Chapter 35: Quick, Stuff the Silver into the Rat Hole!

Knowing she only owed five taels of silver, Su Yi’an took out exactly that amount. She tucked the rest, along with her purse, safely into her clothing.

Since the debt collectors had demanded ten taels last time, it was clear they were greedy. If they realized she had brought more, they’d try to take every last coin.

The Du brothers were preparing to take their younger lackeys to a nearby village for debt collection. They usually preferred to work at night, when debtors had nowhere to hide.

But just as they finished gathering their gear, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

“Damn it! I’m busy. Who’s the idiot coming at this hour?” Du Bao cursed.

One of the younger brothers hurried to open the gate, eager to give the visitor a piece of his mind.

“You…” The man froze, swallowing hard.

Though Gou Er had told him that Second Young Master He was still alive, seeing him in the flesh was still terrifying.

“What ‘you’? Get lost!” Du Bao strode to the gate, wooden club in hand, four or five brothers behind him. He stopped just short of the entrance.

He Yunhuai narrowed his eyes, sizing him up before raising a hand, signaling his companions to put down their things.

“It’s getting dark. Let’s settle the debt and go,” Su Yi’an said, nudging He Yunhuai’s arm to prompt him.

They hadn’t signed any agreement back then. If they had, how could the debt collectors have dared to demand so much?

He Yunhuai turned to Du Bao and asked calmly, “If I remember correctly, I borrowed five taels that day. Isn’t that right?”

His icy tone brooked no argument.

“I heard you came to collect while I was gravely ill. It’s only right to repay what’s owed. But how did five taels become ten? And why take an extra tael on top of that?”

No one had told He Yunhuai about Su Yi’an’s dowry. The family had kept it quiet, so he didn’t know two wooden chests had been taken.

Du Bao slapped Du Hu on the back of the head. “You can’t even collect a debt properly! Tell me exactly how much you took!”

“Brother!” Du Hu winced, gritting his teeth. “Yes, yes, I misremembered. The He family still owes four taels.”

“But…” Du Hu glared upward, his voice seething with resentment. “It’s been so long. The interest alone’s more than five taels.”

The implication was clear: five taels wouldn’t be enough.

“The debt is cleared,” Su Yi’an said calmly, sweeping her gaze over the courtyard and memorizing every face. “The He family owes you nothing more. Don’t come calling again.”

None of these men would be welcome near their home or stall again.

Du Bao let out a hearty laugh. “Of course! Du Bao’s word is ironclad. Once it’s settled, my brothers won’t bother you again.”

Hearing this, He Yunhuai produced the silver ingot.

Du Bao, experienced in such matters, weighed it in his palm and instantly knew it was correct.

“All right, you can go,” he said after a moment. “We’re square.”

“Big Brother, are you just letting them go?” Du Hu grumbled as the He family turned to leave.

He’d hoped to squeeze more from them, but everything had gone wrong. Now that the debt was repaid, they had no more leverage.

Du Bao tossed the silver to him, then shot a glance sideways. “Could you earn five taels in a month?”

Even two would be a stretch. Du Hu shook his head defensively. “If they had money, maybe the dowry really was hidden…”

“Forget it. The debt’s settled. If letters come from the prefectural city, just reply as usual,” Du Bao said. He’d seen through the game—those people just wanted to see the He family suffer. They weren’t going to bother coming to Yongyang Village themselves.

This wasn’t just about what was said anymore.

By now, the sky had gone completely dark, and a bitter wind made it hard to keep one’s eyes open.

Su Yi’an regretted coming out tonight, but setting up her stall during the day would’ve caused too much disruption. She rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them.

He Yunhuai glanced at her and quietly took her hand.

Wrapped in his warmth, the cold wind didn’t feel so harsh anymore. Su Yi’an lowered her gaze, but didn’t pull away.

He held her hand all the way to her doorstep.

“It’s terribly cold. I’ll ask Mother to help me make gloves tomorrow,” Su Yi’an said, subtly withdrawing her hand.

He Yunhuai hummed in agreement, his fingers curling slightly at his side.

The courtyard gate creaked open, and Mother He came hurrying out. She’d kept the stove fire going so they could have a hot meal upon return.

“Quick, come in! You must be freezing,” she said, touching Su Yi’an’s hand. To her surprise, it wasn’t as cold as she expected.

He Ningwen had already prepared a basin of hot water. She pulled Su Yi’an inside. “Sister Su, soak your hands quickly! You don’t want chilblains.” She knew how annoying and itchy they could be.

Mother He went to the kitchen, cracked two eggs into the pot, and made a batch of egg drop soup.

Su Yi’an cradled the coarse bowl and took slow sips. The warmth seeped through her, chasing away the chill.

“These past few days were just lucky breaks,” she said. After all, yesterday and today’s gains had come unexpectedly. That kind of fortune wouldn’t always repeat.

The He family understood—but in their hearts, they believed Su Yi’an had brought the good luck with her.

That night, Su Yi’an tallied her accounts.

After deducting the cost of cloth and repaying the debt, she still had twelve taels and sixty cash left in her pouch.

She hadn’t even counted the copper coins she’d earned recently. But based on her daily income of a hundred cash, she’d made at least one or two taels over the past two weeks.

“So much!” He Ningwen exclaimed, stunned into silence.

“Then take a good look,” Su Yi’an said. “Once we rent a shop, this will all be gone.”

A shop with a courtyard in town would cost at least ten taels a year. This money would barely cover the rent.

To live better, they’d need to earn much more.

He Ningwen waved her hands quickly—she didn’t dare touch the silver. “Sister Su, hurry and hide it!”

She knew about the rat hole in the wall where Su Yi’an kept her money.

The He family’s life continued as before—but with the debt gone, the burden felt so much lighter.

The next day, Gou Er did go to town and saw Su Yi’an’s stall with his own eyes. Thrilled, he rushed back to the village in his oxcart.

He’d expected a reward—but when he arrived, he learned the He family had already repaid the debt.

Frustrated, he turned around and headed straight for the brothel.