“How can we cancel the thirty taels of debt?”

That’s the first thing Lu Qingqing heard as she stepped into the shop.

The shop owner was busy checking accounts with the manager and didn’t even lift his head.

He answered casually, “How about we deep-fry you?”

“Frying, chopping my hands, whatever it takes—as long as Lu Qingqing’s debt is cleared,” Lu Yun declared, as if ready to die a martyr’s death.

Lu Qingqing?

The shop owner looked up, surprised.

Lu Qingqing had already walked up, pulling out silver from her pouch.

“I’m here to repay the remaining debt.”

“Well, well! Lu Qingqing, you really managed to scrape it all together!”

The shop owner remembered her clearly—she was the first woman brave (or foolish) enough to borrow from a loan shark.

“Yes. Please check and cancel the debt record once it’s verified.”

He gave her a surprised look.

So polite this time?

Guess she’d been taught a good lesson.

He counted the silver, then returned the promissory note stamped with her fingerprint.

He even offered a rare bit of kindness: “Young lady, best to stay away from places like this in the future.”

“Thank you.”

Lu Qingqing tore the note up and dragged the human-pillar-like Lu Yun out of the shop.

Cui Shitou, who’d been nervously peeking inside the whole time, finally let out a breath of relief.

Shops like that gave folks like them the chills just by standing nearby.

Seeing the two come out unharmed, he relaxed.

“All good?”

“All good, Uncle. Let’s find a place to rest.”

They had managed to recover fifteen taels.

Still not enough to redeem the general store, and with a newborn and a mother at home, it was better to buy essentials first.

It was getting dark.

Right across from the moneylender was an inn.

Lu Qingqing pointed, “Let’s stay here tonight! Two rooms—one for me, and one for Second Brother and Uncle Shitou to share.”

What?!

Stay at an inn?!

They’d never stepped into such a money-burning place in their lives!

Cui Shitou looked to Lu Yun for help.

Did this girl have any idea how expensive inns were?

One night in a room could buy 20 catties of rough flour—and if mixed with some bran, could feed a whole family for a month!

He didn’t dare! Afraid his ancestors would claw out of their graves at night to scold him for being wasteful!

“Where did you even get the money?”

Lu Yun’s face was dark, his brow furrowed like a steamed bun.

Speaking of buns…

Lu Qingqing’s stomach growled loudly. She was starving.

“I beat up Ning Xiuwen and got back fifteen taels. Don’t worry, Second Brother—I’ll earn more and get the store back too.”

She’d really cut ties with Ning Xiuwen?

This morning she’d still been shouting at the family, saying if Dad dared ask Ning Xiuwen for the money again, she’d die right in front of them.

And now…

Could it be that Ning Xiuwen had done something so bad it finally woke her up?

Lu Yun’s eyes flickered with confusion and disbelief.

Still, he didn’t buy it.

They had hoped too many times over the years.

Every time she seemed to change for the better, she’d disappoint them again.

She was fickle.

Spineless. Unreliable!

Right then, they passed by a steamed bun shop called “Wang’s Skilled Hands.”

Lu Qingqing bought five plain veggie buns—only cost five wen.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want meat buns—she just didn’t want the trouble.

Cui Shitou’s forehead practically had the words “wasteful brat” written across it.

She ate one herself and gave Lu Yun and Cui Shitou two each.

The buns were delicious—chewy and fragrant with the taste of wheat.

Lu Yun ate with a distracted frown. Cui Shitou ate quickly, but saved one, carefully wrapping it in paper and tucking it into his coat.

In his mind, he was already subtracting the cost from the cart fare.

He wouldn’t freeload.

The inn’s cheapest room cost 150 wen a night—this, Lu Qingqing hadn’t anticipated.

Lu Yun and Cui Shitou flatly refused to stay.

In the end, they begged the innkeeper to let them crash in the lobby for five wen each.

Lu Qingqing didn’t argue.

She was truly exhausted.

From the moment she woke up today, she hadn’t stopped.

It was time for a proper rest.

..

The next morning

After a light meal, Lu Qingqing began exploring the county town.

The morning market was in full swing—lively and bustling.

Cui Shitou was already waiting with the cart at the edge of the street, ready to head back.

But Lu Yun stuck to Lu Qingqing like a shadow, clearly anxious.

“What else do you need? We should go home. Dad and Big Brother must be worried.”

He was relieved the debt was paid.

But he didn’t know the town, and he was trailing this loose-cannon sister—he was nervous as hell.

Lu Qingqing thought a moment, then told him the truth.

“Second Brother, we can’t leave yet. I’m going to the county yamen to sue Ning Xiuwen.”

“What? Are you crazy?! No way!” Lu Yun practically exploded.

“You’ll get thirty lashes just for filing! You need a written petition, a litigation clerk, bribes—it’ll cost a ton! It’s not worth it! Forget the remaining money!”

That’s exactly why Ning Xiuwen was certain she wouldn’t dare go to court.

Right or wrong, stay away from the yamen—that was the rule.

Doesn’t matter if you’re plaintiff or defendant—once you’ve been to court, the stain follows you.

Especially for a woman.

All that trouble for a few leftover taels?

Totally not worth it.

But Lu Qingqing—she was going.

“Relax, Second Brother. I’m not actually suing him. I’m betting Ning Xiuwen won’t risk his future. He’ll be watching the yamen gate in secret. I just want to scare him.”

“Really?”

“Really! If he doesn’t show, we’ll just go home.”

Yeah right. If Ning Xiuwen showed up—perfect.

If not… she was going to beat the drum for real.

Just to knock that smug face off his high horse.

She could endure anything—but not injustice.

Lu Yun bought it.

He figured she didn’t have the guts.

She only acted tough at home or in the village, bullying the weak.

Besides, he was sure she couldn’t bear to actually sue that pretty boy.

Lu Yun sneered a little at himself—why had he even bothered worrying?

Lu Qingqing then bought 50 catties of white rice, 10 of millet, 10 of fine flour, soybeans, pig’s feet, dates, and other essentials.

She also picked out several feet of the softest, best-quality cotton fabric. Total cost: one and a half taels.

Then she entered the medical hall to pick out acupuncture needles.

The set she borrowed from the village doctor was too simple—just nine needles.

Not enough for serious cases.

And medical halls were places poor folks didn’t even dream of entering.

She chose inch-long needles, three-inch needles, ear needles, three-edged, round, and fire needles—108 in total. Cost her 3 taels!

Then she picked out rare herbs—5 taels gone just like that.

Lu Yun said nothing, silently carrying the haul to the donkey cart, then took the bundle of herbs from Lu Qingqing.

Seeing the medicine, he thought of Feng Xiaowan again.

“How did you save my sister-in-law’s life?”

“I know a bit of medicine.”

“That’s incredible. Who taught you? I never heard of that.”

What kind of doctor would teach a girl like her?

He didn’t believe it for a second.

“Remember that bald beggar with the scabby head who came to town last year? Dad gave him a big bowl of rice.”

Lu Qingqing quickly made up a “master” for herself.

The beggar had only stayed a short while before vanishing.

He’d make a decent fictional teacher.

“I remember. What does he have to do with this?”

“He was actually a skilled physician, framed by his peers. Dad’s kindness moved him, so he taught me some medicine before going off to seek revenge.”

Lu Yun stopped in his tracks and stared at her.

His expression turned from disbelief to fury.

“Lu Qingqing, do you ever say a single truthful word? That beggar was an old bachelor from our own village—he’d run off to dodge debt and came crawling back! You think Dad gives anyone a big bowl of rice? He froze to death a few days later! The village head had to organize the burial!”

“If you don’t want to say, fine. No one’s dying to know!”

Lu Qingqing: “…”

So much for epic master-disciple tales.

Turns out those are all scams.

Lu Yun snorted and turned away, sulking.