Li Shan came out quickly. Song Lizheng immediately scolded him, saying he had forgotten his roots after getting a little money.
Song Lizheng didn't think too much about it; he simply felt it was improper for people to know.
Bai Xuelian, with tears in her eyes, said, "Lizheng, please don't blame Shan Ge. My parents are gone, and if I stayed home, I would only be bullied, and might even be sold to a pleasure house. Now, selling myself as a servant to the Li family, Shan Ge and his sister are good people. It's better than being left to fend for myself."
Her pitiable background was enough to move anyone.
Indeed, Song Lizheng sighed and said no more. He had said what he needed to say, and anything more would be too much.
The Li family had no elders, and Li Shan was the head of the household. He made the decisions regarding family matters, and others had no right to interfere.
The indenture was quickly prepared. Song Lizheng did not stay for a meal at the Li family's and left leisurely.
Bai Xuelian had one indenture, but as Li Shan was about to take the other, Qi Zhenzhen snatched it first. "Shan Ge, the household finances have always been managed by sister-in-law. This servant is also a part of the household's assets. I'll take it to sister-in-law for you. We have something to discuss, so you rest first."
With that, Qi Zhenzhen took Li Hu's hand and entered the east room.
Li Shan's wife sat there in a daze. Qi Zhenzhen shoved the indenture into her arms. "Sister-in-law, hold onto this tightly. With this document, you can scold and beat that girl as you please. Don't feel bad about it. Your own girl has designs on your man. Why would you care about her life or death? You didn't force her; she threw herself at you."
Li Shan's wife was stunned. "Shan said he would treat me well for a lifetime."
"But that doesn't stop him from being good to others. You've seen it yourself, haven't you? That little white flower is so delicate, looking like the wind could blow her away. How could men not be tempted?" Qi Zhenzhen said with disdain. "I know you have deep feelings for Shan Ge and don't want to break up like this. So, just hold the fate of that little white flower in your hands and don't let her make any waves."
Li Shan's wife took the thin paper, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "I really didn't expect this."
"Sister-in-law, let me say one more thing: some people can share hardships, but not wealth."
Li Shan's wife sniffled. "Zhenzhen, thank you for worrying about me. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
After comforting her for a while, Qi Zhenzhen got up to leave the Li family. She had a premonition that this matter wouldn't be so easily resolved. Bai Xuelian clearly wasn't someone who would settle for servitude. Since she had come to the Li family, she was certainly not here to serve.
Upon returning home, Yun Shi anxiously asked about the situation. Qi Zhenzhen sighed and recounted the events. Yun Shi looked astonished. They always seemed so loving, Li Shan listened to his wife about everything and was very good to his in-laws. Could such a person do something like this?
"Mother, don't be fooled by his usual demeanor. Men like that are the most likely to have ideas. Sister-in-law is a strong-willed person and has her own opinions about everything. Li Shan doesn't get to feel superior as a man with her. But that little white flower is different. You haven't seen her; she speaks so sweetly, her voice so coy it could make you sick. The way she looks at Li Shan is pure adoration. In front of her, Li Shan feels so superior, so present. And she's such a delicate girl, how could Li Shan resist?" Qi Zhenzhen said with disgust. "This is also my fault. If I hadn't pulled them into this business together, and Li Shan had remained a peddler, would this have happened?"
"No, it's not like that, Zhenzhen. This is a matter of character," Yun Shi said seriously. "It has nothing to do with you! What you did today was very good. You should have taken control of that girl first, and then deal with the situation step by step."
"I feel that sister-in-law is straightforward and wouldn't know how to manipulate. That girl is cunning, and sister-in-law might not be her match. She intends to climb into the main house, and perhaps she might even succeed."
"This matter still depends on your sister-in-law's intentions. Women, in this regard, are the most helpless. Men have multiple wives and concubines; if you understand this, it's nothing, but if you don't, you only suffer yourself. Zhenzhen, I've never told you these things before, but now I'm telling you seriously, you must remember. No matter what kind of family you marry into in the future, if he treats you well and lives sincerely with you, then live well with him. If he is good to others, just watch with cold eyes, don't cry or make a scene, protect yourself. Crying and making a scene will put you at a disadvantage and bring you no benefit whatsoever." Yun Shi held Qi Zhenzhen's hand and said earnestly, "Every woman fantasizes about a lifelong monogamous relationship before marriage, but reality is not like that. Look around, how many men in noble families are not married to multiple wives and concubines? I haven't seen any man who lives his entire life with only one woman."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Don't worry, Mother, I'm not that unreasonable. Besides, perhaps your daughter, me, is lucky enough to marry someone who will only live with me. Such men are rare, but not impossible, right? If all else fails, I'll marry a country bumpkin. Look, don't most country bumpkins stay with one wife their whole lives?"
"That's because they don't have money to support multiple wives. Look at Li Shan, hasn't he started having such thoughts now?"
Qi Zhenzhen chuckled. "Mother, I've remembered everything you've said. Let's change the subject. I'm still young, and I won't get married until I'm of age, right?"
Yun Shi had said what she needed to say regarding this matter, so she didn't dwell on this heart-wrenching topic.
"Mother, I actually want to go to Mingyue's house," Qi Zhenzhen said with curiosity. "I wonder what her cousin is like."
Yun Shi chided her. "You're a young lady, why are you so curious? What he's like is for your Aunt Song and Grandma Song to see, why do you need to see?"
"I'm good friends with Mingyue, so I have to help her look him over, right? That silly girl can't see clearly! Besides, some people pretend very well in front of elders, but you can't tell what they're like in private," Qi Zhenzhen said seriously. "Alright, alright, I won't go today. Tomorrow, I'll go tomorrow."
Yun Shi was helpless against her and sighed, "As you wish."
Meanwhile, at Li Shan's house, Li Shan's wife had changed her clothes, washed her face, and tidied herself up, looking a bit more spirited.
She leaned against the thick quilt, holding a piece of preserved fruit, and glared unhappily at Bai Xuelian. "What, you're unwilling to wash clothes? Is this the attitude of a servant? I think you want to be an ancestor!"
"Sister..."
Li Shan's wife interrupted her. "Is 'sister' something you can call me? I am the master, and you are the servant. Do you understand the rules?"