After hearing the shopkeeper’s words, Zhen Niang pulled Xiער along as they pushed through the crowd.
At this moment, the female Daoist had exchanged her sword for staff and was striking at Zheng Lamei’s head and face. Zheng Lamei’s complexion had already turned ashen.
“Stop!” Zhen Niang rushed forward, gripping the Daoist’s staff with both hands and staring at her intently.
“What are you doing? Let go! Don’t interfere with the ghost capture!” The Daoists pushed at Zhen Niang. Seeing this woman shoving his second sister, Xiער, like a protective brother unwilling to let his sister be bullied, suddenly launched himself like a cannonball at the Daoist. She hadn’t anticipated this move and fell backward onto her bottom.
“Li Zhen Niang, what do you think you’re doing? Have you no manners?” Zheng Dalang’s wife shrieked from the side.
“Aunt Zheng, you shouldn’t speak so carelessly. I’m doing this for your good. Taking a life will result in criminal charges,” Zhen Niang said deliberately.
“Pah! What taking of life? Don’t talk nonsense. We’re capturing a ghost,” Madam Zheng waved her hand dismissively.
“Huh, capturing a ghost? What ghost? It’s broad daylight, and the person tied up is my Aunt Lamei. If she’s a ghost, then what does that make Uncle Zheng and Second Uncle Zheng?” Zhen Niang asked lazily while eyeing Madam Zheng.
“Pfft!” The onlookers burst into laughter at Zhen Niang’s words.
Madam Zheng, angered by the crowd’s mockery, jumped up in fury. “You damned girl, get out of the way! Stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, or I’ll settle accounts with your grandparents!”
“Aunt Zheng, I’m not meddling. Aunt Lamei is my Uncle Jingrui’s betrothed who never crossed the threshold. Therefore, Aunt Lamei is my elder, and I cannot stand by and watch her lose her life. Standing up for Aunt Lamei is my duty,” Zhen Niang replied.
“Pah! Your Jingrui died long ago, his bones have turned to dust. What betrothed? What elder? That’s not how relationships work,” Madam Zheng sneered.
“Aunt Zheng, that’s not correct. Back then, when my Uncle Jingrui met with misfortune before the wedding, the betrothal gifts, horoscope cards, and marriage contract were all complete,” Zhen Niang calmly stated.
Back then, Uncle Jingrui had passed away just three days before the wedding, but the marriage contract had already been written. In this era, a marriage contract was equivalent to modern marriage registration. By modern standards, Zheng Lamei would already be considered the Li family’s eldest daughter-in-law, but in these times, the marriage wasn’t considered complete until the bride crossed the threshold.
“Pah! What does it matter if those things exist? The debt dies with the person,” Madam Zheng declared.
“That’s not how it works. Let me use myself as a living example. When Young Master Tian met with misfortune, the Tian family believed I brought bad luck and came to our door to break off the engagement to sever ties between our families. Everyone in the county knows about this. So, Aunt Zheng, did my family ever ask your Zheng family to return the betrothal gifts? Moreover, Aunt Lamei hasn’t married anyone else all these years. With the betrothal gifts, horoscope cards, and marriage contract all complete, how can you say the debt dies with the person? Remember, though the person may be gone, the relationship remains.” Zhen Niang turned to address the crowd, “Neighbors, am I not right?”
“You are right! Madam Zheng, your Lamei is indeed Zhen Niang’s elder, and she has the right to intervene,” Some neighbors who had long disapproved of the Zheng brothers’ behavior spoke up in unison.
“Huh, I’ve never seen someone claim kinship like this before. If you consider her an elder, why don’t you take her home and care for her?” Madam Zheng mocked.
Taking care of her wouldn’t be an issue, as the Li family’s coal stove business was thriving and they could afford to support another person. However, this matter concerned both Zheng Lamei and her own family, and Zhen Niang couldn’t make decisions for either party. Still, she thought she could discuss it at home and ask Aunt Lamei’s opinion. Life was simply too difficult for Aunt Lamei in the Zheng household.
Just as she was thinking this, a hoarse voice suddenly spoke up: “Very well, since Madam Zheng has said this, there’s no better day than today. Let Xiער bring Lamei back to the Li family on behalf of his Uncle Jingrui.”
The speaker was Li Jinshui, the old shopkeeper.
His words caused an uproar among the crowd. What did Old Shopkeeper Li mean? Was he suggesting a ghost marriage?
“Grandfather, why are you here?” Zhen Niang hurried forward to support her grandfather, who was coughing continuously.
“I came to see how your ink sales were going, but I didn’t expect to encounter this situation,” Li Jinshui said.
He then looked at Zheng Lamei, who was slumped in her chair. Though she appeared weak, her eyes were fixed intently on the old shopkeeper.
“Lamei, child, your father and I were close friends. I’ll ask you just one question: Jingrui has been gone for twenty years. After twenty years, are you still willing to enter our Li family?” Li Jinshui addressed Zheng Lamei.
“Greetings, Father-in-law. Your daughter-in-law is willing,” Zheng Lamei struggled to kneel, crying uncontrollably.
Watching this scene, Zhen Niang felt indescribable emotions. This was a ghost marriage, something that would invite criticism, but at this moment, it was the best solution.
After today’s events, if Aunt Lamei remained with the Zheng family, her life would only become more difficult.
Without this arrangement, even if Zheng Lamei went to the Li family, she would merely be dependent on others’ charity, which wouldn’t be pleasant either. But if she was properly welcomed as Uncle Jingrui’s bride, she would be a legitimate daughter-in-law of the Li family, giving her proper status to stay.
One could only say that this was all arranged by this damn fate.
“Uncle Li, Uncle Li, this isn’t right, this isn’t right!” Zheng Dalang stepped forward, mumbling.
“Why isn’t it right? The marriage contract was made long ago. Look at how you’ve treated her all these years. When you meet your parents in the afterlife, will you have the face to face them?” Li Jinshui pointed his finger at Zheng Dalang.
He continued, “Dalang, let me be clear: I’ll take Lamei back to the Li family first. If she finds another match in the future, we won’t stand in her way. I, Li Jinshui, will prepare a proper dowry and give her a grand wedding. Let everyone here be witness to this.”
“Ah, Uncle Li, Uncle Li…” Zheng Dalang was speechless, showing a hint of shame on his face.
“That’s right, that’s right! Zheng Dalang, we’ve all been unable to bear watching this for years. Let your sister Lamei have some peace,” some onlookers muttered.
Most people, however, were just there to watch the drama unfold.
Madam Zheng’s face alternated between green and white.
“If your Li family wants to take her in, that’s fine, but you’ll need to provide new betrothal gifts,” Madam Zheng said, still unwilling to give in.
Zhen Niang had seen shameless people before, but never someone this shameless. She clenched her fists in anger.
“Madam Zheng, let me tell you this: the betrothal gifts were given long ago, and the marriage contract is already complete. Today, I’m taking Lamei with me, and if you object, you can take it to the magistrate’s office. I’d like to see what the officials have to say about this,” Li Jinshui said coldly.
“Sister-in-law, how much I’ve done for this family over the years, heaven knows, earth knows, and all the neighbors know. If you mention betrothal gifts one more time today, I’ll bash my head against the doorpost of the Zheng family restaurant,” Zheng Lamei stood up straight and addressed Madam Zheng.
Madam Zheng hadn’t expected the usually silent Zheng Lamei to speak such words. She was furious but didn’t dare mention it again. If Zheng Lamei did kill herself at the restaurant’s entrance, they wouldn’t be able to continue business.
“Get out, get out! You are possessed by an evil spirit, trying to turn against us!” Madam Zheng said.
“Aunt Zheng, what evil spirit possession? Please stop speaking nonsense,” Zhen Niang said from the side.
“I’m not talking nonsense. Haven’t you seen the red sores on her face? The Daoist said those are ghost sores,” Madam Zheng said with a theatrical expression, watching the Li family members. With evil spirit possession, she wanted to see if the Li family would dare take her in.
“What ghost sores? Those are just common heat rashes. They’ll disappear in an hour or two,” Zhen Niang said calmly.
She had noticed the sores on Zheng Lamei’s face earlier. They were merely heat rashes, likely caused by Zheng Lamei’s constant exposure to the cooking fires, combined with her pent-up frustrations. The body’s heat toxins had manifested externally as rashes.