Chapter 005: Zhang Heitao Proposes
Zheng Pozi and Qiaoniang exchanged a puzzled glance, unable to discern the true intentions of the Zhang family. It must be said that this was undoubtedly a highly sought-after match, yet the girl's overt initiative instead gave rise to certain thoughts. For a moment, they fell into contemplation, merely observing their aunt with their eyes.
Zheng Mingfa did not disregard their feelings and patiently engaged with them. After several days of socializing, he finally expressed that he needed to focus on his studies and would invite his relatives to visit again another day, at which point the relatives dispersed.
Your sister noticed that Zheng Pozi came and went in a hurry, and after a short while, she returned. It was then realized that the Mazu Temple is very close to home, no wonder Zheng Pozi visits so frequently; it turns out it is only a short distance, about half a cup of tea's worth of walking.
Qiao Niang heard her aunt coming to the house, so she hurriedly took out Guijie to see what was going on. She heard that the girl mentioned by her aunt was from the Zhang family in the village, named Heitao, which surprised her. That Heitao was tall and strong, and her father and brothers were capable. It was one thing for her not to be picky, but how could she let her aunt go to a man’s family to propose marriage?
It turned out that Zhang Heitao had high aspirations, determined to marry into a good family. However, her own family was merely farmers, and no matter how she chose, it would only be a matter of selecting a somewhat better, well-matched farming household in the village; she could never hope to be part of a prestigious family. Despite this, she was always unwilling to accept her fate. Although many suitors came to propose, she gritted her teeth and refused to agree. Recently, she heard that Zheng Mingfa intended to retake the imperial examination next year and had already been placed as a student with a relative who had served in the Zheng family, making him a promising candidate. Nevertheless, she remained unsatisfied. She contemplated that if Zheng Mingfa succeeded in the examination, Zheng Mingye would also be considered the brother of a successful candidate, which would certainly be better than an ordinary farming household. If they were to wait until Zheng Mingfa succeeded in the examination, it was likely that this marriage proposal would no longer be available to her, Zhang Heitao. Thus, she steeled herself and discussed with her parents for several days before deciding to ask her aunt to first gauge the situation.
Auntie was originally a cunning old woman, which is why the Zhang family entrusted her to convey this message. Now, seeing the expressions of Zheng Pozi and Qiaoniang, she realized that some superficial words would not deceive them, and she could only grit her teeth and speak the truth
Zheng Pozi recognized that it was Zhang Heitao; she had seen this girl before. At a glance, it was clear that she was a capable worker, with a well-proportioned figure, precisely the kind of daughter-in-law most sought after in the countryside and a perfect candidate for a *picture* book. As for her own desire to send a matchmaker to propose marriage, she wouldn't dare to choose their family. Now, the matchmaker had come to her door instead, leaving her as stunned as Qiao Niang.
The young lady was greatly surprised to hear her aunt's words while in the embrace of the clever woman. This Zhang Heitao, though merely a village woman, was quite adept at scheming for herself. She must be someone extraordinary; if she were to enter the household, I wonder if I would suffer some hidden losses at her hands
Zheng Pozi hung up the basket, her old face blooming with a smile like a chrysanthemum as she said to Qiaoniang: "I spoke to Mazu about Mingye's intention to marry a girl from the Zhang family, and it was a series of three winning cups, truly auspicious! Today the old priest is not here; if he were, we would have him draw a divination for Mingye."
When Zheng Mingye returned from the fields in the afternoon, he learned that someone from the Zhang family had sent word about Zhang Heitao. His face turned bright red, and after a long pause, he finally managed to say: "She is quite strong; once she enters the door, if a fight breaks out, I fear I won't be able to defeat her." This remark caused the entire family to laugh uncontrollably.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law discussed for a while, and then deliberated on how much the betrothal gift should be, and whether they should go to the town to purchase a few more pieces of gold jewelry. Although the Zhang family stated that the betrothal gift would depend on the Zheng family's ability, it ultimately should not be too meager; there must be a few items that can be presented, in order to uphold the Zheng family's reputation.
After sending the aunt away, Zheng Pozi clapped her thighs and said: "I mentioned earlier that I had invited a matchmaker to propose for Mingye, but it never came to fruition. It turns out that his fate had not yet arrived. This time, the fate has come, and without needing to say anything, the other party has come to our door first. It is indeed a family with a good background, a rare find. One can see that fortunes ebb and flow; people may worry for a few years, and then rejoice for a few years. It will not completely block one's path, nor will it allow things to go too smoothly. Heaven is adept at managing us mortals; we must act in accordance with the will of heaven!" Saying this, she excitedly took a basket, filled it with some food, and mentioned that she would first go to the Mazu Temple to express her gratitude for the divine blessings.
Auntie is very adept at reading expressions and discerning thoughts. Upon seeing the expressions of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, how could she not understand their intentions? She simply chuckled and said: "In terms of reputation, the Zhang family’s daughters are indeed known to you. While I cannot say they are one in a hundred, many suitors have come to their door. However, the daughters of the Zhang family have a different disposition; they say they do not marry for wealth but seek a considerate partner who understands their needs. This is why they have taken a liking to your Mingye. Old man Zhang dotes on his daughter, so naturally, he agrees. That is why I have come to inquire. If it is acceptable, your family should send a proper matchmaker to the Zhang family to propose. As for the betrothal gifts, you may offer according to your family’s means, with no special requirements. However, the daughters of the Zhang family have a different disposition; they say they do not marry for wealth but seek a considerate partner who understands their needs. This is why they have taken a liking to your Mingye. Old man Zhang dotes on his daughter, so naturally, he agrees. That is why I have come to inquire. If it is acceptable, your family should send a proper matchmaker to the Zhang family to propose. As for the betrothal gifts, you may offer according to your family’s means, with no special requirements. If there is anything inappropriate, or if the match is not suitable, or if your Mingye has already made a promise to someone else, please remain silent and treat my visit as if it never happened.
Only after Zheng Pozi and Qiaoniang heard Aunt Po's lengthy explanation did they believe that Zhang Heitao truly wished to marry into the Zheng family. This was undoubtedly a wonderful thing, so how could they refuse? They immediately discussed the dates for matching the marriage certificates and the auspicious day for the matchmaker to visit the Zhang family to propose, among other matters. Once the discussions were concluded, they tied a bundle of money with a red string to thank Aunt Po. Before leaving, they also wrapped the food that Fang Da had sent to their home in an oil paper bag and handed it to Aunt Po, instructing her to take it to her several grandchildren to enjoy.
After a few days of peace, a relative who seldom visits came to propose marriage for Zheng Mingye, which left Zheng Pozi in a state of astonishment. Previously, she had entrusted a matchmaker to seek a suitable match for Zheng Mingye, but the young ladies were either put off by the fact that he was the youngest son and would inherit little, or they were concerned that he was the son of a secondary wife and thus had no standing in the clan and family records. There were even bold young women who had seen Zheng Mingye from a distance and remarked that with his frail physique and unsteady gait, marrying him would offer no hope. As a result, finding a match for him had required much effort and yet had not yielded any success. Last time, there was a family that seemed willing, and Zheng Pozi thought this match would surely come to fruition. However, they insisted that the betrothal gifts could not be less than what Zheng Mingfa had given when he married Qiaoniang, and they also demanded four pieces of gold jewelry, along with the stipulation that after a month of marriage, they would have to separate and live independently. This infuriated Zheng Pozi, who cursed under her breath for quite some time, and naturally, the matter was not mentioned again. Now, however, someone has come forward to propose marriage, and regardless of the young lady's qualities, the mere fact that the girl's family has sent someone to the boy's family is already a matter of great honor.
Qiaoniang, upon hearing this auspicious news, also smiled and said: "It is clear that the Zhang family girl is destined to be one of us, a match arranged by the God of Marriage himself!"
With the help of his uncle, Zheng Mingfa resumed his studies of the classics, intending to take the imperial examination for the degree of juren next year. Before long, this news spread among relatives and neighbors. Suddenly, the atmosphere at home became livelier than usual, as relatives, both close and distant, hurried to pay their respects, fearing that when Zheng Mingfa actually succeeded in the examination, he would look down upon them.