Chapter 26 1/2

“Xiao Liu, are the things being said outside true or… sigh.”

“We’re not here to interrogate you, but with such a big family, when something happens, the family members should know first.”

After a while, several members of the Ji family came to Ji Yangzong’s house.

Ji Yangzong was the youngest among the male members of the Ji family, ranking sixth in the family. He had several older siblings and younger ones.

As soon as several of his older brothers came to the house, they inquired about Ji Taoyu’s situation.

It was understandable. If one member of the family’s reputation was damaged, it would affect others to some extent.

Although it wasn’t like in the past where a tainted reputation made marriage difficult, families nowadays still cared about the reputation of children from the same clan.

Ji Yangzong’s older brothers had sons and daughters in their families, and there were two or three of marriageable age. With this matter coming up, how could they not be anxious?

“There’s absolutely no such thing!”

Ji Yangzong cursed angrily. He had been busy all day and only learned about the visit of Zhou’s father and son to the village when Ji Taoyu hurriedly ran back home.

Even Ji Yangzong, who was the last to know, was shocked by the scandalous rumors circulating outside.

“What exactly happened? I never approved of you going to the Yu family to cancel the engagement in the first place. Breaking off a good marriage like that, people outside were bound to talk.”

“Now look, the things being said are too harsh!”

Ji Yangzong hadn’t even figured out what was going on, but his brothers came one after another, questioning him, which made him even more furious.

“Big brother’s disapproval could be either because he’s afraid of losing benefits from canceling the engagement or because of reputation concerns. It’s hard to say!”

“Hey, we’re all family here, why say such things? Xiao Liu, why are you talking to big brother like that?”

“You see, Xiao Liu, I came here to ask him what’s going on, but he’s using Li Zheng’s authority to lecture me!”

With each word exchanged, it seemed like they were about to quarrel. Seeing that things were getting worse, Huang Manjing thought the conversation was becoming more unpleasant, so she quickly took Ji Taoyu into the house.

“Mom…”

Ji Taoyu tugged at Huang Manjing’s sleeve. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t worry, stay inside and behave. If I don’t call you out, don’t come out. Your uncles are just worried about their cousins, they came to clarify things, with no intention of blaming.”

Huang Manjing comforted her, “Everyone is anxious, talking straightforwardly among siblings is inevitable, so avoid it.”

Ji Taoyu responded, “I understand.”

Seeing Ji Taoyu’s distressed expression, Huang Manjing patted her hand reassuringly before going back outside.

The early winter night fell quickly, and before they knew it, darkness had enveloped everything. The bedroom became particularly dim.

Ji Taoyu’s mind was in turmoil, and absentmindedly, she sat down at the dressing table.

Just as she had barely emerged from the breakup with Yu Lingxiao, she never expected that after just a few days, such scandalous rumors would surface again.

Seeing her uncles so worried coming to the house, it was no longer just about their family affairs; it even involved other members of the clan.

Yu Lingxiao had recently passed the provincial exams, and his uncles were very satisfied. However, her father had broken off the engagement impulsively, which her uncles didn’t approve of.

They said her father acted rashly, didn’t know how to persuade Yu Lingxiao, and worried that now that Yu Lingxiao was a successful candidate, he might not be as accommodating as before, and might even outshine the Ji family in the future.

Her father didn’t argue with his brothers, letting them vent their dissatisfaction and swallowing his pride.

Originally, she thought the matter had blown over, but she never expected another twist.

Thinking about all this, Ji Taoyu’s eyes turned red, and she weakly rested her head on the table.

She was the only daughter in the family, and if she couldn’t make her parents proud, it would be one thing, but worse still, she made them worry.

“Ji Taoyu’s self-blame and guilt were far more uncomfortable than the sudden change in attitude from the Zhou family, who treated her like worn-out shoes.

“Ji Taoyu.”

Taoyu suddenly stopped sobbing as if she heard someone calling her.

She hesitated to lift her head and saw a tall shadow by the window.

Taoyu stood up with unsteady steps, leaning against the table as she walked closer. When she saw the visitor clearly, her eyes became even warmer.

“I didn’t.”

The room was dark, and Huo Shu originally thought there was no one inside. However, as he approached the window, he heard the sound of someone crying softly.

The little figure hunched over the dressing table almost blended into the dim room. Only the slight rise and fall of the sobbing body distinguished where the person was.

Huo Shu looked at the person with red eyes standing not far away, her voice trembling with distress.

He took a deep breath, frowning.

“I know.”

Ji Taoyu lowered her head, tears falling carelessly as she gently breathed in.

“How could you know? Because you want to favor me?”

Huo Shu felt as if something had suddenly blocked his heart.

He stood by the window, lowering his voice:

“I believe you didn’t.”

Taoyu looked at Huo Shu hidden in the darkness, unable to see his face clearly in the faint light. However, at this moment, she seemed to see the serious gaze of Huo Shu.

“Don’t cry, come here, let’s talk.”

Huo Shu said, “I’ve heard about what happened, and it’s suspicious. That’s why I came over.”

Taoyu sniffed and hurriedly ran to the window. “What’s suspicious?”

She had just cried, her voice trembling, making her look particularly pitiful.

Huo Shu frowned.

He said, “Do you know what the rumors outside are saying?”

Taoyu pursed her lips, unsure of how to respond.

Seeing this, Huo Shu spoke for her, “They say you and You Lingxiao have a close relationship, even crossing boundaries. Now the rumors are one-sided. Originally, your family spoke for the Ji family regarding the broken engagement, but now they’ve turned to speak for the You family. Don’t you think it’s too suspicious? Doesn’t it seem like someone intentionally spread these rumors?”

Although Taoyu found these words hard to hear, when Da Niu went to inquire, it turned out just as Huo Shu said. “But who would be so malicious, daring to do such a thing?”

Huo Shu continued, “Then think again, if these rumors continue to spread, what will be the result?”

Taoyu didn’t hesitate, “My reputation will be ruined, and no one will dare to propose marriage to our family anymore. It might even affect my cousins.”

Huo Shu said, “The village head and your uncles won’t let things develop like this. They’ll find a solution. What do you think is their best solution?”

Taoyu furrowed her brows, thinking, “To find out who spread these rumors and who was the first to spread them.”

“The Ji family is a prominent family in the village. Even if we seek them out, do you think they’ll admit it?”

Taoyu pondered for a moment, “Indeed, this method might not work. In that case, everyone will have to remain silent. If that’s the case, we’ll have to turn to the You family and try to renegotiate this marriage…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she realized something was wrong and looked at Huo Shu abruptly, “Brother Huo suspects it’s the You family deliberately spreading the rumors!”

Huo Shu said, “I’m not sure if it’s someone from the You family, but this rumor is spreading at a very convenient time, and coincidentally, it was heard by the Zhou father and son.”

“Your father is the village head. Although ordinary families may not completely depend on your father for their livelihoods, they know it’s not pleasant to offend him. Who in the village hates your family so much to do such a malicious thing? Moreover, they’re foolish enough to use the previous engagement between the Ji and You families as a pretext. Now the You family is thriving in the village. Offending both major families in the village at once, do you think any household would do such a thing?”

Taoyu felt a pang in her heart, feeling that Huo Shu’s words made sense, but she couldn’t help but wonder, “But shouldn’t it be… when my parents went to the You family to break off the engagement, the You family didn’t make much effort to keep it. If they really couldn’t bear to let go of this marriage, why would they agree so easily during the breakup, only to make such efforts afterwards when everything was settled?”

Huo Shu looked at the somewhat blurred face under the faint moonlight, but could still discern the beauty in it. He sighed softly.

“I don’t know the exact reasons and details, but I know that when someone is arrogant, they think everything is under their control, and it seems like the people around them have no thoughts of their own. However, when those people leave, they think it’s just a matter of stubbornness until they realize they’re truly determined. Then regret sets in. And jealousy arises, leading them to go to great lengths, even resorting to any means to get back what was originally theirs.”

Taoyu’s brows furrowed tightly at the words, her face, though young, showing an unprecedented determination:

“No matter whether this is the You family’s doing or not, there’s no possibility between him and me anymore.”

With that, Taoyu reached out to wipe away the already cold tears on her face. “But all this, though it makes sense, is still speculation. What should we do?”

“You’ll go out tomorrow and try to run into You Lingxiao, listen to his perspective on this matter, and see if you can get any clues from it,” Huo Shu said. “It’s better to face it head-on than to hide at home.”

Taoyu nodded hastily.

With the house in such a chaotic state, he’d rather help solve the mess caused by himself than cry alone at home.

“Now that you’ve listened to what I had to say, I’ll go back first,” Huo Shu said.

Taoyu hurried to light the oil lamp on the table, filling the room with light.

The warm yellow light also illuminated the tall figure standing by the window.

“Huo Big Brother!”

Taoyu hurriedly called out, “Is your hand… still hurting?”

Huo Shu paused in his steps, turning to look at Taoyu by the window. Her eyes under the lamplight were already a little swollen, with a redness at the corners.

“I’m fine. But you, don’t cry anymore at night,” Huo Shu said.

Taoyu obediently nodded. “I understand.”

After talking with Huo Shu, even though there was no clear solution, she suddenly found a clue to resolve the matter. With a sense of purpose, she no longer felt as distressed.

“Huo Big Brother, thank you,” Taoyu said gratefully.

Huo Shu’s brow twitched slightly. He didn’t need her thanks, but seeing her sincere gratitude, he didn’t feel too bad about it either.

Thinking about having to meet Yu Lingxiao tomorrow, Huo Shu couldn’t help but feel worried. “Taoyu, do you still remember what I told you on the way back from the Ten-Mile Cloth?”

“Hmm?” Taoyu remembered, but Huo Shu had lectured her a lot at the time, and she wasn’t sure which specific words he was referring to now.

Huo Shu patiently repeated it, “If that person, with tears in their eyes, tells you about their difficulties and how hard it is for them, looking pitiful and as if they’re about to die, can you still guarantee that you’ll remain clear-headed at that moment?”

Taoyu looked directly into Huo Shu’s eyes, which had made her scared, admired, and now felt utterly reliable. “Looking back, I am determined not to look back.”

Huo Shu’s heart sank. “Good.”

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing behind the courtyard wall. “Goodbye.”

Taoyu watched him disappear, standing by the window for a while before returning to the room.

The next day, Taoyu got up early, and it was still not fully bright outside when she left her room.

The couple in the Ji family had argued all night with their relatives and failed to come up with a satisfactory solution, leaving everyone frustrated.

The two of them had not slept well all night, but insomnia was nothing new for them in their old age, and they didn’t seem particularly tired.

However, seeing their son get up so early, they thought he hadn’t slept at all last night.

But seeing that apart from a slight redness in Taoyu’s eyes, there was no other discomfort, they were relieved.

Last night, the couple had been afraid that Taoyu couldn’t handle it and had waited outside the door for a while, only returning to their room when they didn’t hear any crying from inside.

Now, while they felt a little relieved, they also felt that Taoyu was acting a bit unusual. During breakfast, Huang Manjing said cautiously:

“Don’t burden yourself with those things, they only dare to gossip behind your back. Your father and I will find a way to deal with it.”

Taoyu had some porridge and said, “What about Uncle and the others? When did they leave yesterday?”

“Never mind them, always jumping around like a fire whenever something happens. That’s how they’ve always been,” Ji Yangzong said as he picked up a piece of food for Taoyu. “Next time they come to talk about it, you don’t need to see them. Your father knows how to deal with them.”

Taoyu nodded.

“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, I’m fine.”