Lin Yue saw the look on their faces and knew his suspicions were likely true. He felt no embarrassment, only a bitter sense of misfortune and contempt for this despicable family. The scorn and disdain in his eyes were impossible to hide.

Even if the engagement were called off, such a scene would tarnish his reputation. The Shang family would be even worse. If he were truly from a respectable family, he’d avoid him like the plague—why would he marry him?

Hong Xiufang glared at Lin Yue as if fire might burst from her eyes. “What are you spouting, you good-for-nothing brat? Shame on you! What kind of unmarried ger makes such a racket? No wonder you can’t find a husband!”

Lin Yue planted his hands on his hips, chin thrust out. “Right, right! Your family’s skinny stick of a son, who can’t even stand straight—he’s as crooked as a tree with a twisted trunk. How could he ever get married? Isn’t this just a way to get rid of him?”

Seeing Hong Xiufang’s face turn crimson with rage, Lin Yue savored his own words. Still not harsh enough—why hadn’t he pushed her over the edge?

He turned his gaze to Shang Wencheng, sizing him up from head to toe. “If you’re here to call off the engagement, why won’t you step forward? What are you cowering back there for? You cowardly piece of trash.”

After the tirade, he ignored him completely and continued, “And you! Bad apples rot the barrel. With those shifty eyes, you’ve lived this long yet inspire not a shred of respect for elders.”

Lin Yue spoke with lightning speed, his enunciation crystal clear and his voice booming. Within moments, he had berated every member of the family present.

Zhou Wenlan, who had been fiercely confronting him moments before, now had no time for that. She hurried after Lin Yue, fearing he might lose his temper and charge forward. Shang Dafu was broad-shouldered and sturdy; if they came to blows, Lin Yue would stand no chance.

Sure enough, Shang Dafu rolled up his sleeves, ready to advance, his mouth spewing filth. “Pah! Shameless scum! My son is a genius, destined to marry the ger of the richest family in town! Today, I’ll teach you a lesson, I’ll show you who’s boss!”

Lin Yue wasn’t afraid of him. Not only was his own father standing nearby—a man of considerable strength—but Lin Yang had already slipped away. It was obvious he’d gone to call for reinforcements.

During the quarrel, several onlookers had gathered at the gate and along the outer wall. Heads kept popping over the wall—they were all villagers. If he dared to lay a hand on them, these uncles and aunts would surely come to their aid. They wouldn’t stand by and watch their family get bullied by outsiders. Lin Yue immediately raised his voice, his tone fierce: “You’ve got some nerve! You’re just like the rest of your family—thick-skinned from the neck up. A whole family of shameless fools! And you want a ger from a rich family? No wonder no decent ger would ever look at you. You probably just stumbled into some rich ger and thought he fancied you!”

“What are you doing stepping forward? You wouldn’t dare hit me, would you? If you dare come near, I’ll go straight to the county office and file a complaint! Your good-for-nothing son hasn’t even passed the scholar exam yet. If you end up in jail, how will he ever take it? Come on, if you’ve got the guts!”

Shang Dafu seethed with rage, his fists clenched tight. But before he could take two steps forward, Shang Wencheng pulled him back. “Father, father, don’t act rashly. We can’t let this escalate.”

As the situation threatened to turn violent, the crowd outside the courtyard surged in. Lin Yang charged in with six or seven men, followed by several women and their husbands.

“Brother, don’t be afraid. I won’t let them bully you.”

Yue-ger merely nodded to him, his gaze shifting to the group behind. “Grand Uncle, Eldest Uncle, Third Uncle, Aunties, I’m the one at fault today. I’m sorry to trouble you all.”

Grand Uncle Lin’s hair was streaked with gray, yet he looked full of vigor. “What are you saying, Yue-ger? Don’t worry. With your great-uncle and uncles here, no one will let you suffer wrong.

Auntie Lin and the other women and men stood directly beside Zhou Wenlan, squeezing her hand before turning to smile at Yue-ger. “Our Yue-ger is such a fine lad. I’d like to see who dares to be so blind.”

Lin Yue, who had been seething with anger moments ago, now felt a wave of hurt wash over him. He snuggled into his mother’s arms, smiled at them, and blinked away the moisture welling in his eyes before turning his gaze back to the Shang family.

Shang Dafu, seeing the crowd, backed down immediately. He took two steps backward, no longer daring to make a move.

Hong Xiufang, seeing the courtyard filled with people, felt a flicker of fear. Yet she put on a brave front, her voice sharp but trembling: “What? You still want to fight? My son is a scholar! Even the county magistrate knows him! You mud-legged peasants, dare to touch him and see what happens!”

Lin Yue couldn’t help but roll his eyes inwardly. When his family had been about to attack earlier, they hadn’t spoken like this at all. Still, he didn’t want to escalate things further. A little shouting wouldn’t cause much trouble—at worst, the villagers would gossip. But if they came to blows, they might actually have to go to the magistrate’s office. His own reputation could be ruined, and he didn’t care about that, but he couldn’t drag his brothers and sisters into it.

Having made up his mind, Lin Yue glanced at his parents. Satisfied they understood his intent, he bowed to the elders who had come to assist before stepping forward.

“Since your family has come today, this marriage is off. I wish no further entanglement with you. However, it is your family’s desire to climb the social ladder that has led to this sudden reversal. This has nothing to do with the Lin family or with me, Lin Yue. If you accept this, then swear upon leaving this door that you will never utter a word that tarnishes the Lin family’s reputation. Should a single malicious word escape your lips, may your Shang family never produce another scholar, may your ancestors rest in unease, and may your descendants suffer generations of misery.”

At these words, the Shangs’ faces paled. Country folk believe in divine retribution—such vows, binding across lifetimes, are never made lightly, lest misfortune befall them. Yet the Lin family watched them with fierce eyes, leaving no room for further trouble.

Grand Uncle Lin, impressed by Lin Yue’s tact, urged, “This old man will serve as witness. Once your Shang family has sworn the oath, I shall immediately seek out your clan elder to explain matters. Should any idle gossip arise afterward, I will turn to your clan elder for resolution. If he refuses, the young men of my Lin family will inevitably come knocking on your door.”

The purpose of that visit was self-evident.

Shang Wencheng began to feel uneasy. He had thought that simply breaking off the engagement would have little impact on him. At worst, he might be labeled a reckless youth, but it should be Lin Yue who feared damaging his reputation. According to his plan, Lin Yue would likely beg him nervously not to make a scene. Then he could offer to take Lin Yue as a concubine, enjoying the blessings of having two wives.

But the Lin family proved unexpectedly stubborn. Having placed sixth in this year’s county exams with two scholar recommendations, if this escalated to the clan elders or county magistrate, he feared no one would dare vouch for him.

Shang Wencheng silently resolved: Let the Lin family gloat today. Once he marries the ger from the town’s magistrate’s household and secures his official title, he’ll settle the score with them.

Shang Wencheng clasped his hands before him. “So be it. Fellow villagers bear witness: I, Shang Wencheng, swear today never to utter words that tarnish the Lin family’s reputation. Should I break this oath, may my scholarly aspirations be shattered and my ancestors restless in their graves.”

Lin Yue’s expression softened slightly at the oath. He then urged the Shang couple to swear their own vows before dismissing them. He thanked each villager individually and escorted the elders out.

Unexpectedly, the Shang family hadn’t left. Seeing the Lin courtyard gradually empty, Shang Wencheng returned to the doorway, his voice haughty: “With your fiery temper, I doubt anyone will marry you. Don’t come begging to be my concubine later.”

Lin Yue had never encountered such shamelessness. Before he could react, the man added, “I did swear an oath, but I haven’t left yet. It only counts once I step outside.”

Lin Yue was so enraged, he grabbed a basin of water and flung it at him. “Pfft! I’ve got plenty of suitors lining up. No need for a stick-thin loser like you to bother. Get out of here now, or I’ll call for help!”

Shang Wencheng couldn’t dodge in time and got drenched. Daring no further threats, he slunk away.

The Lin elders had already departed, but small groups of onlookers lingered outside the courtyard, murmuring among themselves.

“What a mess today has made of the Yue-ger’s reputation. Finding a good match for him now will be difficult.”

“I always thought Yue-ger was quiet and gentle. Who knew he had such a fiery temper? What family would dare marry him now?”

“Sister-in-law, you speak as if being bullied at your own doorstep means you should stay silent. Wouldn’t that just make him look like a coward? Better to be fiery—at least no one dares push him around.”

“I agree. Perhaps some speechless family would want to marry him to manage their household.”

“It all depends on Yue-ger’s fate now. Oh dear, what a tragedy.”

“Indeed.”

━━━━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━━━━

Lin Yue’s family remained standing in the courtyard. Zhou Wenlan heard the murmurs drifting in from outside. Though furious, she could do nothing about it. While the Shang family could be cursed at, if the villagers were merely gossiping, getting angry would only make their family seem petty. She could only stew in silent frustration. Lin Yue, however, took it in stride. With something like this happening, it was only natural that people would talk. Let them gossip; it would fade in a few days.

After a morning of turmoil, it was past noon, and they still hadn’t eaten. Lin Yue’s stomach growled loudly. He took a deep breath to steady himself, then tugged his parents toward the main hall.

“Father, Mother, sit down for a moment. I’ll go cook. The pastries I made this morning are still here—make sure you eat them. Thank goodness that family didn’t get to eat them, or I’d have been furious.”

Zhou Wenlan patted his hand. “Pah, pah, pah! What are you saying? That’s unlucky. You, your father, and your brother eat. I’ll cook.”

Lin Yue tightened his grip, preventing his mother from standing. “Mother, you rest. I’ll cook. Have Lin Yang help me. You and Father, don’t be angry. It’s just a failed match. It’s fine.”

Lin Yuan, who’d barely spoken all morning, now had tears welling in his eyes. Clutching Yue-ger’s hand, he murmured, “Don’t be afraid, our Yue-ger. Father can support you. Even if you don’t marry, it’s nothing. Just don’t get too upset.”

Lin Yue nodded repeatedly. “Father, I understand. You two shouldn’t be upset either. Getting angry will only harm your health. I’m going to cook now.”

With that, he strode toward the kitchen. Staying in the main hall any longer might have made him break down in tears—something he couldn’t afford. It would show weakness, and he hated crying more than anything.

Lin Yang, crouched outside the main hall, sprang to his feet as his brother emerged. He trailed after him, muttering, “Brother, don’t be sad. In a couple of days, I’ll grab a sack and beat him up for you. It’s better if he doesn’t marry you. I can’t bear to see you go.”

“Brother, if you’re still angry, hit me a couple times to let off steam. Where do you want to hit? My arm? My back? Anywhere you like.”

Lin Yue felt both amused and exasperated. He tapped Lin Yang’s forehead. “Go tend to the fire. You talk too much. I’m not angry. He’s the one who’s unlucky for not marrying me. What’s there to be angry about?”

Lin Yang wasn’t sure if his brother was just soothing him or genuinely agreeing. “Exactly! My brother’s the best! He’s the one with no luck. Just like Mom said, ‘Those blessed by fortune won’t enter an unblessed home.’ They’re the unblessed ones.”

Lin Yue shook his head. “Alright, stop trying to cheer me up. I really am neither sad nor angry anymore. Go on now. Aren’t you hungry?”

“Right away, right away! I’m the best at stoking the fire. Let’s have a big feast to chase away the bad luck!”