“What, don’t you want to go?” Shen Linchuan teased him on purpose.

Zhou Ning shook his head. He had to go to Bailu Academy every two or three days to deliver pickled vegetables and condiments, but he’d always just go in, make the delivery, and come right back down—he’d never actually taken the time to explore the place properly.

“And Dad’s coming along, too.”

Upon hearing that he could go too, Zhou Da was surprised for a moment, then waved his hands repeatedly. “I won’t be going. I’m busy at the shop.”

Zhou Da was afraid that if people found out he was a butcher—and his son-in-law was already looked down upon—it would be best not to go.

His father was the type who couldn’t hide his thoughts, and Shen Linchuan knew exactly what he was thinking. He immediately tried to persuade him: “Father, let’s go together. You’ve never been to the academy before.”

Zhou Da was somewhat tempted. As a rough-and-tumble man, he knew nothing about the academy; it was only after his son-in-law started attending that he realized just how wonderful the Bailu Academy really was.

“Father, let’s leave the shop in Erniu’s care for the day, and we’ll go take a look around the academy with Shen Linchuan.” Zhou Da agreed, “All right, we’ll go together then.”

It was getting dark by now; the moon had just risen, its crescent shape not quite full. In a couple of days, it would be fully illuminated. The Zhou family’s courtyard gate was already closed, and just as the three of them had been chatting for a moment, there was a knock at the gate.

Zhou Ning’s heart leapt with joy. “Could it be Yi-ger and the others? I figured they’d be here any day now.”

Zhou Ning hurried to open the door. Sure enough, it was a familiar face—Zhang Xiaoyi was standing at the entrance, smiling at him. “Ning-ger!” 

“Shen Linchuan—it’s Yi-ger and the others!”

They’d received a letter from the countryside a while back, and at the time, Zhang Xiaoyi had said he’d come over as soon as this year’s mosquito coil and cooling ointment business had died down a bit.

The weather had cooled off a bit recently, so Zhou Ning figured they’d be arriving soon. He was overjoyed to see them; he didn’t have many friends at the county seat, and now that Yi-ger was here, he’d have someone to chat with about the things young men talk about.

Shen Linchuan and Zhou Da hurried out to greet him. Doctor Zhang had come by oxcart, which was loaded high with his belongings.

Shen Linchuan ushered Doctor Zhang into the courtyard. “Perfect timing—the Mid-Autumn Festival is just two days away. Doctor Zhang, please make yourselves at home; let’s all celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together.”

“Ning-ger, Brother-in-law.”

It was getting dark by then, and with the oxcart so heavily laden, Shen Linchuan hadn’t immediately noticed that someone was sitting in the back. He was rarely addressed as “brother-in-law,” but upon hearing a woman’s voice, he turned to look and saw Zhou Fang, dressed in a bright, colorful gown, smiling warmly at them.

Zhou Ning looked over in puzzlement. “Sister Fang?” 

“Yes, Ning-ger, it’s me.”

Zhou Fang came around from the back, her face beaming with a smile.

Zhang Xiaoyi cleared his throat and, looking quite embarrassed, pulled Zhou Ning aside. “She heard I was coming to the county seat with my father and insisted on tagging along. Ning-ger, I’m sorry.”

Zhou Ning knew Zhang Xiaoyi wouldn’t have intentionally caused them trouble. Besides, relations between the two families had completely soured after Zhou Youcheng had made that outrageous remark about making Yi-ger a concubine, so he hadn’t expected Zhou Fang to come along this time.

Zhou Da also spotted Zhou Fang. After all, she was his own niece, and he was delighted to see her. “Fang, you’re here! Come on in.”

Zhou Fang entered the courtyard, holding up her skirt, and craned her neck to take in the surroundings. The county governor’s residence was truly magnificent.

“Shen Linchuan, Ning-ger, I pestered Zhang Xiaoyi to bring me here—I just wanted to share some good news with my uncle.” Zhou Fang knew she wasn’t exactly well-liked, but her uncle was kind to her—she wasn’t stupid, after all.

Zhang Xiaoyi nodded toward Zhou Ning. “Well, that’s exactly why she insisted on coming along.”

Although Shen Linchuan didn’t care for Zhou Er’s family, he had no particular feelings toward Zhou Fang. He simply saw her as the daughter of Zhou Er’s family, and he saw no reason to give a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl a hard time.

Zhou Da asked cheerfully, “What’s the good news?”

Zhou Fang brushed a strand of hair from her ear. “Uncle, I’ve been betrothed. My parents said he’s also a student at the academy. I thought I’d come over to share the good news with you, and also see what he looks like.”

Upon hearing that Zhou Fang had been betrothed, Zhou Da was overjoyed. “That’s right—Fang is a young lady now; it’s about time she got engaged.”

In the countryside, young men and women usually got engaged early; after the engagement, they’d stay at home for a year or two before getting married. Zhou Fang was already seventeen this year, which was considered quite late for an engagement in the countryside.

As his own niece, Zhou Da was overjoyed to lead her into the house. For Zhou Fang, visiting the county seat was a novel experience; though the courtyard wasn’t much larger than those in the countryside, it was far more compact and refined.

Shen Linchuan also helped Doctor Zhang unload the luggage. Most of the items on the cart were medicinal herbs, so the group finished unloading them quickly.

By the time the three of them arrived, it was nearly dinnertime, and half the meal on the table had already been eaten. Zhou Ning hurried into the kitchen to prepare another spread.

Zhang Xiaoyi came over to help as well. He felt quite guilty about bringing Zhou Fang along this time; he had originally been against it, and Zhou Er’s family wasn’t keen on it either. But since Zhou Fang was such a stubborn and headstrong girl, they had no choice but to bring her along.

“Ning-ger, just whip up something simple—no need to go to all that trouble.”                        

“We still have some meat at home. I’ll stir-fry some and add a couple of eggs. It’ll be ready in no time.”                   

“Ning-ger, Ning-ger!” Zhou Da called out. Zhou Ning poked his head out of the kitchen and replied, “Yeah, Dad, what’s up?” 

“Ning-ger, it’s getting late. Go to Jinshui Street and buy a few dishes—that way we won’t have to light the fire.”

“Okay, I got it, Dad.”

Zhou Ning came out carrying a basket. “Yi-ger, you stay home and rest a bit—have a drink of water. I’ll be back in a little while.” Zhang Xiaoyi replied, “Okay, then come back soon.”

Zhou Fang, who had just arrived at the county government office and was still quite excited, stood up when she saw Zhou Ning about to leave. “Ning-ger, I’ll go with you.”

Zhou Ning didn’t reply, but Zhou Fang just went ahead on her own. Once they were out the courtyard gate, she waved her handkerchief. “Ning-ger, I know you don’t like me, but after all, I’m your own sister. Don’t worry—I’ll just stay for a couple of days to meet my future husband, then I’ll leave. I won’t be a bother to you.”      

“Has your family struck it rich?”

Zhou Fang was dressed particularly brightly today, wearing a silver hairpin in her hair and a silver bracelet on her wrist, which she deliberately held up. Her dress was also quite vibrant.

Zhou Ning took a good look at her. To be honest, if he were to rank the members of his second uncle’s family, Zhou Fang would come in last, while Zhou Youcheng—the person he disliked the most—would be first.

Zhou Fang smiled smugly. “Of course. I’ve already been betrothed. My brother chose him for me—he’s a classmate of his, just a year older than me. His family is quite wealthy in the county seat, and I just wanted to come over and see him.”

Zhou Ning hummed in acknowledgment and led Zhou Fang to Jinshui Street. A night market was in full swing there; even though it was already dark, the street was still aglow with candlelight.

It was Zhou Fang’s first time in the county seat, and she’d never seen a street so brightly lit. “No wonder everyone says this county seat is so wonderful—the lights here are even brighter than during the Lantern Festival back in our village.”

There were plenty of snack vendors on the street. Zhou Ning said to Zhou Fang, who was walking beside him, “Take whatever you want to eat; I’ll pay with copper coins.” Zhou Fang, of course, wouldn’t refuse. She affectionately wrapped her arm around Zhou Ning’s, saying, “Ning-ger, you’re so kind.”

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Zhou Ning pulled his arm away. “Help yourself.”

Back at the Zhou family compound, Shen Linchuan was attending to the guests when he voiced the question on his mind: “Has Sister Zhou Fang been betrothed to someone from the county seat?”

“That’s right. Hu Caiyun is quite the big shot in the village—she practically walks around with her nose in the air. She’s the first girl from our village to marry into a family in the county seat.”

Zhang Xiaoyi took a sip of tea and parroted what Hu Caiyun had said in the village. Shen Linchuan hadn’t expected that Zhou Fang had become engaged to a scholar from the academy. “The Huang family?”

There were at least eight, if not ten, students surnamed Huang at the academy; he really didn’t know which family she meant. But it wasn’t his business—Zhou Fang had come to see her future husband.

Jinshui Street was close to Baobao Alley, so it wasn’t long before Zhou Ning and the others returned. Zhou Fang was carrying quite a few snacks in her hands. “Uncle, the county seat is really lively. Ning-ger even bought me some things.”

Zhou Da was very fond of Zhou Fang. He’d watched both of his second brother’s children grow up, but who would’ve thought that Zhou Youcheng’s heart would change as he got older? Zhou Da felt that his own niece was still a good girl.

Zhou Da said with a hearty laugh, “Then stay a couple more days before heading back.” 

“Oh! Thank you so much, Uncle!”

Zhou Ning’s basket was also packed to the brim. Jinshui Street had everything under the sun. He found a restaurant with good food, ordered a few dishes, and they were served quickly: rabbit with young ginger, stir-fried beef tripe, spicy snails…

These were all the best-selling dishes at the market. When Zhang Xiaoyi arrived, Zhou Ning was delighted. “Uncle Zhang, Yi-ger, try these—they’re all prepared to perfection.”

Shen Linchuan and the others had just finished eating, but now that they were sitting there keeping company, they had a few more bites. With visitors from their rural hometown—and his niece’s engagement settled—Zhou Da was overjoyed and shared a few more cups with Doctor Zhang.

Zhou Fang felt more and more that she had married well. This was the county seat, after all—it was indeed much livelier than their hometown of Qinghe Town, and far more prosperous. “Shen Linchuan, how is my brother doing at the academy? My father even had me bring him some things.”

“He’s doing quite well. However, the academy doesn’t usually allow outsiders in. I’ll go to the academy tomorrow and pass on a message for you. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, there’s a flower-viewing banquet at the academy—you’ll be able to go in and see him then.”

Shen Linchuan didn’t say much more. Zhou Youcheng was doing quite well at the academy—in fact, he was doing too well. Right after arriving, he’d already dared to team up with Sun Shiping and the others to bully their classmates. How could he not be doing well?

Zhou Youcheng didn’t rank very high in this public examination; if his ranking drops again next year, he’ll have to leave Bailu Academy.

Shen Linchuan recalled that Sun Shiping often hung out with a young man surnamed Huang—Huang Dan, to be exact. He wasn’t sure what Huang’s family did for a living, but he never expected Zhou Youcheng to have actually found a family from the county government for Zhou Fang.

Upon hearing she could enter the academy, Zhou Fang was overjoyed. “Then I’ll go take a look.” Who knows, she might even get to meet her future husband.

After dinner, Zhou Ning hurriedly tidied up the room and came out. The only vacant room in the house was the empty eastern side room. Zhang Xiaoyi and Zhou Fang shared a room, while Doctor Zhang went to Zhou Da’s room to make up a bed.

Shen Linchuan sat in their bedroom reading a book. Although the provincial examinations were over, he still couldn’t afford to let his guard down even for a moment. Zhou Ning finished tidying up and returned. “Miss Fang asked me to tell you to pass a message to Zhou Youcheng tomorrow, to see if he can come back for a visit first.”

Shen Linchuan replied, “Got it.”

Early the next morning, Shen Linchuan got up. As usual, he ate breakfast and headed to the school. Now that Zhou Ning no longer made steamed corn buns, his mornings were a bit less hectic. Little Sister Zhou Fang wanted to go out to play and begged Zhou Ning to accompany her, asking what she would do if she got lost.

“Ning-ger is busy—he doesn’t have time to play with you.”

Zhang Xiaoyi knew that Zhou Ning ran a pickle shop at the county seat; surely he had to go manage the business there—he wouldn’t have time to just hang out and play.

Zhou Fang snorted unhappily. “Mind your own business. I didn’t ask you. Ning-ger is my brother—not yours.”

“But Ning-ger is my best friend too!”

Just as the two were about to start arguing, Zhou Ning hurried to mediate. “I’ll go to the shop first to pickle some vegetables. We’ll eat out for lunch, and then we’ll go for a walk this afternoon.”

Zhou Fang agreed at once, “Okay!”

Zhou Da had gone to the butcher shop early that morning, and Doctor Zhang had asked a realtor to start showing them houses today, so Zhou Ning and the other two headed to the shop together.

Business was brisk at his family’s butcher shop that morning; quite a few people were gathered there, picking out pork. Zhou Ning also went to the pickle shop next door to set up the counter. At this time of the morning, he and his older sister-in-law would deliver pickles and preserved vegetables to the inns on the street, then work together to prepare more pickles; they’d have a bit of downtime in the afternoon.

Shen Dasao had dropped off her two youngest children at school and had also come over. Seeing a young man and a young woman sitting in the shop, she smiled. “Ning-ger, are these friends of yours?”

Shen Dasao assumed these were friends Zhou Ning had made at the county seat.

“Sister-in-law, this is Yi-ger—he’s from Dayangshu Village. His father is a doctor in town and is planning to open a clinic at the county seat. And this is Sister Fang—she’s from my second uncle’s family.”

Shen Dasao understood immediately, but she wasn’t quite as warm toward Zhou Fang. She’d heard back in Xinghua Village that the second son’s family in the Zhou household didn’t treat the eldest son’s family very well.

Zhou Ning was pushing his handcart to deliver pickled vegetables to a few inns, and Zhou Fang insisted on tagging along for a stroll.

When Shen Linchuan arrived at the school, he went straight to find Zhou Youcheng. Zhou Youcheng was leaning over his desk, twiddling his fingers. Shen Linchuan called out to him; Zhou Youcheng glanced up briefly before looking back down. He and Shen Linchuan were natural arch-enemies—his father was right: Shen Linchuan was a curse on his family.

“Zhou Youcheng, your little sister is here.”

Zhou Youcheng hurriedly got up and went out. “What did you say?!”                   

“Your sister, Zhou Fang, is here. She asked me to pass along a message: if you have time, come down the mountain.”

Zhou Youcheng frowned deeply. “Why is she here? Tell her to go straight home. The Huang family will come to fetch her when the time comes.” 

“That’s your business. Go tell her yourself.”

After delivering the message, Shen Linchuan turned and walked away. Sun Shiping, standing under the eaves, shot Shen Linchuan a hostile glance, but Shen Linchuan walked off as if he hadn’t noticed.

“Hey, Zhou Youcheng, what did Shen Linchuan want with you?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”