Chapter 45: The Unexpected

“Brother Zhang, I hope you will agree, so that the Zhang and Liu families may henceforth be joined in harmonious union,” Old Liu said to Zhang Buliang.

At that moment, Liu Yitiao noticed the curtain of the inner chamber stir slightly, and two bright, flawless eyes peered out, furtively observing the guests in the hall. When their gaze met Liu Yitiao’s, the eyes quickly withdrew, shyly retreating behind the curtain.

It was Zhang Chuchu. Liu Yitiao smiled inwardly, imagining the scene of a young maiden, quietly spying through the gap in the curtain at her future husband. It seemed Zhang Chuchu, too, was unwilling to marry a man she had never met.

Regarding the betrothal, Liu Yitiao said not a word, for it was not his place to speak. In ancient times, marriage arrangements were always decided by the parents. Today, Liu Yitiao was merely present as a formality, a display for the Zhang family—and, of course, for Zhang Chuchu behind the curtain.

Zhang Buliang sipped his tea and spoke with a hint of apology, “Brother Liu, I wholeheartedly approve of the marriage between our families. However, whether we accept your betrothal gifts depends on how talented your son proves to be.”

He smiled bitterly. “To be frank, Brother Liu, my daughter is headstrong. She once studied poetry and literature alongside my son, and now considers herself learned, so she holds ordinary men in little regard. When she turned fourteen, she made a solemn vow: that she would marry no man whose talents were less than her own, nor any without scholarly merit. If forced, she would rather die than submit. Knowing her resolute nature, I dare not compel her, and so her marriage has been delayed until today.”

Surprised, Liu Yitiao wondered why he had never heard of such a thing before. No wonder Aunt San had said marrying a daughter of the Zhang family would not be easy—so this was the reason. Old Liu was dumbstruck for a long moment before he asked, “Brother Zhang, though Sanyuan County is small, it has no shortage of learned men; talented young scholars abound. In the past two years, has not a single one surpassed your daughter in learning?”

Zhang Buliang shook his head. “Even my son, Chuwen, admits he’s not as talented as his sister, let alone the sons of other families. To be honest, Brother Liu, before your arrival, thirty-two families have already brought betrothal gifts. Yet all left disappointed.”

“Such an extraordinary thing, and no one has heard of it?” Old Liu glanced at Liu Yitiao. He knew Liu Yitiao possessed some scholarly talent, but how could he compare to the gifted scholars of Sanyuan County, especially to the accomplished Chuwen, who had already passed the provincial exam?

“These scholars are proud; naturally, they wouldn’t speak of such matters themselves. And we Zhangs must protect my daughter’s reputation, so we’ve never disclosed it. Frankly, if word got out, who would dare propose? Would our daughter ever marry?”

He cast another glance at the eyes peeking from behind the curtain, and Liu Yitiao began to weigh his options. Wasn’t this just like the scenes in television dramas, where a talented woman sets riddles to choose her husband? Rising from his chair, Liu Yitiao saluted Zhang Buliang and asked, “Uncle Zhang, may I ask how Miss Zhang determines whether a suitor’s learning surpasses her own?”

“Please, sit, nephew Liu,” Zhang Buliang said with a smile, gesturing for Liu Yitiao to resume his seat. “My daughter sets three questions for each suitor who brings betrothal gifts. If he answers all correctly, he may become her husband. In these past two years, not one has solved even a single question. Nephew Liu, you had best prepare yourself.”

Liu Yitiao smiled unconcernedly. “Thank you for your concern, Uncle Zhang. I will do my best.” Turning toward the inner chamber, he called out loudly, “Then, Miss Chuchu, please present your questions.”

The curtain swayed, though there was no wind; Liu Yitiao knew Zhang Chuchu had entered.

Soon, a delicate white hand extended a sheet of paper. Zhang Chuwen stepped forward and took it, then handed it to Liu Yitiao.

Accepting the paper, Liu Yitiao saw a line of elegant small script written vertically: “First question: What is gained because of the lotus?”

“A pun?” Liu Yitiao frowned, recalling a couplet he’d seen before: “The lotus seed is bitter at heart, the pear is hollow within.” It was written by a father facing execution for his son; a punning couplet, where ‘lotus’ and ‘pity,’ ‘pear’ and ‘part,’ ‘belly’ and ‘father’ are homophones. Read through, it becomes: “Pity the child’s bitter heart, part the son from his father’s hollow within.”

Examining the question: What is gained because of the lotus? Clearly, ‘lotus’ and ‘why,’ ‘root’ and ‘partner’ are homophones. She was asking him: Liu Yitiao, why do you deserve a partner? What clever wit, what commanding tone! No wonder so many were stumped.

Liu Yitiao began to take an interest in this Zhang Chuchu. First, she had the courage to choose her own husband in an era when men reigned supreme; second, she posed such odd and challenging questions. This woman was remarkable.

He requested brush and ink from Zhang Chuwen, closed his eyes to ponder for a moment, and swiftly wrote beneath the question: “If there are apricots, there’s no need for plums!” Then he handed it to Zhang Chuwen to deliver inside.

Zhang Chuwen had also been pondering his sister’s strange question, wondering what it meant and how he would answer if he were Liu Yitiao. When Liu Yitiao handed him the paper, he was startled—so quick an answer?

He took the sheet and read aloud, “What is gained because of the lotus? If there are apricots, there’s no need for plums!” He recited it several times before suddenly understanding. He paused, turned, and bowed respectfully to Liu Yitiao. “Sir Liu, you are truly talented. Please accept my salute!”

“Ah—” Liu Yitiao hurriedly stepped aside. “Brother Chuwen, what do you mean? I hardly deserve such honor.”

Zhang Chuwen straightened, admiration shining in his eyes. “Sir Liu, to discern the hidden meaning in this question so swiftly, and to answer so aptly—I am genuinely impressed. You are worthy of my respect.”

“Brother—!” A clear, melodious voice called from within the chamber, as sweet as an oriole singing in a valley, as pure as spring water cascading over jade. It was delightful to hear.

“Oh!” Zhang Chuwen clapped his forehead, remembering his task. He picked up Liu Yitiao’s answer and walked toward the inner chamber, calling, “Don’t worry, little sister, I’m bringing it to you now!”

The curtain trembled, as if rebuking Zhang Chuwen for his bluntness.

He handed the paper inside. For a long while, there was no response from within; whether the answer was accepted was unclear. Seeing Liu Yitiao stand calmly, utterly unperturbed, Zhang Chuwen was once again filled with admiration.

After about half an hour, there was finally movement behind the curtain. That snowy white hand appeared again.

The sweet, clear voice called out once more from behind the curtain, “Second question—Sir Liu, please take a look.”