Li Cuimei kept probing, but the Wang family’s matriarch, sensing her hesitation, decided to lay all the cards on the table:
“Enough. You’re not one to beat around the bush, yet today you’re full of doubts. Neither of us likes rigid formalities, so let’s skip the roundabout talk. Look at my sons, Hongbang and Hongzhong—didn’t they each choose their own matches before I sent matchmakers to propose? What’s three years of mourning? A man shouldn’t balk at waiting. If he can’t even endure that, he shouldn’t trouble a girl in the first place. And as for your father-in-law’s misdeeds—do you think I don’t know the truth? Why would I hold it against Cuie just because you raised her? In fact, it’s fortunate she was under your care. Had she been raised by your in-laws, who knows how she’d have turned out? Just look at Cuiping.”
“Pfft—”
Whenever guests visited, Li Cuimei made sure to keep Lin Fang by her side to teach her etiquette. Today, with the Wang matriarch’s visit, Li Cuimei suspected it might concern a marriage proposal. Knowing her own daughter well, she saw no need to exclude Lin Fang just because she was a girl—though she worried about appearances and had her hide in the inner chamber. But Lin Fang, finding the Wang matriarch’s words too amusing, couldn’t suppress a laugh.
Before Li Cuimei could speak, the Wang matriarch called out, “Come out, you little imp! No need to hide. I’m no stranger—since when do we stand on ceremony?”
Caught, Lin Fang emerged and curtsied. “Fang’er greets Grandmother Wang.”
The Wang matriarch beckoned. “Come here, Fang’er. Your face seems to have improved—I’d wager the marks will vanish completely. Once they do, you’ll be as sought-after as your aunt. Suitors will wear out your doorstep!”
Pulled into the matriarch’s embrace, Lin Fang didn’t feign modesty. “As the saying goes, a niece takes after her aunt. My aunt is so beautiful—if my face clears up, I won’t be far behind.”
“Aiya!” The matriarch pinched Lin Fang’s nose playfully. “Such a silver tongue! You know I’m here to propose for your aunt, yet you flatter her—and yourself in the same breath!”
Lin Fang laughed. “Isn’t it the truth, Grandmother Wang?”
The matriarch pretended to pinch her again, but Lin Fang dodged, clinging to her mother’s side. Giggling, she added, “My aunt’s in the village today. Even if Uncle is eager, he’ll have to wait till tomorrow for her answer.”
By family hierarchy, Lin Fang rightly addressed Wang Hongwen as “Uncle.”
Li Cuimei scolded lightly, “Fang’er, mind your manners!”
The Wang matriarch waved it off. “Don’t put on airs. Let us enjoy our banter—don’t spoil the fun.”
At dinner that evening, Li Cuimei brought up the Wang matriarch’s proposal. Lin Cuie showed little enthusiasm, saying only, “If he’s willing to wait three years, I’ll marry him.”
Three years could turn a youth into a man—and stain an innocent heart with worldly hues. What would happen by then? No one could say. Though Lin Fang had a good impression of Wang Hongwen, even she couldn’t predict the future. Li Cuimei and her husband shared the same unease but held their tongues. The next day, Li Cuimei personally relayed Lin Cuie’s decision to the Wang family.
Wang Hongwen was indeed plain in looks. Like Lin Wen, he struggled with studies, needing more time than others for the same lessons. A late starter, at fifteen he was only as advanced as thirteen-year-old Lin Wen. That he’d tested into Shengcheng’s academy spoke volumes about his diligence.
“Sister-in-law,” Wang Hongwen bowed deeply to Li Cuimei. “Mother shared your concerns yesterday. As Lin Wen’s classmate, and from what my parents say of your family, I know vows are empty. Just tell Cuie this: In three years, I’ll come for her.”
Wang Hongzhong chimed in, “Yes, yes! He’ll marry her! I’ll play the suona at the wedding—the finest suona you’ve ever heard!”
The matriarch laughed. “Silly boy! Since when does an elder brother play the suona at his younger brother’s wedding? You’ll be the groom’s elder brother—your duty is giving red envelopes. Save your coins for that.”
Hongzhong pouted. “I played at Eldest Brother’s wedding! Why not Little Brother’s? I don’t care—I’ll play the best suona! My wife can handle the red envelopes.”
The eldest son, Hongbang, ever steady, interceded, “Let him, Mother. Joy matters most—let him do as he pleases.” Turning to Li Cuimei, he asked, “When will your family move? I’ll help. My skills aren’t as fine as Liulang’s, but they’ll do.”
Li Cuimei sighed. “Winter’s here. Even if we secure land, the ground’s too hard to break. But we must leave by the Lantern Festival—Wu’s studies can’t wait.”
Wang Hongwen, never eloquent, stayed quiet while his mother fervently vowed that no matter her son’s future—be it official rank or commoner’s life—he’d keep his word. In three years, he’d wed Lin Cuie.
*Sigh. Who knows what tomorrow brings?* Li Cuimei nodded politely but grieved inwardly for her sister. Beautiful and talented, yet fate toyed with her, wasting her prime years.
After the greenhouse planting began, Li Cuilan moved into its side room with Li Yinwei, laboring day and night alongside servants. In rare free moments, she visited her younger sister. Before marriage, Cuie had shadowed her everywhere. Later, responsibilities kept them apart for years. Now, reunited in town, just as daily meetings became possible, Cuie faced exile. The injustice pained her deeply.
This year, thanks to pruning techniques, the eldest aunt’s cotton yield rose by thirty percent. Li Yinwei admired her little cousin immensely and spent most visits at her side.
“Fifth Cousin, why won’t you go to the capital?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why not? They say it’s thrilling there.”
“Grandmother said: ‘Tiny feet in big shoes will trip sooner or later.’”
*Hmm.* A fresh metaphor from Grandmother Pan—simple yet apt. Li Yinhua sought capital pleasures, but Aunt Daping sent her and Li Yinrong for marriages, not fun. Once there, they’d lose choice. Youngest of all, Li Yinwei had heeded Pan’s wisdom.
“Why raise chickens when you grow up, Fifth Cousin?”
“Grandmother keeps flocks. Eggs, meat, silver—all from chickens.”
“Just chickens?”
“These months at Eldest Aunt’s taught me much. I’ll run a farmstead too.”
“Your family owns one. Why not learn there?”
“Mother forbids it.”
*Of course.* An aunt who bound feet and pushed daughters toward the capital wouldn’t let Li Yinwei farm. Lin Fang recalled the talent contest’s entrants—girls who risked abduction for a shot at wealth. Compared to them, Li Yinwei was an oddity in this world.
Here, travel and letters were slow. Partings often meant farewells for life. Lin Fang felt a pang at losing Li Yinwei. “Will you visit me, Fifth Cousin?”
Li Yinwei nodded. “When I’m grown, I will.”
Lin Fang had a feeling—this promise would one day come true.
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