Chapter 2, Chapter 2: Leading the Husband

Sun was thin and small, but she walked with great speed, and Lin Chuntao had to jog to keep up with her pace.

"Grandma, can we take someone home today?"

Without turning her head, Sun said, "Yes, your great-grandfather and the others went with the village head to pick people today. When you get there, you can choose first, and you're sure to find a good one."

Hearing Sun's words, Lin Chuntao felt like she was going to the early market to buy cabbage, thinking that going first would allow her to pick out the freshest ones.

She smiled and said, "Grandma, you make it sound like we have a lot to choose from."

Sun turned to look at her and said in a low voice, "In the past few years, due to the war, many families were destroyed and their relatives were lost. They were all moved to our area by the imperial court, and many young men did not get married."

Lin Chuntao widened her eyes somewhat dramatically, her face full of surprise.

Sun said, "Otherwise, where would so many people be willing to marry into the family?"

"If we bring the person back, can we draw up a plot of land to build a house if we split up the family property later?"

"Of course, as long as you have the money to build it."

On the way there, Lin Chuntao and Sun Shi chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the village head's house.

The village head's courtyard was packed with people. Lin Chuntao glanced over and saw that most of the men were around twenty years old, while some looked only fifteen or sixteen.

Regardless of their age, almost all of these people looked sallow and emaciated.

In one of the corners was a rather robust man, with regular features, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, but a scar on his cheek, giving him the appearance of a bad temper.

Noticing Lin Chuntao's gaze, he looked over coldly, startling Lin Chuntao.

Sun, who was in front, greeted the village head warmly, and Lin, the village head, looked at Sun with some surprise.

What brings you here?

Madam Sun smiled and said, "When Chun Tao heard that the village head was taking you to pick people, she wanted to be the first one to choose."

After she finished speaking, the village head and the village heads of the other villages were stunned for a moment and looked at Lin Chuntao.

They didn't like outsiders either, but there was nothing they could do. The imperial court had given the order, and they all wanted their daughters to marry into local families. These orphans were like refugees, homeless and destitute.

Lin Chuntao called the village head "Grandpa" and then bowed to the village head.

“My mother is gone, and my father has just married a new wife. He has no time to take care of me, so I took the liberty of asking my eldest daughter-in-law to bring me here.”

Hearing her words, Muramasa sighed helplessly.

The village head also said to the village heads of the other villages, "Since the girl is here, let her choose first. After she chooses, you can divide the pieces and take them back to the village."

After the words were spoken, none of the village heads had any objections, and they all let Lin Chuntao go and make the selection.

She felt a little embarrassed for a moment.

After looking around, they were all too thin. Given the current situation at home, I can't just bring one back and throw him out. I need to choose one who is burly and can keep people in check.

Thinking to himself, his gaze fell on the scarred man again.

She turned to look at Madam Sun, "Grandma, what do you think of that slightly scary one in the corner over there?"

Following her gaze, Madam Sun met Pei Ying's eyes. She frowned slightly and whispered to Lin Chuntao, "A scar on the face doesn't look good."

Lin Chuntao said, "I feel that he is better at protecting people."

Madam Sun nodded slightly, "He looks stronger than others, and he's quite well-built. If you like him, that's fine too."

Lin Chuntao pursed her lips, feigning embarrassment, and said in a low voice, "Then, Grandma, please tell Grandpa and the village head for me that I'm embarrassed."

Madam Sun gave her a reproachful look, "You're a grown woman now, what's there to be embarrassed about?"

That's what they said, but Sun still told the village head and the others. The village head called the person out and asked for his name, which was Pei Ying.

He then introduced Lin Chuntao's situation and inquired about his wishes.

Pei Ying glanced at Lin Chuntao, then bowed and said, "It's all up to you, sir."

The village head nodded, then had someone bring out the marriage certificate, write their names on it, and asked the two of them to put their fingerprints on it. Two copies were made, one for the government to keep and the other to be given to Lin Chuntao.

“Your household registration will be in Shuangzizhai, Daping Township. When you return to the village, Village Chief Lin will allocate twelve mu of land to you.”

Lin Chuntao quickly thanked the village head.

She had a sweet tongue and made a good start, so the village head was in a good mood and had someone bring out an iron pot and half a bag of brown rice.

"You are the first ones, this is for you."

After saying this, he addressed the village heads of each village: "Each village has its first one. After you return, settle down as soon as possible and report back in three days."

The village officials readily agreed. Lin Chuntao, carrying the pot, bowed to the village head and then thanked the elderly couple affectionately.

Their plans were settled, and they stood aside. This time, they brought fifty people, divided into ten groups from one village. The village leaders began selecting people to lead back to their villages.

Lin Cunzheng was the first to choose, and after selecting nine people, he led everyone back to the village.

On the way back, Lin Chuntao walked with Sun Shi, while Pei Ying walked at the back. Sun Shi whispered to her, "Don't follow this old woman. Go talk to her and get to know her."

Lin Chuntao pretended to be embarrassed, and Sun said, "You've already signed the marriage certificate and are husband and wife, so don't be shy, go quickly."

She had no choice but to stand aside and wait for Pei Ying behind her.

Actually, she had wanted to leave with Pei Ying for a long time, but she needed to talk to someone about her family situation so that they would be mentally prepared. She also needed this person to be on her side so that she could deal with the group of people in her family who were eyeing her covetously.

However, she concealed the fact that her family was going to marry her off, and had Sun bring her to pick up the man. She was sure that there would be more conflicts when she returned home.

She needs to act pitiful and sweet-talk, then the old couple in the village will stand on her side and help her.

Now that Madam Sun has spoken, she naturally waits for Pei Ying, and they walk together at the very back.

"Um, my name is Lin Chuntao, and I'm nineteen years old."

Lin Chuntao gave a brief self-introduction, and Pei Ying glanced at him before quickly looking away: "Yes, I saw the name on the marriage certificate."

Lin Chuntao smiled and asked him, "How old are you?"

"twenty."

"Your birthday? When is it?"

Pei Ying replied, "The fifth day of the sixth month."

"My birthday is the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month."

Pei Ying nodded, and Lin Chuntao pursed her lips, preparing to tell Pei Ying about that messy thing.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Lin Chuntao asked.

Pei Ying was silent for a moment before replying calmly, "No, neither are my parents. I'm all alone."

Lin Chuntao continued, “I have three younger sisters. My mother passed away a few years ago, and my father recently remarried. My grandparents are still alive, and I have two uncles and two aunts. My father is the third oldest. The whole family lives together. I don’t get along well with my stepmother, father, grandparents, or uncles and aunts. If I have money to divide the family property and build a new house in the future, my three younger sisters will live with me. Don’t worry, I will try my best to support them. They can also work and won’t be a burden to you.”

Lin Chuntao explained everything in one breath, and Pei Ying simply nodded.

The elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Muramasa, who were walking ahead, were in good spirits.

The old man asked his wife, "Did Lin Laowu send you to bring Chuntao?"

Sun shook her head. "No, Chun Tao said her grandfather was not happy. It was her own idea. She said she had no mother and no one to help her find a husband, so I took her there."

Muramasa frowned slightly. "Won't this cause trouble when we get back?"

Madam Sun snorted coldly: "They can't turn the tide. The marriage contract has been signed, and the imperial court has made the arrangements."

Lin Cunzheng sighed slightly, "These Chun Tao sisters are indeed pitiful. It's been a long time since I've seen them. Today, seeing Chun Tao, I feel she has grown up. Before, she always hung her head."

"She was busy working. Look at the clothes she was wearing today, they were so short. The adults in that family really have a hard time."

"A child without a mother, if he doesn't even know how to take care of himself, will only be bullied to death."

Sun sighed, and Lin Cunzheng shook his head helplessly, "It's still Lin Laosan who doesn't care about them. With their mother gone and their father like this, the sisters must be pitiful."

Shuangzi Village is not far from the village head's house, about a quarter of an hour's walk. Before you know it, you're back in the village.

The village headman arranged for someone to call the families who had been notified before to come to the drying ground to pick up their loved ones.

Sun said to Chuntao and Pei Ying, "Tao'er, you two should go to the drying ground too, so that everyone can get to know the newcomers."

Lin Chuntao pursed her lips, her cheeks flushed: "Grandma, this... I'm a little embarrassed."

Sun smiled, and Lin Chuntao raised an eyebrow at Pei Ying: "Do you want to go?"

Pei Ying had no idea what Lin Chuntao was up to, and simply said, "I'll listen to you."

His words pleased Madam Sun very much. Lin Chuntao looked at the change in Madam Sun's expression and said in a low voice, "Then let's go. Grandma, please don't leave us alone in the drying yard. We don't know what to say."

"No, no."

Since Lin Chuntao had already chosen the people, the village headman didn't send anyone to call Old Man Lin and his family to the drying ground.

At this time, in the courtyard of the Lin family, Uncle Lin went to inform the Zhang family that they would come to present the betrothal gifts the next afternoon. They even made sugar cakes to welcome him, which made him very happy. When he got home, he kept praising how delicious the sugar cakes were.

The wives were eagerly anticipating the betrothal gifts the Zhang family would bring the next day—twenty taels of silver! There were also three or four young men in the family of marriageable age, and this twenty taels would be a lifesaver in their immediate crisis.

Everyone is dreaming of a bright tomorrow.

At the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM), the old lady returned from the county town with her daughter Lin Xian'er and her third son's wife Qian Dingxiang after buying fabric.

They each bought enough fabric to make a set of clothes. Lin Xian'er bought red fabric, which she planned to wear on her wedding day.

Qian Dingxiang bought the royal blue color, saying she was going to make two sets of baby clothes for her unborn son.

Tian was holding a few pieces of cloth in her hand; they were just ordinary gray linen.

Lin Chuntao's clothes were dry, and Chunhe put them on first and came out. The three sisters stood quietly at the door, looking longingly at the cloth in Lin Xian'er's hand.

Since their mother passed away, the four sisters have not made any clothes.

Moreover, all of their clothes were made of gray linen. What Lin Chunxing wanted most was a colorful dress, red, pink, or green would all do.

Seeing the stares from Lin Chunxing and the other two, Lin Xian'er snapped, "What are you looking at? Your drool is dripping onto my cloth! Have you cut enough pig feed for tomorrow? If you haven't cut enough tonight, you won't get any food!"

Lin Chunxing didn't speak, and neither did Chunhe.

Lin Xian'er smugly swayed her hips, holding the piece of cloth as she prepared to go back to her room.

Old Man Lin then said to his son and daughter-in-law, "The village headman told me that each household has to send one person to marry into the family of someone who has moved here. Your mother and I have decided to let Xian'er marry into the family so that you daughters-in-law can share the burden more."

Seeing the change in her son and daughter-in-law's expressions, Madam Tian said in a deep voice, "The government will allocate twelve acres of land to them for the marriage; it won't be yours."

Hearing this, the sons breathed a sigh of relief. Uncle Lin flattered them, saying, "That's great! Bringing him in as a son-in-law gives us an extra source of labor."

"When will you start recruiting?" Lin Lao Er asked.

Tian looked at Old Man Lin, who replied, "No exact date was given. The village head will come and call us when it's time to recruit."

As soon as they finished speaking, Lin Chuntao led Pei Ying into the courtyard.