Work on dividing the land proceeded smoothly.
The wasteland had been cleared by everyone, so there was no distinction between good or bad plots. After resolving the previous disagreement, everyone accepted their allocated land without complaint.
The Jiang family, with seven members, was allocated three and a half mu of land. The old village chief specifically designated these three and a half mu adjacent to the Jiang family's fifty mu, allowing the two plots to be combined for easier cultivation.
Upon receiving their land, the villagers, eager to begin, grabbed their hoes and started working.
The previous fields had been divided into half-mu plots based on the number of people. Now that the land was divided, the boundary ridges and furrows would be leveled, allowing for an extra row of crops to be planted.
D郎 carried his hoe and ran towards their land, with Er郎 following suit.
Jiang Wan quickly called out to him, "Er Ge, go help the Zhang family!"
Er郎 blushed instantly, "This... isn't it... not very appropriate?"
Although both families had agreed to the marriage, it hadn't been officially settled yet. If he went to help so eagerly, wouldn't the villagers gossip?
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes, "What's inappropriate about it? Hurry up and go! Qiao Xiu Jie has only recently recovered from her injuries, and her parents are so old. If you don't help, who will?"
Su Shi also said, "Wan Wan is right. Er郎, go help the Zhang family quickly. Your elder brother has plenty of strength; that little bit of work won't tire him out."
As she spoke, Su Shi pointed ahead, "Qiao Xiu is just ahead. I saw some young men crowding around her..."
Before she could finish, Er郎 had already dashed off.
Su Shi covered her mouth and chuckled.
Jiang Wan said, "Saozi, let's go home. I'll walk with you."
Su Shi nodded, gave her hand to Jiang Wan, and the two sisters-in-law slowly walked home.
"Wan Wan, I really have to thank you just now. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to argue with those people."
Jiang Wan said, "Saozi, if you encounter such a situation again, never try to reason with them. Reason is for people who listen. For those ungrateful wretches, you must learn to shift the conflict."
"The villagers all want to watch the excitement. We must drag them into it as well, so the conflict becomes theirs. Then we can stand aside and watch them make a fuss. No matter what the outcome, our family won't suffer any loss."
Su Shi felt as if she had lived for over a decade in vain. She could never have thought of such a method.
Upon returning home, Chen Yuezhi had returned earlier than expected.
Seeing the two sisters-in-law return, she quickly beckoned them over, "Come quickly and see what clothes and jewelry I've bought for you."
In fact, she had returned early today to prepare things for Er郎's engagement. But to be fair, she had also bought some things for Su Shi, and Jiang Wan's share was a given.
Su Shi was both surprised and embarrassed, "Niang, I'm pregnant, I won't be able to wear these clothes, it's such a waste."
Chen Yuezhi smiled and said, "You'll be able to wear them in a couple of months after the baby is born, won't you?"
Then, she added, "When I married you, the family was in that condition. Now, the things I'm preparing for Qiao Xiu are better than back then. You mustn't hold any grudges."
Su Shi quickly said she wouldn't.
She knew herself that when she married Da Lang, almost all of the Jiang family's savings had been used up. Although the items were not as good as those prepared for Zhang Qiao Xiu, she didn't feel at all unbalanced.
Chen Yuezhi was very pleased with her understanding.
Although the Su family was unreliable, Su Shi herself was capable of fulfilling her role as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Jiang family.
When Er郎 returned from working at the Zhang family's, he was practically floating as he walked. His dark face was tinged with red, which made Jiang Wan unable to help but smile.
Knowing that his mother had already prepared everything for the engagement, Er郎 became even more shy. He turned and ran into his room and didn't come out for a long time.
Chen Yuezhi chuckled and teased, "Someone with a face as thick as a city wall can actually be shy. It's rarer than a blooming iron tree."
Jiang Wan and Su Shi burst into laughter. They had always thought that Er郎 might never open up in his life, but in just a few days, he had become like this.
However, it was also good. Seeing Er郎 like this, it showed he cared about Qiao Xiu, and their lives would be harmonious after they got married.
Chen Yuezhi arranged to call the matchmaker tomorrow to go over the process, and the day after tomorrow, they would go to the Zhang family to propose and finalize the matter.
Who would have thought that early the next morning, an unfamiliar matchmaker would arrive.
"Congratulations, Master Jiang, Madam Jiang, Young Master Jiang. Great joy for the Jiang family."
The matchmaker was dressed festively, with a large red flower pinned to her head. She smiled so widely that her mouth seemed to reach the back of her head. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she offered a stream of congratulations.
Seeing this display, Chen Yuezhi knew that those people from the county had started to make their move.
So, she smiled and returned the greeting to the matchmaker, "May I know what brings you here..."
The matchmaker smiled and said, "Madam Jiang, I've come today to propose marriage for your second young master. Steward Lin from the city has taken a liking to your second young master and wishes to betroth his fifth young lady to Young Master Jiang. That's why he sent me to run this errand."
Steward Lin?
Chen Yuezhi thought for a moment and knew who it was.
It was the one who had been fawning over Divine Doctor Jin at the housewarming banquet a few days ago.
The Lin family was a merchant family, engaged in trade for generations, and was considered a renowned prominent family in Yao County.
Chen Yuezhi smiled and said, "Thank you for thinking so highly of my foolish son, Steward Lin. Unfortunately, my son has no fate with your esteemed daughter. Please convey my apologies to Steward Lin."
The matchmaker raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, "Madam Jiang, what are you saying? Isn't your second young master unmarried?"
Chen Yuezhi smiled brightly, "Actually, our family has already chosen a suitable girl for him. However, as our family had just arrived in Yao County and had not yet settled down, we postponed the engagement. Now that our family affairs are in order, we have immediately sent a matchmaker to propose to the young lady's family, and they have accepted the engagement. We are scheduled to present the betrothal gifts tomorrow."
The matchmaker still had some doubts. How could it be such a coincidence?
Just then, the matchmaker Chen Yuezhi had hired, Matchmaker Qi, arrived.
As soon as Matchmaker Qi entered, she met Matchmaker Liu, who was sent by the Lin family.
Both matchmakers were locals of Yao County and naturally knew each other.
Matchmaker Qi smiled exaggeratedly, "Oh, isn't this Sister Liu? What wind brings you here today?"
Matchmaker Liu returned an equally fake smile, "Sister Qi, what are you doing here?"
Matchmaker Qi flicked the handkerchief in her hand, "Madam Jiang entrusted me to propose marriage for the second young master. I'm here today to go over the betrothal gift list with Madam Jiang. We will present the betrothal gifts to the young lady's family tomorrow."
Matchmaker Liu finally had to believe it. She turned to Chen Yuezhi and said, "Madam Jiang, since Young Master Jiang has no fate with Miss Lin, I shall not disturb you further."
After sending Liu Meipo away, Qi Meipo asked, "Madam Jiang, who is this old hag proposing marriage for?"