Chapter 16: Marriage
When it comes to drinking, the men of the caravan were second to none. Life on the trade routes was harsh–trekking through steep desert dunes, salt flats, and snowy wastelands, enduring scorching summers and bitter winters. In such a life, a jug of strong liquor is more valuable than anything else.
Huaiyuan, now eighteen, could not compare to his uncles in drinking. As someone who could not hold alcohol, a single cup was enough to send him reeling. During the New Year festivities, whenever he encountered men from the caravan, he inevitably was forced into drinking rounds. His face would flush a deep red, and for ten days or half a month afterward, everything he saw–people and landscapes alik–seemed to blur into double images.
The sixth day of the first lunar month was an auspicious day for all matters. Madam Zhou dressed in her finest, her hair neatly combed and applied powder. She invited a matchmaker to their house, and once all the preparations were in order, she and the matchmaker would wait for the auspicious hour before setting out.
Huaiyuan’s heart pounded like a drum, and he followed behind his mother in a helpless fluster, his face burning. “Mother, seeing Shu’er?”
“I know, I know. Just stay home and wait for Mother’s news.” Madam Zhou tucked Huaiyuan’s eight characters1 into her sleeve, along with a few betrothal gifts. She turned to the younger children and instructed them, “You all stay put as well–no running after us and making a fuss.”
Huaiyuan and Shu’ er grew up together as childhood sweethearts, their feelings for each other long since set. Now that both have come of age, Madam Zhou was determined to see things through–to bring Shu’ er into their home as Huaiyuan’s wife
The Fang family lived nearby, and both families had long been acquainted. The bond between the two children was plain for all to see. When Madam Fang saw Madam Zhou entering with a matchmaker, she immediately understood and smiled as she turned to Shu’er.
“Shu’er, go call your father. We have distinguished guests.”
Shu’er’s cheeks flushed, and she sprang down from the heated kang bed, pouting coquettishly, “Mother.” With a quick turn, she darted into her room.
“This girl,” Madam Fang said with a laugh. “She has no sense of propriety–please forgive her rudeness.”
“The young ones are shy,” the matchmaker said with a chuckle. “Perhaps she’s a little intimidated by the sight of an old woman like me.”
Madam Fang set water to boil and prepared tea. Once both families had settled onto the kang bed, conversation flowed easily. In his younger years, Fang Dingkun had traveled with the caravan merchants, forging a bond of life and death with Huaiyuan’s father, Huzi. Later, he turned to salt trading along the Huangshui River, gradually amassing enough wealth to establish himself. Eventually, he stepped away from trade altogether and purchased two shops in Ganzhou City to run other businesses.
Both families were familiar with each other and had long understood the intent of this match, spared the matchmaker the need for excessive persuasion. Yet, as parents, worries lingered. At home, a daughter could be as carefree as she pleased, but once married, she would have to manage household affairs and navigate life in her new family. There was always the fear that she might suffer grievances at her in-laws’. These concerns inevitably colored their words, making them speak with a touch more weight.
“Huaiyuan is a boy I’ve watched grow up. Among the younger generation, he’s the one everyone dotes on the most. Huzi’s passing was sudden, and if his spirit in heaven could see his son getting married and settling down, I’m sure he would be overjoyed.” Fang Dingkun said slowly, pausing before continuing, “But Shu’er is our only daughter, and we have cherished her since she was little. She’s always been a thoughtful child, sensitive to people’s needs, never letting us worry. Her great-grandmother, who has lived a long life, adores her the most–she had hoped to keep her at home for a few more years, bringing joy to the elders.”
“Master Fang is right,” Madam Zhou said. “Watching our children grow up is bittersweet–it brings both joy and worry.”
From inside the room, Shu’er could hear their muffled conversation in the outer hall. Her face burned, and even her ears turned red. She buried her head under the blankets, lost in thought. Suddenly, a soft tapping came from the window. When she pushed it open, she saw Huaiyuan’s two younger brothers, Dabao and Xiaobao, grinning mischievously beneath the sill. Their gap-toothed smiles stretched wide as they whispered, “Sister-in-law.”
Shu’er’s face turned crimson. She smacked them both on the head. “What nonsense are you two spouting?”
“It is sister-in-law. Mother already brought the matchmaker to propose,” Dabao said with a laugh. “My brother’s so nervous that sweat is pouring down his forehead–he’s squatting in the alleyway, waiting for Mother to come back.”
Shu’er’s eyes sparkled as she bit her lip. “Did he send you two?” she asked. “Did he say anything?”
“My brother said to ask Shu’er-jiejie how she slept, how many bowls of rice she had this morning, and if there’s any snack she’s craving–he’ll go buy it for her.”
Shu’er could not help but laugh. “Alright, alright, I’m fine. Tell your brother I just want some candied citron peels, the kind coated in sugar.”
“Got it!”
With that, the marriage between the two families was settled. The next day, Madam Zhou sent over several trunks of betrothal gifts, and the Fang family formally acknowledged the engagement. But because they cherished their daughter and wished to keep her at home a little longer, they set the wedding date for the end of the year.
With his daughter’s future secured, Fang Dingkun was in high spirits. He invited his old caravan brothers over for drinks, celebrating the occasion. Huaiyuan was not spared either–he was pushed and prodded by the men to formally greet his future in-laws. Yet, while the elders enjoyed their revelry, Shu’er refused to step out and see guests, and Huaiyuan just as stubbornly refused to see her. The two, who had always laughed and played together without a care, were now hiding from each other, their shyness both endearing, cute and amusing.
With too many men drinking and the kitchen overwhelmed, Madam Fang simply set up a charcoal fire in the courtyard. She bought half a deer’s worth of meat and ordered a full spread of side dishes from the tavern to go with the liquor. A large jar of strong wine was placed by the fire, and the men sat around, roasting venison and making their own merriment.
The women, finding the rowdy drinking outside too noisy, shut the doors and gathered on the heated kang bed to talk. Only then did Shu’er finally step out, shyly making an appearance. Seeing everyone smiling warmly and offering their congratulations, she blushed so hard that her face all but disappeared into her collar.
Madam Li, who rarely left her home, made an exception that day to accompany Li Wei, taking the opportunity to chat with her sisters and share in the festive atmosphere. Since she seldom visited, the women naturally pulled her aside, fussing over her well-being, asking after her health and remedies.
Meanwhile, Madam Fang had also invited Helian Guang to bring along Lu Mingyue, a skilled embroiderer, to join the gathering, arranging for her to teach Shu’er how to sew her wedding garments. In the northern lands, women were not held to the same strict standards of embroidery as in the south–being able to mend clothes and sew for daily life was usually enough. But the wedding dress was different. It had to be stitched by the bride herself, thread by thread, along with wedding shoes, silk handkerchiefs, and other bridal accessories. Such fine and intricate work could take a year or more to complete. On the wedding day, if the bride’s red and gold gown could earn the admiration and envy of the women around her, it would be a source of pride and honor.
“A well-made wedding dress, if carefully stored in the trousseau, can be passed down to one’s daughter when she marries,” Lu Mingyue said with a smile. “It can become a treasured heirloom.”
“When I got married, both my natal and in-laws’ families were poor,” a woman sighed. “All I had was a red veil over my head, and my husband led me away on a mule. Looking back now, it really is a pity.”
Someone else laughed. “I married over from Shandan County, and in my hometown, it’s the bride’s sisters who sewed the wedding dress.”
Outside, Li Wei used his dagger to slice several plates of venison leg meat and, raising a brow, handed them to Huaiyuan with a grin. He gestured toward the house and said, “Go take some to the ladies.”
Huaiyuan scratched his head, hesitating, clearly in a dilemma “I don’t dare go in.”
Sitting next to him, Danati gave him a shove. “Go on, go on! You’re a grown man–afraid of neither heaven nor earth, yet scared of a few women?”
Inside, the women saw Huaiyuan approaching with the venison and nudged Shu’er to open the door. When the two met face to face, both looked a little flustered. Shu’er accepted the food and, biting her lip, stole a quick smile.
The venison had been marinated with Sichuan pepper, dill, and salt before being grilled over charcoal. The outer layer was slightly crisp, but the inside remained tender and juicy, its aroma mouthwatering. Unlike other livestock, venison lacked any gamey smell and was far fresher than the meat of mountain roe deer or wild donkeys. Everyone ate with relish, their lips gleaming with oil. Even Madam Li, who rarely indulged, couldn’t resist taking another two pieces.
After the gathering dispersed and they returned home, Madam Li invited Li Wei to sit with her in the inner chamber. As they spoke, she brought up a matter that had been on her mind.
Changliu was already twelve, neither too young, but not quite grown either. It may be the time to start looking for a suitable family and arrange a betrothal for him.
Li Wei rarely opposed his wife’s decisions, but upon hearing this, he furrowed his brows. “He’s still young. There’s no need to rush. Let him grow up and make his own choices when the time comes.”
Madam Li, exhausted from the day’s events, reclined against the couch. “The other day, Aunt Zhao returned from the countryside and mentioned that she had arranged a marriage for Xianxian. The groom’s family is wealthy, and he is their only son. The moment they saw Xianxian’s cleverness, they took a liking to her, and now they’re simply waiting to raise her for a few more years before she joins their household as a daughter-in-law. Tell me, what mother doesn’t worry about her child’s future? I’m thinking of what’s best for Changliu. It’s not uncommon to arrange marriages from a young age–many families do so. The only reason we delayed was because he was so frail and sickly as a child.”
She sighed before continuing, “Besides, my health has never been good. If one day I were to pass away, and you were away on business, wouldn’t it put my mind at ease to know that Changliu has in-laws to rely on and a marriage already settled?”
“This–” Li Wei let out a helpless chuckle and shook his head. He didn’t know how to respond. “I know you worry for him, and I do not doubt your intentions, but there’s no need to rush. A marriage is a lifelong matter–it should be his choice as well. And as for you, you’ll live a long, full life. You’ll see him grow into a man, take a wife, and build a family of his own.”
Madam Li remained silent, her exhaustion and listlessness evident. Li Wei handed her a cup of warm tea and changed the subject. “I’ve already spoken to Old Man Sun. After the New Year, I won’t be traveling with the caravan anymore. I’ll stay home to look after you and Changliu, and find another way to make a living. How does that sound?”
Tears welled up in Madam Li’s eyes. “How long can I even live?” she murmured. “Every day I get is a blessing. I can’t afford to think too far ahead. Master, please try to understand a mother’s worries.”
Li Wei felt a dull ache in his head. After a long pause, he sighed. “If this is truly what you have your heart set on, then take your time. Look around, see if there’s a suitable match. But marriage is no small matter–it must come naturally by fate and cannot be forced.”
“Naturally.” Madam Li said, lost in thought. “Finding the right family isn’t easy. Most important is that the girl has a good temperament and looks, is kind and lovable, sensitive to the bigger picture, but not delicate, and can study alongside Changliu. The rest doesn’t matter as much.”
She hesitated, then spoke slowly. “Now that I think about it, isn’t there already such a girl right under our noses? She has all the right qualities–graceful, refined, like she was born into wealth. The only issue is that she’s a few years older than Changliu.”
Li Wei didn’t catch on at first. Madam Li’s gaze flicked toward the western wing.
Realization dawned on him. He understood what she meant and let out a quiet laugh, finding the idea utterly absurd.
“This girl, I fear she is not from an ordinary family,” Li Wei said, shaking his head.
Madam Li hesitated. “She has a gentle temperament, an outstanding appearance, and she is a child of misfortune, alone in this world with no one to rely on. If we ask her opinion, I imagine she would be willing.”
“That’s not necessarily true.” Li Wei shook his head again. “If you’ve taken a liking to her, then let it go. As for Changliu’s marriage, we are indeed rushing things. Let’s wait until he’s older before making any decisions.”
Madam Li pressed her lips together and studied her husband. His gaze lingered on Chun Tian, unreadable and distant. A chill ran through her heart, violently trembling.
Outside in the courtyard, Xianxian and Chun Tian were fetching water from the well to wash the teacups. It was the everyday set used in the side rooms, its blue-and-white porcelain appearing coarse in Chun Tian’s delicate hands.
Standing beneath the window, Li Wei watched as her slender, pale fingers held the teacup, carefully scrubbing away the tea stains on the insides using the icy well water. In the dim evening light, she seemed like an orchid, quietly blooming in the night.
“Master,” Chun Tian looked up slightly and said softly, “Would you like some tea? It will be ready soon.”
Li Wei shook his head. His thoughts turned over and over in his mind before he finally spoke. “There is news of your uncle in Beiting.”
She let out a small “Ah.”
Ten li northwest of Guazhou, the Moli Army was stationed, its military camp set up on the former lands of the Tuyuhun. The imperial court had assigned five thousand troops to this post, with the majority being Tuyuhun people who had pledged allegiance to the Central Plains, while the rest were recruited from various counties across Longxi.
In his younger years, Li Wei had harbored ambitions of serving the court and had spent five years in the Moli Army camp. Over the years, the army had undergone multiple changes, but several of his old comrades remained in service. Among them was Huang Ruyun, a scholar-officer who had since been transferred to the Tingzhou prefectural office to oversee administrative records.
Li Wei had written to Huang Ruyun, entrusting him with the task of searching for Chun Tian’s relatives. At the same time, he had asked a friend in Luntai to inquire whether a man named Chen Zhongxin could be found in the surrounding counties and villages.
The information he received stated that Chen Zhongxin had once served as a Vice Deputy Commandant in the Yiwu Garrison before being reassigned to Luntai as a tax official in the prefectural office. Later, he was transferred to Xizhou as an accountant. However, a few years ago, he resigned from his position and traveled westward. His current whereabouts remained unknown.
Chun Tian knew that her uncle, Chen Zhongxin, had spent years stationed at the frontier, later bringing his wife and children to the northwest, which severed his ties with the rest of the family. His official rank had always been minor, and searching for him in the military records her uncle had copied was like looking for a needle in a haystack, an arduous task.
“There’s no need to rush,” Li Wei reassured her. “Take your time. News will surface eventually. Finding an official in the military isn’t difficult, but the Beiting Protectorate is a vast land where Han and Hu live side by side. The region is sparsely populated, and tracking someone down will take time.”
Chun Tian shook her head resolutely, as if steeling herself. “It would be best if I can find him, but if not, so be it. I will search from one prefecture to the next—there will always be some trace of him.”
Li Wei studied her carefully, hesitating before asking, “Must you go looking for him? You are alone, and the northern frontier is dangerous. You must think this through carefully.”
Chun Tian met his gaze and nodded with unwavering determination. “I must find Uncle Chen.”
Footnotes:
- Eight characters (Gengtie): written marriage proposal noting hour, day, month and year of one’s birth ↩︎
TN: Hope everyone is doing well! I think its such a blessing to be able to choose who you want to marry in those days. I almost think being a commoner was better than being a noble since there were less expectations and political machinations.
Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters, those options are available for you (in support us page)! Since I am a grad student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!
Twin Dragons Translations 