Xiu’er and the other maids hurried forward to take the bundle from her hands.
"Mother, what about that future son-in-law?"
At these words, Ms. Wang laughed, "From what I’ve seen, he seems pretty good; honest and sincere. Your eldest cousin has quite a feisty character herself. They make a good match."
"That’s good to hear. Such complementary characters won’t easily spark arguments!"
Xiu’er chimed in from the sideline, "Just like our young lady and Young Master An, their characters complement each other too."
Ms. Wang realized that was indeed the case, "Well said, Xiu’er. Your young lady’s temperament is indeed well suited for Brother An."
"Mother, why do you speak as if your own daughter is unwanted." Ms. Wang stiffened a smile upon hearing this.
What she didn’t say was, her own daughter, she was indeed worried she wouldn’t be wanted, otherwise, she wouldn’t have treated Brother An better than her own sons.
"By the way mother, what did auntie say about that dowry you’ve added for eldest cousin?"
"What could she say?" Ms. Wang shook her head, "A set of silver headwear, whether in town or district, is considered an excellent gift, not to mention within the peasant families like ours. Your aunt was very pleased."
"That’s good to know!"
Naturally, mother and daughter had a lot to talk about after not seeing each other for a few days. Later, when Yang Dachuan came back, there were lively conversations between the brothers Yang Qingrui and Ye Zi’an as well, there was no need to go into details.
A horse-drawn carriage was moving at a steady pace on the official road. The day was splendid with glaring sunlight piercing the curtain of the carriage, causing the sleeping occupants to open their eyes.
"Fugui, where are we now?"
"Miss, we probably still have about two hours left," Fugui driving the carriage, replied.
On hearing this, Ye Zi’an nudged Yang Chuxia, "We still have some time, let’s rest a bit longer."
Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an were on their way to the county town. The night before, as Yang Chuxia saw her younger brothers and Ye Zi’an coming from the small building, it suddenly occurred to her that the matter of sending her brothers to county town school had been delayed.
So, early the next morning, Yang Chuxia took some sweet potatoes and sugarcane from home (stingily she only cut one cane, but cleverly sliced it into several sections), along with some special products from her home like drunken crab, and headed to the county town.
She planned to look for the county magistrate, hoping to get two recommendation letters from him.
About two hours later, the carriage finally reached the county. After going through the security checks, Fugui drove the carriage directly to the harem of the county office.
After that, he knocked on the door. The porter who had seen Yang Chuxia and her entourage several times opened the door without going to inform his superiors first, and simply led them inside.
Soon enough, a maid from the Madam of County Magistrate’s came and led Yang Chuxia to the back, while Ye Zi’an was summoned to the County Magistrate.
"Oh my, Xiaxia, looking more vibrant as ever!" The Madam of County Magistrate was as warm as always.
"No, it’s you, Madam, you look more radiant and even younger."
Hearing this, the Madam of County Magistrate laughed even more, "You certainly know how to speak, Xiaxia. So, what brought you to see me today?"
Having heard this, Yang Chuxia felt a bit embarrassed, it sounded as if she would only come if something was at stake.
Madam of County Magistrate noticed her awkwardness and gave another laugh, "Don’t tell me you find my words offensive? In the past, you visited only when the old Madam had sent a letter. This time you’ve come without a letter, you must have a purpose?"
Since the Madam of County Magistrate had been so forthright, Yang Chuxia gave a shy laugh, "Madam, you see right through me. The truth is, I do have a couple of things to discuss. First, I’ve brought some new produce from home for you. We just harvested some fresh vegetables. Secondly, I wish to enroll my two brothers in the county school and I need the County Magistrate’s recommendation."