Chapter 17 The Top Scholar Who Murdered His Wife and Daughter (Seventeen): The Farmer's Son's Counterattack...
Time flies, and before Song Ce knew it, it was the eve of the Lunar New Year. Yesterday, he and Du Ningwan agreed that after spending the eve of the Lunar New Year with Du Zhiyuan, he would explain the reason to his father-in-law and then return to Chenjia Village.
At this moment, the Du residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Song Ce and Du Ningwan entered the warm and inviting hall hand in hand. Du Zhiyuan, seated in the main seat, smiled as he saw the two of them enter together.
In the past two months, he had witnessed how much Song Ce cherished Wan'er. In his spare time from studying, he would accompany Wan'er to embroider and paint, never neglecting her for a single day. He also showed no abruptness or flirtation towards the beautiful maids in the household. The dream that had haunted him for over a month had gradually faded, replaced by the image of this virtuous and talented man who now held the radiance of the Jade Emperor.
The table was laden with exquisite dishes and dumplings, symbolizing family reunion. Song Ce stood up and respectfully poured wine for Du Zhiyuan, saying, "Father-in-law, today is the eve of the Lunar New Year. I wish you good health and all the best every year to come." Du Zhiyuan nodded slightly, took the wine, and drank a sip, his eyes full of affection: "My dear son-in-law, since you and Wan'er got married, I have been very pleased to know how diligent and ambitious you are. Just do your best in this year's imperial examination."
"Yes, father-in-law."
Du Zhiyuan patted Song Ce on the shoulder: "The end of the year is approaching, and you and your husband have not been home for a long time. Your parents must miss you. As children, you should fulfill your filial duties. Go back tomorrow!"
Song Ce was slightly taken aback, then said, "Thank you for your consideration, Father-in-law. I understand."
After the meal, Du Zhiyuan told the young couple to go home and rest early. The couple wanted to stay with him a little longer, but Du Zhiyuan said he was a bit tipsy and suggested they go back to the courtyard to pack their belongings while it was still early.
The next morning, Du Zhiyuan had a carriage arranged, with gifts for the Song family placed inside.
Looking at the things piled up in the back of the carriage, Du Ningwan said playfully to Du Zhiyuan, "Dad, my husband and I are just going home for the New Year. You've practically emptied our house!"
Du Zhiyuan coughed lightly, glanced at Song Ce who was walking this way, and said, "You are so mischievous. Now that you are married, you should pay more attention to your words and actions in the future."
"Father, my husband never cares about these things, so please don't worry about it!" Du Ningwan said with a smile.
Song Ce was also stunned by the sheer number of gifts, saying, "Father-in-law, these are far too many things. My parents at home are afraid..."
Before he could finish speaking, Du Zhiyuan laughed heartily and said, "My dear son-in-law, there's no need for further words. You two should hurry back!"
The driver, following the magistrate's instructions, drove the carriage very steadily, and they made their way out of the county town towards Chenjia Village.
As they traveled, the surrounding scenery gradually changed from bustling city streets to desolate mountains and fields. It was now deep winter, and the cold wind blew in through the gaps in the carriage curtains. Even Du Ningwan, who was wrapped in a thick cloak, couldn't help but shiver. Seeing this, Song Ce quickly pulled the curtains tighter and then pulled her into his arms to warm her with his own body heat.
Du Ningwan struggled a little shyly, but Song Ce ignored her and hugged her even tighter, whispering in her ear, "Wan'er, don't move, this way we can both stay warm."
"……Um."
As the weather turned cold, the carriage moved more slowly. In addition, Du Zhiyuan had instructed them to drive steadily, so it took almost an hour for the carriage to finally arrive at the entrance of Chenjia Village.
At the village entrance, several children dressed in worn-out cotton-padded clothes were chasing and playing. When they saw a horse-drawn carriage driving into the village, they curiously gathered around it.
Chen Jiaojiao was showing her friends the new handkerchief her mother had made for her. As soon as they saw the carriage arrive, they all scattered and gathered around it to look. Curious, she looked over and saw Zhou Yunhui's brother helping his wife out of the carriage.
She walked up to him happily: "Brother Song! Sister-in-law! Happy New Year!"
Song Ce turned around and smiled at her: "Happy New Year, Jiaojiao, didn't Yunhui come out to play with you?"
Chen Jiaojiao said, "She's at home helping make rice cakes today!"
Song Ce nodded, and Du Ningwan smiled as she took out a packet of malt candy from her bundle and distributed it to the children gathered around. The children, who were initially a little shy, saw that she was beautiful, gentle, and kind, and they all reached out to accept it, mimicking Chen Jiaojiao's gesture of wishing the two of them a Happy New Year.
When they arrived at the Zhou family's door, Zhou Yunhui had just taken a bite of the rice cake she had made when Song Ce and Du Ningwan pushed open the door and walked in.
"Brother! Sister-in-law! Mother! Brother and sister-in-law are back!" Zhou Yunhui shouted happily into the house.
Upon hearing this, Zhou the carpenter and Fang wiped their hands and hurried out. Fang greeted them with a smile: "I was just telling your Uncle Zhou! Why did a pair of magpies fly into the yard this morning, chattering away? It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Yunhui has been talking about you for days, your mother and Uncle Zhou are tired of hearing it."
"Mother, Uncle Zhou," Du Ningwan said, curtsying.
Fang quickly helped her up, saying, "We're just country folk, we don't stand on ceremony. Don't be shy, come in and rest." With that, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law went into the house together. Zhou Yunhui also took Du Ningwan's hand and chattered about the interesting things that had happened in the past few days.
"Brother," Zhou the carpenter took the package from Song Ce, "why did you bring so much stuff?"
"My father-in-law prepared all of this. He said it's getting cold and it'll be inconvenient for us to go into the county town, so he had someone pack a lot of things in advance." As soon as he finished speaking, the coachman next to him carried large and small bags into the main room.
"Young master, everything is ready. I'll head back to my residence now," the coachman said.
Song Ce took out two taels of silver from his sleeve and handed it to the driver with a smile: "It's New Year's Day, so please make this trip to buy some clothes for the children at home."
The driver waved his hands repeatedly: "Young master, this is unacceptable! The magistrate has already given us two months' salary. This is our duty, and we absolutely cannot accept it."
"Take it, have a good New Year," Song Ce insisted.
"Hey!" The driver sniffed, accepted the silver with both hands, bowed, and then drove the carriage back the way it came.
After chatting with Du Ningwan for a while, Fang came out of the house and saw a lot of things piled up in the main room. Fang glanced at them briefly and said, "My father-in-law is such a kind man! There are only a few of us in our family, how can we possibly eat so much! The gift is too generous!"
The table was laden with not only sturdy and durable fabrics, but also various pastries, candied fruits, and dried fruits. On the right were two jugs of wine, several portions of chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as some precious tonics.
"Mother, we're all family, you're being too formal," Du Ningwan said with a smile.
Song Ce took out the honey cake and jujube cake he had prepared that morning. They were soft and fluffy, perfect for older people like Granny Zhao. He also placed the winter clothes that Du Ningwan had prepared to the side.
“Mother, I would like to go with my wife to visit Aunt,” Song Ce said.
Madam Fang nodded: "My son has been well taken care of by your aunt since he went to study at the county school. Now that the New Year is approaching, you two should go and visit him."
Since Grandma Zhao now lives nearby, the couple arrived at the entrance of Grandma Zhao's new courtyard in just a few steps.
Song Ce knocked gently on the door, and after a short while, Granny Zhao came to open it. When she saw the couple, her eyes were filled with joy: "Young master, Auntie, when did you come back?"
"We just got home. My aunt lives nearby now, so my wife and I shamelessly came over to ask for a cup of hot tea," Song Ce said with a smile.
"What nonsense are you spouting, young man!" Granny Zhao said with a smile, "Come in quickly!"
As soon as the three entered the house, a warm feeling greeted them. Granny Zhao brought out hot water that had been kept warm on the stove to make tea, and then placed homemade snacks and dried fruits on the table.
Song Ce placed the pastries on the table beside him and said, "Aunt, don't bother. It's been a long time. How have you been?"
Grandma Zhao placed a small bowl of candied fruit in front of Du Ningwan and said with a smile, "I'm doing great! Seeing you two makes me even happier!"
"Aunt." Du Ningwan handed the clothes to Granny Zhao: "These are winter clothes that Ningwan prepared for you. My husband said that your knees hurt badly as soon as winter comes. These are new knee braces that I made. My husband personally chose the material."
Grandma Zhao took the clothes and knee pads, beaming with joy. Hearing Du Ningwan's words, she felt even more comforted and patted Du Ningwan's hand: "Auntie knows you're a good person. It's a blessing for the young man to marry such a good girl like you. From now on, this old woman has nothing to worry about."
Du Ningwan blushed slightly and looked up, only to see that the person was gazing at her with tender eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the window into the room as Song Ce and Granny Zhao chatted about the past few months, with Du Ningwan listening quietly. Before they knew it, they had been talking for quite some time.
Looking at the smiling Granny Zhao, Song Ce suddenly said, "Auntie, let's spend the New Year together this year!"
Grandma Zhao was taken aback. "Young man, how can this be? I'm used to living alone. How can you possibly care about me..."
Before she could finish speaking, Song Ce said, "What are you saying, Aunt? In my heart, you are just like my mother. It's perfect for a mother and son to spend the New Year together, isn't it, my wife?"
“That’s right. Aunt, you’ve taken such good care of my husband, so it’s perfect for us to spend the New Year together now. We should spend every year together from now on. If you don’t agree, then our whole family will come to your place for the New Year.” Du Ningwan said with a smile.
Grandma Zhao hesitated and said, "No, I can't go. It would be too much trouble for your family."
Song Ce said solemnly, "Aunt, what are you saying? You took great care of me when I was young, and now it is our turn to be filial to you. In my heart, you are like my mother. Aunt, Ce'er begs you not to refuse."
Granny Zhao had practically watched young Song Ce grow up. Hearing the boy say this, her eyes welled up with tears. From the moment Song Ce moved into her courtyard, she never thought of asking him for anything. After all, she was lonely living alone, and the boy's arrival had made things a bit more lively. Her life was unfortunate; her only daughter, A-Yan, was gone. If she grew old and couldn't walk anymore, she would be content if her son thought of visiting her and occasionally remembered her.
Now that the child she had cared for so much was saying this to her, how could Granny Zhao not be moved? She couldn't remember how she nodded in agreement, but the sight of the child and his wife exchanging a smile, their faces full of joy, filled her with immense emotion and comfort.
A note from the author:
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I thought it would end within 25 chapters, but I added a few more. It hurts so much! I woke up to find I was thousands of words short! [crying][crying] Please add it to your favorites if you like it~ Thank you for your support~
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