"Not yet," Chen Yuezhi replied with a smile. "Your father and I were thinking of finding a match for him this year. Although he's of age, he's quite a handful. I wonder which girl will be able to tame him."
Seeing her like this, Madam Cheng knew that Chen Yuezhi had not yet grasped the changes in the Jiang family.
"Sister-in-law, if your family already has a suitable match, you should quickly finalize Erlang's marriage. Otherwise, you'll have trouble later."
Chen Yuezhi blinked in surprise. "Why?"
Madam Cheng explained, "You are now the last disciple of the esteemed physician Jin. This status will attract a lot of covetousness, and many people will want to win you over. The most reliable way to do this is through marriage."
"Sister-in-law, to be frank, please don't be angry. The Jiang family came from Jianzhou and has no roots here. You were originally farmers, without power or influence. Now that you have this status, you'll naturally become a tempting prize in the eyes of some. Possessing great treasure without the ability to protect it will inevitably invite others' schemes."
"And those people are always condescending. They will only choose girls of humble origins to marry Erlang. Erlang is a kind-hearted child. It would be a great loss if he were forced to marry a girl with a bad character."
Chen Yuezhi immediately became anxious. "This... what should we do?"
Madam Cheng quickly comforted her. "Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. This matter is not without a solution. If you already have a suitable candidate in mind, finalize Erlang's marriage before those people speak up. Once the engagement is set, you'll have a reason to refuse others."
Chen Yuezhi couldn't help but worry. "But where can I find a girl he'll like on such short notice?"
Besides, their family had just arrived in Jiangnan and hadn't even settled in yet.
As for the girls in the village, not many were close in age to Erlang.
Jiang Wan suddenly said, "Mother, what do you think of Sister Qiaoxiu?"
Chen Yuezhi's eyes lit up. "Yes, why didn't I think of that! Qiaoxiu is a good girl. She even saved Erlang, and she's diligent and honest."
The more she spoke, the more suitable Chen Yuezhi found the match.
Madam Cheng also had a good impression of Zhang Qiaoxiu. "Since you think it's suitable, then after the move is settled, quickly send a matchmaker to propose. Let's finalize things early."
Chen Yuezhi nodded repeatedly, keeping the matter in mind.
As they were talking, Dalang quickly entered and said, "Mother, Grand-Master and the others have arrived."
Chen Yuezhi quickly stood up. "I'll go welcome my Master."
Madam Cheng also rose to follow. "I'll go with you."
The few of them went out together and saw Physician Jin with his attendants already alighting from the carriage.
As soon as Physician Jin saw Jiang Wan, he beckoned her over. "Little fatty, come here. Grand-Master has brought you something good."
Jiang Wan stepped forward, curiously asking, "What good thing?"
Physician Jin pulled out a skewer of candied hawthorn from behind him. "Here, call me Grand-Master and I'll give it to you."
Jiang Wan's mouth twitched several times. She dared to bet that this candied hawthorn was bought casually by the old man on the roadside!
However, she was very cooperative and pretended to be overjoyed, calling out, "Grand-Master!"
Physician Jin responded happily and handed her the candied hawthorn. "Take it and eat it. Remember to rinse your mouth with water after you finish, so you don't get cavities."
Jiang Wan took the candied hawthorn and stood to the side, munching on it while watching her mother and Madam Cheng pay their respects to Physician Jin.
Physician Jin was welcomed into the house. Midway, he stopped and asked Jiang Wan, "Little girl, what about that pot of medicinal herbs you brought back?"
Jiang Wan then remembered the herbs she had thrown in the corner of the yard. She pulled Physician Jin's hand and ran towards the corner.
"It's here."
Jiang Wan pointed to the lush green medicinal herb with the candied hawthorn.
Physician Jin's eyes widened. He squatted down without regard for his image, picked up the pot, and examined it back and forth.
"Is this really the plant you brought back from my place?"
The vibrant, lush medicinal herb before him was indistinguishable from the sickly one from a few days ago, or rather, it had no relation to it at all!
Jiang Wan nodded. "Of course, Grand-Master. Look closely. Besides the significant changes in color and plant shape, are the leaves exactly the same? And its scent is also the same. Oh, no, it's even more potent."
Physician Jin plucked a leaf, smelled it, and finally confirmed that this was indeed the pot of medicinal herbs that had been on the verge of death in his hands a few days ago.
In less than ten days, how did this herb grow into this?
He had carefully tended to it for two years, and its condition worsened day by day. How did it grow like this in the little fatty's hands?
Indeed, there was no comparison without harm.
"Little girl, this herb is very precious and fragile. How did you manage to cultivate it like this?"
He had previously followed the cultivation book that came with the seeds from the neighboring country, so what method had this little girl used to make this herb grow so well?
Jiang Wan popped the last hawthorn berry into her mouth, then threw away the stick, chewed, and swallowed before freeing her mouth to say, "I just watered it twice." And she had also used her abilities twice.
Physician Jin's eyes widened. "Just... just watering it?"
Jiang Wan shamelessly nodded. "Yes, my elder brother helped me draw water from the well, and I watered it myself."
Dalang chimed in from the side, "Yes, we only drew well water twice."
Physician Jin felt they were lying to him but couldn't find any evidence.
Just as he was about to say something else, another guest arrived.
This time, the guest was Steward Lin from the county.
"Brother Jiang, Sister-in-law, congratulations, congratulations on your new home and on taking on a respected master."
Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi didn't know Steward Lin at all, but with Madam Cheng guiding them, they quickly thanked Steward Lin.
Steward Lin turned and bowed to Madam Cheng. "Greetings, Madam."
Madam Cheng smiled faintly and asked Jiang Pan to lead Steward Lin inside for tea. Steward Lin, as he walked, smiled and said, "I heard Physician Jin has also arrived. Is he available now? I would like to meet him."
Coincidentally, Physician Jin stood up from the corner.
As soon as Steward Lin saw him, his eyes lit up. He hurried over, bowing and greeting, showing a fawning and flattering demeanor.
Physician Jin maintained a cold demeanor, responding with a simple "hmm," and then led Jiang Wan into the main room.
Taking his seat at the head of the table, Physician Jin picked up his tea and drank it slowly.
Steward Lin tried to curry favor several times but did not receive even a glance from Physician Jin. However, he showed no annoyance and continued to think of ways to strike up a conversation with Physician Jin.
A short while later, another family that the Jiang family didn't know arrived. This was naturally also for Physician Jin.
So, Chen Yuezhi welcomed the guests in and led them to the main room, telling them to bother Physician Jin.
Physician Jin watched the increasing number of sycophants in the room, his eyes twitching.
Jiang Wan watched from the side, amused. She realized her mother was quite cunning, knowing to direct all these people to her Grand-Master.
Finally, Physician Jin could no longer tolerate so many sycophants speaking at once. He stood up, pulled Jiang Wan along, and went out. "Little fatty, let's go. Take me to see your Uncle Yan and the others."