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Li Shi saw Aunt Li standing with Shen Zi’an’s family from a distance and thought about how annoying this troublesome woman must be, likely saying something unpleasant again. As she approached, she overheard Aunt Li speaking ill of Sister Liu, her expression darkening. Li Shi pondered if Aunt Li felt uncomfortable if she went a day without criticizing someone’s daughter-in-law.
“Uncle Shitou, Uncle Shitou, you’re here!”
Yueyue ran to Li Shi, grabbing his clothes and looking up at him with big, round eyes, incredibly adorable. Seeing this, Li Shi, a grown man, felt his heart melt. He lifted Yueyue off the ground, hands beneath her arms, playfully lifting her into the air. Yueyue joyfully shouted, “Fly, fly!”
Li Shi only played with Yueyue for a short while before setting her down, wary of hurting the delicate little girl, as it would be heartbreaking.
After playing, Yueyue happily ran back to Su Zhi, intending to pick up Little Black to experience the feeling of flying high. However, Little Black showed no appreciation, hiding behind its father. Yueyue wasn’t afraid of the Big wolf but also didn’t dare to provoke it, so she had to give up.
Observing this joyful scene, Aunt Li couldn’t contain her disappointment. She turned to Li Shi and said, “Shitou, you’re not young anymore. Children your age in the village are running around freely. Isn’t it time for you to find a wife? Do you want me to find one for you? If you delay further, your father and stepmother will get anxious. I heard your stepmother intends to introduce her niece to you. I’ve met that girl – she has a round face and a thick waist, definitely not your type. It might get awkward. How about I find someone better for you?”
Su Zhi thought to herself that women in ancient times truly loved matchmaking, Aunt Li being no exception. They had even considered marrying Zhao Xiaohua to Li Shi. However, things seemed to have quieted down, with rumors that Zhao Xiaohua had declined two matchmaking proposals from wealthy families. It seemed she might have someone else in mind.
Su Zhi wondered who Zhao Xiaohua had set her sights on this time, causing her to dismiss the matchmakers. Whoever it was must have captured her heart deeply.
Li Shi replied, “Thank you, Aunt Li, for your kind intentions. I currently have no thoughts of getting engaged.”
Aunt Li scrutinized Li Shi and remarked, “You’re not young anymore. It’s time to get engaged. You can’t keep delaying; otherwise, people will start gossiping.”
“Gossip?” Li Shi, already feeling irritated, frowned upon hearing Aunt Li’s words. He retorted, “What do I have that warrants gossip? I must ask you, Aunt Li!”
Taken aback by Li Shi’s stern response, Aunt Li was startled. Li Shi was usually amiable, but when he turned serious, it was quite intimidating.
“Shitou, I mean well. Don’t assume I’m trying to set you up. Consider this – men your age all wish to settle down and get married quickly. Those who remain single are either poor or have questionable character. Even they are actively seeking a spouse. A man like you, healthy and well-off, should have married by now. I know several matchmakers have approached you, and you’ve declined. A man who drives away potential wives can’t avoid criticism, can they?”
Aunt Li continued her tirade, words flying out rapidly, with spittle in the air, while her elderly eyes scrutinized Li Shi.
“Your perpetual bachelorhood invites criticism. People either think you’re unwell or pining for someone you shouldn’t. Both are unflattering. Do you enjoy being talked about this way? You may lack shame, but spare a thought for others’ dignity!”
Li Shi, whose face was initially slightly tanned, flushed red upon hearing her words.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi, upon hearing Aunt Li’s words, mirrored displeased expressions. Her comments were harsh; portraying Li Shi, who simply chose not to marry, as either sick or pining for someone was insulting. For a man, this was a grave indignity. Labeling him as pining for someone he shouldn’t be was even more infuriating. Who could that forbidden person be?
In the context of marriage and forbidden feelings, for Li Shi, there were only two possibilities: someone out of his league or someone already married!
Li Shi was never one to aspire beyond his means, so no one had made such insinuations about him. However, due to past rumors linking him with Sister Liu, Aunt Li’s current remarks insinuated that Li Shi’s reluctance to marry meant he was pining for Sister Liu!
“Aunt Li, your words are unkind. Shitou only intends to build a stable home first before marriage. It’s a sensible plan. Yet, in your interpretation, it’s turned into him being unwell or pining for someone he shouldn’t,” Shen Zi’an interjected, feeling Aunt Li’s comments were undermining to a man’s dignity.
Su Zhi, frowning, added, “Shitou has been focused on building a house. At this juncture, how could he have time to consider marriage? Aunt Li, don’t pay heed to idle gossip. Rejecting matchmakers isn’t a big deal. I’ve heard your household has also turned away several matchmakers recently. Could it be that Miss Xiaohua is unwell or pining for someone she shouldn’t?”
Zhao Xiaohua had once cast admiring glances at Shen Zi’an, leading Su Zhi to feel uncomfortable, prompting her to deliver a subtle jab at Aunt Li.
Aunt Li, almost leaping to her feet if not for her age, glared at Su Zhi with triangular eyes, angrily retorting, “Zi’an’s wife! What are you implying? How dare you suggest my Xiaohua is unwell or pining for someone! What concern of yours is it if she has feelings for someone? Do you have the right to speak on this matter? You are Zi’an’s wife. Why are you advocating for Shitou? Be cautious of idle gossip! You might not be a troublemaker now, but you still must maintain your dignity!”
Su Zhi, equally incensed, couldn’t fathom how the conversation had taken this turn. She had simply spoken up for Li Shi, yet it had escalated to accusations about her conduct as a woman. Aunt Li seemed adept at slinging mud at others, fabricating accusations out of thin air!
Li Shi was also furious. With Su Zhi and him standing there, and Shen Zi’an nearby, being baselessly condemned by Aunt Li had him concerned. What if Shen Zi’an wasn’t present next time? How would Aunt Li twist the situation then? Would he have to avoid all women in the village to prevent rumors?
“Aunt Li, how dare you slander my wife like this! I won’t stand for it. Should we involve Li Zheng to address this issue? Let the village weigh in on this!” Shen Zi’an retorted, his indignation matching that of Su Zhi and Li Shi. Aunt Li’s baseless accusations had ignited a fire within him.
Before Su Zhi and Li Shi could respond, Shen Zi’an, with a stern expression, asserted that Su Zhi was his wife and Li Shi his elder brother. Seeing them unfairly maligned in his presence fueled his anger just as much. He harbored a deep disdain for Aunt Li’s actions.
Aunt Li felt remorse. Her outburst had been impulsive, fueled by anger at Su Zhi’s remarks about her beloved daughter. Her instinct had led her to hurl accusations, a regrettable act. Despite knowing she shouldn’t offend Shen Zi’an and his wife for the benefits of maintaining good relations, she couldn’t contain herself in the heat of the moment. Hearing Shen Zi’an mention involving Li Zheng only fueled her reluctance.
“Zi’an, it was wrong of me. I was upset by what your wife said about my daughter. You know she’s a young girl; her reputation mustn’t be tarnished. Xiaohua is meant to marry well. If her reputation is ruined, who would dare to marry her?” Aunt Li attempted to portray a pitiable expression, showing a sign of weakness to Shen Zi’an.
Su Zhi thought about Zhao Xiaohua’s reputation. To her knowledge, no one she knew had positive things to say about Zhao Xiaohua. They all knew her as sharp-tongued, haughty, and averse to work. Apart from her somewhat decent appearance, she seemed to lack in other aspects.
“If you hadn’t spoken ill of Shitou, why would I have spoken about Xiaohua that way? Their situations are similar. If Li Shi can be discussed, why not Xiaohua? Both men and women are human. Aunt Li, please refrain from spreading idle gossip in the future. If Shitou’s reputation suffers, you won’t benefit either!” Su Zhi asserted firmly, refusing to distance herself from Li Shi just because of Aunt Li’s remarks. She stood by the principle that a clear conscience fears no accusation.
Aunt Li hurriedly nodded, stating, “I was only concerned about Shitou’s marriage. How did it escalate like this? Oh, Shitou, are you building a house? Get it done quickly, and then I’ll find you a good girl! You’ll surely like her when you meet her.”
Li Shi chose to ignore her.
Seeing Li Shi ignoring her and the somber expressions on the faces of Su Zhi and Shen Zi’an, Aunt Li found herself in an awkward situation. With forced smiles, she observed the lack of warmth in the group.
Yueyue, noticing the tension among the adults, sensed the displeasure towards the old lady. She immediately tugged at Su Zhi’s sleeve, urging, “Mom, let’s go home, let’s go home.”
Su Zhi, uninterested in engaging further with Aunt Li, agreed, saying, “Alright, let’s go home.”
Li Shi suggested, “I need to discuss something with Zi’an. Let’s leave together. As for others, they need not follow.”
Aunt Li, upon hearing this, felt her expression darken. Initially considering joining them at Shen Zi’an’s house, Li Shi’s words deterred her. She let out a light hum, turned around, and walked away. As she turned, she spotted Li Zheng approaching from the west.
“Zi’an, Zi’an’s wife, just ran into you. I was about to discuss something with you!”