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Shen Zhu had a delicate appearance, dressed in a rose-colored top and light blue skirt, with a silver hairpin adorning her hair. This attire, considered quite stylish in the countryside, complemented her teenage charm. Her lively eyes, smiling lips, and overall demeanor were captivating.
However, Su Zhi sensed a hint of artificiality in Shen Zhu – her arched eyebrows, overly expressive eyes, and somewhat forced smile. Her conversation felt awkward and insincere, leaving Su Zhi with the impression that she wasn’t someone easy to get along with. Recognizing Shen Zhu as her sister-in-law, Su Zhi knew that historically, relations between sisters-in-law weren’t always harmonious. Even if Shen Zhu wanted to establish a good relationship, Su Zhi wasn’t inclined to reciprocate.
Recalling their last encounter when Shen Zhu stood beside Shen Zhang shi during the incident with the old Taoist accusing Su Zhi of being a jinx, Su Zhi couldn’t forget Shen Zhu’s strong presence amidst the crowd. It was like a red flower among green leaves, impossible to ignore. Despite the numerous people present, Shen Zhu’s impact was striking, especially with her vocal contributions. Su Zhi’s memory was sharp, recalling the details vividly.
Shen Zhu’s first words to Su Zhi were accusatory, criticizing her as a sister-in-law for not properly welcoming guests who were allegedly mistreated. While the decision to separate households had its complexities, Shen Zhu played a role, suggesting to Shen Youfu that her own misfortune might affect Shen Ziju, leading him to decide on the separation. Such behavior from a cunning young sister-in-law, acting as a proper young lady while causing mischief, left Su Zhi with no positive impression.
“Fourth sister-in-law, your illness seems much better. Congratulations. However, there are still some marks on your face. I have some cosmetics that I’ve been reluctant to use. Why don’t you take them? If you whiten your face, you might become quite a beauty,” Shen Zhu said, approaching Su Zhi with a pleasant voice that sounded like bells, exuding a celebratory tone.
Despite Shen Zhu’s festive demeanor, Su Zhi wasn’t pleased. She noted the veiled barbs in Shen Zhu’s words – it wasn’t typical for a young sister-in-law to point out something on her sister-in-law’s face in front of others, especially mentioning her beauty in such a manner. Su Zhi, already married, found such remarks in front of a group of men, especially about artificial beauty, rather humiliating.
“This must be my young sister-in-law. Thank you for the cosmetics, but you should keep them for yourself. They might come in handy for your marriage. As a married woman dealing with the wind and sun daily, I have no need for them. Unlike you, who can focus on embroidery, your delicate fingers don’t need to be roughened. Take care not to coarsen your hands,” Su Zhi replied with a smile, subtly indicating that if Shen Zhu didn’t show respect, she wouldn’t extend any courtesy in return.
Shen Zhu felt embarrassed when Su Zhi mentioned her impending marriage in front of so many men, her cheeks flushing with color, making her too self-conscious to grasp the meaning behind Su Zhi’s words.
However, others in the group began to notice. Observing Shen Zhu’s powdered face, her attire with the silver hairpin, and her delicate, fair hands, they acknowledged her beauty but also recognized her as a pampered young lady. It was evident that aside from embroidery, she likely hadn’t done much else and was perceived as lazy.
Among the onlookers, both men and women assisting, seeing Shen Zhu’s appearance stirred envy in their hearts. Her clothing and accessories only intensified their jealousy. They swiftly identified Shen Zhu’s flaw – being too delicate and lazy, essentially just a decorative item.
“Oh, Dashan, you’re here too! Of course, as Shen Zi’an’s brother-in-law, you should lend a hand. Come over here; your future young wife is also present, looking quite lovely!” a woman suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention towards a young man.
The young man, around seventeen or eighteen, had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a slightly tanned complexion, and wore a dark blue top with black trousers and cloth shoes. Blushing and grinning foolishly, his gaze was fixed on Shen Zhu, his eyes filled with joy.
Shen Zhu’s complexion shifted from red to pale upon encountering her future fiancé, Song Dashan, who stood there grinning foolishly. She exchanged some polite words with Su Zhi and hastily retreated into the courtyard. Despite the laughter outside, her face turned from pale to slightly bluish, her slender fingers twisting the handkerchief tightly into a rope. However, she maintained a composed exterior, concealing any signs of displeasure.
Outside, people teased and joked with Song Dashan, praising his future wife’s beauty and eloquence, suggesting that he was fortunate to have Shen Zi’an as his prospective brother-in-law. Blushing, Song Dashan hurried back to his duties.
Su Zhi was surprised to see Shen Zhu’s betrothed, realizing that Shen Zhu’s reaction didn’t seem like shy excitement but more of irritation. Considering Song Dashan’s delighted expression, she speculated about the uncertain future of the couple. Shen Zhu didn’t appear like someone willing to marry a farmer; perhaps she was contemplating how to break off the engagement.
Su Zhi felt a sense of relief for Song Dashan. Although being jilted was not ideal, it was better than marrying someone as headstrong as Shen Zhu. Such a fickle woman could bring instability into a marriage. These were merely her thoughts, as she didn’t concern herself with Shen Zhu’s affairs, swiftly diverting her attention back to her own matters. She greeted Wang Shi and Li Shi warmly, and then had small talks with her young nieces.
Having conversed with Li Shi before, Su Zhi knew her to be kind-hearted, and they shared warm smiles upon meeting again. As for Wang Shi, Su Zhi had observed her previously and found her to be a decent person, albeit a bit traditional. She appeared to prioritize her own affairs over others, but Su Zhi had heard that she treated Shen Zi’an well and even received assistance from Shen Zifu, so she held a favorable opinion of her.
“Chunlan, Chunxiang, Chunyue, Chuncao, Chunyun – such lovely names and equally lovely appearances. All of you sisters are truly fortunate,” Su Zhi remarked warmly.
Su Zhi observed the five girls being praised and genuinely felt that the Shen family, regardless of their character, had exceptionally attractive members. These girls, though slightly thin with a hint of a yellowish complexion, all possessed a charming and pure demeanor, making them quite likable.
Chunlan, Chunxiang, and Chunyue blushed and lowered their heads shyly, while Chuncao and Chunyun, being younger, looked up at Su Zhi with delighted smiles, clearly pleased by the compliments.
Wang Shi and Li Shi politely reciprocated the compliments, and with the enthusiastic praise from the women who had gathered, the atmosphere became lively, with everyone extolling the virtues of the girls. Wang Shi’s smile broadened significantly, knowing that praise for her daughters would enhance their reputation and potentially benefit their future marriages.
Amidst the laughter and compliments, Shen Zhu felt uneasy, interpreting the praises for her nieces as veiled mockery directed at herself. Troubled by her own impending marriage, she couldn’t sit still. Finally, spotting the fourth grandson emerging from the house, his cheeks puffed up, clearly indicating he had just sneaked a snack, she approached him and began to lead him away.
“Fourth sister-in-law, Mother sent the fourth nephew to fetch me. She’s not feeling well and asked me to come back to attend to her. When I have time, I’ll come back to help you with the work,” Shen Zhu explained to Su Zhi as she led the fourth grandson away.
Su Zhi, with a warm smile, replied, “Then, you should go back quickly. Taking care of Mother is the priority. Our work here can wait. Once the house is completed, you can come back to help with warming the rooms.”
Su Zhi thought to herself, “You’d better not come and help. That would only add to the chaos!”
Shen Zhu smiled briefly, then disregarded even the fourth grandson, swaying her slender waist as she walked away. Along the way, she encountered Song Dashan but didn’t spare him a glance, quickening her pace.
Initially unhappy at being dragged out, the fourth grandson, thinking he was going to be taken home, now felt relieved. Ready to dive back into the crowd to play, Su Zhi halted him, handing him a piece of candy. Having given some to the young girls earlier, she had a few left, using them to amuse and engage with the children. However, with the fourth son, the candy was a means to engage in conversation.
“Fourth nephew, when did you last visit our old home? You left without a word, so I could have given you a few more candies to take back for your grandparents, mother, and sister. It’s impolite not to inform me before leaving. Perhaps I should ask someone else to take the candies back later,” Su Zhi said, subtly baiting him with the candy.
Eyes gleaming and saliva forming in anticipation, the fourth grandson hastily replied, “Fourth Aunt, I actually didn’t go back just now. I do understand etiquette. I’ll go back now and take the candies. Please let me take them back!”
Chunyun interjected, “You’re lying! How come you didn’t go back, then why did aunt said you were sent to call her back? You were here early this morning! You just want more candy! Fourth sister-in-law, don’t give it to him. He’s always greedy!”
“I didn’t! I really didn’t go back. Grandma didn’t ask me to call Aunt. She grabbed me as soon as she arrived and brought me here!” the fourth grandson protested.
As soon as the bystanders grasped the situation, realizing that Shen Zhu’s reason for leaving was just an excuse, their opinion of her plummeted further. They viewed her as lazy – her brother was constructing a house, and she wanted to leave without even observing anything, resorting to lies. This behavior led them to question her integrity and character.
Wang Shi and Li Shi exchanged a glance and subtly looked at Su Zhi, pondering whether her earlier inquiry to the fourth grandson had been unintentional or deliberate. Regardless, they decided it was best not to provoke Su Zhi further. As for the negative remarks about Shen Zhu, they harbored no ill will. While Shen Zhu hadn’t directly mistreated them, she had caused them trouble behind the scenes. Unable to confront her themselves, they felt a sense of satisfaction that someone else was addressing her behavior.
Hurriedly returning home, Shen Zhu was oblivious to how quickly her true intentions had been exposed upon her departure. Consumed by worries about her impending marriage, she couldn’t shake off the distress.
“Mother, the match you arranged for your daughter is a disaster! I’m utterly humiliated!” Shen Zhu burst into tears as soon as she saw her mother, pouring out her troubled thoughts. Her tears fell like beads off a broken dam.