wind and rain scissors shop

Chapter 1-1. Lucky to be a maidservant
Kangxi 48 years.

In an alley in the east of the suburb of Dongtai County, Jiangning Prefecture, several sheds were erected facing the street, which became temporary residences for victims of the Yellow River flood.The people who lived here were either unable to go to relatives and friends, or were penniless, so they could only build a shed as a place to live.

In addition to living in this shack, these refugees also do some jobs such as shaving their heads, selling fish and shrimp, and blacksmithing, barely eking out a living.

In the westernmost shed.Tian Erya, wearing a patched gray cloth shirt, came back from the river with a bucket of water and poured the water into the tank.

Old man Tian roared: "Erya, come here and pull the bellows."

"Hey!" Tian Erya put down the bucket in response, and hurried over to pull the bellows.

Tian Tiezhu tapped the sickle with a hammer: "Father, don't let my sister do these blacksmithing jobs, so as not to blacken her face."

The old man Tian snorted: "As long as she is rough-skinned, thick-skinned, and round-shouldered, if she is kept in the house and doesn't do anything, she won't be as white and tender as other girls. She's just a rough job!"

Tian Erya knew that she was not good-looking, and what her father said was right, so she didn't talk back, and focused her head on blowing the bellows.

A bluffing voice came from outside: "Brother Tian, ​​where are you? Come out soon? I'm here."

Old man Tian was sitting on a smoking bag beside him, hearing the voice of a matchmaker Liu, and seeing that it was indeed her, he quickly got up: "Sister-in-law Liu, come in quickly."

Local matchmaker Liu came in with her little feet: "Tie Zhu is forging iron again! The young man is very diligent."

Old man Tian said good things for his son: "Yes, Tie Zhu has always been diligent, capable, and willing to endure hardships. I just hope that Mrs. Liu can find him a matchmaker..."

Matchmaker Liu rolled her eyes: "Your house doesn't have a room or a ridge, how can you match him? Which girl would like to live in your shabby shed?"

Old man Tian licked his lips and sat down in embarrassment.

Tian Tiezhu put aside the hammer he had been striking, and went to the corner to wipe his sweat.

Tian Erya stopped pulling the bellows, and handed the water to Matchmaker Liu: "Auntie, drink some water."

Matchmaker Liu took it and put it aside: "Erya is really sensible."

Tian Erya smiled: "You talk to my father, I'll go outside and carry a bucket of water."

"Don't go." Matchmaker Liu held her back and turned to Old Man Tian, ​​"Brother Tian, ​​I came here today for a good thing, to make you richer."

Old man Tian raised his eyelids: "What kind of money will you add to me? Sister-in-law Liu is making fun of me!"

"It's true, I brought you a great news today." Matchmaker Liu patted him, "Do you know about Longshun and Knives and Scissors?"

"Of course I know. It's the largest and most famous knife and scissors shop in the area. We blacksmiths dream of entering their shop and working for them."

"Longshun and Mr. Zheng, the owner of the Knives and Scissors Shop, will marry the daughter of Mr. Wu's family tomorrow. Mr. Zheng's family needs to hire a few more rough maids. I got the letter, come over here and tell you, you let Erya If you go to help for two days, the wages will be at least forty or fifty copper coins. If you catch up with the rewards from the boss, you may even earn one or two taels of silver."

Old man Tian was overjoyed: "Really?"

"Of course it's true. Many people are vying for this good job. If I didn't see you often repairing things in my house for free, I wouldn't bother to come to your house and tell you!"

"Erya, thank you, Aunt Liu."

Tian Erya bowed to Matchmaker Liu: "Thank you, Aunt Liu."

Matchmaker Liu circled around Tian Erya twice, and clicked her tongue in distaste: "Brother Tian, ​​I know you have a certificate in hand, and you always want to save money for your son to marry a wife. But, you also have to get involved with your daughter." One or two sets of clothes, you can see that she is in tatters, and her face is sallow, I am afraid that Mr. Zheng's family will not accept her if she looks like this!"

Old man Tian apologized with a smile: "Didn't his family look for a rough envoy maid? As long as she can do the work, she shouldn't be picky about other things. Aunt Liu, you bring Erya in to earn two money, so I can share it with you."

"Forget it! You still want to use Erya's money to marry your son a wife, but I can't."

Old man Tian laughed: "Then I will thank Sister-in-Law Liu. I can't help it. My son is old enough to marry a wife, but his family is poor and cannot afford it. The girl is not good-looking, and no one comes to match her."

Matchmaker Liu waved her hand: "Okay, how long have you been here, who knows the specific situation of your family? You just want to marry a daughter and a wife."

"Male colleges should be married, female colleges should be married!" He leaned closer to Matchmaker Liu, "Sister-in-law Liu, you want to find a marriage for us Er Ya earlier, there is only one thing, the bride price must not be less, and everything else is easy to talk about."

"Understood." Matchmaker Liu gave him a glare. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Old Man Tian favored sons over daughters. If he wanted to marry his son, he would definitely set a high price for his daughter's dowry.If his daughter is good-looking, maybe someone will take advantage of her.But his daughter looks big and thick, so it's not easy to marry!She wanted to think about it, but still took Erya's hand: "Erya, you haven't been to a big family's house yet, so work more and talk less when you go there."

Father Tian hurriedly ordered: "Yes, Erya, once you enter the mansion, do whatever you are asked to do? Be good and try to get more money back."

Tian Erya nodded: "Yes, Dad, I understand." She was excited in her heart, and finally had the opportunity to meet the world with a rich family, and maybe she could have some delicious chicken, duck and fish!The family is poor, and she even forgot when was the last time she ate meat. It would be great if she could have a good time there and earn some money.The more she thought about it, the more beautiful she became, and she followed Liu Matchmaker to go out, wishing she could reach the Zheng family's courtyard in no time.

Matchmaker Liu urged Wan Wan: "Erya, the Zheng family is a big family in the county town. They have many yards and a big place. You must not run around casually. In the big house, the most important thing is to talk less and look more. "

Tian Erya was ignorant and nodded repeatedly.

"Hey! Seeing your submissive appearance, I don't know if you can make people look up to you."

Tian Erya was nervous, and hurriedly fought for the opportunity: "I will work very diligently and not be lazy. Auntie, please help me say more good things, please."

Matchmaker Liu nodded: "I will try my best!"

Tian Erya followed her closely, walked for a long time, and entered the compound through the back door of Zheng's house.As soon as she entered, her eyes were dizzy.There were people coming and going inside, and from time to time someone passed by with all kinds of silks, satins, porcelain and exquisite food in their hands, which dazzled her.She prayed secretly, especially hoping to stay and get an errand.

Matchmaker Liu tugged at her: "Nurse Zhou agreed with you to stay, why don't you thank Nurse Zhou soon?"

Happiness came so suddenly, Tian Erya reacted immediately after being stunned, knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Thank you, Nanny Zhou."

"What a sincere girl." Nanny Zhou nodded happily and quickly helped her up.Although she is a small manager, she is only a servant, and no one has ever done such a big gift to her.She was very satisfied with the people Liu Matchmaker brought this time.

Matchmaker Liu also breathed a sigh of relief, allowing Tian Erya to enter the Zheng family's mansion to earn some money, which can be regarded as repaying her family's favor.After telling Tian Erya to work hard, she twisted her waist and left.

Tian Erya nodded again and again, and when she heard that Nanny Zhou asked her to wash the dishes, she immediately rolled up her sleeves and brushed the greasy bowl.

(End of this chapter)