The Fearless Husband - Chapter 19

Chapter 19 — “I Admire Your Frankness…”

Yu Qinglong was so furious that even the tips of his hair felt like they were standing on end. Luckily, it was still early—Yu Dayou hadn’t yet returned home, which meant nothing was settled.

Zhou Yuehua couldn’t make such a decision on his own either, so he politely said to the matchmaker, “We’ve long heard of Scholar Fang’s fine reputation. It’s just that our two families have had little interaction in the past, and marriage is no small matter. I’ll need to discuss this with my husband before giving you an answer.”

The matchmaker, who was also surnamed Zhou, was all smiles. “Of course. That’s only proper. Then may I ask, when might I expect your reply at the latest?”

Zhou Yuehua replied, “Tomorrow, after noon.”

“Good, I’ll come by again tomorrow afternoon then,” the matchmaker said. “But there’s one small request—I’d like to ask that if this match doesn’t work out, we pretend I never came here today. Would that be agreeable?”

“Of course,” Zhou Yuehua said with understanding. “I know how to handle such matters.”

After all, this proposal came from a scholar’s family, and theirs was a humble one. It was natural that the Fang family would hire a stranger as a matchmaker—someone unknown to the local people—so that, if things fell through, no one would gossip.

Following custom, Zhou Yuehua wrapped nine copper coins in a piece of red paper as the courtesy fee.

The matchmaker accepted it with a cheerful grin and departed. Zhou Yuehua accompanied her to the door and noticed that she took the road westward. Some villagers greeted her in passing, but she only smiled and said nothing, walking straight ahead.

Yu Qinglong frowned. “Dad, that person wasn’t a swindler coming to cheat us out of nine coins, was she?”

Zhou Yuehua laughed. “No. She’s not from our village or any nearby one either. Just the journey here and back would take most of the day—it’s hardly worth the trouble for nine coins. But tell me, when did you become acquainted with this Scholar Fang? Was it that time you sold him the wooden toy?”

“Not exactly,” Yu Qinglong admitted.

He honestly recounted the incident by the river where he had met Fang Shu, and when he finished, he sighed softly.

Zhou Jian’er asked curiously, “Little Brother, why do you look so down? This is wonderful news! Once Father comes back and agrees to it, everyone will envy you!”

Yu Qinglong gave a wry smile. “Sister-in-law, if I said I don’t want to marry into the Fang family, would you think I’m strange?”

She blinked in confusion. “Why wouldn’t you want to? Isn’t that Scholar Fang a good man?”

Her maiden home wasn’t far but not in the same village, so she knew little of this “Scholar Fang,” only that he was young, learned, and from a family with ample farmland. A young scholar who could afford to buy wooden toys—what better match could there be?

Yu Qinglong didn’t know where to begin. There were simply too many problems to count.

Even setting aside feelings—if he truly married into the Fang family, would he still be able to continue studying medicine with his master? The two villages were three li apart; the trip alone would take half an hour each way.

And in this world where marriage and childbearing were treated as sacred duties, he hadn’t even begun to feel anything romantic toward Fang Shu. The idea of sharing a bed or having children had never even crossed his mind. And even if it did—could he? Would the Fang family accept that?

Moreover, he could never tolerate a husband keeping concubines or lovers outside the home.

If they truly married, he’d be tied down—his freedom gone for good.

In short, he and Fang Shu were simply incompatible. But how could he say so out loud? Everyone at home was delighted. They probably felt as if fortune had fallen from the sky—perhaps dazed by their luck, but certainly not unwilling.

Fang Shu had put him in an impossible position.

Had it been someone like Zhao Lao Si or Li Da, rejecting the proposal would’ve been reasonable—his family would’ve supported him. But the Fang family? As his sister-in-law said—why refuse? In their eyes, this was the kind of match one could search for with a lantern and never find again.

His reluctance was something no one could comprehend—perhaps even deemed selfish.

He lost all motivation to go look for stones for the waterwheel.

That evening, when Yu Dayou came home and finished a quick meal, the whole family turned to him expectantly.

Yu Dayou asked, “Long Ge’er, what do you think?”

“Father,” Yu Qinglong said carefully, “could I see my master tomorrow before deciding?”

He didn’t outright refuse. He knew that while there were countless problems with this match, there were also many practical benefits.

Fang Shu’s family lived far better than theirs. Even if he’d still have to work after marrying, he wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry anymore.

Fang Shu was educated and owned books—if he married there, he’d have access to more reading material, to proper ink and paper.

And the man liked his handmade toys—that meant he had hobbies and a bit of curiosity, wasn’t dull, and even knew to share treats with someone who helped him. He wasn’t stingy; he was kindhearted.

But the biggest point was this—if he married into the Fang family, it would ease his family’s burdens.

The Bai family, too, might finally stop delaying Bai Wanqiu’s marriage into their household.

Of course, he could stubbornly refuse—but would the family still remain harmonious afterward?

There’s a difference between pitying someone unfortunate and resenting someone ungrateful.

His family might not blame him at first, but over time?

Zhou Yuehua said, “Long Ge’er, it’s one thing to refuse those ruffians Zhao Lao Si and Li Da, but this is a scholar—a good-looking one with a title, too. So many people would kill for such a match. Why aren’t you happy?”

“Dad,” Yu Qinglong said, “I’m afraid that if I accept this marriage, I won’t be able to continue learning medicine.”

Zhou Jian’er frowned. “But you’d be the scholar’s husband, even the principal one. Later, you might even become the wife of an official! Isn’t that a hundred times better than being a physician?”

Yu Qingjia nodded. “Exactly! This is an opportunity heaven itself has handed down. If you let it slip, you’ll regret it.”

Yu Qinglong stayed silent.

Perhaps because his reluctance showed so plainly, Yu Dayou said, “The Fang family may be a good one, but we’re not their equals. If you suffer any grievance there, we wouldn’t even have the standing to defend you.”

After all, who dared strike a scholar? Scholars didn’t even have to kneel before magistrates—how could they, humble farmers, challenge such status?

Yu Qinglong said, “Father, may I meet my master first before deciding? I’d like to hear his opinion. He knows the Fang family well. I still don’t want to give up medicine—perhaps he’ll have advice for me.”

Yu Dayou nodded. “Very well. Speak to Doctor Mo tomorrow. If you truly don’t wish to marry, then refuse it. But think carefully, Long Ge’er—turning down the Fang family will make it even harder to find another good match.”

Indeed, being refused three times already was a heavy stain. Most people would assume something must be wrong with him.

Zhou Yuehua sighed. “But if you don’t marry, you’ll be gossiped about for life. Who could bear that?”

Yu Qinglong smiled faintly. “How many people dare gossip to my face now? They mutter behind my back at most. But people always gossip—if they don’t talk about me, they’ll talk about someone else. As long as I don’t hear it, it doesn’t matter. So don’t worry, Father. I’m fine—it’s only you and the family who’ve had to suffer on my account.”

Yu Dayou shook his head. “We’re family. Don’t say such things.”

Zhou Jian’er chuckled. “Being dragged into trouble is nothing. It’s just a shame, that’s all. Those who once badmouthed you—if they learn that the Fang family proposed to you, they’ll choke on their words. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

Yu Qinglong laughed. “Oh? So Sister-in-law’s been defending my honor all this time?”

“Of course! Every time I hear them badmouth you, I get furious. They have no idea what they’re talking about. I’ve seen plenty of difficult little brothers-in-law, but not one as respectful and helpful as you. I’ve had nothing but peace since marrying into this family.”

“Well,” Yu Qinglong grinned, “then I really must give this some thought. After all, he is a genuine scholar.”

If his family had pressured him to marry, he might have refused outright—because the more people pushed him, the harder he resisted. But seeing them so gentle, he found himself unable to be defiant.

That night, sleep didn’t come easily.

Before dawn, feeling parched, he quietly rose and stepped outside in the dark.

He had grown used to the blackness of rural nights by now. After taking a few sips of water, he sat down in the courtyard.

The stars above looked close enough to touch. The air was thick with the scent of grass and earth—so pure, so simple, it filled his lungs completely.

Not long after, Zhou Yuehua came out too. He hadn’t slept much either.

He draped a coat over his son’s shoulders and sat down beside him. “It’s still chilly. Why not rest a little longer?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” Yu Qinglong admitted. “I want to visit my master early.”

“You still don’t want to marry into the Fang family.”

“My master says that learning medicine takes time and experience. One must see patients, diagnose, observe, accumulate knowledge through practice. If I marry into the Fang family, I won’t be able to do that anymore.”

“So you truly wish to become a physician?”

“Yes.”

It was the only profession he could think of that was both respected and capable of sustaining him. And if he learned it well, he could tend to himself and his loved ones. It was a skill that could never be taken from him.

Even in war, doctors survived longer. Even if he were divorced or abandoned one day, he could still live independently.

Zhou Yuehua sighed. “But you’re a ge’er. You’ll always need someone to rely on. You’re still young—you’ll learn that there are things you can’t even tell your closest kin, yet you can speak freely of them with the one you love.”

Yu Qinglong smiled faintly. “But you and Father knew each other from childhood. You were already in love before marriage. It’s not the same for me.”

“Besides not wanting to give up medicine,” Zhou Yuehua asked, “is there any other reason you don’t want to marry the Fang family?”

“There is one,” he admitted.

“What is it?”

“I don’t want to have children.”

“What?” Zhou Yuehua blinked in surprise. “Why not?”

“I just don’t. It’s frightening, and it’s troublesome. Afterward, you need a wet nurse, constant care—they cry, they get hungry, they get hurt, they get sad—you have to deal with it all.”

“But everyone does that.”

“Well, then there’s nothing left to say, is there?”

Yu Qinglong sighed again, running a hand through his hair. It was long and smooth from being tied in a ponytail every day. He twirled a strand absently and said, “I don’t really know how to explain it. I just don’t want to marry yet. Dad, it’s cold—go back inside. I’ll head to Master’s.”

“Will Doctor Mo even be awake this early?” Zhou Yuehua asked. “Sit a bit—I’ll make you something warm to eat first.”

“No need,” Yu Qinglong said, standing. “He wakes early too. He’s probably up already.”

The eastern sky was glowing with the first touch of orange. Yu Qinglong handed the coat back to his father and walked westward toward Doctor Mo’s home.

The village was still quiet, roosters only beginning to crow.

As he reached the gate, planning to wait for someone to come out before entering, he suddenly heard a strange chirping sound nearby.

It was too clumsy to be from an actual bird.

He turned—and nearly choked.

There, crouching nearby, was none other than that idiot Fang Shu.

Tall, lean, dressed in pale blue, he looked like a wandering ghost.

It was a wonder Yu Qinglong didn’t jump out of his skin.

Fang Shu shuffled forward and crouched down on the opposite side of the gatepost, three arm-lengths away, speaking in a cautious whisper. “I—I wanted to come early, to ask… has your family decided yet?”

Yu Qinglong’s temper flared instantly. “What do you think?! You sent someone sneaking to my house without a word! If my father and Dad had agreed, how was I supposed to keep studying medicine?!”

Fang Shu quickly asked, “If I allowed you to keep studying medicine, would you agree to marry me?”

Yu Qinglong was caught off guard by the bluntness. After a pause, he demanded, “What exactly do you like about me?”

“I admire your frankness and cleverness,” Fang Shu said honestly. “It feels refreshing when you scold people. And… I really like the wooden toys you make.”

“I can still sell them to you,” Yu Qinglong said flatly.

“That’s not the same,” Fang Shu said at once. “I want to move stones with you too.”

Yu Qinglong glared. “Then hire a laborer!”

“But laborers aren’t as good-looking as you,” Fang Shu said without hesitation.

“…”

The silence stretched between them.

Then—creak—Doctor Mo opened his door and found the two of them crouching there like a pair of overgrown dogs.

They stared at each other—one sharp-eyed and exasperated, the other nervous and guilty.

Author’s Note:
Yu Qinglong: Why aren’t the pretty ladies commenting on me? 😭
Fang Shu: Because I haven’t married you fast enough, husband~ 🥺