Chapter 15

Chen Sisters

Matchmaker Zhao stormed back to town and walked to the east end of town. She went to a small courtyard in an alley and banged on the door. A woman who looked like Chen Zhaodi opened the door.

When Matchmaker Zhao saw her, her face darkened and she complained, “I listened to you and went to the Li family. As soon as I raised my head, I was chased out by that girl. She didn’t even give me a sip of water. Didn’t your family inform anyone beforehand?”

Madam Chen handed over a string of money in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Sister-in-law. I thought that girl can’t wait to get married. I don’t like someone who has been rejected before. Since she’s unwilling, forget it!”

After receiving the money, Matchmaker Zhao was no longer angry. She chuckled and said, “It’s time for your Chunsheng to get married. That girl is only so young. I’m afraid she hasn’t even arrived yet. If you want to have grandchildren after marrying her, you’ll have to wait a few years. I’ll help you look for more.”

Madam Chen smiled. “Sister-in-law, I’ll have to trouble you.”

“What’s the big deal? Just look for me in the future.” Matchmaker Zhao walked away happily.

After Matchmaker Zhao left, Chen Zhaodi walked out of Madam Chen’s room. Madam Chen looked at her and said indifferently, “Cousin, did you hear that? It’s not that I’m unwilling, but the Li family doesn’t agree.”

Chen Zhaodi looked at Chen with some impatience. “The last time I came, I told you to ask Chunsheng to go personally. That girl has liked my son since he was young. Your Chunsheng also looks a little like him. She will definitely be tempted.”

Madam Chen glanced at her cousin and lowered her head, thinking, Your son is precious and my son is also my treasure! Why should I get him to marry someone your family doesn’t want?

Seeing Madam Chen lower her head in silence, Chen Zhaodi gritted her teeth and said, “Discuss it with Chunsheng. After this matter is over, I’ll give 20 taels of silver to your family.”

Chen’s heart skipped a beat and she smiled. “Cousin, how much money did you pay her family?”

Chen Zhaodi said resentfully, “80 taels of silver. I’ve already compensated her with all the money meant for buying goods in the autumn. Forget it, it’s useless to tell you. Wait for Chunsheng to come back and discuss it with him.” Chen Zhaodi looked at Madam Chen’s unwilling expression and curled her lips. “It’s not that I look down on your Chunsheng, but look at him, he’s guilty of everything from gluttony to seeking prostitutes and gambling. Which daughter would be willing to find such a husband? That girl is also well-groomed and diligent. If you marry her, you’ll get 20 taels of silver and a wife.”

Madam Chen brushed Chen Zhaodi off unhappily. “Alright, I’ll discuss it with Chunsheng when he comes back.”

After sending Chen Zhaodi off, Chen closed the courtyard door and spat. She thought to herself, “My family contributed by sacrificing Chunsheng. Yet we are only getting 20 taels while you reap 60. Are you the only ones that know how to settle scores?”

Madam Chen went back to the house to get the key, locked the door, and went to the casino in town. She found her son, Qi Chunsheng, and told him what Chen Zhaodi had said when she got h

Qi Chunsheng’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “Mother, why are you only taking 20 taels of silver out of 80 taels of silver? If I can really deceive that girl, she and the silver will be ours.”

Chen looked at Qi Chunsheng worriedly. “Son, Chen Zhaodi and her in-laws are cunning and ruthless. I’m afraid that their family will cause trouble for us.”

Qi Chunsheng looked disdainful and slapped the table. “Mom, what are you afraid of? They are not good people themselves. When the time comes, that girl from the Li family and I will be family. What right does the Zhang family have to split our money?”

Madam Chen said happily, “That’s right! My son is still the smartest.”

After Qi Chunsheng thought about it, he said to Chen Shi, “Mom, why did Chen Zhaodi plot against our family? We can’t let her family get away with it like this. Go look for Chen Zhaodi tomorrow morning and tell her that I can seduce that girl. Let them buy me two sets of clothes. I can’t possibly seduce her like a beggar!”

The mother and son hit it off immediately. “That’s true. I’ll go to the county to look for Chen Zhaodi tomorrow morning.”

Li Yu still did not know that for the sake of those dozens of taels of silver, the Chen sisters were using her family’s silver as chips to scheme against each other.

Li Mei had bought the bathtub, bamboo plaque, and bamboo basket from the village potter and carpenter. She had also bought a bamboo cupboard. When she heard from Zhaodi that a matchmaker had come and was chased away by Li Yu, she was a little worried that Li Yu still couldn’t forget Zhang Guisheng.

Laidi picked up the needle and thread and started working with Zhaodi. She looked at her. “Mother, are we really not going back?”

“Do you want to go back?” Li Mei looked at Zhaodi’s thin body and felt sorry for her. “Your cousin is so thin because she suffered in the Zhang family, but you and Laidi are with your mother. You’re also yellow and thin. I don’t have the ability to make you suffer.”

Zhaodi looked at Li Mei and smiled gently. “Mother, as long as we’re with you, we won’t be afraid. I’m just worried about Father…”

Li Mei looked at Zhaodi angrily. “Why are you worried about him? He’s your grandmother’s biological son. When I leave, she’ll find him a son.”

Li Yu and Li Qing carried a bundle of bamboo while Lidi carried a full load of Chinese mugwort. When the three of them reached home, Li Mei asked Li Yu, “Yu’er, which family hired a matchmaker to propose marriage? Did they say what kind of family it is?”

“I’m afraid the Zhang family found someone to do it. Aunt, I won’t consider marriage for the next few years. At most, I’ll just be an old maid at home.”

“Nonsense. My Yu’er is so beautiful. When she recovers in a few days, the matchmakers will break our doorstep!” As she spoke, she pointed at the bamboo poles. “Why did you guys cut so many bamboo poles?”

“When the tweezers are picked, it’ll be used for the ingots.” Li Yu said as she tied the bamboo frame with vines with Li Qing. Li Mei also put down her needlework and helped.

The few of them tied five rows of four-story bamboo frames and placed them in the courtyard. Li Yu went to tidy up the side room and laid out straw, a mattress, and a mat. When she came out of the house, she called out to Li Mei, “Aunt, when you send Ah Qing to school tomorrow morning, go to town and buy a mosquito net. The three of us will sleep together tonight.”

“Didn’t you say you were going up the mountain to pick that so-called goji berries? I’m afraid it’ll be too late when I get back from town. Just send the prey and bring it back!”

Li Yu thought about it and agreed. “Alright, I’ll cook.” After dinner and washing up, the few of them rested early.

Li Yu woke up early in the morning and Li Mei had already prepared the food. After dinner, Li Qing looked at Li Yu and instructed, “Sister, when I go to school, you have to be careful when you go up the mountain. Don’t go deep into the mountains.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Alright, don’t worry and just focus on studying. I know my limits.” Li Yu sent Li Qing to the door and watched him walk towards the village with Li Mei.

After an hour, Li Mei returned. Li Yu asked curiously, “Aunt, why are you so fast?”

Li Mei smiled and said, “Ah Qing made me come back. He made me watch you, afraid that you would run into the deep forest.”