Chapter 16: Song Xiu is causing trouble again

Chapter 16: Song Xiu is Causing Trouble Again

Song Jin left a thousand-tael silver note for Jin Ling and, after settling a few matters, shouldered a basket of goods and headed to the East Street intersection as agreed.

The carriage was already waiting there.

Qin Chi stood by the carriage. Seeing her approach, he reached out to take the basket and place it inside, then extended his fair right hand toward Song Jin.

He gestured to help her into the carriage.

Song Jin was stunned.

Seeing she didn't react, Qin Chi didn't pull his hand back, simply looking at her steadily.

Song Jin hesitated for a moment before placing her left hand into his palm.

Qin Chi subconsciously tightened his grip; the touch was warm and soft, and he quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart.

"Is there anything else, my lady?"

Song Jin smiled. "No, we can head back now."

The two boarded the carriage one after the other.

Old Man Qin, seeing the couple getting along so well, felt happy. Fantasizing about holding a grandson in the near future, he drove the carriage while cheerfully humming a folk tune.

At this moment, Song Jin did not know.

Song Xiu had caused trouble again!

As soon as the carriage entered the village, Old Man Qin sensed something was wrong.

A group of villagers was gathered around his front door, pointing fingers and whispering.

"What happened?"

Qin Chi lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out first.

Old Man Qin held the horse's reins. "I don't know what happened at home." He wanted to go take a look, but he had to hold the horse, fearing the crowd would startle it.

Once Qin Chi got off, Song Jin put on her veil hat and stepped out as well.

They could hear a young girl’s sobbing coming from inside the house: "...She ruined my reputation, I don't want to live anymore... wuwuwu..."

"Fourth Brother, who ruined her reputation? Didn't she run to our house herself, insisting on clinging to your side..." Song Xiu’s voice sounded even more aggrieved, her weeping pitiful and moving.

Once Song Jin heard this, she understood.

It was trouble, alright.

Old Man Qin spoke up: "That’s enough. This is a misunderstanding. Village Chief, it’s just children having a spat; it’s nothing. Once it’s cleared up, it’ll be fine."

Then, Old Man Qin looked outside the door and added, "Lest the villagers laugh at us."

Village Chief Chen was a slightly stout, middle-aged man.

Even if he was displeased, he was awakened by Old Man Qin’s last sentence.

If this continued, his daughter’s reputation would be ruined.

"Brother Qin is right. A misunderstanding is cleared up once it’s spoken. Which day in the village goes by without a fight? Everyone disperse, disperse!"

"The Village Chief is indeed a reasonable man."

Old Man Qin praised him, then signaled for Qin Mingsong to quickly take Song Xiu back to her room.

Song Xiu had fought with Chen Dong'er today out of pure anger. "What reasonable man? Raising such a shameless..."

Qin Mingsong covered Song Xiu’s mouth, signaled for the younger Mrs. Liu to come up, and had her take Song Xiu to the main room first.

"Coming, Uncle."

The younger Mrs. Liu came up, beaming, and pulled Song Xiu into the main room.

Mrs. Lin also came up to help.

Old Mrs. Liu sat under the eaves, her old face pulled even longer.

"Uncle Chen, Xiu'er just married into the family and doesn't know the villagers yet. Seeing a stranger talking to me, it was inevitable that she would have a misunderstanding. She hurt Miss Chen in a moment of impulse; our family will come over later to apologize."

Qin Mingsong explained in front of everyone, brushing over the day's events.

He framed the matter as Song Xiu misunderstanding Chen Dong'er, turning it into a simple blunder.

Immediately after, Qin Mingsong bowed to the villagers outside the door. Just as he was about to explain further, he saw Song Jin and Qin Chi standing behind the crowd and felt his face burn.

He felt exceptionally embarrassed, a mix of shame and annoyance.

He quickly tried to steady himself.

Qin Mingsong said loudly, "Today’s matter was purely a misunderstanding. Since it concerns a young lady’s reputation, I hope you uncles and aunts will not spread this, lest it affect the village’s reputation, which would be my fault."

"Don't worry, no one will say anything."

"This is just village gossip at most; spreading it out would affect the girls in our own families too."

"Yes, yes, it’s best not to spread it. It’s all baseless anyway," Village Chief Chen echoed loudly.

"I won't!"

Chen Dong'er screamed hysterically.

"That slut, why should she marry Brother Mingsong! I want—"

"Dong'er!"

A woman beside her slapped Chen Dong'er hard to stop her from saying anything more outrageous. "Dong'er, listen to your mother, don't make a scene anymore."

Chen Dong'er was stunned by the slap.

Village Chief Chen’s expression was also not very good.

They had just managed to smooth things over, but with Chen Dong'er making such a scene, it would be strange if outsiders didn't think otherwise.

Inside the main room, Song Xiu heard Chen Dong'er’s words and couldn't help but curse under her breath: "Shameless bitch... coveting someone else's husband."

In her past life, this bitch had coveted Qin Mingsong, and in the end, wasn't she dealt with by Song Jin and forced to marry far away in disgrace?

Qin Mingsong had always been annoyed by Chen Dong'er.

She was ugly and lacked self-awareness.

Every time he returned from the academy, she would find all sorts of excuses to see him, like a fly that couldn't be swatted away.

Qin Mingsong wasn't actually displeased about Song Xiu fighting Chen Dong'er today.

His biggest dissatisfaction was that the matter had blown up and caused him to lose face.

Song Jin picked up a large basket.

Qin Chi wanted to help, but Song Jin wouldn't let him.

He was a sickly man; who would dare let him do heavy labor?

Standing at the door, Song Jin watched the drama unfold.

Chen Dong'er was still sitting in the Qin family courtyard, throwing a tantrum. Her hair was disheveled, her dress was stained with mud and grass, and there was a slap mark on her cheek.

She was clamoring that Song Xiu had ruined her reputation and that Qin Mingsong had to take responsibility.

Song Jin laughed. "Chen Dong'er, if Young Mistress Song ruined your reputation, having her apologize or pay you a few coins would suffice. But what does this have to do with Qin Mingsong? Could it be that your intentions aren't really about the wine?"

"Hahaha..."

"That's true, it makes no sense."

"If two women fight, should their husbands be held responsible?"

"Qin Ergou, what kind of beautiful dream are you having? Even if there were such a thing, it wouldn't be your turn; you don't even have a wife!"

"Hahaha..."

"Haha!"

Another roar of laughter erupted.

Now, there was no way to cover it up!

Village Chief Chen was furious. He shouted at his wife, "Mrs. Mao, why haven't you dragged her back yet? Are you going to stay here and keep embarrassing us?"

After saying this, Village Chief Chen left in a huff!

He was truly too ashamed.

So, the Village Chief’s wife, Mrs. Mao, and her daughter-in-law hauled Chen Dong'er away.

Song Jin even made way for them.

Most of the people here were members of the Qin clan, so there wasn't much that couldn't be said. An old woman looked Song Jin up and down. "Is this the eldest son's wife?"

Qin Chi smiled and replied, "Third Aunt-Grandmother, this is indeed my wife. My lady, come and greet her."

"Greetings, Third Aunt-Grandmother!"

Song Jin said naturally, taking a bag of candies from her basket and handing a handful to the old woman.

Then, Song Jin distributed some to the others as well.

Everyone got a share; it wasn't much, just enough to sweeten their mouths and bring some good cheer.

Once everyone dispersed, the two entered the house.

With Song Jin’s gesture, it was likely no one would speak ill of the Qin family anymore; after all, people are soft-hearted after eating your food.

"My lady, you really know how to handle things."

Qin Chi’s praise was sincere; she had covered every base.

Song Jin smiled. "What is my husband saying?"

"Haha, *cough, cough*."

Qin Chi picked up the basket on the ground and walked into the courtyard. Fearing it was too heavy for him to carry, Song Jin quickly followed.

Back in the room, Qin Chi went out again.

Song Jin took off her veil hat.

She saw Song Xiu rushing in from outside. She didn't look much better than Chen Dong'er; her hair was messy and her clothes were dirty.

As soon as she arrived, Song Xiu rummaged through Song Jin’s basket, accusing her: "Sister, why didn't you call me when you went to the county town to buy things? What did you get for me? I’m lacking everything here, I don't even have a toothbrush!"

Song Jin slapped Song Xiu’s hand away and pulled the basket further back.

"Song Xiu, you’re so capable now, do you really need me to buy things for you?"

"Sister, why are you like this?"

Song Xiu was unhappy. "Did you not buy anything for me? You used to give me a share of whatever you bought."

Was it just because of the marriage swap?

Was she still not over it?

"Hypocrite!"

Song Xiu snorted. "Saying you don't mind the marriage swap—who are you trying to fool?"

Song Jin was so angry she laughed.

Did she mind the marriage swap?

She minded Song Xiu’s heartlessness, her complete disregard for Song Jin’s reputation and their sisterly bond!

But, it didn't matter anymore.

Song Jin was no longer the person she once was, and Song Xiu was no longer truly young.