The Xie family was bustling for a while because the Old Madam Xie returned home, but the most important event during this period was Xie Weixia’s marriage. Wei Bowen was a juren laoye, and Xie Weixia was the only legitimate son of the Xie family, so Xie Furen put a lot of effort into the dowry.

At night, Xie Yuan had been staying in Xie Furen’s courtyard for half a month.

Lying in bed, Xie Furen touched Xie Yuan’s beard and said, “Laoye, Weixia is getting married, and Qiaoyu also needs to be matched with someone.”

“Mm, you should pay more attention to that,” Xie Yuan replied, feeling a bit sleepy.

Recently, he had been quite prominent in Ningjiang County. The county had twenty people pass the juren exam, including his son and his son-in-law, which made Xie Yuan feel very proud. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been staying so frequently in Xie Furen’s courtyard. Xie Furen had given birth to two good children, and Xie Yuan was very pleased.

“I will make sure to find a good match. Qiaoyu is good-looking and will definitely secure a good marriage,” Xie Furen had already made plans in her heart. Xie Qiaoyu’s appearance was suitable for marrying an official as a concubine to win over officials, which could also help Xie Zhi and Wei Bowen’s future prospects.

She already had someone in mind, the Limu of Gu County, who was in charge of personnel allocation. This Lin Limu was over fifty years old and had recently lost his wife, so his household was in need of a close companion. If Xie Qiaoyu married him, he would be the legitimate fulang, even higher than Xie Weixia’s marriage, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and prosperity.

Xie Furen had already been in contact with Lin Limu’s relatives. Once Xie Weixia was married, when Lin Limu came to Ningjiang County for official business, he could see Xie Qiaoyu’s appearance, and if satisfied, he could propose marriage.

At his age, marrying a fulang was just for the youth, and Xie Qiaoyu was just right, with an outstanding appearance.

Having someone to support them in the officialdom, especially a brother-in-law, would make Xie Zhi and Wei Bowen’s career paths smoother.

The more Xie Furen thought about it, the more satisfied she became. As long as Xie Qiaoyu was obedient, everything would be within reach.

*

On the sixth day of November, an auspicious day for marriage, the Xie family was adorned with red silk everywhere. The maids were bustling around, and all the notable people of Ningjiang County came to the Xie family to attend the wedding banquet, which would last for three days. Even the beggars in the county town could come to the Xie family to drink wine.

Many of the Xie family’s relatives also came, all with smiles on their faces, sitting in Xie Weixia’s boudoir, teasing the little brother who was about to get married.

Dressed in red, Xie Weixia watched as Xie Qiaoyu stepped over the threshold and heard the aunts, who had always been harsh to him, now flattering Xie Weixia.

“Weixia looks so beautiful today, and the guye is also a talented person. No wonder he’s a juren laoye; you two are truly a match made in heaven.”

“It’s all because Weixia found a juren laoye, and this juren laoye is also a classmate of Xie Zhi. In the future, when they enter the officialdom, they can support each other. A family with two juren laoyes!” The speaker’s tone was tinged with envy.

Xie Weixia’s lips curled up, listening to these words without refuting them, feeling proud inside. If he became an official fulang in the future, he wondered how these people would flatter him. Seeing Xie Qiaoyu, he quickly waved, “Third brother, come sit over here.”

Only then did someone notice Xie Qiaoyu at the door, and someone silently praised how good-looking Xie Qiaoyu was.

Seeing the pride in Xie Weixia’s eyes, Xie Qiaoyu calmed his mind, greeted the elders, and then gracefully sat on a chair, speaking softly, “Second brother, I’m really sad about your marriage today. I won’t be able to see you in the house anymore.”

Xie Qiaoyu pretended to wipe his tears with a handkerchief.

Although it’s customary for a brother to cry when getting married, bidding farewell to his parents, Xie Weixia was too proud to cry at this moment. Seeing Xie Qiaoyu’s crocodile tears, he felt displeased.

Who was this act for? Seeing someone crying on a joyous day was inauspicious.

Even with a handkerchief covering his face, a beauty’s tears were still beautiful, overshadowing the new fulang sitting on the bed.

“Third brother, today is my big day, you should restrain yourself,” Xie Weixia said through gritted teeth.

“Second brother is right, I won’t cry anymore,” Xie Qiaoyu nodded in agreement.

However, the atmosphere was already ruined. Xie Weixia snorted coldly, thinking about his upcoming marriage and not wanting to argue with Xie Qiaoyu. He valued his marriage greatly.

Wei Bowen was capable, charming, gentle, and considerate, and he even wrote love poems. But just thinking about how Wei Bowen had also written poems for Xie Qiaoyu made him uncomfortable.

The Xie family’s relatives continued with their flattering words.

Soon, a maid came in to pay respects, “Second young master, the second guye has arrived, please come out.”

Xie Zhi was also dressed in new clothes today. He was going to carry Xie Weixia out for the marriage. Xie Weixia put on the wedding veil and was helped out, with Xie Qiaoyu following the crowd.

Xie Zhi stood in one place, bent down, and carried Xie Weixia towards Wei Bowen.

“Xie Zhi is also quite impressive.”

“Luckily, he’s a legitimate brother, otherwise who would let a man carry him?”

“After all, they’re full brothers from the same parents.”

Xie Qiaoyu saw Wei Bowen on the opposite side, elegantly holding the red silk, his gaze passing over Wei Bowen to see Xie Weixia getting into the bridal sedan.

“Lift the sedan!”

The lively sound of gongs and drums, countless cheers and laughter, everyone praised Wei Bowen’s knowledge, and Xie Weixia found a good husband.

“Qiaoyu, why are you standing there not saying anything?” The Xue family was on good terms with the Xie family, and Xue Xuan had come to attend the wedding banquet. Seeing his friend standing at the door, lost in thought, he asked.

“Xue Xuan, I’m so angry,” Xie Qiaoyu leaned on Xue Xuan’s shoulder.

He was just upset that his future wedding wouldn’t be as grand as Xie Weixia’s. Boohoo.

He would definitely be laughed at by Xie Weixia.

“Don’t be angry, it’s just a matter of time. Your future husband will be even better,” Xue Xuan comforted his friend, “Don’t worry, you won’t have trouble finding a good husband.”

“I want to find someone who can outshine Wei Bowen.”

Xue Xuan smacked his lips, “That’s a bit challenging. Ningjiang County had twenty juren pass the exam this time.”

Thinking of Wan Mingji made Xie Qiaoyu feel better. After all, Wan Mingji was more handsome than Wei Bowen and genuinely cared for him. There’s still more than two years for the studies.

“Let’s go eat something good,” Xue Xuan changed the topic, thinking about the feast.

Xie Qiaoyu: “…”

The Xie family’s wedding banquet lasted for three days, and the beggars of Ningjiang County enjoyed three days of meals, their bellies full. The officials of Ningjiang County were also preparing to collect grain taxes, as the weather would soon turn cold, and no one wanted to go to the countryside.

In the city, taxes were collected in silver, while in the countryside, it was grain and cloth. These were clearly divided in the household registry. Xie Yuan was also in charge of tax money, and he had been staying at the yamen, only returning to the Xie family when Xie Weixia returned home to talk with Wei Bowen and Xie Weixia.

Xie Qiaoyu avoided seeing them, only joining for a meal when Xie Weixia returned home.

However, Wei Bowen, Xie Weixia’s new husband, secretly glanced at Xie Qiaoyu several times.

Wei Bowen served Xie Weixia food, and it was clear that the newlyweds were very affectionate, with Xie Weixia blushing.

“Father-in-law, I will soon be going to the capital,” Wei Bowen said.

The imperial examination was in January, and after marrying his fulang, he needed to work hard to achieve success. He wasn’t satisfied with his ranking of over ninety in the provincial exam.

“That’s how it should be. Weixia will stay at the Wei family, so as not to disturb you,” Xie Yuan agreed, pleased with his son-in-law’s ambition.

“Father!” Xie Weixia wanted to go to the capital with Wei Bowen.

“Don’t be foolish. Achieving success is the most important thing. Once Bowen succeeds, won’t you have a good life?” Xie Yuan scolded.

Xie Furen also held onto Xie Weixia.

“Thank you, father-in-law and mother-in-law. It’s just a pity for Weixia, having to endure the pain of separation right after marriage,” Wei Bowen said with a guilty tone.

“It’s not your fault. Just live well together in the future,” Xie Furen’s expression softened.

Seeing Xie Weixia feeling a bit down, Wei Bowen quickly told a few jokes to cheer him up.

“You can’t take a brother to the capital.”

Wei Bowen pleaded, “All my close servants are men.”

*

In the courtyard, Xie Qiaoyu was making rouge, planning to use the leftover peach petals for a bath. He counted his silver, which amounted to one hundred and fifty taels.

He hadn’t touched the jewelry box given by Feng Su.

“I should send something practical to Wan Mingji,” Xie Qiaoyu thought that Wan Mingji, in Linshui Village, might be lacking books. He didn’t know what books they needed for exams.

“Yao He, come with me to the bookstore.”

Yao He thought there might be new storybooks and happily agreed. After the young master finished reading, he would also read them, especially liking the ones with illustrations.

The two of them went to the bookstore, and the shopkeeper wasn’t surprised to see two brothers.

“Welcome, please come in,” the shop assistant greeted warmly.

“Do you have books that men like the most?” Xie Qiaoyu asked cautiously.

…?

The shop assistant’s face froze a bit.

“What kind of books do you need?”

“Books that scholars like, useful for exams.”

The shop assistant was startled, realizing he had misunderstood, and quickly led Xie Qiaoyu to a section of the bookshelf, “Here they are, sir.”

Xie Qiaoyu immediately spotted the thickest one, thinking that the thickest must be the most knowledgeable.

The shop assistant took down the brick-heavy book, and Xie Qiaoyu paid happily, while Yao He staggered under the weight of the book.

“Wan Mingji will definitely be happy,” Xie Qiaoyu thought, feeling happy at the thought of Wan Mingji’s joy.

Back in his boudoir, Xie Qiaoyu, curious, opened the book. The Xie family had, of course, hired someone to teach them to read, and Xie Qiaoyu read with great interest.

Yao He, cautiously, with admiration in his eyes, asked, “Young master, can you understand it?”

“No, that’s why I think it’s very knowledgeable,” Xie Qiaoyu replied honestly.

Yao He: “???”

“Reading calms people down. Big brother was right; I should read more in the future,” Xie Qiaoyu said seriously.

He bought the book, spent a sum of money, and felt very pleased. This was the joy of reading.

Yao He reminded, “Young master, your book is upside down.”

Xie Qiaoyu closed the book with a snap.

*

The grain collection in Ningjiang County quickly reached Linshui Village. The village head had already prepared the grain and even slipped the officials some money.

“Sir, the grain from Linshui Village is all here.”

The officials checked the headcount against the household registry.

“Your village has collected a lot more grain this year,” the clerk said, surprised, comparing it to last year’s yield. “Especially this Wan family, they’ve handed over a lot of grain.”

The village head couldn’t stop smiling, “It’s all thanks to the heavens.”

The official was noncommittal, thinking that other villages didn’t have such yields. Could the same sky treat them differently?

“Actually, it’s because Wan boy made his own farm fertilizer, which increased the yield, and some tools also sped up our work,” the village head explained.

“What’s his name?”

“Wan Mingji.”

“That name sounds familiar, but I can’t recall it right now,” the clerk said, patting the village head’s shoulder with a smile, “The grain collection is correct, which benefits both of us.”

After the officials left, the village head was still smiling. Their village had collected the most grain, and in the future, any benefits from the county town would likely come to their village first.

The village head brought some vegetables to the Wan family, as Wan Mingji couldn’t eat meat or drink wine, so he brought homegrown vegetables.

“Is Mingji here?” The village head, who hadn’t thought much of the Wan family returning to the village, now saw this young man as someone with ideas, not a fish in a pond.

Wan Mingji was feeding chickens while reading a book, his worn clothes revealing his wrists.

Standing tall, he smiled, “What brings you here, village head?”

“You mentioned building roads. I brought it up with the officials, but I don’t know if we can secure it,” the village head said.

Every year, the county town allocates funds to the villages, more or less depending on their standing in the county. The Da Qi Dynasty still had external conflicts, and the south was experiencing famine.

“Building roads in the countryside isn’t a quick fix; it might take generations of effort. It’s good that the village head has this intention now.”

Wan Mingji brought up road construction to lead into his next point, “We could start by building irrigation channels, which would be most beneficial for agriculture.”