The fourth day counting backward from the end of the month, urgently need pink support, seeking 1650 pink O(∩_∩)O~
Lian Yeye first heard the news outside and ca running excitedly to tell Lian Manman. It was already evening; in Liaodong Prefecture’s winter, days were very short, and today was also a cloudy day, so by this ti, the sun had already set. The Lian Manman family had just finished their dinner.
"Did they really bring a girl back?" Lian Manman was a bit surprised, and at the sa ti, this matter piqued her interest. "What does the girl look like, Yeye, did you see her?"
"Didn’t see her." Lian Yeye shook his head a bit regretfully, "I heard it from people outside."
Woo Ergou and Woo Sangou ca into the village in the evening, because their ho was at the village entrance in a separate courtyard on a hilltop, quite a distance from other households. As a result, very few people saw them when they entered the village.
According to those who saw them, there were two people following the brothers back—a sowhat hunched old man and a young lady with a long braid who looked like a grown woman.
One of the hottest topics in the village recently was that the Woo Family Brothers went to find a bride for Lian Shouren. Therefore, those who saw these individuals entering the village got excited and hurried forward to get a better look. Unfortunately, by the ti they approached, the group had already entered the house.
In a village, most people are related in so way, and even if they are not, they see each other frequently. Hence, that person found an excuse to try to enter the Woo family’s door, to take a look and gather so information. Unfortunately, Old Lady Wu was sitting at the entrance and wouldn’t let anyone in.
"...She said the girl ca from far away and needed to freshen up. Also, she ntioned that the girl’s face was tender, and besides, the Lian Family had to see her first; they couldn’t just show her to anyone. She also said once the match was made, the girl would beco a villager, so why worry about not being able to see her then?" Lian Yeye mimicked the story to Lian Manman, "Anyway, they just won’t let anyone see her."
Lian Manman sotis loved the excitent. Hearing Lian Yeye’s words, she secretly felt a bit regretful.
"Quite mysterious indeed." Lian Manman said regretfully.
"I heard from afar, that girl is quite tall, and seems quite sturdy," Lian Yeye added, telling Lian Manman.
"They really brought soone back?" Lady Zhang ca in from outside, and upon hearing Lian Yeye’s words, curiously asked, "Do you know who that old man is to the girl?"
"This I know; Old Lady Wu said he’s the girl’s father," Lian Yeye replied.
When visiting the man’s family for a match, naturally, one needs elders and relatives to accompany them. In this era, mainly these elders and relatives were responsible for the matchmaking. If the distance is close, female relatives would certainly be present among the companions, but as the Woo Family Brothers said, the girl’s ho was too far, so they kept it simple, with only her father accompanying, which was reasonable.
Moreover, initially, the Woo Family Brothers said, if the match was agreeable, they imdiately proceed with the engagent and marriage, and the girl’s father coming along was just right to make such decisions.
"It’s already dark, shouldn’t they need to eat as well? When are they planning to do the matchmaking?" Lady Zhang asked.
"They didn’t ntion any of that," Lian Yeye replied.
"They surely need to stay overnight," Lady Zhang reasoned, "Coming from far away, and it’s so late, too dark for a proper visit. A night’s rest to refresh, and the matchmaking can be conducted perfectly the next morning."
That’s the common logic, but the Woo Family isn’t one that follows standard logic.
As they say, spring brings new growth, sumr the maturing, autumn the harvest, and winter the storage. Thirty Mile Camp distinctly experiences these four seasons, with winters especially long. The tenant farm families here have always strictly adhered to these life-preserving rules. In winter, people usually stop taking naps during the day but go to bed early at night.
Tenant farm families mostly live frugally, whether it’s lamp oil or candles—those are bought with silver coins. Thus, at night, unless there’s sothing urgent, they try to keep the lighting to a minimum.
It’s already night; most households in Thirty Mile Camp had put out their lights, preparing for bed. Yet several rooms in the Lian Family Old Mansion were still lit. If one were to look in from outside, they could see shadows moving back and forth, seeming to bustle with so activity.
"Use the pot over here to boil so water, make plenty, and later bring out my good tea leaves for brewing," Old Master Lian sat on the kang and instructed Lady Chiang. "Ask your grandma to bring out those peanuts and lon seeds, fry a plate of each in your side’s pan... no prior preparations had been made, otherwise, two dishes of pastries should also be prepared."
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