Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Find Someone for a Fake Marriage

Chun Zhi sat in the teahouse, drinking tea and watching people come and go outside.

Soon, Matchmaker Li brought Gentryman Zhou, along with the Zhou Household’s two daughters and one son.

Gentryman Zhou called her name with a little stammer: “Chun… Chun Zhi.”

Gentryman Zhou was in his forties, fair and chubby, and looked younger than his age.

Matchmaker Li smiled and said: “Since Gentryman Zhou already knows Chun Zhi, I will not introduce further. Chun Zhi, this is Gentryman Zhou. These are the two Miss Zhou, one eight, one twelve, and Little Master Zhou is five, just the right age to raise at your knee. Once you marry in, you will be Madam Zhou. Have children if you want, and if you do not, then do not…”

The matchmaker’s tongue flew, making it sound like there was no better man on earth than Gentryman Zhou.

Gentryman Zhou just smiled at Chun Zhi.

Little Master Zhou ate a sugar figurine and asked his father to carry him.

Gentryman Zhou scooped his son up.

Both Miss Zhou secretly sized up Chun Zhi. The older one knew many things already and understood that this person might become her stepmother, so she only looked and did not speak.

The younger one whispered in her sister’s ear: “She is so pretty. Nanny said the prettier the stepmother, the more she will torment you.”

The older Miss Zhou quickly covered her sister’s mouth to stop her from talking.

Chun Zhi had sharp ears and heard the second Miss Zhou’s words. She only smiled and did not speak.

People say being a stepmother is hard. These Zhou children did not look easy to get along with either.

Matchmaker Li kept talking about how wonderful Gentryman Zhou was and how obedient the children were, saying that as long as Chun Zhi treated them well, they would be very filial to her.

Gentryman Zhou said: “My wife died in childbirth five years ago, and I have not taken a second wife these years. Now the children are older and cannot be without a mother, so I am looking for a second wife. I know your situation too. Do not worry. If you are willing to marry me, have children if you want, and if you do not, then do not. Spend money when you like. Buy what you want. I have only one request, that you treat my children well.”

Chun Zhi had lived in Linshui Town for ten years and knew that Gentryman Zhou was one of the town’s richest merchants.

If she married him, she would not worry about money.

She was also not someone who would mistreat the first wife’s children.

But when she thought about dealing with the whole Zhou household every day, she felt she did not love money that much after all.

Matchmaker Li added: “Look how generous Gentryman Zhou is.”

Chun Zhi thought for a moment and said softly: “I still need to think.”

Matchmaker Li grew anxious and said: “What is there to think about? Gentryman Zhou is right here. Whether it works or not is up to one word from you.”

Gentryman Zhou, holding his son, told Chun Zhi: “Marriage is a big matter and should be thought through. I am in a hurry, but I will not rush you. Think it over.”

Matchmaker Li wanted to say more, but Matchmaker Zhao came back with Young Master Chu.

Gentryman Zhou nodded in passing, then left first with his son, his two daughters, and the attendants.

Matchmaker Li followed after him, talking nonstop.

Matchmaker Zhao sat down across from Chun Zhi with Young Master Chu.

Young Master Chu looked at Chun Zhi and said slowly: “My surname is Chu, given name Yu, style name Chengyan. Back at Yunfeng Academy, you and I met several times.”

Seeing Chu Cheng Yan, Chun Zhi recognized him at once.

This Young Master Chu wore brocade and was very handsome, with a slightly delicate look.

He had been Lu Jing Yun’s classmate. They studied together at Yunfeng Academy for years. Chun Zhi had seen him several times when she brought food and things to Lu Jing Yun.

She had not expected that… Chu Cheng Yan would want to marry her.

After seeing Chun Zhi, Chu Cheng Yan almost could not look away.

He said: “I have admired you for a long time, Miss Chun Zhi. Before, you were Brother Lu’s child bride, and I could not take another man’s wife. But now…”

Now Lu Jing Yun had married someone else.

So Chun Zhi could marry someone else too.

Chu Cheng Yan had known about Lu Jing Yun marrying the chancellor’s daughter before Chun Zhi. The classmates who went to the capital for the exams had spread the news long ago.

Because he had fallen ill two months ago, Chu Cheng Yan did not go to the capital to take the imperial examinations. After he recovered and heard the news that Lu Jing Yun had married someone else, he immediately asked a matchmaker to propose to Chun Zhi.

Now the two of them sat in the teahouse for a meeting.

Chu Cheng Yan had many things he wanted to say.

But Chun Zhi felt a headache coming on.

She did not want any more ties to Lu Jing Yun. Even if she married, she wanted someone with no connection to him.

Yet this Chu Cheng Yan had been Lu Jing Yun’s classmate. A scholar like him would surely go to the capital for the imperial examinations later.

Chun Zhi really did not want to face another husband passing the exams and marrying someone else.

She took a slow sip of tea and said softly: “Thank you for your regard, Young Master Chu. I am only a tofu seller. I do not expect to be some official’s madam. I just want someone about the same as me to live a steady life with.”

Chu Cheng Yan said: “I am not like Lu Jing Yun.”

He said: “I fell for you at first sight and have liked you for a long time. Whether I pass the exams or not in the future, I will not fail you, Chun Zhi. I can promise you will not find anyone in Linshui Town who likes you more than I do.”

Chun Zhi said: “Feelings like that do not last. I would rather find someone who does not like me that much but is willing to live well with me.”

Chu Cheng Yan had not expected that, and he was speechless for a moment.

Matchmaker Zhao said from the side: “Chun Zhi, you only say this because the top scholar failed you. How can a couple live together without at least some affection…”

The matchmaker went on and on.

Under Chu Cheng Yan’s gaze, Chun Zhi felt restless. She stood first and said: “I have things at home. I will go back now.”

Chu Cheng Yan stood up too and said: “I will walk you back.”

“No need,” said Chun Zhi: “It is not far. I can go by myself.”

Matchmaker Zhao called after her: “Chun Zhi… Chun Zhi, do not go.”

Matchmaker Zhao followed her outside, praising Young Master Chu over and over.

Chun Zhi said: “Matchmaker Zhao, stay here. I will go back and think it through.”

Knowing that pressing her would not work, Matchmaker Zhao fanned herself and said: “All right, go home and think carefully, very carefully.”

Chun Zhi answered with a small hum and went home quickly.

When she pushed open the gate, she saw the man at the stove making a fire. Smoke filled the house and choked the air.

Fanning the air with her sleeve as she walked in, Chun Zhi said: “What are you doing, trying to burn the house down?”

Huo Zheng turned to look at her and said without expression: “Lighting a fire to cook.”

Chun Zhi fell silent.

She had come back late. It was already dark. A single candle burned in the kitchen. The small flame flickered, and the light brushed across the man’s very handsome face.

Looking at him, Chun Zhi suddenly had a bright idea. Getting herself married to a reliable man within three days would be hard. [Why not find someone for a fake marriage? The person in front of me is the best choice.]