Now Shūlán was no longer the child bride traded away for a bag of grain in the stories, so naturally she had nothing to do with Liú Fú’s family.
Among the Liú grandchildren, there were five—three boys and two girls. Although Shūxīn and Shūlán weren’t born of the same mother, they were the only two girls in the family, so naturally their relationship was good.
Moreover, Shūlán had always been very fond of her younger sister Shūxīn, always sharing anything she had. Shūxīn, not selfish by nature, treated Shūlán the same way and often gave her things in return.
Shūlán had grown up much better in the Liú household than she would have in the Liú family’s previous home, where she had been a child bride. In the Liú household, she was a granddaughter; in her old home, she was merely a child bride.
No matter how good her parents had been, in the previous home they only ensured she didn’t starve. In the Liú family, she had her grandparents watching over her, her parents caring for her, brothers and younger siblings protecting her, and a devoted little sister.
The Liú family’s conditions were also decent. By the time Shūlán was fifteen, suitors had come forward, but Aunt Liú thought her daughter was too young, so the marriage proposals had been delayed until now.
In the old home, someone else could have taken her place as a bride. Previously, her parents had tried to arrange for her to marry Liú Fú, sending word to the Liú household. After all, the Liú family was reasonably well-off—able to trade grain for a wife even in a year of famine, a modestly wealthy family in the village. Aunt Liú was not someone who chased wealth or status, and she might have agreed if it seemed suitable—but Shūxīn had intervened.
Shūxīn didn’t want her cousin to fall into the trap of the Liú family. Liú Fú looked alright for now, but no one could guarantee he wouldn’t go crazy one day, and then what would become of her cousin?
Shūxīn didn’t do much—she simply told Aunt Liú about Liú Fú’s obsession with his child-bride sister-in-law. Naturally, Aunt Liú refused.
Shūxīn hadn’t slandered Liú Fú. The current child bride of the Liú family wasn’t harmless. She had long since ensnared the Liú family’s eldest son and even gotten involved with Liú Fú—though no physical relationship had occurred, there was plenty of ambiguity.
Shūlán’s connection with the Liú family ended there; nothing more followed. Shūxīn had no intention of seeking revenge against the Liú family. As long as the eldest son lived, and the child bride remained a handful, the Liú family would not have an easy life.
As for whether Liú Fú might later enlist in the army, Shūxīn didn’t know. For now, his parents hadn’t forced him to marry his sister-in-law.
Shūxīn simply let these thoughts pass. There was no need to dwell on unimportant people—she was living a good life now. She focused on the present, enjoying her days.
Back home, she set down her basket, put the pigweed aside, and carefully arranged her medicinal herbs to dry, planning to take them to the city to exchange for money later.
Grandma Liú and Shūlán noticed her organizing and didn’t disturb her. Since Shūxīn had reached junior high and learned that some herbs could be sold in the county, she often brought some home.
The Liú family naturally didn’t pass up this opportunity. They had Shūxīn teach them to identify common herbs, so whenever they went into the mountains, they collected herbs to exchange together.
Grandma Liú wasn’t stingy either; she let them keep half of the proceeds from herb collection and left the rest for each household. After all, the children were grown, and she wanted to save some for her two sons.
After dinner that evening, Grandma Liú spoke to the eldest uncle and his family: “I’ve found a prospective match for Shūlán. He’s from the neighboring Shízimó village, not far from here—about an hour’s walk. There are three brothers in his family. The matchmaker says the youngest is a good young man, honest and capable. I’ve considered it and think he’s suitable. What do you think? If you agree, I can arrange a meeting.”
“Mother, let’s arrange the meeting. I trust your judgment,” Aunt Liú said, not objecting. Her mother-in-law was indeed experienced—if she approved, there was no reason to refuse.
“Alright, then the day after tomorrow. I’ll inform the matchmaker tomorrow,” Grandma Liú decided.
Hearing the date confirmed, Shūlán blushed, feeling both excited and shy. All her peers were already married at sixteen; her family’s care had delayed her match until now.
Usually, Shūlán acted like the elder sister in front of Shūxīn, but she was still a seventeen-year-old girl. When it came to marriage prospects, shyness was inevitable.
Hearing that the meeting was set for the day after tomorrow, Shūxīn postponed her trip to the city. She and Shūlán had to ensure everything went smoothly—she wouldn’t let her cousin entrust herself to the wrong person.
Early the next morning, Grandma Liú sent the family to clean the yard, preparing everything in a flurry.
Shūxīn went to Shūlán’s room, helping her into a floral dress she had prepared. She brushed Shūlán’s long hair to one side, braided it over her shoulder, and tucked a wildflower she had just picked from the mountain into the braid.
Shūxīn admired her handiwork. Shūlán was already pretty, but now, dressed and adorned, she looked stunning.
Seeing herself in the mirror, Shūlán was delighted. Girls naturally loved to look charming, especially today when she was meeting a potential suitor.
“Xīnbǎo, thank you! I never knew I could look this good! You bought the dress, right? I’ll pay you back later!”
“No need. I bought it specially for you before your meeting. Look—my cousin is so beautiful, she’ll surely captivate her future husband,” Shūxīn teased.
Shūlán blushed, knowing her sister wouldn’t accept payment. There would be plenty of time to repay her later.
Shūlán’s future suitor was indeed smitten. From the moment he saw her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. His mother also approved—she was well-built, well-mannered, and educated through junior high. Perfect.
Shūxīn carefully observed the future family as well. The youngest son was the favored one at home, perceptive, and not rigid—well-matched with Shūlán. His parents were kind and indulgent, favoring their youngest, which worked in Shūlán’s favor.
Eldest uncle and aunt also approved. Both sides were pleased, and an agreement was quickly reached. Now, with mutual attraction confirmed, marriage was not far off—no long years of courtship.
The wedding was set for after the autumn harvest. Grandma Liú also said half of the bride price would go with Shūlán, along with a dowry.
The prospective groom’s family was satisfied as well. A bride who brought half the bride price and a dowry was the best in the nearby villages.
Shūxīn felt relieved. Shūlán had completely escaped her original fate, and there was no need to worry about Liú Fú bothering her cousin again.
Previously, Liú Fú had failed to marry into the Liú family and had tried to pester Shūlán. Once Shūxīn found out, she confronted him while he was drunk. Liú Fú had thought he had simply fallen while intoxicated and spent two to three months recovering.
Shūlán was already beautiful. In her original fate, even if she had just enough to eat at Liú Fú’s home, she was attractive—no wonder he had fancied her. Now, nurtured by the Liú family and Shūxīn, her skin and figure had improved even more. Liú Fú’s obsession couldn’t succeed; such a fine bride would never fall into his hands.
Before, Shūxīn had considered Liú Fú a selfish, unfilial, narcissistic scoundrel. After this, she added new labels: vanity is a disease, arrogance is poison.