Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Returning home, Chen Qingyan was quizzing his younger brother on his studies. Wang Ying, not wanting to disturb them, first went to the backyard to put away the money.

The household had now accumulated over a hundred strings of copper coins. Sixty of these came from the autumn harvest, with the remainder being the shop's earnings over the past few months.

This didn't even account for daily household expenses and New Year's gifts. In short, under his management, the Chen family had finally turned a loss into a profit.

Wang Ying placed the day’s earnings into a chest. The storeroom was filled with two large chests of copper coins. He would have to find time to exchange them for silver at the money shop, which would be more convenient for storage and carrying.

However, exchanging copper coins for silver came with a slight loss. Normally, one tael of silver could be exchanged for a thousand copper coins, but converting copper coins to silver required over eleven hundred coins for one tael—a ten percent transaction fee was simply too expensive.

As he locked the storeroom and came out, he happened to bump into Chen Qingyan returning from the front yard.

"A Ying, you're back?"

"Business was good today. The vegetables sold quickly, so I came back early."

"Did you sell all the vegetables from this morning?"

"Yes."

Chen Qingyan wore an expression of disbelief, which made Wang Ying chuckle.

Entering the room, Wang Ying took off his cloak and cotton coat, handing them to Chen Qingyan to hang on the wall. The heated floor kept the room warm, making it unnecessary to wear too many layers.

"Come here, I want to talk to you."

Chen Qingyan walked over and sat down beside him. "What is it?"

"Something happened last night, didn't it? You seemed restless. Did you not sleep at all?"

"No, no, it's just that the journey was tiring. It's taking me a while to shake off the travel fatigue after coming home."

Wang Ying was skeptical. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"If anything's wrong, you have to tell me."

"Don't worry, it's really nothing. Don't overthink it."

"If it's nothing, that's good. I'm going to check on the progress in the west courtyard."

Chen Qingyan took Wang Ying's hand.

"What is it?"

"I want to hug you." Chen Qingyan wrapped his arms around Wang Ying’s waist, burying his face in his abdomen and taking a deep breath.

Wang Ying knew something was troubling him, but since he wasn't saying, it wasn't right to press further. Everyone had their privacy. He ran his fingers through Chen Qingyan’s hair and said, "If you didn't rest well, go lie down for a bit. I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

After Wang Ying left, Chen Qingyan let out a long sigh. It wasn't that he meant to hide things from Wang Ying—he just didn't know how to bring it up.

The imperial examinations had become his personal demon, filling him with anxiety and helplessness whenever mentioned, gnawing away at what little self-esteem he had left.

Ah well, he thought. I'll tell A Ying after I've resolved this matter.

*

In the west courtyard, Uncle Chen was overseeing several hired bricklayers fixing up the yard.

This was where Third Aunt had lived before she married. Since her wedding, it had been many years since anyone had lived here.

"Young Master, you're here."

"How's the work on the room coming along?"

"It'll take a few more days. The house hasn't been maintained much these past few years—the windows are warped and all need reinforcing."

When the old master was alive, he would have someone repair the house every year. After his passing, with so many things happening and Li Shi not being much of a manager, the house had gotten run-down.

Wang Ying watched as a young worker climbed a ladder to replace tiles on the roof. "Be careful. There's snow on the roof—don't slip."

The young worker answered cheerfully, "Don't worry, Boss Wang."

Inside the room, others were also working. Since no one had lived there for so long, the wall plaster was crumbling and needed to be scraped and recoated with lime. The bed was old, and the room was empty, so furniture would need to be added.

Wang Ying said, "Make sure they repair the room carefully. If there's not enough money, get funds from me. We mustn't neglect Third Aunt and her two cousins."

Uncle Chen nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, Young Master. I'll make sure it's good as new."

"Once the weather warms up, the other courtyards will need repairs too, so we don't run out of space when guests come later."

"Alright." Uncle Chen watched Wang Ying’s back as he walked away, sighing inwardly: Thank heavens Young Master married A Ying. So young, yet so capable—this household finally has a proper foundation.

*

Time flew by, and soon it was the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. These days, the vegetable shop was doing great business every day. Wang Ying picked vegetables from the test field at night and sold them at the shop during the day, keeping him swamped.

Fortunately, Lin Qiu was there to help. Qing Yun and Lin Sui were still a bit young—after a few days of work, they didn't want to come anymore. Only Lin Qiu got up early every day to accompany him to open the shop.

Early in the morning, Wang Ying came out of his room to find Lin Qiu already waiting in the outer room.

"Are you cold?"

Lin Qiu shyly shook his head.

"Have you eaten anything this morning?"

"Yes, millet porridge and wheat pancakes." Since coming to the Chen family, he and his brother ate the same as their cousin—fine flour and millet every day. Their faces had even rounded out a bit.

"You don't need to get up so early next time. There aren't many customers in the morning—it's fine to go later."

"Mhm..."

He had said the same thing yesterday. Wang Ying knew the boy would still come this early tomorrow. For someone with such a soft personality, he had dared to hold scissors to his own neck; yet for all his fierceness, he spoke barely above a whisper.

Thankfully, the wound on his neck had mostly healed, leaving only a red scar. With winter clothes and a scarf, it wasn't noticeable.

A few days ago, Cao Bin had sent word that he would come today to purchase vegetables. Wang Ying had prepared over three hundred pounds of vegetables in advance. As the year drew to a close, the Porter Guild was busy too—this would likely be the last trip before the New Year.

Around late morning, Cao Kun arrived with three assistants. As soon as he entered, he said, "Happy New Year to you, Shopkeeper Wang."

"It's a bit early for New Year's greetings, isn't it?"

"Just giving you an early wish. The Porter Guild will be closing up in a few days—we probably won't be back before the New Year."

"Right then, let me wish you an early Happy New Year too—may you have great fortune and make a big profit."

"Hahahaha, you're too kind, Shopkeeper."

"Cousin, where should I put these vegetables?" Lin Qiu came in carrying a basket of sorted-out chives and ran right into Cao Kun. The two stared at each other, stunned.

Cao Kun’s eyes lit up instantly, and he asked immediately, "What are you doing here?"

Lin Qiu was baffled by the question—he didn’t even know this person—and quickly hid behind Wang Ying.

Wang Ying smiled and introduced them, "This is Boss Cao from the Porter Guild. He’s the one who sent the wound medicine when you were injured last time."

Lin Qiu hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, Boss Cao."

"Don’t mention it, it was nothing valuable." Cao Kun scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, then promptly called his workers to move the vegetables inside. Throughout the whole exchange, his eyes never left Lin Qiu.

Wang Ying watched from the side and mentally noted: This Cao Kun doesn’t even try to hide it—staring so openly at my cousin, making him uncomfortable.

That said, he wondered about Cao Kun’s background—his family situation, whether he was married, his character. If he was a good match, it might not be a bad idea to play matchmaker for the two.

After settling up, Cao Kun approached Wang Ying and whispered, "Shopkeeper Wang, how old is your cousin? Has he been engaged?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, really. I’ve seen him a couple of times in the county town before. Didn’t expect to see him here in town too—seems like fate. Just curious."

"He’s my aunt’s son, seventeen this New Year, and not yet engaged."

Hearing this, Cao Kun couldn’t contain his smile. "That’s great!"

Wang Ying didn’t call him out on it. After all, matters of marriage weren’t his to decide. He’d have to go back and inform his aunt, letting the elders make the call.

By late morning, most of the vegetables were sold, so they could pack up early again. Wang Ying and Lin Qiu cleaned the shop, picked up a basket of vegetables, and headed home.

On the way, they ran into his third brother rushing over in a panic.

"Qing Song, what’s wrong?"

"N-not good, sister-in-law! Big brother got into a fight!"

"With whom? Is he hurt? Where is he now?!"

Chen Qingsong said breathlessly, "With a scholar. H-he hurt his head. He’s at home now."

Wang Ying dropped the vegetable basket and ran home frantically.

By the time he got there, Chen Qingyan had already been bandaged up and was resting in bed.

"Mom, what happened?"

Li Shi wiped her tears. "I don’t know. He won’t say anything no matter how much I ask."

"What did the doctor say?"

"He said it’s not serious, but he needs rest. How did he get a head injury after just going out for a bit?" Li Shi took out a handkerchief and started crying again.

Chen Rong’s eyes also reddened. "Who would bully him like this? Hitting him on the head—what if it caused serious damage?"

Wang Ying looked at the pale face on the bed, the dried bloodstains on the collar, and burned with anger. He’d worked so hard to get him healthy again, and in the blink of an eye, he was injured again!

He turned and went out to find Chen Qingsong, pressed him for answers. "Tell me exactly how your big brother got hurt. Start from the beginning."

Chen Qingsong sniffled and said, "Today, my classmate invited me to a classics debate, so I brought big brother along. I also wanted to introduce him to Xiucai Zhang, who’s back from the county school."

The story actually started a few days earlier. Chen Qingsong’s classmate had sent him an invitation to a classics debate at his home.

These debates were basically gatherings where a few kids got together to discuss the Five Classics, exchanging their understandings—a routine social activity.

His classmates were all quite young, the oldest around sixteen or seventeen, the youngest even younger than Chen Qingsong.

But this time was different because they’d also invited Xiucai Zhang, who had returned from the county school.

On the way there, Chen Qingsong couldn’t stop praising how amazing Xiucai Zhang was, how knowledgeable and brilliant. Chen Qingyan walked alongside him, silent the entire time.

When they arrived at his friend’s house, the others were already there. They stood up to greet the two brothers when they saw them.

Sitting at the head was none other than Zhang Shiqiu. When he saw Chen Qingyan, he was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Long time no see, Qing Yan."

"Big brother, you know Xiucai Zhang?"

Chen Qingyan sneered, "We go way beyond that."

Zhang Shiqiu’s face didn’t change. "Brother Qing Yan might have some misunderstandings about me. Let’s discuss personal matters privately later. For now, let’s sit and start the discussion."

Chen Qingsong had no idea what had happened between them before and tugged at his brother’s sleeve, urging him to sit down.

Today’s debate was on the Book of Documents, also known as the Shangshu, one of the Five Classics.

Someone asked, "Which section of the Shangshu are we debating?"

Chen Qingyan suddenly spoke up, "How about we debate 'Fine words and insincere conduct, great respect masking arrogance'?"

This phrase comes from the Canon of Yao in the Book of Documents, describing someone whose words are clever but actions deceitful—often used to refer to great villains.

The implication was too obvious. Zhang Shiqiu’s face fell instantly. "I think it’s better to debate 'Do not listen to unsubstantiated words; do not follow unconsulted plans.'"

"How dare you say that!"

Chen Qingyan sprang to his feet, pointing angrily at Zhang Shiqiu. "Back then, I took pity on your poverty, let you stay in the house I rented to study for the exams, let you use my ink, paper, and brushes, treated you like a best friend. And how did you repay me?"

"B-big brother..." Chen Qingsong was stunned. Hadn’t his brother said he didn’t know Xiucai Zhang? Why did it seem like they’d known each other for a long time?

-----------------------

Author's note: Just a heads-up.

Chen Qingyan is seventeen this year, turning eighteen after the New Year, so his thoughts and actions aren’t fully mature yet.

In this relationship, Wang Ying is the dominant partner in charge, even though he’s the bottom…