Chapter 3: Home

Evening had fallen.

When Luo Zijun returned home, his elder sister Luo Jiaorong was busy cooking in the kitchen. His brother-in-law Li Zhengshan was practicing with his blade in the front yard.

Li Zhengshan moved deftly from side to side, the edges of his clothes fluttering, the glint of his waist sword flashing as he swung it up and down with vigor and style. It was an impressive sight.

According to the Moon Palace’s master, people in this world were divided into those who practiced martial arts and those who cultivated scholarly arts. Warriors possessed strong vitality, scholars carried charm and talent; demons and monsters found it hard to approach them. Yet the specifics remained unclear.

Seeing Luo Zijun return, Li Zhengshan hurriedly sheathed his blade and quietly asked, “Did you see her?”

Li Zhengshan was tall and sturdy, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, a dignified appearance that gave off a straightforward and honest vibe.

Luo Zijun nodded. Just as he was about to speak, his sister Luo Jiaorong suddenly emerged from the kitchen and quickly bombarded him with questions, “Zijun, how did it go? Did you see her? Is she very beautiful? What did you talk about? Did you invite her to come to our home for dinner tomorrow? What impression did she have of you?”

The rapid-fire questions immediately gave Luo Zijun a headache.

Li Zhengshan wiped sweat from his brow and said anxiously, “Madam, you’re asking so many questions at once. How is Zijun supposed to answer?”

Luo Jiaorong shot him a sharp look. “I’m asking my own brother, not you! Has the pavilion in the backyard been fixed? Did you water the flowers? You come back just to fiddle with your broken sword, oblivious to how busy I am in the kitchen. You…”

“Alright, alright, you talk to Zijun. I’ll go fix the pavilion in the backyard!” Li Zhengshan quickly sensed the tension and slipped away.

Luo Zijun sighed helplessly. Seeing his sister’s gaze, he said, “I did see her. But perhaps she thinks I’m just an apprentice at the pharmacy and isn’t very satisfied with me, so…”

He shrugged, making his meaning clear.

Luo Jiaorong frowned, disappointment etched on her face. She bit her lip, glanced at his expression, then dared not press further and comforted him, “Forget it, Zijun. It’s nothing. If she didn’t choose you, it’s because she’s not destined to.”

Then she couldn’t help but vent her anger, “So what if you’re a pharmacy apprentice? I don’t believe she never gets sick or never needs a doctor! Hmph, ungrateful. If her grandfather were still alive, you think she’d dare say a word?”

Luo Zijun reassured her, “Sister, don’t mind it. I have no desire to climb above my station. That way, no one can look down on me.”

Luo Jiaorong sneered, “What station? She’s just the daughter of a cloth merchant. How can she compare to us? My husband works for the government!”

Fearing she would get angrier, Luo Zijun quickly said, “Alright, sister, you go finish cooking. I’m hungry. I’ll go help brother-in-law fix the pavilion.”

As he turned to leave, Luo Jiaorong, worried about his mood, added, “Zijun, don’t think too much about it. If she doesn’t want you, someone else surely will. Don’t worry; I’ll arrange another match for you tomorrow.”

Luo Zijun smiled wryly, “Sister, you’re the one in a hurry. I’m not worried at all.”

Luo Jiaorong rolled her eyes. “You’re at the age to be married already. How can I not be anxious? Don’t worry, I’ll find you several more beautiful girls to choose from and take you straight to the Sun family. That will really get under her skin!”

Luo Zijun could only smile helplessly and headed to the backyard.

During dinner, Luo Jiaorong couldn’t help but bring up grievances about the Sun family, rambling on. When angered, she declared, “Tomorrow, have your brother-in-law go find that Sun Jintang and ask him exactly what he means by this! Just because his family has some official connections, does he think he can look down on us?”

Li Zhengshan quickly tried to calm her, “What does it have to do with Master Sun? It’s just a matter of young people not matching. For such a lifelong matter, there’s no need to force it. Forced fruit never tastes sweet.”

Luo Jiaorong snapped back, “If he hadn’t spoiled her, I don’t believe his daughter would dare look down on my brother! There’s parental arrangement and matchmakers; how can a young girl decide for herself?”

Li Zhengshan shook his head and fell silent.

Luo Zijun said, “Sister, don’t be upset. She didn’t like me, and honestly, I didn’t like her either. That’s fine. As brother-in-law said, forced fruit isn’t sweet. If neither of us is interested, forcing a marriage by parental arrangement would only make life miserable.”

Li Zhengshan nodded in agreement, “Zijun’s right.”

“You big fool!” Luo Jiaorong glared at him. Although she knew the matter was over and couldn’t be forced, she was still angry that her brother was looked down upon.

Luo Zijun changed the subject. “Sister, brother-in-law, I’ve been studying lately. I plan to take the prefectural examination next month.”

Both Li Zhengshan and Luo Jiaorong were taken aback, exchanging a glance.

Li Zhengshan smiled and nodded, “If Zijun has such ambitions, that’s excellent. If he can pass as a xiucai, he’ll truly be a scholar. He’ll be exempt from corvée labor and won’t have to kneel before officials. That’s far more prestigious than me, your brother-in-law.”

Luo Jiaorong thought he was trying to make up for today’s disappointment by striving to improve his status. She quickly encouraged him, “If you’ve decided, just go for it. Your brother-in-law and I will support you. If you need books, your brother-in-law will buy them for you.”

After a pause, she added, “I hear scholars enjoy gatherings, discussing learning, and making friends. Just go. If you’re short on money, take from home.”

Li Zhengshan raised his glass, “Leave the money to me. You don’t need to worry about the pharmacy. Just focus on studying.”

Warmth flowed through Luo Zijun’s heart as he nodded.

After dinner, he returned to his room to read.

In the kitchen, Luo Jiaorong sighed, feeling both pity and guilt for her brother.

“If we were capable, Zijun wouldn’t have been humiliated and looked down upon today. Passing the xiucai exam doesn’t sound hard, but it’s not easy either. There’s only half a month left. If he fails, I don’t know how much more he’ll be crushed.”

Li Zhengshan stood by the door and advised, “It depends on effort. Since Zijun has made up his mind, we shouldn’t worry too much and make him anxious. If he doesn’t succeed this year, he can try again next year. He’s still young; there’s nothing to fear.”

Luo Jiaorong sighed but said no more.

Outside, a bright moon quietly rose over the treetops.

***

At the Sun family mansion in the southern part of the city.

Since returning that afternoon, Sun Yan’er had been hiding in her room, crying and examining her feet. She had even summoned several maids to remove their shoes and compare their feet to hers.

“Where are they big? Where are they big? That scoundrel was clearly lying!”

Xiao Cui stood nearby, equally indignant, alternating between cursing and comforting her mistress.

By dinnertime, Sun Yan’er wiped her tears, her eyes swollen and red.

When Sun Jintang and Lady Chen asked what had happened, she didn’t dare tell the truth, fearing disgrace if it got out. She even ordered Xiao Cui not to tell anyone. To her parents, she explained, “I’m not ready to marry yet. The thought of marriage makes me want to cry.”

Lady Chen quickly inquired about the afternoon’s match.

Sun Yan’er sneered coldly and feigned calm, “That man was a lecher. From the moment we met, he wanted me to undress, saying he wanted to examine me for illness. He kept staring me up and down and spoke very rudely. I was disgusted and outright refused, telling him this match was impossible.”

Lady Chen was furious, “What a filthy rogue!”

Sun Jintang frowned and looked at Xiao Cui, asking, “Is this true?”

Xiao Cui, already ordered by her mistress, quickly bowed her head and replied, “Master, everything the young lady said is true. That man was extremely rude, and he even carried a medicine box, obviously coming from treating a patient, making the young lady wait a long time.”

Lady Chen complained, “I told you, he’s just a pharmacy apprentice, never even been to school. How could he be worthy of our Yan’er? She will be attending the academy next month and will truly be a talented lady. If she married that man, who knows how our relatives and friends would mock us behind our backs?”

Sun Jintang glared at her, “Silence!”

Lady Chen dared not speak further and sulked quietly.

Sun Jintang sighed, “Enough. He refused, so let it be. Tomorrow I’ll find time to apologize to them, so no one can say the Sun family is ungrateful.”

Back in her chamber, Sun Yan’er again took off her embroidered shoes to look at her feet, tears welling up as she recalled the humiliation earlier.

At that moment, a maid announced, “Your young cousin has arrived.”

Hearing this, Sun Yan’er quickly wiped her tears, put on her shoes and socks, and went out to greet her.

At the stone-carved round gate, flowering vines covered the frame and lintel, blooming red, green, and yellow flowers, filling the air with fragrance.

Sun Yan’er had just stepped into the courtyard when a figure in purple stepped out through the flower gate.

The visitor wore a purple robe, tall and slender, a sword hanging at her waist, exuding a heroic and elegant air. Her long legs were straight and strong, her stride confident.

It was her close young cousin, Wang Yuru.

Seeing Sun Yan’er, Wang Yuru was about to speak but noticed her swollen, tear-streaked eyes. She hurriedly asked, “Yan’er, what’s wrong? Why are your eyes swollen from crying? Who bullied you?”

At those words, a flood of grievance overwhelmed Sun Yan’er, and tears streamed down her face. “Cousin…”

Wang Yuru quickly supported her inside.

“Tell cousin what happened.”

Closing the door, Xiao Cui stood guard in the corridor.

Unable to hold back her emotions, Sun Yan’er sobbed while recounting the day's events, naturally adding some embellishments.

“He... he even scorned my big feet, sob…”

Wang Yuru’s brows furrowed sharply. She slammed her hand on the table, “That Luo Zijun! How dare he! Yan’er, don’t cry. Tomorrow morning, I’ll find him and make sure he regrets it, beat him black and blue to stand up for you!”

Sun Yan’er finally quieted her sobs.

Then, wiping her tears, she quickly pleaded, “Cousin, please don’t tell anyone about this, or... I’d be too ashamed to live, sob…”

Wang Yuru frowned but promised, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”

The two chatted a while longer.

Sun Yan’er, unable to resist, glanced at beneath her cousin’s skirt and, still wiping tears away, asked, “Cousin, could you... could you take off your shoes and socks so I can see... see your feet?”

Wang Yuru blinked in surprise.