Chapter 22: Watch Out, She Might Just Steal Your Son Away!

"How could I ever harm my own son?" Mother Song glared at her and added, "I’ve seen this girl. She’s a hard worker and won't cause any trouble. As for her seducing Tiancheng, that’s impossible."

"There is such a large age gap between them. Besides, my Tiancheng is not like that boy, Zhang Yiming. They say he’s studying, but who knows what kind of books he’s actually reading?"

As Mother Song spoke, her face was filled with disdain.

When Mother Liushun heard this, she realized there was more to the story. She quickly asked, "What is it? Do you know something about the Zhang family?"

"It’s not so much that I know something, but that boy—whatever he’s reading, it certainly isn’t anything proper," Mother Song said, waving her hand dismissively.

"What kind of 'improper' books? You are such a tease, starting a conversation and leaving it hanging!"

"It’s nothing. Regardless, my Tiancheng isn’t that type of person, and Huan-ya wouldn’t engage in that kind of tawdry behavior. You can set your mind at ease."

Mother Song’s face softened into a rare smile as she continued, "Let me tell you, my Huan-ya is truly remarkable. Do you see that pile of corn in my yard? She gathered every bit of it by herself! That’s over an acre of land, and the little girl finished it in half a day! Isn't that impressive?"

Detecting the boastfulness in Mother Song’s tone, Mother Liushun pursed her lips. "Alright, alright, she’s impressive. Just don’t come asking me for help later!"

"Tch, such a temper."

"Fine, since you’re done, I’ll be heading off. I’ve still got a pile of corn in my own yard to shell. I’m off."

Mother Liushun waved her hand, and Mother Song didn’t try to keep her, though she did offer a word of thanks.

Mother Liushun chuckled, her mood considerably improved.

Watching her leave, Mother Song opened the door to see Huan-ya shelling another large pile of corn.

Seeing the girl’s diligent demeanor, Mother Song curled her lips into a smile, but as the words Mother Liushun had just spoken flashed through her mind, the smile vanished.

Thinking about the Zhang family, she suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Although that boy from the Zhang family was indeed not a decent person, Mother Liushun was right—if not for that woman’s seduction, Zhang Yiming wouldn't have abandoned his studies just to gamble.

With this in mind, Mother Song walked over to Huan-ya, sat down, and picked up a corncob to begin shelling.

"Child, where did your family originally come from?"

Huan-ya didn't know why Mother Song had suddenly asked, but she answered honestly, "From Ma Family Village."

Mother Song gave a soft "Oh," and asked, "Then your surname is Ma?"

Huan-ya shook her head quickly. "No, my father’s surname is Ma, but my mother’s is not."

Mother Song found this strange. "Then shouldn't you be surnamed Ma?"

Huan-ya’s hands paused. She bit her lip before saying, "My father... my father married into my mother’s family."

"Married into?" Mother Song was astonished. In this day and age, men marrying into a wife’s family in the countryside was extremely rare.

Those who were willing to sacrifice their pride to have their son marry into a family usually did so because they were so poor they couldn't even put food on the table, leaving them no other choice.

This girl’s father...

Mother Song shook her head slightly, choosing not to comment further.

Huan-ya, however, assumed the shake of her head meant she looked down on her father, and she quickly explained, "Father isn't like that. It was just that my grandparents were too biased. They doted on my aunt and even wanted to send Father away to another place. He had no choice but to marry into my mother’s family."

"Because of that, Father lost his chance to take the exams to become a scholar."

Mother Song was surprised to hear this. "Your father... he is a scholar?"

Huan-ya nodded. "Father is a *tongsheng*. He passed the exam when he was only fifteen!"

Mother Song paused, a thought suddenly occurring to her. She asked, "Is your father Ma Xuyang?"

Huan-ya nodded, asking with curiosity, "Auntie, do you know my father?"