Chapter 55

During these days, Wu shi had indeed been arranging for Song Jiaoxing to see a potential match, and Song Jiaoxing had also found someone she liked, reportedly the young master of the mansion next to the village. Wu shi had also observed from a distance and felt that although the man was slightly older, he was much better than the young men in the village overall.

Some days ago, she had also sought the help of a matchmaker to propose a marriage, but the matchmaker returned saying that the Li family's young man was still in mourning, and they would have to wait for six months at least.

Although it was just six months, Wu shi believed that her daughter could wait, but only half a month had passed, and how come that man had already become engaged to Song Zijin?

"Mother, they must be holding a grudge against Sister Taohong for stealing Dingxiang's man, so they are plotting to steal my man." Song Jiaoxing cried breathlessly, her eyes swollen like two peaches. "Mother, Brother Li promised that he would come to marry me after the mourning period. We have already exchanged tokens of love, Mother... Mother, you have to help me!"

Wu shi was both angry and puzzled by the situation. She was not like Zhu shi, who would do anything to get her daughter married. And the reason she had completely fallen out with Zhu shi was also to protect her own children, fearing they would be embroiled in the problems of Zhu's family.

Because she was intelligent, she comforted Song Jiaoxing, saying, "Alright, alright, stop crying. I don't think this is necessarily your Uncle's family seeking revenge on Song Taohong. Why don't we go investigate tonight, find out what's really going on."

Song Jiaoxing wiped her tears and said, "In their family, Song Zijin is also of marriageable age, and there really isn't anyone else around to consider. Besides, they have money, so Song Zijin's dowry will surely be bigger than mine. But, but Brother Li is not that kind of person, and he is still in mourning, how could he be engaged now?"

Wu shi tenderly wiped her daughter's tears and said, "So let's go and find out, don't jump to conclusions. What if it's not what you think, then would you have cried in vain?"

Song Jiaoxing thought about it and felt that was indeed the case, so she nodded.

Just after dinner, Wu shi took Song Jiaoxing to Song Xingyi's house.

Song Xingyi's family was still eating together, lively and bustling. After finishing their meal and clearing the table, they sat around chatting about the various small things that had happened that day.

As soon as the table was cleared, they heard someone calling from the courtyard, "Aunt and Uncle, are you here?"

Zhang shi, who was sitting by the window, opened it and looked out, saying, "Yes, is it Sister-in-law?"

Wu shi led Song Jiaoxing inside and said with a smile, "Yes, we heard that Zijin is officially engaged, so we came to see if there's anything we can help with."

The other members of the Song family also knew that a matchmaker had been sent from Song Jiaoxing's family to propose a marriage alliance with Li Zhuang, but since the engagement hadn't been finalized yet, it wasn't considered a serious matter.

Zhang shi smiled and said, "That's right, we just exchanged the engagement cards, and it will be official in a few days."

As soon as she finished speaking, tears welled up in Song Jiaoxing's eyes.

"Oh, what's wrong?" Zhang shi couldn't help but furrow her brow, but she still handed over a clean handkerchief, saying, "Why are you crying when everything is going well?"

Song Jiaoxing cried, "Auntie, I, I have already exchanged tokens of engagement with Big Brother Li. He said that as soon as his mourning period is over, he will send someone to my house to propose. Previously, my mother sent a matchmaker who said there are still three months before the mourning period is over, so how come, how come..." She was crying too hard to continue.

Zhang shi, with a puzzled expression on her face, couldn't help but look at her daughter.

Song Zijin furrowed her brows and said, "But Big Brother Li's mourning period is already over, he finished it right after the New Year. And my marriage proposal was arranged by the Lady of the Wang family, who is Big Brother Li's grandaunt."

Song Jiaoxing's face turned pale, and she took out a small jade ring from her bosom, saying, "This is the token of engagement given to me by Big Brother Li. I and him, I and him..."

Wu shi's expression suddenly changed, trembling as she asked, "Jiaoxing, don't scare your mother, you, you didn't... with him..."

"Mother, of course not, I'm not like Song Taohong!" Song Jiaoxing blushed in embarrassment. "But, we've known each other for two years, we often meet after the New Year, I even embroidered a purse for him, and he gave me this jade ring... Mother, Big Brother Li said he wants to marry me, sob..."

Song Dingxiang's expression also turned serious. Although she didn't behave like Song Taohong, nor did her mother behave like Zhu shi, it didn't mean she could tolerate another man being so irresponsible towards a Song family girl and wanting to have his cake and eat it too.

"Jiaoxing, stop crying. Tomorrow, I will go to the town and ask around. After all, this matter was arranged by the Lady of the Wang family, we need to clarify the situation for her. If that man surnamed Li is really like this, then our Third Miss will definitely not marry into that family."

Song Jiaoxing opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Instead, she just looked towards Wu shi.

Wu shi looked at Song Dingxiang, then at the other members of the Song family, and gritted her teeth, "If it's really like this, I won't allow Jiaoxing to marry into that family."

"Mother..." Song Jiaoxing called out sadly.

Wu shi said, "Our Song family's girls cannot be treated like this, not allowing anyone to look down upon them. If you were to marry into that family, you would only suffer for it in the future!"

Song Jiaoxing was stunned for a moment, then covered her face and cried softly.

Wu shi took the jade ring from her hand and handed it to Song Dingxiang, saying, "Dingxiang, you must help your aunt inquire carefully. Our girls are all outstanding, why do they always encounter such people? That man surnamed Li is probably not a good person, so you must ask thoroughly."

After Wu shi and the others left, Song Zijin fidgeted with her fingers, feeling restless. She said to Song Dingxiang, "Before, that Big Brother Li didn't seem like that kind of person. Why... I feel uneasy about this."

Song Dingxiang replied, "People's hearts are unpredictable, sometimes you can't judge someone by their appearance. But we haven't seen what that man surnamed Li is like, we can't just rely on what Song Jiaoxing said. Aunt, bring me the letter from that family, I will go to the town early tomorrow morning to discuss this matter with Lady Wang."

Zhang shi was a bit flustered and nodded quickly, "Alright, I will get it for you. Why... do you think we have offended someone? Why do our daughters always face obstacles in their marriage?"

Although it may be superstitious, Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "In a few days, it will be Qingming Festival. At that time, we should pray to our ancestors for blessings and protection for our family."

Song Xingyi sighed and said, "We should really pray more this year, burn more joss paper, and fold more paper ingots. Especially for you girls, fold more. Our ancestors will only bless you if they are pleased."

The originally cheerful family gathering was disrupted by this sudden event. Song Dingxiang couldn't sleep well all night, and the next day, dark circles were visible under her eyes.

She was not the only one who didn't sleep well. When they saw Fang Shi, Zhang Shi, and Song Zijin in the morning, all of them had dark circles under their eyes and looked extremely dispirited.

When Li shi saw this, she frowned and said, "What's the big deal? It's just about marriage, why lose sleep over it?"

Song Dingxiang felt that she had lived in vain for so many years and sometimes felt that Li shi was more insightful. She smiled and said, "I'm just thinking about how to talk to Lady Wang today."

Li shi said, "Just say what needs to be said. We didn't do anything wrong in this matter, so what's there to worry about? You, always overthinking. And you, Third Granddaughter, fortunately, now that we know about this matter, if that man is really no good, you would suffer if you married him. Knowing this in advance, you should be happy."

Song Zijin rubbed her eyes and said sadly, "I don't know why, I just feel uncomfortable, so I couldn't sleep well."

Song Dingxiang drank a bowl of barley and sweet potato porridge, without asking Song Zhiyuan to accompany her. She took the Li family's letter and waited at the intersection for a passing vehicle to the town to deliver goods, paying two copper coins for a ride.

*

Madam Wang, upon hearing her arrival, was very surprised and welcomed her, saying, "Do you have any thoughts on the marriage? Do you need to prepare anything? You could have sent someone with a message, why did you come in person?"

Song Dingxiang sighed and said, "I didn't want to come either, but I was afraid my parents wouldn't explain things clearly, so I had to come myself. Madam, is this jade ring from your nephew?"

She took out the jade ring that Song Jiaoxing gave her from her bosom and handed it over.

Madam Wang took it and smiled, "Yes, this jade ring was made with the help of pearls. How...?"

She looked at the jade ring, then at Song Dingxiang's expression, and quickly pulled her into the house, whispering, "Dingxiang, where did you get this jade ring from?"

Song Dingxiang said, "My third granduncle has a granddaughter named Song Jiaoxing. She said she met Brother Li before the New Year, and the two of them exchanged love tokens. My fifth aunt sent a matchmaker to propose, but Brother Li said he still has at least three months of mourning left."

Madam Wang was angry, "How could this be? His mourning period ended after the New Year, otherwise how could I and the old man agree to the marriage proposal? This, this... this is too much..."

She took a deep breath and said to the outside, "Hong Cui'er, go, have Wang Quan take the young master from the manor and then go to the Song family to wait for me. Remember, don't be too loud, understand?"

The maid outside replied crisply and hurried off.

"I'll go figure out this matter first. We can't let the old madam know, otherwise my mother-in-law will be very upset." Madam Wang sighed, saying, "Yunsheng is not that kind of person. I refuse to believe he could do such a thing. But after all, he's not my own flesh and blood, so we don't really know the full situation. I'll go with you, and we shouldn't make a scene. We'll ask at your house to find out what really happened."

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam." Song Dingxiang quickly bowed.

Madam Wang helped her up and said, "Originally, this was meant to arrange a marriage, but please don't let a potential marriage turn into enmity."

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Madam, your intentions were kind, and my family and I are very grateful. If this matter is true, it can only be said that my sister did not have the good fortune."

Wang Quan rode a horse to the manor for speed. Song Dingxiang and Madam Wang took a carriage, and when they arrived at their own house, Wang Quan also arrived with a tall and handsome young man through the back door.

In the main house of the Song family, Song Xingyi, Li shi, and Zhang Shi sat on the kang bed, while Madam Wang sat on a chair, accompanied by Song Dingxiang. As for what the others were doing, they had scattered to do other tasks, and no one gathered here to watch the excitement.

Madam Wang's face was as cold as frost as she tossed the jade ring into Li Yunsheng's arms and asked in a stern voice, "Speak, what is the meaning of this?"

Li Yunsheng looked bewildered, glanced at the jade ring, and said, "This is indeed my jade ring. How did it end up in Aunt's hands?"

Madam Wang snorted, "You ask me, who should I ask? Who did you give this jade ring to, don't you know yourself?"

Li Yunsheng quickly knelt before Mrs. Wang and said, "Aunt, I have been busy with the affairs of the manor, and I haven't worn any jade rings or waist ornaments for a long time. This jade ring is usually kept by the servant girls at the manor, and I haven't seen it in six months."

After hearing this, Madam Wang looked towards Song Dingxiang.

Song Dingxiang pondered for a moment and asked, "Brother Li, let me ask you, do you know a person named Song Jiaoxing?"

Li Yunsheng scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure if I should say this or not."

Song Dingxiang said, "There are no outsiders here, so go ahead and speak."

Li Yunsheng glanced at Madam Wang, who gestured for him to stand up. He said, "I have heard of her, but I don't know her. When I first arrived, there were some rumors at the manor, and I overheard a few things."

Song Dingxiang asked, "You haven't seen Song Jiaoxing, but have you seen my sister Zijin?"

Li Yunsheng smiled and said, "Wasn't she always delivering things to your family's tea shed near the lotus pond? I saw her from a distance a few times. Later, when you all went to the town for the New Year market, I happened to be in town too, and we met face to face once. But you probably don't remember."

After speaking, a faint blush appeared on his cheeks, and he awkwardly lowered his head.

"If the jade ring wasn't given by you, then who could have given it?" Madam Wang, seeing that Li Yunsheng's words didn't seem fabricated, also felt a bit awkward.

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Why don't we bring my fifth uncle's wife and Jiaoxing here? Seeing them may clarify things."

Wu Shi brought Song Jiaoxing in, but upon seeing a dignified woman sitting in the room, she was so frightened that she didn't dare to take another step forward.

Song Dingxiang stood up and introduced, "Aunt Wu, Jiaoxing, this is the aunt of Li Zhuang, the head of the Zhuang family. If it is really the fault related to that Li Zhuang, you can tell Madam Wang, and she will speak up for you."

Jiaoxing trembled as she walked in. She raised her head to look around, her gaze passing over Li Yunsheng without stopping.

Her soft voice was almost inaudible, "I, I am the one who, last year, after the busy farming season, went to play with the other sisters in the village near the lotus pond. I saw Brother Li there. I tripped and fell, and Brother Li helped me up, that's how we met."

Madam Wang nodded and asked, "And then?"

Jiaoxing continued, "After that, I often saw Brother Li near the lotus pond. But it was always in the evening because there weren't many people there at that time... I would just exchange a few words with him and quickly come back after staying for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense."

Song Dingxiang glanced at Li Yunsheng and asked Jiaoxing, "Have you seen that person?" pointing to Li Yunsheng.

Jiaoxing quickly glanced and nodded, saying, "Brother Li said he is his family servant..."

"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Madam Wang slammed the table, her eyebrows raised in anger. "What does this 'Brother Li' you speak of look like?"

In an instant, Song Jiaoxing seemed to understand a little. She looked incredulously at the plain-dressed Li Yunsheng, then at Madam Wang, trembling uncontrollably. "Li, Brother Li... tall and thin, with a small black mark near his left ear. He usually wears long robes... I, I..."

Li Yunsheng sighed and said to Madam Wang, "That is my foster brother."

Madam Wang was furious, shouting loudly, "Wang Quan, go, arrest that shameless scoundrel and bring him to the mansion!"

Wang Quan answered and Madam Wang looked at Li Yunsheng again, lamenting, "What can I say about you? How dare your foster brother go around using your name recklessly, giving away your things, causing trouble. Can't you even control your own servant?"

Li Yunsheng knelt again, saying repeatedly, "Aunt, please don't be angry. My foster brother grew up with me from childhood and willingly came with me here. I have always treated him like a real brother, I never thought..."

"If only we found this Song Jiaoxing, who knows if there are others?" Madam Wang sighed heavily, "If another Zhang Jiaoxing or Wang Jiaoxing comes out, where will we, the Wang family, and the Li family, put our faces? Forget it, forget it. I know you are kind-hearted by nature. Just leave this matter alone."

Li Yunsheng lowered his head, too afraid to speak.

Madam Wang's breathing calmed, and she asked Song Dingxiang, "Do you know where your sister is now?"

Song Dingxiang smiled, got up and left, and soon returned with Song Zijin.

Song Zijin looked at the person kneeling on the ground and pouted in grievance.

Madam Wang said, "Zijin, these things are all misunderstandings, but it also depends on what you think... I have taken care of the matters at the manor for you now. But if you marry him, you will be the lady of the house. If you don't have a few tricks up your sleeve, the servants will take advantage of you. Do you understand?"

Song Zijin nodded, biting her lip.

Madam Wang smiled at Wu Shi and said, "Today's incident was due to our house manager's negligence. Luckily, it was discovered in time. Otherwise, who knows what mistakes could have been made. We can't delay good children. Jiaoxing, come here. You have suffered unfairly."

She then took a gold ring off her own hand and put it on Song Jiaoxing's hand. "Take it and wear it, consider it a reward for enduring."

Song Jiaoxing held the heavy ring with gemstones on her finger, unsure if she should be surprised or how to react.

Wu Shi quickly pulled her and said, "Hurry up and kowtow to Madam Wang."

Song Jiaoxing shuddered and quickly knelt down to kowtow, saying, "Thank you, Madam Wang."

"Then..." Madam Wang looked at Song Dingxiang again.

Song Dingxiang smiled and said, "Aunt Wu, now that this matter is clear, Madam Wang will give our family an explanation. Poor Jiaoxing sister was scared, Aunt Wu should quickly take her back and let her rest for a few days, right?"

Wu Shi quickly said, "Yes, yes, I will take her back now. Madam Wang, we, we are leaving."

"Go ahead." Madam Wang smiled slightly and waved her hand.

After Wu Shi left with Song Jiaoxing, Madam Wang patted her chest, and said with a bitter smile to Li shi, "Auntie, you have seen a joke. This child is too kind-hearted, that's why things turned out like this. I really, truly... I just hope Zijin can be more like Dingxiang, even if just a little, so she can control that group of ignorant people."

Li shi chuckled, "Managing a household is also a skill, Madam must teach our Zijin well. Well, the floor is cold, let the child stand up and talk."

Kneeling twice in a row made his knees ache.

"Don't you want to thank grandmother?" Madam Wang glared at Li Yunseng.

Li Yunseng bowed to Li shi and said, "Thank you, grandmother," before standing up.

Madam Wang pulled Song Zijin to sit next to her, then spoke softly to Li shi and Zhang Shi, her previously stern demeanor completely gone.

"In fact, when this child was still obedient, my mother-in-law worried all day long. She thought he was soft-spoken, accommodating, and liked to take care of everything himself. He was a good child but not necessarily a good head of the household. She asked me to help look for a suitable match, someone who is assertive and can manage the household well. I saw that Dingxiang was really capable inside out, and later when her sister went to the town to work in the shop, she also proved herself to be capable. Both sisters are like that, so Zijin, this child, surely can't go wrong."

Li shi smiled and said, "If we talk about these three children, each one of them is truly a good child. However, our family, being a rural household, cannot compare to those wealthy families with strict rules. We don’t understand many things, and if we make a mistake, it would truly be a sin."

Madam Wang chuckled and said, "Auntie, you don't need to worry too much about this. Actually, most people in the village are from my mother-in-law side of the family as dowries, and they are mostly elderly and should retire. Once the new bride arrives and settles in, the estate can be reorganized and managed as they see fit. Living in the village means less frequent trips to town, away from troublesome matters from their own homes. As long as the young couple lives in peace, everything will be fine. Moreover, if Zijin doesn't understand something, she can always ask Dingxiang for help, isn't that just appropriate?"

Li shi looked at Song Zijin and said, "Now that you understand everything, you must have confidence in yourself and know how to handle things, okay?"

Song Zijin bit her lip, a blush appearing on her face. She nodded vigorously and said, "I understand, I will learn well from Madam Wang and my older sister."

Madam Wang finally relaxed, stood up, and said, "It's getting late, I need to go back and deal with that despicable matter. I will send someone to give you news later, so you can all rest assured. In the future, Zijin may be married into the Li family, but in reality, you still need to take care of this foolish child, Yunseng."

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Li shi also got off the kang bed, "It really troubles you to come all this way."

"If I didn't come, I wouldn't have known about this kind of betrayal. Oh, Auntie, please rest in the house and let Dingxiang escort me." Madam Wang politely declined Li shi's offer to see her off, and walked with Song Dingxiang to the carriage by the door, saying, "You see, that child Yunseng is truly foolish, he couldn't have done such a thing. If he marries your sister in the future, you may have to worry even more."

Song Dingxiang smiled, "I won't worry. If anything happens, I'll go find Madam Wang and cry to her to help me solve it."

"You!" Madam Wang felt regretful in her heart.

It would have been better if Song Dingxiang had not married, as she would have been truly suited to be a housekeeper.

Just after sunrise, Wang Quan, the steward of the Wang family, came over. He first sent two pieces of flower-patterned cloth, a piece of fine silk, and a box of silver headpieces to Wu's side, saying they were for Song Jiaoxing to calm her nerves, and then he came to Song Dingxiang's side.

"My lady asked me to convey a message. Master Nie's foster brother was beaten up, the whole family has been sent back to their hometown, so you don't need to worry. Oh... that foster brother relied on being Master Nie's fostered brother from his birth mother, and started acting like a young master. This beating resulted in a bit of a mess, worrying our lady... Oh, and my lady gave this list of engagement gifts, she wants you to take a look. Lady said our girl's wedding should be done properly, she has almost arranged everything, so don't worry."

Song Dingxiang took the list of engagement gifts and looked at it. She thought to herself that no wonder they said not to worry, the engagement gifts listed would almost deplete half of the Song family's assets. However, she absolutely couldn't let the Wang family look down on her sister's dowry...

——— Song Dingxiang: I don't want to be a housekeeper.

Zhou Yinuo: No, you do!

Song Dingxiang: ...who are you?

Zhou Yinuo: ...