Chapter 76:

On the street, apart from people rushing to work, only those who relied on setting up stalls to make ends meet huddled in corners, waiting for customers to arrive so they could start their day. Occasionally, a few poorly dressed women would glance at the stalls but had to leave due to their empty pockets.

Jicheng watched as Chunfu entered the pastry shop before rubbing his reddened nose. For some reason, he found Chunfu a bit odd today—though she seemed no different from usual, something felt off. He walked to the construction site, staring at the grand mansion before him, still unable to figure it out. Zhou Jing waved at him excitedly and ran over, saying, “Just now, the foreman told me that once the mansion is finished, they won’t need outsiders like us anymore. Come winter, the estate will be full of idle hands, so to keep them from getting lazy, the boss will pay us an extra half-month’s wages. I don’t mind—I’d be happy to go back and sleep soundly. I don’t want to rely on brute strength to get by anymore. If only I could have a decent, respectable job like your wife, then I wouldn’t be dragging down Yuning’s status as a young lady from a good family. Even if she doesn’t care, it still weighs on my mind. If I don’t change this, how can we live our lives?”

Jicheng clapped a large hand on his shoulder. “As long as there’s hope, life will get better. I’m also looking forward to resting. The days are getting shorter, and your sister-in-law worries when I come home late. If anything happens at home, I can’t help. From now on, I’ll just be her errand boy, and I’ll be content with that.”

Zhou Jing looked at the faint smile on Jicheng’s face and couldn’t help but feel envious. His path was much harder than Jicheng’s. ** and desires forced him to keep moving forward. Only by making himself unbreakable could he walk the path he truly wanted.

Chunfu warmed herself by the stove in the shop for a while before taking the hot water handed to her by Jin Liu’er, sipping it slowly until the blood in her body felt warm again. Jin Liu’er was dressed in fashionable, elegant clothes with white rabbit fur trim around the neck and cuffs. Chunfu complimented her on how nice she looked before explaining her reason for coming.

Once her fingers were nimble again, Chunfu took out the raisins and walnuts wrapped in a clean cloth from her bundle and smiled at Jin Liu’er. “We happened to grow grapes at home, and I also picked some wild grapes from the mountains. I thought it’d be a shame to let them go bad, so I found a way to preserve them. At first, I didn’t account for everyone’s tastes—some people don’t like fillings inside, so I decided to decorate the outside with dried fruit instead. It keeps the fruity flavor and looks nice too.”

Jin Liu’er insisted on watching her make it. Chunfu hadn’t planned to keep it a secret anyway. After washing her hands in a basin, she used the ready-made dough nearby, saving herself some effort. The warmth from the stove soon made her cheeks rosy. Apart from occasional hushed conversations, the room was quiet.

Time passed leisurely. Jin Liu’er found the whole process fascinating and couldn’t resist taking a bite as soon as the pastry came out, despite it being hot. The walnuts and raisins clinging to the surface made it irresistible. Watching her finish a piece quickly, Chunfu laughed. “No one’s fighting you for it—why the rush?”

Jin Liu’er laughed too. “It’s a habit. When I see something good, I can’t help myself. Though it looks simple, these ingredients aren’t easy to prepare. Shelling walnuts is hard work—selling them too cheap would be a disservice to these hands. I was thinking we might as well send them to the Pei family’s teahouse. After all, the people who go there to listen to storytelling or music are all wealthy families from town, happy to be overcharged. So why not let us overcharge the Pei family a little?”

Chunfu had already considered this. Over the past few months, Young Master Pei had visited twice more. Though he hadn’t said anything, she could sense something off—the way he looked at her was distant yet intense, as if the answer was about to surface. She began to panic. If even she, slow to notice, could sense something amiss, wouldn’t those who resented Jicheng and her be secretly gloating? The second time, she refused to entertain Young Master Pei’s advances, and thankfully, nothing had happened since.

With Jin Liu’er taking the lead, things would naturally go smoothly. Businesspeople didn’t waste words—once the important matters were settled, they each went about their business. The Pei residence wasn’t too far from Jin Liu’er’s shop, but the biting wind outside made her reluctant to add more bulky layers. Instead, she carried a hand warmer and took a carriage there.

Chunfu’s attire was shabby—not even comparable to the maids of wealthy families—so when Pei Qian first saw her, he didn’t mince words, giving her a dismissive glance. “Your outfit does your face no favors. Without embellishment, it only adds coarseness, making you look unappealing. I’ll speak with Miss Jin. You may leave.”

Pei Qian’s words were frivolous yet struck Chunfu, who prided herself on her appearance, right in the heart. Though annoyed, she couldn’t lash out. The room was heated like spring, and Chunfu lingered for a moment before turning to leave. Just beyond the door, the world was a different place—the piercing cold made her shrink her neck. Waiting outside wasn’t an option, but having visited a few times, she knew the servants were kind, and her discreet gifts of pastries hadn’t gone to waste.

The winter garden exuded coldness from its very bricks, the trees lifeless, save for the plum blossoms in the corner, radiating undeniable vitality. Unconsciously, she wandered to the estate’s entrance. Just as she was about to turn back, a young child tugged at her hand. “Come help us get our kite down! It’s stuck too high in the tree—we can’t reach it.”

Chunfu looked at the child, who barely reached her thigh, and couldn’t help but laugh. At that height, of course they couldn’t reach it. Fortunately, she’d climbed trees often in her youth—the ornamental trees in her neighborhood had been her playground. Though she now had a different body, retrieving a kite stuck in the branches shouldn’t be too hard. She recognized the waiting child as Young Master Pei’s nephew, but with the howling northwest wind, who flew kites in this weather? The whims of wealthy young masters never ceased to amaze her.

She pulled out her hands, shivering as soon as they touched the tree trunk. Gritting her teeth, she mustered her strength and climbed slowly. Once she retrieved the kite and tucked it under her arm, she handed it to the child just before reaching the ground. Seeing their smiles, she continued her descent, but her last step faltered, twisting her ankle. A sharp pain shot up her leg, forcing a groan from her lips.

“What’s wrong? I’ll get someone!” The child dashed off, leaving only the younger one staring at her wide-eyed before pouting and scolding, “Useless! Can’t even do a simple thing right.”

Winter made bones brittle, and Chunfu feared she’d done serious damage. Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to stand straight. Soon, people emerged from inside—Jin Liu’er and… Pei Qian. He hadn’t even bothered with a coat. Reaching out to steady her, Chunfu hastily dodged, turning to Jin Liu’er instead. “You’ll have to help me. I’m afraid I can’t stand properly.”

Everyone understood the situation. Pei Qian merely smirked at Chunfu’s deliberate avoidance, clasped his hands behind his back, ordered a servant to fetch a doctor, and strode back inside. Only Jin Liu’er, Chunfu, and a guiding servant remained. With no outsiders around, Jin Liu’er sighed. “Countless women in Changfeng County dream of catching his eye, yet he… If you weren’t married, it’d be an enviable match.”

Chunfu, sweating from the pain, swatted her lightly. “Don’t talk nonsense! How would I face people after this? From now on, you handle business with him—I won’t be involved. Making money but hurting my foot—what a bargain.”

The doctor arrived quickly, diagnosing it as a minor sprain and handing her a small vial of medicine. Just as she thought the matter was settled, the doctor added, “Young Master Pei insisted that since you were injured on his property, you must leave unharmed. Let me examine your wrist.”

Villagers were typically hardy, rarely falling ill and even more reluctant to seek treatment. Chunfu, who seldom ventured out or did heavy labor, found it amusing but figured a free checkup couldn’t hurt.

The gray-haired doctor stroked his beard. “How long has it been since your last menstruation? Your pulse suggests pregnancy. Climbing trees in your condition is reckless—a bad fall could harm the child and damage your health.”

Jin Liu’er was the first to congratulate her, covering her mouth in delight. “My mother says if you’re this active while pregnant, it’s bound to be a boy.”

Chunfu had heard the same before. Whether boy or girl, she was overjoyed. She and Jicheng had waited so long without success, and now… She’d been so busy lately that she’d forgotten to track her cycle. Calculating carefully, it had been nearly two months. Cradling her belly, her expression softened further before she murmured, “Is it really true? I’d hate for it to be a false hope.”

Outside, Pei Qian stiffened upon hearing the doctor’s words. Gazing at the dim sun, he exhaled slowly, then laughed at himself. He must be mad! While others assumed he fancied noblewomen from the capital, here he was, pining for a country wife. For him, love needed no justification—a single glance was enough. Though he scorned societal norms, even he wouldn’t cross certain lines. His breath fogged in the cold air as he smirked and pushed the door open. “Since it’s nothing serious, I won’t keep you. If anything else happens, I can’t take responsibility.”

His blunt dismissal didn’t faze Chunfu—she wanted to leave anyway. The oppressive atmosphere of the estate made it hard to breathe. Standing, she smiled. “Thank you, Young Master Pei. We’ll take our leave now.”

Jin Liu’er glanced at Pei Qian’s tense expression and chuckled. Only once they were in the carriage did she speak. “You didn’t see Pei Qian’s face earlier—it was priceless.” Noticing Chunfu’s disinterest, she changed the subject. “I’ll have to take extra care of you now. I won’t relax until I’ve returned you unharmed to Jicheng.”

Chunfu was lost in the joy of impending motherhood. In her past life, she’d lost her family. Here, she had Jicheng, and now a child growing within her—a piece of her and Jicheng’s flesh and blood, their closest kin in this lifetime. No longer would she worry about loneliness or an uncertain future. What could be more perfect?

Realizing she couldn’t endure long journeys anymore, Chunfu said guiltily, “I’ll be troubling you even more from now on.”

Jin Liu’er shook her head. “The shop runs smoothly with the current staff. Even if you’re late, nothing will fall behind. Besides, it’s only a few steps away. The only inconvenience is when things pile up occasionally. Honestly, I’m just the middleman—without your skills, we wouldn’t be making money, and my father wouldn’t have stopped scolding me. If anything, I should be thanking you. Don’t stand on ceremony with me.”

With little left to discuss about business, their conversation soon turned to the baby. “If you’re pregnant now, the birth will likely be during the hottest time of year. That’ll make the postpartum confinement even harder.”

Chunfu had heard about the strict rules for new mothers—wearing thick clothes in sweltering heat, forbidden from doing this or that. The thought made her frown. Wouldn’t that be torture? Well, Jicheng wouldn’t know any better, and since he doted on her, a few sweet words might get her out of it. Just as she was plotting her escape, the shop assistant called out, “Brother Ji is here! Come in, please.”

It was still an hour before quitting time—why was he here so early? Chunfu looked up as Jicheng entered, bringing a chill with him. His handsome face wore a faint smile as he said, “The boss is using his own men for the rest of the construction, so we’re done. Since you rarely come to town, I thought I’d take you around before heading back.”

Jin Liu’er covered a smirk. The happy news was best delivered by the couple themselves—she wouldn’t interfere. Clearing her throat, she said, “I’ll handle the shop. Don’t worry about it. What you’ve taught us will keep us in business for years. Just go home and wait for the money to roll in.”

Though it was cold outside, warmth filled Chunfu’s heart. She stood, bundled up in her coat, and followed Jicheng out. The streets were as sparsely populated as ever, with peddlers hurrying past. Chunfu quickly grabbed Jicheng’s arm—she was carrying two lives now, and even if others didn’t notice, she couldn’t afford to be careless. Jicheng turned to her questioningly, but she just smiled without explaining. He let her hold onto him. He’d always thought of Chunfu as someone who never tired, constantly bustling about to earn money. Though he rarely said it aloud, his heart ached for her. Sometimes, he wished she’d be less responsible and live a little easier.

Chunfu still couldn’t afford gold or silver, but she never skimped on food or clothing. Compared to others, her life was quite happy. She tugged Jicheng back as he headed for the jewelry shop. “We can’t spend all our money there. Let’s buy some fabric instead.”

On the way, they ran into Manager Wang from the tavern, a friend of Jin Liu’er’s, who raved about Chunfu’s salted fish. “The flavor is incredible—just steam it, and the aroma and texture are perfect. How much do you have left? I’ll take it all.”

Chunfu smiled. “I didn’t make much this year, afraid it wouldn’t sell. We still have some at home.”

Manager Wang, knowing scarcity drove value, said generously, “No problem. Your dish has boosted our business. Name your price—just leave the goods to me. I promise you won’t be shortchanged. But, little lady, don’t sell to anyone else, alright?”

Chunfu laughed. “Given your ties with Miss Jin, I wouldn’t dream of it. That’d be cutting my own throat. My husband will deliver it to you in a few days.”

After parting with Manager Wang, Chunfu bought red fabric and a lighter, more elegant material at the cloth shop before happily heading home. Jicheng, however, was puzzled. “Why so little? This isn’t even enough for one dress. What’s going on? Are you feeling unwell from the cold?”

Chunfu smiled, carefully folding the fabric into her bundle. “Don’t ask. It’s for something important. I’ll tell you when we get home.”

Jicheng had no choice but to drop it.

The cold kept most people indoors unless they had business in town. Third Uncle, a longtime resident, was familiar with the local shopkeepers and could always find shelter from the wind. Seeing that most passengers were ready to leave, he emerged, and everyone boarded the cart. As the biting wind howled louder, the huddled passengers knew they were on their way home.

Exhausted from the day’s labor, many longed to sleep but couldn’t bear the cold. Most rubbed their hands, hissing from the chill. One man, tired of the silence, asked, “Jicheng, that woman you saved the other day—why hasn’t she come to thank you? Was it all talk? Or just empty promises?”

Jicheng felt the woman in his arms stir slightly. He shot the man a cold glare—he knew all too well how jealous his wife could be. He rarely interacted with women to avoid upsetting her. Calmly, he replied, “If I hadn’t pulled her aside, there’d have been another casualty at the site. When you’re hired for a job, you do your part. I don’t take handouts. I’ve got food and clothes—why would I care about someone else’s gratitude?” He tightened his hold on Chunfu as the cart hit a bumpy stretch—she still hadn’t gotten used to it.

The man shrank under Jicheng’s stare, swallowing his next jab—*That woman was as pretty as your Chunfu—sure you didn’t have other thoughts?*—and rested his head on his knees instead. Jicheng might look lean, but his fists packed a punch—one hit could bruise a cheek and knock out a tooth. He wasn’t about to provoke the “Demon King.”

Though it was still early, dusk had fallen by the time they reached home. Jicheng set their things down and started a fire. After just half a day away, the house felt like an icebox—no amount of layers could ward off the chill. Glancing at Chunfu, he said, “The smoke might be strong. Go inside—the bed will warm up soon. Rest there. I’ll cook tonight.”

Winter meals lasted for days without spoiling. Jicheng planned to make hot noodles with stir-fried vegetables—perfect with a warm broth. He’d learned a lot lately, and his cooking had improved.

Chunfu sat on the bed, clutching her skirt, unsure how to break the news of her pregnancy. When Jicheng didn’t appear after a long wait, her patience ran out. “Jicheng! Come here—I need to talk to you.”

Jicheng appeared in the doorway, hands covered in flour. “What is it? Can’t it wait until dinner?”

*This man—he’s the one who wanted a child, and now he’s telling me to wait?*