think they can wear better things than this."

After saying that, she did not mention giving the silk flowers to the young ladies, but smiled at Hua Changxi and the others and said, "You all stand up and let Grandma see how well you have learned the rules."

When Hua Wu Niang heard this, she glanced at Old Lady Hua and Fourth Aunt Hua, then stood up obediently.

When Hua Qinniang, Hua Changxi and Hua Shierniang saw this, they also stood up.

Hua Shisiniang also wanted to imitate her sisters, but before she could stand up, she was taken aside by Mrs. Zhou and handed over to Aunt Hua Si.

Hua Changxi knew that the clan might help Wu Niang find a partner, so she quickly glanced at Madam Zhou and guessed that she was going to start interviewing Wu Niang, and they were just there as a side job.

Afterwards, Madam Zhou looked down at Hua Wuniang and the other three with a condescending gaze. She didn't say a word, just looked at them.

The room suddenly became quiet.

The three sisters-in-law of the Yao family seemed to want to say something but hesitated, but seeing that Old Madam Hua didn't say anything, they could only shut up.

Being stared at nakedly from head to toe, Hua Wu Niang, Hua Qin Niang and Hua Shi Er Niang soon became a little nervous and embarrassed, and lowered their heads uncomfortably.

Hua Changxi's heart was ablaze with fire. The clan wanted to help her choose a man, and Mrs. Zhou wanted to interview the young ladies from each family first. She could understand that, but what was that look in her eyes?
When Hua Changxi felt that Madam Zhou's gaze was focused on her chest and buttocks, she raised her eyes suddenly and met Madam Zhou's gaze directly, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

Mrs. Zhou was stunned for a moment, a little surprised. She looked at Hua Changxi for a few seconds. Seeing that she did not avoid or evade, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

"Good looking, good figure."

Madam Zhou smiled at Madam Hua and said, "Your four young ladies are easy to bear and raise."

Easy to give birth?
Hua Changxi frowned when he heard this. Is it appropriate to evaluate a young lady like this when they first met?

Old Madam Hua thought this was a compliment and immediately said with a smile: "If that's the case, then they are also blessed by you, Auntie."

Mrs. Zhou smiled and said nothing. She slowly picked up the teacup, took two sips, and then asked, "How old are you?"

Old Lady Hua replied, "Fifth Lady has already reached the age of marriage. Seventh Lady and Ninth Lady are the same age, and are thirteen this year. Twelfth Lady is one year younger, and is twelve. The youngest, Fourteenth Lady, is also seven years old this year."

After hearing this, Madam Zhou nodded and said, "She is not young anymore." After a pause, she continued, "A young lady from a good family should start looking for a man when she is twelve or thirteen years old. After all, everyone is fighting for a good husband, so she should settle down early."

Old Madam Hua quickly agreed: "That's right." Then, she said with an embarrassed look on her face, "Auntie knows that my family has no foundation, and the marriages of several girls will inevitably require your help and approval."

Hearing this, Mrs. Zhou's smile deepened. She looked at Mrs. Hua, then at the three sisters-in-law of the Yao family: "I won't do such a disgusting thing. If it doesn't turn out well, won't you blame me?"

Old Lady Hua: "Aunt, don't be so modest. You have eaten more salt than we have eaten rice. The family you value must be very good."

Madam Zhou smiled and did not continue the topic. Her eyes fell on Hua Changxi and the other three again: "Come, come forward a few steps so I can have a look."

Hua Wu Niang looked at Old Lady Hua again, and when she saw her nod, she took small steps towards Zhou and stopped about one meter away from her.

Madam Zhou looked at Hua Wuniang's eyes carefully, and then moved her gaze back and forth over her body for a few times. Then she nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile of encouragement, "Come on, do another kneeling ceremony for me to see."

After hearing this, Hua Wu Niang knelt down without any hesitation and said, "Greetings to Grandma."

Mrs. Zhou smiled, and seemed to like Hua Wuniang's obedience very much: "Good, very good, and the voice is very nice too."

As he spoke, he took out a silk flower from the box, bent down and put it on Hua Wuniang's head personally.

After putting it on, Mrs. Zhou personally helped Hua Wuniang up, took Hua Wuniang's hand and rubbed it for a few times, then said to Mrs. Hua: "Your Wuniang is a lovely girl."

Old Madam Hua quickly smiled and said, "It is this girl's blessing to be able to please her aunt."

Madam Zhou signaled to Mrs. Zhou to put Hua Wuniang's brocade stool next to her and let Hua Wuniang sit next to her. At the same time, she held Hua Wuniang's hand and did not let go, as if she really liked Hua Wuniang very much.

Hua Wu Niang was somewhat flattered by Madam Zhou's attitude. She smiled shyly, her ears turning red.

Madam Zhou looked at Hua Wuniang's reaction with satisfaction: "She is so lovable." Then she turned her gaze to Hua Qiniang, Hua Changxi, and Hua Shierniang, "You three should also come forward and salute me."

Hua Qinnan glanced at her two younger sisters and took the lead in stepping forward to pay her respects.

Madam Zhou did not hesitate to praise: "Well, Qiniang is also a sensible and obedient child." As she said that, she took out a silk flower from the box and put it on Hua Qiniang herself, just like she did to Hua Wuniang before.

Hua Qinniang, wearing a silk flower, returned to her seat with a happy face.

According to the order of seniority, Hua Changxi should have stepped forward next, but Hua Changxi just stood there without moving. Hua Shi'er Niang winked at her several times but she didn't respond, so she had to step forward first.

Zhou glanced at Hua Changxi, looked at Hua Twelve Niang squatting at her feet with a kind smile, and asked, "What do you like to do with your sisters at home on weekdays?"

Hua Twelve's voice was sweet and crisp: "To answer the great-grandmother, we sisters like to do needlework on weekdays."

Zhou seemed very satisfied with this answer. Seeing Twelve Lady's openness, she immediately smiled and said, "This girl is very smart. She will definitely marry into a blessed family in the future."

Hua Twelve Niang smiled even sweeter: "Thank you, great grandmother, for your kind words."

When Mrs. Zhou handed over the box, she glanced at Hua Changxi out of the corner of her eye, then directly picked up two silk flowers and put them on Hua Twelve Niang: "I like this girl, she is a lovely girl."

Hua Twelve Niang was so delighted to get an extra silk flower that she beamed with joy and gave a proud look to Hua Second Aunt.

Aunt Hua Er felt proud when she saw that her daughter had surpassed Hua Wu Niang and Hua Qin Niang from the fourth room.

After Hua Shier Niang returned to her seat, Zhou turned her gaze to Hua Changxi, looking at her leisurely without saying a word, as if waiting for her to come forward.

Hua Changxi didn't move. Even though Old Lady Hua and Yao winked at her, she didn't move. But she didn't want to make the situation too awkward.

"Grandma, please forgive me. I was injured some time ago. My waist and leg injuries have not yet fully recovered. I cannot come forward to pay my respects."

The way Mrs. Zhou looked at them was not as if she were a junior, but as if she were looking at commodities. Her scrutinizing eyes showed that she was waiting to see if they could be sold at a good price.

Under what circumstances, when an elder gives a gift to a younger one, does the younger one have to squat at his feet before the elder gives the gift?
Only by being humble and pleasing others can you get rewards. This is clearly an obedience test.

If she really went forward, squatted at Madam Zhou's feet and accepted her silk flowers, she would be treating herself as a commodity for her to choose.

Old Madam Hua knew that Hua Changxi's injury had long since healed. Seeing that Hua Changxi was so tactless when being a guest at someone else's house, she was very angry and said with an embarrassed smile: "Aunt, this girl is useless. Please don't bother with her."

Seeing her daughter's stubborn temper coming back, Yao explained to Madam Zhou, "Please forgive me, Auntie. My daughter Jiu Niang was captured by a demon some time ago and was seriously injured. She had no intention of disrespecting you."

Madam Zhou's smile remained unchanged as she waved her hand: "Look how nervous you are. I'm an old woman, how can I argue with a child?"

Then, he looked at Hua Changxi and said, "This Jiu Niang has quite a personality!"

"It's good to have a personality. Even in a crowd, people will remember you."

"Jiu Niang, I hope you can always maintain this personality!"

Hua Changxi looked back at Madam Zhou: "Don't worry, Grandma, I will."

She just wants to retain her dignity as a human being and doesn't want to be treated as an object. If this is the personality that Mrs. Zhou described, then of course she will keep it.

(End of this chapter)