Chapter 34

The Song family had a busy day, but everyone was happy. Even though they gave away much of the charcoal they had made, their faces shone with pride.

Meanwhile, in Zhutu Village, the household of Song Dong was also cheerful.

Ever since Song Laosan arrived, Song Dong’s mother‑in‑law, Old Shen, had been smiling nonstop.

In the past, Old Shen had been most dissatisfied with Song Dong as a daughter‑in‑law. She had three sons and three daughters‑in‑law.

Song Dong was the youngest daughter‑in‑law, and Old Shen favored her youngest son, so she was especially critical of Song Dong. If not for the fact that Song Dong had given birth to two healthy sons within two years of marriage, and her husband protected her fiercely, Old Shen would have made her life much harder.

Moreover, Song Dong often took things from her husband’s household to support her natal family. Each time, Old Shen showed her displeasure.

But Song Dong ignored her, continuing to do as she pleased, taking what she needed and sending support without fail.

Whenever questioned, she would say her younger brother needed to study, and this required money and supplies. Old Shen grew angry often, but Song Dong never listened. Her son defended his wife, and Old Shen, not wanting to upset him, endured in silence.

Unexpectedly, this time her in‑laws brought several jin of fine charcoal as a gift. Everyone knew stove charcoal wasn’t rare, just a few coins per jin, but receiving it from relatives carried honor.

This gray‑flower charcoal was different, especially since it was homemade, making it even more precious.

Old Shen warmly welcomed Song Laosan, saying: “In‑law, you should visit more often. Our villages are far apart, so we don’t see each other much. We must keep in touch.”

Song Laosan, seeing his daughter living well in the Shen household, replied: “You’re right. We should indeed visit more. Dong’er is filial. Her mother passed early, and she always thinks of her younger brother. If she ever does something wrong, just treat her as your own child and correct her.”

Old Shen knew he said this deliberately, since in past years Song Dong had often sent things to her natal family, earning disapproval from her in‑laws.

Old Shen smiled and said: “How could that be? Dong’er lives well here. She’s sensible in everything. I only praise her.”

Then she changed the subject: “I heard this charcoal was made by Dong’er’s younger brother? Truly impressive!”

At this, Song Laosan spoke proudly. Song Sheng was his confidence now, everyone envied him for having such a capable son.

“Yes, this charcoal was made by Dong’er’s brother. It’s the first batch, about a hundred jin. Today I brought six or seven jin for you to use. He said next time he’ll try making silver‑bone charcoal. If it works, I’ll bring you two jin to try.”

Hearing this, Old Shen was overjoyed, saying repeatedly: “Good, good! You truly have a fine son. No wonder Dong’er always cares for him.”

Song Laosan added: “Dong’er cares for him, but our Sanlang also cares for his elder sister. The charcoal was just made yesterday, and today he asked me to bring it here.”

He said this to remind Old Shen of his daughter’s worth, so that after he left, she would treat Song Dong better, giving her more respect and confidence in her husband’s household.

In these times, if a daughter‑in‑law’s natal family lacked strength and she herself couldn’t stand firm, she would suffer in her in‑laws’ home.

Song Laosan came personally to deliver charcoal, essentially to support his daughter.

Old Shen greeted him with smiles throughout. Fortunately, Song Dong’s husband, Shen Sanlang, was of good character and usually sided with his wife. Otherwise, Song Dong wouldn’t have been able to keep sending support to her natal family.

After Song Laosan left, Old Shen praised Song Dong from head to toe, saying she had foresight. Supporting her natal family had been the right choice, and now that her younger brother had achieved success, how could she not benefit?

Old Shen’s mind was sharp and calculating, but Song Dong didn’t care what she thought. She only knew her younger brother was becoming more accomplished.

Song Dong was deeply moved. Her brother had finally achieved success, her father came to support her, and her husband treated her well. Life was truly becoming more hopeful.

After Song Laosan left, Old Shen praised Song Dong endlessly, which made the two elder sisters‑in‑law unhappy.

That evening, Song Dong wasn’t asked to cook. Old Shen herself went to the kitchen and fried a plate of eggs. In her heart, she was thinking about the silver‑bone charcoal that Song Dong’s father had mentioned. If that could really be produced, even just two jin given to their household would be worth a lot of silver. Now this youngest daughter‑in‑law had become precious, someone to be carefully looked after.

—

The next morning, Song Sheng rose early as usual, ate breakfast, and went to the academy.

Lu Qing also got up early, prepared breakfast for Song Sheng, cleaned the courtyard, and fed the chickens and ducks in the back yard.

He had planned to tell Grandmother Zhang Xinghua that his husband wanted him to buy stoves, but remembered she hadn’t returned home the previous night.

In this household, Zhang Xinghua rarely made decisions on major matters. Whatever Song Sheng decided, she usually agreed, especially since buying stoves was a benefit for the whole family.

So Lu Qing simply told his two sisters‑in‑law and his aunt about it, then went out to find a bricklayer.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xinghua hadn’t returned because of bad weather or poor roads, but because something had happened at Song Ying’s home.

Song Ying lived in Shangnan Village. Yesterday morning, Zhang Xinghua carried a basket of charcoal there early. At the gate she knocked, and the family’s small yellow dog barked loudly at the stranger.

Soon a woman with high cheekbones and triangular eyes came out. This was Song Ying’s mother‑in‑law, Aunt Cheng.

Song Ying’s two children were still young, and with little farm work at this season, they should have been at home.

Aunt Cheng saw Zhang Xinghua and, for some reason, her eyes flickered uneasily. She forced a smile and opened the gate.

“Oh, I wondered who was knocking so early. It’s in‑law! Don’t stand outside in the cold, come in and sit.”

Zhang Xinghua said: “Our Sanlang has been experimenting with charcoal. Yesterday he burned a whole pit, so I thought to bring some for Yingzi.”

Hearing she had come to deliver charcoal, Aunt Cheng’s face lit up with genuine joy.

“Really? I heard about your Sanlang’s charcoal a few days ago and thought it was just idle tinkering. I didn’t expect he actually succeeded! Your Sanlang truly has ability.”

“Hehehe… it’s alright. Sanlang is indeed promising. He’s been studying diligently lately. As long as he knows how to improve himself, that’s what matters,” Zhang Xinghua said modestly.

“In‑law, you’re too modest. I think this Song Sheng is surely the seed of a future scholar. Your Song family will enjoy blessings.”

The two sat inside chatting for half an hour. Zhang Xinghua grew puzzled and asked: “In‑law, where is our Yingzi? Is she at home? Why hasn’t she come out?”

Moreover, they had been sitting there for quite some time, yet Aunt Cheng hadn’t even offered her a bowl of hot water. The Cheng household felt strange.

Sure enough, when asked about Song Ying, Madam Cheng stammered: “Well… Yingzi caught wind‑cold a few days ago. I didn’t let her get up today. She’s resting in her room.”

Hearing her granddaughter was ill, Zhang Xinghua quickly said: “How did she catch wind‑cold? Is it serious? Which room? Take me to see her at once.”

At first Aunt Cheng tried to refuse, saying the illness was severe and Yingzi couldn’t be exposed to drafts. But Zhang Xinghua wasn’t someone to be fooled.

Besides, if the illness was truly that serious, it was even more reason to check.

Finally, unable to stop her, Aunt Cheng led Zhang Xinghua to see Song Ying.

The Cheng courtyard was slightly larger than the Song family’s. On the right side lived Song Ying’s family.

Opening the door, Song Ying was indeed lying on the bed.

Zhang Xinghua thought she really had wind‑cold and hurried forward: “Yingzi, is it serious? How do you feel now?”

But before Song Ying could answer, Zhang Xinghua leaned closer and was shocked. This was no illness.

Song Ying’s face was bruised and swollen, with a lump on her forehead—clearly beaten.

Her voice was hoarse, unable to speak properly. Seeing her grandmother, tears streamed down her cheeks.

She forced out words: “Grandmother, I want to go home.”

Zhang Xinghua’s eyes filled with tears. Anger surged as she saw her granddaughter suffering. Her gaze turned sharp as knives toward Aunt Cheng, who lowered her head in guilt.

“I entrusted my granddaughter to your Cheng family, and this is how you treat her? How did she get these injuries? In‑law, if you don’t give me an explanation today, I won’t let this rest!”

Struggling to speak, Song Ying clutched her grandmother’s hand: “It… it was Cheng Du. He hit me. He has… someone outside. I found out.”

Zhang Xinghua lifted her arm and saw scars all over, some old. Clearly, Song Ying had been beaten often but hid it from her natal family.

Seeing this, Zhang Xinghua’s tears fell uncontrollably. She regretted arranging this marriage, which had harmed her granddaughter.

“Where is Cheng Du? Call that bastard here! He did wrong and still dared to beat my granddaughter? Does he think the Song family has no one?” she shouted.

Aunt Cheng, ashamed, whispered: “In‑law, please calm down. This was our fault. But don’t worry, I’ve already scolded Cheng Du. He promised never to do it again. Please forgive him. The children are still young, they need their father.”

Zhang Xinghua grew even angrier. “Scolded him? That’s nothing! I want to hear him say it himself. Call him here.”

Aunt Cheng hesitated: “He… he went to town for business. He’s not home.”

“Business? His wife is lying injured, and he dares to go to town? I bet he went to meet his mistress!”

Aunt Cheng blushed: “In‑law, don’t say that. Du’er isn’t that kind of man. This must be a misunderstanding. When Yingzi feels better, they can talk and resolve it.”

Zhang Xinghua nearly fainted from rage. No wonder the son behaved this way, his mother defended him instead of correcting him. Truly, the Cheng family was rotten.

She said: “Yingzi, pack your things. Come home with Grandmother. We won’t stay in this place.”

Aunt Cheng quickly stopped her: “In‑law, wait. Yingzi is weak now, not fit to travel. Let her stay here. When Du’er returns, they can talk. After all, they’re husband and wife. Quarrels at the head of the bed are reconciled at the foot. There’s no lasting grudge.”

Zhang Xinghua spat: “Nonsense! Cheng San’s wife, if your daughter were beaten like this and I told you the same, would you believe me?”

Aunt Cheng’s face stiffened, unable to reply.

She felt humiliated, scolded without being able to answer back.

Still, she was right about one thing: Song Ying was too weak to leave immediately.

So Zhang Xinghua stayed overnight at the Cheng household to care for her, planning to return the next day with Yingzi’s father, uncles, and brothers to bring her home—and to confront Cheng Du.

That evening, when Song Sheng returned home, he noticed everyone’s faces were grim.

Grandmother Zhang Xinghua had already come back, and with her was his married cousin Song Ying.

Normally, the family ate dinner early, and when Song Sheng returned from school, he reheated food left by Lu Qing. But this time, everyone was still awake.

“What happened at home?” he asked.

Lu Qing whispered: “It’s Sister Song Ying. Grandmother went to deliver charcoal and found she had been beaten by her husband. She was badly hurt. This afternoon Grandmother returned, gathered the uncles and aunts, and brought Cousin back.”

Song Sheng frowned and asked: “It was Cheng Du who beat her?”

Second Aunt was sitting there wiping tears. When she had gone to the Cheng household earlier and saw her daughter lying lifeless on the bed, she couldn’t stop crying.

“Yes, Yingzi said it was him. Cheng Du is not even human. He has another woman outside. When Yingzi discovered it, instead of repenting, he beat her. My poor daughter!”

Song Sheng looked at his cousin, half‑sitting on the bed, thin and haggard, almost like a shadow of herself. It was heartbreaking.

Song Cheng said: “That bastard Cheng Du! His mother must have warned him not to come home today, otherwise we would have caught him and beaten him to vent for my sister!”

As a man, Song Sheng despised domestic violence, both in his past life and now.

A man should have responsibility. Even if he makes mistakes, he should admit them and apologize. If he truly has another woman and cannot continue the marriage, then they should discuss it, divide the property, and separate.

But to beat his wife? That was disgraceful, a shame to men everywhere.

He said: “Sister Ying, domestic violence happens either once or endlessly. When you recover, divorce him.”

Although the Song family was furious at Cheng Du’s actions, when Song Sheng suggested divorce, no one dared to respond.

That was the reality of the times. After divorce, a man could remarry easily, but a woman would be branded a widow, criticized and gossiped about.

Seeing the silence, Song Sheng understood how harsh society was toward women and gē ér.

His father-in-law Lu Xun, for example, had lost two husbands. When he returned to his natal family, people called him a “jinx.” Even years later, the reputation stuck.

Still, the decision had to come from Song Ying herself. Life was hers to live.

Song Ying looked better than yesterday. Second Aunt had already gone to Doctor Liu to get medicine for her.

Her face was pale, lips cracked, and she had cried bitterly in her mother’s arms after returning, finally calming down.

Hearing Song Sheng mention divorce, her dull eyes flickered. After a moment, her hoarse voice said: “I will divorce.”

She recalled her married life. Truthfully, it hadn’t been good. Only in the first two years had her husband treated her kindly.

But after she bore two daughters, his attitude changed.

Her Mother-in-law Cheng often disliked her. Since Cheng Du was away on business, Mother-in-law Cheng made her do nearly all the household chores—washing clothes, feeding pigs and chickens.

Her Father-in-law longed for a grandson. Cheng Du was the eldest son, with three sisters already married and a younger brother newly wed. He expected Song Ying to give him a grandson quickly.

But after two years, she had only given him two granddaughters, and then no more children. So when Mother-in-law Cheng ordered her around, Father-in-law turned a blind eye.

Thinking back, Song Ying realized her married life had been full of hardship. Silent tears fell.

Not long ago, when Song Sheng received praise from the county magistrate, her in‑laws treated her better for a few days. But soon, everything returned to the same as before.

As for her husband Cheng Du, thinking carefully, it was clear he had another woman outside not just recently, but for quite some time.

Every time he came home, he would simply collapse into bed. Her Father-in-law and Mother-in-law always despised her for bearing only two daughters. Yet in the past year, he had shared a bed with her only a handful of times—how could she possibly give birth to a son like that?

Reflecting on the grievances of these years, Song Ying felt that Song Sheng was right. It would be better to divorce.

Anyway, the Cheng family didn’t value daughters. She could take her girls back with her. If she never remarried, she could spend the rest of her life raising her daughters.

Zhang Xinghua and her mother had originally wanted to persuade Song Ying not to act rashly. Divorce was no small matter. In her grief, she might make a decision she would regret forever.

But seeing Song Ying’s condition, they couldn’t bring themselves to speak words of reconciliation.

To hell with reputation, was reputation more important than her daughter’s life?

Second Aunt Zhao looked toward her Popo Zhang Xinghua. If her daughter divorced, she would surely return home with her children. Zhao feared someone in the household might object.

It was like Lu Xun, who lived alone at his Niang’s house without children, and was often scorned by Da Jiumu Wang.

Yet Zhang Xinghua didn’t hesitate. She declared firmly: “Good. Our Song family’s daughter has backbone! Divorce then. Yingzi, we won’t live with him anymore. Bring your two girls back home.”

Hearing this, Second Aunt Zhao gave her a grateful look, tears flowing uncontrollably.

Zhao had been married into the Song family for many years. Though the family was poor, she had never complained, because her Mother-in-law was unlike others—she didn’t torment daughters‑in‑law over trivial matters.

So Zhao was deeply thankful for Zhang Xinghua’s words. After all, if Song Ying returned with her children, that meant three more mouths to feed. In these times, filling stomachs was hard, and no one wanted extra mouths to feed without reason.

Zhao glanced at the eldest brother’s family, then at younger uncle Song Laosan’s household. Her lips moved but she said nothing.

Song Laoda understood Zhao’s worry. To reassure her and Song Ying, he said: “Mother is right. Our family can handle three more mouths. Times are different now. Tomorrow I’ll fire up the pit again. This winter, just by selling charcoal, we’ll earn plenty. Yingzi, stay at home without worry. Whatever happens, your family will support you.”

Song Laosan also said: “Eldest Brother is right. Second Sister‑in‑law, don’t think too much. We are all one family. Yingzi has suffered such grievances. If even her own family despises her, then what kind of family are we?”

The eldest brother and eldest sister‑in‑law standing nearby also comforted Song Ying and Zhao.

In truth, everyone wasn’t afraid of Song Ying returning home with her children. What they feared was her current state—she looked half‑dead, without any spirit. If she couldn’t bear it and sought her own end, that would be disastrous.

Hearing her family’s encouragement, Song Ying suddenly felt as if a ray of light pierced through her dark days.

So what if divorce meant losing a husband? She still had her family.

Besides, she could work with her mother and the others on embroidery to help with household expenses, while raising her two little girls. Thinking this way, life didn’t seem so unbearable anymore.