"Yeah, Xuxu girl, although we split the family assets a couple of years ago, dad and mom live with us, and even if we have to starve, we wouldn't let dad and mom go hungry," the third aunt said eagerly, showing her stance when grandma didn't bring up the topic of marrying Feng Xuxu off to a cousin on her maternal side.
Grandma glared at the youngest daughter-in-law, Feng Liu, while the second aunt was about to speak but was stopped by the second uncle. Grandma continued, "Xuxu ah! Your mom passed away early, and then your dad followed her, so both your and your brother's marriage arrangements have been delayed. There's no one in the family to arrange these things," she said, sighing. Turning to her two sons and daughters-in-law seated in the house, she added, "I called you here today to discuss Xuxu girl's marriage. Feng Xi's three-year mourning period is not yet over, so we won't consider her for now. I want to find a match for Xuxu girl first; otherwise, if we wait another three years, she'll really become an old maid. What do you two uncles and aunts think?" Upon hearing that they were summoned for this matter, the second uncle and aunt exchanged glances, realizing it was none of their business, and since Mom had already said this, she must have someone in mind. They decided not to interfere, and the second aunt said, "Mom, we have no objections, we're the younger generation; we'll listen to you." Grandma nodded at their response, then looked at the third uncle and aunt, who promptly replied, "We'll follow everything Mom says," with a radiant smile on their face.
Feng Xuxu sat silently nearby. They were discussing her marriage, but why wouldn't they ask the person directly involved? Feng Xi, hearing the conversation about his sister's marriage, asked, "Grandma, do you already have someone in mind?" Grandma glanced at Feng Xi with a cheerful smile and responded, "Yes, it's your third aunt's eldest brother's son, named Liu Hao." Feng Xi asked doubtfully, "Is it that simpleton?"
"What simpleton! My nephew is just straightforward, a very honest man without a malicious bone in his body. He's tall, strong, a truly exceptional young man." Feng Xuxu rolled her eyes in response, her head bowed. Really, isn't he still a simpleton? Third aunt got defensive when Feng Xi called her nephew a simpleton, and couldn't help but jump into the conversation to clarify. Feng Xuxu looked up and met the third aunt's gaze, asking indignantly, "Third aunt, if your nephew is so great, why don't you have your own daughter marry him? Why not keep it in the family?"
The third aunt thought to herself that as good as her nephew might be, her own precious daughter was destined to marry a wealthy man in town; how could she marry a simpleton? Overcome with rage, the third aunt stood up, walked up to Feng Xuxu, and started scolding her while pointing at her nose.
"You cheap thing, I took pity on you, an orphan without a father or a mother, by agreeing to let you marry my nephew. I was honoring you, you little slut, yet here you are being picky. Take a good look at yourself—you think you're some kind of fairy? Pah, listen here, Feng Xuxu, whether you like it or not, you're going to marry him, and there's no way you'll get out of it. I'll see to it, you little vixen," she hissed. Having said her piece, she stood to the side, glaring at Feng Xuxu with malice.
Feng Xuxu was furious but knew this was not the time to lose her temper. She looked up at her brother, saw his eyes reddened with anger and his fists clenched as he was about to confront the situation. Feng Xuxu quickly went over to her brother's side to restrain his rashness and turned to face grandma, saying,
"Grandma, even though my mom passed away early, she taught my brother and me to respect our elders when she was alive. I'm not the only girl in the family: my younger aunt is fifteen this year and still unbetrothed; the twin sisters from the second aunt's family, Rui sister and Cui sister, are both thirteen, a year older than me, and also not betrothed; and not to mention, the third aunt's family has a young sister, He, who's only seven. It certainly shouldn't be my turn yet!"
Feng Xuxu thought to herself that her younger aunt and the second aunt wanted to watch with cold eyes, hoping to remain uninvolved and distant. Humph, she thought, say whatever you will, but I'm going to drag you into this mess. If it's chaos they want, chaos we shall all have. Having said that, Feng Xuxu didn't care about the several pairs of glaring eyes directed at her, and bowed her head to silently cry.
At this moment, the younger aunt stood up and said, "Feng Xuxu, what does it matter to you whether I'm betrothed or not? Besides, my mother has promised me that I would become an official's wife; who would marry an idiot! Let whoever wants to go, go. Just don't drag me into this, or you'll never hear the end of it from me." The younger aunt, still young and vigorous, also being the late-born daughter usually coddled in the palm of a hand, didn't care about the hints from Grandma and continued to speak her mind. Feng Xuxu was amused inside, thinking that this one still aspired to be an official's wife—her head must've been kicked by a donkey!
While Feng Xuxu's mind was filled with these sarcastic thoughts, she heard her second aunt, Feng Zhao, step forward and say, "We wish to keep our Rui'er and Cui'er at home a few more years. Xuxu, your mother thought to find you a well-rooted family to marry into since there is no adult in your household, to prevent you from being bullied." After speaking, the second aunt shook her head. Feng Xuxu looked at her second aunt, thinking she truly hid her cunning well! She neither offended the third aunt nor failed to please Grandma, all the while persuading Feng Xuxu to marry to avoid being bullied—a triple win! What a group of acting pros!
Feng Xi couldn't stand it anymore, grabbed his sister's hand, and knelt in front of Grandpa and Grandma, saying, "Grandfather, Grandmother. It is said that a girl follows her father when at home, and after his death, follows her mother. Now that our father and mother are both gone, and I am the eldest son in the family and Xuxu's eldest brother, doesn't this mean I stand as a father to her? Since Xuxu is neither betrothed nor married, shouldn't her marriage be discussed with me, her eldest brother? May I ask Grandfather, what did third aunt mean by her words just now? Does she intend to force my little sister to marry her nephew against her will?" His last sentence pointedly questioned the third aunt! Grandfather, hearing Feng Xi's interrogation, gave a stern look to the thoughtless third aunt, Liu Hao.
Then, turning to Feng Xi, he said, "Get up! Although it's just after the start of spring, the ground is still cold. Feng Xi, you're already seventeen this year, not so young anymore. You're the pillar of the household now. Your third aunt speaks recklessly, but she is concerned about Xuxu's marriage, hence calling us all together to discuss it. Of course, as her brother, it is ultimately up to you to make the decision. Since Xuxu has no plans to be betrothed, let's not mention this matter again!"
After pausing for a moment, he added, "I'm getting on in years, and even sitting for a while tires me. Alright, this meeting is over." He then stood up and headed for the main house, while the second uncle and second aunt brought Rui'er, Cui'er, and their young son, Feng Liang, to say goodbye to the grandmother and headed home. Rui'er glanced at Feng Xuxu before leaving with a sneer, and Feng Xi, closely followed by Feng Xuxu, also left.
The third aunt, seeing the marriage arrangement hadn't been discussed successfully and having received a cold look from others, was furious. She went forward and whispered, "Mother, what are we to do now? My sister-in-law said that if I could get that wretched girl Xuxu betrothed to my nephew, I would receive a handsome reward of one hundred taels of silver!"
Upon hearing about the benefit of one hundred taels of silver, Grandma Feng Jia immediately turned stern and scolded, "You, Liu Hao, why didn't you tell me about this benefit earlier? Were you thinking of keeping it all for yourself?" Liu Hao quickly took her mother-in-law's hand and said urgently, "Mother, I wouldn't dare do such a thing even if you gave me a hundred chances! But now what do we do? The grandfather has spoken, and Xuxu's brother will have the final say in her marriage. The silver that was almost within our grasp has now slipped away."
Liu Hao felt extremely regretful at that moment, thinking it would have been better to mention the benefit to Grandma beforehand. Now, all was lost, like a chicken flying away and its eggs broken, and they got nothing. Grandma Feng Jia pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's leave it at that for now. After some time has passed, I'll discuss it again with your grandfather."
In the blink of an eye, it was nearly February, and a month and a half had passed since Feng Xuxu's last visit to the old estate. Feng Xuxu sighed, feeling like she had become a shut-in, not stepping out of the main door nor the side gates. Looking at the mountain not far away, she thought about perhaps going up the mountain tomorrow. As the old saying goes, "rely on the mountain if you're close to it, and on the water if you're nearby." Who knows, she might find some treasure? En, she decided pleasantly, it would be a treasure hunt tomorrow. "Xuxu, what are you daydreaming about? You didn't even notice when I arrived," Xuxu looked up to see Zhang Jiaojiao, the girl from the neighboring Uncle Zhang's household, one year older than herself.