Chapter 50: The Liu Family

Two months ago, after word spread that Song Tiancheng had earned the title of a xiucai scholar, suitors and matchmakers began arriving at his doorstep in a steady stream.

However, because he had long since been betrothed to the daughter of the Liu family in the neighboring village, he turned them all away.

Prompted by this turn of events, the Liu family took the initiative to visit and discuss the wedding arrangements for the two young people, expressing their hope for a marriage in the near future and urging the Song family to quickly consult a fortune-teller to choose an auspicious date.

Upon hearing this, Mother Song was overjoyed. Yet, one could not visit a fortune-teller empty-handed. As it happened, the mountain forests were abundant with game at that time—mushrooms, wild fungi, pheasants, and hares. If they brought gifts, the person would be pleased and gladly select a propitious wedding date. Afterwards, the young couple would live in harmony and bliss; what could be better than that?

It was precisely because of this that Tiancheng had gone up the mountain to hunt. Who could have foreseen that it had rained just the day before, leaving the ground slick and treacherous, and that he would venture a bit too deep, accidentally slipping down a slope?

His bones had fractured from the fall at the time. Even Old Uncle Song, who had seen his share of injuries, was witnessing such a severe tumble for the first time and dared not guarantee a full recovery.

Hearing that he had broken his leg, the Liu family hurried over to break off the engagement.

This was because the imperial court had a strict regulation: anyone with a physical disability was barred from taking the imperial examinations.

Now, the Liu family was a prominent household in Tiancheng Town, owning dozens of mu of fertile land. Their eldest son worked as an accountant in a town tavern, while the younger son ran his own shop selling breakfast goods. Liu Yaner was their only daughter, and the entire family doted on her immensely. Given their favorable family background, they had set their hearts on finding a literate scholar for their daughter.

They had taken a fancy to Song Tiancheng back then precisely because they believed he had the makings of a scholar and would undoubtedly become a juren master in the future.

As a result, when Song Tiancheng broke his leg, the Liu family concluded that even if he healed, he would remain a cripple and would never be able to sit for the examinations. Consequently, they unceremoniously came to call off the marriage, eager to sever ties and avoid mutual delays.

Mother Song had been furious at the time, itching to scold them yet finding herself unable to form the words.

The Liu family had simply shut down every argument Mother Song attempted to make with a single retort: "We didn't force your Tiancheng to go up the mountain! Your family was too proud, went anyway, and got yourselves hurt. Not to mention he might never heal, are you expecting our Yaner to wait on him hand and foot for the rest of her life?"

Later on, Mother Song reasoned with herself: if they wanted to break the engagement, so be it, but shouldn't the betrothal gifts be returned?

She wanted to reclaim the gifts she had given, especially since Tiancheng's leg still required silver for medical treatment.

Not only did they refuse to return anything, but the Lius even claimed that their daughter's reputation had been tarnished, declaring that the ten taels of silver should serve as compensation.

"I get furious just thinking about the look on the Liu family's faces!" Mother Song recalled, her anger mounting as she slapped her thigh hard. "Why was your mother so blind back then to set her sights on such wretched trash? Still, it's a blessing in disguise that Liu Yaner never crossed our threshold. Had she entered this family, our household would have been ruined sooner or later!"

At the mention of this, Song Tiancheng's expression darkened as well. It was not because the engagement had been broken, but rather on account of those ten taels of silver for the betrothal gift.

That was money his mother had saved through backbreaking labor, combined with a considerable sum his late father had left behind, just to barely scrape together enough for the betrothal.

In the end, not a single copper coin was recovered; the Liu family had swallowed the lot.

Dropping his gaze, Song Tiancheng said, "Don't be angry, Mother. Sooner or later, we will make them return it."

Hearing this, Mother Song chuckled. "Return it? They certainly will! If a tiger doesn't bare its teeth, they really take your old mother for a sick cat!"

Seeing his mother in high spirits, Song Tiancheng smiled and said, "Indeed, Mother is the most formidable."

Before his words faded, Mother Song changed the subject: "Don't flatter me. Flatter me all you like, but you're still going outside to shell corn."

With that, she hoisted Song Tiancheng's arm and draped it over her shoulder, pretending to carry him outside so he could sit in the reclining chair and honestly shell the corn.