Marriage in Five Days

This was the first time Yu Changxing met Zheng Shanci. Seeing Zheng Shanci’s appearance, he nodded in satisfaction; at least it matched the portrait at home.

It was still early, and Zheng Shanci had no business in the Capital City, so why was he out so early? Thus, Yu Changxing asked.

Zheng Shanci, however, didn’t recognize Yu Changxing and was a bit puzzled as to why Yu Changxing knew him.

Yu Changxing chuckled, “I’m Yu Lanyi’s brother, Yu Changxing.”

Upon learning Yu Changxing’s identity, Zheng Shanci instinctively cupped his hands in salute, “Greetings, Yu Daren.”

“No need to be formal. What are you doing here so early?” Yu Changxing seemed easygoing.

Zheng Shanci replied, “I had some unsettling dreams last night, so I got up early to help at the Jin Yi Pavilion.”

Yu Changxing nodded, tugged on the reins, and didn’t say more to Zheng Shanci. When Madam Zhang came, she mentioned to Yu Fulang that Zheng Shanci was working as a helper at the Jin Yi Pavilion, and Yu Fulang brought it up during dinner.

Marquis Changyang’s expression was inscrutable, and he didn’t say much. Yu Fulang didn’t seem to care either, but Yu Lanyi gripped his chopsticks tightly.

Yu Changxing, on the other hand, developed a bit of fondness for this future brother-in-law.

Because of Yu Lanyi’s situation, his colleagues had asked him about it many times. Some were teasing, some sarcastic, and some curious. Yu Changxing understood it was human nature. 

Zheng Shanci, having secured the position of County Magistrate of Xinfeng County, wasn’t arrogant and was willing to lower himself to work as a helper.

This was much better than those waiting for a meteoric rise or the playboys in Shengjing.

“I have to attend court, so I’ll be on my way.” Yu Changxing rode off.

He was tall and handsome, a scion of a noble family, and the dream lover of many young ladies and Ge’ers in the Capital City. 

Zheng Shanci remembered that in the original story, Yu Changxing remained unmarried until the end. 

Zheng Shanci’s eventual death had Yu Changxing’s hand in it; he even personally ended Zheng Shanci’s career. 

He lifted Zheng Shanci high, only to let him fall into hell when he was at his most complacent.

Zheng Shanci returned to the Jin Yi Pavilion to continue his work as a helper. His tasks weren’t complicated, but they required some talking. He needed to bring in customers and give them a brief introduction.

The shopkeeper grew more satisfied with Zheng Shanci, “Young Master Zheng, you’re getting better at this.”

“I should call you Zheng Daren now,” the shopkeeper cleverly remarked.

There were too many officials in Shengjing, and a County Magistrate was a minor seventh-rank official. Zheng Shanci smiled and responded, not wanting to embarrass the shopkeeper. 

After the shopkeeper let him go each day, Zheng Shanci would first go home to cook, then take his fishing rod to fish. The fish he caught could improve his meals, and any extra could be sold to others.

His fish were fresh, river fish, and could fetch a good price.

A young man bought fish from Zheng Shanci.

Zheng Shanci said, “Twenty-two wen.”

The young man liked fish. The cook had occasionally bought a river fish from Zheng Shanci, and after tasting it, the young man craved more.

“This fish is really fresh. It’s perfect for inviting friends over tonight for grilled fish. I’ll take all the remaining fish.”

It was rare to meet such a generous customer, so Zheng Shanci sold all the fish to him without hesitation.

“I’ll give you three taels of silver, no need for change.” The young man directly had his servant toss three taels of silver to Zheng Shanci.

“Take your fish!” Zheng Shanci’s tone was cheerful.

The young man nodded with restraint, noticing that this fisherman had a face one wouldn’t forget after seeing it. Was this the look of a fisherman?

Zheng Shanci told the young man he had to get back to work and left.

The young man also put the matter out of his mind until he was eating grilled fish with his friends. Then he slapped his thigh, remembering he had seen that face before.

At Old Madam Pei’s birthday celebration, he had seen that face beside Yu Lanyi.

Was it so miserable to be the son-in-law of the Changyang Marquis Mansion? He was already relying on fishing to make money.

Yu Lanyi’s temperament, if not for his prominent family background, none of the noble sons in Shengjing would want to marry him. No one truly cared for him; they only coveted his family’s power and status.

In their view, as a Ge’er, he should be honest, proper, gentle, virtuous, and filial to his in-laws, none of which Yu Lanyi embodied.

Now that things were settled, it was a good thing for those with similar family backgrounds.

…

At this moment, Yu Lanyi was tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Earlier, Yu Changxing had returned and mentioned meeting Zheng Shanci in the morning, saying he got up early to work as a helper at the Jin Yi Pavilion.

How much silver could a helper earn?

Yu Lanyi had no concept of money, but he thought it must be very little. Knowing Zheng Shanci lived such a life, Yu Lanyi surprisingly didn’t feel any disdain. He looked at the bed curtains, which were embroidered with gold thread and worth a fortune.

Yu Lanyi thought of Zheng Shanci wearing shabby clothes, bowing to others, pitifully gnawing on a bun in the cold wind. He also remembered the straw hat placed on his head in the rain outside the city and the broad back with faintly visible muscles.

He couldn’t sleep.

Jin Yun was keeping watch in the side room. Not wanting to disturb Jin Yun, Yu Lanyi quietly got out of bed and took out a box hidden under the bed, filled with money earned from selling jewelry through Jin Yun.

Following Yu Lanyi’s instructions, Jin Yun had exchanged it all for silver notes, with a few scattered pieces of silver in the box.

Yu Lanyi thought for a moment, his expression conflicted, and quickly took two pieces of silver from the box. He was afraid someone would see him, afraid of startling himself.

In the darkness, Yu Lanyi put the box back under the bed. He clutched the two pieces of silver as he got back into bed, gripping them tightly. He didn’t know why, but his heart suddenly raced. Even though it was a small amount of money, he felt a strange sensation. He held onto the silver, the edges rubbing against his hand, yet he didn’t let go.

He had so much money, he shouldn’t care about the small pieces of silver, but he still felt guilty, like a thief, as he tucked the silver under his pillow to feel at ease.

Yu Lanyi’s mind wandered, and he only fell asleep in a daze in the middle of the night.

Half a month passed quickly, and Zheng Shanci received his two taels of silver. He bought a new set of clothes, and the remaining money, aside from living expenses and buying groceries, he saved.

Zheng Shanci rarely had some leisure time, so he moved a deck chair outside.

A stone was thrown over the wall, and Zheng Shanci dodged the first one but not the second. The piece of silver hit his forehead.

Zheng Shanci covered his forehead and looked down to see the piece of silver on the ground.

Yu Lanyi didn’t want anyone to know he was giving silver to Zheng Shanci, so he threw the silver over and was about to leave the alley when the door opened.

Zheng Shanci held the two pieces of silver, his forehead still red, and looked up at Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi hadn’t expected Zheng Shanci to move so quickly and hadn’t had time to hide, running straight into Zheng Shanci.

Zheng Shanci held Yu Lanyi’s “evidence” in his hand and slowly approached Yu Lanyi.

Yu Lanyi felt a bit intimidated, especially when he saw the red mark on Zheng Shanci’s forehead, making him feel even guiltier. Zheng Shanci stopped three steps away, a polite distance.

“Did you throw the silver?” Zheng Shanci asked.

Yu Lanyi tilted his chin, “What, can’t I?”

Zheng Shanci opened his hand, the two pieces of silver glinting in the sunlight, a bit dazzling.

Yu Lanyi looked at the two pieces of silver, his face slightly flushed. Just as he was about to lower his head, Zheng Shanci’s voice came from above, warm like rich wine.

“Take it back.”

Yu Lanyi looked at Zheng Shanci, still a bit dazed, “I gave it to you, why give it back? Just use it yourself.”

Zheng Shanci shook his head, not taking Yu Lanyi’s words to heart, “Keep it for yourself.”

He still owed the Jin Yi Pavilion a hundred taels of silver.

Yu Lanyi: “…”

This was the first time Yu Lanyi had given money to someone else. Usually, others gave him money, and this was also the first time he had been refused. Yu Lanyi clenched his fists in frustration, and Zheng Shanci, seeing Yu Lanyi’s clenched fists, felt a chill down his spine.

“Why don’t you want it?”

Zheng Shanci explained, “I still have money. We’re not married yet, and it’s not appropriate for you to give me money. Just spend it yourself. But thank you.”

Ha, Zheng Shanci was too polite, Yu Lanyi thought, glancing at Zheng Shanci with rare interest.

They were to be married in five days, yet neither of them felt the joy or intimacy of an impending marriage.

Since Zheng Shanci didn’t want it, Yu Lanyi thought happily, he’d just spend it himself.

One wanted to avoid owing favors, the other wanted to keep spending money.

After sending Yu Lanyi off, Zheng Shanci breathed a sigh of relief. He really couldn’t handle Yu Lanyi. Recently, Zheng Shanci had found some historical books and records of Da Yan in the original owner’s bookcase, discovering some scattered words about the county annals.

County annals record a county’s history, geography, customs, people, culture, and products. Every county has a county annal, documenting significant events and officials. For a county, the most important influence is the County Magistrate.

Zheng Shanci planned to read the county annals of Xinfeng County as soon as he arrived.

…

When Yu Lanyi returned, he saw Yu Shiyan about to go out. Yu Lanyi’s eyes were playful, “Going out again?”

Yu Shiyan replied, “Didn’t Second Brother just go out too?”

Yu Lanyi thought of going out to see Zheng Shanci and paused, saying, “I had legitimate business.”

“Second Brother, so do I.” With that, Yu Shiyan stopped talking to Yu Lanyi. He was going out to see Ye Yunchu. Yesterday, when they met, Ye Yunchu said he wanted to marry him, which scared Yu Shiyan. He returned home in a daze. Today, thinking he had been rude yesterday, he planned to find Ye Yunchu to apologize.

Ye Yunchu was waiting for Yu Shiyan at a pavilion. Yu Shiyan bit his lip and approached, “Heir Ye, I didn’t hear what you said yesterday. Let’s both forget about it. It’s better for both of us. Heir Ye is a phoenix on a branch, and I’m just an ordinary person, not worthy of your affection.”