Chapter 34: Analysis
The Qin family left, satisfied. Zhan Li asked Zhan Qiyu what he intended to do, but he remained silent.
Soon, however, Mu Jiaojiao proactively analyzed the thirty-eight women who had proposed marriage.
“Brother Zhan, I’ve scored these thirty-eight women based on personality, family background, and scholarly attainment.”
This information came from Zhan Li, whom Mu Jiaojiao had combined with details from the matchmakers to create a ranking.
Zhan Qiyu’s eyes revealed no amusement; his thin lips delivered a cold question, “Thank you for your efforts. Which lady ranked first?”
The impatience and sarcasm were evident to A Liu, but Mu Jiaojiao didn’t notice, smiling, “Brother Zhan, ultimately, it depends on your preference. And I suspect the matchmakers may not be entirely reliable. It’s best to meet them first.”
Mu Jiaojiao presented the ranking, with Qin Feng Wei at the top.
He raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed.
Zhan Li quickly announced her intention to go shopping, sensing her son’s displeasure but reluctant to criticize Mu Jiaojiao, choosing to avoid the situation.
Shancha also sensed something amiss. She had already warned Mu Jiaojiao earlier, “Miss, you’re not married yet. This isn’t proper.”
Mu Jiaojiao frowned, shaking her head, “Don’t say that. The benefactor can’t decide, so I’m helping him.”
Shancha probed, “But what if Sir Zhan prefers beautiful women?”
She was essentially saying that Mu Jiaojiao seemed to be suggesting Zhan Qiyu might prefer someone who disregarded others’ feelings.
Mu Jiaojiao ignored Shancha, deeming her clueless.
In her eyes, the benefactor was excellent, and scholarly attainment and character were paramount. For his future career, he needed a wife who could maintain a stable home. Beautiful women, like herself, were superficial.
Mu Jiaojiao’s approach to finding a spouse for the benefactor revealed her own dissatisfaction with her own appearance, believing he deserved a more intelligent woman.
After everyone else had left, Zhan Qiyu and Mu Jiaojiao remained. He almost laughed in exasperation but couldn’t get angry with her, patiently listening.
After her analysis of the top ten, and her recommendations, she asked with wide eyes, “Brother Zhan, what do you think?”
Her gaze made him uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, masking his distraction, and countered, “It’s true we should meet them to see if we like them, but I don’t want to meet them one by one; it’s too troublesome.”
Hearing his complaint about the inconvenience of individual meetings, the diligently-thinking Mu Jiaojiao quickly devised a solution.
Fearing he might not understand, she used a pen and paper to explain her strategy.
She’d heard about this method of speed-dating in the capital, where a lady had met five suitors in one day. She thought it could work for thirty-eight as well.
“Schedule them all for the same day. Find a scenic location, like a house or pavilion, and arrange separate meetings according to a schedule. Brother Zhan, you can meet them all in a single day.”
After explaining, she awaited his response. This time, Zhan Qiyu smiled.
The method seemed familiar—like selecting a mule, being subjected to repeated assessments. He was impressed by her resourcefulness.
Although amused, Mu Jiaojiao sensed something odd. She dismissed it, as Zhan Qiyu rarely smiled, and she was likely unaccustomed to it.
Zhan Qiyu took the densely written papers, turned, and said, “Excellent.”
Then he returned to his room.
Mu Jiaojiao felt proud of her assistance and finished the tea in Zhan Qiyu’s cup before happily leaving, completely unaware that she had drunk from his cup.
Fifteen minutes later, Zhan Qiyu returned for his teacup. Seeing the nearly empty cup, he genuinely smiled.
This was good. He would keep the papers, adding to his collection of “unique boudoir pleasures.”
Meeting all of them in a day wasn’t impossible.
That day, he responded to all thirty-eight families, reassuring them.
His delayed response had led some to consider forceful measures; but his cooperation led to a period of observation.
His chosen date wasn’t too far off; they could wait.
December arrived, and the weather grew colder.
Zhan Li commented, “City winters are warmer than rural ones. Houses built close together retain heat better.” She knitted, her hands tucked inside a thick, cotton-lined mitten.
Mu Jiaojiao found it bearable, thanks to the charcoal brazier.
In her past life, her two years in the palace involved competition for favor and for charcoal; carelessness could lead to setbacks, and people froze to death every winter.
“Mother, I don’t find it that cold.”
She held a hot water bottle, one of two brought from the capital by A Liu, for her and Shancha, to keep them warm at night.
With the cooler weather, Shancha slept on the bed, and they huddled together with their hot water bottles at night.
Zhan Li finished the knitting, “It’s good you suggested buying more charcoal. We stocked up early, and charcoal prices are reportedly high this year.”
This had happened in her past life—for three consecutive winters, charcoal prices inexplicably soared.
So she advocated for stocking up.
The Zhan family’s finances were comfortable, thanks to her savings and gifts from the Mu family, eliminating financial worries. Their travel funds to the capital were sufficient.
Zhan Li had saved money for Zhan Qiyu’s journey, but it was barely enough. Any unforeseen expenses could jeopardize the trip.
She understood the importance of travel funds, but it was difficult for ordinary people.
All problems seemed resolved.
She showered Mu Jiaojiao with affection, knitting her pretty cotton shoes, mittens, and hats—more than she did for her own son.
Mu Jiaojiao looked like a cotton doll, her movements somewhat hindered, but warm.
Shancha laughed, “Miss, you seem to have gained weight.”
Mu Jiaojiao was very pleased; she had become relaxed, almost forgetting her past life.
She began to feel this was the life she’d always wanted. Free from intrigue, financial stress, and worry.
When the first snow fell, she and Shancha immediately went out to play.
Snowflakes fell on her, clinging to her long lashes before melting.
Shancha, wearing her cotton hat, played outside. Their laughter filled the small courtyard.
It was a carefree age, perhaps the ideal life for young women.
Their laughter startled birds. Zhan Li called from the kitchen, “We’re having Laba porridge tonight. Tell me if you want anything else.”
Mu Jiaojiao thought, “I want round dumplings.” These were small, glutinous rice balls without filling, sweet and delicious.
Zhan Li immediately got the glutinous rice flour. She would fulfill Mu Jiaojiao’s every wish.
Zhan Qiyu leaned against the window, listening, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he held a book.
After Laba, came the Winter Solstice, and soon, New Year’s Eve.
Thick snow covered the ground, and many people stayed indoors.
Shops closed, but the Mu family medical clinic remained open.
The three Mu family members didn’t want to return home without Mu Jiaojiao; it didn’t feel like home.
A reunion was essential for the New Year.
They stayed at the clinic. Though the doctors had gone home, they could still dispense medicine based on symptoms.
Mu Jiaojiao heard this and decided to send dumplings in Zhan Qiyu’s name.
Their refusal to celebrate at home was because she wasn’t there, so she’d make dumplings for them.
Everyone agreed and made extra dumplings.
The Mu family clinic received dumplings from A Liu early that morning.
“Eat your dumplings,” he urged before leaving. Some were Mu Jiaojiao’s special dumplings. No one mentioned the risk of being discovered; the Mu family deserved some hope for the New Year.
Mu Jiaojiao, celebrating New Year’s at the Zhan home for the first time, asked about traditions. Zhan Li said villagers had simple traditions, happy to have dumplings.
But Mu Jiaojiao said, “My family exchanges gifts; I’ve prepared gifts for everyone.”
Since she couldn’t go out, she chose gifts from her savings.
On New Year’s Eve, the three Mu family members received gifts, to be opened on New Year’s Day.
Shancha also gave A Liu a gift—a hand-sewn money pouch. She’d seen him carelessly keeping money, so she made a simple, elegant black pouch with an embroidered ingot.
A Liu was overjoyed; it was his first gift ever.
_________
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