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At the nearest intersection to their home, Zhao Dazhu and his wife alighted from the cart, watching as the cart gradually disappeared into the distance. Both of them felt a mix of envy and jealousy, wondering why such good fortune seemed to favor Shen Zi’an and his wife. They couldn’t help but wish for a turn of luck like that – unable to best a tiger, encounter a sacred beast, or even come across a single ginseng root. Truly, the grass always seems greener on the other side!
“Let’s go! Stop staring and hurry to inform the Shen family. Just say Fourth brother Shen has returned!” Dazhu’s wife urged her husband, nudging him forward. Eager to witness some developments, she felt that if she couldn’t benefit from Shen Zi’an directly, at least she could enjoy some drama!
Dazhu wanted to stop his wife, intending to caution her about Shen Zi’an’s capabilities – a man who could even defeat a tiger. He knew they shouldn’t provoke him. Besides, with their return coinciding with someone visiting the Shen household, it was likely they would be suspected of delivering news. However, before he could voice his concerns, his wife had already dashed off into the distance.
Zhao Dazhu hesitated, refraining from calling out. He pondered how the Shen family would inevitably find out anyway. Feeling envious of Shen Zi’an’s luck, he recalled how Shen Zi’an, once inferior to him in every way during their childhood, had grown up to become the most handsome and capable young man in the village, attracting the affection of many girls. In contrast, he himself ended up marrying an unattractive wife. Initially content with his misfortunate marriage, thinking that Shen Zi’an’s wife was a jinx and unattractive, he was now perturbed to see her recover from illness and looking quite pleasing, especially with a figure far superior to his own wife’s. Moreover, she had become prosperous. How did all the good fortune fall upon Shen Zi’an alone?
Tempted to witness the Shen family’s reaction, Zhao Dazhu wavered and began to walk back, convincing himself that even if Shen Zi’an discovered they were the messengers, would he dare to come after him? They merely encountered him on the road, speaking the truth – who could fault them?
Little did Zhao Dazhu know that his jealousy at that Motherent would cost him future opportunities to prosper, leading his family to become one of the poorest in the village.
Meanwhile, Shen Ziping had returned from the east bank of the river. In the early morning, he had attempted to confront Shen Zi’an, finding the door locked and realizing he was too late. Persuading Shen Youfu to accompany him on a cart, they headed to the town, only to discover at the apothecary that no one had come to sell ginseng. It became clear that the sellers had headed to the county town.
Shen Ziping contemplated pursuing further, but Shen Youfu refused, as people had already spotted them on the way. Some had even witnessed their journey to the east bank of the river. Embarrassed by the situation, Shen Youfu didn’t want to be seen as chasing after ginseng all the way to the county town, fearing the humiliation it would bring. Eventually, both Shen Ziping and Shen Youfu returned home, as the journey to the county town was far, and with no financial support from his father, Shen Ziping didn’t want to walk there.
Upon Shen Ziping’s return, he attempted to intercept Shen Zi’an at the east bank, but to no avail. As he headed back, he unexpectedly encountered Dazhu’s wife waving at him near their neighboring house.
“Dazhu’s wife, why are you all sweaty? Missing Big Brother Dazhu and rushing home to see him?” Shen Ziping teased, despite finding Dazhu’s wife less attractive than his own and even more robust. However, due to their close relationship, he felt comfortable bantering with her.
Dazhu’s wife scoffed, wiping the sweat from her brow, and replied, “You’re the one thinking of your wife! My husband is right behind me. I have good news for you. We bumped into your younger brother. He bought a cart and loaded it with plenty of goods – grains, meat, cloth, and cotton. Oh my! It must amount to several dozen taels in total! He’s struck it rich! Do you think the money from selling the tiger could compare to all these goods? And they have that ginseng, right? I wonder if they sold it. It must have fetched hundreds of taels, right? Oh, I’m not done yet!”
Shen Ziping was too eager to hear more, all he needed was the news of Shen Zi’an’s return!
“Father! Fourth Brother is back! Let’s go ask for the ginseng?!” Shen Ziping dashed into the main house and exclaimed to Shen Youfu, intentionally omitting any mention of what Shen Zi’an had purchased. He knew Shen Youfu was focused on acquiring ginseng, and if there was even a possibility it had been sold, he worried his father might reconsider going.
Shen Youfu tapped his pipe against the pot and stood up. “Let’s go. You come with me, and you too, old lady. The others can stay behind.”
As Sun shi entered, she listened with some discontent. She thought if she didn’t go along, they might end up with fewer shares of whatever they acquired. Securing her portion from the division wasn’t guaranteed, so she was determined to join them.
“Father, I’ll go too. I’ll handle things properly there. Fourth Sister-in-law almost had me lose my temper. They’ll have to concede a bit when they see me,” Sun shi interjected, eager to ensure her share in the outcome.
Chuncao, peeking in, chimed in loudly, “Third Aunt! Weren’t you the one calling Fourth Aunt a jinx? Maybe keep your distance from her!”
“You little brat! If you don’t speak, nobody will think you’re mute!”
Sun shi, irritated at Chuncao, scolded her, prompting Chuncao to hide behind Li shi, making faces at Sun shi. She couldn’t stand Third Aunt’s attitude.
Observing Sun shi scolding her daughter, Li shi frowned and spoke sternly, “Sister-in-law, Chuncao was only speaking the truth, showing concern. Why scold her when she’s just looking out for you? Focus on protecting your pregnancy. Don’t blame her later if you get worked up and claim it’s because of Chuncao!”
Sun shi glared at Li shi and retorted, “Is she really showing concern? Just look at her backtalk! She’s so ill-mannered. Raising a daughter like that – not only will she cause us trouble, but she’ll give us a headache! I’m doing you a favor by teaching her a lesson!”
“I believe I’ve raised my daughter well! If she causes trouble in the future, it’s our responsibility as her parents to handle it. Don’t worry; the issues won’t fall on your shoulders. Just hope your bunch doesn’t cause trouble for us! Given what your sons are like, one troublemaker after another, I wouldn’t want them even if you handed them to me!” Li sh’s voice quivered with emotion, her eyes reddening. She shot a final glare at Sun shi, then turned, taking Chuncao by the hand as she walked away, advising her daughter along the way, “Remember, Chuncao, you won’t rely on the Third House to support you in the future. You belong to the Second House, with parents and sisters. You won’t go hungry!”
Sun shi considered raising her voice in anger but was restrained by Shen Zhang shi’s intervention.
“Why do you bother scolding your niece when you’ve been complaining about feeling unwell? Why follow along for the commotion? I suggest you stay home!”
Shen Youfu glared at Sun shi, wondering how this restless daughter-in-law would affect the family. If left unchecked, she might even trouble their youngest son when he enters officialdom. Moreover, it was due to her constant claims of Fourth Daughter-in-law being a jinx that led to the family’s separation. Thinking about how the money and ginseng were now part of the split assets, Shen Youfu felt annoyed with Sun shi. Sending her to the east bank might just invite more ridicule from the villagers.
Sun shi, feeling anxious, turned to Shen Zhang shi for support.
Shen Zhang shi advised, “Let Third Daughter-in-law go. If it was a misunderstanding, her presence there could show sincerity in resolving it. Zi’an, seeing her weak condition, will likely forgive her.”
Shen Zhu added, “Yes, Father, let Third Sister-in-law go. She visited Fourth Brother’s house yesterday, and everyone in the village saw it. Going again today shouldn’t pose a problem!”
In truth, Shen Zhang shi and Shen Zhu had their own motives. Shen Zhang shi believed only someone as brazen as Sun shi could negotiate for money, and Shen Zhu thought if Third Sister-in-law went and Fourth Brother refused payment, a mere fall from her could pressure them to either pay up or face a tarnished reputation.
Frowning, Shen Youfu agreed, “Then let her go along!”
Wang Shi listened to the chaotic footsteps in the courtyard, and upon hearing Chunxiang peeking through the window, she learned that the group had headed towards the east bank. With a grunt, she was relieved that the head of the family and the two sons had left. Being called along would have turned into a joke. She envied the prosperity of the Fourth House and hoped her in-laws would ask for some benefits from them. However, she wasn’t greedy; she simply wished for more money from the family so she could save some for her daughters’ marriages.
While Shen Youfu had only taken Shen Zhang shi, Third Daughter-in-law, and his daughter out, Third grandson and Fourth grandson secretly followed, trailed by the youngest, Fifth grandson.
As the group proceeded, nearly everyone in Riverside Village knew their destination. With the farming season at a lull and people just finishing their meals, idle curiosity led many to follow, increasing the crowd.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi anticipated a visit as soon as they entered their home, knowing that news about their return would spread quickly. They couldn’t trust Zhao Dazhu’s wife and her companion, and even without them, others who saw them would likely report back. In rural areas, any noteworthy event quickly became common knowledge.
True to their expectations, shortly after they unloaded their cart, Shen Youfu arrived with his group.
“Father, Mother, you’re here. We just got back, and we don’t even have water in the house. Please have a seat.”
Shen Zi’an addressed Shen Youfu and Shen Zhang shi, paying no attention to Shen Ziping and his wife. However, the couple shamelessly found a broken bench to sit on.
“Zi’an, I’ve come to ask you for something. It’s about that ginseng. As you know, your Fifth Brother will be taking the imperial examination next year. He is the pride of our old Shen family and our hope for the future. The entire family will rely on him. However, his health is too fragile. I’ve heard ginseng can strengthen the body. People say that your ginseng root is a thousand-year-old one, gifted by a sacred beast. It must be efficacious. Please let your Fifth Brother have it!”
Shen Youfu got straight to the point. He wasn’t one to beat around the bush; sometimes even prone to bouts of temper. So, making such a request in a straightforward manner was quite normal for him. He believed there was no need to be obsequious or conniving, asserting that as a father, it was only right to ask things from his son.