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"Late at night, a carriage arrived, and it seemed that two people got out, but I don't know what they were doing." Li Nan turned his face away, feeling somewhat guilty. "Mother knows this; Son never cares about the neighbor's affairs. But why are you asking about it today?"
"Isn't it because Mother is worried about you!" Li Nan's Mother said, sounding a bit forced. "Actually, I don't really care about the neighbor's matters either. It's just that I was startled by you last night, and I've been sleeping in a daze since then, waking up before dawn. When I went outside, I heard some gossiping discussions, and my ears couldn't help but catch a few words. It seems that last night, Li An's aunt came and brought an exorcist Mage with her, who actually summoned Old Zhang from the neighboring village to make a paper effigy. They say it looked just like Li An!"
"Such superstitions can only be thought of by idle people like them," Li Nan shook his head dismissively.
"That's right! Someone like our Nan'er wouldn't allow such nonsense to happen," Li Nan's Mother said proudly, her somewhat cloudy eyes spinning around before she lowered her voice. "But making paper effigies sounds a bit sinister. You like to read at night; if you hear any noises, be sure not to go out."
"Son understands!" Li Nan replied, then lowered his head to tidy his clothes. "I noticed that our rice and grains are running low; I plan to go to the market today to buy some. Is there anything else you need me to bring back?"
"Buying rice and grains is something someone else can do. My Nan'er is destined to be an important official; how can he do such rough work?"
"But Son hasn't become an important official yet." Li Nan's expression darkened slightly. "In the past, Safflower used to handle these things. Now that she's gone, if Son doesn't go, are we going to ask you to do it?"
Li Nan's Mother sighed lightly. "If that's the case, then the Death Star isn't completely useless after all. Others may not know this, but you should understand that no mother wants her Son to have a hard time. If she had been more sensible and well-behaved, at my age, why would I have to argue with her? To put it bluntly, when the imperial examination comes next year, you will surely be the top scholar. At that time, the emperor will undoubtedly grant you an official title of the third or fourth rank. As for her? While she may not qualify to be your wife, being a concubine would still be possible. But look at her—she not only fails to strive for herself but also drags us down with her."
"It's already this late; what are you still doing about this? If there's nothing for Son to bring back, I'm heading into town now."
"Weren't we just saying that buying rice and grains is something someone else can do?"
"Finding someone? That's easy for you to say! At this time of year, who would go without any benefits?"
"A few copper coins aren't much," Li Nan's Mother said dismissively.
"A few copper coins?" Li Nan revealed a bitter smile. "When Safflower was here, you naturally looked down on those few copper coins because they were earned from her daily washing jobs. But now if you go check in the room, how many copper coins are left in the savings jar? Son won't hide anything from you; we only have what I have in hand right now. After this month passes, how will we buy rice and grains next month? Son has no idea."
"How could this be possible? I clearly remember there were many in there! Could it be that Death Star secretly took them?"
"Mother!" Li Nan was somewhat angry. "Safflower's money has always been managed by you. Even when my newborn child was sick and Safflower wanted money for treatment, you wouldn't allow it. She begged me all night and pleaded with you for a whole day without being able to take even half a copper coin. If she truly had hidden some away, how could… how could…"
"Alright, enough of this! Mother knows you're resentful towards me as well. Although she was just a maid and didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, she was still part of our Li Family bloodline. Do you think it doesn't hurt my heart? A newborn child being weak is normal; how would I know that just a few would lead to… that child being lost? It's still better to blame that Death Star; she always looked so frail herself—giving birth resulted in a sickly child too. Don't worry; for your next marriage arrangement, I'll definitely find someone suitable for you who can bear healthy children. No matter what happens, it will add a big fat baby to our Li Family!"
Li Nan's Mother lowered her head and quietly glanced at her son from the corner of her eye.
"Since... since there aren't many coins left, I can only trouble you, Nan'er, to make a trip. Don't worry, in the future, when it comes to buying rice and grain, I will definitely not let you worry about it. You are a person of high status; how can you be troubled by these daily necessities?"
The corner of Li Nan's mouth involuntarily twitched. He went to the side room to get a bag for the rice and grain before heading out.
"Nan'er! Wait a moment!"
As soon as Li Nan stepped out, Li Nan's Mother hurried after him. Seeing her son turn around, she quickly supported her waist with her hand: "These days, I have been feeling sore and painful in my lower back. Perhaps it's an old ailment from when I gave birth to you that has flared up again. Plus, I've been getting older over the years. I had hoped to find you a wife so you could enjoy some peace, but who would have thought that after all these years of toil, I am still worrying."
"Oh dear, it's just a lifetime of hard work. Who told your father to leave early? I can only raise you with great difficulty. Now, I just hope that you can study well and achieve something so that in the few remaining years of my life, I can truly have something to look forward to."
"By the way, I've heard there's a tavern in the city that sells medicinal wine for healing. If you pass by, could you ask if they have anything for this back pain? I'm thinking I should take care of my health so I can go out and earn some money for rice and grain."
"You don't need to worry about making money; I'll figure it out."
Li Nan's Mother showed some joy in her eyes but still put on a worried expression: "You are someone who is destined for great things; matters like these daily necessities shouldn't fall on your shoulders. Speaking of which, it's been almost three years since that incident happened. You should start planning for your future and our family's future."
"A while ago, I visited your uncle's house and accidentally overheard your aunt mention that the daughter of Zhou Yuanwai is looking for a suitor. I asked about her age, and it seems quite suitable for you. I also inquired about Zhou Yuanwai's conditions for choosing a son-in-law; they might seem strict to others but aren't much for you. I've already entrusted a matchmaker to propose marriage; we should hear back soon."
"Proposing marriage?" Li Nan raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you discuss this with me first? The big exam is just around the corner; I don't have the heart to think about these matters right now."
"Exactly because the big exam is approaching that I must plan for you. You may not know this, but although Zhou Yuanwai appears to be just a grain merchant with only three or four restaurants in Luoyang City, he is quite respectable. I've learned that Zhou Yuanwai's mother was once a wet nurse for a certain prince in the palace and helped during the queen's troubles. So even though that prince has fallen from grace, her status remains quite special.
Moreover, Zhou Yuanwai's mother has an adopted brother who was originally a cook. He caught the eye of the queen's brother and was brought into the household; now he has worked his way up to being a steward. In such wealthy families, even their dogs are precious; let alone this isn't just any wealthy family—it's an extremely prestigious one. If you truly marry Zhou Yuanwai's daughter, your status in court will naturally be extraordinary."
Li Nan's Mother's words felt like a heavy stone dropped into his heart, creating ripples of thought. After a moment of excitement, he calmed himself: "If they are indeed such a well-connected family, they will likely have many picky requirements for choosing a son-in-law. Although I am quite capable myself, given my past circumstances, their daughter may not look favorably upon us. Even if she isn't picky, Zhou Yuanwai's mother is already quite old; connections through adopted brothers won't matter much either. So this matter should be left alone by you."
"Ah! You stubborn child! No wonder you've been caught by that Death Star," Li Nan's Mother almost wanted to poke her son with her finger but stopped herself as she noticed his gaze on her hand.
"Didn't I just mention Zhou Yuanwai to you? He not only runs a grain business but also owns three or four restaurants in Luoyang City. The locations of these restaurants are carefully selected. Although I am just a country woman and can barely read a few characters, my understanding is no less than that of the ladies in the city. I have inquired about these restaurants, and they are frequented by the prominent families in the city, including many high-ranking officials from the court. If you become the son-in-law of the Zhou family, even if we don't hold an official position, just being a restaurant shopkeeper would ensure a good life for us."
"Mother, you are overestimating this! With such a family business, how could the Zhou family allow a son-in-law to take charge?"
"If the Zhou family had a son, naturally my Nan wouldn't be in line to take charge. But the Zhou family doesn't have a son. They used to have one, but unfortunately, he is a fool and has been kept in the house with an intellect of a three-year-old. How could he manage family affairs? Because of this, Zhou Yuanwai is racking his brains to find a husband for his daughter, and the first requirement is that he must marry into the Zhou family!"
"Marry into the family!" Li Nan shook his sleeves. "As a man, how could I marry into someone else's family? If word got out, I would be laughed at."
"What’s wrong with marrying into the family? The Zhou family has no sons, only daughters. Marrying into their family is no different from getting married. Besides, with such a large courtyard in the Zhou residence, if you don’t live there, who else would have that privilege? I've already asked around; apart from their house and garden in Luoyang City, they have several villas in the suburbs as well. Once you get married, you can endure for a few years under Zhou Yuanwai's roof. As for me, I can manage by living in one of those suburban villas; after all, there will be maids and servants to take care of me, so it won't be too much hardship.
Once Zhou Yuanwai passes away after many years, won't all of their properties belong to our Li Family? At that time, we can replace the Zhou family's plaque with our Li Family's name and bring me in with great fanfare. If Sister Zhou serves well, I will naturally treat her generously; if she doesn’t meet your expectations, I can find you several more suitable ones while still keeping her as a wife in name. By then, our family will also be considered wealthy and honorable; I wonder who in Luoyang City would dare to gossip about us."
Li Nan's mother's words stirred something within him; his heart raced and his cheeks flushed as he couldn't help but imagine multiple scenarios.
A cool breeze blew in and slipped down Li Nan's neck, bringing him back to reality. He lifted the empty grain bag in his hand and said, "Let's put off discussing Zhou family's marriage for now. Just until things are settled, it would be best if you didn’t speak too freely about it to avoid being laughed at later."
"Don't worry! Why would I go around talking about this? If someone ignorant were to meddle in our affairs, it would only cause trouble for both of us." Li Nan's mother straightened her back with a smile. "Go quickly and come back soon. If there are any leftover double silver coins, buy yourself something nice instead of just thinking about me."
Li Nan squeezed the cloth bag containing coins and loose silver in his hand and nodded.
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