SLH | Chapter 26

Ghostwriting Letters

“Our family used to be really close with the Zhao family. Their son, Zhao Qian, studied at the academy with my son, Yuanshan. That Zhao kid loved to mess around with cats and dogs, but he wasn’t a bad kid, at least not in front of us. Who would have thought he’d get so close with a girl from a town family and shamelessly lead her into the woods!”

“The worst part is, when people started to notice, that little brat shifted the blame onto Yuanshan. Poor my son, he got hit on the head and when he woke up, he was just not right anymore.”

This incident happened six or seven years ago, but whenever Hua Er’niang brings it up, she’s still filled with anger, wishing she could skin that Zhao kid alive to vent her hatred!

The woman beside Hua Er’niang patted her shoulder and sighed, “Because of Yuanshan’s situation, Qiaoniang’s marriage was delayed until she was eighteen.”

Hua Er’niang composed herself and continued, “Zhao Qian’s not a good person, yet he passed the scholar exam and earned the academy teacher’s praise. The whole family moved to town. Heaven really is blind, letting someone like that live a good life. Since then, I’ve been paranoid. My Yuanshan’s already like this, if we encounter another beast in human skin, and they ruin Qiaoniang too, I really couldn’t live anymore.”

Ruan Xiulian, feeling a bit empathetic, lowered her voice, “My daughter will need to find a husband in a couple of years too. Just thinking about it makes me uneasy.”

“My girl got married to Dawa Village last year, and I don’t even know how she’s doing.”

When talking about their daughters, everyone on the cart seemed a bit down, their faces clouded with worry.

Song Tingzhu noticed Xia Ge’er nestled in his sister-in-law’s arms, barely daring to breathe, and spoke up to lighten the mood, “Aunties, if you don’t mind, I’ll take on this job. I happen to have a letter I wrote a few days ago. Take a look and see if my handwriting is okay?”

Hua Er’niang’s face lit up with joy when she heard this. She took the letter, and her eyes sparkled immediately.

“Wow, this handwriting is even prettier than the couplets we buy in town during the holidays!”

“Let me see.”

A few older ladies craned their necks to look, and seeing the handwriting, they all gave Song Tingzhu a thumbs up.

“It’s settled, we’ve found someone to write the ceremony, and with such neat handwriting, we’ll definitely give Zhu Ge’er a big red envelope!”

With the deal made, Song Tingzhu was also happy, a smile tugging at his lips, “Aunties, no need to spend extra, just the usual is fine.”

“Elder sister, you’re so lucky. Your husband not only looks good but also reads and writes, and he speaks nicely too.”

“Absolutely, your daughter is also sensible, helping to look after the kids.”

The group chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, half an hour had passed, and they arrived at Shanghe Village. After Hua Er’niang and her group left, the ox cart became quiet.

“Huzi’s husband, you can write, right?” Old Peng, driving the ox cart, turned his head and asked, “I overheard you talking at the back.”

Song Tingzhu modestly replied, “I know a bit.”

Old Peng continued, “Can you write a letter?”

“I can, is Old Master Peng looking to write a letter?”

“Yes, my elder sister married to Fuquan County years ago, and I haven’t been in touch for a while. I want to ask how she’s doing. There’s a place in town that writes letters for people, but they look down on us. When I asked, the scholar said I needed to use some new official paper and asked for ten copper coins. Isn’t that a rip-off?”

Song Tingzhu thought to himself: New official paper is indeed more expensive, so the price is reasonable, but the person writing letters for others might be trying to rip people off by insisting on using expensive paper when cheaper hemp paper would do.

“Old Master Peng, I can write the letter, but it’s not for free. Two coins per letter, is that acceptable?”

Old Peng was still upset about being ripped off earlier, but he immediately nodded in agreement when he heard this.

“Acceptable, why wouldn’t it be? Paper and ink cost money, and you’re only charging two coins, just a bit for your trouble.”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhu breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried Old Master Peng might not agree, considering two coins could buy an egg.

“Old Master Peng, tell me the contents of the letter, and I’ll write it down for you when I get back.”

“Alright.”

Old Peng loved to talk and didn’t have a point, repeating the same thing four or five times. Liu Xiaomei listened for a long time and only remembered the opening line”””Elder sister, I miss you!”

“I’ve noted it down, Old Master Peng. Once the letter is written, I’ll have Huzi bring it to you when he goes to work in town.”

“Alright.” This time, Old Peng wasn’t afraid of being ripped off, and he even paid in advance for a letter he hadn’t received yet.

Song Tingzhu didn’t refuse, took the money, and took the opportunity to promote, “I can not only ghostwrite letters but also couplets. This costs a bit more, four coins. I’ll provide the paper, but it’s just ordinary white hemp paper. If you want it to look more elegant, the host family will need to provide their own. Old Master Peng, you know a lot of people in town. If anyone needs it, please mention it. If it works out, next time you want to write a family letter or couplets, I won’t charge you.”

“You’re quite the businessman, young man.” Old Peng chuckled, “Alright, it’s a good deal. I’ll take it.”

Song Tingzhu smiled brightly, “Then thank you in advance, Old Master Peng.”

“Sister-in-law’s husband, have you been planning to make a living ghostwriting letters?”

Liu Xiaomei felt quite regretful, realizing her sister-in-law’s husband wasn’t a spendthrift. She had misunderstood him at the market earlier.

Seeing the young girl looking so dejected and remorseful, Song Tingzhu laughed and said, “You deserve some credit too. Thanks to you taking me around North Street, I got some cheap hemp paper. Otherwise, I would have spent another ten coins buying it from a bookstore.”

Hearing this, Liu Xiaomei felt much less guilty and smiled brightly, “I see people doing business always have a runner with them. From now on, I’m your little runner, sister-in-law’s husband. If you have any work, just let me know.”

“Xia Ge’er also wants to be a little runner!” Xia Ge’er raised his little hand, interjecting.

Ruan Xiulian chuckled, “My little ancestor, you’re a young man. If you want to be a runner, you should be a little runner boy.”

Xia Ge’er raised his little hand again, cheering, “Xia Ge’er wants to be a little runner boy~”

Song Tingzhu couldn’t help but laugh, shaking Xia Ge’er’s little hand gently.

“Alright, I’ll definitely have you and your little aunt as helpers.”

The little boy patted his chest, promising seriously, “Xia Ge’er can endure a lot!”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhu and the others burst into laughter.

Back home, Song Tingzhu took out the pen and ink, wrote the family letter for Old Peng, and sealed it in an envelope.

Dinner was still simple with porridge and side dishes. Everyone was particularly happy when Ruan Xiulian mentioned that Zhu Ge’er would be serving as the ceremony teacher for someone.

At night, the couple lay together, whispering.

While massaging his wife’s sore legs, Liu Hu asked, “Wife, are you thinking of setting up a stall in the village to ghostwrite letters?”

Song Tingzhu nodded, his face flushed. He couldn’t help but grab his husband’s arm and whispered, “Husband, be a little gentler.”

Liu Hu, although inexperienced in bedroom matters, had heard plenty while working in town. Listening to his wife’s soft breathing, his honest face showed a hint of discomfort.

Unaware of his husband’s discomfort, Song Tingzhu noticed the man moving slightly away from him. He moved closer, resting on the man’s arm, and said, “I originally planned to start teaching Xiaomei and the others to read the day after tomorrow, but now that’s not possible. I’ll have to ask someone to inform Jinning in Xiahe Village to come a day later.”

Liu Hu stammered, “I got it.”

Saying this, he moved a little further away.

Only then did Song Tingzhu realize the man’s reaction, his face turning red, and he felt the heat in his palm on the man’s shoulder.

He bit his lip, pulled back his hand, and whispered, “I, I can’t handle it physically.”

Liu Hu held his wrist, and even his breath was hot.

“Wife, don’t be afraid. I, I didn’t mean anything.” The man explained anxiously.

Song Tingzhu’s cheeks were burning, and his heart was pounding.

His mother had passed early and never talked about these things with him. Only last year, Granny Liu, upon hearing he was going to marry in place of Song Rui’er, mentioned a few things at night. Granny Liu didn’t say much, just gave him a small booklet and left quickly.

Back then, he naively thought it was a comic book Granny Liu had found to amuse him. When he opened it, he realized it was a book teaching about such matters. He tossed it aside like a hot potato after just a glance, mocking himself for what use it was since he thought he’d be gone before even getting off the bridal sedan.

But fate is unpredictable. Now, having been with the Liu family for half a year, not only did things not turn out as he thought, but his health was improving. He used to feel out of breath after walking a few steps, but now he could walk for two or three quarters of an hour and only feel a bit of leg pain, which would ease after resting for a few days.

However, it’s still not possible to engage in bedroom activities right now.

With a flushed face, Song Tingzhu glanced at the man, seeing him frowning and looking helpless, and his heart softened.

He tugged at the man’s sleeve and mustered the courage to say, “I’ll go to the clinic in town to check. If it’s okay, then…”

Liu Hu, hearing this, became even more flustered, “Wife, I didn’t mean it. You’re not well, how could I think of such things? I just, just like listening to you talk, and you look nice, so I just wanted to hug you.”

If anyone else said this, Song Tingzhu wouldn’t believe it, but the man in front of him was honest and had never lied to him.

“Silly, I’m your husband. If you want to hug, just hug.” He blushed and leaned towards the man.

Liu Hu showed a silly smile, holding his wife, happily saying, “I won’t go to work tomorrow. I’ll stay home and make a desk for you.”

Song Tingzhu was puzzled, “Why make a desk?”

“The table at home is uncomfortable for you. Every time you finish writing, you have to rub your neck.” Liu Hu pressed his rough fingers on his neck, “When I work in town, I see scholars using them, so I thought I’d make one for you when I have time.”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhu’s face lit up with a smile.

“Then thank you, husband.”

“Not a problem. I’ve seen it, the desk is easy to make, but I’m not good at woodworking, so it won’t be too refined.”

Leaning against the man, Song Tingzhu yawned and said, “It’s fine, as long as it works.”

The night passed peacefully, and the next morning, the sound of sawing wood could be heard in the yard.

Outside, the pear blossoms were in full bloom. Reaching out, Song Tingzhu picked one and tucked it into Xiaomei’s hair when he saw her.

Liu Xiaomei gently touched it, smiling, “I was just about to pick some. The pear blossoms are so beautiful these days. Mom said there are too many flowers, and she’s afraid they won’t bear fruit. So, she’s having my second brother pick some later to make pear blossom cake for lunch.”

Xia Ge’er was squatting on the ground, picking up fallen petals, happily saying, “Grandma’s pear blossom cake is so delicious, Xia Ge’er can eat several pieces~”

Ruan Xiulian came out of the kitchen and saw her grandson picking up petals, and called out, “My big grandson, don’t pick up the ones on the ground. Let your uncle take you to pick some clean ones.”

“Got it, grandma.”

Xia Ge’er dropped the petals in his hand and ran to Song Tingzhu, holding his hand and asking, “Uncle, are we going to dig herbs today?”

Song Tingzhu led the little boy to the storage room, “Not today, uncle has important work to do.”

He picked a poetry collection and two slightly yellowed hemp papers.

Seeing this, Xia Ge’er was delighted, “Uncle, are you going to draw a big tiger again?”

Song Tingzhu recognized the expectation in his voice, but today he wasn’t drawing, he was writing couplets as a gimmick.

However, he couldn’t bear to disappoint the little guy, so he said, “After I finish my work, I’ll draw you a big rooster.”

“Xia Ge’er doesn’t want a rooster, Xia Ge’er wants a bunny.”

Patiently, Song Tingzhu said, “Alright, I’ll draw you a little black bunny this time.”

“Yay, then Xia Ge’er will have two bunnies, and they can be friends~”

Watching Xia Ge’er happily circling the table, Song Tingzhu felt a pang in his heart.

Xia Ge’er didn’t have playmates. At home, he could only play with Xiaomei, but she was already at an age where she understood things better, and they often couldn’t play together. With no one to play with, Xia Ge’er could only talk to the straw grasshoppers and the bunnies on paper.

Xia Ge’er was so well-behaved and never made a fuss, which made people feel even more sorry for him.

Grinding the ink, Song Tingzhu thought to himself. He wanted to bring his grandfather’s family, Wen Ping, to study together, partly so the two children could have company. However, Wen Ping was a boy, and as they grew older, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to be together often.

“Xiaomei, I remember Xiaoman has a younger brother. How old is he this year?” he asked Liu Xiaomei, who was picking pear blossoms.

Liu Xiaomei, holding a bamboo basket, replied, “Six years old.”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhu felt quite pleased.

“After lunch, go to Xiaoman’s house and ask if they are willing to let their brother come over to learn to read together.”

Liu Xiaomei immediately asked, “What about Xiaoman? Can she come to learn too?”

Song Tingzhu smiled and said, “Of course.”

Teaching one or two is no different. If there’s not enough paper and ink, they can use branches as pens and the ground as paper. His goal in teaching these children wasn’t for them to pass exams, but to ensure they wouldn’t be easily deceived in the future.

Noticing that Xiaomei hadn’t mentioned Zhao Jinzhuz, he asked, “Your friend Zhao Jinzhuz, if she wants to come, she can too.”

The Liu family didn’t have many families they got along well with in the village, and if he wanted to open a distillery, he’d need to get along well with the villagers.

To his surprise, Xiaomei pouted and said, “She won’t come. Her elder sister recently got engaged to a wealthy family in town, and her family is busy with the wedding. A few days ago, I asked her to go herb-picking, and she wasn’t interested.”

Liu Xiaomei felt annoyed, “Crossing the river and tearing down the bridge, ungrateful!”

Song Tingzhu laughed, “Those words are well used.”

Liu Xiaomei widened her eyes, “Sister-in-law’s husband, you can still laugh. She’s the one who spread the word about our herb-picking, or else we might have earned a few more coins.”

“Even if she didn’t say, it wouldn’t be hidden for long.” Song Tingzhu bent down to write couplets, “When the midsummer farming season starts, that’s the best time to harvest herbs.”

Liu Xiaomei suddenly lowered her voice, whispering, “Then let’s not bring anyone, and sneak off to pick them.”

Song Tingzhu smiled, “Alright.”

After writing a couple of couplets and a few ‘Fu’ characters, Song Tingzhu stopped writing.

Red paper was expensive, and these were leftovers from his marriage with Liu Hu, so he had to use them sparingly.

“Lunch is ready.” Ruan Xiulian called out from the kitchen.

“Coming.” Liu Xiaomei ran to the kitchen to help.

After tidying up, Song Tingzhu turned and saw that the desk was taking shape, and couldn’t help but praise, “Husband, you’re amazing, you really made it.”

Liu Hu scratched his head, smiling, “It’s not ready yet. It needs a coat of lacquer and some drying before it can be used.”

Song Tingzhu nodded, “You’ve been busy all morning, go wash your hands and eat.”

“Okay.”

After lunch, Liu Xiaomei took Xia Ge’er to Xu Xiaoman’s house.

“Xiaomei, you’re here. Xiaoman is in her room. I don’t know what’s wrong with her today, she hasn’t come out all morning. Please go check on her and make sure she’s okay.” Xu Xiaoman’s mother, Zhao Qiujv, glanced at the west room, worried.

“Don’t worry, Auntie, I’ll go see.”

Liu Xiaomei knocked on the door, but there was no response at first. After a moment, there was a rustling sound, and then the door opened a crack. Xu Xiaoman reached out and pulled her in, not noticing Xia Ge’er behind her. As she entered, she was about to close the door, but Liu Xiaomei stopped her, otherwise, Xia Ge’er might have gotten hurt.

Holding her sore arm, Liu Xiaomei complained to her friend, “What are you doing? Xia Ge’er’s still behind.”

Xu Xiaoman was startled, quickly took out a candy she had saved and coaxed, “Auntie didn’t mean it, don’t be mad at Auntie, Xia Ge’er.”

Xia Ge’er was confused, not knowing what had happened since he was blocked by Liu Xiaomei. Seeing both his aunt and Xiaoman looking flustered, he was puzzled.

“Xia Ge’er is fine,” the little guy furrowed his brows, “Auntie, are you not feeling well?”

Liu Xiaomei noticed Xu Xiaoman’s complexion, “Why do you look so bad? Are you sick?”

“Yeah.” Xu Xiaoman put the candy in Xia Ge’er’s hand, sat on the bed dejectedly, “I might be dying.”

“What?” Liu Xiaomei looked her up and down, she seemed fine.

“What exactly is wrong with you? Do your parents know?”

“They don’t know, I can’t bear to tell them.” Xu Xiaoman grabbed her hand, tears welling up, “What should I do? I’m only twelve and haven’t lived enough. I don’t want to die, boo hoo hoo…”

With that, she burst into tears.

Xia Ge’er sat there with candy in his mouth, watching. By the time Xu Xiaoman finished crying, the candy had melted.

Xu Xiaoman wiped her tears and sighed.

“Xiaomei, what should I do?”

Liu Xiaomei couldn’t help but ask, “Have you seen a doctor? You don’t look like you’re sick.”

Crying with such vigor, when her sister-in-law’s husband was seriously ill, he didn’t even have the strength to cry!

“No need to see a doctor, with so much blood flowing for several days, I must be dying.” Xu Xiaoman shook her head, putting on a look of resignation, “Fine, if I’m going to die, at least it won’t be painful, and I’ll still be young when I get there.”

“Hey, do you think there are many young men down there? I haven’t even looked at anyone yet. What if I can’t find someone my age? I hope the King of Hell won’t pair me with a seventy or eighty-year-old with no teeth.”

Liu Xiaomei: “…”

“You’re about to die, and you’re thinking about marrying a man? Why not think about how to make it easier for your parents?”

Xu Xiaoman slumped her shoulders, weakly saying, “You’re right, if I die, my parents will be so sad, and my brother and little brother too. I can’t bear to leave them. I don’t want to die, boo hoo hoo…”

With that, she covered her face and cried again.

“If you want to cry, just cry. You’ll feel better afterward.”

Liu Xiaomei patted her friend’s back, comforting her, but the more she thought about it, the more something felt off. A living person bleeding for several days and still crying so vigorously, it didn’t make sense.

Wait, isn’t this just like getting a period?

Liu Xiaomei suddenly realized, looking around the room, she finally noticed something.

“Xu Xiaoman, you’re not dying.”

“Boo hoo hic…” Xu Xiaoman, crying to the point of hiccups, heard this and asked, “What did you say?”

“You’re not dying; you’re having your period, becoming an adult!”

Xu Xiaoman, holding a handkerchief, froze.

Xu Xiaoman’s mother was careless, and her brother wasn’t married, so there was no elder to talk to about such things. Naturally, she knew little about it. When she got her period, she thought she had some serious illness, bleeding continuously, and didn’t dare tell her parents, hiding and crying for days.

She thought she was doomed, but Xiaomei told her she was fine, she was becoming an adult.

Xu Xiaoman grabbed her friend’s hand, excitedly asking, “I’m really not dying?”

“Really.” Liu Xiaomei leaned in, whispering, “Actually, I’ll tell you, I got mine too, just this spring. My sister-in-law said every woman gets her period. If you don’t, you’re a stone woman and can’t have kids!”

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoman breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“Good thing I’m not a stone woman. I really like kids and already thought about how many I want.”

Liu Xiaomei said, “You’re thinking too far ahead. We still have a long way to go before getting married.”

“Not that long. My mom plans to find a match for me next year.”

“So soon?” Liu Xiaomei was surprised, “You’re the same age as me, only thirteen next year. Why is your mom in such a hurry? Your brother hasn’t even looked for someone yet, so it’s not your turn.”

Xu Xiaoman sighed, “You know my family’s situation. Grandparents passed early, and we have no uncles to help. My parents are honest folks, relying mostly on my brother to support the family. Matchmakers smile when they see my brother, but when they see me and Lin Ge’er as burdens, they change their tune.”

Liu Xiaomei frowned, “So your mom wants to marry you off first to make it easier for your brother to find a wife?”

Seeing her friend nod, her brows furrowed even more.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Xu Xiaoman picked at her fingers, murmuring, “What else can we do? We can’t just let my brother be single.”

“What to do? Of course, find a way to make money! With money, your brother can find any kind of sister-in-law.”

Xu Xiaoman deflated, still joking, “If I had a way, I’d already be the richest person in Lianxi Town.”

“I do.” Liu Xiaomei lowered her voice, “You know my sister-in-law’s husband is from the prefectural city, and his family deals in wine, managing several shops!”

Xu Xiaoman cautiously asked, “But isn’t your sister-in-law’s husband estranged from the Song family…”

“It has nothing to do with the Song family. I’m talking about his grandfather’s family.” Liu Xiaomei expressed her disdain for the Song family, then continued, “My sister-in-law’s husband is planning to start a wine business, and he’s already preparing.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoman hesitated, “Can it work? Wine isn’t easy to make.”

Liu Xiaomei confidently said, “Of course it can! Think about it, my sister-in-law’s husband is so smart. If he says it can work, it will. If you join now, you’ll be an original member, and you’ll get so much money you won’t know what to do with it!”

Xu Xiaoman’s eyes lit up, “I’ve never experienced counting so much money that my hands hurt. I wonder what it’s like.”

“You’ll soon have the chance.” Liu Xiaomei asked seriously, “Are you in?”

“I’m in!”

Xu Xiaoman was thus persuaded. When Liu Xiaomei mentioned learning to read, she became even more determined””following her sister-in-law’s husband meant making big money!

“I only told you about this, you can’t tell anyone. If anyone finds out, we’re done, and I won’t tell you about any more money-making opportunities!” Before leaving, Liu Xiaomei reminded her again.

Xu Xiaoman nodded solemnly, “Don’t worry, I promise to keep it to myself.”

Liu Xiaomei then turned to Xu Xiaolin, “You too, make a promise.”

“Lin Ge’er, follow your sister.”

Xu Xiaolin was Xu Xiaoman’s younger brother. He had come in to bring Xu Xiaoman food and accidentally overheard the conversation. Now, the two sisters were sternly instructing him not to reveal a word.

Lin Ge’er, six years old and already understanding, knew his sisters were discussing making money. His eyes couldn’t be brighter.

“Xia Ge’er wants to promise too!” Xia Ge’er stood on tiptoe, placing his little hand under theirs.

“From today, Sister-in-law’s Husband’s Running Team is officially established!”

At Liu Xiaomei’s command, the four of them cheered together.

“Oh!”

Inside, Zhao Qiujv saw her daughter lively again and finally felt relieved.

———————–

Author’s Note: This book is a bit of a slow burn, let’s stick with it together~