Chapter 18: Just Don’t Get Yourself Killed

Pei Yuantang glanced at the wound on his wife’s forehead. The swelling had subsided, but a faint redness remained. It was the injury she had sustained when Sanlang had brought her back and dropped her by his bedside that day. They had wronged her; she was not only hurt but also deeply aggrieved.

Feeling a pang of guilt, he was reluctant to share the details of their marital affairs with outsiders. He quietly reminded Ji Wei, “Just don’t kill him. Send word out—no dealings with that scoundrel.”

He had already warned them last time, but they had ignored his words, recklessly inviting trouble. If they insisted on courting death, it would be no one’s fault but their own. That shop had been built up by his father through years of hard work and travels, only to be unfairly taken by the biased old Jiang woman and given to the elder branch. It was high time it was returned.

“By the way, you must remind my eldest brother to keep a close eye on Chen Dechang and the others I mentioned. It’s probably just a matter of days before they make a move.”

“That bastard Chen Dechang took the cargo from two of our boats and even harmed second brother. When I catch him, I’ll skin him alive,” Luo Fangxu growled, pounding his fist into his palm in fury.

Jiang Qing glanced back toward the kitchen to make sure no one was paying attention before shooting Luo Fangxu a sharp look.

“I know, I’ll keep my voice down,” Luo Fangxu nodded repeatedly, promising.

Second brother had kept their family in the dark, only saying he used to be a traveling merchant and hiding the truth to avoid worrying them. He dared not slip up and reveal more.

Even if they did not speak, Qin Hanxiao harbored suspicions about their true identities.

She asked Pei Jinghui, “Ah Hui, what exactly do your second brother’s friends do? They all look older than Erlang, yet they call him ‘brother.’”

Without looking up from chopping vegetables, Pei Jinghui replied, “Second brother said they all work at the docks, but I don’t know the details. They know many merchants there, which helps second brother find work. Besides them, second brother knows quite a few others at the docks and some escorts who transport goods across the country. They are older than him, but they respect him as a scholar, so they call him brother.”

From these few words, Qin Hanxiao could tell that Pei Yuantang had endured much hardship, but she could not fathom how a boy of only twelve years had risen step by step to where he was now.

The meal was quickly prepared and served. Just as Qin Hanxiao was about to remind Pei Yuantang not to drink, he spoke first.

He poured full cups for the others. “You all drink. I won’t join you today.”

Knowing his condition, the others did not urge him.

“Alright, we’ll wait until you’re well to drink. Good wine isn’t afraid of waiting.”

Pei Yuantang did not tell them that recovery was possible; he feared speaking too soon would only bring greater disappointment.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the three men left, but Qin Hanxiao could not afford to rest. She first administered acupuncture to the two, then began preparing medicinal pills.

Soon it was time for dinner again. Afterward, she finally had a moment to tend to the flowers.

Peonies were not particularly difficult to cultivate, and with the spirit spring water, they would surely thrive. However, using the spirit spring water directly was too wasteful.

So she told Pei Jinghui and the others, “From now on, the water used for washing vegetables and rinsing rice can be used to water the flowers.”

Pei Jinghui agreed, “I was thinking the same thing. Otherwise, it’s a waste to pour it away. I used to save it to water the vegetable patch at the back, but it’s a bit of a walk. This will save a lot of effort.”

Yingying added, “That way, I can help water too. Auntie always says I can’t carry the water.”

Yingying was such a sensible child, so mature it tugged at one’s heart.

Pei Jinghui suddenly mentioned the old residence, “I heard they hired two or three doctors over there, but none said they could cure our eldest aunt.”

She wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips. “She’s reaping the consequences of her misdeeds. She even sold Yingying and Ming’an before. If mother hadn’t found out in time, they would have been taken by human traffickers.”

Qin Hanxiao was puzzled. “Sold them?”

“Yes. While Yingying and the others were playing in the village, she lured them away and sold them to traffickers. Luckily, they were found and rescued in time, or no one would know where Yingying and the others ended up.”

Yingying nodded in agreement nearby. “Later, she tried to trick me again, but I didn’t fall for it.”

“She deserves every bit of retribution.”

Qin Hanxiao clenched her teeth in hatred, determined to let her suffer even more.

Before going to bed, Pei Yuantang handed her a pouch. Opening it, she found over twenty taels of silver inside.

“Where did all this come from?”

“Wages for bookkeeping and copying books,” Pei Yuantang replied.

Qin Hanxiao looked at him, then at the silver, and back at him, full of questions. Even working for the prefect wouldn’t earn so much, would it?

Pei Yuantang smiled and pointed to the desk piled high with thick stacks of ledgers—dozens of books in all.

“There’s a lot of work.”

So, he had taken on the bookkeeping for all the merchants at the docks?

The thought crossed Qin Hanxiao’s mind but was quickly dismissed. Those close to him might trust him, but would everyone else?

Her doubt must have shown, for Pei Yuantang gently explained, “They’re from an old employer. He has a large business; half the dock’s trade belongs to him. He has several ships running between the south and the capital, so the accounts are many. He’s used to having me, so he can’t let go of the work just yet.”

Qin Hanxiao thought, that must be a huge enterprise.

Still, “Since you have so many ledgers, why not stop copying books? It strains your eyes and takes effort.”

Then she reconsidered: just the money he and his mother-in-law need each month equals this amount, so it wasn’t too much after all.

Pei Yuantang shook his head with a smile. “The books I copy are for the two young masters of my old employer’s household, along with calligraphy practice sheets. He values me; I can’t shirk even these small tasks.”

With that, Qin Hanxiao could not argue further.

Still, this extra income was welcome. She would no longer need so many excuses when buying things.

“I think the quilts and clothes at home are quite worn. I want to get some new ones.”

Pei Yuantang replied straightforwardly, “You’re in charge of the household now. Whatever you decide goes.”

Qin Hanxiao put the silver away in the cabinet, thinking: Her husband could earn money, had few worries, and was not domineering. His mother-in-law had entrusted the household management to her completely. Her little sister-in-law was sensible, the mainstay of the house. Though her little brother-in-law had violent tendencies, with her husband’s restraint, he could still farm, hunt, and make a living. Their nephews and nieces were young but obedient and well-behaved.

Yes, this was quite good.

When she finished putting away the silver and was ready for bed, she found the quilt neatly laid out.

It was spring, so no need for a warm bed, but come winter, someone would be there to keep her warm.

Very good.

Moreover, Pei Yuantang had no bad habits at bedtime; he fell asleep as he was and woke the same way.

Most importantly, he was strikingly handsome.

Every morning, waking to such a beautiful, unparalleled face set a solid foundation for a good day.

Leaning against the headboard, Pei Yuantang cast a sidelong glance at his smiling little wife. She was already beautiful, but with such a lively expression, she appeared even more charming.

She loved silver, so he resolved to find ways to earn more for her.

As long as she did not do anything she shouldn’t, he could be good to her.