Just as the food was served, Song An and Mrs. Song ca in.
Though Lin Qiao was surprised to see Mrs. Song, she still went to get bowls and chopsticks for them.
Mrs. Song, not at all polite, picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth. Song An gave her a glare, but it was useless.
He pursed his lips and glanced at Lin Qiao, "There’s a relative whose family deals in dicinal herbs. Their shop isn’t big, but they’re honest people. I think he’s alright, so I wanted to ask you."
The conversation made the dining table go silent. Song Tingfan gripped his chopsticks tightly, and both Song Qin and Song Rong glanced at him.
Song Qin spoke, "I don’t rember any relatives dealing with dicinal herbs."
"It’s from my maternal side. They’re well-off, never married, more than suited for her," Mrs. Song’s words were sowhat disdainful of Lin Qiao.
"If you can’t speak properly, just shut up!" Song An reprimanded her in a deep voice.
Mrs. Song pursed her lips, "That’s just how it is. If I hadn’t shalessly asked, they wouldn’t even have agreed to et."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao knew that the matchmaking idea was Mrs. Song’s doing. If it were Song An, she might have believed he had her interests at heart, but Mrs. Song definitely did not.
She was about to refuse when Song Tingfan, with a stern expression, spoke up, "I disagree."
"What do you an you disagree? It’s a good thing if your sister-in-law gets married. Are you going to support her forever? That’s a burden!" Mrs. Song snapped at him irritably. If the sister-in-law married out, the family’s silver coin would be his; why wouldn’t he want that? His brain must have been caught in the door!
In Lin Qiao’s heart, she internally exclaid, "Oh~" realizing they wanted her married off so Mrs. Song could claim Song Tingfan’s family assets under her na.
Such audacity, wanting her belongings.
Let’s see if she can actually get them.
In the past, out of consideration for Song An, Song Tingfan never confronted her. This ti, he put down his chopsticks heavily and raised his voice, "Sister-in-law is not a burden. I’ll support her for life."
The sudden loud voice startled Mrs. Song, causing the piece of braised pork she was holding to fall to the ground with a "plop" sound, "Why are you yelling! Is that any way to talk? Try yelling at again! I’ll teach you a lesson just like your mother would!"
Song Rong was enraged, slamming the table, "This is the second son’s house, not yours! What qualifies you to discipline Niu Niu, when both his mother and I are still alive!"
Perhaps he spoke in haste, as he couldn’t help but cough.
He then looked at Song An again, "We’ll handle Qiao’er’s marriage. You shouldn’t interfere!"
"You’re in your thirties or forties. Don’t you know what your wife is up to? She just wants the second son’s family’s belongings."
Having lived half a lifeti, how could he not see through it?
Mrs. Song was unhappy upon hearing this, imdiately retorting, "Dad, that’s a harsh way to put it. What do you an by wanting? If Song Tingfan can’t manage the household, is it wrong for , as the eldest aunt, to take charge?"
Hearing this, Song An finally understood why his wife brought up Lin Qiao’s marriage today.
He didn’t expect her to have good intentions, but since he had t the person she ntioned and thought they were indeed decent, he agreed to co.
He was so angry his face darkened, "What do you want! Do you have to ruin this family before you’re satisfied? Even a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs, nephews and nieces by marriage are like half-children. How can you think like that!"
"As long as I’m alive, don’t even think about touching Tingfan’s belongings!"
He looked at Lin Qiao, full of apology, then dragged Mrs. Song away.
What was a supposed happy al with braised pork turned into sothing no one but Lin Qiao could enjoy.
Lin Qiao actually didn’t mind. If Mrs. Song wanted to make a fuss, let her. In the end, she could only think about it. If Song Tingfan didn’t want it, no one could make her marry out.
She was still sure that, for now, the villain wouldn’t.
She placed more braised pork on Song Tingfan and the others’ plates, smiling, "It’s not good if it gets cold."
Song Tingfan didn’t understand her little sches. Seeing her smiling while serving them braised pork, he subconsciously thought she was enduring it despite the discomfort, making him feel even worse.
He returned the favor by giving her a few pieces of braised pork, "Sister-in-law, eat more."
"Alright, everyone eat more," Lin Qiao gestured for them to start.
...
In the afternoon, work continued. Song Tingfan was busy outside, while Lin Qiao was busy in the house, cleaning everything inside and out.
She cleaned out of Song Rong’s room and then entered Song Tingfan’s room, which was very tidy, with not much dirt.
On the table were a few sheets of used paper. She walked over and tidied up, seeing rows and rows of "Lin Qiao" and "Song Tingfan" written on them.
She couldn’t help but smile, then neatly stacked them aside, placing a weight on top.
She was completely unaware of the young man’s overt but covert feelings.
Later... it was too late.
When Li Guifen arrived, she was already tidying up her own room. Seeing her in such a hurry, she asked, "What’s wrong, did sothing happen at ho?"
"No, I just saw Tingfan’s aunt walking with Third Mrs. Song at noon. I feel like they’re up to no good," Li Guifen said, catching her breath.
At this, Lin Qiao finally understood where Mrs. Song’s nerve to cause trouble ca from, "Where did you see them?"
"In the shabby straw shed past the village entrance. I heard Third Mrs. Song moved there, so I went to take a look. I didn’t expect it to be true, and it makes so angry. Why doesn’t the governnt arrest them!" Li Guifen was anxious, worried sothing might happen to her daughter.
The truth is, they won’t get arrested. Last ti, Ruyi’s Master didn’t bring it up, clearly unwilling to help for free. If she did ntion it, sothing must be exchanged.
Lin Qiao thought about it; she couldn’t let Song Ming’s family take advantage of the situation. She leaned in to Li Guifen’s ear and whispered for a while.
Li Guifen’s eyes widened slightly, "I thought you took after your father, but you’re like . That’s the way to deal with them!"
"I’ll go ho and tell your father."
"No, just get a few beggars to do it." Lin Qiao was worried they’d get into trouble, pausing before adding, "I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry."
Just as she finished speaking, she noticed Song Tingfan standing at the door, and her mind began to race, "I’ll just hire a few beggars to plow the fields. Don’t worry, it’s fine."
She wasn’t worried about Song Tingfan taking pity on Third Mrs. Song’s family, just afraid her facade of being kind and gentle might crumble before him.
It wouldn’t be easy to keep up the act later.
Li Guifen, being shrewd, instantly realized soone was there after hearing her words, "This works too. Having soone do the work lightens the load."
After speaking, she turned to the door and saw Song Tingfan, drenched in sweat. Out of concern, she said, "Tingfan, why are you sweating so much? Daughter, go fetch a cloth to wipe him off."
There was a cloth in the room. Lin Qiao rummaged for one and handed it to Song Tingfan. At this mont, Li Guifen spoke again, "His hands are dirty. Help him wipe them."
Song Tingfan’s hand had already reached out when he heard this, retracting his hand and spreading it to show her, all covered in mud.
He awkwardly said, "It’s dirty."
Seeing him act on it, Li Guifen bead, finding him not too dense, as such people would cherish others. She urged, "Daughter, quickly wipe it for him. His sweat is stinging his eyes. Oh, it’s so hot, I’m going out to catch a breeze."
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