74: Chapter 74 The Person with Bad Luck 74: Chapter 74 The Person with Bad Luck Wufu approached the shaping and polishing of the hairpin’s rough form, which had been cleaved from jade, with the utmost devotion of a beginner.
However, as she gripped the carving knife, it always felt awkward in her hand, never quite the same as the set of high-quality tools she was accustomed to using.
Jade must be carved to reveal its value, but to carve exquisite items, one needs not just skill but also excellent tools.
Isn’t there a saying, “To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools”?
Now, she didn’t even have a single set of fine tools, and so much jade had been wasted in vain.
Wufu steadied her hand and thought to herself, “Let it be, I’ll make do for now and replace them when an opportunity arises.
After all, how easy is it to come by fine tools?
They require silver, as well as the opportunity.”
No longer dwelling on the lack of tools, she held the knife steady and made a slice at the head of the hairpin.
Since she had no fine tools, she had no choice but to devote even more effort to perfecting her technique.
As for Madam Zhou, she arrived at the fishmonger Chen family’s stall in the village with her wicker basket, purchasing a grass carp.
After a moment’s thought, she also weighed and selected the largest and fattest one.
To reach Tofu Beauty from the fishmonger, the quickest route was through her parental Old Zhou family’s home.
Madam Zhou glanced at the large grass carp in her basket, pursed her lips tightly, and turned into the alley leading to the Old Zhou family.
After only a couple of steps, she halted her pace and stood close to the wall, lowering her head and only glancing ahead with the corner of her eye.
At the other end of the alley, Madam Lu and Zhou Xueli led a group towards them, while Old Lady Zhou, dressed in new clothes, stood outside the Old Zhou family house.
When she saw the approaching group, her smile grew even wider.
Witnessing this, Madam Zhou’s expression turned somber, yet there was also joy.
“Even my younger brother has grown up enough to be discussing marriage.
If Father were still alive, he would have been so happy!”
Madam Zhou did her best to minimize her presence, but the alley was not large.
With no one else around her at that moment, her crouching in the corner was extremely conspicuous.
The group noticed Madam Zhou, their curiosity evident as they looked her way.
Madam Lu, who had been speaking loudly, followed their gazes, and her eyes clearly lit up when she saw Madam Zhou.
To be honest, Madam Lu was hoping that this marriage proposal would fall through.
After all, who would want a sister-in-law capable of surpassing her own status?
A daughter from the Scholar family, learned and sensible, marrying the youngest son whom the mother-in-law adored the most—if this marriage truly happened, would there be any place left for her in the household?
Not to mention, the betrothal gifts and the silver that came with marrying into that family would be plentiful.
The savings from that could later be used as marital gifts for her own son, Dajun, and daughter, Xiuxiu.
Therefore, upon seeing Madam Zhou, Madam Lu was very excited inside, thinking that someone who could stir trouble had arrived.
Madam Lu really wanted to call out to Madam Zhou to come over, but seeing that the mother-in-law had noticed Madam Zhou, she didn’t dare say more.
As much as she wanted this marriage proposal to fail, she couldn’t dare show even the slightest hint of it in front of the mother-in-law.
Upon seeing Madam Zhou, Old Lady Zhou’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
“Wasn’t she told to stay at home and keep out of trouble?” She thought angrily, upset that Madam Zhou dared to make a fool of herself in public, especially in front of the Liang family.
Anger surged through Old Lady Zhou, but she didn’t let it show on her face.
She quickly approached the Liang Family, smiling and saying, “We’ve been looking forward to your arrival all morning, and finally you are here.
Please come in and have a cup of tea; the day is getting hotter.” While speaking, she conveniently blocked their view of Madam Zhou and gestured for Zhou Xueli to invite the guests inside.
The Liang family members felt something amiss but didn’t make a fuss, politely following Zhou Xueli inside the house.
It was then that Old Lady Zhou ordered Madam Lu, “Hurry up and chase that unlucky creature away, go quickly!”
After speaking, she sent a sharp glare from afar towards Madam Zhou and then swiftly entered the house.