Chapter 35:

The next day, Jicheng woke up on time. Sitting up, he saw the person beside him sleeping soundly and couldn’t bear to wake her. He remembered how she loved to linger in bed. Ever since he found work in town, she hadn’t been able to sleep well. Being older than her, his feelings for her had grown beyond mere affection—more like the tender care one would give a child.

Jicheng moved quietly, afraid of disturbing her, and didn’t even fold the blankets. After washing up, he fed the pigs and stared blankly at the empty chicken coop in the corner of the yard, thinking he should find time to repair it. When he returned to the room, Chunfu was already sitting up, though her eyes were still tightly closed. Hearing his soft chuckle, she struggled to open one eye and began dressing, muttering in complaint, “Why didn’t you wake me? If we’re late, just see how I’ll make you pay.”

Jicheng noticed she had tied the sash on her chest wrong and stepped forward to help her adjust it. Being this close, her skin looked as soft as if it had been nourished by water, and in the morning light, he could see the fine down on her cheeks. Unable to resist, he kissed her lightly before straightening up. “Go wash up first. I’ll tidy the room.”

Chunfu had deliberately worn her emerald-green outfit today, believing that dressing smartly might bring her some good luck. After rinsing her mouth and washing her face, she considered wearing the hairpin Jicheng had given her but ultimately decided against it, opting instead to tie her jet-black hair up with a matching ribbon, revealing her full forehead, which made her delicate face appear even more radiant.

Once everything was nearly ready, Chunfu carefully placed two clay jars into a woven basket, covering them with a cloth bundle containing thin pancakes and small pastries until the basket was full. Many people from the village were heading to town today, including Chunmu and Zhang Tong. Seeing Chunfu and Jicheng approach, Chunmu, uncharacteristically mild, asked, “What are you two up to? With all this stuff, one might think you’re moving house.”

Chunfu kept her face expressionless and didn’t greet him, lowering her eyes as she followed behind Jicheng. Knowing Chunfu’s resentment toward Chunmu, Jicheng smiled and said, “Chunfu was bored staying home alone, so I’m taking her to town for a stroll.”

Chunmu was curious about the contents of Jicheng’s heavily laden basket but was too proud to ask directly. Instead, he nudged Zhang Tong, who was dozing beside him. “Aren’t you going to greet your uncle and aunt? Even when you start school, you won’t be afraid of the teacher laughing at your manners?”

None of the small villages around Dongpo had a school; the nearest one was in Yangjia Village, close to town. The teacher there was learned and gentle, well-liked by the children.

“I’m taking him to enroll today. Come over for dinner tomorrow—it’s a happy occasion for the family to gather.”

Zhang Tong greeted them, and Jicheng responded with a smile, saying, “Good boy,” before apologizing. “I’m afraid we can’t make it. I work in town and don’t get back until late. It wouldn’t be right to disturb you and your wife then. When I have time, I’ll have Chunfu send something over as a congratulatory gift.”

Zhang Tong, who hadn’t eaten anything since morning, was hungry. Suddenly catching a whiff of something delicious from Jicheng’s basket, he looked up and asked, “Uncle, what’s in there? It smells so good.”

Jicheng felt a tug on his sleeve from behind and chuckled. “I’m just delivering these for someone else. It wouldn’t be right to open them.”

Of course, they were for the young ladies in town. Chunfu had a clear sense of boundaries—she wouldn’t give even a blade of grass to someone she disliked. Jicheng didn’t bother with such niceties either. If Chunfu wasn’t willing, he wouldn’t go out of his way to please others. After all, even if he gave his heart and soul, it wasn’t guaranteed they’d appreciate it. Why waste the effort?

When the wagon was nearly full, Third Uncle tucked his pipe into his belt and drove off. The passengers chatted intermittently during the ride. Jicheng held Chunfu close in his arms. She smiled softly and gracefully, like the first flower blooming at dawn, delicate petals glistening with dew.

Chunmu glanced at them, feeling a pang of displeasure. Chunfu seemed to be living well—wearing new clothes, her beauty radiant. If not for her quiet demeanor, she would outshine any other woman in the village. His sister was undoubtedly beautiful, but the scar in his heart refused to fade. Sometimes he wanted to treat her better, but the thought of his dashed ambitions left him with nothing but boundless resentment.

The two closest of kin were now worse than strangers. When the wagon stopped near Yangjia Village, Chunfu watched as Chunmu and Zhang Tong disembarked. The clip-clop of hooves resumed, and their figures grew smaller in the distance.

Zhang Tong, walking beside Chunmu, suddenly spoke up. “Father, I saw that Uncle’s basket had pancakes inside. They looked just like the ones we have at home, but I don’t know why they smelled so much better.”

Chunmu affectionately patted his son, who resembled him the most, and smiled. “Study hard at school, and tell me everything the teacher teaches you each day. When you grow up and achieve great things, you’ll have endless gold, silver, and delicacies to enjoy. We poor folk start a step behind, so the only way to bring honor to our family is through education. Don’t end up like your mother and me, tied to these two acres of land forever.”

Zhang Tong nodded solemnly before asking, “Elder Brother Zhang Yan also wants to study. He seems unhappy.”

Chunmu frowned. “As the eldest son, he’ll have to shoulder the family’s responsibilities. If he goes to school, who will tend the fields? So you must work even harder, lest your brother resent you in the future. Understand?”

The regrets Chunmu carried from Chunfu’s actions could only be redeemed through his son. Zhang Tong, with his ambition, was sure to achieve greatness.

Upon reaching town, Jicheng carried the not-too-heavy basket as he and Chunfu walked one after the other toward the Jin family’s shop. Chunfu had said that giving the young ladies a taste was enough—overdoing it might spoil their appetite for future business. Turning to remind her, he noticed her frowning in thought and pulled her closer. “What’s on your mind?”

Chunfu sighed. “That foolish Zhang Yan must be miserable at home. I hope he can come to terms with it.”

“He may be young, but he thinks like an adult. He’ll be fine. Once we get there, stay away from the young ladies. Some have terrible tempers, and if you offend them, we’ll be the ones to suffer.” His tone carried a hint of resignation. “Remember? Keep your distance if anything happens.”

He didn’t want anything bad to happen to Chunfu. The world had few reasonable people—the poor resented the rich, and the rich looked down on the poor. It was better to stay far away from such troubles. Chunfu wasn’t foolish; she was here to make money, not meddle in messy affairs.

Still uneasy, Jicheng went into the Jin family’s shop and bowed to Jin Liuer, asking her to look after his wife. Jin Liuer covered her mouth, amused. Chunfu took out the prepared items and urged Jicheng to get to work, reminding him to buy two buns to fill his stomach.

“What a loving couple you are, living such a sweet life.”

Chunfu tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly. “It’s just the ordinary life of poor folk. He’s easygoing and considerate, so we rarely quarrel. I thought just serving pastries might be dull, so I made some porridge too. I don’t know if the young ladies will like it.” She opened a small jar, revealing diced seasonal fruits packed inside, which delighted Jin Liuer.

“Let me taste it first.” She called for a maid to bring a spoon and bowl. The fruit pieces flowed into a small white porcelain bowl, and when Jin Liuer took a spoonful, the natural flavors burst in her mouth, accompanied by a refreshing coolness and subtle sweetness. Remarkably, despite the mix of fruits, each retained its distinct taste—a novel treat.

“It wasn’t hot when we left, and I chilled it in well water overnight, so it’s extra cool. I’m not sure when the flower-viewing party starts, but if there’s time, it’s best to keep it chilled.”

After tasting, Jin Liuer had the pastries packed into an elegant box and told Chunfu, “They’ve probably all arrived by now. Let’s head over.”

Chunfu deferred entirely to Jin Liuer. At this moment, she was just a country woman who’d seen little of the world, poor and preoccupied with money. Stepping out of the shop, she saw Zhou Jing waiting outside, grinning at her. “Little sister-in-law, I’ve come to help.”

After exchanging a few words with Jin Liuer, who agreed without even looking, Chunfu relaxed. Watching Zhou Jing follow behind, carefully cradling a small clay jar with a silly smile, she thought how love could make people both endearing and pitiable.

The carriage stopped in front of a serene garden. Peeking out, Chunfu saw several luxurious carriages already parked at the gate, exuding wealth and prestige. She initially intended to wait outside, but Jin Liuer insisted it was fine—even if just to see the flowers, since others couldn’t enter anyway.

Reluctantly, Chunfu followed her in. Everywhere she looked, there were exquisitely dressed young ladies adorned with hairpins and jewelry. Her own plain appearance stood out starkly in such a setting.

“I heard the young master of the Pei family from Yicheng is coming today. They say he’s more beautiful than a woman. I’d love to see that.”

“I’ve heard he’s difficult to get along with. Despite his reputation, even in Yicheng, he’s not well-liked. Maybe he couldn’t stay there and had to come to our small town?”

In Chunfu’s memory, that man was tall and lean, though not as handsome as Jicheng. With his refined and serious demeanor, it was hard to imagine him being unpleasant. But character was hard to judge—people could be mistaken. Since it had nothing to do with her, she turned her attention to the garden’s scenery. The layout was exquisite, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers lining the winding paths. At the center was a crescent-shaped pond, its surface rippling under the breeze, willow branches swaying gently above it. A passing bird briefly disturbed the tranquility.

Chunfu adored the view, but the young ladies around her hurried ahead, giggling shyly. Jin Liuer chatted with them, keeping pace. Unfamiliar with the place, Chunfu didn’t dare stray from Jin Liuer’s side and followed closely. Slowing her steps, she asked Zhou Jing, who was lost in his joy, “Jicheng—his arm was scratched by a dog the other day. If you see him, remind him to take care of himself. He might not listen if I say it.”

Zhou Jing, oblivious to her concern, grinned widely. “I truly admire Brother Cheng this time. He faced that huge dog without flinching when everyone else was too scared to move. How brave is that? No wonder the boss values him, promoting him to a foreman and even raising his pay.”

Chunfu gritted her teeth. “I knew he wasn’t telling me the truth. Just wait till I settle this with him tonight.”

Realizing his blunder, Zhou Jing quickly backpedaled. “Brother Cheng was just afraid the beast would hurt someone. You know what they say—saving a life is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda. He’s saved many lives. It’s a good thing.”

Did they think she hadn’t seen such dogs before? In her past life, her city had hosted several mastiff exhibitions, where these fierce animals were once sold for astronomical prices. Though tamed by humans, their wild nature remained. Was Jicheng really so reckless? If he kept taking such risks… But then again, his boldness was part of who he was. If she stifled that, wouldn’t he become like a domesticated pet? Still, he needed to remember that someone was waiting for him at home—he had to value his life.

The scenery beyond the moon gate dwarfed what they’d seen earlier. Inside, the garden was a riot of blossoms—large, flamboyant flowers and small, jade-like buds. The young ladies flitted among them, their beauty rivaling the flowers. Suddenly, Zhou Jing gasped beside her, unable to contain his excitement. He hadn’t seen Yu Ning in over ten days. Now, there she stood in a pavilion encircled by flowers, elegant and noble, her presence unmatched. His heart swelled with affection.

Following his gaze, Chunfu saw a stunning woman with willow-leaf eyebrows and an oval face—flawless in every way. Such a woman was surely proud. Would she ever consent to marry Zhou Jing? She whispered to him, “Put the things down and go about your business. Don’t cause trouble.”

Zhou Jing set the small jar in its place and thumped his chest. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I know my limits.”

Chunfu and Jin Liuer’s maid, Mei Qiao, arranged the pastries on small plates and poured the porridge into bowls, placing everything on trays. The maid said, “Miss instructed us to serve her close friends first. The others can wait.”

Chunfu maintained a serene smile, her voice soft. “Sister, I’m afraid my appearance isn’t suited for wandering this garden. If I offend anyone, it’ll trouble Miss Jin. May I wait here for you?”

Mei Qiao waved her hand. “I don’t deserve you calling me ‘sister.’ Few can persuade my mistress, but I think she’s agreed to do business with you. Fine, stay here. I’ll deliver these.”

Chunfu smiled. “Thank you for your kind words.” She knew even the maids of these wealthy young ladies looked down on them, so a sweet tongue never hurt.

After Mei Qiao left, Chunfu found an inconspicuous spot to sit. Watching the young ladies in their silks and satins, she sighed inwardly. Whether in her past life or now, the rich always had the best—beautiful scenery, delicious food, and lovely companions.

Suddenly, a young boy plopped down beside her, chin in hands. “These flowers were bought from the Gu family florist in the county. I heard they cost a fortune, but I don’t see what’s so special about them. You don’t look like you belong here, but don’t worry—I won’t tell. Once my uncle arrives, I’ll leave you alone.”

Chunfu found the boy odd but ignored him, letting him chatter away.

“Let me tell you, my uncle has a dog… a really fierce one…”

Just the mention of dogs made Chunfu uneasy. She was about to tell him to stop when he suddenly stood, dusted himself off, and ran away. Chunfu pursed her lips—what an unpleasant child. As she waited, drowsiness crept in. Seeing no one around, she curled up, arms around her knees, intending to nap. Just as she was about to drift off, a chorus of startled shrieks jolted her awake.

Looking up, she saw an ugly dog charging through the garden, sending the young ladies into a panic. She edged backward—she was afraid of dogs too and prayed it wouldn’t come her way.

Fortunately, a voice called the rampaging dog to heel, easing her tension. Mei Qiao approached, beaming, and Chunfu’s heart leapt—the treats must have been a hit. Sure enough, the maid exclaimed, “My mistress has excellent taste. This deal is yours! Several young ladies loved them and are clamoring for more. I’ll take the rest to the others. Once they try them, our shop won’t lack for customers.”

Outwardly calm, Chunfu’s heart surged like stormy waves crashing against cliffs. Her anxiety and uncertainty finally dissipated. She and Jicheng could finally earn money—their lives would only get better from here. Trembling, she managed, “May I go back first? I need to tell my husband.”

Mei Qiao covered her mouth, laughing. “This is your own achievement. Why report to your husband? Miss wants to discuss the shop’s opening with you later.”

Chunfu nodded and obediently sat back on the stone, a silly smile playing on her lips as she lost herself in thought.

Mei Qiao, however, hesitated. The pavilion ahead was filled with the town’s most distinguished young masters. As a mere maid, she wasn’t sure she could approach. Before she got close, the attendants shooed her away like a stray dog. Just as she turned to leave, a vicious dog lunged at her. Terrified, she dropped the tray, frozen in place.

Too frightened to notice, she didn’t see the man in black robes approach until he bent to pick up a pastry, sniffed it, and chuckled. “No wonder.” Patting his dog, he said, “Runiang, that’s enough. Don’t be greedy—it’s embarrassing. Go tell the maker to send more to the Pei residence. My Runiang likes them. Hurry!”

His lazy, melodious voice carried an undercurrent of authority that made Mei Qiao shudder. Nodding hastily, she rushed off to inform her mistress.

Pei Qian inhaled the familiar scent, puzzled. Wasn’t this the same treat made by the woman who’d saved his brother? Why was it here? The thought flickered through his mind before the impatient calls from behind drew him back.

Meanwhile, Jin Liuer, having finished entertaining her friends, was discussing pricing with Chunfu when Mei Qiao stumbled over, disheveled. Frowning, Jin Liuer asked, “What happened? Did Pei’s dog chase you?”

Mei Qiao nodded, eyes brimming. “How did you know, Miss? He wants us to prepare more pastries for his residence.” Seeing Jin Liuer’s pleased expression, she added hesitantly, “He said his Runiang likes them.”

Jin Liuer’s smile vanished. “That ugly, toothless mutt—how can he treat it like a treasure? We’re not taking this order.”

Chunfu desperately needed the money to change their lives—so Jicheng wouldn’t have to work so hard, so Zhang Yan could attend school. But she hadn’t expected her first business hurdle to be this. Thankfully, Jin Liuer was here to handle it.

Mei Qiao hesitated. “Miss, it’s the Pei family.”

The Pei family—one of the wealthiest merchant clans in the land, never short of money. Wouldn’t they regret missing this chance to connect with them? Jin Liuer reconsidered. With their vast influence, the Peis might not care for small ventures like theirs. Skipping their order wouldn’t leave them starving.

Chunfu’s legs had gone numb from sitting. Standing, she saw Shang Jing approaching but couldn’t bring herself to call out.