Chapter 044
Author: Feast of Masks
Raws: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3185016
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
“Wang Zhao’er you ungrateful brat, you beastly white-eyed wolf! This family has raised you for so many years-!”
Zhao’er stepped out of the main house, leaving Old Zhao screaming and cursing after her.
That night, the moon was bright and the air was cool, but Zhao’er felt exhausted to her bones.
Usually, she had better control over her temper, but for some reason, the words she had kept hidden inside her all spilt out today. Maybe it was because there had been too many upheavals within the family these days and they had worn away what patience she had. Or, maybe she was just too tired lately.
Soon enough, Zhao’er knew why.
After she returned to her room and undressed to lie down, she discovered that her irregular menstruation had paid a visit. With the blood came the unbearable cramps in her stomach. No wonder she was so irritable and angry today.
Zhao’er rummaged through her cabinet for her menstrual belt and put it on, throwing her soiled clothes at the foot of the kang. After changing into clean clothes, she lay down on the kang bed. A dull pain throbbed in her belly and she tossed and turned on the kang before finally curling up into a foetal position on the bed.
The bed that should have been warm and toasty felt cold.
With her hands and feet stiff with cold, she lay there quietly, thinking. Old Zhao must have verbally attacked her just to cause trouble. Now that Zhao’er had openly quarrelled with the old woman, it was likely that they would send someone to bring her little man back from school tomorrow to cry and complain at him. They were just borrowing the situation to make things difficult for her.
Who would her little man stand with? No matter what, that Old Zhao was still his grandmother by blood. If she made a scene, her little man’s reputation would be tarnished. No scholar could bear the reputation of being unfilial. Therefore, even if he did side with her, he might pretend scold her to keep the peace, or maybe even turn against her completely for his real family.
Zhao’er had already thought through the situation, which was why she ended up shouting at those people.
After all, women of the family were ignorant creatures, right? Just like the women from the eldest, third and fourth-branch families. Whenever there was a need to say something inappropriate, it was the women’s job to speak it out loud. That way, no matter the consequences, the men didn’t have to worry about losing face. They could just blame the women for being ignorant.
With those thoughts swirling in her mind, Zhao’er fell asleep, the cold following her into her dreams.
Zhao’er might have thought that she had the family figured out, but she had still underestimated Old Zhao’s ability to cause trouble. After Zhao’er left, she started making a fuss in the main room, screaming at Xue Qingbai to hurry to town and knock on Qingyuan Academy’s door.
[1] “Tell those people that his grandmother is seriously ill! Surely they can’t bar a grandson from visiting his ill grandmother?!”
Xue Qingbai did just that. [1]
[1] He borrowed the mule cart and drove to town and asked for Xue Tingxiang with the ‘sick grandmother’ excuse and actually managed to fetch him.
[1] As they trundled back on the mule cart, Xue Qingbai roughly explained the situation to him. Ending it with, “Don’t blame your grandmother too much. She was just too worried about your little aunt. As for Zhao’er, no matter what the situation was, she should have discussed the matter calmly and not used that kind of language with your grandmother. Because of that, your grandmother’s old illness was triggered.”
Old Zhao had some chronic pain in her chest, which would flare up now and then at the most convenient times. She had already seen a physician but nothing much could be found.
Within the entire Xue Family, Xue Qingbai was probably the only one who sincerely believed in Old Zhao’s ‘illness’. Not to mention, Xue Tingxiang also knew that Old Zhao’s ‘chest pains’ were her trump card to control her sons. A card that she never used casually.
No wonder Third Uncle was the one to fetch him in the middle of the night and not Fourth Uncle. Fourth Uncle probably saw through his grandmother, so only Third Uncle fell for her tricks.
“As for your little aunt, she’s also another troublemaker. I heard from your grandfather that she is with child now and had no choice but to rush the marriage. That Zhao family took advantage of the situation to not give a betrothal gift. Your grandmother just wants to help your little aunt save face and prevent a loss of face for the family.”
It was odd to hear Xue Qingbai talk so much. Perhaps it was due to the late-night travelling, with nothing to see and only a single lantern casting an orange glow lighting their path.
The lamp was something that Zhao’er had bought, and it had cost quite a lot of money.
It did not take long for them to arrive at Yuqing Village. Even before they entered the village, a cacophony of barking could be heard.
It was with this chorus of barking that they reached the entrance of the Xue family residence. Xue Qingbai drove the cart into the courtyard and, as soon as he stopped, Xue Tingxiang hopped off the cart.
Seeing him hurrying towards the second branch room, Xue Qingbai said, “Tingxiang, don’t scold Zhao’er.”
Xue Tingxiang ignored him and went into the house.
The room was pitch black, and the only thing that caught his eye was the blanket-covered lump on the kang bed by the window. It was only after he had entered the room that Xue Tingxiang realised that Zhao’er had forgotten to bolt the door, something that she would usually never have forgotten to do.
A little worried, he walked towards the kang bed and touched Zhao’er’s forehead. It felt cold to his hand.
“Zhao’er, Zhao’er…”
Zhao’er blinked her eyes open and asked, “Why are you here now?”
Xue Tingxiang did not say anything. At the door, voices were calling his name. They probably could not wait any longer. He patted Zhao’er gently one more time and let her fall back to sleep before leaving.
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At the main house, Old Man Xue, Old Zhao and Xue Cui’e were still waiting. The rest had returned to their rooms.
When [1] Xue Tingxiang merely stood in the room, saying nothing, Xue Cui’e made her complaints first.
“Gouzi, do you know what that Zhao’er did? She made Mother faint with anger!”
Xue Tingxiang looked at her face. That face felt oddly familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time.
Unfamiliar, because it had been a long time since he had last seen her face; familiar, because he knew that look on her face. This little aunt of his was the best at turning crises into opportunities and playing the victim. She had cried victim now, and if not for the better relationship between himself and Zhao’er, the situation now may have turned out the same way it did in his dreams. At that time, his preconceived notions took over and for the sake of protecting his and Zhao’er’s reputation, he had given in to these people’s wishes.
Back then, even though he knew that Zhao’er was innocent, he had scolded her for the sake of appearance, eventually losing what hard-earned reconciliation between them, causing more strain on their relationship. [1] It was only after Xue Qingbai had appeared at the Academy that he recalled this incident. It was on the long, quiet trip to the village that he realised just how wrong he had been back then.
Still, in that dream, he did not recall any mention of a premarital pregnancy. The only thing he knew about his little aunt’s situation was that she did not do too well in her marriage. Actually, if he were to think about it, what kind of life could a woman have by marrying into a family where the mother-in-law already disliked the daughter-in-law? Come to think of it, that woman never did like Xue Cui’e.
While Xue Tingxiang remained silent, thinking sarcastic thoughts in the privacy of his mind, he did not hear any of the drama played out by Xue Cui’e and Old Zhao.
“Little Aunt,” he finally said, causing the people on the kang to pause in their dramatic enactment. “I know you are anxious, but it is not good to act impatiently.”
Then, ignoring the two indignant women, he turned to Old Man Xue, saying, “Grandfather, Grandmother is worried that Little Aunt will lose face, so she wants to send her off in a grand manner. However, have you ever considered that after that incident, no amount of glitter will make it grand?”
Under the dim yellow light, the youth looked pure and innocent.
In fact, Xue Tingxiang’s youth and looks were very deceptive. He looked fair and gentle, awash with youthful innocence, to the point that people could not bear to reprimand him. Therefore, although his words were a little harsh, instead of shouting at him outright, there was a complicated look on the faces of the people perched on the kang bed, as though they were trying hard to think about the meaning behind his profound words.
“As you already know, it was Little Aunt who behaved immodestly by getting involved with a man before marriage. In the countryside, if a girl from a decent family did something like this, she would be stuffed inside a pig cage, the whole family shamed and be looked down on for the rest of their lives. If there were other girls in the family, they could forget about getting married in the future. This is a disaster that brings down an entire family. The fact that everyone knows this and that the Zhao family still allowed this to happen means that they do not care about family ties and look down on us.”
As he spoke, Old Zhao’s heart throbbed in her chest and Xue Cui’e nearly exploded several times, but she somehow still managed to endure it. Old Man Xue’s face grew darker and darker.
Because this was not something they could reveal to the public, the Xue family dared not speak about it and tried to keep her condition a secret. It was because of this incident that Old Man Xue decided to risk causing tension with his two sons. He knew that forcing his two younger sons to pay for the dowry was too much, but he had no choice. He had to consider the reputation of the entire family. If this matter were to come to light, the entire Xue family would lose face.
Therefore, even though he knew it would cause trouble, he allowed his wife to make a fuss. It was wrong, but what could he do? The eldest had no money and the matter could not be dragged out any longer. He hated that he could not quickly resolve the situation and sweep everything away immediately.
In short, everyone in the family would have to sacrifice their own interest for the greater good.
What had only been speculated and implied had now been dragged out by Xue Tingxiang into open discussion. The way he spoke was so sensible and logical that Old Man Xue was once again shocked and angered by his wife and this silly daughter of his.
“But, Grandfather, have you ever considered that this shame doesn’t only affect our family, but the Zhao family as well? If I remember correctly, Zhao Jinrui is also studying. As a scholar, he of all people should understand etiquette and morals, but to think that he would engage in an inappropriate relationship with a cousin living in the same house. Not only did he get her with child, but to think that he would dare to use this matter to blackmail the girl. How is this different from common ruffians who visit brothels and refuse to pay?”
Xue Tingxiang gave everyone a shy little smile and continued, “Perhaps this grandson is speaking out of turn, but this is the truth. Therefore, Grandfather, Grandmother, although our family is anxious for our reputation, they should be even more anxious. Do not forget, while we fear for our family’s reputation once this matter comes to light, they would also be tarred with the same brush and their son’s future will be ruined. Not to mention, Little Aunt still holds their greatest weakness in her hands.”
“What weakness?” Xue Cui’e had completely forgotten about her anger towards Xue Tingxiang comparing her to a prostitute.
“The child in Little Aunt’s belly, ah,” Xue Tingxiang smirked. “If they have the guts, the Zhao family can forget about their grandchild!”
Old Man Xue fell silent, apparently weighing the pros and cons of Xue Tingxiang’s words.
Xue Tingxiang added, “Grandfather, Grandmother, you should think of Little Aunt’s situation. If our family lowers our heads to them, what kind of life would she have from now on? Little Aunt will never be able to raise her head for the rest of her life in the Zhao family.”
“They dare!!” Old Zhao forgot to act weak as she shrieked.
“Grandmother, they did many daring things already. If they care at all about Grandmother’s face at all, would the Zhao family even suggest such a disadvantageous thing?”
Old Zhao fell silent, her old face twitching as though she could not believe that her maternal family would actually mistreat her like this. Xue Tingxiang was right, if the Zhao family truly valued their relationship with the Xue family, they would never have made that ridiculous suggestion.
“Therefore, there is no need for Little Aunt to worry. All you have to do is sit quietly at home and wait for the Zhao family to come begging at the door. It will not take long. Once that day comes, we can dictate the terms and have the Zhao family welcome you with dignity. There is no need for you to chase after them so desperately.”
The room fell silent, with all three on the kang contemplating the situation.
After a while, Old Man Xue slapped his thigh and said, “Gou’er is right. Let us do as he says.” Then, he glanced at Xue Tingxiang and added, “People who have gone to town school are clearly different. You have gained a lot of wisdom. Even so, you should speak with more care in the future.”
Xue Tingxiang gave him a shy smile, to which, Old Man Xue waved his hand and said, “Go back to your room and rest. It is late.”
As for the matter of Old Zhao kicking up a fuss and turning the entire house upside down to bring Xue Tingxiang back, it was not mentioned at all.
It wasn’t until he left the main house entrance that Xue Tingxiang dropped the ‘pure and shy’ look off his face.
As the saying goes, the lotus seed has a bitter heart and the pear has a sour belly; today’s evil will be paid with tomorrow’s consequences. You will reap what you sow.
When he returned to his room, Xue Tingxiang found that Zhao’er was still asleep. This was unusual. [1] It was not like Zhao’er to fall asleep when something exciting was happening within the family, not when her ‘little man’ was involved.
Remembering how cold she had felt to the touch, Xue Tingxiang touched her forehead again.
No fever.
He woke Zhao’er up and asked, “Are you feeling sick anywhere?”
Zhao’er did not answer, merely burrowing herself into her blanket. When he pressed her again, she said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m not sick.”
Seeing her this way felt too familiar to him. When he tried to touch her forehead again and she pushed his hand away, he suddenly remembered something. Xue Tingxiang went to their cupboard and took something hidden in its usual place. Then, he went to the kitchen with it.
About a quarter of an hour later, he returned with a bowl of reddish-brown sugar water.
“Get up and drink some of this.”
Zhao’er did not know it was sugar water until she had taken a gulp of the water.
“Where did you get the brown sugar from?” asked Zhao’er after drinking down the bowl of sugar water. Her previously cold body had warmed up a little.
“Don’t you usually drink sugar water around this time? I got the sugar from the place you keep it.”
“How do you know I always drink sugar water around this time, and even know where I keep the sugar?”
What kind of nonsense was this? He knew because he saw it with his own eyes. Otherwise, how would he know?
[2] Suddenly, Zhao’er blushed, her eyes darting away from Xue Tingxiang.
She started having her monthly cycle at 10 years old. Back then, she did not understand what was happening and thought she was dying of incurable disease. At that time, Qiu’shi was still around. Qiu’shi was the one who comforted her and explained what was happening to her body. She was also the one who helped her make this menstrual belt.
Qiu’shi told her that the monthly cycle was dirty business and men must never know about it. This was Zhao’er’s understanding of the difference between men and women. That, and how a girl’s body should never be seen or touched by men.
Now that her little man knew about her menstrual cycle, with the implication that he had known all along, it was no wonder that Zhao’er felt embarrassed. She continued to lie on the quilt pretending that this was nothing much, but the red ears revealed her inner thoughts.
“Get some rest, it’s late.”
Xue Tingxiang collected the bowl and went to the kitchen. He used the remaining hot water on the stove to clean himself up before returning to the room to rest.
The room was quiet, aside from the sound of Zhao’er tossing and turning.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, you go to sleep.”
Xue Tingxiang reached out to touch her hand. It felt cold and clammy.
“Are you cold?”
“I’m not cold, you go to sleep. You have to go back to the Academy tomorrow.”
When Xue Tingxiang said nothing, she thought she had managed to put him off. Unexpectedly, her quilt was suddenly lifted and someone slithered in.
“You’re cold. You’ve always kept me warm before, so, I’ll keep you warm today.”
Zhao’er barely resisted when someone hugged her from the back. It was a very unfamiliar sensation and it made her want to struggle away. However, the person behind her entwined their hands with hers and even tangled their legs together.
“Don’t move.”
“I’m not cold, I don’t need you to keep me warm.”
“Think of it as keeping me warm. Go to sleep, it will be warm soon.
[Gumihou: Hmm, on one hand, married, on the other… mental age difference…]
[1] Adjusted detail
[2] Show don’t tell
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