Chapter 332: Persuading Her to Marry
Editor: Atlas Studios
With a slight frown, Shu Wanniang asked, “Xiuhong said that you gave Haoran a leather jacket as a Winter Solstice gift. Was that not right?”
“Yeah I did.” Mu Yangling nodded and said, “I did give Qi Haoran a leather jacket as a gift, but what does this have to do with our marriage?”
Shu Wanniang’s mouth fell open, not understanding why her daughter was oblivious to this matter. Could it be because she hadn’t hinted at it before?
However, there was no need for a mother to say such things explicitly. Wouldn’t the girls know when they got together and chatted about it?
Oh, right. Her daughter didn’t have any best friends. Other than Xiuhong and Xiulan, no other girl was especially close to her. Clearly, Xiuhong definitely hadn’t discussed this with Mu Yangling, but who would have known that she was in the dark about this custom?
Everyone clearly knew about it, right?
Shu Wanniang said with a headache, “Silly child, why did you have to give him a Winter Solstice gift of all times? When young men and women give each other Winter Solstice gifts, it means that they’re agreeing to get married.”
In the north, they only had free time when winter came. It was fine for rich families, who usually took three to four years from raising the matter of marriage to finally getting married. They started to talk about marriage at the age of 12, settled their marriage before the age of 15, and could get married at the age of 16. However, most families could complete the entire process in a month or two.
Many marriages were held in winter. This way, the new wife could rest for half a winter after entering the family and could work in the fields after spring.
As for her maternal family, they would have one fewer mouth to feed in addition to receiving a betrothal gift. Thus they would have an easier time in the new year by marrying off their daughter in the winter. Therefore, the Winter Solstice gave unmarried men and women the opportunity to get to know each other. At first, it was only popular in the countryside. Later on, small families in the city began to join in. In the end, some squires and aristocratic families also joined in. Of course, they would not be as explicit as ordinary people.
Instead, they invited a few familiar families to hold a “cold-relief gathering”. The madam of the family would bring together the young ladies to have fun. Those who had unmarried daughters would be observed by the family head’s wife. If a girl caught the madam’s eye, the latter would hint to them by requesting the young lady to draw a ‘cold-relief painting’ personally. If the other party was also satisfied with this marriage proposal, the woman’s mother would agree on their behalf and send a “cold-relief painting” over in a few days. If they were not satisfied, they would use the excuse that the child’s skills were poor or that she was still too young to draw well. Everyone naturally had a tacit understanding.
Although the process of expression was different, the methods were similar.
If the man took a fancy to a girl, he would ask her to give him a Winter Solstice gift. The gift itself didn’t matter, and it counted even if it was a piece of withered grass that the girl casually plucked by the roadside.
If the girl didn’t agree, she would find an excuse to reject him. That way, both parties would know each other’s intentions.
Although Qi Haoran had only been in Xingzhou Prefecture for three years, he obviously knew about this custom, so he’d directly asked Mu Yangling for a Winter Solstice gift.
To think Mu Yangling was oblivious about this well-known custom and gave it away without knowing what was going on. In fact, she even gave him a handmade leather jacket. Qi Haoran was probably laughing in glee now.
Shu Wanniang asked carefully, “Ah Ling, actually, Haoran is not bad. I don’t think General Qi would have any objections. Why don’t we just play along with this mistake?”
Mu Yangling’s face turned red. “Mother, how can I do that?”
“Then tell me, who else do you want to marry other than Haoran?” Shu Wanniang looked at her daughter seriously and said, “It’s not difficult to annul this marriage. Since the two of you haven’t received permission from the adults, I can always be thick-skinned and help you ask him to return the gift. But you have to think carefully. Once I do so, it’ll be impossible for you and Haoran in the future.”
Seeing her daughter lower her eyes, Shu Wanniang sighed and said, “It’s not that I only have my eyes on him, but out of so many people you know, only Haoran and Zijin are the most suitable. Not to mention you, even I don’t think highly of the others. Besides, with your strong personality, are you willing to stay in the backyard and take care of your in-laws after marriage? Other than Haoran, who can tolerate your aspirations?”
“Even Zijin, who is usually all smiles, will not allow it. So, child, I really feel that Haoran is not bad.”
But she couldn’t lie to him.
Mu Yangling felt that this would be the greatest unfairness to Qi Haoran.
“Mother, this is unfair to Qi Haoran.”
Shu Wanniang didn’t understand why this was unfair to Qi Haoran.
“He likes me, but I don’t like him as a man yet. It’s not fair to him romantically.”
Shu Wanniang laughed and said, “Silly child, feelings can be nurtured. If you don’t give it a try, how do you know that you won’t like him?”
Shu Wanniang patted her daughter’s hand lovingly and said, “Women are indeed the happiest to be able to marry someone who loves them and loves them. Otherwise, marrying someone who loves them is also a good choice. The reason why I agree to this marriage is because Haoran is a magnanimous child. Although he’s usually carefree, he actually knows what he’s doing. It’s the greatest blessing that he can tolerate you doing what you like. If it were anyone else, do you think your husband would still be willing to let you do whatever you want after you get married?”
Mu Yangling fell silent.
There was some gentleness in Shu Wanniang’s eyes. She looked out of the window and said softly, “Child, do give this a shot. Perhaps you’ll find this marriage very suitable?”
“In terms of compatibility and plausibility, your father and I are the most impossible match. Before I was 15 years old, who would have thought that I would marry your father? I was a rich young lady, and he’s just a hunter in the mountains. In the past, I wouldn’t have taken another look at him. When I was first saved by your father, I felt that it was better to die just like that. However, your father took care of me for a year. He’s upright, kind, and gentle. He took care of me so well. Even if he’s a boor in the eyes of outsiders, I’m still happy. I’m very glad that I gave myself time at that time. All these years, I think that no one in this world has been more blissful than me.”
“It was also because I married your father that I had you, Bowen, Bosi, and Kejia. No matter how bitter the subsequent days were, I felt that there was a sweetness to them. Therefore, child, you should try to accept Haoran and give him a chance. You’d also be giving yourself a chance.”
Feeling gossipy, Mu Yangling asked, “Mother, now that Father only comes back a few times a year, do you regret it now? Are you angry?”
Shu Wanniang shook her head. “I just feel sorry for your father. Other than the days when he comes home, when has he ever felt at ease? Out of 365 days a year, he spends 300 days in fear. In fact, I hate myself for being useless and unable to share his burden.”
The door was suddenly pushed open, startling the two of them. Shu Wanniang looked up and met her husband’s shining eyes. At first, she was ecstatic, then she was so embarrassed that her face turned red. She didn’t know how much her husband had heard from the door.
Mu Shi looked at his wife with bright eyes. Seeing that even her neck was burning red, a smile flashed across his eyes. Only then did he force himself to look away and fix his gaze on his daughter.
Mu Yangling had already stood up and was about to sneak out. Seeing her father looking over, she hurriedly said, “Father, Mother is sick. Talk to her first while I boil some water and do the cooking.”