Once the snow was cleared, it was piled up in the yard, making it perfect for building snowmen. Soon they even started throwing snowballs at each other, their cheers impossible to suppress.
Inside the house, the half-conscious Shi Wuxiang heard the laughter. He felt a little dazed. Perhaps it was the original owner’s memories acting up—he had the strange sense that this scene had happened before.
The door opened, and a gust of cold wind slipped into the room. Yuan Zhao waited for the chill on his body to fade before walking to the bedside, where he met the man’s gaze.
“A-Xiang, are you feeling better?” he asked softly.
“Mm. Aren’t you going to play?” Shi Wuxiang’s voice was hoarse.
He was still young—under normal circumstances, he should have recovered in a day. But ever since his injury, this body had been weak, almost like that of a sickly scholar.
Yuan Zhao crossed the room in a few quick steps, sat at the foot of the bed, and leaned against it, looking up at him with a slightly ingratiating tone. “Of course I have to stay with you. I’m not going to play with them…”
Perhaps people were always more vulnerable when they were sick. Even Shi Wuxiang, who was used to solitude, felt a trace of loneliness—especially hearing the lively noise outside while waking to an empty room.
Yuan Zhao’s appearance was like a beam of light squeezing through a crack. He wasn’t someone who was easily shaken, yet in that moment, that was the image that came to mind.
Hearing such deliberately flattering words now only made him feel more pleased.
“Staying with me will be boring,” he said.
“How could it be? I’m not a boring person!” Yuan Zhao boasted again. “If I talk to you, you won’t be bored. I told you so many things last night, but you didn’t hear any of it!”
Shi Wuxiang curled his lips faintly. “That’s my fault.”
Yuan Zhao immediately became magnanimous. “Since you’re so sincere, I’ll forgive you.”
Shi Wuxiang thought of something and said, “If the snow melts a bit, you should make a trip to town and inform the manager at Xiangxiang Restaurant. It wouldn’t be good for me to be absent without explanation.”
“I know. I’ll go,” Yuan Zhao replied.
Travel was slow in these times—if something urgent came up, there was no way to notify people in time.
Luckily, the snow had stopped. Since traveling by cart would be inconvenient, Yuan Zhao decided to walk to town. After all, the roads were covered in snow and unmaintained—if a cart overturned into a ditch, no one would be around to help.
The moment Shi Wuxiang heard he planned to walk, he refused. “Forget it. Wait until the snow melts more. If the restaurant is dissatisfied, I’ll apologize and resign. It’s not worth the risk.”
“It’s nothing. We used to walk to town all the time, even in the snow before the New Year. I’m used to it,” Yuan Zhao insisted.
Whether it was about the job or not, he just didn’t want people at the restaurant to misunderstand Shi Wuxiang or gossip behind his back.
Madam Shi was also worried. “Go with Qingyue. At least you’ll have someone to look out for you.”
“Alright.”
“I don’t need anyone—I can go myself!”
But he couldn’t refuse, and the two of them set off together.
The snow on the road hadn’t melted. Most households showed no sign of going out—after all, with stored grain from the autumn harvest, there was no urgency.
They had deliberately worn long leather boots, which helped keep the snow out. If their shoes and socks got wet, they’d freeze for sure.
From Qingluan Village to the town, there were barely any footprints—only small animal tracks here and there.
Shi Qingyue exhaled. “Sister-in-law, can we hunt in winter?”
“I almost forgot! When it snows, rabbits come out to forage. We can set traps in the mountains,” Yuan Zhao said excitedly, though his face, wrapped in cloth, was stiff from the cold, his voice trembling.
Shi Qingyue shivered. “Then when we get back, we’ll set some.”
The biting wind cut through their clothes. Even wrapped in thick cotton layers, with their heads and faces covered, the cold still found its way in.
Fortunately, as they kept walking, they warmed up from exertion, sweat forming and easing the chill. Shi Qingyue even picked up a branch to help guide him, and after an hour, they finally reached town.
Because of the snow, the marketplace was nearly empty. Only one or two stalls selling wontons or noodles remained, and even they looked ready to pack up.
Most shops were closed, and even those open had only half their doors ajar.
When they arrived at Xiangxiang Restaurant, business was just as bleak. In such freezing weather, few people ventured out to eat.
A server quickly ushered them in. Upon hearing their purpose, he fetched the manager, who looked surprised.
“Why did you come? Didn’t I send word that you didn’t need to come these two days?”
“Huh? We didn’t receive any message,” Yuan Zhao said.
“The snow itself isn’t a big issue, but my elder brother caught a cold. Otherwise, we would have come regardless,” Shi Qingyue explained politely, his tone clearly that of someone educated.
The manager chuckled. “It’s nothing. No need to be so formal. I knew Teacher Shi wasn’t in good health, and with the heavy snow making travel difficult, I asked someone to pass the message.”
Yuan Zhao frowned slightly but smiled as he asked, “Who did you ask to deliver the message? We’d like to thank them later.”
“I only heard they were from Xiahe Village. It’s close to yours, so I thought it would be convenient,” the manager replied.
Yuan Zhao immediately understood. There weren’t many good people in Xiahe Village—they must have deliberately failed to pass along the message.
Since everything was fine on the manager’s side, Yuan Zhao and Shi Qingyue prepared to leave. They had no mood for shopping or wandering, so after saying goodbye, they headed back.
The sun had risen high, and thinner patches of snow were already melting. If one wasn’t careful, they’d step straight into mud.
Still, with the sun out, it didn’t feel as cold.
They made it home before noon. Sweaty from the walk, they didn’t dare remove their clothes, instead downing a bowl of strong ginger soup before finally relaxing.
Yuan Zhao told Shi Wuxiang everything, saying indignantly, “Those people from Xiahe Village are awful. I hope Uncle Liu manages the village better.”
It took two or three days for Shi Wuxiang to fully recover. The weather stayed clear, and most of the snow in the yard melted. They checked ahead—the road out of the village was mostly clear too. Though muddy, carts could pass.
Yuan Zhao planned to resume the stall, and Shi Wuxiang prepared to return to work at Xiangxiang Restaurant.
After being cooped up at home for days, people were eager to go out again—especially with the New Year approaching. Everyone wanted to stock up.
After finishing their stall for the day, Yuan Zhao also planned to buy some supplies. Meat could be preserved in this weather, and they used it daily, so it was best to buy more.
Who knew when it might snow again? If they didn’t prepare, they might not even get fresh meat when they wanted it.
With ox carts and horse carts available, transporting goods was easy.
Madam Shi shared the same thinking—buying too much wasn’t a problem, but buying too little would leave them short.
Pork prices had dropped a bit, so they bought half a pig, laying it on a bamboo rack and covering it with cloth. There was still room for other goods.
If the ox cart wasn’t enough, there was always the horse cart.
They packed the ox cart to the brim, and even Shi Wuxiang’s horse cart was piled full. There were still more than half a month until the New Year—by then, they could buy more as needed.
“Mother, you go ahead and wait up front. I’ll buy a few more things,” Yuan Zhao said.
“Alright.”
Yuan Zhao had never spent money so freely before, but with so many children at home, snacks like pastries and melon seeds were a must. They also needed things for visiting neighbors—it wouldn’t do to arrive empty-handed.
Pastries were expensive, but there were affordable options. It all depended on willingness.
Yuan Zhao bought quite a bit, carrying the oil-paper packages as he walked out happily—only to bump into someone who wasn’t watching where they were going.
He immediately bowed in apology. “I’m so sorry. Are you alright?”
“Are you blind? What good are your eyes? How dare you be so careless!”
The sharp, cutting voice was all too familiar. Yuan Zhao looked up and met Cui Xiuxiu’s furious face.
Seeing it was him, Cui Xiuxiu looked slightly surprised, then her gaze swept over him and the pastries in his hands. She lifted her chin disdainfully. “Your stall does so well, yet you can only afford cheap pastries?”
The oil paper used for packaging varied in quality—Yuan Zhao knew this, and it wasn’t surprising she could tell.
He ignored her scorn and said calmly, “We were both at fault for the collision. I’ve already apologized. I doubt I’ll get an apology from you, so I’ll take my leave.”
“You dare!” Cui Xiuxiu frowned, anger flashing across her delicate face. “Yuan Zhao, what do you think you are, speaking to me like that?”
“Miss, it’s better not to cause trouble. If the master finds out, he’ll be angry again,” her maid said nervously, trying to dissuade her.
Recently, many things had happened in the Cui household. The master had inexplicably been summoned and reprimanded by the county magistrate, losing face and avoiding the academy for days. Then he had been scolded again by the academy head, and after that he stopped going altogether, venting his frustration at home on the servants and specifically forbidding them from causing trouble.
The young lady had a terrible temper and often clashed with others. She had behaved for a few days, but the moment she saw Yuan Zhao, she reverted to her old ways.
No sooner had the maid spoken than she was slapped across the face. Even she herself was stunned.
Being beaten by the young lady inside the Cui household was common, but being struck in the street was a first. She covered her cheek and knelt, begging for forgiveness.
Yuan Zhao cast her a detached glance. That maid had once been so arrogant, yet she had never considered that, in a sense, their situations were the same.
“Miss Cui, we common folk don’t dare quarrel with you. May I leave now?” Yuan Zhao said impatiently, his mind occupied with wondering when Cui Qi would finally fall from grace—then Cui Xiuxiu might lose that foul temper.
Cui Xiuxiu clenched her teeth. “Yuan Zhao, don’t think that just because the Li family’s stall failed, you can dominate alone. My father is a teacher—I’m not afraid of you.”
Oh—so it was the Li family who had copied his pancake business.
And from her tone, it seemed they wouldn’t be troubling him for now?
Yuan Zhao clicked his tongue. “What I don’t understand is why you keep targeting me. What have ordinary people like us ever done to you? Why are you always fixated on my family?”
“If you hadn’t stolen Shi Wuxiang from me, leaving me no way out, do you think I’d want to see you?” Cui Xiuxiu snapped, losing all restraint.
There were quite a few shoppers nearby. Hearing such outrageous words, they all turned to watch.
And once they looked—some recognized the faces.
Anyone who frequented the pancake stall knew that Boss Yuan and his husband were very close. His husband often came by to chat, and whenever trouble arose, he would step in to defend him.
To anyone watching, they were an affectionate couple. How had he suddenly become someone else’s “fallback”?
Yuan Zhao’s expression turned cold. “He is my husband, not your ‘fallback.’ Miss Cui, are you trying to steal someone else’s husband in broad daylight?”
Cui Xiuxiu didn’t dare.
Meeting the gazes around her, she suddenly realized just how many people had gathered—and every single one looked at her with disdain, as if she were something filthy.
She had always held herself in high regard. How could she tolerate such looks? She immediately began shouting, only provoking more displeasure.
Meanwhile, Yuan Zhao quietly slipped away. He had no time to argue with her in the freezing wind.
He didn’t tell anyone about the incident. He couldn’t control others’ tongues, but he could control his own.
Yet, just as he expected, those who had witnessed it quickly spread the story.
“Have you heard? That Miss Cui from the Cui family took a liking to that scholar upstairs and caused a scene in the street!”
“I heard she wants to be someone’s concubine—kept saying she won’t marry anyone else. Seems they knew each other before, so maybe there’s some history. What man isn’t a little unfaithful…”
“Don’t talk nonsense! That couple has a great relationship. It’s all that Miss Cui causing trouble. If she really had feelings for Teacher Shi, wouldn’t she have gotten him earlier? Why wait until he’s married? Clearly there was nothing there!”
“You mean what happened this afternoon? I was there—she was outrageous, shouting that Boss Yuan stole her husband. Shameless!”
The restaurant was already a place where all sorts of people gathered. With so many witnesses, the gossip spread instantly.
The staff all heard it too. They trusted Teacher Shi’s character and knew how good his relationship was with his spouse—everyone in the restaurant knew!
Some customers spoke harshly, but the staff couldn’t interfere. They swallowed their anger and went upstairs to tell Shi Wuxiang.
It had been some time since Shi Wuxiang had heard news about the Cui family. After he had the magistrate warn Cui Qi, and after Yuan Zhao’s inadvertent conversation with the academy head, Cui Qi had been too busy to stir trouble.
Yet Cui Xiuxiu still dared to act out in public, even targeting Yuan Zhao and causing all this gossip.
Shi Wuxiang had always disliked being dragged into baseless rumors. In this era, such things clung for a lifetime and led to endless misunderstandings.
“Let the innocent clear themselves” was not a principle he followed. If others smeared him, he would tear apart their façade and clear his own name.
Taking a deep breath, he went to the manager to ask for leave. “Manager, I’m sorry, but I need to step out. You can deduct this afternoon’s wages.”
“Teacher Shi, it’s just gossip. People will forget in a few days. Don’t take it to heart,” the manager said kindly.
“Thank you. I’ll take my leave then,” Shi Wuxiang replied gently, turning to go.
He had always been tolerant of the Cui family. After all, Cui Qi had once been his teacher, someone who had guided him. Even after falling out of favor, he had never intended to break ties.
But failing to discipline one’s child—that was Cui Qi’s fault.
If a teacher couldn’t manage his own daughter, then someone else would.
Shi Wuxiang wasn’t going to discipline her himself. He simply needed the Cui family to understand one thing:
He was no longer the man he used to be.
Cui Qi cared deeply about his reputation. As a provincial graduate who had stopped pursuing further examinations, he had taught at the town academy for over twenty years. His residence was grand and well-located, surrounded by other scholars and merchants—any disturbance would quickly become public knowledge.
Shi Wuxiang no longer cared much for reputation. And since they had been wronged, he had no reason to let it go.
He went to the Cui residence and knocked.
“Scholar Shi? What brings you here?” The gatekeeper looked surprised. The Cui family hadn’t had dealings with him for quite some time.
In the past, Shi Wuxiang never needed to knock—someone would greet him immediately. Even if he did knock, he would be respectfully ushered inside without question.
Now, things were different. Clearly, the household had been instructed otherwise.
“I have my reasons. Is Teacher Cui here? I have something to say to him,” Shi Wuxiang said calmly, even stepping back slightly, standing firm in the cold wind like a frost-hardened pine.
“You’ve come at an unfortunate time. The master isn’t home. You should come back another day,” the gatekeeper said with a polite smile.
Not even suggesting a return visit—just outright dismissal. Exactly what Shi Wuxiang wanted.
“Then I’ll say what I came to say. Whether it reaches his ears—and through how many others—I cannot say.”
The gatekeeper dismissed him as ridiculous.
The master had already cut ties with him, yet he still acted like this?
“Very well, I’ll speak.”
Shi Wuxiang cleared his throat and raised his voice.
“Teacher Cui! Please discipline your daughter and stop her from harassing me! I am already married and deeply devoted to my husband. By allowing her to disturb a married man, are you encouraging her to become a concubine?”
“Teacher Cui, out of respect for our past, I will say no more. But if Cui Xiuxiu continues to interfere with our married life and spread rumors, I will no longer show leniency and will report this to the authorities!”
“Stop shouting! Stop shouting!” the gatekeeper panicked. “Just leave—please leave!”
Shi Wuxiang smiled faintly. He had intended to give them face, but since they refused it, he would oblige.
The surrounding residences had fallen eerily quiet—clearly, everyone was listening.
That was exactly what he wanted.
Inside, servants rushed to report to Cui Qi. Upon hearing it, Cui Qi nearly lost his mind, slamming the table.
“Bring that unfilial girl to me! I want to see what trouble she’s caused now!”
No wonder she had been so well-behaved after returning home—she had been hiding a massive disaster.
Cui Xiuxiu claimed illness and refused to get up, while her mother tried to smooth things over. Cui Qi, unable to vent his anger, smashed his favorite teacup.
“That Shi Wuxiang! I thought he was sensible before, but now he’s gone mad! How dare he cause such a scene! Someone—throw him out!”
“Master, please calm down!” Madam Cui pleaded.
Cui Qi turned his fury on her. “Marry that girl off immediately! Otherwise, she’ll completely ruin my reputation!”
“Yes, yes…” she hurriedly agreed.
Outside, Shi Wuxiang judged the situation was about done. Soon they would send people to drive him away. With no need to linger, he turned and left.
The guards rushed out—only to find him already gone.
When Cui Qi heard, he was so enraged he fainted.