Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 52.2: Proposal.

Back in Changfeng Town, Lu Chengxiao, who knew nothing about the troubles in the Liu family, also couldn’t sleep. Liu Sanlang was sleepless due to worries, but Lu Chengxiao was sleepless out of joy.

Today, Lu Xun came back and heard from Chen Shi about the situation of Liu Yu in the Liujiacun. As Lu Chengxiao had mentioned, he felt nothing but joy. Although the family situation had become more complicated, his son liked her, and the girl’s character and appearance were praised by everyone in the village. It was naturally a good match. After teasing Lu Chengxiao for a while, Lu Xun finally agreed.

Thinking that the next day they could officially propose marriage, Lu Chengxiao wished time could fly faster. However, he couldn’t sleep as he contemplated every moment since he met Liu Yu. The more he thought about it, the more beautiful it seemed. He even found himself smiling when he sat at the desk.

Babao had finally gained some insight. When was the last time? Oh, right, it was when he picked up the purse. Then it was last night, and today was even more unbelievable. Young Master had been excited for two consecutive nights and couldn’t detect a hint of fatigue.

He covered his mouth, suppressing the yawn that almost escaped. Babao lowered himself and leaned towards the table, placing his face directly in Lu Chengxiao’s line of sight, pointing at his eyes, “Third Young Master, take a look at me.”

Lu Chengxiao glanced at him but didn’t understand. He asked, “What’s the matter?”

Babao circled his finger around the dark circles under his eyes, “This, you see, doesn’t it look like I haven’t slept well? It makes me appear particularly unenergetic.”

Lu Chengxiao chuckled and playfully kicked at him, “Who asked you to guard here? Go sleep.”

Babao dodged and chuckled, “I don’t care about myself. Whether I look good or not, no one cares. What’s the big deal? But, Third Young Master, if you don’t sleep now, tomorrow might not be as good-looking. When the time comes, then…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Lu Chengxiao frowned, “Alright, alright. So, you’re finding all sorts of ways to get me to rest. You’re just pretending, with this face, to bluff people with one trick after another, where’s your simplicity and honesty?”

Babao grinned, “Then, Third Young Master, go to sleep quickly. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to meet Miss Liu again tomorrow?”

This suggestion was quite appealing to Lu Chengxiao. Thinking about seeing Liu Yu, he decided not to endure any longer and dismissed Babao, saying, “Bring a basin of water for me to wash up, and then you can hurry and rest.”

Babao happily agreed and went to fetch water. Originally, he intended to wait for Lu Chengxiao to finish washing up before pouring out the water. However, halfway through, Lu Chengxiao remembered something important. He stacked his hands, opened the wardrobe, looked at the clothes inside, hesitated for a moment, and then asked Babao, “Which outfit do you think will make me look more spirited tomorrow?”

Babao laughed instantly and approached, offering his opinion, “Third Young Master, you look good in anything. How about choosing an outfit that Miss Liu hasn’t seen before?”

Lu Chengxiao smiled, waved his hand, and said, “Alright, go rest. Close the door for me.”

~

A night passed without any significant conversation. The next day, as soon as the sun rose, Lu Chengxiao got up early. He picked a fine blue embroidered robe, got ready, and went to wait in the main courtyard where his parents lived.

Madam Lu was thinking about today’s marriage proposal. She also woke up early and busied herself in the kitchen arranging breakfast. When she saw her son, neatly dressed and waiting in the main courtyard, she chuckled, “It’s rare to see you like this so early in the morning.”

Lu Chengxiao, who had been teased by his mother for the past two days, now had a thicker skin. He continued, “Mother, what time are we meeting the matchmaker?”

When Lu Xun heard his youngest son asking about the matchmaker’s appointment, he found it peculiar. He asked Chen Shi, “Haven’t you seen that girl yet? Just by the look of him, he can’t wait to meet her.”

Chen Shi shook her head, “Yesterday was unfortunate, so I didn’t get to see her. But I heard she’s like a celestial beauty, gentle and courteous. Look at our young lad, here, who can’t wait for three books of rites in one day. Once you set eyes on her, he’ll know it’s not an exaggeration.”

Lu Chengxiao didn’t mind the teasing. After the family finished breakfast, the matchmaker arrived. If Liu Yu were present, she would recognize the matchmaker—none other than Lin Jiuniang, the woman who had bought information from her that day.

Chen Shi detailed everything about the girls they were considering for marriage with Lin Jiuniang, who nodded in agreement. After receiving payment for her efforts, Lin Jiuniang prepared to leave for Liujiacun.

Seeing his mother still seated, Lu Chengxiao became anxious, “Mother, aren’t you coming along?”

Madam Lu chuckled, “Silly child, who heard of parents following along in marriage matters? With a matchmaker managing both sides, many things can be discussed. If I go, and they flatly reject it, you won’t even have room for negotiation.”

Lu Chengxiao, who had been abroad since he was a teenager, returned for his elder brother’s wedding but missed the proposal ceremony. For his second brother’s marriage, he didn’t even attend the wedding ceremony. He didn’t quite understand these customs and blushed a bit. Lin Jiuniang laughed.

Madam Lu couldn’t help but smile, “Alright, rest assured, wait patiently for Aunt Jiu’s news.”

~

Meanwhile, a few miles away in Xifeng Town, in the village of Yangshan, when Liu Yu woke up early in the morning, Aunt Liu had already arranged everything for the ancestral worship ceremony.

The Liu family’s ancestral tomb was located in Yangshan Mountain, and the three Liu brothers, along with their family members, set out carrying incense and offerings. Wei Shi, standing in front of the family ancestors’ tomb, began to cry with joy, expressing her delight and good news to the relatives underground.

Returning home, it was already mid-morning. Thinking about today being the day she was supposed to have a proposal with Lu Chengxiao, Liu Yu considered the situation carefully. Due to her Aunt wanting to sever any possible unfavorable gossip from Liujiacun, they decided to present a narrative to the public that the Liu family betrayed her.

Lu Chengxiao was completely unaware of the changes in the Liu family. If a matchmaker were to come and deliver the news to him at this moment, he would be extremely anxious. After contemplating for a while, Liu Yu decided to send a message to him through someone else. Changfeng Town was too far away, but if the message could be delivered to the cloth store in Lufeng, it would suffice.

Considering that her eldest cousin would be in Anyi County today, Liu Yu discreetly approached Liu Yanqing, whispering to him about the situation.

Liu Yanqing was unaware of Liu Yu’s plan to marry herself to escape the fate of being sold earlier. He listened to her story and broke into a cold sweat. His reaction was similar to Wei Shi, if he was greedy for my sister’s beauty, how could he be trusted?

As for Lu Chengxiao, who had left a lasting impression on Liu Yu, that was a matter set aside. However, agreeing to pass along the message, Liu Yanqing had not expected that as soon as he entered the city gate, he would be intercepted by Chen San.

In a hurry, he explained, “Quickly, there’s an urgent case in the county, and the magistrate urgently summoned you. Detective Liu specifically asked me to wait here for you.”

Upon hearing about the urgent case, Liu Yanqing completely forgot about passing along any message. In haste, he rushed to the county yamen.

Indeed, it was a major case that kept him occupied for several days. Liu Yu assumed Liu Yanqing had delivered the message, and Liu Yanqing, caught up in official duties, completely forgot about the task at hand. This is a story for another time.

Now, let’s talk about Lin Jiuniang, who went straight from Changfeng Town to Liujiacun to inquire about Liu Kangsheng’s family.

This trip turned out to be the most eye-opening matchmaking experience for her. She knew there was something wrong just by looking at the door, but as soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard someone wailing inside. The man of the house, Liu Kangsheng, seemed unfazed, but the woman of the house, Wang Shi, had a face with more colors than a rainbow. Handprints were stacked upon handprints, and her swollen face competed with her puffy eyes.

The most shocking part was the collective reaction of the Liu family when Lin Jiuniang explained her purpose. From the eldest to the youngest, their expressions were nothing short of spectacular.

Upon hearing the reply, Lin Jiuniang’s expression was more colorful than theirs.

The girl that the Lu family wanted to marry had been abducted and sold just yesterday. Abducted and sold, abducted and sold…

Lin Jiuniang, who had been in the matchmaking business for decades, had never encountered such a situation. Thinking about the radiant smile and full-hearted affection of Lu Sanlang that morning, her only thought was: This is a disaster, a huge disaster.

Lin Jiuniang’s steps felt heavy. How could she explain this to them?

But despite the heaviness in her steps, such a matter couldn’t be delayed. She hurriedly rushed to the Lu family.

“What did you say?”

Lu Chengxiao, who was eagerly waiting for news, was hit with a bolt from the blue when he heard that Liu Yu had been sold.

Sansukini: Have you heard of the song, “Que Sera, Sera. What ever will be, will be…” It’s a song I hear every Sunday. Like, honestly, in the Philippines when I was younger, Sunday is the day when older people will play old songs. It’s very nostalgic. I’m also just referencing the song to what will happen a few chapters later.

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