The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 149: The Wealthy Pei Loaer (3)_1

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: The Wealthy Pei Loaer (3)_1

Luo Jie’s mother, seeing her refusal, was quite displeased, thinking her feisty temperament was some kind of treasure!

However, Luo Jie followed in Grandma Sun’s footsteps and came over to the noodle stall to help.

Although the Lady Fangs didn’t let him help, Luo Jie was eager to show his attentiveness.

Zou Xing, upon seeing this, became extremely annoyed. A man like Luo Jie actually dared to fantasize about marrying Xiao Pei! He himself didn’t dare to go to the noodle stall every day, afraid of idle gossip. Without another word, he pulled Luo Jie into the alley and the two had a fight.

The next day, Luo Jie did not return, but stood at a distance watching Pei Qin with a plum blossom silver hairpin, hoping to give it to her.

Zou Xing, who frequently visited his sister’s house, coincidentally learned about Luo Jie’s doings and told Pei Qin, "He’s given that hairpin to several people already. If it’s not liked, he just takes it back and gives it to the next one!"

Pei Qin was drinking tea when she heard this and spat it out in shock.

Lady Zou also discerned her brother’s intentions and passed a handkerchief to Pei Qin to wipe her mouth, "That is actually true! Although Luo Jie might not look much, he’s quite cunning!" If her brother was truly interested, they should discuss it at home with their parents. If he really married Xiao Pei, this lucky star, their future life would surely not be bad!

It was almost Chinese New Year, and proposals were becoming more numerous.

As soon as Pei Qin and Madam Fang left, Lady Zou pulled her brother aside to ask him about it.

Zou Xing blushed, "I still don’t know if they would agree!

"Then you go home and discuss it with our parents," Lady Zou said, slightly worried that their parents might not favor the match because Lady Fang had been handed down as a junior wife. "If they don’t object, I’ll have Grandma help you feel out the situation."

After listening to his sister, Zou Xing returned home joyously and hesitantly broached the topic of marrying Pei Qin with his parents.

Grandma Zou had no objections, but Old Man Zou disagreed. The younger brothers and sisters all depended on Pei Qin, the eldest sister, for support, and even though she was the daughter of a Scholar’s house, she had agreed to become a junior wife, which was shameful. Even if she were to remarry, it should be done properly. Although Xiao Pei was a good match, he refused to let his son marry someone who would carry the title of being the son-in-law to a woman who had been handed down as a junior wife.

Zou Xing had not expected his mother to be indifferent and his father to disagree, so he went back to seek advice from Lady Zou at their parents’ house.

Seeing her brother’s genuine affection and considering Pei Qin a good match—capable and smart, someone who would surely be taken by another family if not theirs—Lady Zou also believed that Xiao Pei was destined for better things.

Grandma Sun also subtly sounded out Lady Fang, who did not immediately agree but neither did she show disinterest, prompting Lady Zou to make another trip to her parents’ house to consult.

On the day of Laba, the women didn’t set up the stall. Lady Fang got up before dawn, started cooking the pre-soaked Laba rice, and made a pot of thick and fragrant Laba porridge.

Kong’s came over with Laba porridge, and Lady Fang reciprocated with a bowl in return.

Looking at the various ingredients in the Laba porridge, Kong’s gave a wry smile.

When the Laba porridge was brought back home, Pei Wenbo eagerly drank half a bowl.

Lady Chen declined, and Lady Zhu disdained it, leaving the other half for Pei Wenlee to drink.

After a morning of embroidery work, at noon, Lady Fang cooked a pot of Laba rice, fried some meat, and made braised tofu to go with the rice.

After lunch, every household became busy preparing Laba garlic and Laba beans.

Since these were not prepared in their house, as Pei Qin had mentioned she didn’t like to eat them, Lady Fang continued with her embroidery work. She had taken this work more than a month earlier and had only managed to do a little, bit by bit. Now, taking advantage of the absence of the stall, she worked more on the embroidery to earn some extra money.

Pei Qin, enjoying a rare moment of leisure at home, taught Pei Wendong to recite books and watched Si Ya handle the silk threads, "Good people come from books. You and San Ya should also learn to recite them!"