WSMTATMC C115

Chapter 115

As soon as the new year passed, time seemed as though someone had pressed the fast‑forward button.

The county examination would begin in mid‑February every year. From the prefectural city to Longquan County it took about ten days of travel, so they had to set out in advance.

The children had only just returned home for a few days before they needed to leave again. Madam Li truly could not bear to part with them. Even before they left she was already so upset that she fell ill, her mouth breaking out in blisters from the fire in her heart.

Wang Ying also could not stand it. As for Yuanbao, they did not even dare tell the child the truth. These past few days he clung to his father every moment, becoming anxious the instant he could not see him. If he were told that Chen Qingyan would be away for more than a month again, the child would be heartbroken.

After much thought, Wang Ying decided simply to take the entire family back together!

This trip was not only for the county examination but also to return to their ancestral home to worship their forebears, and to check on how the people managing the estate were living.

The household servants must also be wanting to return home. Especially Er‑shun—he had long ago heard of the flooding in his hometown but had not had the chance to go back. Now taking this opportunity to return for a look would put his mind at ease.

Once the decision was made, Wang Ying brought it up with the family.

All agreed. They packed their things, prepared the carriages, and the entire household set out together for Longquan County on the eighth day of the first lunar month.

Longquan County.

Chen Rong was hanging up clothes to dry. Today was a rare sunny day, so she had taken all the bedding out to be washed and sunned.

The county examinations were about to begin, and her nephews would all certainly arrive, so it was best to have the bedding and other things ready in advance.

Xiao Mai ran out from the house. “Grandmother.”

“Hey now, go back inside, it’s cold.”

“Want a hug.”

Chen Rong finished spreading the last quilt in her hands, then turned and picked up the child. Stroking his soft little face, she asked, “Where is your father?”

“Father is in the house. Little Uncle was crying.”

Chen Rong sighed, carrying the child inside. In the east room, Lin Sui was lying against Lin Qiu’s lap, crying. His shoulders shook with each sob, a sight that pained the heart.

Lin Qiu patted his younger brother’s back, comforting him. “Earlier I and Mother both advised you to wait a little, first see what this Huang family was like. But you wouldn’t listen and insisted on marrying early. Now even if you regret it, it’s too late.”

Sniffling, Lin Sui sat up. “How could I have known he would be such a domineering person? In his household, everything must follow his mother’s word. If his mother says a single word against me, he refuses to hear my explanation, immediately deciding I am in the wrong. And for no reason at all, he beats and scolds me.”

“He hit you?!” Lin Qiu was stunned.

“Once he kicked me, and my waist is still bruised.” Lin Sui lifted his garment, revealing a large patch of purple under the ribs.

Lin Qiu grew so angry he stood up to go straight to the Huang household to demand justice. “Come on, I’ll ask them: what decent family beats their newly married husband?”

Frightened, Lin Sui quickly pulled him back. “Brother, keep your voice down, don’t let Mother hear…”

“What if she does? What are you afraid of!”

Lin Sui lowered his head and murmured, “I don’t want Mother to worry…”

Lin Qiu sighed, understanding that his younger brother was being considerate, not wanting to add to their mother’s difficulties. “But it can’t go on like this. No matter what, hitting is never right. Later when your brother‑in‑law sends you back, I’ll ask him to warn Huang Yong. You still have brothers in your mother’s family. Don’t let them treat you as though you mean nothing!”

“Yes.” Lin Sui wiped away his tears just as Chen Rong entered with Xiao Mai in her arms.

“What’s wrong with you, Sui‑er?”

“It’s nothing, nothing.”

“Then why did Xiao Mai say you were crying?”

Lin Sui forced a smile. “He was mistaken. I was only playing with elder brother.”

Chen Rong looked doubtful, but still said, “If something is troubling you, tell Mother. Don’t hold it all inside your heart. No matter what happens, you still have Mother.”

Hearing this, Lin Sui’s eyes filled again with tears. He quickly excused himself, saying he needed to go to the latrine.

As soon as Lin Qiu left, Chen Rong grabbed her son. “Did something happen with the Huang family?”

“No, nothing, Mother don’t worry so much.”

But Chen Rong remained uneasy. Back when the engagement was arranged, the Huangs spoke endlessly of how they valued Lin Sui and wanted to marry him quickly into their home.

Yet after the wedding, their cold and distant attitude did not seem at all as though they cherished him. Recently, when she had gone to visit, they even openly criticized him in front of her.

They said he was lazy, that even by the hours before dawn he was still not up.

Chen Rong immediately retorted, “It’s winter, dawn comes late. Why should he rise such an ungodly hour?”

The Huang matron curled her lip. “When I was a daughter‑in‑law, I rose before the hour of dawn, had the meals ready, did the washing, swept the courtyard, all before my elders woke.”

Chen Rong countered, “Come now, sister‑in‑law, you served only your mother‑in‑law alone. Now the Huang family is large with over ten mouths in the household. It can’t be expected that Sui‑er alone should serve everyone. Those who know may say you are teaching him diligence, but those who don’t may think you only married a son‑in‑law to use as a drudge. If such words spread, it will not reflect well on Yong either.”

Only then did the Huang matron stop hounding Lin Sui for being “lazy.” But instead she criticized: they had been married so long and still no movement from his belly—was it that he could not bear children?

At this, Chen Rong grew even angrier. “You can’t speak like that. The two children have only been engaged and married for not even three months. How can it be so quick? When I was married, it was half a year before I conceived Qiu‑er. Don’t be anxious, sooner or later it will happen.”

That visit left Chen Rong so furious that she could not eat for three or four days, losing a whole round of weight.

Lin Qiu also seethed, but did not dare intervene directly, fearing to make things worse.

Seeing her son silent, Chen Rong more or less guessed the truth.

“My son, don’t make excuses. When your husband sends your brother back, tell him to give Huang Yong a stern word.”

“Yes, Mother. Don’t worry, we brothers will support one another. We won’t let Sui‑er suffer wrongs.”

“I know you will.”

By noon, Cao Kun returned from the transport guild. Now as the head of the business, he no longer needed to go out on journeys but stayed each day handling customers and overseeing operations.

Today he went over the accounts: after paying the workers, he still earned over a hundred and thirty taels. The silver was reinvested for another shipment. Though not as lucrative as the first, it still brought in sixty or seventy taels profit.

The money rotating had revived the transport guild, now with over twenty workers, a dozen carts and horses, and net income of four or five strings of cash per month.

“Since Lin Sui came, I’ll go buy some meat.”

“You don’t have to trouble yourself, brother‑in‑law.” Every time he came, they bought meat for him, and Lin Sui always felt embarrassed to impose.

Lin Qiu said, “Never mind, let him go. Even if you’re not here, he still often buys meat for Xiao Mai.”

Chen Rong added, “Yes, I crave meat too. Buy more, we’ll stew a big pot.”

So Cao Kun went with a basket. Watching him leave, Lin Sui could not help but sigh. If only Huang Yong had even half of his brother‑in‑law’s goodness, he would not suffer so.

Now he truly regretted it. Back then he only judged by appearance—his handsome looks, his bookish manner, the elegant bearing of a scholar.

But that was only a polished dung ball, shiny on the outside. Behind closed doors he was vulgar, regularly spewing foul insults.

Yet regret came too late. For a woman or a ge‑er, marriage was like a second life. Once stepping into that fire pit, it was near impossible to climb back out.

Besides, their mother had already divorced once. If he too divorced, it would certainly damage his elder brother’s and Xiao Mai’s reputation.

Before long, Cao Kun returned with several jin of meat. The butcher, familiar with him, even gifted a marrow bone.

“Stew half the meat today, give the other half for second brother to take home.”

“Alright.” Lin Qiu carried the meat into the kitchen, and soon a pot of meat stew was simmering.

In winter there were no fresh vegetables, only radish and cabbage. The meat filled the pot with savory fragrance, making everyone’s mouth water.

Xiao Mai was already impatient, clamoring for meat. Afraid the child would burn his mouth, Chen Rong scooped out some soft fatty pieces into a small bowl, cooled it with her breath, and fed them to him.

Lin Sui, burdened with worry, had no appetite. Half a bowl of rice was enough.

After the meal, Lin Qiu pulled his husband aside to tell him all about the Huang family matters. “When you send him back, speak to Huang Yong. You two should discuss things, not resort to blows.”

Cao Kun’s face was grim. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely say something. What sort of man bullies his spouse? Shameful.”

“Don’t hit him though… If you strike him, Sui‑er will be in more trouble.”

Often dealing with all sorts in his work, Cao Kun understood perfectly what words to say and what not to.

“Have no fear, I know.”

That afternoon he drove the carriage to send Lin Sui home. When they reached the Huang family’s gate, Huang Yong happened to come out.

“Brother‑in‑law,” greeted Cao Kun.

“Oh, it’s you.” Huang Yong stopped, his face as blank as ever, and stepped closer. “So it was brother‑in‑law who came. I was just about to fetch Lin Sui.”

In the carriage, Lin Sui drew a deep breath, forced a smile, and got down. “I went to see Mother and Xiao Mai. Brother‑in‑law happened to be free, so he brought me home.”

“Troubled you.”

If he were reasonable, he would have asked his brother‑in‑law in for tea or a meal. But the Huang family never acted normal—he didn’t even invite him in. Huang Yong simply lifted his foot to leave.

Cao Kun cursed him silently but kept a smiling face. “It’s cold. Brother, you go in first. I’ll chat with brother‑in‑law for a moment.”

Lin Sui blinked, then nodded and carried the basket inside.

When he was gone, Cao Kun said, “I recall there’s a teahouse nearby. Brother‑in‑law, why don’t we have a cup of tea?”

Huang Yong nodded, and they walked together to the teahouse. After sitting, Cao Kun first asked about his studies. “The county examinations are in February. How are you preparing?”

“Of course I am fully prepared.” He spoke with arrogant confidence.

“My brother’s cousins will also come for the exam in a few days.”

“I see.”

Huang Yong had heard Lin Sui mention them, but cared little. They were just small‑town scholars, how much talent could they have? Especially that elder cousin who was already over twenty but still had not passed as a scholar—surely worthless.

Seeing his indifferent manner, Cao Kun’s temper rose. He could not help but say, “You and Lin Sui have been married less than half a year. He’s younger than you, you should yield more, not bully him.”

At this Huang Yong understood: clearly Lin Sui had “tattled” at his mother’s home.

He sneered. “Brother‑in‑law, aren’t you interfering too much? This is between me and my husband. What does it have to do with you?” With that he flicked his sleeve and strode away.

“You—!” Cao Kun was left fuming, but dared not openly quarrel. Lin Sui still had to live in that household. So he paid the bill and returned, keeping the matter from Lin Qiu to avoid making him worry further.

He thought the affair was over.

But just two days later, news arrived from the Huang household—Lin Sui had suffered a miscarriage…