Chapter 17

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Carrying a bamboo basket packed full to the brim back home, Song Miao had not yet had time to sort out the things when she heard someone knocking at the door from outside.

Opening the door to look, it was unexpectedly Sun Lizheng's wife, Zhu Shi.

Song Miao hurriedly greeted the other party and then ushered her inside.

Zhu Shi shook her head, only standing at the doorway to speak, saying: "There are still matters at my home, so I won't stay long."

As she spoke, she handed over the food box she was carrying, smiling: "I was still afraid you wouldn't be home — a few days ago a relative who went to Guangnan to trade sent me two baskets of mountain goods, saying they were top-quality Rong County yam and Lipu taro; you know as well, my family is only a few mouths, where could we finish eating it all, so I just brought a little over to give to you."

Song Miao reached out to take it; sure enough, a whole big box, heavy and solid, at least seven or eight catties, and she hurriedly thanked her.

Zhu Shi said again: "Don't rush to thank me yet; this time I have come with a request."

In a few words she explained her purpose: originally an elder in her family was about to celebrate a birthday, planning to send some pastries as a gift; because she had eaten the fortune-character cake Song Miao sent last time, she found the taste extremely good, and the meaning auspicious, so she wanted to ask her to help make some with "fortune", "longevity", "auspicious" characters, asking if it could be done, and also asking the price.

Song Miao agreed in one breath, smiling: "It's not worth any money; it's just a bit troublesome to make, but this stuff won't stay fresh if kept long, so Auntie look at which auspicious day you want it, and I'll make it early that morning and deliver it to your residence."

As she spoke she lifted the food box again, saying: "Moreover right now yam and taro this rare, even with money you might not be able to buy them; I've already taken full advantage, how could I still have the nerve to take money."

These words of hers were not mere politeness.

Rong County and Lipu are both in Guangnan West Road, a thousand li distant from the Capital, with towering mountains and steep ridges, the place extremely remote; this Chinese yam and taro are very inconvenient to preserve and transport, and now it is already early spring, truly not considered fully in season, so the price is even more not cheap.

Moreover Sun Lizheng helped her a great deal; there is absolutely no reason to charge money just for making a few pastries.

Zhu Shi however said: "One code repays one code; if you do it like this, next time where would I still have the face to come ask you for help."

Also said: "If you don't take money, I won't have you make them."

As she spoke she pressed Song Miao repeatedly to name a price.

Seeing her so insistent, Song Miao calculated based on the ingredients and quoted the cost price.

Zhu Shi said: "Fine then, today I'll just take this advantage of you — but in my view, you spend all day selling breakfast by the Taixue gate; although business is not bad, the money earned is not much; it would be better to go sell pastries."

She praised that fortune cake's taste again and again, then added: "Old Sun ate more than half the moment he got home; the rest I put in a small dish and served to guests, and not a single person who ate it failed to praise it as exquisite, and also praise the flavor as good!"

Song Miao choosing to set up a stall at the Taixue gate naturally had her own intention.

Moreover that fortune-character cake is extremely troublesome to make; selling it at a stall, if the price is set high it won't sell, if set low it's not worthwhile.

But Zhu Shi after all kindly suggested it, so she naturally would not brush aside the other's goodwill, only smiling and agreeing a few sentences.

Zhu Shi exchanged a few more pleasantries, then asked: "Last time you came over, was it to find Old Sun for something? He has been extremely busy this whole stretch, unable to spare time; since I've come to the door, I'll just ask along the way."

Although they had only dealt with each other twice, Song Miao had already seen that this person before her could at least count as half of Sun Lizheng's household, so she straightforwardly told her request.

Learning that Song Miao wanted to repay those creditors monthly, last time she came to the door originally planning to ask her husband to step forward and mediate, Zhu Shi was truly shocked.

She did not agree outright, but neither did she refuse, only couldn't help saying: "I'll go back and tell him — truly one cannot judge by appearance; you really are gritting your teeth and striving!"

As she spoke she asked Song Miao for the contract documents written for the creditors.

When it came time to leave, Zhu Shi suddenly asked: "Does your family still have any relatives or old acquaintances who can help?"

Song Miao was stunned for a moment.

Zhu Shi said: "You are born this beautiful, and conduct yourself properly; only in the end your household's population is too thin, easy for people to have designs on; daytime is still alright, but if at night someone knocks on the door, you alone at home, you must not lightly answer."

"Your family has been in the Capital for some years; feeling through the branches and veins, you might just feel out someone capable."

Speaking to here, her tone also became meaningful, and she added: "At this time also don't bother about face; ask for help to come help a bit; my husband after all is only a Lizheng, his words carry no weight; even if he is willing to step forward, as long as the other side is stronger, they can just press him down in one go."

Song Miao naturally heard her meaning, and hurriedly thanked her without further mention.

That Zhu Shi hesitated a moment, then said: "I remember you still have a marriage connection, surnamed Lin, right? If that family has righteousness, you also don't be too stiff-necked…"

"Already gone." Song Miao answered.

Zhu Shi originally still wanted to persuade; hearing Song Miao this sentence, truly unexpected, instantly she couldn't even speak.

Rushing to the in-laws' mourning period to break off the engagement, this kind of action, no matter who heard it would frown; the Lin family prides itself on poetry and books handed down, always caring about face, naturally would not publicize it outside.

As for the original Song Miao, she even hanged herself; where else could it be told?

The current Song Miao after waking up, day after day busy earning money to repay debts, also thinking how to keep her own house; if not for Zhu Shi bringing it up, she would have almost forgotten she once still had such a marriage connection; so the matter of breaking the engagement until now not many people know.

Only not a few neighbors recently privately discuss, all saying the Song family's this marriage connection is not very worthwhile.

That family surnamed Lin, newly entered the Capital only a few years, originally also no family assets; moreover residing in the Capital is not easy; when they first came, for a long stretch of time they borrowed residence in a temple, suffering quite a few hardships.

Losing things east and west, being subjected to the guest master's cold words was secondary; their family had one daughter and one son, the eldest daughter at that time was of marriageable age, had some looks; the temple had many people and mixed eyes; she let alone washing up, even going to the toilet was inconvenient.

Fortunately the son Lin Yiwen had some talent in reading, and with his father pressing hard, he quickly passed into Nanlu Academy.

Song Miao's elder brother studied in the same study hall as him, only feeling this classmate had good literary talent, was also diligent, and sympathized with his family's poverty; because the Song Family Eatery was right by the academy, he often brought him home to eat.

Coming and going, Song's Mother also felt this young man's appearance and speech were good, so she developed the intention of betrothal.

The Song family was wealthy, and did not plan to rely on their daughter to climb some high connection; because they valued Lin Yiwen's future prospects, they did not mind the Lin family's poverty.

The Lin family was poor, and also newly arrived; they were also very willing to have a local family help support them; moreover at this time although the Song family was only merchants, Song Miao's elder brother studied very well, not necessarily without chance to seek a future.

Both sides hit it off immediately, interacted for a while, then finalized the betrothal.

After the betrothal, Song's Mother found a suitable residence for the in-laws, and also helped Lin Fuzi recommend everywhere, finally recruiting enough students, opening a private school, and days slowly improved.