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Many people pay respects in the cemetery, but usually, they do so individually, not in a crowded manner like over there where a group has encircled a grave, being unusually loud. Some among them even seem surprised, which adds to the mystery. What could be so surprising in a cemetery?
“Zi’an, what do you think they are looking at over there?”
Su Zhi asked Shen Zi’an, observing the crowd. She wondered what they were up to. Could it be that they are impressed by someone’s elaborate offerings or the amount of paper money burnt, prompting this spectacle? Her own thoughts sent shivers down her spine, unable to think of any other reason.
Shen Zi’an shook his head and replied, “I’m not sure, but it seems to be the Zhao family’s grave site, belonging to Zhao Dazhu and Zhao Daliang’s family.”
Upon hearing that it was the Zhao family’s grave site, Su Zhi furrowed her brow, immediately losing interest. She held no affection for that family and naturally had no desire to know about their affairs. Even if their grave was emitting smoke, she wouldn’t spare it a second glance.
“Let’s go. There’s nothing worth seeing in such a commotion.”
Su Zhi remarked, with Shen Zi’an nodding in agreement. They, along with their three children, prepared to leave. However, they noticed a crowd ahead on the small path. Contemplating a detour, they realized some Shen family members were also present. Upon spotting them, Shen Erlang dashed over, brimming with excitement.
“Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, do you know what happened at the Zhao family’s ancestral grave? Can you guess?”
“Erlang, what happened?”
Curiously, Yueyue blinked her big eyes, watching the crowd with intrigue. Having been kidnapped before, she still felt uneasy going to crowded places alone. However, her curiosity was piqued by whatever fun might be happening among the people, a trait common in young children. Especially since it was her first time at a cemetery, observing others burning paper offerings. She had heard that the mounds contained the remains of deceased individuals and that the dead could turn into ghosts, which both frightened and intrigued her.
Seeing Yueyue’s curiosity, Shen Erlang said to her, “Yueyue, guess, If guess it correctly I’ll give you something delicious to eat.”
Yueyue replied, “Did the people inside those mounds come out?”
Shen Erlang burst into laughter and said, “No, if that were the case, there wouldn’t be this many people here; they would have all fled!”
Xinger asked, “Could it be that smoke is rising from their family’s grave?”
Xinger, being clever, understood the significance of smoke rising from someone else’s family grave and voiced it out. Disliking the Zhao family, he naturally didn’t believe that anything good would happen to such individuals.
Shen Erlang sighed and said, “No, for people like them, such good fortune wouldn’t come their way. It would be lucky if they didn’t get struck by lightning.”
Shen Zi’an lightly tapped Erlang’s head and urged, “Come on, tell us. What’s going on? We might leave soon.”
At that moment, Dalang approached and said, “Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, let me tell you. It’s all stirred up by a woman named Zhang Qingniang. Wasn’t she supposed to marry into the Zhao family? They aren’t even married yet, and she’s already visiting the grave. It’s quite laughable. Remember, when Zhao Daliang made money outside he had a gravestone erected for his father. When Zhang Qingniang saw the name on the gravestone, she immediately claimed to have heard of Zhao’s father’s name!”
“How could she have heard of it? Zhao’s old man has passed away, and isn’t she from out of town? Besides, she’s so young.”
People who were standing outside and didn’t hear the inside story felt that there must be a tale unfolding and approached chunyue to inquire.
Su Zhi, Shen Zi’an, and their family also grew curious. Even Su Zhi listened attentively, intrigued to hear what Zhang Qingniang had to say.
Deep inside, Su Zhi had a suspicion forming: Could it be that this Zhang Qingniang would mention her childhood engagement, and the person she was betrothed to by her parents was the now deceased Zhao’s old man son? If that were true, it would be too melodramatic! She was convinced it was a fabrication by Zhang Qingniang to ensure her relationship with Zhao Daliang appeared legitimate in the eyes of the village, thereby absolving the scandal of Zhao Daliang divorcing his wife to marry her.
Before Chunyue could speak, Erlang, seeing the crowd eager to know the details, promptly began recounting the situation.
Upon hearing Erlang’s words, Su Zhi felt a shiver down her spine, as her guess turned out to be true!
Zhang Qingniang sure has some nerve, coming up with such a lousy scheme! Who would actually believe the things she says? Does she think the people in Riverside Village are fools?!
Xiaori quietly remarked from the side, “Foolish.”
Su Zhi patted Xiaori’s head, thinking to herself: Look, even the little one doesn’t believe her, calling her foolish!
Yueyue added, “Exactly, she truly thinks we’re all fools in Riverside Village. Who would believe such nonsense? Even though she seems wealthy and sophisticated coming from the outside, she can only come up with these poor tricks!”
“However poor the trick may be, it seems to be working.”
Li Shi, who had quietly joined the group at some point, remarked, “Some people do believe her words. Moreover, even if they don’t, once rumors spread, it eventually becomes the truth. If she continues to sway people’s opinions, the folks in our village, who tend to be forgiving, may gradually accept her words as reality. Look ahead, in another ten years, aside from the discerning few, most will believe that she and Zhao Daliang are fated together.”
The group fell silent, contemplating the possibility.
Su Zhi thought to herself that indeed, words have a way of shaping reality—whether they are true or false. Just like with Liu Siniang and Li Shi, who were initially innocent but became embroiled in rumors. Now, Zhang Qingniang and Zhao Daliang, once scorned for their wrongdoings, might, due to this fabrication, end up being seen as long-lost sweethearts.
“Poor Auntie Liu,” Yueyue suddenly whispered softly.
Su Zhi gently patted Yueyue’s head, acknowledging that Liu Siniang had indeed suffered the most in this situation. However, she also considered that it was a stroke of luck for her to break free from the Zhao family.Although, restoring her reputation might take time.
Reflecting on the harsh treatment of women in ancient times, Su Zhi sighed inwardly. It was unjust that Liu Siniang bore the brunt of the punishment despite Zhao Daliang’s wrongdoing. Additionally, the audacity of Zhang Qingniang in attempting to steal someone’s husband, only to now care about others’ perceptions, while resorting to such deceitful tactics, was truly pitiful.
Yueyue held Su Zhi’s hand and said, “Auntie Liu is truly the most pitiable. Mom, you said Auntie Liu is a good person. Wouldn’t God eventually end her suffering? Why doesn’t God come to help Auntie Liu?”
Xinger chimed in, “Silly Yueyue, God doesn’t speak.”
Yueyue responded, “If He doesn’t speak, then He should leave a note! I’ve seen those priests draw on paper, claiming God spoke to them.”
Xiaori said, “That’s deception. Those fraudsters are all so ugly; surely God wouldn’t talk to them.”
Listening to the innocent words of the three children, Su Zhi felt pure joy. She found them clever but still children, and she hoped they wouldn’t mature too quickly. Su Zhi even entertained the playful idea that maybe they were time travelers or reincarnated souls, which, she thought, would be far from wonderful.
However, as she chuckled, an idea suddenly struck Su Zhi. She thought of a way for Liu Siniang to marry Li Shi smoothly! If she executed her plan carefully, their union would not only escape ridicule but also receive blessings from others!
Thrilled by this realization, Su Zhi bent down, gently kissed Yueyue’s cheek, and said, “Clever Yueyue, Mom will make you some delicious food when we get back!”
Onlookers assumed Su Zhi’s joy stemmed from the children’s intelligence, not suspecting the remarkable plan brewing in her mind.
The commotion at the Zhao family’s grave site continued as Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an left with their three children, now disinterested in the affairs of the Zhao family after learning the truth.
Upon returning home at noon, Su Zhi and Liu Siniang cooked together. Su Zhi recounted the events at the cemetery to Liu Siniang, explaining that it was all a scheme devised by Zhao Daliang and Zhang Qingniang. She advised Liu Siniang not to avoid Li Shi any longer. Considering she had already thought of a way for them to marry smoothly, Su Zhi believed it was crucial for them to progress further for her plan to succeed.
“Since they have found a way to marry without the stigma and with a good reputation, why should you continue to be affected by the malicious gossip they spread? Even though you and Brother Shitou are innocent, hiding away not only fails to restore your reputation but also makes people think you have something to hide,” Su Zhi told Liu Siniang. If she had any reservations when advising Liu Siniang earlier due to concerns about ignorant villagers’ slander after their marriage, she now had none.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s words, Liu Siniang found them reasonable. She was a woman of resilience, with a blend of gentleness and strength. In adversity, she persevered, but once she reached her limit, she would break free. Now, for the sake of her future, she felt it was time to take another step forward.
“If Brother Shitou is willing, then I am too,” Liu Siniang softly uttered, her face flushed, whether from the warmth of the fire or from shyness, she couldn’t tell.
Su Zhi, hearing her response, thought that the matter was settled. She believed Brother Shitou would be delighted to hear this news, as he had already envisioned spending a lifetime with Liu Siniang. It was probably unexpected for him to receive such a swift acceptance.
Sure enough, when Li Shi learned of Liu Siniang’s agreement to marry him, his face lit up with joy, and he immediately began discussing preparations for the betrothal gifts.