Chapter 12: No, You Wish

After everyone had left, Erya suddenly burst into tears.

She stomped her foot and shouted furiously, “Mother, send that man in the house away!”

“You child, what nonsense are you spouting?” Lu Qiniang glared at her, her voice stern. But she couldn’t help sneaking a guilty glance toward the window—only to lock eyes with Xiao Yan.

Lu Qiniang tried to cover it up. “…I wasn’t talking about you.”

Xiao Yan closed the window.

But his hearing was excellent. Even with the window shut, he could still hear Erya’s tearful complaints.

“…Ever since he came, we’ve been spending silver left and right. Eldest Sister’s engagement fell through. I didn’t get my new clothes either. And then we had to borrow money because of him. That old hag surnamed Zheng even humiliated you!”

“What are you yelling about? Are you the only one with a loud voice?” Lu Qiniang gave her a shove. “Why did I save him? Because we owe him! That old crone Zheng is always like that, acting like every woman in the world is after her son. Just ignore her.”

“I can’t swallow this! Who does she think she is, insulting people like that in front of everyone?”

“If you couldn’t swallow it, then you’ve already spit it out,” Lu Qiniang said irritably. “People can say whatever they want—the mouth is on their face. As for the gossip outside, who doesn’t get talked about behind their back? Who doesn’t talk about others? It’s nothing.”

She truly didn’t care.

She already had enough silver to deal with their immediate needs. They could get through the New Year. In her heart, she was secretly relieved.

“And as for her bringing up the Fifth Young Master—why are you getting all worked up too?”

“The Fifth Young Master treats everyone kindly. That’s enough. I’m warning you—stop spouting nonsense. He’s a Star of Literature descended from heaven. If you keep dragging his name through the mud, be careful you don’t get struck by lightning. If you’ve got the energy to run your mouth, go help your Big Sister with her chores.”

Erya stormed back into the house, fuming in silence.

Daya looked at Lu Qiniang nervously.

“It’s fine—just treat it like a gust of wind brushing past your ear. Whoosh, and it’s gone,” Lu Qiniang said with ease. “Let’s cook something thick and filling today.”

In this vast world, nothing matters more than a good meal.

At dinner that evening, Erya was still fuming at the table, poking at her rice grains with her chopsticks. “It’s just a couple taels of silver, isn’t it? That old hag thinks she’s better than us. Just wait till I earn my own silver—I’ll smash it right into her face.”

Daya quietly placed a piece of radish on Erya’s bowl in silent agreement.

Though she spoke little, she too had been deeply upset today.

“Then I’ll be waiting for you to bring that money home,” Lu Qiniang said with a laugh, treating it as a joke. She then shared her own plans.

With the New Year approaching, shops were closing down as everyone returned home to celebrate.

In the capital, places like restaurants and teahouses weren’t operating either.

“I’ll go take a walk around the Zhuangyuan Tower tomorrow, see if I can find a bit of small business.”

“Zhuangyuan Tower? What kind of business is there?” Erya asked. “Mother, you’re not thinking of selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, are you? That takes a lot of capital.”

Sanya was still at that innocent, carefree age. “Mother, can we sell candied hawthorn?”

If they sold candied hawthorn at home, she might get to sneak a taste of the leftover syrup.

Just thinking about the sweet, sticky candy she hadn’t had in ages made Sanya swallow a mouthful of saliva—even the rice no longer tasted good.

Lu Qiniang said, “Most of the people staying at Zhuangyuan Tower are provincial examinees from other regions who’ve come to the capital. They’re not badly off. Even though the restaurant will definitely still serve food during the New Year, most of the staff go home for the holidays, so the meals are just enough to fill the stomach.”

A few years ago, the Zhou family had once invited fellow examinees from their hometown over for New Year.

Back then, Lu Qiniang had overheard them complaining about how poorly Zhuangyuan Tower handled the holiday meals.

At the time, she didn’t think much of it, but now it seemed like a potential business opportunity.

“But Mother, you’d still need capital,” Daya reminded her.

“No need,” Lu Qiniang replied. “I’ll go see if anyone’s looking for help first. If so, I’ll have the examinees write up their own grocery lists and hand over the silver—we’ll do the shopping and cook for them. Daya, your cooking skills are more than up to the task.”

Daya was naturally clever and quiet, always tinkering and figuring things out.

She was good with needlework, but even better in the kitchen.

Erya’s eyes lit up. “Mother, let’s give it a try! I’ll come with you during the holidays too! I’ll dress festively and say lots of auspicious words—maybe some of the scholars will even tip us! Sanya, tomorrow you’ll start learning lucky phrases with me.”

“But tomorrow—mmf—”

Before Sanya could finish, Erya clamped a hand over her mouth.

Lu Qiniang raised her chopsticks and pretended to smack Erya’s hand. “We’re eating here, and you’re covering your sister’s mouth—what are you up to this time, scheming again?”

“Eat more, you’re so thin,” Lu Qiniang said as she urged him.

Xiao Yan was eating alone at a small table by the kang, his hands already strong enough to hold chopsticks, though they still trembled a little.

He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt a little better.

Listening to the four women excitedly discuss ways to make money, the lingering gloom from the money-lending incident earlier seemed to vanish, and Xiao Yan felt a sense of relief.

That night, Xiao Yan wanted to try getting out of bed.

“Are you sure you’re alright? No, no, you can’t,” Lu Qiniang disagreed immediately. “Are you trying to relieve yourself? Wait, I’ll bring you the chamber pot.”

“No, I just want to try getting up,” Xiao Yan said, his ears turning red.

For the past two days, Lu Qiniang had been taking care of him.

“Is it for… that? Well, that’s fine…”

“No, I really want to get up!” Xiao Yan said anxiously.

“Be careful, you might fall into the latrine! It’s freezing out there, and I’ll have to help you clean up, but are you cold?” Lu Qiniang muttered.

Xiao Yan felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness, like a scholar encountering a soldier—no matter how much sense he made, he couldn’t get through.

He scooted to the edge of the kang, letting his legs hang down, and slowly began to move.

Lu Qiniang quickly came over to help him put on his shoes, then firmly grabbed his arm with her left hand, like a metal clamp.

Xiao Yan felt dizzy, but he pushed himself to stand and slowly move off the bed.

However, he overestimated his strength. As soon as his feet touched the ground and his body weight pressed down, he lost his balance.

Fortunately, Lu Qiniang held onto his arm, preventing him from collapsing onto the ground.

“What did I tell you? You wouldn’t listen. Even if Old Hu said you’re fine, you still need to rest properly,” she said, bending down a little. Her right hand slipped under his legs, and with her left hand releasing his arm, she supported his back.

Xiao Yan felt his body lighten, and before he could react, he was lifted off the ground.

He was actually being held in the arms of a woman, as if she were cradling a child!

Lu Qiniang was big, weighing about two hundred jin, and her body was naturally full.

Xiao Yan felt as though he were lying on a soft cotton pillow.

Thankfully, the sensation was brief, like a short electric shock—although he felt a little numb, it soon passed as he was gently placed back on the kang.

“You can’t force yourself like this, you know? Who hasn’t been sick? When I was ill, it was Daya and Erya who took care of me! Wait here, I’ll get the chamber pot for you.”

Xiao Yan, feeling weak, muttered, “I really don’t need it…”

But that didn’t matter.

Lu Qiniang helped him out of his trousers.

“I’m sure you’re not comfortable with me here, so call me when you’re done,” she said with feigned concern, stepping outside.

Xiao Yan sat on the chamber pot, feeling numb all over.