CHAPTER 21

It was midday, the time when even the yamen would break for a meal.

Zhao Yanping sat in the punishment room with a group of constables, resting.

That morning, a theft case had occurred in the county. Zhao Yanping had led his men to capture the suspect, but the thief had gotten wind of their approach and fled. The constables had to split up in pursuit, sweating profusely from the chase, but they finally managed to bring the culprit back. Though the crime involved only a mere string of coins, such was the life of a constable—constantly rushing about, requiring both patience and stamina.

“Master Zhao, the magistrate has summoned you to the public office,” said Shun-ge, the pageboy who served Xie Ying.

Zhao Yanping immediately put down his teacup and headed to the office.

On Xie Ying’s desk lay an official document. Seeing Zhao Yanping enter, Xie Ying picked up the document and waved it lightly, smiling as he said, “Prefect Han just sent this over. It states that on the 18th and 19th of this month, all county magistrates are to gather in the prefectural city for a political discussion, mainly to review the governance of the first three quarters of the year, including taxation, case resolutions, and other affairs. I’d like to bring you along for the experience. What do you think?”

Xie Ying had only been assigned to Wu’an County at the beginning of the year. After taking office, he had offended a local tyrant and was determined to eradicate the troublemaker. During the process, he was nearly killed in an act of retaliation. At that critical moment, it was Zhao Yanping who had fought off multiple attackers to save him. From then on, Xie Ying began addressing him as “Brother Zhao” and held him in high regard.

Zhao Yanping cupped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you, sir, for your trust.”

Xie Ying asked with concern, “If you come with me to the prefectural city, will there be someone to take care of Old Madam Zhao at home?”

“There is,” Zhao Yanping replied. “I have a concubine at home, as well as a pair of sibling servants.”

Xie Ying recalled this and smiled. “That’s good. Then it’s settled. Be sure to prepare in advance—we leave early on the 17th.”

Zhao Yanping nodded in acknowledgment.

As he was about to return to the punishment room for his meal, a gatekeeper from the county yamen rushed over to find him. “Master Zhao, come quickly! Your household servant, Guo Xing, came to report that someone is causing trouble at your home. He asked you to return at once! Your horse is already saddled—just head straight to the gate!”

Hearing this, Zhao Yanping’s already stern face darkened further. He strode swiftly to the side gate used by the yamen staff.

Guo Xing saw him and hurriedly explained, “Master, Third Master Zhao is at it again—he’s demanding money from Old Madam Zhao, and she can’t get rid of him. She’s afraid he’ll cause trouble!”

Zhao Yanping mounted his horse in one swift motion and galloped home.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Zhao had been infuriated by Zhao Liang. The moment he left, she could barely stand without holding onto the door for support. A-Jiao and Cui Niang worked together to help her to the western room, laying her down on the bed.

At her age, such anger was no trivial matter. A-Jiao knelt by the bed, gently massaging Old Madam Zhao’s forehead and chest to ease her breathing. She then sent Cui Niang to fetch a physician.

Old Madam Zhao, ever frugal, refused. “I’ll be fine in a while. Why call a physician? Do you think silver just blows in with the wind?”

Seeing her complexion, A-Jiao insisted, “Your health is what matters most. We must call a physician. I will cover the consultation fee—it’s the least I can do to show my filial piety.”

These words soothed Old Madam Zhao’s anger. She gave A-Jiao a long, thoughtful look.

Cui Niang left to fetch the physician.

There was an old doctor living just down the street who no longer ran a clinic due to his age but still made house calls for the neighborhood. Since the county yamen was far away, Cui Niang managed to return with the white-haired, lively old physician before Guo Xing even reached the yamen.

After examining Old Madam Zhao, the physician stroked his beard and warned, “Anger damages the body. The older you are, the more dangerous it is. This time, you were just one step away from suffering a stroke. I’ll prescribe medicine for you—take it for half a month to stabilize your condition. After that, I’ll check on you again. In the meantime, you must avoid any further fits of rage.”

Old Madam Zhao was taken aback. “Is it really that serious?”

The old doctor glared at her. “Why would I lie to you? I don’t own the pharmacy—what do I gain from having you buy medicine?”

For once, Old Madam Zhao was at a loss for words.

A-Jiao left Cui Niang to look after Old Madam Zhao while she accompanied the physician to the main hall. She asked him to wait while she fetched paper, ink, and the consultation fee from the eastern room.

Aside from the ten taels of betrothal silver from the Zhao family, the ten taels of ransom silver from her uncle, and another ten taels from Madam Liu, A-Jiao had also saved up two or three taels of her own—small sums her uncle had secretly given her as pocket money over the past year.

The consultation fee was cheap, but medicine was expensive. As the old physician wrote out the prescription, A-Jiao quietly inquired, “With all these ingredients, how much will the medicine cost?”

Without looking up, the physician replied, “Not too bad. Two taels of silver should be enough for half a month’s supply.”

A-Jiao was taken aback—such an expense! But since she had already spoken, she couldn’t go back on her word. After all, she owed everything to Old Madam Zhao. If taking this medicine prolonged Old Madam Zhao’s life, Zhao Yanping would have more years to repay his filial duty.

With the prescription in hand, she sent Cui Niang to escort the physician out and purchase the medicine, then returned to Old Madam Zhao’s side.

“It was just a few meat pies—was it really worth getting so upset over?” A-Jiao asked as she massaged Old Madam Zhao’s forehead.

Old Madam Zhao sighed. “It’s not about the pies. It’s about his utter lack of ambition. Look at him—tall and strong, just like Yanping. Even if he worked the fields diligently, he could have earned ten taels by now. But what has he done with himself? A wastrel like that… his father should have sold him off years ago, instead of letting him stay and bring disgrace to my good granddaughter!”

A-Jiao noticed that Old Madam Zhao was about to get worked up again and quickly changed the subject.

Outside on the street, just as Cui Niang was about to turn out of the alley, she ran into Zhao Yanping, who had just returned on horseback.

“Where are you going?” Zhao Yanping reined in his horse and asked.

Cui Niang huffed angrily, “Third Master infuriated Old Madam Zhao so much that she nearly collapsed! Mistress wanted to call for a physician, but Old Madam Zhao refused. Mistress even offered to pay for the consultation, and only then did Old Madam Zhao agree. Luckily, Mistress insisted, or else the physician wouldn’t have seen her in time! He said she was on the verge of a stroke and needs half a month of medicine to recover.”

Cui Niang was naturally chatty—if someone asked her one thing, she could ramble on about ten. This time, in order to emphasize how much of a scoundrel Zhao Liang was, she deliberately exaggerated the severity of Old Madam Zhao’s condition.

Zhao Yanping frowned deeply and asked her to recount everything Zhao Liang had done.

Cui Niang relayed every detail.

Zhao Yanping was furious. Unable to get money, Zhao Liang had resorted to stealing meat pies—what a disgrace!

After parting ways with Cui Niang, Zhao Yanping spurred his horse and rushed home.

When he saw Old Madam Zhao’s pallid face with his own eyes, his expression turned icy cold. In a firm voice, he said, “Grandmother, wait here. I’ll drag him back to kneel before you and apologize.”

Old Madam Zhao stopped him just as he was about to leave, waving her hand. “Forget it, forget it. He didn’t gain anything from this. There’s no need to waste your time on him—go back to your work at the yamen.”

Zhao Yanping’s face remained dark. “You always say that. Look at what he’s become now. If I keep ignoring him, today he dares to steal pies, tomorrow he’ll dare to break into the house and rob you directly.”

Old Madam Zhao fell silent.

Zhao Yanping glanced at A-Jiao and said, “Come with me.”

His expression was so intimidating that A-Jiao’s heart trembled with unease. But she didn’t dare delay and quickly followed him with small hurried steps.

He led her into the courtyard before finally asking in a low voice, “Did he scare you when he suddenly showed up?”

Zhao Yanping suspected that Cui Niang might have left something out. Knowing Zhao Liang’s nature, it was unlikely he had behaved properly upon seeing A-Jiao.

A-Jiao hadn’t expected the stern, almost demonic official to call her out just to check on her.

A warmth spread through her heart, and she shook her head gently. “As soon as he arrived, Grandmother told me to go inside.”

Zhao Yanping understood. Looking at her delicate features, he said in a low voice, “I will reimburse you for the medicine. Thank you for what you did today.”

His words were overly formal. A-Jiao was about to respond that they were family, but before she could speak, the officer in the deep purple robe had already strode away and mounted his horse, galloping off in an instant.

“What did the officer say to you?” Old Madam Zhao, still lying on the bed, asked curiously.

A-Jiao fibbed, “He told me to take good care of you. Then he left.”

Old Madam Zhao simply responded with an “Oh.”

Zhao Yanping had gone after Zhao Liang.

Zhao Liang had come to town solely to demand money. With not a single coin on him, he had hitched a ride on a villager’s mule cart to get there. Now, he had no choice but to walk back step by step, hoping to catch another ride if he was lucky.

By the time he reached the city gates, he had already finished the six meat pies he had stolen—two with scallions, four with meat. It was, without a doubt, the best thing he had ever eaten in his life. Just thinking about it made him resent Old Madam Zhao even more. Favoritism was favoritism—what kind of grandmother would let her own grandson stay single without offering any help?

Zhao Liang also recalled the brief glimpse he had of that little concubine—she was a stunning beauty. How could someone so gorgeous be just a concubine? In the village, it was rare for men to take concubines. No matter how successful his older brother was, this situation seemed odd. Too bad Shen Wenbiao didn’t know the full story either.

As he strolled lazily along the shaded path outside the city gate, he suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves behind him. Turning his head, he was so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. Knowing that Zhao Yanping had come to punish him, Zhao Liang immediately bolted into the nearby fields.

Zhao Yanping urged his horse forward, leaping into the fields in pursuit. Within moments, he was right behind Zhao Liang. Just as Zhao Liang was about to run again, Zhao Yanping cracked his whip, landing a vicious strike on Zhao Liang’s shoulder.

“Ahhh!”

Zhao Liang tumbled forward, landing face-first in the mud, his mouth full of dirt.

Zhao Yanping dismounted and lashed his whip across Zhao Liang’s back. “Will you still go to Grandmother to ask for money?”

The area where the whip struck burned with pain. Though Zhao Liang was tall and strong, he had no backbone. The moment he was hit, he started pleading, “I won’t! I won’t! Brother, spare me! I’ll never do it again!”

But Zhao Yanping still struck him a third time. “This is your lesson. If you do it again, I’ll throw you in jail and send you to the quarry to do hard labor!”

At the mention of prison, Zhao Liang was so frightened that even his resentment disappeared. He dropped to his knees and swore up and down.

Zhao Yanping still had work to do and couldn’t waste any more time. He forced Zhao Liang to scurry home like a beaten dog, driving him forward on horseback.

A-Jiao helped Old Madam Zhao out of the house. Looking up, she saw Zhao Liang covered in mud, his face streaked with snot and tears, completely stripped of the arrogance he had shown when demanding money. Behind him stood the cold and imposing official, looking every bit like the King of Hell bringing in a wayward soul.

A-Jiao was both awed by his ruthless methods and filled with an immense sense of satisfaction and security.

With a husband like this, as long as she could truly win his heart, what was there to fear in the future?

She lowered her gaze and stood beside Old Madam Zhao, appearing soft and obedient, but her mind was already working on how to capture the officer’s heart.

Zhao Liang, despite having a beautiful woman before him, didn’t even dare steal a glance. Kneeling down, he kowtowed three times to Old Madam Zhao, his forehead hitting the ground with a loud thud. “Grandmother, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have come asking for money! I shouldn’t have expected you to find me a wife! I’ll change—I’ll farm properly, earn my own money, and take care of you in the future!”

Old Madam Zhao didn’t believe a word of it. She waved him off as if shooing a fly. “Go on, go on! Just don’t come back again!”

Zhao Liang hesitated, then looked at Zhao Yanping, who gave him a cold, silent nod. Only then did Zhao Liang scramble to his feet and flee, stumbling out of the Zhao household in a panicked retreat.