Chapter 1059: Chapter 1058: Recompense

The Wang Family Brothers spent the whole day as if in a dream. Visitors came to offer congratulations, people who, on any other day, would not even spare them a glance. Now, they sat at the same table, hearing that they were the brothers-in-law of the Graduate, they weren’t looked down upon at all, and everyone treated them with kindness.

Of course, whether overtly or subtly, all the compliments were directed towards Song Chongjin. They also praised the brothers for their good fortune, having such a brother-in-law, and talked about how better days were ahead.

The Wang Family Brothers had never experienced such an occasion. Apart from smiling along, they were at a loss for words.

Especially Wang Yongping, who drank several more glasses of water out of nervousness. At one point, he couldn’t hold it anymore, and went to the corner for a break, only to overhear people whispering about him and his brothers.

The two were likely a bit tipsy, expressing the opinion that Scholar Song’s brothers-in-law were quite unimpressive.

“Just look at them; one glance and it’s clear they are from the countryside. There’s even old dirt in their fingernail crevices that hasn’t been cleaned out—”

“Absolutely, all they can do is grin foolishly, not even knowing how to engage in conversation.”

“Well, Scholar Song himself is from the countryside, it’s truly a case of a golden phoenix flying out from a mountain nest.”

“Did you see Scholar Song’s wife? I heard she was born a countryside maid, full of brute strength. Poor Scholar Song, with such a bright future, yet married to such a shrew!”

“Keep your voice down. I heard that this Scholar Song actually respects his wife quite a lot; haven’t you seen he’s even hosting a birthday celebration for his mother-in-law?”

“Hmph, it’s just for appearances! Now that he’s just become a Graduate, imagine next year if he advances to Scholar, how many highborn young ladies would he not want to marry, being stuck with such a countryside shrew?”

…

Wang Yongping couldn’t stand it when people talked about his sister and mother.

Unable to control himself, he rushed forward and gave the two men a good beating.

At first, those two tried to call for help, but realized their assailant was the brother-in-law they had just spoken about. They were stunned.

It was Yang Zongbao who sensed something amiss, came over to ask about the situation, and with a serious face retrieved the gifts those two had brought and threw them out together with the two men.

That night, after sending off the guests, the family gathered in the backyard to look at the gifts. The others were full of envy admiring the birthday gifts, but Wang Yongping had a face full of things left unsaid.

Even if he were a fool, he knew today was his mother’s special day and it wouldn’t be appropriate to say anything that might upset her.

However, when he returned to his room and heard Wang Yongfu and Wang Yonggui discussing the birthday gifts, he couldn’t hold it back: “All you see is our sister’s apparent glory, not knowing her difficulties; what’s there to be envious about?”

Wang Yongfu and Wang Yonggui sensed something was off and pressed for details, and when Wang Yongping told them what he overheard, Wang Yonggui got angry, “Why didn’t you call us brothers to go and beat those trash-talking bastards?”

Wang Yongfu sighed, “We are originally from the countryside, we can’t compare to these city folk. In the city, we know nothing and have made so many jokes these days. If word gets out, wouldn’t people laugh at the Graduate’s brothers-in-law for being so inexperienced?”

“We’ve been here in the city and not only can’t help our sister, but we also hold her back. Now, mother’s birthday is done, and our business at home has been neglected for many days; it’s time we went back.”

Wang Yonggui was a bit reluctant: “The city is so nice. After going back this time, who knows when we’ll have a chance to come again? Why don’t we stay a few more days?”

Wang Yongping agreed: “Let’s go back early! I’ve come to realize, the reason people talk about our sister is that she has nobody to back her up. If we, as her brothers, stood strong, they wouldn’t dare gossip about her! What’s the point of staying in the city, to be laughed at? We’d be better off going back, working hard in our business, earning more money, and becoming big bosses. Then everyone will know our sister’s family is not to be trifled with!”

With that, he started packing his luggage.

Wang Yongfu and Wang Yonggui exchanged a glance, feeling moved by the thought. Their sister had always supported them, standing by them. Truth be told, they owed their current status to her.

They always felt that their sister was invincible. Whatever happened, they thought as long as she was there, they had nothing to fear.

But now, having come to the city, seeing and hearing all this, they realized that their sister also had challenges. With her family not being influential, and they as brothers not supporting her, even if her husband climbs higher, who knows what the future holds.

Wang Yonggui had managed with an Ahfu when he had no money, who could guarantee that Song Chongjin wouldn’t bring in concubines after becoming an official?

With this thought, the two felt guilty. In the future, even if they couldn’t support their sister, at least they shouldn’t drag her down, right?

With that in mind, they too began to pack their luggage.

Wang Yongzhu, whom the three Wang brothers were concerned about, listened to Yang Zongbao recounting the incident where Wang Yongping beat up those men, and didn’t think much of it.

In this world, who isn’t talked about behind their back? Song Chongjin might enjoy a good reputation now, where on the surface everyone is smiling and polite, but behind his back, who knows how many people are resentful?

However, these people only dared to gossip behind his back and flatter him to his face.

Wang Yongzhu even joked privately to Song Chongjin, saying she enjoyed seeing people discontented with her but powerless to act, having to bow and scrape.

When it came to herself being talked about, she just laughed it off.

But when she heard the next day that all three brothers wanted to return, she was somewhat surprised.

Especially Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao seemed to want to stay in the county a bit longer. In the county, they had everything; going out every day they could shop for cheap pretty hairpins, and meals were prepared for them at home, a life much more comfortable than at Qilidun.

From small to large, they never enjoyed such a good life and admired it immensely.

Not to mention the children, who had all kinds of food vendors just outside their alley. Every day, they received pocket money from their aunt to buy different treats, and already, their faces had rounded out in just a few days.

However, Wang Yongfu insisted the family business could not be abandoned as it had already been neglected for so many days. Wang Yonggui echoed him, acting as if he was determined to go back and make a fortune regardless of anyone’s objections.

Then there was Wang Yongping looking at Wang Yongzhu with a guilty face and glaring at Song Chongjin as if threatening him. Wang Yongzhu paused for a moment, realizing that her heart already knew the situation.

She was seldom taken aback, for she had never expected any reciprocation in her lifelong support for her brothers, only hoping they would lead happy little lives, and that would be wonderful.

Wang Yongzhu also understood that once married and with their own family, people’s hearts would shift towards their little family, as had hers.

In her heart, the most important were Old Granny Zhang and Song Chongjin, as for her brothers, apart from Wang Yongping, the other two were merely her responsibility.

Seeing Wang Yongfu and Wang Yonggui’s expressions, Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but smile, a trace of affection appearing in her eyes, just having such intentions was enough. In this way, her efforts felt somewhat rewarded.

She didn’t expose their intentions. Having these thoughts was a good thing. If this misunderstanding could make the Wang Family more ambitious, then let them maintain this misconception.

She didn’t entreat them to stay longer, only thickened the gifts prepared for each by a significant amount, hired a carriage to be fully loaded, and sent them back.

Before leaving, Wang Yongping pulled Song Chongjin aside, said something unknown, and only got into the carriage with red eyes.