Chapter 29: Just in Case

Song Jinsheng’s brows furrowed tightly. Looking at the faint red marks on Song Yuntang’s arm, his eyes filled with heartache.

“What happened? Who grabbed you?”

Song Yuntang lowered her sleeve. “I had just left Baicao Hall when I ran into Lin Zhaozhao’s older brother.”

Song Jinsheng’s heart tightened.

“How could it be Lin Jingyao? That bastard didn’t do anything excessive to you, did he?”

Lin Jingyao usually looked like a refined young master, but he was very scheming. At the age of twenty-two, he was already a scholar, a young and successful figure in Cile Town.

Táng’er had always admired her older brother from the Lin family. Why did she only meet him today?

Though suspicious, Song Yuntang’s willingness to share about Lin Jingyao made him believe her.

Song Yuntang shook her head. “No, he just questioned me about bullying Lin Zhaozhao.”

“Bullshit! It was Lin Zhaozhao…” Song Jinsheng was angry but more disappointed in Lin Zhaozhao. “How could Zhaozhao be like this? She was clearly in the wrong, yet she’s blaming you!”

Song Yuntang was used to it.

“Isn’t she always like this?”

Song Jinsheng sighed. “Next time, I’ll go to town with you to prevent you from being bullied. Lin Zhaozhao has a brother; you have one too.”

Song Yuntang didn’t object to Song Jinsheng’s suggestion. “Don’t tell the family about this, lest they think I’m slandering Lin Zhaozhao.”

Song Jinsheng looked at her with heartache.

The two families had indeed tolerated Lin Zhaozhao a lot over the years. She should have enjoyed a life of luxury in the Lin family but had been wronged in Rongshu Village for thirteen years, leading to guilt from both families.

However, they ignored the gap Táng’er faced when she returned to the Song family from the Lin family, transforming from a pampered young miss into a country girl.

“Okay.”

The sun was scorching. When they returned home, the family was resting in their respective rooms.

Zhao Qiao’e saw the courtyard gate open and quickly put down her needlework to greet them.

“Táng’er is back.”

In the hall, under everyone’s gaze, Song Yuntang took several fragrant oil paper packages from her backpack.

“I bought these buns on the way back. They’re still warm. Share them.”

Besides the one she and Song Jinsheng shared, there were nine left.

Zhao Qiao’e took one and gave it to the pregnant Liu Shi. “We’ve already eaten lunch. Let’s save the rest for dinner; one each.”

The family had no objections.

Liu Shi, being pregnant, needed nutrition.

Song Yuntang didn’t say anything but took out the remaining one tael and sixty-eight coins after buying shoe soles and cloth and thread, giving it to Zhao Shi.

Looking at the money, Zhao Shi didn’t react for a while.

“Why so much money?”

“The handkerchiefs sold for 104 coins at Chenji Cloth Shop.  Then I met an acquaintance and took an order for thirty handkerchiefs, earning one tael and two coins.” Song Yuntang took out the cloth, thread, and shoe soles.  “I was worried we didn’t have enough thread, so I bought some more. That, plus the shoe soles, cost 236 coins. Everything’s here; you can check.”

“It’s fine if you’ve already calculated it. I trust you.” Zhao Qiao’e put away the money and looked at her questioningly. “But thirty handkerchiefs… how did you sell them for one tael and two coins?”

That was much more expensive than the cloth shop.

The cloth shop’s handkerchiefs were only eighteen coins each!

“I noticed at the cloth shop that Mother’s embroidery is better than most of theirs. Plus, I designed the patterns myself, so I raised the price.”

Song Yuntang took out the drawing from the tea shop and spread it on the table.

“Mother, just follow this pattern. The cat’s fur should have a natural color transition, mainly orange.  I’ll add a character.  Before you embroider the cat, add the character to the inside of the cat’s belly, where it’s not easily noticeable.” She paused.

Zhao Qiao’e was puzzled. “Why add a character?”

“Just in case.”

Zhao Qiao’e agreed with Song Yuntang. “For a wealthy lady, it’s better to be cautious.”

The women in large mansions were ruthless.

Song Yuntang curled her lips. “It’s fine if you don’t think I’m scheming.”

Zhao Qiao’e glared at her. “You girl!  I’m happy you’re so thoughtful!”

Song Yuntang took out three more snacks from the bottom of her backpack.

She gave Liu Xiangyun a package of nuts and a cake.

Nuts provide nutrition, cakes provide energy. The remaining candied fruit had too much sugar, so she kept it.

“Lin Zhaozhao ate your snacks last time. I bought another package for you in town today.”

If Jiang Su’rao hadn’t treated her, she wouldn’t have bought them.

Snacks were expensive, and she didn’t have much money to spend.

Liu Shi looked at the snacks, touched.

“Táng’er, that must have cost a lot.”

Song Yuntang told the truth. “No, the lady who ordered the handkerchiefs treated me.”

Liu Shi’s eyes were moist. “Thank you, Táng’er.”

The thoughtfulness was rare, regardless of the cost.

Song Yuntang took out the last item from her backpack and shook her head. “No need to thank me. If you weren’t pregnant, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

Knowing Song Yuntang was soft-hearted despite her tough words, Liu Shi didn’t take it to heart and took the two pairs of shoe soles.

“Mother, since you’re embroidering handkerchiefs, I’ll make these shoes.”

Zhao Qiao’e didn’t object. “Okay, the handkerchiefs are delicate work.  Thirty will take a long time. I’m afraid we won’t finish in time.”

Liu Shi quickly said, “I can help Mother with the hemming when I have time.”

“No rush. Ten every half-month. We’ll be fine.” Song Yuntang looked at Zhuzi and Zhuangzi. “Lend me your pen and ink. I need to write a character.”

“Okay.”

Knowing Song Yuntang was serious, Zhuzi didn’t hesitate and ran to his room.

This sister was really different.  She was diligent and helped Mother take orders and prepared food for Sister-in-law.

She no longer seemed to be dreaming of returning to the Lin family.

Song Yuntang wrote the character “Ráo” on the side of the drawing.  After cutting off the extra paper, she gave the drawing to Zhao Shi.

“Make one for me to see first.”

Since this was her deal, and the price was higher than ordinary handkerchiefs, she couldn’t be careless.

The client wasn’t stupid. If they weren’t satisfied with the first one, there wouldn’t be a second order.

After doing this, Song Yuntang returned to her room. She was tired after a busy day and wanted to rest.

…