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Su Zhi observed the carriage and horses, thinking they might belong to Zhang Qingniang. A woman capable of demoting Zhao Daliang’s legal wife to a concubine, of pleasing Aunt Li, and of making Zhao Xiaohua walk hand in hand with her must surely be wealthy.
Li Zheng, aware that Liu Siniang would be staying at Su Zhi’s place, gave some instructions before departing.
The onlookers dispersed, leaving behind only the well-acquainted friends of Su Zhi and Liu Siniang, consoling the latter as they made their way to Su Zhi’s home.
“Shitou! Wait!”
As they neared Li Shi’s house, a voice called out from behind. Turning back, they saw Li Shi’s father and stepmother.
Li Shi stopped, his face stern, wanting to hear what they had to say. He knew their visit spelled trouble, likely related to the recent events at the Zhao family. Some time ago, his stepmother had mentioned arranging a marriage for him, but he had rejected the proposal, leading to a falling out. Now, following the Liu Siniang incident, they had come looking for him, surely up to no good.
“Shitou, heard you’ve been involved with that Liu Siniang?! You foolish child! She’s a married woman, how could you get mixed up with her? Have you no shame? Even if you lack shame, at least consider your father’s reputation! Where should your father and brothers’ honor go?!”
Li Shi’s father approached him, scolding him. He had heard gossip about the incident with Zhao Daliang and the rumors involving Li Shi and Liu Siniang, causing him immense distress. In a small village like theirs, seducing another man’s wife was a grave offense, bringing shame upon the whole family. He felt his son was out to defy him.
His stepmother, Hu Shi, added, “Exactly! Shitou, you’re truly in the wrong here. Some time ago, I was trying to find you a wife. You’re stubborn. Finding a wife isn’t easy, but now that you have some money, as long as you’re willing to pay the bride price, wouldn’t you find a wife? Weren’t the girls I mentioned good choices? They’re all lovely, fertile, and would bear you a healthy son next year. No one would call you stubborn then. We’d all be happy as a family. Why entangle yourself with a woman on the decline, stirring up trouble? It would only worsen your father’s condition! That would be unfilial beyond measure!”
Su Zhi glanced at Hu Shi, recalling a few encounters with her. She was meddlesome, not as brash as Aunt Li, nor as feignedly kind as Shen Zhang shi. This woman had a sharp tongue and a knack for stirring up trouble. Su Zhi thought that if Hu Shi tried to arrange a marriage for Li Shi, he would truly be in trouble.
Li Qing’s wife interjected, “Hu, what are you saying?! What do you mean by ‘a woman on the decline’? If being previously married makes one a woman on the decline, then you are one too! Watch your words, lest you attract lightning!”
“Li Qing’s wife, mind your manners. I am your elder; you ought to address me as ‘Aunt,’ showing respect. Don’t be disrespectful, or you might indeed attract lightning!”
There was animosity between Li Qing’s wife and Hu Shi. Though they hadn’t come to blows, they always aimed to belittle each other when they met. Insinuating someone might attract lightning was not a comment made lightly; it signified deep-seated animosity between them.
With a disdainful snort, Li Qing’s wife retorted, “What kind of ‘Aunt’ are you to me? We have no blood ties or history together. You’re no ‘Aunt’ of mine. I there is someone we consider as Aunt, it would be Li Shi’s mother, not you. You don’t measure up. You are nothing!”
“You, you!”
Hu Shi glared at Li Qing’s wife, but words failed her.
Li Shi’s father pulled her aside, saying, “Enough, no need to speak. Let me talk to Shitou. Shitou, you must promise me today that you will have no further contact with this Liu Siniang! Tomorrow, you will visit the matchmaker and go to your mother’s family to propose to the girl she has chosen for you! Get married this year and start a family soon!”
Liu Siniang kept her head bowed. Upon hearing Li Shi’s father’s words, her heart skipped a beat. Would Li Shi really marry another girl? If he did, she… she hoped he would choose someone good.
Li Shi replied, “Father, please don’t meddle in this matter. You can go back now. We’ve already split our families, and my marriage is no longer your concern. I will marry whoever I want.”
Hu Shi shrilled, “So you really intend to marry this Liu Siniang? You want others to spit on the face of our Li family! No, you may have no shame, but we still have our dignity!”
Li Shi gave her a cold look and said, “Since the day you sold me, you’ve lost all sense of dignity. Now that I’ve returned and we’ve split our families, you have no control over me. If you feel embarrassed, then don’t associate with me anymore! After all, you sold me back then, and once you took that money, you lost any authority over me.”
“You ungrateful child! You caused your mother’s death! Now you refuse to acknowledge your father. What a mess I’ve raised! I shouldn’t have had you in the first place!”
As Li’s father cursed, feeling displeased that Li Shi was no longer obeying him, he was also torn by guilt for selling his son in the past. However, Hu Shi’s mention of his deceased wife erased any lingering guilt he had. He felt there was no need to be kind to this son now that he had some power.
“Well then, consider you never had me. When you sold me off, wasn’t it because you no longer wanted me as your son? Being sold as slave, it’s better off not existing at all. You sold my life, but I’ve reclaimed it myself. It’s mine. You have no say in it.”
Li Shi felt increasingly impatient. Initially, he had been willing to address his father as such as long as they left him be. However, his father’s insistence on meddling in his marriage plans, even suggesting he marry someone from Hu Shi’s family, was unacceptable. Li Shi had met Hu Shi’s family member before, and aside from looks, their temperament was unbearable. Only a madman would agree to such a match. If his father didn’t value him enough to consider his feelings, then he had no reason to acknowledge them.
Li Shi’s father, trembling with anger and helplessness, turned towards Liu Siniang.
“Liu Siniang, you’ve tarnished your reputation by being sent back by your in-laws! Shitou’s reputation is ruined all because of you. If you have any dignity left, stop pestering him. Tell him you have no feelings for him and urge him to marry quickly. Say it!”
“Shitou, you handle this. We’re leaving. Stop tormenting Liu Siniang further.”
Su Zhi had a newfound disdain for Li Shi’s birth parents and stepmother. Initially not favorably disposed towards them, she now harbored even more intense aversion. If they truly had Li Shi’s best interests at heart, even if they advised him to marry someone else, she wouldn’t detest them so much. However, knowing they were pushing for a match that would not be beneficial for Li Shi, she felt they were selfish and manipulative, solely focused on schemes at Li Shi’s expense. It was despicable, and she didn’t want Liu Siniang to be entangled in their affairs any longer.
Li Shi cast a caring glance at Liu Siniang, who kept her head bowed, feeling immense sympathy for her. His discontent towards his birth parents and stepmother grew stronger, especially witnessing the humiliation Liu Siniang endured right after her divorce. Such behavior was uncalled for among neighbors and kin.
“Sisters, you may leave. Siniang, please… don’t mind them. Rest well.”
Li Shi still wanted to reassure Liu Siniang, genuinely concerned for her well-being. She nodded gently and departed with Su Zhi and the others by her side.
Listening to the discontented voices of Li Shi’s father and Hu Shi behind her, Liu Siniang’s heartache from their humiliation had dissipated completely. She could only dwell on Li Shi’s caring words, feeling a mix of warmth and melancholy. She realized Li Shi did genuinely care for her. However, she acknowledged her current state, feeling like a woman past her prime, tainted by the Zhao family’s accusations. Could they truly overcome these obstacles and be together?
Upon reaching Su Zhi’s home, Liu Siniang was settled in the east wing. Initially, Su Zhi had considered having her stay with the three children to make things livelier. Yet, she decided it might be better for Liu Siniang to have her own room. Knowing Liu Siniang’s active nature, she might end up overly involved with the children, hindering her rest.
When Su Zhi built the house, the east and west wings each had heated brick beds and furniture, resembling the main area. Su Zhi fetched bedding for Liu Siniang and suggested she rest on the heated brick bed.
After some comforting words from the sisters-in-law, they left Liu Siniang to rest.
Even though it was early spring, Su Zhi still lit a fire in the heated brick bed to keep it warm. She then let the three children play and sat on the bed with Liu Siniang, engaging her in conversation to help her relax. The children, eyeing Su Zhi hopefully, exchanged a few words with Liu Siniang before leaving with Little Black and Little White.
“Liu Siniang, you’ll stay here with me. My home feels empty, so you can keep me company. In a few days, I plan to engage in some small business, and you can assist me. Rest assured, your future will be brighter here than at the Zhao family’s. Look, here is the money you left with me initially. Now that you’ve left that household, it’s yours to take. This is quite a sum, and with your skills, you won’t go hungry without them.”
Su Zhi handed a money pouch to Liu Siniang. Over the days, Liu Siniang had earned silver coins by making Flower ornaments and headhands, all of which she entrusted to Su Zhi to avoid having them discovered if taken back to the Zhao family.
“Thank you, Su Zhi. I’m grateful to have you.”
Liu Siniang expressed her gratitude to Su Zhi. Without Su Zhi’s encouragement to save up private funds and provide her with work, she wouldn’t have earned this money or been able to leave the Zhao family. Despite feeling emotionally unsettled, she found solace in the fact that with Su Zhi’s support, she felt lighter and believed she could face the days ahead.