Juhua was constantly picking red chili peppers to dry and grind into powder.
Now that it was autumn, the chili peppers were turning red particularly fast, and she could pick quite a few each day. She also pickled the leftover tender cowpeas with chilies. In addition, she sun-dried plenty of young Huang Gua and tender lons, then tossed them into the sauce crock to be preserved.
Since she had planted an abundance of Huangdou, she made more sauce this year as well, adding plenty of dried shrimp.
One day, as she was washing and setting out so more freshly picked red chili peppers to dry, the little Black Dog suddenly began to bark wildly at the courtyard gate. She looked up and saw Li Changxing, holding two strings of crucian carp. He was standing there smiling at her, his eyes twinkling in his dark, ruddy face.
"Juhua, drying peppers?" he called out.
Juhua answered in the affirmative, then asked in surprise, "Changxing, what’s up? How do you have ti to go fishing when you’re so busy?"
Li Changxing laughed. "I set the nets while I was working. Here, take a string. I’ve got two."
Juhua took it with a small smile. "Well, don’t mind if I do. This fish is delicious when stewed with Huangdou."
Li Changxing chuckled. "You’re always experinting. I’ve never seen anyone stew fish with Huangdou."
Juhua said, "Fish stewed with tender Huangdou is delicious. Just have your mother try it and you’ll see. So, what’s really on your mind? You didn’t co all this way just to bring fish, did you?"
Seeing he clearly had sothing on his mind, Juhua decided to ask him directly. ’I’m busy, after all.’
Li Changxing grabbed a small stool for himself and sat down. He hesitated for a mont before looking up at Juhua. "Normally, I wouldn’t bother you with this, but I don’t dare ask anyone else. I can only ask you to inquire on the quiet for ."
Juhua waited quietly for him to continue. Seeing she wasn’t asking what it was about, Li Changxing had no choice but to clear his throat and say, "It’s like this. My cousin, Changming, really likes izi, but we don’t know what she thinks. You’re good friends with izi, so I was hoping you could ask her. You don’t have to say much, just sound her out. If she’s interested, Changming will get soone to formally propose marriage. If she’s not, then just pretend I never said anything."
Juhua said in confusion, "Why make it so complicated? You can just have soone go and propose. If it works out, great. If not, it’s no big deal. Isn’t that how it’s usually done? Even if I pass on the ssage, izi might not be able to make the decision herself. Wouldn’t that be asking for nothing?"
Li Changxing sighed. "Juhua, you’re still young, you don’t understand! My cousin Changming didn’t ask to co; I saw what was on his mind and couldn’t bear it, so I ca to you myself. With this matter, we can only go and propose if izi is interested in Changming. Even then, it’s hard to say if it’ll work out, but at least there’d be so hope. If izi doesn’t like Changming, there’s no point in proposing at all—her mother would definitely never agree to marry her to him. You know my Auntie Hua doesn’t have a good reputation. Who would want to beco her in-law? But my cousin Changming is a really good man."
Juhua was stunned for a mont after hearing this. She hadn’t expected Li Changxing, a bachelor himself, to be so concerned about his cousin. It made her see him in a new light.
’But it would be improper for to get involved. Even just asking a single question... that’s not sothing a young girl like should be asking. If Gou Dan’s mother found out, there’d be trouble.’
’Back then, I didn’t even agree to pass private ssages for Liu’er, and that involved my own brother. So why would I do it for Li Changming, who’s a complete outsider?’
’It’s not that I’m cold or unhelpful. It’s just that with this kind of thing, while there’s nothing wrong with it out in the open—it’s how n and won are matched for marriage—arranging it privately is unacceptable. It would definitely cause a scandal.’
So, she put on a serious expression and said to Li Changxing, "Changxing, I can’t help you with this. I don’t think it’s right for to ask izi, or for you to ask her yourself. It might cause people to gossip about her and ruin her reputation. If you feel going through a matchmaker is inappropriate, then find an elderly person to go and inquire with izi and her mother. That would be less conspicuous."
Hearing her words, Li Changxing was at a loss. After thinking for a mont, he had to admit she had a point. He heaved a heavy sigh and said, "Tell , my cousin Changming is such a good person, why is it so hard for him to find a wife? Auntie Hua may not be the best, but once a wife marries into the family, isn’t she going to be living her life with Changming? If Changming knew I ca to you about this, he’d definitely scold . He once sucked snake venom out of a bite for izi, and he’s terrified that if people talked about it, it would put her at a disadvantage. Have you heard a single person ntion it? That’s because he never brings it up, and he forbids Auntie Hua from ntioning it either. Now he doesn’t even dare to walk past izi’s house—he always takes a detour. He never ntions her in front of others, all because he’s afraid of damaging her reputation."
Juhua found it sowhat amusing to hear him venting like an old woman, all while defending his cousin’s honor. ’This is a classic case of the attendants being more anxious than the Emperor. The person at the center of it all probably isn’t even worried, and at the very least, Granny Hua certainly isn’t.’
She kept her head down, spreading the chili peppers out on the sieve, and said with a small smile, "What are you so worried about? Changming will find a wife eventually." ’You’ve been sitting here long enough, you should be leaving soon,’ she thought. ’It’s not proper for you to be sitting here while I’m ho alone.’
Having gotten it all off his chest, Li Changxing felt a bit better. He stood up and said to her, "Juhua, don’t mind . Just forget what I just said. I’ll do as you suggested and find an elderly person to quietly sound things out. Well, I’ll let you get back to work!"
He gave Juhua a beaming smile, waved, and turned to leave.
Juhua found it interesting that he had taken on this whole affair as if he were Li Changming’s own mother. She couldn’t help but sigh in admiration. ’He usually looks so shrewd, but deep down, he’s still a simple and honest soul. Then again, in a place like these mountains, you rarely find anyone who is truly cunning.’
Just as she was thinking this, Qingmu ca ho from his studies. He put down his books and asked her, "What was Li Changxing here for just now?" He had seen Li Changxing sitting in the courtyard talking with his sister from a distance and had quickened his pace on the way back.
Juhua thought for a mont. Figuring there was no reason to hide it from her brother, she recounted what Li Changxing had said.
User Comments
0 comments from readers