Chapter 8

The Ning family’s eldest branch tries to bully others by borrowing power

Last night, Su Mingshan had already stripped the tiger’s skin, and the rest was processed. In his words: “These items fetch a higher price when sold separately. The claws and teeth have medicinal or decorative value and are favored by some nobles.”

In the end, they sold it for a high price of 370 taels.

The Su family instantly became the biggest family in Qinghe Village.

Going to school was no longer a problem.

With the recommendation of Zhu Lizheng, finding a tutor went especially smoothly; the payment for studies was made immediately. After half a month, they could study at the private school together with Zhu Wa.

Passing by the pawnshop, Su Wan took a jade pendant from the space and asked Su Fu to pawn it. “Mother, this jade pendant is the one given by the young master. It’s too valuable to carry around; it’s unsafe, so pawn it. With the extra money, we can also repair the house.”

Hearing “young master,” several people became a bit fearful. “Wanwan, that was a gift from the young master to you. If he finds out we pawned it, wouldn’t he kill us?”

Su Wan tilted her head and said, “He gave it to me, so it’s mine to handle however I want.”

Su Mingshan thought about it and agreed to pawn it. “It’s better this way; it’s too valuable. If anyone with ill intentions sees it, it could bring disaster.” Su Mingshan is a rough man but understands the dangers of possessing valuable items.

After he said this, everyone agreed to pawn it. To prevent ill intentions, Su Mingshan went to pawn it himself. He’s big and strong, so it’s safer.

Su Wan lied — this jade pendant was not the one from the young master; it was just one of the pieces in the jade box. The young master’s jade had lost its spiritual energy and was dull.

The reason she said this was that Su Fu saw the pendant that day; no further explanation was needed.

They waited in the alley for a long time before Su Mingshan came back looking flustered. “How did it go?” Xia Xian and Su Fu hurried over.

Su Mingshan’s face was grave. “Leave immediately.” The pawnshop owner had sent someone to follow him, and he barely shook them off. But he was still uneasy.

But they were still discovered.

Su Wan noticed two sneaky men trailing not far behind.

“Uncle, there are two men watching us,” Su Wan warned Su Mingshan.

Su Mingshan turned and panicked. “They’re pawnshop employees. Don’t panic. You go ahead, I’ll distract them.”

Though he said “don’t panic,” inside he was terrified.

The two men clearly had bad intentions, making this tricky.

As Su Mingshan was about to leave to divert them, the two men suddenly looked terrified and grabbed their own necks.

They strangled themselves to death.

“Ah, someone’s dead, it’s terrible, someone’s dead!” the nearby crowd panicked.

Su Mingshan was stunned.

How could they strangle themselves?

So strange!

“Stop staring, we shouldn’t stay here long,” Su Mingshan quickly led the family away.

No one noticed Su Wan slowly withdrawing her hand—this phantom vine was really useful: silent, invisible.

The two men had seen the faces of the Su family; if they did not kill them, there would be endless trouble.

Once on the carriage, everyone was still shaken, unable to understand why those two strangled themselves.

Only after returning home did they breathe a sigh of relief.

SuMingshan called everyone inside, lowered his voice:
 “It was very valuable, pawned for 800 taels. Here, little sister.” He gave all the 800 silver notes to Su Fu.

Su Fu gave back 100 taels to Su Mingshan.
 “Big brother, I owe you today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to pawn it. If you don’t take it, how can I face my sister?”

Su Mingshan knew Su Fu felt burdened living at home, with village gossip and all, so he accepted it after thinking for a moment.

“Okay.”

Su Mingshan took the 100 taels, and Su Fu’s heart finally settled.

Because they were so happy, they began discussing building a large house.

The house was filled with laughter.

Three little kids gnawed on meat buns and played with new toys, their giggles carrying far.

In the afternoon, three uninvited guests came to the yard and immediately demanded the Su family return the Ning family’s carriage.

“The carriage belongs to the Ning family. Since Su Fu was abandoned by my Ning family, the carriage should be returned to us. If not, we’ll see you in court,” Ning Dazhu said with a particularly sinister smile.

Everyone knew the Ning family had a top scholar who became an official. Even the town’s headman had to give him some respect. If it went to court, the Su family would surely lose.

Ning Yumo’s family was far away in the capital. Even if Ning Dazhu borrowed Ning Yumo’s power, so what? Ning Yumo was still his family.

Thinking this way, Ning Dazhu felt even more justified. His eldest son shamelessly said:
 “Exactly. Now that Su Fu has been divorced by my brother Yumo, there is no relation between the two families, so the carriage should belong to the Ning family.”

“Don’t tell me the carriage was compensation to Su Fu. Who doesn’t know how to lie?”

Su Mingshan knew the carriage was taken by Su Wan while guests were present; Ning Yumo reluctantly gave it. If questioned, Ning Yumo could deny it.

“Ning Dazhu, the whole village knows your Ning family’s main and second branches don’t get along. Why should you take back the second branch’s carriage?” Su Mingshan wouldn’t return it—it was owed to the Su family.

“Hmph, even if we don’t get along, we share the same blood. Besides, what’s not getting along? Isn’t that just an apology? No big deal,” Ning Yu said arrogantly.

Su Mingshan ignored him, grabbed a broom, and chased them off.
 “Get lost! Whether you apologize or not is none of Su family’s business. The carriage is owed to us by your Ning family. Want it back? Only if I’m dead.”

Su Mingshan held a grudge against Ning Yumo. Whenever he mentioned him, he wanted to tear him apart. Why would he return the carriage? Was he crazy?

Su Mingshan was bigger than the Ning family’s two sons. Seeing him about to fight, the two stepped out of the yard, stammering:
 “I think you won’t realize until it’s too late. Want to take it to court? Fine, I’ll help you. Let’s go.”

The father and sons left angrily.

The Ning main branch seemed determined to use Ning Yumo’s absence to show off their power in the village. The next day they reported to the town officials.

They brought two officers to the Su family.

Su Fu didn’t want to cause trouble for the Su family, so she bit her lip and bribed each officer with ten taels of silver.

The Ning family didn’t know what she said but saw the officers who were bribed with two taels warn them:
 “The carriage was compensation from the Ning family to the Su family. If you cause trouble again, you three will be caned.”

The Ning father and sons were scared.
 “Officers, my brother is a top scholar. Aren’t you giving face?”

But the officers wouldn’t buy it.
 “Ning Dazhu, your family and Ning Yumo have been at odds. Trying to bully villagers while Ning Yumo is away is not allowed.”

“Besides, Ning Yumo just took office. You two come bullying villagers with his power? You broke North Xia laws and will be caned at least thirty times.”

This completely frightened the Ning family.