Chapter 6: The Proposal

Moreover, this Xu woman is greedy and influential, and her reputation is not particularly good, so I did not dare to agree at that moment

Thus, shortly after leaving, Ma Laosan returned carrying a live goose.

Even if the Zhang family cannot succeed, the elder brother and sister-in-law will keep their concerns to themselves. Dawei's matters will be taken care of by me. I still don't believe it; without that young lady from the Zhang family, Dawei won't be able to find a good wife?

At this moment, diners have already begun to gather in front of Tang Ji, and upon seeing Aunt Liu bringing out the goose, they naturally understand that this is an old custom of betrothal, all believing it to be a good omen for Tang Dalang

... ...

Although Aunt Liu is usually sharp-tongued, she is not a bad person at heart. At this moment, she rarely spoke softly and offered comfort to Old Ma San.

... ...

Not sure which young lady has caught your eye

Is there really not a single person willing? Tang Yi found it hard to believe

Usually, in the neighborhood, people get along well enough, joking and expressing their emotions. When it comes to that old woman, she probably wouldn't refuse, right

"Tsk!" Aunt Liu shot Tang Yi a glance, "You make a perfectly good matter sound as if it's about a trafficker selling people!"

Upon entering the shop, I immediately said to Old Man Ma, "Just yesterday, I remarked on how fortunate you are, and today it seems my words have come to fruition. Are you already making arrangements for Dawei's wedding?"

I have long heard that Tangji Food Shop is a profitable eatery in the West Market. I did not expect it to be so lucrative; it has only been open for a little over six months, and it has already earned enough for a dowry.

During the first visit to propose marriage, the matchmaker only needed to bring a live goose to inquire about the woman's intentions, without the need for excessive preparations

Aunt Liu cannot read a single character, looking around but unable to discern anything particularly special

Is it just because you find Ma Dawei pleasing to the eye

Zhang Jia Si Niang! Tang Yi exclaimed, then turned back into the shop, leaving a group of stunned neighbors standing in place.

Alas! Aunt Liu also sighed upon hearing this. "You all need not be so pessimistic. Our Dawei is not lacking in looks or character; it is just his family background... Who knows, perhaps the Zhang family has taken a liking to our Dawei."

Aunt Liu, is this to help Dalang arrange a good match

Hahaha... everyone burst into laughter. "What's wrong with 14? 14 is not small anymore, marrying someone who understands warmth and coldness at home is what truly matters!"

She went to find Aunt Ma, the tooth seller, and did not return until just before dinner.

... ...

After consulting four or five matchmakers, upon hearing that we were interested in the Zhang family's young lady, none were willing to assist us

Aunt Ma's expression turned sour, "Young Master, you may not be aware, but the well-known matrons in the city place great importance on their reputation. As soon as they heard that we were discussing a match with the young lady from the Zhang family, they did not even mention the customary gifts and simply turned me down.

Old Man Ma made a long bow and said, "Then I will trouble his aunt!"

And what?

If the woman agrees to the marriage, there are two more steps: asking for the name and the auspicious date. Only after that does the man's family prepare the betrothal gifts and formally propose.

Early the next morning, Aunt Liu dressed neatly and specifically changed into a new outfit before coming to Tangji Restaurant

Tang Yi originally thought that it would be necessary to prepare a large amount of betrothal gifts and to make a grand effort by sending a matchmaker to the bride's family to negotiate

Where is the logic in wanting to receive a bonus first?

Tang Yi smiled helplessly and said, "Sooner or later, you will teach me bad habits. Sixth Aunt is helping my elder brother with a marriage proposal, so do not make fun of me anymore"

However, I did not ask. But his sixth aunt is not a professional midwife; usually, both families have an understanding and just invite her to go through the motions, doing a favor. Our family's situation is already difficult to discuss, and I fear that the sixth aunt may not be able to handle it.

"Let's eat, let's eat." Tang Yi simply decided not to think any further and began to organize everyone for the meal

What is the situation? In Tang Yi's impression, the most unscrupulous individuals are precisely those gossiping matchmakers who love to spread rumors about the Zhangs and Lis

Tang Yiduan emerged from the kitchen carrying several exquisite dishes. While arranging the dishes on the table, he said: "Aunt, please feel free to negotiate. If the Zhang family has any requests, they can just put them forward; we will not haggle at all"

Then the aunt should eat more! Tang Yi served more rice to Aunt Liu and occasionally added vegetables for her.

Only when the matter reached a critical point did he realize that he had overthought it

Old Man Ma San smiled foolishly as he showed Aunt Liu to her seat. His son was getting married; this was likely the biggest event of Ma San's life.

"Let me speak plainly from the outset; if things do not go as planned, do not blame my clumsy words for ruining your good fortune. That Fourth Lady..." The words that followed were too much for Aunt Liu to bear. That Fourth Lady has lofty aspirations, and Zhang Quanfus loves his daughter dearly; how could she possibly look favorably upon Dawei?

"Why hasn't anyone accepted her generous offer yet?" Tang Yi was puzzled; why was there no one willing to take on this business that was practically being handed to them?

... ...

In fact, Aunt Liu did not hold much hope, as so many families had gone to the Zhang family to propose marriage without success. What right does your Ma family have? Even if you, Ma Laosan, are fortunate enough to encounter a good family, in the end, you are still just a landless and propertyless servant.

Aunt Liu is indeed willing to help; she is not a professional matchmaker and does not care about reputation. Moreover, she has made it clear that she does not want any monetary rewards or gifts from the Ma family, considering it as a good deed.

Tang Yi had no idea that these matchmakers were professionals. While the monetary gifts and rewards were certainly important, what mattered even more was their professional reputation. If your success rate in matchmaking is high, naturally, the number of people hiring you will increase, and the compensation will rise accordingly.

Oh? Everyone expressed a hint of doubt, as it turned out to be a proposal for marriage for Ma Dawei

Not to mention Ma Dawei, even if their master Tang Dalang is thinking of Zhang Si Niang, Boss Zhang may not necessarily be pleased

What does your family have to rely on, with no money and no land?

Isn't it being too polite? Aunt Liu waved her silk handkerchief. It's just a matter of moving one's lips, what trouble is there to speak of

However, Old Lady Xu made it clear in advance that we should not hold out too much hope, and furthermore...

The matchmaking by the Song people is not complicated

"Uncle San, please do not jest," Tang Yi said with a serious expression. "The boy is only 14 and does not wish to find a housekeeper just yet!"

"Aunt, there is no need to ask more; just show it to Old Zhang." This is something that Tang Yi contemplated last night and has now written down.

Aunt Liu suspiciously put away the paper, thinking to herself, can such a piece of paper really be effective?

A night without conversation

Tang Yi and others arrived at the door, witnessing Sixth Aunt carrying a goose in one hand and shaking a silk handkerchief in the other as she walked down the long street

After the meal, Aunt Liu enjoyed it immensely and wiped her mouth, saying: "Alright, wait for my news."

The man known as Third Uncle was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly, "This Ma Laosan really doesn't know the heights of heaven and the depths of the earth..."

It was not until the sky was completely dark that Aunt Ma returned. Upon seeing her relaxed brows, everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, as it seemed that everything had turned out well

A servant's household wanting to marry the renowned Miss Zhang from the entire city is simply a delusion! Such a proposal is bound to fail, as no one is willing to take on a business that cannot offer substantial compensation.

In the southern part of the city, Xu Yapo is indeed willing to take on the task... Aunt Ma's worried expression remains unchanged

What is this

Tang Yi couldn't help but shake his head. Such a joyous occasion, how could they make it so tragic? I refuse to believe that with my abilities, I can't help my elder brother secure a good marriage. If the Zhang family doesn't work out, then let my brother wait for two years. After two years, I will have all the young ladies in Dengzhou lining up for my brother to choose from

Old Ma San was not as optimistic as Tang Yi, and he honestly said: "His aunt can go ahead and make arrangements; whether it succeeds or not, we know in our hearts. It merely cuts off the child's one hope."

Having finished speaking, he carried out the live goose that Ma Laosan had prepared long ago and stepped out the door

I remember that Aunt Liu also acted as a matchmaker, didn't she? Tang Yi recalled the Aunt Liu who sold pan-fried buns in the morning

Aunt Ma ran for most of the day, and surprisingly, no one in the entire city of Dengzhou was willing to take on the "good fortune" of the Ma family

I have long heard Dr. Sun boast about Da Lang's exceptional culinary skills, and it is indeed true. Aunt Liu has already been eyeing the table full of food and has swallowed her saliva several times.

The culinary level of the Northern Song Dynasty primarily focused on boiling and stewing, and the variety of dishes in the households of commoners was quite limited. The table set by Tang Yi, with its fragrant dishes that filled the room and glistened with oil, was something that Sixth Aunt had never even seen before.

In desperation, Aunt Ma had no choice but to go out again in search of Aunt Liu's home.

Aunt Liu sat down casually and remarked, "Dawei's ambitions are quite high; he actually has his eyes on Zhang Si Niang!"

Tang Yi took out a piece of yellow paper with writing on it and said, "If Old Zhang dislikes my elder brother, you can show him this thing, and this matter should be resolved."

Moreover, Granny Xu wants us to pay the bonus in advance

At this point, we can only seek help from Aunt Liu. Tang Yi sighed, looking at the frustrated Ma Dawei, thinking to himself, Brother, it seems we underestimated the situation; the difficulty level is a bit high.