Chapter 8

Behind her came Madam Qian’s cold laugh. “What’s strange about a girl getting married when she grows up? Wanting to stay at home forever, aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”
Li Qinghe stopped at the doorway and turned back. “I’m my father’s only daughter, what’s wrong with me taking in a husband?”
Of course, she was just saying it. If she really had to stay home and take in a husband, she wouldn’t agree. With those two so-called true loves, better they both leave so the house would be peaceful for them.
She said it casually, but Madam Qian was left speechless, staring suspiciously at her back until she disappeared.
At dinner, Li Fu held his bowl, cleared his throat, and asked, “Qinghe, you want to stay home and take in a husband?”
Li Qinghe gave a soft “mm” and kept her head down, eating.
Madam Qian didn’t even lift her gaze, as if the matter had nothing to do with her. But only Li Qinghe and Madam Qian knew about this idea. Zhao Wanwan might have overheard, but she wasn’t one to gossip. So it could only have been Madam Qian.
Li Fu picked up some vegetables and said, “Girls are better off getting married. What kind of good man would agree to marry into the wife’s family? Any decent, ambitious man wouldn’t agree. If you bring in some idle good-for-nothing, will he take care of you, or will you end up taking care of him?”
“I don’t want to talk about marriage for now.” Li Qinghe put down her chopsticks. “Father, do you really not want me to stay? The way you’re acting, it’s like you wish I’d get married tomorrow.”
Li Fu frowned. “What kind of attitude is that? I only heard you wanted to take in a husband, so I’m discussing it with you, for your own good. Who said anything about rushing you into marriage?”
Li Qinghe let out a cold laugh at Madam Qian and asked, “Father, who told you I wanted to take in a husband? And today you even had someone come to see me, wasn’t that pushing me to marry?”
She looked at Madam Qian. “I’ve been out early and back late for two years working for this family. Now that I’ve lost my job, there’s no place for me at home anymore, is that it?”
Li Fu frowned and tapped the table with his chopsticks. “Don’t look at your Aunt Qian like that. She’s doing it for your own good.”
Li Qinghe didn’t back down, not softening her tone just because he was her father. “In her eyes, there’s only you, where is there room for me? Please, don’t let her ‘do it for my own good.’ I’m afraid I’ll end up married into the Qian family, working like a servant to support those two scholars!”
“What kind of talk is that!” Li Fu snapped angrily. “What’s wrong with Laiman? I think you just don’t know what’s good for you!”
Li Qinghe shot back immediately, “He’s good in every way, but with a brother and an uncle studying, whoever marries into that family is doomed! I’m not marrying him. Whoever accepts the Qian family’s betrothal gifts can marry him themselves!”
That last sentence was clearly a warning to Madam Qian.
Secretly accepting betrothal gifts was something she was absolutely capable of. Especially since she was so good at putting on a show, whenever Li Fu was around, she always acted gentle, virtuous, and long-suffering.
Madam Qian patted Li Fu’s arm. “We’re eating, stop arguing. The child is getting too upset to eat.”
“I won’t lose my appetite.” Li Qinghe looked indifferent. “I’m full. You can take your time.”
Madam Qian choked up, her eyes reddening again. Li Fu hurried to comfort her, and Li Qinghe took the opportunity to head outside, Zhao Wanwan following behind her.
“Want to go for a walk?” It wasn’t dark yet. Li Qinghe wanted to check that piece of land, they hadn’t really observed it carefully earlier while measuring.
Zhao Wanwan shook her head. “I still have to clean up the dishes later.”
Li Qinghe fell silent. Zhao Wanwan practically handled all the household chores inside and out except for cooking. If Li Qinghe hadn’t been working in town and rarely stayed home during the day, or ate at home, neighbors would probably have started gossiping about the Li family mistreating the Zhao girl.
“Older sister, you can go by yourself,” Zhao Wanwan said softly.
If it weren’t so quiet, Li Qinghe might not have even heard her. “I won’t go either. I’ll help you wash the dishes. I can check the land during the day anyway.”
She had stayed home all day, she couldn’t just do nothing.
Early the next morning, when the sky was still dim, voices could already be heard outside. Li Qinghe got up and went out, only to see Zhao Wanwan’s maternal uncle, Madam Qian’s younger brother, standing at the front gate.
For this man, Li Qinghe had only heard from the neighborhood that he was no good; they said he was studying, but in truth he spent his time eating, drinking, whoring and gambling, costing a good deal each month.
Madam Qian's helpless voice came from the gate, "This is all I have."
A young man's greasy voice followed, full of complaint, "What can a few coins do? They won't even buy a couple of buns. Didn't they say Li Qinghe's side paid ten taels? Just give me two taels!"
Madam Qian grew anxious, "I didn't get that silver… Hurry and go, don't let your brother-in-law see you've been here."
The greasy voice drawled lazily, not the least bit worried like Madam Qian, "You're her mother, even if a stepmother, you raised her, you deserve filial support. Even if they didn't give you everything, half's only fair, right?" His tone hardened. "Don't lie to me. Hand it over."
"There really isn't any!" Madam Qian seemed on the verge of tears.
"Just as I thought, useless. Women are soft-hearted. She's only a young girl; what good does it do you to give her everything?" Qian Laiwen sneered viciously.
Li Qinghe stood under the eaves and listened from beginning to end. She had never expected Qian Laiwen to be such a mean-spirited man; the cruelty in his eyes made it clear he wasn't merely cruel in words, he truly meant it.
"With your brother-in-law here, where could anyone lay a hand on her?" Madam Qian grew even more aggrieved. Not to mention violence, Li Qinghe wouldn't yield an inch even in an argument; she showed no respect for her stepmother. She couldn't rely on her. Her own daughter was gentle and unreliable too. From now on she only hoped Li Fu would live a little longer. Aside from that… the only one she could count on was this younger brother. Ten years younger, still young, treat him well, give him sincerity, and Qian Laiwen would repay her in time.
With that thought, Madam Qian rummaged again and produced a silver coin, pressing it into his hand. "There really isn't any more. Go now."
Qian Laiwen was shoved away. Li Qinghe stepped out of the shadows and saw Zhao Wanwan standing in the kitchen doorway. How long she'd been watching, no one knew; her face held a complicated mixture of gloom and resentment.