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As Shen Zifu opened the door he heard the Third Household, he wanted to approach but was stopped by Wang Shi. She knew the intentions of the Third Household and understood the sentiments of the patriarch and matriarch in the main household. She didn’t want Shen Zifu to face their disapproval.
“Wife…”
Shen Zifu looked troubled, glancing at Wang Shi. He truly didn’t want to witness Shen Zi’an being manipulated, but with his wife forbidding him from intervening, he felt helpless.
Wang Shi, focused on mending shoes, maintained a stern expression. “This matter is beyond your control. Tell me, since I entered this household, when have you ever had the upper hand? If I didn’t constantly maintain a serious demeanor, ensuring your parents couldn’t find fault, and bore you a son, we’d all be slaves now! Do you still want to meddle in others’ affairs? Focus on managing yourself. Believe me, if you go and speak to Fourth Brother now, your parents will despise you! If they are swayed by you, I’ll pack up and leave for my parents’ house that very night.”
Silenced by the scolding, Shen Zifu sat down despondently, unable to utter a word.
Seeing her husband’s uneasy demeanor, Wang Shi spat out, “Calm down. If your father and younger siblings didn’t gain an advantage today, they won’t tomorrow either. I heard from the elder sons today about the situation. Fourth Brother isn’t one to be easily manipulated, and even his wife is formidable, much stronger than you! Besides, even if they are taken advantage of, they won’t be harmed or starve. What are you afraid of? Just stay here quietly. You’re already not in your parents’ favor, always getting into trouble because of others. You’re so clueless!”
While Wang Shi didn’t have Sun Shi’s proficiency in hurling insults, she was sharp in her criticism, leaving Shen Zifu speechless.
The eldest son signaled to the second son, who left the room. Wang Shi didn’t stop him, knowing he was off to eavesdrop. She too was curious about the main household’s discussions and allowed her son to listen in.
Chuncao and Chunyue were also present. Chuncao followed the second son to eavesdrop, while Chunyue went inside to inform her parents that the Third Household had entered the main household.
Li Shi sighed softly, “Fourth Brother seems to have made some money. I wonder if they can keep it. The Third Household seems envious, inciting your father and me to seek benefits. It seems they won’t be satisfied until they have most of it.”
Chunyue said, “I heard the tiger was sold for quite a sum today. Grandfather and the others must be tempted. Uncle’s exams must be costly. The more money, the happier they’ll be.”
Shen Zigui glanced at his daughter and advised, “Knowing is enough. Don’t speak too much; someone might say you gossip. A girl’s reputation is important, be careful since you still have to marry.”
Blushing, Chunyue excused herself and went to play with her younger sister, Chunyun.
Observing her daughters’ delicate faces, Li Shi smiled but soon grew melancholic, saying, “Fourth Brother only just started to live better after the division. I wonder when we will have a chance at a better life. With three daughters growing older by the day, and us unable to save any money, what will happen to their dowries? How will we find good matches for them in the future?”
“Don’t worry. Once Fifth Brother passes the imperial exams, everything will be easier. Zhu Er will soon be married, and things will lighten up then,” reassured Shen Zigui. However, he felt a sense of helplessness, unable to provide a better life for his wife and children, causing him inner turmoil.
As they were talking, Chuncao returned, her eyes shining brightly, whispering, “Father, Mother, Third Uncle and Third Aunt are asking Grandfather and Grandmother to get money and ginseng from Fourth Uncle! Should we tell Fourth Uncle? I don’t want those good things to end up in their hands! If Third brother gets money, he’ll bully us even more!”
Chunyun, still young, turned her head and softly complained, “Fourth brother is naughty, he pushed me!”
Chunyue added, “Father, Mother, Fourth Uncle has always been kind to us, and Fourth Aunt is pitiable… She’s been labeled as an ill omen, and just as things were looking up for her, they’re already plotting against her.”
Listening to her daughters, Li Shi, content with her three good daughters, touched Chuncao’s head and told Shen Zigui, “Dear, go inform Fourth Brother and let them prepare early.”
Shen Zigui agreed, sneaking out when no one was looking. On the way, he met his Second nephew, and realizing they were both heading towards the east side of the river, they understood each other’s intentions and continued together.
After hearing from the eavesdropping, Shen Zifu wanted to inform Shen Zi’an, but Wang Shi stopped him. She had her own motives, hoping that if they did acquire the money, it would benefit the public funds, sparing them from struggling to support Shen Ziju’s expenses.
“Do we even need to relay the message? Fourth Brother is clever; he’ll surely know that our parents won’t give up easily. He’ll be planning accordingly. Stay at home honestly and don’t upset our parents,” Wang Shi advised Shen Zigui.
The eldest son then signaled to his second son, who mentioned needing to visit the outhouse but actually went to deliver the message to Shen Zi’an.
Upon receiving the message from Shen Zigui and his Second nephew, Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi felt grateful. Su Zhi, particularly appreciative, found solace in the kindness amidst the prevailing negativity. Shen Zifu and Shen Zigui had been a great help when they first moved in, leaving a positive impression on Su Zhi that only grew stronger.
After delivering the message, they planned to leave but were invited inside by Shen Zi’an.
“So, this is Second nephew? Handsome lad. Come, Fourth Aunt doesn’t have anything special here for you now, but I do have some pies for you to enjoy,” Su Zhi remarked. Su Zhi had a habit of offering snacks to children, but lacking variety, she offered her homemade pies. She believed that even if a child had just eaten, they would still be hungry, especially considering the modest portions offered in the Shen household, barely enough to satisfy anyone fully.
Upon Su Zhi’s praise, the Second nephew blushed slightly under the dim lighting. He gazed at Su Zhi’s face, noticing her beauty despite some freckles. Her eyes sparkled, her lips were rosy, and her smile resembled a crescent moon. As Su Zhi handed him a bowl, he discovered it contained pies emitting a rich fragrance, instantly making him hungry.
Being a rural child, he eagerly accepted the food, especially from relatives.
Taking a bite of the pie, he found it so delicious that his mouth watered. He devoured the pies voraciously, finishing them in no time.
Su Zhi also served Shen Zigui two pies in a bowl. Initially reluctant, Shen Zigui was persuaded by Shen Zi’an to accept. Seeing his nephew enjoying the pies, Shen Zigui’s appetite was piqued. He took a bite and was amazed by the flavor, praising Su Zhi’s cooking skills. After exchanging a few compliments, they finished the pies.
Listening to their praises, Su Zhi responded politely.
Shen Zigui and his nephew left quietly and hurriedly once they were done.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi sat facing each other, the joy they had shared from counting money fading away. Shen Zi’an furrowed his brow slightly, while Su Zhi remained composed, having anticipated this turn of events.
“Tomorrow morning, we will go into the city!” Shen Zi’an held Su Zhi’s hand, determined not to let the ginseng, obtained at the cost of almost losing her life, fall into the wrong hands. Unwilling to ask for money to save face, they decided to claim they needed the ginseng, only to sell it for cash. Even though his parents hesitated to ask for money now, they would surely find a way, especially with the shameless couple Shen Ziping and his wife around, always ready to exploit any opportunity.
“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” Su Zhi reassured him. As long as her husband was determined to protect her, she wasn’t afraid of others trying to take advantage. She had her own ways of dealing with such situations!