“So according to you, it’s our family’s fault? If this was an engagement made earlier, why didn’t you bring it up sooner? You waited until the two young people couldn’t control themselves before mentioning it. I think you simply look down on our family and are deliberately using this as an excuse to take Su Ying through concubine rituals!”
Hearing Shao Shi’s sharp words, Mrs. Ge’s eyelids twitched involuntarily. She immediately shook her head in denial.
“Dear in-laws, you’ve misunderstood this matter. It was truly delayed because of Changchun’s father’s affairs. Moreover, it was Su Ying who actively sought out Changchun and got him drunk, which led to this situation. You can’t expect our Changchun to bear all the responsibility alone, can you?”
Mrs. Ge summoned all her mental energy to deal with Shao Shi. She had always known Shao Shi was shrewd, but never imagined she would be this sharp. Since things with Su Ying had progressed this far, the final hurdle must not be ruined by her.
“Hah! So after all this circling around, you’re still blaming our family for not raising Su Ying properly. I won’t discuss this further with you. In any case, becoming a concubine is impossible. If you want her, you must properly marry her through legitimate channels!”
“Oh, I’m feeling headaches and chest tightness. I won’t talk with you anymore. I need to go out for some fresh air!”
After saying these few words, Shao Shi deliberately pretended to feel unwell and got up to leave, actually intending to go out and find someone to discuss drowning Su Ying in a pond.
Many people had gathered outside the Su family’s new house, all curious about how the Su family would handle this matter.
Shao Shi’s last words before going out were spoken very loudly, and those outside heard them clearly.
These people didn’t blame Shao Shi, but instead felt that the Su family was truly unfortunate to have encountered an evil star like Su Ying.
Although some people had previously begun to reconsider their views about the three Su siblings being evil stars, after this incident, the villagers silently reaffirmed this belief.
Seeing Shao Shi come out, some couldn’t help but advise her on the He family’s behalf, “Ah, nobody in the village wanted to see this happen, but what’s done is done. Changchun is a Successful candidate in the imperial exam at the provincial level. Auntie, you wouldn’t really make Changchun marry Su Ying, would you?”
“Exactly! Changchun is our village’s hope! Auntie, why not just let the He family take Su Ying as a concubine? Blame that girl for being improper!”
As everyone came forward to persuade her, Shao Shi wordlessly waved her hand and walked away without letting anyone follow. She appeared genuinely upset, leaving everyone sighing helplessly before turning to curse Su Ying even more harshly.
With Shao Shi gone, the authority to speak for the Su family fell to Mrs. He.
There was no other way. Although Su Youwei was the family head, he didn’t manage affairs at all, being practically invisible at home.
After exchanging superficial pleasantries with Mrs. Ge, Mrs. He got straight to the point: “How about this—let’s go ask Su Ying together and see what she thinks. If she finds becoming a concubine acceptable, we won’t have anything more to say!”
Mrs. Ge immediately agreed. That girl was pregnant and would certainly be eager to marry into their family. The larger her belly grew, the more people would talk, and she would eventually yield to pressure and agree to become a concubine.
With this decided, Mrs. He and Su Changdong brought Mrs. Ge over. The onlookers outside, seeing they were going to question Su Ying for clarification, considered this a significant development and followed to see what would happen.
In the west wing of the Su family’s new house, Su Miao woke up groggily. Hearing the commotion outside and learning that Su Ying was in trouble, she excitedly wanted to run out and see the spectacle. But when she finished getting ready and unconsciously scratched her face, she discovered numerous red bumps. Looking in the mirror, she was so frightened she began screaming uncontrollably.
However, this cry seemed particularly insignificant compared to the urgent matter of preparing to confront Su Ying at the old Su family compound, and no one paid it any mind.
Soon enough, the crowd arrived noisily at the entrance of the old Su family compound. No one entered, as they all considered it unlucky, choosing instead to gather outside and clamor for Su Ying to come out.
The commotion alerted the Village head and He Changchun, who hurried over to resolve the situation.
The Village head tried to calm everyone, urging them to quiet down and not frighten the children. He Changchun also pleaded with the crowd not to escalate the matter. He already felt he had wronged Su Ying, and this only deepened his sense of guilt.
The crowd showed admiration for He Changchun’s display of loyalty and righteousness.
“Look, this is the great talent from our Xiaohe Village. See his magnanimity and broad-mindedness? Even though it’s the woman who lacks virtue, he takes all the responsibility upon himself.”
“With such a talented scholar, why worry about him not being valued in the future? If we can’t stop the He family from making Changchun marry Su Ying today, it means we villagers have failed!”
The noise outside drew Su Juan out. Frowning, she addressed the crowd, “Uncles, aunts, grandparents, what brings you here today? Please forgive our poor hospitality. My second sister isn’t feeling well today, and I need to look after her. If there’s anything, could we discuss it another day?”
“Bah! Not feeling well! Did she think about feeling unwell today when she climbed into the Successful candidate in the imperial exam at the provincial level’s bed? You’ve completely shamed our Xiaohe Village! What airs are you putting on here? Do you really think following a Successful candidate in the imperial exam at the provincial level means you’ll live in comfort and happiness?”
“Exactly! Shameless! Disgusting! Be sensible and get your second sister out here quickly! We still have questions for her!”
“Hurry up! It’s all your fault as the eldest sister for not teaching her properly, letting your second sister do such disgraceful things. Tell us, did you put her up to this?”
“…”
The crowd’s chaotic accusations nearly brought Su Juan to tears. He Changchun anxiously stepped forward, “Everyone, please show some mercy. Don’t slander the young ladies like this. It’s my fault—if you must blame someone, blame me!”
Filled with remorse and guilt, He Changchun wore an expression of deep regret, performing the role of a profoundly devoted, perfect man to perfection.
Su Juan truly couldn’t help but want to spit at this man. To think he was considered a Successful candidate in the imperial exam at the provincial level scholar—with such cunning intentions, if he ever became an official, he would surely be a great scourge to the people!
“You’ve misunderstood. My second sister… she doesn’t… she isn’t pregnant. Please stop saying these things, really, I beg you to stop…”
Su Juan was also putting on an act, but her performance appeared clumsy and awkward to everyone. Almost anyone could see she was covering for Su Ying.
“That’s right, that’s right. Second sister definitely isn’t pregnant. It must be a misunderstanding. I think everyone should just disperse. I… I really didn’t do anything to her…”
Hearing Su Juan’s words, He Changchun seized the moment to put on another act, even pretending to accidentally drop a delicate pink Sachet.
Not to mention that no one believed his acting, the mere fact that this delicate pink Sachet fell from his person convinced everyone that Su Ying and He Changchun were involved.
The crowd felt frustrated at his misguided loyalty. “He Juren, are you really going to ruin your future for this shameless woman? What’s more important—your future or a woman?”
“That’s right, you need to weigh this carefully. If you like Su Ying, I think it would be better to take her as a concubine. This way, you can fulfill the agreement made back then between the Su family’s eldest and your family, without affecting your official career!”
“Exactly, exactly! He Juren, say something quickly. Don’t do anything foolish!”
Everyone was anxiously trying to reason with He Changchun.
“But… but… that would truly be treating her unfairly. Her uncle was good to me back then. Wouldn’t taking her as a concubine make me ungrateful?”
He Changchun hesitated, seeming unable to make up his mind.
“He Juren, if you take her as a concubine, just treat her well afterward. How can that be called ungrateful?”
“Exactly! Being able to follow you without worrying about food and clothing is already a blessing for the rest of her life. This is something many people envy but can’t obtain. How can you say it’s treating her unfairly?”
He Changchun was secretly pleased inside, but still appeared troubled on the surface. “No, I must hear what Sister Su Ying has to say!”