Chapter 15

At the end of July, the final county-level imperial examination in Yunshui County concluded, with the results to be announced within three days. A dense crowd gathered in front of the notice board—some came to check the results for their sons, some were hired by examinees, but most came on their own.

“I passed! I passed! Twenty-third place!” Suddenly, a voice erupted through the crowd, filled with overwhelming excitement and disbelief.

Yunshui County had many passing slots, so twenty-third place was not particularly outstanding. Yet, all eyes fell on the man who had just announced his success—he was over fifty years old, with graying hair and the signs of age upon him. No one knew how many years he had been attempting before finally passing by a hair’s breadth.

At the outskirts of the crowd stood Liu Yu and his elder brother, Liu Jinyan. Unlike the anxious others, they appeared calm.

Liu Yu stretched on tiptoes, trying to see the list clearly, but all he could see was a sea of heads. Being short, he couldn’t push through and said anxiously, “Big brother, why aren’t you worried? Don’t you want to know your results?”

Liu Jinyan’s gaze also turned toward the notice board; there was a hint of eagerness in his eyes, but he steadied himself and replied slowly, “Worrying won’t help. If I have truly learned well, I wouldn’t fail.”

Unlike the rest, this was Liu Jinyan’s first time taking the county-level exam, and he was still young. Even if he failed this time, there would be another chance.

Liu Yu said, “Father said if you pass this time, he will grant you a wish. Have you thought about what you want?”

The Liu family’s education method relied heavily on incentives—any achievement earned a reward, and promises were never broken. In the past, when Liu Jinyan ranked first in the academy, he requested either a book or a calligraphy scroll by a famous master.

But this time, he wanted to ask for something for his future.

Liu Jinyan looked seriously at his younger brother, grabbed his shoulder, hesitated, then finally bit his lip and made up his mind: “Do you know what Yun is most fond of?” After saying this, he lowered his head, a little shy.

The crowd’s voices were chaotic, but Liu Yu clearly heard his brother’s words. His eyes widened in shock, as if his brother had been possessed. He almost thought he had misheard.

Liu Jinyan’s eyes showed some unease, but he lifted his head firmly and said, “You are my brother; you should understand me.”

Since he first learned to hold a brush, he had locked himself in his room, buried in study day after day, following the family’s planned path without deviation. He had also encountered girls and boys in the town school but never thought of romance.

For some reason, after meeting Jiang Yun a few times, his heart secretly fluttered and his face blushed whenever he recalled her. Liu Jinyan knew Jiang Yun was different. Afraid it was a passing impulse and not wanting to offend her, he held back until after the county exam, when he had some standing, before daring to bring it up.

Still stunned, Liu Yu frowned and said, “This is a major matter in your life. Deciding rashly might not please Father and Mother and could even bring trouble to Yun. Are you sure, big brother?”

As the youngest son who had yet to marry, Liu Yu found it improper to discuss his brother’s marriage before their parents and knew this was no trivial matter.

One careless step could not only make his brother a laughingstock but also cause Jiang Yun, as the younger brother, to suffer gossip. Liu Yu’s worries were not unfounded.

Liu Jinyan was not being rash but had thought it through many restless nights. “I want to try. If she likes me… that would be wonderful. If not, I accept it. Don’t worry, I won’t act foolishly.”

Liu Yu knew his brother’s character well—he was always prudent. Even if he failed to get what he wished for, he would never cause trouble for Jiang Yun. He treasured this rare, trusted friend and wished for the best outcome for both sides.

After some hesitation, Liu Yu nodded, “My brother is one in a million; he will make a good husband in the future. I don’t know what Yun likes, but after the results come out, we can visit every shop and surely find something that pleases him.”

The county exam ended amid thunderous drums and suona horns. Some leapt beyond the dragon gate, some lost their lifelong dreams, and those elderly still taking the exam were like carp swimming upstream.

…

At this moment, at the entrance of Qingmiao Village, the Liu family’s wedding party had arrived. Strong men carried boxes of all sizes, and both Master Liu and Madam Liu were present.

All the idle villagers came to watch the spectacle—after all, the marriage of a wealthy master was a rare event in their lifetime. Seeing it was a chance to broaden their horizons.

Everyone gathered at the Jiang family gate, waiting for the Liu family to distribute wedding candies as gifts. A woman pinched her son’s ear and instructed, “Make sure to grab plenty of candy later to soak up the good fortune—so you can marry well someday.”

An elderly man clicked his tongue enviously, “Liu Guihua has truly found a good match; soon she’ll be soaring high.” His words dripped with jealousy, wishing his own daughter had married into the Liu family.

But after a long wait, everyone’s legs went numb, yet no candies were handed out, nor any congratulations offered. The atmosphere was silent and heavy.

“I notice everyone from the bride’s side looks downcast; not a single smile,” someone squinted suspiciously.

His remark caught others’ attention. They then noticed these people not only did not smile but were silent, as if attending a funeral.

“I heard the match was decided by birth date compatibility. Probably they find our countryside unsuitable, thinking they don’t deserve it.” After all, the villagers had heard rumors of the great manor’s odd customs—things like forbidding the bride from entering through the main gate, or receiving a domineering welcome before even stepping inside… Worse than the rustic village folks.

Liu Guihua was quite pleased, wiping the bench clean with her sleeve and eagerly inviting Master Liu and Madam Liu inside.

Master Liu’s face was solemn, saying nothing, but Madam Liu’s eyes glistened with tears as she was supported by servants, anxiously urging, “Quick, let me see the child.”

Liu Guihua’s smile stiffened, speechless. The little brat had gone on hunger strike these past days, trying to starve himself to death to block her path to fortune. Showing him in this state would surely cause rejection on the spot. That would ruin her good days—unacceptable.

She forced a smile, stammering awkwardly, “The groom hasn’t been married over yet. Seeing the in-laws now might be a bad omen.” Then, fearing she couldn’t handle the situation, hastily added, “Ah, but their birth dates match perfectly—I guarantee there’s no problem.”

Master Liu waved his sleeve, turning his back impatiently, “We must watch over this anyway. No need to rush; better not to miss the auspicious hour.”

…

Jiang Yun lay on the ground in his bright red wedding robe. He had been on a hunger strike these days, forcibly fed broth by Jiang Mo and Liu Guihua, barely managing to breathe. He had even thought to scratch his face with a stone to foil Liu Guihua’s plan, but his hands and feet were bound, immobilizing him.

If he refused to eat, Liu Guihua slapped his face or pricked his fingers with an embroidery needle, and Jiang Yun had no strength to resist.

Hidden deep in the shadows, Jiang Mo watched the fallen Jiang Yun, his smile chilling to the bone: “Good brother, you’re about to marry into the Liu household. No one else has such good fortune. Don’t forget your birth family once you become rich and noble.”

Jiang Yun’s hands were tied behind his back, fingers twitching weakly, lips barely able to move, yet he still tried to struggle.

Suddenly, the sky rumbled. On a bright day, a fierce wind rose, dark clouds gathering overhead, thunder splitting the sky open.

The onlookers were buffeted by the swirling wind, barely able to stand. No one cared about sharing in the joy anymore; fear gripped their hearts.

“It’s bad luck for the weather to change just as a wedding is happening,” someone muttered in the crowd. Others heard but dared not speak openly—who wanted trouble with the wealthy family now?

The Liu family’s faces paled upon hearing the remark and wasted no time waiting for the auspicious hour. They hurriedly urged, “Don’t wait any longer. Bring him out now.”

Liu Guihua was eager to get rid of him, no longer wanting him to mar her view.

…

Branches at the village entrance snapped under the wind. The fierce gust carried dust and leaves, bursting open the door of the Jiang family’s wood shed.

Inside lay Jiang Yun in his red wedding robe, barely alive, motionless on a pile of firewood, devoid of any spirit.

The red wedding veil over his head blocked all sight, dyed a crimson as if stained with blood. In a daze, Jiang Yun was dragged forward by someone gripping his arm.

No one could see his gagged mouth beneath the veil. He tried to speak but was too weak. Ringing filled his ears, mixed with the villagers’ congratulatory voices—no one could save him.

“Judging by his slight frame, he doesn’t look like Mo Ge’er,” Wang Yunfeng said with suspicion.

Liu Guihua’s face stiffened, forcing a smile, “The groom is our Yun Ge’er.” She looked uneasy, regretting Wang Yunfeng’s loose tongue. If word got out, her Mo Ge’er would lose his reputation unjustly.

Wang Yunfeng smiled awkwardly and explained to the nearby villagers, “I only heard rumors; who knows the truth…”

To ease the awkwardness, she changed the subject, praising Liu Guihua: “Still, Liu Guihua is a good stepmother; even though he’s not her biological son, she found such a good family for him. Look at the scale and grandeur—that’s a great blessing.”

The villagers had never seen such a grand wedding. Usually, a donkey cart was a luxury; many brides packed their own bundles and walked to their new homes, let alone having the master and mistress arrive in person with sedan chairs.

Ignoring the earlier oddities, the crowd murmured in envy, agreeing with Wang Yunfeng.

“Why is the groom being supported like that? Didn’t even drink tea or bid farewell to the elders,” some wondered, sensing something amiss.

No matter rich or poor, daughters and sons-in-law always had to drink a parting tea before leaving, or it was deemed unfilial.

“He did drink, last night,” Liu Guihua hastily said. “Yun Ge’er was so happy he didn’t sleep at all and just passed out now.” She laughed to hide her guilt, but her smile was forced and unpleasant.

Afraid others would notice, Liu Guihua passed off the responsibility like a hot potato and handed him over to the Liu family.

The Liu family said nothing, ordered silver to be dropped, shoved Jiang Yun into a sedan chair, and left.

The thirty taels of silver were pure, shining coins that dazzled onlookers’ eyes. Someone, the father of Wu Shui Ge’er, muttered, “So much silver, surely he’s been sold?”

Caught, Liu Guihua flew into a rage, cursing, “Pah! If you have what it takes, why don’t you sell your own son? I bet your Shui Ge’er wouldn’t be wanted even naked.”

Wu’s father, known for his quick temper, was not to be insulted. Hearing the insult to his son, he retorted, “You foul-mouthed woman, my Shui Ge’er may be imperfect, but he’s better than your bastard. Everyone knows he spends his days pretending to study while chasing men! He thinks he can hide it from the world?”

About to come to blows, the nearby women and men hurried to separate them, though their pleas were insincere—they were just waiting to enjoy Jiang family’s drama.

The quarrel faded into the background as Jiang Yun was dragged away by two rough servant women, struggling helplessly. After an unknown time, a woman’s sobbing pierced the air. Madam Liu nearly fainted.

She clutched Jiang Yun’s hand, “It’s our Liu family’s fault. Once you’re with my son, we’ll burn plenty of paper money for you every year.”

Upstream of the river near Qingmiao Village, a mournful wind scattered paper money over the ground. Broken tombstones and neglected graves stood scattered, and in the center rested a coffin.