Now that Matchmaker Zhang had spoken such words, the thought of raising a scholar began to germinate in his heart.
If neither his children nor grandchildren had succeeded, then it would have to be his great-grandchildren. By marrying a girl from the Lei Family, he could teach the child to read from a young age, certainly making him better than other children!
Imagining a day when the descendants of the Gu Family could hold a position like the Lin Family, his heart bloomed with joy.
Seeing Gu Feng’s expression, Matchmaker Zhang knew the deal was sealed. She smiled and urged, "Old Master Gu, is it settled or not? If it is, I’ll talk to the girl’s family and we can pick a date for you to propose!"
Gu Feng snapped out of his reverie and responded with a laugh, "Settled, how could it not be? I’ll make the decision on this matter. Hurry and choose the date!"
"Alright, I’ll go tomorrow!"
Matchmaker Zhang suddenly remembered something, took a few steps away, then turned back and said, "There’s something I forgot to mention."
"What is it?" Gu Feng felt a jolt of anxiety as the conversation took an unexpected turn.
"Eh! It’s nothing serious, just that the Lei Family originally came from Shishu Village. Lei the Scholar used to teach at a private school in Anqing Town, that’s why they moved to the town. But after Lei the Scholar died, his widow and children couldn’t stay in the town any longer and returned to Shishu Village.
So now, by all accounts, they’re not considered town folks anymore. They are villagers just like you all. What do you think... is that alright?"
Gu Feng replied, "Of course, it’s alright. Whether they’re from the town or not, it doesn’t make much of a difference. As long as you vouch for them, that’s all that matters!"
Matchmaker Zhang laughed in relief, "That’s the spirit! Old Master Gu is a wise man. Since you’ve said that, I can rest easy!"
Gu Youyou was washing clothes by the river at the bottom of the hill when she saw Wang Shun catching fish.
Gu Youyou’s heart leaped with joy at the prospect of eating fish again. Should she trade some vegetables for it?
Uh, that might be a bit unfair to him! They were out of game at home, so she’d wait for Jin Zijin to return with some.
After washing and hanging the clothes to dry on the bamboo poles in the courtyard, Gu Youyou quickly gathered several handfuls of vegetables and excitedly ran to the riverbank, only to find Wang Shun had already caught the fish and was running off with his basket at a swift pace.
Gu Youyou shouted from behind, "Shunzi, wait for me!"
Unexpectedly, hearing Gu Youyou’s voice behind him, Wang Shun ran even faster, as if chased by a ghost.
"Hey, why are you running? I won’t cheat you!"
Wang Shun shouted back as he ran, "Sister, I can’t trade this fish with you. This is to honor my future mother-in-law!"
Gu Youyou: "... What?" The words "future mother-in-law" struck Gu Youyou like a bolt from the blue.
Wang Shun appeared honest and simple, and Gu Youyou had thought him the kind of man who would blush at the mention of a bride. She never expected him to speak of a future mother-in-law so casually.
She hadn’t heard Wang Shun’s aunt mention any girl from another family that Wang Shun had taken a liking to.
The next day, Gu Youyou saw Wang Shun’s aunt and asked her about it.
The aunt’s expression was complicated as she sighed and then said, "I know about this. The girl he’s taken a shine to is none other than your sister, Gu Xiaoqing."
Gu Youyou was startled, "Erya?"
She had heard nothing of this! But then again, Erya was of age to be discussed in marriage arrangements, being fifteen.
She just hadn’t expected Wang Shun to set his sights on Erya.
Wang Shun’s aunt nodded and confirmed, "Yes, Gu Erya!"
Suddenly, Gu Youyou smiled and said, "Well, isn’t that nice? Why the long face, Auntie? Have you gone to propose yet?"