Chapter 14: I Want to Marry Miao’er

Bai Shu had a silent suffering that she could not speak of.

Young Master Qi spent his days idly, and recently, he had taken two concubines, becoming somewhat distant towards her. Moreover, now Old Master Qi was focusing more on Qi’s younger brother. 

Everyone said that Young Master Qi was incapable of running the household, and Bai Shu knew that becoming a favored concubine was almost impossible. In fact, she probably had been deceived from the very start. 

But because of her pride, she couldn’t voice her complaints to the villagers or even her own parents. So, Bai Shu decided to make use of the opportunity and look for another family. 

She thought Ah Xun was a very good choice. She planned to visit him the next day and see if he was really wealthy.

The next day, Bai Shu, with several village women including He Shun’s wife, Zhang Guihua, went to He Miao’s house. The group laughed and chatted as they knocked on the door.

At that moment, He Miao was sitting at the stone table in the yard, mending a piece of ink-green fabric that belonged to Ah Xun. Ah Xun was watering the small vegetable garden beside the yard, using the scoop he had damaged to water the plants.

When He Miao saw them, she put down her needlework and smiled warmly, greeting each of them, “Aunt Bai, Qin’s mother, Granny Chen, how nice of you to come! Sister Shu, you’re back!”

The village women eagerly handed over some gifts they had brought. He Miao didn’t refuse, as exchanging such gifts was common practice in Stone Creek Village. She accepted the offerings, planning to return the favor later by either sending something back or helping with some farm work.

She also thought that since Ah Xun had just recovered from his injury, it would be good for him to replenish his strength, so she accepted the dried field mice and canned meats they brought.

Bai Shu noticed that He Miao, who had been rejected for marriage, had not fallen into despair but had instead become more radiant and beautiful.

He Miao was already pretty when she was young, and Bai Shu used to comfort herself by saying that girls who were unattractive when young would grow up to be beautiful. Bai Shu believed this, and she thought she herself had become a little more refined as she grew up. She was waiting for He Miao to grow into a less beautiful woman, but to her surprise, He Miao had become even more stunning!

Bai Shu gritted her teeth and forced a smile. “Yes, I just came back yesterday. I’ve been thinking about you, Miao’er, so I decided to come and visit you after breakfast. I heard you saved someone?”

Bai Shu’s gaze shifted to Ah Xun, who was standing by, and she discreetly studied him. *So tall, so handsome!* 

How lucky He Miao was! How come I can never meet such a man?

Ah Xun straightened up, giving a brief nod to the village women, silently greeting them. The women smiled widely at him, their mouths nearly unable to close.

Ah Xun was dressed in the simplest and most humble farmer’s clothes, old clothes that likely once belonged to He Shun. His hair was tied back in a simple bun, yet it couldn’t hide his handsome features.

When He Miao went to the storage room to put things away, the others sat on the stone benches in the yard. 

Bai Shu saw a piece of clothing on the table that He Miao had been mending. The fabric was finer than anything any man in the village could afford, and it was definitely something Ah Xun wore.

Bai Shu, being from a wealthier family, had more knowledge and was certain that this fabric was more delicate and expensive than the clothing from the Qi family.

This man was truly from a noble family, not the small official her mother had mentioned!

After He Miao returned and sat with them, Aunt Bai, who was usually a bit hesitant, spoke up. She held He Miao’s hand, seeming to speak with a bit of concern. “Miao’er, I remember when I helped your mother give birth. You were born prematurely and were so tiny. In the blink of an eye, over a decade has passed, and now you’ve grown so much…”

Qin’s mother added, “Yes, Miao’er, you’ve had such a hard life. You lost your parents so early. We all see you as our own daughter here in the village!”

Ah Xun continued to water the plants nearby, but he could clearly hear the conversation.

Zhang Guihua glanced over at Ah Xun and, leaning toward He Miao, whispered, “Miao’er, Aunt is really thinking of you. It’s not right for a young woman like you to be living alone with such a strong and healthy young man. You should ask him to move out!”

Ah Xun, who had sharp ears, could hear her even though her voice was low.

He gripped the scoop tightly, his mind set on one thought—he didn’t want to leave He Miao’s side.

He Miao smiled sweetly, reassured the others, and said, “Aunt, I understand your concern. Ah Xun is an honest man, and he is very kind to me. There’s no problem.”

Zhang Guihua replied, “Of course, we don’t think anything will happen, but you know how it is. A young man and a young woman living together in the same house… it’s just not proper.”

The others agreed that they didn’t believe Ah Xun would do anything improper, but it still looked bad for a young man and a young woman to live in the same house without anyone else. The nearest person was He Shun, so it was safe, but it could still be problematic.

Granny Chen spoke up, “Yes, it’s just not a good influence, even if nothing happens.”

Zhang Guihua added, “Aunt believes in your character, and we trust Ah Xun, too. But, you know, you aren’t married yet, and living together with just the two of you in the same yard isn’t right. You’re asking for trouble.”

He Miao lowered her head, thinking about it. A woman’s reputation was most important, and she had to be careful.

Aunt Bai added, “Without marriage, living together is still crossing the line! If you were in another village, people would be gossiping by now!”

Bai Shu then suggested, “Miao’er, why don’t you let Ah Xun stay at my house? I’m rarely home, and he could help look after my parents. I’d feel more at ease knowing he’s there.”

After hearing all this, He Miao felt that perhaps she had been wrong in letting Ah Xun stay at her house. 

Her home was on the opposite side of the village, a half-hour walk away, and if he moved to the village head’s house, they would barely see each other. 

She knew that Ah Xun, being unfamiliar with the village and introverted, had only depended on her for this long. While he was polite to others, he kept his distance.

Would he really be willing to move? 

Even if he did, He Miao didn’t want him to move to the village head’s house. “Aunt, let me talk to Ah Xun about it.”

On the other side, Ah Xun had overheard the conversation and knew that the village women had persuaded He Miao.

He didn’t want to leave. Last time, a matchmaker had come to try to arrange a marriage for He Miao, and if she hadn’t refused, they might already be engaged.

After this experience, Ah Xun had silently decided that if anything similar happened again, he would step forward and fight for He Miao.