SLH | Chapter 35

Rumors Spread

The Niu family held onto the IOU, and compared to witnesses, the government tends to favor physical evidence. Song Tingzhu had just tried to lure villagers to testify with money, which, if investigated, would be considered forgery according to the Sheng Kingdom’s laws. The punishment could be as light as twenty strokes or as heavy as six months in jail.

Of course, Song Tingzhu wouldn’t be foolish enough to let himself end up in jail; it was just a temporary measure. The real goal was to have Xiaomei seize the opportunity to snatch back the IOU.

By the time Zhang Dahua realized what was happening, it was too late.

“Ahhhh, Ruan Xiulian, I’m going to fight your whole family!”

Not only did she lose her reputation, but she also didn’t get the money. Zhang Dahua was filled with frustration and shouted hysterically as she charged straight at Ruan Xiulian.

“Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on? Desperate times call for desperate measures, huh?”

“Quick, stop her, stop her!”

Everyone helped to restrain her, and a few women who were on good terms with the Liu family dragged and pulled, eventually throwing the three members of the Niu family out of the courtyard.

Zhang Hongbo watched with a slight smile on his face, but felt a bit dissatisfied inside. Seeing the farce end in this way, he left with his two sons, his face dark.

Seeing that there was no more excitement to watch, everyone planned to head home.

“Those who were willing to stand up and testify for Tingzhu, please wait a moment,” Song Tingzhu called out to the group.

Everyone looked puzzled. “Brother Zhu, what do you want from us?”

Song Tingzhu smiled and said, “As a token of gratitude, Tingzhu is willing to help write a family letter or contract for the aunts, free of charge. If you need anything, feel free to come to our house anytime.”

Hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and those who didn’t help speak up were filled with regret.

After everyone left, the Liu family courtyard finally quieted down.

Ruan Xiulian looked at her husband, filled with satisfaction. “It’s all thanks to Brother Zhu’s cleverness; otherwise, we would have been led by the nose by the Niu family.”

Liu Xiaomei held up the IOU, seeking praise, “Mom, why are you only praising Brother Zhu and not me? I just snatched the IOU back from Aunt Niu!”

“Praise you,” Ruan Xiulian took the IOU and couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve gotten smarter following your brother-in-law these days.”

“Hehe, that’s right. My brother-in-law and I have great chemistry. I can tell what he wants to do with just a look.”

Xia Ge’er, no longer afraid, slipped out of Ruan Jinning’s arms, ran over to Song Tingzhu, and looked up with a sweet voice, “Little Uncle, we’re good too, huh.”

The whole family was amused by this.

The next day, Song Tingzhu learned from Tian Le that the three members of the Niu family were arguing fiercely. It turned out that Widow Li was pregnant, and when they went to the town to see a doctor, it was said to be a boy. The old couple of the Niu family was a bit reluctant. Zhang Dahua had only given the Niu family a son and a daughter since marrying in, and now there was finally a grandson. Regardless of whether it was Widow Li or Widow Zhao, as long as they could carry on the family line, the Niu family would accept it.

Song Tingzhu paused while flipping through herbs.

“Are they going to let Widow Li in?”

Tian Le squatted down to help with the herbs, “She’s in, but without a title. I guess they’re planning to kick her out after the child is born. Widow Li is not easy to deal with, so the Niu family might have more drama to watch.”

Song Tingzhu hoped Widow Li would be tough, so the Niu family would be too busy to cause trouble for others.

“Brother-in-law, have you finished the blueprint for the wine steamer?” Tian Le noticed he wasn’t drawing today and asked curiously.

“It’s done. I’ve already divided it into parts and sent it to the carpenter’s shop. We’re making the core part ourselves, but we’re still short of some money for the materials.”

Tian Le leaned in, making sure no one was watching, and pulled out a money pouch from his pocket, whispering, “I have two taels of silver here. Brother-in-law, take it and use it first.”

Song Tingzhu was surprised, “Where did you get so much money?”

“All thanks to the book you gave me before, Brother-in-law. I made a lot of little things, but Mom said they were taking up space and wanted to throw them out. So, I took them to town, hoping to sell them. But hardly anyone bought them. Then, just as I was about to pack up and leave, I met a few generous young masters and misses who thought they were interesting and bought them all. They didn’t even ask for the price and just gave me two taels of silver.”

Tian Le had a look of joy as if he’d been hit by a pie falling from the sky, “It’s the first time I’ve ever held so much money!”

“You didn’t tell Auntie about this?”

“I did. Mom said I earned it myself, so I should keep it, as long as I don’t waste it. I can do whatever I want with it.”

“This money burns my hands. Brother-in-law, if you can use it, take it first. I’m planning to join you in the big business anyway. Consider it an investment. Just don’t forget to share the profits with me in the future.”

Seeing how much Le Ge’er trusted him, Song Tingzhu couldn’t help but tease, “Aren’t you worried about losing it? If that happens, you won’t even get your capital back.”

Tian Le continued to laugh foolishly, “I’m not worried. Brother-in-law is the smartest person I’ve ever met. Even if we lose at first, you’ll definitely rise again and earn it back soon.”

Song Tingzhu felt the pressure but was also full of fighting spirit. He didn’t aim to be extremely wealthy, but with some effort, he could ensure that the people around him were well-fed and clothed.

“Thank you for trusting me so much, but you should keep the money for yourself. It’s not too late to invest once the wine is successfully brewed.”

The Tian family and his family were on good terms, and even if he accepted the two taels, Uncle Tian and Aunt Zhao wouldn’t say anything. But he couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t feel uneasy, especially since there was no sign of the wine yet, and anyone would be suspicious.

“Alright, but I’m definitely joining in. I don’t want to live a life of toil in the fields. I want to see what the world outside is like, just like Brother-in-law said.”

Tian Le propped his chin on his hand, looking forward.

Song Tingzhu, seeing this, joked, “If Auntie knew that my books have given her son wings, she might not let me visit again.”

“She won’t. Mom often talks about how good Brother-in-law is, telling me to learn from you.”

Song Tingzhu chuckled, “I guess all mothers are like that. I remember my mom used to praise other kids as cute, and I got upset with her for a few days. Later…”

He paused, his smile fading, “Later, Mom got sick.”

“Don’t be sad, Brother-in-law. Aunt Liu definitely wouldn’t want you to be sad.” Tian Le frowned, trying to console him.

Song Tingzhu quickly regained his composure, smiling, “I just feel a bit regretful that Mom didn’t get to see me marry my husband.”

As they chatted, they saw Liu Xiaomei and Xu Xiaoman storming into the courtyard with anger.

Tian Le was puzzled, “What’s going on? They were fine when they left.”

Liu Xiaomei fumed, “We ran into some aunts badmouthing Sister Shuang’er. Xiao Man and I didn’t say those things, but now the rumors in the village are awful. Stuff about being indecent and flirting with men from the neighboring village, some things are just too nasty to hear.”

“No way, I have to go to the Qian family. If Sister Shuang’er hears this, she’ll definitely be heartbroken.”

With that, she dropped the bamboo basket and rushed out of the courtyard.

Xu Xiaoman chased after her, “Wait for me, I’m coming too!”

The two hurried in and out, and when they reached the Qian family, they threw a stone into the courtyard. Soon, Qian Shuang’er sneaked out.

“Sister Shuang’er, over here!” Liu Xiaomei called from behind a tree.

Qian Shuang’er, holding her skirt, ran over to join them. Seeing her smiling face, the two were taken aback.

“Uh, you haven’t heard the rumors in the village, have you?” Xu Xiaoman asked cautiously.

“I have,” Qian Shuang’er said, pulling out some dates to share with them, and popped one into her mouth, chewing with a grin. She looked anything but upset, in fact, she seemed quite happy.

Seeing this, Liu Xiaomei was relieved, but still worriedly explained, “Those rumors weren’t started by Xiao Man and me. We just made up a story about you having someone you liked, saying he was from another village to avoid the Huang family investigating. Who knew it would turn into this?”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind. I even want to thank those gossipy aunts and grannies. Only when my reputation is completely ruined will my dad give up the idea of selling me.”

Qian Shuang’er said lightly, “Mom heard the rumors today and just cursed outside for a bit. She even comforted me, saying if I can’t get married, I can just stay home as an old maid. But Dad definitely won’t agree.”

Xu Xiaoman said, “When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten.”

Liu Xiaomei couldn’t help correcting him, “You’re wrong, it’s when the ship reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten!”

Xu Xiaoman scratched his head, “Right, when the ship reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten.”

The three looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Two days later, Sixth Aunt Yang’s family held a wedding. Song Tingzhu got ready early, holding Xia Ge’er, and went to the Xu family with his mother-in-law.

In the village, it’s rare to invite someone to record the ceremony for weddings, but some value the bride’s family and not only invite a ceremony teacher but also offer a high bride price.

The Xu family only had Xu Peng, and their life was decent. To give their son and daughter-in-law face, they couldn’t be careless with the wedding. The couple decided to ask Song Tingzhu to record the ceremony, offering a high bride price of five taels of silver. This was enough for the grannies and women to talk about for a while.

The wedding was lively, and the banquet was grand, with eight dishes and a soup generously served. Everyone praised Ling Yatou for marrying into a good family, saying good days were ahead.

At the wedding feast, a few aunts had some wine, and someone brought up the topic of children, directing it at Song Tingzhu.

“Brother Zhu, now that you’re in good health, haven’t you thought about giving Huzi a child or two?”

“Yeah, Huzi is twenty-one this year. In the village, men his age already have kids four or five years old.”

The aunts meant well, and Song Tingzhu knew they had no ill intentions, so he replied with a smile, “No rush. We’ll talk about it when life gets better at home.”

Speaking of which, he had forgotten to visit the clinic. He didn’t know if his current health could handle bedroom matters.

Thinking of his husband’s physique, Song Tingzhu’s cheeks flushed slightly.

That kind of robust build, probably not…

———————–

Author’s Note:

Liu Hu finished his bath and entered the room, Song Tingzhu saw him and thought: … Maybe wait a bit longer [melting]