Chapter 22.3

After all the effort everyone’s put in this year, what’s it all for? Isn’t it just to gather with the whole family at the end of it all, sharing a lively meal, basking in each other’s company?

Now he’s got great-grandchildren to spoil, and his children, still hardworking and dutiful, even manage to stay close despite having their own homes. There’s no distance, no barrier—just affection and warmth, no matter the space.

How could he not feel fulfilled, content, even a bit proud? As an older man, seeing his legacy live on in such a beautiful way, it’s a happiness that can’t be matched.

The only thing that kept him awake at night was the thought that Zhou Yinuo would be leaving for the military after the new year, and he had no idea when she'd return. Sure, the family had paved a way for Song Dingxiang, but who wouldn't want the whole family to stay together, united in peace and harmony?

On top of that, Zhou Yinuo was undeniably a good kid—his heart just couldn’t take it.

The previous night, as he lay on the kang bed talking to his wife about it, he found himself toying with an idea. What if he just pushed these two kids together, forced them into a relationship? At least that way, Zhou Yinuo could have a child in the future. But of course, he hadn’t anticipated the fiery reaction from Li Shi. She tore into him, first scolding him for not appreciating his granddaughter enough, and then ranting about how if Zhou Yinuo had a child, he’d just forget about everything else—responsibility, family, and all.

"We must make sure he comes back, don't be silly and just rush forward. If he needs to hide, he has to hide."

Song Xingyi sighed, "That child is too honest, I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what? Afraid that the cicadas will stop you from tilling the fields? Stop worrying about these unnecessary things, I think that child Zhouzi has a blessed face. When he comes back, the good days for Er Ni are still to come, stop worrying!"

Song Lishi kicked Song Xingyi, "Go to bed quickly, if you don't get up tomorrow, let the grandchildren laugh at you."

*

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, it was tradition for the married daughters-in-law to return to their family home, but for Song Dingxiang, it felt almost like she never truly left. She had been coming back so frequently, it had become routine—her presence was as constant as if she had always lived there. Yet, on this particular day, she made a deliberate entrance, stepping through the front door, gifts in hand, and a coy, almost playful air about her, as if she were a shy, newlywed visiting for the first time. This little act, full of innocent charm, immediately drew a chuckle from Fang Shi, who was watching her every move with a knowing smile.

The house was busy, everyone preparing for the meal when suddenly, a voice called out from the door, "Fourth Grandaunt and Fourth Grandaunt, I've come to wish you a Happy New Year!"

Li Shi, who had been deep in conversation with the daughters-in-law, tensed at the unexpected disruption. Her face, already round, seemed to elongate with the sudden shift in mood. Her eyes narrowed as she exchanged a glance with Fang Shi, her unease palpable.

Fang Shi’s expression twisted into something sharp, a quiet hiss escaping as she muttered under her breath, “Does she still have the nerve to show up?”

Outside, standing uncomfortably on the threshold, Song Zhicheng gave a hesitant greeting, his voice tight, "Oh, Taohong, you're back at your mother's house?"

"Seventh Uncle," Song Taohong’s voice rang out, sweet and almost melodious, with a hint of careful charm. "This is a dessert my husband picked up from the city. It’s really something—way better than those usual cakes. It’s perfect for older folks, you know? I thought of Fourth Grandpa and Fourth Grandma, so I rushed over to bring it to them."

As she finished speaking, the door curtain was casually lifted, and Song Zhicheng made his entrance, followed by Xu Qiang. Trailing behind them, with an almost deliberate sway to her step, was the graceful and alluring Song Taohong.

Fang Shi, however, offered nothing more than a fleeting glance, indifferent as ever. She swiftly turned her attention back to Song Dingxiang, dismissing the scene as if the newcomer hadn't even existed in her world.

Xu Qiang, caught in the thick of the moment, felt a twinge of discomfort—his eyes flicked over to Song Dingxiang, a brief moment of irritation flashing through them before landing on Zhou Yinuo, where a quiet but unmistakable discontent simmered.

He had been engaged to Song Dingxiang for nearly six months, but the Song family—always referring to her as their "young" daughter—had kept things so restrained that they hadn't even shared a single touch. If it weren’t for that suffocating distance between them, how else could he have ended up tangled with Song Taohong?

Had Song Taohong not unexpectedly fallen pregnant, would he ever have even considered marrying this quiet, seemingly insignificant girl from the Song family? It’s a question that lingers in his mind, one he can't quite shake.

Turning his gaze back to Song Dingxiang, she looked every bit the poised, polished young lady, her thick black hair intricately twisted into a mature updo, held in place by two distinct hairpins—one crafted of pure silver, the other sandalwood elegantly inlaid with silver. The silver earrings that dangled from her ears highlighted their graceful curves, while her fingers, adorned with a collection of silver and agate rings, spoke of wealth and taste. Even the delicate pink of her nail beds—so soft and tender—reminded him of freshly peeled onions, innocent and fragile.

Here she stood, a woman with everything anyone could want—family money, beauty, elegance—and yet, somehow, she had fallen for Zhou Tiezhu, a man of little known origins. A wild seed, unrefined and uncertain, yet now entangled in her life.

How had this even happened? The contrast between her grace and his raw, unpolished existence was striking, almost cruel.

And as if that wasn’t enough to make his blood boil, Song Dingxiang used to call him “Xu Ge” every time their eyes met, with that sweet, almost adoring tone that made him feel like a king.

Now? She doesn’t even spare him a glance, as if he’s invisible. It’s as if all that previous reverence for him was nothing more than a well-constructed mask, a façade put on because she was drawn to his title, to the idea of him as the perfect, scholarly figure.

This kind of woman, huh? Smiling to your face one moment, and then turning away without a second thought. Typical.

Song Taohong is far from a straightforward person. She has this way of handling herself that commands attention without ever really asking for it. Even when no one’s particularly looking her way, she still carries herself with that carefree laugh, the one that always seems to linger in the air, and a smile that could charm anyone. She’s quick with compliments, but there's always something just a bit too sweet about them. She’ll praise Song Xingyi and Li shi for their enviable strength, turn around and inflate Zhang shi and Fang shi's success to a point where it almost feels like they’re untouchable, and then gush over how Song Zijin’s beauty seems to bloom more with each passing day.

But when her gaze finally lands on Song Dingxiang, she shifts the tone just a little, masking something with that same coy grin. “Dingxiang,” she says, her voice soft yet teasing, “you’ve really come out of your shell since getting married, haven’t you?”

Song Dingxiang, not one to be easily rattled, gives a calm glance back. She offers a smile, sharp but controlled. “It’s not that I’ve gotten any less shy,” she replies coolly, “I just don’t feel like talking as much.”

With that, Song Taohong keeps her smile in place, a flicker of something more mischievous dancing in her eyes. “Ah, so when you don’t feel like talking, it must be exhausting,” she says, the words smooth and pointed. “You really should take it easy, get some rest.” But then, as if on cue, her gaze flicks toward Zhou Yinuo with an almost playful gleam, before she lets out a laugh—light and almost conspiratorial, like she’s in on some secret no one else has quite figured out yet.

Noticing the palpable tension in the room, Song Zhixuan quickly assesses the situation and figures that this couple, completely out of their depth, needs to exit before things get any worse. With a quick, smooth motion, he steps in to break the silence, his tone almost too casual, like he’s offering a small favor to a friend. “Brother Xu,” he begins, his voice light, yet the sharpness of his words cutting through the discomfort, “there’s something I’ve been trying to figure out, and I’ve been waiting for you to clear it up for me. How about we head to my room to talk it through?”

Xu Qiang, sensing the need to defuse the tension too, and eager to avoid any awkwardness, lifts his chin slightly, a gesture of mild agreement. He steps forward, matching the lightheartedness in Song Zhixuan’s words. “Sure, happy to help,” he says with a grin, his voice a little teasing. “What’s troubling you? The scholar exam questions aren't exactly brain surgery, are they?”

They both head to Song Zhixuan’s room, where Song Taohong is still sitting by the edge of the kang bed. Her body is frozen in place, but her mind seems to be running a hundred miles per minute, searching for something, anything, to fill the quiet.

Meanwhile, Fang Shi, clearly getting frustrated with the silence and her daughter’s behavior, decides to break the stillness herself. “Taohong,” she says sharply, “how many months along are you?”

Song Taohong’s hand instinctively moves to her belly, her smile small but sincere. “Three months,” she answers softly.

Fang Shi, not missing a beat, lets out a small, somewhat incredulous laugh. “Three months, and you're already looking like that? Time flies—wasn’t it only a few months ago you two were engaged?”

Taohong’s smile only widens, and she replies with a light chuckle, “I’m expecting twins, so it’s a bit bigger than usual. By the way, I wonder if Dingxiang’s pregnant yet?”

At the mention of her name, Song Dingxiang, who had been silently observing, glances over at Song Taohong. “I’m still young,” she responds matter-of-factly, a slight edge to her voice. “No need to rush.”

Song Taohong’s eyes widen in surprise, and she quickly covers her mouth, feigning shock. “No rush? Isn’t Zhou Ge leaving soon? Aren’t you planning on leaving him with a child before he goes?” The words are out before she can stop them, a jab that might sting more than she meant.

"What nonsense are you going on about now?" Fang Shi snapped, her voice sharp with irritation. "He's leaving, but he's coming back. Dingxiang can wait. Why are you so eager? You should be more concerned about the twins growing inside you!"

Song Taohong gave a small, almost serene smile, her eyes glinting with something calculated. "Auntie, you're worrying far too much," she said with a light chuckle. "I'm just a little too invested in Dingxiang's situation, that's all. But... never mind. You know, I couldn't help but notice how exquisite Jin Sao's embroidery is. Now that I'm expecting, my mother-in-law won't let me do any needlework. She's worried about straining my eyes."

Jin Qiaor's hands faltered, the needle pausing mid-stitch as her confusion was written all over her face. What did she mean by that?

"You’re afraid in broad daylight?" Jin Qiaor shot back, clearly perplexed. "Every woman has had a child. It's no big deal, right? Oh wait—forgot, you're the scholar's wife now. You must be extra careful with yourself."

Song Taohong suppressed another smile, her voice soft but laced with an edge of amusement. "Oh, it's really not such a huge deal. I suppose it's just my mother-in-law looking out for her grandchild. She’s just afraid I’ll overdo it and not take proper care of myself."

Song Dingxiang, sitting nearby, tightened her lips in annoyance. She could see through it—Song Taohong was subtly flaunting her elevated status. It wasn’t hard to tell she wasn’t exactly thriving in the Xu family. The way she acted so self-assured, with that air of perfection, only made Dingxiang more certain that her life wasn’t as easy as she made it seem.

It’s always the ones who have little who try to show off. Dingxiang mused silently, betting her mother-in-law had her working to the bone, while her sister-in-law probably made her life miserable. It was clear now—Song Taohong wasn’t as untouchable as she wanted people to think.

Song Taohong couldn't stop going on and on about how wonderful her in-laws were. She was practically glowing with pride as she listed their every kind gesture and favor. It was a familiar routine, but one that Song Dingxiang had no patience for today. Just as Song Taohong launched into yet another tale of how doting her in-laws were, the sound of the doorbell rang through the house, and in walked Song Yulan—the eldest daughter of the Fang family, who had long since married and moved away.

Hearing the familiar clatter outside, Song Dingxiang immediately hopped off the kang, her feet light with purpose. "Mom, my sister's back," she announced. She was more than ready to escape the endless bragging and head to the warmth of her sibling's presence. The promise of a real, unfiltered conversation was far more enticing than listening to Song Taohong's boastful monologue.

Song Yulan and her husband, Xu Dashan, entered together. Song Yulan had a basket draped in oilcloth tucked under one arm, while Xu Dashan, ever the reliable partner, carried a bundle of dried seaweed and a box of snacks—perhaps a small peace offering or a gesture of thoughtfulness from their travels.

"Sister, Brother-in-law," Song Dingxiang greeted them with a genuine warmth, but something in the way Song Yulan's shoulders were hunched and her eyes darted around told a different story. There was an unease hanging in the air that Dingxiang couldn't quite place. Her sister's smile was there, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Something was off, and Dingxiang could feel it.

However, Song Yulan managed to hide it well, smiling and saying, "Oh, Dingxiang, have you grown taller? You're almost as tall as me now."

Song Dingxiang chuckled and linked arms with Song Yulan, leading her into the house.

Finally reunited with her own granddaughter, Li shi and Fang shi's faces brightened, and they began to speak warmly, leaving Song Taohong on the sidelines.

Once Song Yulan gave the items to Fang Shi, Song Dingxiang said, "Mom, my sister and I haven't seen each other for a long time. We're going to the other room to chat."

"Go ahead, go ahead, you kids..." Fang shi watched her daughters with a smile, feeling content.

In the western room, Song Dingxiang looked closely at Song Yulan and asked, "Sister, is there something bothering you?"

"What?!?!" Song Yulan appeared a bit embarrassed and replied, "No, nothing..."

"Why 'nothing'? I can tell something's wrong from the look in your eyes. Did my brother-in-law bully you?" Song Dingxiang persisted in her questioning.

Song Yulan hesitated before whispering, "Dingxiang, your brother-in-law... wants to start a business."

"What?" Song Dingxiang was taken aback.

Although Xu Dashan wasn't a bad person, he wasn't particularly impressive either. He was honest and down-to-earth.

Despite having many brothers in the family, Song Yulan became the big sister when she married into the Xu family and had a son. Backed by the Song family, Xu Dashan wouldn't do anything reckless, and he treated Song Yulan quite well.

Deep down, though, life wasn’t quite as smooth. Despite the years of marriage, Song Yulan kept her thoughts tightly guarded—she only opened up to her own family, and even then, it was a rare thing. She had carried the weight of financial pressures for so long, it couldn’t help but leave a mark on her.

"Sister, does my brother-in-law even have a clue about business? I’m not trying to talk down on him, but... he's just so straightforward, you know? I just hope he doesn’t end up getting taken advantage of," Song Dingxiang remarked, her concern practically dripping off her words.

In the present context, praising someone as honest was a good thing, but in her previous world, describing a man as honest implied that he was essentially worthless. If he wasn't good-looking, tall, wealthy, competent, charming, or well-connected, there was no other positive trait to praise but honesty.

Lowering her voice, Song Yulan said, "Your brother-in-law has a brother who trades in maritime goods outside. He says it's a profitable business. While we're not that close to the sea, getting seafood here is quite challenging..."

Song Dingxiang's mind raced as she fixed her gaze on her sister. "Sister," she began, her voice soft but carrying an edge, "when you got married, didn't you have at least ten or twenty taels of silver for your dowry? And you also brought along land that generates income. Why can't that be used as some capital?"

Song Yulan's face flushed a deep shade of red. She shifted uncomfortably, her fingers trembling as she tried to find the words. "Well... about that money," she started, her voice faltering. "Mother-in-law's health has been poor these past few years, so I had to use the funds for her treatment. And as for the younger sister-in-law, well, she's of the right age to meet matchmakers. I gave her some of the money to buy a set of silver jewelry and earrings. Erni, I..."

Before she could finish, Song Dingxiang cut her off with an impatient hiss. "Sister, how could you be so naive?" Her voice was laced with a mix of anger and disbelief, her eyes flashing with frustration. "You let everyone else drain what you have, but you never thought about saving anything for yourself. How could you let it all slip away like that?"

———T/Note: Each character's name has been translated as closely as possible to retain the original context, even if it may not match the pronunciation in English.) ——— Author's Note: I made a few corrections earlier, mixing up Song Dingxiang's sister's name and the names of the fifth Song daughters, but now it's been corrected.