Chapter 3 The Marriage

Chapter 3: The Marriage

Jian Ru yearned to leave the manor instantly, but his body betrayed him.

Despite taking the herbal medicine, his fever persisted.

On his first day of consciousness, Sun Yushuang was still his attendant, radiating arrogance and indifference. Jian Ru wished to avoid him, yet had no alternative. Mostly, he drifted in and out of sleep, limiting their conversations to mere snippets.

On the second day, for reasons unknown, a Granny Jin took over.

This woman was exceptionally capable and lacked Sun Yushuang’s sarcastic demeanor, though she was somewhat blunt.

In the sweltering summer, Jian Ru was still covered by a thick quilt. His fever had left him drenched in sweat, a state he’d endured for two days and nights. Waking that morning, Granny Jin entered with hot water, securely closed the doors and windows, then yanked back Jian Ru’s quilt, declaring loudly, “Goodness, you reek of stale sweat!”

Jian Ru smelled it too, his face flushing crimson as he wished for a hole to swallow him whole.

As his face reddened, the scars on half of it intensified, appearing more prominent and stark than usual. Granny Jin stared unabashedly, even reaching out to touch them, then remarked with a sigh of pity, “Child, you were quite handsome originally. Such a shame—half your face scarred. What a waste of a fine young man.”

This was the first time since the incident that someone had openly mentioned his scars without malice, and Jian Ru didn’t mind.

But when Granny Jin’s rough hands moved to undress him, he couldn’t bear it, flatly refusing her touch.

Unable to sway him, Granny Jin handed him the basin and cloth, instructing him to wash himself.

As she left, she sighed, “You don’t get angry when called ugly, but when I try to help you wash, you keep refusing.”

Jian Ru wasn’t ungrateful; he was simply unaccustomed and embarrassed. He clutched his collar tightly, fearing Granny Jin might try again, and forced a polite smile.

Granny Jin glared at him. “Wait till you’re married—let’s see if you’ll still refuse when your husband tries to undress you!”

Jian Ru’s face instantly turned scarlet, and Granny Jin exited the room, laughing heartily.

After the old woman left, a pang of sadness settled in Jian Ru’s heart. He feared marriage was not destined for him.

He used to be defiant, believing that even in his condition, he could live like anyone else. But Jiang Maocai and Zhang Jiao had utterly shattered that hope.

Thinking of those two, Jian Ru unconsciously rubbed his hands, as if trying to scrub his skin raw.

With others waiting outside, he dared not delay. He quickly washed himself and his hair in the room.

Granny Jin had brought a set of clean clothes earlier. He changed his sleepwear but, after feeling the outer garments, put them back untouched.

The fabric was clearly of fine quality, and the style was unlike anything he had seen—exquisitely elegant. Jian Ru didn’t want to take advantage. He had no choice but to wear the sleepwear, but when it was time to leave, he would wear his own outer clothes.

Granny Jin returned once she estimated he had finished changing. She replaced the sweat-soaked bedding and found a thinner quilt for Jian Ru.

“The people in this manor don’t even understand this—when you have a fever from a cold, you shouldn’t bundle up. Dress normally, don't bundle up. Keep taking the medicine prescribed, and you’ll be over it in three or four days.”

Jian Ru helped tidy the bedding and asked curiously, “Do you know about medicine?”

Granny Jin chuckled. “I was the maid who came with the old madam when she married into the family decades ago. Over the years, I’ve picked up a thing or two about common ailments.”

Jian Ru didn’t question why someone from the old madam’s household was now tending to him. Instead, he admired her sincerely. “You must be a quick learner and observant. Otherwise, how could you understand what others don’t?”

He meant every word. Jian Ru considered himself rather unremarkable. Whenever he went to town with Zhang Jiao and saw the capable young men working in shops or attracting customers, he often wished he possessed such abilities.

Honest praise is always welcome. Granny Jin looked at him with a smile. “You’re quite the sweet-talker, child.”

That evening, after taking his medicine, Jian Ru still had a fever, but it was milder than the previous days. The thin quilt felt less stifling, and he finally slept well.

The next day, he insisted on leaving. Granny Jin not only glared at him but also made as if to pinch his arm. “What’s the rush? Stay put until you’re fully recovered.”

Jian Ru wanted to argue that he was already better, but Granny Jin’s fierce demeanor silenced him.

After breakfast and medicine, Granny Jin took him around the manor to get some sun and shake off the illness.

Jian Ru had been there for days but had never stepped outside. He was curious but didn’t want to cause trouble or run into the manor’s owners, who might not recognize him and ask awkward questions.

Then there was his face. Betrayed by someone he liked and a close friend, he had nearly died. Now, he had come to terms with it. Let people stare and talk—it wouldn’t cost him anything. He was who he was, and that was that.

But the manor’s owners had taken him in, providing food, clothing, and shelter. He owed them gratitude and didn’t want to frighten them.

However, Granny Jin wouldn't take no for an answer. She insisted on the outing and brought new clothes for Jian Ru to wear.

Jian Ru agreed to go out but refused to wear the new clothes, insisting on his old ones.

Granny Jin looked him over disapprovingly and shook her head.

Jian Ru knew his clothes were shabby—they were meant for working at home, and they had been torn in several places during his time in the river. They were hardly presentable.

As they left, Granny Jin went ahead while Jian Ru closed the door behind them. Just as he shut it, he felt a slap on his backside, startling him. He turned to see Granny Jin withdrawing her hand, laughing. “Such a small rear, but plenty of flesh.”

Jian Ru was mortified but couldn’t bring himself to be angry with an elder. He pouted in silence. Granny Jin laughed heartily and walked ahead, while Jian Ru followed, red-faced.

Granny Jin muttered approvingly, “Thin as you are, your hips aren’t narrow. You’d bear children well.”

Jian Ru didn’t understand what she meant and glanced down at himself but saw nothing unusual.

It was an unusually clear day—the sun had finally emerged after a long absence. An August morning in the north was neither hot nor cold, quite pleasant.

The Li family’s manor raised many horses, all tall and majestic. Families from miles around came here when looking to buy horses.

The Li family’s main residence was in town, but they often stayed at this manor during summer and winter for its vast pastures—riding in summer, hunting in winter.

The manor had two courtyards, with stone tables, chairs, and grape arbors. It was rustic rather than refined, but to Jian Ru, it was a sight of unimaginable luxury.

He didn’t dare look around too much, afraid of appearing unsophisticated.

Fortunately, they encountered few people along the way, only a young maid of about ten, busy airing bedding under the fine weather.

When she saw them, she quickly greeted Granny Jin, her eyes darting to Jian Ru’s face before she looked away, startled.

The girl was curious, but Jian Ru paid no mind.

Granny Jin led him around the front and back courtyards, then to the pasture behind. Tired, they headed back.

They walked quietly, their footsteps light. Just as they entered the courtyard, before rounding the screen wall, they overheard two people whispering.

Jian Ru recognized one voice as the maid who had been airing the bedding. She said, “You should’ve seen it—half his face is terrifying. I nearly screamed when I first saw him.”

Jian Ru knew they were talking about him.

Granny Jin’s expression darkened. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront them, but Jian Ru grabbed her arm and shook his head. He didn’t want to cause trouble in someone else’s home, and being called ugly was nothing new. If he took offense every time, he’d have died of anger long ago.

Then the other maid sighed. “Our second young master is like a celestial being. How could he owe a debt to someone like that and end up with this marriage? It’s like a toad swallowing a swan…”

Before Jian Ru could process her words, Granny Jin’s temper flared. She shook off his hand and stormed into the courtyard.

“You two wretched girls! Instead of working, you’re gossiping about your masters? Just wait till I teach you a lesson!”

The two girls, crying out in pain where they'd been pinched, were quickly shooed inside by Granny Jin to get back to work.

Jian Ru waited until all was quiet before stepping out from behind the screen wall and slowly approaching the old woman.

Granny Jin glanced at him and said, "Come on, let's go inside and have a chat."

They returned to the room where Jian Ru had been recuperating, and the two of them, one old and one young, sat in armchairs by the window.

Jian Ru kept his head down, his fingers anxiously twisting together.

He had been thinking about Sun Yushuang’s harsh words the other day, about how Young Master Li Er intended to "make things right" with him. For two days, he had mulled it over, wondering what would be an appropriate amount if the other party wanted to repay his kindness with money.

He wasn’t greedy, but one had to be practical—principles alone couldn’t fill an empty stomach. He had already made up his mind: he wouldn’t ask for too much. Ten taels of silver would be ideal, but even three or five taels would do. Honestly, he’d be happy with just one tael.

But today, after Granny Jin’s remarks about "husbands" and "starting a family," combined with what the two girls had said, Jian Ru finally realized that Young Master Li Er’s idea of "making things right" might be entirely different from what he had imagined.

It was only then that it occurred to him why Granny Jin, of all people, had been specially sent to this relative’s estate to look after him.

"It was the Second Young Master who specifically told the family that there weren’t enough capable hands here, so the Madam sent me to the estate to take care of you," Granny Jin explained.

Jian Ru looked up at her in surprise, then lowered his head again. At the mention of "Second Young Master," his heart trembled, recalling the maid’s words.

"Please... thank the Madam and... and the Second Young Master for me," Jian Ru said softly.

"I’m not the only capable servant in the household. The Madam sent me here for more than just that," Granny Jin said slowly, watching Jian Ru’s expression closely.

Jian Ru looked up, already sensing what was coming.

Sure enough, Granny Jin said, "What are your thoughts on your marriage to the Second Young Master?"

Jian Ru’s mind went blank. He opened his mouth, then turned his face away abruptly. "I... I... I don’t want to marry him."

Granny Jin looked exasperated. "You seem like a clever boy—why are you being so foolish now? A young man like you, your body seen entirely by a grown man, pressed together skin-to-skin all night... if you don’t marry him, who else would ever want you? Who would take you in marriage?"

Granny Jin’s words were blunt and unrestrained. Combined with the shock of realizing how much the old woman knew about that night, Jian Ru felt his face burning. He stammered, "How... how do you know...?"

Granny Jin said, "The Madam came to the estate to visit the Second Young Master the very day you returned. At that time, the Young Master told her everything that happened that night. Afterwards, the Madam informed me."

Jian Ru wished he could vanish into the ground. "Why did he tell everyone...?"

Granny Jin defended her master, "The Second Young Master didn’t tell just anyone. He only told his mother. It was necessary to clarify things to decide on the marriage."

Jian Ru protested, "But Sun Yushuang seemed to know about it too?"

Granny Jin curled her lip. "He probably guessed part of it. Pay him no mind. He was the only capable person at the estate at the time, so the Young Master had no choice but to ask him to look after you. If it weren’t for him back then..." She glanced at Jian Ru and trailed off, as if hesitant to continue. "Let’s get back to the marriage. Given the circumstances, why are you refusing?"

Because he felt unworthy. The thought of such an exceptional person being forced to marry him out of a sense of responsibility made Jian Ru’s heart twist.

The maids’ words about "a toad lusting after swan meat" stabbed at him painfully. Sun Yushuang’s contemptuous look, Jiang Maocai’s remark by the river that his face was like a demon’s, the memory of the Second Young Master’s godlike appearance, and the scene of the other fainting at the sight of him that night—all of it tormented him.

Jian Ru might have no prospects for marriage in this lifetime, but he still had his pride. Forcing his way into someone's life to repay a debt of gratitude was something he couldn’t bring himself to do, nor did he condone it.

Too ashamed to lay bare his insecurities in front of her, Jian Ru stubbornly shook his head. "I just don’t want to marry," he said, not giving himself room for regret. "I’ll leave the estate and go home later."

Granny Jin pleaded earnestly, "The family has ordered everyone to keep quiet about that night, but the relatives and workers who went to rescue you saw the Second Young Master carrying you out. Sooner or later, gossip will spread. It won’t affect the Young Master much, but what about your reputation? How will you face people then?"

But Jian Ru remained silent and unyielding, like a stubborn gourd.

Granny Jin spent a long time trying to persuade him, until she was hoarse and out of ideas.

Finally, she said, "If you must leave, there’s no need to rush. Don’t risk a relapse. At least stay until after you’ve taken the last dose of medicine tonight. You can leave tomorrow morning."

Pushing further would be impolite, so Jian Ru reluctantly agreed.

After dinner, Jian Ru packed his few belongings and settled in to sleep one last night before returning home.

But peace was not to be. Just after he finished his medicine, Granny Jin came to tell him that the Second Young Master wanted to see him.