Chapter 162

Chapter 162

Parting is always sad, yet no feast lasts forever. Early this morning, Aunt Fang Ling and Qing Huai were set to depart.

They brought only three attendants. Worried, Wang Ying arranged for two martial arts masters from a local school to escort them. Qing Huai, seeing the two additional men, asked, puzzled, “What are these two for?”

Wang Ying explained, “The journey will take over thirty days. Who knows what dangers you might encounter on the road? Hiring these two masters is a precaution. They are skilled fighters—each can handle three opponents single-handedly.”

Aunt Fang Ling held Wang Ying’s hand and said, “You are so thoughtful, child. Qing Huai and I hadn’t even considered that; we were only focused on getting back to Shanzhou quickly.”

Li Shi added, “I’ll feel much more at ease knowing you have escorts. The road ahead is long and arduous—you must take good care of yourself, sister…” As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes.

Aunt Fang Ling’s eyes also reddened. “Alright, I’ll send a letter as soon as we arrive.”

Chen Qingyan pulled Chen Qinghuai aside to advise him. “Be safe on the journey. When you get to Shanzhou, if you see our teacher, don’t forget to give him my regards.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely do that. I’ll also tell him about both of our civil examination results.”

Chen Qingyan patted his shoulder. “See you in the capital next year!”

“See you in the capital!”

Everyone saw them off until their carriage disappeared around the alley corner before returning. Li Shi’s eyes were tearful; she had a soft heart and couldn’t bear goodbyes. Holding Chen Rong’s hand, she said, “Thank goodness you all came. Otherwise, with Aunt Fang Ling leaving so suddenly, I wouldn’t know who to talk to.”

Chen Rong teased, “Oh, so I’m just a substitute for Aunt Fang Ling?”

Li Shi laughed through her tears and pointed at her. “You’re just teasing your sister-in-law.”

Seeing her mood lighten, everyone felt relieved. As Li Shi grew older, her health had not been good. They worried that after Aunt Fang Ling and Qing Huai left, she might fall ill from distress.

Back home, Chen Rong took her aside to discuss Lin Sui’s marriage arrangements. “Cao Kun said that Qing Yun caught a glimpse of the Marquis of Wuping on her wedding day. He doesn’t look very old, and his appearance is quite dignified, but he has a birthmark near his eye. I wonder how he took a liking to our Sui’er.”

Li Shi comforted her, “Don’t worry too much. Perhaps it’s the red thread of fate.”

Li Shi then recounted the first time she met Li Mu at Clear Wind Temple, and later how Li Mu’s daughter, by chance, hid in their ice transport cart and ended up at the ice shop, where she met Lin Sui. Chen Rong listened, clapping her hands in amazement.

“Hearing that, it really does seem like fate! Otherwise, how would two people with no connection ever meet?”

“Exactly. Children have their own fortunes. We’re getting older—worrying won’t help. In the end, it’s up to them to be happy.”

“That’s true!”

The two women talked for a long while until Li Shi grew tired. Chen Rong then went to the backyard. These days, she had been staying with her son.

Since Qing Yun married and moved out, only Lin Sui remained in the west courtyard, which felt quite spacious.

When Chen Rong entered the room, Lin Qiu was also there. The two brothers were having a private conversation.

“Mother, you’re here.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Lin Qiu whispered, “We’re checking Sui’er’s birthmark.” Lin Sui’s birthmark was located behind his ear. It used to be very vivid—easily noticeable at a glance.

But after everything that had happened, the mark had faded significantly, turning from bright red to a dull brown. If one didn’t look closely, it was almost invisible.

Perhaps due to better health over the past year, the mark had improved slightly, but its color was still far paler than that of a normal ger.

Lin Sui covered the mark and said, “Brother, stop looking…”

Lin Qiu swatted him lightly. “Don’t be foolish. If you marry into a marquis’ household and don’t have children to rely on, what will your position be if the Marquis takes another spouse later?”

Lin Sui hung his head. “Then I can only blame my own lack of fortune.”

Chen Rong also disagreed. “Back in the county, we couldn’t find a good physician, and that delayed your treatment. Now that we’re in the prefecture city, we should find a skilled physician to examine you. Perhaps it can still be improved.”

“When we first arrived, sister-in-law took me to a clinic. The physician there felt my pulse and said my vitality was damaged—he fears it can’t be restored.”

Chen Rong sighed. She didn’t know what to do about her second son. Marrying him to a lower-status family might mean hardship; marrying him into a high-status family risked future unhappiness. But if he didn’t marry, she couldn’t support him forever, and being alone wasn’t a solution either.

“Let’s wait until after we meet the Marquis of Wuping before deciding.”

*

The next day, an invitation from the Marquis of Wuping arrived, asking Lin Sui’s family and the Chen family to join him for a meal at Hongyun Restaurant.

Upon receiving the invitation, Chen Rong took out her finest outfit to wear, afraid of being looked down upon.

They took a carriage to Hongyun Restaurant. Since Madam Liu had treated them there once before, they were familiar with the place. A servant led them to a private room on the second floor.

When they arrived, Li Mu was already there, along with his military advisor, as well as Madam Luo and Young Miss Qing.

Bringing a military advisor to a marriage discussion meeting—the Marquis of Wuping was certainly one of a kind.

As soon as Young Miss Qing saw Lin Sui, she wanted to rush toward him. Li Mu quickly held her back and said, “What did your father tell you before we left?”

Young Miss Qing quieted down. Her father had told her to behave like a proper, well-mannered young lady, or people would dislike her.

Lin Sui, however, wasn’t used to her being so quiet. He secretly winked at Qing’er, and the little girl immediately broke into a smile, revealing a pair of small canine teeth.

The family entered somewhat nervously. Li Mu quickly stood to greet them. Noticing their hesitation to sit, he said, “Please, have a seat. There’s no need to be so formal, Aunt.”

Chen Rong sat down, cautiously observing Li Mu. This Marquis of Wuping was very tall—even Cao Kun was tall, but Li Mu was half a head taller and more robust. Lin Sui only reached up to his chin. If they ever had a disagreement, ten Lin Suis wouldn’t be a match for him…

Unaware of his future mother-in-law’s thoughts, Li Mu, a man of few words, felt awkward during this first meeting. He coughed lightly into his fist and glanced at his military advisor for help.

The military advisor, named Guan Shiqian, was a middle-aged man. Though he dressed like a scholar, he was also capable in battle.

“Since this is our first meeting, and His Lordship is not particularly eloquent, I will take the liberty of speaking on his behalf. This will also allow Aunt to understand his situation better. His Lordship’s given name is Li Mu, and his childhood nickname is Li Gedda.”

Li Mu kicked him under the table and muttered, “You didn’t have to mention that.”

Guan Shiqian ignored him and continued, “He is twenty-five this year, born in the Year of the Tiger. Young Lin was born in the Year of the Pig—their animal signs are perfectly compatible.”

Chen Rong sat up straight and listened attentively.

“His Lordship was previously married to a merchant’s daughter. They had one daughter, Qing’er. However, due to certain circumstances… well, they parted ways after just one year of marriage.”

The military advisor did not elaborate further, as it was inappropriate to speak ill of the child’s mother in front of her.

“In the years since, His Lordship has lived uprightly and has not kept any romantic entanglements. I can personally attest to this. He channels all his energy into military training, drilling his troops so hard they’re nearly exhausted!”

Li Mu’s face darkened. He wished he could jab him with his elbow. Was he here to help or to complain?

Guan Shiqian decided he’d said enough. “His Lordship is sincerely taken with Young Lin. That is why he specifically invited you to the prefecture city to discuss this marriage proposal. What is your honorable opinion, Aunt, and gentlemen?”

Chen Rong looked at Lin Qiu. Neither had any objections. “Does His Lordship know about Sui’er’s… situation?”

Li Mu replied in a deep voice, “I am aware of everything, Aunt. Please rest assured. Since I have decided to marry him, I am prepared in heart and mind. Moreover, I do not plan to have other children. Qing’er alone is sufficient for me.”

Chen Rong remained unconvinced by these spoken promises. Words spoken now might sound pleasant, but what if his heart changed later? Having been betrayed by her own husband, she regarded his words with a degree of skepticism.

Seeing this, Li Mu continued to demonstrate his sincerity, "After marriage, I will have Qing’er formally recognized as Lin Sui’s child. Qing’er herself has agreed, and from then on, Lin Sui will be her proper father."

This point was quite satisfactory, and Chen Rong nodded slightly in approval.

"I serve in the military and receive an annual salary of 400 guan (a monetary unit). In Jizhou, I also have a fief of 100 qing (land measurement), which was granted by His Majesty when I was enfeoffed as a marquis. The land is divided into three estates, and after marriage, all of them will be managed by Lin Sui." One hundred qing amounted to 1,000 mu of land—the Marquis of Wuping certainly had substantial means!

Chen Rong grew increasingly pleased as she listened. Other things might be superficial, but only by placing the household management in her son’s hands could life be truly comfortable.

Lady Luo, sitting nearby, remained silent throughout, as these matters were no longer under her management.

The elderly lady was quite open-minded. Her son’s abilities were his own achievement; she was content to enjoy her comforts without meddling in other affairs. At her age, how many more years could she live? Dwelling on unnecessary matters would only strain the mother-son relationship for no reason.

By the end of the meal, both families were quite satisfied, and Li Mu began preparing for the wedding.

Although both had been married before, Li Mu did not cut corners in the slightest. Every ritual, from the traditional three matchmakers to the six betrothal gifts, was meticulously arranged, even more thoughtfully than during his first marriage.

His first marriage had been arranged by the Li family matriarch. While it appeared grand on the surface, the underlying unpleasantness was too shameful to mention.

Li Mu only learned many details later when he divorced his former wife. At the time of the betrothal, he had provided 500 taels of silver as a betrothal gift, but the matriarch had used less than 100 guan.

As for the other gifts, they amounted to less than 50 guan in total. Fortunately, the merchant family did not mind, as they were primarily interested in his status as a marquis.

When Li Mu divorced his wife, he did not keep her dowry and returned everything. The other party also returned the betrothal gifts, which was when he realized how absurd the matriarch’s actions had been.

Returning to the matter at hand, the couple’s birth charts were matched at Qingfeng Daoist Temple. The divination indicated a compatible and harmonious union—firm as heaven, gentle as earth, with yin and yang in perfect balance—a rare and auspicious match.

The Daoist priest also helped select an auspicious date for the wedding, set for June of the following year. This month was compatible with both their zodiac signs, reducing the likelihood of conflicts after marriage.

With the wedding settled, Chen Rong felt at ease. Since there was still business to attend to at the Porter Guild and delays were not an option, Cao Kun returned alone first.

Chen Rong and Lin Qiu stayed behind, as the weather grew colder each day. Wheat and Erbao (the children) were still too young, and they feared the children might catch a cold on the journey.

Li Shi was also reluctant to let them leave. With so few people in the household, it would feel even lonelier once Chen Rong and the others departed.

The family began preparing Lin Sui’s dowry. Compared to Qing Yun’s, Lin Sui’s dowry was more modest, as per his own request.

Firstly, the marquis did not care about such things. If he did, he would not have married a man from a humble background who had also been previously married.

Secondly, one should be realistic about one's circumstances and not put on a show at others’ expense. Thus, the dowry was funded entirely from his own savings.

The 30 guan compensation from the Huang family, plus the wages earned during his six months in the city—though half had been sent home earlier—along with the increased pay Wang Ying gave everyone during the busiest two months of the summer ice-selling season, amounted to a total of about 50-60 guan.

Chen Rong and Li Shi added another 50 taels of silver. Though it might seem modest, it was the utmost expression of their heartfelt contribution, as they were elderly and had no means of earning income.

Wang Ying did not give money directly. Instead, she patted Lin Sui on the shoulder and said, "The produce shop will open soon. Help out with the vegetable sales for one more winter, and I’ll give you extra wages."

Lin Sui smiled and replied, "Alright!"