Chapter 20: Xiang Fusheng

The newcomer wore a blue robe, stepping in to block half of Mrs. Li’s body. He respectfully clasped his hands and bowed to He Suian. “This student greets the gentleman. Grandma is a rural woman unfamiliar with proper etiquette—please forgive her, sir.”

Xiang He stepped forward to support He Suian and helped him take a few steps back, just in case Mrs. Li went crazy and tried to grab someone again.

“Well, isn’t this Big Brother? Finished school and back home?”

The newcomer was none other than Xiang Daqiang’s eldest son, Xiang Fusheng.

Hearing his words, Xiang He couldn’t help but feel a deeper sense of disdain toward this so-called elder brother. Who talks about their own grandmother like that right off the bat? And what if she’s a rural woman? Does that make her inherently lower than city folks?

In her memory, Xiang Fusheng had started attending school from a young age, studying until the age of seventeen, and still hadn’t passed the basic tongsheng (student) exam. Despite this, Old Fourth Xiang kept pouring money into his education year after year.

Xiang Fusheng glanced down at Xiang He and felt something about her had changed.

“He girl, why are you arguing with Grandma?”

“She’s trying to steal the tiger the gentleman hunted. Of course I had to stand up for him. Isn’t that right, Fourth Aunt?”

Fourth Aunt immediately caught on, “Exactly! That tiger clearly belongs to the gentleman and He girl. And your grandma wants to snatch it outright—what a disgrace!”

Mrs. Su stood protectively next to Xiang He in case Mrs. Li tried anything again. “Fusheng, this tiger belongs to the gentleman. We really can’t let her take it.”

Xiang Fusheng instantly understood and his face darkened. “Grandma, how could you try to take the gentleman’s belongings?”

After being criticized by everyone, Mrs. Li’s face turned extremely ugly. “Half of that was mine to begin with! It’s only right that I take it!”

This old hag was really taking shamelessness to the next level. Xiang He shook the cleaver in her hand. “How exactly is it yours? You’re just trying to rob us! No wonder—people who’re greedy for everything naturally think anything they see belongs to them. Just like a scoundrel.”

Xiang Fusheng’s face twitched slightly, and he quickly took on the posture of an elder brother, scolding, “He girl, how can you talk about your own grandmother like that!”

Xiang He ignored his slightest hint of self-importance and authority, turned around, and grabbed the cart handle again. “Fine, no more talk. Mother, let’s go.”

Just as they were about to leave, Mrs. Li anxiously tried to catch up but was stopped by Xiang Fusheng. “Grandma, where are you going?”

“Of course, I’m going to cut up my half of the tiger!”

He knew exactly what kind of person his grandma was—clearly trying to take advantage. If it were someone else’s grandma, he wouldn’t bother, but this gentleman was his teacher. He couldn’t let his grandma cause a scene and ruin the respectable image he had worked so hard to build!

He hurriedly grabbed Mrs. Li and bent down to whisper, “Grandma, that’s my teacher. If you keep causing trouble like this, I’m afraid the teacher will think poorly of you and it might affect my career…”

Mrs. Yu, standing nearby, quickly reached out and held Mrs. Li’s wrist. “Mother, it’s better to let it go…”

“That’s half a tiger! Worth at least dozens of taels!”

Mrs. Li stubbornly tried to break free but was firmly held by the mother and son. “If I embarrass myself in front of the teacher, I might not pass this year’s child exam!”

“If he’s so petty, what kind of teacher is he?”

“But the teacher said I have a very good chance of passing the exam this year!”

That one sentence convinced Mrs. Li to stop.

She could only glare bitterly at the four as they walked away, her heart filled with scheming thoughts. Her eyes were sharp and cruel. “When she returns, I’ll make her give it all back!”

Seeing her fierce determination, Mrs. Yu and Xiang Fusheng exchanged a glance and silently half-pulled, half-led her back home.

After closing the door, Xiang Fusheng finally asked, “What’s gotten into He girl? Why is she so sharp-tongued today?”

Thinking about it made Mrs. Yu irritated. “Ever since she stabbed herself and fled, and we lost the twenty taels we were supposed to get, her temper’s been like this! She’s definitely been spoiled by Mrs. Su!”

“But Third Aunt isn’t so forceful either. How did she end up spoiling He girl?”

Mrs. Li, who was chopping wood nearby, struck the axe down hard and said angrily, “I always thought that woman wasn’t simple. Who would’ve thought she was hiding this kind of trick up her sleeve!”

Her anger had nowhere to go, and seeing the mother and son still chatting instead of working, she slammed the hatchet down on the ground. “Still not chopping wood? Do I have to do everything myself? Where’s Lianhua? She takes forever just to wash a piece of clothing! Are the chickens at home not going to be fed?!”

She started her usual morning round of scolding. In the house, Old Fourth Xiang, who had still been sleeping, slammed the bedboard hard in frustration. Outside, the two in the courtyard dared not speak again and quietly got to work, while Xiang Fusheng returned inside to mind his own business.

Meanwhile, the four people heading to town had already set off on the road. They pushed the tiger along while chatting with passing travelers.

There were some nearby villages along the way, and upon spotting He Suian, many villagers came over to greet him warmly.

The trip to the city wasn’t dull at all—Xiang He could even admire the charming ancient scenery, and the air itself seemed sweeter.

After about an hour of walking, most villagers entered the nearby town, leaving only the four of them continuing toward the city.

Xiang He turned slightly to glance at He Suian’s side profile and leaned in a little to ask quietly, “Mister, did you hear the sounds of fighting halfway up the mountain last night?”

She watched his expression—it didn’t change at all. He was perfectly calm. “No. What is it that you want to say, Miss Xiang?”

“That tiger had its throat cut clean in one strike—pretty impressive, right?”

He Suian narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Indeed impressive. Although I’m glad I didn’t run into whoever did it. Otherwise, whether I’d still be alive is questionable.”

“True,” Xiang He muttered, knowing full well she wouldn’t get anything out of his mouth. She clicked her tongue and changed the subject. “Do you think Xiang Fusheng will pass the student exam?”

“He has shown some improvement recently. Whether he passes will depend on his own effort.”

Well, that was a waste of a question.

“Then when can Xiao Yang and Yun girl go to your school? What kind of tuition or offerings are needed? How many days do they live there before coming home for rest?”

She fired off three questions in a row, and He Suian answered them one by one.

The journey into the city passed quickly as they chatted along the way.

Just as they reached the city gates, they were greeted by the sound of lively chatter inside. The guards at the gate lifted the cloth covering and, upon seeing the tiger, began praising the hunter’s bravery.

Striking while the iron was hot, Xiang He beamed with a practiced smile. “Brother officer, may I ask where we can sell this? It’s such a large wild animal—ordinary shops probably won’t take it.”

The pot-bellied officer patted his belly proudly. “You’re asking the right person! Head to the East Market. They’ve got buyers for rare mountain goods there—someone will definitely want yours!”

“Thank you, Brother Officer!”

Once the four of them were allowed through, He Suian gave them directions and then parted ways. Xiang He handed Mrs. Su and Fourth Aunt half the copper coins she had and asked them to go buy what they needed, while she pushed the cart alone.

The city was bustling. The streets were packed with people, and though many noticed the large beast she was pushing, no one seemed too surprised. Still, quite a few curious onlookers began to follow her, wanting to see how much the tiger could sell for.

Lining both sides of the street were vendors selling various mountain goods—herbs, wild fruits, and more.

Not long after, a shop owner approached her. Dressed neatly, he looked like a proper businessman.

“Young lady, what kind of mountain goods do you have there?”

“A big cat. Are you buying, Boss?”

As soon as people heard it was a “big cat,” their eyes widened. The boss was also intrigued. “Wow! Haven’t seen a tiger in ages. Come on, uncover it for a look! If it’s in good condition, I’ll take it!”

“Alrighty!”

All eyes gleamed with anticipation as Xiang He lifted the cloth, revealing the lifeless tiger. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The boss stroked his chin and nodded slightly. He didn’t touch the tiger, but walked in a circle to inspect it. “It’s big, yes, but the fur’s a bit dull, and it looks like it doesn’t have much meat. Where’s the wound? There aren’t many, are there?”

Xiang He directly lifted the tiger’s head. “Just one cut to the neck. No other wounds.”

The boss nodded in approval but still frowned. “Still, the coloring isn’t great. Highest offer is 80 taels. How’s that?”

Obviously trying to lowball her. Xiang He’s smile remained bright. “Boss, this tiger didn’t come easy. Can’t you go a little higher? I’ve been walking for nearly two hours—you’ve got to factor in the hard work too, right?”

The boss made a show of being “troubled” and gestured with his fingers. “Eighty-eight taels! That’s as high as I can go!”

——”One hundred taels!”

“Whoa!”

Xiang He turned at the sound and saw a young man approaching with a folding fan in hand and his chin lifted confidently. “Young lady, one hundred taels—I’ll take it!”