My Daughter Is The Family Head Chapter 5

When Matchmaker Liu looked at the serious expression on the square face of Steward Zhu and she knew she could not do anything more.  She let out a deep sigh and in her heart, she consoled herself that what she loves the most is to be a matchmaker.  Her achievements had accounted for hundreds of marriages and her enthusiasm in her profession is boundless.

"When once I mentioned that your Dangjia wanted to choose a wife, every lady in the capital city who is waiting for marriage proposals showed sparkling eyes!  At the Flower Appreciation Banquet, the first lady that I invited is the Daughter of Qian Cloth Merchant of Qian Cloth Shop, Qian Ying Ying.  She is 18 years of age and her appearance is the best among the ladies I had picked.  She is talented in embroidery and her skills are unmatched......."

Carefully, Steward Zhu recorded everything that she said but when he came to the fifth lady, he realized that Matchmaker Liu's description of every lady was the same and all of them were her 'best of the selection'.  He could not help but sigh.

In the capital city, how can there be so many best selections?!  He wondered when he could go back to his account books.......

The task of recording details of the ladies' family backgrounds should actually be handed over to Second Young Master for him to take charge.  He believed that Second Young Master would be more than happy to do it and at the same time, he would do it with gloating smiles.  In the midst of Matchmaker Liu's incessant talking, dispirited he carried on writing down her words of 'best of the selection' for the fifth time.........

Two days later, when Hua Ming Zi returned from her trip, she told her Father about the happenings during the ancestral wors.h.i.+pping and after that, she enquired from the doctor about her Father's illness. Then the various matters concerning the Hua Ji Restaurants kept her in her study for a very long time.  Just as she was about to send someone with a message to inform the Ying Family about her visit tomorrow, Steward Wu who was in charge of Hua Mansion reported that someone was here with a request to see her.

Once Hua Ming Zi heard the name of the person, she instructed Steward Wu to invite the person to come in. 

With a smile on her face, she quickly walked to the small hall and told Cui Xuan to send up some food.  She wanted to make use of the mealtime to have a talk with the person who came.

"Sister Hua!"  Qian Ying Ying pulled down her veil once she entered the small hall.  She rushed to the front of Hua Ming Zi and hugged her.  "Have you heard anything about the Flower Appreciation Banquet?"

Hua Ming Zi who usually did not wear a veil if there were no other people around, said. "I would like to hear the details."

"This matter actually doesn't concern Sister and you look like you just want to watch a good show!"   Qian Ying Ying stomped her foot and after angrily telling Hua Ming Zi about Ying Yan Long's Flower Appreciation Banquet scheduled for tomorrow, she repeatedly shook her head and said. 

"I don't want to partic.i.p.ate in that Banquet at all.  I don't want to marry him!  I heard he is very strict and does things without any feelings for others.   The whole day he would have his head buried under piles of money.  How can I spend the rest of my life with this kind of man?"

Hua Ming Zi gently pinched the pinkish face of Qian Ying Ying and said with a laugh.  "Do you think you want to marry him and he will have you?  That time, when I sent someone to him to propose marriage, he had immediately rejected me."

"The person who rejected Sister Hua must have a problem with his brains!  I will definitely not marry an old man who has a problem with his brains!"  Qian Ying Ying said with indignation while clutching the arm of Hua Ming Zi.

She smiled and stroked Qian Ying Ying's head.  Then she picked up a pine nut rose candy to put into Qian Ying Ying's mouth. 

She met Qian Ying Ying a year ago when she was in the Qian Family's Cloth Shop picking out cloth for the Hua Ji Restaurant workers.  She was planning to make a batch of clothes that she had personally designed for the workers of Hua Ji Restaurants to correspond with the different seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

That time she was discussing with the Shopkeeper on the quality of material and design of the short coats when Qian Ying Ying entered the shop.  When Qian Ying Ying heard that the coat must be sewn with many pockets to make work easier for the workers, she had joined them out of curiosity.  When she found out that the person was Hua Ming Zi, she often expressed her intention to be acquainted with her. 

In the end, Qian Ying Ying sent Hua Ming Zi several rolls of cloth for free.  The cloth was not suitable to be made into clothes as it was too rough but if the cloth was made into short coats, it was practical and could withstand dirt.  But the advantages of having Qian Ying Ying as a friend did not stop there.  Qian Ying Ying may not be well-informed of worldly matters, but she has a good heart without harboring evil schemes and when told to keep a secret, she would guard it well.  Hua Ming Zi would like to have such a sister and finally, both of them became good friends.  Following that, when they met each other outside, they would greet each other as cousins.  Hua Ming Zi would occasionally in her presence, take down her veil to take a breather - therefore no one had actually seen Hua Ming Zi's face.

"Sister Hua, why are you not talking?  Can it be, you also feel that I should marry that old medicine merchant who only knows how to make money?"  Qian Ying Ying pouted and said.

"Ying Yan Long is regarded as a young talent among the people, so why do you say he is old?  Moreover, it is rumored that although he is imposing, his face is very outstanding."  Hua Ming Zi pinched the puffed cheeks of Qian Ying Ying and said.  "The reason why you don't want to be married to Ying Yan Long is just that he is 12 years old than you, isn't that right?"

"Aiya.......Sister, you understand me the most.......12 years is really a big difference!"  Qian Ying Ying swayed her body and at the same time swung Hua Ming Zi's arm like a spoilt child.  "Anyway, I have always like young men who are tender and beautiful just like the singers in the opera.  Their hands and faces are even more beautiful than women's.  Those are the type of good-looking husbands that I can look at all day long and never get tired of.  Or else, they can also partic.i.p.ate in that Flower Appreciation Banquet in Qingcheng Mountain Villa.  Their facial features are so beautiful like fairies........"

Hua Ming Zi looked at Qian Ying Ying's face that has an intoxicated look and could not help but curiously think........will Ying Dangjia really like to marry a wife who is so innocent and so romantic as Qian Ying Ying?  As for Ying Ying who likes a husband with good looks......can looks be consumed as food?

"In any case, I don't want to marry Ying Yan Long!  But my Mother had already prepared the clothes and chosen the jewelry I have to wear to the Banquet.  My Mother said that at this Banquet, a person must look elegant and her jewelry must also be elegant.  She also said that she will give me a set of sheep-fat white jade* hairpin which I wanted for a long time.  Now I am in a position of - going is not right, and not going is also not right.  Sister, what should I do?......."

(Sheep-fat white jade is a type of opaque jade that is totally white in color.)

"Where is the Banquet to be held?"  Hua Ming Zi was really more interested in the food that would be served at the feast.

"It's held in Qingcheng Mountain Villa.  Didn't I mention it to you just now?"  Qian Ying Ying said with a pout.

"Qingcheng Mountain Villa!"  Hua Ming Zi's pair of eyes widened and wondered whether she should travel together with Ying Ying to see her Brother Mei and at the same time, she gulped.

"Whenever Sister Hua hears anything about food, your eyes instantly light up!"  Qian Ying Ying smiled and gave her a playful shove.

"Brother Mei's skills are excellent and his dish of 'Ice Plum in Snow' is the most famous dis.h.!.+  The red and white contrast in that dish, the tenderness of the fresh mushrooms, the method of drawing out the fragrance from the flowers........."  When she thought of that taste, Hua Ming Zi involuntarily swallowed her saliva a few more times.  Very quickly, she regained her natural business-like manner.  "The fruits and vegetables kept in the 'Snow Room' of Qingcheng Mountain Villa, taste sweet and fresh which is different from what we normally get to eat here.  If the cost of building a 'Snow Room' is not so high that is beyond what I can afford, I would have built one here to store food." 

"Since Sister likes food so much, why didn't you come for such a long time to look for me so we can have a meal in Qingcheng Mountain Villa and enjoy Mei Gongzi's 'One Month One Dish?'"

"Brother Mei's health is not good and it's not nice to always disturb him."  Hua Ming Zi put on an expressionless face and did not divulge the real reason to her.

One and a half months ago, taking the opportunity when Ying Ying had walked away from them, Brother Mei had proposed to her.  After she refused him, she could not bear to see the hurt in her Brother Mei again and at that time, she had a feeling he was about to break down in tears.

"What is so inconvenient?!  Doesn't he always have that fragile beautiful look?  Moreover, that time, it was Mei Gongzi who invited us over to his place to try his 'One Month One Dish', isn't that correct?"  Qian Ying Ying looked suspiciously at Hua Ming Zi as she spoke.

Hua Ming Zi pretended she did not notice Qian Ying Ying's look and just then, her personal maids Cui Yu and Cui Xuan brought in the food.  They sat down at the table and did not continue with their conversation.

After Cui Yu and Cui Xuan had served their meal and retreated, Qian Ying Ying leaned over the table and stared at Hua Ming Zi. 

"What happened between Sister and Mei Gongzi?"

"Nothing."  Hua Ming Zi quickly ate some rice and drank some soup.

"I don't believe you.  I am very sure Mei Gongzi likes you and you had rejected him."  Qian Ying Ying suddenly grabbed Hua Ming Zi's hand and said in a loud voice.

"Look at how you are behaving!"  Hua Ming Zi held tightly to the chopsticks that were nearly knocked off her hands.  Frowning, she reproached.  "You are the city's legend......speak without showing teeth, sit without moving your knees, stand without swinging your skirt, show happiness without loud laughter, show anger without raising your voice......"

"Sister, if you don't tell me quickly, I will bite you!"  Qian Ying Ying lowered her head and made a biting gesture. 

Hua Ming Zi looked at her and burst into laughter.  Then she told her the truth.

"Brother Mei really treats me differently from other people and because of this, I told him my true ident.i.ty is Hua Ming Zi and not your cousin sister.  You also know the reason why I am anxious to get married recently, which is to have children and give my Father some comfort.......  It is because the doctor said my Father may not live longer than a month."

Hua Ming Zi became silent for a while and then she gripped Qian Ying Ying's hands which were stretched out to her in comfort.

"Although Brother Mei wants to marry me, it is also unknown how long he will live.  What if he dies earlier than my Father, will my Father be able to take it?........"

Hua Ming Zi stopped speaking and asked Qian Ying Ying who was using her embroidered handkerchief to wipe her tears. 

"Why are you crying?......"

"Mei Gongzi is so pitiful......beautiful people have unfortunate lives.  I pity him for losing his love......." 

Qian Ying Ying cried even more.  Hua Ming Zi looked at her tears and could not understand why she was feeling so sad.  Everyone eventually will have to die.  This is the reason why she works so hard.  The days in life are limited and life should be lived to the fullest every day to be worthy of oneself.

"Are you so heartless that you won't see Mei Gongzi again?"  Qian Ying Ying said while twisting her embroidered handkerchief.

"What are you talking about?!  There are no feelings of a man and a woman between us.  He is only a good friend who I can talk to."

"Since Mei Gongzi has given his heart to you, he will definitely want to see you more often." 

Hua Ming Zi picked up a cup of tea at the side to rinse her mouth.  After rinsing with several mouthfuls of tea, she already had no intention to eat again.

A lot of times, when she looked at Brother Mei's expression, she often could not detect any liking for her instead she could only detect envy.  But what did Brother Mei envy her for?  With just a look, every brick and every tile in Qingcheng Mountain Villa exuded extreme wealth.  Probably she was thinking too much. 

"Mei Gongzi is so pitiful.  Do you intend to let him die with a grievance in his heart?"  Qian Ying Ying sniffed and felt like crying again.

"Today you did not come especially to see me just to have a leisure talk with me on this matter, did you?"

Hua Ming Zi impolitely interrupted her words.  In her mind, she was already going over the things she had to do.  "I just returned home today.  Later, there are still hundreds of things waiting for me to do.  The sooner I finish them, the earlier I can go home to accompany my Father."

"Sister, you are at it again!  Every time when we talk, you will always say you have a lot of things to do."  Qian Ying Ying pouted but she still obediently said.  "Today I came purposely to ask a favor from you.  My Mother went to the temple to seek a spiritual sign* and she was advised not to travel this month, so she can't accompany me to the Banquet tomorrow.  Therefore, my Mother told me to come and request for Sister to accompany me instead.  Fortunately, you have returned today."

(Spiritual Sign - The actual word used here is Qiu Qian and it is the act of requesting a divine guide or spiritual sign using a wooden cylindrical container with wooden sticks marked with numbers.  The wooden container is shaken in front of the altar whilst making a wish or asking a question and when a wooden stick falls out, that will be the answer or the spiritual sign.  Questions asked can be on work, love, children, marriage, etc., and the answers will be on the slips of paper corresponding to the number on the stick.  The explanation is usually written in the form of a poem and there will be a person sitting nearby to explain the poem for a small fee. There are still temples that offer this kind of  service.)

Hua Ming Zi nodded but she did not agree immediately.

Madam Qian was fully aware of her and Qian Ying Ying's good relations.h.i.+p and although Madam Qian did not stop them from being friends, however, she was still afraid that Hua Ming Zi's powerful name as Hua Dangjia would affect Qian Ying Ying's marriage.  So, when they were outside, she allowed them to address each other as cousins.

(TA:  I am not sure why HMZ's name would affect QYY's marriage as the Author did not explain.  For them to be friends or cousins, it should not affect QYY greatly.)

Originally, Hua Ming Zi had wanted to pay a visit to the Ying Mansion tomorrow to discuss the possibility of her marriage with Ying Xue Wen.  Now, she feels maybe she should have a simple discussion with Ying Yan Long at the Banquet first to see whether they share the same consensus and also to simplify some matters.  Of course, when they reach Qingcheng Mountain Villa, she will pay a visit to Brother Mei.  Although she is unable to marry him, the two of them are still friends and she does not want the frail man to have any regrets.

"Alright, I will accompany you."  Amidst the cheers of Qian Ying Ying, Hua Ming Zi gave the girl a knock on her head.  "The next time you come to visit me you have to settle the main matter first.  This is the proper way to handle things."

"It doesn't matter whether I tell you earlier or later, as long as I've told you.  Besides, are you not curious how Ying Yan Long looks like?  This is a chance for you to take a look."  Qian Ying Ying said.

"Why should I be curious?  I am not marrying him."  Moreover, she had to discuss with him the marriage between her and his brother, so they would meet sooner or later. 

"Sister, you are really boring."

"Hurry, go and look for other entertainment to fill your time.  I will not send you off." 

She really has a lot of things to do.

"Sister, you are really heartless.  I had used a lot of effort to design the new short coats for Hua Ji Restaurant.  Take a look......"  Qian Ying Ying quickly held up the paper scroll in her hands.

"The matter of the short coats is not so urgent for the moment but the matter of Hua Ji Restaurant......"

"Just give me a time span equivalent to the time of drinking a cup of tea, and I will finish speaking.  No, just the time of half a cup of tea will be enough and I won't delay you."  Without blinking, Qian Ying Ying stared at Hua Ming Zi and tugged her sleeve.

Hua Ming Zi sighed.  What else can she do?!  She could only sit down and listen to Qian Ying Ying talk enthusiastically about the benefits of the short coat she had just designed.  Towards this kind of amicable relations.h.i.+p that is not harmful, there was no way she could resist. 

However, the more she looked at Qian Ying Ying's short coat design, the more interesting it seemed.  The color and tailoring were both attractive and elegant.  It seems this little girl is also talented in business.

"Ying Ying, are you interested in designing clothes for the various shops?  Sister can help by funding you to open a shop......"

"You must not!  I don't want to be like Sister who is busy every day.  I want to continue to be a wealthy idler and occasionally let you marvel at my skills."  Qian Ying Ying's emerald hairpin shook violently.

Hua Ming Zi shrugged and did not comment.  After all, Qian Ying Ying is going to marry sooner or later and not every husband is tolerant of a wife who has a successful career.

However, if Qian Ying Ying marries Ying Yan Long in future, and she has successfully recruited Ying Xue Wen as her husband, then both she and Ying Ying will be sisters-in-law which can be considered as something good.

She hopes that Ying Yan Long is really like the rumors said........a humble gentleman.