Shi Wuxiang gently patted him to coax him. “I know you’re uncomfortable. Drinking medicine will help you recover faster. Bear with it and finish the medicine. I’ll tell Chengdu and the others later; once you recover, I’ll return to the academy.”
But Yuan Zhao only pouted and said nothing.
Who knew whether he was truly staying to take care of him, or planning to go meet that girl?
He sniffled. “Have you also heard about Mother arranging meetings? Do you agree too?”
Shi Wuxiang?
He indeed did not strongly oppose it. After all, Ah Yue was already reaching that age, and Madam Zhang was anxious. But he also understood that arranging a meeting did not mean immediate marriage and children. It could take years of seeing and understanding.
So he nodded and said, “Mother said she is a good girl. It is not impossible to meet her. I don’t really mind these things.”
If the girl was truly good, and Ah Yue was also satisfied, then they could interact first, and marriage could be considered after a couple of years.
But he did not know that from the very beginning, their conversation had not been on the same wavelength. The misunderstanding had already formed when the matchmaker first came to the door.
Because of the rumors, Yuan Zhao thought the girl Madam Zhang was arranging was for Shi Wuxiang to take as a concubine.
Madam Zhang had clearly told the matchmaker it was for Shi Qingyue, and Shi Wuxiang also knew it was for Shi Qingyue. Both of them assumed Yuan Zhao also knew it was for Shi Qingyue.
Thus, the misunderstanding arose.
Hearing this, Yuan Zhao’s breathing instantly became chaotic, and he began coughing violently. While coughing, he pushed Shi Wuxiang away, refusing to lean into his arms.
Shi Wuxiang did not understand what had happened, but he did not dare to force him, only letting him lean against the bed. “What’s wrong? Uncomfortable? Be good, drink the medicine first and then rest.”
Yuan Zhao looked at him through tear-filled eyes, full of grievance he did not know how to express. How could he be so cold-hearted?
“How can you agree to meeting her!” Those watery eyes were filled with anger, every word carrying accusation.
“I could refuse, but after thinking it over, it is not impossible. After all, he is reaching that age, and Mother is anxious,” Shi Wuxiang said, not understanding why he suddenly changed expression. He had previously even thought arranging a meeting for Ah Yue was fine.
However, he had no intention of arguing with Yuan Zhao about this, since he was still ill and crying would only worsen his headache.
Hearing this, Yuan Zhao felt even worse.
Even if he acted out or lost his temper, he could not change reality. Instead, it would only make him hate this unreasonable version of himself.
He sniffed, took the medicine bowl with trembling hands, and drank it down in one go. The bitterness made him shiver twice. After finishing, he pulled the blanket over himself and turned away, no longer paying attention to Shi Wuxiang.
Shi Wuxiang did not say anything. He pulled the blanket slightly tighter, tucked the corners in, and stayed by his side.
Yuan Zhao’s health had always been weak due to improper care in the past; he was prone to fever during seasonal changes. It was his fault for being too busy with the academy recently and forgetting to remind him to add clothes.
“Has anything happened at home recently?” Shi Wuxiang asked Xia Lian in a low voice.
He did not believe Yuan Zhao would fall ill and lose weight just from seasonal change. His flesh seemed unable to grow; even minor issues affected him greatly.
Xia Lian naturally did not hide anything and recounted the recent rumors—some said Yuan Zhao could not bear children, others said he would take a concubine.
Even Shi Wuxiang felt a headache upon hearing this. Where had these words even come from? Madam Zhang was only arranging a meeting for Ah Yue, so how had it somehow turned into whether Yuan Zhao could bear children?
“Earlier, when the husband asked about it, we found out it was that matchmaker who spread it,” Xia Lian said from an outside perspective. “The husband was probably also influenced by those words and thought it was because he couldn’t have children, which is why Madam became so anxious and rushed to arrange a match for the second young master.”
Shi Wuxiang finally understood.
No wonder when he agreed to the matchmaking, Yuan Zhao reacted so fiercely—he must have thought he was also supporting those outside rumors.
It was simply an unjust disaster.
“Have Zhou Ren give that matchmaker something to keep her busy. Don’t let her keep circling around our household,” Shi Wuxiang said coldly.
“Yes.”
Although Xia Lian did not fully understand why so many things in this household always got tangled together, she understood one thing very clearly: as a servant, she had to do everything properly, or she would be sent away for even the smallest mistake.
She had already suffered enough under the slave traders; even if the Shi family told her to kill someone, she felt she would have no choice but to do it.
Shi Wuxiang once again returned to Yuan Zhao’s bedside. These past days, due to mental and physical exhaustion, the flesh on his face had thinned again. Even after recovering, he would likely lose more weight. Why could he never just properly put on some meat?
“Ah Zhao…” he gently stroked his forehead. Even though he was covered so thickly, there was no sweat on his body, clearly indicating the severity of his illness.
“Ah Xiang…”
The unconscious Yuan Zhao murmured in response, as if answering his call.
He had always called “Ah Xiang” with joy.
Always looked at “Ah Xiang” with bright, shining eyes.
Even though Shi Wuxiang felt he had already done enough, he still felt he owed him something—like he should never have been so harsh from the very beginning.
Illness came like a collapsing mountain. Yuan Zhao’s mild cold and fever had dragged on for five days. Shi Wuxiang was anxious every day, and he too looked increasingly worn down, though he finally felt relieved seeing signs of recovery.
“I’m already fine, you should go back to the academy. You’ve delayed so long already—you’ll definitely get scolded,” Yuan Zhao said worriedly.
“Who would dare scold me besides you?” Shi Wuxiang pinched his cheek. “Don’t overthink things. Eat properly no matter what. Being too thin is not good-looking either.”
“I’m not good-looking to begin with,” Yuan Zhao muttered. “I’m just dark and ugly. People only think I look fine because they’re used to seeing me.”
Shi Wuxiang clicked his tongue. “Your eyes are eyes, your nose is a nose—everything is perfectly well-formed. Who would dare say you’re not good-looking?”
The compliment sounded oddly phrased.
Yet Yuan Zhao’s eyes lit up instantly. He cupped his face in disbelief. “Really? My eyes are eyes and my nose is a nose?”
He even let out an amazed “wow.”
What was there to be surprised about?
Shi Wuxiang did not understand, but it did not stop him from finding Yuan Zhao’s foolish look endearing. With a faint smile, he continued, “Of course it’s true.”
You don’t even know how much charm you have.
He looked down at him indulgently. The once thin, dark little youth was long gone, replaced by someone with clear skin, soft hair, red lips, and gentle eyes—extremely beautiful.
Though still a little dark, it was now a kind of attractive dusky beauty.
Just a single sentence had soothed Yuan Zhao.
He could distinguish sincerity from falsehood—he was always easy to appease.
Soon it was autumn harvest season. This year there had been abundant rain, and the crops grew well. Yuan Zhao often used visiting Yuan-ge’er in the village as an excuse to check the fields. Last year’s drought had not done much damage to the land.
Although the harvest might be slightly lower than previous years, it was still enough for people to eat. At least there was hope.
The school also closed for harvest season. The children, both older and younger, all had to help in the fields. While they could not do heavy labor, they could still pick up grains left in the soil.
Yuan Zhao simply brought everyone back to the village to help. Their family fields were tax-exempt, and some were even registered under Shi Wuxiang and Shi Qingyue to avoid taxes, requiring them instead to pay monthly fees. Even their crops needed help being gathered.
“Brother Zhao is back! Your mother-in-law is already harvesting in the fields! You even came back specially—you’re really filial!”
Compliments came endlessly. Yuan Zhao still smiled and greeted everyone, not taking the praise to heart. Hearing that Madam Zhang was already in the fields, he quickly went to change clothes and head over.
Their farmland was not much; Yuan Zhao actually liked the fields. As a villager at heart, he believed land was security—only with land could one survive.
But in Ah Xiang’s eyes, as long as money was earned, food and clothing could simply be bought. He had never really thought about these fields.
Once he and Yuan-ge’er left, he would buy plenty of land to farm!
“Mother, I’m here to help,” Yuan Zhao ran into the fields, afraid Madam Zhang might think he was lazy. She was already planning to take concubines for Ah Xiang—she must already be displeased with him.
“Why did you come all the way here?” Madam Zhang said, seeing him in gray work clothes after a long time. “We don’t have much land, everyone in the village is helping. It’ll be done soon. Is everything alright in town?”
Yuan Zhao nodded. “I only brought Xia Lian and Zhou Ren. There’s nothing going on in town.”
But Madam Zhang still did not let him work. “Go rest on the side. Don’t do this. I won’t do it either—I’ll just watch them.”
She brought him to the field ridge instead, watching villagers work while Yuan-ge’er and Ranran chased after grains in the back, treating it as play since they rarely had a holiday from school.
Yuan Zhao stayed with her, so he naturally relaxed.
The harvest was not huge, but since there were no taxes, it was enough for a year’s food. The shop, however, still bought rice and flour year-round for business.
As always, autumn harvest brought joy and sorrow.
A few days after harvest, tax collectors arrived as usual. Those without enough grain or wanting to keep more had to pay with money instead.
Fortunately, the Great Sheng Dynasty did not heavily tax labor or grain, so most people could still manage, though poorer families still needed to borrow. Thankfully, Qinglan Village had good fortune and few bad people.
As Madam Zhang had said, the grain was all brought home by evening. Some was spread out in the courtyard to dry, leaving only narrow paths for walking.
“Then I’ll stay in the village these few days to help watch the grain,” Yuan Zhao said.
“There’s no need for that. Ah Yue hasn’t been staying properly at home lately. Tomorrow I’ll go to town with you and check on him. That boy becomes lazy when no one watches him! I should have Ah Xiang bring him back to the academy,” Madam Zhang said helplessly.
Yuan Zhao nodded and instructed Xia He to take care of the children, leaving Zhou Ren in the village to help dry the grain, while he returned with Xia Lian.
Madam Zhang’s trip to town was naturally to meet the matchmaker again. However, the matchmaker had recently suffered some trouble at home and even injured her leg, so she had been unable to move around much.
Her arrival was a welcome one for the matchmaker, who immediately began chattering.
A family she had once arranged a match for had trouble—the widow remarried within three years, and the in-laws blamed her for not finding a good match. The woman had already waited more than two years; when she found someone suitable and wanted to remarry, her family refused to release her, so she ran away.
“What kind of nonsense is this? I was even injured because of it! Now no one dares come to me for matchmaking anymore!”
Madam Zhang’s visit, however, was a sign of trust, and the matchmaker even brought up the idea of taking a concubine for Shi Wuxiang.
Madam Zhang looked surprised. “Why are you suddenly talking about concubines for our Ah Xiang?”
“Isn’t your eldest son-in-law said to be unable to have children? Taking a concubine to bear children wouldn’t affect anything. I can introduce many good girls!” the matchmaker said quickly.
Madam Zhang had never considered such things. The Shi family had no precedent for taking concubines. Even two people living together was already difficult enough—adding another would only create chaos.
Besides, she was very satisfied with Yuan Zhao. Even if Shi Wuxiang were to divorce one day, he would still need to observe mourning chastity for three years before anything else.
“The children’s matters are for them to decide themselves,” she said with a light laugh. “Ah Xiang treats Zhao-ge’er well. He won’t take a concubine. You can drop the idea.”
The matchmaker, unwilling to lose her remaining business, quickly changed the subject back to the girl she was introducing.
“After we discussed it with that side, the meeting will be at my place tomorrow,” the matchmaker quickly said, afraid she would not earn any money recently. “You just have your little scholar come directly here then. Let them meet and talk.”
“Alright,” Madam Zhang nodded slightly. “Then I’ll bring him over before noon tomorrow. You should also rest well—I’ll be leaving now.”
The matchmaker still wanted to chat more, but Madam Zhang left in a hurry. In the time it took to speak a few sentences, she was already standing up and gone, not leaving any room for further conversation.
When she returned home and told Yuan Zhao about it, he showed no expression. He only lowered his eyes slightly and asked, “Should we have Ah Xiang come back as well? Are you going alone tomorrow?”
“Why would we call him back? He’s busy at the academy,” Madam Zhang laughed. “It’s not for Ah Xiang, it’s for Ah Yue. Tomorrow we’ll just take Ah Yue to meet her. You can also take a look—tell us whether it’s good or not.”
After all, if this matter succeeded, Yuan Zhao and her would become in-laws in the future, and they would all have to live together. If they disliked each other, there would inevitably be trouble at home.
Small flaws did not matter; no one was perfect. But if there were issues with character, that would absolutely not do.
Yuan Zhao did not expect that he would also be expected to go. Though he felt a bit disappointed, he also found it strange. Taking a concubine was not a small matter—if it was for Ah Xiang, why was the person involved not going, while others were?
Could it be that Ah Xiang had already met her? Found her good, so they were going to settle everything tomorrow?
“I still have some matters at the shop tomorrow, I probably can’t go,” Yuan Zhao said casually, making up an excuse. How could he possibly go to help select a concubine for Ah Xiang?
Madam Zhang felt a little regretful but did not insist. After all, she already thought the girl was quite good. This time, what mattered most was Shi Qingyue’s opinion. If he liked her too, then there would be no problem.
As for the rest, people always had to adjust after living together.
By the time Shi Qingyue returned after drinking with his classmates, he was only slightly tipsy and still clearly aware. When he learned he was going to meet someone, he immediately protested, “I don’t want to go! I still have plans to go hiking with them tomorrow!”
“Hiking? Why don’t you try hiking your way into becoming a jinshi for me to see?” Madam Zhang snapped. “You’d better behave while I can still speak nicely. Otherwise don’t blame me for sending you to your eldest brother’s place to be trained!”
Shi Qingyue grimaced. “Why are you bringing up the jinshi exam again? It’s not like I can just pass if I want to. I don’t have my eldest brother’s brain!”
“So what if you don’t? Can’t you study harder?” Madam Zhang refused to listen to excuses. “Tomorrow you must go. Dress properly. Don’t embarrass yourself.”
“Big sister-in-law—”
“Calling anyone won’t help. Who do you think I’m doing this for?” Madam Zhang even smacked his back.
The tall scholar did not dare protest, only occasionally looking at Yuan Zhao with a pitiful expression, hoping he would speak up for him.
He was still young—how could he be pushed into marriage so early?
But Yuan Zhao avoided his gaze. This was not something he could decide. Only if Ah Xiang changed his mind could anything be resolved—but Ah Xiang would not.
In the end, Shi Qingyue had no choice but to go along.
Along the way, Madam Zhang kept talking about how good the girl was. This time they would meet directly. Shi Qingyue had little experience talking to girls and had no idea what to say. Could they just sit there awkwardly?
They arrived first. Tea and snacks were already prepared on the table by the matchmaker.
Soon, the other family arrived as well. The girl’s mother brought her. Before they even entered, the girl was already blushing, and after seeing Shi Qingyue, her face turned even redder.
The girl was delicate-looking, dressed in soft pink clothing, which made her appear even more charming. Shi Qingyue stared at her without blinking, making her want to bury her face in the ground.
“Behave yourself!” Madam Zhang pinched him hard. “Talk properly. If you dare act rude, I’ll pretend I don’t have a son like you!”
Inside the room, only the two of them remained. The others stayed outside the door.
“You’re a scholar… you’re really amazing…” the girl said softly, her voice gentle and shy, not daring to look at him.
“I’m just lucky,” Shi Qingyue also softened his tone. “This is my first time meeting someone like this. If I say something wrong, please don’t mind.”
“It’s fine… it’s my first time too…” the girl said, almost embarrassed to death. After a pause, she remembered her parents’ instructions. “My family also has a shop. My mother said I’ll bring it as dowry. My younger brother is still small, so there’s no rush for his marriage.”
Shi Qingyue was not quite sure why she was talking about this. Wasn’t meeting supposed to be about whether they liked each other?
But he still nodded obediently. “I have an elder brother and a younger sister. She’s one year younger than you, very obedient. You two will definitely get along.”
He only said it casually, but it sounded like he was already eager to marry her in.
The girl’s face turned even redder.
She had been told her family background mattered: not too many sons, not too many daughters. The Shi family was just right. But compared to them, her own family was still lacking.
Still, she had a shop as dowry. Her future in-laws would probably not look down on her.
“I can also do accounts and cook,” she added softly.
“You can read too?” Shi Qingyue became interested. He himself was educated, so he naturally hoped his future wife would at least be literate.
The girl hesitated before nodding. Her mother had said she should not admit she could read… or maybe it was okay?
Outside the room, the adults could already hear most of the conversation. Madam Zhang felt it was about time and lightly coughed. The matchmaker understood and went in to wrap things up.
“Alright, that’s it for today,” the matchmaker said quickly.
Shi Qingyue returned home in high spirits.
Yuan Zhao was already waiting in the front hall. Hearing movement, he quickly came out. Shi Qingyue greeted him cheerfully, “Sister-in-law! Hehe!”
“So happy?” Yuan Zhao forced a smile.
Just meeting a little sister-in-law makes you this happy?
“Mm!” Shi Qingyue nodded hard. “Yue-jie is really nice. She talked to me a lot. She even has a shop as dowry and can do accounts and read books!”
Every word sounded like comparison—things Yuan Zhao never had.
But that girl really was better than him—she had parents, and she could read.
Such a well-bred girl… why would she willingly become a concubine? It must be because she really liked Ah Xiang. Otherwise, why endure such grievance?
“You must really like her then?” Yuan Zhao asked with a faint smile.
Shi Qingyue nodded shyly, ready to continue getting to know her.