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He Yunhuai’s mind was blank, his ears ringing.
While he lay unconscious, his family had actually arranged a marriage for him.
It wasn’t that he disdained Miss Su, whom he had never met, he simply couldn’t accept it.
At the time, no one knew if he would live or die. Could his mother have done this so someone would burn incense at his memorial tablet after his death?
“You were unconscious, and Doctor Wang said you might not make it,” He Songyuan, the eldest son of the He family, paused before continuing. “Some villagers suggested an auspicious marriage might help, so Mother arranged it.”
“An auspicious marriage?” He Yunhuai’s brow furrowed, his heart skipping a beat.
After over a decade of studying, he never imagined that superstitious practices from books would actually apply to him.
An auspicious marriage for a dying man… Which family would willingly marry their daughter into such a situation?
Wealthy and powerful families might find it easy to arrange such a match, but the He family had nothing to offer.
“Was Miss Su willing?” He Yunhuai asked, regretting the words as soon as they left his mouth.
How could anyone willingly agree to an auspicious marriage?
He Songyuan had been so caught up in his joy these past few days that the question struck him dumb.
Yes, everyone was celebrating, but no one had asked Su Yi’an if she wanted this.
“Where did Mother find her? Our family has been out of money for ages.”
Even if they weren’t following the traditional six marriage rites, they would still need some silver for a betrothal gift.
Could the family have sold their fertile fields to arrange this auspicious marriage for him?
“Did we sell the fields?” He Yunhuai’s mind raced. His grip on his elder brother’s arm tightened involuntarily.
He Songyuan met his gaze and shook his head. “The family’s fields haven’t been sold.”
If they hadn’t sold the fields, how else could they have raised the money? He Yunhuai couldn’t imagine.
“It’s a long story. Miss Su isn’t just anyone. She’s the girl you were betrothed to as children.” Seeing his desperation, He Songyuan recounted everything that had happened during his coma.
“The Su family… they were initially reluctant, but somehow they eventually agreed. We sent them many gifts in the past, so they didn’t ask for anything for this marriage,” he said, glancing at Erlang before continuing.
“Second Brother, don’t blame Mother. Wan Xu told me she saw her crying alone at night, worried about delaying the Su family’s daughter.” He added softly, “Mother was truly afraid she’d lose you.”
It wasn’t just Mother He; the entire family had been terrified. If someone had offered a miraculous medicine, they would have sold all their fields to save He Yunhuai.
He Yunhuai understood this perfectly.
His heart ached with guilt, feeling he had let everyone down.
“Miss Su is a wonderful person. You’ll see for yourself when you meet her,” He Songyuan assured him.
Hearing those words only deepened He Yunhuai’s sense of inadequacy.
Of course she’s wonderful. Why else would she agree to marry into our family?
But the more he realized this, the more uncertain he felt about facing her.
Su Yi’an’s basket was filled with wild vegetables and fruits, while the firewood they had gathered was loaded into Mother He’s basket.
Throughout the descent, He Ningwen chattered nonstop, with Su Yi’an occasionally chiming in.
“Mother, Su-jie took me to pick oyster mushrooms! She said they’re delicious stir-fried. Can we make some when we get back?”
“You little glutton! All you think about is food. You’ve been talking non-stop, but you haven’t even asked about your second brother,” Mother He said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Su Yi’an had been listening quietly, but the mention of “second brother” caught her attention. She couldn’t help but wonder about the second son of the He family. Had he regained his speech? Was he able to get out of bed yet?
“Don’t worry, Second Brother’s definitely fine! If something was wrong, Mother would have told us,” He Ningwen declared, eager for praise.
Logically, that made sense.
Yet Mother He couldn’t hide her joy. “Your second brother woke up and asked about you.”
“What did he ask, Mother?” He Ningwen was curious.
The path down the mountain was steep. Burdened by her basket and distracted, He Ningwen missed a step and tumbled backward.
Fortunately, Su Yi’an reacted quickly and grabbed He Ningwen’s basket, steadying them both.
Though no harm came, the near fall startled He Ningwen. She fell quiet, focusing intently on her footing.
Before long, they reached the foot of the mountain.
“Finally down!” He Ningwen exclaimed.
“Let’s hurry home,” Su Yi’an said, eyeing the rising plumes of cooking smoke. It’s nearly noon.
They had gathered enough wild food to last several days, which would pair well with the pork and bones they had at home.
“How about oyster mushrooms stir-fried with sliced pork today?” Su Yi’an suggested.
He Ningwen hesitated. In the past, Mother He always decided what they ate.
“We have meat and vegetables at home,” Mother He said with a smile. “Why let them go to waste? We should eat well—life is getting better every day.”
Nearby, Second Aunt He hid behind a tree, watching. She hadn’t come to apologize for yesterday’s insults—only to confirm the rumors.
Her daughter had rushed home that morning, breathless: He Erlang had woken up, unharmed, and was saved by Doctor Wang’s miraculous remedy.
At first, Second Aunt He didn’t believe it. But her daughter’s details made her doubt. So she’d come to investigate.
Now, seeing Mother He chatting and laughing with the others, Second Aunt He’s heart sank.
How could he have survived?!
At the He Family’s hearth, a pot of pork bone soup simmered. Wan Xu, making it for the first time, wasn’t sure how much water or bones to use. She filled the pot, added more bones, then set it to boil while preparing steamed buns.
“It smells delicious!” He Ningwen exclaimed. “Mother, you made dinner early without telling us!”
Mother He hadn’t cooked—this must be Wan Xu’s doing.
Concerned for Wan Xu’s health, Mother He hurried inside. She found both Wan Xu and He Xingchen covered in flour, kneading dough.
“Hurry and wash up. Don’t tire yourself. I’ll take care of this,” Mother He said.
Su Yi’an and the others arrived with full baskets. He Xingchen looked up. “Auntie, why didn’t you take me to the mountain?”
“We had to rush today. I’ll take you next time,” Su Yi’an coaxed, handing him a piece of fruit.
“You can’t lie to me,” he said solemnly. Then suddenly: “Auntie, come quick! My second uncle is awake!”
Su Yi’an blinked. Typical child, saying whatever comes to mind.
Still, she had to meet He Yunhuai sooner or later. Better now than never.
Inside, He Yunhuai sat propped against pillows, listening to the voices outside.
He felt uneasy. His brother tried to reassure him. “When you were unconscious, Miss Su even fed you medicine.”
If she truly disliked you, she wouldn’t have bothered at all.
He Yunhuai forced a smile. Just then, the curtain lifted, and Su Yi’an stepped inside with He Xingchen.
Their eyes met.
He Yunhuai looked away.
“Little Aunt, look, Second Uncle is awake.”
“Mm,” Su Yi’an replied, then addressed He Yunhuai. “It’s good you’re awake. Are you still feeling unwell?”
“Much better.”
There was more he wanted to say, but he swallowed it back.
“Then you should rest well.”
“Mm.”
He’s quite obedient, Su Yi’an thought, and led He Xingchen out.
Once they were gone, He Songyuan slapped his brother’s leg. Why is my younger brother so useless?
He Yunhuai remained silent.
He’d known about the childhood engagement. But life had changed so drastically, he had assumed the arrangement long forgotten.
And yet… the Su family’s daughter had still married into their household.
He Yunhuai couldn’t bring himself to feign warmth. It was all too much.
At noon, He Ningwen never got to taste the stir-fried mushrooms with pork.
Wan Xu’s bone broth was plentiful. Even after everyone had two bowls, some remained.
But the bones hadn’t been blanched, making the broth taste gamey. Su Yi’an noticed—but didn’t comment.
The warmth of the soup filled them with quiet contentment.
Meanwhile, Second Aunt He returned home seething.
Before she even entered the courtyard, she heard shouting.
“Father, it’s just a piece of meat!” He Zhong shouted, shielding his wife. “Why are you scolding Sister Xing?”
He Yonggui raged, hurling a stone at Sister Xing. “You little hussy! Giving our food to some man!”
Second Aunt He’s ears perked up. What? The meat’s gone?
“Father… I didn’t give it to him,” Sister Xing sobbed.
He Zhong spoke up. “Someone stole it. She just went to feed the pigs, and when she returned, it was gone.”
“That man’s her brother! Didn’t she bring him in? How else would he get it?” He Yonggui insisted.
“I didn’t let anyone in!” Sister Xing cried. “I never even saw my brother.”
“You weren’t watching the house!” He Yonggui roared.
Just then, Second Aunt He stormed in. Furious and needing a scapegoat, she kicked off her shoe and hurled it at Sister Xing—
—only to lose her balance and crash to the ground.
A sickening crack echoed through the room—Second Aunt He’s leg was broken.