Free Web NovelChapter 41: Chapter 20: Liu Ye
In the afternoon, brilliant golden sunlight bathed the earth. In Willow Alley, a massive willow tree stood tall, its leaves splitting the light into shimmering, gold-like fragments that danced in the gentle breeze.
Uncle Fu Quan sat on the threshold, weaving a bamboo basket. A little farther inside, Sister-in-law Cai Gen was stitching a shoe sole. She had sent Er Dan off for a nap, telling him to "lie down and rest to save your strength."
"Song Dashan was executed at Noon. Sister Cai Hua went to collect the body. It was just rolled up in a straw mat and taken outside the city to be buried... Of all the families in Willow Alley, hardly any of us went to see him off..."
"A neighbor for so many years... gone just like that. Who would’ve thought? And that Brother Rui of the Fang Family is truly heartless. I bet he was the one pulling strings to get Song Dashan sentenced to beheading..."
Sister-in-law Cai Gen rambled on, "But Brother Rui of the Fang Family really has made something of himself. An Entry Grade Martial Artist! He’s way out of our league now!"
Uncle Fu Quan, who had been listening in silence, suddenly spoke. "Then why did you have to offend him last night?"
SLAP! SLAP!
Sister-in-law Cai Gen slapped her own cheeks, her face full of remorse. "Dear, now that you mention it, I feel so awful! I spoke too quickly last night and just chimed in... But it’s true, I was jealous that the Fang Family was doing so well..."
"Sigh. If I had known Brother Rui was an Entry Grade Martial Artist, I wouldn’t have dared to say a thing!"
"Honestly, you..." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Uncle Fu Quan shook his head. "The Fang Family lent us grain. That’s a kindness we must remember. Last night, regardless of whether the Fang Family was right or wrong, you shouldn’t have taken Song Dashan’s side..."
To be honest, such behavior was bordering on repaying kindness with ingratitude.
"That’s why I regret it. Still, the Fang Family won’t hold a grudge, right? So many people said something!"
The more Sister-in-law Cai Gen spoke, the more confident she sounded. She muttered, "Even among families like ours, who borrowed grain from the Fang Family and still sided with Song Dashan, there were two or three others... Brother Rui of the Fang Family won’t come after us. He won’t..."
Just as she spoke, Fang Rui’s voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Uncle Fu Quan! Sister-in-law Cai Gen!" freewebnøvel.coɱ
He hadn’t addressed them incorrectly.
The two families weren’t actually related. The "Uncle" in Uncle Fu Quan simply signified that he was of the same generation as Fang Rui’s father. As for the "Sister-in-law" in Sister-in-law Cai Gen, in this era, any married woman who wasn’t too old could be addressed as "Sister-in-law." It was a common and somewhat flattering term, making the person seem younger, so everyone called her that.
As for Auntie Cai Hua from Song Dashan’s house?
That was because Auntie Cai Hua was a good ten years older than Sister-in-law Cai Gen; that’s why she was addressed as "Auntie."
"Oh, uh, Brother Rui! You’re here! Sit, sit, I’ll get you some water." Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s expression stiffened for a second before she squeezed out a smile.
Her guilt was plain to see. ’Just a moment ago, I was swearing that Fang Rui wouldn’t come, and then he shows up right after I say it! He must be here to settle the score for last night!’
In a way, that was indeed why Fang Rui had come.
As for the other neighbors, they were merely nodding acquaintances. He didn’t care if they tried to guilt-trip him a little last night; he wasn’t so petty as to seek revenge for every single offense.
But the two or three families who had borrowed grain were different.
Fang Rui would not allow his family to be a victim of someone "biting the hand that feeds them."
"Sister-in-law Cai Gen, times are tough for my family, too. Is it possible to return the two catties of wheat bran you borrowed the day before yesterday?" Fang Rui didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.
Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s face was flushed with embarrassment, but she still said, "Well... Brother Rui... could you give us a few more days?"
’The Fang Family was having a hard time? She didn’t believe that for a second. Everyone in Willow Alley knew they were one of the most well-off families around.’
In truth, the Fang Family was not short on grain at all.
Fang Rui was saying this to settle accounts for last night, when Sister-in-law Cai Gen had sided with Song Dashan and tried to guilt-trip his family. Claiming that "times are tough" was merely an excuse, a way to allow her to save a final shred of face.
Sister-in-law Cai Gen understood this, of course, but they had already eaten some of the borrowed wheat bran. She couldn’t scrape together the full two catties... Even if she could substitute something else, it would be a huge blow. And then what? ’How would we survive the coming days? Is the whole family supposed to starve?’
’So she’s decided to be completely shameless!’
Fang Rui’s expression turned cold.
’Yes, she might be in a tough spot, but what does that have to do with me?’
’Today, Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s family is returning the grain the Fang Family lent them. They will give it back, whether they want to or not.’
’Since she’s throwing away her dignity, there’s no need for me to help her save it. Time to drop the pleasantries!’
A glint flashed in Fang Rui’s eyes, and he was just about to speak.
"Brother Rui,"
Just then, Uncle Fu Quan spoke up. "About last night... my family was in the wrong. Wife, we still have over a catty of the wheat bran left, don’t we? Bring it here... And bring the two large coins I earned selling baskets these past two days."
"Dear..." Sister-in-law Cai Gen began to protest, but trailed off.
"Go!"
Uncle Fu Quan’s tone grew sharp, leaving no room for argument.
He was the head of the household, after all. Though it pained her dearly and she was full of reluctance, Sister-in-law Cai Gen still went and brought back the remaining wheat bran and the two large coins.
There was still over a catty of the wheat bran left; they had used less than two or three taels. To compensate for such a small amount with two large coins was, under normal circumstances, far more than necessary.
But with the price of grain skyrocketing and changing daily, plus the desire to make amends for their mistake, the offer was actually within reason.
’This Uncle Fu Quan is a reasonable man, after all.’
Fang Rui accepted it all without hesitation, feeling no awkwardness whatsoever.
’Say thank you?’
’Hardly. He was just taking back what belonged to his family.’
"Alright, Uncle Fu Quan, Sister-in-law Cai Gen, I’ll let you get back to it. I’m leaving now."
Fang Rui said nothing more. He simply took the items, rose to his feet, and left.
The two families were never on the same path to begin with. From this day forward, it was best for everyone that they go their separate ways.
