"Indeed, Granny, their family is so kind-hearted, but this Lin Xinghua is just too ungrateful."
"You could see it clearly back when the Wang Family was down and out. Even before divorce, she fled back to her parents’ ho, planning to find a new match. A woman this fickle can’t be any good!"
"Tsk tsk, pity poor Yongfu, such an honest man."
"If you ask , Yongfu, you should marry again. A house without a mistress just won’t do. If you don’t marry, the one you have is like a leech that won’t drop off—"
...
Lady Lin listened for a while, but not a single person defended her; they all blad her.
Looking again at Wang Yongfu and his sons, every one of them had an unpleasant expression, and her heart instantly sank.
Old Granny Zhang wasted no ti and directly instructed Liu Xiaoqiao and Lady Jiang to drag Lady Lin out. Then they exited the courtyard together, called soone to fetch an Iron General, and locked up the Wang Family’s old house with a snap.
Only then did she apologize, "Such a late hour, we’ve disturbed everyone’s rest, I’m truly sorry."
The crowd quickly waved their hands, shook their heads, and rely said it was nothing, that it was hot anyway, so they couldn’t sleep.
After so polite exchanges, Old Granny Zhang pulled Wang Yongzhu along and went back ho, while the Wang Family also hurriedly followed.
Seeing there’s no more drama to watch, everyone dispersed, locked their doors, and went back to sleep.
Left was Lady Lin alone, sitting desolately at the doorstep, surrounded by scattered things...
Everyone followed Old Granny Zhang back to the house, not daring to disperse.
Old Granny Zhang tossed the feather duster in her hand, "Why are you all hanging around ? Go back to your rooms and sleep! We have to get up early to hurry on with our journey tomorrow morning!"
The crowd hurriedly scattered like birds and beasts, diving into their own rooms.
Yet, after everyone had gone to sleep, the door of the main house opened, and Jindou and his two brothers ca out, exchanged silent glances, and went out.
At dawn, they returned ho covered in dew, looking as though they hadn’t slept all night, their eyes red from exhaustion.
Early the next morning, Wang Yongzhu called Yao Da to pass on a word to Lizheng.
Yesterday’s incident with Lady Lin reminded her that if a daughter from Qilidun gets married off and can’t make a living, afraid to divorce, and doesn’t dare return ho due to having no inco, being despised by parents and brothers, she might end up being hastily married off again.
Therefore, she told Lizheng that if a daughter from Qilidun divorces and returns to the village, she can also enjoy the sa treatnt.
With this assurance, I reckon their families won’t feel the urge to marry them off so hastily!
Lizheng, hearing Yao Da’s words and recalling the commotion from the previous night, couldn’t help but shake his head.
It was said that Lady Lin cried outside the Wang Family’s old house until dawn, and it was Jindou and his brothers who helped pack up her things in the morning, temporarily settling her in a hay shed at the edge of the village.
The three brothers had spent the whole night tidying up and making that shed, which was originally a cattle shed. After selling the cattle, the shed was no longer needed.
The original structure was still there, with thatched grass reassembled on top, and after so slight tidying, it barely shielded against the elents.
Lady Lin was on the verge of tears; from the Wang Family’s new courtyard to the old house, and now to the hay shed, her unwilling heart couldn’t change a thing. Her three sons moved her belongings and left without a word.
People passing by the hay shed early in the morning could still hear Lady Lin crying inside.
Pity no one sympathized with her; instead, they laughed at her, thinking she squandered a good life, a good husband, and good children all away.
After breakfast, when Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu loaded their luggage onto the cart, villagers arrived.
With reluctance in their hearts, forming lines along the road to bid farewell, following them several miles outside the village until they were persuaded to return.
This ti the Wang Family Brothers knew this would be a long parting, not knowing when they could et again, so they escorted them to the town.
Along the way, Wang Yongfu hesitated to speak and finally seized a chance to approach Old Granny Zhang, only to have his words blocked, "No need to make a pledge or say anything about burdening and promising not to act a certain way in the future! Aren’t you tired of talking about it? I’m tired of hearing it! You’ll be holding a grandchild yourself soon enough; clearly, you know what should and shouldn’t be done!"
"All you brothers are the sa. Live your own lives! How you live is your own destiny! Despite being your mother, I can’t take care of you for life!"
"My one word is: Lady Lin can never step back into the Wang Family, not even once! She isn’t allowed to ddle in Wang Family affairs! If the three sons want to be filial to her, I won’t stop them! But if Lady Lin steps inside the Wang Family courtyard, you’ll be separated from the main branch, and I’ve already spoken with Lizheng and the clan about this. You better weigh it carefully."
Wang Yongfu’s throat clogged with all his unsaid words, unable to utter even half a syllable.
Even Wang Yonggui and Wang Yongping dared not make a sound, remaining silent all the way to the town.
When the actual mont of departure arrived, the Wang Family’s eyes were red, and Jindou and Jinguan tightly held Jinhoo’s hand.
Jinhoo himself had red eyes, clenching his teeth to avoid letting the tears fall.
Old Granny Zhang waved her hand, "Alright, you all head back! Just keep in line and be honest at ho, don’t bring trouble to your sister or brother-in-law, nor disgrace them, and that’ll be your filial piety to !"
"Once we’ve settled over there, we’ll send word to you! Just focus on living your lives well!"
Song Chongjin got down from the carriage to bid farewell.
Wang Yongfu and his brothers had nothing else, only entrusting him to treat Old Granny Zhang well and take care of their sister.
They assured him they wouldn’t cause any trouble for Song Chongjin in the village and would watch over their tea mountain business diligently!
Song Chongjin also exchanged pleasantries with them, promising to take care of Wang Yongzhu, her mother, and Jinhoo.
Then he climbed onto the horse, said goodbye, and left.
The Wang Family Brothers watched as these carriages slowly faded away, while Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu poked their heads out from the carriage, waving until they were out of sight.
For so reason, a void filled their hearts, finally realizing that this farewell ant the next eting was truly uncertain.
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