Сhаpter Twеntу-Seven: А Marriаgе Расt Тwenty Yеars Later
So that's how it wаs. Аfter hеaring thе wоrds оf thе sundry gооds shор оwner, Zhеn Niang pulled Хi Gе'er аlong and squeеzed through thе crowd.
Аt thаt mоmеnt, thе Immоrtаl Maidеn hаd switchеd thе swоrd in her hаnd for а stiсk and was striking Zhеng Lаmei squаrely on thе head and fасе. Zheng Lаmei's comрlехion hаd аlrеаdу turnеd ashеn.
"Stоp!" Zhеn Niang rushеd forward, griрping thе stiсk in thе Immortаl Маidеn's hands with both of hеr own, staring fixedly аt her.
"What arе you dоing? Let gо! Dоn't interfеre with catching the ghost!" The Immortal Maiden pushed at Zhen Niang. Seeing the Immortal Maiden shove his second sister, Xi Ge'er naturally wouldn't let his own sister suffer. Without warning, he charged at the Immortal Maiden like a little cannonball. The Immortal Maiden hadn't expected this move from Xi Ge'er and was knocked onto her backside.
"Li Zhenniang, what are you doing? Have you no upbringing?" Zheng Dalang's wife shrieked from the side.
"Eldest Aunt Zheng, you mustn't speak carelessly. I'm doing this for your own good. Taking a life is a crime that will land you in court," Zhen Niang said, enunciating each word clearly.
"Pah! What taking a life? Don't talk nonsense! We're catching a ghost here," Madam Zheng waved her hand dismissively.
"Hah, catching a ghost? What ghost? This is broad daylight. The one tied up is my Aunt Lamei. If she's a ghost, then what does that make Eldest Uncle Zheng and Second Uncle Zheng?" Zhen Niang looked at Madam Zheng and asked slowly.
"Pfft!" Hearing Zhen Niang's words, the onlookers chuckled and laughed.
Madam Zheng was infuriated by the crowd's amusement and began hopping with rage: "You damned little wretch, get out of here! Don't be a dog trying to catch mice—mind your own business! I'll settle this with your grandparents later!" Madam Zheng pointed a finger at Zhen Niang and cursed.
"Eldest Aunt Zheng, this is not minding others' business for me. Aunt Lamei is my Uncle Jingkui's betrothed, who never made it to the wedding. Therefore, Aunt Lamei is my elder. I cannot stand by and watch her lose her life. Standing up for Aunt Lamei is my rightful duty," Zhen Niang replied.
"Pah! Your Uncle Jingkui died long ago. Now there's not even a speck of his bones left. Betrothed? Elder? Don't try to claim kinship like that," Madam Zheng said with a sneer.
"Eldest Aunt Zheng, you're mistaken. Back then, when my Uncle Jingkui met with misfortune before the wedding, the betrothal gifts, the horoscope cards, the marriage contract—everything was complete," Zhen Niang asked calmly.
Back then, Uncle Jingkui had passed away three days before the wedding. The marriage contract and other documents had long been prepared.
In this era, a marriage contract was equivalent to marriage registration in later times. In fact, by later standards, Zheng Sanniang, Zheng Lamei, would already be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Li family. It's just that in this era, it was still based on whether the bride had crossed the threshold into the groom's home. If she hadn't, she was only considered betrothed.
"Pah! So what if those things existed? When a person dies, the debt is cleared," Madam Zheng said."This is not how it should be put. Setting aside other matters, I myself am a living example. When the Tian family's eldest young master met with misfortune, the Tian family considered me a husband-killer. To sever the marital ties between our two families, they brought people to my door to break off the engagement. Only then was the marital connection between the two families truly cut off. Few in the county are unaware of this matter. So, I ask you, Aunt Zheng, did my family ever demand that your Zheng family return the betrothal gifts? Moreover, Aunt Lamei has not remarried all these years. With the betrothal gifts, the marriage certificate, and the wedding documents all intact, how can it be said that debts vanish with death? It must be understood that although the person is gone, the bond remains." Zhen Niang spoke, then turned to ask the surrounding onlookers, "Fellow villagers, does Zhen Niang speak reasonably?"
"Of course, it is reasonable. Aunt Zheng, your Lamei truly counts as Zhen Niang's elder, and Zhen Niang has the right to intervene." At this moment, some neighbors who had long disapproved of the Zheng brothers' actions spoke up in unison.
"Hah, I've never seen anyone cling to kinship like this. If you truly regard her as an elder, then have the ability to take her home and provide for her," Aunt Zheng sneered sarcastically.
Providing for her would be no issue. Nowadays, the Li family's coal stove business is thriving, and supporting one more person is certainly affordable. However, this matter concerns both Zheng Lamei and her own family. Zhen Niang could neither make decisions for Zheng Lamei nor for the elders in her family. Still, she felt she could go back and discuss it, and also ask Aunt Lamei's opinion.
The truth was, Aunt Lamei's life in the Zheng family was far too difficult.
As she was thinking this, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out: "Good. Since Zheng's wife says so, why wait for another day? Today, let Xi Ge'er welcome Lamei back to the Li family on behalf of his uncle Jingkui."
The speaker was none other than Old Shopkeeper Li, Li Jinshui.
As soon as Li Jinshui finished speaking, the surroundings erupted in an uproar. What did Old Shopkeeper Li mean? Was he planning a ghost marriage?
"Grandfather, what are you doing here?" Hearing her grandfather cough incessantly after speaking, Zhen Niang hurried forward to support him.
"I came to see how your ink was selling. I didn't expect to run into this situation," Old Shopkeeper Li said.
Then he looked at Zheng Lamei, who was slumped in a chair. Zheng Lamei appeared listless, but her eyes were fixed intently on Old Shopkeeper Li.
"Lamei, girl, your father and I were close friends. Now I ask you just one thing: Jingkui has been gone for twenty years. After these twenty years, are you still willing to enter my Li family?" Li Jinshui addressed Zheng Lamei directly.
"Greetings, Father-in-law. This daughter-in-law is willing." Zheng Lamei struggled to kneel on the ground, weeping bitterly.
Seeing this scene, Zhen Niang felt an indescribable mix of emotions. This was a ghost marriage, something that would draw scorn and criticism. Yet, at this moment, it was the best solution.
After today's events, if Aunt Lamei remained in the Zheng family, her future days would only grow more difficult.
And without this formal arrangement, even if Zheng Lamei went to the Li family, she would merely be living under someone else's roof—an equally unpleasant experience. But if she were properly welcomed into the Li family as Jingkui's wife, then Aunt Lamei would be a legitimate daughter-in-law of the Li family, giving her a rightful place to stay.
It could only be said that everything was twisted by this damned fate.
"Uncle Li, Uncle Li, how can this be? How can this be?" At this moment, Zheng Da stepped forward, muttering in disbelief."How can this not be valid? The marriage contract has long been established. Just look at how you've treated her all these years. In the future, after you pass away, will you still have the face to meet your parents?" Li Jinshui pointed his index finger directly at Zheng Dalang.
Continuing, Li Jinshui added, "Dalang, let me be frank with you. I will first bring Lamei back to the Li family. If, in the future, Lamei finds another fate, the Li family will not stand in her way. I, Li Jinshui, will prepare a dowry as if marrying off my own daughter and send Lamei off with honor. Everyone present today can bear witness."
"Ah, Uncle Li, Uncle Li." Zheng Dalang was at a loss for words, a trace of shame appearing on his face.
"Exactly, exactly, Zheng Dalang. All these years, we’ve all been unable to stand by and watch. Just let your sister Lamei have some peace and comfort." Some in the crowd murmured in agreement.
Of course, more people were simply watching the spectacle.
Madam Zheng’s face turned pale with anger.
"If your Li family wants to take her in as a daughter-in-law, you’ll have to offer another betrothal gift." Madam Zheng, still unwilling to relent, spoke up.
Having seen shameless people before, but never one as shameless as this, Zhen Niang clenched her fists in anger.
"Madam Zheng, let me tell you, the betrothal gift was already given long ago, and the marriage contract was already finalized. Today, I am taking Lamei away just like this. If you are not satisfied, you can go to the magistrate’s office and sue me. Then, I’d like to see how the magistrate decides." Li Jinshui said coldly.
"Sister-in-law, how much has Lamei done for this family all these years? Heaven knows, earth knows, and all the neighbors know. If you mention the word 'betrothal gift' again today, I will dash my head against the door of the Zheng family’s food shop and die right there." At this moment, Zheng Lamei stood up, straightening her back as she confronted Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng never expected Zheng Lamei, who had always been silent, to say such a thing. She was furious, but now she truly dared not bring it up again. If Zheng Lamei really were to die at the shop’s entrance, the business would never be able to continue.
"Get out, get out! Truly possessed by an evil ghost, turning around to bite back." Madam Zheng spat out.
"Aunt Zheng, what nonsense about being possessed by an evil ghost? You mustn’t speak such nonsense." Zhen Niang interjected from the side.
"I’m not speaking nonsense. Haven’t you seen the red sores all over her face? The Immortal Maiden said it’s the Evil Ghost Sore." Madam Zheng looked at the Li family with a smug expression, as if to say, "Possessed by an evil ghost—let’s see if the Li family dares to take her in."
"What Evil Ghost Sore? That’s nothing but ordinary heat sores. It will only take an hour or two to make the red sores disappear." Zhen Niang said calmly.
She had long noticed the sores on Zheng Lamei’s face. In truth, they were just heat boils. Likely, Zheng Lamei had been tending the fire day after day, and with the pent-up frustration in her heart, the internal heat toxins manifested externally as heat boils.
OpenNovel