Do you know? Do you know? It should be Green Fat Red Thin Episode 45

  Back at the Yang mansion, it was already late afternoon. He Hongwen left a large package of dried tangerine peel for Minglan, who found it sweet and refreshing. She immediately divided half of it to send to Pinlan, but when she arrived, she found that Pinlan was not in her room. The maid hesitated and said that the eldest miss had returned to her mother's home. Minglan felt something was wrong and hurriedly went to Shulan's original residence. As soon as she entered the inner chamber, she saw Shulan with tears all over her face, pale and leaning on the bed in a daze. Pinlan was pacing back and forth in the room, clenching her fists. Minglan quickly asked what had happened, and Pinlan explained through gritted teeth.

  It turned out that Sun Zhi Gao's concubine was pregnant, and the Sun family was overjoyed. They hurriedly wanted to bring the concubine into the mansion, but Shu Lan was gentle and weak by nature. However, her mother was quite decisive, and as soon as she saw that things were not going well, she immediately took Shu Lan back to their hometown.

  In the afternoon, Sun's mother came to the door, arrogantly demanding that Shulan let the concubine enter. Old Lady Sheng refused to budge, only giving her four words: "Leave the child and go". Sun's mother coldly laughed a few times, then turned around and left with a flourish of her sleeves.

  Pinlan was furious, ran out and scolded a withered willow tree for half an hour. Minglan stood by and couldn't persuade her to stop, silently accompanying her until the sky darkened. Only then did Pinlan and Minglan return home with their heads hung low in despair. As soon as they reached the door, they heard a sorrowful cry and Li Shi's helpless comforting voice coming from inside.

  "...After marriage, my mother-in-law said not to disturb her husband when he's reading, but in a month, it's less than three or five days... She scolds me for being incompetent, so I'll let him take a concubine... But then he complains that those women are boring... What can be done!" Shulan sobbed and poured out her grievances to Minglan, who understood everything despite Pinlan's naive and half-understanding expression.

  Shulan was plain in appearance and weak-willed, while Sun Zhi Gao considered himself a talented scholar. He looked down on his wife and all the other women he had been with, but when he met a beautiful and charming woman who understood romance and had some talent, he was naturally captivated by her.

  Minglan sighed softly, this world was always more lenient towards men, and she feared that Shulan would be the one to suffer this time.

  As expected, the Sheng Mansion was in an uproar for several days, with various groups of people coming and going. Some came to plead on behalf of the Sun family, while others were just curious women from the third house. Even some respected elderly villagers came to mediate, but no matter what they said, the general opinion remained the same: let Lady Shulan have a large share, allow that woman to enter the household, and even if she gives birth to a son, he would still be considered part of Lady Shulan's family.

  The Sheng family remained tight-lipped, but as time passed, rumors and gossip began to spread outside, criticizing the Sheng family's daughter for being jealous and unwilling to accept others. Sun Zhihao never came to pick up his wife, and instead brought that dancing girl into the house, treating her like a legitimate first wife; Li was also gradually unable to bear it, but only the old lady remained stubbornly silent, like a rock, refusing to speak no matter what anyone said.

  Half a month later, the old lady suddenly spoke up and said she wanted to see the dancing girl. Sun Mu thought that the Sheng family couldn't hold on any longer, so the next day she happily brought the dancing girl to their doorstep. But to her surprise, the old lady didn't say a word, only sizing up the dancing girl from head to toe for half a day, asking her a few questions, then turned around and went back into the house. Before Sun Mu could even react, she was sent out the door.

  On this day, Pinlan was absent-mindedly watching Minglan draw flower patterns on her belly band, constantly looking out the window. Suddenly a little maid rushed in and whispered something in Pinlan's ear. Pinlan immediately sprang up like a spring, pulled Minglan to run outside quickly, and Minglan almost fell over. The embroidery frame dropped to the ground, but she didn't have time to pick it up and followed Pinlan blindly as they ran out.

  Stumbling and staggering all the way, passing through flower clusters and tree groves, I felt that the road was getting narrower and narrower. Later on, I didn't even take the proper small paths anymore, but instead trudged through the grass and mud, one foot deep and one foot shallow, walking further and further into seclusion. After circling around several rooms of the main house, I arrived at a dimly lit thatched hut.

  Minglan finally shook off Pinlan's hand and panted: "I really can't walk anymore, what do you want to do?"

  Pinlan's small face was flushed with excitement: "After Old Lady Sun came that day, Grandmother locked herself in the Buddhist hall for several days and only spoke a few words to your grandmother. She wouldn't even see my mother, and I had someone keep watch. Today, Grandmother suddenly called Mother to see her. If I'm not mistaken, they're going to discuss Sister's matter."

  Minglan nodded repeatedly, feeling that her elder cousin had a logical mind, and asked: "Then what?"

  Pinlan shouted, fiercely grabbing Minglan's sleeve: "My sister's life or death is at stake, and you say 'so what'? Do you believe I'll beat you up? Now I'm going to go listen to them talk, are you coming or not?"

  Minglan was shocked, her eyes almost popping out. As a well-bred young lady, she shouldn't even be eavesdropping on others' private matters, let alone secretly listening in. Okay, although she had also overheard a few conversations before, those were all accidental!

  Minglan anxiously said: "This, this isn't right, is it? How can you eavesdrop!" Seeing Pinlan's expression was not good, she hastily added: "Besides, how did you manage to eavesdrop? Would your grandmother speak loudly with the window open?"

  Pinlan waved her arm: "Don't worry, there's a dog hole here. When I was young and was punished to be locked in the Buddhist hall, I often sneaked out from here. It's very hidden. Luckily, my grandmother is talking in the Buddhist hall this time, otherwise, I really didn't know what to do. I treat you as my own sister, good sisters share fortune and misfortune together. In the past few times, you always suffered punishment with me, which shows that you are a person of great integrity. So when something good happens to me, I won't forget about you!"

  Minglan stumbled and almost fell over. Wasn't this a mistake? Sneaking through dog holes and eavesdropping, what kind of good fortune was this to share?!

  Pinlan ignored Minglan's protests and pulled aside the long weeds and vines, revealing a hole over a foot wide. With a threatening gaze, she dragged Minglan towards the hole and pushed her in. Minglan made a face as Pinlan followed her in, then rolled up her sleeves and hiked up her skirt, crawling forward on all fours like a dog. After a while, Pinlan stood up ahead and pulled Minglan out of the hole. As Minglan turned to look back, she saw that the entrance they had just exited was hidden behind a large water vat and some weeds.

  Pinlan exerted herself to move the water vat back: "I specifically told them not to fetch water from this vat for these few days."

  Then the two girls sneaked through a courtyard, carefully flashing into the inner house, Pinlan familiar with the door slipped into a narrow door, and then it was pitch black. Pinlan squatted down, Minglan clumsily followed Pinlan to crawl for a few steps, and then lay in a place similar to a cabinet.

  Pinlan leaned in close to Minglan's ear, her voice like a mosquito hum: "This is the space behind the Buddha niche, don't worry, this house is very big."

  Minglan gradually became anxious, feeling that she had indeed been too rash today. She simply stretched out her hand and pinched Pinlan, and they waited quietly for a while. Suddenly, they heard the sound of the curtain being lifted, followed by the sound of Li's voice dismissing the attendants. It seemed that the two women were sitting quite far away from the Buddhist altar.

  Then Li said softly: "Old lady, you...you...called your daughter-in-law over, could it be...?"

  The old lady said: "I have thought about it for several days, and I have made up my mind. Tell Shulan to leave."

  Minglan was startled, and in the darkness, she felt Pinlan's breathing also became heavier. She only heard Li Shi softly sobbing: "Old Madam, think again, Shulan is still young, how will she spend the rest of her life?"

  After a while, the old lady's voice was dry and waveless: "How could I be willing? I came back to think about it, thinking for several days and nights, really having no way out. It's just that she's still young, hurry up and understand things, maybe there will be better days later."

  Mrs. Li sobbed lightly, and the old lady said: "A woman's life depends on three men: her father, husband, and son. You've seen how virtuous the Sun family mother and son are. With such a mother-in-law and husband, how can Shulan survive? If she had children, she could rely on them to make a living, but now she doesn't even have anyone to depend on. When you and her father pass away, her brother and sister-in-law will be distant from her. How will she live in the future?"

  Mrs. Li couldn't help but burst into tears: "My poor Shu'er, it's all my fault! I was blinded by that scoundrel Sun at the time and thought he would treat Shu'er well because we treated his mother kindly, who knew...who knew...he's worse than a beast!"

  The old lady sighed and said, "I couldn't bear it either. I originally wanted to wait and see how that little beast would behave? You also saw that Shu Lian has been back at her mother's house for so many days, but he didn't even come to take a look! I'm really disappointed now. With his wife's elders all alive, he dares to treat Shu Lian like this. If he really gets an official position in the future, it will be unbearable! Alright, alright, you should also open your eyes and not have any hopes for him."

  Pinlan tightly grasped Minglan's wrist, causing her pain. Minglan understood Pinlan's emotions but didn't show any courtesy and twisted it back.

  Li said with a sigh: "I'm not reluctant to give up that little beast, but I'm afraid of ruining the family's reputation. If we make a scene, his family won't be willing to make amends and will insist on divorcing my daughter, what can we do?"

  The old lady sneered a few times and said in a low voice: "The Suns have been flattered for years, they've forgotten the heights of heaven and earth. He thinks others are flattering him because they look up to him, humph! They don't even weigh their own worth, it's just seven parts wealth and three parts hype. Now, should our family be afraid of him? If we want to settle privately, we have people who can handle it; if we want to settle publicly, we have the money for it. Even if we need to go to court, do you think our family has no connections in the official circles?! If he's willing to part with Shulan amicably, we'll leave half of the dowry with his family. Otherwise... humph! The Suns were originally what kind of people? We'll let them remain that way!"

  Li listened, fell silent for a moment, seemingly still hesitant. The old lady continued: "Originally, I thought that no matter which young master had a son or daughter, it would be fine if Shu Lian moved to her own name. But you've also seen that woman, she's cunning and flattering, with a heart full of schemes. Do you think she's someone who can be easily dealt with? In the future, if she gives birth to a son, won't she swallow up Shu'er whole?"

  Mrs. Li fell silent, but her sobbing gradually subsided. Minglan felt that she was shaken and the old lady let out a long sigh, saying in a miserable tone: "My daughter-in-law, you didn't experience what I went through back then. The whole family was controlled by that wicked woman, it was truly a case of calling out to heaven but getting no response, calling out to earth but getting no reply. My elder sister only had a cold, and could have been saved with just one dose of medicine, yet she was slowly tortured to death! That's when I steeled myself and took your husband and Rulan away to the countryside. Luckily, your aunt helped us by not allowing your father-in-law to write a divorce letter. My son and two daughters suffered all sorts of hardships in the countryside, but we finally managed to make ends meet..."

  As she spoke, it seemed like she was choking back tears. Minglan felt a pang of sadness as she thought about the deep wrinkles on Old Madam's face, each one etched with untold suffering and hardship. Beside her, Pinlan seemed to be biting her teeth lightly.

  Mrs. Li said softly: "I've heard what the old lady said, Shu is my own flesh and blood, seeing her suffer is like a knife cut to me... but I'm afraid, I'm afraid that if we delay any further, Pin'er will grow up too, what if others don't want her because of this?"

  Suddenly, Minglan felt a gust of wind beside her. Pinlan could no longer bear it and gently pushed Minglan to the inner corner. She rolled out from between the bed curtains, lifted up the thick drapes, and shouted loudly: "I'm not afraid! Let sister be with you! Even if I were to remain unmarried for my entire life, I couldn't bear to see sister suffer at the Sun's residence!"

  Minglan was crouched on the ground in a dog-eating-mud pose, her hair standing on end as she cursed Pinlan with a hundred vile insults in her heart. Her hands and feet were icy cold with fear, but if she got caught... well, probably nothing would happen to her. Minglan forced herself to calm down, remaining still in the dog-like posture.

  Fortunately, she was hiding in the corner of the wooden compartment, and there was another layer of curtains and flowing silk, so the two women did not notice that there was still someone inside. They were only startled when Pinlan suddenly came out and scared them, then Li Shi scolded Pinlan angrily, and Pinlan talked back, but she wouldn't say that there was someone else inside. Neither Li Shi nor the old lady would have thought that there were two listeners.

  Then Pinlan seemed to have been slapped, but she was iron-boned and didn't cry out, and with a thud, she knelt down. Then she loudly declared: "Human life is destined by heaven, if the daughter has good fortune, then even if sister and brother are separated, it doesn't matter. If it's called sister who suffers hardship, I'd rather be a god and have no joy!" Then she repeatedly kowtowed to beg Li Shi.

  Minglan was still in a state of panic and didn't quite hear clearly, but in the end it seemed that the mother and daughter pair hugged each other and burst into tears.

  Until Minglan calmed down, Li had already taken Pinlan away, seemingly determined to have a showdown with the Sun family. Minglan was lying inside, her back drenched in cold sweat, while outside everything was quiet, so she didn't dare make a sound either. In her heart, she prayed countless times, hoping that Old Madame would not feel like reciting scriptures today and would hurry back to rest, allowing her to slip away.

  Who would have thought that after a while, the old lady still didn't show any intention of leaving, and all she could hear was the sound of her turning the prayer beads. Minglan felt her knees going numb, the cold sweat seeping in, and her body shivering with cold, silently suffering. At this moment, Sheng Hongyu arrived.

  The mother and daughter were both straightforward people, after exchanging a few pleasantries they got straight to the point. Sheng Wei said: "Have you and Aunt discussed it?"

  The old lady didn't say a word, Minglan guessed that she should have nodded slightly, then heard Sheng Yu continue: "It was also because Eldest Sister had been biased from the start, not liking to rely on her brother's family. Wasn't it just Wang Shi who had shown her a few times? What's wrong with that? She even dared to be rude to her own mother-in-law, let alone us doing business; besides, Second Aunt and Brother are good, they've always helped each other out without hesitation. Our two families have come and gone, what's wrong with that? But Eldest Sister insisted on having an official in her own family, that's why she spoiled the Sun family so much! ... Alright, alright, let's not talk about it anymore. Mother, when do you plan to take action?"

  The old lady sighed and said, "Everything is ready, just these three or two days. After the matter is over, I will let Shu Niang live with you. You can have a good talk with her about reason. Women are weak and incompetent by themselves, wherever they go, people look down on them! If you think it's suitable, you can also send her to Cang Xiang Gui Jie's husband's house. The old lady of that family is an old acquaintance of mine, she is a very good person, she will not give Shu Niang any color to see, and let Shu Niang relax in the countryside."

  Sheng Wei seemed to hum a sound: "When Shu'er was young, she was fine, climbing mountains and herding cattle with my family's Gui sister, brave and straightforward. Later, it was all because of the aunt who made her become like this, learning what everyone learns, becoming a useless person! Look at my family's Gui sister, her husband and daughter-in-law are kind people, her parents-in-law and younger sister-in-law are all very close, and their daily life is not to be mentioned!"

  There was a hint of pride in her words, and the old lady chuckled: "That's her belly competing with each other. That family has been single-handedly passed down for nine generations, with few people, and Gu Jie has given birth to three sons in four years after entering the house. Now she is pregnant again, and that family still doesn't treat her like a Bodhisattva! However, you should also remind her not to be too careless, or she'll suffer later!"

  Sheng Wei saw that her mother was amused, so she told a few more jokes about the eldest daughter, then suddenly asked: "Hey, mom... oh, right, did Second Aunt know about this?"

  "Rubbish! You think this time you can't help but invite her, although Old Three is being unreasonable, we've been tolerant all these years, can't we still keep him under control?! Ever since that little beast got a concubine, I've had this idea in mind. This time your Second Aunt brought a letter from your elder brother to the county magistrate, and Jinling is her hometown, with old friends everywhere. I think that little beast will be finished!"

  "Hmph, those sons of bitches from the Sun family, just wait till Shulan gets out, see if they'll still be so arrogant? Ah, speaking of which, Second Aunt is really something."

  The old lady seemed to nod, saying: "Relatives should be like this, we have the capital to stand on our own, and it's also worthy of your aunt's family etiquette. Relatives come and go, you help me a little and I help you a little. Your sister-in-law just doesn't understand this. And don't pretend to be stupid with me! You think I don't know that your aunt is willing to come this time, not only for Ming Yu to join the household registration, what kind of evil idea are you thinking of? Be careful, your sister-in-law and you will be annoyed!"

  A crisp sound of porcelain, Sheng Wei seemed to slowly pour a cup of tea: "I know what you're thinking; first let Wu Ge become a couple, then send them far away to the capital, and only leave Pinlan, she's only twelve or thirteen, it's too early to discuss marriage, take advantage of this time to hurry up and separate Shulan, after a few years, everyone will forget, even if Pinlan gets married late, it won't be a problem, isn't there still us, the Tai family?"

  The old lady seemed to be annoyed and said loudly, "Who are you showing off this strange behavior to?! Pairing Pinlan with your family's Taisheng is a good match, what's wrong with that?! Don't tell me you still look down on him?" Sheng Wei burst out laughing: "Ha! Mother, didn't you say the opposite? It's not that I look down on Pinlan, it's my sister-in-law who looks down on our family's Taisheng!"

  The old lady stopped talking, and Sheng Wei seemed to be blowing hot tea again. "To tell the truth, a wild child like Pinlan has no rules, and there aren't many people who would want to marry her as their daughter-in-law. But after all, she is my niece, so even if I scolded Tai Sheng every day, I am willing to take her in and treat her well. However, sister-in-law has high standards~~~, looking down on you because your son-in-law comes from a humble background, wanting to marry into the Li family's Yu Ge! But the Li family also looks down on Pinlan, so she turns around and looks at us Tai Sheng again. Hmph, sister-in-law is really infuriating! We Tai Sheng may not be well-off, but we have money and a good reputation. In these few years, for the sake of Pinlan, I don't know how many good families' marriage proposals I've rejected! Sister-in-law acts as if we're nothing! If she wants to, then want it; if she doesn't want to, then don't want it - can she just pick and choose like that? This time, I won't follow her lead!"

  Sheng Wei seemed to have also gotten angry, slamming her teacup heavily on the table.

  The house was quiet for a while, and the old lady said softly: "So you wrote to your second aunt, praising Taiseng's family." Sheng Wei readily admitted: "That's right! I know that my brother's family has several maidservants. Wang Shi's precious daughter is not something I dare to think about, but the one raised by my second aunt should be fine."

  Inside, Minglan was shocked and trembling with rage, unable to hold back from scolding Pinlan again: "I told you not to eavesdrop! I told you only to listen to the first half! You didn't hear the second half that concerns your lifelong happiness, did you?! You deserve it! I won't tell you when we get back!"

  On the other side, the old lady said coolly: "Now? Your sister-in-law is anxious, day after day smiling at you, are you satisfied?"

  "Alright, I originally invited Second Aunt over to curb your arrogance; however, afterwards... cough, Mother, don't be fooled, I really had a change of heart. My Second Aunt's upbringing is quite good, not too reserved or pretending to be a virtuous lady. Tsk, tsk, her entire demeanor is so elegant and refined. Mother, have you seen how she eats, walks, and greets people? She was indeed taught by the palace ladies, every move is beautiful and dignified, treating others with kindness and warmth, skilled in needlework and household management... Mother, don't give me that look, don't think of Tai as your grandson from a different family, think of him as your own grandson. If you were to choose a daughter-in-law for him, which one would you want?"

  Minglan felt a little flutter in her heart when she heard people praising her, but to say that Taisheng was also a good boy... But, but... Why, why did it have to be another third-generation collateral blood relative? Pinlan, do you really want to marry him? It's not genetically safe.

  The old lady seemed speechless again, and after a while, she sighed softly: "What about Pinlan?"

  Sheng Yu laughed and said, "Mother, don't take it to heart, this matter is still in its infancy; I like Minglan, but Aunt Lin must also like Tai Sheng; eh? Mother, have you noticed that Mrs. Li seems to have some thoughts about Minglan too?"

  The old lady said in a bad tone: "You monkey can see it, others can't? Not just his family, I heard that your second aunt met an old acquaintance in Jinling, and that family also has a son who seems to be liked by your second aunt."

  "Right! So, let's just wait and see what happens next. If we're lucky, Second Aunt will take a liking to us, that'd be great! And if she has other plans, no big deal, isn't there still Pinlan? Hehe... Is this considered a turn of fortune?"

  The old lady scolded: "You're not angry that your aunt chose you two as the most promising ones?"

  "Unlike, Second Aunt treats me with kindness, as long as she doesn't cook and eat my family's Tai Sheng, it's all good!"