Chapter 68:

Jicheng took a few days off from the head steward specifically for the mountain lease. Going to the county office would take a whole day, and he had heard that only with proper arrangements could things move faster. He figured he’d have to spend quite a bit of silver once he got to town.

The two of them returned home and ate flatbread with porridge. Seeing that it was still early before noon, Jicheng thought of going up the mountain to dig traps. With fewer people venturing up there, the dangerous creatures in the mountains would likely become even more unruly. He wasn’t comfortable with Chunfu going up alone. But Chunfu shook her head, pulled him back, and smiled. “No rush. Let’s wait until the village head settles the matter before we get busy. Soon, the mountain will be ours. These couple of days, let the villagers gather what they need from there, so they won’t say we’re being too unkind.”

Jicheng thought it over and agreed. The villagers would always find something to complain about, but they couldn’t possibly take everything from the mountain. Blocking them now would only make him seem petty. He chuckled. “Then I’ll go cut some pigweed. I’m so used to being busy that idleness feels uncomfortable.”

Chunfu sat under the silk tree, sewing clothes. The first piece she made fit Jicheng perfectly, but he was reluctant to wear it for work. Only after she promised to make him another did he finally agree to swap out his heavily patched clothes. Watching him walk away, Chunfu bent her head and continued threading the needle.

Liansheng’s wife and Jinjuan were highly regarded by the shopkeeper for their craftsmanship. Both were neat and efficient, producing flawless handkerchiefs, and they were always busy. Eventually, the affair between Jinjuan and Zhao Yun became common knowledge in the village. No one cared what the marriage certificate said—they only saw that Jinjuan had performed the wedding rites with Zhao Si. Zhao Si, no pushover, stood in the street and hurled the vilest insults at Jinjuan, who stood there silently, too exhausted to defend herself.

People pointed and whispered, echoing Zhao Da Niang’s words, calling her shameless for seducing her brother-in-law. Zhao Yun, who had only stepped out to buy pork, returned to find his home in chaos. Seeing his mother and elder brother ganging up on Jinjuan, who stood trembling with her head bowed, his heart clenched painfully. He threw down his basket and strode over, pulling the small, shivering figure into his arms in front of everyone. “Mother, what are you doing?” he demanded in a low voice.

Bolstered by the villagers’ support, Zhao Da Niang grew bolder. She wanted to wake her foolish son up. “Zhao Yun, how can you be so blind? She’s no good woman—someone who would seduce her brother-in-law! What kind of decent person does that? You could’ve had a proper girl from the Liu family, but you chose this trash. I regret ever bringing her into this house!”

Zhao Si, though he had cursed fiercely, felt a pang of regret. He couldn’t compare to his younger brother—Zhao Yun was strong, handsome, and highly sought after in the village. He never imagined Jinjuan, after marrying him, would still be so unfaithful. His rage burned hot. “I told you she was trouble, just like that woman from the other family. Now she’s cuckolded me. Since our hearts aren’t together, I won’t stay married to her. Mother, just divorce her.”

Zhao Da Niang panicked at his words. “Son, if she’s misbehaved, beat her, scold her—but divorcing her would be letting her off too easy! We spent so much silver to marry her—we can’t just throw it all away!”

Jinjuan broke free from Zhao Yun’s embrace and faced Zhao Si squarely. “Zhao Si, if you’re a man, stand by your words. Don’t make me look down on you. Let’s go write the divorce papers now—I’ve had enough of living this miserable life with your family.”

Zhao Yun pulled her back into his arms, gently patting her back to soothe her fury. He laughed coldly, his voice icy. “Elder Brother, what a joke. Even if you want to divorce her, it’s up to me, not you. The marriage certificate bears my name—what does it have to do with you? If everyone wants a show, fine. But from now on, if I hear even one unpleasant word from anyone, don’t blame me for using my fists without mercy. Since Mother can’t tolerate Jinjuan, I’ll take her and move out. Will that satisfy you?”

Zhao Da Niang never expected her son to actually pack his few belongings and leave with Jinjuan. Jinjuan looked at Zhao Yun seriously. “Are you sure? Is abandoning everything for me worth it? Zhao Yun, I won’t blame you if you change your mind—really.”

Zhao Yun stroked her long hair, smiling tenderly. “Others are blinded by dust, but if I feared gossip, I wouldn’t have told you how I felt. What’s the difference between having such malicious family and having none at all? It’s better for us to live well together.”

Jinjuan never imagined he would stand by her under everyone’s scrutiny and accusations. Suddenly, she felt that having such a man in this lifetime was enough. Biting her lip, she said, “Wait for me—I’ll grab what’s rightfully mine.”

Zhao Da Niang glared venomously at the door. When Jinjuan emerged with a small bundle, she spread her arms to block her. “Open it. Who knows if you’ve stolen anything?” She turned to Zhao Yun, gnashing her teeth. “Zhao Yun, don’t regret this. Never step foot in the Zhao house again—I’ll act as if I never bore you!”

Jinjuan sneered and opened the bundle in front of everyone, revealing neatly folded handkerchiefs—clearly not something an ordinary family could afford. “See for yourself. I, Jinjuan, am not a thief. I wouldn’t stoop to taking your things.”

Once Jinjuan stood beside him, Zhao Yun knelt heavily, shocking the onlookers. “Mother, I know the road ahead won’t be easy. There’ll be endless gossip, but so what? Life is lived by oneself—I refuse to live in misery. Let others talk; we’ll live our lives. No matter how harsh the words, I’m not afraid. Every month, I’ll send money. I pray for your long life.”

Zhao Da Niang, seeing her son’s unyielding resolve, finally broke down, wailing as if the sky had fallen. “What sin have I committed to lose both son and daughter-in-law in a single day? My poor Si’er, what will become of him? What’s the point of living? Old man, come take me away!”

Her cries did nothing to halt Zhao Yun’s steps. Holding Jinjuan’s hand tightly, he said softly, “See? Now that the truth is out, it’s not as unbearable as we feared. What others say doesn’t concern us. Jinjuan, I never want to see you standing there helpless again. It pains me. From now on, with me by your side, don’t be afraid.”

For the first time in her year with the Zhao family, Jinjuan laughed freely and brightly. “Then where will we live? We can’t sleep on the road, can we?”

Zhao Yun ruffled her hair. “There’s an abandoned house west of the village. I’ve already spoken to the village head and paid a little to stay there temporarily. Once I’ve saved more, we’ll buy it outright. Then you can settle in properly.”

Jinjuan thought for a moment. “How much? I have some savings.”

Zhao Yun couldn’t help but laugh, his dark eyes gleaming. “Silly girl, how could I use your private savings? Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with them?”

As they walked side by side, their hands occasionally brushed. Summoning her courage, Jinjuan reached out and clasped his large, warm hand, her eyes crinkling with joy. “If you were that kind of man, I wouldn’t have given you my heart. From now on, we’ll share the burdens. Did you know? I earn wages embroidering handkerchiefs—quite a bit, too!”

Zhao Yun would never use her money, but seeing her so proud, he simply smiled. “What a capable little wife. You’ll manage the household, and when you’re free, visit Chunfu to pass the time. Ignore the gossip.”

Jinjuan’s heart warmed. With him by her side, why would she care what others thought? She knew Zhao Yun didn’t believe she’d earned so much, but she’d show him at home. The shopkeeper assigned her and Liansheng’s wife the most lucrative tasks—more money than they’d ever seen in their lives. “Let’s hurry back. We’ll need time to clean up the borrowed house.”

Zhao Yun said nothing. He wanted to make her happy. The house was already mostly prepared, with essentials stocked. He’d only finished a few days prior, never expecting they’d need it so soon. To his surprise, they moved together seamlessly, as if they’d been married for years—familiar and affectionate.

Jinjuan’s eyes reddened. She had feared his feelings were fleeting, worried they might one day become enemies. But seeing this home-like courtyard, she realized she’d overthought. He had planned further ahead than she imagined, his careful preparations like a vow for a lifetime together.

While he started the fire, Jinjuan took out her money pouch and spilled its contents onto the kang, counting carefully before calling him back. Having decided to follow this man, she would hold nothing back. No matter what the future held, he was the light in her bleak life, the one who kept her from despair, who helped her wait out the storm.

Zhao Yun, thinking she’d encountered bugs (common in old houses), rushed in, planning to buy sulfur powder later. Instead, he found Jinjuan beaming, pointing at the silver on the kang. “I’ve earned three taels these past months—enough to buy this house easily.” Blushing, she added, “We have a long life ahead. Why divide everything so strictly? I chose to follow you because I trust you’ll treat me well. Your work is hard, while mine is just tedious but sheltered. Later, you can deliver these handkerchiefs to the shopkeeper for me. Chunfu helped me find this work—I can’t keep troubling Jicheng. And if they ever need help, you must go.”

Zhao Yun caressed her soft cheek, smiling in agreement. Freed from sorrow, her face glowed radiantly. With their hearts united, how could life ever be bleak?

Unbeknownst to them, after they left, someone consoled Zhao Da Niang: “Most villagers can’t read, so they don’t value marriage certificates. But legally, the authorities only recognize the certificate—nothing else matters. Jinjuan, unguided, didn’t realize this. If she took you to court, Auntie Zhao, both you and her family would be in trouble. Let this go—truthfully, you weren’t entirely fair.”

Zhao Da Niang, seeing the tide turn against her, angrily shooed them away. “You’re siding with that vixen who seduced my son? What kind of hearts do you have? If you’ve nothing good to say, scram! Zhao Si, come home!”

Zhao Si, who had stood dumbstruck watching his brother and Jinjuan leave, didn’t hate Jinjuan as much as he thought. He didn’t want her gone. Only now did he realize how his own insecurities had ruined everything.

Chunfu learned of the incident from Liansheng’s wife. Busy with work, she hadn’t visited Jinjuan, assuming Zhao Yun was home and it wouldn’t be proper. Just as she took a few stitches, a soft cough drew her attention. Standing outside the gate, dressed brightly and beautifully, was none other than Jinjuan. Liansheng’s wife, washing vegetables in the yard, hurried over at Chunfu’s exclamation. Delighted, she took Jinjuan’s hand. “It’s only been a few days, but you look like a different person! I almost didn’t recognize you. You silly girl, didn’t trust me enough to tell me?”

Chunfu brought stools for them. Sitting, Jinjuan said, “I thought it was too shameful to speak of. You’re a proper woman—I feared you’d shun me, so I didn’t dare.”

Liansheng’s wife swatted her arm. “Do you think I don’t know how you lived? A woman unloved by her man—what kind of life is that? I only worried you couldn’t survive outside the Zhao household. But now I see it’s not impossible—with some wit, women can find work too.”

Chunfu asked, “Does Zhao Yun treat you well? Does he cherish you?”

Jinjuan’s cheeks flushed like April crabapple blossoms, bashful as a new bride. “He’s wonderful. He won’t let me do heavy chores. Before work, he chops firewood; at home, he helps wash vegetables and light the stove. This feels like real living. Before, I was just a maid in the Zhao house—not even human. Thank the heavens for freeing me from that pit. I don’t care what others think—I’m happy now.”

Liansheng’s wife sighed. “True love prevails, no matter the hardships. If Zhao Yun ever mistreats you, I’ll set him straight.”

Jinjuan smiled shyly, then mentioned, “I ran into Chunju earlier. She doesn’t look well—much thinner, not as plump as when she was with Chenniu.”

“You think the Ji family would tolerate her? Ji Kun is all talk—playing around is one thing, but getting saddled with her? No way they’d live peacefully. Auntie Ji only tolerates her for the baby’s sake, but resentment festers. Just wait—that family’s drama isn’t over. Enough about them—let’s talk about Chunfu’s good news. Liansheng and I always said you two were blessed—and look! But why lease the mountain?”

Chunfu chuckled, bending over her sewing. “Just to avoid complaints about us profiting from the mountain’s resources. Once it’s ours, we’ll use it freely. Others aren’t close to us, but you’re welcome to take what you need.”

Jinjuan covered her mouth, laughing. “How rustic and generous of you! If we need anything, we won’t hold back. But if you ever need help, just ask. We’ve got strong hands at home.”

Chunfu looked up. “Actually, there is something. After Jicheng returns from town, he plans to set traps on the mountain. With fewer people going up, the beasts are getting bold. It’d be terrible if someone got hurt.”

Jinjuan agreed at once. “Of course! I’ll send Zhao Yun to help. Many hands make light work. I’m curious—what’s up there? Tigers? Leopards?”

“Who knows? Better safe than sorry. The fewer threats, the safer for everyone.”

Liansheng’s wife nodded. “I’ll have Liansheng take a few days off to help. You’ve done so much for us—it’s only right we return the favor.”

Chunfu decided she’d cook a feast to thank them. Her and Jicheng’s lives had grown livelier since befriending Jinjuan and Liansheng’s wife. Though outsiders in others’ eyes, they were closer than family, bringing warmth and familiarity. Meanwhile, her own brother and sister-in-law only badgered her for money—as if her hard-earned savings were windfalls for their squandering. How absurd. She wasn’t afraid—let them make trouble. She’d handle them.

The thought made her smile. She really had adapted to rural life, becoming more like a farmer’s wife by the day. The three chatted for hours before parting. When Jicheng returned, she was busy in the kitchen.

After washing his hands, he took over the vegetable cleaning. “Just as you said—the mountain’s swarming with people, as if they’ll strip it bare. It’s almost frightening.”

Chunfu wasn’t concerned. “Let them. It’s only for a few days. Soon, they won’t be allowed up. No matter how they scramble, the mountain’s vast, and they won’t dare go deep. The outskirts don’t hold much anyway.”

Jicheng sighed. “They’re trying to guess our plans. If they knew, they’d surely cause trouble. After all these years, I know how villagers are—they can’t stand others’ success, too envious.”

Chunfu grinned. “Do they think we’re fools? We’ll reveal our plans only once the mountain’s ours. Let them covet what they can’t have. These few days of chaos mean nothing. Zhao Yun and Liansheng will help with the traps. I’ll cook something special to thank them.”

Jicheng nodded. “Fine by me. Make fish—it’s been too long.”