Chapter 186

As promised, Cui Yuan later sent over gifts, though he didn’t personally deliver them. Instead, a young servant, unfamiliar to them, brought the gifts, saying he was following Cui Yuan’s instructions and knew nothing more.

Wang Yuan’er looked at the pile of gifts, which included pastries, wine, fabric, and tea—all practical items for daily use.

“Master Cui sure is generous,” Wang Qing’er said with a grin, hugging the piece of fabric tightly and refusing to let go.

“Shallow-minded as always,” Wang Yuan’er muttered, poking Qing’er’s forehead, though she herself was troubled. The other gifts were fine, but the box she had tucked away in the cabinet—that was the truly problematic one. Such a valuable item was far beyond what she could accept.

“Shouldn’t these gifts be stored with your grandmother instead?” Madam Zhang stretched her neck and said, “Didn’t they say these were for your grandfather and grandmother?”

Wang Qing’er’s face darkened, and she whispered, “Elder Sister, shallow-minded—that’s her!”

Everyone understood Madam Zhang’s intent. Having the gifts stored with Grandma Wang was no different from handing them to the second household. Since the second household ate from the same pot as Grandma Wang, Madam Zhang clearly had her own plans.

“You all keep these for yourselves. After all, Master Cui sent them to you,” Grandma Wang said, stepping out from behind Madam Zhang and glancing at the gifts before addressing Wang Yuan’er.

“But, Mother…” Madam Zhang protested, clearly reluctant to let go of such fine items.

Grandma Wang shot Madam Zhang a sharp glance, the warning in her eyes unmistakable. Madam Zhang pursed her lips and let out a dissatisfied grunt.

“Grandma, we can’t possibly eat all of this. Why don’t you and Grandfather try some of these pastries? And this wine—Grandfather loves it,” Wang Yuan’er, ever sensible, distributed some of the gifts to them. She paid no attention to Madam Zhang’s eager gaze.

Grandma Wang’s expression grew complicated. She had never been particularly fond of the eldest household, but the children there were always dutiful and respectful, unlike those in the second household.

“Just leave it there!” Grandma Wang said with little emotion, merely gesturing with her mouth. She turned to Madam Zhang and said, “Why aren’t you cooking? What are you standing here for?”

Madam Zhang opened her mouth, muttering about being ordered around, but reluctantly went to the kitchen.

Wang Qing’er found this amusing and whispered, “Second Aunt is so funny. If she didn’t cook, then who else?”

“Say less and get to work. We need to tidy up and prepare for opening the shop,” Wang Yuan’er snapped.

Wang Qing’er hurriedly took the fabric inside.

Wang Yuan’er couldn’t stop thinking about the box Cui Yuan had gifted her. She went to the workshop and Qingteng Garden a few times but saw no sign of him.

Had he left again?

Unable to find him, Wang Yuan’er decided to temporarily put the box away, planning to return it to him when they met again.

On the second day of the second lunar month, known as “Dragon Heads Raising Day,” a festival symbolizing renewal and prosperity, families celebrate with traditions. People visited the local earth temple to burn incense, offer sacrifices, beat drums, set off firecrackers for abundant harvests, and observe other customs.

The villagers held this holiday in high regard. Some elderly women even forbade the use of scissors, needles, or similar tools, believing that breaking this rule could provoke scolding from the elders—such actions were thought to blind the Dragon God. Consequently, the sounds of old ladies angrily berating family members for breaking the rules could often be heard, much to everyone’s amusement.

As the Spring Cultivation Festival began, farmers prepared to start plowing and planting. With the snow melting, work on expanding the river channels also intensified.

Around this time, the imperial court unexpectedly issued an order to open trade with foreign lands by establishing ports and maritime trade offices in four provinces to manage sea trade. One of these offices was to be established in Changle Town, causing a huge stir among the locals—they were as excited as boiling water.

Although Wang Yuan’er had anticipated this possibility, seeing the public notice posted by the government officials reassured her. No matter the exact location of the maritime trade office, it was certain that Changle Town would soon become a prosperous hub. With this order, the expansion of the river channels accelerated even more to accommodate the expected increase in merchant and official ships. To prevent accidents caused by overcrowding, the river needed to be widened significantly.

The workers toiled around the clock, repairing embankments and expanding the river channels. Wang Er, who was in charge of overseeing the work, was so busy that he was barely seen at home.

For several days, Wang Yuan’er hadn’t seen her second uncle. Then, one night, long past midnight, she woke up and seemed to hear him talking to someone outside. She gently pushed open her window and looked out. Wang Er was standing at the courtyard gate, speaking with someone. She could vaguely see him receiving something.

Suspicious, Wang Yuan’er felt uneasy but didn’t think much of it at the time. However, a few days later, just as she had fallen asleep, there was a sudden loud knocking on the Wang family’s door—bang, bang, bang, like thunder.

Lights began to flicker on one by one as Grandma and Grandpa Wang came out. When they opened the door, the person outside shouted, “Something terrible has happened, Old Wang! Your second son has been thrown into prison!”

Thrown into prison? Who was thrown into prison? Wang Er? Her second uncle?

Wang Yuan’er stepped out of her room, one foot still inside, but she was already frozen in shock.

“Old woman! Hey, old woman!” Grandpa Wang’s calls snapped Wang Yuan’er back to reality. When she looked over, her heart sank.

Grandma Wang had fainted upon hearing the news and was now slumped in Grandpa Wang’s arms!

Wang Yuan’er panicked and hurriedly called out into the house, “Chun’er! Chun’er, wake up! Something’s happened!” She quickly ran over to them.

“What’s all this racket about?” Madam Zhang came out of the west wing, pulling her coat tighter and yawning. “Can’t people sleep anymore?”

Wang Yuan’er had already reached Grandma Wang’s side and was helping her along with Grandpa Wang. Hearing Madam Zhang’s complaint, she rolled her eyes. Something serious has happened, and you can still sleep soundly. Your husband hasn’t returned yet, and you don’t even ask!

“Oh dear, it’s the middle of the night, Wang Er’s wife. Your Wang Er has been taken by the officials and thrown into prison!” Hearing Madam Zhang’s words, the messenger slapped his thigh and repeated loudly.

Madam Zhang was dumbfounded and stared at the messenger, “What? What did you say? My husband has been thrown into prison?”

The messenger nodded and said, “Exactly. The warehouse district is in complete chaos—go and take a look quickly!”

Madam Zhang collapsed to the ground.

Wang Yuan’er, growing anxious, turned to Grandpa Wang and said, “Grandfather, let’s carry Grandma back inside first.”

Grandpa Wang, regaining some composure, nodded. Together, the grandfather and granddaughter carried Grandma Wang back inside to lie her down.

“What should we do? What should we do now?” Seeing that Grandma Wang showed no signs of waking, Grandpa Wang grew flustered. Remembering the medicinal oil stored in the house, he quickly retrieved it.

Wang Yuan’er, however, carefully examined Grandma Wang and checked her breathing. Realizing that she had simply fainted, Wang Yuan’er stopped Grandpa Wang and said, “Grandfather, I think Grandma fainted because she was overcome with anger. She’ll likely wake up soon. It’s better to let her sleep for now, and we can go to the warehouse district to figure out what happened.”

Her assessment was clear-eyed. Since the situation was still unclear, allowing Grandma Wang to wake would likely lead to emotional outbursts, which would hinder their efforts to gather information.

Grandpa Wang seemed to agree with her logic and nodded.

“Grandfather, put on your coat—the wind is picking up outside, and it looks like it might snow,” Wang Yuan’er added, noticing how thinly he was dressed.

Although it was only February, snowfall was common. Seeing the wind picking up and the oppressive dark clouds outside, they proceeded cautiously.

Grandpa Wang followed her instructions as if they were orders, taking a coat to wear.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuan’er had already asked Wang Chun’er to stay and watch over Grandma Wang. She hurried back to her room to dress, completely ignoring Madam Zhang, who was sitting by the door of the west wing, slapping her thigh and wailing loudly.

Cry, cry, cry—is this the time for crying?

Wang Yuan’er moved swiftly, putting on her coat and windproof hat. She grabbed a windproof lantern before leaving and said to Madam Zhang, “Second Aunt, stop crying. Grandfather and I are going to the warehouse district to figure out what’s happening. Stay here and look after the house!”

“I-I want to go too!” Madam Zhang, unwilling to stay behind, immediately scrambled to her feet and stumbled back to her room to get dressed.

One person was helpless and disorganized, while the other was calm and composed—the contrast was stark. Watching this, Grandpa Wang let out a deep sigh.

Carrying the lantern, Wang Yuan’er supported Grandpa Wang as they hurried toward the warehouse district.

The warehouse district was near the docks, typically used to store materials for river channel construction, such as timber. Now, it was brightly lit and bustling with commotion.

Someone could be heard shouting curses about heartlessness, lack of conscience, and wishing ruin upon someone’s lineage.

Wang Yuan’er’s heart tightened, but she pushed forward into the crowd. “Excuse me, let me through!”

“Ah, it’s someone from the Wang family! Hah, they’ve got the nerve to show up, those heartless scoundrels!”

Grandpa Wang heard these words, and they buzzed in his ears. His legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed, but Wang Yuan’er quickly supported him.

“Where is Wang Er? Where is my husband?” Madam Zhang began shouting loudly.

“Bah! You shameless woman, still daring to call for your husband? He’s already been dragged off to prison! Using rotten timber to build the dam, not fearing the heavens’ wrath—this is clearly an attempt to have all of Changle Town wiped out by a flood!” someone shouted angrily at Madam Zhang.

“Exactly! Who knows how many bribes they’ve taken? Just look at how well she’s dressed—it must’ve been paid for with stolen money.”

“Heartless crooks!”

Madam Zhang, already in a state of panic, couldn’t hold herself together when faced with these accusations. She jumped up, ready to argue back.

Wang Yuan’er grabbed her firmly and said, “Second Aunt, is this the time to make a scene? Instead of throwing a tantrum, wouldn’t it be better to ask the person in charge for an explanation?”

In a moment like this, how can she not prioritize the situation? What is she even thinking?

Although Madam Zhang was upset, her concern for her husband outweighed her anger. She reluctantly held back and followed Wang Yuan’er.

The warehouse district was brightly lit. Officials armed with swords and knives stood at the gates, directing workers to move large wooden beams out of storage. However, upon closer inspection, these so-called wooden beams were light enough for a single person to lift easily. In the center of the yard, there was already a large pile of them. While not excessively heavy, these six-to-seven-foot-long beams should still require some effort to move if they were solid wood. Remembering the crowd’s earlier accusations, Wang Yuan’er’s heart sank.