Chapter 9: Getting Married_1

Qian Sangui speculated, "Yueyue probably wasn't born a fool, she must have encountered some accident that turned her into one."

Without thinking, Qian Manjiang spoke his mind, "It's better that she turned into a fool..." If she weren't, how could he have married her?

Lady Wu glared at him, "You're only happy you could marry her, but have you ever thought about how pitiful she was before?"

Qian Manjiang's face turned red, and he said with shame, "I was wrong to think that way." He then looked at Cheng Yue with affection.

That very night, Qian Manjiang excitedly went to Li Zheng's Home to handle Cheng Yue's household registration. Wang Lizheng was somewhat puzzled, wondering what kind of wife the boy had bought to be so happy, as if he wasn't even afraid of death.

Despite his doubts, he agreed without hesitation and said he would take care of it the next day.

The household registration management of the Great Qian Kingdom was quite strict, but with the many displaced people, who would carry such documents while fleeing a famine? So, at that moment, it was the perfect opportunity to handle the registration.

From then on, the foolish girl from an unknown place, known as Cheng Yue, settled down in Huaxi Village. She was called Lady Cheng, or Lady Qian Cheng. Many unkind people behind her back called her Foolish Lady Cheng, and later on, simply the Foolish Widow. But of course, that was a story for another time.

When Qian Manjiang returned from Li Zheng's Home, Old man Qian and his wife had already arrived at his house. Old woman Qian was scolding Lady Wu, "You, a wife who ruins the family, have bought such a thing for five hundred coins. Whether she's a fool or not aside, just look at her skinny frame; she's so emaciated and doesn't even have a bottom, so how is she supposed to bear children? Ah yo, such a waste of money..."

This was the first time Lady Wu had been so mercilessly scolded by Old woman Qian, and she was on the verge of tears. Cheng Yue was also frightened and hid in the corner, shivering.

Qian Manxia quickly said, "Granny, my sister-in-law does have a bottom; I even took her to the outhouse this afternoon."

Old woman Qian scolded, "Go away, go away, what does a little girl like you know? Stay off to the side."

Old man Qian also felt that Lady Wu had indeed made a poor bargain this time, his face wrinkling with distress like a steamed bun. He pointed at Cheng Yue and bellowed, "This is like having a Buddha statue, she's good for nothing and still needs to be taken care of. With Manjiang leaving, your household was already busy enough, and now you've added this Buddha statue to serve. How are you going to manage..."

Qian Manjiang came in laughing, "Father is right to say Yueyue is like a Buddha." He went over and took Old woman Qian's hand, "Granny, don't be anxious. You see, although Yueyue is thin, she has large and thick earlobes, just like a Buddha. Fortune-tellers say that those who have such earlobes are blessed with deep fortune. Since she is a person of good fortune, she certainly won't become a widow. So, I will safely return home. Not only will I come back safely, but I will also find a way to secure an official position. When that happens, I will take grandpa and granny to Capital City in a great carriage for a visit."

Old woman Qian, who had only been to the county town a few times in her life, was overjoyed at the grand vision her grandson had described, smiling so much her mouth stretched wide. She said gleefully, "Oh, my dear grandson is the most filial, even planning to take his old granny to Capital City. Good, granny will wait for my grandson to return as an official, then lead the old granny on a trip to Capital City."

Old man Qian looked at Cheng Yue's ears, which were indeed larger and thicker than average. He'd never expected his casual comment to be so accurate and nodded with satisfaction, "Manjiang has a clever mind and can read; if he does well in the military, he might even become a general. If this fool is truly blessed with fortune, then so be it, let her be married."

In the corner, Qian Xiu sneered. Becoming a general was as if picking radishes from the field, a handful at every grab. For sons of peasants without family backing, even if they distinguished themselves in battle, their merits were often claimed by those with connections amongst the officials' sons. Besides, to achieve military merit required risking one's life, and how many who risk their lives on the battlefield live to tell the tale?

However, his mother did indeed have thick and large ears, maybe she truly had fortune. As a ghost, Qian Xiu was part of the feudal society and superstitions, and of course believed in these feudal superstitions.

Qian Manjiang gave his sister a signal, and Qian Manxia led Cheng Yue to the right-wing room. The room had been tidied up for her to stay in temporarily before her marriage.

Then Qian Manjiang told the old couple, "Yueyue is not foolish, but she is just a bit slow to react. Teach her slowly, and she will learn to do quite a few things. When the grandson is not at home, she can stand in for him to show filial respect to you both..."

Seeing the old couple smiling contentedly, no longer dwelling on Lady Wu's purchase of a 'simple-minded' girl but instead beginning to instruct Qian Manjiang on how to take care of himself on his travels, Qian Xiu greatly admired her younger father's adaptability and eloquence. With just a few words, he had managed to change the old couple's attitude and accept Cheng Yue.

Given his cleverness, perhaps he really could secure a minor official position someday.

After the old couple had left, Qian Manxia tugged on Lady Wu's clothes and asked, "Mom, why did granny say sister-in-law has no buttocks? I clearly saw that sister-in-law does have buttocks."

Lady Wu tapped her forehead with her index finger and scolded, "Little child, don't you feel embarrassed?" Considering it would be worse if her daughter asked others without understanding, she explained, "What granny meant by 'no buttocks' is that sister-in-law has little flesh there, not that she literally has no buttocks."

Qian Xiu also knew that ancient people judged a woman's ability to bear children by the size of her hips. A big bottom was seen as conducive to childbirth, while a small one was deemed less so.

For the sake of continuing the family line, Qian's third wife arranged the wedding just three days later.

Using the leftover five hundred wen from purchasing servants, Lady Wu bought eight chi of red cloth and, together with her sister-in-law Lady Wong and Manchuan's wife Lady Xu, worked overnight to make wedding attire for the two newlyweds. The remaining money was scant; they borrowed another two hundred wen to prepare a few tables' worth of banquet food.

Given such circumstances at home for the wedding, one couldn't expect much joy. There weren't any lavish processions or exchanges between the bride's and groom's families. Before getting married, Cheng Yue stayed alone in the right-wing room, and on the wedding day, the couple simply performed their vows to heaven and earth, their parents, and then to each other to be declared husband and wife.

Only a few close relatives and friends were invited to share the wedding feast. The Qian family did not have many relatives in Huaxi Village—only Second Grandpa's branch. The other few were already beyond the fifth degree of mourning relationship, not particularly close. They also invited some married-off daughters.

Lady Wu specifically mentioned that the bride was shy and should not be frightened. As they were all relatives and friends, they heeded the warning and quietly visited the bridal chamber.

Upon seeing the bride, everyone was stunned. They started discussing Cheng Yue as soon as they left the bridal chamber, opinions sharply divided.

The elders and ladies all said that the bride was nothing more than a pretty picture, good for nothing else. She was simple-minded, and what use was that? Moreover, her thin body didn't seem suited for childbearing—very dubious indeed.

The younger men, however, were full of envy, thinking that if they could marry such a beautiful bride, they would die content. Haven't they heard the famous saying, 'To die beneath peony flowers, a romantic even in death'? They couldn't believe that Qian Manjiang, the pretty boy, was off to die and yet still enjoyed such delight. It would be a real pity if Lady Cheng became a widow.

In the corner, Qian Xiu was as excited as a few of the children. The daytime drama was lively enough, and she was even more looking forward to the emotional drama of the evening. Her young mother's psychological age was even younger. Thinking about it, she truly felt sorry for her.

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