Chapter 23

Zhao Wanwan was arranging the dishes and, surprised by what she heard, glanced at Li Fu, then looked beseechingly at Li Qinghe before lowering her head, upset.
Li Qinghe pretended not to see and went out to carry the food. If she herself didn't refuse, who else would stand up for her?
Except Li Fu!
As she left, she heard Li Fu, displeased, say, "Wanwan is about to be betrothed, do you want the Hu family to see her all dirty and ragged? Fine, if you won't do it, I'll handle it myself."
Li Qinghe went to the kitchen and took up some steamed buns. Before she could step inside she heard Madam Qian's voice, "Why not ask the Zhous?"
Ask them? What for!
Li Qinghe was instantly annoyed. Even if Zhou Chengkang was willing to help, that was his choice, what business was it of theirs to go ask? She lifted the curtain and stepped in. "I don't see Aunt Qian as that inconvenienced. There are plenty of farmwives, sometimes people have troubles, but when the harvest comes can they just refuse to work?"
Madam Qian, cornered, went pale. In front of Li Fu she always acted meek and yielding; she lowered her head and stopped speaking.
"Don't ask," Li Fu said as he picked up a bun. "Ask what? If the Zhous were sincere, they'd come themselves."
The implication was clear: Zhou Chengkang should be the one to come and help in the fields.
Li Qinghe said nothing. After a moment she sat down and asked, "Didn't the Hu family say they'd come to propose? Why haven't they arrived? After a proposal they should still come to help with the work."
Li Fu sounded irritated. "Why push them? They'll come when they come."
The next morning the village was already in the grip of the harvest; it was noisy outside from dawn. Li Qinghe went out to feed the fish and passed many people carrying bundles of wheat. She also saw Zhou Chengwu, though he wasn't working for his own family, he was helping the Li Qingmiao household. Mrs. Qingmiao bustled about delivering water in high spirits, greeting everyone: "Finally someone gave us a hand this year, my husband and I can relax a bit. You don't know what it's like in past years..." and on and on, she was positively delighted.
The Zhous were harvesting too, but only Mrs. Zhou and Zhou Chengkang were working; his sister, thirteen this year and already of marriageable age, stayed home and handled the housework.
Maybe catching the mood from others, by the afternoon Li Fu had shouldered a sickle and gone to the fields. Madam Qian truly did not go. That left three people at home waiting for meals while Li Fu worked alone under the sun.
The afternoon sun was fierce, baking everything. Madam Qian made tea and instructed, "Wanwan, take some water to your father."
Zhao Wanwan looked at the sun. "Mother, my clothes haven't finished washing yet."
Li Qinghe was mending clothes inside. Hearing that, she went out. "I'll go."
Ignoring the surprised mother and daughter, she took the kettle and left. She knew her family's field well; a quarter-hour's walk beyond the village she could already see Li Fu bent over cutting the wheat alone. He looked up as she approached. "What are you doing here?"
Li Qinghe lifted the water jar. "Bringing you water." She poured a bowl for him. "Take a rest for a bit."
Li Fu moved to sit in the shade of a nearby tree. After drinking two bowls he handed the bowl back. "It's hot out, go back early."
Li Qinghe took the bowl and stared out at the rolling waves of wheat. There was so much to do; she couldn't imagine how long it would take a single person to finish. Besides, with the good weather these past days this was precisely the time to bring the grain home, thresh it, and dry it in the sun. If you brought it in and it didn't dry before the rain, it would rot, mess up once and the whole year's work could be lost.
She couldn't hold back and asked, "Why didn't you have Aunt Qian come?"
"She used to come every year. She couldn't do much, but she said she wanted to keep me company." Li Fu bent over and started working. "Maybe she's really unwell this year."
Li Qinghe fell silent; they suddenly started exchanging domestic affection, exactly the kind of thing she didn't relish hearing. Li Fu called again, "Hurry back."
The sun was too hot; the field gave off a dry, baking heat that made you wilt. Li Qinghe didn't press it. In the life she had lived before she was dismissed in town and married soon after; she'd helped the Xu family harvest once or twice. The Xus had many people and a lot of household work, which kept her busy enough, she had never properly worked a whole day out in the fields.
On the way back she met Mrs. Zhou, who was leaning by the roadside with a heavy bundle of wheat across her shoulder to rest. Having already been betrothed, Mrs. Zhou treated her more warmly now. Seeing her approach, she smiled and said, "Qinghe, in this blazing sun, where are you off to?"
Li Qinghe managed a small smile. "I'm bringing my father some water; I'll be back in a moment."
Mrs. Zhou looked apologetic. "We have a lot going on at home. Fourth brother probably won't be able to come help for a couple of days."
Back when the Zhou family had plenty of strong laborers, they were among the first in the village to finish harvesting. This year, it seemed, that wouldn't be the case.
Li Qinghe smiled and declined. When she got home she found guests had arrived. Madam Qian was busy entertaining them; catching sight of her at the door, she called, "Qinghe is back, run and fetch your father. We have important guests."
Important guests?
Li Qinghe glanced over and saw a woman in a satin dress standing composedly in the main room. Beside her stood a thin young man, the mother and son from the Hu family.
The matchmaker wasn't there; this was the kind of visit meant to discuss marriage. Li Qinghe nodded and went to fetch Li Fu, stopping by the pond to feed the fish on the way.
When she returned from feeding the fish, the house had already been set with food and the tableful of people were eating. She glanced in, didn't go inside, and went straight back to her room.
From next door a gentle voice said slowly, "My Yanxi, the scholar speaks highly of him, will sit the exams next year. Actually, lately many families in town have been sending people to woo us. Those girls, compared to Wanwan... if it weren't for the promise we made with you earlier, scholars care about honor, maybe we wouldn't have come at all."
Li Qinghe continued cutting cloth; hearing this, she was a little surprised.
When two families arrange a marriage, it's usually with goodwill, if one side didn't want it, they simply wouldn't come. For them to speak in a way that subtly belittled the girl made the whole thing feel lacking in earnest intent.
"Wanwan is perfectly fine," Madam Qian's voice said. "From a child I've taught her to wash and cook; she's handy both inside and out, no worse than anyone else."
Li Qinghe had no words, but it was true, in these times, a girl's ability to work was a major asset in matchmaking. Still, hearing it now felt off.
Madam Qian went on, "Better to settle this marriage soon. Wanwan is my only daughter; once she has a home I'll be at ease."