Volume One, Chapter 16: A Fortunate Fluke

“Alright, since you, dear elder sister, have come with such sincerity to propose marriage, I shall make a statement.” Jiang Shunde cleared his throat, his expression growing more serious and solemn.

“Our Jiang family has only this one daughter, Xian’er. Choosing a husband for her is a matter of utmost importance. Just listening to you talk all this time without giving an answer feels inappropriate, yet outright refusal seems improper as well.

“Here’s what I propose: after the Laba Festival, our two families can go shopping for the New Year’s provisions together. At that time, let the two children meet privately. If they take a liking to each other, then everything can be discussed in detail. If not, my wife and I will not force our daughter into marriage. What do you think, elder sister?”

Although the two families were not from the same village, they were separated only by a large river. A little inquiry could yield results within days.

Around the time of the Laba Festival, they could have accurate news and then let the children decide.

Regardless of whether the marriage succeeded, neither side would lose face, and it would not affect future matchmaking. In truth, it was just an excuse to go shopping together for New Year’s goods—no harm done.

Matchmaker Wang, seeing how eloquent Mrs. Wang was, decided to remain silent and let her take the lead. Once the marriage was settled, she could claim a red envelope as a token of gratitude.

Mrs. Wang’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she agreed, “Very well, the Jiang family’s eldest brother is straightforward and decisive. It’s settled then. On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, I will bring the child to the entrance of Taoyuan Village, waiting for you to go to the city together to buy New Year’s goods. After the children agree, we can discuss the marriage details.”

The Jiang family’s manner was dignified and not difficult, which made Mrs. Wang even more eager to seal the match.

After Jiang Shunde and his wife saw off the matchmaker and her niece, they still found it hard to believe.

“Shunde, do you think Mrs. Wang’s son has some hidden defect? You said our daughter was like a sieve, yet their family showed no displeasure. Instead, they seemed eager to hasten the marriage. Why do I feel so uneasy?” Mrs. Qian pressed a hand to her chest, anxiety etched across her face.

Jiang Shunde smiled, “What are you afraid of? We haven’t agreed to anything yet. I’ll go inquire about Mrs. Wang’s third son. On the ninth day of the twelfth month, when we see if their boy is a mule or a horse, we’ll know. If it’s not good, we won’t pursue this marriage. It’s not like our daughter must marry their son.”

Mrs. Qian’s expression relaxed somewhat. “Alright, let’s agree for now and see how it goes. Don’t mention it to Xian’er tonight; she’ll just resist the idea of marriage again. We’ll tell her when we all go to the city on the ninth day of the twelfth month.”

“Fine, we’ll do as you say!”

Mrs. Qian rolled her eyes at Jiang Shunde again. “And in front of others, don’t speak ill of Xian’er. If you have anything to say, tell me. How can you, as a father, be so harsh on your own daughter?”

“Me? You’re blaming me wrongfully. I’m just being honest to help find the right match. If we say things that don’t fit, once they marry, the other family will accuse us of deceit!”

Mrs. Qian reached out as if to strike him, but Jiang Shunde hobbled away to tidy up the game they had caught in the yard.

Watching her husband’s limping figure, Mrs. Qian felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.

Heaven truly is blind—how could he break his leg in a simple fall and, after being brought home, never heal properly, ending up crippled?

...

Jiang Xian carried Tang Tang and strolled through the village to see Doctor Chen. Almost no one recognized the child in her arms as a slow-witted girl. One by one, villagers came forward to greet them. Jiang Xian patiently corrected them and asked everyone to spread the word that the slow girl’s name was Jiang Tang, nicknamed Tang Tang, and to be careful not to call her by the wrong name.

Jiang Xian’s family was well regarded; many villagers rented their land and had worked for them before, so everyone was cooperative.

Besides, the name Jiang Tang was pleasant, much more reliable than the old nickname “slow girl.”

In comparison, it was clear who sincerely adopted the child and who feigned kindness.

The villagers then took the chance to scold the couple from Chen Village for their misdeeds.

---

Zhao Jinniang was at home tending to three patients; sneezing came one after another. Frightened, she touched her forehead and ran to wash her face with hot water, fearing she might be falling ill from exhaustion.

...

Jiang Xian, carrying Tang Tang, passed by the rice fields and saw the village head surrounded by many men, all peering down at a large pit formed by a sudden collapse.

“Mother, what are all those people gathered around over there doing?” Tang Tang asked curiously.

Jiang Xian smiled, “Tang Tang, would you like to go see?”

Her big, sparkling eyes blinked as she asked, “Can I go watch the excitement?”

“Of course! As long as you want. Remember, Tang Tang, you are your mother’s daughter. What should a daughter be like?” Jiang Xian encouraged her to be brave. After all, the girl was only five years old and had been frightened and bullied by the couple from Chen Village. It was already remarkable for her to change so quickly.

“Mother says Tang Tang should be gracious and proper, brave enough to say no, and defend what she deserves… um… I think it’s dignity or rights!” The little girl tilted her head, tapped her chin thoughtfully, then looked at Jiang Xian with a pout. “Mother, I’m sorry. Tang Tang didn’t remember it all—the rest slipped my mind.”

“That’s okay. You’re only five and a half. Remembering half is already impressive. We’ll learn the rest together later. No need to apologize to me!”

“Okay, Mother. I’ll listen carefully to you from now on!” Tang Tang was afraid of being scolded again and tried hard to behave.

Jiang Xian smiled warmly, gently pinching the child’s soft, tender cheek, marveling at how elastic her skin was.

“Come on, Mother will take you to see what’s happening!”

Tang Tang immediately wrapped her arms around Jiang Xian’s neck, wanting to stick close to her new mother. She breathed in the faint scent of lilac on Jiang Xian, feeling deeply comforted.

Jiang Xian approached the crowd, who greeted her politely upon seeing her carrying the child.

She also greeted the village head, catching sight of the bright flush on his forehead—a sign that good things were afoot.

“Village head, what are you all doing here?” Jiang Xian asked, curious as she held Tang Tang.

“You came just in time, Xian’er. Remember yesterday when the ground suddenly collapsed here? This morning, someone from Liu Fulu’s family accidentally fell in. We found some water inside; the soil is soft and saturated. Everyone rushed over to rescue him. Liu Fulu said the water inside is nearly calf-deep, so I sent some men down to explore and see what’s going on.”

Jiang Xian immediately recalled that certain special geological areas could collapse due to prolonged drought or excessive river water extraction, exposing underground rivers.

If they could exploit this, digging from this spot, it would greatly reduce the villagers’ labor in watering their fields.

Taoyuan Village was built near a large river, but the river was somewhat distant from the farmland. Digging irrigation channels was costly and difficult, and they lacked the ability to carve a canal that wouldn’t flood the fields.

Villagers had to fetch water by hand or use donkey carts, and the recent drought had intensified their toil, leaving every family exhausted.

Jiang Xian’s face lit up with hope as she explained to the village head, “Village head, I read in a geography journal that droughts can cause river water levels to drop, leading to the collapse of underground river caves, exposing the subterranean river. If we can excavate this area and channel the underground river water to irrigate the fields, we can save a lot of watering time starting next spring.”

“Really? Such a fortunate thing?” The village head hardly dared believe it. If this underground river source could be dug out and a waterwheel built here to pump water, it would benefit the entire village.

“Yes, but we must first identify the exact area and plan carefully. When the underground river level rises to a certain point, it will stabilize. Then we can dig channels nearby and use waterwheels to irrigate the farmland easily.”

The village head was overjoyed. If Jiang Xian’s words proved true, it would be a tremendous blessing for the whole village.

---

These past three years of drought had drained much of the river near Huanxi Village. Though it hadn’t dried up completely, much of the riverbed was exposed, with clear water revealing the muddy bottom. The village head had worried that if the drought continued, when the river finally ran dry, it would force them to abandon their homes and flee.

Now, with this underground river opening, he felt reassured.

“Good. I’ll call some knowledgeable elders to come and see how to build the irrigation channels and waterwheels.”

“Alright!” Jiang Xian saw the increasing glow on the village head’s forehead and guessed it was the fortunate return from his efforts yesterday concerning Tang Tang.

The village head was determined to lead Taoyuan Village to prosperity. His good fortune was a boon for the entire village, proving he was a selfless and virtuous man.

After bidding the village head farewell, Jiang Xian carried Tang Tang toward Doctor Chen’s home. Tang Tang asked, “Mother, why is Grandpa Village Head so happy?”

Jiang Xian relaxed and smiled, her eyes narrowing into slits. “Because Grandpa Village Head is a selfless, public-spirited good man. With the severe drought, every year’s harvest has shrunk. Now, with this underground river opening, if he can build irrigation channels to water the fields, it will solve his greatest worry. Of course, he’s happy!”

“Grandpa Village Head will definitely make it happen!” Tang Tang said firmly.

Jiang Xian nodded slyly, “Of course! With our Tang Tang around, everything will be possible!”

Tang Tang looked puzzled. “Mother, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“That’s okay. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

Seeing Jiang Xian smile, Tang Tang smiled too, her clear eyes curving like the crescent moon, revealing tiny shell-like baby teeth.

Mother and daughter soon arrived at Doctor Chen’s modest thatched house—a courtyard and a small dwelling, simple but elegant.

Several racks with drying herbs stood in the yard. The small house was divided into two rooms: the inner room had a kang bed with a low table and cabinet beside it, the cabinet locked with a padlock. The outer room held a bamboo bed for patients, a small table with two bamboo chairs, and wooden shelves lined with various medicinal herbs.

Under the eaves, a lean-to shelter housed a stove with two pots—one for cooking rice, the other for preparing medicines or frying herbs.

The whole courtyard smelled of fresh herbs. At that moment, Doctor Chen was tending a hanging stove inside, brewing invigorating tea. A medical book lay open on the table.

Doctor Chen looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, slender and lean, with a perpetually stern face. He wore a long blue robe. Jiang Xian often thought that if Doctor Chen tied up his hair and inserted a peachwood hairpin, he would resemble a Taoist priest with an ethereal aura.

When Jiang Xian and Tang Tang entered, Doctor Chen put down his work and asked, “What’s wrong with Tang Tang?”

Jiang Xian chuckled softly, putting down her basket. “I brought something good for you, and I’m taking Tang Tang for a stroll.”

Tang Tang obediently stood on the ground, held Jiang Xian’s hand, and curiously gazed at the herbs on the racks. She had never imagined that a flower or a plant could have healing properties.

Seeing her mother’s eyes light up so happily when she saw the herbs on the mountain, Tang Tang ran to the shelves, tiptoeing to examine the herbs carefully, memorizing their appearances.

Both Jiang Xian and Doctor Chen were surprised by her keen interest.

Doctor Chen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jiang Xian, sighing, “Your daughter seems quite fascinated by my herbs!”