Chapter 15: She's Obviously Jealous of Me!

Upon hearing this, Song’s mother was somewhat surprised, but soon a faint pride welled up within her. She really hadn’t misjudged the girl—this young lady was indeed hardworking!

“Come, sit down for a while,” the elder woman said, abandoning her usual reservations and firmly pulling Song’s mother down onto a seat.

She asked, “Tell me, is this girl a relative of yours?”

Song’s mother nodded but didn’t disclose everything. “A distant relative, just visiting.”

“I see. So, is she married yet?”

The question was too direct, and Song’s mother quickly caught onto the elder’s intentions.

“No. What, Aunt Sun wants to find a wife for your slow-witted son?”

Everyone in the village knew about Aunt Sun’s son—he wasn’t truly slow, just a bit slow to react. Because of that, he had never found a bride.

Those nearby chuckled quietly at the remark.

Hearing the laughter, Aunt Sun’s face changed. “Nonsense! My Zhuzi isn’t slow at all!”

Song’s mother scoffed, shrugged off her hand, and stood. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! My Huan girl is not only beautiful but also hardworking! She’d be more than a match for a scholar!”

With that, she strode off toward home.

Aunt Sun, furious, flushed red and spat in Song’s mother’s departing direction. “You old widow! How shameless you are! You think I’d want her? Dream on! You keep your crippled son to yourself for life!”

No matter how harsh the insult, Song’s mother didn’t respond. She quickened her pace homeward.

Her mood was heavy. She knew the villagers had never really accepted her and her daughter.

The reason was both simple and absurd.

Her husband wasn’t a native of Apricot Blossom Village but had fled there seeking refuge. As for her, being born in the first lunar month, her family claimed she was cursed to bring misfortune to her parents and cast her out. She had grown up in a charity hall.

They moved to Apricot Blossom Village only after marriage, so the locals felt little affinity for them.

At first, things were tolerable. But once someone overheard her background during a village drinking session and spread the word, the villagers began to look at her with suspicion—as if her eyes and nose were somehow different.

After her husband passed away, the gossip grew more absurd.

They said she brought misfortune not only to her parents but also to her husband. People would harass her home daily; some even petitioned the village chief to make her leave, fearing she would spoil the village’s feng shui.

Having endured cold indifference and cruelty at the charity hall, Song’s mother thought she wouldn’t be hurt by the villagers’ words. But with so many confrontations, she was forced to stay indoors.

Still, the villagers were not satisfied. Only after she made a scene did they dare stop spreading nonsense in her presence.

Yet, she could neither stop nor control the rumors whispered behind her back.

It wasn’t until her son passed the scholar’s exam that the village’s attitude shifted. They even competed to secure the fifty acres of land under her son’s name exempt from taxes.

Was she not clever? Knowing no one else could have it, she discussed with her son and included their own land, then handed the remaining quota to the village chief.

As long as their own few acres were tax-free, she left the rest to the chief’s discretion.

How the chief distributed it was not her concern. That year, the villagers’ faces towards her softened significantly, and her son was betrothed.

But good times were short-lived. Two months ago, her son went hunting in the mountains and broke his leg.

The old rumors resurfaced, saying her fate was so cursed she should have died long ago, and now she had even brought misfortune upon her son.

“Bullshit!” Song’s mother cursed fiercely, kicking a stone blocking her path.

“My fate is strong! Otherwise, how could I have brought Huan home? Those scoundrels are just jealous of me! Bah!”