Qi Zhenzhen spun around, her skirt flaring. "I've just grown taller, so I look thinner, but I'm not actually thin. Look, when I left, I was two inches shorter than you, and now I'm almost four inches taller. Don't believe me? Pinch my arm. I haven't lost any flesh, I've gained some! Don't worry, I'm fine, my mother is fine, and Yi ge'er is fine too."
"Anyway, I heard from Xiao Niu that life in aristocratic families isn't easy," Song Mingyue said, still looking worried.
"Let's not talk about my matters for now. You hurry up and explain your situation clearly. When I left, you and Xiao Niu couldn't stand each other. How could you be marrying him so soon? This reversal is too fast!" Qi Zhenzhen pulled Song Mingyue to sit down, giving the impression that she wouldn't let her sleep until she explained everything.
Song Mingyue sighed deeply, her brows furrowed slightly. "This is a long story. It all started after you left..."
After a full fifteen minutes, Song Mingyue finally explained the cause, process, and outcome of the events.
Simply put, it could be summarized as a hero saving a beauty, and the beauty offering herself in return.
It so happened that the Ge family mother and son repeatedly visited the Song family, invoking their past connections and trying to win back Yu Shi and Song Mingyue's hearts. They humbled themselves and tried to please them, and their subservient attitude truly moved Yu Shi. After all, they were her own sister and nephew, and she had to give them a chance. However, she remained cautious and did not agree to anything, saying that Song Mingyue was still young and there was no rush. They could take their time, and if the two children were truly compatible, they could get engaged; otherwise, no one should hold the other back.
Aunt Ge and Ge Yusheng agreed to Yu Shi's proposal, and thus, the two families resumed contact.
Furthermore, as Song Mingze had obtained notes and practice exam papers from seniors after their examinations, Ge Yusheng occasionally stayed at the Song residence.
Ge Yusheng was very attentive to Song Mingyue, but Song Mingyue avoided him as much as possible, rarely even exchanging a word. Ge Yusheng was not discouraged. He would occasionally copy some saccharine poems and send them to Song Mingyue to express his feelings and win her over. Song Mingyue, having been thoroughly briefed by Qi Zhenzhen, had already categorized Ge Yusheng as a scumbag and would not be foolishly swayed. She was only acting out of consideration for her mother.
As time dragged on, the Ge family mother and son grew impatient and resorted to a despicable method to ruin Song Mingyue.
It was a very vile plan. Knowing that Song Mingyue went to town with Yu Shi, but shopped alone once they arrived, they arranged for someone to snatch Song Mingyue and attempt to commit indecent acts. Coincidentally, Zhang Xiaoniu happened to be in Cuiping Town on official business that day and stumbled upon the incident, rescuing Song Mingyue. He forced the attackers to reveal that Ge Yusheng had orchestrated the whole thing, and Song Mingyue was so enraged that she gritted her teeth.
Zhang Xiaoniu originally planned to tie up the culprits and then apprehend Ge Yusheng, taking them to the authorities. If they were brought to justice, Song Mingyue, as the victim, would also have to undergo interrogation, which would damage her reputation. Considering this, Song Mingyue refused to send them to the authorities, stating only that Ge Yusheng should receive the punishment he deserved.
Zhang Xiaoniu had been under Gu Sinian's tutelage for a long time and was no longer the simple-minded village boy he once was.
He knew too many ways to inflict excruciating pain.
The best way to punish Ge Yusheng for devising such a wicked plan was to give him a taste of his own medicine. Zhang Xiaoniu stuffed the man into a sack and threw him before several thugs, sprinkling some aphrodisiac powder to facilitate their "good time."
When he was discovered, Ge Yusheng was like a rag doll, lying motionless in the alley, with only half his life left.
One could not simply abandon someone to die. The people who found Ge Yusheng had him carried to a medical clinic and kindly called for a physician to check his pulse. During the examination, Ge Yusheng's loss of his posterior became known to everyone. By chance, someone from Ge Family Village came to fetch medicine and recognized Ge Yusheng. The news spread like wildfire throughout the town and then to Ge Family Village.
Ge Yusheng's reputation was utterly ruined.
Aunt Ge came to make a scene. Her son's plan had not been kept from her, and although it had failed, it had resulted in Ge Yusheng's downfall. It was only natural that she would blame Song Mingyue. When she arrived, Zhang Xiaoniu was present, and he dismissed Aunt Ge with a single sentence. "Still not satisfied? Very well. I'll send you directly to the yamen. I still have the evidence and proof. Then, Ge Yusheng's reputation won't be the only thing ruined. He could face torture, exile, and it would be difficult to say if he would even survive."
Although he suffered and lost his reputation, at least he was still alive.
Aunt Ge left obediently and never came to make trouble again.
Because of this incident, the entire Song family treated Zhang Xiaoniu exceptionally well. Through this interaction, he and Song Mingyue fell in love.
Song Mingyue's lips were curved upwards as she spoke, and a smile never faded from her face, indicating her great satisfaction with the marriage.
"Such a pretty little beauty, and you're so easily won over by Xiao Niu," Qi Zhenzhen sighed. "I was originally thinking of finding you a good family in the capital."
Song Mingyue gave her a playful glare. "Xiao Niu said that after we get married, I'll go to the capital with him. He's already bought a house. Speaking of which, I think this is thanks to your good fortune. The Marquis has many subordinates, and some of them are married, but they haven't managed to get a house. Only Xiao Niu has."
Qi Zhenzhen truly didn't know about this. If that was the case, she would have to remember this favor and repay it when she had the chance.
After finishing her own story, Song Mingyue did not forget to ask about Qi Zhenzhen's life in the Marquis's mansion. She inquired about every detail until she was sure that Qi Zhenzhen's days in the mansion were not too difficult, and then she stopped.
"It's getting late, you should rest. Tomorrow, my mother will be here, and she'll definitely have more questions than I did, so you'll need to be prepared to deal with her," Song Mingyue said. "Also, people from the village will surely come tomorrow. After all, you're considered to have returned home in glory."
After a good night's sleep, when Qi Zhenzhen woke up, the sky was just beginning to show the first light of dawn. Song Mingyue was sleeping soundly beside her. She carefully put on her clothes and got out of bed, closing the door softly as she went to the kitchen to cook herself.
Scallion pancakes, millet porridge, and shredded cucumber with sesame oil.
Simple, yet delicious.
When everything was ready, everyone else had also woken up. Feixu and Erxi felt a bit guilty, as they, as maids, had woken up later than their young lady.
"Don't look so glum, you two. Hurry up and help me set the table," Qi Zhenzhen called out to the two girls. "This isn't the mansion, there aren't so many rules here. Besides, do you two know the Marquis's tastes? It would be troublesome if the food wasn't to his liking. I've entertained the Marquis before, so I know a little."