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Su Zhi’s face lit up with a smile as she said, “What’s inconvenient about that? Fourth Sister and I are as close as siblings. She will definitely be willing to see me. Even if she doesn’t want to, you can let me say a few words to her through the window. There are a few things I need to tell her in person.”
Before Zhao Xiaohua could refuse, a woman emerged from the main hall.
Facing the main entrance, Su Zhi immediately spotted the woman. Her brow furrowed slightly because this woman gave her a bad vibe.
The woman was not unattractive; one could even say she was pretty. Of medium height with a great figure, she wore a bright red dress that accentuated her slender waist. Her gait was alluring as she walked, swaying gently. She had an oval face, long slender eyes, and thin lips. Her heavily powdered face was too obviously flushed with red makeup.
Upon seeing this woman, Su Zhi felt as if she had encountered the woman from a past life who always pursued her husband. It was for that woman that she had decisively ended her marriage. Although the woman before her now looked different, it was the vibe, reminiscent of that woman, that made Su Zhi instantly dislike her. She wondered who this woman was. How could she be at the Zhao residence? Was she related to the Zhao family? If Sister Liu Siniang didn’t show up, could it be connected to this person?
“Sister, who is this?”
The woman, upon seeing Su Zhi beside Zhao Xiaohua, smiled and inquired. Then, noticing Xiaori and the other two children behind Su Zhi, she bent down to touch Xiaori’s head.
“Oh, whose lovely child is this? So handsome! Let Auntie pat your head. Here, have some candy.”
Xiaori tilted his head, took a step back, and frowned at the woman.
Undeterred, the woman chuckled, covering her mouth. “This little one is shy! Doesn’t seem like a country bumpkin. He’ll surely excel in the imperial examinations in the future.”
Su Zhi wasn’t swayed by the woman’s compliments towards the children. As the woman continued to praise them, Su Zhi’s opinion of her soured further. She sensed a particular cunning and pretentiousness about her, along with an air of frivolity not typical of ordinary women.
Upon seeing the woman emerge, Zhao Xiaohua’s smile appeared slightly forced. Observing Su Zhi’s expressionless gaze, she chuckled twice, thinking to herself that she hadn’t done anything wrong. Chin lifted, she gently linked arms with the woman and introduced her to Su Zhi with a smile.
“Sister Zhao, this is my distant cousin from the Zhang family, named Zhang Qingniang. Her family is no more, so she came to seek refuge with us. Cousin, this is Sister Zhao. Our names differ by only one character; she’s called Xiaomei, but some also call her Su Zhi now. Her family lives not far from us, in that large estate to the east.”
Upon hearing “large estate,” Zhang Qingniang noticed Su Zhi’s attire—though simple, it was made of fine fabric, well-crafted, portraying her as more than a mere farmer’s wife. She even wore a silver hairpin shaped like a plum blossom. The three children behind her were fair-skinned, neatly dressed, unlike the dirty and ragged village children she had seen. She thought that this Zhao lady seemed to be a wealthy villager.
“Sister Zhao, considering our ages, although you’re younger, I’ll call you ‘Sister.’ As a newcomer, I’ll rely on your kindness. I will definitely visit your home soon to pay my respects.”
Zhang Qingniang displayed great affection towards Su Zhi, holding her hand and examining her closely. She remarked, “Sister, you are truly beautiful. Your fair and delicate complexion doesn’t seem like someone who lives in the countryside. It seems your husband really cherishes you, no wonder. You are truly fortunate to have three such charming children. I envy that. Let’s keep in touch more often. I hope to share in your good fortune.”
Su Zhi thought to herself that this woman was overly familiar. Despite her own lack of fondness for her, others meeting her for the first time might easily be swayed by her words, potentially becoming instant close friends with her.
“Humbly, I am just a country village woman, nothing special. Qingniang, I came to see Sister Liu. Have you seen her? I have something to discuss with her today.”
A hint of stiffness crossed Zhang Qingniang’s smile. She realized that Su Zhi had come to see Liu Siniang and that their relationship seemed quite amicable.
Observing Zhang Qingniang’s reaction, Su Zhi felt even more uneasy. She continued, “I only need a moment with Sister Liu. If she’s busy entertaining you, then I can assist her.”
Zhang Qingniang glanced at Zhao Xiaohua.
Zhao Xiaohua said, “Sister Zhao, my sister-in-law is truly unavailable to see you today. When she’s free, I’ll ask her to meet you. Please come back.”
“Mom, Auntie Liu is bleeding on her head!”
Xinger’s voice echoed in the courtyard. Taking advantage of Zhao Xiaohua, Zhang Qingniang, and Su Zhi being engrossed in conversation, Xinger, being small in stature, sneaked into Auntie Liu’s room.
Only then did Zhao Xiaohua and Zhang Qingniang notice Xinger had slipped in. Their expressions turned grim, unable to scold him, they could only watch as Su Zhi hurried inside.
Upon entering, Su Zhi found Liu Siniang lying on the bed, her forehead wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth. Her eyes were slightly open but devoid of any gleam. Her complexion, originally sallow, now appeared pale and ghastly. Auntie Liu’s eyes brightened slightly upon seeing Su Zhi, tears streaming down her face. She raised her hand, and Su Zhi quickly reached out to hold it.
“Sister Liu, what happened? How did you get injured again?!”
Su Zhi held Liu’s hand, feeling its icy chill. Had Liu not been crying, Su Zhi might have mistaken her hand for that of a deceased person.
Zhao Xiaohua followed in, feeling somewhat awkward. “Sister Zhao, I prevented you from seeing my sister-in-law because she’s injured. It wasn’t convenient for her to meet you, and I was worried you’d be too concerned.”
Turning to her, Su Zhi asked, “Why is Sister Liu injured again? Did you all hurt her again?! Is it related to that Zhang Qingniang?!”
Instinctively, Su Zhi suspected a connection with Zhang Qingniang. Since Zhang Qingniang had arrived in the village yesterday, and Liu Siniang was hurt soon after, it seemed highly likely they were linked. Feeling sorry for Auntie Liu, a kind woman enduring mistreatment in the Zhao household, Su Zhi decided she had to intervene. Even if it meant meddling, she couldn’t stand by and watch Liu Siniang suffer at the hands of such people, or her conscience would never rest.
Refusing to admit under Su Zhi’s cold questioning, Zhao Xiaohua denied any involvement in Liu’s injury.
“Sister Zhao, please don’t make baseless accusations. We didn’t harm my sister-in-law. It was her own carelessness. It has nothing to do with our family or Qingniang.”
Su Zhi didn’t believe it. If Auntie Liu had accidentally injured herself, why prevent Su Zhi from seeing her? It seemed like guilt; perhaps Zhao Xiaohua was afraid of Su Zhi discovering the truth.
“Sister Liu, tell me what really happened. You can confide in me. Don’t forget, we are sisters from the same village. I will stand up for you.”
Su Zhi held Liu Siniang’s hand, offering her strength and reassurance, reminding her not to be afraid. Though no longer the previous Zhao Xiaomei, she remained a friend to Liu Siniang.
Auntie Liu’s tears flowed once more as she softly spoke, “Zhao Daliang brought back a woman, that Zhang Qingniang. He said he wanted to marry her. I disagreed, and my mother-in-law hit me, causing injury to my head.”
Su Zhi closed her eyes, her suspicions confirmed. Zhang Qingniang didn’t seem like an ordinary distant cousin. If she were, why would Liu Siniang get hurt as soon as she arrived? She was indeed a woman aiming to steal someone’s husband. While men might have multiple wives, Su Zhi couldn’t accept it. Although she couldn’t meddle in Liu Siniang’s family affairs, she felt sorrow knowing Liu Siniang suffered for this household. Was it right for others to vie for her husband? Liu Siniang had endured so much for this family; would she now have to face a future where she’s constantly threatened?
Observing Su Zhi’s displeased expression, Zhao Xiaohua intervened, “Sister-in-law, you can’t blame my mother for hitting you. If you hadn’t lost your balance and hit the table, she wouldn’t have. Don’t just listen to my sister-in-law’s side of the story.”
In a cold tone, Su Zhi asked, “Is Zhang Qingniang the concubine your brother wants to marry?”
“She’a a wife, Not a concubine.”
Zhao Xiaohua explained, “Qingniang and my brother truly love each other. She’s willing to leave her hometown for my brother and this small village. She didn’t ask to remove my sister-in-law and even respects her as a sister. She has a kind heart. If our Zhao family rejected such a woman, that would be heartless.”
Su Zhi felt a strong urge to curse. She believed that the Zhao family members were all cut from the same cloth, none of them decent individuals!
“Zian’s Wife, you’ve arrived,” Aunt Li entered, followed by Zhang Qingniang and Zhao Daliang. “It’s good you’re here. Your Sister Liu listens to you. Help persuade her to agree to Qingniang entering the household. The Zhao family upholds righteousness and won’t dismiss her. She should be grateful.”
Su Zhi was utterly disgusted with this family. In their eyes, not dismissing Liu Siniang would be considered a great favor, a shameful outlook.
“Sister Liu, what will you do? Will you continue to resist, or will you yield?” Su Zhi gazed at Liu Siniang, hoping she would stand firm. However, she knew the Zhao family wouldn’t care about Liu Siniang’s objections; they were determined to marry Zhang Qingniang. In that case, what would Liu Siniang choose? Would she submit or leave?