Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Going to Zhou Clan
245 Visiting the Zhou Clan
Sun Mei continued, "Besides, if Mrs. Zhou is truly a good and sensible person, we can certainly help this marriage come to fruition. If she’s not, we must let Old Five know and make him reconsider his decision to marry her."
Zhao Guifen couldn’t help but nod, feeling that Sun Mei had a point. Then she added, "In that case, I’ll have to find more ways to inquire. That matchmaker is not reliable anymore."
The main issue was that the Sun Family lived quite far from the Zhou Clan’s residence, and Sun Clan members had no relatives or friends in Zhou Family Village. Thus, their inquiries for information had all gone through the matchmaker.
"Zhou Family Village?" At that moment, Zhao Dong suddenly murmured the name.
Sun Mei turned to her husband and asked, "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing." Zhao Dong shook his head. He pondered over Zhou Family Village and suddenly recalled something. "Oh, I remember now! I think I have a business associate whose hometown is Zhou Family Village."
Sun Mei was delighted. "Really?"
Zhao Dong nodded. "I should be right. When I keep accounts, I worry about duplicate names, so I record their information. I remember there was someone from Zhou Family Village. I’ll go back and look for it."
Zhao Guifen also nodded repeatedly. "That would be wonderful! Son-in-law, see if you can ask him to find out for us what the situation is with this young lady from the Zhou Clan."
Sun Mei nodded. "Don’t worry, Mother. There are still a few days before the engagement. Zhao Dong and I will go back and look into it together."
Zhao Guifen nodded, but her heart still felt troubled and uneasy.
Years ago, her younger daughter had argued with her over a marriage, which eventually led to a rift between mother and daughter, separating them for many years. If her daughter had lived well after their separation, she wouldn’t have felt so much pain. But her daughter had lived a life that was simply inhuman, and she hadn’t known all along. This thought filled her with remorse.
Now, disagreements had also arisen over her youngest son’s marriage, inevitably causing Zhao Guifen to worry.
After Sun Mei and Zhao Dong bid farewell, they hurried back to find someone to inquire about the situation with the Zhou Clan.
Zhao Zhitong didn’t go with her parents. Instead, she stayed behind, insisting on going with her Younger Uncle to Zhou Village.
Once preparations were complete, Sun Youcai took Zhao Zhitong and set off in an ox cart.
It was quite a distance to the Zhou Clan’s place. The ride was bumpy, and Zhao Zhitong actually fell asleep. Sun Youcai only woke her up when they arrived.
Awakened, Zhao Zhitong opened her eyes to find herself in completely unfamiliar surroundings. Her eyes were hazy with sleep, clearly showing she wasn’t fully awake.
She habitually looked around for Sun Mei but didn’t see her. Pouting, she felt wronged and was on the verge of tears. "Mother, Mother..."
Hearing the young girl’s cries, Sun Youcai quickly picked her up and began to comfort her. "What’s wrong? Still groggy from sleep? See, I told you not to come, but you insisted on tagging along. Alright, alright, don’t cry. In a little while, Younger Uncle will take you to eat something delicious, okay?"
After Sun Youcai comforted her for a bit, Zhao Zhitong belatedly remembered that she had come to the Zhou Clan’s place with her Younger Uncle.
However, her head was still muddled from sleep. Perceptually, she felt like it was the next morning, but it was actually the afternoon of the same day. This temporal disorientation left her feeling a bit listless. So, she hugged Sun Youcai’s neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and became drowsy and still.
Seeing that the young girl had stopped crying, Sun Youcai carried her in one arm, held the basket in the other, and knocked on the door.
At this time, the Zhou Clan’s household was also quite lively.
Mr. Zhou was scolding his younger son, who owed money due to gambling, "You’re incorrigible! Simply incorrigible! How many times have I told you not to gamble, not to gamble? You just don’t listen!"
Zhou Hai knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, snot running from his nose. "Father, scolding me now is useless! They said if I don’t give them the money soon, they’ll chop off my—your son’s—hand!"
Mr. Zhou’s face trembled with anger. "Now you’re scared? Why didn’t you think of the consequences when you were gambling? Chop it off then! Let them chop it off! Maybe then you’ll stop gambling!"
Zhou Hai was terrified. "Father, you have to save me! I don’t want my hand chopped off!"
Then he turned to plead with Granny Zhou. "Mother, Mother, please save your son! I can’t be without my hands!"
Granny Zhou wiped her tears, her expression one of utter disappointment. "You! Why did you have to get involved with that stuff again? Twenty taels of silver! Where would our family get that much money?"
Zhou Hai, still kneeling, shuffled closer to Granny Zhou and hugged her legs. "Mother, isn’t there still my future brother-in-law? Their family is rich, and brother-in-law likes Sister so much. If we ask Sister to plead with him, he’ll definitely give it."
Mr. Zhou was so angry he picked up a broom. "Are you trying to anger me to death? Your sister hasn’t even married into their family yet, and you’re already thinking of asking for money! Don’t you want your sister to get married anymore?"
Saying this, he moved to hit Zhou Hai.
Seeing Zhou Hai scream and call for his mother, Granny Zhou’s heart softened. She threw herself forward to protect her son, crying out, "What are you doing? Stop hitting him! Stop! If you injure my precious son, how will he carry on the family line for you?"
Then she added, "Hai’er is not wrong. The Sun Family is so wealthy; twenty taels of silver isn’t much for them. Mei Niang, tomorrow you go find that Sun Youcai. Cry a little, and he’ll surely give it to you."
Zhou Meiniang’s fists clenched tightly inside her sleeves. "Mother! How can I ask for it? If he finds out what my brother is like, this marriage will likely fall through again!"
Granny Zhou was exasperated. "Are you stupid? Why would you tell him the truth? Use another reason! Say you want some gold and silver jewelry or something. If he values you, he should give you these things!"
Just as the Zhou Clan’s household was in turmoil, someone suddenly knocked on the courtyard gate.
Granny Zhou stood up and asked, "Who is it?"
Then, they heard Sun Youcai’s voice from outside. "Auntie, it’s me, Youcai."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the courtyard was startled. Mr. Zhou quickly put the broom away.
Granny Zhou also hurriedly pulled Zhou Hai up and straightened his clothes.
"Ah, coming, coming!" Granny Zhou replied verbally, while her eyes darted towards Zhou Meiniang, signaling her to ask for the money.
Fuming, Zhou Meiniang turned and went into her room.
The main gate opened. Sun Youcai politely greeted Granny Zhou, "Auntie."
"Oh my, Youcai, you’re here! Come in, quickly, come in." Granny Zhou’s face was wreathed in smiles as she enthusiastically led Sun Youcai into the courtyard.
Sun Youcai said, "There are still some things in the cart."
Granny Zhou hurriedly shouted, "Hai’er, quickly go help your brother get those things."
Zhou Hai responded with a sound and ran out. He then saw a potted plant on the cart, scoffed disdainfully, and only then picked it up.
Sun Youcai handed the basket he was holding to Granny Zhou. Inside was a piece of cured meat.
Seeing the meat, Granny Zhou’s face instantly lit up with a smile, though she feigned refusal. "Oh, Youcai, look at you! Just coming over is enough. Why bring gifts? You’re being too distant."
After speaking, she smiled at Zhao Zhitong, who was still resting motionlessly on Sun Youcai’s shoulder, and asked, "And this is?"
Sun Youcai smiled. "Auntie, this is my older sister’s daughter. When she heard I was coming, she insisted on tagging along to see."
Then he gently patted Zhao Zhitong’s back. "Tongtong, greet her."
However, Zhao Zhitong was feeling quite unwell at that moment. She squirmed a little, let out a small grunt, and showed no intention of moving.