Chapter 458 Dishonest

The three women outside the door exchanged glances, their faces showing displeasure.

“We are here sincerely, hoping to become in-laws with you. My daughter is not that bad. Why are you saying such rude things? My daughter is also a treasure. It’s not like she’s only marrying your son.”

Song Chunxue forced a smile, "Okay, then don't come again."

"you……"

"Go away, go away, don't give her away like that. She just has a few stinking coins, what's so great about her?"

"Exactly, an old widow without a husband, she has a bad temper..."

Song Chunxue was furious and immediately bent down, picked up a small stone from the roadside, and threw it at him.

"Ouch, you son of a bitch, why did you hit me?"

Song Chunxue crossed her arms over her chest. "You called me an old widow, so what if I hit you? Besides, the lines on your face are like river bends. Can't we tell who's older? If you don't like it, take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror."

"Say that again if you dare?"

Song Chunxue laughed, "Oh right, didn't you find out all this? Do you know I'm cultivating Taoism, able to draw talismans and read faces? I understand the principle of 'all guests are guests,' but look at how you've forced my daughter-in-law into this situation, and you still insist on squeezing in. You know I'm not home, what's the point of talking to her? You just want to humiliate her by taking a concubine."

Knowing she was in the wrong, the woman still tried to argue, "We just wanted to go in and see what was going on..."

"No need to ask anymore, your daughter is already engaged, don't be a nuisance."

Song Chunxue turned to look at the other two women and found that they had already quietly run away along the side path.

She turned to look at Mei Yang, who was calmly observing her, and said, "Let's go inside and have some tea."

"Alright," Mei Yang said with a smile. "You were a bit harsh with your insults, but what you said made a lot of sense."

He pointed to two dogs with their legs bared and glaring at him menacingly, "Don't let them bite me. I'll say a few words and then leave."

Mulan has already returned to her room; this is too much of a bullying.

This can't go on forever.

It's probably because so many people came to Sanwa's wedding that those who weren't familiar with the family before learned about their situation and became interested in the Jiang family's wealth.

If they had been even a little nicer, Song Chunxue would have been proud, because it was all thanks to her that her child would be sought after for marriage.

It's not that she doesn't know how to be a good person, it's that she doesn't want to be.

She scared people away today, so those who want to try their luck will know her temper and come less often.

They invited Mei Yang into the house for tea, and they chatted about recent events.

The clothing shop was doing good business. Although the small Zhuanglang County was arid and barren, there were quite a few wealthy people in the town.

There are plenty of people with more jobs than Song Chunxue. These people buy this kind of fabric today, make that kind of clothes tomorrow when they have nothing to do, and buy some new clothes the day after tomorrow to make autumn and winter clothes. As long as the fabric is nice and high-quality, they don't care about the money.

"There's something else, and I know it's no big deal, but I think it's best to say it," Mei Yang said thoughtfully, putting down his teacup. "It's related to Yao Man."

“You know, we’ve been friends for a long time now, so you should just say what’s on your mind. You wouldn’t even bother if it were something trivial.”

Mei Yang nodded. "That's right. I know Yao Man is very shrewd. She specially reserved a room, saying it was for selling talismans and fortune telling, so that you and the Taoist priest could go there from time to time to increase your reputation and attract distinguished customers. But you've been away recently and haven't had time to go. However, my brothers say that the Fortune Inn is selling a lot of talismans recently, and they're different from the ones you drew."

Song Chunxue frowned; she wasn't selling talismans anymore this year.

It's fine if Yao Man sells lucky charms herself, but if someone uses her as a front and just hires anyone to draw the charms, it could implicate her in the future.

Moreover, a lucky charm isn't something you can just buy anywhere; that would be a scam.

Even if you make money unjustly, it's not acceptable to paint poorly.

"I understand. She said it was drawn by me, or by the Taoist priest?"

"Half of you, half of the Taoist priest." Mei Yang shook his head slightly. "In short, it's not appropriate to scam money like this right after opening."

Song Chunxue knew what was going on. "Thank you for reminding me. It would be best if the Taoist priest handled this matter."

“That’s right, that’s what I think too.” Mei Yang stood up as she spoke. “I should go home for dinner. You go ahead and do your work.”

"Okay. By the way, Mulan won't be going for the next couple of days. Let her rest at home for a couple of days. She's still young and can't handle those sharp-tongued people."

“Okay,” Mei Yang laughed, “I’ll have my wife deal with it tomorrow. She seems to have a good temper, and when she scolds me, she does so calmly and patiently, which will convince me.”

It was rare to hear him praise his wife, so Song Chunxue teased, "It seems she can keep you in check; you two are quite loving. But don't be easily swayed. Now that you're living a good life, don't let anyone rush to become your concubine, and then you won't be able to resist."

“I know, I have high standards. What kind of good girl would be eager to become a concubine? I know that.” Mei Yang waved his hand. “I come here to have some fun when I’m free.”

"Okay, take care."

Song Chunxue closed the door and turned to go to Mulan's room.

"Still upset? Don't be angry. There's no need to get angry with someone like that. In my household, Sanwa can't take a concubine. If he does, he can get out of this courtyard and move out. You stay here." Song Chunxue said seriously. "So next time you can confidently tell them that you'd be willing to be their ugly maid, but not as a concubine."

Mulan stood up. "Mother, you don't need to say that. You can make the decisions now, but when you get old, it might be the two of us who are driven away."

"Huh?" Song Chunxue couldn't help but chuckle. "So, Sanwa's been misbehaving?"

Mulan turned her head away and sniffed, her eyes red and swollen.

"It's not his fault. I've noticed that a little girl has been bothering him lately. She's only thirteen and studies at another private school. She always goes to see him after school. Her father has also met Sanwa."

It was rare for her to speak so frankly. Song Chunxue knew that Mulan had a temper, but it was different from before.

It seems that after seeing so many people in the shop these days, his speech and behavior have changed.

Young people should go out and interact with other people; this will make them more poised and confident, less timid and shy.

"Okay, I understand."

As she spoke, she heard voices outside, guessing that her second and fourth sons had returned.

"You take a break today, I'll cook."

"It's alright, I'll cook." Mulan wiped her eyes and walked briskly out of the house. "Mother has been traveling for half a day, so I'll cook the meal."

As she walked down the steps, she suddenly turned to look at Song Chunxue.

"Mother, why are you back so early? Second brother and fourth brother just arrived at the door. Mother, you wouldn't..."

“There were many uphill sections on the way here. The Taoist priest and I are practitioners, so it’s normal that we walked quickly,” Song Chunxue said with a smile. “Then you go cook, and I’ll go check on them.”

...

In the evening, Song Chunxue arrived at the entrance of Taolin Academy and waited for Sanwa to come out.

Before long, she noticed that there were also people waiting to pick someone up, some dressed as servants, and some mothers waiting for their sons.

There was also a girl in her teens with a maid and servants, holding hot steamed buns and pears in her hands, looking around impatiently.

The students came out of the school one after another, but Sanwa was nowhere to be seen.

"Miss, let's go back. They all recognize you."

"No, I have to wait for Brother Ye Xun. I can't sleep well if I don't see him."