It’s quite late now, trying to stop Granny Wu from causing trouble might already be too late. Besides, it’s hard to judge; if something goes wrong, it might end in a fight.
Wen Wan didn’t dare to delay and immediately told Song Wei about this matter, seeking his advice.
Song Wei didn’t expect Mrs. Zhou to be so troublesome. After thinking for a moment, he told Wen Wan not to worry; he would handle the matter.
After that, Song Wei went to Granny Song, informing her that Wen Wan had received the dowry left by Mrs. Lu, and it leaked out, making the family potentially unsafe these days, advising his mother to prepare early.
Song Wei understood Granny Song the best. His mother had a particularly keen mind, quickly grasping things without needing much explanation.
Granny Song cursed a couple of times, waved her hand, and said, "Alright, you go take care of your matters. Let this old woman catch the thieves."
Song Wei smiled and personally visited the homes of the three village chiefs from Upper River Village, Lower River Village, and Zhou Village, inviting them for a drink at the Song family’s place in the evening. He mentioned that regarding the previous guarantee letter about the parcel of land, there were still some details he wanted to discuss with them. Moreover, he said Wanwan’s biological mother had left her a box containing an antique inside, hoping the elders, with their vast knowledge, could help identify it.
Song Wei flattered them right from the start, leaving the three of them no choice but to agree, nodding and smiling, and assuring they would definitely come in the evening.
Just as night fell, the three old men arrived together.
As soon as they stepped into the gates of the Song family’s courtyard, they were immediately frozen like wooden stakes by an overwhelming stench, feeling their legs too weak to take another step.
The three craned their necks to look inside, seeing Granny Song had placed a large vat below the courtyard wall, filled with sewage.
The Upper River Village chief asked with a twitch, "What’s Old Song family busy with here?"
Granny Song responded, "Oh, nothing, I’m preparing to make dumplings. Come inside; Third Son is waiting."
The three looked at each other, bewildered.
That smell, making dumplings?
Wine, do you still want to drink it?
The Upper River Village chief coughed and said, "Song Sanlang invited us to discuss the previous guarantee letter matter. Let’s go in quickly!"
The sooner they finished talking, the sooner they could leave. As for the wine, they couldn’t swallow a sip.
Upon hearing the commotion, Song Wei came out and escorted the three inside.
Once the doors and windows were closed, the outside’s toxic air was partially blocked off.
Song Wei had already prepared, hiding all the jewelry from the box Father Wen brought, replacing it with an antique passed down from their ancestors, asking for the three’s appraisal.
Each of them took a look, having their own opinions, and the discussion went on until midnight.
Wen Wan covered her nose as she kept watch behind the gate, finally seeing the two masked thieves attempting to steal. She hurried to the outside of the main room, gently knocking on the window before running back to her room to close the doors and windows tightly.
Song Wei took advantage of a moment when the three weren’t paying attention and blew out the lamp.
"Why did the light go out?"
Inside, in the pitch black, the three old men asked in unison.
"Shh—" Song Wei gestured for silence, whispering, "We have intruders in our house."
The three village chiefs collectively inhaled sharply.
Outside, two people had already perched atop the courtyard wall.
Beneath the courtyard wall was the vat of sewage Granny Song had prepared, covered with a black cloth, invisible in the darkness.
"What’s this smell?" Zhou Da wrinkled his nose.
"Sewage smell," Zhou Er replied, "Probably the Song family wants to stink out anyone trying to steal treasures, drive us away."
"Hey, I refuse to believe in this evil," Zhou Da said defiantly, "later, you keep watch while I use the confusing smoke to knock everyone out inside, then we can turn the place upside down together."
"Stop talking, hurry up and jump!" Zhou Er, a bit impatient, wouldn’t be this amicable with his brother if not for the gold and silver jewelry in that box.
The two closed their mouths and jumped down.
Granny Song listened with her ear against the door of the east room.
"Thunk, thunk," Two splashes echoed as the sewage splattered, making two dumplings, quite fresh; one was Mrs. Zhou’s eldest brother, the other was her second brother.