Daily Life of Raising Kids and Running a Stall - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Spreading Reputation

It was the perfect time of the morning to go out. When the villagers of Sujia Village saw the three sisters-in-law walking hand in hand, they couldn’t help but glance at Qiu Yuruo.

When they saw there wasn’t the slightest trace of sorrow on her face, they had no choice but to believe it—Su Yunting’s wife was truly willing to marry into the family!

A gossipy old woman in the village who loved to bully the weak and stir up trouble saw the three walking in front, and immediately ran over to directly ask Qiu Yuruo, “Yunting’s wife, I heard you went on a hunger strike before the wedding. So how come you’re looking all cheerful now?”

As soon as she spoke, Second Sister’s eyes turned red with anger. But since she’d never argued with anyone before, she was momentarily at a loss for how to retort.

Instead, it was Little Sister who stepped forward and shouted, “You’re talking nonsense! My sister-in-law was willing to marry him!”

The old woman raised her voice and said, “Who’s talking nonsense? My cousin’s relative is from Qianqiao Village. They said everyone there knows about it—that Yunting’s wife didn’t want to take her older sister’s place and made a fuss at home, going on a hunger strike for three days!”

Her loud voice immediately attracted everyone who’d been secretly watching from afar.

One of humanity’s greatest hobbies is watching a good show.

The woman, encouraged by the growing crowd, felt even more fired up. Her brain was already spinning, trying to come up with something dramatic to say. She was just about to let loose when Qiu Yuruo responded.

She didn’t get angry like Su Jingshu, nor did she argue. Instead, she calmly asked, “How should I address you?”

The old woman was caught off guard. She had geared up to make trouble, but this calm inquiry about her name left her stuck.

A villager in the crowd called out, “Her husband is of the same generation as your grandfather-in-law. You should call her Second Aunt.”

Qiu Yuruo turned to the speaker and replied, “Thank you.”

Then she turned back to the old woman and calmly said, “Second Aunt, what you heard isn’t wrong. I did indeed cause a scene at home. My grandfather said that to stand in this world, one must uphold trust and righteousness. He said, ‘A person without trust cannot stand.’ Since we had already agreed to this marriage, and now the groom’s family was coming to fetch the bride, he couldn’t go back on his word. One of his granddaughters had to be married off.”

“But trouble had struck that side of the family, and my eldest uncle said my cousin’s fate couldn’t suppress the bad luck. So my grandfather chose to let me marry instead. Though I’m young, I’ve tasted the bitterness of life. A poor fate isn’t enough reason to throw me into the fire. At the time, I truly wanted to die, to avoid a lifetime of more suffering. But then I thought about how my father passed away early. He never had a chance to fulfill his filial duty to his parents. If I were to take my own life, it would also be an act of unfilial piety toward my late parents.”

“I’m not afraid of dying. Marrying into this family is my way of repaying my parents’ kindness. Even if my fate brings me an early death, I will have fulfilled my grandfather’s trust and my father’s filial duty. And I’ll have fulfilled my own as well.”

Once Qiu Yuruo finished speaking, the old woman was left speechless, her mouth hanging open.

She had come to ruin Qiu Yuruo’s reputation, but instead gave her the perfect opportunity to promote a good one.

The woman couldn’t respond, but the crowd found plenty to talk about.

Some praised Old Man Qiu for being trustworthy and honorable. Others commended Qiu Yuruo for being so filial.

Still others whispered to each other, wondering who would outlast whom—Su Yunting, who supposedly cursed his family to death, or Qiu Yuruo, whose fate was said to be just as unlucky.

Their voices were intentionally quiet, but everyone could hear. Qiu Yuruo certainly did.

But this was the outcome she wanted.

After she had agreed to the marriage back at the Qiu family, Qiu Yuruo had anticipated facing questions like this. Although she hadn’t expected them so soon, she had already prepared her answers.

The original plan was to highlight her filial piety. Now she added a few lines about Old Man Qiu’s integrity as well.

She planned to keep promoting his good name. Hopefully, that vain old man wouldn’t let her efforts go to waste.

The nosy woman was dragged off, and Second Sister helped Qiu Yuruo meet a few villagers who showed them kindness.

When someone asked what the three sisters-in-law were heading out to do, Qiu Yuruo didn’t mention scouting spots for a stall. She just said, “Tomorrow, my third uncle will come to take me back for the return visit. I’m going to town to buy a few things for Grandfather.”

Everyone understood she meant to buy return-visit gifts.

Most of the village’s farmland was west of the village. Anyone heading out from the east was usually on errands or going into town.

Since they were all headed that way, the villagers naturally walked together.

Just outside the village was the main road. Today wasn’t a market day, so the road wasn’t very busy. After walking south for about a mile, they reached Shuangmiao Village, where only one tea stall had been set up.

Su Jingshu tOld Man Qiu Yuruo, “It’s not market day today, so the rest of the stall owners didn’t come.”

Qiu Yuruo nodded to show she understood.

A little farther on, they reached a fork in the road. To the east lay the path into town. There were a few scattered stalls on either side of the road.

Past the stalls were proper storefronts.

Even though Qiu Yuruo’s Qianqiao Village and Sujia Village weren’t far apart, they belonged to different towns. This was her first time in Qingshi Town.

Aunt Wang asked her, “Yuruo, what are you planning to buy for your return visit tomorrow?”

When they first started walking together, everyone had been calling her “Yunting’s wife.”

The term made Qiu Yuruo’s teeth ache, so she introduced herself by name and told them they could call her Yuruo from now on.

When Aunt Wang asked what she was buying, Qiu Yuruo said, “I plan to take four gifts—two jars of wine, two packets of tea, and tomorrow I’ll catch two live chickens before we go.”

Then she said, a bit awkwardly, “I originally wanted to buy some meat or fish, but it’s too hot, and they might spoil overnight. Yunting can’t be left unattended in the morning, and I’m not comfortable sending Second Sister to town so early by herself.”

In a regular family, if the woman was busy in the morning, the man could go buy things. If he couldn’t, there would be elders or uncles to help.

But not in Qiu Yuruo’s case. Her husband was unconscious, her in-laws had passed away, and her only elder relatives—her grandfather and second uncle—couldn’t wait to wash their hands of the longhouse branch. They were afraid of being asked for help.

It was said that just yesterday, after Yuruo entered the family, Second Uncle had already kicked up a fuss.

Another woman, Aunt Zhang, said, “You’ve already got a pair of live chickens. You don’t have to buy meat or fish. Just get two catties of soft pastries. That way, the old man at home can eat a few bites and its better than tough meat!”

Everyone in Sujia Village instinctively wanted to help her save a little. After Aunt Zhang spoke, others chimed in with agreement.

But Qiu Yuruo still looked troubled. “Grandfather wouldn’t mind, but there are uncles at home too. My third uncle has been really good to me. You all saw the dowry yesterday—that was all arranged by him and my third aunt. But my eldest uncle… he’s a scholar, and he really cares about appearances. If I don’t bring any meat, he might hold a grudge.”

Everyone immediately realized—wasn’t her eldest uncle the one who had originally arranged for his own daughter to marry Su Yunting, and then, when Su Yunting fell into a coma, pushed Qiu Yuruo to take her place?

They thought to themselves, So he’s a scholar, is he? If all scholars behaved like this, who’d dare let their sons go study?

Aunt Zhang said, “Yuruo, your return visit is to your grandfather’s house. It’s your third uncle who’s coming to pick you up. If your eldest uncle has opinions, that’s his business. As a married daughter, you keep ties with the relatives who treat you well.”

Qiu Yuruo played the part of a naïve young girl and asked, “Really?”

She was technically fifteen but still two months before her birthday. Given years of poor nutrition, she still looked like a young girl.

Seeing her innocent face, everyone felt even more protective. They all echoed Aunt Zhang’s words in agreement.

Qiu Yuruo smiled. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

These aunties had just advised her to cut ties with her eldest uncle, and once they returned home, they’d explain why.

Qiu Yuruo thought, Eldest Uncle, your time in the spotlight is coming. Are you ready?

Convinced by everyone’s advice, she happily decided not to buy any meat.

Aunt Wang said, “Didn’t you say you’d catch live chickens? I’ve got plenty at home. If you don’t mind, I’ll bring two over for you first thing tomorrow.”

Qiu Yuruo said in delight, “Auntie, you’re so kind to me. I’m not ungrateful. If you bring them over in the morning, I won’t have to fuss over them all night. Just weigh them out and charge me by whatever the town price is.”

There was a stall fee for selling in town, so Aunt Wang’s price would definitely be fair.

Aunt Wang was kind-hearted and not one to take advantage. “I’ll knock off one wen per catty.”

Qiu Yuruo didn’t agree.

Both sides wanted to stick to their terms—one to sell high, the other to pay low.

A cheerful young wife said, “Yuruo, don’t argue. Just go with Aunt Wang’s price. That’s how we do things here among neighbors.”

Others agreed, so Qiu Yuruo relented.

Everyone had come to town either to host guests for lunch or to visit relatives and buy gifts.

It was Qiu Yuruo’s first time in Qingshi Town, so she followed the others through some shops.

When they passed a local clinic, Qiu Yuruo asked Su Jingshu, “Second Sister, was your brother’s illness diagnosed by the doctor here?”

Su Jingshu had been enjoying herself, but hearing her brother mentioned wiped the smile off her face. She answered gloomily, “Yes.”

The usually chirpy and lively little sister also went quiet.

Qiu Yuruo hadn’t meant to ruin the mood, so she bought three pieces of candied fruit and handed them out to each sister, setting the extra one in her basket to give to Yunche later.

She didn’t buy any for herself—not because she was stingy, but because she had a naturally weak stomach and had just come off a three-day fast. She hadn’t fully recovered, and sugar made her stomach acid act up. That’s why she didn’t eat any.

But others didn’t know this. Su Jingshu, a little simple but not heartless, offered her own piece to Qiu Yuruo. “Sister-in-law, I don’t like sweets. You can have mine.”

Cultural Notes:

• Wen: A historical currency unit in ancient China, roughly a copper cent. Prices were often measured in cent per jin (斤), or catty (about 500g).