After lunch, Uncle Guo and Zhang Sheng went to the front shop to work. Xia Dagu took Xia Zhi and Pearl to help prepare for tonight's banquet. Because there were many dishes to prepare, Liu Sao and Xiao Hong couldn't handle it alone. However, Xia Dagu only let them do some simple tasks, such as peeling fruit and putting it in boxes, picking mushrooms, and picking wood ears.

  The girls chatted and joked as they worked, getting everything done with ease. As for Little Black Fish, he didn't need to do anything; all he had to do was bring Big Green along.

  However, Xiao Hei Yu had a strong sense of responsibility. After playing for a while, he would run to the workshop in the back and take a look, then report the situation to Xia Zhi.

  Zhenzhu laughed: "Look at my old uncle running back and forth. I think Fourth Sister doesn't need him either."

  Xiatill didn't agree with this sentence: "You can't say that. You don't know, Uncle helped me a lot. Without Uncle, I couldn't have done many things." This was because Xiaotou heard Little Black Fish coming over, so Xiatill intentionally raised his voice.

  The little black fish heard Xia Zhi's words and smiled proudly on his face, feeling both proud and self-satisfied.

  Xia Dagu gave Pearl a sly glance, signaling her not to say such things again. If Xia Hei heard these words, it would make him unhappy. Then, Xia Dagu also sighed and said: "Little Dragon is a kind-hearted person, loves to worry."

  "My uncle is kind-hearted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken charge of her affairs at such a young age." Xia nodded in agreement.

  "It's all because of you, your grandfather and grandmother can't control him either. Fortunately, it was the sixteenth. Look at your uncle following you around doing this and that, he doesn't seem as mischievous as before." Xia Dagu said again.

  The little black fish made a sound and walked away with his head held high. He didn't like to hear others talk about his past. But such words wouldn't really make him angry either.

  Xia Dagu watched as Xiao Hei Yu'er took Da Qing and ran away, then chuckled twice.

  After a while, Xia Xiuzai arrived. He was welcomed by Guo's father himself. As they walked into the courtyard, Guo's father apologized to Xia Xiuzai: "I said let Zhang Sheng go pick you up, it's such a long way."

  Xia Xiuzai smiled: "It's okay, you and Changsheng are busy. I didn't have anything to do today, so I walked over while taking a stroll." It turned out that Xia Xiuzai had walked here by himself.

  Xia Xiuzai lived a very frugal life, and for such a long journey, he couldn't bear to hire a sedan chair or carriage.

  Seeing Xia Xiuzai arrive, Xia Dagong, Xia Zhi and Pearl all hurriedly stood up. After everyone greeted each other, Xia Xiuzai handed over a jug he was holding, saying it was good wine sent by the students. "Authentic Xinghua Village."

  Uncle Guo smiled and refused to accept it: "Such good wine, brother should keep it for yourself. Otherwise, take it back to your father-in-law, or give it to Daqiao's grandfather to drink. We have everything here, you're being too polite."

  "Just a jar of wine, we can have a few cups." Xia Xiuzai insisted on handing over the jar.

  Guo's uncle nodded to Xia Dagu, and Xia Dagu took over the wine jug. Then Guo's uncle was about to accompany Xia Xiucan upstairs, but Xia Xiucan stopped him.

  "I see you have a lot of things to attend to in the shop, and Changsheng is not here yet. You don't need to accompany me, go ahead with your work. I'll just sit here and chat with Dajie for a bit."

  Uncle Guo indeed had something in front of him and after exchanging a few more polite words with Xia Xiuren, he excused himself and went forward.

  Xia Zhi moved a stool for Xia Xiuzai, and Xia Xiuzai sat down at the table to watch them pick vegetables. He looked around and asked Xia Zhi where Xiao Heiyu had gone. Xia Zhi said she had gone to play in the back.

  Xia Xiuzai nodded and didn't say anything.

  Xia Zhi went to serve tea to Xia Xiuzai again and found that the corners of his eyes were slightly dark, looking like he hadn't had enough sleep. Xia Dagou also noticed it and advised Xia Xiuzai: "Brother, no matter what, your body is the most important."

  "I know. I'm fine, nothing's wrong." Xia Xiuzai smiled slightly.

  Xia Dagu let out a quiet sigh, then casually found an excuse to send Zhenzhu away. Afterwards, she also put down the work in her hands. That day, she had Changsheng go invite Xia Xiucan over, and she had privately instructed Changsheng to have Xia Xiucan come over early that day.

  Because Xia Xiuzai was no longer obsessed with giving the Tian family those three hundred taels of silver, Eldest Aunt Xia saw a glimmer of hope and wanted to take the opportunity to advise Xia Xiuzai properly.

  "Big brother, big sister-in-law and the children are all counting on you to make a living. If you don't take care of yourself and something happens to you, what will happen to your wife and kids?" Xia Dagu said, still reminding Xia Xiucan to take care of his body and not overwork himself.

  She only advised Xia Xiuren to take care of his body for the sake of the Tian family and their children, but didn't mention a word about Old Man Xia and Old Lady Xia.

  "It's okay." Xia Xiuzai still smiled and said, "Big sister, I'm just busy these two days, helping someone annotate an article, they need it urgently. Once this is done, I'll take a good rest. Big sister, don't worry, I know my own body, nothing's wrong."

  "Big brother, I know that matter is none of my business. But I still have to say a few words. All these years, big brother, you've done enough for yourself. If not for your own sake, then think about Daqiao, Xiaoshu and Shiliu."

  Xia Dagu advised Xia Xiuzai, while helping the Tian family, he couldn't forget his own children.

  Xia Xiuzai's face turned slightly red: "Elder sister, I know. I've already told Xia Zhi that the large sum of money is just this one time. After your sister-in-law's family finishes arranging Da Bao's marriage, there won't be any other big matters to discuss with me."

  "I hope so." Xia Dagu's low voice did not hold too much expectation that the Tian family would no longer speak to Xia Xiuzai. "Big brother, our family has a house and land, you are also working at the academy, and the elderly do not need you to worry about them. The children's lives should not be like this."

  Xia Xiuzai's face turned even redder, but it was unclear whether it was because of the children's words or the old man's words.

  "Big sister, it's all because I'm not capable. Father and mother can't enjoy my good fortune, the children are also affected, and your sister-in-law is wronged."

  "Big brother, as long as you know in your heart, it's fine."

  The two of them then chatted about family matters until Guo Yuhuan came in from outside. For dinner, Xia Dagu also invited Guo's family, and Guo Yuhuan arrived early to look for Zhenzhu.

  She saw Xia Xiuzai and smiled as she came over to pay her respects, following Changsheng and Zhenzhu brother and sister in calling Xia Xiuzai "Big Uncle". "It seems like Big Uncle hasn't come for a while."

  Xia Xiuzai was acquainted with Guo Yuhuan. "Yuhuan is well, and your parents are also well."

  "My parents will be here soon, let me come and help Auntie first." Guo Yuhuan said, then asked Xia Daguni, "Auntie, let me help you."

  In front of people, Guo Yuhuan is not only sweet-talking but also always appears to be diligent and willing to take on any task. However, behind people's backs, she becomes a different person and often pushes the tasks she took on onto others.

  Xia Dagu deeply understood her temperament and didn't plan on letting her do anything.

  "You don't have to bother, there's nothing for you to do anyway." Xia Dagu smiled and beckoned Zhenzhu over, letting Zhenzhu, Xia Zhi, and Guo Yuhuan go play on their own. "You all go play by yourselves."

  Zhenzhu and Guo Yuhuan went upstairs.

  Soon, Guo Yuhuan's father, Guo Xi, and his wife, Qian Shi, also arrived. Guo Xi was not at all like his brother, Guo Yuhuan's uncle; he was of medium height, with a knife-edged face, and was lean and thin. Qian Shi had a short and stout figure, with a yellow complexion, and was also lean and thin. The couple originally had a son who died at the age of seventeen, and now they only had Guo Yuhuan to depend on for their livelihood.

  Guo Xidian carried a tray and chatted with Xia Xiucan, then went upstairs to talk. Guo Qian accompanied Xia Dagong in the courtyard, her triangular eyes scrutinizing the surroundings before finally settling on Xia Zhi's face.

  Xia Zhi and Pearl, Jade Ring were originally sitting in the west room of the upper house. When they heard that Guo Xi and his wife had arrived, they all came out to greet them. After seeing them off, they were all kept outside.

  Guo Qian looked at Xia Zhi a few times, her eyes cold. Although she was Guo Yuhuan's mother, she and Guo Yuhuan were not of the same temperament.

  "Niece, since she arrived at your place, she has become more and more refined." Guo Qian's voice was somewhat shrill, making people feel uncomfortable. "I remember when she first came, she was so thin and dry. It's really the water and soil of our prefecture that nourish people, sister-in-law, you have good food and drink here."

  Guo Qian's temper is different from Guo Zhenzhu's. The sweeter Guo Zhenzhu's mouth is, the more biting Guo Qian's mouth is.

  "Hey, old lady, how many times have you seen me? How do you know I'm dry when I come? Are you mistaken about who I am?" Xia Zhi said with a smile.

  Xia Dagu also didn't like to hear this kind of talk. Moreover, saying such things in front of her was also a loss of face for Xia Zhi.

  "Our old Xia family, although also a small door and a small household, has fields at home and has produced scholars. This niece of mine is also the apple of her grandparents' eyes at home, not to be compared with our Jade Ring, but stronger than our Pearl." Summer Big Aunt smiled.

  Guo Qian was shut up by the two aunts, each with one sentence. Xia Zhi's words were still polite, but Xia Dagu's words had a tone.

  The Guo family is nothing but a small business, while the Tian family is a farming and reading family. Xia Zhi's father was still a jinshi, and in terms of family status, he was much higher than the Guo family. Moreover, Xia Dagu pointed out that Xia Zhi was spoiled by both Xia Lao Ye and Xia Lao Tai, and in terms of being valued and pampered, she was not inferior to Guo Yuhuan.

  Finally, Xia Dagu also used pearls to compare with Xia Zhi. Pearls are much more valuable than Guo Yuhuan's gold.

  Guo Qian's mouth twitched, she wasn't the first time being lectured by Xia Dagu because of Xia Zhi, but she refused to accept the lesson. Xia Zhi seemed to have figured it out, Guo Qian just looked down on her, no reason needed.

  "When she came, it wasn't good, but after you dressed her up, she looked quite attractive when going out. Younger sister and brother, I asked you that day, your niece isn't engaged yet, is she?" Guo Qian Shi continued to ask Xia Da Gu.

  Xia Dagu wanted to change the subject, but failed. Because Guo Qian Shi continued: "It's good that you haven't engaged yet, if you marry in the countryside, it will be a lifetime of suffering. We are not outsiders. Brother and sister, don't look at my bad mouth, I'm thinking for your own good."

  She actually knew her mouth was bad! Xia Zhi was also speechless.

  Guo Qian's wife had already spoken in a sharp tone, getting to the point: "This niece of yours is quite good-looking and can be a great help to you in the city. You know the old Liu family on Back Street? Their eldest son is quite compatible with your niece. The other day, they asked me about her, and I said many good things about her. They said they'd like to meet and discuss it further, and it's almost settled."

  Guo Qian's family is actually going to be the matchmaker for Xia Zhi. What about the Liu family on Back Alley and what other families?

  Summer solstice went to see summer elder aunt.

  Xia Dagu's face didn't look very good.

  "You're her aunt, so I think you can make the decision. Old Liu's family has already said that if you agree, the betrothal gift is no problem. They don't want any dowry from you either, probably because they know you can't afford it. Once the marriage is settled, they even plan to bring your niece into their home early. Brother and sister-in-law, this is a good thing! Your family will have one less mouth to feed, and your niece will be able to enjoy a life of luxury in her husband's household..."

  Xia Dagu's smile on her face had completely disappeared, and she interrupted Guo Qianshi's words. "Sister-in-law, we are only 12 years old at the age of 16. If I remember correctly, the eldest son of the Liu family should be 20 years old this year. I think the two children are not very suitable for their age. Besides, her grandfather and grandmother meant to keep the child for a few more years, and there is no hurry for marriage."

  That's an outright refusal.

  "What's wrong with that?" Guo Qian sneered, "How much dowry is needed, let her parents say it."

  "It's not about the betrothal gift. Eldest sister-in-law, I appreciate your kind intentions. Let's just drop this matter and not mention it again." Xia Dagu said.

  "Brother and sister, this is where you're wrong." Guo Qian looked at Xia Dagu, "This marriage was still something I had to persuade and plead for, in order to help you make it happen. Once we leave this village, there won't be another opportunity like this. A country girl only has a good face, nothing else, finding someone from such a family is already a blessing! What more do you want to pick and choose?"

  Xia Dagu's face changed color, and then she smiled: "Dajie is kind. Such a good family, Dajie should keep it for herself. Yuhuan and Xia Zhi are the same age, and they look similar too. Dajie has chosen the eldest of the Liu family, isn't it better to be close relatives?"

  Xia Zhi naturally sensed the gunpowder smell between Xia Dagu and Guo Qian Shi. At the same time, she also suddenly realized. Guo Qian Shi's words behind her back had already implicated Xia Dagu. Thinking of a certain rumor she had heard, Xia Zhi finally understood why Guo Qian Shi looked down on her so much.

  Guo Qian's behavior is a case of misplaced anger. Guo Qian clearly has an old grudge against Xia Dagu, but since she can't take it out on her directly, she keeps finding fault with her and trying to make her feel uncomfortable.

  Xia Dagu is usually gentle and mild, but when it comes to getting along with her sisters-in-law, she's not one to suffer losses. Especially not this kind of loss. Xia Dagu certainly can't afford to lose out. Look at how she's scolding Guo Qian again!

  As soon as the name Guo Yuhuan was mentioned, Guo Qian's face turned yellow with anger, her eyebrows and eyes almost standing upright. She hurriedly scolded Xia Dagui: "You're the aunt, how can you humiliate our family's Yuhuan like this? Why don't you give the pearl to the old Liu family?"

  She was so anxious that Xia Zhi couldn't help but smile. This Guo Qian Shi was absolutely no match for Xia Da Gu.

  (。)