Chapter 9: Two Choices

(Thanks to everyone for the PK votes. It's too late today; I will thank you all individually later. Seeking recommendations for my new book.)

This single zither melody left Wen Sheng trapped within it for two or three days, unable to extricate herself. She asked Qing Gui, "Do you find the huqin beautiful?"

Qing Gui's reaction was exactly as Wen Sheng expected: "It's very beautiful. As soon as I hear that zither music, I can't help but stop thinking about those poor people. But even when I'm not thinking of anything at all, my tears just keep falling for some reason." After saying this, she subconsciously sniffled.

"Did you pay attention to what the old man was singing?"

Qing Gui looked back at her sheepishly. "What was he singing? It seemed to be about General Ji's great victory in Zhangzhou?"

Yes, and it was more than just that. The old man's lyrics were colloquial and straightforward, yet ancient and deeply moving.

When Ji Nantang, who was renowned for both literary and martial prowess in his youth, set out on his expedition, what a magnificent sight it was—"Men from all four directions gathered like clouds." Now, after a hundred battles as a general, fighting year after year at the East Sea, he had fallen into the state of "the man grows haggard as the heart grows old." The melancholy and heaviness within him were surely things that could not be spoken to others.

Although Wen Sheng was young, having been influenced by Gu Jiu, she had unconsciously picked up the bad habits of her uncles and elders—an untimely sentimentality and a sense of lofty aloofness. The short snippet of lyrics she heard at the old Chen family shop awakened her like a morning bell in a mountain temple. She thought that a person's life should be like Ji Nantang's: to establish immortal achievements. Since she had been lucky enough not to die and had been granted another lifetime, no matter when or where she was born, she had to live brilliantly and not rot away with the grass and trees.

How could she simply drift with the tide, trapped within a single household and a single city?

By the time she regained her senses, she realized that the members of the Li family were already nearly ready to settle her marriage arrangements.

At this point, Wen Sheng began to seriously consider how she should untangle the mess left by the original owner of this body and make plans for the future.

Li Rong was very invested in Wen Sheng's marriage. On one hand, he felt a sense of responsibility toward the Li clan, acting like an eldest brother to a father, and he doted on this obedient and well-behaved niece. On the other hand, he also harbored the intention of showing the Gu couple a bit of color.

After picking and choosing, he finally set his sights on Guan Yi, the eldest son of his good friend Guan Pingjiang.

The Guan family owned several fishing boats and was quite well-off. He and Guan Pingjiang had had many business dealings over the years and knew each other's backgrounds thoroughly. Setting aside everything else, Li Rong had long since met Guan Pingjiang's children. His eldest son, Guan Yi, was sixteen years old, possessed a generous temperament without lacking shrewdness, and Li Rong had admired the youth from an early stage.

In Li Rong's mind, the Guan family was so far away from that Zhao fellow in the east and west of the city. That old turtle Zhao was merely bullying a widow and her orphaned children. As long as things were settled quickly on this side, he and the Gus would most likely be powerless to do anything. Even if some unpleasant rumors were spread, the Guan family would likely show him face and be more tolerant.

Furthermore, families involved in maritime business were not as strict regarding a woman's reputation; as long as Guan Yi was a sensible person, it would be fine.

Li Rong shared his thoughts with his mother. Old Mrs mistress Li was somewhat hesitant; she glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law but said nothing.

Wen Sheng's eldest aunt had been called back to her maiden home these past two days because of this matter. When she had married, the Li family was still dirt poor; it was a match of equal social standing, but her husband's family was not wealthy either. Her husband was the eldest son, with several younger siblings below him. Fortunately, her mother-in-law was kind and had let her manage the household early on. Compared to her sister, Lady Li, she, as the elder sister, was much more decisive.

Sitting beside the old lady, she looked at her brother and sister-in-law, then suddenly said, "The Guan family is someone Big Brother has had his eye on for a long time, so it naturally won't go wrong. However, if we do this, we won't be able to suppress her uncle's side; that Zhao Shandao likely won't let it rest. Also, Sheng'er's dowry..."

Speaking of the Gu couple, Li Rong also felt stifled. "Sheng'er has no father; it is only right that we help her out. Let's settle the marriage first. In a few years, when they can no longer cause trouble with this matter, we'll have Sister sell those few acres of worthless land in the Gu house and sever all ties with them."

The eldest aunt's eyes flashed. "Mother, Big Brother, wasn't it a few days ago that my cousin from the Great Province was getting married? I went to the wedding feast and heard people discussing that Fourth Master Bai is looking for a wife for his son. Matchmakers have already been spreading the word. They aren't asking for the bride's family to be wealthy; they only require a clean family background, a gentle and sensible girl, and a good appearance. Ultimately, everything else is superficial; the Bai family just wants to find a beautiful wife to make their young Master Bai settle down and do something proper."

Lin Dasheng was Wen Sheng's uncle-in-law. The Fourth Master Bai mentioned by the eldest aunt was not actually the fourth in rank, but referred to Bai Shiyuan, a clerk of the four halls at the Lishui County Yamen. He was known as the "Money-Grabbing Clerk." Although his official rank was not high, he held real power. Merchants like Li Rong had to find ways to send tributes through intermediaries during festivals and holidays.

Despite his outward prestige, Fourth Master Bai had a great source of worry at home.

He didn't have a son until he was in his thirties. This young Master Bai of the Bai family was said to have taken after someone unknown; his temperament had been exceptionally eccentric since childhood. He was not fond of talking, had no friends, and had driven away countless tutors. Yet, he was not unlearned; for over a decade, this young Master Bai had been obsessed with only one thing: painting.

It was said that the things he painted were so lifelike that at first glance, they were indistinguishable from reality.

Painting was an elegant pursuit. This young master claimed he had painted every plant and tree in the Bai household. Since the age of fourteen, he often ran to the Guiyan Tower to look into the distance, painting whatever he saw. The neighbors rumored that it was because the Guiyan Tower was on the street behind the General's Mansion, near Lishui's largest shop for cosmetics and jewelry, where ladies and young misses frequently entered and exited. That man surnamed Bai went there specifically to paint beauties.

With his son's reputation being such, it was difficult for Fourth Master Bai to secure a good marriage. Families who loved their daughters avoided him like the plague, and those who wanted to curry favor with him were looked down upon by him. With these rumors circulating this time, it seemed the Bai family was truly desperate.

The eldest aunt advised, "Brother-in-law was a scholar back then; if it weren't for this, our family wouldn't have married Sister off to him. As for looks, there is nothing to criticize; among all the young girls in the county, I haven't seen anyone more well-featured than Sheng'er. If this truly succeeds, the common people do not fight officials. I don't think Gu Da and that old turtle Zhao will dare to utter a word. The Gu couple will probably be more than happy to have Sheng'er marry into the Bai family to bring them glory; let them fight like dogs."

The old lady sighed. "That may be so, but the Bai family is not someone one can just enter. Forget it, go ask your sister's opinion; the child must be willing herself."

In Lady Li's view, if it weren't for that incident with Patron Zhao, the Guan family would indeed be a good choice. While she was still hesitating, Wen Sheng had already made the decision for her: "The Guan family is absolutely out of the question."

Lady Li frowned and scolded softly, "Sheng'er?"

Wen Sheng sighed. She was somewhat worried about how to settle this slow-witted mother in the future. "Mother, can't you see that Uncle had already planned to form a marriage alliance with the Guans? How can we delay Cousin Qing Gui's marriage because of me?"

Lady Li's mouth hung slightly open as she looked at her eldest sister in shock.

The eldest aunt's expression became somewhat unnatural. "...Big Brother only has the idea; he hasn't discussed it with the Guans yet. Actually, I feel that regarding the Bai family, given Sheng'er's conditions, it might not be impossible." They say a girl changes significantly as she grows; this time, upon her return, her niece was almost a different person compared to before. If not for this, she wouldn't have dared to harbor the thought of marrying her into the Bai family.

Wen Sheng thought it over. Mere procrastination would not solve the trouble. The filthy incident that happened at the clothing shop had to be settled quickly. To make the villain learn a lesson, relying on the Li family's power was clearly insufficient.

It seemed like she was at a dead end, but in reality, it was merely a matter of a single word from someone more powerful. She had great expectations for her freedom; a rushed marriage was nothing short of a joke. However, meeting that young Master Bai would not be a problem.