I Have an Idea

"Auntie Qiu Ju, if you have something to say, just say it! Don't act so mysterious. Rest assured, I won't tell anyone."

Yang Qiu Ju nodded, but she still looked at Liu Ru Yan with hesitation, seemingly finding it hard to speak. Finally, she gritted her teeth. "Sister Ru Yan, Wang Yin Gui and I rely on each other to survive. You and the other neighbors know how we live. It's just that there are some things I need to tell you now, and I hope you can help us within your means..."

Yang Qiu Ju sighed and went on to recount many things. Hearing this, Liu Ru Yan was stunned, her face filled with disbelief, yet a smile played on her lips. Living close to each other, it was inevitable that there would be some awkward moments.

"Auntie Qiu Ju, Yin Gui is an adult now. It's only natural for some embarrassing things to happen occasionally. It's normal for you to have these thoughts."

Yang Qiu Ju nodded. "Yes! I think so too. The reason I'm telling you all this is because I have another idea."

Liu Ru Yan sat on the edge of the bed, still holding the shoes she was embroidering. "Auntie Qiu Ju, whatever idea you have, just say it. It's fine; I understand your situation."

Yang Qiu Ju walked over and kindly straightened the cushion on the knee. "Sister Ru Yan, do you think the heavens are torturing us? Yin Gui has no other relatives, and life has been so cruel to us. Sometimes I want to cry just thinking about it. Such a handsome young man, yet he fell from a tree, leading to his current state... Sigh! As long as Yin Gui can live a good life, I'm willing to put in any effort, even if it means sacrificing my life. The Old Great Uncle said that Yin Gui's condition isn't untreatable."

Hearing this, Liu Ru Yan looked extremely puzzled. "Oh? Is there a way to treat it?"

"The Old Great Uncle said that if we can find him a wife who shares a deep connection with him, he might recover." Yang Qiu Ju lowered her voice, seemingly afraid of passersby overhearing, and shared more private details known only to them.

Liu Ru Yan frowned, her expression turning strange. She quickly spoke up, "Auntie Qiu Ju, you're telling me all this today, surely you aren't... Don't look at me, I can't do it. Although Yin Gui is a handsome and obedient boy, and I truly like and pity him, this isn't a joke."

Hearing Liu Ru Yan's words, Yang Qiu Ju hurriedly explained, "Ru Yan, how would I dare make such a request? Please don't misunderstand."

Only then did Liu Ru Yan nod.

"Actually, I have another idea. I know Wang Yin Gui's current situation. His family is dirt poor, with nothing of value, and they don't even have enough to eat. But I'm still not resigned; my heart aches. I don't have much capability, but I want to try and save some money to find a wife for Wang Yin Gui. I'm not looking for a wealthy lady, just someone from a similar background. I also know my reputation isn't very good, so I want to ask you. When you have time, could you look around the neighboring villages for Wang Yin Gui, or ask if there are any poor families with daughters? Don't worry, I'll do my best to earn money for the betrothal gift. Your family is very prestigious and respected. If you say a few good words for Wang Yin Gui, maybe it will happen, and I can finally be at peace."

Yang Qiu Ju spoke with a pleading tone. Seeing Wang Yin Gui growing up day by day, she became more anxious. As neighbors, their relationship had always been good, so she could only brazenly beg Liu Ru Yan, even if it was just a glimmer of hope. She couldn't bear to see Wang Yin Gui being looked down upon and mocked. According to the Old Great Uncle, as long as he married a wife, he could regain his senses and live out his life in peace, which would ease her heart.

Hearing Yang Qiu Ju's plea, Liu Ru Yan was stunned. It turned out she wanted her to be a matchmaker.

"Auntie Qiu Ju, given your family's situation... even a girl from a poor family would require a betrothal gift."

Yang Qiu Ju quickly added, "I'll find a way for that. Rest assured, as long as the gift isn't unreasonable."

Liu Ru Yan sat in thought, her eyes fixed on Yang Qiu Ju. "I naturally couldn't agree to what we discussed earlier, but I can consider what you just said. However, I can't decide this on my own. Let me go back and discuss it with my husband, Zhang Dai Zhu. Don't worry, we are next-door neighbors. Back when Wang Yin Gui's family was well-off, they helped us a lot. The old divine doctor was kind to everyone in the region; even though he's gone, people will still respect his memory. If you're short on the betrothal money, as long as it's not too much, my husband and I will contribute a bit to help Wang Yin Gui. As neighbors, we also want to see him live well."

Hearing this, Yang Qiu Ju was deeply moved. She didn't know what else to say and could only thank her repeatedly. She even said that if she borrowed money, she would definitely pay it back later.

Liu Ru Yan shook her head. "Auntie Qiu Ju, you're being too polite. You don't need to pay this money back. If Wang Yin Gui really marries a wife and earns money in the future, he can pay us back himself."

The two women talked for a long time. When they reached the sad parts, Yang Qiu Ju even shed tears. Eventually, they were laughing and talking again, discussing Wang Yin Gui's marriage. However, given the current family situation, that hope still felt very far away.

Yang Qiu Ju stood up, slowly walked to Liu Ru Yan's side, and whispered something in her ear. Liu Ru Yan also burst out laughing, seemingly finding it very interesting, and nodded. "Hmm! Actually, that's not impossible, but it must be kept secret. Since there's no farm work right now, the two of us will wait here patiently for Wang Yin Gui to return. When he does, we'll give him some good advice. If that doesn't work, we'll do as you said."

"Exactly! We must advise him. He's suffered his whole life; I'm not resigned to it!"

The two women began to laugh and tease each other again. They chatted while waiting for Wang Yin Gui to return to inform him of their plan. However, Yang Qiu Ju was still a bit worried. Since Wang Yin Gui spent all day hiding in the orchard out of low self-esteem, would he have the courage to go on a blind date?"