Chapter 24: The Golden Thigh is Leaving

Xiao Jinyu looked at the brand-new robe incredulously. “You said you bought clothes… for me?”

Xie Jiu’er maintained a faint smile.  It was an investment, a gift for her benefactor. Since she came here because of a jade pendant, she couldn’t let him fight alone.

She couldn’t let her benefactor go to battle wearing months-old, bloodstained clothes. This was all the help she could offer; the rest was up to him.

She nodded seriously. Xiao Jinyu took the robe, his fingers tracing its fabric. The quality was surprisingly good.

“Once I leave, your lives will become even harder. Your job at the Zhu residence isn’t entirely secure. You spent money on clothes for me, but have you considered how you’ll manage?”

Xiao Jinyu reassessed this money-obsessed savior.  Her ragged clothes, thin frame, sallow cheeks, and dull hair… with this money, why didn’t she buy herself better clothes?

“What are you talking about? If I didn’t have money, could I have bought this for you? The style at their shop was awful, so I slightly altered it.  The owner was very interested in my design and asked me to design a few more, earning me four taels of silver.”

Xie Jiu’er proudly showed him four fingers.

Xiao Jinyu found her money-obsessed demeanor strangely endearing.  “You have this skill?  Not bad.  It seems you won’t starve to death.” He teased.

“Of course!  I’ll be the richest woman in the world! If you need money, you can borrow from me.”

As Xie Jiu’er daydreamed about the future, Xiao Jinyu chuckled.  Earlier, she wanted him to promise her wealth and glory; now, with four taels, she’s offering to lend him money.  Such a childlike nature.

“Oh, right, wait. Mother sewed you pants; I’ll go check if they’re done.”

When Xie Jiu’er returned to Zhou shi’s room, she was attaching the waistband.

“Mother, you finished the pants so quickly! You’re so skilled!” Xie Jiu’er massaged her shoulders, flattering her.

“Stop flattering me. If I didn’t hurry, you’d be like an ant on a hot pot.”

Zhou shi scolded her playfully.

“He’s leaving tomorrow! What if he freezes on the road?  Since we took him in, let’s do our best!”

Xie Jiu’er couldn’t tell the truth, so she changed the subject.

Remembering the four taels from the tailor shop, she showed them to Zhou shi.  “Mother, look how capable your daughter is! I earned four taels from a single trip to a shop!”

Zhou shi stopped working, incredulous.  “Where did this come from? How did you earn it?”

Xie Jiu’er explained about designing clothes. Zhou shi still found it hard to believe. “Is it really that profitable? I haven’t asked yet; how did you learn these designs? I don’t know them.”

Xie Jiu’er didn’t know how to explain, so she flattered her again. “Your daughter is smart! I just thought these designs were beautiful.”

“Alright! My daughter is indeed smart. She was starved before, but now she’s well-fed, and her brain is getting sharper.” Zhou shi teased.

After finishing the last stitch on the pants, Zhou shi tied a knot and cut the thread. Before she could put away her sewing kit, Xie Jiu’er rushed out with the pants.

Xiao Jinyu was already wearing the new robe, perfectly fitted. Xie Jiu’er knocked and entered, seeing Xiao Jinyu neatly dressed, and silently admired his handsome appearance.

“Brother Xiao, these are the pants Mother made for you. Try them on. The fabric is far inferior to your robe, but it’s the best we have.  You’re leaving tomorrow, so try to stay warm!”

She handed him the pants.

Xiao Jinyu took the pants and nodded solemnly. This was the first time someone had prepared something for him before a journey.

That afternoon, Zhou shi sewed clothes for herself and Xie Jiu’er.  During dinner, they discussed Xiao Jinyu’s travel expenses. “I earned four taels at the tailor shop, and Brother Xiao’s game sold for seven taels.  We spent half a tael on your clothes. We have ten and a half taels. We can’t leave ourselves penniless, and you need travel money.  Mother and I decided you should take all seven taels from your hunting, and we’ll keep the remaining three and a half.  Is there anything else we can help with?”

Xiao Jinyu frowned. “I don’t need that much. I’ll take three taels; keep the rest.”

Zhou shi stopped eating. “You don’t owe us anything. We’re struggling, but we’re not greedy. The money from your hunting is yours. Take it!”

Wuyang nodded. “That’s fair.”

Xiao Jinyu looked at the undernourished mother and children. “Think carefully. Don’t be polite. Once I leave, we may never see each other again. I’m willing to leave the money with you as repayment for saving my life. I’m leaving tomorrow morning. Think it over. Even if you want me to leave all the money, I’ll agree.”

Xie Jiu’er looked at Zhou shi and Wuyang. “Alright, we’ll consider it. You’re leaving tomorrow. Brother Xiao, get some rest.”

The next morning, Zhou shi cooked meat because Xiao Jinyu was leaving. After eating, he took his bow and arrow and the roasted taro Xie Jiu’er had prepared and set off.  Xie Jiu’er went to his room and found five taels neatly placed on the bed.

“He’s doing this again!  It’s a month’s journey east to the capital.  Is he trying to die?  He’s leaving with only two taels.”

Xie Jiu’er angrily chased after him, luckily catching him on the street.