Chapter 20
You Lingxiao saw Huo Shu and Ji Yangzong enter the house and wanted to follow, but he was somewhat intimidated by Huo Shu’s cold expression.
Turning around, he thought to plead with Huang Manjing, who was tidying tea bowls on the same side, but was abruptly pulled back by the eldest uncle of the You family, who had come to the gathering to show off.
“Lingxiao!”
The eldest uncle of the You family lowered his voice only after dragging him aside: “The village head has already announced that marriages will now be arranged separately. What’s the point of clinging to this? Don’t make a fool of yourself.”
“Go back. You’re a juren now. With the current tax rates, you can find anyone you want.”
You's mother also hurried over, and the two of them coaxed and persuaded, pulling You Lingxiao out.
You Lingxiao silently followed them to the gate of the courtyard but suddenly shook them off and ran straight back into the house: “Uncle Ji!”
Hearing the shouting, Ji Yangzong frowned and cursed: “Damn it.”
He quickly intercepted You Lingxiao at the door before he could rush into the house: “What do you want? What else do you want?!”
You Lingxiao panted: “Uncle Ji, is there some misunderstanding about the marriage? Why was it really announced? I want to see Taoyu and explain things to him.”
“Misunderstanding?”
Ji Yangzong scoffed: “Wasn’t it your mother who demanded the announcement? Now everything’s gone your way, so why pretend? You Lingxiao, don’t think just because you’re a juren now, you’re something special. I used to give you face, hoping for a clean break, but you insist on clinging. Do you really need to come here and beg for a scolding to feel satisfied?”
“And you still want to see Xiao Taozi? What business does an unrelated man have seeing him?”
This was the first time You Lingxiao had been berated so harshly by Ji Yangzong. His cheeks flushed red: “Uncle, I sincerely wish to marry Taoyu. Perhaps our family has been too busy lately, leading you to misunderstand our intentions.”
“Enough! I know exactly what your family is scheming. No need for this fake sincerity here.”
Ji Yangzong snapped: “Instead of wasting time here, go read a few more books and climb that high branch of yours. Since you’ve found a better perch, the Ji family hasn’t clung to yours, that’s already more than generous. Yet you still pester Xiao Taozi? You Lingxiao, don’t think the Ji family is easy to bully!”
You's mother who had chased after them, turned livid upon hearing this.
“Village Head, you were the one who called off the engagement, yet now you blame our family. Where’s your proof? You accuse us of climbing high branches, show us the evidence! Slandering Lingxiao’s reputation with empty mouth and white teeth, how can a village head mock a juren like this?”
[空口白牙 (kōng kǒu bái yá): lit. empty mouth and white teeth; fig. baseless accusations]
Seeing her son got scolded, You's mother couldn’t help but retort.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know the truth!”
Ji Yangzong was furious: “The engagement’s off, yet you come here pretending there’s a misunderstanding. What’s the point of clinging?”
“Who’d want anything to do with the Ji family? If not for the gathering, I’d never come. As if your sickly ger is some celestial beauty!”
This remark ignited Ji Yangzong’s temper, but before he could respond, Huo Shu suddenly stepped forward and said coldly: “Get out.”
You's mother looked up at Huo Shu’s icy, murderous expression and felt a chill down her spine, but she still stubbornly retorted: “This is between our two families. What does an outsider like you have to do with it?”
The moment she finished speaking, You's mother shrieked.
Her feet left the ground as Huo Shu grabbed her clothes and lifted her like poultry, striding toward the gate.
“Mother!”
You Lingxiao, seeing his mother being carried off like livestock, panicked and chased after them.
Huo Shu reached the gate and threw her out.
You's mother landed hard on her backside, completely stunned.
You Lingxiao crouched to help her up: “Mother, are you alright?”
The You family’s eldest and second branches arrived just in time to witness Huo Shu’s actions. Terrified, they didn’t dare argue further.
“Lingxiao, let’s go!”
Seeing his mother in such a state, You Lingxiao had no choice but to leave with her.
“Pah!”
Watching the You family leave, Ji Yangzong was delighted that Huo Shu had vented his anger for him. He spat fiercely at the gate, never having despised the You family as much as he did now.
Back then, You's mother's reputation in the village was so poor that no family wanted anything to do with her. Yet he hadn’t scorned her—instead, he’d even arranged a marriage. Only now did he realize what kind of upright child such a person could raise.
They were all just profit-seeking, eyeing higher branches to climb.
Ji Yangzong took a moment to calm himself at the gate before leading Huo Shu through the courtyard to the main hall with a smile.
“Sorry you had to see that. Villagers bicker a lot, don’t take it to heart.”
Ji Yangzong asked Huo Shu: “Are you settling in well in the village?”
Huo Shu gave nodded briefly, then noticed white smoke wafting from a window in a room to the left, accompanied by a strong herbal scent.
Ji Yangzong followed his gaze and waved a hand: “That’s Taoyu brewing medicine. The room’s always smoky.”
“Is he sick?”
“No, he just likes tinkering with that stuff. Learned it from his grandfather. Stays cooped up all day, never goes out.”
Hearing he wasn’t ill, Huo Shu withdrew his gaze.
Ji Yangzong invited Huo Shu to sit and brought out good tea. As he brewed it, he asked: “It’s noisy outside with all the villagers. Sorry for the poor hospitality. Did you need something, Huo-lang?”
[The suffix -lang (郎) in Huo-lang is a term of respect and endearment in ancient China, meaning young master, gentleman, or dear one, often used for noblemen, scholars, or loved ones.]
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