Lou Zhaoshui was momentarily dazed. He suddenly saw through the fog—his restlessness and uncertain joy came not only from the panic of being manipulated by her, but mostly from fear. It was the fear of losing control over his own life. He was afraid of falling for her.
He blamed her for not understanding him, but in truth, he didn’t understand her either. He had come from the northern lands to Luoyang, forced to change over a decade of habits. He wasn’t used to it yet, resisting the changes he had to make. And at this moment, she had rushed to his side in a flurry, giving him no time to adapt, insisting on dragging him onto another path that she controlled. This meant he would have to depend on her—and she was someone he didn’t understand.
He lowered his gaze to her. In her feather-like eyes dwelled two swimming fish, one named Triumph and the other Secret Delight. They pricked his heart, yet made it flutter irresistibly.
“You’re really annoying,” he said.
Fu Ruyi ignored his insincere words. She rubbed her hands behind her back against her waist, but the itch in her heart only grew stronger with the rubbing. She desperately wanted to touch that face, those taut red lips, those eyes that had lost focus and held resentment because of her teasing.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“I want to touch your face,” Fu Ruyi said, voicing her true thoughts.
“…Go ahead. Touch it.”
“What?” Fu Ruyi suspected her excessive longing had caused her to hear things.
Lou Zhaoshui rewarded her with a contemptuous look.
Fu Ruyi confirmed it was real. She rubbed her hands on her clothes again before nervously reaching out.
In his gray-blue eyes, the reflection of her hand grew larger and larger, until the scorching warmth pressed against his cheek. The reflection in his eyes was then replaced by a face flushed red.
The gentle caress and faint prickling sensation spread from his face through his entire body. He couldn’t help but swallow, choosing to close his eyes.
Fu Ruyi’s fingers trembled slightly as she nervously touched the cheek she had longed for day and night. Her fingertips traced along the smooth contour, brushing against the trembling corners of his eyes. He had deep-set eyes, and his thin eyelids had turned red, growing redder and redder with her touch…
The weight on his face suddenly disappeared, but the breath against his face remained. What was she doing? The loss of that sensation made his heart race harder, magnifying his chaotic imagination. For a moment, it felt like ants were crawling across his face—itchy and unbearable.
He couldn’t take it anymore and opened his eyes in a panic.
As his glistening, watery eyes opened, a finger landed on his tightly pressed red lips. Noticing that he was awake, she hastily withdrew her hand in a fluster.
Fu Ruyi’s cheeks were crimson, her ears burning red. Her usual arrogance was gone. She lowered her eyes, bit her lip, and stared at the grass swaying in the wind on the ground—a completely different person from before.
Lou Zhaoshui turned his face away, but only for a moment before his gaze returned to her. She wasn’t so annoying now. He raised his hand and ruffled her fluffy hair, then placed his other hand on her shoulder, turning her around. With a push, he sent her off, lest she come to her senses and start spouting nonsense again.
“Go back, you lecher.”
Fu Ruyi giggled. She ran a few steps happily, then turned around with a beaming smile and announced: “I’ll send a matchmaker over tomorrow.”
“Wait a little longer. Give me more time.” Lou Zhaoshui pleaded with a red face.
“You can refuse her.” Fu Ruyi wouldn’t soften. She turned her back on him, bounding toward the pontoon bridge as lightly as a swallow.
Lou Zhaoshui let out a silent sigh. Even seduction hadn’t won him this round.
Watching the butterfly-like figure skip merrily across the bridge, Lou Zhaoshui returned home to relay Fu Ruyi’s message, informing his parents that a matchmaker would be coming tomorrow.
“Arranging the matchmaker should be our responsibility, shouldn’t it?” Mother Lou stared at her youngest son, puzzled. “I feel like I’m not taking in a daughter-in-law, but marrying off a daughter.”
“When the matchmaker arrives, turn her down. Wait until after spring planting is done, then send another matchmaker to make the proposal.” Lou Zhaoshui seized the opportunity.
Mother Lou looked at Father Lou, letting him make the decision.
Father Lou pointed east. In Pinghe Village, who would be willing to offend the Wang family to serve as the Lou family’s matchmaker?
“The Fu family is upright and generous, and the whole family is united. They’re not the type to quibble. We needn’t argue over a trifle like this. All in all, we’re getting the better end of this marriage.” Father Lou spoke in Xianbei. After speaking Chinese all this time, he’d had enough of it. “When marrying a Han woman, the wedding must follow Han customs. It’s better for the Fu family to arrange the matchmaker—the matchmaker won’t deceive them. If we were to arrange it ourselves, there’s no telling how we might get tricked, and if the matchmaker’s meddling offends our in-laws, that would be a terrible injustice.”
“That’s true.” Mother Lou was convinced.
“Don’t you all think this is too fast?” Lou Zhaoshui was bewildered. Was he the only one who thought it was too quick?
The eldest sister-in-law came out of the kitchen and, hearing this, said with a smile: “It is a bit fast, but it’s understandable. The moment Ruyi saw you, her eyes were glued to you. She’d want it even sooner if she could.”
“Going to dig the vegetable plot?” Lou Yueming brought out all the farming tools that she had brought inside that morning, and said to her younger brother: “The sooner we bring her into the family, the better—we’re short on someone to manage household affairs.”
Lou Zhaoshui couldn’t be bothered to speak anymore. None of them understood him.
Sigh. Who would have thought Fu Ruyi would turn out to be the one who understood him best—at least she knew he was afraid of falling for her.
“Come on, let’s go dig the vegetable plot. Don’t dawdle—I’ve been eyeing the villagers’ vegetable gardens with envy for a long time now,” the eldest sister-in-law said.
Father Lou and Mother Lou immediately got up. Little Blondie and Que’er hopped along cheerfully, and Lou Zhaoshui had no choice but to follow, lest he sit at home alone and get even more tangled up in his thoughts.
* * *
Fu Ruyi returned to Dapo Village. She didn’t even go home first—she went straight to find Granny Wei. She tipped Granny Wei off: if Lou Zhaoshui tried to refuse on the grounds that it was too hasty or that they hadn’t known each other long enough, she should use the argument of settling the engagement now and setting the wedding date later, and make sure the marriage between the Fu and Lou families was settled in one go.
Granny Wei asked her some questions to get a clear picture, then mulled over what to say all night—but the next day, she barely needed it.
“Ruyi, Ruyi, are you home?” Granny Wei wiped sweat from her brow as she arrived at the Fu household with the news.
“It’s Sister Wei—come in, please sit.” Mother Fu came out of the silkworm room carrying her little grandson. Seeing the smile on Granny Wei’s face, she stepped forward and asked: “Did it work out?”
“It’s done—the Lou family agreed. Ruyi worried for nothing. I didn’t even have to say much. The moment I laid out Ruyi’s conditions, the young man nodded right away.” Granny Wei was delighted. This matchmaking had been easy, and the matchmaker’s gift had practically cost her no effort. “Is Ruyi not home?”
“The high ground to the east needs to be planted with non-glutinous broomcorn millet, and they started plowing today. Her father is getting on in years and can’t keep at it for long. She knows how to drive the ox, so she can take over for him for a while,” Mother Fu explained.
“Your youngest daughter is no less capable than any son. When it truly comes to family standing and capability, the Lou family would be marrying above themselves, and that third Lou son isn’t worthy of Ruyi.” Granny Wei spoke from the heart. She had gone to the Lou household today and seen that they truly lacked everything. One could say that if they were to move tomorrow morning, even getting up in the middle of the night to pack would be too early.
“She’s happy about it, so what can we do? It’s what she likes.” Mother Fu’s smile also faded. “Let her be. If she likes it, let her go along with it. She’s been worrying over the young and old in this family since she was little—it’s been a hardship for her. It’s rare for her to meet a man she likes. We should let her have her wish; we won’t stand in her way.”
Granny Wei swept her gaze outside the courtyard to make sure no third person was nearby, then lowered her voice: “Dear sister, I delivered Ruyi myself—I don’t treat you as outsiders. Let me give you a piece of advice: drag the wedding out a bit. Ruyi might well grow tired of him in half a year. Men, after all—good looks are the most useless thing. What matters is being able to support a family.”
“That won’t do. It’s too cruel to the man.” Mother Fu couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing.
“Better than letting your own child suffer for half a lifetime.” Granny Wei disagreed.
“She has many brothers and sisters, and her nephews on both sides of the family are growing up too—they can help hold the family up.” Mother Fu thought to herself that the children on both the Fu and Cao sides had received so much kindness from Ruyi; they ought to repay it. If there were any who were ungrateful and only wanted to take advantage, it would be a good thing for Ruyi to recognize them early.
Seeing this, Granny Wei said no more. She changed her tune: “That’s true too—your family has plenty of people.”
“Ruyi is fortunate, and she’s also met someone who truly cares for her. Sister Wei, I thank you on behalf of that girl. I know you mean well for her.” Mother Fu took Granny Wei’s hand. “Come, let’s go inside and talk. Stay for lunch.”
“I’ll go back and eat.”
“If you leave, then when my youngest daughter comes back at noon, I’ll send her to fetch you.” Mother Fu pretended to be upset. “You’ve acted as matchmaker for us, and we can’t even spare a meal? If outsiders heard of this, who knows how they’d laugh at us.”
Granny Wei thought to herself, Your youngest daughter has already promised me a sheep—who would laugh? But she didn’t dare say it, afraid that the matchmaker’s gift might change.
“I’ll go back, let my family know, and come over.” Granny Wei didn’t stand on ceremony any longer. She reminded her: “Just make something simple. Cook whatever you usually eat.”
Mother Fu agreed readily, and the moment she turned around, she put the cured chicken she had been soaking on to stew.
By the time Ruyi came back from plowing the fields, she could smell the meat before she even entered the house. Her stomach suddenly ached with hunger, and her stiff, weary legs went weak—she could barely walk.
“Mother, we’re back! Hurry and serve the food—I’m about to faint from hunger!” Ruyi called out loudly.
Mother Fu came out. “Keep your voice down. Your Granny Wei is here.”
Ruyi’s brows shot up at once, and she found new strength. She dropped the ox’s reins and ran inside. “Granny Wei, did the Lou family agree to the betrothal?”
“They agreed. That third Lou son has fooled you, hasn’t he? From what I could see, he didn’t look the least bit unwilling.” Granny Wei smiled as she recounted what had happened at the Lou house. “Oh, and that scroll of calligraphy you sent over—the third Lou son kept the whole thing. I could tell he liked it very much.”
Ruyi let out a cheerful “Oh” and mused to herself that she’d have to go question him about it.
“Sister Wei, you’re here.” Father Fu came in, greeted her, then turned to Mother Fu. “Old woman, hurry and serve the food—I’m hungry.”
Fu Yuan came in, carried a bucket of water out to water the ox, while Lin Juan set the farming tools behind the main door and called to their exhausted, wilted daughter to wash her hands.
Fu Ruyi moved the dining table out and set it under the persimmon tree. The sun in the third month was getting a bit warm, but it couldn’t penetrate the shade of the tree, which remained cool.
Mother Fu carried out the meal, with Granny Wei helping as well. By the time Ruyi had washed her hands and Fu Yuan had brought in the water bucket, the meal was already laid out.
Having been idle all winter, their bodies had grown soft. Suddenly thrown into heavy labor, every one of them was struggling. After the fragrant soup and sticky cooked grain went down, half the table looked like chickens stricken with plague—necks drawn in, eyelids drooping, utterly listless.
“Father, don’t go this afternoon. The three of us—me, Xiaoying’s mother, and Little Sister—will be enough.” Fu Yuan forced himself to sound energetic. His old father’s health was failing day by day; he wasn’t fit to work the fields anymore.
Ruyi was also worried about the old man dying of exhaustion in the fields. She nodded and said, “Don’t go. I’ll call your youngest daughter’s husband-to-be over tomorrow to do the work and let him learn along the way. In exchange, you go to the Lou family and advise my in-laws—teach them how to use the ox, show them how to plow and plant beans.”
“That works.” Father Fu thought it was a good idea.
“Then I’m off now.” Fu Ruyi shot to her feet. “Sister-in-law, you all go back inside and sleep for a while. I’ll call you when I’m back before we head to the fields.”
“Aren’t you tired? You still have the energy to run around?” Fu Yuan stared, dumbfounded.
“A little laughter beats a little sleep. You wouldn’t understand.” Fu Ruyi strode out the door.
* * *
Lou Zhaoshui stood by his bed. Half the bed was covered with scraps of cloth, each one covered in characters—some large, some small, some square and regular, some narrow and elongated. He couldn’t recognize a single one, and looking at them too long made him dizzy.
“Little brother, Ruyi is here to see you.” Lou Yueming called from outside.
Lou Zhaoshui gave a start. Flustered, he shook out the quilt to cover the writing spread over half the bed, then opened the door and went out.
Fu Ruyi was chatting with Little Blondie and Que’er, but the moment she saw the great beauty, she pushed the two children to the back of her mind.
“Come on, let’s go play outside.” Lou Yueming called the two children away.
Only the two of them remained in the courtyard. Fu Ruyi walked up to the great beauty with her hands behind her back. Having gotten her way, she still feigned innocence, tilting her head and asking, “Weren’t you going to refuse? Why did you agree?”
“You went to work in the fields?” Lou Zhaoshui had noticed the moment he stepped out—her shoes were caked in a layer of mud, and the bottom half of her pant legs was dusted with gray. He’d plowed fields before; he knew that state only came from walking back and forth across the earth.
“The family needs to plant non-glutinous broomcorn millet. My father doesn’t have the strength, so I have to take his place holding the plow behind the ox.” Fu Ruyi glanced down and said with chagrin, “I left in too much of a hurry and forgot to change my shoes.”
Lou Zhaoshui thought for a few moments, then said, “I don’t know how to hold the plow behind an ox yet. Let me go learn from you for a few days, then come back and plow our own fields.”
“That’s perfect. I can see you every time I turn my head—I won’t get tired even after a whole day’s work.”
Lou Zhaoshui pretended not to hear.
“Hey, why did you agree?” Fu Ruyi bumped him.
Because Granny Wei had said she’d spent three years looking for a husband, but on the very first day she met him, she’d already asked a matchmaker to arrange a match for her. Lou Zhaoshui realized that this marriage was a gamble for him—but wasn’t it just as much of one for her?
“You took advantage of me, so I have no choice but to hold you responsible,” he said with feigned indifference.
Fu Ruyi burst out laughing.