Chapter 76: Chapter 75: The Reasonable Third Son
No one knows what’s in these people’s hearts, but they’re putting on a real show, carrying chickens, holding eggs, and more with some bringing bacon.
Zhang Er’s family already brought a sheep before, and today they carried over more than half a bag of white flour.
Seven or eight people neatly stood in the Song Family Courtyard, leaving Song Wei and Wen Wan who had just gotten home stunned.
Zhang Er stepped forward a few steps, full of remorse, and said, "Third Son, it’s all our fault. We shouldn’t have had the intention to harm you that night, otherwise my wife and I wouldn’t have suffered repercussions and been scared out of our wits. I’m here to apologize to you, hoping you won’t hold a grudge against us, and don’t see my fault as that of a petty person. I promise, from now on, I won’t gossip behind your back and say bad things about you. Will you forgive me this once?"
Song Wei didn’t ask his father what’s going on, nor did he look at anyone. After a brief thought, he recalled the night before he went to the Prefecture; Wanwan took Yuanbao out stealthily, and when they returned, they lied about visiting her family.
He didn’t delve deeply into it at the time but had a faint suspicion in his mind. It seemed Wanwan sensed something bad might happen, worried it would affect him, so she didn’t mention it and dealt with it on her own.
With Zhang Er’s words, Song Wei understood everything completely. So these few originally intended to harm him, but Wanwan found a way to stop them, scaring them quite a bit, and now they’re genuinely here to apologize?
Song Wei, this person, doesn’t like reasoning with people usually, but when necessary, he’ll put forth his point.
"I’ve been busy with both the county town and home these years, haven’t really paid attention." He lifted his eyes slightly, his voice consistently magnetic and nice to hear. "What did you say about me?"
"..." Isn’t this blatantly talking nonsense?
Other things Zhang Er might not know, but he definitely saw his youngest son together with other kids hiding on the village path, throwing stones at and insulting Song Wei as "unlucky ghost" and "calamity-bringer."
Just at the time, seeing from afar that Song Wei didn’t get seriously hurt, he didn’t drag the kids out to settle scores, Zhang Er let them be.
Village gossip, Song Wei couldn’t have not heard a single word, but now he’s deliberately questioning in front of everyone, what did they say? What was said?
What else could it be? Just insults about Song Wei being inherently unlucky, bringing calamity wherever he goes; years ago he had already caused the death of his elder brother and sister-in-law, and still wouldn’t stop, even audaciously thinking of taking the exam, simply a calamity-bringer.
But these words, could they be thrown out in front of him? Certainly not!
Zhang Er, sweating profusely from the questioning, couldn’t answer or not answer.
Standing behind was Zhang Er’s elder brother, seeing this, stood out and said a sentence, "Truth be told, Third Son, you should really call my brother and me ’elders,’ and as an elder, I’m humbly apologizing to you. Just accept these items, and let this matter be over. We’re all from one village, constantly seeing each other; over such tiny matters, why cause embarrassment?"
Song Wei smiled slightly, "I think so too."
That calm demeanor was far more chilling than a rage.
Zhang Er didn’t dare respond.
Eldest Brother Zhang pressed further, "Then hurry up, stop just standing there, make your stance clear and explain it, don’t make it seem like we bullied you."
From this tone, has Song Wei turned into the one at fault?
Song Fang, just coming out from the kitchen, bit her teeth angrily, "It’s you who insulted, it’s my brother who got insulted, what right do you have to urge him to be generous?"
Just as things looked like they might settle, who could expect this little girl to step forward and complicate matters, Eldest Brother Zhang frowned, "Fangniang, words can’t be said like that; indeed, it’s us who spoke wrongly behind Song Sanlang, but he didn’t lose any piece of flesh, didn’t he? Isn’t he still standing here well? Besides, we’ve apologized and compensated, so this matter has to be over then, anyone who keeps dwelling on it is in the wrong, even if it went to the government, we have enough reason!"
His words carried an air of rationality.
Song Fang was almost exploding in anger, clenched her fists preparing to argue it to the end, but Wen Wan who followed out lightly tugged her sleeve.
"Sister-in-law..." Song Fang couldn’t bear seeing so many people bullying her third brother.
Wen Wan shook her head, signaling Song Fang to calm down.
Knowing Song Wei, this fair-skinned but dark-hearted man, would never willingly play the victim; his earlier words clearly weren’t finished.
Sure enough, once Song Fang quieted, Song Wei continued, "I admit that I’ve inherently had bad luck, easily bringing disaster to those around me; you didn’t say anything wrong there, I won’t deny it."
Eldest Brother Zhang smugly lifted his chin; what did he say? Song Family’s Third Son is not only a calamity bringer but also a coward, see now, faced with many, he directly cowered.
"But I’m someone who understands reason," Song Wei spoke calmly, "since previous years have troubled you all and made you unhappy, I should also take proactive measures to apologize, avoiding future discomfort when thinking about me day and night."
On Zhang Da’s face, the smile became increasingly smug, "Alright, as long as you’re sincere, we brothers naturally have a big heart, won’t compare to you."
He assumed Song Wei would offer silver to settle and compromise, and had already secretly thought since Song family is wealthy, the hush money should not be small; once he got it, he’d buy a cow.
Unexpectedly, Song Wei followed with a sentence, "I suppose everyone has heard that whoever passes the local exam and becomes a scholar, gets to exempt taxes on four hundred acres of land, plus labor service for eighteen households."
Impatiently, Zhang Da asked, "Talking about apologizing, why bring this up?"
Song Wei glanced at him, "Naturally, for your benefit."
"How is it benefiting me?"
Song Wei, with a good-natured tone, remained steady, "Shortly, I intend to have the village head to witness, write a guarantee to ensure in future none of you get affected by my bad luck. Assuming one day I, Song Wei, become a scholar, the land concerns won’t include your families, and for others unafraid of being linked to me, whoever wants to register land, I won’t take a grain from them."
A few of them, hearing this, their expressions immediately changed.
If Song Wei truly passes the local exam, then he becomes Mr. Scholar; not to mention the prestige of being Mr. Scholar, but specifically regarding land registration, if Song Wei doesn’t tax, how much grain could be earned freely in a year!
Zhang Er angrily shoved his elder brother aside, earnestly looking at Song Wei, "Third Son, what my elder brother said is just his solo opinion, doesn’t represent us. Do you think regarding land registration, could there be some room for maneuver?"
Thinking about how other families could save the entirety of land tax in a year, while his own had to diligently pay in full, his heart felt like being pierced by needles.
Song Wei smiled lightly, "I’m doing it for your benefit, having connections with me tends to bring misfortune."
Zhang Da finally realized he had stirred trouble, his previous arrogance and delight vanished instantly, faced with rapid change, more than anyone, "Third Son, I..."
Song Wei waved, "Not much left to say, you’re afraid of being linked to me, I get it. We’re all from one village, I wouldn’t want to see you suffer due to me, once the guarantee is written, everyone just needs to put their fingerprints." At that, looking towards Old Song, "Dad, could you please invite the village head and clan leader to come visit our home?"