From the day after the competition ended, the Lin household was bustling with activity as matchmakers arrived one after another, naturally to propose marriages for Lin Cui’e and Lin Juan. Lin Cui’e was of marriageable age, while Lin Juan was only three years away from being eligible. Lin Wen and Lin Meng, both thirteen, were just two years shy of the customary age for marriage. Families with daughters of suitable age also came to join the excitement, with some even eyeing Lin Xia and Lin Wu. However, Madam Tong decisively stated that Lin Wen and Lin Meng were currently focused on their studies, and their futures were uncertain—marriage could wait another two years. As for Lin Xia and Lin Wu, they were still too young and not to be considered yet.
Lin Fang, meanwhile, had been sleeping excessively these past few days. Previously, she only felt drowsy after lunch, but now she was lethargic all day long, even during her morning exercises of the Five Animal Frolics and needle-throwing practice. Apart from being woken by Nanny Liu for meals, she spent the rest of her time asleep. At first, Dalang and Li Cuimei were too busy dealing with the matchmakers to notice. It wasn’t until Nanny Liu grew concerned and reported the sixth young lady’s condition to the family that the couple realized something was amiss and hurriedly sought Madam Tong’s diagnosis.
Madam Tong was initially anxious, repeatedly checking Lin Fang’s pulse before finally laughing in relief. “There’s nothing wrong—it’s just autumn fatigue. Fang’er’s constitution has always been unusual. For such a small child, she’s busier than most adults. Now that autumn has arrived, she’s paying back the ‘summer debt’ she owes her body. Let her sleep, just make sure she doesn’t go hungry. Remember to serve easily digestible meals.”
With their daughter confirmed to be fine, Dalang and his wife gave Nanny Liu detailed instructions before returning to their daily busyness.
As summer break ended, Lin Wen, Lin Meng, and Qi Biao returned to Shengcheng. The Lin Family Hall gatherings no longer included storytelling sessions during the day, except on school holidays. Lin Cui’e, who had previously made it a habit to attend the storytelling sessions daily, now stayed at home all day, though she seemed distracted. When her elder brother and sister-in-law asked for her thoughts on marriage proposals, she simply replied that she would follow their wishes and showed no personal interest. Dalang grew furious, but Lin Cui’e remained silent.
Recalling a muttered remark their daughter had made before bed, Li Cuimei discussed it with Dalang. After careful consideration, they decided that matters of a young woman’s heart were best handled by her sister-in-law, especially since Lin Cui’e was deeply attached to Li Cuimei, their bond resembling that of mother and daughter.
Li Cuimei didn’t beat around the bush. She asked directly, “Cui’e, you’ve grown up now, and there’s no need for me to coax you like a child. Let me ask you—these past few days, you insisted on attending the storytelling sessions every day. Did you have feelings for Guo Mian?”
Lin Cui’e was stunned. How did her sister-in-law know her thoughts so clearly? For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
Seeing her reaction, Li Cuimei sighed. “Guo Mian’s family lives next to ours. I’ve watched him grow up—he’s diligent, filial, and kind-hearted. Despite his youth, he’s endured all kinds of hardships to support his mother. Ever since his mother started storytelling at our hall, even with escorts arranged, he still accompanies her every day. When she fell ill, he disregarded others’ mockery of a scholar engaging in performance arts and took her place. In every way, Guo Mian is a good young man.”
Lin Cui’e lowered her head, a faint sweetness in her heart. Everything her sister-in-law said aligned with what she admired about Guo Mian.
“However,” Li Cuimei sighed, “don’t blame me for dampening your spirits. As good as Guo Mian is, he’s not the right match for you.”
“Why not?” Lin Cui’e couldn’t believe it. After praising Guo Mian so highly, how could her sister-in-law say such a thing?
“Dalang, come in.” At Li Cuimei’s words, Dalang entered, his expression grave.
Lin Cui’e immediately pressed him, “Elder Brother, why? Why does Sister-in-law say Guo Mian isn’t the right match for me?”
Dalang gazed at his sister, reluctant to speak. When she shook him insistently, he finally said with difficulty, “Guo Mian has been inseparable from his mother since childhood. He’s accustomed to attending to her every need and cannot bear to see her suffer even slightly. If he marries, his mother will always come first.”
Lin Cui’e protested, “What’s wrong with that? The court itself governs with filial piety as its foundation.”
Dalang’s heart ached. “Filial piety isn’t wrong, but excessive devotion would leave his wife with no joy in life. Do you remember what your sister-in-law endured in the past?”
“How… how is that the same?” Lin Cui’e stammered. “Guo Mian is still young. How can you assume he’d be like that after marriage?”
Dalang gave a bitter laugh. “In your eyes, there’s only Guo Mian. But in his eyes, there’s only his mother—there’s no room for anyone else.”
“How do you know?”
“His mother and I interact often. How could I not notice such things?”
Li Cuimei advised Lin Cui’e, “Your brother is a grown man who’s traveled far and wide in his youth. He understands men’s minds better than anyone. You’re still young, a woman who rarely goes out. The men you’ve met are few. Whether this is true or not, listen to what your brother has to say.” She then stood and left, her steps slightly unsteady.
Watching his wife leave, Dalang suppressed his own sorrow and said to his sister, “Perhaps another woman marrying Guo Mian would fare differently, but you cannot.”
“Why?” Lin Cui’e’s heart ached as well. She had been raised by her sister-in-law since childhood. Though she was naive back then, she remembered clearly what her sister-in-law had endured. But would Guo Mian really be like her brother—so devoted to his mother that he’d neglect his wife?
Dalang countered, “Do you remember what Shi Binhua said that day?”
Lin Cui’e nodded. Dalang continued, “Guo Mian’s mother performs at our family hall, and the hall operates solely for her. Though Guo Mian only substitutes for her, others assume he’s following in her footsteps. Even though he attends school, people still believe he and his mother are our family’s servants, praising us for allowing our servants to study. Growing up like this, he may appear adaptable, but inside, he’s fiercely proud. If he’s already seen as our servant, marrying our daughter would only invite ridicule—that he’s living off his wife’s family. How could he bear that? Even if he married you, how could he treat you sincerely?”
Lin Cui’e choked back tears. “You’re not him, and his circumstances differ from yours. How can you be so sure?”
Dalang said painfully, “Your sister-in-law treats you like her own daughter—do you think I’m heartless? Since you came to town with us, I’ve spent every day with you. How could I not know your temperament? I inspect the rental district daily—do you think I’m unaware of what you do? You never miss a session when Guo Mian performs. As someone who’s been through it all, how could I not guess your feelings? To ensure your happiness, I’ve gone out of my way to investigate. Aunt, your sister-in-law, your second sister-in-law, even your sixth sister-in-law—when they interact with Guo Mian and his mother, they’ve probed subtly. Aren’t they all more perceptive than an unmarried girl like you? If you still don’t believe me, what more can I do?”
His words reduced Lin Cui’e to sobs. Like his wife often did, Dalang pulled his sister into an embrace. Though awkward, he gently patted her back and said softly, “Cui’e, it’s not that your brother and sister-in-law are cruel. Given your sister-in-law’s past, we can’t bear to see you follow the same painful path. If that happened, how could your sister-in-law live with herself? Knowing the suffering ahead and watching you walk into it—if that happened, I’d have failed as your brother.”
After their heart-to-heart, Lin Cui’e stayed in her room every day, claiming she needed to focus on improving her embroidery skills, which she felt were inferior to her niece’s. Dalang and Li Cuimei understood she needed time to heal and let her be. They knew their sister well—she wouldn’t do anything drastic.
Meanwhile, Lin Fang’s condition worsened. She slept all day, barely rousing even for meals. Despite Madam Tong’s repeated examinations confirming no illness, they were at a loss until Huiyuan arrived at the Lin household. He instructed Dalang and Li Cuimei to carry Lin Fang and follow him up the mountain.
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