Chen Xiaomei’s intuition was correct. As Chen Sheng left, Madam Chen washed her face and reapplied her makeup before heading out.
As for where she was going and what she was going to do, Chen Xiaomei had no clue. After watching her disappear, she paced around the courtyard for a while, unable to figure it out. Suspicious that she might be overthinking, she had no other choice but to turn around and return to her room in the inner courtyard.
Meanwhile, in Liujiacun, not long after Liu Yu had left, Wang Shi carried a large basket of clothes to the riverside. At this time of the day, it was the busiest period for women doing laundry by the river. Wang Shi greeted the women washing clothes, found an available spot, and placed the clothes on a raised stone surface. She then cleaned the empty basket before starting to wash the clothes.
Seeing Wang Shi washing clothes, a woman who was close to her moved aside a bit and asked with a smile, “Is it that good news for your daughter Liu Yu approaching?”
Wang Shi paused in her laundry work, then continued scrubbing. She replied, “What are you saying? She’s still young; we plan to wait for another two years.”
The woman chuckled, “The wealthy families in town are interested in marrying her. Can you bear to wait?”
Wang Shi was taken aback, “What wealthy families?”
Seeing her reaction, the woman was puzzled, “You don’t know? Yesterday, Chen Huaihua went to your house.”
Chen Huaihua was the name of Chen Ma’s sister.
Wang Shi nodded, “She came to help us with some work. How did this turn into a matter of marriage?”
The woman chuckled, “I really saw it with my own eyes. She went with her sister, who stayed outside your yard watching. Chen Huaihua is quite crafty; I think she brought her sister to see Liu Yu.”
Having witnessed people peeking around her daughter for the past two years, Wang Shi wasn’t surprised. “Chen Huaihua’s family isn’t considered wealthy.”
The woman burst into laughter, “You simplify things too much. While Chen Huaihua’s family might not be rich, the family she works for is the Chen family in the town, the one that runs the bookstore. Your precious son uses writing tools and books bought from that bookstore, isn’t it? If that’s not a wealthy family, then what is?”
Wang Shi was aware of the bookstore in town, but she remained unfazed. “Just because she works for them doesn’t mean anything about our family’s wealth. You’re overthinking.”
The woman continued to laugh, “You’re not thinking thoroughly. With a beauty like your daughter, do you think people like us would dare to propose marriage to your family? Such a beautiful girl wouldn’t marry into a poor family. Chen Huaihua and her sister are well aware of this. That’s why I guess she might be there on behalf of the main family. Hasn’t your daughter been going to town every day recently? Maybe someone from the Chen family saw her.”
Wang Shi was taken aback. The woman, seemingly unaware, continued washing clothes and talking, “Chen Huaihua keeps her lips sealed. I tried asking her yesterday, but she didn’t utter a word. I’m pretty sure it’s close to the mark. Just wait to enjoy the benefits of having a daughter. If she marries into the Chen family, it’ll be a life of luxury. I heard that the Miss of the Chen family wears clothes and items bought from the county. You, in the future, will definitely…”
Before she could finish the sentence related to enjoying the daughter’s success, Wang Shi, distracted, somehow loosened the clothes she was washing, and they were swept away by the swift river.
The woman exclaimed, “Oh no, your clothes!”
She picked up a clothes-beating stick and hurriedly went to intervene. The river current was fast, and the clothes were swiftly flowing downstream. The woman shouted, “Liu Mazi, quickly, catch that garment!”
Liu Mazi was a short, dark-skinned woman with a hunchback, making her appear neckless. Despite her rough appearance, her movements were agile. Upon hearing the upstream woman’s cries, she didn’t mind getting her clothes wet and took a large stride into the water. She retrieved Wang Shi’s garment that had been washed away, calling out several times about how lucky it was. She said, “If it had gone a little further, I wouldn’t have dared to go into the water.”
This area was originally a major branch of the Yushui River, flowing through Changfeng Town. The river was exceptionally wide, and the depth at the center was higher than a person’s height. Those who couldn’t swim wouldn’t reach the bottom, and without assistance, they might not be able to get back up.
Wang Shi turned deathly pale. The woman next to her reminded her several times before she realized that Liu Mazi, the woman nearby, had taken her washed clothes. She thanked her after the reminder.
As for the remaining clothes, they were washed with a description that barely passed as laundry. They were essentially swirled in the water, lifted out, wrung dry, and thrown into the basket. Wang Shi then carried the basket back home.
The woman who had been talking to her looked at her in bewilderment. On her way home, she ran into Wu Shi and deliberately stopped her, asking, “Does your mother-in-law have any plans for Liu Yu’s marriage?”
Wu Shi, upon hearing the story, was shocked. She couldn’t care less about Wang Shi’s odd behavior; what mattered to her was the silver she was about to receive.
It was the tenth day of April, a market day. Wu Shi returned to her courtyard, exchanged greetings with Lin Shi, and then headed to town.
Liu Yu was unaware of Chen Ma’s sister’s visit and that someone had already guessed the purpose. The news had even reached Wang Shi and Wu Shi’s ears. Also, she had no idea that Wu Shi was now chasing after her like a hound.
Nor did she know that Lu Chengxiao was roaming the main street of the town looking for her, thinking he might see her by chance.
She lingered near the Li residence, waiting for a child to come out and skillfully coaxing information out of him. Finally, she learned that Mr. Li had not returned home yet. Full of concerns and plans, she prepared to return to Liujiacun.
At the same time, Chen Sheng left home and returned to the study first, inquiring from the shop assistant whether Liu Yu had visited. He then rushed to the embroidery shop, worried that she might have gone there. However, after checking both embroidery shops, he found no trace of Liu Yu.
Determined to find her, Chen Sheng, in a hurry, clenched his teeth and decided to head north of the town.
With this plan in mind, he hurriedly walked toward the northern part of the town. It happened that Liu Yu had just stepped out onto the main street in the north of town when Chen Sheng saw her silhouette. He quickly called out, “Miss Liu, Miss Liu, wait!”
Even without turning around, Liu Yu could easily recognize Chen Sheng’s voice. She raised an eyebrow, surprised by how quickly he had appeared.
Was it because Chen Sheng’s combat effectiveness was insufficient, or was Mrs. Chen’s rank too high?
She turned to the side and stopped, waiting for Chen Sheng to approach.
Chen Sheng jogged all the way until he was close to Liu Yu, his breath not yet even. His eyes focused on her, and he said, “Miss Liu, it’s so fortunate that you haven’t left yet.”
Liu Yu detected a subtle delight in his voice, finding it somewhat strange. Madam Chen did not seem like someone easily dealt with. Only recently, she had made it clear that they should not have any further contact. Maintaining a cold expression, she took a step back, showing a reluctance to engage with Chen Sheng.
The little joy in Chen Sheng’s heart dissipated instantly. His expression tightened, and he attempted to reach out and grab Liu Yu.
Liu Yu furrowed her eyebrows, about to avoid Chen Sheng, when suddenly someone grabbed the back of Chen Sheng’s collar and yanked it backward. He barely avoided being choked, but his steps were lifted off the ground, stumbling and falling solidly on his backside.
Chen Sheng winced in pain, his face contorted. Not only did he suffer physical discomfort, but he also felt embarrassed in front of Liu Yu. His face swelled with frustration. He was ready to see who was responsible for this and confront them to regain some dignity. As he lifted his gaze, he noticed that it was Lu Chengxiao, looking down at him with a stern expression.
Although Chen Sheng and Lu Chengxiao had not crossed paths in many years, the memories of being overwhelmed and beaten by Lu Chengxiao at the age of fifteen remained vivid. Just the sight of Lu Chengxiao initiating the confrontation made Chen Sheng tremble inwardly. The words he intended to say stuck in his throat.
Eighteen-year-old Lu Chengxiao was significantly taller and more robust than the thirteen or fourteen-year-old version Chen Sheng remembered. Even though he appeared refined like a scholar at the Yuanzhou Academy, Chen Sheng knew firsthand about Lu Chengxiao’s proficiency in riding, archery, and swordsmanship. He vividly recalled how Lu Chengxiao, at the age of fourteen, had rescued someone from a group of bandits. The Yuanzhou Academy was rumored to teach a comprehensive curriculum, including martial arts.
Now facing the older and more formidable Lu Chengxiao, Chen Sheng’s anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a shaky sense of defeat.
Chen Sheng couldn’t bear the thought of being thrown to the ground by Lu Chengxiao without making a sound. If he acted timidly in front of Liu Yu, he would surely lose her respect. Suppressing his anxiety, Chen Sheng tried to appear composed and stern, forcefully commanding, “Lu Chengxiao, have you gone mad?”
As Lu Chengxiao approached, witnessing Chen Sheng’s attempt to reach for Liu Yu, the tension in his mind snapped. Seeing Chen Sheng, his face clouded with an ominous aura, and his voice carried a hint of hostility, he coldly said, “Speak your words, but lay your hands off. Try it again, and I’ll make sure you regret it!”
Chen Sheng’s mind rumbled like distant thunder, and he began to realize something: Lu Chengxiao indeed had feelings for Liu Yu.
Just as the courage to confront his oppressor started to rise within him, Lu Chengxiao’s stern warning and Liu Yu’s presence seemed to snuff it out. Chen Sheng struggled to maintain his composure, forcing himself to look up at Lu Chengxiao, but sitting on the ground made him feel defeated.
Lu Chengxiao’s affections for Liu Yu shattered any hope Chen Sheng might have had. His despair deepened when he stood up and faced Lu Chengxiao, realizing that, despite being taller than average, he still had to look up slightly to meet Lu Chengxiao’s eyes.
Although the attention of everyone around was not on their height difference, Chen Sheng, with a swollen red face, clutched his fists tightly at his sides. An evil force surged towards his temples, and involuntarily, he blurted out, “Liu Yu and I are already discussing marriage. What does it have to do with you standing here talking to me!”
Lu Chengxiao’s face darkened, and his gaze at Chen Sheng turned even colder. He asked with an icy tone, “Has the matchmaker visited? Did the Liu family agree? Has the three books and six etiquettes taken place?”
Chen Sheng fell silent in an instant.
Lu Chengxiao spoke with a cold tone, “Since none of that has happened, what gives you the right to boast here?”
While Lu Chengxiao and Chen Sheng continued their standoff, Liu Yu, who had inadvertently glanced across the river, suddenly changed her expression.
With excellent eyesight, she could see a woman walking on the other side of the river. Although she couldn’t discern the face, the figure and attire were unmistakably Wu Shi!
Liu Yu’s heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, she felt that Wu Shi had come for her again. As she observed Lu Chengxiao and Chen Sheng confronting each other, a sudden headache gripped her. She couldn’t afford to let Wu Shi connect her with these two men. Today, she needed to make it clear to Wu Shi that she was genuinely learning embroidery at the workshop, putting an end to her repeated attempts to pry.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Lu Chengxiao posed three consecutive questions. The phrase “大放厥詞” (boastful words) from Lu Chengxiao shook Chen Sheng’s face to a slight pallor. Chen Sheng’s lips trembled, and suddenly he remembered something – Liu Yu!
Chen Sheng quickly looked towards Liu Yu and said, “Miss Liu, I came to tell you that my mother has agreed, and in a few days, we will formally propose marriage. This time, it’s real.”
Hearing Chen Sheng talking about marriage again, Lu Chengxiao’s heart tightened. He turned around, trying to express his thoughts on marriage: Miss Liu, about marriage…”
But before he could finish, Liu Yu interrupted, “You can disregard your reputation, but I still care about mine. Don’t mention my name at all.”
After saying this, she turned and walked away hurriedly. The two men instinctively wanted to follow, but Liu Yu threw a cold remark over her shoulder, “Don’t follow me!”
Lu Chengxiao and Chen Sheng almost simultaneously stopped in their tracks. Liu Yu, as if anticipating their intentions, coldly left them behind. She quickly disappeared into the town of Changfeng, leaving only Lu Chengxiao and Chen Sheng standing by the banks of the Yu River—former classmates, now rivals in love.
Sansukini: I’m so glad I don’t live in this era. Marriage was so complicated.
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