The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1712 - 1706: Matchmaking and Mediation

At that moment, Wang Yongzhu became cautious and paid extra attention to Master Yi.

Previously, she hadn’t paid much mind, but now she noticed that Master Yi, who she heard was over fifty, still looked quite young.

It was apparent that when he was young, he must have been a handsome and charismatic scholar.

Even now, he wore a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with green bamboo, with a jade pendant and a pouch at his waist.

He had a three-inch beard beneath his chin and spoke neither too quickly nor too slowly.

At the moment, he was discussing pig breeding with Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang’s experience was spot-on; every year, after the Spring Festival, was the peak time for people to take piglets home.

However, wild pigs grow slowly, usually taking a year and a half, sometimes two years, before they are market-ready.

Therefore, everyone carefully plans the timing for breeding wild pigs.

Under the banner of the County Yamen, Master Yi had scoured Yunzhong County, but had only managed to secure about fifty piglets, which hadn’t yet been weaned and the earliest would be ready in half a month.

The rest were estimated to be ready after the New Year’s.

Old Granny Zhang, though slightly disappointed, thought about it and realized that this scarcity made them more valuable, so she let it go.

She then asked if there were any suitable estates or wastelands.

Though Master Yi had only recently arrived in Yunzhong County, he was familiar with all the no-owner wastelands on the outskirts of the county, and he recounted them to Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang was absorbed listening.

Wang Yongzhu noticed how engrossed the two were, making her and Gu Zikai by her side seem idle.

Exchanging a glance, she signaled to Gu Zikai, and the two walked to the doorway, able to hear and see the happenings inside.

Then she whispered, "Cousin, what is the background of this Master Yi?"

Gu Zikai was startled and also lowered his voice, "He is an old classmate of my father from years ago; I have to call him Uncle. Why?"

Wang Yongzhu turned to look inside; Old Granny Zhang did not notice, assuming Master Yi was like Jian Huaifeng, asking anything casually.

But Master Yi’s attitude showed a hint of amusement, treating Old Granny Zhang not as if she were the matron of a household but more like an old acquaintance.

Gu Zikai followed Wang Yongzhu’s gaze and, after a while, seemed to understand something, turning back to look at Wang Yongzhu in astonishment.

Wang Yongzhu walked a few more steps into the yard, gesturing for Gu Zikai to follow.

Then she asked, "What is Master Yi’s family situation?"

Gu Zikai felt a surge of fierce emotions in his heart, but kept his face composed, thought for a moment, and answered honestly.

It turned out, Master Yi had studied at the same Academy as Gu Changqing; he was a very talented individual, and many thought he was sure to succeed in the Imperial Spring Examination.

Unexpectedly, before the Spring Examination, an accident struck his family on New Year’s Eve; although Master Yi escaped, his arm was crushed by a fallen beam, injuring his muscles and making it impossible for him to write.

To pursue a career in the civil service examination, one cannot be physically impaired, especially not unable to write, thus he could not participate in the Spring Examination, and his classmates and teachers at the Academy lamented for him.

He went through a few years of gloom before slowly recovering, seeking renowned doctors everywhere, barely making his right hand capable of writing, though not for more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The path to the civil service examination was completely closed, but fortunately, he still held the title of Graduate, and his family had some assets, so life was tolerable.

Once he had given up all hope, he let go; with his right hand unable to write, he began to practice with his left hand diligently, and in time, his left-handed writing was as good as when he used to write with his right hand.

Moreover, he was adept in calligraphy and painting, and switching to his left hand earned him considerable fame as well.

His classmates, many of whom were officials, regretted seeing him idle at home, remembering his talents. One of them, whom Master Yi owed a favor, became anxious after his appointment as an official and shamelessly asked Master Yi for assistance.

Master Yi wanted to repay this favor and was indeed bored at home, so he agreed.

Following him on his appointment, he cultivated a notable reputation.

Later, he even served as a Master and staff officer for several governors and regional officials, becoming a prominent figure in the circle of Masters.

As he grew older and his parents also aged, he retired and returned home to care for his parents.

Eventually, after both his parents passed away, he claimed a period of mourning and never returned to official life.

Now, agreeing to Gu Changqing’s request to guide and mentor Gu Zikai was truly Gu Zikai’s fortune.

About his family, it was said he was once engaged when he was younger, but after injuring his wrist and unable to pursue exams, the engagement fell through.

His parents were anxious but also felt sorry for him, unwilling to pressure him.

Eventually, while in service in a foreign land, Master Yi married and had two children.

His son, however, did not inherit his talent for studying, but with Master Yi’s guidance over the years, he did reach the third tier in the examination, albeit as a Scholar, and found a path to become an official.

As for his daughter, she married quickly and rumor has it she married into a family from the capital city.

Master Yi’s wife had already passed away before he returned to the capital to care for his parents, and for many years he remained honorable and did not remarry.

He only had one concubine, whom he heard was a close maid to his deceased wife and was kept by his side just to look after his children.

This concubine herself had no children, and had grown older and faded in beauty; this time, during his travel, she was left in the capital and not brought along.

Having explained all about Master Yi, Gu Zikai suddenly had an epiphany, recalling his father’s instructions before he left.

At the time, he thought they were mere words, but now in recollection, he sensed a deeper implied intention.

Unable to resist, he hesitated and looked at Wang Yongzhu, "Before I took office, my father instructed me, saying Master Yi is a long-time friend and trustworthy in character. He is someone who values relationships deeply. When his wife passed away, she only expressed concern for their children, and thus he did not remarry until both children matured and married."

"For all these years, he has had only a concubine around for care. She is a concubine in name only, and my father urged me to take care of him along the way, and upon arrival, if there was any inconvenience, to let aunt and you, cousin, look after him..."

By the end, Gu Zikai’s voice grew quieter, with an expression of guilt showing on his face.

Only then did he realize the full intention behind Gu Changqing’s advice.

He never thought his own father, such an upright person, would do such matchmaking without first briefing him, leaving him in this awkward situation where even his toes curled just by stepping out into the yard.

What was this about? Was he, as a cousin and nephew, supposed to find his aunt a new husband? Find his cousin a new father?