Gu Zhao brought over a small stool and took a handful of melon seeds from his pocket, sharing them with the old woman and the other two. "We bought these roasted snacks on the road. Have some."
The old woman's son cracked one open, his eyes lighting up. "This is delicious!"
The younger woman ate two seeds before putting the rest away. She then said, "This alley was actually very lively thirty years ago. The people who lived here were all either rich or noble. The Zhuo Family was a family of scholars. The father was the Chief Clerk of the County Yamen and also a County School Teacher, so his status was highly respected.
Mr. Zhuo had only one daughter. She was intelligent, well-read, and sensible from a young age, and he cherished her dearly. Many families came to ask for her hand in marriage, but he politely refused them all, wanting only to find a son-in-law of outstanding character and talent for his daughter.
