Chapter 17

Although Song Ying was already married and considered part of her husband’s household, if her natal family gained prestige, her husband’s family would also respect her more. 

After marriage she had given birth to two daughters, and her mother‑in‑law often showed her displeasure. She endured it silently. Her husband, too, had lately grown distant, rarely sharing a bed with her, always claiming exhaustion after being out all day. She longed to bear a son, but under such circumstances, when would that ever happen? 

Now, instead of hoping for a son, she placed her hopes on her cousin passing the xiucai exam next year. If her natal family produced a scholar, she would gain standing in her husband’s household, and her mother‑in‑law would not treat her so coldly. 

Song Ying did not know what Song Sheng was thinking, but remembering her purpose, she said: “Your brother‑in‑law is busy, so he couldn’t come. Cousin, I heard you don’t plan to study anymore, that you want to withdraw from the academy. Is that true?” 

Her lips pressed together, her expression serious. On the way she had prepared herself for the worst. If her cousin truly intended to quit, she would try to persuade him. 

Song Sheng was startled: “Cousin, what are you saying? Why would I quit studying? Who told you that?” 

Hearing his firm denial, Song Ying breathed a sigh of relief. “You nearly frightened me! I thought you really meant to withdraw. But how did this rumor start? Even in Shangnan Village I heard you sold your books and planned to quit.” 

Song Sheng was baffled. He had stayed home for two days, diligently reviewing his lessons, and knew nothing of the gossip. 

He explained: “Cousin, I don’t know who spread this. I did sell a few books, but they were travel notes, useless for the exams. You know our family’s situation. I thought selling them could help pay the shuxiu (academy fees), at least saving some money. Grandmother and the others know about it. But quitting school—I never said that.” 

Lu Qing, listening, was even more confused. He had seen his husband’s diligence these past two days: rising at dawn to study, reading by lamplight at night. How could anyone say he was quitting? 

“Cousin, my husband is right. He has been studying at home every day, waiting for the academy to open. We don’t know where the rumor came from,” Lu Qing added. 

With both of them clarifying, Song Ying believed her family. Since he had no intention of withdrawing, she felt reassured. 

This was also her first time meeting Lu Qing properly. On the wedding day his face had been covered, so she hadn’t seen him. 

“Qing gē ér, it seems after marrying you, my cousin has become even more diligent. Perhaps next year he will pass the exam!” Song Ying said warmly. 

Lu Qing blushed. This cousin truly knew how to speak auspicious words. 

“Cousin, since you’re here, stay for lunch,” Song Sheng invited. 

The misunderstanding cleared, Song Ying no longer worried. But she still had chores at home, and her mother‑in‑law would complain if she delayed. Her two young daughters also needed her. 

So she declined: “No, my little girls are at home. I can’t stay. When Father, Mother, and Grandmother return, just tell them I came.” 

Song Sheng nodded. Seeing her about to leave, he hurried inside and brought out some candy he had bought earlier for his niece and nephew. 

“Cousin, I bought this sugar when I went to town to sell books. There’s plenty left. Take some for your daughters to taste.” 

He remembered how this cousin had helped during his wedding and had always treated him kindly. 

Song Ying was only a year older than him, yet looked much older, surely from the hardships of marriage. 

It was the first time she received something from her cousin to take back home. She thought: marriage has indeed made him more considerate. 

Her husband’s family had not divided households, and since she bore only daughters, her mother‑in‑law favored her younger brother‑in‑law’s family. Her own girls never received treats like candy. She knew the good food was always given to the other children. 

She could only blame her own body for not producing a son. 

Song Ying carefully packed the candy. Her daughters had tasted some at the wedding and had clamored for more ever since. Now she could bring them this small gift as a treat. 

Song Ying left with a smile, and soon after Lu Xun arrived.

Shangnan Village lay to the south, while Shangxi Village was to the west. Not long after Song Ying departed, Lu Xun came.

After Song Ying left, Song Sheng and Lu Qing did not return indoors. Both were puzzled by what she had said and planned to go out to investigate the situation.

But just as Lu Qing opened the courtyard gate, he saw his father arrive.

Lu Qing noticed his father carried nothing in his hands, so it was clear he wasn’t here for a casual visit.

He quickly opened the gate and stepped aside: “Father, why are you here? Please come in.”

Lu Xun’s tone was sharp: “What, I can’t come to see you?”

Lu Qing immediately sensed his father’s displeasure. He glanced at Song Sheng, silently asking with his eyes, “What’s wrong with my father?”

Song Sheng shook his head slightly, indicating he didn’t know either.

Just as Song Sheng was about to greet his father‑in‑law, he remembered his cousin’s earlier question. A bad feeling rose—could his father‑in‑law also have come because of the rumor?

Indeed, once Lu Xun sat down in the main hall, he asked: “Son‑in‑law, are you planning to stop studying and withdraw from the academy?”

Song Sheng realized his suspicion was correct.

So the rumor that he was quitting had spread so far that even neighboring villages knew.

Although the gossip didn’t truly affect him, it was troubling to have concerned relatives come one after another to question him. It disrupted his focus on study and was irritating.

He repeated to Lu Xun the same explanation he had given Song Ying.

Lu Qing also tried hard to explain to his father, clearing up the misunderstanding.

Earlier, when Song Ying came, Song Sheng had done most of the explaining, with Lu Qing only adding a few words. But now, facing his own father, Lu Qing spoke in detail, his eyes reddening with urgency.

Finally he said: “Father, everything my husband said is true. Cousin also came earlier to ask about this. If you don’t believe us, you can ask her. Father, my husband really isn’t quitting. He’s been studying diligently these days.”

Lu Xun’s stern expression finally softened. He was relieved that the rumor wasn’t true.

When Song Sheng invited him to stay for lunch, Lu Xun declined. He had only come to clarify the matter. Now that it was resolved, he felt reassured. Hearing his son say that his husband was studying harder than ever also pleased him.

He told Song Sheng: “I won’t stay to eat. I still have work to do. Today’s matter was a misunderstanding. Don’t take it to heart.”

Song Sheng replied: “Of course not. Father‑in‑law, don’t worry. I will live well with Lu Qing, and in the future I’ll make him the husband of a xiucai.”

Lu Xun laughed happily at this. Whether or not it came true, hearing it from his son‑in‑law’s mouth made him glad.

He had arrived with a dark face, but left smiling. Villagers who saw him wondered: “Wasn’t Song Sanlang supposed to be quitting school? Why is Lu Xun so cheerful after visiting?”

After Lu Xun left, Song Sheng’s expression grew serious. If it had only been his cousin asking, he could dismiss it as idle talk. But now that even his father‑in‑law had come, he realized the rumor was spreading dangerously.