"So Manager Xun's intention is to take his daughter back?" Madam Yu asked calmly after comforting Madam Chen.
"Our Xun family isn't unreasonable. We can offer compensation. We can give you compensation. We don't want the dowry items back," Manager Xun quickly said. "That's a hundred mu of fertile land outside the county town. Even if your family stops working from today onwards, you can live better than other villagers just by collecting rent. There's also a two-courtyard house in the county town, which would cost at least three hundred taels to acquire. You're not losing out!"
Having land and money sounded really good. If the Song family accepted Manager Xun's conditions, as Manager Xun said, they could live well for the rest of their lives without working. Big Wind Novel
"You're the only one with money? Just because you have money, you can do whatever you want? Your little bit of money can buy my son's entire life? My son is only seventeen! The teacher at the academy said he's a good student and has a bright future. Is your money enough to compensate for his future? He is the eldest grandson of our Song family, the one who will support the Song family in the future. You Xun family has ruined it all." Madam Chen cried tearfully.
Village Head Song gave Madam Yu a look, signaling her to keep an eye on Madam Chen.
"Our Song family isn't unreasonable either. How about this, your daughter stays here for now. If my grandson doesn't take a liking to her, she can only be our Song family's daughter-in-law for life. We will teach her well how to be a wife. If my grandson takes a liking to her, you can take her away after we discuss the price. We certainly won't return the betrothal gifts," Village Head Song said slowly.
Manager Xun was stunned. If the girl was fine, they would be kicked out and have to add to the dowry. If she wasn't fine, their family would keep her to serve and even "train" her. What kind of good life would his daughter have after such "training"?
"You're bullying people like this," Manager Xun said, trembling.
"Then our Song family will go all out and beat the drums to cry injustice right now," Village Head Song said coldly. "If Manager Xun believes your Xun family is in the right in court, then our Song family will see it through to the end."
Manager Xun's eyes darted around, and his face turned cold. "I sincerely want to resolve this issue. Your Song family is going too far. If it's court, then it's court. I must take my daughter away today."
With that, he grabbed Xun Wan Niang's hand and walked out.
At the entrance, besides the Xun family's retainers, there were also villagers from Xinghua Village, all strong men. Seeing the Xun father and daughter come out, they stood up in a rush.
Village Head Song followed them out. "Then we'll face each other in court. The marriage contract is with my Song family, and it's also registered with the authorities. I don't believe the laws of our Da Feng will allow your Song family to act so recklessly."
After speaking, he stopped the villagers and let the Xun family leave.
After the Xun family left, Village Head Song explained Song Ming Ze's situation to the people of Xinghua Village. The crowd was first surprised, then angry. At this time, no one mocked the Song family.
"Village Head, tell us what you need us to do. We promise not one of us will back down."
"Is this Xun family bullying us Xinghua Village because we have no one?"
Village Head Song thanked everyone. "I believe the authorities will make a fair and just decision. When the eldest and second sons return from the capital with Ming Ze, our Song family will go to the county town to sue the Xun family and ask the county magistrate to make a decision."
Inside the house, Song Ming Yue asked Qi Zhen Zhen, "The Xun family seems to have some backing."
"Either they are confident that the county yamen is on the Xun family's side, or someone is taking the blame. Regarding the county yamen, the laws of our Da Feng are very strict, and the county magistrate probably won't joke with his official hat. Therefore, I think someone is taking the blame. Doesn't Xun Wan Niang have a maid who came with her? Xun Wan Niang is simple-minded, and people in the county town probably know that. If the Xun family just insists that Xun Wan Niang couldn't have done such a thing, they can naturally shift the blame to the maid," Qi Zhen Zhen said.
Song Ming Yue's eyes widened. "This, this is possible?"
"Why not? As for maids, let alone whether they have parents. Even if they do, families that let their daughters become maids are usually not very fond of them. If the Xun family is willing to offer a sum of money to silence the maid's family, what's impossible about this? Or perhaps this maid is a family-born servant of the Xun family and has a close relationship with her parents. If the Xun family uses her parents' lives as a threat, she'll have to accept it obediently. Or, the Xun family might tell her that confessing won't lead to a death sentence, and she'll get a considerable sum of silver after serving a few years in prison," Qi Zhen Zhen analyzed.
Madam Yu happened to walk in and heard Qi Zhen Zhen's analysis. She frowned deeply. She had never thought of these things. If it was as Zhen Zhen said, wouldn't the Xun family bear no responsibility at all?
"Auntie, these are just my guesses. Isn't your cousin-in-law a constable? The most urgent thing is to discuss it with him quickly. At least we need to get ahead of the Xun family," Qi Zhen Zhen said.
Madam Yu nodded and hurried to the main hall. After a while, she came out with a solemn expression, having changed her clothes.
"Auntie, you're going?" Qi Zhen Zhen asked, a little surprised.
Madam Yu nodded. "Your uncle and second uncle are not here, your Grandpa Song is old and it's not suitable. Your eldest aunt, given her condition, is not suitable to go."
"The Xun family came by carriage. They've been gone for about fifteen minutes. Auntie, how can you catch up to them?" Qi Zhen Zhen asked.
Madam Yu was conflicted. "But we can't just sit here and wait to die."
Seeing Madam Yu's anxious expression, and thinking about how well the Song family treated their Qi family, Qi Zhen Zhen sighed. "I'll ride a horse. I can be faster than the Xun family. For my mother, I'll trouble Auntie to go and accompany her. Please also keep an eye on things at home."
Madam Yu was very grateful. "Zhen Zhen, Auntie won't say polite words to you. Be careful on the road."
About a third of the way, Qi Zhen Zhen caught up with the Xun family's convoy. One person and one horse moved swiftly, instantly overtaking the Xun family. In the afternoon, Qi Zhen Zhen arrived at the county town and went straight to the county yamen to find Wen Cen. Fortunately, the yamen runner at the entrance was Li Jiang, whom she knew.
"Brother Li, I'm looking for Constable Wen. It's urgent. Is he in?" Qi Zhen Zhen asked anxiously.
"Yes, yes, yes. Miss Qi, don't worry. I'll call him out for you right away." Seeing the deep anxiety on Qi Zhen Zhen's face, Li Jiang didn't dare to delay. He called out to his companion and hurried inside.
Wen Cen came out quickly. "Zhen Zhen, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's go to the teahouse."
There was a teahouse next to the yamen. Qi Zhen Zhen handed the reins to Li Jiang and followed Wen Cen into the teahouse. In a few words, she explained the Song family's matter. Wen Cen looked surprised. He should have attended his brother-in-law's wedding, but due to an unexpected incident, he couldn't. He never expected such a major event to occur.