Chapter 2: Startling Her Husband
Translator: Kitty G.
Editor: none
For the first time, Mo Qian Xue quietly laid beside her unconscious husband as shecarefully observed his face. This was the man who had shared her company for the past three days.
He appeared to be in his early twenties. Although his face was ashen from illness, his sickly state still couldn't mask the attractive whiteness of his skin. The man had sharp eyebrows, a high bridged nose, perfectly shaped lips, and slender eyes.
He was actually very handsome!
Sister Fang said that he had appeared in the village a few months ago.
Within that short period of time he had become famous and respected!
As long as she was nice to him, Mo Qian Xue wouldn't have to worry about being sold as a slave.
In fact, this man's beauty was quite satisfying to the eyes.
At least Buddha didn't give her a leper or a cripple, or anything similar.
Back in modern times, her family had always forced her to go on blind dates, to the point that she was starting to get sick of it. Thinking about it, her situation now was quite funny. She had crossed over after a shocking "blind date" and before she knew it, she had a "blind marriage" of Chong Xi to a stranger in the province. Such a funny coincidence caused Mo Qian Xue to smile. She turned to the sickly man and said, "I will take good care of you from now on, so if you want to live, do hurry up and get better."
Now that she planned to survive here, it was only natural that she explored her new environment.
Taking a good look at the interior portion of the house, Mo Qian Xue's heart felt as if it was doused with cold water.
This home can only be described with two words….
Extremely Poor!
The house was small and the bedroom's layout was simple.
All of the furnitures in the room were severely damaged while the the brown rice jar was left completely empty in the kitchen.
Even the vegetable fields behind the yard were all covered in weeds.
Fortunately, there was a decent well in the backyard. Mo Qian Xue got up to fetch some clean water.
Nothing else could be done to cure this man, so she could only warm some water to wipe his face, at least to help him feel better.
Mo Qian Xue held a towel and brushed it against his forehead. Then she reached out to wipe his hands. As she looked at the man's clean, white hands, trace of warmth along with fond memories flitted across her mind. In her nostalgia, she picked up the man's slender hands and examined them.
In the past she had learned a lot of skills in palm reading, and today it seems that it would come in handy. Maybe she could ascertain something from his hands.
"The lines are quite varied…It seems that this person has many complicated feelings!"
"The middle line of the palm goes straight to the middle finger. This person is very clever…." Mo Qian Xue stroked the long line on his palm as she continued to speak.
However, she suddenly had a feeling of being watched. She inadvertently turned to see a pair of slender eyes staring at her, for who knows how long.
The man's eyes were deep as a well. On a closer look, his gaze was cool and indifferent while his face revealed a cold expression.
Mo Qian Xue suddenly stood up, only to remember that she was still grasping the stranger's hand. She quickly let go in embarrassment. Such a cold gaze caused her cheeks to blush, as if she was caught in wrong doing.
In her embarrassment, she opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word.Shame on you! How could you lose composure? It's not like you indecently assaulted the man—all you did was hold his hand!
After comforting herself mentally, she cleared her throat and leisurely opened, "My name is Mo Qian Xue. A few days ago I was discovered unconscious with fever at the back of the Mountain, but because you were too ill, the Elders of the village rescued me and brought me back to be your bride. They were hoping to save your life through Chong Xi.
Her words were brief, but she clearly stated the cause and effect of recent events, along with her own helplessness to the situation.
Doubts continued to grow within the man's eyes. Noticing the red curtains by the beside, the man frowned and his eyes flashed with displeasure.
Mo Qian Xue saw that his eyes not only expressed annoyance, they also seemed to give off a hint of disdain. Her expression quickly turned cold and she defended, "I too am a woman who prefers to marry someone of my choosing, so compared to you, I've suffered more injustice! If you are dissatisfied with this marriage, go ahead and find the Elders to explain. I'll just leave your side by then."
The man listened to Mo Qian Xue's complaining voice; his brow wrinkled as he stared at her faintly. Just as he was about to speak, the sound of footsteps burst from outside, and Sister Fang's voice resounded from the courtyard.
"Lady Ning, Bao Zhang** and the Elders have come to visit Ning Xiansheng. Has he awakened yet?"
(**T/N: Bao Zhang 保長-"Headman" ; a leader who manages a village or clan of ten households)
Mo Qian Xue gave the man on the bed a quick glance before standing up and welcoming their visitors.
"Welcome Bao Zhang and Elders! My husband has just woken up." Mo Qian Xue opened the courtyard gate and respectfully replied to Sister Fang's words. Of course her reply was heard by the rest of the crowd.
Mo Qian Xue had not yet familiarized herself with this group of people, so naturally she decided to act reserved.
A mature man, along with five gray haired elders heard that Ning Xiaoqing had awoken. They were overjoyed to receive such good news.
Some of the people turned towards Mo Qian Xue and nodded before entering the door, one after the other. Mo Qian Xue quickly followed them into the house and helped them get seated. She then stood on the side, ready to serve when required.
A few of the men had noticed her deft hands and feet as she helped, leaving them very impressed with her respectful attitude. Meanwhile, the elderly crowd continued to smile and converse with the sickly man, and to express their gratitude.
Ning Xiansheng's voice was gentle and polite; his generosity and composure were as moving as his appearance.
Later that day, several people from other villages had also visited to give their greetings. As Bao Zhang and the elders observed the sorry state of the sickly man, they couldn't help but bring up the topic,"Now that Ning Xiansheng is a married man, you have to support your family. We've discussed amongst ourselves and have reached this conclusion—it would be best if the schoolchildren's families repay you with their Shu Xiu."**
(**T/N: Shu Xiu 束脩—a gift that a student offers to a teacher or master to show their respect; it can be in the form of money, liquor, or even a person's talents or labor)
Ning Shaoqing had never thought of collecting money when he had first helped them; his actions were merely a result of wanting to repay Bao Zhang for his kindness. Having been caught by surprise with their sudden offer, Ning Shaoqing had to pause to think of a good reason to refuse, when suddenly, Mo Qian Xue stepped forward and replied, "Then I would like to thank you on behalf of my husband for your kindness. The truth is, we have been worried lately about how we can fill our empty rice pots."
The bed bound Ning Shaoqing felt as if his lungs were about to burst. Where did this woman spring up from? Does she only see money in her eyes? And who was she to represent him? Ning Xiaoqing was speechless from anger!
Seeing that the sick man continued to lie in bed without a word, Bao Zhang took his actions as a sign that he agreed with his wife's words. "Well then, we will just have each family offer up their Shu Xiu, which will total up to 200 notes; you can use it for your food and necessities."
Mo Qian Xue had no clue how much 200 notes could buy, but it was always better than nothing. If she could use this to provide their meals for now, there would surely be a chance for her to earn in the future. Believing that she just needed to push through the current difficulties, Mo Qian Xue looked up and smiled, "We have troubled Bao Zhang and the Elders with our needs. On behalf of my husband, I would like to thank you for your care."
When Ning Shaoqing had returned to his senses, the matter had already been settled, and his wife was smiling and thanking the visitors on their way out. Once the Elders had left, Ning Shaoqing sat up from the bed, and said coldly, "Who gave you the courage to act on behalf of the husband?"
Mo Qian Xue originally wanted to have a good conversation between the two of them, but hearing his presently upset tone, she just wanted to vomit. She sat on the chair that the Bao Zhang had previously used, and retorted, "You don't have to lecture me. Since I am already your wife in name, why can't I represent you? Without accepting their offer, our home can only perish without food or water, or do you expect you and me to drink the Northeast Wind?"**
(**T/N: Drink the northeast wind喝西北风—Chinese idiom used to ridicule lazy people. i.e. a father would say to a prodigal son: "if you don't study hard, you'll end up drinking the northeast wind)
Ning Shaoqing was choked up by her words as he stared at her with a stunned expression.
Of all the women he had met, which of them was not warm, gentle, and soft spoken?
As long as he faced them sternly, which one of them did not slightly tremble, and dared not provoke him further?
And yet the woman before him was so openly rude, even daring to speak out against him.
This was the first time he had seen such a woman. Of course, Mo Qian Xue was aware of the anger and dissatisfaction that showed across his face. "If you want to give up or leave this marriage, that is your choice. But as long as I am still your wife and a part of this family, I will continue to stay here as I please."
"You….How dare you speak against your husband, you, you—"
Her husband? Yes, she acknowledged that he was her husband.
If she didn't accept him as her husband, then he was merely nothing. It just so happens that she needed his status as a shield for now, so she will just have to tolerate his shortcomings.
Besides, she wanted to give him a chance, to see if their trial marriage could bring happiness.
So at least for now she'll try to get along with him.