Hearing the steward’s words, Shang Wencheng became even more convinced that the Yang family looked down on him. That was why they had blocked Young Master Chen and even married him off to someone else. His eyes instantly hardened with resolve, as if he were about to rescue his beloved from the jaws of hell.

Shang Wencheng tried to brush off his sleeves but couldn’t break free from the two servants’ grip. He could only glare at them with contempt and continue shouting, “Chen-ger! I know you’re not doing this willingly! Come out! I’ll take you away! I’m willing to marry you! I’ll pass the Xiucai exam soon! Then no one can stop us!”

Steward Yang nearly toppled backward in rage. Forgetting all else, he waved to the two servants: “Gag him! If he dares utter another word to tarnish our young master’s reputation, the Yang family won’t be so lenient.”

Shang Wencheng was a frail scholar—no match for these two burly men. In an instant, his mouth was stuffed, leaving him only able to mumble incoherently.

Steward Yang knew full well that if he didn’t clarify things now, the entire town of Sifang would be watching the Yang family’s spectacle tonight, not waiting until tomorrow. So he didn’t let the servants drag Shang Wencheng away. Instead, he immediately began explaining: “Neighbors, please hear me out. This man was loitering outside the Yang residence earlier. Of course, anyone can walk the streets, and we didn’t stop him. But today, he dared to speak ill of our young master’s wedding! I believe this was premeditated. You all…”

Shen Huaizhi didn’t listen to the steward’s full explanation. His gaze remained fixed on Shang Wencheng. He hadn’t been present when the Shang family came to break off the engagement and knew none of the details. Later, to spare Lin Yue further distress, he never asked. Hearing it now, he realized this man had assumed he’d climbed into a wealthy family and had thus humiliated the Lin family.

Shen Huaizhi never spoke ill of others behind their backs, but today, he couldn’t help but curse them silently twice in his heart. What a waste of an educated man.

The bookstore was diagonally across from the Yang residence. From Shen Huaizhi’s vantage point, he could see everything clearly. Thinking it was still early to leave, Shen Huaizhi decided to watch the scene unfold, to recount it to Lin Yue upon returning home tonight.

Today marked the marriage of the young master of the Yang household, making the Yang residence exceptionally bustling. The gates swung open at daybreak, guests flooding in. The commotion caused by Shang Wencheng was considerable, and now the street outside the Yang residence was packed with onlookers.

Listening to Steward Yang’s explanation, the crowd murmured with speculation.

“His mannerisms and attire aren’t particularly remarkable. Could he really be here to make a false accusation?”

“This young ger is the only son of Master Yang. Master Yang has long announced his intention to find a son-in-law to help manage the family affairs. It’s no surprise someone would try to climb the social ladder like this.”

Most onlookers believed Shang Wencheng’s commotion today stemmed from coveting the Yang family’s wealth. Yet some who disliked the Yangs sneered, “Couldn’t be that the Yang family’s son is wayward? That young man has decent looks—it’s only natural the boy took a fancy.”

“I think that makes sense. He’s already a Tongsheng. It’s no wonder the young master took a fancy to him. As for Master Yang? He’s seen the world. It’s only natural he wouldn’t approve.”

“Could it be that this young man is a flirt? Ha ha ha…”

The remarks grew increasingly vile until one woman couldn’t hold back. “Pah! How dare you speak such nonsense? That young master oversees several shops himself. He meets countless people daily—not just Tongsheng, but even Xiucai. Why would he take notice of this fellow?”

“Well, what if they just hit it off?”

“Give it a rest. Young Master Yang is recruiting a Xiucai today, and that Xiucai is far more handsome than this fellow. Who wouldn’t prefer beauty over ugliness? Unless you have a taste for the ugly?”

“…”

The sharp-tongued woman had reduced the foul-mouthed woman to a flushed silence. The latter dared not argue further, only snorting coldly, “I’m not the only one who thinks this. After today, I bet half the town will feel the same. Unless Young Master Yang comes out now to confront him face-to-face, there’s not a shred of credibility left.”

“A young man wouldn’t show his face on his wedding day. This scholar came to cause trouble—how can you blame the young master? I say…”

Her words were cut short by a loud cry: “Look! Young Master Yang is coming out!”

Yang Xicheng, clad in fiery red robes, carried no fan but wore a veil over his face, revealing only his phoenix-like eyes. He walked slowly to the doorway, not even glancing at Shang Wencheng. After scanning the crowd, he bowed deeply. “I ask you all to bear witness to today’s events. I, Yang Xicheng, often travel for family affairs and have seen the man causing trouble today. Yet I have never spoken to him, much less agreed to marry him. He inexplicably came to my door to harass me. Today, my reputation has been tarnished. If not for this matchmaking, this marriage would surely fall through.”

Behind him stood a shop manager and several clerks from the Yang family store. They all spoke up to testify, confirming the time and location, stating that their young master had merely passed by this man without exchanging a word.

Outside, the crowd watched Yang Xicheng’s composed and open demeanor, their sympathies already shifting his way. The servant holding Shang Wencheng’s mouth released his grip. The moment freed, Shang Wencheng shouted, “Impossible! You deceived me! You clearly signaled me with your eyes that day!”

At this outburst, those who had defended Shang Wencheng earlier fell silent. So this fellow really was delusional after all. What a waste of emotion.

Turning to Yang Xicheng, now clad in wedding attire, the onlookers—both men and women—could no longer bear the spectacle. They called out, “Young Master Yang, rest assured. We know the whole story and won’t spread rumors to tarnish your reputation.“

A tall, burly man boomed even louder, ”Young Master, don’t worry. If we catch this fellow spouting nonsense again, we’ll teach him a lesson.”

Yang Xicheng thanked each of them in turn. Turning to his attendants behind him, he raised his hand and announced loudly, “Thank you all. Today is my wedding day. I invite all my uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters to partake of the wedding candies and dispel any ill fortune.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his attendants began scattering wedding candies and red paper packets filled with lucky money, tossing handful after handful into the surrounding crowd.

“Wishing you a blissful marriage, young man! Ha ha!”

“Hey, don’t snatch mine! Pick your own!”

Shen Huaizhi stood in a prime spot. Without moving, he simply reached out and caught several candies and two red envelopes. He bowed his hands toward the Yang family members from afar, then tucked the treats into his robe.

Tonight, when he returned home and told Lin Yue about this, he’d let the other one taste the candy. He was sure Xiao Yue would love it.

The bookstore proprietor, ever the social butterfly, stood fanning himself beside Shen Huaizhi. With one hand, he tore open a candy wrapper and popped it into his mouth, teasing, “Mr. Scholar Shen, why aren’t you eating? Could it be you’re saving these for your husband?”

Shen Huaizhi paused, then nodded with perfect naturalness, “Precisely.”

His earnest expression made Shopkeeper Liu hesitate to tease him further. “Haha, you two young lovers are so sweet! Looks like I should take one home for my old wife to try—learn from you youngsters!”

Shen Huaizhi didn’t know how to respond, so he just smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries, and took his leave.

When Shen Huaizhi returned to the town entrance, several village heads were taking roll call and discussing departure. Seeing him return, Shen Guangchu turned and said, “Our Linshui Village is all accounted for.”

“Wait just a moment longer. Two men from our village went to town and haven’t returned yet.”

“Yushui Village is also ready.”

By the time the group set off, a cup of tea had been brewed and drunk. Shen Huaizhi and two young men led the procession. In the middle were oxcarts and donkey carts laden with cloth. Several village elders stood on either side, followed by a few more strong young men bringing up the rear.

Though they made a few stops along the way, it was already afternoon by the time they reached the county office. The tax collection and inventory process proved to be quite a hassle.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Dusk was approaching, the sky turning hazy and dim.

The Shen family had already eaten their evening meal and were cooling off in the courtyard. Song Xunchun emerged from the back yard carrying a clay bowl, calling out, “Yue’er, Ling’er, would you like some apricots? We have loquats too.”

Lin Yue rose first. “Yes!” He reached out to take some, but Song Xunchun stopped him.

“Good boy, just wait a moment. Mother will wash them and bring them over for you.”

Lin Yue smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Mother. Would you like some water? I’ll go pour it.”

Shen Lingzhi also approached, “Mother, let me wash them. You sit down quickly.”

Song Xunchun shifted aside, “Stop fussing. Aren’t you tired from working today? Sit down.”

The family of four sat in the courtyard, inevitably bringing up Shen Huaizhi, who hadn’t returned yet. Lin Yue, especially, had grown attached to him after spending so much time together these past days. It was his first time experiencing this, and worry crept into his heart. “Mother, did Huaizhi usually come back this late before?”

Song Xunchun remained relatively composed, replying softly, “It’s still early. He always came home after dark before, and tonight should be no different. Don’t worry.”

Shen Lingzhi placed a hand on Lin Yue’s shoulder, his expression unwavering. “Don’t worry, Brother. My brother will be back soon. There are so many of them, and he’s so strong. Nothing will happen to him.”

Even Shen Zhengchu offered reassurance: “Yue’er, it’s fine. Our neighborhood is peaceful. Don’t scare yourself.”

Lin Yue felt both amused and exasperated. He didn’t think he’d been that worried, but their earnest reassurances made him feel somewhat embarrassed. Lin Yue couldn’t help but reflect on whether he hadn’t been attentive enough to Shen Huaizhi.

“Father, Mother, Lingzhi, I understand. I won’t let my imagination scare me.”

As dusk fell and tomorrow’s fields awaited, the Shen family boiled water for their evening ablutions before retiring to their rooms.

Lin Yue found sleep elusive. Leaning against his pillow, his mind raced through tasks awaiting him after the day’s work. He needed to choose the right moment to discuss setting up a stall with the rest of the Shen family. It wouldn’t do to act on a sudden whim—that wouldn’t serve family harmony.

Previous trips to town had always been with Lin Yang, without a fixed stall—just carrying a basket and hawking goods along the streets. This year would likely be the same, yet Lin Yue still harbored the idea of setting up a permanent stall. Going at a fixed time each day might bring better business.

Lost in thought, he gradually drifted into reverie until the neighbor’s big black dog began barking, snapping Lin Yue back to reality. Though he heard no other sounds, his instinct told him Shen Huaizhi had returned.

Lin Yue threw on his outer robe, got out of bed in the dark, and lit the lamp. Turning around, he locked eyes with Shen Huaizhi as he pushed open the door.

For some reason, Lin Yue was suddenly transported back to their wedding day—another unexpected encounter like this. He couldn’t help but smile. “You’re back. Did you have a safe trip? Have you eaten? Should I make you some noodles now?”

Shen Huaizhi listened to the barrage of questions with evident delight, answering each one: “Nothing happened. The journey was safe. I’ve already eaten. No need to trouble yourself.”

“It’s late. You should rest first. I’m filthy from the journey. I’ll wash up and come back.”

Shen Huaizhi set his things on the table. Before leaving, he turned back and said, “If you’re not tired, wait for me. I have something to tell you.”