At the same time, the Young Scholar smiled and nodded to the women standing beside his sister-in-law.
"Look."
His sister-in-law lifted her chin slightly.
"This is my younger brother."
"He's also the one you were just talking about..."
"Oh!"
The women, who had just smiled at the Young Scholar's greeting, froze.
They looked at his sister-in-law.
"He's the one..."
His sister-in-law nodded.
"Yes."
"This time, I specially invited him to come to the market with me."
"I wanted you all to see for yourselves."
"And stop believing those unreliable rumors."
"My brother is doing just fine."
The women looked the Young Scholar up and down.
The Young Scholar forced down his discomfort and displeasure. He lowered his eyes slightly and let the women study him.
The women's expressions gradually softened.
There was no denying it...
The Young Scholar's own temperament, along with his speech and conduct, was thoroughly scholarly.
He inspired goodwill.
However one looked at the Young Scholar...
He didn't seem like someone whose mind had been ruined by studying.
Besides, the Young Scholar looked every bit the part of a capable student.
The women laughed.
"Oh!"
"Young Lady, you're taking this too seriously."
"We're just a bunch of women who are easily swayed."
"We believed some rumors."
"Don't take it to heart."
"Don't worry."
The women thumped their chests and promised, "If we hear anyone spreading nonsense again, we'll help set them straight."
Young Lady's eyes lit up.
"You said it."
"You'd better keep your word."
If the women were willing to help, that would be ideal.
After all, women's chatter was fertile ground for rumors.
Many rumors started with them.
And they could just as easily end with them.
"Don't worry."
The women looked ready to take care of everything.
Then they crowded around the Young Scholar...