Chen Zhiwei looked at Wang You, his eyes bright and sparkling, eager to show his loyalty, and the last trace of hesitation in her heart melted away under his pure sincerity.
She gently patted his arm, her tone soft but carrying an unshakable authority: “Alright, then it’s settled. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the county office to register our marriage.”
“Register our marriage?” Chen Zhiyi repeated, his brow furrowing suddenly. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “Ah! I just remembered—Brother Wang You has no household registration! No ID, no travel permit—he’s a black-listed person! The county office won’t register our marriage at all!”
This statement was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the warm atmosphere. Chen Zhiwei froze as well—she had been focused on handling the villagers, forgetting the most crucial detail!
In this era of strict household registration, without proof of identity, one could go nowhere—let alone handle a major matter like marriage, which required official registration.
Although Wang You didn’t fully understand what “household registration” or “black-listed person” meant, seeing the sudden serious expressions on his sister and brother, he quickly sensed that there was trouble.
The smile on his face froze, and he looked anxiously at Chen Zhiwei: “Sister… we can’t register our marriage? We… can’t be together forever?”
“Yes! Of course we can!” Chen Zhiwei replied firmly without hesitation. At worst, she could spend a bit more money tomorrow; if necessary, she could even rely on her high-yield crops to appeal to the magistrate for a favor.
“Zhiyi, you must remember, Wang You is a starving wanderer I found on the way back to the village. Got it? And you, Wang You…”
After they both repeatedly promised, Chen Zhiwei finally went to rest.
The next day, the three of them went to the county office as planned.
At the county registration office, the clerk Wang Shuli, upon hearing that they wanted to register a “mysterious wanderer” and arrange a marriage, furrowed his brow deeply. Waving his hands as if swatting flies, he said, “Go away! Nonsense! Do you think registering a wanderer is easy? It requires verification by the local head, proof of three generations of clear background, and approval from the deputy magistrate! You can’t even confirm his origin. How can you register him? No registration, no marriage! Leave before you make things worse!”
Chen Zhiwei had expected this and was not discouraged. She stepped forward, quietly slipping a silver ingot into the clerk’s hand. “Please, sir, do us this favor.”
The clerk’s attitude softened considerably, but he still refused: “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but registering a wanderer requires the magistrate’s approval.”
“I understand, sir. May I trouble you to notify the magistrate? Just say that it’s Chen Zhiwei, the farmer who grew high-yield crops, requesting an audience.”
At that moment, a slightly aged but calm voice came: “What is all this commotion here?”
Everyone turned and saw Magistrate Zhou Zhi, wearing his casual robe as if about to leave, passing by the registration office. Wang Shuli immediately stood to report.
Zhou Zhi’s eyes swept over the three, lingering on Wang You, clearly noticing his unusual presence. “Is that you? Chen family? What brings you here?” He remembered this farmer girl who had grown high-yield crops; her petition for recognition had already been submitted, so the reply wouldn’t take long.
Chen Zhiwei’s heart stirred—this was her opportunity.
She stepped forward and clearly explained her case, emphasizing that Wang You was a simple-minded man who would not harm anyone.
Zhou Zhi listened in silence. He observed Chen Zhiwei—this girl was bold and capable, and indeed had contributed to agriculture. As for the man, his eyes were clear and innocent, showing no malice.
Accepting wanderers and integrating them into society was part of a local official’s merit. If she could manage him well, it would be beneficial. As for taking him as a son-in-law… well, the Chen family girl could focus more on farming in the future.
After a moment’s thought, Zhou Zhi said slowly to Wang Shuli, “Very well. Process this according to the ‘wanderer attached to household’ procedure. I personally approve the guarantee; Chen Fugen of Chen Village shall vouch. Complete the necessary paperwork as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir!” Wang Shuli bowed immediately.
Zhou Zhi then turned to Chen Zhiwei, his tone calm yet authoritative: “Chen, you are responsible for this person. If anything goes wrong in the future, you alone are accountable.”
“I will remember your instructions, sir! I will manage him strictly and not betray your grace!” Chen Zhiwei said with joy, quickly pulling Wang You down to bow. Though he didn’t fully understand, he imitated the bow obediently.
With the magistrate’s official approval, everything proceeded smoothly. They filled out forms, described physical features, paid the fees, and affixed seals.
When the thin new household booklet bearing “Chen Wang You,” stamped with the county seal, and the marriage certificate with both Chen Zhiwei and Chen Wang You’s names were finally in hand, Chen Zhiwei felt her burden finally lift.
“Sis, let’s buy some candy and peanuts to hand out in the village. That way everyone will know you and Brother Wang You have registered your marriage, and it will stop their gossip.” Exiting the county office, Chen Zhiyi chattered excitedly.
“And we should prepare two tables of food and invite people who are close to us, make a proper celebration!” he added, feeling a pang of emotion—his sister was marrying Wang You, and no adult had to manage the affair.
“We’ll invite everyone, eat, and from now on… always be together, with you and Zhiyi,” Wang You nodded vigorously, his smile dazzling.
“Yes, together!” Chen Zhiyi joined in, one arm around his sister, the other reaching to pat Wang You’s shoulder—but realizing Wang You was now technically his “brother-in-law,” he paused mid-air before letting his hand fall gently, his voice brimming with youthful enthusiasm: “Let’s go! We’re going shopping! Today is a good day, we must celebrate!”
The three of them headed to the busiest market in the county.
Chen Zhiyi, being a growing boy, was dazzled by the abundance, but he remembered the task at hand. He pulled his sister to a grocery store and bought several pounds of ordinary malt candy and roasted peanuts.
Chen Zhiwei, more thoughtful, also bought some bright red paper to cut out “double happiness” characters. Though simple, there had to be some festive cheer.
She also bought a few feet of decent-quality cotton cloth to make new clothes for Wang You; his old clothes were still from her late father and did not fit properly.
By noon, their shopping was complete. The three had a hot bowl of soup and pastries by a street stall before heading back to the village. The ox cart swayed slowly, with Chen Zhiyi and Wang You already planning how to hand out the sweets.
At the village entrance, some women gossiping under the big locust tree noticed them immediately, particularly the bright red paper and bulging bags of candy and peanuts, their eyes filled with curiosity.
“Ah, Zhiwei girl, back from the county? Buying so many treats—what’s the happy occasion?” Wang Po, the chatterbox, asked first, her eyes darting between Chen Zhiwei and Wang You sitting beside her.
Chen Zhiyi stopped the ox cart, grabbed two large handfuls of peanuts and candy, and handed them to the women under the tree: “Wang Po, Aunt Li, Granny Zhang, have some candy. There’s a happy occasion. My sister and Wang You went to the county office today to register their marriage. From now on, he’s part of our Chen family, an official son-in-law.”
Chen Zhiyi’s words were clear enough for everyone to hear.
“What? Registered their marriage?” Wang Po gasped, stopping her needlework. “This… this can be done? Isn’t he…”
She didn’t finish the phrase “mysterious idiot,” but everyone understood.
The others stared at each other, disbelief written across their faces. The eldest Chen daughter acted so fast! And a wanderer, who is simple-minded, could so easily get household registration and a marriage certificate from the county office?
Chen Zhiyi timely added loudly: “Yes! The magistrate himself approved it! He said my sister did meritorious work, so it was specially permitted! The household booklet and marriage certificate are right here!”
He waved the carefully rolled documents. Even though most villagers couldn’t read, the official seals were recognizable.
Hearing that the magistrate personally approved it, the women’s expressions changed instantly, mixing surprise with respect and envy.
“Oh my, what wonderful news! The magistrate approved—this is our village’s honor!” Aunt Li reacted quickly, smiling broadly and offering congratulations. “Zhiwei girl is capable, and Wang You looks honest too—perfect match, perfect match!”