“Who did Brother Lan come to treat that the steward had to guide him?”
Liu Jin retracted his neck, muttering to himself, starting to plot.
“Father, the steward has the leisure to entertain Brother Lan but ignores us. Looks like today’s trip is in vain. Our family isn’t lowly; there’s no need to grovel and make a bad impression.”
Seeing Bai Lan moving back and forth at Zan Yu Estate and being treated courteously by the steward, Liu Wu wasn’t pleased. He returned to his seat, sulking, and sipped his tea—the cup nearly empty.
Liu Jin slowly returned to his place. “Brother came to deliver a message that the young master of the Ning family visited Zan Yu Estate. He’s worked at the Ning household for years, though only in the outer courtyard. Even so, he has brought honor to the village. Now the young master visits—how could we miss such a good opportunity to seek an audience?”
He led Liu Wu, still daydreaming about having his son enter the Ning household.
“Thank you for waiting.”
The father and son had been sitting for some time with no news. When they saw the steward approaching, they stood quickly, smiling politely. “The tea here is excellent; we lost track of time drinking it.”
“Liu family’s eldest son works diligently at the estate and is well-regarded by the master. If he enjoys this tea, I can have two boxes sent to him,” Huang Zhixing said politely. “However, today is not convenient; I’m afraid you won’t get to see our master. Last night, the weather was chilly, and our master caught a slight cold. It’s truly unsuitable for receiving guests.”
Though politely phrased, it was a rejection. Liu Jin, hearing this, relaxed—showing more concern than for his own mother’s illness. “The weather has been changing; one must be careful not to catch a cold. The young master Ning must take care of his health.”
Huang Zhixing nodded.
Liu Jin, like someone who had opened a chatterbox, began speaking since the steward said little. “Earlier, Brother Lan came to treat someone from our village?”
“Correct. The estate’s main doctor went to the city, so we relied on our village doctor.”
“Brother Lan is still young. Usually we call on his father. Can Brother Lan really diagnose ailments?”
Huang Zhixing said, “Dr. Jiang went out, but young Dr. Jiang is just as skilled as his father. Our young master said that despite his age, he is very precise in taking pulses.”
Liu Jin beamed with pride, lavishing more compliments. He praised the young master for knowing how to employ talent, without the airs of a noble youth, willing to use a rural doctor.
Seeing his father so enthusiastic, Liu Wu also tried to compliment Huang Zhixing, saying, “Our family has already discussed a marriage with the Jiang family. In the future, if the estate needs Brother Lan’s skills, Steward Huang should not hesitate to call on him.”
Huang Zhixing, hoping to dismiss the talkative father and son, paused, feigning casual interest: “Really?”
He looked at Liu Jin, and seeing that Huang Zhixing seemed somewhat interested, Liu Jin quickly nodded. “Yes, yes.”
Huang Zhixing gave a faint, enigmatic reply. “That would indeed be an excellent match.”
After a few more words, Huang Zhixing dismissed the Liu father and son, then went to report back to Ning Muyan.
“Young Dr. Jiang did not stay long. I have packed the pastries for him to take back.”
At that moment, Ning Muyan was standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. Noticing the fine rain weaving thin threads across the sky, he sent his attendant out to fetch a cup of fresh tea. Once the attendant had gone, he asked, “Did he take an umbrella?”
“When Young Dr. Jiang arrived, it was not raining. I gave him one of the estate’s umbrellas when he left.”
Hearing this, Ning Muyan said no more.
In the past, Huang Zhixing would have understood and quietly left. Today, however, he had something more he wanted to say. Though he could not read Ning Muyan’s mind, seeing that no one else was around, he ventured, “Just now, while I was sending off Liu Jin and his son, I overheard some idle talk.”
Ning Muyan looked up at him.
Huang Zhixing immediately understood and continued, “I heard that the Liu family has already discussed a marriage with the young Dr. Jiang who came for a consultation today.”
Ning Muyan’s brows drew together. “When did this happen?”
Huang Zhixing could not tell what Ning Muyan’s thoughts were regarding the young man who had visited the estate, but since he had sent for the doctor personally, it seemed unusual. That was why he spoke of the gossip—but it appeared his words were not wasted.
“I shall inquire and clarify at once,” Huang Zhixing said.
After the door closed, Ning Muyan paced from the window back to his desk, abruptly tossing a Thousand-Character Classic he had been holding onto the surface.
His eyes darkened.
That boy!
His actions had been remarkably quick—within just three or five days, he had arranged everything, leaving Ning Muyan barely a day to respond. If he had come a day later, he might have completely missed the opportunity.
Bai Lan returned home. The drizzle had stopped, and he closed his umbrella, shaking off the rain before leaning it against the eaves.
The box of pastries in his hand was heavy. Between holding the umbrella and carrying the box, while being careful of the slippery ground, his wrists ached. He shook out his arms and reached for the money pouch at his waist, squeezing it lightly. The estate had paid him according to the standard fees for a two-trip consultation—wealthy families were indeed generous.
“Lan’er.”
Hearing the voice from the yard, Bai Lan set down his pouch under the eaves. Jiang Zichun had returned.
His father had worn a straw hat when leaving; now, with the heavier rain, his clothes were damp. Bai Lan, as usual, went to retrieve the medicine box and asked about the patient’s condition.
“The bones are set, but he must rest well afterward. Still, the old master’s age means even after recovery, he cannot handle heavy work.”
Jiang Zichun let out a small sigh. For a farmer, a strong body was everything. Knowing that the old man could no longer work hard was like taking half his life away.
Entering the house, he removed his wet outer coat and noticed the carved food box on the table. “What’s this?”
Bai Lan, not intending to hide it, opened the box. Inside were four or five dishes of delicate pastries, their sweet aroma wafting out. “Father, just now I went to Zan Yu Estate at their request. I hadn’t planned to go, but they urged me, and it was just a mild cold. These are their tokens of thanks.”
He explained, and Jiang Zichun nodded. “Well, people from a wealthy household truly observe proper etiquette.”
“Father, have some. You were busy earlier and haven’t eaten breakfast.”
Bai Lan spread out the pastries. As he reached for the last dish, he noticed a stack of white jade yam cakes—his favorite. He froze for a moment.
“Good, let’s taste the estate’s pastries,” Jiang Zichun said, unaware of Bai Lan’s reaction.
Father and son enjoyed a rare quiet moment, indulging in their food. But barely had they settled when noise erupted outside.
They instinctively peeked out together.
“Dr. Jiang, Bai Lan! At home, are you? Good news!”
The voice outside was bright and sharp. Jiang Zichun called to Bai Lan, “You stay inside. I’ll go see.”
Bai Lan peeked at a woman outside, her head adorned with a large red flower, smiling broadly, and obediently stayed indoors.
Jiang Zichun went to greet them politely and found that not only was the matchmaker there, but also the Liu father and son.
Seeing him, Liu Wu remained sulky and silent, while Liu Jin, abandoning his earlier cold demeanor, warmly shook Jiang Zichun’s hand.
“Dr. Jiang, the other day we mentioned our two children. After discussing with their mother, we are very fond of Brother Lan. Today, the children urged us to come.”
Typically, in rural households, such a visit would be made by the matriarch or head of the household, but Liu Jin, proud of his status, personally came this time.
One reason was that the women in his family had returned to their maternal home, making him reluctant to coax them; another was that he had already spoken at Zan Yu Estate and had prepared the betrothal gifts to finalize the match.
Jiang Zichun did not fully understand the Liu family’s intentions. Yesterday, they had seemed indifferent; today, they were overly warm. Such inconsistency made him uneasy. Nevertheless, since they came voluntarily, it spared him another trip, and he invited them inside.
Bai Lan went to brew tea and serve it, remaining quiet since elders were speaking. He poured the tea and stood beside Jiang Zichun. Liu Wu, sitting opposite, stared at him intently, making Bai Lan somewhat uncomfortable.
The matchmaker extolled the Liu family at length. Liu Jin sipped his tea with a pleased smile. Once the matchmaker finished, he said, “If our families are joined in marriage, it would be most auspicious.”
Liu Jin was determined to succeed. Even without considering that his youngest son was already a standout among the village youths, his respectable family background made him highly desirable, and having a landlord as a father was icing on the cake—making him one of the most sought-after matches in the village. The Jiang family had little reason to refuse.
This time, Liu Jin had come in person, hoping that Bai Lan’s growing reputation at Zanyu Manor could help him make connections with Steward Huang. Even if he couldn’t meet the master today, he figured there would be plenty of future opportunities.
But Jiang Zichun’s words darkened his expression.
“I appreciate your kind intentions, Master Liu. That your family values Bai Lan is your good fortune. As for me, I only have this one child. Lan is still young; if he were married off too early, I would be left without an heir. I wish to keep him a few more years.”
Hearing his father say this, Bai Lan felt a slight relief.
Liu Jin hadn’t expected Jiang Zichun to block him with such words. He had assumed an easy agreement, and the unexpected refusal left him unprepared.
When the matter was first mentioned, Jiang Zichun had seemed quite willing. Liu Jin assumed the small objection yesterday was just a petty resistance due to being slighted. Frowning, he lowered his voice:
“Master Jiang, you must know that our Liu family is no ordinary household. Many would seek to marry into our family.”
“That is true,” Jiang Zichun replied calmly. “The Liu family is a respected household in the village, and everyone knows it. I actually intended to come by yesterday to clarify, but Master Liu was busy, which is why you had to come in vain today.”
Hearing this, father and son’s faces visibly sank. The Liu family held prestige in the village, and being rejected in such a manner was a blow to their pride.
The matchmaker, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly interjected to soothe Jiang Zichun: “Master Jiang, it is natural to be reluctant to part with such a fine child as Bai Lan. But the Liu family is nearby; you can always see them. In a few years, you might not find such a good match again!”
She then turned to Bai Lan, puffed out her cheeks, and patted his hand: “Look at how well Bai Lan and our Fifth Master match. Master Jiang shouldn’t play the spoilsport.”
Bai Lan ignored the attempt to sow discord: “It’s not that I wish to keep this from Fifth Brother, but I want to care for my father a little longer. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father has raised me alone all these years. That is why I had to speak plainly, so as not to waste Fifth Brother’s time.”
Filial piety comes first—a principle even examined in scholarly tests. Bai Lan’s words left others with little room to argue.
Rejecting a marriage proposal, if one isn’t afraid of offending someone, is easier said than done.
Liu Jin pressed his brows, glared fiercely at Jiang Zichun and Bai Lan, and realized that being forced to accept a proposal from a village doctor would be a loss of face. His pride hurt, he swept his sleeve, stood, and revealed his true temper:
“How dare you! You think the Liu family is desperate for this marriage?”
With that, he strode out, Liu Wu trailing behind, glancing back at Bai Lan with reluctance before chasing after his father.
The matchmaker, seeing the abrupt departure, offered apologies to Jiang Zichun: “Forgive me, Master Jiang, I didn’t expect them to be so hot-tempered.”
Bai Lan watched as the Liu family packed up their gifts. Inwardly, he felt a sense of relief.
Jiang Zichun, watching the house regain its quiet, shook his head: “The Liu family is far too capricious. Fortunately, we did not agree hastily.”
Bai Lan said, “No matter what, it’s clear now. Our families never had much dealings anyway; it’s better we keep it that way in the future.”
Jiang Zichun nodded.