Cheng Zhao was eighteen this year, two months older than Zhao Dashan. Although they were the same age, they were from completely different worlds.
Cheng Zhao was a scholar. Next year, he might be able to take the imperial examination. It was said that he had a good chance of becoming a *xiucai*. Even if his life ended at the *xiucai* level, it would be enough to break free from the confines of the Cheng family and move on to a wider world.
Zhao Dashan, on the other hand, was already married and about to become a father. His future life would likely be spent in Daha Village, facing the yellow earth and turning his back to the sky for the latter half of his life.
Cheng Zhao held a bowl, hesitating to say something. Cheng Loanloan ignored him and began to attend to the next customer.
After all the remaining ice jelly was sold, Cheng Zhao still hadn't left. He stood by the stall and said, "Second Aunt, my father was indeed a bit out of line. He shouldn't have laid a hand on you. I apologize to you on his behalf. But Second Aunt, you are a Cheng. No matter what, we are all one family with our Cheng clan. There shouldn't be any discrimination here."
1
Upon hearing this, Cheng Loanloan burst out laughing.
She placed the bowl on the table and enunciated each word clearly, "What do you mean by 'discrimination here'? Does 'no discrimination' mean that you can eat my family's ice jelly freely, and all the money I earn should go to your studies, is that right?"
Cheng Zhao stammered, "Second Aunt, I didn't mean that..."
"Then what do you mean?" Cheng Loanloan was furious. "Do you mean for me to continue being one family with the Cheng clan, to continue being bled dry by you? Cheng Zhao, you know very well how much I've cared for you all these years! But ten days ago, your father smashed my head. Look, there's still a scar on my forehead. If it had been a little worse, I would surely have died. I was so severely injured, yet my good nephew, my most sensible nephew, didn't even come to visit me once!" Cheng Zhao had never seen his Second Aunt like this. He was stunned, and after a long while, he explained, "I, I've always been studying at the academy. I only found out about this a few days ago..."
"Alright, you don't need to explain to me!" Cheng Loanloan lowered her head to pack her things. "I have severed ties with the Cheng family. From now on, when you see me, pretend you don't know me. There's no need to call me Second Aunt. You are such a promising scholar; our Zhao family cannot aspire to such heights."
Cheng Zhao opened his mouth, "Second Aunt, I..."
"Don't call Mother Second Aunt!" Zhao Sidan glared. "From now on, we don't have a scholar cousin either."
Zhao Sanniu blocked the front of the stall, "My mother said she doesn't have a nephew like you. Hurry up and leave, don't affect our business."
Zhao Ergou spoke coldly, "If you keep talking, you might become the laughingstock of Nanfu Academy."
Cheng Zhao turned his head and saw many of his classmates curiously looking in their direction, slowly gathering around.
He had no choice but to take a step back. "It's fine if Second Aunt doesn't acknowledge me; it's enough that I acknowledge Second Aunt. I'll go to the academy first and come to apologize another day."
He turned and walked into the academy. Many people surrounded him, pointing and gesticulating, but his expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
Cheng Loanloan's face showed no strong emotions. She was about to take her children to eat something when a man over thirty years old stood in front of her. "For the past two days, people in Hekou Town have been talking about some ice jelly. Did it come from this sister-in-law's hands?"
Cheng Luanluan looked at the person in front of her. This person was not wearing coarse cloth, and a jade pendant and a sachet hung from his waist, making him look like a merchant.
She smiled and said, "Today's ice blocks are all sold out. Please come a little earlier tomorrow."
"I didn't come here to buy ice blocks." The man said with a smile, "I wonder if you, madam, would be willing to sell me the method for making these ice blocks?"