Xia Dagu smiled, narrowing her eyes at Guo Qianshi: "How can you say that when we were sixteen, it was a matchmaker, and as soon as Yuhuan was mentioned, you said it was a waste. Eldest sister, this matter of yours is not quite right, is it? What fault have I committed to offend you, eldest sister, come at me if you dare. You've eaten sixteen packages of zongzi, and they haven't even digested in your belly yet, have they?"

  Guo Qian's face couldn't hold up. "Younger sister and brother, what are you talking about? I'm also doing this with good intentions..."

  Guo Yuhuan looked at her mother, who was unable to come down from the platform, and hastily came forward to pull Guo Qianshi, telling her to go upstairs. "Mother, didn't you say you were coming over to help Liu's wife? Hurry up and go! Liu's wife is busy with no end in sight." Guo Yuhuan pulled Guo Qianshi away like a gust of wind.

  Xia Dagu finally let out a breath of relief. She smiled at Xia Zhi and told him not to take it to heart. "Yu Huan's mother is just that kind of person, with a vicious tongue. She's always targeting me, every now and then finding fault in me."

  Xia Zhi reassured Xia Dagu, saying she wouldn't take this matter to heart. Then she asked Xia Dagu, "Dagu, I think she's always losing and never gaining anything good. How can she be so addicted?"

  Xia Dagu also smiled at this sentence. "There are all kinds of people in this world. Let's just take it as a joke."

  The two girls laughed for a while until Guo Yuhuan walked back from the kitchen. Guo Yuhuan rushed to Xia Dagu and Xia Zhai, laughing: "Auntie, my mother just has a bad mouth, she can make good things go wrong too. My mother doesn't have any ill intentions." She also said, "This must be someone's instigation."

  Xia Dagu waved her hand and obviously didn't want to mention this matter again. "Forget it, it's a big festival."

  Guo Yuhuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled even more sweetly at Xia Dagou. "I knew it, Auntie is a magnanimous person. I've also advised my mother, she won't mention this matter again."

  Xia Dagou looked at Guo Yuhuan's face for a few moments, then smiled again: "That's good."

  It seems that the matter has passed like this. Xia Zhi accompanied Xia Dagu to chat and continued to peel the fruit, while Zhen Zhu gave Guo Yuhuan a wink, and the two of them went upstairs. No one noticed that Xiao Hei Yu was squatting behind the grape rack not far away. He saw Zhen Zhu and Guo Yuhuan going upstairs, hesitated for a moment, and then quietly followed them.

  Pearl and Guo Yuhuan arrived at the west room of the upper house, Pearl closed the door, then pulled Guo Yuhuan to sit down on the edge of the kang.

  "What's going on?" Guo Yuhuan asked, looking at Zhenzhu with a mysterious expression.

  "Yuhuan sister, tell me what's going on?" Zhenzhu asked Guo Yuhuan in a low voice.

  "What's going on?" Guo Zhenzhu knew what Pearl was asking, but pretended not to understand and smiled as she asked back.

  Zhenzhu glared at Guo Yuhuan. "What made you think of me to be the matchmaker for my fourth sister? You said it was the old Liu family, which old Liu family?"

  Guo Yuhuan actually couldn't wait to find someone to talk about this matter, so after pretending with Zhenzhu for a while, she told her everything she knew.

  "Your fourth sister was walking on the street, and someone set their sights on her." "You also know Old Liu's family, it's the coffin shop on our street, they're quite wealthy, with a four or five courtyard house in the back alley."

  "It's his family." Pearl suddenly realized, the coffin shop Old Liu's family she also knew. She thought for a moment, and then nodded, "The old lady mentioned that he was the eldest in his family, is that the cripple?"

  "Who else if not him?" Guo Yuhuan smiled softly and winked at Pearl, "What's wrong, you also think he doesn't match up to your fourth sister?"

  "He's already in his twenties, and he's still crippled, no wonder my mother was so angry." Pearl said in a low voice.

  "But others have money. They all know what your fourth sister's family is like, and they're willing to give a dowry, it's just that your fourth sister looks pretty good. In my opinion, Auntie is being too lenient about this matter. She should talk to your fourth sister's parents about it, maybe they'll be willing then. Didn't you say that your fourth sister's mother almost married her off to an idiot? Old Liu's young master is much better than that idiot."

  Two people were talking, and then they heard a loud "crack" outside. However, the two of them were in the middle of an intense conversation and didn't pay it any mind.

  Pearl was pondering Guo Yuhuan's words, and she nodded. "You never know, this matter might be of interest to my uncle and aunt. I've told you before, they're trying to raise money for my aunt's family, and it just so happens that they're short on funds right now. My father is even worried that my uncle will ask us for help... Last time he asked, he borrowed 100 taels from us, and it took several years to pay back in installments. It affected our shop's business. My parents argued about those 100 taels behind my back and my brother's back many times. My mother even fell ill from worrying."

  "So, my mother is also for your own good. Those words I'll go back and tell my parents about, they're worried about you guys and said they want to help think of a solution." Guo Yuhuan immediately followed Pearl's lead and said, "Auntie will always side with her natal family. If your eldest brother-in-law speaks up, can she not agree? If the marriage between the Liu family and our family is successful, in the future when they need money, they'll have to ask the Liu family, not you guys."

  The pearl is said to be very touching.

  Guo Yuhuan's eyes rolled around, how could she not see through Zhenzhu's thoughts. She tried to probe and discuss with Zhenzhu: "I think Auntie is also temporarily at odds with my mother. Why don't you talk to your mother again? This matter is none of your business. My parents don't get along with your uncle, let your mother tell your uncle and aunt, and then you all just mind your own business, isn't that fine?"

  Zhenzhu thought for a while before saying: "I'm afraid my mother will be angry."

  Guo Yuhuan somewhat looked down on Zhenzhu's timid appearance. "That is your mother, even if she gets angry with you, she can still eat with you. This matter will only bring benefits to you. If it succeeds, I'll let my mother make a skirt for you."

  Zhenzhu's reaction was a bit slow, but slowly she began to understand some things. Over the years of getting along with Guo Yuhuan and her family, Xia Dagu had often reminded her of this family's temperament. So when she heard Qunzi's words, she first felt happy, then became suspicious.

  "Mother arranged a marriage for my fourth sister, that must have cost quite a bit of betrothal money." Pearl asked Guo Yuhuan.

  Guo Yuhuan's eyes twitched involuntarily. If the Liu family hadn't promised Guo Qianshi a sum of money, why would she be in such a hurry to come and propose marriage? Unexpectedly, Zhenzhu had thought of this point so quickly.

  "My mother didn't do it for money, but for you all."

  Her words had just fallen when Pearl hadn't had time to say anything else, and they heard a "pa" sound outside the window. Both of them heard this sound.

  "Who's outside?" Guo Yuhuan was the first to become alert, suspecting that Xia Zhi was eavesdropping outside. She gave Pearl a signal and quietly crawled to the window to take a look outside.

  There is no one outside the window. Xia Zhi and Xia Dagu are still sitting under the grape arbor, both with their backs to the direction of the upper house, chatting and laughing as they look at each other's silhouettes.

  Guo Yuhuan let out a sigh of relief and crawled back beside Pearl. "No one."

  "You're being overly suspicious." Pearl also knew that Guo Yuhuan was on guard and suspected Xia Zhi, "My fourth sister is not that kind of person."

  "You've been coaxed by your fourth sister for just a few days." Guo Yuhuan felt slightly uncomfortable.

  ……

  Under the grape arbor, Xia Zhi helped Xia Dagu peel a box of fruit. Suddenly, she realized that she hadn't seen Xiao Hei for a while. "Where did my uncle go?" Xia Zhi looked around and asked to herself.

  "Look, he was still catching bugs over there and didn't notice where he went afterwards." As she said this, Aunt Xia started to worry that Little Black Fish might have run out to play on his own.

  "Let me go find it." Xia Zhi was also worried that Xiao Hei Yu would run outside, so he stood up to look for Xiao Hei Yu.

  Xia Zhi found Xiao Hei Yu Er in the courtyard of Cháng Shēng. Xiao Hei Yu Er was pulling on Chang Sheng's sleeve, talking to him, but when he saw Xia Zhi arrive, he stopped speaking.

  "Old uncle, what are you doing here? You're hard to find." Xia Zhi walked over and said with a smile to Xiao Hei Yu.

  "What are you looking for me? I haven't gone anywhere." Little Black Fish immediately said, and then didn't let Xia Zhi follow Chang Sheng to talk, and pulled Xia Zhi back to the courtyard of Summer's eldest aunt.

  Xia Zhi felt that Xiao Hei Yu Er seemed a bit tense, but looking at Xiao Hei Yu Er pursing her lips, she didn't ask. If there was really something going on, she would eventually find out.

  Because she was worried that Xiao Hei Yu had something on her mind, Xia Zhi paid attention to it, and then she found out that Xiao Hei Yu was unhappy. Xia Zhi's heart moved slightly, so she made an excuse to get rid of Xiao Hei Yu, and then she found Chang Sheng.

  "Changsheng ge, what did my uncle say to you just now? He was being very mysterious." Xia Zhi asked Changsheng.

  "Ah, I also think it's quite strange. My uncle asked me to ask about the eldest young master of Old Liu's coffin shop." Changsheng was cleaning the warehouse when Xia Zhi asked him this, and he repeated what he had said to Xiao Heiyu word for word to Xia Zhi.

  Guo Qian's family came when Zhang Sheng was not around. So he didn't know about Guo Qian's matchmaking with Xia Zhi.

  "Liu family's young master, I don't have much contact with him. Some naughty kids call him Liu Xiazi. He doesn't take care of things at home either. My uncle asked me if he has any other problems. I heard that there are no other problems, but he is over 20 years old and not married yet, always wanting to find someone particularly good-looking. It's a congenital disease, it seems that his parents both feel sorry for him, saying that no matter how much money they spend, they must satisfy him. Because of this, they haven't given less money to the matchmakers."

  Because he was distracted during the inspection, Changsheng was a bit absent-minded. However, after Xia Zhi asked him a few questions, she had clarified everything he knew.

  Xiao Hei Yu'er must have heard from Guo Qian Shi that she was going to be the matchmaker for Liu's young master.

  Other kids at his age wouldn't care about these things at all.

  Precocious, warm-hearted, particularly caring for her, taking her affairs as his own - Little Black Fish.

  It's expected that Xia Zhi will be even less visible to Guo Yuhuan and his family from now on.

  In the late afternoon, Xia Ershu's family finally arrived. The atmosphere in Xia Dagu's home became lively. Guo Yuhuan took Pearl's place and busied herself pouring tea and serving water, affectionately calling out to Xia Ershu and his wife as "Second Uncle" and "Second Aunt", even more warmly than Pearl did.

  Guo Yuhuan's mouth was sweet, either praising Xia Erniang's clothes for being beautiful or complimenting her accessories for being exquisite and expensive. For Wu Yue and Qiuyue, she affectionately called them "sister", saying that she had never seen such lovely and fashionable girls before, even more elegant than the young ladies from good families in the capital city.

  Xia Er's family all liked Guo Yuhuan very much.

  Guo Xi and Guo's uncle surrounded Xia Ershu to talk. Guo Qian also came out of the kitchen, as if nothing had happened just now, warmly accompanying Xia Erjie.

  It wasn't until the summer solstice that Xia Zhi discovered that Guo Qian's words weren't always so sharp, she could also be sweet-tongued, but it depended on who she was talking to. When Guo Qian flattered Xia Erniang, she was much more straightforward than Guo Yuhuan, and some of the things she said made Xia Zhi feel embarrassed for her.

  However, Xia Er Shu loved listening and soon became close friends with Guo Qian Shi.

  "I don't have anyone to talk to in the city either. Why didn't your sister bring you to see me earlier?" Xia Erniang said, eating fruit from a box and speaking casually to Guo Qian Shi.

  Guo Qian's eyes darted in the direction of Xia Dagu, then returned to face Xia Erniang with a smile. "My younger brother and sister-in-law's temper, as an elder sister-in-law, I don't dare say anything. I didn't expect someone of Second Aunt's status and position to be so easy-going."

  Xia Er Aunt's eyes rolled around, and she immediately understood. "Come to my place another day, and we'll have a good chat. I get along quite well with you."

  "That's great, that's great." Guo Qian's eyes narrowed into a slit as she smiled, and the topic gradually shifted to Zhang Cai, Luo Juan, Zhang Qiao'er, and even Tian Jian Sheng.

  As soon as Zhang Qiao'er and Tian Jian Sheng were mentioned, Guo Qian Shi and Xia Er Shu became excited.

  Wu Yue was more reserved than Xia Er Shu, and Guo Yuhuan tried to please her, but she just smiled. When Guo Yuhuan talked to her, she didn't ask anything that wasn't said, and instead got many words out of Wu Yue.

  In July, I played jump rope with Pearl. After a while, I got anxious and almost quarreled with Pearl, but was stopped by Xia Zhi.

  The dinner party in the evening was still divided into two tables. The men's table had Xia Ershu's voice the loudest, and he was undoubtedly the number one protagonist. Guo Aunt and Guo Xi both supported Xia Ershu's words. Zhang Sheng and Xia Xiucai were quiet. Xia Zhu occasionally raised his voice to say a sentence, but was immediately scolded by Xiao Heiyu.

  The women at this table were not as loud, but the excitement was no less. Guo Qian and Xia Erniang were like old friends, and they became more and more cheerful as they talked. Guo Yuhuan took it upon herself to be half a hostess, busy helping Wu Yue and Qi Yue serve dishes, smiling and chatting carefully. Later, seeing that Xia Erniang was neglecting to take care of Xia Yang, she even took Xia Yang into her own arms.

  "Let's call her Jade Ring. This girl is great, she's pretty and also knows how to get things done." Summer Second Aunt praised Guo Yuhuan with one sentence.

  Madam Guo hastily modestly said a couple of words, saying that Guo Yuhuan couldn't compare to May and July. Then she also told Xia Erniang that Guo Yuhuan was already twelve years old, and her needlework skills were all excellent.

  "Have both of your nieces mentioned anything about marriage?" asked Guo Qian Shi to Xia Er Shu.

  (。)