Chapter 6

The wedding of Song Taohong from the Song family stirred quite a buzz in the village. Curiosity had everyone flocking to the scene, eager to see what all the fuss was about. But as the ceremony unfolded, something was missing—the other key figure in this little scandal never made an appearance, and the atmosphere quickly turned flat, like a balloon that lost all its air.

After devouring the feast laid out for them, Song Dingxiang’s friends wasted no time and made a beeline for Old Fourth Song Si's house, where they could always find something more exciting.

"Is Dingxiang home?" They didn't hesitate or mince words. The rural girls were far from the delicate, restrained types you'd find in the city, so they stood at the front door and called out without a second thought.

Song Dingxiang, who had been upstairs, appeared almost immediately, smiling at her friends as she greeted them and invited them inside. The warmth of the upper room embraced them as they walked in, thanks to the kang (heated brick) bed that kept both rooms cozy and inviting, perfect for a chilly afternoon.

"Grandma, San Ya, Qiao Xing’er, and Dan Hong are here," Dingxiang announced as she stepped in.

Li shi, the matriarch of the family, glanced up from the table, nudging the sunflower and melon seeds aside. "Go play with them. Take some snacks with you... and make some sweet syrup," she said, hardly looking up as she spoke, still busy with her own little tasks.

Having been in this world for two months, Song Dingxiang had grown familiar with the people around her. She was no longer the shy, unsure girl she once was. Her confidence was steadily growing, and she was learning to savor the pleasures of youth, even if they were a bit unconventional.

Most of the gossip she was privy to came from her close circle of female friends. Adults, especially the older ones, kept things close to the chest when it came to the more colorful details of village life. But the girls? They had no such filter, and their whispers flew freely between them, forming a tight-knit network that never missed a beat.

"Wow, Dingxiang, you’re looking great these days," Qiao Xing, the eldest of the group at sixteen, complimented her with a smile that oozed a mix of admiration and something more. Already engaged, though her wedding had been delayed due to the recent passing of her groom's grandfather, she carried herself with the elegance of someone much older. She had a way with words that could make anyone weak in the knees, especially with that knowing look in her eye.

The girls entered, paid their respects to Li shi in the east room, flattered Jin Qiao’er’s crafty ways, and then followed Dingxiang into the opposite room. This room wasn’t large, but it had a charm of its own. It was shaded, but not cold or damp—just the right kind of cozy for a gathering like this. A small window on the wall, covered with thick hemp paper, allowed just enough light to filter through.

Dingxiang cracked open the window slightly, and from there, the view of the backyard revealed a few of the Song children playing around, rather than out collecting firewood like they should have been.

San Ya couldn’t help but relax as she sank into the warmth of the heated brick bed. It felt absolutely perfect, like it was made just for her, and she wasn’t in any rush to move from that spot. She kicked off her shoes, slid effortlessly onto the bed, and settled in, letting the warmth seep into her bones. “My grandpa’s place does the same thing with the heated bed, but there’s always so many people around. It’s like a zoo. No space for me to enjoy it properly,” she said with a little huff of frustration, enjoying the quiet peace of the moment.

She came from a big family, living at the village entrance. With so many children running around all the time, the place was never really quiet. Whenever the adults were out working, her grandfather stepped in to look after the chaos of kids, and it was a constant blur of noise.

Song Dingxiang watched her from across the room, setting down a small kang table and placing a bowl of sunflower seeds on it. Then she poured hot syrup into small bowls, handing one to each of them. “Aren’t you supposed to be heading over to my third granduncle’s house for the feast? You’re leaving already?” she teased, eyes glinting.

Dan Hong grinned, tossing a handful of seeds into her mouth. “Oh, don’t worry. We’re not going anywhere just yet. We came over here after the feast, didn’t have anything else to do. Qiao Xing Jie, why don’t you come up here and join us on the bed? Stop sitting on the edge like you’re some stranger.”

Qiao Xing smoothed out her skirt, still sitting on the edge with a tight smile. “I’ll stay here, thanks. My mother taught me to be a proper lady and act my age.”

Song Dingxiang raised an eyebrow and couldn’t resist a cheeky smirk. “Oh, really? Since when do proper ladies not sit on a bed? Who taught you that nonsense?” She even winked at Qiao Xing, clearly enjoying the little jab.

Qiao Xing’s face flushed, and she slapped at Song Dingxiang’s teasing hand. “Stop it! You’re driving me crazy with that mouth of yours!”

Song Dingxiang burst into laughter, easily dodging the smack. “You’re not getting married until next year, but me? I’m getting married next month! My mother never said a word about not sitting on the kang bed. I do what I want.”

Dan Hong, who had finished cracking and devouring the sunflower seeds in a hurry, clapped her hands in amusement. “Oh, it’s easy for you, Dingxiang. You don’t have any in-laws to worry about. You can live however you want. But Qiao Xing Jie, that’s another story. She’s got in-laws, a grandmother-in-law, the whole noisy family to deal with. My mom says, when you marry, you become part of someone else’s family, and you have to follow their rules. It’s not like living in your own home anymore.”

Song Dingxiang, deep in thought, couldn't help but acknowledge a harsh truth—despite the so-called "progress" of her past life, women still hadn't achieved true independence. Not in this era. In these times, it was nearly impossible for a woman to live a life of fulfillment. There was always a chain around their neck, and it was heavy.

Qiao Xing, ever the one to entertain a conversation, casually threw in, “My mother’s always saying Dingxiang’s lucky. She’ll be running her own household, no more rules to follow, no more controlling hands.”

But before Dingxiang could really process it, San Ya, ever the inquisitive one, threw a curveball. “Hey, Dingxiang, have you ever held hands with Zhou Tiezhu?”

Every pair of eyes snapped to Song Dingxiang.

Caught off guard, her face flushed a shade of pink she couldn’t hide, and she waved her hands frantically, flustered. "What? No, that’s ridiculous! We barely even see each other. He’s living in the backyard now. He only comes around for meals, nothing more." She tried to brush it off with a laugh, but everyone was still looking at her, waiting.

Unfazed, San Ya turned her attention to Qiao Xing, her question unrelenting. “Qiao Xing Jie, have you held hands with Da Yun Ge?”

Qiao Xing blushed, swatting at the younger girl. “Why do you care about stuff like that, huh? Go on, let Auntie find you someone first, and maybe you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.”

San Ya, a mere fourteen, was still too young to know what that kind of attention felt like, but she was getting curious.

The girls were all giggling, getting lost in their teasing, until Song Dingxiang casually steered the conversation in another direction. “What did you all eat at my third granduncle’s today?”

San Ya’s eyes lit up. “They had sauerkraut stew with pork, stewed tofu, stewed cabbage, stewed potatoes, scrambled eggs with green onions. Two whole tables full of food—one for the village chief, one for the matchmaker. No steamed buns, though, and the pancake wasn’t as good as my mom’s. They’re planning another feast tomorrow but they’re not inviting us.”

In this village, the customs surrounding weddings were a spectacle, one that everyone eagerly discussed. The bride's family would throw a feast the day before the wedding, and another the day after the bride moved out. The kind of dishes they served spoke volumes about their wealth—some families were humble, while others went all out, showing off their fortune with every bite.

In the tight-knit rural community, the feast was no ordinary meal. Neighboring families brought their own culinary contributions, turning it into a grand, communal celebration where gossip flowed as freely as the rice wine.

The girls, gathered in their usual corner, couldn’t resist dissecting every juicy detail. San Ya, the loudmouth with no filter, jumped right in, her words slicing through the chatter like a butcher’s cleaver.

“I saw the Xu family today,” she began, her voice dripping with mockery. “They’re about as average as boiled cabbage. That eldest cousin of theirs? Bland as a tofu block. And that aunt? Sweet heavens, her face could scare the life out of a pig at your father’s butcher shop!”

Song Dingxiang let out a laugh, light and teasing. “But what about Taohong? She’s always been pretty. I bet she’s even more stunning now.”

San Ya smirked. “Oh, she’s still got her looks, sure, but the girl’s packed on a few pounds. Probably gorging on all that fancy food.”

Qiao Xing, ever the instigator, cleared her throat with a knowing look. “Well, when you’re eating for two, the weight kind of creeps on, doesn’t it?” she said, throwing a mischievous wink at Song Dingxiang.

The implications hit Song Dingxiang like a bucket of cold water. Her eyes widened. “Wait… are you saying—”

Before she could finish, Qiao Xing leaned in, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “My mother says Taohong’s at least three months along. And you know my mother—she’s never wrong about these things.”

Dan Hong, the sharp-eared busybody, sidled up with a curious tilt of her head. “Three months along? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Qiao Xing backpedaled faster than a startled goose. “Oh, nothing! I just meant I need to take Dingxiang to the restroom. You must’ve misheard!” Grabbing Song Dingxiang’s arm, she hauled her out of the room and into the yard.

Once out of earshot, Song Dingxiang rounded on her. “Is it true?”

Qiao Xing nodded, her voice laced with dramatic flair. “My mother’s got an eye for these things. No wonder the Xu family’s been in such a hurry to cut ties. That Mr. Xu, with all his book learning, is nothing but a pompous bore. But don’t you fret, Dingxiang. Zhou Tiezhu is a far better catch.”

“Zhou Tiezhu?” Dingxiang’s tone was incredulous.

“Absolutely!” Qiao Xing pressed on, relentless. “He’s got ambition. Off to join the military, no less. Who knows? He might come back a hero. And you—you’ll have no nagging in-laws breathing down your neck. When he’s off serving, you can go back home and live as free as you please. Honestly, I’m a little jealous.”

Song Dingxiang’s lips curled into a smile, her earlier hesitation melting away. “And what about Da Yun Ge? Don’t you think he’s a good match?”

Qiao Xing let out a sharp, exasperated sigh as she admitted, “He’s fine enough, I suppose, but his family’s too damn big. My mother says we’ll have to hash it out with his folks and add two more rooms for me and Da Yun, or there’s no way we’ll all fit. It’s cramped as it is.” Her tone carried an edge of frustration, her brows knitting together as the weight of the situation hung heavy in her words.

Back then, people clung to the belief that the more children and grandchildren they had, the more blessed they were, regardless of whether they could afford the chaos they were creating. Families bred recklessly, piling generation upon generation under the same roof, crammed into suffocating spaces, with entire clans sprawled across one massive, suffocating heated brick bed. The thought alone was enough to make your skin crawl.

“Everyone’s got their own mess to deal with,” Song Dingxiang murmured, her voice gentle but firm as she attempted to soothe Qiao Xing’s frazzled nerves. Together, hand in hand, they retreated back to the house, the weight of their conversation lingering in the cool evening air.

The mood lightened slightly with casual chatter, but as the night deepened, it was time for the girls to say their goodbyes to Song Dingxiang. Watching Qiao Xing disappear into the distance, Song Dingxiang felt a strange fog settle over her thoughts. Pieces of a larger, murkier picture began to click into place.

She had always dismissed Taohong’s actions and the Xu family’s abrupt decisions as selfish and callous, but now the truth crept in like a shadow. Taohong must have been desperate—her situation far graver than Song had assumed. Counting back the days, it became clear: Taohong’s fall into the water wasn’t a mere accident; it was a calculated move, staged to intersect perfectly with Zhou Tiezhu’s return from the mountain.

And the Xu family?

They weren’t blind to Taohong’s predicament. They must have known exactly what was going on, which explained their frantic rush to sever ties. But secrets like that don’t stay buried for long. If Taohong were to show up pregnant at the Xu family’s doorstep and give birth prematurely, tongues would wag, and her name would be dragged through the mud.

In today’s world, such scandals might be brushed aside, but in their tightly wound, judgmental society? The stakes were far higher.

What the hell was Taohong thinking?

By nightfall, Fang Shi had caught wind of the scandal, and her temper ignited like dry wood meeting fire. Perched on the edge of the kang bed, her lips curled into a sneer that only sharpened with every cutting remark. "What a mess!" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "A supposedly well-bred girl from Third Uncle's family, paired with your eighth brother’s so-called 'good daughter.' Tsk, tsk. No wonder they’ve been so lax with traditions—it’s clear now there was a filthy secret festering beneath it all."

Song Zhiyuan sat hunched, his face burning with humiliation, as Fang’s sharp tongue lashed at the scandal like a whip. He didn’t dare meet her gaze, instead burying his head and enduring the storm.

Fang Shi wasn’t finished; her fury only deepened. "That Taohong might look sweet and well-mannered, but who would’ve guessed she’s so shameless? And the real disgrace? Our family’s reputation! The Song name is being dragged through the mud because of her. Does Third Uncle seriously not know about this? Or is he just playing dumb? And your eighth brother—what kind of blind fool doesn’t notice his daughter waddling around with a belly like that? Unbelievable!" Her voice hitched, sharp and biting, her disgust practically tangible.

Song Zhiyuan fumbled for a response, his words coming out weak and uncertain. "How was I supposed to know? Who could’ve guessed the girl would stay so quiet about it? Sigh..." He trailed off, his helplessness only fueling Fang’s anger.

"Thank heavens our Dingxiang didn’t marry into the Xu family!" Fang hissed, her voice a venomous mix of relief and outrage. "What kind of people are they? Plotting marriages with one hand and ruining reputations with the other? And that so-called scholar—he’s nothing but a disgrace! Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl." She jabbed a needle into her sewing basket with more force than necessary, her frustration threatening to boil over. "Song Zhiyuan, listen to me carefully. When Dingxiang gets married, don’t you dare invite Third Uncle’s family. I swear, if I have to look at them, I might lose control and throw this basket of needles right at their faces!"

But Song Zhiyuan hesitated, his expression conflicted. "He’s still my third uncle," he muttered. "How can we not invite them?"

Fang’s scowl deepened, but after a moment of tense silence, she sighed, the fight momentarily leaving her. "Fine. Invite them. Not inviting them would make us look petty, and I won’t have our family stooping to their level. But mark my words, Song Zhiyuan—keep your distance from that filthy lot from now on. I won’t have them dragging us into their mess again. I’ve had enough disgrace for a lifetime."

"I understand..." Song Zhiyuan replied, his voice heavy with resignation. He let out a weary sigh, wishing the earth would swallow him whole.

All he could do now was hope Taohong’s situation with the Xu family wouldn’t spiral into more chaos. With her moving to another village soon, maybe, just maybe, they’d all be spared further embarrassment.

But deep down, he knew this scandal would haunt him for years. His only prayer was for his niece to behave herself and stop adding fuel to the fire. This wasn’t just a family shame—it was a humiliation he’d never live down.

———Author's Note: I spent most of the day entertaining our old lady, feeling dizzy and exhausted. The update for the other book will be a bit delayed...

I need a break.