Chapter 58

Chapter 58: A Good Price

Mrs. Zhang, entirely focused on how to make the bracelets, hadn't pondered how a three-year-old knew so much and could draw so well.

Although she doubted the finished product would match the drawing, she hurriedly searched for some threads in her sewing basket and began knitting according to Ding Xiang's instructions.

After an hour, she had completed most of it and strung seven beads on it. Mrs. Zhang was amazed, finding the knitted bracelet even more beautiful than the drawing.

Late in the afternoon, Ding Zhuang returned home with his sons, Ding Lichun and Ding Liren, each carrying a large basket.

Today was the first time Ding Xiang saw Ding Zhuang after only a night and half a day, yet it felt like several years had passed.

Her grandfather had lost weight, his hair mostly grey, with blisters around his upper lip, and his back seemed more stooped.

Tears welled up in Ding Xiang's eyes as she rushed forward and hugged his legs, saying, "Grandpa, we will get through this."

Ding Zhuang didn't lift her up to console her as usual but said, "Don't be afraid, Xiang Xiang, Grandpa won't let you suffer."

Then he walked solemnly into the main room.

Ding Lichun whispered, "We went around Bei Quan Village, Nan Quan Village, and the town, and only managed to borrow eight guan, six strings of cash, and a few silver coins. Another person promised to bring two guan tomorrow."

Ding Lailai added, "When we went to the town, Grandpa went into the pharmacy alone and didn't allow us to enter."

Ding Xiang's heart sank. Could Grandpa be losing hope?

But she quickly dismissed the thought. Ding Zhuang, known for his resilience, had repeatedly promised not to let her suffer. It was unlikely he would consider suicide.

For lunch, they had noodle dumpling soup, but no one had much appetite.

After the meal, Ding Zhuang locked himself in his room again. Mrs. Zhang, working on the knitted bracelets, sat silently in the main hall with her three children, waiting.

They all hoped for Ding Zhao's quick return, wishing the Tang family might lend some money and that the dagger could be sold for a good price.

By the late afternoon, Mrs. Zhang finally finished a bracelet. When she tried it on her wrist, it looked unique and beautiful, resembling a colorful bracelet studded with pearls.

Ding Xiang gave it a charming name: the Seven-Star Color Bracelet.

Mrs. Zhang smiled, "Color Bracelet? A fitting and pleasant name. The thread might be cheap, but the technique of making this bracelet is valuable, especially with these beads. It's sure to fetch a good price. If we have more time, selling it to daughters of wealthy families might bring an even higher price. I'll stay up late and make a couple more, even without beads they'll still sell for a good amount."

Ding Xiang then sketched another bracelet design. "Mother, the same design won’t sell for a high price a second time. I've also thought of this one, called the Butterfly Flight Color Bracelet. It looks best when made with eight strands of thread."

She explained how to match the colors.

Both the Six-Star Color Bracelet and Butterfly Flight Color Bracelet were derived from basic knotting techniques. Currently preoccupied, Mrs. Zhang couldn’t focus on crafting more complex designs.

Mrs. Zhang happily agreed to her suggestions.

Shortly after, they heard the sound of the courtyard gate opening.

Ding Lichun, thinking his father had returned, excitedly ran to open the door, only to be confronted by several menacing men.

Startled, Ding Lichun dashed back inside, exclaiming, "Grandpa, Grandpa, there are people here!"

Ding Zhuang emerged, swiftly scooping up Ding Liren and Ding Xiang and ushering them into the bedroom, then closing the door behind them.

One of the burly men greeted with a clasped hand, "Mr. Ding."

Ding Zhuang returned the gesture, "I'm hardly worthy of such a title. Gentlemen, may I know your business here?"

The man sneered, "Mr. Ding, let's not pretend ignorance. You know very well where we come from. We've just returned from the provincial city after seeing Master Xue. He declared he has no dealings with your Ding family and won't repay a penny on your behalf. We've been searching for Ding Chi for days without even a glimpse of his shadow.

"Our boss said it clearly: a son's debt is a father's responsibility. The principal of twelve hundred taels of silver, along with the monthly interest, not a coin less. You have one more day until the deadline. We'll be back the day after tomorrow to collect the money. As for running away, don't even think about it."

After delivering their message, the men left as abruptly as they had arrived.

Ding Zhuang went back inside, brought Ding Xiang and Ding Liren to the main hall, and then secluded himself in his room.

Mrs. Zhang's hands trembled uncontrollably, unable to continue knitting, she covered her mouth, tears streaming down.

Ding Lichun tried to console her, "Mother, don't panic. With me, Grandpa, and Dad here to protect you, everything will be alright."

Ding Liren puffed out his chest, "And me too, I'll stand in front of Mother and Sister."

Ding Xiang remained silent, her gaze fixed on Mrs. Zhang, filled with unwavering determination.

Seeing her children's resilience, she wondered why she was still crying.

Mrs. Zhang wiped away her tears and continued making the bracelet, her hands still shaking badly, slowing her progress significantly.

Feeling that their father would return soon, Ding Lichun stood at the door with his brother and sister, looking towards the village entrance, while Heizi, their dog, sat beside them.

The villagers, aware of Ding Chi's overwhelming debts and his disappearance, leaving the burden on his family, looked at the siblings with sympathy, no longer greeting them as they used to.

A woman with a limp passed by in the distance, a hint of a smile on her lips.

She must be feeling vindicated, as if witnessing karma in action.

The day seemed to drag on exceptionally slowly, and the siblings, with longing eyes, finally saw Ding Zhao driving a bullock cart appearing at the village entrance amidst the evening glow.

It was as if they saw hope again, and Ding Xiang turned and ran towards the main house.

"Grandpa, Mother, Dad's back," she announced.

Ding Zhuang, who had been confined to the bedroom, quickly stepped out of the house.

Ding Zhao handed over the bullock cart to Ding Lichun and hurried into the house.

"How did it go?" Ding Zhuang asked.

Ding Zhao replied, "The Tang family didn't lend a single coin. They yelled at me, said some really nasty things, and demanded we hand over their daughter. I was already leaving the alley when the Tang family’s matriarch caught up with me, gave me fifty taels in banknotes, and assured us not to worry about Li Lai."

He didn't dare mention how the Tang family patriarch was furiously cursing Ding Chi and even Ding Li Lai, blaming them for the family's misfortune. Fortunately, the matriarch spoke honestly, fearing the people from the gambling den might become desperate. They had already secretly sent the child to relatives for safety.

Ding Zhuang nodded, understandingly concerned about his third grandson.

He then asked, "Did you go to the Long Fei Escort Agency?"

Ding Zhao's face lit up with a hint of a smile, "When I went there, it wasn't until late afternoon that Qian Er, the second-in-command at the escort agency, returned. He was extremely fond of the dagger, saying such a fine item was worth four hundred taels of silver."

He took out several banknotes.

Such a large amount.

This figure brought joy to the faces of Ding Zhuang and everyone in the room.

Ding Zhuang said, "Qian Er is known for his righteousness and didn't deceive us common folk, offering a fair price. I’m grateful for the kindness of our in-laws."

With the four hundred and fifty taels, plus the fixed assets like the shop and house, and the money borrowed from relatives and friends, they were only a little over a hundred taels short of clearing the debt.

Ding Zhao said, "Tomorrow I’ll go to the county town and either sell or pawn the jewelry. That should raise another thirty to fifty taels. Alas, the price of jewelry fluctuates greatly, and they’ll press hard seeing our urgency. We're only short by a hundred or so taels; we can borrow that amount."

Despite the family being impoverished and still deeply in debt, this was a much better outcome than previously expected.

As for how they would earn money to repay the debt in the future, they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

Everyone felt considerably relieved.

Ding Zhuang looked around the room reluctantly, "Li Chun's wife, tidy up our belongings. We’ll move into the third room for now. Later, we'll fix up those broken houses at the village entrance and temporarily live there."

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