Chapter 3, Seeking Marriage

Xiangxiang nodded, holding back her tears with great difficulty. Her father was already in a difficult position. She went to look at the sauce and then smiled, saying: "Actually, not getting married is quite good. I just want to live with my parents and younger brother. I just want to be with you all"

Xiangxiang observed the troubled expression on his face and immediately understood. She grasped Guo Tian's hand, which was covered in bean dregs, and said: "Father, he... he dislikes me and no longer acknowledges our engagement, does he?"

Guo Tian nodded, thinking it would be good for his daughter to have something to do. He said, "You go check the sauce; everyone has been saying that the flavor of the sauce has been lacking these days. I don't know what the problem is. If you get tired, just take a break; everyone in the shop is a neighbor or a fellow villager, so if it takes a little longer, it's fine. Dad is not old yet and can handle it."

However, upon waking up, she quickly calms down. It was all just a dream, merely a dream. Some of those people are already dead, while others have already left.

He was taken aback for a moment; at any time in the past, when he went to the tofu shop, either Guo Tian or the Guo Chen family would serve him in a large bowl, filled with ample and plentiful sauce, which he could never finish.

It has already passed. Just like the scars on the body, no matter how grotesque, they will eventually disperse the bruising and restore themselves

Xiangxiang walked up to him and extended her hand: "A bowl of tofu pudding costs two wen, thank you"

A guest is urging, and Xiangxiang quickly wipes her hands and goes to help. Yu Qing thinks for a moment and comes in to find a place to sit down. Xiangxiang also serves him a small bowl of tofu pudding.

The neighbors love to come over in the morning for a bowl, sometimes asking for some sauce. The Guo family is generous and never quibbles over such matters

Xiangxiang knew that her parents had been very worried these days, so she gave him a smile: "Father, I am fine now. I can't just sit around all the time; it's also good to come over and help you with wwwhetushucom .com."

At that time, Xiangxiang was simmering the sauce, and he was adding firewood. When the heat was just right, Xiangxiang dipped the chopsticks into the sauce and offered it to him. Forgetting to let it cool, it burned him, causing him to stick out his tongue.

Yu Qing handed her a bright red wedding invitation: "I will be getting married on the fifth of next month, and my mother said... at that time, please invite Uncle Guo and Aunt Guo to come over for a drink of rice wine"

Xiangxiang nodded with a smile and stuffed the marinated meat used for the sauce into his mouth. Seeing him eat so deliciously, she turned her head and tears streamed down her face

The scars on her body gradually faded, and sometimes she would still dream of Murong Li

Now he realizes for the first time that a true serving of tofu pudding is served in this kind of bowl

A man as tall and robust as Guo Tian could not help but redden his eyes: "Nonsense. First, let’s take a look at the sauce; there are customers waiting outside."

Xiang Xiang'er looked over and recognized it was Yu Qing. Guo Yang immediately stepped forward and asked with a cold expression: "What are you here for?"

He quickly covered his face and turned around: "Xiangxiang girl. If you are really interested, just say yes, and I will go tell my mother."

Before Xiangxiang could speak, Guo Tian's voice coldly came through: "Thank you for your kind intentions, but your family background is too prestigious; my Guo family cannot afford to associate with it."

Yu Qing glanced at her, hesitating to speak. She asked, "Is there anything else? Would you like to come in for a bowl of tofu pudding?"

Guo Tian took a deep breath, knowing that this matter could not be concealed for long. He patted his daughter's hand and said, "Child, such a person is not worth our sorrow. Once you recover, I will find you a better family."

Guo Tian shouted angrily: "Xiang Xiang!"

Upon waking, I suddenly discovered that an embroidered pattern had appeared on my clothing, though I could not recall when it had happened. The stitches were fine and delicate, not as formal and extravagant as the techniques of the palace embroiderers, yet they exuded a gentle and refined charm reminiscent of a modestly elegant woman from a humble background

Xiangxiang has not rested at home for long. In recent days, Guo Chenshi has been accompanying her while she sleeps, and in the tofu workshop, it is her younger brother Guo Yang who is assisting. Every day, Guo Yang returns at noon and brings her the freshest tofu pudding.

Xiangxiang ate a bowl of tofu pudding and was eager to go to the shop to take a look. Guo and Chen have been accompanying her these past few days, fearing that the shop might be too busy.

He quickly figured it out; apart from that woman from Yilushan, who would dare to mend his clothes without permission

Murong Li returned to Jinyang City, where his mother once again brought up the matter of selecting a consort for him. After a lengthy and tiresome discussion, which he found unappealing, he turned and returned to his residence. Before long, King Yan summoned him back to the palace, once again addressing this issue.

Many guests have already come over, and Xiangxiang said, "What is it?"

Xiangxiang took the wedding invitation and nodded, saying: "Congratulations, they will attend."

Then he suddenly remembered that two years ago, after the robbery and fire at his home, Yu Qing was separated from his family. In a state of despair, he ran to the tofu shop. Guo Tian allowed him to stay at the tofu shop while also seeking help from others to find Old Master Yu and Old Madam Yu.

Thinking of that woman, I do not know why I am reminded of those few nights at Mount Yilu. Her skin is truly exquisite, both fair and tender, resembling a juicy and thin-skinned peach, as if a gentle squeeze would cause sweet juice to ooze out. Suddenly, I feel a surge of impulse.

He sat up, getting up a bit irritably, no longer wanting to sleep, and went out to find Zhou Zhuo and Han Xu to go drinking

He was tall and imposing, and when he got angry, Yu Qing felt a bit scared and hurried to leave. Suddenly, Xiang Xiang said: "Yu Qing, brother!"

He took a few bites, and Xiangxiang was not too busy anymore, then he went over: "Brother Yuqing, do you have any other matters?"

Yu Qing was taken aback, slowly took out two coins from his waist, and Xiangxiang received them, saying: "Safe travels"

Yu Qing said hesitantly: "Xiangxiang, I... I want to ask... are you willing to marry into my family..."

Xiangxiang hurried to the stove, lifted the lid of the large pot, dipped her chopsticks into the sauce, blew on it to cool it down, and extended her little tongue to taste the flavor

Yu Qing felt extremely embarrassed, hesitating for a long time, and thought he should make one more effort: "Uncle, Xiangxiang has already... already... reached this point, what is the point of you still..."

Xiangxiang pulled her younger brother behind her and said, "Go do your work." Guo Yang glared at Yu Qing with resentment. Yu Qing had been betrothed to Xiangxiang since childhood, and he often visited this tofu shop. Guo Yang had always regarded him as no different from a real older brother, but now he utterly despised this person.

Or she dreams of walking down the street, suddenly realizing that she has forgotten to wear clothes. Everyone gathers around, pointing and gesturing at her, and she has nowhere to go

Many guests at the nearby tables turned to look, and Guo Tian's face flushed red with anger: "Get out of here! If you dare to step foot in this place again, I will break your legs!"

Yu Qing, feeling embarrassed, lowered his head and did not look at Xiang Xiang: "Sister Xiang Xiang, I ... ... "

Guo Tian pulled Xiang Xiang behind him and slapped her, causing blood to ooze from Yu Qing's mouth corner: "You scoundrel! The kindness we have shown you over the years is because we were blind! Get out of here immediately!"

Or she dreamed that Yu Qing bought her a beautiful gilded hairpin, and she joyfully went to receive it, but he passed her by and gently placed it on another woman's head

Guo Tian was grinding yellow soybeans. Upon seeing her approach, he hurriedly asked, "Why don't you take a few more days off? The store has both me and your younger brother, we can manage."

Guo Tian paused with a smile and said after a while: "He... he has been a bit busy lately. I heard from the old lady that he has gone out and is not in the county."

Xiangxiang hugged her back and took a deep breath: "Mother, I am fine"

Murong Li finally dared not turn back and stood listening for a while, feeling drowsy. After finally leaving the palace, he returned home and fell into a deep sleep, oblivious to the world around him.

On that morning, there were too many guests. Guo Tian was scooping out tofu pudding, while Guo Chen was adding condiments. Xiang Xiang and Guo Yang were running errands, delivering to the guests' tables. Just as they were busily engaged, a person stood at the entrance, hesitating for a long time without coming in

Xiangxiang responded with a sound and hurriedly carried out the remaining tofu pudding.

Tofu pudding is both fragrant and tender, topped with a spoonful of sauce containing sesame, peanuts, sunflower seeds, minced meat, and various spices, then garnished with chopped green onions and a hint of finely chopped pickled vegetables, creating a fresh and delicate flavor. Guo Yang remembers that his sister loved this the most

Xiangxiang placed the post on the counter: "Don't say anything, I already know."

Yu Qing turned red and said, "I... I told my mother that when the Xu family's daughter comes through the door, I will take you as a concubine. How about that?"

Guo Chen heard the commotion outside and realized her husband was present, so she did not come out. Upon hearing her daughter enter, she quickly wiped her eyes, then turned around and embraced Xiangxiang tightly. The steam from the hot tofu pudding wafted around as she held her daughter close.

Yu Qing was also angry: "Uncle Guo! It's not that I wouldn't tell about Xiangxiang, but that no one would know! In such a public place, how many people saw it? Do you think you can still keep it a secret? I like her, and after such an incident happened, I would still be willing to take her as a concubine. This is also because... over the years, you have... Xiangxiang has... I want to repay your kindness..." This is also because... over the years, you have... Xiangxiang has... I want to repay your kindness...

The news of the Yu family's broken engagement quickly spread. The matriarch of the Yu family was searching everywhere for a matchmaker to find a bride for her son. Xiangxiang helped out at the tofu shop every day, and with her presence, the taste of the tofu pudding returned.

During the celebration, he hesitated for a long time and said: "Xiangxiang, I truly..."

Guo Chen nodded, his eyes red, yet he smiled: "First, let's deliver these. Once the morning market is over, we should make tofu."

He turned around and placed the money into the cash box at the counter, then went to help Guo Chen serve the tofu pudding

In the evening, the tofu workshop closed. Guo Yang helped Xiang Xiang wipe the floor and tidy up the kitchen. Guo Chen and Guo Tian were soaking yellow soybeans. Guo Yang said: "Sister, when I grow up, I will give you our father's tofu workshop. I will find a piece of land to plant yellow soybeans. You can take the yellow soybeans from me to make tofu, and give me the tofu dregs to feed the pigs. I will use the pig manure to grow yellow soybeans. Sister, the Guo family has men, we do not rely on others"

Xiangxiang is skilled, and Guo Tian's sauce is a family secret recipe, yet she can simmer it to perfection. She is even more adept than Guo Tian at preparing the sweet syrup for tofu pudding and the savory sauce for salty tofu pudding

Xiangxiang nodded, thought for a moment, and finally asked: "Brother Yu Qing... why haven't you come?" It had been two or three days since she returned, so he should have heard the news by now, right

Dreaming of the lightning and wind of that night at Mount Yilu. Murong Li struck down with a single knife, and the head of the butcher stared straight at her, rolling into her hands. Murong Li, dressed in black, half of his face covered in blood, stood straight in front of her

Xiangxiang glanced at the wedding invitation on the counter: "Aren't you getting married next month?"