Since it was a marriage by marriage into the wife’s family anyway, there was no need for elaborate wedding ceremonies. Ever since the Shen and Zhou families hastily arranged the betrothal three days prior, Shen Linchuan had been packed up and sent over by his brother and sister-in-law.

Knowing Shen Linchuan was reluctant, they feared that if he ran away while staying with the Shen family, blame would ultimately fall on them. So they simply sent him over to the Zhou family—if he ran away from there, it would be none of their concern.

The Zhou family didn’t have many relatives; most attendees were fellow villagers and clan members. Zhou Da had hired a cook, and several women and men from the same clan helped wash and chop vegetables nearby. A gift table stood at the entrance, receiving offerings of copper coins, eggs, and grain—quite a lively scene.

Shen Linchuan had nothing else to do but wait in Zhou Da’s room for the wedding ceremony. Zhou Ning was absent; he’d just peeked out to see Zhou Ning and his father greeting guests at the door.

The young ger wore a stony expression, impossible to read as happy or unhappy. Zhou Da, however, was clearly delighted, his smile deepening into wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Shen Linchuan glanced over before returning to his seat inside. The master of ceremonies had instructed him to stay put, promising to call him when it was time for the wedding ceremony.

A burst of laughter came from the doorway. Shen Linchuan saw several young boys shoving each other, trying to peek inside at him. He stuck out his tongue at them, sending the children yelping and scattering to the side. Shen Linchuan chuckled—it was rather amusing.

The courtyard gradually grew noisier. More onlookers crowded the doorway. Sitting inside, Shen Linchuan felt like a bride on display, surrounded by a gawking crowd. Yet, though they watched, he could still hear their whispered comments perfectly clear.

“My, this scholar is quite handsome, isn’t he?”

“Indeed. And he’s a tongsheng too. Though it’s been eight years since he took the exam, he still hasn’t passed to become a Xiucai.”

“No wonder he’s a scholar—look at that pale face! Whiter than any young bride’s.”

“Of course. Scholars never see wind or sun. In our village, everyone works the fields. Studying is good—I wish I could study too.”

“You bet. Think how else Zhou Da could’ve married off his older ger Zhou Ning to a scholar?”

“Hmm, he doesn’t look very sturdy, though. Could he even work the fields?”

“Zhou Da and Ning-ger are managing just fine. They can certainly afford to support a scholar…”

Shen Linchuan’s lips twitched at the remarks. Since people were bound to stare anyway, he might as well step out boldly and let them see. Sitting alone felt rather dull, so he went to help Ning-ger greet the guests.

Shen Linchuan flashed a ‘benevolent smile’ at the aunts and uncles gathered by the doorway. “Auntie, I’m not just fair-skinned.”

“I’ve got thick skin too!”

The gossiping women and their husbands hadn’t expected Shen Linchuan to overhear them. They scrambled away, awkward grins plastered on their faces.

Shen Linchuan went to find Zhou Ning. Zhou Da was currently beaming as he welcomed guests into the courtyard, with Zhou Ning standing right beside him.

When he saw Shen Linchuan approaching, the young ger’s eyes seemed to brighten. Shen Linchuan smiled at him—apparently, this ger didn’t like being stared at either.

As soon as Zhou Da saw his son-in-law emerge, he hurriedly asked, “Linchuan, why are you out here? Is something wrong?”

“No, Father. I just wanted to help you welcome the guests.”

“Alright, alright.”

Hearing that Shen Linchuan volunteered to greet guests, Zhou Da’s smile broadened even further. He wasn’t overly concerned with formalities; in most cases, it was the groom who stood at the door to welcome guests, but since his son-in-law had married into the family, he’d brought Ning-ger out to receive visitors instead.

Shen Linchuan formally invited the guests inside, “Please come in, come in.”

He seemed far more at ease than the reserved Zhou Ning. Shen Linchuan didn’t bother checking if he knew the guests; he simply greeted them with a broad smile and invited them into the courtyard.

Standing beside him, Zhou Ning breathed a silent sigh of relief. He wasn’t good at small talk and had always kept to himself, quietly doing his work.

Today, everyone had come to witness his wedding. Zhou Ning felt awkward; his energy misplaced. He’d rather be out tilling two acres of land.

“My second brother has arrived.”

Zhou Da introduced Shen Linchuan: “Linchuan, this is your second uncle, Father’s own brother. Beside him are your second aunt and two younger siblings.”

Shen Linchuan sized up the people across from him. The two were also looking at him, though their gazes weren’t exactly friendly. Shen Linchuan forced a smile and greeted them, “Second Uncle, Second Aunt.”

Zhou Er responded with a lukewarm “Hmm.” The woman beside him lifted her chin, practically turning her nose up at him.

Zhou Da laughed and said, “We’re all family, no need for formalities. Just sit wherever you like.”

Zhou Er’s family moved about as if they’d just stepped into their own courtyard. His wife, Hu Caiyun, headed straight for the stove upon entering. She circled it several times, craning her neck as if examining something closely.

Zhou Da told Shen Linchuan, “Your second uncle’s son, Zhou Youcheng, is also a tongsheng. He passed the exams two years ago and will take the county-level examination next year. He’ll be competing alongside you then. It’ll be good for the two families to support each other.”

Shen Linchuan replied, “Understood, Father.”

Shen Linchuan silently complained to himself. So this was Zhou Er’s family. No wonder they dislike him. The Zhou Er family is eager for Zhou Ning to marry off quickly so they can finally end their line.

Little did they know Zhou Ning couldn’t find a match. Zhou Er’s family was likely more anxious than Zhou Da himself. Now that they’d taken in this ger, their hopes of ending their line were completely dashed. No wonder they looked at him as though he weren’t human.

When it came to kinship, Zhou Er’s family wasn’t as close as other Zhou clan members. Yesterday, relatives from the same clan had come to help deliver tables and stools. Zhou Er’s family only showed up today, clearly feeling deeply resentful.

Just as Shen Linchuan was silently criticizing the Zhou Er family, Zhou Da raised his voice: “Master Shen the carpenter has arrived! Ning-ger, hurry and greet your brother and sister-in-law!”

Only then did Zhou Ning’s stern expression soften. With a hint of a smile, he called out, “Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law.”

Shen Linchuan looked up—it was indeed his elder brother and sister-in-law, accompanied by two scrawny children: an eight-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl.

His sister-in-law carried a basket of eggs, topped with a string of copper coins. Her expression darkened upon seeing his face.

Shen Linchuan’s smile grew much warmer. “Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’ve come!”

Shen Qingshan, an honest and straightforward man, responded, “Linchuan, make sure to live well with Ning-ger from now on.”

Shen Qingshan was about to say more, but he sighed and shook his head, deciding against it. This was a joyous occasion—no need for unpleasant words. He’d have a proper talk with his younger brother later, when they were about to leave.

Zhou Da was delighted to see his in-laws arrive. Though the Shens were younger in the family hierarchy, they were the only maternal relatives present today.

“Ning-ger, take your two nephews to get something to eat.”

Zhou Ning finally didn’t have to stand at the door greeting guests. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and led the two timid children inside.

At first, the boys were a bit afraid of Zhou Ning—after all, he was a stranger. But then Shen Dage nudged his own son. “What are you standing there for? Go eat with your Uncle Ning.”

“Father, I’ll go with them to keep an eye on them,” Shen Linchuan said.

“Alright, go ahead. Go ahead. Most of the relatives have arrived by now.”

Zhou Ning led the two children into the main hall, where Zhou Er’s son and daughter—Zhou Youcheng and Zhou Fang—were already seated. They were helping themselves to the pastries on the offering table without the slightest hesitation.

Zhou Ning saw this but said nothing. He entered the inner room expressionless, unwrapped a package of pastries, and handed the Shen children some flaky mung bean cakes. “Eat.”

The children, who hadn’t tasted many delicacies, were initially shy. But now, holding the mung bean cakes, they no longer feared Zhou Ning. They took them and began eating heartily.

Zhou Ning then handed them two pieces of red date cake. His father always bought the finest pastries—not the cheap ones sold during festivals—made with premium flour and sugar, rarely afforded by rural families.

His father had purchased only two parcels of sweets: one for the offering table, the other for their own household.

The two children, rarely treated to such delicacies, grabbed them and stuffed them into their mouths.

Zhou Fang snorted derisively, “It’s as if they’ve never tasted anything good before.”

Hearing this, the little boy stopped eating his pastry. Zhou Ning shot Zhou Fang a glance and handed the boy another piece. “Eat yours. Don’t mind her.”

Zhou Fang curled her lip. “Poor family.”

Shen Linchuan had just entered the room when he heard this remark. If his elder sister-in-law caught it, she’d surely make a scene. The Shen family had a carpenter whose skills could earn a living, but supporting a scholar like himself had stretched them thin. They lived on a tight budget day in and day out—otherwise, how could they be so poor?

Shen Linchuan’s expression darkened. He was about the same age as Zhou Er’s eldest son. Zhou Er’s daughter bullied Zhou Ning because he was quiet and easygoing, and now she was even picking on children.

“What were their names again?”

“Zhou Youcheng and Zhou Fang,” Zhou Ning replied indifferently, clearly unwilling to engage with them.

“Zhou Youcheng! Zhou Fang! How dare you eat the offerings from the ancestral altar!” Shen Linchuan shouted toward the courtyard. “Father! Father! Trouble! Someone ate the offerings!”

Shen Linchuan’s booming voice echoed throughout the courtyard, startling Zhou Youcheng and his sister into a frozen stare, sweets still clutched in their hands.

Even Zhou Ning was taken aback. Eating offerings was a matter that could be either trivial or serious. He hadn’t intended to confront them, having always come out worse in their previous encounters.

Shen Linchuan’s shout drew the entire courtyard’s attention. Zhou Da hurried over. On the offering table sat two plates of snacks—one of red dates, one of longan—each covered with red paper. Now the paper lay discarded to the side.

The tips of the snacks on both plates were gone!

Zhou Da noticed but merely frowned, scolding softly, “You two, Youcheng and Fang, how could you eat from the offering table? Oh!”

Zhou Er stepped in to smooth things over. “ Children don’t know any better. We’re all family here. Come on over!”

If Zhou Da had let it go, the matter would have ended there. But the two had just bullied Zhou Ning and his nephew, and Shen Linchuan wasn’t willing to let it slide so easily.

What children? One was eighteen, the other sixteen—both old enough to marry!

They’d simply grown accustomed to taking advantage of Zhou Ning’s family, showing no respect whatsoever.

Besides, so many people were here today, including children. Why hadn’t any of them sneaked in to eat from the offering table?

Shen Linchuan gasped. “Father! These offerings are for the gods and spirits! Ning-ger and I haven’t even exchanged vows yet, and now… now this!”

Zhou Er’s wife, Hu Caiyun, curled her lip. “It’s just a pastry. Why all the fuss?”

“Second Auntie, these are offerings to the gods! If we anger the deities, my future with Ning-ger will be filled with misfortune—and it will all be blamed on your family!”