As soon as this topic was mentioned, Xia Erniang's chin rose. She told Guo Qianshi: "On the 14th of May this year, I just spread some rumors, and the matchmakers trampled on the threshold of our house. It's only been a few days since we entered the prefectural city, and those who came to propose marriage couldn't be pushed away or squeezed away."

  She said that Tian Jian Sheng wanted to be the matchmaker for Wu Yue, and it was still a nephew from the Tian family's clan. "It sounds pretty good, I didn't want to go see him at first. That day, let Jian Sheng Lao Ye say something that wasn't pleasant, so I went to take a look... The temper isn't very good, and also asked a fortune teller to calculate it, and found out that the horoscopes clashed with Wu Yue's, so didn't agree. Because of this matter, Jian Sheng Lao Ye was not very happy."

  Kuo Chien's mouth was wide open, almost big enough to swallow an entire egg. "Oh my god, Master Kuo acted as the matchmaker and it's his nephew from the same clan, that young master of the Tian family in Western City! You still don't want him? We can't even think of such a good opportunity." The implication was clearly expressed by Yen Hsien.

  Her attitude made Xia Erniang very disappointed. Compared to Xia Dagong, Xia Zhi and others, Xia Erniang felt that it was still more comfortable to talk to Guo Qianshi. She also told Guo Qianshi, "Although Mr. Jian Sheng is not very happy, he looked at our good May and said two things to May..."

  According to Xia Ershen, Tian Jiansheng also told Wu Yue about a young Xiucai and another one who was the son of a wealthy family from a village ten miles outside the city, but she did not agree with either.

  "This daughter of mine isn't someone I'm praising just because I'm her mother, she's really a one-in-ten-thousand kind of person. She has the looks, the figure, and the talent; everyone who sees her says good things about her."

  It got to this point and May looked embarrassed, as if she didn't want to say any more. May called out "mother" in a spoiled tone, meaning for Auntie Xia to stop talking.

  Xia Erniang, however, was unwilling. She said, "There's no outsider here, what's there to be afraid of?" Then she went on and on with Guo Qian Shi, saying, "My daughter just wasn't born into a good family, letting us get dragged down. If she were born into a good family, not to mention xiucai or gongzi, even the son of a county magistrate or prefectural magistrate, a famous jinshi laoye, my daughter would be worthy of them."

  "Yes, yes, yes." Guo Qian's perfunctory agreement was followed by her cautious inquiry to Xia Erniang, "Then our children won't be looking at the business family anymore?"

  Xia Erniang paused with her chopsticks, her eyes falling on Guo Qian's face. "A businessperson who buys and sells goods? That's not something that can't be looked at. It depends on the person."

  "That's for sure. Small doors and small houses are definitely not good enough, like our small business, Second Sister-in-law would definitely look down on it, and it wouldn't be worthy of May's niece either. What about those big households, the ones that do big business?" Guo Qian Shi asked cautiously.

  Xia Erniang quickly glanced at Wu Yue and then somewhat reservedly replied to Guo Qian's words. "In that case..., actually, it mainly depends on this young man. If he has a similar temperament to Wu Yue, we won't ask for anything else."

  "Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are truly kind-hearted people, not those who only care about wealth and status." Guo Qian's wife immediately praised.

  "That's right. To say that in general, business people would have lost money by May." Xia Erniang felt that Guo Qian Shi's words were very apt.

  "In that case, I'll keep an eye on my niece. Although we're just a small business family, we're also old residents of this prefecture city. When it comes to knowing people, we know some too." Madam Guo said.

  Xia Er Shu and Guo Qian Shi became more and more speculative. Guo Qian Shi also mentioned the marriage in July, saying that she would take care of it for Qi Yue, and then naturally brought up her own Yu Huan.

  "She definitely didn't have high demands in May and July, if it's the Tian family that would be best..." In short, they wanted Xia Erniang to act as a matchmaker for Guo Yuhuan and marry her into the Tian family, even if it was just a side branch."

  May lightly hummed a tune and glanced at Guo Yuhuan. Guo Yuhuan was feeding Xia Yang, being very diligent and careful.

  "I'll help you ask around. I think Yu Huan is a good kid." Xia Erniang readily agreed with Guo Qianshi.

  Kwok Chin Sui Lok's eyes are all blind now.

  Zhenzhu and Xia Zhi sat together. She saw that everyone was talking about either May or July, or Guo Yuhuan, feeling very left out, the food didn't even taste good anymore. After forcing herself to eat a few more mouthfuls, Zhenzhu said she was full, got down from the kang and went to the west room.

  She was spoiled, and her unhappiness was written all over her face. Normally, Guo Yuhuan would be the first to go and coax her. But today, everyone seemed to ignore her, letting Zhenzhu walk away.

  May watched Pearl leave before saying: "What's wrong with Pearl, she ate for a bit and then stopped. She didn't even finish her bowl of rice, I don't think she had much of the dishes either."

  A bowl of pearl rice was left with half a bowl and placed on the table.

  "Don't mind her, she ate a lot at noon. She hasn't been feeling well these two days." Xia Dagou said and lightly changed the subject.

  After everyone finished eating, Xia Zhi got down from the table. In the main room, because he didn't see Xiao Hei Yu Er, Xia Zhi asked. Chang Sheng told him that Xiao Hei Yu Er had eaten and gone out early.

  "You should play in the courtyard." Changsheng was watched by Aunt Guo, asking him to accompany her to drink and entertain guests, and for a while, he couldn't take care of so many things.

  Xia Zhi glanced at Xia Zhu.

  "I didn't see anything. I've been here all along." Xia Zhu said immediately.

  Xia Zhi ignored her and walked out to find Xiao Hei Yu. Xia Zhu hesitated for a moment, then followed Xia Zhi. The sky outside had already darkened, and there was no sign of Xiao Hei Yu in the courtyard.

  Xia Zhu followed Xia Zhi and chuckled: "If the old uncle is lost, I wonder what you will do when you go back?" The child was young and small in stature, but when he spoke, he had a sinister tone.

  Xia Zhi disliked this feeling and this kind of person. "Who said Lao Shu was lost? Was it you who played a trick on him? Lao Shu came with you, didn't he?"

  Xia Zhi glared at him, and Xia Zhu felt a little scared. He hastily waved his hand and quickly distanced himself from Xia Zhi. "It wasn't me, it has nothing to do with me." After moving away from Xia Zhi, he was no longer so afraid and seemed to have regained some of his courage.

  Xiatill was just scaring him and didn't want to do anything to him. She came out to find Xiao Hei Yu'er. Xiatill searched back and forth in the yard, still couldn't see Xiao Hei Yu'er, so he went to Changsheng's yard, thinking that Xiao Hei Yu'er might have gone to the workshop in the back.

  As soon as she entered Changsheng's courtyard, before she could walk further in, she ran into Xiao Heiyu.

  The little black fish led the big green, and there was no lantern in his hand, he just walked over like that. Seeing Xia Zhi, he was startled. "Sixteen..."

  "Old uncle, where did you go?" Xia Zhi asked.

  "I didn't do anything." Little Black Fish seemed to be still a bit panicked at first, but as he spoke with Xia Zhi, he calmed down. "Sixteen, I just went to the workshop to take a look." As he said this, he was smiling and looking at Xia Zhi. "Sixteen, is the banquet over? Why did you also come out?"

  "Just scattered." It's said that Xiao Hei Yu Er has indeed gone to the workshop, and Xia Zhi didn't think much of it. She brought Xiao Hei Yu Er back, "Old uncle, have you eaten?"

  "I'm full." Little Black Fish patted his own little belly with satisfaction.

  Xia Zhi oh-ed in surprise, but Little Black Fish's belly didn't bulge at all. Moreover, Little Black Fish seemed to have a strong smell of alcohol on his body.

  "Old uncle, let's go back and change our clothes. You must have been drinking with them and got some wine smell on you." Xia Zhi said to Xiao Hei Yu.

  The little black fish seemed quite surprised. He sniffed himself and said he couldn't smell anything. However, he obediently changed clothes with Xia Zhi.

  In the east house, a group of people were chatting loudly, mainly Xia Ershu, Xia Erniang, Guo Xi, Guo Qian Shi and Guo Gufu.

  Xia Xiuzai was very quiet in such a lively scene, with a smile on his face and hardly speaking. However, as soon as Xia Zhi entered the door, he saw him. Then he stood up and bid farewell, saying it was late and he had to return to the academy.

  Xia Dagu and Guo Gufu both asked him to stay overnight, but Xia Xiuren insisted on not staying, and finally let Old Liu drive the carriage to send Xia Xiuren away. Xia Ershu also said he wanted to leave, but was persuaded by Guo Gufu with a couple of sentences, so he stayed too.

  Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu's family are all in a good mood today.

  Xia Zhi had been waiting for an opportunity to go out, and now that Xia Xiuzai was leaving, he decided to take advantage of it. After seeing Xia Xiuzai off, Xia Zhi discussed with Xiao Heiyu the idea of going to the night market. Xiao Heiyu happily agreed, and would have suggested it himself if Xia Zhi hadn't.

  Xia Dagu let Changsheng accompany Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu'er. Tonight, the night market is especially crowded, we must take good care of Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei Yu'er, don't let them get squeezed by the crowd, those two kids.

  Long life is natural and has been fulfilled.

  Guo Yuhuan, May and July as well as Xia Zhu and Xia Yang also said they wanted to stroll through the night market. Only Pearl was listless and couldn't muster up the energy, so she followed Big Aunt Xia back home.

  So many people want to go to the night market, Zhang Sheng is worried. He can't take care of them at all.

  "Changsheng ge, you don't need to take care of us," Xia Zhi said to Changsheng. Xiao Hei Yu also nodded in agreement, indicating that he and Xia Zhi were fine with Da Qing, and didn't need Changsheng's care.

  Changsheng also knew that Xia Zhi was the least worried about, he looked around and saw Xia Yang being left aside. Xia Yang was the youngest, and judging from his siblings' appearance, they didn't seem to be taking good care of him either. Changsheng picked up Xia Yang in his arms.

  May looked over and her narrow eyes narrowed. She beckoned to Changsheng: "Brother Changsheng, you lead the way for us. Xiao Yang is with Yuhuan now. Xiao Yang and Yuhuan are good."

  May let Guo Yuhuan hold Xiaoyang, and then she seemed to be afraid that Guo Yuhuan would not be willing. "Ah, look at my thoughtless idea. Yuhuan, if you're not willing, it's nothing. I just saw you getting along well with Xiaoyang earlier, Xiaoyang doesn't stick to anyone, but sticks to you."

  Xia Yang never stuck with Guo Yuhuan.

  Guo Yuhuan is willing to go to the night market with May and July, but she doesn't want to hold a 4 or 5 year old child who drools when eating and often has a runny nose.

  But May has already said so, she is unwilling but also has to pretend to be willing.

  "I've made up with Little Yang, so you can hand her over to me now." Guo Yuhuan said with a smile.

  Changsheng hesitated for a moment, thinking it wasn't good to let Guo Yuhuan hold Xia Yang. The little guy said it wasn't too heavy, but if he held him all the time, it would be tiring. Moreover, with so many people on the street, if he didn't hold him, he was afraid that Xia Yang would get squeezed or accidentally lost. Just as he was hesitating, he felt his butt being poked by someone.

  Changsheng turned his head around and saw that Xiao Hei was standing behind him, winking at him.

  Changsheng let out a soft sigh and handed Xiaoyang over to Guo Yuhuan, who was beaming with joy. As soon as Xiaoyang was in Guo Yuhuan's arms, her small hands grasped at Guo Yuhuan's chest.

  Guo Yuhuan was wearing a light red silk blouse and skirt today, and Xia Yang grabbed it with one hand, leaving behind a small oily handprint. This child had washed his hands after eating under the supervision of adults, but afterwards he secretly grabbed something to eat again, getting his hands all oily, without anyone noticing.

  Guo Yuhuan's face turned dark, but seeing Wu Yue's smiling face, she couldn't help but smile too.

  Dragon Boat Festival, both Xishi Street and Dongshi Street are connected. Except for the night market stalls, many shops did not close their doors. Among them were also Guo's general store and Yu Huan's wine shop.

  A crowd of people lingered in front of Guo's general store for a while before finally establishing an order that would soon be broken and moving forward. They didn't walk many steps before stopping again.

  A crowd of people gathered in front of Guo Xi's wine shop, making a big noise. At first, Guo Yuhuan didn't think much of it, but gradually realized that something was wrong and asked the onlookers what was going on.

  "Something's happened." Someone in the know said, "Someone was brewing wine and ended up scooping out a dead mouse from the wine vat!"

  "Oh no, there's a dead mouse in the wine!" Little Black Fish was shocked and let out a loud cry, then squeezed into the crowd.

  "This is a lively big deal, Xia Zhi was often with Xiao Hei Yu doing dog legs in Daxingzhuang during the summer solstice. At this time, seeing the excitement, he didn't care whose wine shop it was, and he squeezed inside with Xiao Hei Yu. While squeezing, he also shouted loudly that there were mice in the wine."

  No matter where, especially on the streets, there are always mischievous kids who love to watch and get involved in everything. There are also older kids who loudly squeeze into crowds.

  In just a short while, the news that Guo Xi's wine had scooped out a dead mouse spread far and wide. Moreover, this rumor became more and more absurd as it was passed on, until finally there were all sorts of claims being made. Those who said they had scooped out stinky shoes or dead frogs from the wine were considered mild, for some people even claimed that Guo Xi's wine had produced a human head.

  Guo Yuhuan's face turned black, but she still didn't dare put down Xiaoyang. She hugged Xiaoyang and squeezed into the crowd. Several Xia Zhi also followed and squeezed in.

  The matter got bigger and bigger, and finally Guo Yifu's family members, Guo Xi and Guo Qian, rushed over after hearing the news. The two of them tried to persuade everyone, with Guo Yifu and Zhang Sheng helping out on the side, before the crowd slowly dispersed.

  Guo Yuhuan didn't have the heart to go shopping anymore.

  In May and July, they didn't take this matter to heart. Their newly established friendship with Guo Yuhuan wasn't at that level yet. Actually, neither of them was very happy about the commotion, nor did they know why they squeezed into the crowd.

  Guo Yuhuan stayed at the wine shop, and Xia Yang returned to Changsheng's arms. Everyone continued strolling, and what had just happened was only a small interlude.

  Xia Zhu couldn't help but laugh: "Haha, Guo Yuhuan's family has a dead mouse in their wine, I think their wine shop is going to go bankrupt, hehe." He was happy when others were unhappy.

  "After all, it's an old brand, and business will definitely be affected. It won't close down, though." Xia Zhi said calmly, then looked down to see Xiao Hei Yu smiling with pursed lips.

  The little black fish raised its head and smiled at Xia Zhi, feeling pleased and happy.

  (。)