Tang Wan continued feigning unconsciousness, resting quietly in the inner room. Tang Mu locked the courtyard gate and went alone to the market to buy five eggs, two small pieces of brown sugar, and two old ginger roots.
The money pouch Chen Wenyan had given them was already nearly half empty.
With no extra money at home, fifty-some copper coins couldn't make much difference no matter how frugally they were saved. Besides, A-jie had just fallen into water and caught a chill in her bones. A bowl of sweet, spicy, steaming hot ginger sugar water followed by a bowl of smooth steamed egg custard would make her feel more comfortable.
With this calculation in mind, Tang Mu didn't feel too pained about the spending.
Their family was small and simple, without any pretentious rules about gentlemen staying away from the kitchen. After returning home, Tang Mu directly lit the fire in the courtyard Stove and got busy.
Tang Wan was somewhat weak after all, and after lying on the kang for a while, she actually fell asleep. When awakened, she first smelled a strong ginger scent. Focusing her eyes, she saw Tang Mu had already set up a kang table with a large bowl of ginger sugar water and a bowl of steaming smooth egg custard on it.
Afraid of being overheard outside, Tang Mu whispered very softly: "A-jie, get up and eat while it's hot."
Tang Wan was momentarily dazed and asked: "Did you make all this?"
Tang Mu nodded.
He was only ten years old this year, but actually looked even younger. If placed in that era, he'd only be in third grade of elementary school. Even in other Military Households, children like him would mostly still be enjoying their parents' care and affection.
But their family was different. Previously, it had been their grandfather and the two siblings relying on each other. After their grandfather passed away, more often it was Tang Mu, the younger brother, who cared for and looked after his A-jie.
Tang Wan couldn't help feeling grateful that she had transmigrated back again. Otherwise, leaving behind a ten-year-old child – no matter how sensible and capable he was – how much hardship would he have to endure?
She sat up, took the bowl, and asked Tang Mu: "Where's yours?"
"I'm not hungry, A-jie should eat," Tang Mu said with his usual thoughtfulness.
Though he said this, Tang Wan noticed Mu Ge'er's throat move slightly, his eyes looking elsewhere, his gaze completely avoiding the bowl.
How could a growing child not be tempted?
Tang Wan knew their family situation best. Though they were just ordinary eggs, normally they only got to eat them on birthdays or holidays, at most one per person. Mu Ge'er was most generous toward his A-jie – judging by the amount in the bowl, he must have used five or six eggs, a full bowl that could be considered extravagant.
Tang Wan didn't argue with him, simply instructing: "Go get another bowl."
Tang Mu paused, immediately understanding her meaning: "A-jie, you eat it. There's congee with grain husks and half a coarse pancake cooking on the Stove."
"Let's eat together," Tang Wan insisted, looking at him firmly.
Tang Mu looked at his A-jie, then obediently turned to fetch a bowl.
Tang Wan used a wooden spoon to transfer half the egg custard from her bowl to his, pushing it before her younger brother.
Pursing his lips, Tang Mu didn't refuse further under Tang Wan's firm actions. He bowed his head to accept it, sitting sideways on the kang as the two siblings shared that bowl of smooth egg custard.
Having not eaten such delicious eggs for a long time, Tang Mu ate very carefully, spoonful by spoonful. Finally unable to resist, he gave Tang Wan a sweet smile and whispered: "A-jie, the egg custard is really delicious!"
Tang Wan smiled and said: "If it's delicious, we'll buy more tomorrow."
Tang Mu secretly touched the money pouch in his pocket, a trace of worry surfacing in his heart.
He set down his spoon and whispered, "A-jie, Auntie Miao is not easy to talk to. Will they really return the money tomorrow?"
It was currently March, and spring plowing was just around the corner. The military farmland under their family’s name was leased to others, but seeds, farming tools, and oxen all required money.
Since their grandfather passed away, the family’s situation had become increasingly difficult. Originally, the siblings had planned to discuss matters with the Chen family, but unexpectedly, the other party intended to break off the engagement and marry someone else. Tang Wan went to confront Chen Wenyan but, instead of getting an explanation, was pushed into the river.
One thing after another kept happening, and the siblings hadn’t found the time to discuss their next steps.
If everything went as planned and the Chen family honestly returned the money, there might still be a glimmer of hope for their family. But if the other party refused to acknowledge the debt, Tang Mu didn’t dare to think too deeply about what would happen next.
Thinking about this, even the smooth and tender steamed egg custard seemed to lose its flavor.
Tang Wan also pondered the matter.
In her memory, Miao Guizhi was indeed a very difficult woman. Perhaps because she had suffered greatly in her youth and feared poverty, she was notoriously greedy, always taking and never giving.
"It’s alright. We have leverage over them. They won’t dare to act too boldly."
Tang Mu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What leverage?"
Tang Wan lowered her voice and whispered a few words into his ear.
"You should still go tomorrow. If they try to evade the issue, just do as I said."
Outside the courtyard, the night grew darker, and the wind blowing through the alley carried a biting chill.
Inside the small Tang family home, the siblings discussed in hushed tones. Though the atmosphere was somewhat heavy, it was still harmonious. In contrast, the atmosphere at the Chen family’s home at the end of the alley was tense and confrontational.
As soon as Miao Guizhi heard that the Tang family wanted to settle accounts and demanded repayment, her face immediately darkened, and she shrilly exclaimed, "This is all ancient history! Who even remembers such trivial matters? Back then, it was agreed that it was given to us freely. Now you’re suddenly bringing up accounts? That’s just unreasonable!"
Chen Wenyan’s heart sank. He had anticipated his mother’s reaction, but now he had no choice but to brace himself and try to persuade her.
Miao Guizhi spat back at him irritably, "Have you lost your mind today? Why are you always taking their side?"
Chen Wenyan had originally intended to keep it a secret, but seeing that reasoning with her was futile, he grew increasingly frustrated and finally whispered the truth.
"Wan Niang… I was the one who pushed her into the river. If we don’t agree to their demands, I’m afraid she’ll reveal what happened that day. Mother, if she really speaks out about this, my life will be completely ruined!"
After he finished speaking, the room fell into silence.
Miao Guizhi hadn’t expected the truth to be like this. No wonder her son had been acting so unusually today, showing such concern for that girl.
She didn’t think there was anything wrong with what her son had done. With the Zhou family’s marriage proposal, Tang Wan Niang’s existence, in her eyes, was nothing but an eyesore. But since the girl hadn’t died, the situation had become complicated.
To her, Tang Wan’s fall into the river was no big deal. But the thought of having to pay a large sum of money because of it made her heart ache with reluctance.
Though she hadn’t calculated the exact amount, Miao Guizhi knew very well that over the years, the money and goods they had taken from the Tang family were by no means a small sum. Never mind whether their family could even come up with that much money—even if they could, she had no intention of giving it back.
Once it had entered her pockets, taking it out again felt no different from taking her life or cutting out her flesh.
"Mother, money is but an external possession. If something happens to your son, how will I establish myself in the military afterward? The Zhou Family might also face unforeseen changes…"
Miao Guizhi naturally understood the reasoning. Yet getting her to part with money was utterly impossible.
"Useless fool! How could you let someone climb back up after pushing them down?"
Suddenly, a glint flashed in Miao Guizhi's eyes as she asked, "What did you say earlier about why that girl hasn't woken up? What did the physician say?"
Chen Wenyan didn't understand why she was asking this but recounted what he had witnessed at the Tang residence.
"So you're saying the physician thought she should have woken up long ago, but she just hasn't?"
Chen Wenyan nodded: "The physician said her spirit might have been frightened and needs more recuperation."
"Spirit frightened?" Miao Guizhi sneered coldly. "Don't worry, she won't wake up so easily."
Chen Wenyan was confused.
"If she could wake up, she would have done so already," Miao Guizhi declared. "In my opinion, she's deliberately feigning weakness to gain the neighbors' sympathy—this is her way of forcing our family to take a stance. If she were perfectly fine, who would bother pleading her case?"
Chen Wenyan shuddered with realization: "If she's pretending, doesn't that mean she could wake up at any moment? Then…"
Wouldn't that mean she could expose his act of pushing her into the water at any time?
Miao Guizhi shot him an exasperated glare: "Why hasn't she spoken up already? Because she lacks evidence! If she doesn't say anything now, it'll be useless even if she speaks after waking."
Her eyes then flickered with ruthlessness as she lowered her voice: "Since that's how it is, don't blame me for being merciless."
Chen Wenyan stiffened: "Mother, what… are you planning to do?"
Miao Guizhi glanced at him and said gravely, "Tomorrow, don't say a word. Leave everything to me."
Early the next morning, Old Shen and Ge Sanniang, responding to Tang Mu's request, went together to the Chen residence intending to settle old accounts and terminate the marriage arrangement.
Unexpectedly, Miao Guizhi wouldn't even let them through the courtyard gate this time.
The moment she spoke, she raised her voice so loudly that half the alley could hear her.
"Wasn't calling off the engagement something both families agreed on long ago? Now you're claiming my family wronged yours? What kind of logic is that!"
This sudden assertion took everyone by surprise. Those secretly watching from the alley were stunned, Old Shen and Ge Sanniang were taken aback, and even Chen Wenyan, observing from the sidelines, was momentarily dumbfounded.
Though Tang Mu had anticipated difficulties, he was still dizzied by Miao Guizhi's false counteraccusation.
"What do you mean 'agreed long ago'? Who said so? When was this discussed? How can you claim it was settled?"
His rapid-fire questions didn't make Miao Guizhi flinch. Instead, she smirked, planted her hands on her hips, and shrilled sharply: "Naturally, it was settled with your A-jie! Would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, go ask your A-jie!"
"Nonsense! My A-jie hasn't woken up yet—how could she have discussed this with you?" Tang Mu fumed.
"Hasn't woken up?" Miao Guizhi drawled, curling her lip. "Then wait until she wakes up to discuss it."
Her demeanor made it clear she neither feared Tang Wan waking nor worried about what she might reveal. This surprised not only Tang Mu but even confused Chen Wenyan.
Miao Guizhi spoke with such conviction that the onlookers were momentarily swayed, beginning to speculate whether Tang Wan had truly agreed to cancel the engagement with them.
Old Shen and Ge Sanniang, who were preparing to act as witnesses for both parties, exchanged uneasy glances. Though they knew full well there was no truth to the accusations, they were momentarily rendered speechless.
Seeing this, Miao Guizhi grew even more smug and sneered, "You keep accusing us of breaking the contract, but the marriage between our family and the Zhou Family hasn't even been settled! Meanwhile, Tang Wan Niang—so many eyes saw her drenched and being carried home by that Lu boy. Such an improper girl—even without the Zhou Family matter, we wouldn't want her!"
Her words instantly provoked public outrage.
Old Shen was so enraged he raised his long tobacco pipe. "You woman, how dare you distort the truth like this! A life was at stake! Zheng Ge'er acted bravely to save her, diving into the freezing water—a righteous and honorable act! How dare you call it indecent? If he had such vile intentions, why would he openly carry her back for all to see?"
Ge Sanniang also spoke sharply, "Today I've witnessed what it means for the guilty to accuse the innocent first! What do you mean 'hasn't been settled'? If your families hadn't reached an agreement, how could your cowardly son have been promoted to Xiaoqi? As for Wan Niang—an innocent girl—your filthy tongue has slandered her for no reason!"
Though being pointed at and scolded, Miao Guizhi showed no fear and snorted coldly. "I've already told you—our families have long called off the engagement. We have nothing to do with each other now. Don't think you can extort us—no chance!"
Her shameless attitude of arguing without reason actually managed to intimidate some neighbors, and a few began whispering in belief.
Nearby, Chen Wenyan, who had been anxious about the truth being exposed, felt a subtle shift in the situation after his mother's rapid-fire retorts. Surprised, he slowly felt an indescribable sense of smugness.
He couldn't help but think: Mother was right after all.
Even if Tang Wan wakes up, she'll have to explain the engagement first. If she insists that I pushed her into the water, we can just say she's making it up out of resentment.
Indeed, in this world, everything depends on how you speak.
Whoever shouts loudest can claim advantage—even without reason!
Tang Mu, being young, had never encountered someone so shameless. For a moment, he was so angry his mind went blank. It took him a while to remember his A-jie's advice from last night.
The siblings had analyzed the situation and believed Chen Wenyan likely never informed the Zhou Family about the engagement. Given the Zhou Family's status and domineering attitude, marrying into the Chen Family would be beneath them—there was no reason for them to tolerate such deception.
His A-jie had tested Chen Wenyan before and was fairly certain the Zhou Family knew nothing about his prior engagement.
Elm Tree Alley was small—neighbors knew each other's business well. But Zhou Baihu's family lived in the neighboring county, and the wedding hadn't been formally arranged yet. It was understandable if they hadn't fully investigated the groom's background.
Thinking of this, Tang Mu sneered and suddenly raised his voice. "In that case, Grandpa Shen and Ge Shenzi, please accompany me to Su Bei Da Ying."
"If the Chen Family has no shame, distorting truth and bullying others like this, I'd like to ask Zhou Baihu whether they authorized this!"
At these words, Miao Guizhi's face changed dramatically, and Chen Wenyan nearly stumbled, his face turning deathly pale.
Old Shen cast a sidelong glance at the mother and son. Seeing their guilty expressions, he immediately understood the situation and felt a surge of contempt. He replied indifferently:
"I've met Zhou Baihu a few times and had some dealings with him. We can exchange a few words. Since it's for a matter of principle, this old man will accompany you."
Ge Sanniang naturally didn't refuse.
Watching the three turn to leave without so much as a backward glance, as if truly heading for the neighboring county, Miao Guizhi could no longer maintain her false composure. Her voice trembled slightly: "Wait…"
Author's note:
[Let me see]