Xie Mingzhu was also quite surprised. “May I ask what instructions Yang Butou has?”
Yang Defa, however, wore an expression of embarrassment, as if finding it difficult to speak. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, “I’ll be honest with you. Our Guangmao County is the poorest county in the prefecture. The entire county has only about ten thousand people, with more men than women. So for you unmarried girls, our magistrate will arrange marriages for you.”
“Ah?” Xie Mingzhu was startled. Did this mean she would have to remarry too?
But Yang Defa had no time to explain further to her at the moment and continued, “My brother-in-law is seventeen this year. He’s literate and quite talented. With some luck, he might even become a scholar in the future.”
This statement was actually quite exaggerated. After all, they didn’t have good teachers here. No matter how studious his brother-in-law was, with few books and no proper teachers, passing the imperial examinations would be extremely difficult.
But since he was promoting someone, he naturally had to emphasize the positive aspects and exaggerate a little.
Seeing that Xie Mingzhu remained silent, unsure of her thoughts, he continued, “I know you were originally family members of Marquis Zhenyuan. We’re aware that Marquis Zhenyuan died for the country and deeply admire him. If not for being implicated, you would all be among the elite, people like us minor officials could never hope to associate with in our lifetime.”
Xie Mingzhu also felt somewhat dejected. Her Imperial Mandate, her gold, silver, and jewels – all gone just like that.
“So what do you mean?” Xie Mingzhu had roughly guessed that he probably wanted to propose a marriage for his brother-in-law. Otherwise, why would he have been specifically watching Mo’er earlier?
Sure enough, upon her question, Yang Defa became excited, thinking there was hope. “I’d like to propose a marriage for my brother-in-law. Your sister-in-law and he are about the same age.”
As if worried that Xie Mingzhu might refuse, he quickly raised his hand as if taking an oath, “My brother-in-law’s character is beyond reproach. My wife and I raised him ourselves. When he came to our home, he was only this tall.”
He gestured while speaking, “He’s very diligent. From a young age, he could do everything, not to mention being literate. If you don’t agree, when we reach the county, once the magistrate assigns marriages, who knows what kind of person your sister-in-law might be matched with? Wouldn’t it be better to betroth her directly to my brother-in-law?”
Xie Mingzhu was actually quite tempted, but she didn’t dare make decisions for Xiao Mo’er. “Although as the elder sister-in-law I’m like a mother to her, this concerns her entire life. Allow me to discuss it with her first. If she’s willing, then we can settle it.”
She had realized that Guangmao County’s urgent trip to the prefecture border to receive them clearly indicated their pressing need for population growth.
Perhaps once they reached the county, they wouldn’t even be given time to catch their breath before marriages were arranged.
Hearing her relaxed tone, Yang Defa didn’t pressure her further. After all, there were still a few days for discussion! He then told her more about the arrangements for these exiled convicts.
When Xie Mingzhu returned, Xiao Mo’er and the group of children nervously gathered around her. “Is something wrong?”
They had been watching from a distance for quite some time, seeing the two talking but unable to hear what was said from so far away.
They were all very anxious, fearing that Yang Defa might be a wolf in sheep’s clothing who had threatened Xie Mingzhu in some way.
Xie Mingzhu shook her head, soothing the children in a gentle voice, “It’s nothing.” She then took Xiao Mo’er’s hand, “He told me that when we arrive in the county, all of us will have to remarry.”
Xiao Mo’er was startled at first, then thought of her betrothed, her eyes reddening.
Fearing she might cry again, Xie Mingzhu quickly interrupted, “Think carefully—what kind of families are those who can’t afford a bride? They’re likely either impoverished or have undesirable men.”
Xiao Mo’er grew even more frightened, her small face turning pale. “Then… what should we do?”
“Yang Butou said his brother-in-law is seventeen this year and still unmarried. He asked me to inquire if you’d be willing?” Xie Mingzhu spoke directly, regardless of whether Mo’er felt shy. Given their current circumstances, there was no time for roundabout messages or intermediaries.
This was no moment for subtlety.
Xiao Yunyan and several children listened nearby. Being older, he understood the situation and immediately grew wary. “Mother, you yourself said good families don’t struggle to find wives. Could there be something wrong with this brother-in-law?”
Xie Mingzhu shook her head. “Not at all. From what I gathered, his parents passed away long ago. He was raised by his sister and brother-in-law and has received an education.”
Essentially parentless, he only had a brother-in-law working in the yamen. But as county folk, they’d surely look down on a fishergirl from the countryside.
City families disdained his background, while he himself scorned rural matches—hence the delay.
Truthfully, Xie Mingzhu hoped to facilitate this marriage. Though rushed, their options were limited. She valued that Yang Butou’s brother-in-law was only seventeen—still young enough to be guided if he had flaws. His lack of parents, seen by others as a disadvantage, appealed to her: her timid sister-in-law wouldn’t need to serve in-laws after marriage.
Though raised by his sister, he wouldn’t likely remain in their household after wedding. They’d start their own life immediately.
Xiao Mo’er understood her sister-in-law’s approval. She pondered: as a convict, she truly couldn’t expect a better match. Martyrdom for the Wang family or lifelong spinsterhood was unthinkable—she’d barely met her betrothed. She hadn’t followed her mother and brother in death, after all.
Moreover, if she refused now, she’d face an arranged marriage in the county—a genuine blind match, certainly not with a townsman. Though just a constable, Yang Butou held some authority. Becoming his sister-in-law might benefit her sister-in-law and nieces/nephews.
Yet Xiao Mo’er still wondered, “Why choose me?” The procession had many prettier, more accomplished girls. With her face dotted with moles, she was practically unmarriageable. Was Yang Butou foolish or malicious toward his brother-in-law to pick her?
Xie Mingzhu lowered her voice. “Do you think Yang Butou is a fool? In this procession, among the presentable girls, besides you, who remains untouched?”
Xiao Mo’er suddenly understood why Yang Butou had been so accommodating to their family from the start—he had already investigated their backgrounds thoroughly.
She now realized that Yang Butou was quite shrewd.
So she simply said, “In that case, sister-in-law, please make the decision on my behalf.” Yet as she spoke these words, Xiao Mo’er felt dazed. Just two months ago, she had been a pampered young lady in Zhenyuan Marquis Manor, never stepping beyond the inner courtyards.
Let alone discussing marriage arrangements herself.
But now, with a single sentence, she had settled her own lifelong matter.
Xie Mingzhu was somewhat surprised by how readily she agreed. “Don’t you want to think it over?”
Xiao Mo’er shook her head. “Enough. These past two months have felt like cycles of life and death. I no longer expect to be a delicate young lady—just being able to live well, with enough food and clothing, is the greatest blessing.”
Even if a general amnesty were declared, what would it change? It might remove their status as convicts, but they would still be penniless.
And who knew when such a rare event as a general amnesty might occur!
She sighed. “Let it be so.”
At the very least, by marrying, she would be exempt from the forced labor of a convict and could live freely like the local commoners.
Xie Mingzhu suddenly thought that although this sister-in-law was somewhat timid and prone to tears, she hadn’t caused trouble by threatening suicide and usually helped look after the children.
She was clear-minded and accepting.
Xie Mingzhu thought it might be for the best, otherwise she would have worried about her developing unresolved grievances.
After all, just two months ago, she had been a delicate young lady who never lifted a finger, and now she was to marry an ordinary man—her whole life settled just like that.
What a pity. There was nothing she could do to change it. Otherwise, how could she let a girl so young marry like this?
Moreover, she worried about what kind of man she herself might be matched with! If he were honest and kind, it would be manageable—the children might have a chance at life. But if he were a drunkard or gambler who resorted to violence at the slightest provocation, that would be truly falling into hell.
Anxiously, she went to reply to Yang Defa.
She had considered asking Yang Defa for help, but it seemed inappropriate to seek favors before her sister-in-law even married into the family, so she kept silent.
However, Yang Defa was in high spirits and directly said, “In that case, we’ll be relatives. Madame Xiao, you can rest assured. Although I cannot decide your marriage, when the time comes, I’ll assign your name to the reliable group.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Xie Mingzhu hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise. Being able to maneuver even slightly was already something to be immensely grateful for.
She naturally told Xiao Mo’er and the children about it afterward.
Since it would happen in just a few days, she saw no reason to hide it from the children.
Yet even so, the children frowned at the prospect of an impending new father.
However, children are forgetful and playful. When they set out on their journey, a sudden downpour caught them off guard, drenching everyone thoroughly before they could find shelter.
But the rain passed as quickly as it came. The clouds cleared, leaving them soaked but cooled by a refreshing breeze.
After the rain, the empty mountains seemed renewed, the sky so clear and bright it felt as if one could reach out and touch the white clouds overhead.
The children raised their little hands, trying to grasp the clouds, singing joyfully—who remembered anything about a new father now?
Unable to reach the post station by nightfall, Yang Defa led people in cutting numerous banana leaves to hastily construct makeshift shelters. Families crowded together in these temporary huts. Though they encountered many snakes emerging to cool themselves during the night—frightening two or three people into fainting—they managed to pass the night without serious danger after all.
Most importantly, they could finally sleep with dignity like proper human beings, and had sour plum rice balls for supper.
Waking the next morning to yet another fine day, they simply ate some dry rations before continuing their journey.
Needless to say, with endless fruits available along the way, everyone scarcely stopped eating.
By the time they reached the post station at noon, few had much appetite for a proper meal. To their surprise, fish was served.
Such treatment with ample food and drink quickly made the Li family and others forget the hardships of previous days, and they began looking down upon the young women who had exchanged their bodies to obtain food for them.