Chapter 26: Return to the Village

“Chunsheng, I’ve finished drafting the adoption papers for the clan. Worked through the night on them. All that’s left is to fill in the names and press the handprints.”

Grandfather Lizheng spoke eagerly as he took out the prepared documents.

“Perfect timing. I brought the severance papers from before, too. With these, we won’t need your Father to appear in person. I can go to the county yamen and get the red seal myself.”

He held several sheets of paper in his hand.

“Here, you should write your own name—right here—and then press your handprint. And Sanya as well… Oh, Jinxiu’s. And Wuya. Wuya, what’s your full name again? Jin… what?”

Wuya spoke unhappily, “Grandpa Lizheng, my name is Jinfang—Song Jinfang. Please don’t forget again.”

“Hehe, alright, alright—Jinfang, Song Jinfang. Each of you four gets a copy, all signed and stamped with the red seal, clean and proper. That way, there won’t be any messy entanglements in the future.

Now then, Jinfang, can you write your own name? If not…”

Song Jinfang tossed her head proudly and said, “I can write it. I know quite a few characters now.”

Grandfather Lizheng beamed, “Ayyo, Jinfang is really impressive.”

Little Qiusheng refused to be outdone. “I can write my own name too.”

Song Lizheng broke into a wide grin. “Ayyo! My little grandson can already write his name? And he speaks so fluently too—what a fine boy.”

Song Jinxiu couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Just listen to how affectionately he calls him. Clearly favors boys over girls.

But then again, now that they were registered under Third Great-Grandfather’s name, by seniority, he should be their great-great-grandfather. And Third Great-Grandfather was Grandfather Lizheng’s third uncle. Technically, that still put them within the five degrees of mourning with Grandfather Lizheng, didn’t it? So of course he’d call them his grandchildren.

Song Fuquan chuckled, “Yesterday, when my brother told me you were to be adopted under Third Great-Grandfather’s name, my grandfather was so happy he took out the good wine and drank two cups.”

“Last night, he even dreamed of Third Great-Grandfather smiling at him and giving a thumbs-up,” Song Fuquan said with a laugh.

Grandfather Lizheng chuckled and scolded, “You rascal.”

Then he sighed and said, “Chunsheng, you’ve truly lifted a burden from my heart.

Back then, my grandfather wanted to have me adopted under Third Uncle’s name. We even completed the kowtowing ceremony. But then my Big Brother had an accident.

There were only the two of us brothers in the family, so there was no choice—I had to be taken back and registered under my birth parents again.”

“My Father and Mother once promised that my children would be adopted under Third Uncle’s line. But later, I don’t know who said what to him—he heard some idle gossip and refused to accept the adoption no matter what. All these years, I’ve carried that guilt in my heart, always feeling I owed him.

But now, it’s finally settled. My Third Uncle has great-grandsons! His line won’t be cut off after all. This makes your Grandfather truly happy!”

As Grandfather Lizheng spoke, his emotions got the better of him. He wiped away his old tears, stood up, and said, “I’ll head to the county yamen right now—just in time to catch the morning session.”

Grandfather Lizheng handled matters swiftly. Before noon, he had already returned, everything completed.

“Chunsheng, when will you be discharged and return home? I’ll have Fuquan bring the cart to pick you all up.”

Song Chunsheng asked, “Grandfather, how’s the house coming along? Is it livable yet?”

Grandfather Lizheng laughed. “Building a house doesn’t happen overnight. And that Jinxiu girl drew plans for several rooms. Even at the fastest pace, it’ll take another seven or eight days.”

Song Chunsheng hesitated.

His leg was in a cast and didn’t need further treatment—he was cleared for discharge, and it was just a matter of resting and healing. But if he went home, there’d be nowhere to stay. Staying here felt like taking advantage of others—after all, the medical hall wasn’t charging for food or lodging.

Grandfather Lizheng saw right through him and chuckled. “Once you’re discharged, come stay at my place. You’re my grandson now—it’s only right that you live at home.”

Song Chunsheng asked hesitantly, “Would it be inconvenient? There’s no spare room at home, is there?”

Song Fuquan grinned. “It’s fine. Big Brother is staying at the academy anyway, so brither Chunsheng can sleep in his room. I’ll squeeze in with you at night—easier for me to take care of you too.

Qiusheng can sleep in my bed with Fugui in the same room.

Sanya—oh, I mean Jinxiu and Jinfang—can sleep in Second Sister’s room. She went to stay at Big Sister’s place, so she’s not home. Even if she comes back, the three girls can still fit. Her bed is huge.”

Grandfather Lizheng laughed. “Fuquan’s arrangements are spot on.”

Song Jinxiu also smiled. “Since brother Fuquan has it all figured out, let’s go ahead and discharge today.”

When young Physician Li heard that Chunsheng was being discharged, he looked reluctant to see him go.

“Chunsheng, why not stay a few more days? What’s the rush?” young physician Li said eagerly. “Just wait two more days—my grandfather will be back soon. Let him take another look at you before you’re discharged, it won’t hurt.”

His enthusiasm left both Grandfather Lizheng and Fuquan stunned.

Fuquan said enviously, “Brother Chunsheng, you’re really well-liked.”

The corner of Song Chunsheng’s mouth twitched. This had nothing to do with being well-liked—they were clearly drawn to Jinxiu’s talent. That young Physician Li had been calling her “Shigu” every single day.

The ox-cart clattered along the road as the group chatted and laughed, their spirits soaring.

Song Jinfang and little Qiusheng carefully steadied the belongings piled on the cart.

Song Jinxiu laughed and said, “No need to hold on to it. The ox-cart moves so slowly, and everything’s wrapped in straw paper—nothing will break even if it tips over.”

Song Jinfang added, “Most things I’m not worried about, but the sour apricot kernels need to be held steady. If they spill, they’ll be ruined.”

Little Qiusheng said, “My candy can’t fall either. I’m going to hold on to it myself.”

Lizheng asked, “You bought so much candy—can you even finish it all?”

Little Qiusheng replied, “It’s not just for me. I’m giving some to Xiangcao. And Grandpa, I saved some for you too.”

Xiangcao was Lizheng’s little granddaughter.

“Ayyo, my little grandson really is the best,” Grandfather Lizheng laughed heartily.

At that moment, over at the eastern end of Song Village, the Courtyard belonging to Song Chunsheng’s family was bustling with energy as the house construction carried on in full swing.

In stark contrast, tension filled the old Song family home.

Song Dashí sat with a dark expression, silently puffing on his dry tobacco pipe.

Old Madam Song glared at her third son and snapped, “I told you to go, so you go! What? Do your Father and I not have a say anymore?”

“I’m not going,” Song Sanzhu replied coldly. “We already severed ties. What Father goes begging his own sons to come back?”

Widow Sun, gently cradling her belly—she’d just found out she was pregnant—softly said, “Sanlang, Father and Mother aren’t asking you to beg the children. You’re their Father. Wanting your own children to come home is perfectly natural. How can that be called begging?”

Old Madam Song’s sharp, triangular eyes narrowed. “Go home? Who said they could come back home?”

Widow Sun was puzzled. “Then, what does Mother mean?”

“I’m telling you to go get money from that little wolf cub! Sanya was raised in our household—ate our rice for over ten years. And now he says she’s sold off, just like that? That money—we deserve the lion’s share.”

“A mere girl—how much could she fetch anyway? He’s paying for her leg, and building a house too. There might not be anything left. I’m not going,” said Song Sanzhu.

He had no interest in going. Ever since they severed ties, the villagers had been gossiping nonstop. He couldn’t stomach the humiliation.

Suddenly, Song Dashí spoke up. “Then let’s just take the new house. Dalang is about to marry, and with that place, we can settle Erlang’s marriage too.”

“This…” Widow Sun curled her lip in disdain. She had thought that if they demanded silver, she might get a share too—but now it turned out the old man had his eye on their house.

Hmph!

She wasn’t trying to be petty, but if it was money, they might’ve been able to wring out a little. But a house? Even the clan wouldn’t stand for that. Hadn’t this whole matter been led by Grandfather Lizheng from the start?

Those children hadn’t even shown their faces. It was Grandfather Lizheng who ran back and forth and got the house built. And now they wanted to move in? What kind of daydream was that?

Besides, even if they did come back, it had nothing to do with her. Didn’t the old man say it was for marrying off Dalang and Erlang? She wouldn’t get a single tile.

Widow Sun, clearly displeased, gave Song Sanzhu a sharp kick, then turned away with a huff, cradling her belly as she walked off.