"Grandma, someone came to my house to propose again yesterday."
Xiao Hua, her face flushed, said softly to Xu Yi, who was resting with her eyes closed on a lounge chair, while she was drying medicinal herbs.
"Mmm."
Xu Yi responded softly, not seeming very interested.
Xiao Hua was already accustomed to Xu Yi's indifference.
Although Granny Xu didn't talk much and had a stern personality, she had never hit or scolded her. Instead, she had given her plenty of good things to eat, for which Xiao Hua was always grateful.
So now, when facing a matter of great importance to her, she couldn't help but confide in Xu Yi, wanting to hear her opinion.
"The one who proposed yesterday was the youngest son of Steward Wang, the largest landowner nearby. I heard that their family alone has several hundred mu of fertile land, dozens of laborers, and a distant relative who is a fifth-rank official."
Xiao Hua spoke with longing in her eyes.
She, who was born into a farming family, had never imagined having the chance to marry into such a wealthy and influential household. It was all thanks to the skills Granny Xu had taught her.
The medicinal herbs she processed each month could fetch at least five qian of silver in the city.
Although the money from selling medicinal herbs was ultimately handed over to her parents, she still felt very happy.
"Steward Wang's family?"
Xu Yi slowly searched her memory for information about Steward Wang.
Although she looked less than sixty, she was actually in her eighties. The old internal injuries she had sustained in her younger years had begun to flare up, and her memory was failing day by day.
After half an hour, Xu Yi finally recalled who Steward Wang was.
She glanced at the budding maiden and slowly said, "Steward Wang's family won't do."
The medicinal herbs in Xiao Hua's hand instantly dropped. She didn't bother to pick them up but looked at Xu Yi in surprise, "Why?"
She wanted to seek Xu Yi's opinion, but in her heart, she had already made up her mind.
Steward Wang's family was well-off, a marriage prospect one couldn't find even with a lantern. She had already decided to marry into Steward Wang's family, and her parents had accepted the betrothal gifts.
"Steward Wang's family is too complicated, unsuitable for you."
Xu Yi had watched Xiao Hua grow up. Xiao Hua was simple-minded and honest. If she married into Steward Wang's family, she would be gnawed to the bone.
"Steward Wang said that if I marry into their family, I only need to process medicinal herbs daily, without needing to manage household chores or pay respects every day," Xiao Hua said anxiously.
There was actually one more thing she didn't say. Steward Wang also said that if she agreed to marry into the Wang family, he could find a good job for Xiao Hu in town, and they wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for the rest of their lives.
Xiao Hu was different from her. Xiao Hu had no great ambitions and no special skills. He even did farm work sloppily.
If she could find a job for him, it would also alleviate a concern for her parents.
Because Granny Xu disliked Xiao Hu, Xiao Hua dared not tell Granny Xu about this.
However, Granny Xu's gaze at her was very strange, as if she could see through her inner thoughts. She couldn't help but lower her head to avoid Granny Xu's gaze.
Xu Yi slowly closed her eyes again, "I remember there was a young man who often came to see you. He is your true match."
Xiao Hua's expression froze.
She knew who Granny Xu was referring to. His name was Chai Jin.
Chai Jin was a hunter from the next village. They met on the mountain.
She often went to the mountains to collect herbs, while Chai Jin went there to hunt. They got acquainted over time.
Chai Jin had followed his master to hunt in the mountains since he was very young. He was strong and powerful, a very capable person.
She had also experienced young love.
If it weren't for that accident, she might have really married Chai Jin...
"Brother Chai hasn't come to find me since he injured his right leg while hunting on the mountain. My fate with him has ended."
Last year, Chai Jin fell into a trap set by other hunters while on the mountain. It was a trap specifically designed to catch large beasts. The huge beast trap almost instantly snapped Chai Jin's right leg.
Although he received treatment because he was discovered in time, Chai Jin's right leg was still瘸了.
From that day on, Chai Jin never came to find Xiao Hua again, and after being turned away twice, Xiao Hua never went to look for Chai Jin either.
Moreover, Xiao Hua knew that her parents would not agree to her marrying Chai Jin. Chai Jin was now disabled and couldn't even guarantee his own livelihood, let alone provide help for Xiao Hu.
Chai Jin was no longer suitable for her.
"Marrying into the Wang family, you will regret it," Xu Yi said softly.
"I won't. This is my own choice, and I won't regret it," Xiao Hua said firmly.
Granny Xu had no idea what marrying into the Wang family meant to her.
It meant that from then on, their family could change their appearance, leave the farming class, and become wealthy and influential like Steward Wang.
In the future, Xiao Hu's children could also study and read like young masters of the landlord class, perhaps even pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to their ancestors.
This was an opportunity for a carp to leap over the dragon gate, and she had to seize it.
Xu Yi snorted, "Since your mind is made up, starting tomorrow, you don't need to come to me anymore. Go back and focus on preparing for your wedding."
"You want to drive me away?" Xiao Hua asked in shock.
"You have learned almost everything you need to. It's time to leave."
Xiao Hua's expression became dazed.
Granny Xu was right. She was about to get married, and the Wang family had many rules. She would probably rarely be able to go out in the future, and she certainly wouldn't be able to come here anymore.
Thinking of leaving this cabin that had given her so much peace, Xiao Hua suddenly felt an indescribable fear.
It was as if she knew that after leaving here, the carefree and happy days of the past would be gone forever.
At this moment, a trace of doubt arose in her heart.
If she married Chai Jin, Chai Jin would definitely not restrain her and might even accompany her to Granny Xu's place.
She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, the disappointed faces of her parents and the resentful expression of her brother flashed before her eyes.
No, she couldn't. Marrying Chai Jin would make her parents and brother angry.
She couldn't be an unfilial daughter.
She took a deep breath, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed three times to Xu Yi, "Granny Xu, after Xiao Hua leaves, please take good care of yourself."
Xu Yi closed her eyes, remaining silent, as if asleep.
Xiao Hua slowly got up, looked around the cabin full of memories, and walked towards the door.
"One last piece of advice, don't teach the art of processing medicinal herbs to anyone."
Xiao Hua turned her head in astonishment, only to find Xu Yi still looking sleepy.
She pursed her lips and strode out of the wooden cabin.
Within a few days, Xu Yi heard the sounds of gongs and drums, and firecrackers ringing throughout the village.
The loud and cheerful wedding music was carried by the wind, reaching the ears of everyone in the village.
Xu Yi tilted her head and looked outside the door, where a tall, dark silhouette stood.
Xu Yi shook her head and hummed a tune she didn't know where she had heard, "The road is long, my soul suffers in vain; no dream can reach the distant mountains.
Longing, breaking my heart..."