Chapter 95
At the end of the year, a light snow fell, and it was cold for a few days. After that, even overcast and rainy days were few and far between. The entire winter was sunny, making it an unusually warm winter.
The common folk were delighted by the warm winter, as it saved them a lot of money on charcoal and thick cotton cloth. However, the vendors who sold cold drinks in the summer were less fortunate. The warm weather made it impossible to store ice in advance, so their business next year would be tough.
The Zhang family’s ice storage cellar also was not used this year.
On the little new year's day, Zhang Shixin came to the house and suggested to Zhang Fangyuan that this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner should be held at their large mansion. The Zhang family could gather together for a reunion.
[Little New Year's Day, also called Festival of the Kitchen God, it's celebrated a week before the Chinese New Year and is a day to honor the Kitchen God]
Zhang Fangyuan knew his uncles were now relying on him. After all, they belonged to the same clan. Even as his own household thrived, he couldn’t sever ties with the clan, so he didn’t refuse his eldest uncle’s request and agreed to host the New Year’s Eve dinner at his home.
It was unclear whether his eldest uncle or fourth uncle had notified his sixth uncle, but the sixth uncle showed up for the dinner, though this time he didn’t bring his wife or children.
The Zhang brothers, their descendants, and daughters-in-law filled three tables. Though there were minor tensions, they restrained themselves out of respect for Zhang Fangyuan, and the family managed to celebrate a harmonious and beautiful New Year together.
[和和美美 hé hé měi měi: lit. Harmonious and beautiful; fig. A warm, joyful, and conflict-free atmosphere, often describing family unity]
After the New Year, Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He took their two children to visit several relatives. The two children were very happy to receive some small red envelopes.
On the seventh or eighth day of the New Year, Zhang Fangyuan hosted a banquet in the city for some of his business friends. The leisurely days passed by in a flash, and before they knew it, it was already the fifteenth day.
At the end of the first lunar month, Xiao e celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony. Zhang Fangyuan held a small banquet, and Xu He brought some fine cloths from the city. While getting silver bracelets made for the two children, he also had a set of silver jewelry made for Xiao E as a gift for her coming-of-age ceremony.
[Coming-of-age ceremony is a traditional Chinese ritual that marks a girl’s transition from childhood to adulthood (15 years old)]
After the coming-of-age ceremony, the Zhang family's house became lively, with matchmakers visiting every few days to propose potential matches. The threshold of their home was almost worn out from all the visits.
Most of the time, Xu He was the one at home to receive these matchmakers, but he couldn’t make any decisions. Eventually, the matchmakers became shrewd and started going directly to Zhang Shiyue at the tea shed and guesthouse.
"With so many people coming over, it’s disturbing the peace for you two, and now they’re even disrupting business at the guesthouse. I really feel bad about it."
After this happened multiple times, Zhang Shiyue spoke to Xu He with a sense of guilt.
"What's the big deal? Matters of marriage are the most important. There are a lot of people over there. Second Aunt, you don’t need to worry about the work there. Just focus on finding a good match for Xiao E, which is the most important thing now."
When a family had a daughter, a hundred suitors would come knocking on the door. Not to mention, Xiao E had grown up in the Zhang family with bright eyes and gleaming teeth. She also studied at Fei Lian’s village school. Although she started school late and couldn't compose poetry like the young ladies in the city, she could read and write without any issues.
[明眸皓齿 míng móu hào chǐ: lit. Bright eyes and gleaming teeth; fig. A description of someone’s beauty, often used for women]
Another reason was that within a hundred-mile radius, everyone knew Xiao E and her mother lived with Zhang Fangyuan and his wife. With a wealthy landowner like Zhang Fangyuan as her cousin and backing, many families were drawn to the wealth and influence behind her. The suitors not only wore out the threshold but also came from well respected families.
Ordinary poor families didn’t even dare to send matchmakers. So, who were the people coming? Landowners, village heads, and scholars from well-off families… The suitors were all of high status, making the unmarried girls in the village green with envy.
Even Xiaomao, who was younger than Xiao E, couldn’t help but feel envious. Occasionally, when they ate at Zhang Fangyuan’s place, the two would joke about it.
"If you meet someone who seems like a good match, don’t hesitate to tell Ah Yuan. Don’t just rely on what the matchmakers say, they only highlight the good points and never mention the flaws. If you find someone you like, let Ah Yuan investigate their family background and character first."
Seeing how much the couple cared about Xiao E, Zhang Shiyue felt deeply grateful. Over the years, if they hadn’t followed Zhang Fangyuan and were still struggling to make a living in Yuan County, Xiao E would never have had such a good life today. As she spoke, she wiped away her tead: "I don’t ask for much, just someone with good character, reliable, and who treats Xiao E well. One more thing, it’s best if she doesn’t marry too far away."
Xu He nodded. If she married far away, it would be hard for the family to support her if anything happened. Fortunately, most of the suitors were from nearby.
The family didn’t rush to settle on a match for Xiao E. After all, she had just come of age and was still young. Even if they waited three to five more years, her cousin could easily afford the late marriage fee.
[Late Marriage Fee: In some traditional Chinese contexts, families might pay a fee or fine if a daughter marries later than the socially expected age]
While the matter remained undecided, Xiao E became the village’s second Xu Shaochun. Young men often sent her gifts and frequently tried to stop her on her way home from school. However, Xiao E maintained an iron-like face and never accepted anything from anyone, leaving the village men with no opportunity to win her over.
[铁一般的面孔 tiě yī bān de miàn kǒng: lit. An iron-like face; fig. An unyielding or stern expression]
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