Chapter 6

Before the sun had reached its highest point, Song Sheng and Lu Qing arrived at West Village. Passing through the small path at the foot of the mountain, they reached the Lu household.

Song Sheng had thought the small path would be difficult to walk, but unexpectedly it was smoother than the main road.

“Was this road repaired by someone?” he asked, noticing the neatly laid stones, clearly arranged with care.

Lu Qing explained: “This road was paved a few years ago by the villagers pooling money together. There’s a small Daoist temple on the mountain, where Master Yizhen resides. His fortune‑telling is very accurate. This road leads directly to the temple, and since villagers often go there to offer incense, they specially repaired it.”

In this world, whenever people encountered difficulties, they almost always prayed to gods or Buddha, believing destiny was decreed by heaven. Moreover, the Great Jing dynasty revered Daoism. Temples were common throughout the country, and even the imperial court’s imperial preceptor was a Daoist priest. So having a Daoist master here was not unusual.

“Have you ever been to this temple?” Song Sheng asked casually. The original person hadn’t liked Daoists, and his memory of the temple was vague.

“I went once with my grandmother,” Lu Qing replied. That was before the marriage, when they had gone to consult Master Yizhen about the compatibility of their birth dates.

Lu Qing’s grandmother loved him dearly. Worried he might suffer misfortune in marriage like his father, she asked the matchmaker for Song Sheng’s birth details, went to the temple to offer incense, and asked the master to cast a divination.

After he finished speaking, Song Sheng asked: “What did the divination show?”

Lu Qing’s face flushed slightly, and he replied shyly: “It said… it said it was a good match.”

Song Sheng thought of the original character in the book — such a selfish, parasitic person being called a good match? Could that Daoist priest have been a fraud?

“How much did it cost to have the fortune told?” Song Sheng asked, suspecting the priest had tricked many people.

Lu Qing shook his head: “Master Yizhen is very kind. The incense money can be whatever you give, even just a few coins. Poor farming families don’t have extra money for incense, so they usually bring some leftover grain or a few eggs, and Master Yizhen accepts that too.”

Song Sheng considered this. It didn’t sound so heartless after all, since the offerings were modest.

The two of them talked as they walked, and time passed quickly. Soon they arrived at the Lu family’s gate.

Knowing today was Lu Qing’s return visit, Madam Jiang had been waiting inside since early morning. With her was the eldest daughter‑in‑law, Wáng shì.

As soon as Lu Qing stepped inside, Wáng shì immediately came forward and took the basket from his back.

She weighed it casually and found it heavy. Smiling broadly, she said: “Qingqing and your husband are back! Are you tired? Quickly, quickly, come inside and sit.”

“Eldest Aunt.”

Song Sheng followed, handing over the basket of eggs he carried, and greeted her together with Lu Qing: “Hello, Eldest Aunt.”

Wáng shì had already glanced at the basket earlier. Seeing that it contained not only wine but also meat, and now another basket of eggs, she was overjoyed.

She thought to herself: Everyone says the Song family is poor, but how is this poor? The gifts they brought for the return visit were so generous — wine, meat, and a basket of eggs, enough for her family to eat for many days!

Entering the house, Lu Qing walked quickly to Madam Jiang and affectionately called: “Grandmother, I’m back.”

Madam Jiang saw his cheerful expression, not at all like someone mistreated in the Song household, and happily replied: “Yes, yes, I knew you’d come. I’ve been waiting since morning, and I even bought your favorite sugar candy!”

This was Song Sheng’s first time visiting the Lu family. After Madam Jiang finished speaking with Lu Qing, he stepped forward and said: “Hello, Grandmother, I am Song Sheng.”

“Ah, good, good, good,” Madam Jiang said three times in delight.

She was already over fifty, yet still looked lively. Because her legs were not strong, she seldom worked in the fields. Usually, she stayed at home feeding pigs and chickens, cooking and washing during busy farming seasons, and helping her eldest daughter‑in‑law care for the children.

Looking at the neatly dressed and handsome Song Sheng, Madam Jiang smiled and praised his appearance.

Having lived so many years, she had a discerning eye. Seeing Song Sheng’s clear gaze and gentle demeanor, she felt more at ease about her grandson’s marriage. Moreover, Master Yizhen had already said theirs was a good match.

What is a good match?

It is when two people live steadily and happily together — that is called a good match.

Thinking of this, Madam Jiang grew even happier.

“Grandmother, where is my father? And my eldest uncle and younger uncle — are they not at home?” Lu Qing asked, noticing he hadn’t seen them after being there for a while.

“Your father was called away by your Fourth Uncle to help. Your eldest uncle and cousin went to work in the fields; they’ll be back later. As for your second uncle, don’t mention him! Just talking about him makes me angry. A few days ago, a matchmaker came to propose a marriage for him, and since then he’s been so frightened he won’t even come home, afraid we’ll bring up marriage again.”

Lu Qing comforted her: “Grandmother, perhaps my younger uncle just hasn’t met someone he truly likes yet. Don’t push him too hard. Please don’t worry yourself and harm your health.”

But hadn’t Grandmother already said she would let him be? Why was she arranging marriage for him again?

Madam Jiang seemed to know what he was thinking and sighed: “It wasn’t me arranging it. This time it was a girl from Gao Village who took a liking to your younger uncle, so her family asked a matchmaker to propose.”

Lu Qing couldn’t help but laugh: “I wonder how my younger uncle managed to attract her attention.”

“Exactly. Him? It’s only that face of his that can charm people. Other than that, he’s nothing special.”

Lu Qing’s younger uncle, Lu Ming, wasn’t the delicate handsome type, but his features were very proper. He had large eyes, a straight nose bridge, and a strong build — the kind of appearance girls liked at the time.

After they finished talking, Madam Jiang said: “Grandson‑in‑law, our family only has these little troubles. I’m afraid you’ll find it laughable.”

Before Song Sheng could reply, Lu Qing quickly defended him: “No, Grandmother, my husband is very kind. He would never laugh at us.”

Madam Jiang chuckled aloud, and Song Sheng smiled slightly, saying: “Grandmother is just joking with me.”

Lu Qing’s face turned red, and he excused himself to go help in the kitchen, hurrying out of the room.

He had actually been nervous all day, worried that Grandmother might not think well of Song Sheng. Other than his father, Grandmother was his closest elder, and he hoped she would have a good impression of his husband.

Seeing him like this, Madam Jiang understood that Song Sheng must treat him well. She knew her grandson’s nature — such innocent shyness could not be faked.

Madam Jiang held Song Sheng’s hand kindly and said: “It seems Master Yizhen’s fortune‑telling was very accurate. One of these days, this old woman must go up the mountain to repay the vow.”

Song Sheng was somewhat puzzled. In the book, it was never written that before Lu Qing’s marriage Madam Jiang had gone to the mountain to make a vow, or even consulted a Daoist priest for a divination. Could it be that after he transmigrated here, the world automatically filled in the miss

ing details?

Madam Jiang continued chatting with Song Sheng, while Lu Qing went to the kitchen to help.