Chapter 15: I Do Not Wish to Marry

After the two left, Liu Xi and Xiao Die resumed their task of counting money. When they finished, they discovered they had earned over eighteen guan more than expected. Adding to this the twenty jin of five-spice peanuts that Lin Feng sold to the madam of Pear Fragrance Courtyard, after deducting costs, they had made a net profit of more than twenty guan in copper coins.

Xiao Die happily placed the money in the chest before returning to Lin Feng's room. Lin Feng said, “Tomorrow we’ll go to the town’s money exchange to convert some of this copper into silver. It will be easier and safer to carry.”

In truth, silver notes were even more convenient. The Great Chu dynasty had begun issuing silver notes, but the smallest denomination was fifty taels, and they certainly didn’t have that much money yet.

“Is there still any wine being sold?” Lin Feng’s fondness for alcohol stirred once again.

When you earn money, you must celebrate—and how can you celebrate without wine?

“It should be closed this late, right?” Xiao Die said.

At that moment, a voice came from the courtyard: “Brother Chen, my mother said to invite you all to come drink at our house!”

Well, that was perfect. Who would refuse free wine?

“All right, we’re coming right away!”

The three stepped out of the house and saw Tian Zhong waiting in the courtyard, smiling. “My mother had already prepared food for our return. She probably knew we’d sell successfully. Just now, when she saw the money my sister and I brought back, she happily cooked two extra dishes.”

The four of them walked through the side door to the Tian family home, where Tian Zhenggen was waiting in the courtyard.

“Little brother has arrived,” Tian Zhenggen said cheerfully as he came forward, taking Lin Feng by the arm and leading him into the main hall. In the center were two small tables pushed together, already set with several dishes.

Along both sides of the hall stood several worn Eight Immortals chairs, with two in the middle and an Eight Immortals table between them.

From the furnishings, though modest and worn, it was considered rare for a small mountain village household. No wonder they had produced a scholar.

Scholars were not uncommon in towns, where life was more prosperous and families could afford to send their children to private schools or academies. But in mountain villages, impoverished families were less fortunate—few sent their children to school, and they had to balance farm work. Thus, it was extremely rare for a child from such a background to pass the scholar examination.

Just then, a well-dressed couple entered. The man was about thirty, slender and refined, while the woman had a certain charm but bore a sharp, haughty expression with a thin nose and lips. Their bright clothes and fair complexions marked them as city dwellers, likely from a wealthy family.

Tian Zhenggen smiled proudly at Lin Feng. “This is my second son, Tian Yun, a scholar. Come here, Tian Yun, and meet Young Master Lin. Thanks to him, you were able to buy a house in the county.”

So this was their second son.

“Thank you, Young Master Lin,” Tian Yun said, cupping his fists in gratitude.

His wife glanced at Lin Feng and his companions, noting their worn clothes. She curled her lips slightly and merely gave a formal greeting without speaking.

Since leaving Chudu city in poverty, Lin Feng and his friends had sold even their better clothes, leaving only a few sets to wear, now quite threadbare.

The disdain from Tian Yun’s wife was certainly due to their shabby appearance.

Typical shallow and petty villagers.

At that moment, Madam Tian came from the kitchen carrying two plates of food. Seeing Lin Feng, she smiled warmly. “Little brother, don’t stand there—please sit down!”

Lin Feng sat, smiling. “Madam Tian, you’re too kind.”

“You’ve helped us so much, we must properly thank you,” she said to them all. “Please sit as well!”

Indeed, Madam Tian clearly held the authority at home.

The family settled down, except for Tian Xi’er, who was still busy in the kitchen.

“Little brother, don’t disdain these simple dishes. They’re made by my daughter and me. Please tell me how you like them.”

Lin Feng took a bite. Their cooking was quite good; for authentic, rustic dishes, this was excellent.

From what he had learned over the past days, the common folk’s daily seasonings consisted only of salt, vinegar, and bean paste—no soy sauce, no MSG or chicken essence.

The spices Lin Feng used for his five-spice peanuts were certainly rare.

Of course, this was just the Great Chu realm; other nations on the Huaxia continent might be different, and who knew how things were beyond Huaxia.

“Tian Zhong, pour some wine for little brother.”

Tian Zhong immediately rose and poured wine from the jar for Lin Feng.

Tian Zhenggen smiled sincerely. “If it weren’t for young brother Lin, we wouldn’t have been able to gather so much money in such a short time. Second son, you should toast Young Master Lin.”

The second son’s wife curled her lips. “Father, we have enough money for the house, but we still need to buy household goods.”

“Not finished yet?” Madam Tian glared at her.

The second son’s wife said, “I heard from my elder brother that you sold over eighty guan worth?”

Madam Tian snorted coldly. “Those livestock were sold on behalf of the villagers; we have to give them their money. After paying them, at most we have eight guan left. Adding the money from the two sheep, the rooster, and the goose that Young Master Lin helped us sell before, we can barely save thirty guan. That should be enough to buy the house and furnish it.”

“The house costs thirty guan, and you expect spare money for anything else?” the wife snorted scornfully.

“What else do you want? Gold tables and silver chairs?”

“At least it should look decent…” The wife abruptly changed the subject. “Father, what have you decided about my little sister?”

Tian Zhenggen glanced at Lin Feng and said, “We’ll discuss that later.”

“We can’t delay any longer! The Jin family said that if little sister marries into their family, not only will there be a generous bride price, but my husband can also secure a position at the county office through their connections. Life will be better with a steady salary, and he won’t have to keep asking his parents for money. Maybe he can even send some back regularly to support them.”

“With a post at the county office, my husband can get to know the county magistrate. Even if he fails the imperial exams, he could be recommended through the Jin family and the magistrate.”

Madam Tian shot the second son’s wife a sharp look. “So you’ve been scheming here all along! Quite the strategist!”

“It’s not just for my husband. I’m thinking about little sister’s future and the family’s wellbeing.”

“Mother, I don’t want to marry!” Tian Xi’er came out of the kitchen looking unhappy, carrying a plate of food.

The second son’s wife said, “Little sister, you’re of marriageable age now. This is a good match—you must seize the chance.”

Tian Yun chimed in, “There’s constant warfare on the Great Chu border. Many able-bodied men have been conscripted. Male youth are scarce, and the court has ordered forced marriages in some towns and villages under the prefectures. If such orders reach our county, it would be troublesome if you’re forced into marriage. It’s one thing if you marry into a good family; if you end up with scoundrels, your life would be ruined!”