AD (QT) Chapter 131

Since Yu Anzhi had agreed to help, he kept the matter of finding a suitable marriage partner for Han Ze’s sister in mind, keeping a lookout whenever he went out for business.

After ten days, he actually encountered a suitable family. He immediately went to Han Village to explain the details to Han Ze.

The family Yu Anzhi mentioned was surnamed Yao. Originally from Yao Village, the elder Mr. Yao had worked as a chef in the provincial capital in his youth. Later, he returned to his hometown, and unwilling to let his culinary skills go to waste, he opened a restaurant in town. Relying on this restaurant, the family lived comfortably without worry for food or drink, and they had even purchased a courtyard in town.

Old Mr. Yao had three sons and two daughters. The eldest and second sons were already married with children. The youngest son, Yao Li, was nineteen years old. He had passed the xiucai exam last year and was not yet married. The two daughters were also unmarried.

The one Yu Anzhi was recommending was the son, Yao Li.

Han Ze pondered for a moment before saying, “I still need to discuss this with my parents.”

Yu Anzhi understood and said with a smile, “I’ll wait for your answer.”

After seeing Yu Anzhi off, Han Ze explained the matter to Han Maode and Wang Lanhua. Wang Lanhua’s face lit up with joy. She had been worried about Xiaochun’s marriage; it wasn’t that no one had come to propose, but the girl hadn’t liked any of them. Although Han Ze had many schemes, he wouldn’t go so far as to harm his own sister. She said thoughtfully, “I want to see the boy.”

At the very least, they had to see the person before a conclusion could be reached.

When Han Xiaochun heard about this, she clutched her handkerchief, her face flushing with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Han Ze nodded and went to town to tell Yu Anzhi of their plan.

The next day, Yu Anzhi’s wife, Madame Fang, arrived at the house leading a woman in her fifties, followed by a refined and handsome young man.

Han Ze arched an eyebrow—this kid was indeed good-looking. He looked at Wang Lanhua and saw her eyes light up. His lip twitched; women, regardless of age, truly did favor good looks.

Everyone exchanged greetings, and after the pleasantries, a maid served tea.

Madame Fang said with a smile, “Auntie, I heard the sister of this house is exceptionally skilled at needlework. Could we have a look?”

Wang Lanhua caught the hint. After a few modest remarks, she instructed a maid, “Tell Xiaochun to bring the handkerchiefs she embroidered recently for her sister-in-law to see.”

Han Xiaochun had studied with Han Ze for nearly a year. She might not have learned a vast number of characters, but she had fully absorbed her brother’s self-confidence. Knowing why her mother wanted her to come out, she was shy but nonetheless emerged gracefully with her embroidery. A girl of sixteen or seventeen, though not possessing a city-toppling beauty, she had willow-leaf brows and almond eyes, with skin as fair as congealed fat—she was a young lady one wouldn’t expect a typical farm family to raise.

Old Madame Yao was satisfied the moment she saw her, holding Han Xiaochun’s hand and refusing to let go.

Han Xiaochun smiled with pursed lips and cast a subtle, unintentional glance at the young man standing behind. This glance met the young man’s gaze looking back at her. Her ears turned red, and she hurriedly looked away.

Wang Lanhua and Old Madame Yao saw the interaction between the two children and exchanged a knowing look, both feeling quite satisfied.

Since both sides were pleased, the Yao family sent a matchmaker to formally propose. Wang Lanhua agreed, and Han Xiaochun’s marriage was settled. Both were of age, so after the families discussed it, they planned for the wedding to take place in March of the following year.

…

Han Ze went to town and bought a smaller courtyard house for two hundred taels of silver, along with fifty mu of irrigated land for five hundred taels. When he returned, he gave the property deeds to Wang Lanhua.

Wang Lanhua took them in a daze. “What is this?”

Han Ze said calmly, “This is Xiaochun’s dowry.”

Hearing her brother’s words, Han Xiaochun snapped her head toward Han Ze.

Wang Lanhua was illiterate and had never seen a property deed in her life, but Han Xiaochun could read. She walked over to look, her eyes landing on the top sheet of paper. She looked blankly at Han Ze. “This is a house deed?”

Han Ze said with a smile, “You should find time to go to town and see it. Although the courtyard isn’t very large, the scenery inside is beautiful. You’ll definitely like it.”

Just as Han Xiaochun was about to speak, Han Maode came in from outside. He narrowed his eyes and asked Han Ze, “What courtyard? What house did you buy now?”

Han Xiaochun looked at her father blankly and murmured, “Dad, Brother said he bought a house in town for me as a dowry.”

“What?”

Han Maode looked at Han Ze. Han Ze said lazily, “Look at you all acting so small-minded. It’s just one courtyard. I, Han Ze, have silver. What’s wrong with buying a house as a dowry for my own sister?”

Han Maode was beyond surprised. “Just you?”

Han Ze nodded. “What about me?”

Han Maode’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re actually willing?”

Han Ze curled his lip. “Underestimating me again, aren’t you?”

Han Maode still felt he wasn’t underestimating his son—a courtyard cost one or two hundred taels; could he really be that generous?

Han Ze stood up straight and said pompously, “Alright, I was thinking that my brother-in-law is a xiucai after all. With his knowledge, he’ll surely pass the juren exams in the future. Our family only has Shubuo studying; we’ll need to rely on this uncle-in-law to promote Shubuo later. Since we want him to help our child, how can we not show some sincerity?”

Han Xiaochun was flabbergasted, her cheeks turning even redder.

Han Maode stepped forward and kicked him, scolding him crossly, “You brat, you even scheme against your own family.”

Wang Lanhua didn’t think anything was wrong with it. Yao Li would be Shubuo’s uncle-in-law; helping Shubuo was only natural, wasn’t it? Right now, Han Ze was willing to provide a dowry for Xiaochun, which meant her daughter was getting the actual benefit. Why would she be unhappy? She was overjoyed.

She hurriedly said, “Xiaochun, hurry and thank your brother.”

Han Xiaochun was deeply grateful for the dowry. She said quickly, “Thank you, Big Brother.”

Han Ze gave a grand wave of his hand. “No need for thanks. You’re my sister; would I ever mistreat you?”

Han Maode snorted. “You’ve settled a dowry for Xiaochun, but what about Xiaodong? They are both your sisters; what do you plan to do?”

Han Ze coughed and said loudly, “Xiaochun and Xiaodong are both my sisters. Whatever Xiaochun has, Xiaodong will have a share too when her time comes—likewise a courtyard and fifty mu of land.”

Han Maode’s eyes widened. “What? Another fifty mu of land?”

Han Ze rubbed his nose and said sheepishly, “I… I figured if I’m going to show sincerity, I can’t be stingy…”

“You… you really are willing to part with it!”

Han Maode was pained by the loss. Xiaochun was his daughter, yes, but daughters eventually marry out. They were just a farm family—a courtyard and land? Who marries off a daughter like that? If they had a few more daughters, wouldn’t they go bankrupt?

But then he realized: he only had two daughters, but he had five granddaughters!

Han Ze was providing this much for his sisters; would he give any less to his own daughters? At the thought, he felt like fainting. How much silver would be needed to prepare so many dowries?

Wang Lanhua’s hands were trembling as she held the deeds. This dowry felt like it was burning her hands; she had never heard of a family giving so much for a daughter.

Han Xiaochun was also in disbelief.

Han Maode took a deep breath. “Tell me, exactly how much silver did you spend?”

Han Ze said, “Seven hundred taels.”

Han Maode looked at him. “Have you thought this through?”

Han Ze nodded. “Dad, you really don’t need to worry. I’ve earned quite a bit of silver from selling flowers lately. Yao Li is bound to take the juren exams. Their family has some property, but there are many brothers, so not much will fall to him. With more dowry, my sister’s life will be easier.”

Han Xiaochun hadn’t expected her brother to think so far ahead for her.

Han Maode sighed. “Since you’ve thought it through, let it be.”

She was his daughter, after all. Although he felt the sting of losing silver and land, he couldn’t bear to see his daughter suffer. With this dowry, she would have confidence in her husband’s home and a better life.

Wang Lanhua didn’t say much, but the gratitude on her face was plain to see. Her only sensitive spot was her children; if Han Ze was good to them, she would truly be good to him and his children in return.

…

The matter of Han Ze preparing a dowry for Han Xiaochun was known only to the family—until the wedding day. Only then did the villagers learn that Han Ze was willing to provide so much for his sister. Fifty mu of land? Which family in the village even owned that much land?

Time entered April, and the peonies Han Ze had propagated by cuttings began to bloom.

This year, he had intentionally propagated several pots of Black Peonies, many pots of “Wei Zi” and “Yao Huang,” and had even gone to the county seat to find a few other rare varieties. However, rare things are precious because they are scarce; he didn’t plan to sell them all, only a few.

Yet, before he could even look for Yu Anzhi, Yu Anzhi came to his door in person. Upon seeing Han Ze, he asked, “Brother Han, are the peonies in bloom?”

He had known for a long time that Han Ze was cultivating many rare peonies this year, and as soon as April arrived, he picked a date to visit.

Han Ze was quite speechless, but he knew Yu Anzhi wasn’t truly a flower lover—he just wanted them to give as gifts or to sell for a profit. He said, “The flowers are all in the garden. Take whichever ones you fancy. But no matter the variety, you must leave me two pots of each; I need them for propagation.”

Regardless of the fact that Yu Anzhi had helped him many times, given their relationship, he wouldn’t refuse. If the man wanted to buy, let him buy.

Yu Anzhi waved a hand. “Don’t worry. I’m counting on your flowers to earn silver as gifts too.”

In his dealings with Han Ze, he always spoke plainly. He knew Han Ze didn’t mind if he sold the flowers for an even higher price elsewhere; if he did mind, he wouldn’t sell to him at all.

Han Ze truly didn’t care. Yu Anzhi gave him a fair price, and he was too lazy to find other buyers. As for how much Yu Anzhi sold them for, that was his own skill.

There were four Black Peonies in total. Yu Anzhi took three and left one for Han Ze. Han Ze smiled and said nothing. However, for the other varieties, Yu Anzhi did leave two pots for him.

Yu Anzhi rubbed his nose. “Brother Han, some people in the capital asked me to buy Black Peonies for them, and I had no choice. But don’t worry, they said as long as they can get a Black Peony, silver is no object.”

Han Ze wasn’t about to get angry over it. He thought for a moment and said, “No matter the amount of silver, take all these peonies. How about helping me buy a three-entry courtyard house in the capital?”

Yu Anzhi was taken aback. “Brother Han, why the sudden thought to buy a house in the capital?”

The value of these peonies was roughly equal to a courtyard in the capital. His elder brother was an official there, so it would be easy to arrange. There was no reason to refuse.

Han Ze said with a smile, “My boy is doing well in school. He might need it in the future. Even if he doesn’t, it won’t be a loss to sell it then.”

Yu Anzhi nodded. “Fine. Once the house is bought, I’ll give you the deed.”