Chapter 21, Chapter 21: My Father, Song Shang
"Mother, Mother, Mother..."
Song Jin rode her mule to the door, not even waiting for it to be opened. She jumped over the wall onto Xiao Hei's back, sat on the top, and called out for her mother, until she heard her mother's familiar angry scolding voice coming from the corner.
"You little brat, climbing your mother's wall in broad daylight, don't you know how to knock?"
Song Jin chuckled, used the sound to locate the source, and with one hand supporting her weight, she flipped down the wall and quickly ran to the other side.
Niu Tielan stood among the flowers. Even with a straw hat, coarse linen clothes, and a small hoe in her hand, her slender figure was still undeniable. She was like a flower fairy, beautiful as a painting in the light and shadow—provided she didn't see her own daughter, who was as lively as a rocket.
Upon hearing that voice, she threw down her hoe, put her hands on her hips, and her pale face regained some color with anger: "Song Jin, you little rascal, you've caused me trouble again! I think you're tired of living and want to make me die of anger so I can go down and reunite with your father, right?"
"Pah, pah, pah! Children say the darndest things, but you're too old to say such unlucky things!" Song Jin ran over with a grin, stopping her footsteps from ruining the garden under Niu Tielan's angry glare, and started joking around.
"My deadbeat father is probably already surrounded by women down there, he doesn't need you at all. Just stay with me and stop thinking about other things all the time."
Niu Tielan was furious and glared at her fiercely: "You brat, you have no manners! Stand up straight!"
Seeing that she was getting serious, Song Jin also became obedient and listened to her.
Niu Tielan: "Explain yourself properly, why did you hit someone this time?"
Song Jin asked instinctively, "Which one?"
Niu Tielan took a deep breath. Seeing that she genuinely didn't remember, she reminded herself that this was her only biological child. She held back.
Unbearable
She roared, "Which one are you talking about? The one from the capital, someone you can't afford to mess with. Song Jin, Song Jin, did you get your head caught in a door or hit by a pig? Do you think we can afford to offend them? Do you think your mother is made of iron, or that you're made of stone, so you can do whatever you want to them and nothing will happen to you..."
Seeing her fury, Song Jin shrank back, her expression timid, but her pouting lips remained stubborn. Given another chance, she would still give that person a beating.
What kind of person is he? Doesn't he even look in the mirror? Daring to covet her mother? Shameless! She's already being sensible by not breaking all three of his legs. Besides...
Song Jin raised her head and said defiantly, "Who told you I beat someone up? Where's the evidence?"
Even if that person wasn't focused on getting beaten up that day, they had no proof—the roasted bees that could serve as evidence smelled delicious, it's a pity they didn't get to eat them.
Song Jin still felt a little regretful.
Niu Tielan knew her daughter well enough to know that this was definitely her doing. Although the matter was infuriating, without evidence, her expression softened, and she hesitated.
Are you sure?
Song Jin patted his chest and assured him: "I'm sure."
Although she is impulsive and unreasonable, she is very good at cleaning up messes. Over the years, unless she does it on purpose, no one has ever caught her.
Therefore, even though everyone knows she did it, they can't produce evidence, and since they're not entirely in the right, they can only tolerate it.
Therefore, Niu Tielan no longer doubted Song Jin's abilities, but instead became more suspicious: "Then what is he here for?"
Song Jin had a guess; it must be related to her face. But if it was an old friend, how could her mother not have any thoughts? And if they weren't close, her mother had reminded her last time...
Song Jin couldn't understand it. She grabbed her hair and looked at her mother with a mixture of curiosity and doubt.
As a village girl, even if she's naturally fair-skinned, years of working in the fields will inevitably leave her skin rough and tanned, and her figure will be more robust. But Niu Tielan is different. Her skin is as delicate as snow, her figure slender and graceful, and her whole being is as soft as water.
Let alone the countryside, even in the county town or the prefectural city, Song Jin had never seen anyone with a better figure and temperament than her mother.
However, to say that Niu Tielan was a runaway young lady from a wealthy family is a stretch. She really couldn't read or write much, and even Song Jin couldn't praise her paintings without lying. Besides, her speech wasn't much more pleasant than that of the villagers.
All that talk of elegance and tranquility is an illusion; inside, it's empty. Only the money-making cosmetics are genuine.
I don't understand, I really don't understand.
However, Song Jin was certain that her mother was a person with a lot of stories, she just didn't know where to begin—she wondered if this time she could uncover a little bit.
Song Jin tugged at her hair, her bright phoenix eyes fixed on Niu Tielan, making him involuntarily take two steps back. She cleared her throat: "What he's here for, you'll have to ask you, Mother."
Niu Tielan looked completely bewildered: "Me?"
Song Jin nodded, pointing to her face, about to ask the question that had puzzled her for years, when suddenly there was a knock on the door, followed by Mayor Lin's shout.
"Song Jin, Tie Lan, come out quickly, I need to talk to you."
Song Jin pursed her lips, swallowed the words she was about to say, and under Niu Tielan's puzzled gaze, emphasized again, "Anyway, this has nothing to do with me."
After saying that, she ran to open the door.
Outside the door, the staggering Mayor Lin stood at the front, followed by Song Xingzhi, whose face was bruised but whose features were still handsome. Behind him was Qi Zheng, tall and dignified like a bamboo leaf.
The three of them standing together look like a river.
Song Jin chuckled, crossed his arms over his chest, leaned against the doorframe, and blocked the way by stepping on the opposite door. He looked down at the three of them with a half-smile: "Oh, Mayor, what's going on this time?"
Upon seeing her smile, Mayor Lin was reminded of the house that had collapsed years ago. He couldn't help but take a step back and awkwardly said, "Great news."
Song Xingzhi subconsciously touched the corner of his mouth, then his gaze fell on Song Jin's disheveled hair and long legs as she stepped on the door, and he exclaimed in anguish, "How disgraceful! A young lady like you..."
Song Jin acted as if she hadn't heard his nonsense and looked at the last person.
Qi Zheng looked at her quietly and reminded her, "Things."
Of the three, only he seemed to be serious. Song Jin clicked his tongue, put his leg down, turned around, and swaggered inside, disappearing from sight in no time.
The people behind: ...
Fortunately, Niu Tielan was home. She tidied her clothes in the backyard and walked out gracefully. In the backlight, her skin was so white and smooth it seemed to glow, and every move she made was captivating.
But this time, Song Xingzhi looked away after just one glance, clutching his chest in anguish.
He's sacrificed so much for his dad; his dad can't beat him again when they get back.
Song Xingzhi bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam Niu."
Niu Tielan paused, took two small steps back, and returned a haphazard bow: "Lord Song, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I hope you won't mind my previous rudeness."
Before Song Xingzhi could speak, Song Jin, who had gone back to her room to get something, rushed out again and said on his behalf, "Mother, you're home alone, and he, a grown man, comes over to bother you. If you mind this, who knows what kind of tricks he's up to?"
Niu Tielan glared at her: "Shut up!"
Song Jin made a face, handed the ginseng in the box to Qi Zheng behind her, and then reached out her hand.
Transaction completed
Standing there dumbfounded, Song Xingzhi clapped his hands and raised his chin: "Alright, the shift is complete, you can go now."
Qi Zheng didn't speak, but only glanced at Song Xingzhi.
Song Xingzhi shuddered and quickly replied, "Lord Qi will naturally be traveling with me in a little while."
Anyway, this matter can't be hidden, and there's no need to hide it. It's better to let the prince see it; that way, the emperor won't think too much of it.
Song Jin pouted: "Fine, just say what you want to say."
Seeing her make these gestures with a face so similar to his father's, Song Xingzhi wished he could give her a lesson in etiquette on the spot, but remembering the purpose of his visit, he suppressed his urge and smiled.
"Why don't we sit down and talk over some tea?"
Mayor Lin chimed in, "That's right, that's right! Xiao Mei, quickly pour tea for Lord Song, this is an incredibly good thing!"
Song Xingzhi glanced at Mayor Lin, thinking to himself that although the man seemed dull-witted, he was still quite clever, having guessed some things from his inquiries. But it didn't matter. He flicked his fan and smiled charmingly, "It is indeed a great thing."
Song Jin and Niu Tielan exchanged a glance, then gave Xiao Mei a look, and only then did she begin to move.
A group of people moved into the living room, and Song Xingzhi quickly took the head seat, gesturing for Qi Zheng to step forward, making no attempt to conceal his extraordinary status.
Mayor Lin's smile widened. Although he didn't know the two men's identities, their arrival from the capital and their elaborate attire suggested they were from prominent families, giving him hope for his eldest grandson.
Thinking of this, he became even more enthusiastic. As soon as the tea was served, without Song Xingzhi having to say anything, he said on his behalf, "Tie Lan, Song Jin, Song Xingzhi's visit this time is truly a great thing!"
Niu Tielan felt uneasy about what this group of people and her daughter were saying, and said impatiently, "You're going to keep repeating the same thing over and over again, just get to the point."
Mayor Lin didn't mind at all; after all, even when a beauty was angry, she was pleasing to the eye. He glanced at Song Xingzhi, and seeing that he didn't object, he smiled even more broadly, like an old chrysanthemum, beaming with joy.
"This young master Song is planning to propose marriage to your Song Jin."
"puff"
Song Xingzhi, who was usually very conscious of his image, spat out his tea. His face changed drastically, and in his shock, his voice trembled: "No, I didn't do it! Mayor Lin, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
Mayor Lin asked blankly, "Ah, isn't that it? Then, is it a proposal to Tie Lan?"
Song Xingzhi was even more horrified: "Are you crazy?"
Is this a choice between killing him or killing him? He's fighting with his father for someone else's life.
Mayor Lin remained bewildered. He thought that people from the capital were different; they were bolder. This wasn't right, that wasn't right. He couldn't possibly marry both a mother and a daughter, could he?
But this time, before he could spout nonsense, Song Jin unceremoniously "invited" the old man out of the house, then turned and, arm-wrestling, glared menacingly at Song Xingzhi.
Song Xingzhi's lip stung slightly again. To avoid further injury, he hesitated for a moment, then bowed and addressed Niu Tielan with a serious and solemn expression: "Madam Niu, please do not listen to his nonsense. I have come here only to pay my respects. My name is Song Xingzhi, and my father is Song Shang."
Upon hearing the name, Niu Tielan paused for a moment, her beautiful eyes flickered, her brows furrowed slightly, and her voice was soft.
"Song Shang?"
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