"I choose her!"
Without hesitation, Jin Feng pointed at Guan Xiaorou.
The surroundings fell silent.
Someone actually dared to marry the "jinx"?
Even Guan Xiaorou herself was stunned.
She knew Xie Guang, and she had naturally heard of Jin Feng.
Rumors said this scholar was aloof and proud. How could he possibly choose someone like her, an "unlucky" woman?
She had never held any hope for Jin Feng, so much so that she wondered if she had misheard. Tentatively, she asked, "You… what did you say?"
"I said I want to marry you. Are you willing to marry me?"
Jin Feng asked slowly.
"I'm willing! I'm willing… Thank you… thank you…"
Guan Xiaorou was so overwhelmed that her words tumbled out in a rush. "Don't worry, I'll work hard and repay you with all my heart…"
The head constable breathed a sigh of relief.
On the way here, he had noticed Guan Xiaorou's unstable mood and feared she might do something drastic—such incidents weren't rare. Every year or two, some "money-losing goods" would be driven to despair during the marriage procession.
As the person in charge, if something happened, he would face reprimands and salary deductions.
Now, this burden was finally off his hands.
Afraid Jin Feng might change his mind, the constable quickly signaled the matchmaker.
Understanding his meaning, the matchmaker stepped forward and led Guan Xiaorou to Jin Feng, announcing, "From now on, you are husband and wife! May you have many children and grow old together!"
The constable produced a stack of coarse paper, had Jin Feng and Guan Xiaorou press their fingerprints on it, and gave one copy to the couple while keeping the other for official records.
Looking at the so-called marriage certificate, Jin Feng felt a sense of unreality.
Was he really married?
In both his past and present lives, this was his first marriage…
Beside him, Guan Xiaorou clutched the marriage certificate tightly to her chest, also feeling as if it were a dream.
She stole a glance at Jin Feng and found him looking at her. Flustered, she quickly lowered her head, her cheeks burning.
Soon, Zhang Mancang and the others also received their marriage certificates, and another family selected a concubine. With that, the marriage procession concluded.
The constables and matchmaker gathered the unmarried women from Xihe Bay and headed to the next village.
"Jin Feng, you've got guts, marrying a 'night spirit.' Be careful she doesn't curse you to death!"
As soon as the constables left, Xie Guang blocked Jin Feng's path, taunting him.
"Ignorant fool!" Jin Feng said coldly. "What 'night spirit'? Xiaorou's sensitivity to sunlight means she's destined for a life of wealth and prosperity!"
"Hah! Wealth and prosperity? Let's see if you live long enough to enjoy it!"
"Mind your own business. A good dog doesn't block the road. Move!"
Jin Feng shoved Xie Guang aside and led Guan Xiaorou away.
"You've made an enemy today, Jin Feng. Watch your back from now on!"
With the constables barely out of sight, Xie Guang didn't dare start a fight. He could only shout threats in frustration.
Jin Feng didn't look back, simply raising his right hand and extending his middle finger.
Though Xie Guang didn't understand the gesture, he could guess Jin Feng was insulting him.
This only deepened his hatred, and he began spreading rumors among the villagers, reinforcing the idea that Guan Xiaorou was a jinx.
The superstitious villagers took his words to heart.
"Oh no, the jinx has married into our village!"
"A wastrel and a jinx—better stay far away from their family."
"Jin Feng married a jinx. There's no way he'll be able to pay next year's taxes. He'll be conscripted for sure."
"Conscripts always end up in the vanguard. With Jin Feng's weak build, he'll never make it back alive."
The villagers' gossip followed them as they walked.
"I'm sorry…"
Guan Xiaorou's voice trembled.
"Don't take it to heart. We're not eating their food, so their words mean nothing."
Jin Feng smiled. "Remember, don't argue with fools, or you'll become one yourself."
Still just an eighteen-year-old girl, Guan Xiaorou couldn't help but giggle at Jin Feng's words. Looking at his not-so-broad back, she felt a growing sense of security.
"This is my home."
Jin Feng pointed to the dilapidated blacksmith's shop. "It's a bit shabby. I hope you don't mind."
Guan Xiaorou quickly shook her head. "I don't mind at all! I'm just grateful you've taken me in. I'll work hard at spinning thread to support your studies…"
"Then I'll thank my wife in advance!"
Jin Feng playfully cupped his hands in a traditional gesture, imitating what he'd seen in historical dramas.
"I should be the one thanking you… thank you…"
Guan Xiaorou, unsure how to respond, blushed furiously. In her fluster, she dropped to her knees and kowtowed to Jin Feng.
"Whoa!"
Jin Feng hadn't expected such a reaction. He quickly pulled her up. "Alright, alright, I was just teasing. Sit down for now. I'll get you some water."
"You're… the master of the house. How can I let you do such chores?"
Guan Xiaorou twisted the hem of her dress and asked softly, "Where's the kitchen? I'll do it."
"Master of the house?"
This was the first time Jin Feng had been addressed this way, and he found it amusing.
But seeing Guan Xiaorou's face redden again, he feared she might kowtow once more. Deciding not to tease her further, he pointed to the kitchen.
Guan Xiaorou scurried off like a frightened rabbit.
Jin Feng followed, scratching his head. "After you boil the water, have a drink. There's no food left at home, so I'll pawn something to buy some groceries."
Guan Xiaorou, who was scooping water, paused and looked up. "There's no need…"
"It's necessary. No matter what, today is our wedding day. I can't let you go hungry."
Jin Feng's tone was firm.
"No, I mean… there's no need to pawn anything. Before I left, my mother secretly gave me some savings."
Guan Xiaorou hurried to her bundle and carefully pulled out a small piece of silver and a few copper coins, handing them to Jin Feng.
"It seems my mother-in-law still cares for her daughter," Jin Feng thought to himself as he accepted the coins.
Watching Jin Feng leave, Guan Xiaorou glanced around the rundown blacksmith's shop. The slight relief she had felt earlier faded, and her brows furrowed again.
This home had no savings at all. How would they survive in the future?
"Well, no matter what, someone was willing to take me in. It can't be worse than before. I'll take it one day at a time."
Guan Xiaorou could only console herself this way.
She had heard this scholar had no other vices. At worst, she could swallow her pride and return to her parents' home tomorrow to borrow a spinning wheel from her sister-in-law. She would just have to work harder.
But she wondered if she could save enough to cover both their taxes before next year's collection…
Jin Feng left without showing any emotion, but when he reached a secluded spot, he awkwardly punched the wall in frustration.
Asking his wife's family for money to buy food on the very first day of their marriage was utterly humiliating.
However, the lack of food was an urgent problem that had to be solved immediately, or else they would starve.
"This is a historical issue left by the original host. Once I earn enough money, I'll repay my mother-in-law double," he thought.
"Mastering math and science will take you anywhere without fear." Jin Feng believed that the difficulties were only temporary, and he wasn't worried about the days to come.