SLH | Chapter 38

Breaking Off the Engagement at the Cui Family

At night, Song Tingzhu was wearing his undergarments, lying on the inner side of the bed. The bed was narrow, and during the cold winter, they didn’t feel crowded. But now, in the peak of summer, the two of them squeezed together on the narrow bed felt like they were burning.

Song Tingzhu turned to the side, his back against the cool wall. The weather was stifling, and he couldn’t sleep. So he started talking about the wine-making process from the day.

“The wine yeast balls we made the past two days failed. We need to make improvements tomorrow. We also need to buy more glutinous rice, perilla leaves, and mulberry leaves.”

Liu Hu listened intently, holding a big palm fan and fanning them. “Is there anything else we need to buy?”

“Let me think.” Song Tingzhu wanted to take over the fan to let his husband rest, but the man didn’t give it to him. “Buy some Polygonum multiflorum vines, just a small amount, thirty to forty coins should be enough.”

“Alright.”

After thinking for a while, Song Tingzhu rested his head on his husband’s arm and said, “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the town with you. We lack the herbs needed for the wine yeast, so we might as well set up a stall in the town for a day. It’ll be good to take Xiaomei and Xia Ge’er out for a change. They’ve been cooped up at home with me for some time and should get some fresh air.”

The man naturally agreed. The two of them chatted for a while, perhaps half an hour or the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, before sleepiness overtook them. They nestled together and unknowingly drifted into dreamland.

The next morning, after the family finished breakfast, they each went out to do their own tasks. Song Tingzhu carried a bamboo basket, holding the excited Xia Ge’er who was thrilled to hear they could go to town.

“Huzi brother, brother-in-law, are you going to set up a stall in town?” They bumped into Tian Le near the big banyan tree, and he asked with a smile.

Song Tingzhu smiled back, “We need to buy materials for making wine yeast, so we’re going to town to buy some and make some money on the side.”

Tian Le picked up Xia Ge’er happily, “Great! I’m also going to set up a stall in town today. I still have some small crafts left from before, planning to try my luck again.”

Xia Ge’er, suddenly lifted up, wasn’t scared. He hugged Uncle Tian Le’s neck with his little hands, his cheek affectionately pressed against him.

“Oh, our Xia Ge’er is so lovable. Later, when Uncle Le makes some money, I’ll buy you some candied haws.”

Xia Ge’er squinted his eyes, looking adorable, “Thank you, Uncle Le.”

Tian Le, holding and cherishing the little one for a while, finally put him down when he got a bit tired. The group chatted as they headed to town.

Half an hour later, Liu Hu and Song Tingzhu parted ways with the others at the town entrance. The day after tomorrow was the Qixi Festival, and Lianxi Town was already bustling today. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and festoons, with food, drinks, acrobatics, and archery games, offering a feast for the senses.

Song Tingzhu and the others arrived late, and all the good spots in the market were taken. They found a clean, quiet place to set up their stall.

Tian Le propped his chin, craning his neck to look at the bustling stalls, “Not many people come to this alley. I wonder how many coins we can make today.”

Liu Xiaomei said, “I’ll go check inside the market. Maybe there are people who want letters written for them. Who knows, our stall might be in there.”

Song Tingzhu nodded, seeing Xia Ge’er also wanted to go, he let Tian Le take him to the lively area. He didn’t feel safe letting Xiaomei go alone with Xia Ge’er, especially with so many people around today.

Not long after the three left, a strong and a weak voice could be heard from the courtyard behind them.

“I don’t care. If you can’t be with me on the Qixi Festival, then be with me today, or I won’t agree.”

“Alright, I’ll be with you.”

“Who are these people? How dare they set up a stall at our doorstep.”

Turning out of the alley, they saw a stall set up by the roadside. The woman seemed startled and fell coquettishly into the man’s arms, her face showing disdain.

“Er Lang, people are setting up stalls right at our doorstep, and you’re not doing anything about it.”

The young man was very taken by the woman’s act, pulling her close and coaxing her like a treasure, “Life is hard for the common folk. Ying’er, you’re the kindest, just let them set up here.”

“Alright. The jewelry store on East Street has new styles. Let’s go take a look.”

“Sure, whatever you want today.”

“I knew it, Brother Fei is the best to Ying’er.”

The two of them walked away intimately, and only then did Song Tingzhu look up. The stall was set up at the alley entrance, quite a distance from the couple’s courtyard. The woman’s claim that it was at their doorstep was a bit far-fetched. Not wanting to argue, he let it go to avoid wasting words.

With no business at the moment, he took out paper and pen to ponder over the wine yeast recipe.

A quarter of an hour later””

“Can you write letters for me?” A woman approached and asked.

Song Tingzhu closed his book, nodding to the woman, “Letters and contracts are two coins each.”

The woman relaxed her eyebrows and smiled, “I heard a little girl in the market say there’s a stall here that writes letters for two coins. I didn’t believe it.”

As she spoke, she looked over the stall, seeing it was indeed well presented, and then took out her money pouch.

Moments later, after the woman left with her written letter, more aunties and ladies came, all introduced by Xiaomei and Le Ge’er.

Song Tingzhu smiled lightly, writing a dozen letters in a row before business slowed down.

“Uncle, Xia Ge’er is back~”

After handing over the freshly written letter to an auntie, he heard Xia Ge’er’s excited voice at the alley entrance.

“Xia Ge’er brought you candied haws. They’re sweet and sour, really tasty!”

The little one waved a stick of candied haws, beaming as he ran over.

Seeing him run over with a sweaty forehead, Song Tingzhu took out a handkerchief to wipe him while smiling, “Why are you running so fast?”

“To bring Uncle candied haws.” Xia Ge’er’s eyes sparkled, holding up the red lantern-like candied haws, his voice soft, “Uncle, you eat first.”

Under the little one’s expectant gaze, Song Tingzhu pretended to take a bite, and only then did Xia Ge’er take it back, sitting beside him happily eating.

“Brother-in-law, did my little crafts sell?” Tian Le looked at the stall and saw a few small animals missing, feeling pleasantly surprised.

Song Tingzhu said, “A few mothers and children passed by, found them delicate, and bought a couple.”

Tian Le was delighted, “As long as they sell.”

As noon approached, the market visibly thinned out. With no business, Song Tingzhu called Xiaomei and Le Ge’er to pack up the stall and find a noodle shop to fill their stomachs.

The two agreed cheerfully, and as they were packing up, the young couple living in the alley happened to turn the corner.

The woman, still with her unkind words, said, “Finally leaving. Who sets up a stall at someone’s doorstep? Only Brother Fei is kind enough. Anyone else would’ve driven you away.”

Tian Le frowned, getting up to argue, but was stunned when he recognized the woman.

Liu Xiaomei, seeing him suddenly in a daze, called out in confusion, “Brother Le?”

Tian Le snapped back, his face flushed with anger.

Cui Ying’er, seeing his displeasure, was about to leave with the man’s arm when the young man called out her name.

“Cui Ying’er!”

Cui Ying’er was startled. No wonder the young man looked familiar. Could he be from the same village and recognize her?

She panicked, wanting to leave quickly but was stopped by someone grabbing her sleeve.

Tian Le, blocking her, was furious, “You’re marrying my brother in two days, yet you’re here flirting with another man in town. Shameless!”

Cui Ying’er’s face turned pale at his words.

After a while, she stammered, “You… you are Le Ge’er?”

Realizing the person in front of her was indeed her future husband’s younger brother, Cui Ying’er quickly let go of the man’s arm, forcing a smile to explain, “Le Ge’er, it’s not what you think. He’s my cousin. I came to town to see him for something. Since I’m marrying Tian Ge’er soon, I wanted to get some festive decorations from my cousin.”

Gao Fei couldn’t write, but she didn’t know what excuse to use when she saw Song Tingzhu’s stall, so she blurted it out.

Tian Le wasn’t stupid. The man beside Cui Ying’er was clearly a farmer, with calloused hands, not the type to hold a pen, more like someone who toils in the fields!

He sneered inwardly, stepping aside, “Alright, let your cousin write something to prove it.”

“This…”

Cui Ying’er was in a bind, signaling the man with her eyes.

Gao Fei understood, holding his arm and frowning, “It’s unfortunate. I injured my arm recently and can’t hold a pen.”

Tian Le, unable to bear it any longer, pointed at the two and cursed, “You think I’m stupid?! I saw you two hugging just now, and now you want me to believe otherwise. How shameless!”

Seeing she couldn’t fool him, Cui Ying’er didn’t bother to explain. She didn’t want this marriage anyway, so if it was off, it was off.

Tian Le, seeing her indifferent attitude, was shaking with anger.

“I’m breaking off the engagement. I’ll have my brother go to Changshou Village to break it off!”

“Go ahead. Who wants to marry into your poor family in Yunxi Village anyway?”

Cui Ying’er rolled her eyes, pulling the man away.

“Brother-in-law, I’m heading back. I need to tell my parents about this. No wonder such a good match came our way, there was a catch!”

Tian Le hastily packed his things into the bamboo basket, ready to leave.

Seeing his emotional state, Song Tingzhu worried about accidents on the road, accompanied him back to the village.

Half an hour later””

The Tian family’s elders, upon hearing this, were furious.

Auntie Zhao slammed the table, and with her husband, gathered a few strong young men from the village. The next morning, they set off in a grand manner to Changshou Village.

The Cui family, on the surface, seemed reputable, praised by the matchmaker, making the family sound like rare saints in the world.

Upon reaching Changshou Village and asking the villagers, Auntie Zhao learned that the Cui family wasn’t easy to deal with. Their daughters were beautiful but had high ambitions, constantly looking down on others. Recently, the second daughter had been close to a man from Dawa Town, and everyone thought they were getting married, only to find out she was promised to someone in Yunxi Village.

Auntie Zhao was furious, realizing they were being used as a backup plan!

Knowing the Tian family would come, the Cui family was prepared. When the Tian family came to break the engagement, they brought the daughter out, claiming she was pregnant with Tian Tian’s child, making the marriage inevitable.

Outside the courtyard, a crowd gathered to watch, their eyes wide, their gazes towards the Tian family changing.

Auntie Zhao, both angry and annoyed, knew that the two had indeed been alone once or twice since the engagement. But she knew her eldest son’s character, and he wouldn’t casually touch a girl before marriage. The Cui family was clearly forcing the marriage, just to find a cheap father for Cui Ying’er’s illegitimate child!

The Cui family had already inquired about the Tian family, assuming that since the son was already twenty-two and unmarried, the Tian family must be desperate. Their daughter, now eighteen, was more charming than those fifteen or sixteen, and they thought the Tian family should be grateful for such a good match.

Mrs. Chen from the Cui family pulled Auntie Zhao aside, hinting that there was nothing wrong with her daughter, only talking about how reluctant they were to let her marry, and how lucky the Tian family was to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law.

Auntie Zhao was almost amused by her anger, not holding back, she loudly said in front of everyone, “No wonder the daughter is indecent, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Like mother, like daughter!”

Mrs. Chen’s face turned dark, seeing the Tian family insisting on breaking the engagement and demanding the betrothal gifts back. She was unwilling, trying to bring up the child again, but Tian Tian, who had gone to town to bring a doctor, suddenly showed up.

The Cui family panicked, trying to prevent a pulse check. Seeing their guilty demeanor, everyone understood the truth, but the Cui couple refused to admit it. If this spread, Tian Tian’s reputation would be damaged.

The Cui family intended to cling to the Tian family, but Auntie Zhao and her husband, considering their son’s reputation, didn’t resort to violence. Tian Tian, however, wouldn’t stand for it. He’d rather remain single for life than be a cuckold.

To hell with the Cui family, let anyone else be the cheap father if they want.

“Later, when my mom asked for the betrothal gifts back, Mrs. Chen didn’t want to give them. My brother threatened to empty the Cui house, and only then did they honestly return the money.”

Tian Le recounted the event of breaking the engagement at the Cui family while rolling wine yeast balls.

Song Tingzhu, listening, suddenly sighed.

“The Cui family isn’t easy to deal with. In just two days, not only in Dawa Town, but our town is also buzzing with rumors. My brother will have a harder time finding a wife in the future.”

Seeing Tian Le only worried about his brother and not himself, Song Tingzhu said, “With the Cui family spreading rumors, your marriage prospects will also be affected.”

Tian Le grinned, “I’m not in a hurry. I still want to learn business from you, brother-in-law. Who knows, maybe I’ll find a wealthy and handsome partner outside, bringing them back to make all those gossiping aunties envious.”

Song Tingzhu chuckled, “Then I wish you success in your endeavors.”

“Hehe, I’m just joking. By the way, brother-in-law, how’s the wine steamer Huzi made?”

“It’s ready, just waiting for my husband to assemble it.”

Tian Le was excited, “Great! Once the wine yeast is made, we can buy grain to brew wine!”

Song Tingzhu was also looking forward to it.

Days passed by collecting herbs and making wine yeast. Before they knew it, it was mid-autumn. Song Tingzhu and Xiaomei went to the back mountain to gather herbs, noticing fewer men in the village, reminding him of the labor service.

“Brother-in-law, come look, doesn’t this grass look like the ones you drew before?” Liu Xiaomei called eagerly.

“What grass?”

Song Tingzhu set down the half-dug herbs, glancing over.

“It’s Dendrobium, and it’s the highly medicinal Dendrobium officinale!”

———————–

Author’s Note: Darlings, there’s another 2000 words coming tomorrow. I’m off to pick up my cat [crying emoji]