Chapter 7

The eldest aunt, Wáng shì, together with her daughter‑in‑law Zhōu shì, was in the kitchen cooking. They had known since early morning that today was the return visit, so all the vegetables had already been washed.

Years ago, when Lu Xun was driven out by his wife’s family and returned to the Lu household with Lu Qing, Wáng shì had many complaints. There were already many mouths to feed, and now two more had come who only ate but did not work. She was resentful.

Because of this, she often quarreled privately with Lu Da. Lu Da was older than her, and after she married into the family she bore three sons, which gave her confidence. So in daily matters, Lu Da usually yielded to her.

Caught between his wife and his mother, Lu Da found it difficult to take sides. No matter whom he supported, it would not end well, so he simply kept silent and pretended not to see.

Madam Jiang also had no choice. Her youngest son’s marriage was unfortunate; if she did not intervene, how could father and son survive?

Even if Wáng shì had opinions, Madam Jiang chose to turn a blind eye and pretend not to notice.

Lu Qing knew that his father bringing him back to live at Grandmother’s house made Wáng shì unhappy, so he usually took on the chores of feeding pigs and chickens, washing clothes, and cooking.

His father was skillful, and later learned a craft from others — carving patterns into wooden furniture. Whenever someone had new furniture made and wanted it decorated, they would ask him to carve designs on wardrobes and tables.

Lu Xun relied on this skill to save some money, often contributing to the household, and Wáng shì’s attitude toward them gradually improved.

While tending the fire, Lu Qing thought about this return visit, feeling that Wáng shì seemed much warmer toward him this time.

In the kitchen, Wang shì chatted with Lu Qing as they worked.

“Qing, your husband Song Sheng must spend a lot of money on his studies, right? Does he have any leftover scrap paper or ink that you could bring back for me? Sanwa is six years old this year by nominal age, and it’s just the right time for him to begin learning to write.”

Sanwa was Wáng shì’s youngest son, Lu Qing’s nephew.

Hearing this, Lu Qing was displeased. His husband barely had enough paper for his own writing, so how could there be extra scraps for others?

Seeing him remain silent, Madam Wang continued: “Song Sheng has been taking the scholar exam for seven or eight years, hasn’t he? After so many attempts, he still hasn’t passed. I think it will be difficult for him. If his family’s books are useless, they could be given to our Sanwa to read!”

“The other day I took Sanwa to the temple to ask a master for a divination. The master said our Sanwa is very clever! Maybe he’ll become a scholar in the future.”

“You should talk to your husband and ask him to teach Sanwa a few characters when he has time. After all, we’re relatives now, and more contact won’t hurt.”

Lu Qing lowered his head, unhappy. His husband was very intelligent; passing the scholar exam was only a matter of time!

He said coldly: “Eldest Aunt, the water is boiling.”

Madam Wang saw the water truly boiling and quickly put the noodles into the pot.

Once the lid was on, Wáng shì resumed her idle chatter. None of her words showed concern for Lu Qing — she didn’t even ask whether he was adapting well in the Song household or if he was living happily.

Lu Qing didn’t want to talk to her, replying absent‑mindedly with short “mm” sounds, waiting for his father and uncles to return.

His younger uncle had always cared for him. When he and his father were driven out by his stepfather’s family, his younger uncle even came to fight for them. Today was his third‑day return visit, so his younger uncle would surely come back.

But before his eldest and younger uncles returned, Uncle Sixi from the village came.

Chen Sixi rushed over, panting heavily, and said anxiously: “Something’s wrong! Qing, your father has been confronted by Liu’s eldest daughter‑in‑law. She’s blocking the doorway at my house, refusing to let him leave, insisting that Lu Xun seduced her husband!”

“What?!” Madam Jiang trembled at the news, nearly unable to stand. Song Sheng quickly supported her to sit down.

“What happened?”

Chen Sixi caught his breath. Seeing the Lu family’s son‑in‑law present, he realized today was Lu Qing’s third‑day return visit and hesitated about whether to speak in front of him.

As he hesitated, Madam Jiang said: “It’s fine. My grandson‑in‑law is not an outsider. Whatever it is, just say it.”

Chen Sixi replied: “Alright then.”

It turned out that today Chen Sixi’s family had just ordered a new wardrobe from the carpenter, planning to use it when his son married. He came to ask Lu Xun to carve some decorative patterns on it.

As noon approached, Lu Xun thought Lu Qing’s return visit should be about to begin, so he packed up his carving tools to go home. Unexpectedly, Liu Guihua, the wife of Liu Da, suddenly rushed out, blocking the doorway of Chen Sixi’s house and began cursing Lu Xun.

“She just went crazy, scolding my younger brother Lu Xun nonstop. Right now she’s rolling around in front of my house, making a scene and ruining his reputation! We tried to stop her, but whenever we pulled her back she screamed that we were molesting her. Even when my wife and the others tried to restrain her, she cursed them too,” Chen Sixi explained.

At this time, none of the Lu family’s men were at home. Hearing this, Lu Qing grew anxious and wanted to go see what was happening.

But Grandmother Jiang said: “Grandson‑in‑law, you go with your Uncle Sixi first. Qing, don’t rush. Stay home and wait for your uncles to return. Let your husband go check the situation first.”

Lu Qing wanted to follow, but since Grandmother had spoken, he could only stay at home.

Grandmother Jiang preferred to let Song Sheng, the newly arrived grandson‑in‑law, go instead of Lu Qing.

Before marriage, Lu Qing had already suffered from his father’s bad reputation. Now that he was finally married, she couldn’t let him go.

If he went, malicious people would again insult him indirectly, dragging his name down. People had said all sorts of things before, and Jiang secretly didn’t want Song Sheng to hear anything that might harm Lu Qing’s reputation.

She was thinking long‑term: Lu Qing and Song Sheng had only been married a few days. If this incident planted resentment in her grandson‑in‑law’s heart, it could affect their relationship.

But she didn’t know that Song Sheng was no longer the same as before. If the person inside this body were still the original, then Jiang’s worries might really come true.

-

Shangxi Village was large, divided into Front Street and Back Street. The Lu family lived in Back Street, and it took quite a while to walk from there to Chen Sixi’s house on Front Street.

On the way, Chen Sixi explained the situation in detail. That morning, he had asked Lu Xun to help carve decorative patterns onto some newly made furniture. Somehow, Liu Guihua came over and began cursing Lu Xun, calling him shameless and accusing him of seducing her husband. Her words were vicious, and she shouted them right at the gate, drawing neighbors to gather and watch.

Seeing that the scene was uncontrollable, Chen Sixi hurried back to the Lu household to report.

Before they even reached Chen’s house, Song Sheng already heard the sound of a woman crying and complaining.

“Everyone, look! Lu Xun is a jinx, shameless! He’s been a widower only a few years and already can’t restrain himself, trying to seduce another woman’s husband!”

“Oh, why am I so miserable! To meet such a vixen who seduced my husband so that he’s never home, and even coaxed him into squandering all our money. He won’t be satisfied until he destroys my family, leaving wife and child separated. He’s not even human…”

Liu Guihua cried with tears and sobs, and the crowd sympathized with her. Lu Xun, being a widower driven out by his wife’s family, was already vulnerable to gossip. Her loud accusations made everyone believe it was his fault.

Lu Xun was not sharp‑tongued like Liu Guihua, and Lu Qing was clumsy with words too, probably taking after him. He tried awkwardly to explain, but no one listened. After much effort, it was useless — the onlookers only continued to criticize and curse him.

Some even went so far as to bring out bowls of food at noon, eating while watching the commotion as if it were entertainment.

Chen Sixi did speak up in defense, but because he was close to the Lu family, no matter how much he said, others did not believe him.