Xichun and the others did not attend the so-called wedding at Old Chen's house, but they still learned about what happened at Old Chen's house that day from the villagers.
"You have no idea how happy the Chen family was. They even hired a chef to cook, and the couple dressed up like city people, afraid that we country bumpkins would get their clothes dirty. Their two sons were also there to entertain guests. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were incredibly hospitable."
We had assumed that, given the landlord's status, they would at least send a mule cart to pick up the bride, but to our surprise, they all came on foot. We didn't even see the groom; we heard he was too old to travel often and that his steward would come to fetch him.
There was no dowry to be seen, so Chen Xiyue simply put on a slightly brighter dress and went. It's said she was unwilling to marry him, but was forced into it by her parents. The neighbors, living in the same courtyard, said there was still a commotion the night before. "Alas, a fourteen-year-old girl, marrying a decrepit old man, and as a concubine at that—what a tragedy!"
"Just how much dowry did they give? And they're acting all high and mighty, as if they're afraid no one will know?" Xi Chun couldn't understand this family's ways either; they were all heartless.
"Don't even mention it. We were just wondering how much the bride price was, and just as the bride stepped out the door, the creditors came knocking. We heard they gave fifty taels of silver. Tsk tsk tsk, no wonder the Chen family was laughing so happily. With so much money, who wouldn't be tempted?"
Even Chen Lizhong's second uncle and aunt were all smiles, greeting the guests as if it were their own family getting married, as if they weren't the ones who had gone around saying that their eldest brother's family was unfilial.
"Sigh, that girl is really unlucky to have been stuck with a family like that," everyone could only sigh.
"Who says otherwise? By the way, have you heard about Chen Xique in this city?" The gossipy person happened to be the family living next door to Chen Xique. They came to the city today on business and wanted to see what was going on.
“What’s the matter? We’re always at the stall, we don’t have time to pay attention to those things.” Aunt Zhang shook her head.
“Xichun, you don’t know either, I heard that Chen Xique became the county magistrate’s concubine. I heard her aunt say it with my own ears. She also said that she took some money from the county magistrate to support her parents. Now, she has paid off all the money she owed. Tell me, what kind of feng shui is this Chen family? If we were in debt, we probably wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”
"They returned the hundred-plus taels in no time, tsk tsk tsk, and even managed to get on the good side of the county magistrate. He's someone we wouldn't even dare to look at. No wonder Chen Xique from their family didn't go; she went to serve the county magistrate. That job is much easier than what you're doing here."
She spoke with an ambiguous expression, but Aunt Zhang glanced at her and stopped her from continuing.
"What time is it? Have you bought everything you need? If there's anything you don't know, I can tell you. I think you should go back soon after you've finished shopping."
"Oh dear, I didn't even notice, and before I knew it, it was afternoon. I'll be going now."
After everyone left, Aunt Zhang secretly gave Xichun a wink, as if to say that they would talk about it when they got home that night, and Xichun naturally understood.
"The Chen family is really something. They've made both of their daughters concubines. I don't know what they were thinking. I don't think Chen Xique is a good person. Now that she's the county magistrate's concubine, I wonder if she'll pull any dirty tricks on you." Aunt Zhang said with some worry.
“I think she might really be up to something. Aunt Zhang, you should keep a close eye on things at the stall. If she really sends someone to cause trouble, don’t be afraid. Have Taozi come to me.” Xi Chun also felt that they should be on guard. After all, this county magistrate was no good person. You could tell just by looking at how he kept demanding more stall fees.
Furthermore, the entrance fee to the city is also increasing. They are eager to raise taxes to the sky and make as much money as possible. If it weren't for the fact that the local gentry are all locals and firmly opposed it, I'm afraid everyone would be living in misery by now, let alone setting up a stall.
Xi Chun was on guard, and things didn't go as smoothly as Chen Xique had imagined. Her two concubines were wary of her, and she secretly found an opportunity. After dressing up, she pretended to accidentally meet the county magistrate and thus became his concubine.
Given her youth and the fact that the county magistrate was nearly forty, she naturally took great care of her. After much coaxing and charm, she managed to persuade the magistrate to agree to a betrothal gift of thirty taels of silver. However, she then encountered difficulties from her two concubines and dared not take any further steps.
Du, an experienced woman, secretly came to her and taught her some unorthodox methods, which actually helped her regain favor.
Because of her favor, Chen Lizhong and his entourage became arrogant. They had just returned from outside the city in disgrace a while ago, making a laughing stock in the city. Now was the time to regain their face.
Hearing that his sister had become the county magistrate's concubine, the two men who had returned to the city with Chen Lizhong came to flatter him: "Oh, the county magistrate's brother-in-law has arrived! Why don't you hurry up and treat him to good wine and food!"
"What are you two doing all this for? Why did you both think of coming to me?" Although he said this, he quickly sat down on the stool, waiting for the two of them to fawn over him and ask the waiter to bring out the food so he could have a good meal.
"Brother Chen, we never expected you to become successful so quickly. We're all envious. We've been through thick and thin together. Tell me, with our friendship, what's a little treat to invite you over for a meal?" The two men's flattery instantly won over Chen Lizhong.
"I'm just a nobody now, why would I deserve your words? I'm just here to mooch off your drinks." He declined on the surface, but he actually thought so too.
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