Chapter 3-Part 2

Madam Lu said, “Is our eldest still in the study? He’s been studying for so long, he should take a break. We can’t let him exhaust himself.”

Miss Lu, Lu Furong, chimed in, “Yes, Mother, Brother has been studying for a long time. Let’s go and let him rest.”

Madam Lu immediately shook her head.

“Furong, forget it. Your brother doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s studying, especially since the provincial examination is coming up soon. You must not disturb him.”

The eldest son was the hope of the Lu family, and her hope as well. She was tired of this desolate and barbaric place and was determined to return to the capital! But there was no longer a Lu family in the capital; the only hope was for their eldest son to succeed and go there.

Lu Furong felt a bit unhappy. She wanted to talk to her brother, but if her mother didn’t go, she didn’t dare either. Her brother was intimidating when he was cold. It had been half a month, and they hadn’t exchanged more than a few words. How could they improve their sibling relationship? Especially since her brother was about to marry, if she didn’t make her brother cherish her, when her sister-in-law bullied her and her brother didn’t help her, she would be miserable.

She felt she had to try again. She tugged on her mother’s arm and said coquettishly, “Mother, tomorrow the matchmaker will go to the Li family village to propose. Maybe two months later, Li Hehua will marry into our family. Brother will have a wife, and you may not see him often.”

She had secretly heard her brother tell the matchmaker to stick to the earliest wedding date. Was her brother in such a hurry? Just thinking about it made her feel uncomfortable. Her brother valued Li Hehua so much. If she didn’t act quickly, would there still be a place for her at home?

Madam Lu, Su Shi, hesitated. After her husband died, she and her daughter were almost taken advantage of by those people, and if it weren’t for her eldest son stepping in, they might have ended up begging. The current good situation at home is all thanks to her eldest son. Therefore, she was in some awe of him, and everything at home was already decided by him. The only thing she had a say in was agreeing to let her lifesaver’s daughter marry her eldest son.

Although she felt a bit sorry for her eldest son marrying a village girl, how could she not repay a life-saving favor? Although the Lu family had declined, they were still a scholarly family. Such a disgraceful act was absolutely unacceptable.

She remembered when her eldest son fell into a coma, and the doctors in the county were helpless. She felt like a headless fly, searching everywhere for a cure. Finally, she heard that there was a medicine in a mountain in Liuhe Town that could cure her son’s illness. How could she miss this opportunity? Even if she died, she had to save her son.

For her, climbing the mountain was like crossing a sky-high barrier. But for her son, she gritted her teeth and climbed up. Unexpectedly, she slipped halfway and fell directly down. She thought she was going to die, but she met Mrs. Wang, who not only saved her but also picked the life-saving herb for her son and gave it to her, then sent her back home.

Under such circumstances, when her savior hinted that there was a daughter in the family who was ready to be married off, how could she pretend to be ignorant? Fortunately, her eldest son also agreed.

He was truly a man of the Lu family, upright and honorable. In the future, he would surely revive the Lu family. By then, those who looked down on her, hmph.

Thinking of this, she said firmly, “Furong, don’t disturb your brother. Let’s go back. I’ll teach you embroidery. You’re not young anymore. In a few years, you’ll be of marriageable age. If you don’t even know needlework, who will want you?”

Lu Furong, seeing that her mother didn’t support her, had to hold her mother’s arm and walk back to the house, pouting, “Mother, I’m only twelve years old. By the time I’m discussing marriage, Brother will be an official. By then, I’ll be the daughter of an official family again, and there will be plenty of good families wanting me.”

So she had to cling to her brother’s leg tightly.

Su Shi tapped her forehead and smiled reproachfully but didn’t argue. Her son was good at studying and talented. Her husband had said countless times when he was alive that he was an extraordinary genius. Otherwise, how could he pass the imperial examination on his first attempt? He would naturally become an official in the future, and maybe even a prime minister like the old Mr. Lu.

The more she thought about it, the more beautiful it became, and she said with a smile, “Furong, since you know, you should learn what young ladies from good families should learn. When we get back, you’ll embroider for an hour, then practice calligraphy for an hour.”

Seeing Lu Furong about to protest, she added, “No arguing.”

Lu Furong muttered, “Mother, you teach me so much, but Li Hehua is a genuine village girl. Can she do all this? Choosing Liu Qingqing is better than Li Hehua, right?”

Liu Qingqing was the daughter of the richest merchant in Wangshan County, Liu Yili. She was very beautiful and, most importantly, wealthy, unlike Li Hehua, who not only had no father but also no money.

When they married into the Lu family, they would have to support her and her mother. The Lu family was not affluent, and her brother still had to study. With two more people, wouldn’t the burden be heavier?

Of course, she didn’t dare say this. Li Hehua’s mother was her mother and her brother’s lifesaver. Complaining would be ungrateful, and it would tarnish her reputation, and even implicate her brother.

Thinking of this, she quickly changed her tune: “But Mrs. Wang is so kind, so Miss Li should be nice too.”

Mrs. Wang seemed timid, so Li Hehua might be too. Although Liu Qingqing treated her well, others said she was very powerful and often intervened on behalf of her father.

Thinking this way, as a younger sister-in-law, someone like Li Hehua would be beneficial to her. So she gradually calmed down.

Su Shi tapped her on the head and said, “Don’t speak recklessly in the future. It will spread rumors about the Lu family and damage our reputation. Also, look at the betrothal gift list your brother gave to the Li family. It’s clear that he’s satisfied with this marriage. So, you shouldn’t be too stubborn with Li Hehua, or you’ll anger your brother.”

Lu Furong nodded vigorously.

“I understand, Mother. I’ll be obedient and won’t cause trouble for my brother.”

When her brother entered the capital and became a high-ranking official, would she finally be able to enjoy the life of a noblewoman? She heard that the Lu family used to live a lavish lifestyle, surrounded by wealth and luxury, but she had never experienced it.

Her memories were only of her father, who often stumbled drunkenly into the pawnshop, her weeping mother, and times when they almost went hungry. If it weren’t for her good brother, their situation might have been similar to Li Hehua’s. This thought reinforced her conviction not to offend her brother.

As they talked, they walked into the house.

After Su Shi sat down, she said, “I know you don’t like Li Hehua, but the matter is settled now. Just relax. If you don’t like her, just see her less often. She won’t chase after you. At most, in the future, I’ll find some honest concubines for your brother. That’ll be my way of compensating for this.” Ah, the capital; it was so enchanting. She dreamt of returning to that place she longed for day and night.

Lu Furong loved it when her mother talked about the capital, so she begged Su Shi to continue. Su Shi, feeling helpless, began to reminisce again.

Meanwhile, the conversation about concubines in the capital was also happening between Mrs. Wang and Li Hehua.

Mrs. Wang said, “Hehua, Aunt Lian said the Lu family will come tomorrow to propose formally, and they hope you’ll marry as soon as possible because Junyu needs to take the imperial examination soon. Are you willing?”

Before Li Hehua could answer, she continued, “Ah, it was me who didn’t think it through. Mr. Lin said Junyu is very talented in his studies. If he becomes the top scholar, will he still treat you well? You’re just a village girl. What will you do if he abandons you?”

She had heard many stories from scholars at the private school. Many men became officials after passing the imperial examination and then abandoned their original wives to marry again.

If that happened, who would speak for them—the widows and orphans? Compared to their future, perhaps her lifesaving favor wasn’t worth much.

Li Hehua knew her mother’s negative thoughts were resurfacing. Since her father died, her grandmother and aunt had left secretly, and then they encountered the ruffians in the village.

Her mother felt like there were no good people left in the world and always thought of the worst possible outcomes.

She held Mrs. Wang’s hand and comforted her, “Don’t worry, Mother. Your daughter is not easy to bully. Junyu wouldn’t dare to abandon me. Moreover, reputation is very important for officials. If he abandons me, I’ll accuse him of ingratitude. The court won’t use him anymore.”

She said this aloud but thought to herself, If Junyu dared to let her, his neglected wife, leave the house, she would take away his property, ruin his reputation, prevent him from becoming an official, and then use his money to live like a queen.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful? But she dared not say such shocking words to Mrs. Wang. She just smiled, hehe.

Mrs. Wang was amused by her and said, “Alright, alright, you’re capable. But Mrs. Lin also said Junyu has a good character.”

Then she thought of something else and added, “But if he marries concubines in the future, your life won’t be easy. How about I go and talk to Mrs. Lin? Maybe she can help you find a honest partner?”

Li Hehua didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She quickly pulled her mother, not letting her think further. She didn’t even have pre-wedding jitters, but her mother seemed to have some.

She said, “Mother, Mother, everything’s settled. If I regret it now, I won’t be able to get married. Then you mustn’t nag me again.”

It would be best if she didn’t marry anyone at all, but her mother didn’t think so, and she couldn’t escape the current social customs.

It was better to marry Junyu. At least he looked good. If she found another man, she might end up with someone worse than Junyu, and he might not even have Junyu’s gentlemanly demeanor.

Seeing that her mother had finally settled down, she breathed a sigh of relief and continued, “I’m so beautiful. How could Junyu like concubines? Don’t you trust your daughter’s ability? I’m very capable, and I’ll definitely enchant Junyu and make him listen to me.”

Even in ancient times, she wasn’t planning to change her mind. If Junyu wanted her to share him with other women, he might as well prepare for divorce and leave with nothing!