After hearing this, Yang Chuxia thought to herself that Yang Ruoqiu was quite something indeed.
How did she become acquainted with the performers in such a brief amount of time when the troupe wasn’t even in the village for long? She even insisted on having them at her home.
However, regarding the claim that Ms. Liu invited the performers, Yang Chuxia figured that might not necessarily be the case. Ms. Liu didn’t seem so foolish in recent years. As for Ms. Luo, it was much harder to say. Without Old Lady Hua’s meddling, Ms. Luo could be quite a hand.
So Yang Chuxia glanced at Ms. Luo and asked, "Why does this sound like something you would say?"
As expected, Ms. Luo’s face flushed with embarrassment.
At that moment, Yang Qingbao ran in from outside. Unsure how long he had been eavesdropping, he immediately pointed at Ms. Luo and yelled, "It was Auntie number four who said it! My mom didn’t, Xiaxia Sister, it was Auntie number four who said it, and she even argued with my mom just now!"
Yang Chuxia thought to herself that it made sense for Ms. Luo to be the one behind the words.
Although curious, she asked about Ruoqiu, "How is your oldest sister? What happened?"
Yang Qingbao shook his head, whispering with some difficulty, "My oldest sister had a fight with my second sister, and then she went to sleep."
Yang Chuxia nodded, not asking any further.
She didn’t feel it was her place to pry into such matters, especially when she couldn’t offer any advice or assistance. After chasing Luo off, she continued directing people to work with the wood.
Even though she didn’t inquire about the first branch of the family, news kept flowing into her ears now and then.
Two days later, Yang Qingbao even came to her doorstep for help.
"Sister Xiaxia, Sister Xiaxia, please help convince them! That man came to our house, and they started fighting! They’re about to beat him to death!"
After pleading, he turned to Ms. Wang and Yang Dachuan, fearing Yang Chuxia wouldn’t go, "Third uncle, third auntie, please go have a look."
Both Ms. Wang and Yang Dachuan were taken aback, as they were unaware of the situation in the first branch of the family.
"Who?" Even Yang Chuxia herself couldn’t immediately remember who Yang Qingbao was referring to.
Xiu’er spoke up, "I think he’s talking about that performer."
Yang Chuxia nodded, asking Yang Qingbao, "What did he come for?"
"To propose marriage."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia understood, but this was still a matter she didn’t feel entitled to ask. How could she inquire about such a thing? However, since someone was about to be beaten to death, she decided she could at least intervene.
Thus, she called for one elderly maidservant and two young servants to follow Yang Qingbao to the old house. Though they didn’t know the details, Ms. Wang, Yang Dachuan, and Old Yang were also close enough to follow.
As they approached the old house, the deafening shouts and cries could be heard from afar.
Yang Chuxia frowned, wondering what this family was thinking. The man had come to propose, which was a good thing. Even if they disagreed, there was no need to make such a racket; people would have no clue what was happening if they heard.
"Look, sister-in-law, just let it be. The man came to propose, and it isn’t like he did so in secret. Seeing Miss Qiu in such distress, how can you still refuse?"
Ms. Liu stubbornly held her ground, "Even if I don’t agree, so what? She’s my flesh and blood, can’t I have a say in this? She can stay unmarried for a lifetime rather than marry a performer. What are performers but playthings?"
Her words dripped with disdain for performers, making the man proposing, the matchmaker, and the leader of the Baiyun Troupe all extremely uncomfortable.
But they had no choice. Due to their low social status, they were no better than servants.
With a sneer, someone retorted, "What if he’s a performer? Can’t he make money and support Miss Qiu? High and noble statuses exist, but that depends on whether you can attain them."