Chapter 48: A Good Beginning and a Good End (Part 1)
Because of Lu Ya's drag, it was already dusk when Shen Rui and others arrived at the next town.
I still found a big inn to stay, but this time I didn't rest for one night, but stayed here to accommodate Lu Ya.
That day, after staying at the inn and having dinner, Wu Xuan asked the waiter to invite the official media.
Shen Rui was not surprised by the placement of Lu Ya, because Wang Shouren had treated Lu Ya very coldly in the past two days, and he obviously did not want to develop feelings. If Wang Shouren helped only one person and only kept one by his side, then doing good deeds would be too stumbling.
.What surprised Shen Rui was the method of settling Lu Ya.
Because Lu Ya was so small, she looked no more than seven or eight years old, but she was actually the same age as Shen Rui, already ten years old. Wang Shouren's method of settling her was to marry her off.
Get married?
Shen Rui expressed surprise. Is ten years old really that old? That he can talk about marriage?
Obviously, this was not the first time that Wuzhi had experienced something like this. When the matchmaker was called, Wang Shouren did not come forward. Instead, he ordered Wuxuan to take Shen Rui to deal with it. Lu Ya, the person involved, also had to show up now.
Wu Xuan had a plan and comforted Lu Ya in a low voice. Lu Ya's head hung lower and her ears turned red.
Seeing this, Shen Rui twitched the corner of his mouth, is the little girl shy?
When he saw the official media, Wu Xuan pointed at Lu Ya and said: "This girl is an orphan. She was marked by her uncle. My eldest brother is kind-hearted and accepted the letter of commitment. It's just that it's inconvenient to take a little girl with him when he is away from home. Please
Mom came here to find a suitable family to place this girl in. She is a daughter of a small family, and she is not going to be a maid. She is not looking for a wealthy family, but a commoner family."
The official media said with a smile: "My brother is kind-hearted... But I also know this current custom, marrying a wife and remarrying for wealth... This girl looks like an honest girl, but she is young, and she came in naked...
…”
Wu Xuan snorted and said: "Mom, don't try to coax people. Nowadays, marriage is a big deal, but it also pays attention to the bride price. There are always small families from poor families, or families with many sons, who find it difficult to get married. Since ancient times, there have been people who cannot get married.
There is no wife that a mother-in-law's man cannot marry."
The official media said a lot of this, but it was just a matter of habit, and they wanted to lower Lu Ya's net worth. Seeing that Wu Xuan was very understanding, she stopped talking and said, "Then the mother-in-law went to help the little brother to inquire about it, and I don't know
How much is the betrothal silver?"
Yesterday, I was able to buy Lu Ya for five taels of silver. That was because Ya Po used the power of the Yamen servant to lower the price. Otherwise, how could I get seven or eight taels of silver? A girl of seven or eight years old is the best deal in Ren Ya's hands, and a wealthy family
When people come in, they usually buy little girls of this age. If they are young, they still need someone to take care of them; if they are a few years older, their temperaments are set and difficult to discipline.
If Lu Ya were seven or eight years old, even if she wanted to be a child bride, not many people would be willing to take it because she was too young and would have to take care of her for too many years. But when she was ten years old, it was different. Even though she looked thin,
But the age is here, and after three or four years, it will become a ritual.
Wu Xuan thought for a while and said: "When you hire a banker, it depends on the family's situation. If you can live well, you can go to a family with four liang; if your life is really difficult, you can only go to a family with two liang. The only thing is that the family must be clean and the parents-in-law must be kind, and they must not be beaten and scolded.
The bridegroom should be about the same age. If he is too old, he will not be able to wait for this girl to grow up; if he is too young, he will be affected in the future." After that, he put half a tael of silver leaves into the hands of the official media and said:
"My eldest brother has done good deeds and always wants to start well and end well, so he troubles my mother to take a lot of trouble. I will have tea with my mother and wait until the marriage is settled, and then I will thank my mother for the matchmaking gift."
The official media had long heard from the waiter that the owner of the store was a civil servant. He was a little dissatisfied when he saw Wu Xuan dressed up as a scholar and brought a younger brother out to deal with him. However, he saw that Wu Xuan was very articulate.
, he spoke eloquently and acted generously, and the slightest dissatisfaction disappeared.
The official media went from house to house, and it was clear that Wu Xuan was not an ordinary boy or bookboy, but looked like a high-ranking family member. Now he only gave half a tael of tea and silver, and when things were settled, this "matchmaker gift"
If you only need one or two at a minimum, this woman will be very enthusiastic.
The official media walked up to Lu Ya, took Lu Ya's hand and rubbed it, and then asked her what kind of work she could do, when her parents died, and who were her relatives left. After asking and answering, they came up with a lot of words,
In the end, the woman didn't forget to lift up Lu Ya's skirt and looked at her feet. Lu Ya's feet were tied, but they were released, and they looked a little bigger than four or five inches.
Finally, the official media recorded Lu Ya's horoscope and told Wu: "Sister Lu has a good appearance and temperament, but her fate is too tough. When you find someone you are interested in, you have to first get married with her horoscope, and then talk about other things, otherwise it will be all in vain."
.As a result, it may be delayed for a few days."
Wuxuan said: "After all, this girl has a lifelong relationship. Don't be afraid of being slow. Three or five days doesn't matter. Just don't go too long."
The official media went down with a smile, Wu Xuan sent Lu Ya back to his room, and took Shen Rui to Wang Shouren's side to reply.
After hearing this, Wang Shouren nodded and said: "This arrangement is just right. It's just a gift. It will last for a few days. You can inquire about the dowry market here and prepare a portion for the girl in the next two days. Just follow the betrothal instructions.
Double.”
Wu Xuan seemed not surprised by Wang Shouren's arrangement and nodded in agreement; Shen Rui somewhat understood Wang Shouren's intention.
Lu Ya is just an orphan who sold herself. Even if she is asked to bring a dowry, others will only be picky. Even if she reluctantly agrees, it is only for the sake of her dowry. Once her dowry is spent, she will not be left at the disposal of her husband's family.
; Only those who can accept Lu Ya after all her shortcomings have been told will not dislike her in the future. As for hiring silver, that is because no one will cherish something that is given for free;
It will only make people look down upon.
And those families who gritted their teeth to collect "betrothal money" to marry child brides will definitely not be rich. At this time, receiving a dowry with double the betrothal silver is an unexpected surprise. For Lu Ya, the little bride who brought the surprise, it was even more
Easy to accept.
Wang Shouren arranged this because he had a thorough understanding of people's hearts.
Helping others with a little help and planning with all your heart are two different things.
Seeing Shen Rui's face sullen and thoughtful, Wang Shouren said, "What are you thinking about, brother Rui?"
Shen Rui raised his head and said: "Sir, how often do you do good deeds like this? It's just a stranger who met by chance. Why are you willing to be so considerate?"
Wang Shouren said with a smile: "It's a small matter that I spend a few thoughts and a few dollars on, but it is a matter of life and death for her. If I don't care and deal with it lightly, I won't be able to help others, but I will be harmed. Instead of doing that, it's better to start from the beginning."
I won’t help.”
Hearing these words, Shen Rui remembered a story he heard in his previous life.
After the tide went out, there were many small fish left on the beach. A child saw it and picked up the small fish one by one under the scorching sun and sent them back to the sea. The adults saw this and thought the child was stupid and said: "There are so many on the beach."
How can you pick up a small fish? Who cares if you do this?" The child pointed to the small fish in his hand and said, "This fish cares." He held up another one and said, "This fish also cares."
It turns out that five hundred years ago, some people started "picking up small fish".
*
The official media said that they would be delayed for a few days, but they came to the door after two days. It seemed that they had put some thought into it. They found three families and told them the situation of those families in detail. The first family still had an orphan.
The two widowed mothers are from a scholarly family. There were scholars in their ancestors, and the head of the family was Tong Sheng. The younger brother of this family was twelve years old, and the widowed mother weaved for him to study. The second family was a vegetable farmer, and the head of the family was gone, leaving only
The head of the family has two and a half sons, the eldest son is seventeen and the second son is fifteen. They have not even said they are married. This time it is this young man they are talking about. The third family has quite a lot of elders. The head of the family is a carpenter and is a good craftsman.
, that is, the family has a large population, there are three elderly people, five children, three generations and about ten people, and life is tight. The eldest son in their family is fourteen this year; the fourth family has a simple population.
An old couple brought a grandson. In their early years, the old couple set up a tea stall outside the city. Now that they are old, they do some handicrafts at home. Their grandson, Thirteen, has been an apprentice in a cloth shop for two years, and he can do it at a glance.
Become a clerk.
Wu Xuan listened carefully, thought for a while, and said: "The girl is still young and needs guidance from the elders. The second family does not have a wife, so the child is too old and inappropriate. I can't handle the remaining three families.
It’s an idea. Mom will have tea first, and I’ll go ask my eldest brother for an idea.”
Shen Rui knew that this was just a polite way of saying it. The second family was all young and strong, and it was very easy for them to get into trouble. The two sons were not married, probably because of this reason.
Now the guests were staying in the guest room where Lu Ya lived. Wu Xuan asked the woman to sit down for a while and asked Shen Rui to accompany him. He got up and went to the next door. As for Lu Ya, the official media had seen it yesterday and today he avoided the next door.
Sharpen the ink for Wang Shouren. Although this is about her marriage, it is really not her turn to make the decision. If she were older, it would naturally be her choice and she would be happy; but she is still young, even if she has the decision
, you won’t think as comprehensively as adults.
Shen Rui is not old, but he is white, clean, handsome and cute, and it is easy to win people's favor. The official media talked to him cheerfully, and there was no lack of inquisition in his words.
Shen Rui answered one sentence after another, but all of them avoided the truth and made nothing useful. The woman was in her fifties, and she couldn't hear anything. She was complaining in her heart, but she became more and more enthusiastic towards Shen Rui. It was unusual.
How could a boy from a small family be so spermous? One or two of them are as good as human sperm. Only boys from wealthy families can have such magnanimity.
Next door, Wu Xuan told Wang Shouren about the situation of the three families. Wang Shouren said: "Hearing is false and seeing is believing. It's just a family of scholars. If they don't become talented, it's fine. If they become talented, they will be picky. The third family,
Take Rui Ge around the fourth house to see their reputation."
When Wu Xuan met the official media, he asked carefully about the situation of the third and fourth houses, asked about the temper of the elders, and asked to go and have a look.
When the official media saw how careful he was, they were not impatient and took Wu Xuan and Shen Rui out of the inn.
On the way, Wu Xuan asked about the house. Even if it is a poor family, it must have permanent property.
Because I went to take a look right away, and the official media also told the truth that the third house was really a decent house, but I heard that I had saved up the money to buy a house, but there was no suitable one at the moment; the fourth house was my own house, and only the legitimate house was there.
There are three rooms in total, but due to the small population, it is sufficient. However, it has been in disrepair and the house is very dilapidated.
As far as paying attention to others, it would be very rude to come directly to the door like this, but people in the market don't pay attention to this.
The first person to go was the carpenter's house. Their house had a large yard. When Shen Rui and others arrived, the family's father, grandson, and son were doing carpentry work.
When the official media came, the head of the family shouted loudly for his wife to come out. The carpenter's wife came out holding her waist, very warmly, and said with a smile: "Mom is here, let's have tea in the house. Is there a response over there?"