Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 109: Difficult to Match
The hall seemed full of joy.

The old lady said sympathetically, "It's been a while since the bride had a proper family reunion, right? Let's just treat today as an ordinary family dinner, and everyone should feel free to be restrained. It's a pity your brother didn't come. Perhaps you two in-laws have grown estranged from me? Why didn't you bring your son along?"

A few days ago, Tan Anfeng was beaten up several times by debt collectors, leaving him with bruises and swollen noses and faces. He was so frightened that he dared not leave the house. Fortunately, Mr. Tan sold five shops to Tan Huaike, which made him more financially secure. He paid off his gambling debts and the money he owed to the treasury, and things finally settled down. However, Tan Anfeng's face was bruised and swollen, making it difficult for him to see anyone, so he naturally did not bring it with him.

Mrs. Tan made an excuse, saying, "Anfeng caught a cold the day before yesterday. He's coughing, has a headache, and is feverish and exhausted. We let him rest at home to avoid passing the disease on to my sister and my in-laws."

"Then you must ask a doctor to diagnose and treat it carefully. Even a minor illness should not be taken lightly."

"That's right." Mrs. Tan knew her family's reputation had been tarnished recently, and wanting to shore up her daughter's reputation, she said, "Anfeng loves his sister dearly. Since he was little, he's always wanted to give Anfu everything he enjoys. He's also very concerned about Anfu's marriage, always saying he'd buy her a dowry and a wedding gift. If he hadn't been ill, he would have definitely come with her."

After hearing this, Tan Anfu remained expressionless, but sneered in her heart.

She was very clear about her brother's character. Her parents favored her brother, and all the delicious and fun things she had as a child were all stolen and robbed from Tan Anfeng. As for his concern for her marriage, it was because he was afraid that the Tan family would give her too generous a dowry in order to curry favor with the Shentu family, and that he would end up short of the money that belonged to him, so he had to force himself to come and find out.

Of course, she would not expose her mother here, but just sat there quietly and gently, as if she was very embarrassed.

And Old Madam Shentu was not someone who would be fooled. There were many rumors about the deeds of the eldest son of the Tan family. She didn't even need to send anyone to inquire carefully because she knew that he was a lazy and addicted gambler.

In the past, some people compared him to Zhuo'er, saying they were both among the most prolific playboys in the four counties, which greatly displeased the old lady. Zhuo'er was merely a bit of a playboy, but at least he held a respectable position in the Music Bureau, and his talent and learning were more than enough for him to be considered for the imperial examination. And what about Tan Anfeng? He hadn't even managed to make a name for himself in business, and all he did was gamble and squander his money. He was truly unpresentable.

The old lady doubted his sister's affection. It was rumored that when Tan Huaike married, Tan Anfeng had spent the night at the gambling den and nearly missed the wedding. Although Tan Huaike was a concubine's daughter and unloved at home, he didn't even bother to hide his feelings, which made him look like a responsible brother.

Thinking about it this way, the old lady felt that Tan Huaike was a good thing. At least she was humble and polite in her dealings with others, and had some business skills. It was obvious that she was a well-educated daughter of a merchant.

Perhaps the Tan family was too indulgent with their sons, but they were better at raising their daughters. She had met Tan Anfu a few times, and she had always been obedient and virtuous, and seemed much smarter than her brother.

Everyone chatted about family matters. Mr. Tan was extremely flattering of the Shentu family and praised Shentu Zhuo highly, asserting that he would have a promising future. During the conversation, he repeatedly hinted that his daughter favored the second young master and that the two families should strengthen their relationship. This way, they would surely have a foothold in the trade of the four Hexi counties.

The old lady smiled kindly, but never agreed. She just went around in circles with them, and then said to Tan Huaike, "Bride, Zhuo'er is your uncle. As the eldest sister-in-law, you should also have your say on his marriage."

Here it comes, Jun Gu’s beating on her has finally come.
-
Tan Huaike stood up and saluted, his eyes swept over everyone and received a warning look from Tan Anfu.

She skillfully avoided the temptation: "My uncle has always been a man of his own ideas. I'm afraid no one else can make his decision. Didn't Jun Gu also say that we should wait until he finishes his work at Qianjin Channel and comes back before making any plans?"

The old lady refused to let her go. "When you arranged for your sister to marry Heng'er, did you ever feel resentful? If your sister and Zhuo'er were to marry in the future, you, as a concubine, wouldn't make things difficult for them, would you?"

This mention of the substitutionary marriage incident made the two elders of the Tan family look unhappy. But the mention of Tan Anfu and Shentu Zhuo's marriage was also very real, which made Tan Anfu excited. Could it be that the old lady was urging Tan Huaike so hard, and she really wanted to marry her? She didn't know that the old lady's urging was not directed at this marriage.

Tan Huaike was completely unfazed and replied, "To say I have no resentment at all is deceiving."

Unexpectedly, she spoke so frankly, and everyone looked solemn.

Tan Huaike continued, "It was all so sudden. I was forced into the bridal carriage, and then I had to deal with such...unique Qinglu ceremony. I was really at a loss. But after getting to know them, I felt that the Shentu Mansion was well-organized and everything was well-regulated. It shows that Jungu was very strict in managing the household and had a good balance between relaxation and tension."

As soon as these words were spoken, Old Lady Liao, who was standing behind the old lady, felt a tightness in her heart.

Ever since Tan Huaike came into the house, she had been finding fault with her, even gossiping about her behind her back, thinking of ways to mistreat her. But now, seeing that she said nothing and just kept expressing her sincere submission to the lady, Old Lady Liao felt ashamed and a little alert, fearing that she would change the subject and complain to the Tan family, dragging her, the old servant who had tortured the new bride, into the quagmire.

In reality, Liao's worry was completely overblown. To outsiders, Tan Huaike seemed to be neglected in the Shentu Mansion. She lacked the care and attention of her husband, and she was disliked by her aunt, unable to manage the household. But for Tan Huaike, these days were like drinking water, knowing only the cold and warmth. Compared to the Tan family, who had exploited and harmed her, the Shentu Mansion treated her well. Aunt Jun gave her five acres of fertile land to support herself, a courtyard to live in comfortably, and never interfered with her business ventures. This was a perfect destination.

Therefore, she was truly grateful to the Shentu Mansion for helping her to be reborn from that period of displacement.

But she knew very well that if Tan Anfu married in, not to mention what kind of trouble Shen Tu Zhuo would cause, her own life would definitely not be easy in the future. Just dealing with the provocations of this "sister" would be enough to worry her. If she were to take charge of the household affairs, she might lose her only land and shops. So Tan Huaike had to make Jun Gu give up this idea.

Tan Huaike continued, "Thanks to your magistrate's generosity and kindness, I no longer feel any resentment. However, as your wife, I must say one thing: I'm afraid my elder sister and my younger uncle are not a good match."

Hearing this, Tan Anfu could no longer sit still, but she didn't let her anger show. Instead, she said pitifully, "Sister, why do you say that? You and I becoming sisters again, sharing the glory and disgrace of the Shentu family, should be a blessing. How can we not be a good match?"

"Sister, I'm speaking for you." Tan Huaike pretended to be surprised. "I remember that after the eldest son passed away, my parents had discussed whether to cancel the engagement directly or to talk to the Shentu family to change my sister's engagement to the second son and re-engage. But didn't my sister refuse, saying that she and the second son were not compatible and would be a couple with grievances in the future?
"My father-in-law and mother were so helpless that they decided to let me marry in your place. Could it be that there was a mistake before, and now my sister and my uncle's horoscopes are compatible again? Oh, sister, blame me for being nosy. I thought you were just like me back then, helpless. I wanted to help you out, but I didn't expect it was you who changed your mind. This..."

She stopped talking at the right time. The faces of the three members of the Tan family had turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Tan Anfu was furious: "Stop talking nonsense! It's obvious that you are holding a grudge and don't want me to have an easy life! When did I ever say that our horoscopes are incompatible? The Second Young Master and I..."

Suddenly, a voice came from the door: "Oh? I think what Lady Fu said was true. You and I are indeed incompatible. There is no way we can be together in this life."

　Next chapter: Who killed my husband? She is the one who killed my brother, right?

　　(End of this chapter)