"Old Man Song." Just as the two households were hesitating, a call came from outside the door.
Second Song got up and walked out of the room, stopping in surprise when he saw the visitor.
Standing at the courtyard gate were the village's wealthy man, Master Zhao, and the couple Song Daniu who lived at the end of the village.
Seeing everyone sitting in the main room, Master Zhao stepped inside. "I need to discuss something with your father."
Inside, Old Man Song rose to greet him, while the others quickly made room on the benches for the guests to sit.
"We have many matters to attend to at home today. Master Zhao, what important business brings you here?"
Their family didn't seem to have any dealings with the Zhao family. Why would they come suddenly?
And of all times, right now.
Song Daniu's Wife was about to speak when Song Daniu stopped her with a look, signaling her to wait until Master Zhao had finished.
Master Zhao spoke in a grave tone. "I wish to adopt the newborn son of your Third Song."
Everyone in the room looked at him in shock.
Master Zhao was over forty, with many concubines, yet he had no sons. But even if he wanted to adopt, he should choose from among his relatives. Why would he want Third Song's newborn child?
After a moment of thought, Old Man Song said, "Master Zhao, you may not know, but that child was born premature. The midwife said he's likely to die young, and even if he lives, his health will be poor."
Master Zhao waved his hand, his face showing complete indifference.
"Poor health doesn't matter. The important thing is, a fortune-teller said a male infant born during the Chen hour today can bring me luck, helping my wife bear a son."
Everyone suddenly understood. So that was why. No wonder he wanted to adopt Third Song's child.
However, Old Man Song's expression did not relax upon hearing this. Instead, he said, "The child is Third Song's blood. I'm afraid my Third Song would blame me from beyond the grave if I let his son be adopted out."
Seeing this, Second Song quickly spoke up. "Father, the child is weak. If he stays with us, there's an eighty percent chance he won't survive. It would be better to let Master Zhao adopt him. At least he'll have enough to eat and wear, and silver for medicine and doctors."
Oldest Song nodded in agreement. "Father, Second Brother makes sense. I believe Third Brother, in the netherworld, wouldn't want his child to die either."
Old Man Song furrowed his brows tightly, caught in a dilemma.
He wanted to think it over further, so he began to ask the silent Song Daniu couple sitting to the side.
"Daniu, what brings you here?"
Song Daniu licked his lips and spoke the words he had prepared beforehand.
"Uncle Song, Third Song and his wife passed away, leaving four children. Times are hard for every household now. I know it's difficult for your family to care for them all, so I was hoping Shixue could become a child bride for my Shitou."
Old Lady Song, who had been sitting silently nearby, asked uncertainly, "Is Shitou's illness better?"
Song Daniu's eldest son had caught a chill some days ago and hadn't recovered. He hadn't left his bed for seven days.
Song Daniu's Wife shook her head. "The doctor has come several times, but the medicine doesn't seem to help. So we thought holding a wedding to 'rush the happiness' might help. Shixue is obedient and sensible, and both Daniu and I like her. Once Shitou gets better, the two children will surely live well together when they grow up."
Old Lady Song looked helplessly at Old Man Song, whose fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly.
If he first gave his grandson away for adoption, and then immediately sent his granddaughter out to be a child bride for a 'rushing the happiness' ritual, Third Song and his wife would probably climb out of their dreams to point fingers at him and call him heartless.
"No. Adoption can be considered, but being a child bride is out of the question. If Shitou doesn't recover, wouldn't Shixue become a widow at a tender age?"
Song Daniu hurriedly said, "We have a second son. If Shitou's illness doesn't improve, Shixue will be our second son's wife."
After all, it was just for 'rushing the happiness.' A ten-year-old child wouldn't perform the wedding rituals anyway. Who married her didn't really matter.
Song Daniu's Wife patiently added her persuasion. "A girl will have to marry sooner or later. A few years early or late is all the same. You can rest assured, if Shixue marries into our family, I will care for her like my own daughter."
Master Zhao hadn't expected the Song Daniu couple also wanted a child from the Song family. Fortunately, it wasn't the same one. If they could succeed, surely he could achieve his wish too.
Master Zhao said, "Your families have been separated for a long time, and life has always been difficult. Suddenly having four more mouths to feed, struggling to get by in poverty—wouldn't it be better to give them to others? They'll certainly have a better life than staying here."
Seeing his father still hesitating, and urged by his younger brother's meaningful look, Oldest Song spoke. "Father, a girl will marry out when she grows up anyway. The Daniu family has fewer children than us. Third Brother still has Qiming to carry on his line. Giving the youngest away for adoption doesn't matter."
As for the remaining two children, one is fourteen and can work, and will marry in a couple of years.
Keeping the ten-year-old boy would be enough to be worthy of Third Brother, ensuring his bloodline isn't cut off.
Seeing Old Man Song still not relenting, Master Zhao puffed out his chest. "As long as you're willing to let me adopt, I'll pay twenty taels of silver."
The Song Daniu couple exchanged a glance and followed suit. "For Shixue's bride price, we can give three taels of silver."
It wasn't a huge amount, but it wasn't small either. In Song Village, the bride price for marrying off a daughter was usually around one tael of silver.
Because it was for 'rushing the happiness,' they were willing to grit their teeth and offer a bit more.
"Father, you need to decide quickly. Jinzhao and the others are still at home waiting for you." Second Song anxiously signaled Old Man Song with his eyes. They could avoid taking on the trouble and even earn silver. They mustn't miss such a good opportunity.
Seeing both his sons agreed, Old Man Song was torn inside. He didn't want to do this, but he and his old wife still depended on these two sons for support in their old age.
Master Zhao, having laid out his terms to this extent and still meeting resistance, turned cold. "If you can't afford to raise the children, don't hold them back from a better life. If the child really dies young, his parents might just climb out of the underworld to blame you for causing their child's death."
Old Man Song's pupils contracted. His eyelids trembled as he lowered his head, his throat tight. A chill shot from the soles of his feet to his heart, making his whole body feel cold.
The Zhao family was rich. Being Master Zhao's son was countless times more noble than being his own grandson.
Now his eldest and second sons saw their nephews and nieces as burdens. Even if forced to keep them, they wouldn't treat them with genuine care. How much could he, Old Man Song, look after them himself?
Who knew what kind of bitter life they would lead?
The resolve holding up Old Man Song's chest began to crumble and collapse.
After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his voice choked and weak. "Old woman, go call Jinzhao and Qiming over."
Old Lady Song's eyes grew slightly moist. They were, after all, her own grandchildren. How could she bear to part with them?
Walking to the third son's house, she found Song Jinzhao carefully feeding her infant brother some rice soup.
Old Lady Song stared blankly. Third Song's wife had died in childbirth. Her little grandson couldn't even get a mouthful of breast milk. Already weak, without mother's milk, how could he possibly grow up?
She took a deep breath, forced a slight smile, and walked in. "Jinzhao, bring Qiming and come with me to the old house. Give the child to me."
Song Jinzhao keenly noticed the redness at the corner of Old Lady Song's eyes. She put down the chipped clay bowl and wiped the rice paste from her baby brother's mouth.
"Doesn't Shixue need to come?"
Old Lady Song took the child and shook her head. "No. Your grandfather only asked for you and Qiming."
Song Jinzhao stroked Song Shixue's cheek and instructed, "Watch the door and wait for your sister at home. We'll be back soon."
Song Shixue nodded uneasily.
