Chapter 38 My Second Sister-in-Law is Also My Benefactor
As darkness fell, Meng Qing and Meng Chun took Wang Zhou home. Meng's parents were still awake, and the four of them played with the child for a whole hour, making him forget about his father. Only after he fell asleep in Meng Qing's arms did the family go back to their respective rooms to sleep.
The next morning, Wang Zhou woke up and was still looking for someone. By nightfall, he still hadn't seen Du Li, and only then did he realize that his father was missing. He immediately started crying loudly, sobbing for almost half an hour until his tears dried up and he finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
This continued for four days. On the fifth day, Wang Zhou seemed to suddenly accept the fact that there was one less person in his life, or perhaps he forgot. He woke up and no longer looked for Du Li.
Meng Qing breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling sorry for him. She said with a wry smile, "Before Du Li came to stay for a long time, I was worried that Wang Zhou wouldn't recognize him and wouldn't have any feelings for him. Now that Wang Zhou can recognize people, I'm worried that the bond between the father and son is too deep. If he comes every few days, Wang Zhou will cry again when he leaves."
Meng's mother also felt sorry for her child, but she felt even more sorry for her daughter. She worried that Meng Qing would take the child back to the Du family to reunite with Du Li because she felt sorry for the child. She said, "Children don't remember things before they are two or three years old. Look at Wangzhou, he's almost forgotten his father. When the time comes, your son-in-law will come and stay for a short time. He'll probably come and leave on the same day. The father and son don't have a deep relationship, so Wangzhou won't cry anymore. Even if he does cry, it's okay. He'll get used to it over time. Anyway, don't go back. While you can still live at your parents' house, enjoy a few years of comfort."
"I never thought about going back," Meng Qing shook her head.
“It’s good that you’re clear-headed,” said Mencius’ mother. She sighed deeply and said with distress, “Farming is hard work, and I really don’t want to see you wasting your life as a peasant woman in the fields. I want you and your son-in-law to live in the city for a long time, but I can’t think of a way out no matter how hard I try. And this court, why doesn’t it allow merchants to study and take the imperial examinations? Why are merchants considered lowly? The household tax and commercial tax we pay every year are much heavier than the taxes paid by farmers. Farmers have to perform corvée labor, and so do we merchants.”
Meng Qing shushed him, "There aren't that many 'whys' in this world. The reasons are all given by the powerful and wealthy."
Feeling aggrieved, Mencius' mother remained silent and wiped her eyes.
"Why are you crying? Is this really worth your tears?" Meng Qing asked in surprise.
As soon as she spoke, Meng's mother's tears began to fall again. "This little thing? You've sacrificed your whole life for this little thing. You changed your household registration by getting married, and Wangzhou can go to school now, but you'll suffer and be trapped by money for the rest of your life. I'm not willing to accept that. Meng Chun isn't worried about money, but his descendants are just like this. You can see the end from the beginning. His sons and grandsons are all lowly merchants. I'm not willing to accept that either."
If Wang Zhou is not successful, she worries for Meng Qing; if Wang Zhou is successful, she feels sorry for Meng Chun.
"Take it one step at a time. Nobody can predict what will happen in the future, so don't think too much about it." Meng Qing handed Wangzhou to his mother and said, "Quickly wipe your grandmother's tears."
Mencius' mother wiped away her tears, hugged her grandson, and said, "I know you have many ideas. Think of a way to see if we can move to the city. If you have no livelihood, you and your son-in-law can come and help out at the shop. I will give you money privately."
"Mom, is your back dry?" Meng Qing suddenly asked. "How long has it been since you had your period?"
Mencius' mother blushed and scolded, "I'm talking to you seriously."
Meng Qing stared at her without saying a word.
"It's been three months since her last period. I guess she's reached the age where she's getting old," Meng's mother said in a low voice. She had been worried that she was pregnant and had secretly gone to the clinic to see a doctor.
Meng Qing understood; this was menopause, causing her to be sentimental.
"Don't overthink it, I won't be going back to my hometown to farm," Meng Qing revealed.
Mencius' mother was overjoyed. "You have an idea?"
"I have an idea, but it's difficult to implement; it requires an opportunity," Meng Qing said.
"What opportunity? Tell me, and I'll give you some advice," Mencius' mother asked happily.
Meng Qing pondered without saying a word.
"You can't let me know?" Meng's mother frowned.
"No, it's just that it's quite difficult. If you find out, you'll worry about it, and if it doesn't work out, you'll be disappointed." Meng Qing was planning to use Du Min's influence to set up a paper-craft private school after he became an official, making money by taking on students. But it was hard to say whether such a private school could be successfully established.
"Anyway, don't worry about it, I know what I'm doing." Since things are done in secret and revealed too easily, Meng Qing decided to say nothing.
"Sister, Mother, we have guests." Meng Chun called from outside the house.
Meng Chun met Du Min outside the neighborhood. Seeing that he had been lingering outside and had urgent business to attend to, she stepped forward to bring him in.
"What have you been lingering outside the market for?" Meng Chun asked.
Du Min gave two dry laughs.
"Who's here?" Meng Qing greeted them.
“It’s Brother Du San,” Meng Chun replied. After he finished speaking, he left Du Min standing there and started talking about his own business: “Sister, I have something to ask you. Two people came to the shop wanting to order paper horses, but they require that the paper horses be moisture-proof and waterproof. Do you think you can make them?”
"Paper horses are moisture-proof and waterproof?" Du Min seized the opportunity to speak. "Are you sure you're not here to cause trouble?"
"They're going to a funeral in another city, to Beiman Mountain in Luoyang, which is a month-long journey by water, so they need the paper horses to be moisture-proof and waterproof," Meng Chun explained. "Sister, I heard you mention before that you wanted to make paper offerings using oiled paper. Do you think we should give that a try?"
"It's quite difficult," Meng Qing hesitated.
"Should I refuse? But they're quite willing to pay." Meng Chun was a little reluctant.
"Where are these two guests from? Are they going to Beiman Mountain in Luoyang for a funeral? They're not from our area, are they?" Du Min asked.
Meng Chun glanced at him but did not answer.
"When do they need it?" Meng Qing asked.
“They didn’t say it explicitly, but from what they said, they meant they wanted to wait until winter or next spring. I’m not sure if they’re going to exhume the body and send it to Beiman Mountain for burial, or if an elderly person in the family is going to pass away in winter or spring.” Meng Chun wasn’t sure if she could take on the job, so she didn’t dare to ask any further questions. “Should we give it a try first? If we can do it, we can send them a message. They want quite a lot of funerary objects; they want all the styles that are in the shop.”
“Okay.” Meng Qing nodded. “Get them an address. We’ll try it out in a couple of days. If it works out, we’ll take the business.”
"Okay!" Meng Chun was visibly happy.
"Don't accept the deposit yet," Meng Qing reminded him.
"I know." Meng Chun turned to leave, but turned back just as she was about to walk out the door. "Where's Mom? Business is good today, she has to go help out."
Mencius' mother was washing her face when she heard the noise and wondered, "The weather has cooled down, and fewer people are dying. Business has been slow for the past two weeks. Why is business so good today?"
Meng Chun didn't explain; he just kept urging her to come with him.
Meng's mother cursed him in her heart, calling him a fool. With Du Min here, how could Meng Qing be left alone at home?
"Mother, you go ahead." Meng Qing took Wang Zhou from her.
Mencius' mother had no choice but to leave. When she went out, she pushed open both wooden doors, leaving the main door wide open so that passersby could see what was happening in the courtyard, thus preventing gossip from spreading rumors.
"Third brother, come and hold Wangzhou, I'll go boil some water and make you some tea," Meng Qing said.
"Oh? No need..."
Meng Qing ignored him and handed the boat over, saying, "Do you remember your uncle? Let your uncle hold you for a while."
Seeing that he was determined to hold the child, Du Min could only stiffly take the child from him.
Meng Qing turned around and went back to the backyard to boil water.
Du Min stared at the chubby boy in his arms. The child was fair-skinned, his clothes were clean, and he didn't smell of urine or feces. He was chubby, and Du Min didn't dislike him.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Do you remember me?" Du Min said to him. He lifted his leg and used his hands to pull the child up from the ground.
"How heavy are you? You're really heavy," Du Min muttered, his arm aching from the weight.
Wang Zhou smiled at him, muttering something under his breath, but no one else could understand him.
Du Min persisted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but then he couldn't hold the baby any longer. The baby in his arms was slowly slipping down, but he still wasn't crying. All he could do was shout, "Second sister-in-law, second sister-in-law! Come quick, I can't hold him anymore!"
Meng Qing came out and slowly carried a stool out. "Sit on the stool and hold him, let him sit on your lap."
"No, I don't want to hug you anymore."
Meng Qing gave him a look, "You can't not hug him. He almost became your son. Hug him properly and let the two of you get closer."
Du Min felt guilty; he knew this matter wouldn't be so easily resolved.
Meng Qing returned to the backyard. After half an incense stick's time, she brought a kettle and two rough earthenware bowls, each containing a pinch of grayish-green tea leaves.
"Second sister-in-law, I've come to apologize to you. My unintentional words hurt your family. I know I was wrong, and my second brother has also reprimanded me. I hope you can forgive me." Du Min apologized solemnly.
Meng Qing brought over another stool, took Wang Zhou from her, and sat down opposite Du Min, saying, "Your second brother is a rough man, he doesn't know his own strength, did he hurt you?"
“…No.” Du Min replied with a straight face.
“He came back and told me he hit you, and I scolded him. He didn’t hit you when you were little, but now that you’re old enough to get married, he finally hit you. It’s really wrong of him,” Meng Qing said reproachfully.
Du Min pondered those words, but they didn't quite make sense. What did he mean by "just started hitting him"? Did he think it was too late? He didn't know how to respond and could only remain silent.
“But he said it was a matter between you brothers, and it was only right for him, as the older brother, to discipline his younger brother, and told me not to interfere. He wouldn’t listen to me if I said too much, so he packed his things and ran back home. There was nothing I could do; since he said that, I didn’t go to see you.” Meng Qing explained, nodding Wang Zhou’s head, and said casually, “Your second brother just left, but this younger one still missed him and cried for three or four days. He only calmed down a bit these last two days.”
Du Min didn't know how to respond, so he gave a dry laugh.
“Third brother, I don’t approve of your second brother hitting you, but I support him in teaching you a lesson this time. You might think it was just a casual joke, and that he’s overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill. But have you considered what outsiders will think if they hear this joke? If you pass the imperial examination and become an official in the future, and this joke comes up again, people won’t say you said it. They’ll just call me shameless for wanting to adopt my son to you, and call me treacherous and vicious. Even if I explain, no one will believe me.” Meng Qing said, “You must never say that joke again. I don’t want to be known as a treacherous sister-in-law.”
Du Min took a deep breath. "How dare I say another word? Don't you learn your lesson after being beaten?"
"Gu Wuxia had someone beat you up, but you didn't learn your lesson and even tried to sabotage him behind his back." Meng Qing put him in a difficult position.
Upon hearing this, Du Min's face immediately darkened. He stood up and said, "I've already apologized. You don't need to say anything else. Just give me my share of the money, and I'll leave with it."
Meng Qing's smile faded. She lifted her eyelids to look at him and said, "What's the rush? We haven't even had our tea yet. This tea was given to me by Steward Chen from the Chen family. Won't you try some?"
Du Min's eyes flickered slightly.
“You’re closer to Master Chen, did he arrange for someone to deliver tea to you? This is tea from his own tea mountain, this year’s new tea,” Meng Qing continued.
"What do you want to say?" Du Min asked.
Meng Qing pointed to the bench, "Sit."
After hesitating for a moment, Du Min chose to sit back down.
"There are many farmers in Wu County. A big reason why I chose to marry Du Li, rather than Wang Li or Chen Li, is because of you. You passed the imperial examination, and my child has an uncle who is an official. Even if you are not destined for an official career, you can at least open a private school, so my child will not have to worry about being uneducated. This is the main reason why I chose Du Li. You also know my purpose in choosing to marry into your family, so let's be frank. From the beginning, I have been calculating and have my own agenda. Therefore, my attitude towards you is very pure. I hope you will prosper, the more successful you are, the better. The more prosperous your official career is, the happier I am. On this point, I have no jealousy, no scheming, and no ill intentions towards you. I am only afraid that you will not live well, not that you will live well. I will never harm you. I think you know this, but I am not sure if you really understand. Now I ask you, do you agree with what I have said?" Meng Qing looked directly at him.
Du Min nodded. "You're right. What are you trying to say?"
“You’re wary of everyone. I’m saying this to make you lower your guard against me and listen to my opinion. Du Min, you’re too ruthless in your actions and dealings with people. If anyone treats you badly, you’ll seize the opportunity to eliminate them. With your way of life, who wouldn’t be wary of you? Who would dare to trust you?”
"Take your treatment of Gu Wuxia for example. He can't get into the prefectural academy, but you didn't benefit either. You hurt yourself as well as the enemy. You were recommended by Master Chen, and Dr. Xu is on his side. Logically, you should be in their faction. I thought you would try to gain Dr. Xu's favor, and he would treat you like a disciple. That's how things should have gone. But you're not close to any of them, and they're even on guard against you before you've grown up." Meng Qing looked at the steaming tea and said, "I'm not lying to you. The tea was indeed sent by Steward Chen of the Chen family. I inquired and found out that the Chen family didn't sell their spring tea this year. Master Chen instructed that the spring tea be given to everyone who had a past relationship with the Chen family, including merchants like us who sell antiques."
Du Min lowered his head, breathing heavily.
"Why didn't you stop me when I asked you for the complaint letter?" he asked in a hoarse voice.
"Could I have stopped you? I don't need your answer. Ask yourself honestly, if I had stopped you, would you have listened? You might even have forged a letter." Meng Qing looked at him coldly. "Du Min, are you blaming me?"
"No," Du Min denied.
"This is what I wanted to say, Du Min. You lack responsibility; you have knowledge but no sense of duty. You took advantage of Gu Wuxia, and afterwards you didn't even dare to offer him a proper apology. You didn't even dare to admit you were wrong. You entered the prefectural academy without informing your family, and due to information discrepancies, a series of events followed. Only when you were desperate did you admit you were wrong. You demanded my complaint letter, and afterwards blamed me for not refusing you. Look at yourself—running away from problems, shirking responsibility, short-sighted." Meng Qing's sharp words exposed his true colors. "You don't need to glare at me. What? You think I have no right to lecture you? My marriage is full of calculations. I dare to admit I've acted dishonestly. I don't boast about myself, I don't regret the gambles I've made, and I'm willing to bear the consequences of losing. I dare to admit what I've done, which is why I dare to lecture you today as your sister-in-law."
Du Min clenched his fists, hastily stood up to leave again, and said, "I don't need it, and it's none of your business to lecture me."
Meng Qing watched him walk away step by step, speaking rapidly: "I don't want to teach you a lesson, but watching you do things, I'm getting more and more afraid that instead of benefiting from you, I'll be punished because of your mistakes and words. No matter how much trouble you cause in the Du family and the academy, it won't have much impact, but once you step into the imperial court, if you commit a crime, the entire Du family and even the entire Dujiawan will be implicated, and nine generations of your family will lose their heads because of you."
Upon hearing this, Du Min's mind went blank, filled with panic and fear, and he involuntarily stopped in his tracks.
"Don't be complacent and think that God favors you and won't let you do such a thing. The fact is that I'm being blamed by Gu Wuxia because of you, and you don't even have the ability to resolve it." Meng Qing brought up old grievances.
"If you think what I said makes any sense, then sit back down," she said, giving him a way out.
Du Min hesitated for a moment, then turned back.
Seeing his expression, Meng Qing said a few words to ease the tension: "Confucius said: 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' You are just a scholar who takes books as your guide. You are far inferior to Confucius. It is not shameful for you to be taught by me."
Du Min subconsciously showed disdain.
Meng Qing clicked his tongue. "Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants are at the bottom. I can understand your parents looking down on me. Merchants use their brains and skills to make money, which is easier than farming, yet they earn more. So they envy merchants, and with the support of the imperial laws, they can openly despise them. But what do you look down on us for? You don't farm, you don't make money, and you haven't been cheated by merchants. Why do you look down on merchants? Is it just because of the imperial decrees?"
"Merchants are cunning. They can make profits without producing anything. If the court doesn't crack down on them, all the people will go into business. Who will farm the land?" Du Min's mind was in turmoil, and his words were nonsensical.
"Oh, you look down on merchants just because of the imperial decree? I don't think so. You're probably like your parents, you accepted the benefits I gave you but didn't want to be grateful. When you found that you were in the wrong and couldn't argue with me, you chose to belittle me because of my background, so that you wouldn't listen to me and could save face."
Du Min glared at her and said with disgust, "Don't lump me in with them."
“You despise their character, but it’s a pity you’ve grown up to be just like them.” Meng Qing wasn’t afraid; she bluntly stated, “You look down on your second brother, but he’s far superior to you in this respect. He won’t let himself become the kind of person he hates. Haven’t you noticed that he doesn’t resemble your parents at all?”
Du Min got anxious. His face turned red with anger, and he stood up abruptly, wanting to refute but unable to.
“Your parents have always spoiled you and pampered you. They probably haven’t taught you how to be a decent person at all. Today, your second sister-in-law will teach you. Your proud talent can only get you top marks in the academy. When you enter the imperial court, everyone there is a dragon among men, all with exceptional talent. You will be nothing special. You will be just a small shrimp, easily swallowed by the big fish.” Meng Qing’s mouth was dry from talking. She picked up a bowl of tea, took a few sips, and said calmly, “You drink some too.”
“I’m not thirsty,” Du Min refused. He pondered her words, and no matter how much he didn’t want to admit it, he knew she was right.
He was so shocked that his legs gave way and he collapsed.
“Third brother, broaden your horizons. If you want to pass the imperial examination and gain official rank, you should set your sights on the imperial court. Your competitors are every student in the Tang Dynasty, not just Gu Wuxia and Shi Zhengli from Wu County.” Meng Qing advised him, drawing on her experience of studying in her previous life.
Du Min finally bowed his head and said, "You're right."
"If you can listen to me, then all my words weren't wasted, and I don't need to worry about whether or not to divorce your second brother anymore," Meng Qing sighed.
Du Min looked at her in surprise, "You're so worried?"
“I have to worry. You might hold a grudge against me, but I think it's nothing compared to losing your head. You really are the most despicable person I've ever met.” Meng Qing only dared to say this after Du Min calmed down.
Du Min felt extremely embarrassed. It was as if he treated his parents sincerely, but they secretly tried to sell him to them. He genuinely respected his sister-in-law Meng Qing, but she harbored all sorts of resentment towards him.
But Du Min couldn't bring himself to hate her. Perhaps, as she said, she had been scheming and had ulterior motives towards him from the very beginning, and he knew that, so he didn't have much expectation of her.
Meng Qing picked up the child and got up. Wang Zhou had fallen asleep from listening to their conversation. She put him back on the bed, opened the box, and took out Du Min's share of the money.
"Here you go, there are still seven strings and eight hundred coins left, take it all." She handed him a large bag of money.
Du Min felt embarrassed to take it now, and he hesitated and said, "I'll only take five hundred coins, and leave the rest with you."
"Keep it yourself." Meng Qing refused to take it.
Du Min panicked. "Second sister-in-law, are you still going to care about me?"
Meng Qing was genuinely puzzled now. "You want me to take care of you?"
“What you said to me today is something no one has ever taught me before.” Du Min clutched the bundle of money, suppressing his shame, and said, “You’re right. You don’t have any bad intentions towards me. Even if you’re using me, it’s because you want me to move up. I hope you can give me pointers from time to time.”
"You're not looking down on me?" Meng Qing asked smugly.
"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me." Du Min answered her with her own words.
Meng Qing sat down again, let out a long sigh, and said with relief, "Thank goodness you can still listen to me. I heard from your second brother that Dr. Xu also admonished you, but you didn't listen at all."
Du Min sighed in frustration. He picked up his teacup and took a few sips of water. The bitter tea cleared his mind a little.
"Second sister-in-law, I'd like to sit alone for a while," he said.
Meng Qing told him to make himself at home, and went to the kitchen to wash the rice, intending to start cooking the rice porridge first.
Just as the fire was started, Wangzhou woke up. Mengqing heard the crying and rushed to the bedroom, "Coming, coming, Mother is here."
Du Min looked in the direction of the sound, his gaze passing through the corridor. He saw Meng Qing carrying Wang Zhou to a tree to urinate. At this moment, she had completely become a mother, and there was no trace of the sternness she had shown when she was scolding him.
He turned his head, recalling Meng Qing's words, and then thought about how Du Li hit Wang Zhou for Wang Zhou's sake. He thought to himself that Wang Zhou would definitely grow up to be a very good person.
They are responsible.
upright.
They know how to conduct themselves and how to get things done.
She will grow into the kind of person she likes.
He will also become Meng Qing's proud son.
The sound of the bell from Ruiguang Temple rang out. Meng Qing listened to the bell and looked at the person sitting in the outer courtyard, head down in thought. She went out and said, "Third brother, to cultivate your mind, you must first cultivate your character; to do things, you must first be a good person. In the future, when you don't have classes, go to the temple more often to listen to the sutras. You are too impetuous and too utilitarian. You need to calm down and learn how to be a good person, at least on the surface."
"You often go to the temple to listen to sutras. Did you learn all these principles of conduct and interpersonal relationships in the temple?" Du Min asked, raising his head.
“When I was a child, I often went to the temple to do my homework with the young monks, and I heard a lot of scriptures. As for the reason, it’s probably because I interacted with people from a young age, met many people, and became more perceptive and discerning, able to understand people’s hearts and reflect on my own actions,” Meng Qing said.
“But I often leave the state academy, and I’m worried that Gu Wuxia will arrange for his servants to ambush and beat me up.” Du Min revealed his worries. “Second sister-in-law, to be honest, I hesitated for two days before I dared to come to see you today.”
“Take the beating, he can’t kill you. If he can’t kill you, you should just continue doing what you were doing.” Seeing Du Min staring at her in shock, Meng Qing smiled. “Have you thought about this? If he doesn’t let this go, he’ll definitely trip you up when you take the provincial exam. Have you considered the future? Who will vouch for you when you take the imperial exam? You’re too ruthless and cunning. People who know you are wary of you. Who would vouch for you? If you get into trouble because you don’t know your place, the person who vouched for you will also be implicated.”
Du Min had thought about it, but he was at a loss and could only tell himself to take it one step at a time.
"The news of you being beaten will definitely spread, and people will gloat for a while. Once they see you make a fool of yourself and see that you have no power to fight back, their guard against you will gradually lower." Meng Qing was a merchant's wife, and she couldn't help him in this regard, so she could only advise him to use the self-inflicted injury trick again.
“I’ll think about it,” Du Min said.
“The Gu family also has face to save. They’ll only beat you up three or five times at most. If it happens too many times, people will start saying they’re bullying a poor student like you. Besides, Master Chen is outwardly protecting you, so they also have to consider Master Chen’s reputation and won’t beat you until you lose an arm or a leg,” Meng Qing continued.
Du Min felt that her analysis was correct again, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
“You must heed what I say today. If you don’t succeed, all is well. But if you do, the heads of your entire family will be on your shoulders. Think more carefully before you speak and act in the future.” Meng Qing admonished her again, reminding her, “I will only forgive you this time, and I will only teach you this once. I hope you will think carefully and repent as soon as possible.”
"I've got it." Du Min smelled the cooking smoke and stood up, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, you're busy, I'm going back to the academy."
Meng Qing didn't ask him to stay for dinner; she saw him to the door.
As they reached the door, Du Min suddenly turned around, bowed deeply to her, and said, "Second Sister-in-law is not only my Second Brother's benefactor, but also my benefactor."
After saying that, Du Min got up and ran away before she could react.
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