Chapter 37: Married Young Woman and Yellow Flower Maiden

  In the seventh year of Xuanhe, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, Xu Wei led his troops to quell the bandits and had been gone for two days. The villagers of Xu's village were eagerly waiting for news, but none had arrived. On this day, the weather was unusually sunny with dense clouds. At noon, thunder rumbled and heavy rain poured down. The entire Xu's village was shrouded in a curtain of rain, with no one in sight. From the west end of the village, two people shared an oil-paper umbrella, walking slowly towards the east end of the village. As they reached the gate of Xu's mansion, they closed the umbrella and turned out to be Xu's groom leading Lang Zhong. Xu Wangshi and Xu Xiuping came out of the mansion and exchanged greetings with Lang Zhong before standing under the eaves, gazing westward.

  "This half-day is always restless, stuffy and anxious, I don't know what's wrong." Xu Wangshi said with a worried heart. Xu Xiuping thought she was just missing her son who was away from home, so she didn't respond. Looking west of the village, she asked anxiously: "Younger sister, when do you think Ninth Brother will come back?"

  Xu Wangshi had been married into the Xu family for some time, and often heard her husband mention military campaigns and battles. She knew that the outcome of war was unpredictable, and victory or defeat could be decided in a single day. Her ninth brother had recruited only over 300 men before setting out to fight, which made her worried. So she comforted him with a few words, then changed the subject to their guests at home.

  Yesterday night, the soldiers under Ninth Brother brought two sedan chairs to Xu's residence, saying that they had rescued a mother and daughter who were encountered by ruffians and temporarily settled them at home. Looking at the mother and daughter, they are not ordinary people, asking about their background, only said that they are people from Tokyo, surnamed He, returning to Qinghe County to visit relatives. Apart from this, nothing else was said. Seeing that it was arranged by Xu Wei, the two of them reported to Grandfather Xu, led them into the guest room to rest, and also provided food, sending someone to find a doctor for treatment.

  "What's the origin of this mother and daughter duo, according to San Jie?" asked Xu Wangshi.

  Xu Xiuping had her brother on her mind and casually said, "No matter where he came from, since Ninth Brother arranged for him to come, we'll take good care of him."

  Xu Wangshi knew that her sister was born into a noble family, and had always been rough around the edges. She thought to herself that she probably hadn't considered things as carefully as she had. After a moment's thought, she asked tentatively: "That woman is quite refined in her speech, so she must either be from an official or a wealthy family. I once tried to sound her out with some words, and it seemed like she wasn't married yet... what do you think?"

  At this time, Xu Xiuping turned around and said in surprise: "You don't think..."

  Xu Wang's face broke into a smile, and she nodded: "Sister, think about it. My little brother used to be mischievous, but now he's sensible and has a good background. Everything is ready, only the marriage is missing. This girl is so lovely, I like her very much. She was rescued by my brother, it's fate. Why not ask about her family background and send someone to propose?" Xu's mother had passed away early, and Xu Wang had raised her little brother, so she should be in charge of this marriage matter.

  Xu Xiuping thought for a moment, and indeed, that woman was born with a beautiful face and figure, even in the entire Xiajin County, there wasn't such an outstanding girl. Since she hadn't married yet, and Ninth Brother had saved her mother and daughter's lives, this was indeed a match made in heaven. Regardless of whether she was from an official or wealthy family, the Xu family was also an official aristocratic family, Father was a fifth-rank retired official, Fourth Brother was appointed to a seventh-rank position due to his father's influence, and Ninth Brother had been granted an eighth-rank position before he even came of age, so it wouldn't be beneath her.

  "I think it's possible, let's wait for Ninth Brother to come back and ask him first."

  Xu Wangshi lost her smile and said: "This marriage is a big deal, it's up to the parents' orders, we just need to report to Grandfather and that's it, why ask him?"

  Two people were chatting and laughing, vaguely seeing a team of horses coming from the east of the village, but they didn't know if Xu Wei had returned. They hurriedly asked the doorman to take an umbrella and rushed over. The villagers of Xujiazhuang heard the commotion and came out one after another to look around, and it was indeed the return of the Jinwei Camp militia. Those who had husbands, sons, or nephews under Xu Wei's command were anxious to come out and search for their relatives one by one. Once they found them, they pulled them towards home, but these soldiers didn't know why and didn't stay, all heading in the direction of the wheat field.

  An old woman saw that her son was injured, and she worried in her heart, wanting to pull him back home. But the son broke free from her grasp and loudly said: "Nowadays, being a soldier and receiving pay is not like being an ordinary citizen; without military orders, I dare not return home!" After speaking, he rejoined his unit, not even looking back.

  Two women from the Xu family came forward, but didn't see any sign of Xu Wei. They were worried and looked around, then saw Zhang Qing riding a horse towards them. Xu Xiuping hastily asked: "Zhang San, where is my husband Xu Jiu?"

  "Xu Sanjie, don't worry! Jingwei camp won a great victory, the commander-in-chief personally escorted the prisoners to Xiajin, and will return today." Zhang Qing loudly replied on horseback. Upon hearing that they had won a great victory, the two of them put their minds at ease, both delighted, and hurried back home to report the news to Grandfather.

  As soon as she walked through the courtyard, she saw Miss He sending Lang Zhong out. Seeing them, she smiled and bowed, with very polite manners. Xu Wangshi and Xu Xiuping liked her even more for being so courteous, and they surrounded her from left to right, chatting about family matters in a flurry of words. At first, Miss He responded politely, but as the two women from the Xu family talked more and more nonsense, how could this young unmarried girl possibly keep up? She excused herself saying that she needed to take care of her mother and hastily retreated.

  Returning to the house, He's mother had already awakened, but was still frightened and her vital energy was weak, so she couldn't get out of bed. Seeing her daughter enter with a face full of shame, she asked in surprise: "Daughter, what's wrong with you?"

  "Xu's sister-in-law and daughter are just joking around, Mother doesn't need to worry." He Gu Niang poured a cup of clear tea and handed it to her mother.

  Her mother's face sank: "This countryside, village women are coarse and unsophisticated, don't talk too much with them."

  He Gu Niang smiled and said: "Mother is worrying too much, those Xu family sisters-in-law are all kind-hearted, with no ill intentions."

  "What do you know? When I'm a bit better, I'll return to Tokyo. At that time, just give this family some silver money and don't make things complicated." Mother He said seriously while taking over the teacup.

  He Gu Niang understood her mother's temperament and readily agreed. Since the other party had kindly taken them in, even if they were to leave, they should still thank the host in person. These rural mountain people, although rough and unsophisticated, were all kind-hearted and simple-minded, unlike those people in Tokyo who were refined on the outside but rotten inside.

  By dusk, she was chatting with her mother when Xu's sister-in-law personally brought over some food and asked about Mrs. He's condition, showing great concern. After thanking her repeatedly, Madam Xu finally smiled and left the door. Supporting her mother off the bed, the two were just about to have dinner when they heard a commotion from the front.

  He Mu was displeased in her heart, put down her bowl and chopsticks and said: "You go take a look, after all you are a country bumpkin who doesn't understand the rules."

  Hei girl opened the door and heard Xu Jia's big sister shouting: "Hurry up! You're all drenched! Quickly change into dry clothes, I've kept dinner for you! What? Have you eaten with Huang Zhixian?" It was probably Xu Jiuzhen who had returned from fighting bandits, but it was unknown whether he won or lost.

  Just then, Xu Jiu appeared before her eyes. His whole body was drenched, with one footstep at a time, his hair stuck to his face, and that clearly outlined face seemed even whiter after being washed by the rain. Hei Gong Nang looked at him and felt inexplicably flustered in her heart, and she quickly closed the door.

  ....................

  The second update is here!