Chapter 63 Unable to bear spending a fortune on her father's calligraphy and paintings? It's such a rip-off! ...

Stay calm!

Qingduo pondered to herself: Although she wrote it with anger, it was by no means a venting of frustration. Her original intention was to educate all men, to make them understand how to be a husband. Anyway, she was going to publish this article sooner or later, so let Qingqing read it; there was nothing to be surprised about.

But... how did he see it? Qingduo thought and thought, and there was only one answer.

She questioned him angrily, "How dare you go through my things without my permission?"

Zeng Zhengqing raised an eyebrow: "Isn't this a gift you gave to your mother yourself?"

Qingduo was baffled: "I told you this morning! I gave you a copied scripture..." Suddenly she thought of something, opened her mouth wide but couldn't speak, and a questioning look appeared in her blank eyes.

Zeng Zhengqing nodded and said, "That's right! What Fangqing put in the brocade box was Madam's masterpiece, 'Admonitions for Men,' not a copy of the Diamond Sutra."

Fangqing has ruined me!

No wonder my mother-in-law was stunned for a moment.

Before Qingduo could even close her surprised mouth, Zeng Zhengqing continued, "When Mother saw this, she thought I had treated you badly, causing you to harbor resentment, which is why she called me in for questioning."

"Ahem!" Qingduo said awkwardly, "Anyway, you finally met her, didn't you! Haha, it was a lucky accident!"

“However…” As the first reader of “Admonitions for Men,” Qingduo was very curious about her mother-in-law’s reaction after reading it, and pressed her for details, “Did she like it?”

Zeng Zhengqing smiled and said, "What do you think? Would any mother approve of a daughter-in-law expecting her son to always give in and be subservient?"

“You underestimate your mother,” Qingduo said dismissively. “I just want all men in the world to understand one thing: we women are not objects to be manipulated. We are human beings, and we have our own thoughts. Stop using the name of love to order us around!”

That's interesting. Her mother didn't seem to mind. Although the two of them didn't spend much time together, Qingduo understood her mother's personality. If her mother hadn't chosen to become a nun back then, the two of them would definitely have been a harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Zeng Zhengqing suppressed his sadness and said, "Is it because of the time last time I forbade you to get involved in the theft of books by Shouzhen Hall, and you had a big argument with me?"

"Hmph, you know that much!" Qingduo said, crossing her arms.

He had only offended her momentarily, but he never expected that it would implicate all the men in the world to receive this reprimand. Although he found it amusing, the previous incident had indeed taught him a lesson. He bowed respectfully and earnestly, saying, "Madam is right to reprimand me. I know I was wrong."

Qingduo looked relieved and accepted his repentance calmly: "This child is teachable."

Zeng Zhengqing's lips twitched, and he quickly pursed his lips, barely managing to swallow back his smile. He hurriedly changed the subject, saying, "Mother praised you."

"Oh?" Qingduo perked up, staring at him expectantly. "What do you mean?"

“Your mother said you are very good. You are sincere and kind to others, and you have your own bottom line. You will not let yourself be wronged.” Looking into those bright eyes, Zeng Zhengqing couldn’t help but reach out and touch her head.

Qingduo longed to hear more praise: "What else? What else?"

There's one more thing I can't say... My mother said, "Marrying me is a disservice to you."

Zeng Zhengqing recalled the scene of his mother scolding him and sighed helplessly.

At that time, Mingjing scolded with a stern face: "I told you last time! Don't keep Azhao so tightly controlled! Let her do what she wants to do! You've been strictly controlled by your father since you were a child. You have to follow his rules in everything. He's molded you into this. You're only twenty, but you're already acting like an old man!"

“Ah Zhao is a lively and outgoing girl who loves excitement. It’s already a disadvantage for her to be with a rigid and taciturn person like you. How can you bear to restrict her in every way?”

What does "old-fashioned" mean? "Silent"? "Already feeling wronged" mean?

Zeng Zhengqing looked at his mother in shock. In his mother's heart, was he really such a worthless husband?

Where did this all come from? Zeng Zhengqing was completely bewildered. Had Qingduo complained to her mother about something? But why didn't she just tell him directly? They had always been straightforward with each other!

Mingjing noticed Zeng Zhengqing's confusion and took out a booklet from the brocade box, handing it to him: "Read it yourself."

He opened the booklet as instructed, his gaze falling on the first line. His pupils dilated suddenly, and he looked up at his mother in astonishment: "What is this?"

“Ah Zhao must have reached her breaking point to write down all her grievances,” Mingjing said seriously.

"Zeng Zhengqing, you should repent properly!"

“Calm down and think about it! If you can’t even see your wife’s pain, over time, even the warmest heart will grow cold, and then your relationship will come to an end.” Mingjing’s eyes reddened as she spoke. “Your mother’s pain back then is right in front of you. Don’t you see it clearly enough?”

"How could you..." Her voice trembled, "to hurt, hurt your wife with the same stubborn indifference?"

Zeng Zhengqing thought of his mother's tearful eyes, and his hand stopped on Qingduo's head.

At that time, her mother said, "Eldest son, I thought that if we changed places, that matter would be over, but who would have thought that as soon as I close my eyes, your father's appearance at that time would appear clearly in front of me..." As she spoke, she sighed heavily, slowly closed her eyes, and tears slowly flowed down her cheeks.

Seeing his mother's tears, Zeng Zhengqing felt a pang of sorrow and couldn't help but say what was hidden in his heart: "Mother! Go back and let your son take care of you."

Mingjing shook her head, lowered her head to wipe away her tears, and said, "I'm not going back. Only chanting scriptures makes me feel a little better..."

“My life is ruined. But Ah Zhao is different. She’s still young. You can’t let her suffer.”

"I must be guilty, that's why I suffer all this in this life. Let me atone for my sins here!"

Even though her mother had been a nun for many years, that matter remained a deep-seated worry she couldn't let go of. The moment Qingduo met his mother for the first time, he keenly sensed that she hadn't moved on. And as her son, how could he not know his mother's agonizing struggle?

Back then, my mother was utterly heartbroken and despondent. Despite my father's repentance and pleas, and his own desperate entreaties on his knees, she resolutely decided to become a nun. In the end, even when my father was seriously ill and longed to see her one last time before he died, my mother refused to appear.

Some injuries are like nails driven into wood; even if they are pulled out later, they leave deep wounds that never heal.

He knew very well that anyone who had experienced what his mother went through back then would not be able to let go easily, and no one had the right or the authority to advise his mother to choose forgiveness. But he also knew that living with this kind of pain was truly agonizing.

Therefore, forgetting may not be the best outcome. Thinking of this, Zeng Zhengqing couldn't help but feel fortunate for his younger brother Zhengji, at least he didn't have to be trapped in the heavy past.

*

Before setting off, Zeng Zhengqing had two important matters to attend to: one related to his own bookstore, and the other to his painting shop. The matter related to the bookstore was something he had been planning for a long time—to get Lu Nong to join the "Minghe Book Club".

The so-called book club was originally a group of students who spontaneously gathered to study and lecture for the imperial examinations. Many of them went on to pass the imperial examinations and rise to high positions. However, as times changed, it gradually became a literary guild for those who failed the imperial examinations, who specialized in writing storybooks, dramas and folk arts.

Lu Nong is naturally good at writing stories. If she can join the book club, she will definitely learn a lot of real skills that she cannot learn on her own.

There is one problem, however – there are no women at the book club.

Zeng Zhengqing put a lot of effort into this matter. He first tried to subtly probe for information, then hosted several banquets to invite them, and even offered to provide financial assistance. However, no matter what he did, Yang Yue, the president of the Minghe Book Club, remained unmoved.

After several attempts, Zeng Zhengqing realized the situation was hopeless and had no choice but to give up, accepting that there was no hope left. However, just as he was beginning to let go of the idea, Chairman Yang Yue sent someone to his residence, inviting him for a talk. On the way to the appointment, Zeng Zhengqing already had a vague suspicion, and when he met Yang Yue, the latter made it clear that things had indeed taken a turn for the better.

Yang Yue said, “As you know, there have never been any women in the Book Merchants Association. This is an unwritten rule. But someone heard about your deeds and knew that you had previously rectified the chaos in the Book Merchants Association. He praised you highly. He also heard about Miss Lu Nong’s talent and advised us not to stick to the rules so strictly. He even offered to introduce Miss Lu Nong to the association.”

Zeng Zhengqing was overjoyed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you very much, Chairman Yang! It is a wonderful surprise to have the opportunity to join the association, which has fulfilled a long-cherished wish of mine. I just wonder which senior is willing to introduce me to this time? I would like to find an opportunity to thank you in person."

Yang Yue laughed and said, "Boss Zeng, this is truly your great fortune! This person is none other than Liao Pingju, who once served as the Minister of Rites in the capital and has now resigned and returned to his hometown!"

Zeng Zhengqing was greatly surprised.

*

Meanwhile, Qingduo was at the "Treasure Pavilion," completing the task assigned to her by Zeng Zhengqing.

He was preparing gifts for his relatives to take home, and he told her to prepare them, but in reality, he only asked her to choose a piece of calligraphy or painting to give to Uncle Zeng.

Zeng Zhengqing entrusted this matter to her for two reasons. First, he knew that she was more knowledgeable about calligraphy and paintings than others. Second, he had noticed that she had been staying at home painting lately and had not gone out much, so he wanted to use this as an excuse to let her go out for a walk.

Helpless, Qingduo had no choice but to abandon the unfinished "Twelfth Month Zhengqing Picture" and reluctantly went out.

Choosing calligraphy and paintings was no problem for Qingduo. However, what made Qingduo nervous was that she had never been to an antique calligraphy and painting shop before, and she was really unsure of herself. Even with the help of the butler, Uncle He, she still felt flustered and helpless.

"Madam, you wish to buy calligraphy and paintings? What a coincidence! Our shop has just received a painting by Tang Li. Why don't you come upstairs with me and take a closer look?" The shop assistant said with a beaming smile.

Qingduo shook her head and said, "Any calligraphy or painting is fine, but I don't want Tang Li's."

Spending a fortune to buy her father's calligraphy and paintings? That's such a waste! She might as well go home and ask her father to write or paint one for her.

"Do you still have Tang Li's paintings? Is it the one called 'Ten Thousand Green Mountains'?" someone asked from behind.

Hearing the familiar name, Qingduo's heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned around and saw an elderly man with gray hair walking slowly towards her, followed by an attendant. The sharp glint in the old man's eyes seemed to see right through a person's thoughts. Upon closer inspection, she saw a warm smile on his face, no different from the kind old men she often saw in the neighborhood, making her think that she had just imagined it.

Qingduo couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, do you also like Tang Li?"

The old man said kindly, "Oh? Could it be that you are also a fellow traveler? However, just now you said that you would accept any calligraphy or painting, but not Tang Li's. This makes me a little suspicious!"

"Well..." Qingduo hesitated, but since someone liked her father, she was willing to help. "Uncle, let me help you pick one! There are so many fakes of Tang Li's paintings!"

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Author's note: I update very slowly, thank you to all the readers who are still following along.

I made the list this week; I'll try to reach the required word count.

There will be another update on Monday morning.