Chapter 46: I Also Have a Question

“This is the second question. Please take a look, Young Master Liu.”

Taking the answer sheet Zhang Chuwen handed him, Liu Yitiao saw that it read: “Yesterday, I heard that the neighbors were dividing silver, though I do not know how much silver or how many people there were. I only know that if each person took seven taels, there would be seven taels too few; if each took half a catty, there would be half a catty too much. Pray tell, Young Master Liu, for how many people was how much silver divided?”

“Mathematics?” Liu Yitiao was a bit surprised. How could anyone study such an obscure subject? Compared to the elegance of poetry and song, this was a marginal field; even the most talented scholars of the age might not be proficient in it. And yet, how could a young lady be so interested in such things?

Looking at the question, he saw it was nothing more than a system of two equations with two unknowns, a problem already mentioned in the “Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art” as far back as the Warring States period. It was hardly a challenge.

Liu Yitiao picked up his brush, let x and y be the unknowns, set up the equations, and quickly solved them to find that six people were dividing thirty-five taels of silver. He handed the paper to Zhang Chuwen and said, “Thank you, Brother Chuwen.”

Zhang Chuwen glanced over it and then passed it inside. He knew little of mathematics himself and could not make sense of it even if he tried. What astonished him was Liu Yitiao’s speed in answering. Zhang Chuchu had posed mathematical questions to others before, but never had anyone answered so quickly. Many simply left upon seeing the questions.

After receiving the answer, Zhang Chuchu gave no response for quite some time. Liu Yitiao knew she must not understand the equations he’d written and was too embarrassed to ask, hence her delay in presenting the next question.

Liu Yitiao sat back leisurely, sipping the tea from the table, with no intention of explaining. As a man from the modern age, he had some notions of equality between men and women, yet being tested repeatedly by a woman still left him somewhat uncomfortable.

In the end, Zhang Chuchu did not ask but instead presented him with another mathematical problem, perhaps hoping to discern his peculiar method of calculation.

Liu Yitiao took the paper and read: “In the household are: three bundles of top-grade grain, two bundles of middle-grade, and one bundle of low-grade, totaling thirty-nine dou; two bundles of top-grade, three of middle-grade, and one of low-grade, totaling thirty-four dou; one bundle of top-grade, two of middle-grade, and three of low-grade, totaling twenty-six dou. Pray tell, Young Master Liu, how many dou is each bundle of top, middle, and low-grade grain?”

From two variables to three, it appeared more complex, but in truth, the difficulty had barely changed—only the introduction of a third unknown, z. Smiling, Liu Yitiao wrote out the three equations, manipulated the coefficients, eliminated variables through addition and subtraction, and presented the results.

This time, the person behind the curtain responded promptly. The curtain was lifted, and Madam Zhang emerged, smiling as she gazed at Liu Yitiao. She nodded at Zhang Buliang—three questions, all correct. After waiting so long, someone had finally passed.

Liu Yitiao saw the woman step out and, knowing she was Zhang Chuwen’s mother, rose to offer a respectful greeting. “Your nephew, Liu Yitiao, greets Aunt.”

“Good, good,” Madam Zhang beamed, her eyes narrowed in delight as she looked at Liu Yitiao. “You are too polite, dear nephew. Please, be seated.” She then turned to Liu Laoshi. “In-law, you have raised a fine son.”

“In-law?” At this address, Old Liu burst into laughter, realizing the matter was settled. He stood and said, “What of the betrothal gifts? And the wedding date?”

“We shall, of course, accept the betrothal gifts. As for the wedding, we can discuss it,” Zhang Buliang replied with a smile, also rising. “From this day, the Zhang and Liu families are one.”

“Wait!” Liu Yitiao interjected. “I have a question as well!” He stood, approached Zhang Buliang, and bowed deeply. “Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, you may keep the betrothal gifts, but there is no need to rush the wedding. If Miss Chuchu wishes to enter the Liu household, she must also answer a question of mine.”

“Uh…?” The four present looked at each other, clearly not expecting this move. Old Liu’s face darkened, though he did not lose his temper. On one hand, he wished to let his son save face; on the other, seeing him tested repeatedly by a woman had left him somewhat vexed. Such a daughter-in-law might be unpredictable—perhaps it was for the best to let his son humble her a bit.

The Zhang family, however, was quite embarrassed, unsure how to respond.

Liu Yitiao cupped his hands to Zhang Chuwen. “Brother Chuwen, may I trouble you for another sheet of paper?”

Zhang Chuwen hesitated. “Yitiao, my good brother, this…”

“Brother, please let Young Master Liu pose his question!” Zhang Chuchu’s voice called out again from the inner room. She sounded confident, but Liu Yitiao could tell she was gritting her teeth as she spoke.

Was she angry?

A faint, wry smile played on Liu Yitiao’s lips.

When Zhang Chuwen brought out the paper, Liu Yitiao took up his brush without hesitation and called toward the inner chamber, “The Lantern Festival is approaching in a few days. I shall write a riddle here!”

He wrote only two characters on the page.

Liu Yitiao laid down his brush, lightly blew on the paper, and handed it to Zhang Chuwen. “When Miss Chuchu has solved the riddle, send for me. I will return then.”

With that, Liu Yitiao led Old Liu out of the Zhang family’s gate.

No sooner had they left than Zhang Chuchu emerged from the inner room, holding Liu Yitiao’s three answer sheets. She walked to Zhang Chuwen’s side, took the riddle Liu Yitiao had left, and upon seeing the two characters, she was briefly stunned.

“Little sister, do you know what this means?” Zhang Chuwen asked quietly.

“Two insects, two insects… boundless romance…” Zhang Chuchu seemed to recall something, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.

“Boundless romance, boundless romance…” Zhang Chuwen murmured in realization. “Remarkable! It is rare for Brother Liu to devise such a riddle, but you, little sister, are even more impressive to grasp it at once. I am in awe!”

Zhang Chuchu replied softly, “My father once gave me this very riddle. The answer is ‘boundless romance.’ Only upon seeing these two words did I remember. This person is very much like my father.”

“Ah, Uncle…” Zhang Chuwen’s voice grew quiet.

“All right, Chuchu, let us not dwell on the past. Come inside with your mother,” Madam Zhang said, taking her daughter’s hand and leading her back into the inner chamber.