Chapter 4: He doesn’t like girls older than him

Shen Youran was in the courtyard but her mind was elsewhere.

Restless and anxious, she finished her five-hundredth character, tossed her brush aside, lifted her skirt, and was about to dash outside.

Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw her elder sister had already returned, standing by the lattice window, smiling warmly at her.

“When did you come back? What did the Pei family say?” Shen Youran grabbed her sister’s hand eagerly and asked, “Did Eldest Young Master Pei agree to the match?”

It was rare for her to actually finish all five hundred characters before running out, so Shen Yunshu didn’t tease her.

“I’ve been back for a while. The person who came today was Granny Jiang from Old Madam Pei’s side. She said Eldest Young Master Pei is willing, and asked what I thought. I nodded, so she left happily…”

“And then? And then?”

“Then,” Shen Yunshu pressed her lips together in a smile, “Granny Jiang also said Old Madam Pei will invite the official matchmaker to our house to formally propose tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful!” Shen Youran’s bright, clear apricot eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, crinkling her dainty nose.

She carelessly blurted out what was in her heart, “Big Sister, you’re finally getting married. Once you’re married off, I won’t have to spend my days reading, practicing calligraphy, playing the zither, or painting anymore…”

As soon as she finished, she realized she’d spoken out of turn. Covering her mouth in a panic, only her big, sparkling eyes blinked guiltily at Shen Yunshu.

“You, ah, you…” This lazy, spoiled little sister—how could her elder sister feel at ease getting married and leaving her behind?

With fair, slender fingers, Shen Yunshu poked her sister’s forehead, half exasperated and half amused, and gave her a look before telling her to get back to practicing her calligraphy at the desk.

The next day, a matchmaker brought the betrothal gifts to the Shen residence.

The elders of both families had already exchanged their intentions, and seeing that the two children liked each other as well, Madam Wei, acting as Shen Yunshu’s stepmother, agreed to the matter and handed over Shen Yunshu’s birth date and eight characters, written on a grass slip, to the matchmaker.

After the Pei family received Shen Yunshu’s slip, they sent it together with Pei Huaijin’s to the temple for divination. It was calculated that their destinies complemented each other, their eight characters were a perfect match, so Old Madam Pei began preparing for the official engagement with the Shen family.

At this time, Pei Huaijin had already returned to Lingzhou. The engagement and subsequent arrangements were handled by the elders. When he transferred back to the capital in half a year, the six rites would be nearly complete, and the wedding would be scheduled then.

Old Madam Pei was in charge of Pei Huaijin’s marriage. Madam Zhu, due to her poor health, did not involve herself much. After all, her son was the legitimate eldest grandson of the household and the most outstanding among the younger generation; naturally, Old Madam Pei would ensure he had the best.

Madam Zhu was delighted that her eldest son’s marriage was finally settled, but at the same time, she fretted over her niece’s prospects.

That day, Old Madam mentioned that Meng Wanxin could be betrothed to the third branch’s Seventh Young Master, Pei Huaian. Madam Zhu first summoned Meng Wanxin to ask for her opinion. The girl hesitated for a moment, then shyly agreed, biting her lip.

Madam Zhu thought that as long as Meng Wanxin consented, the marriage would be all but settled. After all, Seventh Young Master had lost his mother young and always respected her as his eldest aunt; if she arranged the match, he surely wouldn’t refuse.

So, she sent people to keep an eye on Pei Huaian. This mischievous boy often played outside until late, and no one knew when he’d sneak out in the morning. It took several days of waiting before they finally brought Pei Huaian to her.

Madam Zhu looked at her sixteen-year-old nephew. The young man was fair and handsome, peerlessly elegant—he resembled none of his elder cousins nor his father at all, likely taking after his late mother. But after so many years, Madam Zhu could no longer recall what his mother looked like.

Each time she saw him, she felt it a pity. This time was no different, so she couldn’t help but urge him again to be less playful and study more; maybe one day he could make a name for himself, just like his eldest brother, and become an official.

He listened, bored and inattentive, his slightly upturned phoenix eyes wandering, clearly not taking her words to heart.

With a sigh, Madam Zhu finally got to the main topic.

What seemed a sure thing turned out otherwise—he refused the marriage.

He didn’t say anything against Meng Wanxin, only that he didn’t like girls older than himself, and Meng Wanxin was seventeen this year, one year older than him.

No matter how Madam Zhu praised Meng Wanxin’s looks and character, he just evaded the issue and refused to agree. Seeing this, Madam Zhu saw no point in persuading him further and waved him away.

After he left, Meng Wanxin, who had been hiding behind the screen listening in, ran out in tears, both embarrassed and angry.

Madam Zhu clutched her stifled chest, helpless…

The days meandered on, the daylight growing ever longer.

Even after Shen Youran wrote five thousand characters, played the zither for half an hour, and finished half a book, the slanting sun still hung quietly above the courtyard wall, spilling warm light over everything.

Taking advantage of the lingering daylight, Shen Yunshu would call her to help embroider the wedding gown—as practice for her needlework.

Shen Youran was never good at embroidery, so Shen Yunshu only had her stitch simple patterns: pomegranates, cloud motifs, and the double happiness symbol. The more complex patterns—dragons, phoenixes, peonies, and lotuses—were done by Shen Yunshu herself. And since Youran’s eyesight was poor, as soon as the light faded, Shen Yunshu would stop her from embroidering.

Though she didn’t do much, the sisters worked together and finished the wedding gown quickly.

With three months left until the wedding, Shen Youran thought their task was complete and she could have more time to enjoy herself. Unexpectedly, her sister brought out a bolt of brocade, cut it into a dress her size, and pulled her in to embroider again.

Shen Youran was puzzled. “I’m not in any rush to get married, so why make my wedding gown now?”

“Why aren’t you? Just yesterday, the General Protector’s residence sent a matchmaker for you. Their Sixth Young Master, Liang Liulang, isn’t bad. What do you think?”

Liang Liulang was a martial man, currently serving in the Arrow Division before the palace. He was said to be frank and forthright, easygoing, and looked robust and healthy. Shen Yunshu had previously considered him as a candidate for her own future husband and had discreetly made inquiries. But since her fate with Pei Huaijin came about so swiftly, she’d put aside any thoughts of Liang Liulang.

Now that the Liang family had come with a proposal, and with Shen Yunshu already knowing Liang Liulang’s character, when her father sought her opinion, she thought he was a suitable match.

Now it was just up to her third sister. If she was willing, then the two sisters would be married off one after the other.

“I’ve never met the Liang family’s Sixth Young Master, but if Father and Sister both think well of him, I’ll marry him,” Shen Youran said with a grin as she embroidered pomegranates onto the gown, “Besides, he’s from a family of generals, so he probably won’t mind that I’m terrible at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, right?”

“What do you mean, if your father and I think he’s good, you’ll marry him? Aren’t you being a little too carefree? Aren’t you afraid that on your wedding night, if you lift the bridal veil and find your husband’s appearance unappealing, you’ll regret it?”

“That’s true,” Shen Youran mused. “After all, married couples sleep together in the same bed every night. If my husband turns out to be ugly, I might not be able to sleep…”

Shen Yunshu’s hand shook, almost pricking herself with the needle. She glanced up and teased, “What’s all this about sleeping together? You’re still a maiden in the boudoir, aren’t you ashamed to say such things?”

“What’s there to be ashamed of? It’s not like I’m saying it to anyone else. If Sister feels embarrassed, I’ll send you two romance storybooks to read. Once you’ve read more stories about men and women, you won’t find this sort of thing so shameful anymore…”

“Didn’t I tell you not to read those messy books anymore? Have you been sneaking them at night again?” Shen Yunshu scolded softly. “Your eyes are already bad—don’t let your mind get muddled too…”

Since Shen Youran didn’t object to Liang Liulang, Shen Yunshu discussed with their father, Shen Tingyu, about letting the two meet in advance.

“The day after tomorrow, the eighth day, there will be a temple fair at Daxiangguo Temple. Why not use the excuse of offering incense to let Third Sister and Liang Liulang meet each other…” Shen Yunshu suggested.

Shen Tingyu looked at his eldest daughter, who resembled her mother so much, and couldn’t help but sigh, “If your mother and I hadn’t separated back then, your weddings should have been arranged by us as your parents…” Instead, his eldest daughter’s marriage had been arranged by herself, and his younger daughter’s by her sister.

“The past is past. I have no right to comment on what happened between you and mother. I only want to do more for Third Sister now and choose a good husband for her, so her future will be without worries…”

Whenever Shen Yunshu thought of Shen Youran’s eyes, red from crying, she felt even more guilty.

Back then, when her father chased after her mother to Xunzhou in hopes of reconciliation but failed, the two finally agreed to part.

That night, Shen Yunshu was awakened by her parents whispering. She overheard their decision: the six-year-old her would return to the capital with her father, while her four-year-old sister stayed with their mother.

Not wanting to leave her mother, she tried to hide herself at night, thinking her father couldn’t take her away if he couldn’t find her.

In the end, she stayed—but her mother no longer had her little sister in her arms.

When her father set off and still couldn’t find her, he took her younger sister instead.

Though her mother never blamed her, for more than ten years, she still felt she had stolen her sister’s life.

On the eighth day of the fifth month, the weather was mild and fresh. Daxiangguo Temple opened its doors; acrobats and merchants filled the grounds, and the atmosphere was lively with worship. The incense-laden air made the place feel thick and heady.

Shen Youran loved excitement. After being cooped up by her elder sister in the boudoir for days, she was determined to have a good time today.

Her meeting with Liang Liulang took place by the release pond behind the Hall of Heavenly Kings. Since the two families lived nearby, Shen Youran got a close look at him.

He was tall and handsome, with broad shoulders, a healthy tan, and bright eyes. When their eyes met, Shen Youran smiled at him. He actually looked away first, his ears tinged red.

The meeting lasted less than a cup of tea before the two families parted ways. Liang Liulang accompanied Madam Liang to offer incense, while Shen Youran eagerly pulled her sister off to explore the temple fair.

The fair overflowed with dazzling goods. The sisters wore veils and gauze hats; the veils hid their beauty, while the sheer gauze beneath concealed their elegant figures, allowing them to weave through the bustling crowd without worry.

After they visited two corridors, Danruo and Qinghe, their maids, were laden with embroidery, jewels, flowers, and amusing trinkets that Shen Youran had picked out.

She wanted to buy more, but her purse was empty. Her eyes darted slyly as she set her sights on her sister’s purse instead.

Shen Yunshu had Danruo and Qinghe take the purchases down to the carriage, then pulled her sister toward the Zisheng Gate behind the Buddha Hall, where books, qin, ink, paintings, and ancient objects were displayed and sold.

“Come with me to look at the book fair. I want to buy a painting; whatever money is left, you can have…”

Shen Youran didn’t truly appreciate such refined arts, but she happily followed her sister along.

Under the colorful pavilions and open tents inside the temple, Pei Huaian wandered with his friends. He couldn’t miss such a lively temple fair; naturally, he called his friends to join him.

Remembering his grandmother’s birthday was approaching, he decided to pick out a gift for her.

His friends, tired from shopping, suggested going to the vegetarian banquet.

Pei Huaian hadn’t found a suitable gift yet, so he told them to go ahead while he strolled over to the book fair behind the main hall.

He was handsome, attracting many girls who tossed him handkerchiefs along the way, but he paid them no mind. Passing by a stall selling Nuo masks, he casually bought one and put it on.

With his face covered, he made his way to the Zisheng Gate. Though he knew nothing of paintings or calligraphy, he did spot a pair of red parrots he fancied.

The parrots, frightened by his Nuo mask, fluttered wildly. The stall keeper pinned one, while Pei Huaian caught the other. As he was about to ask the price, his eyes were drawn to a girl by a nearby bookstall.

She stood slender and graceful, and when the breeze lifted the gauze beneath her hat, he saw a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water—like the moon in an ancient painting, glowing gently, shining straight into his heart…