After visiting the home, it was clear: the Li family was large, orderly, and well-kept. Observing their demeanor, the way they spoke, and how they interacted revealed the family’s everyday nature.
This was just a normal matchmaking for a son-in-law, like any other marriage, nothing extraordinary. Their concern was simply a quiet guilt, a worry that Hai Youtian might not be treated well. But exactly what they feared, they couldn’t put into words.
Just as Hai Youtian had told them, the family hadn’t lived together for many years. Blood ties and affection existed, but interactions remained polite. When it came to marriage, their hearts were restrained, unsure what to say. Ultimately, it came down to a simple agreement—seemingly reluctant.
Hai Youtian stayed behind in the courtyard to explain to Aunt Chen: “Aunt Chen, they don’t have any objections toward your family. They just worry about me in the future. They’re not worldly; they can’t hide their thoughts—everything is on their faces. Please be understanding.”
Chen Guizhi understood. “It’s fine. Life is lived day by day. The major decision is made. Once they see you doing well, they’ll feel at ease. Go back with them. I’ll have the matchmaker come in the next few days and arrange the engagement for Shun Ge’er.”
Hai Youtian, slightly embarrassed, rubbed his hands. “Aunt Chen, I don’t have many copper coins. I might not manage a dowry.”
Chen Guizhi: “……”
He adapted quickly, already speaking of dowry.
Speaking of dowries, it was quite unfair in those days.
When marrying a bride—or a husband—dowries mattered. If the bride price was given but the dowry brought home was lacking or inconsistent with promises, life for the wife or husband at their new home could be difficult.
But for recruiting a son-in-law, it was different. Men were valued; they came empty-handed. The bride price wasn’t returned. In well-off families, men did not marry in—they weren’t entering as dependents. The money spent on a son-in-law’s entry was the family’s own contribution.
By convention, Hai Youtian didn’t need to prepare anything.
Yet he insisted on bringing the bride price back—his family didn’t need it—using it as part of the dowry, preserving dignity when he joined the family.
Once Hai Youtian left, Li Feng could return home. The family could finish their discussions and disperse.
Chen Guizhi called Lu Liu inside for a talk. When they reached the topic of dowries, she naturally remembered Lu Liu’s own marriage. She had been annoyed by the old clothes and thin cotton jackets he brought. Only when Lu Liu and Li Feng had returned Chen’s father’s cotton jackets did she feel the two families’ accounts balanced.
Now it was Shun Ge’er’s turn—entirely different. She wanted to explain carefully to Lu Liu: first, marrying in as a son-in-law was different; second, the family was wealthy.
Lu Liu smiled before she could finish.
“Mother, I know. How long ago was that? It’s fine.”
The Chen family’s minimal dowry had been their own calculation, disregarding what had been promised and never considering the child’s future life. The Hai family was different; though the amount wasn’t specified during negotiation, whatever Shun Ge’er brought, he would return—effectively, neither family lost, ensuring equality.
Chen Guizhi patted his hand, eyes slightly moist after a while.
She had seen many people and encountered many situations. Often, small differences in thought, a little calculation in the heart, could escalate into conflict.
Occasionally, Li Feng would mention to her how challenging it was to run a household prosperously. She knew it wasn’t easy.
Her strong, bold nature was meant to maintain unity in the household. Fewer opinions meant fewer conflicts. In a family, if one person was overly dominant, children below would grow weak.
She still often thought of Er Tian. Though she claimed to have let go, and acted as if she had, she hadn’t really. She frequently reflected on her mistakes.
She told Lu Liu: “Our family runs smoothly now. Life is prosperous, quarrels are few, all because of your broad heart and generosity. Don’t worry—Mother won’t show favoritism. The household is better off now; giving more to Shun Ge’er doesn’t mean less for you. I’ve saved a gift for you, a piece of fine jewelry.”
She saved it from her personal funds, not touching the household’s.
Lu Liu leaned close, putting his arm around her shoulder, playful and affectionate.
“Oh, Mother, I don’t like hearing that. You said I’m broad-minded and uncalculating—how can you mention favoritism again? If you do, I’ll get angry; you won’t be treating me as your own child.”
Chen Guizhi, teased enough, wasn’t used to it and said, “Stop shaking me—I’m dizzy.”
Lu Liu paused, saying, “Da Feng also said he’d buy me jewelry, but I didn’t want it. I’m not used to wearing such things. One or two pieces for fun are enough. I was happy with the willow-leaf earrings, and then the wheat-ear bracelet—I was happy. Anything beyond that is just so-so. I prefer silver lying solidly at home, in my hands. Changing it up, I feel it’s different. After I didn’t take the jewelry, Da Feng thought of arranging property—raising chickens, rabbits, pigs, ducks, even digging a pond for fish. I like this—it makes me happy just hearing it.”
Chen Guizhi wiped her eyes. “You’re a good child.”
Lu Liu also enjoyed their mother-child closeness. His father and granddad were too meek; he liked feeling protected. Da Feng could protect him, and so could Mother. During the chaotic days learning household management in the mountains, Mother taught him much.
He didn’t fuss over little things—he already had enough.
Yet Chen Guizhi insisted on preparing him a piece of jewelry.
When Li Feng delivered the engagement gifts to the Chen family, neither Lu Liu nor Lu Yang touched them.
She saved a pair of matching bangles, equal to Shun Ge’er’s dowry—Lu Liu would be pleased.
For today, she decided not to say anything. She would quietly take care of it herself.
The New Year had arrived, and time passed quickly.
Xie Yan went out to pay New Year respects and then returned home to host guests. In the rare free moments, he handled affairs. Soon, it was the tenth day of the lunar New Year.
He needed to take Lu Yang to the clinic to check his abdomen for normal development.
Outside, the roads were poor, mostly yellow earth. After several rain and snowfalls, the ground was muddy. Even after two days of sunshine, the road hadn’t fully dried, and some snow was still melting.
Xie Yan looked outside and decided to invite physicians home to check Lu Yang’s pulse.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, he went out and soon returned with two physicians.
He was meticulous about having Lu Yang examined, willing to spend extra silver to hear different medical opinions.
Lu Yang had a premonition; indeed, the doctors confirmed twins. Naturally, the household was overjoyed, bustling with happiness.
Xie Yan followed custom, offering the physicians rewards, then returned to Lu Yang. Seeing how calm he was, he asked, “Jingzhi, did you know already?”
Lu Yang spoke honestly: “No. I just noticed my belly had grown recently. Today confirmed it.”
Xie Yan leaned close, eye to eye, and suddenly nipped his lips. “I knew all along—you just hid it from me.”
Lu Yang smiled, saying nothing in reply.
He was observing Xie Yan’s reaction, worried he might speak rashly and insist he stay behind instead of going to the capital for exams.
His pregnancy was mild; mood swings came and went quickly. No much morning sickness, ate and drank well, energy was good. He could attend classes, converse, and still have strength. But he got sleepy easily, fatigued faster.
Lying on the kang, he often suffered leg cramps and soreness, needing someone to support him.
The couple was silent for a while. Xie Yan stopped speaking, lifted Lu Yang’s legs onto the kang, removed his shoes and socks, pulled over the bedding, and knelt beside him, skillfully massaging and kneading his legs.
Lu Yang watched for a while, then laughed again.
“What’s the matter? Not saying a word, acting like a little husband taking the heat.”
Xie Yan glanced at him, full of playful petulance.
“Guess.”
To Lu Yang, this meant, “You’re spoiling me.”
Ah, he could be domineering even when acting cute.
The way they interacted as a couple was not fixed.
They were both growing, each changing. Lu Yang felt his own sharpness soften, naturally sensing Xie Yan’s transformation from helplessness to confident firmness.
