stingy landlady

Chapter 193 Gui Hong's Engagement (1)

Around noon, Zhou Qiong found Dazhu!

Zhou Qiong said to Dazhu anxiously:

"Master! We have guests! They're said to be Mr. and Mrs. Qu from Xiangmanlou Restaurant in the county town!"

Dazhu asked in surprise:

"The Qu family? Are you sure it's the Qu family from the county town?"

Zhou Qiong said hesitantly:

"Master! I heard the Third Miss address Master Qu and Madam Qu! And she sent me to inform you that you should come home quickly!"

Dazhu wiped his hands and asked Zhou Qiong:

"What's going on? Weren't you all picking vegetables in the West Lowland? How come we saw the Qu family again?"

Zhou Qiong steadied herself and slowly said:

"Master! The Third Miss and I are picking vegetables in the West Lowland! The vegetables have been bundled up and are being loaded onto the carriage!"

The carriage carrying the Qu family happened to be asking for directions and happened to come to us! They recognized the Third Miss and took them home to rest.

Tell this servant to come and fetch the master so he can come home!

Dazhu understood and, without waiting for Zhou Qiong, strode home!

Li was playing cat's cradle with Guiling inside when she heard that guests had arrived. She quickly changed into her guest clothes and led Guiling outside.

Li was not very worldly, but she saw that the eldest son of the Qu family was tall and elegant, and that Madam Qu had skin as white as snow and features as beautiful as a painting!

Li was somewhat uneasy and reserved!

Guizhi enthusiastically introduced:

"Mother! This is Uncle Qu, the owner of Xiangmanlou, and Madam Qu! You can call him Master Qu and Madam Qu!"

Uncle Qu! Mrs. Qu! This is my mother!

Li hurriedly exchanged greetings with Qu Dongjia and Madam Qu.

"Madam Qu! Master Qu! Please, have a seat!"

Qu Dongjia hesitated before saying:

"Madam Wang! My wife and I are so sorry to have disturbed you!"

The county town is quite far from our village, making it inconvenient to send messages. We understand that Brother Dazhu usually stays at home and rarely goes out! Therefore, we didn't give advance notice! Please forgive us!

Madam Wang, are Brother Dazhu not home?

Li said shyly:

"It seems Dazhu has gone to the fields!"

He then looked at Guizhi and asked, with a suggestive tone:

"Guizhi! Has anyone made tea for you? Have you sent someone to look for your father? Can they find him?"

Guizhi answered softly:

"Mother! Jinxiu is making tea! Zhou Qiong went to find my father! She should be back soon!"

Guizhi looked at Qu Dongjia and Madam Qu.

"Uncle Qu must have brought his wife to the village today to experience life! We'll kill a chicken and a duck for lunch! Let's make some Southern-style poached chicken and poached duck!"

Only freshly slaughtered chicken and duck, poached, taste good! Cook some chicken or duck rice! Add some bok choy to the soup, it's especially refreshing!

When Qu Dongjia heard there was something delicious to eat, he became interested:

"Guizhi! What are poached chicken and poached duck? And what about chicken rice and duck rice?"

Gui Zhi smiled mysteriously:

"Hehe! Uncle Qu has traveled all over the country and never eaten poached chicken or poached duck? I don't believe it!"

Mr. Qu pouted and shook his head, saying:

"Guizhi is being naughty again! She's teasing your Uncle Qu again!"

How many places have I, your Uncle Qu, even visited? How far can I possibly go? There are so many delicious foods in this world!

Your Uncle Qu! He just loves food and eating! It's a pity he didn't get to eat many delicious things!

Every place has its own unique characteristics! Today, my wife and I will try the poached chicken and poached duck that Guizhi mentioned!

There's also chicken rice and duck rice!

Dazhu entered from outside, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Master Qu and Madam Qu.

"I knew I heard magpies calling this morning! It turns out you two are honored guests who have come to my humble abode! It's truly an honor to have you here! Welcome, welcome!"

Jinxiu had already poured the tea, and Dazhu sat down. Guizhi instructed Jinxiu to have Zhou Niangzi kill a chicken and a duck now to entertain the distinguished guests at noon!

I specifically instructed them to bring the chickens and ducks home to cook after slaughtering them! I also picked some small radishes for soup, and some spinach and lettuce for stir-frying. They also cut some chives for later use, and soaked some thin rice noodles.

Seeing that Dazhu and Li were both present, Madam Qu slowly and softly said:

"Master Wang! Madam Wang! I begged my husband to come to your esteemed residence today! I have come for your daughter, Guihong!"

Li said anxiously:

"Madam Qu! Has Guihong gotten herself into trouble?"

Dazhu glared at Li Shi and bowed in apology:

"Mrs. Qu, please forgive me! Don't be like my husband! She's never been out in public and isn't very good at talking."

Especially in the current situation!

Dazhu turned and rebuked Li:

"You panic and get flustered every time something happens, what kind of behavior is that?"

Li lowered her head and remained silent.

Dazhu then cupped his hands to Madam Qu and said:

"Mrs. Qu! What's wrong with Guihong? She's still a child. Sometimes she says the wrong thing without even realizing it! Please don't hold it against a child! We, as her parents, are willing to take responsibility for anything that happens!"

Seeing that Dazhu and Li were anxious, Qu Dongjia explained:

"Brother Dazhu, Madam Wang! You've misunderstood! My lady has come to see you for good news!"

Everyone fell silent, and then Madam Qu patiently spoke, word by word:

"Master Wang, Madam Wang! Guihong and I hit it off immediately, and I thought it best to keep the good stuff in the family! I'd like to arrange a marriage for Guihong and ask for a matchmaker's drink!"

Li said in disbelief:

"Madam Qu! Are you sure it's Gui Hong and not Gui Xiang?"

Madam Qu's smile was captivating.

"It's Guihong! Guihong is lively and cheerful! I've never met Guixiang before! Guihong said her older sister is a very gentle and smiling girl!"

Looking at Madam Qu's smile, Li was momentarily stunned by her stunning beauty!

Dazhu remained unmoved and asked:

"We are extremely pleased that Madam Qu has condescended to act as matchmaker for Guihong! But we wonder which young man Madam Qu has taken a fancy to?"

Madam Qu said in a serious tone:

"Master Wang! Madam Wang! He is indeed my brother's second son! My brother owns a bookstore in the county town! His eldest son is already married and has a son."

"It's because my eldest nephew is an avid reader and doesn't concern himself with worldly affairs! Therefore, my elder brother specially trained his second son to manage the bookstore's various matters! Guihong is also a book lover and frequently visits the bookstore to read and buy books; the two have met before!"

Guizhi understood; these were two young people, a boy and a girl, and she secretly developed feelings for each other. She then asked Madam Qu to act as matchmaker!

Madam Qu continued her narration:

"Master Wang, Madam Wang! My elder brother has a daughter who happens to be about the same age as Guihong. I like her very much and often take her with me."

Gui Hong and my niece get along quite well. The two girls visit each other frequently, and that's how they discovered they're related to the bookstore's owner!

My sister-in-law always praises Guihong! She says she's generous, cheerful, and loves to talk and laugh!

The idea is that with a daughter, many families will want to marry her. Although she's still young, they can arrange an engagement for two people first! Then, in a few years, when they're of similar age, they can get married!

Having learned from past mistakes, Li dared not make any promises lightly. She merely glanced repeatedly at Dazhu and then at Madam Qu.