Chapter 47

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Chapter 47: Consent

     

Mr. Liu replied: “Qianqian, whether I drink this well water, whether my health improves, and whether I can live a long life are all minor issues. What I want most is for you to live a peaceful and happy life. That’s what Father would like to see the most.”

     

Liu Qian said: “Father if I can live a stable life while also taking care of you and ensuring your health, why wouldn’t I do that? Moreover, marriage is like a gamble. A person’s true nature might be apparent at first glance, or it might never be seen. You can only infer someone’s character from their outward behavior. If you make the right bet, happiness is yours. The idea of marrying into a family of equal social status is merely an interpretation of past successful marriages. There are countless unhappy lives that result from such marriages. The beauty of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai lies in their legend, in real life, they might not have been as loving as you and Mother were. Zhang Xiaolong may not have Liang Shanbo’s charm and elegance, but he is steady and kind. With those scholars in the past, I could only see their surface and couldn’t delve deeper. But with Xiaolong, I can see his essence at a glance and am willing to continue my fate with him.”

     

[TL_Note: Their story is at the bottom]

     

Mr. Liu was stunned and said: “Qianqian, I taught you to read and write from a young age, and now I’m not even sure if that was the right thing to do. You’ve read so many books that I have no words to refute you.”

     

Liu Qian smiled and said: “Father, these are just some of my feelings. Compared to your vast knowledge, I am still far behind.”

     

Mr. Liu smiled and said no more. Liu Qian, however, continued: “Actually, there’s another reason the Zhang family appeals to me, their harmony and the elders’ tolerance. Marriage is not just about two people, it’s also about integrating into Xiaolong’s family. During my time with the Zhang family, I’ve been deeply touched by the care from both elders and even Xiaolong’s grandmother. They are all very understanding and always consider others first. Only in such a family can the younger generation truly find happiness and live well. I believe I can be as free and happy in the Zhang family as I am in Baligou. Sometimes, I even feel I might be more at ease there than in Baligou.”

     

At this point, Mr. Liu laughed again and scolded: “You silly girl, you haven’t even left yet and you’re already speaking ill of Baligou. No wonder they say daughters always lean towards outsiders.”

     

Liu Qian responded coyly: “Father, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that I can find things in the Zhang family that I can’t get in Baligou. Maybe it’s because Mother is no longer with us at home.”

     

Mr. Liu became somber and said: “Yes, Qianqian, you’ve had it tough. You grew up without a mother’s love, and your second aunt is a rather rough person. She scarcely cares for Yueyue, let alone you. This is my failing as well.”

     

Liu Qian comforted Mr. Liu, saying: “Father, don’t be sad. I’ve grown up now, and perhaps someone will care for me in the future. You say Second Aunt is rather rough, but Xiaolong’s mother is also quite rough, yet she is particularly meticulous and gentle. There’s a big difference between people. Of course, I’m not saying Second Aunt is bad. Isn’t Second Uncle’s household managed by her? They live much more prosperously than we do. Maybe I just have a special affinity with Xiaolong’s mother, she even feels like a mother to me now.”

     

Mr. Liu nodded and said: “You’ve always been strong-willed. It’s rare for someone to make you so impressed. It seems this is also one of the reasons you chose Zhang Xiaolong.”

     

Liu Qian blushed and nodded.

     

Mr. Liu sighed deeply and said: “For Zhang Xiaolong to meet and save you, that can be considered fate. For the Zhang family to dig a well and find this miraculous water, that can be considered a geographical advantage. And for the Zhang family to get along so well with you, that can be considered a harmonious relationship. You’ve already covered everything, what else can I say?”

     

Liu Qian said joyfully: “Then, Father, does this mean you agree?”

     

Mr. Liu laughed and said: “You’ve already been staying with the Zhang family for over a month. Those who know will say you are kind and righteous, repaying their kindness. Those who don’t know might come up with all sorts of stories. For you to have such an outcome is indeed wonderful, a perfect solution that creates a beautiful story. And knowing your temperament, if I don’t agree, are you planning to follow in the footsteps of Cui Yingying?”

     

Liu Qian smiled playfully and said: “Father is not like the stubborn old lady from the Cui family.”

     

Mr. Liu said: “Stop being coy. I knew as soon as you came back that you were fully prepared to persuade your father. Otherwise, you would have hidden at the Zhangs’ and avoided seeing me.”

     

Liu Qian replied: “How could I? Father, your daughter wouldn’t do that. I came back on my own initiative.”

     

The father and daughter chatted for a while longer. Then Mr. Liu said: “It’s getting late. You should go and arrange dinner for tonight. Ask your Second Aunt and Yueyue to come and help too. Let’s have a gathering tonight. Oh, and you should go and inform Xiaolong as well. I’m sure he’s feeling anxious right now.”

     

Liu Qian, upon hearing this, happily exclaimed: “Then Father, come out with me. You can also chat and get to know each other better.”

     

Following that, Liu Qian supported her father as they walked out of the study together.

     

Outside, the sky had already darkened, and oil lamps were prepared under the eaves. Butcher Liu and the other two were still sitting and chatting, with one person sitting with his back to them, Liu Qian’s elder brother, Liu Kai. Zhang Xiaolong’s eyes had glanced at the study door countless times, and he didn’t even hear a word Butcher Liu and the others were saying. He was solely preoccupied with his and Liu Qian’s affairs. When Liu Qian and Mr. Liu came out, he was the first to notice. Unconsciously, he stood up. Liu Qian saw Zhang Xiaolong stand up, smiled sweetly at him, nodded slightly, and Zhang Xiaolong knew that things had worked out. He couldn’t help but feel elated.

     

At this moment, Liu Kai also noticed the commotion behind him and quickly turned around. When he saw his sister, whom he hadn’t seen for days, he naturally felt joy. He hurried over, and upon reaching her, he carefully scrutinized her, then couldn’t help but ask: “Qianqian, we haven’t seen each other for a few days, how come you look different from when we last met? Not only have you become fairer, but your eyes also seem much clearer, and your aura is more graceful. You don’t look like someone who has been tending to someone’s injuries.”

     

Liu Qian, upon hearing this, looked happily at Mr. Liu, who nodded in agreement. She said: “Oh, come on, Big Brother, it’s just been a while since we last saw each other. Give it a few days, and you’ll see that your little sister hasn’t changed much from before.”

     

Liu Kai nodded in understanding and said: “That makes sense. After being apart for three days, even relatives will look at each other with new eyes. Maybe that’s the case.”

     

Liu Qian changed the subject, saying: “Big Brother, what’s for dinner tonight?”

     

Liu Kai jumped up and said: “I was so busy talking to Second Uncle and Zhang Xiaohu just now that I forgot about this. I’ll go and inform Second Aunt right away.”

     

Liu Qian stopped him and said: “Father wants us to eat at home for a family reunion. I’ll go to the village entrance to buy some groceries. You go to Second Aunt’s house and see what they’re cooking. Bring the food over together and ask them to come and help.”

     

Liu Kai agreed and hurried off.

     

Liu Qian was about to go out to buy groceries, and naturally, Zhang Xiaolong wanted to go with her. However, he was stopped by Mr. Liu. He said: “Xiaolong, don’t leave yet. Come with me to the study.”

     

As a result, Zhang Xiaohu went with Liu Qian to the village entrance, leaving Butcher Liu alone to enjoy his drink. He watched the bustling crowd, sipped his wine contentedly, and felt that life was truly colorful.

     

Feeling somewhat anxious, Zhang Xiaolong followed Mr. Liu into the study. Liu Qian’s eyes had already indicated to him the satisfactory outcome, but it seemed that his prospective father-in-law intended to assert some authority and explain a few things to him. Despite being mentally prepared, he still felt a little unsettled, as if a little voice inside him kept stirring up waves of doubt.

     

Mr. Liu entered the study, and gestured for Zhang Xiaolong to sit down, but remained standing himself. He paced back and forth in the study, furrowing his brow, completing only a few laps. Finally, he spoke: “Xiaolong, by now, you probably understand my stance.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong replied cautiously: “Yes.”

     

Mr. Liu continued: “In that case, I won’t say much more. I called you here to tell you something.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong respectfully responded: “Please go ahead, Uncle. I will engrave your words in my heart.”

     

Mr. Liu seemed quite pleased with Zhang Xiaolong’s attitude and smiled as he said: “Qianqian grew up in Baligou since she was a child. Although our family is not wealthy, she hasn’t experienced much hardship. She’s not very knowledgeable about farm work, which is different from your family’s living environment. In the future, you’ll have to take on more responsibility in this aspect.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong quickly replied: “Rest assured, our family only has a few fields, and Xiaohua’s plot is all on the hillsides. There isn’t much farm work to be done. I can’t guarantee that Qianqian won’t have to work in the fields at all, but I will certainly take on the heaviest tasks. Qianqian can just help out with lighter chores.”

     

Mr. Liu nodded, appreciating Zhang Xiaolong’s honesty. He said: “You’re speaking truthfully, not making empty promises about not letting Qianqian work in the fields. Actually, Qianqian isn’t someone who can’t endure hardships. It’s just that we haven’t let her work in the fields before. In the future, as you live together, just take good care of her. I don’t expect you to provide her with a lavish lifestyle. I only hope for harmony and sweetness between you two. Also, you haven’t had much education, and there’s a gap between you and Qianqian in terms of knowledge and experience. This is your shortcoming, and it will certainly affect your life together. I don’t expect you to become a scholar or achieve Tanhua (TL_Note: the candidate who comes third in the Hanlin examination), but I hope you can at least recognize words, read more good books, and have common topics with Qianqian for better communication. Furthermore, while it’s commendable to act bravely and justly, now that you’re not alone, you bear the responsibility for the safety of the whole family. If you encounter injustice, consider whether it’s within your ability to handle it. Otherwise, regret will bring sorrow to the whole family.”

     

Afterward, Mr. Liu kept talking incessantly, and Zhang Xiaolong could only nod and agree. Although he disagreed with some of the points, he knew that his prospective father-in-law meant well, so he couldn’t argue back. As they continued their conversation, the sky gradually darkened, making it difficult to see clearly. Mr. Liu was about to prepare some light when someone knocked on the door of the study.

     

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The legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is set in the Eastern Jin dynasty (266–420 AD).

     

Zhu Yingtai is the ninth child and only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family of Shangyu, Zhejiang. Although women are traditionally discouraged from taking up scholarly pursuits, Zhu manages to convince her father to allow her to attend classes in disguise as a man. During her journey to Hangzhou, she meets Liang Shanbo, a scholar from Kuaiji (present-day Shaoxing). They chat and feel a strong affinity for each other at their first meeting. Hence, they gather some soil as incense and take an oath of fraternity in the pavilion of a wooden bridge.

     

They study together for the next three years in school and Zhu gradually falls in love with Liang. Although Liang equals Zhu in their studies, he is still a bookworm and fails to notice the feminine characteristics exhibited by his classmate.

     

One day, Zhu receives a letter from her father, asking her to return home as soon as possible. Zhu has no choice but to pack her belongings immediately and bid Liang farewell. However, in her heart, she has already confessed her love for Liang and is determined to be with him for all eternity. Before her departure, she reveals her true identity to the headmaster’s wife and asks her to pass a jade pendant to Liang as a betrothal gift.

     

Liang accompanies his “sworn brother” for 18 miles to see her off. During the journey, Zhu hints to Liang that she is actually a woman. For example, she compares them to a pair of mandarin ducks (a symbol of lovers in Chinese culture), but Liang does not catch her hints and does not even have the slightest suspicion that his companion is a woman in disguise. Zhu finally comes up with an idea and tells Liang that she will act as a matchmaker for him and Zhu’s “sister”. Before they part, Zhu reminds Liang to visit her residence later so he can propose to marry her “sister”. Liang and Zhu reluctantly part ways at the Changting pavilion.

     

Months later, when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is actually a woman. They are devoted to and passionate about each other and they make a vow to the effect of “till death do us part”. The joy of their reunion is short-lived as Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry a wealthy merchant, Ma Wencai. Liang is heartbroken when he hears the news and his health gradually deteriorates until he becomes critically ill. He dies in office later as a county magistrate.

     

On the day of Zhu’s marriage to Ma, strong winds prevent the wedding procession from escorting the bride beyond Liang’s grave, which lies along the journey. Zhu leaves the procession to pay her respects at Liang’s grave. She descends in bitter despair and begs for the grave to open up. Suddenly, the grave opens with a clap of thunder. Without further hesitation, Zhu throws herself into the grave to join Liang. Their spirits emerge in the form of a pair of butterflies and fly away together, never to be separated again.