Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 223 I’ll make the decision then…

The warm summer breeze blows away the darkness, and the early birds sing to wake up the dawn.

As usual, Chen Xuan went to the river behind the house and started practicing the Qi-calming and health-preserving exercises. He was relaxed and at ease, and every move seemed natural.

But this is just the most basic health-preserving technique, not even martial arts. No matter how well one practices it, in the eyes of ordinary people, it is just a movement to stretch the muscles and bones. When one reaches Chen Xuan's level, perhaps only the eyes of a master can see the difference.

Normally, people living near water would be annoyed by mosquitoes at this time of year, but insect repellents have already been placed in front of and behind the house, so there is no such trouble.

Ordinary people can afford such medicines if they grit their teeth, but not many are willing to spend money to buy them. A palm-leaf fan and a mosquito net are enough for many years.

"Good morning, Mrs. Rong. Come and wash clothes," Chen Xuan kept greeting her when he saw Mrs. Rong coming to the river with a wooden basin.

At first, Chen Xuan thought that her family had so many clothes that could not be washed. After some time, he found out that in addition to working as a cook in Wenxiang Pavilion, she also took on some laundry work to supplement the family income. Hard-working people always have more income than others.

How could ordinary families get so many clothes? Even if they lived in the city, a person would only have a few sets of clothes for winter and summer at most. They would be new for three years, old for three years, and patched up for another three years. People would still be reluctant to throw them away and could even get some money by pawning them.

In the countryside, poor families can't even find a few sets of clothes, so they don't wear them if they can to avoid them getting worn out. Many people go barefoot in winter.

Therefore, many farmers go to work in the fields on moonlit nights. Firstly, they are diligent, and secondly, they won’t be seen if they don’t wear clothes.

"Good morning, brother Xuan. You are doing those moves again. They look so good. My boys can't do them like that," Mrs. Rong said jokingly, looking up.

Chen Xuan said with a smile: "They will grow up to be great people, so they won't care about these little tricks."

"Thank you for your good words," these words made Mrs. Rong smile from ear to ear.

Then, for some unknown reason, she asked across the river, "By the way, Xuan Ge'er, how old are you?"

"Eleven years old, why does Mrs. Rong ask this?" Chen Xuan said in silence.

After a moment's pause, Mrs. Rong muttered, "Your Gao family's food is really good. He's so tall at the age of eleven, taller than many adults. How did he grow so tall? Why don't the ones in my family grow taller?"

After such a long time, she certainly knew that Chen Xuan was just a servant of the Gao family and a book boy, but this was something that a family like hers could not envy. As a book boy, as long as he behaved himself, he could become a steward of a wealthy family in the future and would be respected wherever he went.

Then she asked excitedly: "You are so old now, are you engaged?"

Is this a plan to set me up with a red thread? Chen Xuan was happy and shook his head and said, "No, I'm still young, there's no rush. Besides, I have no parents, no brothers or sisters, and I don't even have a roof over my head. How can anyone help me take care of things?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Rong was stunned, a trace of bitterness flashed in her eyes, and she comforted him: "Poor child, it's okay, don't think too much, you are a capable person, knowledgeable, and self-reliant. Others can't envy you."

Chen Xuan smiled without saying anything. He had long since stopped caring about these things.

Then Mrs. Rong said, "You are already eleven years old, not young anymore, it's time to find a marriage partner."

People get married early in this era. Not only are there arranged marriages for children, but there are also many cases of arranged marriages at birth.

Chen Xuan shook his head and said, "How dare I think about it? I don't even have my own place to live, who would like me? I wouldn't dare to harm the girl and sleep on the street with me."

"Hey, you can't say that. You are already handsome now, and you will definitely be a beautiful man in the future. I don't know how many girls will cry and beg to marry you, and some will even pay for you. Besides, you have a good and stable income in the Gao family, so it won't be easy for you to settle down there," she said, having already figured out Chen Xuan's information.

Perhaps understanding what she meant, Chen Xuan politely declined, "I don't dare to think about it. I'll talk about it when I grow up."

"Why are you so stubborn, kid? Make up your mind sooner and settle down. Are your standards too high?" She became more excited.

Shaking his head, Chen Xuan said, "With my status, how can I dare to have high standards? I'm lucky if a girl likes me."

"That's easy. How about I introduce you to a marriage? My third sister's daughter is ten years old and still has no partner. Although she is a country girl, she is very pretty. As long as you nod, I will bring her to you one day to see her. If you are satisfied, you can get married. After paying the betrothal gift, you can take her away and raise her by your side. When she is old enough, you can have a baby with her." Mrs. Rong's true intentions were revealed.

Are you serious?

You are definitely trying to keep the wealth within your family, and you are definitely after my high salary in the Gao family!
I won’t be fooled.

Chen Xuan quickly said, "No, no, thank you, Mrs. Rong. As for this marriage, I will figure it out myself in the future. At least I need to have my own house first. Besides, I just came here to accompany my young master to study, and I have to go back to the south in a few years."

"Is that so? Forget it then. I'll help you look for one when there's a chance." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Rong's enthusiasm faded.

Originally, in her opinion, Chen Xuan was a good candidate because he was handsome and had a stable income. Even though he didn't have a house, he was a servant, in other words, of low status. Even though her niece was a country girl, she could still be a good match for him.

But when he heard Chen Xuan say that he would go back to the south in a few years, he gave up the idea.

He is not a rich young master, so it is not worth it for him to marry his niece so far away. Going thousands of miles away is equivalent to a separation between life and death. He probably won't see her again in his lifetime, so forget it.

Even though my niece was a country girl, she was still my sister's offspring. I'd raised her for over a decade. How could she possibly marry so far away and never see her again? That would be like stabbing myself in the back. They chatted until the sun rose. Chen Xuan did a few quiet and nourishing exercises, then said goodbye and fled. If he stayed any longer, who knew what Mrs. Rong might come up with.

"Haha, Xuan, I just heard that Mrs. Rong across the river is planning to introduce you to a marriage?" As soon as Chen Xuan returned to the front yard, Gao Jingming opened the window on the second floor and joked.

Shaking his head, Chen Xuan said with a smile: "Master, you heard it too? It's just a joke, don't take it seriously."

Gao Jingming put away his smile, thought for a moment and said, "It's indeed not suitable. A country girl is not worthy of you. Ah Xuan, you are not a servant in our family, and you have a reputation."

He then pondered and said, "How about this, don't worry about marriage, Xuan. After a few years, when we have achieved more success and have grown up, I will decide. I will choose which of the sisters my mother and I have given birth to to marry you. This way, we can be brothers for life."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuan felt a lump in his teeth. Xiao Gao, what was your mental state when you came up with this idea?

Fortunately, he knew that he had no bad intentions, otherwise Chen Xuan would have suspected that he wanted to use this method to tie himself to the Gao family for life.

He quickly shook his head and said, "Master, please don't make fun of me. How dare I reach such a high level?"

"A Xuan, you can't say that. Why are you belittling yourself? Besides, we are not outsiders who know you well. It's decided. Let's go back and discuss it in a few years," Gao Jingming waved his hand and seemed to be serious.

Chen Xuan was at a loss for words and shook his head, saying, "Forget it. Young ladies' marriages cannot be arranged so hastily. I'll just treat this as a joke from the young master. Don't mention it again."

"I'm serious, Xuan. An elder brother is like a father. If you take a fancy to any of the sisters, will they dare not obey my arrangements?" Gao Jingming put his hands on his hips and acted like the boss.

It must be said that in this era, marriages are decided by parents and matchmakers, and the idea that the eldest brother is like a father is deeply ingrained. Moreover, in a family like the Gao family, he was trained as the successor. When he came of age, his words really counted, and at least he had the right to decide the fate of his younger sisters who were born to other women.

I didn't dare to continue this topic. If I continued, Xiao Gao might suddenly have a brain attack and make a decision for himself.

I hope he will forget about this later, otherwise it will be so embarrassing.

So he quickly changed his words and said, "By the way, Master, I have to go out for a while."

"Okay, then I'll read by myself later. If it's troublesome, please ask Master Geng and others to go with you," Gao Jingming said indifferently.

Relieved that he had diverted his attention, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "It's a small matter."

"Can you tell me what's going on?" He asked as he took the towel Xiaoye handed him and wiped his face.

There's nothing to hide. Chen Xuan said, "Didn't I get a snake tendon on the way here? I asked someone to make a bow for it some time ago. The delivery time is coming up in the next two days. I plan to pick it up later."

"Oh, go ahead. Just withdraw the money from your account. I won't go. Bring it back and let me see it," Gao Jingming said, handing over the towel.

He regarded bow making as his own business. Chen Xuan had mentioned it to him before, but he didn't take it seriously.

Chen Xuan thought that the money you have is not enough, fortunately I have already taken care of it myself, anyway, the bow is his and there is no difference between it and mine, they can be used together, and I hardly need it.

Apart from some special aspects, the relationship between the two parties is indistinguishable in many aspects.

After giving some instructions, Chen Xuan went out with three thousand taels of silver, but he did not forget to bring some pocket money.

I went to the noodle stall I visited last time and had a full meal. Then I walked along Qianwan Cuiyun Street and followed the same route to the bamboo forest residence where Wu Sanniang lived.

When passing by Zhuo Erniu's blacksmith shop, Chen Xuan took a look and felt confused.

It was broad daylight and the time for business was right, but there was no sign of Zhuo Erniu busy at work.

Not only was Zhuo Erniu nowhere to be seen, but even the original blacksmith shop had changed its business and become a small restaurant. It looked like a family of three was selling breakfast.

I looked around and found that I was in the right place.

"Is there anything wrong? Didn't the disappearance of so many blacksmiths in Mo City happen a long time ago? How come this place has changed so much in just two months?"

Feeling doubtful, Chen Xuan hurried towards where Wu Sanniang was. He hadn't received the bow he had customized yet. If something unexpected happened, although the bow was dispensable, wouldn't all his time spent in vain?

But Chen Xuan thought too much. When he arrived outside Wu Sanniang's residence, he saw Zhuo Erniu and her having breakfast in a loving manner.

However, judging from their physiques, they really don't seem to be in love with each other.

Is this okay?
……

(End of this chapter)