Chapter 101 City Streets 1

Chapter 101: City Life in Fushui Town (1)

Time, like an arrow, flew by; two more years had passed in a blink.

It was the twelfth month of winter. The biting north wind chilled people to the bone. The sky was a dull, oppressive gray, hanging heavily overhead. Pedestrians hurried along the road, bundled in thick cotton coats, hands tucked into sleeves. The cold wind seemed to have eyes, seeking out every gap in collars, making everyone hunch their shoulders against the chill.

Liu Guyu, clad in an indigo-blue cotton-padded jacket, was jostled in the crowd outside the post station, his feet inadvertently stepped on several times.

"Hey! Watch it! Stop pushing!"

"Oh, isn't this Boss Liu! Come closer, don’t get pushed out!"

"Boss Liu, here to pick up letters again? Your Erlang is truly promising, studying under such a great teacher—he’s sure to have a bright future!"

"Hey, stop pushing! You stepped on my foot!"

…

Liu Guyu took a couple of steps back, nodding vaguely at the two speakers, and replied perfunctorily, "Yes, yes, you flatter me, you flatter me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the post station door opened.

A junior attendant in gray emerged, carrying a large basket, followed by another helper. The attendant held a huge copper bell, shaking it as he called out, "Alright, alright! Stop crowding! Line up! I’ll call out names, and you come up for your letters!"

"Zhu Hong of South Gate Alley!"

"Wan Qishan of Shimen Village!"

"Xue San of Chating Street!"

…

"Liu Guyu of Shanghe Village!"

Squeezed in the crowd, listening intently for his name, Liu Guyu finally heard it and quickly raised his hand, shouting, "Over here, over here!"

Even the attendant recognized him. A smile broke through his stern expression as he handed over the letter, saying, "Boss Liu? Here to pick up another letter from Scholar Qin?"

Qin Rongshi sent two letters home each month, usually around the middle and end. These days, Liu Guyu came almost daily—sometimes leaving empty-handed, other times satisfied with a letter in hand.

Liu Guyu nodded, took the letter, thanked him, and then, clutching his prize, squeezed his way out of the throng.

Having retrieved the letter, he didn't linger. Tucking it away, he headed towards the city gate, hitched the mule to the cart, and drove home.

Meanwhile, back at the Qin household, a visitor had arrived.

A middle-aged woman, dressed in ivory-red, her hair coiled into a bun adorned with two vibrant red cloth flowers, sat on a chair in the main hall. Smiling with pursed lips, she addressed Cui Lanfang, who was seated in the place of honor:

"Sister Cui, this marriage proposal is truly excellent! You must give it serious thought—your daughter isn’t getting any younger! She’ll be eighteen after the New Year!"

Cui Lanfang’s demeanor was calm, showing neither particular delight nor annoyance. She simply looked at the matchmaker and replied with a perfunctory smile, "We’ll see, we’ll see. Thank you for making the trip, Sister Zhang!"

Matchmaker Zhang was not about to give up—after all, she was being paid!

She quickly pressed on, "Oh! How can we just 'see' about this? It can’t be delayed! Banban isn't getting any younger—some girls her age are already married with children!"

She added, "This time, it’s the youngest son of the Yang family in town! They made their fortune selling sweet water and now own a proper shop. The family is well-established! Your daughter won’t suffer if she marries into their household!"

"Young Master Yang is the youngest son! They say the emperor favors his eldest son, but common folks dote on the youngest. He’s the most loved by his parents and grandmother, and he has two older brothers to manage everything! Marrying into that family means a life of ease!"

"The Yang family has said they’ve had no luck with daughters and are hoping for a well-mannered girl like Banban to join them. They promise to treat her like their own daughter!"

This was already the third matchmaker to propose a match this year.

Qin Rongshi had left to travel and study with his teacher—he was neither in Shanghe Village nor at Luming Academy, and word had naturally gotten out.

Not long after he left, news spread throughout the academy and the village: Qin Rongshi had won the favor of Luming Academy’s headmaster, been taken on as a disciple, and had a brilliant future ahead of him.

Liu Guyu’s business was also thriving—he was famous in the East Market!

This year, he rented a shop and opened a sweet shop, which was packed with customers every day. He counted his earnings until his hands were sore.

Watching the Qin family’s fortunes rise day by day—they regularly bought new clothes, Liu Guyu had spent money last year to renovate and expand the compound, even building new sheds for the mule and the dog, and this year they bought land—

They were the first in Shanghe Village to achieve this, and everyone was envious.

However, Liu Guyu had taught the villagers how to make fertilizer. For the past two years, Shanghe Village had bumper harvests, doubling their yields. This even caught the attention of the County Magistrate, who sent two agricultural officials to investigate. They asked Liu Guyu to teach his fertilizer-making method and promised future rewards.

For a time, even Shanghe Village became famous in town. Whenever it was mentioned, people would say, "Oh, that village that’s really good at farming!"

Liu Guyu could make money, and Qin Rongshi was a scholar with a promising future—he might even become a magistrate someday! As the Qin family’s status rose, many people set their sights on Banban’s marriage prospects. Not just in the village—several families in town had also come to inquire.

Hearing Matchmaker Zhang’s words, Cui Lanfang still replied with a perfunctory smile, saying, "I’ll discuss this with Banban. Matters like these are for the children to decide themselves. I need to ask Banban what she thinks."

Although many girls her age in the village were already married, perhaps because she had been around Liu Guyu for so long, Cui Lanfang wanted to keep Banban at home a few more years. Or even if she never married, the family could support her.

A few years ago, Cui Lanfang would never have dared to think such a thing—it would have seemed rebellious.

Hearing Cui Lanfang’s response, Matchmaker Zhang was displeased. She flicked her handkerchief and said, "Oh! Sister, you’re confused! Matters of marriage are for parents to decide. How can you let a young girl make her own choice? People will laugh if word gets out!"

No sooner had her shrill voice faded than the side door of the main hall opened. A slender young woman in a green dress walked in. She was dressed simply, with a pair of peach blossom hairpins in her hair and a pearl-embedded soft hairpin at her temple, a faint smile on her face.

It was none other than Qin Banban.

Matchmaker Zhang hadn’t expected her to walk in directly. In all her years arranging marriages, she had never seen a girl bold enough to come out and listen at a time like this. She was stunned speechless.

Matchmaker Zhang: "Uh... uh, you!"

Qin Banban smiled at her and asked, "Auntie Zhang, are you surprised to see me?"

Matchmaker Zhang forced a dry laugh and said awkwardly, "Oh... it’s Banban. I was just discussing your marriage prospects with your mother. It’s not proper for a young lady like you to listen in."

Qin Banban sat upright in her chair. First, she shot a reassuring glance at Cui Lanfang, who was opening her mouth to speak urgently, then continued:

"Since it’s about my future, why shouldn’t I be allowed to listen? Auntie, speak plainly. There’s nothing about my family’s affairs that I shouldn’t hear."

Matchmaker Zhang froze. The next moment, she shot a look at Cui Lanfang, only to find that she was also "confused"—she picked up a bowl of water and started drinking, completely ignoring her as if nothing were happening.

When she remained silent, Qin Banban had no choice but to continue.

"Auntie, you’ve made this marriage sound perfect in every way, but there are some things I don’t understand and would like to ask."

"Young Master Yang is the youngest son, with two older brothers. Will the family fortune ever come to him?"

Matchmaker Zhang: "Well... this, this... Young Master Yang is a scholar, just like your brother. He doesn’t involve himself with such worldly matters! The family business is managed by the eldest and second sons."

Qin Banban nodded and continued, "Since he’s a scholar, how old is he? How many years has he been studying? Has he earned any scholarly honors? Does he plan to pursue an official career in the future?"

Matchmaker Zhang stammered, unable to respond: "This... this..."

Qin Banban's expression remained unchanged as she continued with a light smile: "So it seems he isn't even a Tongsheng scholar. No rank, no trade—living off his family for food and drink before marriage. Would he continue relying on them after marriage? Surely he wouldn't expect his wife to support him, would he?"

Matchmaker Zhang quickly waved her hands in denial: "Oh, no, no! He... he does help out with the shop occasionally! Banban, Auntie wouldn't steer you wrong—this family is truly a good match! Third Young Master Yang is an honest man, and his parents treat their two daughters-in-law like their own daughters—they truly cherish them as half their own!"

Qin Banban didn't believe a single word of this.

She had heard of this Yang family before. They made their fortune selling sweet beverages, which put them in some competition with her family's shop, and there had been minor conflicts in the past.

The Yangs' sweet beverage shop was managed by only two young shopkeepers, and though it was rumored there was a third young master, he was neither accomplished in academics nor martial arts, nor was he cut out for business—idling about every day.

Though called a scholar, he was merely part of a bunch of like-minded friends that spent their days drinking, listening to music, writing and reciting poetry. Fortunately, the Yang family had enough wealth to bankroll his constant amusements.

As for this marriage proposal... Qin Banban was no fool. How could she not see through it?

Did the Yang family want her for herself, or were they after Brother Liu's skills? Most likely, they assumed that since she was close to Brother Liu and spent every day with him, she had picked up some expertise—and marrying her would benefit their sweet beverage shop.

At this thought, Qin Banban gave a dry chuckle and continued: "Auntie, Fushui Town's a small place. Anyone can check if that's true with a little inquiry. As for being treated like a daughter... I already have my own mother who cherishes me. Why would I need to be someone else's daughter—and only a half-hearted one at that?"

"This proposal isn't a good fit. Sorry to have wasted your time with this trip and all this talking—you must be thirsty! Auntie, have some water before you go. Banban won't take up any more of your time."

The dismissal was now unmistakable. The matchmaker, who had never before been turned down so bluntly by a girl during a matchmaking visit, turned bright red with shame. She couldn't bring herself to stay for tea and immediately stood up.

Pointing at Qin Banban, she said displeasedly: "Such a sharp-tongued girl! You look down on this and disdain that—do you really think you're a fairy maiden so you gotta marry the Jade Emperor?"

With that, she flounced out.

Qin Banban was also displeased; the smile dropped from her face as she pursed her lips and said: "What's wrong with being a fairy maiden! Must fairy maidens marry the Jade Emperor? Since when do goddesses need to get married? Isn't there any other way in this world?!"

This amused Cui Lanfang, who hadn't said a word throughout, letting Qin Banban handle it—making her stance clear that her children's marriages were their own decisions.

She raised a hand and pointed playfully at Qin Banban, sighing helplessly: "You! Spending so much time with your Brother Liu has made you even more sharp-tongued!"

Banban's temper flared up and faded just as quickly. Hearing her mother's words, she immediately laughed again, walked over, hugged Cui Lanfang's arm, and swayed it gently: "Quick-witted sounds much nicer! 'Sharp-tongued' makes it sound like an insult!"

Cui Lanfang didn't reply, only reached out and tapped Qin Banban lightly on the tip of her nose.

Just then, Liu Guyu entered the courtyard. He had hurriedly tied up the mule cart outside and rushed in clutching a bundle of letters.

"Hey, I think I saw Matchmaker Zhang from the neighboring village! Was she here to propose a match too?"

Qin Banban, who had just finished swaying her mother's arm, nodded repeatedly. She walked over to Liu Guyu, tugged his sleeve, and swayed it twice, pouting heavily as she said: "Yes, she came with a proposal! Brother Liu, these people are so annoying—how many times is this now!"

Liu Guyu laughed: "If you're unwilling, next time just sic Lucky on them to chase them out."

At this, the big black dog with a yellow belly seemed to hear its name. It happily bounded over, lifting its front paws to jump on Liu Guyu, clearly excited.

"Hey! Lucky! Lucky! My new clothes!"

In the end, it took both Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban working together to swat the excited dog away.

Cui Lanfang, her face full of excitement, grabbed Liu Guyu's hand and asked: "Was there any letter from Erlang today?"

Hearing this, Liu Guyu tilted his head and waved the letters in his hand, his voice cheerful: "Here! They're all right here!"

It was a thick stack of letters wrapped in yellow paper, with the top one addressed: To Liu Guyu, Shanghe Village, Fushui Town, Luo County, Jiangzhou.

The neat regular script appeared orderly and elegant, yet the strokes carried a sharp edge—every turn, sweep, and press exuding a fierce intensity.

It was unmistakably Qin Rongshi's handwriting.

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Author's Note: As usual, read first, and I'll correct typos tomorrow (I swear I'll have the draft ready and post on time tomorrow).