Chapter 4: Marriage Contract

It is said that on the night of their engagement, after returning home, Gu Tingzhi insisted on eating steamed buns—he devoured five in one go. The man seemed to have gone mad, yet his appetite had grown considerably. With his delicate and tender frame, he was no longer fit to study, nor could he manage farm work. After marriage, it would be up to Zhen Mi’er to work and support him.

Gu Tingzhi was naturally unaware of the ridicule whispered behind his back; he continued to smile foolishly every day. However, others in the Gu family were frequently vexed by the situation. One day, Gu Qing Song, the eldest of the Gu family, even got into a fight with villagers over the matter.

As for Zhen Mi’er, she endured much mockery as well. She had been chubby since childhood. When she was young, being plump was tolerable—she even appeared round and cute. But as she grew older and failed to slim down, she became the subject of cruel jokes, referred to as a “big lump.” Rumors spread that she ate excessively and was lazy, refusing to do any work, sleeping and eating all day, which was why she had grown to such a size. Only Gu Sanlang was foolish enough to agree to marry her because no one else would want him.

Two such people, brought together, surely would not live well in the years to come.

The gossip outside grew increasingly vicious, and the stories about them became more absurd. Madam Feng, the Gu family’s eldest aunt, was not without fault in this. When Mrs. Zhou confronted her, they fought fiercely before Madam Feng finally silenced herself.

Hearing these rumors, Mrs. Zhao was deeply troubled. Though she had met Gu Tingzhi and believed he was not as bad as the rumors suggested, her daughter was marrying into that family. If his mind never recovered, then her daughter’s future would be bleak indeed.

The night before the wedding, Mrs. Zhao urged her daughter again: “Ami, think carefully. You can still back out before the marriage. If you don’t want to go through with it, I will put my pride aside and help you break this engagement.”

But at the thought of Gu Tingzhi, Zhen Mi’er’s heart overflowed with sweetness. How could she let her mother cancel it? She did not think herself mad; this was the man she had loved for many years. Even if he never healed, she would have no regrets.

“Mother, he was once an outstanding scholar. Maybe he could have become a junior scholar or even a provincial graduate. How could a girl like me dare to hope to marry him? It was only because of his sudden misfortune that I got this chance. I truly love him and am willing to marry him to take good care of him. Besides, he might recover one day and pass the provincial exam. Then your daughter won’t have to worry about living a good life.”

She had loved him since childhood, and as she grew older, her affection only deepened. Yet she was well aware of their vast difference—he would become a refined scholar, a degree holder, even an official, while she was nothing more than a plain, overweight woman.

For what they had now, Zhen Mi’er felt everything was worthwhile. Even if it meant sacrificing her own life for his, she would do so without hesitation.

Mrs. Zhao sighed deeply. After a while, she glanced toward the door to ensure no one was listening, then quietly pulled out a pouch from her bosom and handed it to her daughter. “Since you insist on marrying him, your mother will no longer dissuade you. I only hope you will not regret today’s choice. Inside is a bracelet from the Gu family and a tael of silver. I have also added a silver hairpin for you. Keep them close and guard them well—don’t let any schemers steal them.”

Zhen Mi’er hurriedly pushed it back. “Mother, please keep it for yourself. I don’t want it.”

She knew all too well that by giving her these items, her mother probably only had a few copper coins left at home.

Her mother had toiled for most of her life and endured much hardship. When her father was young, though not talented, he was hardworking and loved his wife and children. Their family was once harmonious and happy.

But at some point, he had fallen into gambling and drinking. Whenever the family saved a few coins, he would take them—either to gamble or to buy alcohol.

Her elder sister had married years ago, but her in-laws were not easy to live with. The husband was lazy and unambitious, obedient only to his mother, and her sister’s life there was miserable.

As for her younger brother—well, it was best not to speak of him.

She only hoped that once she married and left home, her father and brother would not remain under the same roof. Otherwise, constant quarrels would erupt. They seemed more like enemies than family, and any trivial matter would ignite blame, insults, and even violent fights. Her mother, caught in the middle, must have endured tremendous suffering.

Zhen Mi’er sighed deeply, unable to understand how their lives had come to such a state. She was about to leave home soon. Before, she had mediated between them; now, her mother would be left alone. She hoped nothing untoward would happen.

Seeing her daughter’s worried expression, Mrs. Zhao almost lost control of her tears but insisted that Zhen Mi’er accept the pouch.

The villagers’ weddings were simple affairs, especially for two poor families. They could barely afford anything substantial, so they invited relatives and friends to their homes for a meal. The couple would bow to heaven and earth, then to their parents, and that was the ceremony.

At the Gu household’s wedding banquet, those who came to celebrate could not help but cover their mouths to stifle laughter upon seeing the bride’s figure. Some even asked outright what she had eaten to grow so large, saying her size wasted fabric and that if she got any bigger, her clothes would surely burst when she moved.

Hearing these cruel remarks, Mrs. Zhou wanted nothing more than to chase them all away, but she endured it for the sake of her third son’s joyous day.

Because of her girth, Zhen Mi’er had been self-conscious since childhood. Feeling the prying gazes from all directions, she was grateful for her veil. When the ceremony ended, she was helped into Gu Tingzhi’s room.

Almost everyone from the village attended. Worried that her third son would be bullied, Mrs. Zhou had her eldest and second sons toast in his stead and had Gu Qing He help escort her brother back inside.

Gu Tingzhi saw the plump woman sitting on his bed and recognized her as the “big white bun” he had seen that day. Happily, he sat beside her. He said nothing, simply gazing at the veil with a foolish smile.

Zhen Mi’er felt the bed beside her sink slightly and caught sight of a pair of large feet beneath the veil. She knew Gu Tingzhi had returned and suddenly grew nervous, her fair fingers twisting and turning anxiously.

She recalled how, in the past, whenever he was resting, she would foolishly wait at the border between the two villages, then nervously run away as he drew near, repeating this over and over.

Though she only ever glimpsed him from afar, it made her happy for a long time afterward.

Once, when she and her mother went to town to buy New Year’s goods, she accidentally lost some coins and hid in a corner outside the academy, crying quietly. He heard the sobs, came over, asked why, and upon hearing the reason, left her the coins from his own pocket before leaving.

That time, he had been very close to her—so close she could smell the scent of pine and cypress on him, fresh and sweet, filled with sunshine. Such a close encounter was a precious memory she treasured deeply in her heart.