Chapter 2: The Father Who Pits His Son Against Others

In fact, from Fang Yingwu's broad perspective on historical materials, Wang Jiacai's one hundred acres of rice fields and one thousand mulberry trees hardly meet the standards of a wealthy household in the Ming Dynasty. However, in this mountain village along the banks of Huaxi, where each household possesses only a few acres of land, owning one hundred acres is sufficient to be considered a wealthy family and allows for the undertaking of certain tasks that ordinary villagers cannot accomplish.

Although Fang Yingwu does not identify with the identity of a farmer and has never considered himself equivalent to a villager, in his current state, he has no face to claim that he is a young master

While Fang Yingwu was contemplating how to greet and address her, the young lady from the Wang family, without any reserve, spoke up first: "Qiu Ge! Things are not looking good. My father absolutely does not agree with our situation. I am deeply saddened, and thus I truly have no other way out. I hope Qiu Ge can understand the pain in my heart."

However, Fang Yingwu pondered back and forth, his expression not looking good. Wang Xiaoniang secretly glanced at Qiu Ge's face, which was as dark as it could be, and understood that she probably came here in vain today, having failed to "persuade" Qiu Ge again

In fact, Fang Yingwu was unaware that, in the eyes of others, his delicate appearance, which seemed untouched by the hardships of life, also belonged to the category of "non-mainstream" in the village. Therefore, as he lingered by the field, the villagers merely regarded him with good-natured laughter, without harsh criticism or discussion. This was, of course, partly due to the fact that his father was the only scholar in the nearby villages.

Immediately, he couldn't help but sarcastically comment on the events of his first day after crossing over—having a missing father, a deceased mother, being expelled from school, and being oppressed and tormented by his uncle. Is this not fantastical enough? Must there also be a broken engagement or a breakup to make it complete? Is this what they mean when they say that art originates from life but transcends it?

"Young Master Fang, this old man comes to pay his respects." Suddenly, someone spoke from behind. Fang Yingwu turned around and saw an elderly man, around fifty or sixty years old, who was clearly different from a farmer. Although he wore a short coat, the hem was two inches longer, the sleeves were two inches wider, and he was clean and tidy, unlike the typical village man.

Let go of the small sentiment of reminiscing about hardships and sweetness, and one should face a few jokes with a lazy attitude. The neighbors at https://m.hetushu.com merely scoffed in disdain. Although nothing was said, there was a quiet murmur: "How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan"

Forget it, a forcibly picked melon is not sweet. A true gentleman can take it up and put it down. I have the least respect for those who cry and complain over trivial matters. Fang Yingwu composed himself for a moment, cupped his hands in salute, and said in a very formulaic manner: "The past is vividly remembered; if there is fate but no affinity, I only wish you to take care of yourself after we part!"

However, Fang Qing is solely focused on studying, with his mind filled with the pursuit of fame and success. As a result, he neglects family matters and does not utilize his status as a scholar to manage affairs, merely maintaining the title of a licentiate. After failing the provincial examination twice, he remains impoverished, and moreover, he has been missing for over two years.

The young lady noticed that Fang Yingwu's gaze was fixed on her, and she felt secretly pleased. As Fang Yingwu approached her, she quickly furrowed her willow-leaf brows and put on a face full of sorrow and bitterness.

At this thought, Fang Yingwu shivered and once again complained about his father, who had been missing for more than two years, truly a father who has let his son down

The royal family's old servant led the way, guiding Fang Yingwu around a sloping path. Indeed, he saw a tall and graceful woman standing under the shade of a tree, dressed in a peach-red gauze top and an apricot-yellow pleated skirt, creating a pleasing contrast with the lush green surroundings.

What the heck! Fang Yingwu felt an indescribable strangeness in his heart. Although his subconscious was desperately trying to prevent him from recalling anything about the Wang family's young lady, from her tone, it seemed that they were quite familiar with each other, and there had at least been some past entanglements. As for the present...

The young lady of the Wang family suddenly changed her expression, her柳眉 shooting up, her aura abruptly rising to an astonishing height. Without any semblance of a demure lady, she scolded sharply: "Fang Yingwu! Do you intend to be unfeeling and ungrateful? Is this what you think?"

And now, Fang Yingwu, if he could remain immortal, would not yield at all! He immediately retorted: "Forcing someone to marry into your family like this is no different from coercing someone into prostitution. It is simply fanciful and utterly unreasonable. Do not think that I will agree!"

The young lady could not help but feel annoyed and said: "My Wang family has treated you so generously, 30 taels of silver is by no means a small sum. To say you don't want it is one thing, but how can you be so devoid of any conscience?"

It turns out that the wealthy Wang family from the neighboring village has known Fang Yingwu's father, Fang Qingzhi, since childhood, and their relationship is quite good. They both studied at the village school in Zhonghuaxi, making them childhood classmates.

Both the social studies and her uncle's place are under her command? ... Truly a powerful figure ... . ... Fang Yingwu gazed at her charming silhouette, murmuring to himself.

Although she is not a devastating beauty, she possesses a charm that is quite remarkable. Fang Yingwu silently praised her beauty in his heart. In the rural countryside, most of the people are unrefined laborers, making it rare to encounter a young woman of such extraordinary beauty. As the saying goes, her beauty is a feast for the eyes, truly pleasing to behold.

A debt of thirty taels of silver is at least equivalent to the harvest of twenty mu of land here, which should indeed cause one to frown in worry. How could it possibly be repaid in a short time? If the debt cannot be repaid, one will never be able to stand tall in the face of Wang Xiaoniangzi's forced marriage. If the relationship completely deteriorates, it is likely that one would truly be taken as a household servant to settle the debt, and that would be the end.

Fang Yingwu stared at her in astonishment, unsure of her ever-changing moods. Could it be that he had encountered that legendary type of extraordinary woman, one who, while casting him aside, still wished to keep him in torment and longing, thereby satisfying her despicable vanity?

As one draws closer, one can see that this young lady is around fifteen or sixteen years old, with fair skin, an oval face, a light application of makeup, cherry-red lips, large eyes, and two ruby earrings swaying gently in the breeze

However, Wang Dahu did not achieve much, while Fang Qingzhi unexpectedly passed the examination and became a scholar, thus stepping from a farming family into the ranks of the gentry. Therefore, Wang Dahu began to entertain the idea of seeking a connection, especially since the young lady of the Wang family and the young man of the Fang family were both exceptionally handsome, rare in the surrounding ten miles, and were praised by well-wishers as a golden boy and a jade girl

Can a son-in-law go and do it? No! He also has ambitions, and he is eager to seek fame. Having come to the Ming Dynasty, if he does not try his luck in the examination halls, wouldn't it be a waste of his trip here?

Owing money makes one feel short of breath, Fang Yingwu awkwardly explained: "This is not a matter of conscience, and I will find a way to..."

However, although the Wang family looked down on the Fang family from a social standpoint, the young lady of the Wang family had her heart set on Qiu Ge. Qiu Ge's elegance and charm stood out remarkably among the rough and uncouth villagers, making him a true standout, with no one else in the vicinity comparable to him. These qualities had been observed and cherished by her since childhood, and she could hardly imagine accepting any other vulgar person as her husband.

Lady Wang, in a fit of anger, admitted: "Indeed, you are about to be forsaken by all! Please take care of yourself; turning back is the way to safety! I will give you, Qiu Ge, one more month to think it over carefully!" Having said this, she turned her willow-like waist, raised her head high, and left.

Subsequently, Fang Yingwu lamented that although the rural countryside does not impose the same rigid social etiquette as the deep courtyards of the city, this Wang family's young lady is excessively willful and aggressive. While others face broken engagements in times of poverty and hardship, why is it that he encounters someone who relentlessly pressures him into marriage? It is truly a situation difficult to bear

Lady Wang did not wish to hear him speak of repaying the debt, and quickly interjected: "It is merely a matter of marrying into the family; is it that I am so unworthy of your gaze that it would be more painful than killing you? Must it be that you want me to sell myself to repay the debt? Is that how much you wish to be a servant in this household?"

Is this the young lady from the Wang family that everyone is talking about? Just as Fang Yingwu thought of this, a sharp pain shot through his head, as if some subconscious force was desperately trying to prevent him from digging into his memories, accompanied by a strong sense of shame

Thus, Wang Dahu and the young lady of the Wang family pressed Qiu Ge'er to marry into their family, with an air of righteousness and an overwhelming sense of inevitability. However, the original Fang Yingwu remained steadfast in his refusal to comply at all costs

Fang Yingwu slapped his forehead hard, feeling quite perplexed. He really wanted to ask his former self, what on earth did this young lady do to you?

Time has passed, and we find ourselves in a stalemate. Reflecting on the causes and consequences, the person in question lets out a long sigh of distress. While others have sons who cause trouble for their fathers, his family uniquely faces a situation where the father is causing trouble for the son

Young Master Fang? Fang Yingwu involuntarily lowered his head to look at his own shabby attire, which, apart from resembling a pretty boy who could live off the wealth of others, bore no resemblance to that of a young master at all

In this world view, a son-in-law by marriage is regarded as inferior, often compared to courtesans and lowly servants. He is uncertain whether a son-in-law by marriage has the qualifications to take the imperial examination and enter the government, but he knows that if someone were to use this against him, it would be almost certain that he would be eliminated, and no one would come to his defense

He frowned as he looked at the paddy field and the mud, still unable to make a decision, and casually tossed the seedlings into the basket, preparing to deliberate further

Being a son-in-law to others is an undignified matter. In the past, Fang Yingwu felt deeply ashamed upon hearing this request and, of course, vowed never to comply

"What brings you here, esteemed elder?" Fang Yingwu inquired

Fang Yingwu suddenly recalled that this person should be familiar; he seemed to be the old servant from the Wang family in the neighboring village. However, the old man's words left Fang Yingwu both amused and exasperated. If it weren't for the lack of malice in his tone, one might have thought it was sarcasm.

As a result, Wang Dahu's desire to arrange a marriage diminished, and he no longer held the Fang family in high regard. He had only this one daughter, and he had to be extremely cautious; how could he casually promise her to someone? He intended to broaden the selection of suitors and seek out affluent families from other villages that were well-matched in social standing.

However, this sense of shame, forced into a state of subservience, is deeply etched in the heart of the former Fang Yingwu, and even now, there remains a subconscious effort to resist it.

As for the various petty thoughts of my uncle, he has more or less guessed them, and the sordid details need not be elaborated. Some matters, perhaps, my uncle was previously indecisive about, but under the temptation and support of the Wang family, he has dared to act

After several disputes between father and daughter, the imaginative young lady of the Wang family proposed a "win-win" compromise, which was to have Fang Yingwu marry into the Wang family.

The beauty's slight frown and delicate anger create an exceptionally captivating scene. Fang Yingwu's heart was momentarily shaken, but he quickly steadied himself and pointed out a flaw he had found in Wang Xiaoniang's words: "Did you just say that I am the one suffering? Could it be that all these strange occurrences today are your doing?"

The young lady of the Wang family did not allow Fang Yingwu to continue guessing, but directly expressed her feelings: "My father does not agree to my marriage, so what is wrong with you coming to my family? It is merely a title, and it will not cost you a piece of flesh. Is it really that difficult?"

Miss Wang, however, was composed and smiled confidently as she said, "Do not forget that your father owes my family thirty taels of silver. It is entirely possible to sell you into my household to settle the debt! If you still refuse to agree, you will have your share of suffering in the future"

What? Becoming a son-in-law? How can this be! Fang Yingwu felt the floodgates of memory in his mind opening, and various related pieces of information surged forth like a tide

In the funds raised by the community school, Wang Dahu has made a significant donation. His family could easily collude with the tutor and his uncle to prevent him from studying. The uncle's refusal to provide the tuition is merely a pretext; could the community school really become so desperate as to be affected by the absence of this one tuition fee

As for this, Mr. Wang had no objections, and even expressed his approval. He had no sons, and it would certainly be wonderful to find a son-in-law like Fang Yingwu, who possessed excellent genes. Thus, he tacitly accepted his daughter's wishes.

Although Lady Wang has left today, these troubles are far from over. She has already made a statement for a month; where does that leave her now?

The old man respectfully invited, "My young lady is over there, please allow the young master of the Fang family to meet her." The nearby villagers, who had not yet walked far, heard this and chuckled kindly before leaving.

What? Fang Yingwu was once again taken aback. Just a moment ago, he had some doubts about how the Wang family could act so recklessly; now, the mystery had been unraveled.

It turns out that when Fang Qingzhi went out to study, he borrowed thirty taels of silver from Wang Dahus as travel expenses, thus leaving a root of trouble for Fang Yingwu. It is well known that a son must repay his father's debts, which is only fair. As long as the Wang family exerts effort, it is not impossible for Fang Yingwu to sell himself to repay the debt. Even if they go to court, the law would recognize it; it all depends on whether the Wang family wishes to pursue it.