That day, Second Elder Sister Zhou Qingling returned from the town carrying a basket that contained a strip of meat and five feet of cloth.
During the first year after Zhou Qingcha’s marriage, aside from returning home three days after the wedding and during the New Year, she rarely came back to her natal family.
This dynasty followed strict customs—once a daughter was married off, she was like water spilled. If a married woman frequently returned to her natal home, it meant she was not loyal to her husband’s family, and she would be reprimanded by her mother-in-law.
Similarly, Mother Zhou rarely went to visit Zhou Qingcha. Even in last year’s famine, she had only visited her in-laws once.
Mother Zhou was also once a daughter-in-law herself. She intended to wait until her daughter had firmly established her footing in her husband’s household before benefiting from her status, which would bring her more advantages.
Rather than making her newly married daughter suffer difficulties in her in-laws’ home, Mother Zhou knew how to weigh gains and losses.
When Zhou Qingling saw that Zhou Qingcha was wearing clothes that were about eighty percent new and had a silver hairpin in her hair, she appeared much more refined than ordinary rural women. However, the fatigue in her eyes could not be concealed. It seemed that Zhou Qingcha had already begun worrying about having children.
Zhou Qingling recalled that in the book, Zhou Qingcha would only marry into that household next year, so there was still time for her to choose a husband she truly liked.
Mother Zhou pulled Zhou Qingcha into the room, and the mother and daughter began speaking in whispers.
“Still no news of a pregnancy?”
Zhou Qingcha’s expression immediately turned unpleasant as she said sorrowfully: “Mother, I came back today to ask how things are going with that matter. My mother-in-law is becoming increasingly…”
Her voice broke into sobs. She had strong pride, and she did not know how to describe being mistreated in her husband’s family.
Mother Zhou also sighed. “You’ve been married for two years and still have no child. Your mother-in-law will naturally be anxious.”
With that, she took out a paper packet from a wooden box. “This is a prescription I got from Third Madam. They say it is very effective. Take one bowl mixed with water every day and try it when you return.”
Zhou Qingcha wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and happily accepted it. “Mother, if I really can conceive a child, I will repay you and Father doubly in the future.”
Mother Zhou smiled and scolded her gently. “You little girl, you only know how to say sweet words to coax me.”
After some time, Zhou Qingling began evaluating five potential candidates and found that Candidate No. 1 was too honest. Being overly honest meant being weak and useless—if others rode over his head and defecated on him, he would not even resist. What then, would she have to protect him as a weak woman? Eliminated.
Candidate No. 2 was a scholar studying at the village school. His family had fewer troubles, but every day he held a worn book and nodded his head while speaking, never properly talking to people. He constantly said things like “zhū zhī hū zhě yě.” or “you have offended elegance.” or “a rotten wood cannot be carved.” He pretended to be cultured. Even after hearing his recited poems several times, Zhou Qingling could already memorize them herself, while he was still diligently studying. This brain… sigh. She did not want to affect the intelligence of the next generation. Eliminated.
Very well, only three remained, and the scope became even narrower.
Candidate No. 3 lived not far from her home. He was tall, with sharp features. Among the dark-skinned rural men, he stood out as quite refined and completely matched Zhou Qingling’s aesthetic.
She was that superficial. Nine out of ten men were scoundrels, and the remaining one was an idiot. If she had to spend her life with someone, why not choose someone pleasant to look at?
As the saying went: “A nearby water source lets one catch the moon first.” She decided to start with him.
The village’s activity areas were limited—by the river, on the mountain, and in the fields.
Over the past month, Zhou Qingling had figured out this man’s routine and often created opportunities for chance encounters. Gradually, they became able to talk to each other.
However, since she liked him, others naturally liked him too. Whether he had a good personality or was simply skilled at keeping multiple people satisfied, he accepted all gestures of affection without refusing anyone.
She even saw a girl secretly giving him eggs. Eliminated. She was not good at navigating such “pond waters.” so she withdrew.
Candidate No. 4, Zhou An, was the village head’s youngest son, three years older than her. They shared the surname Zhou, but their families were not closely related. He was already a licentiate scholar.
He studied at the town academy on weekdays and only returned home on weekends, spending his time quietly reading.
The village head’s wife treated her youngest son like a precious jewel and hoped to find him a wife from the city. He looked down on rural girls, so he was eliminated.
Finally, the last candidate: his father had died from illness when he was young, and his mother raised him alone. He was the only son in the family, with five older sisters who were all already married off. His family background was simple, and he was doted upon—everything about him seemed suitable.
After observing him for some time, she found that he was disciplined in both conduct and behavior, with no bad habits, but he always placed his mother above everything else.
If his mother said she wanted to eat fish, he would say nothing and immediately go to the river to catch some, fully demonstrating filial piety.
The bond between mother and son was unbreakable. He once had a childhood sweetheart, but since his mother disapproved, he immediately cut off all ties.
That girl could not accept it and almost jumped into the river. The matter became widely known in the village and turned her into the subject of gossip among many women.
Therefore, if one wanted to marry this man, one had to first pass his mother’s approval.
Zhou Qingling wanted a son like that—but she did not want to marry such a son. With that kind of mother-son bond, she would forever be the outsider.
It was over. The selection process had failed. Half a year of effort had been wasted, and even the braised pork in her storage space no longer seemed appealing.
Why could she not meet a frail man who would simply die after marriage?
Sigh. What a headache.