Raine: Hello hello!!! I was randomly checking my Favorites list on NovelUpdates and found that this has been dropped, so I’ve decided to pick up this novel hehe~ It’s been a while since I last worked on something with an ancient setting, so I’m excited~ Also, you might need to adjust for a while because of the differences in translation styles😅 Thank you for your patience. One thing to note, I’ll be using “Shuang’er” instead of “Bios” because I personally prefer it lol. There will be a lot more changes due to personal preferences hehe.
I’m also going back to translate the earlier chapters and host it on my website, just to make the whole reading experience smoother. That said, I won’t be overwriting the previous translator’s work. I really respect and appreciate what they’ve done. My version will just be there as a supplement in case you’d like to read the earlier chapters in my TL style.
Anyway, hope you enjoy my translation, and thank you so much for your support! 💕
You can check out my other translation projects here~
Edit 21-June-2025
Raine: I’ve finally finished translating all the earlier chapters! If you’d like to read them in my translation style, you can check them out here.
If you’re enjoying the story, feel free to leave a comment, it really means a lot!
To preserve both clarity and cultural nuance, I follow this convention throughout the translation:
- In narration, kinship and honorifics like dàgē or dìdi are translated (e.g., Eldest Brother, Younger Brother) so the meaning is clear at a glance.
- In dialogue, when used as a direct address, they are transliterated (e.g., Da-ge, Didi) to retain the original tone, intimacy, and cultural context.
This is more of a general rule. There will be exceptions based on the flow of narration/dialogue, context, and other stuff.
“Lu Chengyu is getting married?” Lu Lin asked with some surprise.
Chen Xiaocai nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard.”
Chen Xiaomi thought to himself: Lu Lin is really slow about these things. He even needs Xiaocai to tell him such news.
Lu Chengyu and the original Lu Lin were born one after another, with Lu Chengyu being born about ten days earlier. Although it was only a difference of ten days, the treatment between the two was worlds apart. Lu Chengyu, the eldest grandson, was the apple of the Lu family elders’ eyes, while Lu Lin might as well have been picked up off the street.
“Speaking of which, didn’t he pay the head tax last year?” Lu Lin asked with a hint of schadenfreude.
Chen Xiaomi nodded. “Seems like it.”
Lu Chengyu was slightly older than Lu Lin. If Lu Lin hadn’t married into the Chen family last year, he would have had to pay the tax too.
When Chen Xiaomi originally arranged for Lu Lin to marry into his family, he had also learned about the Lu family’s situation. Lu Chengyu had extremely high standards. He considered himself a scholar and a talent recognized by the academy teachers, so he looked down on country girls from the village. However, the good young women from town also looked down on Lu Chengyu’s rural background. Being a Tongsheng student was quite prestigious in the countryside, but in the eyes of townspeople, only a Xiucai scholar held real prestige. They could meet officials without kneeling, and if their family owned land, they could be exempted from taxes on twenty mu[mfn]Mu (亩) – A traditional Chinese unit of land measurement. One mu is approximately 0.165 acres or 666.67 square meters. Land taxes, farming yields, and property sizes were often measured in mu.[/mfn] of land. The tax on twenty mu was a significant amount of money.
Tang had originally planned to wait until Lu Chengyu became a Xiucai before arranging his marriage, when they could be more selective. A Tongsheng status was still considered somewhat inferior.
Previously, when the authorities came to collect taxes, Tang had considered finding someone quickly for Lu Chengyu. If necessary, they could settle for someone temporarily, and replace her later when her son achieved higher academic status.
With Tang’s intention to find Lu Chengyu a wife, many matchmakers were quite enthusiastic. The Lu family was well-off, and Lu Chengyu was a Tongsheng. If not for the urgent need to avoid the tax, they wouldn’t have been in such a rush to find a bride.
The matchmakers introduced quite a few prospects to Lu Chengyu. At his age, he was somewhat eager for marriage, At first, he was enthusiastic when matchmakers came. However, after seeing that they were only introducing unremarkable country girls to him, he lost his interest.
Lu Chengyu felt that these matchmakers thought that he was desperate to get married to avoid the tax, and were taking advantage by deliberately introducing all sorts of undesirable candidates to him.
As a result, Lu Chengyu became very resistant to the idea of marriage.
Tang had no choice but to pay the three taels of silver as Lu Chengyu’s head tax. A few days ago, during the spring examination, Lu Chengyu failed to pass the Xiucai exam again. Passing the Xiucai exam required luck as well. Many people remained old Tongsheng students even after taking the exam five or six times. Now, he would have to wait another year.
With Lu Chengyu failing again, Tang felt they couldn’t delay the marriage any longer. If necessary, they would find someone with slightly inferior conditions just to make do for now. He could continue taking the exams. Eventually, there would come a day when his name would appear on the Golden List[mfn]The term “金榜” (jīn bǎng), or “Golden List,” is the announcement of successful candidates in the imperial examinations. To have one’s name inscribed on the Golden List (“金榜题名” – jīn bǎng tí míng) was the ultimate goal for scholars, signifying success and the promise of a prestigious future. It is not really gold, it just uses the symbolism of gold to show the importance and prestige of passing these examinations.[/mfn].
Several people in the village studied, and all of them failed the Xiucai exam this time.
“Passing the Xiucai exam is really difficult!” Chen Xiaomi exclaimed.
Lu Lin smiled and said, “Yes, it is.”
If the Xiucai exam weren’t difficult, Xiucai scholars wouldn’t be so respected. Although they were all scholars, students from certain noble families had far greater advantages. Not only did they have knowledgeable tutors teaching them, but they also had financial backing, allowing them to focus solely on studying without worrying about anything else.
Lu Lin stroked his chin with interest and asked, “Now that Lu Chengyu is getting married, do you know who he’s marrying?”
Chen Xiaocai frowned and said, “I heard it’s a daughter from a high-ranking official’s family in the county.”
After failing the exams, Lu Chengyu had become the subject of ridicule among village women.
Now that Lu Chengyu was engaged to the daughter of a high-ranking official from town, Tang was putting on airs again.
“High-ranking official?” Lu Lin frowned. The term “high-ranking official” was probably an exaggeration. If it really was a high-ranking official’s family, he should inquire about it and make early preparations.
Since marrying into the Chen family, Lu Lin had occasionally run into Lu Chengyu twice. Each time, Lu Chengyu’s attitude was cold. He even warned him to behave himself and not to act arrogantly just because he followed that troublemaker Chen Xiaomi.
Chen Xiaomi glanced at Lu Lin and said, “It’s probably just a rumor.”
If Lu Chengyu had become a Xiucai, there might have been a possibility of marrying a high-ranking official’s relative. But now he was just a Tongsheng student. Besides, when the head tax policy was implemented last year, those with better conditions had mostly already found partners.
Lu Lin propped his chin with his hand and said, “In a few days, the last batch of sweet potato wine should be ready. When we deliver it to town, let’s ask Manager Wang directly.” Many people discussed business in restaurants, so restaurant staff usually had access to reliable information.
Chen Xiaomi nodded. “Okay.”
A few days later, when Lu Lin and Chen Xiaomi went to town to deliver wine, they took the opportunity to ask around.
“Li Fangyue?” Manager Wang was surprised by Lu Lin’s question.
Lu Lin nodded. “Yes, I heard this Li Fangyue is the daughter of the chief clerk[mfn]主簿 (zhǔ bù) was a relatively common low-to-mid-ranking official title in various levels of government in ancient China. Its specific duties could vary depending on the dynasty and the specific department or office. However, some common responsibilities included:
• Managing documents and records: This was a core function.
• Assisting higher-ranking officials: They often served as secretaries or administrative assistants.
• Handling routine administrative tasks: This could involve things like correspondence, logistics, and minor legal matters.
[/mfn].”
Manager Wang smiled. “How did that rumor get started?” It was completely mixed up. Li Fangyue was indeed related to the chief clerk’s family, but not in that way. Li Fangyue was the third daughter of the Li family. She had an older sister who had married the chief clerk, making him Li Fangyue’s brother-in-law. However, that sister was actually only a concubine.
Even though she was just a concubine, the Li family always referred to Li Ru as the chief clerk’s wife.
Li Ru was quite pretty and reportedly much favored by the chief clerk. Outsiders who didn’t know the inside story only knew that the Li family’s eldest daughter had married the chief clerk. Manager Wang, with his many connections, was clearer about the true situation. “The Li family’s eldest daughter is beautiful, but this third daughter’s appearance is much more ordinary.”
After getting the basic information from Manager Wang, Lu Lin felt much more at ease.
Chen Xiaomi, who was sitting in the cart, said, “Although it’s quite different from being the chief clerk’s daughter, there’s still some connection. If Lu Chengyu marries Li Fangyue, the chief clerk would become their brother-in-law.”
Lu Lin narrowed his eyes and said, “It’s just a concubine.”
There was a significant difference between a wife and a concubine. Children born of concubines had no inheritance rights. However, if Li Ru were elevated to the status of an equal wife, that would be different.
Chen Xiaomi tilted his head and said, “When matchmakers introduce marriages, they always emphasize the good points. They probably wouldn’t mention that Li Ru is a concubine.”
Chen Xiaomi and Lu Lin later inquired further and found that ordinary town residents weren’t very clear about Li Ru’s situation either. Such private household matters were difficult to uncover unless one deliberately investigated. Moreover, whenever Li Ru returned to the Li family, she always brought many gifts and appeared quite prestigious.
“Xiaocai told me that your grandmother has been complaining at home about the examinations being unfair. She claims that those rich young masters in town bribed the examiners, which is why her genius grandson failed to become a Xiucai, while those good-for-nothing rich young masters passed.”
Lu Lin doubted the old woman had come up with that herself. It probably came from Lu Chengyu, and she simply believed them. As for favoritism and corruption, there was indeed a possibility, but it was just as likely Lu Chengyu simply wasn’t good enough.
Lu Lin inherited the original owner’s memories and had a deep impression of Lu Chengyu. In the original owner’s memory, his cousin was very talented in studies and had extremely high standards.
“Since Manager Wang said Li Fangyue’s appearance is ordinary, she must really not look very good.”
“Lu Chengyu’s interest in Li Fangyue must be because of the connections behind her.”
“Lu Chengyu’s matter is pretty much settled, and next it will be Lu Tong’s turn to get married.”
Lu Chengyu was already overage, and Lu Tong had also reached the age where she would be taxed. That girl had originally wanted to wait until Lu Chengyu achieved academic success, but given the current situation, she probably couldn’t wait any longer.
The Lu family would likely be celebrating multiple happy events soon, but these matters shouldn’t have much to do with him, since he already married out of the family.
At the Chen family home.
“Grandson, that Wang woman’s tail is practically reaching the sky. Did you see how she was strutting around?” Li complained to Chen Jing with displeasure.
Grandma Chen and Grandma Lu had previously had a big argument, establishing a grudge between them.
Earlier in the year, Chen Jing had passed the Tongsheng exam, while Lu Chengyu had failed to become a Xiucai, which had made the Grandma Chen extremely proud.
Now that Wang had arranged Lu Chengyu’s marriage to Li Fangyue, that old woman was showing off again, believing that with such a marriage connection, acting as if her grandson’s path to becoming a Xiucai was all but guaranteed.
Seeing Wang’s arrogance, Li naturally felt uncomfortable.
Chen Jing glanced at his grandmother and said, “Grandma, don’t listen to that old hag. I used to think highly of Lu Chengyu, but it turns out he’s just looking to climb the social ladder through marriage.”
Although Chen Jing said this, he still felt somewhat jealous inside.
What scholar didn’t hope for success in the imperial examinations and advancement in official ranks? However, Chen Jing knew his academic abilities weren’t strong, so he dared not hope for too much.
“Grandson, what is this Li Fangyue really like?”
Chen Jing replied somewhat awkwardly, “I’ve heard she has some connection to the chief clerk, but she’s very plain-looking.”
Grandma Chen felt uncomfortable hearing this. In her view, looks were secondary. If one could truly establish a connection with the county magistrate through this marriage and become a Xiucai, that would be quite good.
Chen Jing married Zhang Yuehong a few years ago. She was quite pretty but wasn’t very good at housework. Whenever the old woman criticized her, Zhang Yuehong would cry to Chen Jing. Grandma Chen had long since given up trying to discipline her.
“So she really is an official’s daughter?” The old woman felt somewhat uneasy, feeling overshadowed.
Chen Jing smiled and said, “Taking the imperial examinations still depends on one’s own abilities. Even with connections to the county magistrate, it might not necessarily help.”
The old lady sighed and said, “Having connections is always better than having none!”
Chen Jing lowered his head, unable to express his feelings at the moment.
“I wonder what kind of family the Lu family is looking for to marry Lu Tong. That girl’s too picky. No one in our village would meet her standards,” Grandma Chen sneered.
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Ahhh…thank you for picking up this story🙇🙇🙇