March arrived with a late cold snap.
Drizzle had fallen steadily for three to five days, and the weather turned cold again.
Shurui got up early that morning, shivering from the chill.
Outside, the sky hadn’t fully brightened yet, but he didn’t dare delay.
He quickly threw a gray-white padded jacket over his plain cloth clothes, did a simple wash-up, and headed toward the main house.
Rain dripped steadily from the eaves. A rooster crowed several times at dawn. Shurui stood inside the room waiting for about the time it took to burn a stick of incense before a woman finally emerged from the inner room, wearing a blue lined jacket trimmed with fur.
She was plump, with smooth, fair skin—a woman of decent looks.
But she clearly hadn’t rested well the night before. Dark shadows lay beneath her eyes, and without powder on her face, she looked haggard.
Seeing her, Shurui lowered his gaze and obediently greeted her, calling her Aunt.
Madam Jiang sat down under his cautious gaze and slowly took a sip of warm tea.
After a moment, she spoke.
“I called you here early this morning not because anything urgent has happened. It’s just that you’re grown now, and there are things you should be old enough to hear.”
She didn’t ask Shurui to sit. After a pause, she continued:
“You’re eighteen now—it’s time to discuss marriage. Your uncle cherished you deeply. More than once, he told me that in the future he wanted to find you a good match.”
“But he was unlucky. He left so suddenly, before he could make arrangements for you.”
As she spoke of her deceased husband, Madam Jiang couldn’t help dabbing at the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. Her eyes grew moist, her heart heavy.
Yet grief aside, she didn’t forget the matter at hand.
From the edge of her handkerchief, a pair of shrewd eyes swept over the young ge’er standing before her.
Fair-skinned, with proper features—he resembled her late husband in more than a few ways. People said nephews often took after their uncles, and it seemed true enough.
But rather than stirring affection through memories of her husband, that good face only displeased her further.
Seeing him standing with his hands folded, head slightly lowered, looking cautious and obedient—so easy to control.
She put away the handkerchief and continued:
“Though your uncle is gone, I’m still here. His unfinished wishes—I will see them fulfilled.”
Shurui listened quietly, without saying a word.
After his uncle’s death, he knew he no longer had anyone to rely on in this household.
His aunt had never liked him. Now that no one protected him anymore, she would surely find fault with him. Since his uncle passed, he had been even more careful with his words and actions, convinced he’d given her no excuse to criticize him.
He hadn’t expected, however, that she intended to dispose of him altogether.
It had only been a year since his uncle’s death.
“A matchmaker came by a few days ago,” Madam Jiang continued. “She spoke of Merchant Wu from the town—the one who trades in bolts of cloth and silk. His husband passed away over three years ago. He’s a deeply sentimental man and wanted to remain faithful to the deceased.”
“But with such a large business and estate, he couldn’t manage everything alone. His family urged him, and only then did he agree to find a virtuous person to help manage the household.”
“You’re quite fortunate. Merchant Wu has high standards. The matchmaker visited many times without success, yet he took a liking to you.”
Hearing this, Shurui couldn’t help lifting his eyes toward her.
He never expected his aunt to find him a truly suitable family—but he hadn’t imagined she would marry him off to Merchant Wu.
It was true that Merchant Wu owned a well-known leather shop in town, a grand residence, and businesses in both the county and prefectural cities. His assets were considerable.
But the man was well past forty, nearly fifty.
Shurui had also heard rumors—this man was lecherous and improper. Brothel workers had even come to his door to cause trouble in the past. Nothing like the virtuous figure his aunt described.
What kind of den of wolves was that?
Shurui said, “Aunt has gone to such trouble for my sake—I shouldn’t cause you further worry.”
“But my uncle only passed not long ago. He treated me with great kindness in life. I wish to observe mourning for him for two more years before speaking of marriage…”
Madam Jiang’s brows knit together at his reply.
“I know you’re filial,” she said. “But marriage is what matters most for you now. If you delay such an important matter to observe mourning, your uncle might be restless even in the afterlife.”
“A good family like the Wu household is hard to come by. Once the rest of your life is settled, your uncle will be at peace.”
Clear-headed, Shurui refused again.
“Aunt speaks wisely—good matches are rare. But Second Brother hasn’t yet settled his marriage. I’m younger. There’s an order between elder and younger; how could I marry before him?”
“If there’s a good match, Aunt should consider Second Brother first.”
His tone was gentle, respectful.
But Madam Jiang felt as though her mask had been pierced. Anger crept into her voice.
“Your second brother’s affairs aren’t for you to worry about! Your elders work hard to find you a good marriage, and now you’re being picky?”
Shurui lowered his voice.
“I’m not being choosy. My uncle has only just passed—I have no heart for marriage. I ask Aunt to grant me this filial wish.”
Madam Jiang grew more displeased as Shurui continued to deflect. Her voice turned sharp.
“When you were seven, your parents died. Your uncle took you in and raised you as his own—he even favored you over your elder brothers.”
“Now your uncle is gone. The family’s pillar has collapsed. Life isn’t what it used to be. We can’t afford to keep supporting you.”
“If you truly wish to be filial, then marry obediently into that household. Don’t waste all those years your uncle spent raising you!”
Those words tightened Shurui’s brow.
Once again, she wielded the burden of upbringing against him. He knew she was angry and embarrassed.
A debt of care was like a mountain—arguing would only make him appear ungrateful. He was long used to this and chose silence.
“Enough. You may go.”
Madam Jiang waved her hand impatiently.
She wasn’t here to ask his opinion—only to inform him.
Shurui said nothing. After bowing, he left her room.
Outside, the rain still hadn’t stopped. Gray mist hung thick in the air, blurring even the newly sprouted branches in the garden.
Back in his room, it felt even colder than when he’d left.
The more he thought about what happened that morning, the more wrong it felt. Why would his aunt suddenly decide to marry him to Merchant Wu?
Even if what she said were true—that his uncle had been the family’s main support, running a private school to fund their living—his death did mean the loss of that income.
But the family hadn’t relied solely on the school. The Bai family owned plenty of farmland and was well regarded locally. Their finances weren’t so tight that they couldn’t get by.
When his uncle was alive, the Wu family had tried to curry favor, but his uncle had deemed the man morally unsound and kept his distance.
Even during holidays, when the Wu family sent lavish gifts, his uncle refused them all.
He’d even warned the household not to accept anything from the Wu family in private.
His aunt knew all this.
Yet barely a year after his uncle’s death, she not only associated with the Wu family but even sought marriage ties.
Shurui couldn’t sit still anymore. He rummaged through his chest, found a bamboo-jointed white jade hairpin, clenched his teeth, and went out.
He waited outside the kitchen for Nanny Li, who served in Madam Jiang’s quarters.
The servants in Madam Jiang’s room might not speak freely, but Nanny Li’s second son was about to marry—money must be tight for her these days.
Madam Jiang was famously stingy. The servants all complained about it behind her back.
With a little silver, perhaps Nanny Li would be willing to talk.
The old woman carried a fire basket freshly filled with hot coals from the stove.
Spring was cold in the countryside, and with days of endless rain, old bones couldn’t withstand the chill. After delivering Madam Jiang’s meal, she finally took a moment to warm herself by the fire.
As soon as she stepped out of the kitchen, she spotted Shurui waiting outside.
“Why are you here, Rui-ge’er? Did you come to the kitchen to warm up some food?”
Nanny Li spoke politely enough.
She knew Madam Jiang didn’t like Shurui, but when Master Bai was still alive, he doted on the boy. This young cousin had always been gentle and easy to talk to, and he was skilled at making soups and broths, often sharing a bowl with the servants. Naturally, those working below had no reason to make things difficult for him.
“I heard there’s happy news in your family, Nanny Li,” Shurui said. “The weather’s been cold these past few days, and I haven’t come out much, so I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you.”
At that, a smile crept onto Nanny Li’s face.
“It’s nothing worth mentioning, really. I didn’t expect you to keep it in mind, Rui-ge’er.”
Shurui replied, “Marriage is a major event in one’s life. Your second son is a fine young man—he’s surely found a virtuous young woman from a good family. The two of them will be filial to you together, and from now on you’ll be able to enjoy your later years in comfort.”
Nanny Li beamed. Any parent would be pleased to hear praise of their child.
At her age, all she hoped for was good fortune for her children and grandchildren.
Seeing this, Shurui glanced around. When he saw no one else nearby, he slipped the hairpin he’d hidden in his sleeve into Nanny Li’s arms.
“There’s nothing else I have to offer as congratulations. Please don’t think the gift too small.”
A cool weight settled into her palm. Looking down, Nanny Li saw a fine white jade hairpin. Her old eyes flashed with surprise and delight.
The jade was warm and smooth. The design was simple, but the material was excellent—worth at least one or two strings of cash.
She’d served Madam Jiang for many years and had never received anything this nice.
Over the past few days, nearly everyone in the household had given her a gift, yet Madam Jiang, the mistress of the house, had pretended not to know a thing.
Money was tight for her just then. Seeing that Madam Jiang still hadn’t made any gesture, she’d deliberately mentioned her second son’s wedding. Madam Jiang had said a few pleasant words and rewarded her with just twenty copper coins.
Even the kitchen girls who tended the fires had given five coins each.
Compared to that, Shurui’s hairpin stood in stark contrast. The difference was almost laughable. At once, she understood—Rui-ge’er had something he wanted help with.
Holding the hairpin, she lowered her voice. “Rui-ge’er, this gift is too valuable. I really can’t accept it. You’re about to be married yourself—keep it for your own use.”
Shurui saw that although she spoke this way, she didn’t immediately return the hairpin. Instead, she held it carefully in her hand.
Just as he’d thought.
He smiled faintly. “A heavy gift has its reason. You deserve it, Nanny Li.”
The old woman asked, “Is there something you need, ge’er?”
“I won’t hide it from you,” Shurui said softly. “Aunt summoned me to her room today. I imagine you already know why.”
He continued in a low voice, “My uncle has passed, and my marriage now troubles Aunt. She’s chosen a match for me, and I’m deeply grateful. It’s just that I don’t quite understand—when Uncle was alive, he didn’t like associating with the Wu family. Why would Aunt now want to form marriage ties with them?”
Nanny Li fell silent for a moment. She’d already guessed Shurui came because of the Wu family marriage.
Though she sometimes pitied the boy, she ultimately served Madam Jiang and didn’t wish to get involved.
Seeing her hesitation, Shurui gently supported her arm. “I know this puts you in a difficult position. I’m not asking you to do anything for me. I just want to know the reason, so I’ll understand how to conduct myself in the future.”
Then he lowered his eyes, his expression tinged with sorrow. “To put it bluntly, now that Uncle is gone, my place in this household…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. Instead, he added, “You’ve always been kind to me, Nanny Li. That’s why I dare say things to you I wouldn’t say to anyone else.”
Seeing him like this made Nanny Li’s heart ache. “Seeing you this way makes me feel terribly uncomfortable.”
Taking advantage of the moment, Shurui slipped the hairpin further into her sleeve. “Just think of it as letting me finally understand things clearly. Wouldn’t it be good to use this hairpin as an extra gift for your second son’s new wife?”
Nanny Li was moved.
She wasn’t someone greedy for money, but with her son’s wedding approaching, this was exactly when she needed cash.
Money offered so readily—how could her heart not waver?
After a moment, she glanced around, then pulled Shurui into her room.
“On the day of the master’s funeral,” she said, “Old Master Wu came to pay his respects. At the funeral feast, Merchant Wu took a liking to you at first sight.”
“He held his tongue then. But a few days ago, he sent several crates of gifts to the house and made his intentions clear to Madam.”
Sitting cross-legged on the kang bed, Nanny Li continued, “At first, Madam didn’t intend to agree. The master never thought well of the Wu family while he was alive. But this time, Merchant Wu was truly earnest—he insisted on forming marriage ties.”
Lowering her voice, she leaned close to Shurui’s ear. “Merchant Wu said that if the marriage goes through, he’s willing to put up a huge sum of silver to open a path for the eldest young master—and secure him an official post.”
Shurui’s brow tightened.
His eldest brother had passed the child-level examination when young, but their uncle, being only a private tutor, couldn’t guide him any further. Now nearing thirty, he’d spent years studying at home without ever securing a position.
Outwardly, he was a refined, elegant scholar. In truth, he was little more than an ornamental pillow—pretty to look at, useless in substance.
Shurui had seen too many charming, smooth-faced scholars over the years. He’d long developed a prejudice against men of that sort.
Seeing the change in Shurui’s expression, Nanny Li hurried to smooth things over for Madam Jiang.
“When the master was alive, he supported the whole family. Now that he’s gone so suddenly, Madam can’t sleep peacefully day or night. If the eldest young master could truly gain an official post, the household wouldn’t be in such distress.”
She tried to comfort him. “Madam is thinking of the family. Don’t blame her.”
“And really,” she added, “the Wu family is wealthy. If you marry into it, you’ll never lack food or clothing for the rest of your life—far better than living here. Besides, you’d be the principal wife. With Merchant Wu funding the eldest young master’s official career, Madam would have to rely on you in the future.”
Shurui sneered inwardly.
Merchant Wu had come to mourn, yet still had the mind to eye someone during a funeral. He truly wasn’t a decent man.
Of course, Shurui knew that claiming to have “fallen for him” was just an excuse. Even if Merchant Wu was lecherous, he wouldn’t marry anyone merely for a bit of looks. What he wanted was to ally with the Bai family, to borrow their local prestige and influence.
The most secure choice would’ve been marrying the second brother—but Shurui suspected Madam Jiang wouldn’t agree to that. So he became the next best option.
All for her son’s future, she was willing to ignore her late husband’s wishes and marry into the Wu family.
Though turmoil churned inside him, Shurui didn’t reveal it in front of Nanny Li.
“Listening closely, it does make sense,” he said calmly. “Aunt probably thought me too young and explained things only superficially. I didn’t fully understand. After hearing you, I finally see the whole picture.”
He clasped Nanny Li’s hands. “Thank you for explaining everything so clearly.”
Seeing that Shurui understood the situation without making a fuss, Nanny Li let out a breath of relief.
“You’re too kind. In the future, when you’ve gone to such a rich household as the Wu family, don’t forget this old woman.”
“Of course not,” Shurui replied.
By the time he walked back to his room, rain had begun to fall again.
He heard the chirping of swallows. Looking up, he saw that the nest under the eaves—sometime without his noticing—had filled out with feathered fledglings. They were already able to fly out and forage on their own.
Shurui stood beneath the eaves watching for a long while.