Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Upon returning home, Wang Ying pulled Chen Qingyan aside and, in a hushed, anxious tone, recounted the incident to him.

Chen Qingyan scratched his nose and said, "Actually, Uncle Chen already knows. A while back, when I was storing popsicles in the experimental field, he saw me. It spooked him good, so I had no choice but to tell him the truth."

Wang Ying expressed concern, "Do you think he might tell others?"

"He won’t. If there’s anyone in this household who would speak out, it would definitely not be Uncle Chen."

Uncle Chen’s loyalty to the Chen family was beyond words, especially toward Chen Qingyan. Not even a biological son would get this level of devotion. He was what the ancients called a "servant of unwavering loyalty."

"That’s a relief. I’ll have to be more careful next time."

This was no joking matter. If someone were to see and word got around, he might be accused of being a mountain spirit or demon and burned at the stake.

*

As August arrived, the weather grew cooler day by day. Although a hint of summer heat lingered a few days prior, a series of light rains had since made it necessary to bundle up in warmer clothes.

Liang Boqing, who had lived in Laizhou years ago, had developed rheumatism in his joints due to the proximity to the sea. Whenever it rained or turned overcast, his arms and legs would ache.

Since moving to the manor, whether due to soaking in hot springs or sleeping on the kang, his health had gradually improved. This year, he hadn’t experienced a single episode.

On this day, as the autumn drizzle lingered, he sat with his three apprentices under the eaves, watching the rain and assigning them the task of composing a seven-character poem about autumn rain.

Wang Ying, unable to make sense of such highfalutin literary stuff, decided to take out some leftover mutton from the experimental field to thaw.

On a day like this, nothing was more comforting than a hot pot meal.

After the rain stopped, the sky cleared abruptly, the sky stretched high with wispy clouds, and a deepening sense of autumn filled the air.

The millet in the fields had already headed out. Thanks to Wang Ying’s teachings on composting during the summer, this year’s crops were thriving far better than in previous years. Even the lower-quality fields showed promising growth.

With the thought of having surplus grain after paying land rent and poll taxes, the villagers felt a sense of relief, and much of the edge had worn off people.

Even Aunt Zhang, who was usually quick to pick fights and argue, now greeted everyone with a smile. She couldn’t stop praising, "Our Manor Head is truly exceptional—far better than any other manor! When the spring wheat harvest was poor, he knocked ten percent off our rent. The neighboring Zheng Manor didn’t do the same; they still collected sixty percent. I heard people there have starved to death!"

"Absolutely! Not only does he charge less rent, but he also teaches us how to tend the crops properly. Others with such skills would never share them!"

"Many tenants want to join our manor but can’t get in. They’re even asking if there are any eligible bachelors here, hoping to marry their daughters or sons into our manor for a better life!"

Just then, Shi Dunzi returned from town with his mule cart and was spotted by several women at the village entrance.

Sister Liu whispered, "Hey, isn’t Shi Dunzi unmarried? Do any of you know someone suitable for him? Maybe we can play matchmaker."

"Would that work? He used to be so spineless and mousy and easily bullied."

"Don’t underestimate him! He’s now the Manor Head’s right-hand man, earning quite a bit by tending livestock and driving carts. Even after moving back to the village to farm, he has the Manor Head’s backing. Who would dare bully him now?"

Hearing this, Aunt Zhang grew serious. She had a cousin on her father's side living in neighboring Zheng Manor who had lost her husband years earlier.

With only two daughters and kicked out by her in-laws, she now struggled to raise the children alone, relying on relatives for support.

But as the saying goes, "You can give a man a fish, but you can't feed him for life." Every family had their own struggles, and they couldn’t support her indefinitely. If she could bring them together, it might be a blessing.

After making up her mind, Aunt Zhang took two pounds of millet and went to Zheng Manor that afternoon.

Her cousin was washing clothes for others when she arrived. After being cast out by her in-laws, she and her two daughters had taken shelter in a dilapidated, abandoned house at the edge of the village.

She had cleared a small plot of land around the house, but the land yielded poorly. After paying rent to the Manor Head, what little remained was hardly enough to feed the three of them. She survived by taking on odd jobs like laundry and chopping wood to scrape by.

Seeing Aunt Zhang, she quickly wiped her hands and stood up. "Elder Sister, what brings you here?"

"It’s been a while. I thought I’d check on you."

"Come inside and sit. Let me get you some water."

"Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll only stay a moment."

Zhang Cuihong still brought out the only intact clay bowl in the house, filled it with well water, and handed it to her.

"Where are the girls?"

"Da Ni and Er Ni are out herding cattle for someone. They might as well make themselves useful—at least they get a meal out of it."

Aunt Zhang’s heart sank. She had six children of her own, the youngest only seven years old. Even though she was just a girl, she was treasured like precious jade and had never been made to work in the fields. Yet Da Ni and Er Ni, aged seven and five, were already herding cattle.

"You can’t go on like this. The girls are growing up, and without a man to watch over you, what if someone with ill intentions targets you…"

This was no exaggeration. A widow with two young daughters was like a piece of meat in the eyes of lecherous men. Such incidents had happened before in other villages, but Chen Manor strictly enforced order. Anyone caught committing such crimes was driven off the manor and stripped of their land rights, which kept most would-be offenders in check.

Tears welled up in Zhang Cuihong’s eyes. "I know it well enough, but who would want me with two burdens?"

After her husband’s death, a few matchmakers had approached her, but they lost interest upon learning she had two daughters.

Girls weren’t like boys—raising a son meant extra hands for the family, but girls would eventually marry into another family. It was seen as a money-losing proposition.

Yet she couldn’t bring herself to abandon her daughters. When her husband died, Da Ni was only three, and Er Ni couldn’t even walk. She couldn’t stand by and watch helplessly as the children starved, so she endured the hardship alone.

Aunt Zhang took her hand. "I might have a good match for you. There’s a widower in our village, a few years older than you. He’s a bit short and plain-looking, but he’s honest and kind. He’s skilled with livestock, helping our Manor Head tend mules and drive carts. He also has a few acres of poor-quality land—enough to support you and your girls."

Zhang Cuihong asked, "Would he even consider me?"

"That’s why I’m here. If you’re willing, give me your word, and I’ll sound him out for you."

"Of course I’m willing. Looks don’t fill your stomach. As long as he doesn’t mind me and the girls, I’ll marry him."

"Then it’s settled. I’ll ask him tomorrow. If this works out, Elder Sister will come to your place to mooch a wedding toast!"

After seeing Aunt Zhang off, the two girls returned home. Da Ni and Er Ni were covered in mud, their hair disheveled like wild children.

Anger surged through Zhang Cuihong. She grabbed a broom and swung it toward them. "Do you think I’m not tired enough? How did you manage to ruin your clothes like this?"

Er Ni burst into tears, terrified. Da Ni grabbed the broom and cried, "Mom, don’t hit us! Someone tried to pull down Little Sister’s pants. We hid in a muddy pond for half the day before we dared come out…"

Zhang Cuihong was horrified. She pulled the girls close, inspecting them frantically. "Are you hurt?"

"N-no."

"Who did this?"

Da Ni sobbed, "It was Uncle Zheng, the one who hired us to herd cattle."

Fury surged through Zhang Cuihong. The Zheng family was the Manor Head’s household. To think someone who seemed to be putting on a respectable front could do such a vile thing in secret!

Yet she had no means to seek justice for her children. If she confronted them, she would likely be driven out of the Zheng Village, leaving her with no choice but to eat the loss quietly. Seething with anger, she hugged her two daughters and wept.

After washing the children up, she cooked a pot of millet sent by her cousin, and the three of them ate their fill.

Zhang Cuihong held her children through the night without sleep, her mind made up with a bold decision: the next day, she would go to the Chen Village to meet the widower her cousin told her about.

*

Early the next morning, right after Wang Ying finished eating, a visitor arrived—Aunt Zhang.

"Auntie, you're here! Please come in."

Aunt Zhang waved her hands modestly. Though she was usually bold and outspoken, she didn't dare act up in front of her employer. With a smile, she said, "I came to ask you something. Does Old Shi, your carter, want to remarry?"

"You mean Uncle Dun Zi?"

"Yes, him. I have a cousin who's a widow. I thought since their situations are similar, I could make the match. I wonder if he'd be willing."

"That sounds wonderful! Come in, come in." Wang Ying warmly invited her into the yard and asked Uncle Chen to fetch Dun Zi from the backyard.

Soon, Dun Zi arrived. "Boss, you wanted me?"

"Aunt Zhang is here to talk about setting you up."

Dun Zi’s face flushed bright red. At thirty-six, he was old enough to be a grandfather in the village. The idea of matchmaking at his age was embarrassing...

"Let's... let's forget it."

Aunt Zhang grew anxious. "Don't be like that! My cousin is a decent, hardworking woman. Her husband passed four or five years ago. If she didn’t have two children making it hard to remarry, she would have married again long ago. Since you have no children of your own, wouldn’t it be perfect for you two to join together?"

"But... I’m not good-looking. Would she even want me?"

"Who lives their life based on looks? It’s all about hard work and how you live! Once married, you’ll have someone to care for you, and life would have more meaning!"

Wang Ying nodded in agreement. "Auntie is right, Uncle Dun Zi. You have to think about your future. What will you do when you’re too old to work?"

Hearing this, Dun Zi softened somewhat. "Well... I suppose we could meet. If she doesn’t like me, then we’ll forget it. Don’t pressure her."

Aunt Zhang clapped her hands cheerfully. "I’ll go tell my cousin right now and set up a time for you to meet!"

As she saw Aunt Zhang out, they found Zhang Cuihong standing at the gate with her two children.

"Sister, what are you doing here?"

She had asked around and come all this way, hoping to possibly run into the man herself. To her surprise, her cousin emerged from the house.

"Perfect timing!" Aunt Zhang took her arm and introduced her to the man behind her. "This is my cousin. Brother Shi, what do you think?"

Shi Dunzi looked at the woman. Her hair was dry and yellowish, her cheeks sunken from long-term hunger, but her clothes were clean and tidy, and the two little girls beside her looked well-behaved.

Before he could speak, Zhang Cuihong said eagerly, "I’m interested! If you don’t mind me bringing two daughters, Brother, it's fine by me!"

Shi Dunzi stammered, "I... I don’t mind..."

Why would he mind? Who would want to live a lonely life? After a long day’s work, coming home to a cold stove and no hot water—it was miserable.

The two hard-luck folks locked eyes, each seeing in the other a longing for family and warmth.

Wang Ying said, "I’ll have Old Liang pick an auspicious date. We’ll prepare a few tables for a wedding feast and make it a celebration!"