Yu Yichen got up and blew out all the candlesticks, then picked up one and placed it on the bedside table. He then lay down beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and listened quietly as she cried until she was done. He then used a handkerchief to wipe away the tears on her face, got up, blew out the tall candle, and lay down to whisper in Zhenshu's ear, "I will never deceive you in matters of the heart. If you are also curious, why don't you give it a try?"
He said, "If you don't want to, I'll stop right away."
Zhenshu swallowed a mouthful of tears...
Yu Yichen got up, brought in some kindling from outside, lit the tall candle, knelt by the bed to tuck Zhenshu in, and then asked, "Do you like it?"
Zhenshu licked her dry lips, her mind a little dazed, and cleared her throat before saying, "I like it."
This was perhaps the second happiest moment for Yu Yichen today, because he laughed more like a child. He lowered his head and kissed Zhenshu's forehead. After a while, he got up and extinguished the tall candles again. He took off his outer clothes and got into bed from the other side. He held Zhenshu in his arms and whispered, "Then marry me."
Zhen Shu savored those words in her mind, then reached out and touched his chest, gradually moving her hand downwards. Yu Yichen grabbed her hand and shook his head, saying, "No."
Zhenshu said in a muffled voice, "I won't look, I'll just touch it."
Yu Yichen shook his head: "No, never."
He couldn't let her see the most shameful and embarrassing scars on his body.
He asked again, "Will you marry me?"
At this moment, Zhenshu was clear-headed and lucid, her entire being utterly transparent, and her rationality was beyond compare. After a long while, she said, "Let me think about it."
He had heard the cruelest rejections before, so these ambiguous words were like thunderclaps in his ears, filling him with immense joy. Yu Yichen hugged Zhenshu tightly and said, "My little shopkeeper is as warm as a little stove."
Zhen Shu smiled wryly; he had indeed warmed himself up completely.
The two fell asleep in each other's arms, not waking until nearly noon the next day. Feeling refreshed, Zhenshu jumped up and gathered her clothes, putting them on. Pointing at Yu Yichen, she said, "You threw all my clothes on the ground, how am I supposed to go to Liu Family Village wearing these dirty clothes?"
Yu Yichen laughed and said, "If you have no clothes to wear, why don't we just stay in bed?"
Zhenshu glared at him angrily, but seeing him still smiling warmly at her from the bed, she got on the bed and kicked him, saying, "How can I go out and see people?"
Yu Yichen pulled her into his arms, gathered all her long hair together and secured it with the wooden hairpin before asking, "Who are you seeing?"
Zhenshu was about to pull the hairpin off when Yu Yichen stopped her with a serious expression, saying, "This is the most precious thing I've given you, heavier than my heart. Even if you don't want to marry me, you must wear it."
Zhenshu smiled and responded, then jumped out of the door in a few steps. Seeing Sun Yuan standing outside with a somewhat ambiguous smile, she blushed and quickly went inside. Hot soup had already been prepared; she tied her hair up, washed her body and face, and it was already noon.
Perhaps he caught more than one mandarin fish, because there was a squirrel-shaped mandarin fish on the table at noon. The chef had carved and fried it with skillful knife work. Its golden body looked as majestic as a dragon wearing armor. But no matter how majestic it was, it was just a pastime for people to eat.
After the meal, Yu Yichen escorted Zhenshu to the entrance of Liu Family Village and said, "You can only stay tonight. You must return to the inn at dawn tomorrow. I will wait for you."
Chapter 69 Matchmaker
Zhenshu boarded the carriage, driven by the eccentric Mei Xun, who was always silent.
Once the carriage was out of Yu Yichen's sight, Zhenshu called to Mei Xun, "Sir, I need to get off and walk to ask for directions. Would it be alright if you drove the carriage behind me?"
Mei Xunle stopped the carriage, and Zhenshu jumped down. This was an ordinary farm village in the northern part of the Central Plains during the Dali era, with mud-brick walls, blue bricks and tiles, and clean roads, but no pedestrians. As Zhenshu walked forward, she suddenly saw a young man of about twenty years old, took a few steps forward and asked, "Brother, I would like to ask for directions."
The man was dressed very smartly. He looked up at Zhenshu and exclaimed with delight, "Second Miss Song, my apologies!"
Upon closer inspection, Zhen Shu exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Liu, how could it be you?"
This man was none other than Liu Wensi, the son of Liu Zhang, a wealthy landowner in Hanjiaji, Wen County. His clothes were made of fine silk, their colors bright and lustrous, but perhaps because they were newly sewn, they didn't fit him quite well. He took two steps back, embarrassed, and said, "You've come to see your eldest daughter, haven't you? I'll take you there."
Zhenshu asked, "What brings Young Master Liu here?"
Liu Wensi smiled and said, "My father was originally from Liujiazhuang, but he married into Hanjiahe. Now that the imperial examinations are approaching, I also want to go to the capital and stay at my ancestral home for the time being."
He gestured and said, “It just so happens that your eldest daughter has rented the courtyard that my father recently acquired. Since my family is all in Wen County, this place has been vacant. It would be an honor to have your eldest daughter stay here.”
Seeing that he was about to leave, Zhenshu asked curiously, "If Young Master Liu has something to do, he can go and do it himself. You can point out the way and I can find it myself."
Liu Wensi glanced at Mei Xun, nodded slightly, and then whispered, "I'm going out to see my godfather. He's waiting for me at the market up ahead."
Zhenshu suddenly realized, thinking to herself that her godfather looked even younger than her.
Just as Zhenshu was about to knock at the courtyard gate, Liu Wensi pulled her back and said, "Several groups of guests have come to this courtyard today, all trying to persuade your household to let Zhang Rui go to the capital for the imperial examination. Second Miss, please think it over carefully before you go in."
More than one group?
Zhenshu said goodbye to Liu Wensi and knocked on the courtyard gate. His apprentice, Hua'er, ran to open it and quickly lowered the door, inviting Zhenshu inside. Zhenshu entered the courtyard and saw several horses tethered to the trough by the west wall. Hua'er didn't recognize Mei Xun, but he hurriedly called another boy out to help move the things Zhenshu had brought.
Zhenshu entered the inner courtyard and saw a thick curtain hanging over a room on the west side. Knowing that Zhenyuan must be in that room, she lifted the curtain and went inside. Zhenyuan had hired an old woman surnamed Liu from the village to take care of her. At that moment, the two were chatting idly, one on the kang (a heated brick bed) and the other on the floor. Seeing Zhenshu enter, Zhenyuan quickly got up from the kang and said with a smile, "I heard you wrote that you were coming yesterday. I waited for you all day, thinking that something had gotten in the way and you couldn't come, but you've come today."
She then pointed to Liu's mother and said, "There is my uncle driving outside. Mother, please go and pour him a cup of water."
After Liu's mother agreed and went out, Zhenyuan busied herself finding a teapot to pour tea for Zhenshu, and asked, "You probably haven't had lunch yet, have you been traveling all morning?"
Zhenshu dared not admit that she had been out all night fooling around. She quickly stopped Zhenyuan from drinking and poured herself some tea, saying, "I've eaten, I'm not hungry or thirsty. Let me take a good look at your stomach."
In the few months that followed, Zhenyuan had gained a little weight, her belly was quite prominent, and a few playful freckles appeared on her fair face. Zhenshu sighed, "Even while pregnant, eldest sister is still the most beautiful."
Zhenyuan bit her lip and pointed to the main room, saying, "The two elder brothers of the Zhang family and Dou Keming are all sitting in the main room, waiting for you to come and give them a definite answer so that they can go to the capital to take the imperial examination. In my opinion, it would be better to just let them go. Mother's letter also agrees, but Father has not given a definite answer yet. You can agree here first, and then go back and persuade Father."
Zhenshu knew Zhang Rui's character better than anyone else in the second branch of the Song family. She sighed and said, "You haven't registered with the government yet, nor have you announced it to your clansmen or invited guests. If he passes the exam and then abandons you here to marry someone else, how will you live your life in peace?"
Zhenyuan said, "He makes a small vow every three days and a big vow every five days, swearing that he will never abandon us, mother and son. Besides, a man's heart is in the world outside. If I keep him here in Liu Family Village, his heart will not be here, and he may resent me in the future."
It is indeed a very difficult matter.
Zhenshu pointed to the door and said, "You are a pregnant woman with only two children and an old woman from out of town by your side. How will you live if he leaves?"
Zhenyuan sat down on a chair, supporting her back, and said, "It's quite a coincidence that the courtyard we rented belongs to Master Liu of Hanjiaji in Wen County. His son is also staying here this time, and we agreed that he would look after him next door until Zhang Ruichun returns from the imperial examination."
Liu Wensi just said that he also wants to take the imperial examination in the spring. Does that mean he doesn't have to take it?
Zhen Shu said, "After all, Young Master Liu is a man from another family. If you happen to have some stomach pain or miscarriage, how can he take care of you?"
Zhenyuan frowned and said, "After all, we are all from the same hometown. My father has some connections with his family. He has been very kind to our family these days. The imperial examination is just around the corner. As long as Zhang Rui passes the exam, he can come back."
Just as Zhenshu was about to speak, she suddenly heard loud laughter coming from the main room. A moment later, Liu Mama came in and said, "The gentlemen in the main room invite the second young lady to come over and have a talk."
Zhenshu went out and entered the main room. As soon as she lifted the curtain, a strong smell of alcohol hit her. Two unfamiliar men, presumably Zhang Rui's elder brothers, sat on either side, surrounding Dou Keming in the middle. Zhang Rui was the head of the household, and the four of them were drinking. Seeing Zhenshu enter, Dou Keming, his eyes red, pointed and said, "Little Matchmaker, come and have a drink."
Zhang Rui quickly stopped Dou Keming's hand, saying, "You're drunk, you're drunk!"
Dou Keming patted his hand and said, "I'm not drunk. This should be my matchmaker."
He stood up unsteadily, picked up a wine cup, and hummed, "Pretty matchmaker, if I were to share a bed with your young lady, how could I bear to let you make the bed?"
When Zhenshu saw him coming closer, she slapped him across the face and said, "Second brother-in-law, you're drunk."
Dou Keming was the most beloved youngest son of the Marquis of Beishun and his wife. Moreover, he was handsome, and everyone in the capital gave him face. From childhood to adulthood, apart from Madam Zhang herself, no one had ever dared to lay a hand on him. Enraged, Dou Keming smashed his wine cup and said, "You little slut, don't push your luck."
Zhenshu said resentfully, "How can you be a father like this?"
Seeing Dou Keming clench his fist as if about to strike, Zhang Rui quickly stepped in to stop him, saying, "We're all family. Even if we break bones, the tendons are still connected. Why do this?"
Although he was trying to persuade Dou Keming, he pushed Zhenshu away and said, "Quickly apologize for the Fifth Young Master. He asked you to drink a cup, so you just drank one. It's not a big deal."
Seeing that he was still holding a wine glass, Zhenshu recalled his frivolous and pathetic appearance with Tong Qisheng in a drunken stupor and couldn't help but feel disgusted. She said, "It seems you also treat me like a prostitute?"
Zhang Rui said, "Second sister, what are you saying? We are now close siblings. Why don't you have a drink with everyone? I had you all used tricks to keep me here on the farm. I'm so bored that my head is about to crack. Today it's lively, and we're all family behind closed doors. Let's have some fun together."
"Third brother!" Elder Brother Zhang Rui suddenly stood up and said, "You're drunk too."
He came over and lifted the curtain, saying, "Miss Song, they got drunk today. Please don't take it to heart. I apologize on their behalf."
Just as Zhen Shu was about to leave, Dou Keming turned around and blocked the doorway, drawing his sword from his waist and saying, "Today I want Little Matchmaker to have a drink with me, how about it?"
Zhenshu took the wine cup from Zhang Rui, glanced at its contents, and then splashed it all over Dou Keming's face, staring at him coldly. Dou Keming wiped his face, angrily pointing his sword at Zhenshu and saying, "Who do you think you are? What makes you so high and mighty? I can sleep with whichever maid in your second sister's room I fancy, wherever I want."
Zhenyuan and Liu's mother both rushed over and screamed in fright when they saw Dou Keming pointing a sword at Zhenshu.
Zhen Shu, who had always been the type to fight back against anyone stronger, was now filled with rage and unafraid of Dou Keming. Her eyes remained fixed on Dou Keming, seemingly spitting fire. Zhen Yuan was the first to react, crying out urgently, "Uncle Zhao! Uncle Zhao!"
In a matter of moments, a man rushed in from the outer courtyard. Before Zhenyuan could even turn around, he was at the main door, waving his hand to snatch Dou Keming's sword in mid-air. The sword, gleaming coldly, embedded itself in the roof beam. Mei Xun drew his own sword and pointed it at Dou Keming, saying, "Get out!"
His voice was already quite strange, and his expression was as cold as ice. At this moment, his eyes were fixed on Dou Keming, which made him afraid. He staggered and looked at Mei Xun, saying, "This brother looks familiar!"
"roll!"
Dou Keming saw that the sword tip was only an inch away from his nose, and the sword was emanating a chilling aura. He was so frightened that he raised his hands and said, "Get lost! What about my servant? Fifth Grandfather has had enough to drink today and is going back to the capital."
Two servants rushed in, one on each side, and helped him towards the courtyard. Dou Keming looked back at Zhenshu after a while, then suddenly laughed from afar, "Little matchmaker, you're quite something! You dare to pursue someone like this these days?"
After saying this, he went out, harnessed his horse, and left.
The eldest and second eldest brothers of the Zhang family were elders, and they had not stepped forward to stop it earlier. Now that they saw the people from the Song family forcing Dou Keming away, they knew that although the second branch of the Song family was a concubine's line, they were not easy to deal with. So the two brothers clasped their hands and apologized to Zhenshu, saying, "Second Miss, we have offended you a lot today. We came to discuss important matters, but who knew it would turn out like this? Why don't we discuss it another day?"
After saying this, he was about to leave. Zhang Rui stepped forward and pulled his elder brother, saying, "Elder brother, please plead with your second sister. My life's achievements and hopes all depend on this moment."
Both Brother Zhang and Brother Zhang's second brother avoided the area and went out to ride away on their horses.
☆, Chapter 70 Liu Lang
Zhang Rui slumped over and cried in the courtyard for a long time before Zhenyuan finally went over to help him up and led him into the west room.
Zhenshu thanked Meixun and saw him leave without looking back. She also went into the west room, where she heard Zhenyuan complaining, "I wanted you to discuss it with her properly, but you insisted on calling that Dou Keming. What kind of good person is he? Now that things have turned out like this, if she insists on not allowing you to go to the imperial examination, there's nothing I can do."
Zhang Rui said, "Good wife, please beg my second sister for me. She listens to you the most."
Zhenyuan scolded, "You were too frivolous just now. How could you let Dou Wu say such disgusting things?"
Zhang Rui apologized, saying, "It was all my fault. I was just happy that they came and drank a few more cups. I've been protecting my second sister the whole time. If it weren't for me, she would have suffered a great loss today."
Zhenshu lifted the curtain and entered the room, seeing Zhang Rui kneeling on the ground and Zhenyuan sitting in a chair. Afraid of embarrassing them, she tried to back out, but Zhang Rui crawled over on his knees and said, "Good second sister, please let me go back and take the exam. After I finish, I promise to return to Liu Family Village immediately to be with my wife, okay?"
Zhenyuan also stood up and said, "Let him go. I'm annoyed by his constant pestering."
Zhenshu pointed at his nose and said, "Then you'd better remember this: if you don't come back after the Spring Examination, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and kill you with my own hands."
Zhang Rui was overjoyed and clasped his hands together in front of his chest, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Second Sister."
After saying that, he went to pack his things.
Zhenyuan shook her head and sighed, "I originally thought he was gentle and considerate, but I never expected that he would turn out to be a scoundrel. I pity myself for all the sins I have committed."
Zhenshu put his arm around her and said, "Why don't I stay here with you and go back after you give birth? If he leaves, it's really hard to feel at ease with two children and an elderly person."
Before Zhenyuan could say anything more, Zhang Rui jumped in with a bundle in hand, gesturing with a grin in front of Zhenyuan's face and saying, "Second sister, get some money."
Zhenyuan immediately blushed, bit her lip, and lowered her head. Zhenshu, afraid that Zhenyuan would feel embarrassed, took out a two-hundred-tael silver note from his pocket, looked at it, then put it back in and took out a fifty-tael note, saying to him, "Before your spring examination, I will send an apprentice to the examination hall to deliver things to you. Other candidates will prepare what they need. Keep these for the next few days to develop."
Seeing that two hundred taels had become fifty taels, Zhang Rui frowned and said, "Good sister, please develop more so I can go and pay respects to my master."
Zhen Shu said, "If you can master the eight-legged essay, you can enter the main hall without a master. If you can't master the eight-legged essay, it will be of no use no matter how many masters you have. I only have these. If you don't want them, then come back."