Zhou Dajun’s incident was explained by the Old Zhou family to outsiders as possession by some unclean spirit, after which they claimed to have invited a Taoist priest to perform rituals. They burned a significant amount of incense, candles, and joss paper money to quietly smooth over the scandal.
But the matter was far from over. Whether he was really possessed or not, one fact remained: Zhou Dajun had wrecked the family’s pig, and now Sister-in-law Quan’s family was knocking on their door, demanding an explanation.
"You, from Quan’s family, our Dajun was also harmed by the unclean spirit, causing him to do such a thing. How can you speak ..." Old Lady Zhou trembled with anger.
What did she mean by saying he ruined their pig? What kind of talk was that?
"If not , then how should we say it? Old lady, your Dajun forced himself on our sow, which is a fact seen by everyone, wasn’t it? You can’t just deny it, can you?" Sister-in-law Quan, who was usually quite brash, said with her hands on her hips at the door of the Zhou family, causing everyone within earshot to laugh.
"Even if he was possessed by an unclean spirit, it was still Zhou Dajun who damaged my pig. My pig was about to have piglets, and if something’s gone wrong, what are we supposed to do?" Sister-in-law Quan added.
"Sister-in-law Quan, could it be that your pig will now have a pig’s head and a human body?" someone called out.
Laughter erupted at once.
"That would be Dajun’s seed indeed."
"He’d have to take responsibility for that."
Old Lady Zhou’s face turned an iron blue.
Inside the house, Lady Liang was too scared to come out, the laughter from outside was about to turn her face yellow with shame.
"What do you want?" Old Lady Zhou softened, realizing that arguing would only put her family at a disadvantage.
Their Zhou family could not withstand such turmoil.
"Naturally, you’ll have to pay silver. We are all villagers here, and as your aunt, I do sympathize with your nephew’s plight. Let’s settle for five taels of silver," Sister-in-law Quan declared.
Madam Lu couldn’t hold back and burst out, "Five taels? You sure have the gall to ask for so much. Why don’t you go rob someone? We don’t have it, not a single bit."
Five taels of silver could support a peasant family for half a year if they lived frugally.
Now Sister-in-law Quan was demanding five taels just like that; it was practically robbery.
Moreover, for the sake of Zhou Xuennian’s title as a scholar, their family had left hardly any silver, hence Madam Lu was unwilling to give any.
"No silver?" Sister-in-law Quan snorted, "Fine, I’ll go to the yamen and let The Upright and Honorable Official judge our case to determine who’s at fault and who should compensate!"
"Go ahead, just go, our master doesn’t kneel before an official," Madam Lu boasted triumphantly.
Old Lady Zhou and Zhou Xuennian in the house simultaneously cursed her for being a fool in their hearts. Did she not realize how serious this matter was? If it really went to the yamen, the Old Zhou family would no longer be able to lift their heads up.
This kind of scandal was something one would always try to cover up. If it were taken before an official, the entire county would likely mock the Zhou family.
"Shut your mouth and go get the silver," Old Lady Zhou commanded, stopping her foolish daughter-in-law.
"Mother," exclaimed Madam Lu, her eyes widening in disbelief at the thought of giving away five taels of silver.
Old Lady Zhou whispered sternly, "Our Zhou family still needs to face people. Do you no longer care about your husband’s reputation? If she truly takes this to court, the Zhou family will have no way to survive."
Zhou Xuennian’s reputation and his title as a scholar were Madam Lu’s weak spots. She craftily glanced around and said, "Mother, where would I find such silver?"
"If you don’t have it, then let them take Zhou Dajun before the official, and you can forget about being a scholar’s mother!" Old Lady Zhou retorted with a cold snort.
"Alright, alright, I’ll pawn my jewelry for it," Madam Lu said indignantly, turning to go inside.
Old Lady Zhou’s gaze was icy. This daughter-in-law needed to be kept in check; she didn’t believe for a second that Madam Lu had no silver.