Chapter 352 Que Geer

Chapter 352: Que Geer

Meng Wan brought Songshan and Songqiao this time. He had mostly finished the drawings and handed them over to Huang Ye, letting Songshan and Songqiao learn as much as they could from him. This also kept those men from looking down on Huang Ye.

The more capable people he had around him, the less Meng Wan had to handle everything himself. He also had time to spend a few days alone together with Song Tingzhou, either strolling around the village or helping Chang Jinhua sun-dry mountain goods and mushrooms.

"Why has Song Zhi's paternal aunt been so quiet these past few days?" Meng Wan sat on a small wooden stool sorting through the mountain almonds Song Tingzhou had cracked. These could be used as medicine, or soaked to remove bitterness and pickled with water celery and peanuts as a side dish.

Song Tingzhou rolled up his sleeves, revealing his solid, powerful forearms as he gripped a stone and cracked the almonds one by one with great patience. "Maybe someone managed to persuade her."

That day, the Song ancestral hall had gathered the clan members, with at least two people from each family attending. Song Zhi's aunt's family had gone too—her husband, son, and daughter-in-law.

"Someone like her could be persuaded?" Chang Jinhua thoroughly rinsed the tender green water celery and sneered at the remark.

"What are you all talking about?" Sixth Aunt Song dropped by carrying a heavy bucket of water. Chi Yu vaulted down from the wall to take it from her. "Sixth Aunt, let me carry that for you."

Sixth Aunt Song never expected him to come down from the wall and jumped in surprise, patting her own chest. "Child, how on earth did you get down from the wall?"

When the house was built, the courtyard walls had been built higher than usual. An ordinary clumsy person couldn't climb over.

Chi Yu let out a couple of heh-heh laughs and set the bucket by the well.

Chang Jinhua fetched Sixth Aunt Song a stool. "What did you bring me this time? We have everything we need at home—you should keep it for yourself."

Sixth Aunt Song plopped herself down and rubbed the red welts on her hands. "What good stuff could I possibly have to give you? Dali's father caught two baskets of river shrimp with his net this morning—I brought you a bucket of them, plus two carp. Stew them for the children."

Chang Jinhua scolded her affectionately, "Ever since I came back, you've been bringing over vegetables and fish every day. You're moving your whole household to my house, aren't you?"

Sixth Aunt Song felt sheepish at her words. Her family's good fortune these days was all thanks to Chang Jinhua and Meng Wan. What she gave was just a few coppers' worth of their own stuff.

She steered the conversation elsewhere. "What were you and Wan Geer chatting about just now?"

Chang Jinhua spread the washed water celery on a bamboo tray to dry. "Who else? Song Zhi's aunt. These past two days she's been oddly subdued—hasn't been hanging around our door, scaring Yu Geer so much he doesn't even dare leave the house."

In the past few days, quite a few people had seen Song Zhi's aunt pestering Chang Jinhua, and a quick inquiry revealed what was up. But having lived in the same village for years, everyone knew Song Zhi's aunt's character and what the Song family's circumstances were, so no gossip about Yu Geer had gotten around—mostly people just laughed at Song Zhi's aunt for being delusional.

Sixth Aunt Song lent her a hand. "Oh, her? Her whole family went to Yang Family Village. Her boy married over there, didn't he? They must have gone to their youngest son's place."

Meng Wan had a neat layer of almonds sorted in his small basket. He lifted his face and asked, "To his in-laws' house? The whole family went?"

He wore a thin robe in a light color, with a fine sheen of sweat on the tip of his nose. Song Tingzhou washed his hands after cracking the almonds and came back, casually bringing a glass of iced sour plum drink for him to sip. Then he looked down at Meng Wan's flawless fair skin. Meng Wan's upturned eyes were bright as if soaked in water, and his lips stained red from the cold drink looked especially obedient and endearing.

Song Tingzhou casually curled his index finger to wipe the sweat from Meng Wan's nose. In broad daylight, he couldn't be too intimate. He tilted his head back and drank the remaining half bowl of sour plum drink, then sat down close beside Meng Wan to help him sort through the almond shells in the small basket.

There was nothing overtly improper about his actions, yet there was an aura that shut out everyone else, making Sixth Aunt Song too embarrassed to look their way. She just talked to Chang Jinhua. "That's what I said. It's not like something happened to her youngest son, is it?"

Seeing that Chang Jinhua was free, the servants set up a small square table in front of her. Wei Ying and Yunque brought out cold tea, sour plum drink, and two plates of fruit to entertain Sixth Aunt Song.

Chang Jinhua placed grapes in front of Sixth Aunt Song. "Did she have a baby?"

The grapes on the mountain were all wild ones. These were ones Chang Jinhua had bought from town for Meng Wan—large and purple-red, looking perfectly ripe. Though Sixth Aunt Song's family was now well-off, they still saved the good things for the children. She and Sixth Uncle Song were used to hardship—even buying half a catty of pastries, they'd only allow themselves half a piece. She picked up a grape and chewed it slowly. "A Xiaoge getting pregnant isn't that easy. Her son only married over there a year ago—how could they have a child so quickly?"

"True. Then what could have happened?" Chang Jinhua wasn't someone who liked gossiping before. As a widow, she'd always feared stirring up trouble. But later, Meng Wan liked telling her about outside matters, and she'd grown used to hearing such things. Now she even took the initiative to ask Sixth Aunt Song.

Sixth Aunt Song and Sixth Uncle Song hadn't let their land go to waste. They came back throughout the year, and Yang Family Village wasn't far from Spring Fountain Village, so she'd heard a few things. She glanced toward the courtyard next to Song Tingzhou's house. "Sister-in-law, do you remember Zhu Geer from the Tian family who ran away? Everyone in the village knows how he escaped. The men of the Tian family only bully those weaker than themselves. If Zhu Geer hadn't run, Tian Xing would have killed him even if his in-laws wouldn't have. The match Song Zhi's aunt found for Que Geer—I heard it's the same kind of man."

Chang Jinhua felt disgusted at the mention of the Tian family. They'd done too many bad things and reaped what they sowed. Otherwise, why would Li Changxiang, who was around her age, have died so young?

She still remembered a few of the village's Xiaoge and young women. After Sixth Aunt Song finished speaking, she thought for a moment. "I remember Que Geer being honest and simple. Why find him such a fierce husband?"

Sixth Aunt Song had eaten most of the grapes on the plate. Seeing she liked them, Wei Ying washed another bunch and brought it over. Sixth Aunt Song smiled sheepishly—every time she saw such a courtyard full of servants, she felt awkward. Only after Wei Ying left did she speak. "After all, he's a Xiaoge. It's hard to find a truly outstanding family. That family in Yang Family Village has a decent amount of wealth."

Chang Jinhua disagreed. "Better to be poor and find someone who truly cares for you. Life can still go on. Yang Family Village might be richer, but that's no reason to marry a child into such a family."

Meng Wan chimed in, "Maybe she didn't know before the marriage?"

"Wan Geer makes a good point—you never know if someone's a person or a ghost until after you marry them," Sixth Aunt Song said. "Que Geer married over last year, and in one year he's run back to his parents' home three times. At first, Song Zhi's aunt would bring people to fetch him, but the last two times she didn't bother."

A married girl or Xiaoge belonged to their husband's family. Going back once or twice was tolerable, but too often invited ridicule.

As they were chatting in the courtyard, there came a hurried sound of footsteps at the gate, with someone chasing behind. He first looked toward Sixth Uncle Song's house at the village entrance—the first one—saw the door was closed, and ran forward, meeting Meng Wan's eyes where he sat under the doorway.

It was a Xiaoge in hemp clothing, his attire still relatively neat, but his hair, wrapped in a cloth bundle, had come loose halfway. One side of his face was swollen badly, and a deep gash on his forehead was still bleeding steadily. Sweat and blood mingled, staining half his face, neck, and shoulders with grime.

He froze when he saw Meng Wan, then stepped forward as if to ask for help, but suddenly noticed there was a man beside Meng Wan. The man's aura was too sharp and intimidating, and he instinctively stepped back.

By now, the Xiaoge's body was at its limit. The moment he stopped, all his spirit drained away, and after just one step back, he was already swaying unsteadily.

"Whose family are you from?" Meng Wan asked.

Seven or eight people had already chased to the village entrance. The Xiaoge clutched his forehead, his voice strained and panicked. "I'm Que Geer from Song Dagen's family. Please... please let me in... If I go back to Yang Family Village, I'll die."

"Que Geer?" Chang Jinhua hadn't expected that the moment they mentioned him, he'd actually appear at her doorstep.

Sixth Aunt Song stepped forward. "Oh my, it really is Que Geer. Child, why have you run back again? Who beat you like this? Where are your parents and brothers?"

She helped support him while firing off questions. Chang Jinhua quickly said, "Stop asking—look at him, he's about to collapse. Sixth Aunt, help him inside to rest."

Just as Sixth Aunt Song helped Que Geer sit down in the courtyard, the people chasing him arrived at the gate.

"Did a Xiaoge just run into your house?"

Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou stood guard like door gods. Meng Wan set his bamboo basket aside and said casually, "Didn't see anyone."

The man who asked was taken aback, clearly not expecting Meng Wan to lie so blatantly. "We all saw it just now—Que Geer went into your house."

These people all looked unfamiliar, likely from Yang Family Village. Meng Wan said nonchalantly, "If you saw it, why ask? So what if he's in our house?"

His attitude was genuinely arrogant. This group had come with anger burning in them, and at his words, they rolled up their sleeves and prepared to barge in by force. The man closest to Meng Wan was kicked out by Song Tingzhou, and the rest were all beaten up by Chi Yu.

The man who'd first spoken to Meng Wan was even angrier after getting hit. He stood at the gate, not daring to come forward, and shouted into the courtyard, "Que Geer, if you come back with me now, we can still talk. Keep hiding in there, and once you're home, I'll make sure you get what's coming to you!"

This man was presumably Que Geer's husband. He wasn't fierce-looking—in fact, his features were rather handsome—but his face twisted into a vicious expression when making threats, clearly not a kind person.

The men following behind him were his cousins. After being beaten by Chi Yu, they winced in pain and shouted toward the courtyard, "Your parents won't take you in, and your brother and sister-in-law won't let you go back to your parents' home. Even if you hide at someone else's house, how many days can you stay? Better come home now and save Yang Chun from getting angry."

Que Geer had been sitting dazed in the courtyard. Hearing their words, grief welled up in him. He forced his eyes open to look toward the gate, his eyes red-rimmed, yet not a single tear fell.

"Auntie, please don't let them come in and take me away. If I go back to Yang Chun's house, I won't survive. I won't stay long in your home—once they leave, I'll go." He pleaded weakly with Chang Jinhua.

Chang Jinhua quickly called for Wei Ying to boil water to clean Que Geer's wounds, and reassured him, "Don't worry, Auntie won't let them in. We're from the same village—what talk of leaving? Go lie down inside for a while, and I'll send someone to town to fetch a doctor to look at you."

Que Geer had only been holding on by sheer will. Hearing Chang Jinhua say she wouldn't hand him over to Yang Chun, his eyes closed, his head lolled to the side, and he nearly fell off the chair.

Chi Yu carried him inside. Chang Jinhua frowned at her son. "Da Lang."

Song Tingzhou stepped forward. "Get lost."

He was tall, with lean, powerful legs and waist, and an aura of overwhelming pressure. Standing there at the gate, he was more effective than any amount of shouting and cursing.

Yang Chun wanted to keep up his tough talk but was dragged away by his brothers. After all, this was Sanquan Village, a place with quite a reputation these days—the Song clan had officials among them, and every one of them carried themselves with confidence. Pushing things further wouldn't do them any good.

Anyway, Que Geer had married into the Yang family, so he was a Yang now. He couldn't just run off—maybe he'd come back on his own in a day or two.

Song Shan went to town to get a physician, and Chang Jinhua said to Meng Wan, "It's one thing if Que Geer was from any other family, but he's Song Dageng's boy. We've got plenty of room and food for him here, but the Yangs have a point—if Song Dageng won't take him back, him staying with us forever isn't a solution either. Wan Geer, what do you think we should do?"

Meng Wan gazed at the unconscious figure on the bed. Que Geer bore many wounds, old and new. Besides the injuries on his face, the bruising around his neck was starkly visible once he lay down, and it held Meng Wan's attention for a long moment.

Finally, he replied to Chang Jinhua, "Mother, don't worry about it. My husband just established a clan rule to protect the family's womenfolk. Que Geer's surname is Song, so he's a Song. Even if his parents won't take him in, the clan can't just look the other way."

Chang Jinhua was somewhat relieved, but she was still uneasy about Song Zhi's aunt—Que Geer's mother—fearing she might come around and make trouble again.

Once the physician from town arrived, he took the patient's pulse and left some medicinal powder and herbs for the wounds. Yunque made the medicine on the stove while Wei Ying cleaned Que Geer's injuries, bandaged them, and changed his clothes.

That night, Song Tingzhou burned some herbs by the window to fumigate the room, his body still damp from a recent wash. He climbed into bed and half-embraced Meng Wan, speaking softly, "I'll put off leaving for a couple of days—wait until Que Geer's matter is settled."

Meng Wan turned to face him. "If you stay longer, you'll have to rush on the journey and tire yourself out. This is such a small matter—why would you need to stay behind for this?"

Song Tingzhou's eyes lingered on his lips, and he leaned in and stole a couple of kisses. "Wan'er, this is a perfect chance to set an example for the clan."

"I understand," Meng Wan said. "That's why I said that to Mother. Don't worry and head back to the capital—once the weather cools, I'll bring Mother along and join you."

They'd been together less than a month and were about to part again. Song Tingzhou's heart was heavy with reluctance, and for once, he nestled his face into Meng Wan's neck, his voice hoarse as he pleaded, "Come back to the capital soon."

Meng Wan's eyes curved as he nuzzled against him. "I know. When you leave, don't forget to go see A Yan."

Since Song Tingzhou was traveling, he packed light—just a few things and he was ready. Early the next morning, he rose before Meng Wan woke, without disturbing the household. He had Jin Gu pack the flatbreads and other dried provisions made the night before, saddled his horse, and rode out the gate.

Tao Ba and Tao Shi followed behind him. The three of them headed straight for the Fang residence when they reached town. Within half an hour, a few people had gathered at the Fang gate to see them off.

"Father, don't forget to buy me the newest-style Jiangren figurine—if you go too late, they'll be sold out." A Yan reminded Song Tingzhou anxiously.

Song Tingzhou: "..."

Besides A Yan, Fang Jinrong was also giving instructions to Old Ge. He and Ge Quan each rode a horse, leaving Old Ge and Tong'er behind at the Fang residence.

"Master, when you take the two kids to the Song house later, no drinking. The country roads are rough—what if you fall into a ditch?" Fang Jinrong had spent a few days with his son and, for once, felt a flicker of paternal concern as he warned Old Ge.

Old Ge waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, don't worry. Get going—the sun will be high before long."

First Master Fang was reluctant to part with his youngest son. "Just let Ge Quan go to the capital alone. Can't you leave later with Meng Fulang?"

Fang Jinrong had long grown tired of staying, so he soothed his father with a few words and rode off with Ge Quan without looking back.