Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Alright! I’ll take you. The kitchen is full of smoke and fus. Just have a quick look and co right back out, or you’ll get your clothes dirty."
Liu Yunlan was busy in the kitchen when she saw Juhua co in. She hurried over and asked, "Ma, why did you bring Juhua into the kitchen? She’ll get covered in soot."
Juhua laughed. "I asked to co. I wanted to chat with Sister Yunlan for a bit. It’s all grown-ups outside, and their conversation is no fun for ."
She saw that Liu Yunlan had a cloth wrapped around her head. Her big, round eyes shone with joy, and a deep blush colored her cheeks. It was hard to tell if it was from the heat of her work or from shyness.
Mrs. Zhang brought a small stool over for Juhua to sit on. Instead of leaving, she stayed to help her daughter.
Liu Yunlan said to Juhua, a little sheepishly, "I’m sorry we don’t have more dishes to offer, even though we invited you all for a al."
Juhua laughed. "We’re all the sa, aren’t we? None of our families are wealthy lords. We all just eat simple, ho-cooked als. What are you making, sister? It slls amazing."
Liu Yunlan’s face lit up and she smiled happily. "It’s braised duck. Later, I’ll make you so duck blood soup with Shanyu vermicelli to try."
Juhua nodded with a smile. ’The Liu Family is certainly taking this marriage seriously,’ she thought. ’Most families would have a decent spread for the New Year, but they went out of their way to slaughter both a duck and a chicken. They’ve really spared no expense.’
As she chatted with Liu Yunlan, she glanced around and suddenly spotted Liu Yungen sitting before the mouth of the stove, feeding the fire. He tried to shrink back behind the stove, hoping Juhua wouldn’t notice him, but there was nowhere to hide.
When he saw Juhua look his way, he quickly ducked his head. ’So I’m really going to be related to this ugly girl,’ he grumbled to himself. ’From now on, whenever I visit my sister, my life is going to be miserable. Whatever. I’m the boy here. I’ll just let her have the upper hand. No point in arguing with her.’
If Juhua could have heard his thoughts, she would have burst out laughing.
Amidst all the chatter and bustling, it was soon ti to eat. The n sat at a table in the main hall, while the won sat at another in the kitchen. Both tables were boisterous, and the atmosphere was lively.
Juhua pricked up her ears, listening to the commotion outside. She heard her maternal uncle and Liu Fugui discussing hiring a matchmaker, the betrothal gifts, and even potential wedding dates.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Wang was also speaking to Mrs. Zhang. "Qingmu wants to have the engagent first and then marry in a couple of years. That way, he can build up his assets and give Yunlan a grand wedding when he brings her into the family."
Mrs. Zhang had felt the sa way as Gou Dan’s mother—she wanted to keep her daughter at ho for a couple more years, but she was also afraid that a delay might prevent Yunlan from finding a good family to marry into. Mrs. Wang’s proposal made her beam. She said repeatedly that this was an excellent idea. Once they were engaged, neither family would be in a rush, and she could focus on putting together a larger dowry for her daughter.
Liu Yunlan’s face was flushed, and she didn’t join the conversation. She just attended to Juhua, putting food on her plate. The two listened to their elders’ discussion, occasionally glancing at each other with a smile. They got along so well, it was as if they had been good friends for years.
’So this is what marriage was like in the old days,’ Juhua mused. ’Even though my brother chose her himself, the elders still arrange all the details. That’s fine, I guess, but after this whole day, I bet my brother and Liu Yunlan haven’t even had a chance to speak to each other.’
Her mind started racing, trying to figure out how to get the two of them to et, even just for a quick chat. ’They’re country folk, not young ladies from prominent families. There aren’t that many strict rules. Once they’re engaged, it’s official, and it’ll be easier for them to et.’
She whispered to Liu Yunlan, "Sister Yunlan, my sewing is pretty terrible. Why don’t you co over to my uncle’s house this afternoon to teach a few things? You can keep company, too. I have to go back ho tomorrow morning." She gave Yunlan a little wink as she finished.
Liu Yunlan looked at her future sister-in-law. The girl seed quiet, but she was actually as clever as a whip. ’She’s trying to give a chance to et with Qingmu alone and talk.’
Her face reddened at the thought. But, in her heart, she wanted to see Qingmu too. He had co all this way today, and she hadn’t gotten a single chance to speak with him. ’We’re about to be engaged anyway,’ she reasoned. ’It’s no big deal to et and exchange a few words. Besides, Mrs. Wang and Juhua will surely be watching from the side, and Qingmu would never be improper.’
And so, she gave Juhua a shy nod, agreeing to go over and teach her embroidery once her afternoon chores were done.
Only then did Juhua relax and start to eat her al.
To Juhua’s delight, Liu Yunlan was an excellent cook. The braised duck was tender, fragrant, and lted in her mouth, and the duck blood soup with vermicelli was light and refreshing.
They say food always tastes better when soone else makes it, and Juhua found that to be true. She ate a generous amount of duck and drank a large bowl of the soup. Seeing this, Liu Yunlan was overjoyed. She had heard from Mrs. Wang that Juhua herself was a good cook, so her obvious enjoynt ant she truly liked the food. ’If she likes it,’ Liu Yunlan thought happily, ’then her family probably will, too.’
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