Chapter 8 The Top Scholar Who Murdered His Wife and Daughter (Part 8) The Farmer's Son's Counterattack Against the Emperor...
"Mother-in-law, what are you talking about being a burden? We live a simple farm life. As long as you don't mind the humble food, that's enough. Even if my husband and I don't eat, we'll make sure you're full first." Han Wangyuan said with a smile.
Grandma Zhao nodded and said, "That's good. I'll go to the inner room to pack my things and tell Ce-ge when he comes back."
"Mother-in-law, who is Ce-ge'er?"
"Oh, you don't know yet, do you?" Granny Zhao stopped her work and laughed, "Ce-ge'er is a scholar, a bit related to this old woman. He's studying at the county school now, and he's quite learned. He's already passed the imperial examination and become a Xiucai! You know, now it's just this old woman left in the family. When I pass away, won't I have no one to hold my head high and break the pot? My husband and our poor daughter, A-Yan, will also need someone to pay their respects during Qingming Festival, so they won't have to suffer in the afterlife. After spending so much time with him, I can see that he's a kind and filial child, so I thought I'd have him take care of me when I can't work anymore. After all, this courtyard is the only thing worth money; there's nothing else I can give him."
As she spoke, Granny Zhao looked up at the sun and smiled, "I reckon he should be back from the county school by now, so you should wait a bit."
Upon hearing this, Han Wangyuan and You Dongniang's expressions changed.
Han Wangyuan clapped his hands abruptly and said urgently, "Mother-in-law, how could you be so foolish? Why would you let an outsider take care of you in your old age? People say a son-in-law is like half a son. Even if you're worried about having no one to rely on in your old age, you should come to your son-in-law! You are Ayan's biological mother. How could I abandon my mother-in-law? How could I give the family property to an outsider? Mother-in-law, that scholar is as cunning as a sieve. He could easily deceive you without a word! I am, after all, your son-in-law! I am family who know you inside and out!"
Upon hearing this, not only Granny Zhao, but also Song Ce at the door understood that the couple had come for Granny Zhao's courtyard.
Granny Zhao said, "We can't really explain it. You'll see when you meet him. Ce-ge'er is indeed a good boy."
Han Wangyuan's tone softened as he continued to persuade her, "Mother-in-law, our eldest son is also studying now. Dongniang and I have discussed sending him to Qingzhou County School. It just so happens that your family is here, which will save us from renting a house separately. This is for the sake of our son's future, and also so that he can keep you company and take good care of you."
Hearing this, Song Ce couldn't hold back any longer. He had never seen such a shameless person. A remarried ex-son-in-law had the nerve to try and take advantage of a lonely old man's house!
He went forward and pushed the door, and fortunately it wasn't locked from the inside; he pushed it open easily.
Hearing the noise at the door, the three of them looked towards it.
The newcomer was dressed in a light blue long gown, a common style for scholars at the time. He was about eight feet tall, with a fair complexion, handsome features, and clear, bright eyes that seemed to see right through people. He carried a book box in his hand, and his gentle smile, like the warm spring sun, instantly won people's hearts.
What a handsome young man with exceptional charm and natural good looks!
Song Ce entered the courtyard with light steps. Seeing that the two people were still staring at him blankly, he couldn't help but smile faintly and said, "Aunt, have we had guests? May I ask who these two are...?"
When Granny Zhao saw him return, she quickly poured a bowl of tea that had been left to cool aside, handed it to Song Ce, and said with a smile, "Young master, you're back? They're not guests, just my son-in-law and his wife. They came to say they want to take me home to enjoy a life of luxury!"
Han Wangyuan only realized what was happening after hearing this. He thought to himself that he and his wife had been standing in the yard for so long, and Granny Zhao hadn't even poured them a bowl of water. Thinking this, his expression grew even more unpleasant.
Upon hearing this, Song Ce nodded to the two of them and greeted them.
"I see. You are truly a filial son. I admire you."
You Dongniang was completely stunned.
She had never seen such a handsome young man before. He looked no younger than her, and even the most upright man in the village was not as good as one of the ten best.
Han Wangyuan mumbled a reply, then, seeing his wife staring intently at the young man before him, he felt quite annoyed. He coughed sharply and said, "My surname is Han, and my given name is Wangyuan. May I ask how you are addressed, young man?"
Song Ce said, "Brother Han, you're too kind. My surname is Song, and my given name is Ce."
No sooner had she finished speaking than You Dongniang chimed in, "He truly is a scholar; even his name is so elegant."
Song Ce paused, somewhat speechless, and said, "Madam, you flatter me."
I don't know what's wrong with this person. Her own man is right next to her, and she's openly praising another man's name. This is ancient times! Has she lost her mind?
Sure enough, Han Wangyuan's face seemed to darken even more.
"Brother Song, it's like this, my mother-in-law is getting old, and she's confused. Sometimes she might say something nonsensical, so please don't take it seriously. We have children and family members, so why should we let outsiders take care of her? My wife and I came all this way specifically to bring my mother-in-law home to enjoy her old age." Perhaps because his wife had embarrassed him, Han Wangyuan's tone was very impolite.
Upon hearing this, Song Ce exclaimed in surprise, "So that's how it is." He then looked at Granny Zhao behind Han Wangyuan and asked, "I've only heard my aunt mention Sister Ayan before. May I ask which sister this lady is in the family?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhao smiled, with a strange tone, and said, "Hehe, this old woman is unlucky, I only have that poor girl, Ayan."
Song Ce's expression showed even more surprise. He said to Granny Zhao, "This... to be precise, Sister Ayan didn't leave behind any children after she passed away. I wonder what relationship Brother Han's children have with your aunt?"
Seeing the intriguing expression on Song Ce's face, Han Wangyuan blushed. "How can it not matter? I am Ayan's husband, and I will treat Ayan's mother as my own. If I really let an outsider like you take care of my mother-in-law, then my Han family will become a laughing stock!"
Song Ce nodded and smiled, "Aunt, it seems I was judging you by my own petty standards. Brother Han's pure and filial heart is truly admirable! You can go and stay here without worry. If you've had enough, I'll come and take you home. I will take good care of the house, so please don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Han Wangyuan hurriedly said, "How can I trouble Brother Song with family matters? My eldest brother is preparing to study in Qingzhou County. I was thinking that my wife and eldest brother could stay at my mother-in-law's house, which would be more convenient than staying outside, wouldn't it?"
Song Ce seemed taken aback upon hearing this: "Brother Han, I am currently studying in Qingzhou and living at my aunt's house. I'm afraid it would be inconvenient for your wife to come over. As an unmarried man, I can accept whatever it may be, but what kind of gossip will the neighbors spread if I live under the same roof as your wife? I know your wife doesn't know how to avoid suspicion, and it wouldn't be good if it damaged your reputation."
It's true what they say, scholars have sharp tongues! Han Wangyuan stared at Song Ce in disbelief, and even You Dongniang's face turned pale. Neither of them seemed to have expected him to say such a hurtful thing so politely!
Song Ce continued, "Furthermore, Brother Han said he wanted to take his aunt home to enjoy the company of his children and grandchildren, and then have his wife and children live with her. Those who know him say Brother Han is filial and respectful to his elders, but those who don't might think he's only here for his aunt's property!"
These were harsh words, showing no respect whatsoever to the two of them. They laid bare their shady intentions. Han Wangyuan took a small step back, his face ashen, and remained silent.
You Dongniang was a woman, and her joining her husband in plotting to seize the former wife's property was despicable in itself. Still possessing some dignity, she clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly and said angrily, "We, husband and wife, meant well, yet this scholar has misinterpreted it like this! Husband, let's leave! We'll never suffer this humiliation again!"
Song Ce seemed puzzled by You Dongniang's anger, saying, "Why are you angry, Madam? Although I've been living here for quite some time, this is the first time I've seen you two visit. I believe you two certainly don't harbor such despicable intentions! My aunt is the only elderly woman left in her family. If anyone still intends to scheme against her and skim off her skin, they're not worthy of being called human. Brother Han, don't you think people with such intentions are utterly shameless? Doesn't that prove the old saying: 'Only those with virtue are human; those without virtue are beasts!' Don't you agree, Brother Han?"
Listening to Song Ce's filthy thoughts and shameless remarks, practically pointing his finger at him and cursing him, even someone with a thick skin couldn't help but feel ashamed and indignant to the point of wanting to die.
Upon hearing this, You Dongniang could no longer hold back and shrieked, "You call yourself a scholar? How can you speak so viciously? You must have harbored such ill intentions yourself, and then you're trying to pin this bad reputation on us! You want to swallow up my husband's family's property? Dream on! You look so refined, but I never expected you to be such a black-hearted scoundrel!"
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhao spat and roared, "Pah! Your husband's family? I'm not dead yet! How dare a son-in-law who's married a new woman try to take advantage of my old woman's property?"
Song Ce's face darkened as well. He said, "Do you know what crime it is to insult a scholar in public? Even if you go to the yamen to reason with them, according to the law, you will be given twenty strokes of the cane first! Aunt, please sit here for a moment. I will go to the street corner to ask the constable to come over. I want to see if anyone in our Qingzhou County dares to cause trouble in someone else's house in broad daylight!"
Upon hearing that Song Ce was going to summon the constables, Han Wangyuan could no longer remain still. He felt that he had lost all face that day. He angrily shouted at You Dongniang, "Ignorant woman! Get out of here!" Then Han Wangyuan looked at Granny Zhao and said, "Mother-in-law, this is the last time I will call you mother-in-law. Now you are bullying your own family by relying on the power of outsiders. From now on, I think our two families need not have any further dealings!" With a livid face, he strode out.
Seeing that her husband was truly angry, You Dongniang was too frightened to say a word and followed Han Wangyuan away from Granny Zhao's house in a dejected manner.
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