Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 155: Charming men

Liu Yu’s marriage has been settled, and while Wei Shi continues managing the embroidery shop, her attention shifts entirely to her eldest son, Liu Yanqing. After consulting with Mrs. Zhang and a few embroiderers about the matchmakers in the county, she energetically begins arranging for a potential daughter-in-law.

As Wei Shi inquires about suitable young women from several matchmakers in the county, Magistrate Zhang receives a letter from his hometown, delivered by the courier service.

Upon reading the letter, a smile appears on his face. With nothing pressing in the front office, Magistrate Zhang strides back to the rear office, handing the letter to his wife.

“Big brother and sister-in-law trust our judgment. They suggest letting Xiaofu discreetly take a look at the potential groom. If she is willing and the groom’s family is also agreeable, they want us to handle the arrangements.”

Along with the letter, there are fifty taels of silver, intended to be used as a dowry for Zhang Xiaofu.

For an ordinary family, fifty taels would be considered a generous dowry, but for an official family, it’s actually quite modest.

However, both Magistrate Zhang and his wife understand that their family’s income comes solely from farming, and it’s only in recent years that they’ve been able to improve their situation. Sending fifty taels is already a substantial effort on their part. They plan to contribute a bit more themselves, and since Liu Yanqing is only a constable, this would still be a respectable dowry for Zhang Xiaofu.

After reading the letter, Madam Zhang feels very reassured. Since the family back home trusts them, she’s even more willing to take charge of her niece Zhang Xiaofu’s marriage. Smiling, she says, “Since big brother and sister-in-law have entrusted this matter to us, I’ll call Xiaofu over to inform her. It would be best if she could secretly take a look at the young man.”

This is Magistrate Zhang’s first time arranging a marriage for a younger family member, and he finds it quite novel. He discusses with Madam Zhang how to arrange for their niece to discreetly meet the potential groom, then retreats to his study, waiting to hear his niece’s thoughts before making further plans.

Zhang Xiaofu is well aware of the purpose of her stay with her third uncle and aunt. When she hears that her marriage is being discussed, she feels shy but listens carefully as Madam Zhang explains the details.

At first, Zhang Xiaofu is a bit surprised to hear that the potential groom is a constable. She knows what kind of match her family had in mind when they sent her and her sister here, so this news catches her off guard.

However, after Madam Zhang explains Liu Yanqing’s situation in more detail, Zhang Xiaofu learns that he is the son of the owner of the Ruyi Embroidery Shop.

“Don’t be put off by the fact that he’s a constable. Your third uncle has observed him for quite some time. He’s capable, upright, and handsome, with a solid family background. You’ve met Madam Liu before; she’s a kind person. Marrying into such a family might not seem as glamorous as marrying a scholar, but it would be a solid, stable life.”

Madam Zhang doesn’t need to explain everything in detail; Zhang Xiaofu understands the situation well. She knows how difficult it is for a poor farming family to support a scholar, often requiring the entire family to tighten their belts for many years, and even then, few succeed in the imperial exams.

One option may seem prestigious on the surface, while the other is solid and practical. Understanding this, Zhang Xiaofu nods, “I’ll leave everything to you and Uncle.”

“Don’t rush to agree,” Madam Zhang says with a smile, handing her the family letter. “Read it for yourself. We’ve arranged for you to meet him shortly. It’s important that you see him first and truly like him.”

Zhang Xiaofu blushes and agrees.

After Magistrate Zhang received Yu Ma’s message, he returned to the front office of the yamen with a smile and instructed Secretary Li to summon Liu Yanqing.

Liu Yanqing initially thought that Magistrate Zhang had some task for him, but he found it odd that if there were any orders, they would typically come through Captain Liu rather than directly to him. To his surprise, he was led into Magistrate Zhang’s private study in the rear office.

Magistrate Zhang seemed busy and only asked him to take a seat for the time being.

Liu Yanqing’s strange feeling intensified.

Then, someone pushed the door open and brought in tea. The person was a young girl, around sixteen or seventeen, but clearly not dressed as a maid.

Liu Yanqing quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look too closely. However, his keen senses, honed by years of martial training, made him aware of the occasional glances the girl directed toward him.

Involuntarily, he looked up and their eyes met. Zhang Xiaofu quickly withdrew her gaze, and the tips of her ears visibly turned red as she hurriedly excused herself and left the study.

Magistrate Zhang, who had been observing them, smiled. Once the door was closed, he focused his attention on Liu Yanqing.

“Yanqing, when I last asked, your family had not yet arranged a marriage for you. Is that still the case?”

The last time he had inquired was in August, and now, two months later, he wanted to confirm again.

Liu Yanqing’s heart skipped a beat, and he began to suspect something, though he hardly dared believe it.

Magistrate Zhang only had one son and one daughter, and the daughter was still very young. The girl of marriageable age could only be Magistrate Zhang’s niece.

But even if she was his niece, how could she possibly be matched with a constable?

Despite his confusion, Liu Yanqing couldn’t ignore the question. He shook his head and replied, “I’m not yet engaged.”

“Then how would you feel if I were to arrange a match for you?”

…

Liu Yanqing left Magistrate Zhang’s study feeling a bit dazed.

The officers at the yamen wouldn’t normally enter the rear office without being summoned, and Magistrate Zhang’s family members used a separate entrance. Liu Yanqing had only heard that Magistrate Zhang had two nieces staying with him but had never seen them. He could guess that the girl who brought the tea was the one Magistrate Zhang was referring to for the marriage proposal, but he assumed she might be Mrs. Zhang’s maid.

He never imagined it would be Magistrate Zhang’s niece.

He couldn’t fathom the idea of marrying someone of such high status.

Magistrate Zhang, however, smiled and explained to Liu Yanqing his family’s desire to find a husband for Zhang Xiaofu, detailing both his and Mrs. Zhang’s thoughts. He even mentioned that they had written to Zhang Xiaofu’s family to discuss the matter, making everything clear to Liu Yanqing.

Liu Yanqing was astonished to learn that Magistrate Zhang had been considering this match for over two months. Looking back, it made sense—since August, Magistrate Zhang had indeed been unusually kind to him.

It turned out he had been observing his future nephew-in-law…

Liu Yanqing couldn’t quite recall how he ended up agreeing to meet Zhang Xiaofu in the garden. When he came to his senses, his mind was filled with details about Zhang Xiaofu, and he found himself already in the garden.

He paced nervously, unable to comprehend how this marriage proposal had come his way.

Apparently, Magistrate Zhang had also sent someone to notify Zhang Xiaofu, as Liu Yanqing soon heard the sound of light footsteps approaching from behind. When he turned to look, it was indeed the girl he had briefly encountered in the study.

Meeting Zhang Xiaofu for the second time, they both felt awkward. It was only now that Liu Yanqing dared to take a closer look at her. She wasn’t a stunning beauty at first glance but had a gentle and serene demeanor, with a quiet elegance that exuded a sense of peace.

Liu Yanqing had never imagined that his marriage would unfold so suddenly and in such an unexpected way.

“Miss Zhang,” he greeted her with a nod.

“Master Liu,” Zhang Xiaofu replied with a polite bow.

They exchanged a glance, but neither knew what to say next.

Liu Yanqing couldn’t just wait for Zhang Xiaofu, a young lady, to start the conversation. He clenched his hands at his sides and was the first to break the silence.

“Miss, are you aware of my situation?”

Liu Yanqing, 22 years old, a constable, skilled in martial arts, known for his integrity. His mother and sister are the owners of the Ruyi Embroidery Shop, and his two younger brothers are merchants.

This was all Zhang Xiaofu knew from what Madam Zhang had told her.

She nodded slightly, “Aunt has mentioned some things.”

Not only did she appear gentle, but her voice was also incredibly gentle.

Liu Yanqing felt a stir in his heart. He couldn’t deny that the idea of Zhang Xiaofu as his wife seemed quite appealing.

However, Liu Yanqing was very aware of his circumstances. He looked at Zhang Xiaofu and said, “But do you know that a constable’s status is actually very low? The highest one might rise to is the position of captain, and even that’s not much.”

Even with Magistrate Zhang’s support, the best he could hope for might be a minor official position in the future. And even that would depend on external help.

Zhang Xiaofu had lived in the county office for almost a year and was well aware of what it meant to be a constable. However, she knew very clearly that the marriage her uncle and aunt had arranged for her was an excellent match, so she nodded and said, “I understand, but I also come from a farming family. My father and brothers all make their living from the land, so our families are well-matched.”

She was speaking of family status, but her words also hinted at her satisfaction with Liu Yanqing and the proposed marriage.

Liu Yanqing was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his silence, Zhang Xiaofu feared that Liu Yanqing might not want this marriage but was hesitant to say so because of her uncle. She gently asked, “Do you have someone else in mind? If you have feelings for another, please feel free to speak. I will inform my uncle and aunt, and we can call off this matter.”

Liu Yanqing had no one else in mind. Hearing this, he quickly shook his head and said, “I just feel that marrying me would be too much of a hardship for you.”

Zhang Xiaofu smiled brightly. Although they had only met twice and exchanged just a few words, Liu Yanqing, who was already quite handsome, had begun to stir her heart. If, at first, her understanding of Liu Yanqing was limited to what her aunt had told her, now, after this brief interaction, she genuinely felt a budding affection.

As a young lady, she couldn’t outright say that she was willing to marry him and that it wouldn’t be a hardship. Instead, she shook her head with a smile, her feelings and shyness subtly conveyed, which was more touching than if she had been direct.

Liu Yanqing, usually so composed, found himself a bit flustered and embarrassed, his heartbeat oddly different from usual.

He realized then that he genuinely liked Zhang Xiaofu.

Feeling a bit of warmth at the tips of his ears, Liu Yanqing glanced at Zhang Xiaofu, then quickly looked away. He clasped his hands and said, “Then, please wait for me, Miss. I will return to inform my mother and have a matchmaker sent to formally propose.”

He spoke quickly, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he could bite his tongue. Their meeting in the garden had lasted no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and they had exchanged fewer than ten sentences. Yet, he was already asking her to wait for him to send a matchmaker.

Liu Yanqing didn’t know how others handled marriage, but he could tell that what he had just done wasn’t quite right. Awkwardly, he looked at Zhang Xiaofu and said, “Please forgive me, Miss. My words were rash.”

Zhang Xiaofu couldn’t help but laugh. “Go take care of your business; I’ll head back now.”

Her expression and words didn’t show any sign of being offended by Liu Yanqing’s bluntness; instead, she only seemed to like him more the longer she looked at him.

After they parted ways, Zhang Xiaofu left the garden, and Liu Yanqing, after ensuring she was out of sight, hurriedly exited through another door and asked for leave from Captain Liu before rushing home.

Back in the inner courtyard of the county office, Zhang Xiaofu had just left the garden when she was pulled aside by Zhang Xiaorong.

“Second Sister, I heard your marriage is settled?”

Zhang Xiaofu nodded with a smile.

Zhang Xiaorong looked at her in disbelief, then, after checking that no one else was around, she lowered her voice and said, “You can still smile about it? I heard it’s with a constable.”

A constable!

“We came all the way here just to secure a good marriage. Why marry a constable, and one so far away? It would be better to return home and marry a local gentry. At least then, if something happens, your family would be close by to support you.”

The two of them were cousins who had grown up together, so Zhang Xiaofu knew that her sister was looking out for her. She didn’t hide her thoughts and said, “He’s a good person. Uncle and Aunt must have carefully considered his abilities and character. Xiaorong, marrying a scholar isn’t necessarily better, and in two months, I’ll be seventeen.”

At seventeen, not having a marriage arranged was considered old in the Great Qing Dynasty.

Zhang Xiaorong had clearly already looked into Liu Yanqing’s background. “But you shouldn’t rush into marriage. I know his family runs an embroidery shop, but I’ve also secretly asked around. The shop is run by his mother and sister, and his two younger brothers are merchants. Right now, things might seem fine, but what if the family splits up in the future? That shop would be divided three ways, and what would you end up with? Then he’d really just be a constable.”

If Zhang Xiaorong could think of these issues, how could Zhang Xiaofu not have considered them? But she thought of the Liu Yanqing she had just met, and a smile tugged at her lips. “A constable is fine.”

Zhang Xiaorong was stunned and reached out to feel Zhang Xiaofu’s forehead. “Have you lost your mind?”

Zhang Xiaofu gently pushed her cousin’s hand away and laughed. “I’m perfectly clear-headed. Aunt said he’s very capable, and even without relying on Uncle, it’s only a matter of time before he’s promoted to captain. Being the wife of a captain isn’t bad at all. It might not be a life of great wealth, but we won’t have to worry about food or clothing. And we’ve met his mother and sister—they seem easy to get along with. What’s not to like? I think it’s pretty good.”

Zhang Xiaorong: “…”

She couldn’t persuade her. Remembering the time they visited Ruyi Embroidery Shop and met Liu Yu, she thought, if his sister was that beautiful, could the brother be any less? She concluded that her cousin must have been blinded by his looks. Frustrated, she stamped her foot. “Fine, as long as you’re happy. Just don’t regret it later.”

Regret it?

Zhang Xiaofu recalled the things Liu Yanqing had said and felt she wouldn’t regret it.

She couldn’t explain why, but she had a strong feeling that Liu Yanqing was a reserved person who had gentleness and responsibility ingrained in his very being.

Thinking about this, a smile naturally appeared on Zhang Xiaofu’s face.

Zhang Xiaorong: “…”

He really is a charming man.

Sansukini: I find it really cute even if it’s a quick match. A happy family also depends on a level-headed wife.

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