The words hit the ground with a resounding impact, each and every sentence pierced Lady Zhao's heart like arrows.
No sooner had these remarks been made than someone in the crowd immediately echoed in agreement, "Indeed, even though Ziling has difficulty with his legs, he never shirks from work. It's unexpected that he didn't receive any grain. How is he going to survive? Stepmothers are indeed heartless!"
As this comment spread, more and more people joined the chorus of denunciation, and Lady Zhao was instantly overwhelmed by the surge of condemnation, left isolated and unsupported.
Xie Qifen's expression was solemn, her steps firm as she walked towards the village chief. Her weathered face was now filled with earnestness and hope.
She took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists as if gathering courage, then she looked steadfastly at the village chief. Her voice trembled slightly but was filled with strength, "Village chief, you are the fair scale of our village. You must do justice for this young couple! Ziling has suffered too much; now he has finally found a stable home and should not be wronged anymore."
On hearing this, the village chief put down his tobacco pipe and nodded slightly, a trace of admiration in his eyes.
He leisurely stroked his grizzled beard and swept his gaze over the crowd, finally fixing it on Jiang Xunzhong, and called out with a voice as resonant as a large bell, "Jiang Xunzhong, you are head of the family. Tell us, how should this matter be dealt with?"
Su Yu's gaze followed the village chief's direction and quietly settled on the man who was as calm as still water, her husband Jiang Ziling's father—Jiang Xunzhong.
He was lean with a dark complexion, and the years had carved deep crevasses in his face, yet they could not hide the determination and affection that shone from his bright eyes.
Under the focused gaze of those around him, Jiang Xunzhong finally broke the silence. His deep and powerful voice echoed in the air, "Ziling has indeed been a great help to us over the years. He's hardworking and complies without complaint. Now that he has settled down and found a warm-hearted companion, I can finally put one of my worries to rest. How can a couple get by without a piece of land? I'll give them the two fertile fields by the river and a shi of rice to prevent them from going hungry. From now on, their fortune is in their own hands."
As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of agreement rose from the crowd. The villagers whispered to one another, praising Jiang Xunzhong's fairness and generosity.
However, this harmony was shattered by Lady Zhao's piercing question, "Have you lost your mind?"
Her eyes were wide, her face flushed with anger, a look of shock and disbelief written all over her face.
Seeing this, the village chief, fully aware of Lady Zhao's firm opposition, expressed his concern about the situation escalating and quickly made his stance clear, "Alright, let's do as you said!"
In his words, he attempted to quell the disturbance with his authority.
"How can you say 'alright'? I firmly disagree with this!"
Lady Zhao was beside herself with anger. She strode towards Jiang Xunzhong, pointing directly at his nose, tearing at his sleeve while scolding furiously, "You're spouting nonsense, a shi of rice, that's over a hundred jin, all for him while our whole family goes hungry?"
Faced with his wife's unreasonable tirade, Jiang Xunzhong's expression turned steely. He pushed Lady Zhao away forcefully, his voice revealing an unprecedented level of definiteness, "Enough! Ziling is also my son. He has lived through too much hardship. Now that he has his own family, even though I'm not much of a father, giving them the two fields and a shi of rice is the least I can do. I dare anyone to object!"
Lady Zhao, clearly caught off guard by her husband's sudden assertiveness, was left stunned. Her emotions collapsed, and she burst into tears, "He's the one with the hard life? Does that mean mine has been easy? Ever since I married into the Jiang family, I've worked hard to raise him..."
However, her crying did not evoke any sympathy. The villagers either looked on indifferently or helplessly; no one wanted to get involved in the couple's dispute.
Seeing this, the village chief took decisive action. He quickly fetched paper and ink from his house, focused for a moment to prepare the document, and handed it to Jiang Xunzhong.
Jiang Xunzhong took the document without hesitation, signing his name in a deliberate stroke and pressing his seal, each motion exuding gravity and resolve.
At that moment, Su Yu noticed that Jiang Ziling was still standing aside, motionless. Worried, she quickly gestured to him, "Come here, Ziling."
Her voice was gentle yet firm, like an invisible force pulling Jiang Ziling through the crowd to their side.
Two plots of land and over a hundred catties of rice were new hopes for Jiang Ziling and Su Yu, the foundation of their future stable life.
They held each other's hands tightly, their eyes shimmering with the anticipation and determination for what lay ahead.
Once Jiang Ziling had also signed and sealed the document, the weight in Su Yu's heart finally settled; everything was secure.
She turned around to face Xie Qifen, her eyes filled with gratitude, and sincerely thanked her, "Auntie, thank you. Without your righteous words, we might still be struggling in hardship."
Upon hearing this, Xie Qifen smiled, patting the back of Su Yu's hand tenderly and advising with concern, "My dear girl, if you ever face any difficulties, come straight to me. Ziling has had a hard life. You have to live well with him and not let everyone's kindness go to waste."
Looking at Xie Qifen's sincere and honest face, Su Yu felt a mixture of emotions.
She had once judged her with a petty mind, mistaking Sister Xie for those gossip mongers, trying to cozy up and pry into personal affairs.
Thus, she had taken the opportunity to complain, and although every word was true, her intentions were not pure.
Now, she realized that Sister Xie's concern was not superficial but stemmed from genuine kindness and a warm heart.
Su Yu felt guilty for her previous misunderstanding, while she was also filled with gratitude for Xie Qifen's selfless help.
Xie Qifen and several other beloved aunties from the village sat together, their laughter and chatter lively. They deftly worked on shoe soles while jovially joking about Jiang Ziling.
Their hearty laughter was like a mountain spring, filling every corner of the courtyard.
Xie Qifen was especially lively, gesticulating with skilled hands and excitedly praising Jiang Ziling's unique taste for having married the graceful and peach-like beauty, Su Yu. Her words brimmed with beautiful hopes for the future of the newlyweds, "Ah, Ziling is a lucky boy indeed—look at Sister Yu, so graceful. Next year, be sure to give the Jiang family a plump and healthy grandson."
The surrounding aunties echoed her, their laughter continuous.
Su Yu sat to the side, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the sudden topic of "procreation," managing only a tense smile and quietly responding, "Yes, yes, I'll do my best."
She stole a glance at Jiang Ziling next to her, who by now was flushed red with the teasing, looking like an overripe tomato. Normally quick-witted, he found himself unable to speak a word, only laughing honestly while the aunties made fun of him, seeming rather endearing in his awkwardness.
It wasn't long before Jiang Xunzhong walked in, carrying two heavy bags of rice with steadfast steps into Jiang Ziling's room.