Zhao Jing's home was located right in the middle of the Zhao Village. To the east of his family's main gate stood an old, evergreen camphor tree.
According to legend, the camphor tree was planted when Mr. Zhao first began his studies.
Now, after more than thirty years, the tree was lush and flourishing. The older it grew, the more vibrant it became, presenting a magnificent and profoundly beautiful sight from a distance.
The old madam didn't know the first thing about camphor trees, nor did she understand the virtues scholars admired, such as "everlasting prosperity" and "unyielding perseverance."
She only felt that the tree's dense branches and leaves blocked the warm sun, making the area feel gloomy and chilling even from a distance. 'Could it be that Mr. Zhao's spirit knows why I've come today and is trying to scare me off?'
'Amitabha.'
'I may have my own selfish reasons,' she thought, 'but marrying Wanqing to the Zhao Family is much better than sending Wanyue over.'
'If Mr. Zhao's spirit is watching from the heavens, he ought to be thanking me.'
"Well now, if it isn't the grandmother of our in-laws! You're a rare sight, ma'am. What brings you here? With Jing about to end his mourning period, are you here to discuss the wedding date with my auntie?"
A few women were sitting on a stone stoop not far away. Some were stitching shoe soles while basking in the sun; others were watching their young grandsons and chatting idly with neighbors.
One of them, a young wife, had large eyes, full lips, a slightly dark complexion, and a fair number of freckles on her face.
The old madam recalled that this young woman had just married into the seventh branch of the Zhao Family this year.
'What was her name again? Miaohua or Cuihua?'
"Miaohua, keep your voice down! Your Ninth Auntie's house is right next door. She's not well and is easily startled. You'll give her a fright, carrying on like that."
Miaohua's maternal aunt had married into the Zhao Village.
Her aunt had given birth to three sons in quick succession but had always wanted a daughter she couldn't seem to have, so she ended up adopting Miaohua.
She later married into the seventh branch of the Zhao Family, and her life was quite happy and harmonious.
The old madam's own daughter was married to a man from the third branch of the Zhao Family, which technically made her daughter Miaohua's sister-in-law.
And because Wanyue was engaged to Zhao Jing of the ninth branch, they were also connected by a roundabout marriage tie.
Since they all lived in the same village, Miaohua was very friendly. After getting married, she would address the old woman as "Grandmother of our in-laws" every time they met.
Hearing this, the old madam quickly forced a stiff smile and greeted Miaohua and the other women who were sitting and chatting.
Then, pointing to the basket in her hand, she said vaguely, "The persimmons at home are ripe, so I picked some of the good ones to bring to Zhao Jing's mother. I haven't seen her in a while, so I wanted to see how her health has been."
"My Ninth Auntie's health is the same as ever—no better, no worse. But with a happy occasion on the way for the family, my auntie will have something to look forward to. I'm sure her health will improve in no time."
"That's the truth. Once Jing gets married and has a child, with a grandson clinging to her, your Ninth Auntie won't have time to be sick even if she wanted to."
The old madam responded with a hollow laugh and quickened her pace toward Zhao Jing's house.
Seeing this, Miaohua quickly got up, walked to the base of a nearby wall, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Ninth Auntie! Xiang'er! Our in-laws' grandmother is here! Come out and greet her!"
"No need to welcome me, I'm not a stranger! You all carry on with your gossip. I'm just going to have a word with Jing's mother."
The old madam's figure quickly disappeared through the main gate. Only after the faint sounds of pleasantries could be heard from the courtyard did Miaohua return to her seat among the group of women.
"Back when your Ninth Uncle was still alive, the old madam used to visit all the time. As soon as he passed, she wouldn't show her face for three to five months at a stretch."
"The family is in mourning. What would she come here for? She's not exactly tactful. She'd just end up hurting our auntie's feelings."
"She must be here to discuss the marriage this time, right? Jing is almost out of mourning, so the wedding can't be delayed any longer."
"I'd bet my hat she's here for that. Oh, doesn't this mean we'll be drinking wedding wine again soon?"
While there was laughter and cheerful chatter outside, the atmosphere inside the Zhao family's room was far more somber.
Mrs. Zhao was a highly perceptive woman. When she saw the old madam force a smile to greet her, her heart sank. She had a bad feeling about this.
She patted her daughter's hand. "Go make some tea for our elder. I'll chat with the old madam for a bit."
"Sigh... I'll go right away."
After Xiang'er left, her heart full of worry, the old madam finally took Mrs. Zhao's hand and sat down at the table.
While making small talk, the old madam subtly sized up the woman before her.
Mrs. Zhao had never been particularly robust, and she had a difficult childbirth when her daughter was born. She was lucky to have survived, but her health had been failing ever since.
Back when Mr. Zhao was still alive, she had been in better condition. But now, Mrs. Zhao's once-beautiful cheeks were gaunt, and she looked much more haggard, with none of her former gentle and virtuous grace.
Moreover, her complexion was sallow, and she had to pause to catch her breath after just a few words. Anyone with eyes could see this was not the look of someone who would live a long life.
'What a pity,' the old madam thought.
'A pity that Wanyue looks down on such a good family.'
'Otherwise, if she married into the family, she wouldn't have to serve her mother-in-law for long before she could live a life of ease. Isn't that a hundred times better than being disciplined by a mother-in-law day in and day out?'
'But in the end, you can't have it both ways.'
'If you want a husband with a promising future, you have to endure a formidable, overbearing mother-in-law. If you just want a peaceful life... well, with a man who has no money, no power, and repeatedly fails his exams, he'll be miserable himself. What kind of good life could a woman have with him?'
The old madam mulled it over and concluded that a grandson-in-law with a future was what mattered most. As for the one whose prospects were nowhere in sight, it was best to cut ties as quickly as possible.
"Jing's mother..."
"Old Madam, why did you bring something with you? You are our elder. We should have been the ones to visit you. I haven't had the chance to go, yet you've troubled yourself to come see me first."
Mrs. Zhao quickly interjected with a few polite words, flattering the old madam. "You're getting on in years as well. It must have been tiring for you to make this trip."
The old madam paused, then waved her hand. "It's not a long walk; I just came over since I was out. And this is nothing special, just some persimmons from my own tree. I remembered you like them, so I brought a few for you to try."
"How can I accept this..."
"Just take them. It's not like they're anything valuable... Jing's mother, I won't beat around the bush. To be honest, I've come today because I have an important matter to ask of you."
Mrs. Zhao was already on edge. When she heard the old madam use the word "ask," her bony, gaunt fingers couldn't help but tremble.
She forced another smile. "You're being too polite. We're family, and besides, I owe you my life. There's no need to speak of 'asking.' If you have any instructions, you need only say the word. I'll help if I can, and if I can't, I'll have Jing take you to see my eldest brother-in-law."
The "eldest brother-in-law" Mrs. Zhao mentioned was none other than the head of the Zhao Village.
That old gentleman was past his sixtieth year, but he was still hale and hearty. Everyone in the Zhao Village was kept in line by him.
As for the "debt of saving my life" that Mrs. Zhao spoke of, that was another story entirely.