The speaker was Yuan Li, a former employee hired by Li Cuihong. Dressed in coarse cloth and carrying a hoe on her shoulder with a basket in hand, she appeared to have just returned from the fields. Noticing Tong Shi and Dalang staring at her, and the little girl with blood-covered tumors gazing unblinkingly with wide eyes, Yuan Li felt her face grow warm but still greeted them politely: “Greetings, Second Grand Madam, Elder Lin, and Sixth Young Miss.”
Seeing that Liulang showed no intention of responding, Tong Shi spoke for him: “Miss Yuan, please don’t take offense. My Liulang has a reserved nature and isn’t fond of talking.”
Yuan Li shook her head. “Second Grand Madam, it was my recklessness. I don’t blame Lin Liulang.” She then turned to Liulang’s back and said, “Lin Liulang, you needn’t avoid me anymore. I was stubborn before, but over these past months, I’ve come to understand that forced matches bring no happiness. Moreover, my parents are elderly, and I’m their only child. My mother’s illness worsens by the day. I’ve vowed never to leave them—I will only take in a son-in-law, not marry out. Liulang, with your talent and looks, it was my overreach.”
After bowing, she walked past them without looking back, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance. Lin Fang noticed she never once turned around.
Only then did Dalang recall that last year, he had considered inquiring about Yuan Li for Liulang’s potential marriage. But Liulang left in haste, and the matter was forgotten. He hadn’t expected the girl to be so resolute. From her words, it seemed the two had already communicated.
As an experienced woman, Tong Shi understood the implications. Though not as close to Liulang as she was to Dalang, she pitied his hardships. In the village, Liulang stood out for his talent and appearance. Men his age usually had children running around, some even with two or three, yet his marriage prospects remained bleak.
Noticing Liulang’s lingering gaze in the direction Yuan Li had left, Tong Shi and Dalang sensed his unspoken feelings for her. Dropping their earlier topic, they flanked Liulang and escorted him to Dalang’s home.
“Sixth Brother, you’re back.”
After this greeting, Lin Cui’e burst into tears, hugging Liulang’s waist and burying her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking. Liulang stroked her hair tenderly, letting her cry freely. No one intervened—the girl had bottled up her emotions for too long and needed release.
After praising Lin Wulin and Lin Xia’s scribbled handwriting, admiring Lin Juan’s budding embroidery skills, reviewing Lin Wen and Lin Meng’s studies—encouraging the former and admonishing the latter—and comforting Lin Cui’e before sending her away under the pretext of discussing Liulang’s marriage, Tong Shi finally questioned Liulang about his history with Yuan Li. Lin Fang, deemed an oblivious child by the adults, unabashedly joined the family meeting.
Hearing Liulang’s account, Tong Shi grew fond of Yuan Li—brave, forthright, filial, and a good match for Liulang. Under normal circumstances, Tong Shi would’ve played matchmaker. But Yuan Li had declared she’d only take in a son-in-law, not marry out. This posed a problem—their family wasn’t destitute enough to justify a son changing his surname.
At twenty-one, Liulang’s marital prospects worried Tong Shi. Recalling Yuan Li mentioning her mother’s grave illness, she asked, “Do you know where the girl lives?”
Liulang was taken aback. “Second Aunt, why?”
“Don’t overthink it,” Tong Shi reassured. “I’ll visit her mother to inquire about her health and her family’s stance. If there’s a sliver of hope, I’ll turn it into half.”
Leading Tong Shi to Yuan Li’s doorstep, Liulang left. After Tong Shi entered, he emerged from a nearby corner, staring at the closed gate with mixed emotions until the iron chain ceased swaying before departing.
Yuan Li, surprised to see Tong Shi, welcomed her graciously. The small yard had vegetable plots by the wall and a chicken coop netted off nearby. The three main rooms, modest in size, resembled the side rooms sold to Dalang. Serving chrysanthemum tea she’d dried herself, Yuan Li listened as Tong Shi explained her visit. After examining Yuan Li’s mother, Madam Yuan, Tong Shi felt relieved—her condition, though severe, wasn’t hopeless.
Madam Yuan had borne five children, with only Yuan Li surviving. Neglecting her health while helping her husband build their livelihood, her ailments worsened with age. Pain plagued her constantly, and sleep eluded her. The expensive medicines she took had lost their efficacy, merely numbing her symptoms.
After deliberation, Tong Shi said, “If you trust me, I’ll prescribe a remedy. If effective, I’ll adjust it. This requires patience.”
Overjoyed, Yuan Li hesitated—years of treatments had drained their finances. Sensing her concern, Tong Shi said, “Expensive medicines aren’t always better. Properly administered, affordable ones can work wonders.”
Grateful, Yuan Li bowed deeply. Even Madam Yuan, resigned to death, felt a flicker of hope.
Addressing Yuan Li, Tong Shi said sternly, “We’re strangers, yet I’ve come abruptly for Liulang. He cares for you but, being reserved, didn’t know how to respond. Is your stance on taking a son-in-law unshakable?”
Yuan Li hadn’t consulted her parents. Madam Yuan protested tearfully, “No! My illness has delayed your marriage. With our means, who’d agree to such terms? Don’t sacrifice yourself for me!”
“Don’t fret,” Tong Shi interjected. “What if the groom joins your household without changing his surname? The couple supports you both, and children bear his name. Or they could live separately with you nearby—your daughter stays filial without the groom facing stigma.”
Madam Yuan was skeptical. “Who’d agree to that?”
“Leave that to me,” Tong Shi smiled. “I’ll ensure the groom is filial.”
Realizing Tong Shi’s covert matchmaking, Madam Yuan, though irked, couldn’t rebuff her after the medical aid. She deferred to her husband’s decision.
Assured the Yuans didn’t insist on a surname change, Tong Shi left to discuss proposing with Liulang.
Many had sought Yuan Li’s hand, but her condition—bringing her parents along—deterred suitors. Madam Yuan, guilt-ridden over burdening her daughter, couldn’t fault her for choosing spinsterhood. When her husband, Yuan Tianming, returned, they questioned Yuan Li about Liulang. While he seemed a good match, they worried his parents wouldn’t consent to Tong Shi’s proposal.
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