The news of Erlang and Zhang Qiaoxiu's impending marriage spread like wildfire through the small mountain village.
The villagers were all quite surprised. After all, they had previously been told the wedding would be next year, so the sudden acceleration and hurried arrangements naturally led to all sorts of speculation.
Some envious women even gossiped privately, saying that Zhang Qiaoxiu, seeing the Jiang family's current wealth and influence, feared a prolonged engagement might lead to changes and thus seduced Erlang into the woods to expedite the marriage.
Zhang Qiaoxiu was an extremely virtuous girl. Having just recovered from a frightening incident, she was still reeling when these malicious rumors began to spread. She found it unbearable, retreating into her room and not daring to go out.
Upon hearing the gossip, Erlang was furious and wanted to confront the villagers.
He couldn't directly challenge the Xu family, but surely he could stand up to the gossiping women of the village?
Jiang Wan stopped him. "Brother Er, can't you be more composed?"
Erlang clenched his fists. "How else am I supposed to be composed! This filth is being thrown at Qiaoxiu. She's a young lady, how can she endure this! Those gossips deserve a beating! One good thrashing would solve it!"
Jiang Wan rolled her eyes. "If you go and fight or cause a scene like this, it will only solidify the rumors."
Erlang's mind was in a haze of anger. "So, we just do nothing?"
"Of course, we must do something, but not with fists."
Jiang Wan beckoned him. "Brother Er, if you trust me, do as I say, and I guarantee those envious people will be driven to madness, and it will also bring honor to Sister Qiaoxiu."
Erlang quickly asked, "What's the plan? Tell me, and I'll do it!"
Even though his little sister was only a little over five years old, everything she said seemed so reasonable to him.
He believed his little sister's plan would surely be more effective than his fists.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "It's to give Sister Qiaoxiu enough face. They say she's the one eagerly pursuing? Then let them see who is truly eager."
She then gave Erlang a whole host of ideas. Erlang's eyes lit up as he listened, and he finally clapped his hands. "This is a great idea! I'll go do it now!"
Erlang immediately prepared to head into town.
Jiang Wan quickly instructed, "Brother Er, be careful."
If the Xu family couldn't achieve their goal with Zhang Qiaoxiu, they might very well target Erlang directly.
Erlang naturally understood this and rode his horse into town.
An hour later, Erlang returned to the village with a large pile of goods.
He deliberately ambled through the village with the items, stopping to chat with anyone he met.
"Aunt Er, have you eaten? Ah, yes, I bought some food and clothes for my Qiaoxiu. She's a thrifty girl, unwilling to eat or wear much, and it pains me to see it, so I used my savings to buy her some. I wonder if she'll like them."
"Aunt San, are you heading to the fields? Oh! How did you know I bought something for Qiaoxiu? Aunt, could you take a look and tell me if these things are good?"
Erlang made a high-profile tour of the village before taking the goods to the Zhang family's home.
Zhang Qiaoxiu was in a terrible mood and was reluctant to see Erlang, fearing that if someone saw them, they would gossip.
Erlang wasn't in a hurry to go inside. He stood outside the Zhang family's gate, gazing longingly at the entrance.
Whenever someone passed by the Zhang family's gate, he would shamelessly tell them that Qiaoxiu was hurt by the gossip and unwilling to see him before the wedding, making him feel like he was being tormented.
This fellow had quite good acting skills, blushing and scratching his head, which made the villagers laugh.
In less than half a day, the village's sentiment shifted. They began to spread rumors that Erlang was eager to marry Qiaoxiu and was trying every means to see her, but Qiaoxiu was a principled girl and refused to open the door for Erlang.
This infuriated those envious young women and wives to no end. Privately, they cursed Erlang for being useless and having never seen a woman before, treating a poor girl like a treasure.
But what angered them even more was that Erlang had no intention of stopping after just one day.
He wanted to give Qiaoxiu face, so he naturally had to go all out. The next day, he bought more silk flowers and jewelry for young ladies and eagerly delivered them to the Zhang family.
This time, Zhang Qiaoxiu was also moved and couldn't help but want to open the door for Erlang.
After all, the villagers were now ridiculing Erlang, and she felt reluctant.
Mother Zhang stopped her. "If you open the door now, Erlang's efforts will be in vain."
Zhang Qiaoxiu was confused. "Why? If I don't open the door, Erlang will surely feel bad."
Mother Zhang smiled and tapped her forehead. "You silly girl, think about it, how is the Jiang family's upbringing?"
"It's naturally excellent. Everyone in the Jiang family is polite and knows their boundaries."
This wasn't Zhang Qiaoxiu's biased view; the Jiang family indeed had that reputation.
Mother Zhang smiled. "That's right. The Jiang family is doing this to give you face."
"Erlang is truly a good child, and the Jiang family is very thoughtful. Daughter, do you remember these things today?"
Zhang Qiaoxiu was immensely touched.
Among all the married girls in the village, which one was like her, being protected by her future in-laws even before the wedding?
The Zhang family kept Erlang waiting for three days before opening the door, but they didn't let Zhang Qiaoxiu come out to see him. Only Mother Zhang came out to persuade him.
"Erlang, please go back. We see your feelings for Qiaoxiu. Qiaoxiu has been busy embroidering her wedding dress indoors these past few days and is too shy to see you. Please don't buy more things; it's a waste of money."
Erlang said sincerely, "Mother-in-law, buying things for Qiaoxiu is never a waste. It's fine if Qiaoxiu is too shy to come out. You can help me pass these things to her."
"Ask her if she wants anything else, and I'll go buy it and bring it over."
Mother Zhang smiled and accepted the goods. "Don't buy any more. With so many things, Qiaoxiu will be worried about how to organize them."
Upon hearing this, Erlang quickly took out his silver from his pocket and handed it to Mother Zhang. "Then give all the silver to her, so I don't lose control and spend it carelessly. From now on, all the money I earn will be managed by Qiaoxiu. I won't keep a single cent."
Mother Zhang was overjoyed and wished she could call him a good son-in-law.
After handing over the silver, Erlang saw someone approaching and shamelessly added, "Then tell Qiaoxiu that I miss her and ask her to wait at home for me to marry her."
With that, Erlang ran off, his dark face flushed red.
This scene was, of course, spread throughout the entire village.
It goes without saying how many people secretly envied Zhang Qiaoxiu. In any case, no one dared to say that Zhang Qiaoxiu was eagerly trying to get married anymore.
Chen Yueshi, upon learning of Erlang and Jiang Wan's plan, smiled and praised the siblings repeatedly.
"Erlang, do you know to use your brain now? Fists, no matter how powerful, are no match for the brain. Using your brain a little is more effective than using your fists ten times."
Erlang finally understood. There were so many ways to turn the situation around, and using fists was the most foolish one.
He turned and gave Jiang Wan a thumbs-up.
Jiang Wan accepted the praise with a smile and, seeing an opportunity, went to the county town again.