Female Farming Pond Fish

In the afternoon, Chen's mother went to find a matchmaker, and Chi Xiaotong waited with Chen's father and Chen Chengshan at Chen's house. Not long after, Chen's mother came back with the matchmaker.

"The Tian family wants a betrothal gift of five taels of silver, and there is no dowry yet. Not a cent less will do." After sitting down, the matchmaker stated the Tian family's requirements straight away.

"No room for negotiation?" Father Chen asked as he poured water for the matchmaker.

"No, if there is, what would I say? It's just a flat price. This is not marrying off a son. Even if you sell a son, you don't ask for so much." The matchmaker was also somewhat dissatisfied with the Tian family's request. Five taels of silver was already a very high betrothal gift in the countryside. If there was no dowry, which family would marry their daughter?

The Chen family also thought it was too expensive. Chi Xiaotong also knew it was expensive, but everyone knew that the price was unreasonable, so why did the Tian family charge so much?

Thinking about it, I asked, "With such a high betrothal gift, aren't the Tian family afraid that no one will marry them?"

"She's really not afraid. I heard she's already looking for a human trafficker. If she can't get married, she'll just sell her. What a sin! The Tian family kid is so unlucky to have such a mother." The matchmaker said. It seems like he has found out everything and has given up on the matchmaking.

Mother and father Chen didn't say anything. They just looked at Chi Xiaotong, waiting for her to make a decision.

"Did the Tian family say when Tian Yu's marriage will be arranged?" Chi Xiaotong thought for a moment and asked.

"It will be this month. I'm already contacting brokers. I think he'll be sold once the price is agreed upon." The matchmaker said cautiously. "Why, you want to marry the boy from the Tian family? It's not worth it. He's been malnourished since he was a child. He's skinny and small. It's hard to raise children. His mother also injured his leg a few days ago. He might be a cripple in the future. With five taels of silver, what kind of man can't you marry? If you want to get married, I'll introduce you to someone else."

"Uncle, do you know why his mother beat him?" Chi Xiaotong interrupted the matchmaker who was about to introduce someone else to her and asked.

"It seems like it's because he was slow during the autumn harvest. Some also say it's because he didn't cook in time. I don't know what the reason is, or maybe it's both?" The matchmaker was not sure either.

Chi Xiaotong nodded and said, "Uncle, let me think about it. Can you help me find out about the Tian family first? I want a definite answer!"

The matchmaker agreed, drank the water and left.

"Do you really want to get married?" Chen's father asked after sending the matchmaker away.

Chi Xiaotong nodded, "Five taels of silver is five taels of silver. If he is sold, who knows what will happen to him!"

Mother Chen did not ask any more questions, and only asked: "Is there enough money?"

"I still have nearly eight taels of silver in my hand, so it should be possible. But I don't understand anything, so I'll have to trouble you with the etiquette and customs." Chi Xiaotong said solemnly.

"Okay, now that we've decided, we need to prepare some things in advance. Clothes, beddings, everything needs to be changed." Father Chen was already thinking about what was needed!

Chi Xiaotong agreed: "Well, all of these need to be bought new. If there is anything else that needs to be prepared, I will go and buy it together after the matchmaker gives the confirmation."

"Ready-made clothes and bedding are too expensive. You buy the cloth and cotton and I will make them for you," said Chen's father.

"Thank you, uncle!" Chi Xiaotong also knew that ready-made ones were expensive. If she bought all the ready-made ones, she might not have enough money. She could only repay the favor of the Chen family slowly.

……

When they got home, all the wild fruits were left at Chen's house. But there were still some at home. Looking at the fruits in the yard, Chi Xiaotong was in a dilemma.

I decided to get married, so I had to work harder. I had planned to save some money to see if I could move to a new house before the first snow fell in winter. I was in a hurry to pay off my debts some time ago, and then I remembered that winter was cold, and I didn’t have much money to move to a new house. I could have done some repairs, but now it’s good enough to have the money to use.

I have no way to make money. I can only earn a hundred coins from the fruit, which is not enough! Besides, the fruits on the mountain are almost ripe. They will be gone soon. What should I do next?

Before she could figure it out, it was already dark. Chi Xiaotong could only start cooking. She was alone, so she didn't even stir-fry the vegetables. She just cooked some porridge, ate it, and went to bed.

The next day, we went up the mountain as usual. We didn't use much fruit, but it was always good to prepare more. Now that there were more people going up the mountain, Chi Xiaotong didn't dare to go to the back mountain again. He could only spend more time.

In the whole morning, they only picked most of the basket. When they went home for lunch at noon, they saw Chen's mother and the matchmaker waiting at the door.

"Aunt, uncle, why are you here?" Chi Xiaotong hurriedly let the two of them in. "Did the Tian family give the OK?"

"Yes." The matchmaker took a sip of the water handed over by Chi Xiaotong and continued, "Tian Yu's mother said that as long as you give five taels of silver, she will be yours."

"Okay, then when are we getting married? Can it be early spring next year?" Chi Xiaotong had expected this and expressed her thoughts.

"Why do we have to wait until next year?" Chen's mother asked first, and the matchmaker also looked at Chi Xiaotong.

"I'm afraid my thatched house isn't warm enough. Will it be better for him to spend a good New Year at his father's house?" This has always been Chi Xiaotong's concern.

The matchmaker laughed: "Oh, girl, you are wrong. The boy from the Tian family lives in a woodshed at home, which is much worse than your thatched house! How can he have a good New Year? His mother beats and scolds him all day long. How can he have a good life? Listen to my uncle, if you really love him, just marry him as soon as possible. I think you really like that boy. The sooner you marry him, the better." Everyone in the village couldn't stand the mother and daughter of the Tian family beating and scolding Tian Yu, but it was difficult to control them.

The status of men in this world is low, and men in most families will be beaten, but there are few cases like the Tian family.

"Why, you don't like the thatched house?" asked Chen's mother.

"No, it just looks cold!" Chi Xiaotong felt a little embarrassed. After all, it was Chen's mother who helped build this house.

"Don't underestimate this house. It's not as warm as a brick house, but you won't be cold either!" said Chen's mother with a smile.

Chi Xiaotong saw Chen's mother smile, and then he breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, this place has never been here before!" He then said to the matchmaker, "Then I'll do as you say. As soon as possible."

The three of them discussed and decided to propose marriage tomorrow morning. Chi Xiaotong said that she would go to the town to deliver fruit tomorrow morning, so it was a good time to take out the money.

"But what about the other things? Do we need other betrothal gifts?" Chi Xiaotong asked without understanding.

Without waiting for Chen's mother to say anything, the matchmaker said directly: "No need, just bring the silver, it will be a waste to give the rest to his family." Chi Xiaotong wondered if this matchmaker had a grudge against the Tian family?

Actually, it wasn't. A matchmaker wouldn't make enemies with anyone, let alone a guest. He just felt bad for Tian Yu because he saw the Tian family's behavior. He also thought Chi Xiaotong was a good kid and helped her save money.

"You still need the red cloth, because you have to wear it when you get married. The Tian family may not make it for him." Mother Chen was very thoughtful.

"Then I'll go buy it this afternoon!" Chi Xiaotong nodded. She didn't need anything else, but she still needed the wedding dress.

That’s right, the matchmaker didn’t expect this.

Chi Xiaotong invited the two to have dinner. She cooked some green vegetables and some stir-fried meat with peppers.

Chen's mother also praised Chi Xiaotong's cooking. Chi Xiaotong thought that it was not really her cooking that was delicious, but simply because she was willing to use oil and salt.