Chapter 122

Chapter 122

On New Year's Eve, Lu Yuan and the old lady went to the market. There, they saw yamen constables and city guards escorting a long, dispirited line of bandits into the city, tied with ropes, stretching endlessly.

Lu Yuan hadn't inquired about the specifics, so she only knew of a victory, not the details. With so many captives, had they perhaps wiped out the bandits' entire lair?

After Qi Cheng returned from duty, Lu Yuan pressed him for information.

Qi Cheng explained, "Several previously suppressed strongholds had surviving remnants. They regrouped and formed a new one."

"These individuals had converged haphazardly, lacking loyalty or cohesion, making them a mere rabble, easily defeated."

Lu Yuan pondered, "That doesn't quite add up. If they were so easily defeated, why were you gone for nearly a month?"

Qi Cheng replied, "While we were engaging this particular stronghold, other bandits took advantage of the main army being elsewhere and unable to attend to other areas. They seized the opportunity to descend from the mountains and plunder."

"Deputy Magistrate Yang directly entrusted this area to Deputy General Zhou, then led a contingent of his old guard to suppress the bandits."

Lu Yuan was puzzled, "How did his old guard get involved?"

Qi Cheng smiled, "Deputy Magistrate Yang was originally from the military, so he naturally has brothers who fought alongside him through life and death. After his demotion, some of his comrades left their posts and came to join him—this happened quite recently."

"Though there are only a few dozen, each is exceptionally skilled. Compared to the bandits, one of them can easily take on five."

Currently, the world was relatively peaceful. With no foreign enemies for a decade, the court had gradually begun to prioritize civil officials over military officers.

Some military officers, lacking achievements, found their careers stagnant. Any mistake, leading to demotion or reduction in rank, made it difficult to recover.

What exactly Deputy Magistrate Yang had done wrong previously was not something Lu Yuan and others could ascertain.

Lu Yuan remarked, "No wonder. The line seemed to stretch on forever."

Qi Cheng said, "There were about five hundred of them."

Lu Yuan continued, "Combining last year's efforts with this recent campaign, nearly a thousand bandits have been eliminated. In the Lingnan region, centered around Guangkang, the surrounding mountain strongholds must be mostly cleared out by now, right?"

Qi Cheng nodded, "Pretty much."

Lu Yuan asked, "Local officials are rotated every two years. By July or August, will Deputy Magistrate Yang be transferred?"

At this topic, Qi Cheng also fell silent.

After a long pause, he said, "If Deputy Magistrate Yang is transferred, I expect I'll also leave the yamen."

After all, his current monthly salary came from Deputy Magistrate Yang's private funds. If he remained at the yamen under a new superior, his monthly salary would likely be less than two strings of cash. That was one reason. The second was that the new deputy magistrate might not retain him.

Lu Yuan said, "If you're accustomed to working at the yamen and don't wish to leave, less pay might be acceptable."

Qi Cheng smiled, "We'll see."

After the New Year's Eve dinner, Qi Cheng still couldn't stay with his wife, children, and elders to observe the New Year. He had to return to the yamen to interrogate prisoners.

Rushing to the yamen, he saw Constable Ji also hurrying in, carrying a faint scent of cooking oil.

Qi Cheng asked him, "Where did you have dinner?"

Constable Ji replied without changing his expression, "At someone else's house."

Remembering that Qi Cheng had invited him but he had declined, he explained, "I had to lend a hand somewhere along the way."

Qi Cheng nodded and didn't press further.

Since the prisoners had just been brought into the city that day, there were many tasks to handle. So, everyone in the yamen took turns going home for their New Year's Eve dinner before returning.

They interrogated the bandits one by one.

The interrogation lasted until midnight.

Most of the family members came to deliver late-night food.

Lu Yuan, being pregnant, wasn't supposed to go out at night, so she asked someone to deliver food to the yamen.

Lu Yuan used the broth from tonight's stewed chicken to make congee, added some meat, and prepared chicken and pork congee. She sent a whole pot over, along with a jar of side dishes, telling Qi Cheng to share it with others.

Everyone laid out the food sent from their homes on the table. They all stood or sat on the ground.

When Deputy Magistrate Yang arrived, someone scooped a bowl of congee and brought it to him.

Deputy Magistrate Yang also lifted his robe and sat on the ground to eat. He said to Deputy General Zhou, "It's been a long time since I last sat on the ground eating with everyone like this. It vaguely feels like being back in the army."

Deputy General Zhou said quietly, "Now that you, sir, have wiped out the bandits around Guangkang, you have already achieved merit. Perhaps after your two-year term is up, you can be restored to your former official position."

Yang Zhiyuan glanced at his exhausted subordinates around him and said calmly, "It's not yet time."

Deputy General Zhou was puzzled, "What do you mean, sir?"

Yang Zhiyuan explained, "If we're going to eliminate them, we must root them out completely. Although we have pacified these mountain areas now, over time, due to the terrain, many fugitives and villains will gather again. But at least for the next ten years, Lingnan will be truly peaceful, without large-scale bandit disturbances."

"Moreover, mapping out the terrain of these mountains will also benefit future bandit suppression efforts. There is still much to do."

After finishing the late-night food, Yang Zhiyuan got up to write memorials.

Memorials about the suppression of the bandits and regarding his successor.

Qi Cheng and the others took turns resting in the duty room. They worked until dawn before each went home.

Arriving home, he had some food and then fell asleep immediately.

Although the old lady felt bad for her grandson, she did not complain about the yamen anymore.

After all, suppressing bandits was not easy for the yamen.

Qi Cheng slept until afternoon before waking up.

When he came out of his room, Cui Niang saw him and hurriedly went to prepare food.

No one else was home. He asked Cui Niang, "Where did everyone go?"

Cui Niang said, "The mistress said she needed to go to the night market to handle some matters. The old lady was worried and went with her. To avoid disturbing you, sir, they took the two children along."

Qi Cheng nodded. After eating some food, he hitched the carriage and went to the night market to pick them up.

It was the New Year, and the streets were crowded with people. Qi Cheng drove the carriage very slowly. When he reached the night market street, it wasn't yet time for the stalls to open, so there weren't many people, and the carriage could pass through easily. He soon arrived in front of the shop.

The two children were playing in the shop. When they saw Qi Cheng, they excitedly shouted "Dad!" and ran out.

Thinking about it, Qi Cheng had been out fighting bandits for over a month and had only spent one day at home, mostly resting, without much quality time together. The two children naturally belonged to him.

Qi Cheng crouched down, picked up both children, and walked with steady steps into the shop.

Hearing the children call out "Dad," Lu Yuan lifted the curtain and came out from the backyard.

She asked, "Have you eaten?"

Qi Cheng nodded, "I had a bowl of lamb broth noodles at home."

Lu Yuan said, "Just one bowl? That's not enough for you."

She turned and called out, "Man Niang, serve a bowl of fish ball soup."

The fish ball soup was a new addition to the menu at the end of the year. The fish balls were made by Qi Niang's husband, who pounded the fish.

Lu Yuan had watched culinary demonstrations and knew the technique for making fish balls. Combined with her own blend of spices, the fish balls were springy, and the broth, made from fish bones, was rich and flavorful.

In the cold winter, anyone passing by and catching the aroma, seeing the steaming, milky-white fish ball soup, would want a bowl.

Although the fish wasn't expensive—just a few coins per catty—removing the bones took considerable effort. So, Lu Yuan charged five coins for a small bowl of fish ball soup and seven coins for a large one.

Business wasn't exactly thriving, but the nightly earnings had increased from less than fifty coins to around a hundred.

Man Niang brought out a bowl of fish ball soup from the kitchen and then asked, "Madam, may I leave for half an hour?"

Seeing that it wasn't yet time for the market to open, Lu Yuan readily agreed.

She added, "I'd like a bowl of fish ball soup to go."

As she spoke, she gave seven coins to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "For family, five coins are enough."

She returned two coins.

Man Niang said, "Thank you, madam."

She went back to make the fish ball soup.

Lu Yuan glanced at her.

Because Man Niang's home was leaky and she had to work late every night, she had asked Lu Yuan if her two children could stay over for a few nights.

Now that He Bao was back, he would come to pick up his younger sister in the evening. The other helper lived nearby, so only Man Niang stayed in the house. Lu Yuan naturally agreed.

But with the children in the backyard, where was she taking the fish ball soup?

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment but didn't dwell on it.

After Qi Cheng finished the fish ball soup, he said, "Prepare a few more portions. I'll take them to Lord Yang, Deputy General Zhou, and Constable Ji later."

They were all alone in Guang Kang County. Lord Yang and Deputy General Zhou weren't extravagant people and would likely make do with whatever's handy tonight.

Lu Yuan nodded and agreed, "Alright. They're all big men. I'll make generous portions."

Qi Cheng said, "No need. Just tell me what to do, and I'll make them."

Lu Yuan smiled, "It's fine. The fish balls are already prepared, and the broth is ready. We just need to heat them up in the pot."

Qi Cheng still didn't let her near the stove. He cooked the fish balls himself.

Lu Yuan had him prepare three portions with less broth and more fish balls, packaged them in jars, put lids on them, and tied them with straw ropes in a cross pattern.

Qi Cheng brought both children along to deliver the fish ball soup.

They went to the public office first, then to Deputy General Zhou's home.

Deputy General Zhou wanted to invite him to stay but, knowing he still had to go to Constable Ji's house, picked up the jar and suggested they go together and share a drink along the way.

After tying up the horse at the entrance of the alley, Qi Cheng let Deputy General Zhou carry the fish ball soup while he carried the two children.

Deputy General Zhou teased, "You really cherish these two daughters of yours."

Earlier, when investigating Qi Cheng's background, Deputy General Zhou had overseen the matter and knew his wife had remarried, bringing the children with her. But since Qi Cheng didn't seem to want to discuss it, Deputy General Zhou acted as if he didn't know.

Qi Cheng smiled and said, "The children are obedient and care for me and their mother. Of course, I'll pamper them."

Chunhua smiled, her eyes crinkling.

In her memory, her birth father had never held her, never spoken to her gently, let alone bought things for her.

Her new father would buy food and toys for her and her sister, take them out to play, and tell others they were his daughters.

She adored her current father and grandmother.

But she also cherished her mother deeply, whether it was her previous mother or her current one.

Chunhua couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

When they reached Constable Ji's door, Qi Cheng put the children down and was about to knock when the door opened first.

Man Niang, seeing them, took a step back in surprise, her expression flustered.

Qi Cheng: "..."

What a coincidence. He had only been back for a few days and had already encountered her twice.

Constable Ji saw them and said to Man Niang, "You can go about your business now."

Man Niang, carrying a basket, hurried away.

After entering the courtyard, Deputy General Zhou joked, "Why did that woman come out of your house?"

Constable Ji served them water and said, "Don't speak foolishly. She's a servant Qi Cheng and I bought together."

Deputy General Zhou, noticing the fish ball soup on the table, teased, "The way that woman looked so panicked when she saw us—it didn't seem like she was just a servant. It seemed like she fancies you."

Constable Ji chuckled, "Nonsense. I'm so intimidating even the neighbors use me to scare their children."

Qi Cheng, who hadn't intended to get involved, said, "As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Appearance isn't that important."

Deputy General Zhou nodded.

"But then again, if she's of humble status, you could take her as a concubine, but marrying her wouldn't do."

Constable Ji said, "Deputy General, you're talking nonsense again. Not to mention, a common household like mine has no need for a concubine. Besides, there's nothing between us—neither of us has such intentions."

Qi Cheng drank some tea and remarked calmly, "Man Niang and Cui Niang are not of humble status."

Constable Ji and Deputy General Zhou both looked at him in surprise upon hearing this.

Deputy General Zhou exclaimed in astonishment, "Buying servants without a bond contract? How is that possible?"

Qi Cheng smiled and said, "My wife is kind-hearted. She had me tell the labor broker to pay them monthly without signing a deed of servitude, only an employment agreement. Since neither of them is literate, they didn’t notice anything unusual."

"Of course, since we didn’t know them well at first, we didn’t mention this to them right away."

After speaking, Qi Cheng turned to Constable Ji: "My wife told me that Cui Niang is diligent, capable, and has good character, but she has two children, one of whom requires medicine. If you’re interested, think it over carefully and decide soon. Don’t let that woman wait in vain."

Constable Ji was stunned for a moment, then said, "We can discuss this privately. Don’t speak of it outside—it could harm the woman’s reputation."

Deputy General Zhou ribbed, "Oh, so you say you’re not interested, yet you care so much about her. Seems to me you’re not as indifferent as you claim."

Constable Ji didn’t argue further and said, "Since you’re here, let’s eat together."

Qi Cheng replied, "I need to take my wife and Grandmother home first. I’ll come back later."

Constable Ji said, "Alright, I’ll go to the restaurant and pick up a few dishes."

Qi Cheng didn’t stay long and soon left. When he returned to the shop, Man Niang saw him and was so flustered she dropped and broke a bowl.

Lu Yuan glanced at her but didn’t say anything to her, though she could see how panicked Man Niang was.

On the way home, Lu Yuan leaned against the carriage door and asked Qi Cheng, "Why did Man Niang seem so nervous when she saw you earlier?"

Qi Cheng answered truthfully, "I ran into her at Constable Ji’s house."

Lu Yuan said in surprise, "So the fish ball soup was for Constable Ji. I was wondering who she was taking it to, since the children were all here."

Qi Cheng added, "Last time, when I delivered chicken soup to Constable Ji’s house, I ran into her then too."

Lu Yuan, connecting this with what she had noticed before, said, "Didn’t you say before that she only goes when he’s not home? Now she’s going even when he is. Isn’t that awfully frequent?"

Qi Cheng said, "Constable Ji mentioned that it involves her reputation, so we shouldn’t talk about it carelessly outside."

Lu Yuan patted his back and said, "I can keep a secret."

Qi Cheng smiled and said, "After I take you all home, I still need to go to Constable Ji’s to drink."

Lu Yuan said, "Don’t drink too much, and come back early."

Qi Cheng agreed, "Alright."

When they reached home, Lu Yuan gave him a jar of stewed mutton: "Take this to Constable Ji’s house."

Qi Cheng took it, and she reminded him again, "Remember, don’t drink too much. If you do, just stay at Constable Ji’s for the night instead of driving the cart back."

Qi Cheng smiled and said, "I know, I know. If I’m back late, don’t wait up—go to bed early."

Lu Yuan nodded.

When Qi Cheng returned to Constable Ji’s house, a table had already been up in the courtyard. No one knew where he’d gotten the chicken, but it was already cooked and placed on the table, along with three bowls of wine.

Constable Ji glanced at him and said, "Since you’re here, let’s light some incense together."

He handed him a bundle of incense sticks.

The men burned incense and poured ritual wine in memory of their comrades who had lost their lives in the recent bandit suppression.

***

Late at night, hearing a knock at the door, Cui Niang hurriedly opened it, holding an oil lamp.

Smelling the strong scent of alcohol, she asked, "Master, would you like me to prepare hot water?"

Qi Cheng nodded, "Please prepare some for me."

Cui Niang said, "The mistress set out your clothes in the main hall, saying you could change when you returned."

Lu Yuan, being pregnant, was very sensitive to smells, so she had prepared his clothes elsewhere to avoid the alcohol bothering her.

After a quick rinse, Qi Cheng still carried a faint smell of alcohol.

He returned to the room without lighting a lamp, groped his way to the bed in the dark, got under the covers, and embraced his wife from behind.

Lu Yuan had already heard the noise and was awake.

She said, "How much did you have to drink? Even after washing up, you still smell of wine."

Hearing this, Qi Cheng started to sit up, but Lu Yuan held him back: "Where are you going?"

Perhaps from drinking too much and being out in the cold, Qi Cheng’s voice was hoarse: "I’ll go rinse off again."

Lu Yuan said with slight irritation, "It’s not strong, just a faint smell. No need to wash again."

So Qi Cheng lay back down, holding her, and murmured her name: "Li Niang."

Lu Yuan "Hmm?" she responded.

Perhaps from having drunk too much, Qi Cheng was in low spirits. He said sadly, "Tonight, Deputy General Zhou, Constable Ji, and I held a memorial for our fallen brothers. Afterward, we each talked about our families."

Lu Yuan listened carefully and asked, "And then?"

Qi Cheng said, "I always wondered why Constable Ji was the most relentless during bandit suppression missions. Now I know. He once had a son. During ancestral rites, he didn’t go with his wife, child, and parents. On the road, they encountered bandits. To avoid being dishonored, his wife killed herself, and the child and his parents were killed by the bandits."

Lu Yuan was silent for a long moment before saying, "No wonder he’s always been alone and never remarried."

"Deputy General Zhou is an orphan. After becoming a squad commander, he married and had two children. Later, he found out that because he was often away with the army, his wife had been seeing someone else, and neither child was his."

Lu Yuan: ...

Their stories just get sadder and sadder.

Qi Cheng held her tighter and said, "While I feel sympathy for them, I also feel grateful. Grateful that I have you now, three children, and Grandmother. Grateful that after more than twenty years of misfortune, I’ve finally found happiness."

Lu Yuan patted his hand and said gently, "Don’t overthink it. You have me, Grandmother, Chun Hua, Qiu Hua, and the baby. Life will get better day by day."

Qi Cheng buried his face in the nape of her neck, his voice muffled, barely above a whisper: "Life is so good now, sometimes it feels like a dream. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and it’ll all be gone."

Lu Yuan thought she was the emotional one due to pregnancy making her emotional, but he seemed even more sentimental.

Lu Yuan asked, "Why would you think that?"

Qi Cheng was silent for a while before slowly saying, "I know. I’ve known for a long time."

Lu Yuan was puzzled by his roundabout way of talking.

After a long pause, she heard him say, "I know you’re not really Li Niang."