The Wu mother and son couldn’t sleep all night. The next day, before leaving, Wu Ermao made it clear that he would not consider a match with the Yu family.
After saying that, Wu Ermao went to the military camp.
Aunt Wu was so angry she couldn’t even eat, but since her son refused, she had no choice but to find the matchmaker and ask to postpone for a few days.
After hearing this, the matchmaker clapped her hands and said it was simple. “I thought it was something serious. This is easy. Come closer, let me tell you…”
Marriage requires both sides to be willing. After hearing the matchmaker’s words, Aunt Wu immediately went to the riverside to find Lin Xiahe.
“Xiahe, why are you alone today?”
Aunt Wu carried a basin of clothes and washed upstream from Lin Xiahe. “Where are your mother and your eldest brother?”
Lin Xiahe glanced at Aunt Wu’s clothes. “My mother has a stomachache and went to the latrine. My eldest brother went to deliver goods and will be back later. Auntie, do you want to move a bit further up to wash? I don’t want to dirty your clothes.” Out of kindness, she reminded her.
Still, she felt a bit curious. Usually, people didn’t come here to wash clothes—it wasn’t close to their alley.
“Alright, I’ll move up a little.” Aunt Wu shifted her position, but she had something on her mind. Not long after, she set down her clothes and squatted beside Lin Xiahe. “Xiahe, you’re really capable. Has your mother arranged a marriage for you lately?”
Lin Xiahe paused slightly, not understanding why Aunt Wu brought this up.
“If not, how about I introduce one for you?” Aunt Wu was focused on arranging a match for Lin Xiahe and didn’t notice her darkening expression. “I have a nephew from my maternal family. He’s two or three years older than you, and his family has a few acres of land. As long as he works hard, the family can live comfortably. I think you’re a good girl, so I’d rather keep it within the family. Would you consider it?”
Lin Xiahe’s biological mother and stepfather were both alive. If there were to be a marriage arrangement, it should first be discussed with her parents. No one would bypass the elders and come directly to her.
After thinking it over, she guessed the reason. Her chest tightened, and she held back tears. “Auntie, you’re an elder, but you shouldn’t talk to me about this. My parents are still well.”
“I was just…” Aunt Wu became anxious, but when she saw Qiao Jiawang in the distance, she temporarily stopped. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m doing this for your own good. I’ve watched you grow up—I wouldn’t harm you. I can guarantee my nephew’s character is ten thousand times better than that Yuan Qiang.”
She truly thought Lin Xiahe was capable and kind, which was why she wanted to introduce her to her nephew. Seeing Lin Xiahe unhappy, she realized she had been too hasty. After the Qiao siblings left, she learned that Lin Shi wasn’t feeling well, so she returned home and brought a packet of herbal medicine.
At the Qiao household, only Lin Shi and her in-laws were there. After greeting them, Aunt Wu entered and found Lin Shi.
“Sister, did you eat something bad?”
“It’s too hot—I got greedy and drank two bowls of well water. Please sit.” Lin Shi felt dizzy and nauseous, pointing to a stool.
“You’ve got heatstroke. I brought some herbs. Let Xiahe boil them later, and you’ll be better tomorrow.” Aunt Wu smiled, making Lin Shi uncomfortable.
After a while, seeing Aunt Wu smiling without speaking, Lin Shi asked what was wrong.
“It’s actually a good thing, I just don’t know how to say it.” Aunt Wu then brought up her nephew. “I was so busy these days thinking about Ermao coming back that I forgot Xiahe would be a good match for my nephew. Luckily, the matchmaker reminded me, so I hurried here. Xiahe is such a good girl—if she could become my niece-in-law, it would be a blessing for the Wu family.”
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, praising her nephew endlessly. “Sister, I’ve watched Xiahe grow up. You know me—I talk a lot, but I have a good heart, right?”
At first, Lin Shi thought it was good news, but the more she listened, the more something felt off. She hadn’t asked the matchmaker to arrange a marriage for her daughter, so why would the matchmaker discuss this with Aunt Wu?
And if Aunt Wu thought Xiahe was so good, why not match her with her own son?
Lin Shi already felt unwell, and now her chest felt even worse. They had been neighbors for over ten years. From daily conversations, she knew Aunt Wu’s younger brother’s wife was fierce, and her brother was timid. Regardless of the nephew’s character, with such in-laws, the marriage wouldn’t be good.
“We’ve been neighbors for years—there’s no need to beat around the bush. Don’t worry. Even if I raise Xiahe for life, I won’t let her marry your Ermao.”
Unable to suppress her anger and already feeling unwell, Lin Shi spoke bluntly. “Go chase your ambitions. Our family won’t hold Ermao back. But let me make this clear—if I hear any gossip about Xiahe from the matchmaker, I will not let it go!”
A girl’s reputation is the most important. Lin Shi didn’t seek to gain status through marriage—she only wanted her daughters to find good husbands.
She could tolerate many things, but since Aunt Wu had spoken to the matchmaker about her daughter, she had to take a firm stance.
Aunt Wu froze. “Sister, what are you saying? I…”
“That’s enough. Don’t pretend. We’ve been neighbors for years—I know your intentions the moment you speak.”
Lin Shi took a deep breath. “Your Ermao has a promising future, and it’s normal for you to aim higher—I understand. But you can’t push my daughter into a pit. Our families never discussed marriage, so you don’t need to worry about us clinging to your son. I will take care of my daughter—please take care of your own son as well.”
People live with pride. Lin Shi couldn’t swallow her anger, so she didn’t hold back.
She turned over and lay down. “Take your herbs. I need to rest.”
Aunt Wu stood there, humiliated. She hadn’t expected such a direct response. She thought she was acting in the children’s best interest—did Lin Shi really think her son would pass over better families to marry Lin Xiahe?
Holding in her anger, Aunt Wu took the herbs and left in frustration.
After a while, Zhang Shi came in to ask what happened.
“Nothing. Maybe I was too tired and not warm enough—she got upset,” Lin Shi said softly, turning her back as silent tears fell.
Zhang Shi knew something was wrong, but since her daughter-in-law didn’t want to talk, she didn’t press further. “Then rest. I’ve boiled some medicine. Xiahe will bring it to you later.”
Lin Shi responded softly. After her mother-in-law left, she wiped her tears.
Since marrying into the Qiao family, she had treated her two stepsons well, respected her in-laws, and worked tirelessly to keep the household together—all so her two daughters would have a place to belong.
As her daughters grew older, she couldn’t bear to scold or beat them. She only wanted to find them good husbands so she could finally relax. But now, with her second daughter’s marriage, everything seemed to go wrong. She wondered if she was simply not capable enough.
“Mother.”
Hearing the call, Lin Shi quickly wiped her tears, thinking it was her second daughter. Instead, it was her youngest, Qiao Mianmian, carrying medicine.
“Fourth Sister went to gather herbs. Drink the medicine Grandma prepared first.” Qiao Mianmian sat by the bed, watching her mother finish the medicine. Seeing her red eyes, she asked what was wrong.
Lin Shi couldn’t share her worries with her in-laws or husband. Facing her youngest daughter, she sighed and spoke about the Wu family. “It’s my fault for not being capable enough, letting your fourth sister be looked down upon. That Aunt Wu is infuriating—I never showed any intention of marrying into their family, yet she fears we’d cling to her son and came running to say all that.”
She held her daughter’s hand. “Just keep this to yourself. Don’t tell anyone—especially your fourth sister. She’ll feel hurt.”
Not because she couldn’t marry into the Wu family, but because being looked down on would damage her confidence. Lin Shi had always taught her daughters to be obedient and sensible so others wouldn’t dislike them.
Now she wondered—had her daughters often felt wronged inside?
“I understand. I won’t tell anyone,” Qiao Mianmian said, frowning slightly. She guessed Aunt Wu must have failed to persuade Wu Ermao and had shifted her focus to her fourth sister.
That was too much!
After comforting her mother, Qiao Mianmian went to the kitchen to prepare food. She cut taro into chunks and sliced the pre-fried pork belly into long pieces, then marinated them together.
She washed some preserved vegetables to steam with the meat. When her fourth sister came in with herbs and offered to help, she declined.
“I’ll do it. How is Mother? Still uncomfortable?” Lin Xiahe had already washed the herbs and began crushing them to brew into tea later.
“She’s a bit better.” Qiao Mianmian noticed her sister looked downcast. After washing the preserved vegetables, she squatted beside her. “Fourth Sister, is something bothering you?”
“What could be bothering me?” Lin Xiahe forced a smile. “There’s so much work at home—I’m busy every day.”
“But you don’t seem happy,” Qiao Mianmian said gently. “If something’s wrong, tell me. We’re sisters—I can help you think of a solution.”
Lin Xiahe glanced toward the doorway. Since she didn’t share the Qiao surname, there were things she couldn’t tell her grandparents. She also didn’t want to worry her mother. After Aunt Wu approached her, she realized that since Wu Ermao returned, he had often come to see her.
Seeing her sister’s concern, she lowered her head and spoke about it. “I never thought anything would happen between me and Wu Ermao, but Aunt Wu wants to arrange a marriage. Mianmian, I know I’m just average, but… I’m not that bad, am I?”
“Of course not. You’re pretty, considerate, and hardworking—everyone in the alley praises you. Aunt Wu is just snobbish. Now that Wu Ermao became a centurion, her ambitions have grown.”
Qiao Mianmian grew angrier as she spoke. “Besides, Wu Ermao likes you on his own—it’s one-sided. There’s nothing between you, yet she rushed over like this. That’s just bullying.”
After a pause, she suddenly asked, “Fourth Sister, you don’t like Wu Ermao, do you?”
“Of course not.” Lin Xiahe hadn’t even gotten over Yuan Qiang yet—how could she like someone else so soon? “When we were kids, he climbed a tree and couldn’t get down and even soiled himself. I still remember that—how could I like him?”
She remembered it clearly: a persimmon tree full of bright orange fruit. The owner allowed them to pick two, but they had to climb themselves. Wu Ermao climbed up but couldn’t come down, and the owner was away, so they waited until evening.
In the end, Wu Ermao couldn’t hold it and soiled himself. People in the alley still joked about it. Over time, rumors turned it into both of them being involved, which embarrassed her deeply.
Qiao Mianmian didn’t remember this and laughed. “That’s really embarrassing.”
“Exactly, so I could never like him.” Lin Xiahe sighed. “I’m just worried that if he keeps coming to see me, Aunt Wu won’t be happy. I don’t want to make Mother worry.”
“By the way, don’t tell Mother—absolutely don’t!”
Both mother and daughter wanted to protect each other, coincidentally asking Qiao Mianmian to keep their secrets.
Qiao Mianmian paused, thinking this must be what family felt like. In her previous life, she hadn’t experienced such warmth. Now that she had a loving family, she no longer minded that her transmigration didn’t grant her wealth.
“Alright, I won’t tell Mother.” Her eyes shifted slightly. “Are you sure you don’t want Wu Ermao coming to see you anymore?”
“Yes!”
“Then leave it to me—I’ll go find him tomorrow.” Hearing voices outside—her second brother had returned—Qiao Mianmian stood up. “I’ll cook now. Don’t overthink it—we’ve done nothing wrong.”
As she spoke, Qiao Jiaxing appeared at the kitchen door, eagerly asking what they would eat.
“Steamed pork with taro, and wild vegetables Grandma picked,” Qiao Mianmian said, layering preserved vegetables at the bottom, then alternating taro and pork belly before placing it in the pot to steam with the rice.
The wild vegetables were already washed and would be stir-fried with lard.
Soon, the fragrance of taro mixed with the rich aroma of pork and the sweetness of rice filled the kitchen.
While the meat steamed, Qiao Mianmian started braising meat in another pot. The family had recently bought a new pot, placed in the courtyard specifically for braising.
Without kitchen walls blocking it, the aroma spread easily beyond the yard.
The nearby neighbors were used to it, but the newly arrived Lu Zhao and his servant both felt their stomachs growl.
“My lord, why does it smell like braised meat again?” Qingjiu stood on tiptoe, following the scent. “It seems to be coming from this household. Why do they cook braised meat every day?”
Since moving in, they had been leaving early and returning late, rarely meeting neighbors. They still didn’t know the Qiao family across from them sold braised meat.
Qingjiu was truly tempted, swallowing repeatedly. “My lord, don’t you want some?”
Lu Zhao looked at the pot of burnt rice and couldn’t help but wonder—why was the rice burnt again?