"Don’t underestimate my father because he is skinny; he works deftly. Although my mother is not in the best health, she can still manage tasks like boiling water and plucking ducks. Wugo and Liugo, one being ten and the other eight, are both capable workers. If the Qi family could give the duck slaughtering job to our family, we’ll do it ticulously and beautifully," He Sigu pleaded with Gu Jinli, praising his family earnestly in hopes of getting his agreent.
Gu Jinli was aware of the difficulties faced by He Dalian’s family. They were subjected to the scorn of the villagers for not having a son, their backs figuratively hunched from ridicule.
However, He Dalian and his wife were decent people; they didn’t bla or abuse their daughters for not having a son, and treated their six daughters well. Their long-standing poverty had been exacerbated by the dowries they provided for He Sigu’s three older sisters when they married, as He Dalian and his wife were afraid the in-laws would look down on them, leaving their household in a constant state of financial strain.
He Sigu was considerate towards his parents and quite capable. Since working in the spice workshop, he had been efficient and skilled, and every day after finishing his work, he would initiative to clean, leaving the spice workshop spotless.
Everything was noticed by Gu Jinli, who told her, "Alright, you go back to work first. I’ll ask my aunt about it. If she agrees, it’s settled."
"Thank you, Young Master." He Sigu was thrilled. After giving thanks, he went back to grinding spices, anxiously waiting for a reply from Gu Daya’s family.
Gu Jinli knew how important this matter was for He Sigu’s family and didn’t delay. She imdiately went to Gu Daya’s house to discuss the matter with her.
Gu Daya, along with Qi Panzi, Qi Kangle, and Qi Kangping, were about to go to town with a handcart to open their stall. Hearing the proposal, she told Qi Panzi, "You guys go ahead to town. I’ll go see He Dalian couple; if they seem reliable, we’ll set it up with them."
Qi Panzi, who usually listened to Gu Daya, didn’t hesitate and said, "Alright, you go."
After Qi Panzi and the others left, Gu Daya took Gu Jinli to Village Chief He’s house and explained their intent.
Village Chief He imdiately called He Tongsheng, "Sanzai, go to your Uncle Dalian’s house, bring him and his wife here; the Qi family wants to hire them for so work."
"Alright." He Tongsheng, who had been struggling with his studies under He Jinseng’s tutelage and felt overwheld, was thankful for the distraction and quickly disappeared.
In the ti it took to drink a cup of tea, He Tongsheng returned with He Dalian and his wife, along with Wugo and Liugo, who all appeared anxious.
Gu Daya regarded He Dalian and his wife; both were thin, He Dalian having a hunched back, but their eyes were clear, showing their honesty.
Wugo and Liugo, holding hands and although scared, bravely smiled at Gu Daya and Gu Jinli, and even greeted them politely.
Gu Daya straightforwardly said, "The reason we are considering hiring you and your husband should be obvious by now. What kind of people you are, the whole village knows. I won’t go into that, but if you are willing to take on the duck-slaughtering job, let’s sign a temporary contract right now. If after a month you’ve done well, we’ll sign a long-term contract, and the job will be yours permanently. Brother Dalian, what do you think?"
"Good, good, very good. Let’s sign that contract now," replied He Dalian and his wife, overwheld with joy, as they hadn’t expected such a promising job opportunity could co their way, especially when they had heard that the Mo Family could make over six hundred copper coins a day from slaughtering ducks.
Gu Daya, understanding their hardships... thought back to how Third Aunt was also mocked by the villagers for not bearing a son. Lucky for her, Third and his resolute wife managed to pull through, which otherwise might have left them in a worse state than He Dalian couple.
He Jinseng, currently self-studying at ho, drafted a temporary contract for them, and Village Chief He acted as guarantor while both families pressed their thumbprints on the docunt.
Gu Daya put away the contract, "Brother Dalian, co with now to Brother Mo’s place and learn how to slaughter ducks."
"Alright." He Dalian eagerly agreed, taking his wife and daughters to Uncle Mo’s Family.
Uncle Mo was delighted that Gu Daya had promptly found soone for the job, telling her, "Sister-in-law Qi, rest assured, I will make sure to teach Brother Dalian well."
Gu Daya exchanged a few words with a smile before she and Gu Jinli left.
He Dalian was not as smart as Mo Kui, nor were his movents as nimble, but he put all his effort into learning, keeping busy from morning until afternoon, and managed to slaughter thirty ducks.
The two n took the children from their families and brought the processed ducks and duck innards to Gu Daya’s house, and after receiving the silver coins for the duck slaughtering, Mo Kui gave He Dalian ninety cents.
"No, no, today my family ca here to learn how to slaughter ducks. We’ve caused much trouble for Brother Mo, how can we accept money?" He Dalian dared not take the money.
"This is what you deserve, take it." Mo Kui forcefully placed the money into He Dalian’s hand, only pretending to be angry made He Dalian finally accept the silver coins.
At ho, receiving the ducks was Qi Kangping, who, as usual, divided the processed duck innards into several portions, giving one portion to Mo’s family and another to He Dalian’s family.
He Dalian was astonished: "Young Master of Dong Family...this, this shouldn’t be done, this is all at."
Qi Kangping was stunned for a mont, then laughed: "Uncle Dalian is joking, I’m not any Young Master of Dong Family, just call Brother Ping. These are just duck innards, they don’t sell for much. It’s a daily practice to distribute them to each family, even Uncle Mo’s family gets a portion every day."
When speaking about Mo Kui’s family, Qi Kangping blushed, which made Mo Kui very happy, increasingly more satisfied with this future son-in-law.
After listening, He Dalian gratefully took the large bowl full of duck innards, holding the ninety cents, and with tears, he went ho with his two daughters.
That evening, He Dalian’s wife stir-fried the duck innards and the family of five had a hearty al, everyone relishing the food.
However, He Dalian’s wife expressed her worries: "Dear, this duck slaughtering job earns more money than doing odd jobs at the workshop. By taking this job, won’t we offend the Mo family?"
She cried out: "Oh no, that won’t do. Given our situation, we can’t afford to offend the villagers... Why don’t we return this job back, to avoid the Mo Family holding a grudge against us?" He Dalian’s wife, having no sons, lived cautiously in the village, not daring to offend anyone.
He Sigu couldn’t stand seeing his mother being so submissive and said: "Mother, don’t worry. Uncle Mo has already signed a contract with the workshop today. He is very willing to work there; he won’t hold a grudge against us."
Although He Sigu said that, He Dalian’s wife was still worried, but her worries did not last long before she heard the news that Qi Family was proposing a marriage to Mo’s family.
Then she understood, Mo Kui was leaving the duck slaughtering business to beco relatives with the Qi Family.
Gu Daya was efficient in handling matters, and as soon as Mo Kui started working at the workshop, she invited the official matchmaker to propose marriage.
However, before going to propose the marriage, she asked Qi Kangping: "Are you still thinking about that wicked girl Yan Chunxiao? If you still think about Yan Chunxiao, then I will not propose the marriage for Mo Family, to avoid harming Sister Qin."
Qi Kangping hurriedly explained: "I’m not thinking about her anymore, she’s not a good... I understand, she just wants to take advantage of ... Sister Qin’s temperant suits , with her help to support the family, I can live a good life in the future."
"It’s good you understand." Gu Daya sighed in relief and then invited the matchmaker to propose marriage to Mo’s family.
Mo’s family promptly agreed to the marriage, providing Sister Qin’s birthdate for compatibility calculation.
Needless to say, the result was naturally favorable, declared as a perfect match made by heaven.
While Mo and Qi families were discussing the marriage, a sensational event occurred in the county town.
Zou Jiang sued County Magistrate Zou!
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