Chapter 3

When Fang Shi heard those words, she practically erupted, her voice sharp and cutting, “Who?! Who dared to shove you?! Which shameless little brat had the audacity to pull a stunt like that?!”

"Mom! Calm down!" Song Dingxiang quickly stepped in, grabbing Fang Shi’s arm before she could charge out the door. Her voice was steady but firm as she added, "Don’t let this rile you up so much. No one was caught in the act, so who exactly would you confront? But I can’t shake the feeling that there are just too many ‘coincidences’ in all this. If you ask me, we’ll know who’s behind it before the New Year rolls around."

Fang Shi, fiery as she was, wasn’t a fool. She paused, her sharp mind clicking into place. “Could this have something to do with that so-called scholar from the Xu family?”

Song Dingxiang let a sly smile curl her lips. “In a way, it’s a blessing in disguise. At least now we get to see the true colors of the Xu family. Imagine if I’d actually married into that mess—what kind of miserable life would that have been?”

Fang Shi let out a disdainful snort, her tone dripping with venom. “Back then, your grandfather thought the Xu boy was honest and educated. That’s why he arranged the engagement and even helped their family out over the years. Who could’ve guessed they were raising a wolf in sheep’s clothing all along?”

Her voice softened just a little as she sighed, the weight of recent days showing in her expression. “Your grandfather’s health has been shaky lately. Once you’re back on your feet, go see him and your grandmother—be affectionate, make them feel cared for. I couldn’t bear to let the two elders visit while you were so ill.”

Song Dingxiang's lips curled into a knowing smirk as she leaned back, her voice low but sharp. "I get it, Mom. Just keep your eyes peeled on this. Honestly, this feels like slipping out of a tiger's jaws—it’s a lucky break. If that Zhou boy’s got what it takes, marrying him wouldn’t be the worst idea. No meddling in-laws to deal with. And when he’s off playing soldier in the camp, I’ll just kick back at home. Not too shabby, right?" She punctuated her point with another sip of water, her gaze steady but teasing.

Fang shi let out a bark of laughter, tapping her daughter’s forehead with a playful yet firm finger. "In your dreams! You think you can marry off and still laze around at home? Think again, girl. But I’ll admit, you’ve got a point. Let’s see if that Zhou boy can prove himself. You’re only fourteen, after all. Even if he doesn’t make the cut, there’s no rush. I’ll find you an even better match in a year or two."

Her gaze softened but held a certain edge, pride mixed with defiance. How could her daughter—polished, poised, and practically perfect—end up anywhere but a top-tier household?

The very thought was laughable.

*

A few days later, after Song Dingxiang’s illness finally cleared up, she took a moment to freshen herself up, stepping out into the sunlight for the first time. She moved with purpose, keenly scanning the courtyard around her with an eye for every detail.

Northern courtyards, she knew, were never just functional—they were a sprawling testament to careful planning. The front yard was a patchwork of life, housing chickens that clucked restlessly and vegetables that grew in abundance. The backyard, on the other hand, was home to pigs, and yes, more vegetables, because the land was never to be wasted.

The courtyard itself was alive with the hum of extended family—each household was separate, but they all lived within the same shared space. It wasn’t just a living area; it was a compound, filled with buildings designed for practicality and comfort.

Before her, the three main rooms stood in a row. In the center, the hall—unpretentious, yet commanding. A weathered, timeworn Table of the Eight Immortals sat proudly at the heart of the room. It had seen its fair share of wear, but it was clean, scrubbed down with care. Behind it, a straw curtain hung lazily, blocking off whatever lay beyond, hinting at secrets unseen.

On either side of the hall, there were two massive cooking stoves, their purpose as dual as their size—providing warmth in the biting cold of winter while also serving as the beating heart of the kitchen. Those stoves weren't just for cooking; they heated the kang beds, keeping the family cozy through the harshest of seasons.

To her left, the western room was divided by a thin partition wall, splitting the space into two distinct sleeping areas, each designed to house more bodies as needed. For now, it served its purpose as a family accommodation, a space that could flex with the ever-changing needs of those who lived there.

In the eastern room, the grandparents held their quarters, a quiet, dignified space of their own. The western room had once been the domain of the youngest uncle, but now, with his school commitments pulling him away more often, it stood empty, reserved for his rare visits.

The house wasn’t just a house—it was a whole little world. The three main rooms were mirrored by two wings, one on the west and one on the east, each containing three more rooms.

Song Dingxiang’s room was tucked away in the west wing, far enough for her own peace but close enough to the center of the house to still feel part of it all.

Meanwhile, Fang shi and Song Zhiyuan shared the large northern room, a space that would always feel like home to them.

The southern side of the house housed Song Dingxiang’s quarters—calm and private, yet still a heartbeat away from the rest of the family.

The two younger brothers? They slept just outside her room, in the outer space, close but distant, in their own way.

The backyard mimicked the front, a mirror image complete with additional houses for the extended family members. It wasn’t just a place to live—it was a place to be. It was a family compound built to thrive.

The house just behind the front one?

That’s where Song Dingxiang's uncle’s eldest son and his wife live, tucked into the main residence of the compound.

On either side of the main house, there are wings—each with a purpose. To the east, the family of the eldest uncle’s lives, while to the west, there’s a spacious home for the second uncle and his family. It’s all set up to make sure there’s plenty of room for everyone, no one left without their own space.

Song Dingxiang wasn’t the type to linger. She ran her fingers through her hair, and with a purposeful stride, walked right into the main house at the front of the courtyard, owning the space as she went.

It wasn’t yet cold enough for the countryside to slow down. People were still working hard, not yet settling into the quiet of winter. But with the temperatures dropping, the timing was right for preserving pork, and everyone seemed to be in a rush to stock up.

Families started buying pigs, and that’s where Song Zhiyuan got busy—scooping up pigs, or lending a hand to others with the slaughtering. Once collected, the pigs were taken to a thatched hut on the edge of the village, the spot where pork was bought and sold.

And then there was the stall. Fang Shi was in her element, hustling alongside her family. Her eldest daughter-in-law and Song Dingxiang’s eldest uncle’s daughter-in-law were both there too, chopping up meat and selling the cuts and offal. The moment a customer came to buy, Fang Shi took charge, her hands swift and practiced, skillfully slicing through meat while making sure she collected every last coin.

They were up with the sun, back long after it had set, doing hard, relentless work. It was a grind, no doubt, but it paid off—every bit worth the effort.

In the uncle’s family, the second eldest daughter-in-law was known for her impressive sewing skills. She wasn’t the type to stay idle. Instead, she spent most of her time tending to the elderly couple, managing the household, and taking care of the children, both young and old.

Her role wasn’t just about mending clothes—it was a never-ending cycle of cooking, serving meals, and making sure everyone had what they needed. There was little room for her own comfort, with constant tasks demanding her attention.

As for their second son, Song Dingxiang’s third brother, he wasn’t about to let anyone go without. He took a group of capable younger siblings, heading up into the surrounding mountains to chop firewood. It was a necessity, especially with the brutal northern winters on the horizon. Without enough firewood, the cold could become life-threatening—leaving people too cold to even wake up after a night’s sleep.

It was late autumn now, the temperature already biting, and the thick cotton curtains hung at the door, sealing off the chill. As Song Dingxiang stepped into the house, she called out, "Grandpa, Grandma, I’m here."

Inside, the old lady heard her voice and hurriedly responded, "Erni’er? Come in, come in quickly!"

With a smile on her face, Song Dingxiang lifted the curtain and entered the room, her presence warm despite the cold that lingered outside.

"Sit beside me, come on," urged Li Shi, patting the space next to her. "Let Grandma take a good look at you, Erni’er. You’ve been through a lot these days."

From behind her, the eldest daughter of the uncle’s family, Song Yulan, peeked out with a crisp call, "Sister."

"Yulan’er, Third Sister-in-law," Song Dingxiang responded, slipping off her shoes and settling onto the kang. Half of it was covered with quilts, a cozy setup stitched by Third Sister-in-law, Jin Qiao’er, while the other half held a large winnowing basket filled with dried corn, the scent of autumn and hard work thick in the air.

Li Shi was engrossed in teaching a group of children how to shell corn kernels, the sound of the cobs being stripped echoing in the room. In one corner of the kang, several children lay on mats, peacefully asleep, oblivious to the work being done around them.

Meanwhile, Song Dingxiang, standing nearby, picked up a cob of corn and started shelling it herself. Her eyes swept the room before she asked, "Grandma, where's Grandpa?"

"Your grandpa? He went out to the yard to check on the pigs," Li Shi replied, her tone matter-of-fact but laced with a sense of duty. "Winter’s almost here, you know. Once it sets in, the New Year will be here too. He’s picking out one of the pigs to keep for ourselves, the others will be sold off by your father for slaughter."

Li Shi paused in her task, dropping the cob of corn she was holding, and affectionately placed a hand on Song Dingxiang’s neck. "Erni'er, is your neck still bothering you?" she asked with a soft, caring touch.

Song Dingxiang smiled, her usual charm shining through as she shook her head. "Not sore anymore."

A relieved sigh escaped Li Shi’s lips. She scolded, but with a tenderness that only a grandmother could muster, "You silly girl, hanging yourself up like that just because of that good-for-nothing. Don’t you have any respect for your grandparents and parents?"

"Grandma..." Song Dingxiang quickly flashed a coy smile, trying to work her charm. "I was just being rash back then. I didn’t think things through. Now I see, the Xu family isn’t worth it."

"Exactly! Nothing good about them!" Li Shi shot back, her voice hardening. "What, they’re just good at studying? Your little uncle can study too, he might even pass the imperial exams if he wanted to!" She shook her head in disgust. "Your grandpa’s been losing sleep over this. He can’t face you, feels guilty for what happened. But when he heard you were no longer feverish and almost back to normal, you should have seen the relief on his face. His old soul finally eased up."

Song Dingxiang flashed a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with a bit of playful defiance as she declared, "Then it's settled, I'll make sure Grandpa stews me some pig trotters, nothing less."

"I want some too!" Song Yulan piped up immediately, her voice eager.

Li Shi beamed, her face glowing with warmth as she pulled both of her granddaughters into a tight embrace, patting them affectionately. "Of course, my darlings won't be left out," she said, her tone rich with pride. "All my granddaughters are something special, who wouldn't want them? One day, the Xu family will be wishing they had treated you better, and they'll find themselves stuck with a mother-in-law tiger."

A few of the girls couldn't help but burst out laughing, Jin Qiao'er throwing in her own playful remark, "Grandma's spot on. With Dingxiang's attitude, that Xu family wouldn’t even give her a second glance. Does he think he's going to marry some kind of fairy or what? As for that Xu scholar, I swear, I can’t see a single thing about him that makes him worth looking at, even with all ten of my eyes."

Just then, a cough interrupted the conversation, cutting through the laughter. Jin Qiao'er raised an eyebrow, a sly grin playing on her lips as she looked at Li Shi and the two sisters. Holding back her amusement, she kept her focus on stuffing the cotton, clearly trying not to laugh.

The door curtain rustled, and in stepped Song Xingyi, his face like weathered stone, marked by deep lines and the harsh passage of time. At first glance, the old man looked every bit the serious elder, his tobacco pipe in hand adding to his formidable appearance.

But the moment his gaze fell on Song Dingxiang, a soft smile crept onto his face. "Erni'er, is that you?" he asked, his voice warm and affectionate.

Old Madame Li Shi, always quick to stir the pot, smirked and said, "Erni'er was just telling me how you’ve been bullying her, and she insists you stew her some pig trotters to make up for it."

The girls, now aware of the old man’s entrance, exchanged playful glances and teasing smiles, clearly enjoying the moment.

Song Xingyi grunted in mock disapproval, attempting to maintain a serious demeanor, but his smile betrayed him. "Eat, eat, eat," he muttered, feigning frustration but clearly unable to suppress his amusement. "Alright, alright, stew some pig trotters, you all want more than enough? I’ve already told the second son to save some trotters, a pork elbow, and big bones. I’ll stew a whole pot for you, can’t have anyone going hungry."

The family had always been in the business of slaughtering pigs, so meat was never a problem. The old man was an expert when it came to stewing meat—his skills in the kitchen were unmatched. Even his daughters and daughters-in-law couldn't hold a candle to him. He had a way with flavors that they could only envy.

Song Xingyi lounged on the kang, one hand casually holding his tobacco pipe. He wasn’t exactly a heavy smoker, not by a long shot—especially with children sleeping in the room and the girls around. But that didn’t stop him from gripping the pipe, savoring the feel of it between his fingers, as if the act itself was enough to scratch the itch.

With a slow, deliberate exhale, he spoke, “I’ve mentioned the Xu family to you before. Thought they were decent—hardworking folks, and that Xu Qiang? He’s not half bad, passed the imperial exam, and while he may not have the looks, you’re more than fit to be with a family like theirs. Hell, I’d blame it on your grandfather for being so damn blind.”

The Xu family might’ve had a scholar, but the reality was far from glamorous. They were scraping by, doing everything they could to support his education. The stipend he got for being a scholar didn’t do nearly enough to cover the living expenses for the entire household. They mostly lived off of coarse grains, barely scraping through. And that poor scholar was still chasing higher exams, hoping to make something of himself.

At first, Song Xingyi had thought it was no big deal to help out a little.

After all, if it benefited his granddaughter, why not?

But now?

Who could have known things would take a turn like this, and that Song Dingxiang would end up delayed by such nonsense.

Song Dingxiang couldn't help but laugh, her voice tinged with a certain sharpness as she spoke, "Grandpa, don't be ridiculous. Honestly, it's a good thing the Xu family's true nature came to light. If I had married into that mess, I would've been doomed. That entire family is a disaster. I think the Zhou family is a much better option."

Song Xingyi paused, his brow furrowing as he thought it over. After a moment, he grunted, "The Zhou boy isn't bad, I’ll give him that. But the whole family? No way. Our daughter isn’t going to be treated like some servant, running around after them. Once that Zhou kid heads off to the military, you'll be stuck dealing with his mother, his sister, that old bat of a grandmother, and the father. It’ll be a nightmare. Not happening."

Song Dingxiang flashed a confident smile, her tone calm yet assertive. "Grandpa, I’m still young. I’ve got time. What’s the rush? A couple more years won’t hurt."

Song Xingyi softened, his face easing as he realized the truth in her words. "You’re right. You’re only fourteen, soon to turn fifteen after the New Year. Waiting a bit won’t kill us."

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when the eldest aunt hurried into the room, her expression flustered. "Dingxiang, Dad, Mom... trouble with the Zhou family. The Zhou son wants to cut ties with them. The second son’s family is too busy to handle it, so they sent me to let you know." She glanced pointedly at Song Dingxiang, as if expecting a reaction.

Song Dingxiang, unfazed, blinked slowly, her smile never faltering. "Aunt, why don’t you sit down and take a breather? The Zhou family is creating their own mess. What does that have to do with us?" Her voice was cool, the slight smirk on her lips adding a touch of irreverence to her words.

The eldest aunt paused for a moment, clearly taken aback, before letting out a soft, amused chuckle. “Well, that’s exactly what I said too,” she quipped with a mischievous glint in her eye, “but your mother insisted I come over and tell you this myself.” With a playful wink aimed directly at Song Dingxiang, she continued, her voice lowering into a more confident, matter-of-fact tone. “Honestly, that kid isn’t half bad. As long as he’s not weighed down by the mess that family drags him through, he’s got a shot at making something of himself down the line.”

“Aunt!” Song Dingxiang shot her a sharp look, her tone both reprimanding and exasperated as she quickly added, “Can we not air this out here? Let’s talk about it inside, away from prying ears. If anyone catches wind of this, they’ll think we’re just dealing with another mess.”

She’d thought Zhou Tiezhu had grown silent, but to her surprise, he wasn’t just sitting back; he was about to make a move of his own.

———Author's Note: I did some lifting exercises yesterday, and my arms are hurting so much today, I almost didn't feel like typing QAQ

After finishing this, I need to write another book.

Ah, so busy, so busy!

———T/Note: Third Old Song Xingyi x Old Madame Song, Li shi [1] First Son (First child, Song Dingxiang's eldest uncle) [2] First and Second Daughter (Second and Third child), married off. [3] Second Son (Fourth child, Song Dingxiang's father) [4] Third Son (Fifth child, Song Dingxiang's youngest uncle)