Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Heaven Spares No One
Dajiang always treated Meng Yao’s words like the emperor’s decree.
When Meng Yao spoke, he would nod constantly, and finally guarantee by patting his chest, "Mother, don’t worry, I will definitely listen to Xiu’er. Whatever Xiu’er wants me to do, I’ll do it. You just go find your second brother with my younger siblings! Leave everything at home to me."
"If there’s anything you can’t decide on, just ask your village chief uncle." Meng Yao reminded again.
"Alrighty."
Having nothing else to instruct, Meng Yao went back to pack her things.
Zhao Xiaohua was so excited. She wanted to bring everything, but ended up overstuffing the two large trunks Zhao Xiaoshu had made.
Meng Yao came to check and exclaimed, "Wow, are you trying to move everything from your room to Qingzhou Prefecture or what?"
With this much stuff, even one more carriage might not be enough.
"Just bring the essentials and clothes, and make sure to bring your homework," Meng Yao reduced Zhao Xiaohua’s load by more than half, "Qingzhou Prefecture is more prosperous than the county, are you trying to save money for your mother?"
Buying things is in a woman’s nature.
Even though Zhao Xiaohua wasn’t very old, she had never suffered, always being pampered, plus neither her original self nor Meng Yao ever treated her poorly in terms of buying things.
So, her shopping habits were showcased vividly.
You have to give to receive. Similarly, you must have to be willing to give.
Zhao Xiaohua streamlined her luggage until one trunk wasn’t even full.
As for Wen Nuan’s belongings, there was even less, just a small bundle that fit perfectly in Zhao Xiaohua’s trunk.
In the afternoon, Meng Yao took Zhao Xiaohua and Wen Nuan out to dig for shepherd’s purse, planning a lively family hotpot dinner.
Quite a few people were out digging shepherd’s purse. Now that Zhao Dahe had made a name for himself in the Zhao Family, plus almost everyone in the village attended the Zhao Family feast the other day, everyone seemed particularly enthusiastic when they saw Meng Yao.
"Zhao Sister-in-law, long time no see, what have you been up to?"
"Xiaohua is getting prettier by the day, I wonder whose son will be so lucky?"
"This girl seems unfamiliar, is she a relative of Zhao Sister-in-law? She’s quite pretty."
Meng Yao smiled and answered each person’s questions while casually chatting with the shepherd’s purse diggers.
"Zhao Sister-in-law, you weren’t home recently, there’s something you surely don’t know." The village’s famous gossip approached Meng Yao, speaking mysteriously.
Meng Yao was about to say she wasn’t interested.
But the gossip started speaking anyway, "The Meng Family, the one you hadn’t severed ties with earlier."
Meng Yao swallowed back her refusal, slightly turned her head, ready to listen attentively.
This gesture encouraged the gossip, who stopped digging shepherd’s purse and began recounting vividly.
"Hasn’t Ju Xiang moved into the Meng Family? Meng Qingshan spoils her terribly, fulfilling every request. Treats her dim-witted son like his own."
"Ju Xiang said after she married Meng Qingshan, her son became Meng Qingshan’s son. She also said he wasn’t born dim-witted, he became dim-witted after falling ill, so asked Meng Qingshan to find him a bride."
"She mentioned a diligent orphan girl she knew on her maiden family’s side, quite favorable. But since she’s without a family, they want more bridal money as a guarantee."
"Guess what happened next?"
The gossip dropped a hint.
Meng Yao smiled, indicating she didn’t know.
Though deep inside, she guessed it might be a marriage scam.
Sure enough, the gossip’s following words confirmed Meng Yao’s suspicion.
"You wouldn’t believe how much silver that girl asked for!" The gossip waved her hand, "A hefty sum! That girl wanted fifty taels!"
Several were drawn to the gossip’s vivid tale.
"Did the old Meng give it?" Someone couldn’t hold back asking.
"The old Meng couldn’t wait to worship Ju Xiang, how could he refuse? He gave it! When welcoming the bride on behalf of the dim-witted, she was already long gone."
"Inquired with Ju Xiang’s village, indeed she was from there, orphaned, but hadn’t lived there long, only returned recently to stay with a relative."
"Doesn’t this indicate a clear issue?"
"Didn’t the old Meng lose his temper with Ju Xiang?"
The gossip audience asked eagerly.
"Ju Xiang cried, the old Meng softened. How could he bear to lose his temper? I heard Ju Xiang clearly saying—"
"Brother Shan, I have only one son. I dream of him settling down, so I won’t always have to worry about him. I can help you more, Brother Shan. After my first husband passed, my family forced me to remarry, I refused, almost cut ties since. I met the girl the other day, she told me everything, and I believed her. I truly didn’t know..."
"Sob sob sob... Brother Shan, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry. I’ll pack up and take Zhuzi away. As for the bridal money, don’t worry, I’ll work hard and repay the silver debts."
The gossip mimicked Ju Xiang’s tone precisely, imitating her voice perfectly.
"How do you know all this?" Someone asked.
"You forgot? The Meng Family is living not in the big house but the old one, neighboring ours. I heard every bit myself."
"Is this matter just left unresolved?"
The gossip spread her hands, "About that, not sure, but Ju Xiang has been extra attentive these days. The old Meng initially felt the pinch of silver, but how could mere silver compare to a beauty’s smile? Say what you want, Ju Xiang’s looks, in my opinion, only Zhao Sister-in-law can overshadow them in this village."
"I just don’t think it’s that simple. How come the shrewd old Meng didn’t figure it out sooner?"
"You don’t understand, it’s hardest to resist a beauty’s charms."
"True, old Meng is well in years, yet Ju Xiang remains charming, isn’t it just a matter of coaxing?"
The crowd discussed fervently, Meng Yao, unnoticed, took Zhao Xiaohua and Wen Nuan away. By the time they realized it, the trio had left far.
Regarding the Meng Family’s gossip, hearing it for fun was enough.
Meng Yao didn’t have the time to meddle in affairs.
But who could predict that trouble would seek them out?
When the family was enjoying a hearty meal around the pot, the courtyard door was suddenly banged loudly.
"Aunt, open the door! Aunt, open the door!" Meng Rongjin shouted hoarsely from outside, "Aunt, save me, save me!"
With someone seeking help, Meng Yao couldn’t pretend not to hear, plus with Rongjin causing such a commotion, village people were surely watching.
Meng Yao went to open the door, and upon seeing Meng Yao, Rongjin directly knelt.
"That vile woman wants to leave, Grandpa asked for the silver back, she called people to hold Grandpa down and beat him up!" Rongjin said.
Heaven’s ways are just; the retribution arrives swiftly. Has Meng Qingshan’s karma caught up this quickly?