Chapter 46:

The silver moon hung like a curved sickle, casting dancing shadows through the trees as the chorus of insects filled the air. A cool breeze occasionally swept by, yet Jicheng’s fury remained unabated. What man could remain calm knowing another coveted his wife? Unable to restrain himself, he kicked Jikun twice more. Family? What a joke. All they ever did was kick him when he was down.

Jikun howled in pain, gasping for breath before finally managing to speak: “Jicheng, don’t get too cocky. Just wait till my father deals with you. Why are you so angry? I’ve heard that among the barbarians beyond the frontier, it’s common for younger brothers to marry their elder brothers’ widows, or for elder brothers to take their younger brothers’ wives—”

Before he could finish, Jicheng slapped him with such force that a tooth flew from Jikun’s mouth. “How did the Ji family produce such a disgrace?” Jicheng growled, his voice thick with rage. “Filth spews from your mouth. I refuse to acknowledge you as kin. I doubt even my uncle would be so blind. If you don’t mend your ways, don’t blame me for beating you every time I see you.”

Meanwhile, Jicheng’s uncle and aunt were at home, fretting over Jikun’s absence. Just as the uncle was about to go searching, Jicheng strode in, dragging a bloodied figure. Upon closer inspection, the bruised and swollen face belonged to none other than their son. The aunt wailed in anguish, “Who did this? His wounds had just healed, and now he’s like this again! I’ll tear them apart!”

The uncle frowned. “What happened?”

Jicheng shoved the man forward as if tossing a pebble and said coldly, “I did it.” Watching his uncle’s eyes widen in fury, Jicheng continued, “He crossed the line, harboring improper thoughts about my wife. Uncle, you decide what to do. If you still shield him, so be it. I, Jicheng, fear no consequences. I’ve endured much over the years, but when it comes to Chunfu, I won’t tolerate even a slight. If this happens again, don’t blame me if I lose control and kill him.”

The uncle had always doted on Jikun, especially after his long absence and near-death experiences. But now, he learned that his son had not only developed a gambling addiction but also committed such despicable acts. If word spread, how could he face the village? People would mock his failure as a father. Still, Jicheng’s beating was excessively brutal—worse than the gamblers’ thugs. The injuries would cost a fortune to treat.

“You brought him back, so I’ll discipline him,” the uncle said, his voice laced with reproach. “But beating him like this solves nothing. We’re just two old folks struggling to feed ourselves. Where will we get the money for his treatment? You’ve only made things worse.”

Jicheng ignored the implied blame, dusting off his clothes. “Some people only learn through pain. He’ll remember this lesson. In this village, who else roams around causing trouble like him? I spared him this time, but others won’t. Uncle, you know the truth. I’ve said enough. I’m leaving.”

As Jicheng’s figure vanished into the night, the uncle glared at Jikun, who was whimpering in his mother’s arms. Enraged, he smacked his son twice. “Worthless wretch! All you do is stir trouble. Do you want to kill me? I should’ve left you to die back then—spared myself this misery!”

Jikun, already in agony, winced as his father’s blows threatened to shatter his bones. “Go ahead, kill me!” he snarled. “Fetch an axe and make it quick!”

The aunt shoved her husband aside. “How do you know it’s our son’s fault? What if that Chunfu is some cheap hussy leading him on? Can you trust Jicheng’s word?”

The uncle closed his eyes, sighing inwardly. Jicheng’s word was the most trustworthy in the world. And given his son’s wretched state, only a blind fool would find him appealing. “Enough,” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “Let’s go inside. No need to air our shame out here.”

Jikun, however, refused to let it go. As he limped inside, he hissed, “This isn’t over. Once I recover, Jicheng will pay. I’ll make him regret this.” Soon enough, an opportunity would present itself—but that’s another story.

On his way home, Jicheng seethed at his own helplessness. If only he were more capable, Chunfu wouldn’t have to stay home alone. From now on, anyone who dared mistreat her would face his wrath—beaten until they couldn’t recognize their own doorstep. For a man like him, brute force was often the only solution.

Chunfu, roused by the earlier commotion, couldn’t fall back asleep. She kept glancing into the pitch-black yard, seeing nothing. In this era, a woman’s reputation was fragile. Even if innocent, she’d be condemned by public opinion. She’d heard of women drowning themselves to prove their virtue or being hounded to death for refusing to confess to false accusations. She was grateful for Jicheng—and that he’d witnessed the truth.

When familiar footsteps approached, she leaped off the bed to open the door before he could knock. Jicheng blinked in surprise. All his anger dissipated at the sight of her safe and sound. “How’d you know it was me?” he grinned.

Chunfu gazed up at him, her eyes shimmering like gentle moonlight. “I only remember your footsteps,” she said softly. “The moment you return, I recognize you.”

His heart warmed. When she reached for him, he dodged. “I’m filthy from the mountains. Let me wash up first.”

She’d kept water heating for him, now perfectly warm. Fetching towels, she played the role of the devoted wife. Tonight, Jicheng let her pamper him. As he exhaled deeply, she asked what was wrong. “Just venting,” he chuckled. “Feels good to let it out.”

After drying him, Chunfu returned to find him reaching for clothes. She took them from his hands, blushing. “Don’t bother. It’s too hot for layers.”

Amused, Jicheng followed her to bed. “Since when do I sleep any other way?”

Once he lay down, she nestled close, her hands wandering as she murmured, “I used to think we should wait until we’re better off before having a child. But tonight, waiting for you, the house felt so empty… my heart too. Jicheng, let’s not wait anymore.”

Before he could reply, her lips brushed his neck. He stiffened, gently pushing her away. “Since when do you decide alone? Don’t I get a say? You’re downright tyrannical.”

She pinned him down, triumphant. “Isn’t that how it works? You’ll listen to me, won’t you?” When he nodded, she grinned. “Then it’s settled. Unless… I recall you have an illustrated manual we could study.”

That shattered his last shred of restraint. Rolling atop her, he chuckled darkly. “Bold little thing, aren’t you?”

Pulling him closer, she whispered, “As long as you don’t reject me. I’ve chosen you for life—nothing can part us. Are you still angry? At first I was furious, but knowing you’d return soon calmed me. I didn’t even hear what he said—I was asleep.”

Jicheng tapped her nose. “Carefree as ever. You didn’t hear, but I did. The more I treasure you, the more I loathe them. I’ve lost so much—friends, brothers—must they covet my wife too? I’ve been alone too long. Two years is an eternity; I can’t wait any longer.”

Her reply melted into a sigh as he became a blazing wildfire, consuming her with tender ferocity. Though clumsy as first-time lovers, they explored each other with reverent caution. Once averse to intimacy, she now shed all inhibitions for him—this man who felt like forbidden fruit. Perhaps she’d always been bold, choosing him at first sight despite all odds.

His sweat dripped onto her neck, a cooling droplet in the sweltering haze, briefly clearing her dazed mind—just as he entered her. Despite his care, the pain made her tremble. Had she not bitten her lip, a scream might’ve escaped.

Her faint whimper unnerved him further. “Does it hurt too much?” he rasped. “If I withdraw now, you’ll only suffer more next time.”

Tears welled as she assumed he’d stop out of pity. Though unafraid of the pain, his words made her claw his back, laughing through tears. “You villain.”

He kissed her damp eyelids. Her earlier squirming had driven him deeper, worsening the ache. “My fault,” he soothed. “Forgive me this once.”

She sniffled. Despite his consideration, the experience was hardly pleasant for either. How could she not forgive him? Like her, he was a novice—awkward and shy after decades of abstinence.

She couldn’t recall when it ended, only the echo of his ragged breaths against her ear, his suppressed satisfaction drawing a rare smile from her. Heart-to-heart, skin-to-skin—this was true closeness. Exhausted, she drifted off, faintly aware of warm hands gliding over her like fragile porcelain, their tenderness warming her soul.

She slept till noon. Jicheng had long since left, his parting words forgotten. Groggy and sore, she remembered Liansheng’s wife would arrive soon and hurried to prepare the jam.

When the woman came, Chunfu was kneading dough beside a row of oddly shaped jam jars. It took a moment for Liansheng’s wife to realize—last night’s incident wasn’t all bad. At least it spurred the couple to finally consummate their marriage. Discreetly avoiding the topic to spare Chunfu’s blushes, she busied herself with chores, knowing the first time was hardest.

Meanwhile, Jicheng’s uncle was truly desperate. Their meager savings had been drained by Jikun’s medical bills. Just as he’d hoped to find work, his son stirred more trouble. Regardless of fault, where would the medicine money come from?

Hearing Jikun’s moans, the aunt snapped at her husband: “Are you trying to kill him with pain? Go ask Jiliang! They moved out scot-free, giving us nothing. Let them laze around? Not a chance! I heard he’s recovered enough to work. Demand your due!”

The uncle trudged to the old house. Why hesitate? A father could ask his son for help.

Jiliang and Qiaoyun were tending their new vegetable patch, freshly sown and watered. Pleased with how Qiaoyun had transformed the derelict yard, Jiliang said, “We’ve taken too much from your family. Once we’re stable, we’ll repay them. Times are hard for everyone.” He added, “After resting a bit more, I’ll find lighter work. No need for you to toil alone.”

Qiaoyun’s sun-darkened cheeks flushed. Life had improved—Jiliang finally appreciated her efforts. “Uncle Man pays well for farm work if done right,” she said. “With other ventures, we might save up by year’s end.”

Before Jiliang could reply, a gruff voice interrupted: “Jiliang, Qiaoyun. Busy?”

“Father.” Jiliang greeted him warily. Qiaoyun forced a polite nod, though resentment simmered.

The uncle cut to the chase: “How much money do you have? Lend me some.”

Qiaoyun bristled. Their meager earnings had gone to Jiliang’s medicine. These leeches had no shame! “We left with nothing,” she retorted. “Jiliang still needs treatment.”

Jiliang silenced her with a look. “What’s wrong, Father?”

The uncle barely contained his temper at Qiaoyun’s defiance. “Jicheng beat Jikun badly. He’s in agony. If you’ve got money for medicine… Jiliang, he’s your blood brother. You can’t abandon him.”

“Why would Jicheng hit him?” Jiliang pressed. “There was no quarrel.”

The uncle tugged his collar impatiently. “Yes or no? Quit stalling—he’s suffering!”

Jiliang sighed. “Father, I’m barely scraping by myself. Without Qiaoyun, I’d have no medicine. We truly have nothing to spare—”

Qiaoyun knew Jicheng wouldn’t attack without cause. Thank heavens they were broke—otherwise Jiliang’s soft heart might’ve given in. She wanted no part of that family’s mess. Their fresh start was better spent befriending Jicheng’s household. Unlike the gaunt village women, Chunfu glowed with health—proof their meals weren’t just gruel. Not that she envied their diet; she simply respected Jicheng’s family’s integrity far more than her in-laws’.

Seeing his father’s darkening expression, Jiliang offered, “We’ve some cornmeal—take it?”

The uncle scowled. Grain wouldn’t buy medicine. When Qiaoyun brought a meager portion, he sneered, “Useless. This won’t last a day. Jiliang, go demand compensation from Jicheng. He can’t get away with this.”

Once he left, Qiaoyun spat in disgust. “That wasteland leech ruins everyone’s peace. Only you tolerate such nonsense. Others would’ve cut ties long ago. Jiliang, grow a spine! Stay away from them!”

Jiliang ignored her, grumbling, “Why so stingy with the food? How will they manage? We’ve no land now—how will we eat?”

Qiaoyun glared. “Jiliang, enough! Give it all away, and we starve! Stop playing saint when we can’t feed ourselves. Stop indulging those bottomless greed-mongers!”