Chapter 186 Bold and Unruly Commoner
For the next three days, Song Chunxue would go to Cheng San's wife's house every night after dinner.
The daughter slept with them, while the son went to the countryside to continue his studies.
On the way there, we sometimes ran into other members of the Cheng family. Everyone remained silent and quickly looked away.
Song Chunxue ignored their thoughts and would chat with the mother and daughter for a while each night before going to sleep.
She then learned that Cheng San's wife was named Li Xia.
Previously, I only knew that she was Li Tang's older sister.
It was during a casual conversation that she learned that Li Xia was ostracized among her sisters-in-law because Li Xia's family was the closest to hers. Although they were from the Li family, their father was not very prominent in the clan.
Now that her father has passed away, she seems even more desolate.
The six sisters-in-law were outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, constantly scheming against each other.
After the third son of the Cheng family passed away, the reaction of his sisters-in-law was not to sympathize with her, but to distance themselves from her.
Because Old Man Cheng gave Li Xia and her child a sum of money as compensation, the other sisters-in-law had a problem with her and were unwilling to associate with her.
This is why she approached Song Chunxue.
On the fourth day, Li Xia said that Song Chunxue didn't need to come anymore, as she and her daughter were no longer afraid.
"It's okay, we're not far apart, I can stay with you for a few more days."
"No need, no need. People will definitely gossip. I'm worried that your second son's wife will cause you trouble. After all, Cheng Lao Er went to the county jail because of you. If we continue to associate with each other, it won't be good for either of us."
As she spoke, Li Xia packed her a large bag of crispy lard cakes, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive."
As she spoke, Song Chunxue had already run to the door. "No need, don't feel guilty. Just say whatever you want when we meet in the future. We're all struggling, so I won't take your things. Your fried eggs are delicious."
"Sigh, you..."
"I'm leaving now, you guys take your time eating." Song Chunxue's voice came from outside the courtyard wall.
Li Xia and A Yan stood at the door, and Li Xia couldn't help but raise her hand to wipe away her tears.
"After spending these past few days with her, I feel that what she says is very insightful. It must be the result of all the hardships she has endured over the years." She couldn't help but hug Ayan's shoulders. "We, mother and daughter, need to learn from her. Your father is gone, and others will bully us. We need to make ourselves proud, understand?"
"Yes, I know." Xia nodded. "Let's stay at home. Don't go to my uncles' or aunts' houses. It's no fun. We don't get along with them anyway, and they have to pretend to care about me."
*
Song Chunxue rushed to finish the peacock blue quilted long gown.
To prevent the cotton from clumping together, she carefully secured it inside with stitches, making it look less fluffy and heavy, and it fits well and looks good when worn.
The fourth brother came in and just saw her trying on clothes.
"My goodness, you've really struck it rich! Wearing such bright clothes, are you going to find me a stepfather?"
"Wow, this color is so beautiful, it's satin, and it even sparkles!" the fourth brother exclaimed. "It's so gorgeous, I want one too. Can I have a vest made?"
"If Mother runs out of cloth, the money I've saved is just enough to buy a few yards of cloth. I'll provide the cloth, and you can do the work, and we'll make some for me to wear during the New Year, okay?"
“Sure, I’ll make it as soon as you buy it.” Song Chunxue patted the clothes on her body, unable to suppress the smile on her lips. “I also think this outfit looks great, but I can’t wear it out on a normal day.”
Once she buys a courtyard house in the county, she can wear it there.
“Wear it, why don’t you dare to wear it? I know you’ll be reluctant to wear it when you go to the fields, but you can wear it around the New Year. Wear it without worry, no one will say anything to you, Sanwa and I certainly won’t say anything to you.”
Song Chunxue glanced at him indifferently, pondering something in her mind.
The fourth brother's heart skipped a beat. "The way Mother is looking at me is creepy. Are you still angry with me because of the eldest brother moving the grain?"
"No, did you return your elder brother's coins?"
The fourth brother lowered his head and answered truthfully, "No, if he doesn't return the grain, why should I return it?"
"However, I swear to God, I will never help the eldest son go against Mother. Mother, I know I was wrong." The fourth son rarely lowered his head to admit his mistake, and his attitude was quite sincere. "I know that Mother's word is law now. I will not be naughty anymore. Please don't send me away."
Song Chunxue smiled. Did he still think she would really kick him out?
"I'm going to the county tomorrow, so please keep an eye on the house." She wanted to buy the yard as soon as possible, even if she didn't want to move immediately, she would feel more at ease once she had bought it.
Even if she lived another thirty or forty years, she would still be resentful if she was provoked by her child.
"Ah, what is Mother up to now? Could it be..." the fourth son whispered, "that Mother has picked up something valuable again?"
"I guess so. I want to give it a try. If I save enough money, I can buy a house in the county and become city people instead of staying here." She was testing the fourth brother.
"What about the land?" the fourth brother asked worriedly. "Even if we have a yard in the city, we still need to cultivate the land. Food is the most important thing for people."
Song Chunxue nodded, "We'll definitely keep farming, even if it means running back and forth."
The fourth brother breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. If I don't do well outside, I'll have a way out when I come back."
Song Chunxue smiled without saying a word.
The next day, she dressed neatly and rode a donkey to the county.
She had fifty taels of silver with her, thinking that she couldn't just buy a courtyard.
Financial luck can stagnate at times, and she can't just leave a pile of money at home waiting.
Although she wasn't a businesswoman, she understood that if she wanted to live a stable and secure life, it was best to have something that could generate income.
It's either a shop or land.
Since she wasn't good at business, her wisest choice was to buy land.
She insisted on buying land in the surrounding area of the county, even if it was far away, but she absolutely had to have some.
She remembered that there was a large flat area on the mountainside to the west of the county town, but many people thought it was too remote and not many people farmed it.
As for shops, once you buy them, you can rent them out.
She always felt uneasy having money in her hands; she wanted to exchange it for something more tangible.
Fortunately, the weather was nice today, and the sun was warm. Because she was in a hurry, she arrived in the county at just past 9 a.m.
As soon as she entered the city, she smelled the delicious aroma of roasted meat. She bought three large skewers of roasted mutton with red willow branches, which cost a total of nine coins.
With a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, every bite bursts with flavor.
As she was leading her donkey, wondering whether she should go directly to Lord Xie to ask him, she was stopped by a sleazy-looking man.
"Oh, Madam Song, you still have your charm. I remember you were quite beautiful when you were young. You've been a widow for quite a few years now, haven't you? Still haven't found someone? Why don't you give it a try with me?"
Song Chunxue frowned. Where did this latrine come from? She didn't remember it.
"I don't know you, move aside."
Seeing him reach out to touch her face, Song Chunxue used the red willow stick in her hand to slap his hand hard.
"Wow, it's pretty spicy."
The man had a lewd smile as he commented on Song Chunxue.
"Finally, you've taken off those pitch-black clothes. Now that I look at you, you seem more and more pleasing to the eye. You really don't like me?"
Just as Song Chunxue gripped the stick in her hand, pondering where to poke him without killing him, someone shouted.
"You audacious scoundrel, harassing a respectable woman in broad daylight! Do you know your crime?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
