The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 499 - 497: The Wang Family’s Sincerity

Chapter 499: Chapter 497: The Wang Family’s Sincerity

She came back just at the right time, as Wang Yongfu and the matchmaker aunt had also just arrived home.

Old Granny Zhang was pulling the matchmaker aunt aside to ask about the situation.

The matchmaker was an exceedingly straightforward woman, always speaking her mind.

She was telling Old Granny Zhang, "I’m telling you, Yongzhu’s mother, you are truly blessed. You have a good eye, that Liu Family, although they are mountain hunters, I see they are very well-mannered. People are sincere and honest, and I have seen the girl myself— generous and healthy, just the type that promises good childbearing."

Old Granny Zhang showed a proud expression, "That’s right, I took to that girl at first sight."

Only then did the matchmaker start recounting the events one by one.

They didn’t reach Chongzi Gou until noon, and before they could ask for directions, children who recognized the Wang Family’s horse carriage came over. Seeing they were strangers, they asked if this was Wang Yongping’s older brother, looking for the Liu Family.

They were all very enthusiastic. Some led the way, while others ran ahead to bring news back home.

Soon, Wang Yongping and the two Liu brothers came out to meet them.

Upon seeing the locally famous matchmaker aunt alighting from the carriage, Wang Yongping could not help but laugh in his simple, honest way.

It was Wang Yongfu who explained the purpose of their visit, and the two Liu brothers hurried to invite them inside their home.

Father Liu and Mother Liu, guessing that the Wang Family would send a matchmaker these days, had not gone into the mountains and were waiting at home.

They breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving the news.

Seeing Wang Yongfu’s respectful and honest demeanor, and hearing that he was the elder brother, Father Liu felt even more reassured, understanding that the Wang Family’s eldest son was not difficult to get along with.

After exchanging a few words, the matchmaker clarified their intentions.

She vigorously praised Liu Xiaoqiao, expressing the Wang Family’s intentions, and also fittingly complimented Wang Yongping. She loosely described the situation of the Wang Family and made introductions.

This gave the Liu Family an idea of what to expect.

Seeing that the matchmaker sent by the Wang Family was not like ordinary matchmakers—who, after taking people’s money, dared to say anything and excessively praise the groom’s conditions without mentioning any faults—the Liu Family couldn’t entirely trust their words.

Instead, what the matchmaker said was both appropriate and pleasant to hear. The situation at the Wang Family was good, yet they also didn’t hide the fact that they had many siblings and hadn’t split the household.

This further reassured the Liu Family that the Wang Family’s intentions were sincere.

Mother Liu had long been more than willing, but she still wanted to maintain some decorum. When the matchmaker asked for the parents’ opinion, she said they needed to think it over.

Wang Yongping, listening on the side, became anxious. What was there to think about?

He was so eager that he almost rushed out to ask, but luckily, Wang Yongfu held him back.

The experienced matchmaker knew that the bride’s family was most likely very willing but wanted to save face, hence the pretense.

However, she had received a promise from Old Granny Zhang— if she could get the Liu Family to agree today and exchange the marriage documents, a generous red envelope would be hers.

It was apparent that both families’ children were willing, and her role as the matchmaker was merely a formality.

Therefore, she was not in a hurry. Instead, she began discussing child-rearing with Mother Liu, starting with her own experiences and gradually persuading Mother Liu. Since both families were content with each other and earnest in forming a bond, why put on airs?

Given the distance between the two households, visiting was not easy. The Wang Family was sincere in seeking Miss Liu’s hand in marriage, already listing the betrothal gifts at home.

She mentioned several presentable gifts included in the dowry, and in particular, emphasized that Old Granny Zhang had taken a liking to Miss Liu and had personally paid for a pair of silver bracelets for her.

Wang Family had shown such great sincerity, why shouldn’t the Liu Family be generous as well? After all, their daughter would eventually marry into the Wang Family, so making a good impression on her in-laws would be more desirable, wouldn’t it?

With a bit of persuasion like this, Mother Liu’s heart was somewhat moved.

Especially when she heard that Old Granny Zhang had even made a pair of silver bracelets for her daughter, she had no more objections.

Upon hearing how genuine Wang Family was, Father Liu immediately made a decision, accepted the gifts on the spot, and agreed to the marriage, exchanging the marriage documents.

The two families set a date for the formal engagement, pleased that everything had gone so smoothly.

The Liu Family was also happy. They prepared a table full of game to treat Wang Yongfu and the matchmaker to a meal, and before they left, they gave the matchmaker a pheasant as a token of appreciation.

When she finished, the matchmaker took out the red paper-wrapped birthdates of the couple from her bosom and handed them to Old Granny Zhang.

These birthdates only needed to be offered at the Wang Family Ancestral Hall for a few days. If everything went smoothly in those days, without any issues, it meant that the couple’s astrological signs were highly compatible and they would have a most fortunate and harmonious marriage.

Seeing the matchmaker handle matters so efficiently and gracefully, Old Granny Zhang was not stingy, promptly giving the matchmaker a red envelope filled with an ounce of Silver Pieces as a token of gratitude.

Since the matchmaker would be needed for presenting the dowry and leading the wedding procession, pleasing her was crucial to ensure the smooth process of the wedding. Old Granny Zhang never skimped in such areas. Now that she was financially comfortable, she was even more generous.

Absolutely overjoyed, the matchmaker could not resist opening the red envelope on the way back to take a peek. A full ounce of Silver Pieces was beyond her expectations, and she felt particularly eager to offer her services later on in the wedding arrangements for Wang Family’s Fourth Child, sparing no effort.

Wang Yongzhu, seeing everything handled so smoothly and Old Granny Zhang arranging it all so efficiently, without needing to worry, felt relieved.

Early the next morning, she took the horse-drawn carriage and hurried to the town.

It was not until she was nearing the town and there were no people around that Wang Yongzhu took out the Yellow Pine Mushrooms from the storage box, placed them in a prepared empty bamboo basket, covered them with a few leaves, and then continued on her way.

When Song Chongjin arrived at Guan Yifei’s, he was already there, discussing something. Upon seeing the horse carriage, he hurriedly greeted her.

Guan Yifei, eager for the arrival of the Yellow Pine Mushrooms, watched intently as the horse carriage came to a stop, just waiting for them.

Wang Yongzhu carried the bamboo basket out of the carriage compartment into the courtyard before removing the leaves on top, revealing rows of excellent-quality, freshly picked Yellow Pine Mushrooms.

As soon as Guan Yifei saw the Yellow Pine Mushrooms, his eyes widened, and he carefully picked one up as if he was afraid that too much force would bruise it.

Upon a detailed examination and finding himself extremely satisfied, he noted these were indeed top-notch Yellow Pine Mushrooms, of medium size and brimming with freshness.

Carefully taking them out one by one, he weighed them, and to his surprise, the small bamboo basket contained a pound and seven taels.

Wang Yongzhu had a rough estimate in mind; the rest of the batch would likely be similar, adding up to more than three pounds in total.

After weighing the mushrooms, Guan Yifei meticulously replaced the Yellow Pine Mushrooms back into the bamboo basket, padding them with pine needles and wild grass.

Then, he took out a signed note, added a couple of strokes to it, and handed it to Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu looked at it and saw that the note specified the date and place of receiving one pound and seven taels of Yellow Pine Mushrooms of high quality from Wang Yongzhu, to serve as evidence.

"What is this?" Wang Yongzhu was a bit puzzled.

"Wang Family Young Lady, these Yellow Pine Mushrooms are of fine quality, indeed premium. The price in the Capital City has surged considerably. The value today may not be the same as tomorrow. The boss sent a message saying that as long as the Young Lady provides Yellow Pine Mushrooms, such a signed note should be given to the Young Lady. As for the price, the boss will personally come here before the snow falls to settle the account with the Young Lady," Guan Yifei explained.