After chatting for a while on the street, Shi Wuxiang returned to the restaurant and urged Yuan Zhao to hurry to the academy to set up the stall. In such cold weather, it was best to finish work quickly and go home.
With Shi Wuxiang’s coaxing, Yuan Zhao went from reluctant to cheerful before leaving.
Meanwhile—
Both the Cui and Li families received slips of paper delivered by little beggars. The handwriting was utterly ordinary, with no distinguishing features—impossible to trace.
Li Qingwei stared at the note in his hand. It warned him to be wary of that old fox Cui Qi, saying the man was plotting against him.
Whether true or false was unknown, but it was better to believe it than not.
“Who delivered this?” Li Qingwei asked.
“The gatekeeper said it was a little beggar. There’s no way to trace it,” his attendant replied awkwardly.
Those beggars did errands for money—they had no idea who hired them. It was not as if they could gather everyone in town and have them identify the sender one by one.
…That would be absurd.
Li Qingwei understood this. The note was written so lightly that it naturally aroused suspicion. After all, Cui Qi had agreed too readily to the marriage and had been spreading news of the alliance.
Though it was said to preserve Cui Xiuxiu’s reputation, it was almost too cooperative.
“If what this note says is true, and that old fox is setting a trap for me, then I certainly won’t fall for it,” Li Qingwei said, his expression turning smug. “Go arrange something for me… Later, invite Miss Cui out. I need to steady her first.”
He was calculating. He was not afraid of Cui Qi—though the old man held some leverage over his family, it did not mean he had no weaknesses.
The attendant immediately left to carry out the order.
Cui Qi’s first reaction upon seeing the note was that someone was trying to harm him—deliberately sowing discord. Though he was dissatisfied with the Li family, they would not openly oppose him at such a time.
But soon he realized that if the Li family had already discovered his secret dealings, they might very well strike first.
“Men, inform the mistress and the young lady—starting tomorrow, they are not to go out casually. Even if necessary, they must go and return quickly!” Cui Qi ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
Hearing they would be confined, Cui Xiuxiu and Madam Cui hurried to the study to ask what was going on.
Cui Xiuxiu looked displeased.
Madam Cui, however, was worried. “Master, what exactly has happened? Why can’t we go out all of a sudden? Our daughter is about to finalize her marriage—I still need to make preparations!”
“Just listen to me. At a time like this, what is there to prepare?” Cui Qi snapped. “The Li family is no noble house—why must she marry into it?”
“Then why did you agree…? The news has already spread. If the marriage falls through, what about our daughter’s reputation?” Madam Cui could not understand why he had suddenly changed his stance.
“I agreed only as a temporary measure. The Li family cannot be trusted. We must not let ourselves be harmed. Just do as I say—no going out for the next few days!” Cui Qi said decisively.
But to Cui Xiuxiu, these words meant something entirely different.
“Why? What happened now? Why can’t I marry into the Li family?” she cried, nearly breaking down. “Can you ever consider my feelings? Father, why do you always ruin everything for me? Before, I wanted to be with Shi Wuxiang—you listened to Li Qingwei and drove him away. Now I want to marry Li Qingwei, and you want to push him away too! What am I supposed to do?”
In her eyes, everything that had gone wrong was Cui Qi’s fault—he had constantly disrupted her plans and denied her choices.
Yes, she had once disdained Shi Wuxiang for his poverty—but none of her choices had ever been firmly supported.
Cui Qi stood and walked up to her, his stern face filled with anger. Under her tense and indignant gaze, he slapped her hard.
“You unfilial girl! Are you blaming your father?”
“I’ve been arranging everything so you can have a good future, and in your eyes I’ve only harmed you? Not only was I deceived by Li Qingwei—you’ve been fooled by him to the point you can’t even see clearly!”
“Do you know the Li family nearly exhausted their entire fortune to cover up tax issues? And they’re secretly trafficking Hanshi Powder! If that’s exposed, it’s a capital crime! Not even ten lives would save you!”
Cui Xiuxiu was stunned by the sudden slap and accusations.
What did he mean Li Qingwei deceived her?
What did he mean tax issues?
What did he mean secretly selling Hanshi Powder?
She understood every word, but together, they made no sense.
She did not truly like Li Qingwei, but she knew he treated her well, so she had cooperated in growing closer to him. Just as she had decided to marry him sincerely, she learned all this…
How could she accept such a future husband’s family?
“Then what should I do…? The tax issue has already been settled. As for the Hanshi Powder… if I tell him not to sell it, won’t that be enough?” she said naïvely.
“Heh! How did I end up with such a foolish daughter!” Cui Qi said bitterly. Still, no matter what, he had to manage this. “Men, take the young lady back to her room!”
This time, Cui Xiuxiu did not resist. She left in a daze.
Madam Cui, however, remained anxious. “Master, what should we do about the Li family?”
“Strike first,” Cui Qi said darkly. “You need not ask further. Just keep an eye on our daughter. I will handle the rest.”
“Yes.”
When Li Qingwei’s attendant arrived at the Cui residence, he was turned away at the gate. From that small detail alone, the attendant knew the information his young master had received must be true.
Still, an order was an order. He scaled the wall into the rear courtyard, found Cui Xiuxiu’s room, and delivered Li Qingwei’s message.
Cui Xiuxiu stared at the familiar attendant in confusion. “Your young master wants me to meet him at a restaurant this evening? Why not tomorrow during the day?”
Though she and Li Qingwei had grown close, they had never met at night before. Combined with what her father had just told her, suspicion naturally crept into her mind.
The attendant said, “These past few days, my young master has missed you greatly. But Master Cui refuses to let him see you, and has even been secretly suppressing the Li family in every way. We do not know what offense we have given. My young master hopes to ask again what you truly think.”
This clumsy, illogical fabrication somehow managed to fool Cui Xiuxiu. Still dazed, she nodded, indicating she understood and would go meet Li Qingwei.
The attendant sneered inwardly, though his face remained perfectly respectful. After withdrawing, he climbed back over the wall and left.
Not long after, a maid entered quietly and said in a low voice, “Miss, he really did climb over the wall to get in. It is clear Master has been guarding against them! Miss, it is one thing to be willful in ordinary matters, but in this you must not be confused. Master and Madam would never harm you!”
“I do not need your lecture.” Cui Xiuxiu shot her a glance. “Since I cannot go, someone must go in my place. You will do.”
The maid froze, staring at her in disbelief. “Miss? This servant… this servant—”
Cui Xiuxiu grasped her chin, her well-kept nails lightly scraping across the girl’s cheek. “What? You are unwilling? You are my servant. Whatever you do for me is only what you should do.”
Compared to Li Qingwei, she naturally trusted her own father.
So she understood full well that Li Qingwei’s sudden request to meet carried something suspicious. But she would not bear that risk herself—someone else would do it for her.
“Tonight, you will wear my clothes and go meet him. Even if something happens, I will have you become my younger sister afterward,” Cui Xiuxiu said softly, though a vicious glint flickered in her eyes.
“…Yes.” The maid lowered her head, tears pooling in her eyes.
The struggle between the two families was still hidden beneath the surface. Shi Wuxiang had never expected his provocation to show results immediately, but it would not take more than a couple of days—Cui Qi would never allow Li Qingwei to grow stronger.
After night fell, the wind outside howled with biting cold.
Business at the restaurant was far worse than during the day. Occasionally, a few travelers would stop by for a meal and rent a room for the night, but beyond that, there were no other customers.
Shi Wuxiang and the other two were still in the accounts room, tallying the books. The crisp clacking of the abacus was oddly hypnotic.
He yawned, and the other two followed suit, their eyes watering slightly.
“My eyes are going blind…” Zhang Xiang leaned back in his chair, his throat sore.
The room was warm, which only made them more drowsy.
Shi Wuxiang stood up. “I will go outside and get some fresh air to wake up. If we finish today’s accounts early, we can head home sooner.”
“Impressive!” Zhang Xiang gave him a thumbs-up.
Wen Hao did the same.
Shi Wuxiang smiled and headed downstairs.
Outside, the cold wind cut across his face like damp blades. The icy air stung his nose and seemed to freeze his brain, but it did wake him up considerably.
He rubbed his hands and walked a few steps under the moonlight. Not all the shops had closed yet; lanterns still hung at their doors, stretching the shadows of passersby long across the ground.
The thickening New Year atmosphere made him restless. He wanted to finish the accounts quickly and go home—Yuan Zhao would come clinging to him like a little dog…
“Make way! Make way!”
Several patrol officers hurried through the streets, pushing past pedestrians who got in their way.
Shi Wuxiang was surprised. Seeing how urgent they were, something must have happened in town. His thoughts raced, vaguely feeling it might be connected to the Cui and Li families. He instinctively wanted to follow, but remembering the headache of unfinished accounts, he decisively turned back.
Perhaps the cold wind truly worked. Once back in the accounts room, Shi Wuxiang worked quickly.
Zhang Xiang asked while calculating, “Brother Wuxiang, did the cold air wake you up, or did it just give you a chill?”
“…One day someone is going to sack you,” Wen Hao shot back.
Shi Wuxiang only smiled. “I am not like you two. I have a family.”
Zhang Xiang: “…”
Wen Hao: “…”
So smug. Makes one want to sack him!
Though eager to go home, Shi Wuxiang did not leave immediately after finishing his own portion. Instead, he helped them finish theirs as well. After informing the shopkeeper, the three finally left together.
The other two lived in town, but Shi Wuxiang had to return to the village, so he hurried off in his carriage.
“Brother Wuxiang truly is loyal,” Zhang Xiang could not help but sigh. “Except when he is sick, he has never left us behind.”
“It is simply his nature. Not something we can imitate,” Wen Hao said softly.
Zhang Xiang nodded. True enough—but they could still learn from him.
Shi Wuxiang returned later than usual. He drove the carriage in great haste, though the cold wind had stiffened his face so much that no expression could be seen.
Whenever he came back late, Yuan Zhao would wait at the village entrance with a torch—sometimes even walking out to meet him.
Sure enough.
Before he even reached the entrance, he spotted Yuan Zhao halfway down the road, shivering with each step.
“A-Xiang!” Yuan Zhao waved the torch. Once he was sure he had been seen, he hugged it again, trying to warm his hands.
The torchlight illuminated his face, flushed red from the cold wind. But Shi Wuxiang knew those were patches of raised red welts covering his skin. They looked like a blush, but if touched, they would feel hard.
The words of reproach would not come out, yet his resolve grew firmer.
“Get inside quickly and warm up.” Shi Wuxiang lifted the stiff, frozen Yuan Zhao into the carriage. Seeing his lips move as if to speak, he said quietly, “I am not in a good mood right now. I do not have the patience to coax you. Be good.”
Yuan Zhao fell silent.
A-Xiang told him to behave.
Back home, Shi Wuxiang tied up the horse and half-carried Yuan Zhao inside. The main hall was warmed by a charcoal brazier, and freshly prepared ginger soup had already been set on the table.
“If you are not planning to continue working, you might as well speak to the shopkeeper and stop going early…” Madam Shi worried about his health, though she knew it might not be proper. Still, nothing outweighed her concern for her son.
“Do not worry. The shopkeeper is already looking for someone. Once I hand over my duties, I will stop. With the New Year approaching, the restaurant accounts are busy—it would not be right to leave now,” Shi Wuxiang said.
After all, Xiangxiang Restaurant had truly helped him a great deal. His monthly pay had even been raised to ten taels—a considerable sum.
Leaving at such a time for personal reasons would be lacking in principle.
Yuan Zhao puffed his cheeks but said nothing. Deep down, he also wanted A-Xiang to take better care of his health. He himself was strong and could earn money to support the household. That way, perhaps A-Xiang would not even bring up the three-year agreement.
But that way of thinking was not right.
They were now husbands. Everything they did was for this family. Even without A-Xiang, he would still have to work and earn money—it could not all fall on A-Xiang alone.
Since his attitude was firm, the others had nothing more to say.
As for matters after the New Year, everything had already been arranged, so there was no rush.
Perhaps because of the cold wind the night before, Shi Wuxiang woke up with a slightly blocked nose. He dared not tell Yuan Zhao he had gone out last night, or his young husband would surely scold him.
“When we get to town, I will go to the clinic and get you some medicine. I will brew it and bring it to you,” Yuan Zhao said. He did not know why Shi Wuxiang had fallen ill again, but it had to be due to a weak constitution. “Later I will check the pharmacy for some ginseng to help you recover.”
“…I am fine.” Shi Wuxiang looked helpless. That was practically saying outright that he was weak.
Even as a grown man, it was hard to remain indifferent to such words.
Yuan Zhao frowned. “How can you be fine? You have been wiping your nose all morning. Just listen to me!”
“All right, all right.” Shi Wuxiang relented.
Fortunately, today was market day. The Shi siblings were also going, so Shi Wuxiang could sit in the carriage while Shi Qingyue took over driving.
Yuan Zhao drove the ox cart, though he thought about hiring a coachman to handle the daily trips. But then he remembered that after the New Year, A-Xiang would be going to the academy, making it unnecessary, so he temporarily abandoned the idea.
With the New Year approaching, the market in town was especially lively. Stalls selling lanterns and couplets were everywhere, all filled with festive items.
The butcher’s stall was even more crowded. Many in Qingshui Town could afford meat. Even poorer households would buy a small piece for the New Year, just to have a taste.
Before leaving, Madam Shi had already instructed the siblings: after delivering Shi Wuxiang to Xiangxiang Restaurant, they were to hurry and buy meat. With six people in the household, who knew how much they would need—if they ran out, there would be nothing left to eat.
Yuan Zhao set up his stall as usual, selling wraps, egg pancakes, stir-fried pork slices, and grilled tofu. Even just these fresh offerings were enough to attract many customers.
“Sister-in-law! Auntie! A-Yuan!”
“We came to buy things too!”
It was only when he saw a scholar in plain white robes step up to the stall that he realized—today was also a rest day for the scholars.
Ordinary commoners held scholars in the highest regard. Some of these students even possessed official titles, making them all the more difficult to offend. So when the scholars appeared, the crowd instinctively stepped aside to let them pass.
They were also afraid of soiling those spotless white robes.
Yuan Zhao, however, simply nodded in greeting. “First come, first served. Go line up over there.”
“Alright!”
The scholars were well-mannered. Dressed in clothing that symbolized their status, how could they shamelessly cut in line ahead of common folk? That would only invite scorn.
Those already at the front immediately broke into smiles. They had not expected Boss Yuan to handle things so fairly. If it were another vendor, they might have rushed to serve the scholars first.
Yuan Zhao’s stall was so busy that he was sweating even in the dead of winter. By the time the scholars reached the front after a long wait, he was working nonstop as he asked, “Why have I not seen Scholar Cheng and Scholar Fu?”
“Brother Fu Ying went to buy some picture books for his younger siblings, and Brother Cheng Du went with him. We have a minor exam coming up—once it is over, we can rest.”
At the mention of Fu Ying, A-Yuan instinctively reached up to touch his head. Being patted daily, he had long grown used to it.
“I see.”
Yuan Zhao worked quickly, preparing their food. The grilled meat slices and iron-plate tofu sold out fastest. By the time the scholars finished buying, those items were already gone. Still, Yuan Zhao gave them a few extra portions, asking them to pass them along if they ran into Cheng Du or Fu Ying.
If they did not meet them, then there was nothing to be done.
The rest of the food sold out quickly as well. The wraps and egg pancakes remained the main items, with a steady stream of customers. In no time, the small bucket for coins was piled high.
“Mother, I will watch the stall here. Take A-Yuan to walk around and buy some things. I am worried A-Yue and Ranran might not get everything,” Yuan Zhao said.
The market was unusually lively. Perhaps because it was the last market before the New Year, everyone was busy buying provisions, afraid they might not have enough for the holiday.
Madam Shi nodded. “Alright, I will also stop by the pharmacy to see if the medicine is ready.”
“Okay.” Yuan Zhao’s hands were dirty, so he did not pat Yuan Yuan’s head. Instead, he nudged him lightly with his leg. “Stay close to Auntie. If you want anything, just tell her. Do not be shy.”
In the past, Yuan Zhao would never have imagined himself speaking so confidently—but now he was earning money. Of course his younger brother could spend it!
Yuan Yuan nodded obediently. He had saved quite a bit himself too—enough for a stick of candied hawthorn, at least.
Madam Shi smiled. “Do not worry. I will buy snacks as well.”
By the time they reached the pharmacy, the medicine was already prepared. Knowing it was for Shi Wuxiang, the pharmacy even intended to have a young apprentice deliver it personally.
“We can take it ourselves. No need to trouble you,” Madam Shi said with a smile.
“Very well.” The apprentice brought out a small white porcelain jar filled with the decoction. It looked delicate and refined. “Please be careful when carrying it.”
Since arriving that morning, Shi Wuxiang had been constantly wiping his nose with coarse paper. A small pile of used scraps had already gathered by his feet, to be cleaned up later.
Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao now looked at him with newfound admiration—though also disbelief. They had never seen someone so frail. It was obvious he must have gone out into the cold wind the night before: his mind had cleared, but he had fallen ill.
“Brother Wuxiang, your constitution really is weak…” Zhang Xiang could not help but say. “You should eat more nourishing food. Otherwise, with next year’s heavy studies, how will you manage?”
Shi Wuxiang knew he meant well. He wiped his nose and replied, “Once winter passes, I will be better. Next year should not be like this.”
Zhang Xiang sighed.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Master Shi, I have brought your medicine,” a server called from outside. “Your mother and younger brother sent it. They said they had other matters and left first.”
Shi Wuxiang hurried to open the door. A white porcelain jar sat on a tray—he had not expected such attentiveness from the pharmacy.
“Thank you. Much appreciated.”
“It is nothing. Only—you will need to return the jar yourself. The restaurant is busy, and I cannot leave for now,” the server said apologetically.
Shi Wuxiang nodded. “Of course.”
These servers belonged to the restaurant, not to him. Serving customers was their duty, but they had no obligation to serve him.
Though the medicine had just been brewed, the winter air had cooled it somewhat during the walk. Still, it needed a little more cooling before it could be drunk in one go.
That bitter concoction—whoever drank it would suffer.
Zhang Xiang clicked his tongue. “The medicine is practically at your lips already. Brother Wuxiang, your health truly needs strengthening.”
“As if I needed you to say it?” Shi Wuxiang sighed.
“You have not even drunk it yet, and your face is already dark! Hahaha!” Zhang Xiang burst into laughter. “Rare to see you like this!”
Shi Wuxiang shook his head and gently stirred the decoction.
He had thought Yuan Zhao would be the one to deliver it.
Most likely he was too busy with the stall and had forgotten.
After a while, the medicine had cooled enough. Shi Wuxiang took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and braced himself. Then he lifted the jar and drank it down in steady gulps, not pausing once.
Zhang Xiang and Wen Hao were stunned. They both gave him thumbs up—truly a real man, drinking it so boldly.
Shi Wuxiang set the jar down expressionlessly and looked at them. Raising a brow, he asked, “What?”
“Incredible—no change in expression at all!” Zhang Xiang nodded repeatedly. Even Wen Hao looked impressed.
“It is nothing. Once it is down, it does not feel like much. In fact, it is quite warming,” Shi Wuxiang said, taking a sip of tea.
Seeing no sign of discomfort on his face, the two could not help but praise him again.
Only Shi Wuxiang himself knew how nauseating that sour bitterness truly was—he had already retched several times in his mind.
Author’s note:
A-Xiang: “Yes, I am putting on an act.”