CHAPTER 267: CHAPTER 258: DIFFICULT TO FIND A PARTNER

Early the next morning, Qi Dalian slipped out of the warm quilt and ran to the kitchen to make breakfast.

As Qi Dalian had just finished cooking the porridge, the rooster crowed for the first time right on schedule, and Sun Fengshou along with the old lady Sun also arrived at the kitchen.

"Dalian, why did you get up so early?" the old lady Sun asked with a smile.

She was very satisfied with this daughter-in-law.

Ever since moving to Taohua Village, during her chats with the village women, she learned that Qi Lizheng had a very capable niece who was quite nice but unmarried at nineteen, so the old lady Sun was intrigued.

Through indirect inquiries, she learned a lot about Qi Dalian, finding out that Qi Dalian called off the engagement because she had to mourn for her father for three years, but the man couldn’t wait, so he broke it off. The old lady Sun felt this wasn’t an issue; as long as the person was good, that was what mattered.

The old lady Sun had her heart set on pairing Qi Dalian with her son and naturally paid close attention to observing Qi Dalian.

Right after Qi Dalian’s three years of mourning ended, several matchmakers came to propose marriage for her, but they introduced either old wealthy men who could be her father or poor bachelors who couldn’t find a wife, none of whom Qi Dalian fancied.

Though being nineteen meant she was considered an old maid, marriage was a lifelong matter for Qi Dalian, and she didn’t want to settle for just anyone; she had to choose carefully.

After observing Qi Dalian for a period, the old lady Sun found that this girl was genuinely good, capable inside and outside the home, and got along well with the villagers.

The old lady Sun approached Yu Changhe, who then went to Qi Lizheng, and Qi Lizheng asked Qi Dalian about her intentions. Both parties being pleased, the marriage was arranged.

However, Qi Lizheng didn’t expect his sister-in-law to have the nerve to ask the Sun Family for such a hefty dowry. Just when he thought the marriage would fall through, the Sun Family, without batting an eye, agreed to the high price of thirty taels for the dowry.

Both families were willing, and Qi Lizheng was happy to see it happen.

"Mother, I used to get up this early at home too; I’m used to it," Qi Dalian said as she picked up an axe to chop wood.

The old lady Sun had glanced at the full water tank earlier and knew it was Qi Dalian who filled it. Now, seeing Qi Dalian about to chop wood, the old lady Sun quickly went to take the axe, "Leave it here, you don’t need to do this work. Our house isn’t without men."

After taking the axe, the old lady Sun covered Qi Dalian’s cold little hand, "You don’t need to do chores like fetching water and chopping wood; let Fengshou do it. From now on, you don’t have to make breakfast so early. It’s okay to sleep in a bit more in the morning."

The old lady Sun scolded Sun Fengshou, "Your wife has been up for a while, yet how can you keep lying in bed? Yesterday, during the wedding feast, all the firewood in the house was used up. You’ll need to chop some more later."

Sun Fengshou scratched his head and looked at Qi Dalian, "I thought you woke up early to use the privy, didn’t expect you to come to the kitchen to make breakfast so early.

From now on, you don’t have to fetch water, chop wood, heat the stove, or feed the cows; just focus on cooking for the three of us."

"And what about Huzi? Doesn’t he eat at home?"

Thinking of the intimacy between the two yesterday, Qi Dalian was too shy to look up at Sun Fengshou.

Sun Fengshou replied, "Huzi stayed with Manzhi and them at his aunt’s place yesterday. Once the New Year is over, he’ll return to the academy and won’t come back to the village often."

Qi Dalian initially worried about dealing with a stepchild, but when Sun Hu gave her tea yesterday, he was very polite, and it was apparent that the Sun Family had raised Sun Hu very well.

She didn’t expect Sun Hu to treat her as his birth mother, just hoped to get along with the child without conflicts.

After breakfast, Sun Fengshou pointed to the row of bottles and jars on a wooden cabinet, telling Qi Dalian, "These were prepared for you by Lian’er from Sister Xiaolian’s family. There are face cleansers, hair shampoos, toothpaste..."

Actually, Qi Dalian noticed these items as early as yesterday; she also knew they were from Luocheng’s Taotao Residence.

"I’ve heard Taotao Residence’s things are quite expensive; I’m afraid I made my niece spend too much!"

Sun Fengshou asked, "Have you heard of Taotao Residence?"

Qi Dalian nodded, "I’ve heard of it. These things must be more expensive than my dowry. Accepting them just like that, isn’t it inappropriate?"

Although she liked these things very much, she believed they were favors and would need to be repaid in the future.

Sun Fengshou didn’t tell Qi Dalian that Taotao Residence was opened by Yu Xiaolian; he only told her to feel free to use them, assuring her that there were plenty.

Qi Dalian picked up a bottle of shampoo and gently caressed the label on it, "The handwriting is really beautiful."

"You can read?" Sun Fengshou regretted his question right after, realizing she was a scholar’s daughter; how could she not know how to read?

Qi Dalian nodded lightly, indicating not only could she read, but she could also write.

Sun Fengshou was delighted, thinking that if Yu Xiaolian ever pushed him to do reading or writing work again, he could confidently pass it on to his wife.

After tidying up the house, Sun Fengshou took his new wife to visit the Yu Family.

Since the Yu Family built their house here, Qi Dalian had passed by the front door many times but had never gone inside. Today, walking into the courtyard with Sun Fengshou, she finally realized how large the courtyard was and how many buildings there were inside.

Yu Changhe and the whole family of Sun Wuye had just finished breakfast too. At this moment, they were gathered around a big basin of charcoal fire, chatting warmly with each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

As Sun Fengshou brought Qi Dalian in, they were immediately warmly welcomed by everyone. Yu Xiaolian stood up, giving the seat near the charcoal basin to Qi Dalian.

Sun Fengshou introduced everyone to Qi Dalian one by one. After each elder was introduced, Qi Dalian politely greeted them and received a red envelope.

The red envelopes were prepared in advance by Sun Shi, who also instructed Sun Fengshou to bring Qi Dalian over to introduce her around.

After making the rounds, Qi Dalian received quite a few red envelopes, and she could feel that some contained copper coins while others had broken silver; the dozen or so envelopes were heavy in her hands.

After expressing her thanks to everyone, Qi Dalian especially thanked Yu Xiaolian once more.

Her bridal gown, the embroidered quilt in the room, and the toiletries were all prepared by Yu Xiaolian. She could tell that each item was meticulously selected and of good quality, making her very fond of them, and she felt deeply grateful to this niece.

Yu Xiaolian laughed and said, "Those things were arranged by my mother; I was just running errands."

Qi Dalian then turned around specifically to thank Sun Shi.

Sun Shi looked at Qi Dalian with a smile, "We’re all family, no need for thanks.

Have a seat. There are peanuts, sunflower seeds, and candy in this tray."

Sun Shi pushed the dish towards Qi Dalian, "Help yourself!"

Qi Dalian grabbed a small handful of sunflower seeds, eating them cautiously.

Sun Shi looked at Sun Fengshou, "Why isn’t your mother here?"

Sun Fengshou replied, "When we were leaving, we saw Matchmaker Wang leading a family next door. It seemed like the family of the girl Manyang was seeing came to visit, and my mother went next door to join the fun. She’ll probably be here shortly."

Sun Shi exclaimed, thinking about how Manbo didn’t even have his own room, let alone Manyang.

Speaking of Sun Manyang, he was already twenty-two years old. Being this age and still single was quite rare and difficult in the rural areas of ancient times.