Chapter 078

Some things are indeed hard to discern, but some things aren’t calculated that way.

As the sweat on her body gradually subsided, Tong Sui pressed her face against the man’s gently rising chest and whispered, "Whatever the family needs me to do, I won’t shirk it. But if the family needs my father, mother, or grandfather's help again, you must tell me first so that I can speak to them."

Xiao Zhen spoke, as he was the son-in-law, and his parents and grandfather might comply due to familial obligations.

If they were unwilling, no matter how justified the Xiao family’s reasons were, Tong Sui wouldn’t force her own family.

Xiao Zhen looked at her long hair spread across her back and said, "Alright. I didn’t inform you beforehand because before meeting your grandfather, I wasn’t sure if he would be willing to go to the mountains. At the clinic, when I heard why he hadn’t moved to Taohuagou to avoid trouble, I realized his benevolence. If your grandfather were a cowardly and unscrupulous person, even if the mountains desperately needed a doctor, I wouldn’t have troubled him."

Tong Sui: ...

Regardless of whether he meant it or was just comforting her, his words sounded pleasant.

Xiao Zhen stroked her head again, "In times of peace, I could ensure you live in comfort, and I’d treat my father-in-law and grandfather with fine wine and tea. But in these times, everyone must contribute their talents. Like in April, if I had hesitated to involve my in-laws and sought help elsewhere for logging and making guns, would the elders truly be happy? Would you be happy?"

Tong Sui thought that if he did that, her parents would resent Xiao Zhen for not trusting them.

Xiao Zhen: "Marrying you is indeed my good fortune. Not only are you capable, but your parents can also alleviate my worries."

Tong Sui: "...There’s no need to say that. You’ve helped us a lot too. Yesterday, if it weren’t for your reputation, that ruffian wouldn’t have given up so easily."

Including the Xiao family’s efforts against bandits, Taohuagou was one of the villages that benefited from their actions.

Xiao Zhen: "I help your grandfather because he’s your family, and I dare ask him because of you. Xiaoman, I stopped treating you as an outsider long ago. Why are you still drawing lines?"

Tong Sui: "I’m not... I’m..."

Xiao Zhen: "Afraid something might happen to your grandfather because of you?"

Tong Sui nodded.

Xiao Zhen: "Worrying is normal, but if doing this benefits everyone, it must be done. The closer the relationship, the more we should use each other, especially the most reliable ones. If involving your grandfather makes you uncomfortable, think about how I treat Fourth Younger Brother. Would I push my own brother into danger?"

Tong Sui: "...Grandfather was right; you’re quite eloquent."

Xiao Zhen: "That’s because my reasoning convinces you. If I were full of nonsense, Grandfather would have handed me over to the authorities long ago."

Tong Sui hit him lightly.

Xiao Zhen caught her hand, "No more anger?"

Tong Sui gritted her teeth, "You also can’t arrange things behind my back anymore."

No matter how persuasive he was, any future arrangements involving her family must go through her first.

Xiao Zhen: "Alright."

—

Two days later, Xiao Zhen was to send Zhou Jingchun to Imprisoned Dragon Ridge overnight.

Tong Sui went out with him. The couple wrapped cloth around the mule’s hooves and led it northward to the riverbank before galloping off.

Arriving at the foot of a mountain, Xiao Zhen whistled. In response, a cat’s meow came from the woods, and soon, Tong Gui supported Zhou Jingchun out.

Tong Sui quickly dismounted to greet her grandfather.

Zhou Jingchun exclaimed, "Why are you here in the middle of the night?"

Tong Sui asked Tong Gui to accompany Xiao Zhen while she took her grandfather aside to whisper, "Are you going willingly? If you don’t want to, I’ll take you back to Taohuagou."

Zhou Jingchun understood and huffed, "What, only you can be brave enough to venture into bandit territory, while I can only hide and treat patients in safety?"

Tong Sui: ...

Zhou Jingchun: "Don’t worry. Your grandfather isn’t senile yet. It’s good that your husband has courage and plans. I’m glad I can be useful. Live well with him; don’t let this create a rift."

Without the Xiao family’s reputation, even hiding in Taohuagou wouldn’t protect them from that ruffian.

Tong Sui had nothing more to say.

The grandfather and granddaughter returned to Xiao Zhen. Just as they were about to mount, Tong Gui suddenly stepped in front of Xiao Zhen and pleaded, "Second Master, please take me along. I promise to obey."

Without looking at Tong Sui’s expression, Xiao Zhen directly refused, "There’s nothing urgent in the mountains now. You’re better suited to stay in Taohuagou and watch over your mother-in-law. Do you think your family’s lives are less important than your ambitions?"

Tong Gui’s face changed, then he looked at his sister and stepped aside, "I understand. Go ahead."

Xiao Zhen patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry. If there’s a need, as long as Aman agrees, I’ll call you."

Tong Gui scoffed, "She can’t control me as a sister. Second Master, just give the order."

Xiao Zhen: "Even I have to listen to her. How can she not control you?"

Tong Sui: "...Grandfather, ride with me. Let’s go."

Zhou Jingchun stroked his beard, smiling without speaking.

After parting with Tong Gui, the three rode towards Imprisoned Dragon Ridge.

The stone gate was still guarded, but by their own people. Xiao Zhen lit a fire to illuminate their faces, exchanged passwords, and the villagers let them in.

Sun Dian, Xiao Ye, and Zhang Wengong arrived to welcome them, and they all headed to the council hall.

Xiao Zhen introduced Zhou Jingchun to them formally.

Sun Dian glanced between Zhou Jingchun and Tong Sui, surprised, "So you’re actually family. When I was a constable in the city, I used to get medicine from Tai’an Hall. I wonder if you remember, Old Zhou."

Zhou Jingchun looked at the scar outside his right eye: "I remember, you were injured when you caught someone, covered in blood and rushed into the clinic, scaring many people away."

Sun Dian: "…"

Zhang Wengong: "Second Brother, Uncle Zhou has been traveling all night. Why don't I take him to his room first?"

Xiao Zhen: "Yes, give him the room reserved for me."

Tong Sui: "I'll help with the arrangements."

Xiao Zhen nodded and said to Zhou Jingchun: "I have matters to discuss with Sun Dian and the others, so I won't be able to entertain you now."

Zhou Jingchun waved his hand: "Go ahead with your work. I need to head back soon. As long as I have a place to sleep, there's no need for special treatment."

The grandfather and grandson left with Zhang Wengong.

Xiao Ye waited until they were far enough away before admiringly saying to his elder brother: "Second Brother, you really did it, bringing Second Sister-in-Law's grandfather here. If I were Second Sister-in-Law, I'd definitely make a fuss."

Xiao Zhen: "Good that you understand. Make sure to take good care of the old man. Otherwise, if anything happens, we won't be able to explain ourselves to Second Sister-in-Law."

Xiao Ye nodded.

Time was limited, so Xiao Zhen first asked about the situation in the mountains over the past few days. Upon learning that no one had caused trouble, he then informed them about various matters in the village.

Sun Dian was very confident in his father and listened quietly as the Xiao brothers chatted, occasionally interjecting. When Tong Sui and Zhang Wengong returned, Sun Dian suddenly jumped up and approached Tong Sui: "Second Lady, did Liu'er shed any tears when she heard about my death?"

Tong Sui first kept her distance and lowered her eyes: "Elder Sister has been grieving for Fourth Brother. I don't know about the rest."

Sun Dian glared at Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye ignored him and asked Tong Sui: "Second Sister-in-Law, did you receive the gold bracelet I sent you?"

Tong Sui smiled and nodded.

Xiao Ye: "When I have more money, I'll send you a real one."

Tong Sui: "I like the one you gave me. You should keep the real one for my future sister-in-law."

Xiao Ye: "She doesn't even exist yet. Of course, I'll prioritize my Second Sister-in-Law. Just think about how much you've helped us recently. From now on, whenever there's something good, I'll think of you first."

Sun Dian clicked his tongue: "That sweet talk will get you slapped by your Second Brother."

Xiao Ye: "…"

Xiao Zhen merely glanced at Tong Sui, who was being amused by his brother, and then spoke to Zhang Wengong: "I've explained everything to Uncle Zhang. He said not to worry about home."

Zhang Wengong nodded.

After another two quarters of an hour, Xiao Zhen and Tong Sui left in the night.

---

By June, the three brothers—Xiao Zhen, Xiao Yan, and Xiao She—resumed their routine of working in the fields during the day and hunting in the mountains after finishing their farm work.

He Shi and Xiao Yuchan no longer mentioned Xiao Ye, and smiles returned to their faces.

Tong Sui seized every moment to read books, seeking guidance from Lin Ningfang whenever she encountered difficulties. In terms of teaching, Lin Ningfang knew just as much as Xiao Zhen and was more serious. Tong Sui wished she could spend every day with Lin Ningfang.

Liu Chu, hearing their discussions about emperors and feudal lords, curiously asked Tong Sui: "Why are you suddenly reading these kinds of books?"

Tong Sui, prepared for the question, explained: "Don't you find these stories more interesting than those told by storytellers?"

Liu Chu: "Those texts are so formal; I wouldn't be able to read them. But listening to Third Sister-in-Law explain the details is indeed like watching a play."

Lin Ningfang smiled gently, seemingly indifferent to what book Tong Sui chose.

One day during lunch, He Shi shared some news: "The Pan family, since they moved into the village, has received many marriage proposals. They've found various excuses to reject them all. Wang Shi was initially quite persuasive, making the women in the village her allies. But now, the women say that the mother and daughter are too proud and look down on others. Few still bother with them."

Xiao Yuchan put down her bowl and said with schadenfreude: "Wang Shi brought this upon herself. I remember how she introduced her daughter to everyone, clearly trying to spread her daughter's reputation. Now that villagers are rushing to propose, she rejects them all. It's no wonder they're offended."

Liu Chu: "Pan girl is beautiful; having high standards is understandable."

Xiao Yuchan thought for a moment and looked at the empty table next door, which was usually occupied by the three Xiao brothers: "Could the Pan family be interested in us? Waiting for us to propose?"

Other wealthy families in the village had also proposed to the Pan family, but none surpassed their own status.

Xiao Mu: "Eat. What others think is none of our concern. We should focus on ourselves."

At the Pan household, Wang Shi was indeed troubled by the changing attitudes of the villagers. If the gossip continued, her daughter's reputation would be ruined.

Pan Yuerou: "Let them say what they want. If the conditions aren't right, I'd rather not marry."

Wang Shi: "Even though Xiao Ye is gone, Xiao She is still a good match?"

Pan Yuerou: "His mother and sister are difficult to deal with. Noble daughters don't have to do chores, but if I marry into their family, they'll definitely make me work."

Wang Shi: "Even if they make you cook and clean, the Xiao family dares to fight bandits. Only by marrying into their family can you avoid being bullied."

Pan Yuerou thought of her father going to town for work and her brother working in the fields. Whenever only the three of them were at home, her heart felt uneasy.

Perhaps she should try Xiao She?

At dusk that day, hearing that the Xiao brothers had hunted two roe deer, the neighbors went to see the spectacle. Pan Yuerou and her mother also joined them.

While others watched the bound deer struggling on the ground, Pan Yuerou secretly observed Xiao She. Seeing his handsome face and imposing figure, she was somewhat satisfied.

Xiao She disliked having so many people around and was about to leave.

Pan Yuerou pulled her mother towards the direction he was leaving.

"Old Fifth, where are you going? Come, help me carry a roe deer to the river to slaughter it!"

Xiao She paused at Third Brother's call, his gaze falling on Pan Yuerou as she walked over.

Pan Yuerou met his eyes and shyly lowered her eyelids.

Xiao She thought, which of the two roe deer should we carry? The bigger one will fetch more money, but the smaller one has less meat, which wouldn't be satisfying for our family to eat...

Forget it, let Grandfather choose!