Chapter 6

Zhang Xiu thought that perhaps Brother Ming wanted to spend more time in the next few years to find a reliable man. This would be better than letting Grandma Zhao marry him off to a random man for silver. After thinking about it, Zhang Xiu’s heart became lighter, and he secretly decided that in the future, he must help Brother Ming open his eyes.

Zhang Xiu hurriedly said, “Auntie Wang, I’m going to help Brother Ming find someone. I can’t be even a step late, I don’t know how the family members of the Zhao family will bully Brother Ming.”

Wang Ying turned around and looked around the empty courtyard, sighing in his heart, and finally felt that he had been cruel. If Ah-Rong didn’t come and his stepson had been bullied to death in a place he couldn’t see, perhaps he would not be so soft hearted now. A tear was shed, no that Ah-Rong had asked about him, [Wang Ying] couldn’t think of his stepson as non-existent.

He frowned, thinking of the words that he had heard. Knowing that most of the Zhao family was rotten inside, he was not relieved. He only had one son, Rong’er, and he had plans for his son. No matter what, he could not let the Zhao family bully him. Thinking about it, Wang Ying left the yard, heading towards the Zhao family’s direction.

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Tang Chunming did not know that he was misunderstood by Zhang Xiu. However, even if he was misunderstood, he still had to pass the hurdle in front of him.

Carrying his son, he inevitably encountered other villagers on his way. He saw Grandma Zhao making a big fuss as Brother Ming walked over. Some familiar villagers who loved to gossip asked Brother Ming what he was going to do.

Tang Chunming was worried about the lack of people coming to watch the fun show, so he raised his eyebrows and said, “Lin’er’s grandma asked me to remarry a few days ago. He said that he was going to send my little ger to be a child bride. I didn’t want to consider it, Lin’er has never eaten a single piece of candy from his grandma or either of his uncles. How can I let us mother and son go? I don’t want to send my little ger to others to let him suffer. Even if the days are unbearable, will anyone be willing?”

“I don’t want to leave my mother. Mom, I don’t want to go to someone else’s home.” Zhao Lin cried.

Tang Chunming’s voice was not small and it attracted people who hadn’t approached. The villagers originally did not dare to confirm that there was such a thing, they only talked about it privately. Now they were all surprised by Tang Chunming’s personal confirmation. Since Zhao Pingchuan was confirmed as a Tongsheng, the Zhao family was now considered a prestigious family. How can they do such cruel things? In addition, a few days ago, the lame man personally said that Grandma Zhao received fifteen taels of silver. Regarding the matter, everyone’s unbiased heart empathised with Tang Chunming. They all thought about how much Zhao Dahu respected Grandma Zhao, but this person just died and his filial mother turned around and sold his wife. How could they stand such a thing.

Before Tang Chunming could swagger his way to the Zhao family’s house, he was already being followed by a bunch of villagers. Tang Chunrong, who originally was confident and ready to argue with the Zhao family, was dumbfounded by how different his brother seemed. His brother, when faced with suffering would usually just swallow it up and keep in his heart and not say a single world. Now his brother had pulled so many people to his side. Tang Chunrong was self-assured and felt even more courageous.

Today’s Pingshan Village was destined to have an eventful day. The large group of people followed Tang Chunming to the west side of the village to the Zhao family’s house. At [the same time], appearing at the entrance to Pingshan Village, two tall and sturdy men in coarse clothes approached.

The two also heard the commotion in the village as Tang Chunming’s words were deliberate and loud.

One of them said to the other, “After walking here with big brother, your village sure is lively. Big brother should we also go and see what is so exciting before going back to your house?” (1)

The other man had thick eyebrows and big eyes and looked like a straightforward countryside man. However when he heard what the other man said a frown graced his face, making people feel that the whole person’s temperament had changed drastically. It was no longer the look of a busy countryside man but of a fierce general who fought for blood on the battlefield. A dark fading scar between his brow bones, made the whole person’s face look grim and hideous. This made onlookers feel like trembling for no reason at all.

The other man, upon seeing the look, immediately changed his words. “Let’s go home then. No one is as smart as big brother, you must give me pointers, but big brother, are you really not going to tell your family your identity?”

The big brother retracted his eyes and resumed his original appearance. He turned to look at the village with a deep gaze and said, “When you get there, you will know why I don’t want to tell anyone. If you can’t keep [your mouth shut] then you can quickly go back.”

“Of course I can keep it [shut]. Big brother has told younger brother and now I must obey, regardless of the reason.” He shut his mouth as they walked into Pingshan Village, feeling the pressure increase. He knows that his older brother intended to return home, even if he is afraid that there would be no happy welcome. Of course, who knows if this is really the truth, after all he has never met Big Brother’s family.

Back in the day, his eldest brother was sent to the border after [they] falsely report his age. After a few years, the eldest brother fiercely made a lot of achievements. Others only looked at his achievements, but he, who had always walked beside his elder brother, knew that [to make those achievements], he had almost met the King of Hell several times. He bit his lip as he followed to see what kind of family would let an underage man go to serve in the military.

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On the way to the Zhao family’s house, Tang Chunming met another ger who knew the original [Brother Ming], who had stepped out of someone else’s house to see what all the excitement was about. Wang Chunhua, who was the wife of the eldest Zhao. (2) When Wang Chunhua saw that it was Tang Chunming, he was surprised, and glanced at Tang Chunming’s stomach before saying, “Brother, this is your luck, you shouldn’t be biased. It is difficult for your grandma, and they just want to let you marry a loving man. So go and apologize to your grandma and make amends. Your Grandma has been so angry these days that they are bedridden.”

Tang Chunming ignored Wang Chunhua, but accelerated his steps. This Wang Chunhua did not have too much interaction with Brother Ming. [Wang Chunhua] did not suffer badly in front of Grandma Zhao, and he knew [from his words] that his and Lin’er’s situation was being manipulated by [Grandma Zhao]. Now he needs to clarify the situation and get a handle of Grandma Zhao.

Tang Chunming ignored him, but the people next to him did not remain silent. What do you mean by a loving man, Wang Chunhua, why don’t you try it yourself. These things happened only two or three days ago and who doesn’t know. This so-called loving man is not only a lame man but also has two sloppy children. His previous wife could no longer stand him and jumped into the river. He doesn’t work and is constantly stealing chickens or food in the village. Who doesn’t know that Grandma Zhao fancies the man’s money and wants to push Brother Ming into fire.

What’s more, people like that can’t come up with so much money. Didn’t they just borrow money to marry a brother? Once they got married, he would have to bear the debt and suffer. What a great joke.

Regarding Grandma Zhao’s heartache, although some of the village folks don’t say it aloud, they will still whisper about it in their heart. The old Zhao often suffers from heartache, after all not only his husband but his son, who is upright and strong, have both passed away. However, isn’t he still alive and well, always scolding people so loudly. Now that he failed to force Brother Ming to remarry, isn’t saying that he is ill just a trick to force Brother Ming to be submissive.

Without Tang Chunming backing up the words of those that spoke, Wang Chunhua was at first speechless. However he was always cheek and continued to support Grandma Zhao. “It isn’t just me that has to listen to Grandma Zhao. Everyone in the Zhao family has to listen to Grandma Zhao.”

Zhang Xiu stepped up, catching up from behind just in time to hear Wang Chunhua’s words, and immediately shouted “Oi, how come I heard that you inquired about this man at your mother’s house, Wang Chunhua. Isn’t his man from our mother’s family? Who in this village doesn’t know that day in and day out, you are always trying to ruin Brother Ming’s reputation. Saying that he is alys and doesn’t care about his husband’s family. All the wild animals that are hunted by Dahu, in whose stomach does it enter? Look at your red and healthy faces and then look at Brother Ming and his child. Bah, you still have the verve to say that others are lazy!”

The crowd looked and saw that Wang Chunhua was as big as two Brother Ming. Wang Chunhua panicked and immediately greased his feet to run, but still continued to say, “This is not what I said, beside, in the Zhao family, I don’t make the decisions.”

“The other day, I heard my eldest uncle say to grandma that he would give me away in exchange for ten silver.” Although Zhao Lin is ignorant, he still has his intuition and can read the room. There are so many people here, and he bravely said those words to Wang Chunhua.

Wang Chunhua, who was slipping up, was so eager to turn around and scold the child to death. He also knew that the situation was getting more detrimental to him, so he had to rush back faster. He had always hid behind Grandma Zhao. Why did he rush out to try and get some advantage?

Tang Chunming stopped and looked at the child in his arms. He saw from his memory that when he went to the Zhao family’s house that day with Lin’er, he had been busy in the kitchen when Lin’er suddenly cried and ran over. He said Grandma Zhao and his uncle wanted to give him away. This had caused him and Grandma Zhao to have a fight, but he did not know that Lin’er was being sold for silver. Good, this made Tang Chunming hate the shameless Zhao family even more!

“Ah-Lin, did your uncle and grandma really say that. Did they say it was ten taels of silver?”

“Mother, they did say so. They also scold me, calling me a loser. (3)” Zhao Lin said looking wronged.

Tang Chunming’s eyes narrowed but he still coaxed, “Don’t listen to them, Ah-Lin is my baby, I like Ah Lin the most, no one can steal Ah-Lin.”

“Ah-Lin is good, there is still Uncle. Uncle will protect our Lin’er.” Tang Chunrong was also so angry that he was flushed with anger.

Now no one will doubt the truth of the matter. Sometimes the words of children are the most truthful. Not to mention, Brother Ming did not know that his child was also being sold for money. The voices condemning the Zhao family grew louder.

A large group of people continued to go to Zhao’s house. Zhang Xiu saw that the situation was good. After turning a corner, he walked quickly in the direction of the village leader’s house. Wang Ying followed the team and watched Tang Chunming walking in the forefront. There was some confusion in his eyes, did this stepson really change? In the past, he was never like this and although he didn’t like [his past personality], after living for so many years, he could understand his stepson.

If you really change your temper, it will be a good thing for Ah-Rong.

As soon as Wang Chunhua slipped home, she closed the courtyard door and ran back to her room. The eldest son in the family wondered why his wife came back so early, as it was usually dinner time when he came home. Grandma Zhao and Zhao Pingchuan were sitting in the room that had been set aside as the study. They were not aware that a large group of people, led by Tang Chunming were coming their direction.

During this time of the year, no one was busy and many people were idle. Since such a big thing was happening, everyone was willing to go. In addition, Grandma Zhao and the Zhao’s first wife were not well liked by others. One was mean and the other likes to create trouble. In the past, Dahu was honest and the youngest was a Tongsheng, so not many people would pursue too much.

As soon as the group walked to the Zhao family’s house, they saw that the courtyard gate was closed. Someone suddenly shouted, “Didn’t Wang Chunhua just go back? I think he has a guilty conscience, Brother Ming, do you want us to call at the door for you?”

“I’ll do it, this is my own business. Everyone came here to give me face and bear witness. How can I bother everyone for this small matter.” Tang Chunming stood up and raised his hand, holding Lin’er in one hand. He walked forward and knocked on the door forcefully.

After a dozen seconds, a voice rang out, “Who closed the door during the day? Eldest son, eldest sister-in-law, go quickly to see who is outside? Who knows if this will delay your [youngest] brother’s reading.” Once the voice was lowered, they could hear some scolding.

The eldest son of the Zhao family got up and went out to open the door when he heard the cry of his mother. He wondered how Wang Chunhua closed the courtyard door when he came back. During the daytime, it was rare [for them to close the door]. However, he was caught by Wang Chunhua, who said in a low voice, “Don’t go out, your good brother’s wife brought a bunch of people to the house to find us to settle accounts. If you go out, people will point at you and scold you.”

“I won’t.” The oldest Zhao son was called Zhao Daniu. (4) His father, when he was still alive, did not like him, as he was often playing and cheating others. He often told him that he could never live up to his name. Zhao Daniu became more and more lazy as he grew up. After his father passed, he relied on Wang Chunhua, who’s position in the house increased after the birth of his second child. (5) This made [Grandma Zhao] value Wang Chunhua.