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When the news broke about Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er, their engagement with the Shen family fell through completely. If they had pursued it, they could have caused quite a scandal for the Shen family. However, both agreed to break off the engagement quietly, sparing the Shen family from gossip. It was said that their family had been plagued by misfortune, and this incident, fortunately discovered in time, was seen as a blessing in disguise for the Shen family.
Su Zhi heard about this from Chunlan and Chunxiang, who often played and worked at the Shen Zigui’s home. They mentioned that the next day, both the Song and Xiao families returned the engagement gifts.
Su Zhi couldn’t believe that Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er would do such a thing.
“We don’t believe it either.”
Chunlan deftly wove a net in her hands, her usually cheerful face now serious.
“It’s just that they were indeed caught in such a situation, which is hard to explain or justify. Sometimes, I think they might really have feelings for each other. Remember, it was Song Dashan who saved Xiao Ping’er from drowning back then, that’s a debt of life.”
Chunyue nodded, saying, “That’s a possibility. Maybe they didn’t intend any harm, just wanted to talk, but ended up in that pit and encountered that snake. Perhaps it was fate helping them. In that case, they can be together.”
Chunxiang nodded in agreement, saying, “No shame!”
Chunyue chuckled and stepped back, saying, “I’m just saying, we’re among ourselves here. I dare speak the truth. Don’t you think Song Dashan and our little aunt are completely mismatched? Xiao Ping’er and Fifth Uncle are also mismatched. If they married, they’d surely have a rough time. The right lid for the right pot, if it doesn’t fit well, even cooking rice would be a mess!”
Su Zhi sat aside and laughed upon hearing this. Li Shi also chuckled beside her. She patted Chunyue twice, thinking to herself that this girl dared say anything, truly like raising a daughter with the spirit of a son, a bit too outspoken at times.
Su Zhi thought to herself that Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er were straightforward people and isn’t the type to cause such an incident. If they had made a fuss, it could have shared the Shen family’s burden of bad reputation. But now, by backing down like this, they only gained sympathy for the Shen family. They took on all the blame, and their future would be tough. Fortunately, the elders at home still cared for them, but they would face gossip and difficulty finding marriages in the future.
Shen Zi’an listened to Su Zhi’s reflections and remarked, “What’s so difficult about it? Just let them get married, isn’t that the solution?”
Su Zhi widened her eyes and stared at Shen Zi’an.
Shen Zi’an saw his wife staring at him and said, “Since they’ve already been implicated together, even if they don’t admit it, it’s already like this. Why not just let them get together? I think they’re quite suitable. Since their reputations are already tarnished, let them stay that way. They can support each other and things will get better with time.”
“Husband, I find myself loving you more and more.”
Su Zhi looked at Shen Zi’an, thinking how remarkable her husband was, with none of the old-fashioned prejudices. Others might have wanted Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er to sever all ties to clear their names, but her husband proposed the opposite. His open-mindedness endeared him even more to her; he was truly a advanced-thinking man.
Shen Zi’an blushed slightly at Su Zhi’s sudden expression of love. His wheat-colored skin turned a bit red, but he felt warm inside, relieved that his wife didn’t seem to blame him just now. He had thought she might disapprove of his words.
“Wife, I love you more and more too.”
Shen Zi’an leaned in and gently kissed Su Zhi’s cheek. Reflecting on the twists and turns his marriage to his wife had faced, he realized that despite it all, they were now quite happy. He thought about Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er, believing that once they overcame their hurdle, there was no reason they wouldn’t find happiness too. As a hunter and martial artist, Shen Zi’an had a natural intuition, and he was certain that Song Dashan and Xiao Ping’er were not the kind of people to engage in dishonorable acts. They were innocent, and he held no disdain for them.
The two sat close, lost in sweet conversation about their family’s daily affairs. Though mundane, the happiness within these details was endless.
While the village continued to buzz with gossip about the recent events, Shen Zi’an left Riverside Village, carrying the hopes of his family with him.
Shen Zi’an accompanied Shen Ziju into town, planning to visit the Qian family. Qian Guang, the young master, would be traveling with him. Qian Guang was also preparing for the examination, aiming to enter the officialdom and climb the social ladder, given his family background.
Su Zhi joined them, intending to check on the dye workshop and meet with Liang Fu. These two businesses were her biggest ventures at the moment, and although she hadn’t yet seen the profits, she felt it was only a matter of time.
Shen Ziju remained mostly silent throughout the journey. Having just broken off an engagement, he felt a sense of relief but didn’t show it, appearing listless and as if he had been dealt a blow. As he listened to Su Zhi’s comforting words, he felt a bit better, realizing that his fourth sister-in-law was concerned about his future. He resolved to work hard and pass the examination. Even though he and Su Zhi could never be, if he became an official, he could at least ensure her lifelong safety.
Su Zhi met with Liang Fu, and they entered her private chamber. Liang Fu updated her on the business progress, saying it was going extremely well and that they would soon see profits. Su Zhi was pleased and handed over the design drafts she had brought. After chatting for a while longer, Su Zhi went to find Shen Zi’an and bid farewell to Qian Guang, then they left in their ox cart.
“Ziju, your fourth brother and sister-in-law are becoming less and less like typical villagers,” Qian Guang remarked with a smile as he watched the ox cart disappear, the slender figure on it vanishing from sight. He sighed inwardly, lamenting that such a wonderful woman had married a villager. Each time he saw her, he felt a pang of regret. No matter how good Shen Zi’an was, Qian Guang couldn’t help but think he was like a pile of cow dung, truly wasting such a beautiful flower. However, these thoughts he kept to himself; he couldn’t say them to Shen Ziju, after all, Shen Zi’an was his brother.
Shen Ziju smiled slightly, thinking that if his fourth sister-in-law were truly just an ordinary rural woman, it might have been better for him, but he preferred it not to be the case.
The moth drawn to the flame, perhaps it would rather turn to ashes than miss the fire?
Shen Ziju felt that he was like that moth.
Su Zhi was unaware of the thoughts the two men who they had just parted ways with about her and her husband. She was in high spirits, discussing the smooth progress of the doll business with Shen Zi’an, excited about the imminent arrival of money. Shen Zi’an, seeing his wife’s joy, shared in her happiness. Together, they went to meet with shopkeeper Su to discuss the dye workshop and left her with a jar of ‘ingredients’ before being seen off by the shopkeeper.
With Shen Ziju’s departure, the days passed one by one.
The sky remained devoid of rain, and many places were running out of water. The wells in Riverside Village were nearly dry, except for the pond at Shen Zi’an’s house, which attracted even more people than before. It wasn’t clear who had let the secret out, but word had spread to other villages that there was a pond in Riverside Village that hadn’t dried up, prompting many to come and fetch water from there.
Many in Riverside Village were upset. They knew all too well the hardships of a drought and watched as the water level in Shen Zi’an’s pond dropped, fearing it might dry up. People are inherently selfish, so they didn’t want outsiders coming to take water. However, people also look out for their friends and family, and many villagers secretly informed their relatives in other villages. As a result, the secret was no longer a secret, and the number of people coming to fetch water grew.
Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an did not try to stop them. The villagers were people, and so were the outsiders. Seeing the pleading looks on the faces of those who came with their buckets, they couldn’t bear to send them away empty-handed. Agreeing to help once led to a second time, and eventually, they accommodated all who came, albeit with a limit—the same person could only take two buckets of water per day.
Fuyuan, in Riverside Village, became known as a blessed place among the surrounding villagers, and Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were hailed as great benefactors. Eventually, even the county magistrate learned of their deeds.
With the constant coming and going of people, the presence of the White Wolf family was inevitably noticed. A sacred beast and an unfailing pond turned Fuyuan into a legendary paradise in people’s tales.
The county magistrate, accompanied by Qian Dahu, arrived at Fuyuan. As soon as he stepped into the garden, his eyes lit up, thinking that it truly was a blessed place.
Due to the severe drought, many places outside were parched; the grass had died, many trees had withered, and those that remained were struggling, looking listless.
However, the plants and trees in Fuyuan were vibrant and full of life. Upon entering, one could see the lush, verdant trees, although they were newly planted and not yet tall, they were full of vigor. The flowers and grass on the ground were a sight to behold, with their vivid greens and dazzling colors, truly a feast for the eyes. The contrast between the inside and outside of the garden was like two different worlds.
This outcome was intentional on Su Zhi’s part. Initially, she hadn’t wanted to attract so much attention, but she ultimately ensured the survival of these plants and trees, not only because this was her hard-earned home but also because as she increasingly demonstrated her knowledge, she realized that keeping a low profile was no longer an option. In this world, a low profile didn’t always guarantee safety, while a high profile might earn others’ respect and awe.
Su Zhi decided to let nature take its course. With a sacred beast present, no one would dare covet her home, and even if they did, she had ways to make any adversary regret it.
She had anticipated the arrival of the county magistrate. Given the presence of a sacred beast and a water source, it would have been strange if he hadn’t come. She planned to welcome him warmly, knowing that he could become a valuable connection for her in the future.