Chapter 95: Urging for Marriage

Upon leaving the imperial study, small snowflakes had begun to fall outside without him noticing.

Lifting his head, Shen Li watched as the snowflakes drifted silently down, one by one. He took a long breath and sighed.

I wonder if it’s snowing in Qingyang Village.

He really wanted to watch the snow with Zhou Qing.

Now that the matters at hand had reached a breakthrough, Shen Li felt his nerves, which had been tense since his return to the capital, slightly ease up.

Hu Wei Yue was the current prefect and also the one in charge of the upcoming provincial exams. He would be the chief examiner for the next round of testing.

As soon as Shen Li left the palace, he instructed his attendant, "Go find the files Hu Wei Yue referenced back then. I want all of them."

The attendant glanced at Shen Li teasingly. "Yes, sir."

When Shen Li returned home, the main members of the Count Guangping's household were gathered in the Old Madam's room.

By "main members," it was just the Old Madam, the Count of Guangping, the Countess, and their only daughter.

The Count Guangping's family was small in number, practically a rare sight in the capital.

Back in the day, the Old Count and Old Madam only had one son, the current Count Guangping. 

The reason? Simple. After experiencing the pain of childbirth, the Old Madam was so terrified she refused to go through it again.

The thought of risking her life only to end up dying and leaving her husband to marry some lowly woman to raise her child was unbearable!

When her son, the current Count, got married, she successfully passed down this philosophy to her daughter-in-law.

However, the Countess favored daughters over sons. After giving birth to her son, Shen Li, she felt somewhat unfulfilled and gave birth to a daughter, Shen Xin, three or four years later.

As Shen Li entered, wrapped in a layer of cold air, Shen Xin beamed at him, excitement barely contained in her eyes and expression.

"Brother, we’re planning to go to the hot springs in Xishan for New Year’s."

Last month, the Emperor had bestowed a hot spring estate upon the Count Guangping's household. 

It was still being renovated, but should be ready by the time of the New Year.

Shen Li smiled at her and, after greeting the Old Madam and his parents, sat down in a chair across from Shen Xin.

"I haven’t been to the hot springs in nearly half a year."

As soon as Shen Li said that, Shen Xin gave him a look of disdain and shock. "Are you planning to come with us?"

It’s New Year’s—if I don’t go with you all, who would I spend the holiday with?

The Old Madam shot Shen Li a glance. 

"Aren’t you going to Qingyang Village for the New Year?"

The Countess spoke more directly, "We didn’t include you in the plans. You should spend the holiday at your future in-laws'."

The Count of Guangping nodded in agreement, "You should work harder. Try to marry her by next year."

So they’re pushing for marriage this openly now?

After the Count finished speaking, he sighed heavily, looking serious.

"I heard from Uncle Zhong that although the girl’s skin is a bit rough, her facial features are quite good. It’s normal for people in the countryside to have rough skin, but after a year or two of proper care, she’ll be fair-skinned."

"That’s right, Brother! If a girl with smooth skin and delicate features suddenly appeared in the village, we wouldn’t dare want her!"

"You shouldn’t be swayed by novelty and then forget about her later. Once you’re done with your work, head back quickly. Otherwise, you might find that she’s forgotten about you."

Shen Li hadn’t even warmed his seat before the Old Madam chased him out of the house. 

She urged him to finish his duties day and night and then head to where he needed to go!

How could a young man nearly twenty years old still have the nerve to join them at the hot springs?

You can go—if you have a wife!

If you don’t have a wife, do you even deserve to go?

Before he left, the Old Madam reminded him once more.

"Before you bring that girl back as your wife, keep the matter quiet. Don’t go blabbing outside, or those enemies of yours might not harm you but target the girl instead!"

As the leader of the Shadow Guard, how could Shen Li not understand such a thing!

Meanwhile, the very Zhou Qing being discussed by the entire Shen family got up early the next morning. After breakfast, she called Cheng Wu to accompany her to sell Spring Festival couplets.

"Third Uncle, Qing and I can handle it. It’s almost the New Year, shouldn’t you be preparing the holiday supplies?" 

Standing at the gate of Shen Li’s house, Cheng Wu scratched the back of his head with a grin.

Zhou Huailin didn’t look at Cheng Wu, only led the mule cart out of the yard.

"Exactly because it's almost the New Year that I have to go. You haven’t sold before, so today Qing and I will take you along. Tomorrow, you’ll handle it yourself."

Cheng Wu felt like he had been struck by lightning.

"By myself?"

Zhou Huailin led the mule cart through the main gate, patting the mule’s back with a smile. "We're starting late this year. We need to pick up the pace. Qing and I will go one way, and you’ll go the other. That way, we can sell more."

Qing and her uncle together? And me, by myself?

What am I even supposed to sell?

I want to go with Qing!

But how could he say that? After all, Zhou Huailin was Qing’s blood uncle!

Cheng Wu, who had been excited all night, suddenly wilted.

Clenching his fists, he silently resolved to have his mother propose marriage as soon as possible.

The winter wind was biting.

Even wrapped in a thick blanket on the mule cart, Zhou Qing couldn’t help shivering.

Luckily, during their last trip to the county, Shen Li had bought her a hand warmer.

Holding it in her hands kept the cold somewhat at bay.

I wonder how Shen Li’s family matter is being handled.

After arriving at the village where they would sell the couplets, she jumped off the cart and moved around a bit to shake off the cold.

Zhou Huaishan’s calligraphy was bold and imposing, and his couplets, filled with auspicious meanings, ranged from elegant to more simple and approachable.

Households with scholars preferred the refined ones, while those without chose the straightforward ones.

"I was starting to think you weren’t coming at all since I didn’t see you earlier. I almost went to town to buy some!" 

"Old Zhao’s family went to town the other day and paid five more wen than what you’re charging! And the calligraphy wasn’t even as good."

"Younger brother, give me one large set for the main gate and one smaller for the house door. Can you give me a discount if I buy both?"

The area around the mule cart bustled with people.

It was Cheng Wu’s first time doing business like this, and he was a bit flustered.

An older lady who had bought lucky character posters from Zhou Qing before was cheerfully picking out couplets and striking up a conversation with her.

"Young lady, are you married?"

Zhou Qing was handing the woman her chosen couplets when the unexpected question nearly made her drop them.

"Auntie, you can tell I’m a girl?"

The corners of Zhou Qing’s mouth twitched as she tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

She had dressed in Zhou Huaishan’s old clothes to sell the couplets, appearing as a young man.

The older lady grabbed Zhou Qing’s hand and patted it. "Tell me, have you married yet? I know a good family, and you’re such a nice girl."

Cheng Wu perked up, listening intently, and turned his head nervously toward Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing awkwardly pulled her hand back from the woman’s grip.

"Please stop teasing me, Auntie. Here, I’ll give you two free lucky character posters with your couplets."

The older woman accepted them with a smile, but that didn’t stop her.

"I’m serious! There’s a really great match I have in mind. The family has a large house with five rooms, and the young man just passed his entrance exam for the scholar rank."