Chapter 41 Zhao Pin’s Secret

Chapter 41: Zhao Pin’s Secret

Madam Li hadn't truly intended for Jian Ru to kneel all night. Moreover, with Li Jintong only recently recovered, she found herself even less inclined to be harsh.

After sending the two back to their rooms, she even had Granny Jin deliver some bruise ointment and Jian Ru’s favorite snacks. Though she said nothing explicitly, her message was clear:

Appease Jian Ru, and her youngest wouldn't fret or worry.

The next morning, after Jian Ru had paid his respects in the main house and everyone else had departed, Madam Li asked him to stay. She scrutinized him, then asked, “Are you holding a grudge against me?”

Jian Ru quickly shook his head, replying, “No.”

This young man had always been forthright, and Madam Li believed he spoke from the heart.

Her expression softened considerably, but she remained silent for a long while, her eyes cast down as if lost in thought.

Jian Ru tentatively asked, “If there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?”

Madam Li glanced at him. “What’s the hurry?” she said.

Jian Ru didn’t understand. Madam Li seemed reluctant to speak, but finally, with a visible effort, she said, “Once the little one has fully recovered, you may go to the clinic if you wish.”

Jian Ru let out an astonished “Ah!” Madam Li glared at him.

Jian Ru quickly stepped closer to Madam Li, reaching out to feel her forehead, but she slapped his hand away with a sharp “_Pa!_” and snapped, “I haven’t lost my mind!”

Jian Ru’s eyes widened. “Then why are you talking nonsense?”

Madam Li was thoroughly exasperated. “Are you going or not?” she demanded.

Jian Ru answered decisively, shaking his head. “No, I’m staying home.”

Hearing this, Madam Li was momentarily stunned. Then, the anger on her face vanished instantly. She reached out and took Jian Ru’s hand, sighing, “Such a foolish child.”

Jian Ru pressed his lips together, looking stubborn and silent.

Madam Li softened her tone, looking at him. “If I say you can go, then go.”

Jian Ru asked, “What about Jintong?”

Madam Li turned her face away, as if unwilling to speak, and said, “Once he’s better, he can go wherever he wants.”

This time, Jian Ru was truly taken aback. It took him a while to regain his composure, his voice trembling as he asked, “You mean… you’re allowing him to see patients at the clinic?”

Madam Li nodded with difficulty.

Jian Ru opened his mouth and let out two hearty “Haha”s, then threw his arms around the old lady, nuzzling his face against her shoulder.

Madam Li complained with an annoyed “Aiyo,” but added, “However, I need to lay down some ground rules.”

Jian Ru lifted his flushed, happy face to look at her. Madam Li said sternly, “You must keep an eye on him. If he gets tired or unwell, he must rest immediately. And during consultations, ensuring all proper precautions are taken is your responsibility.”

“If he falls ill due to his poor health, I won’t blame you. But if he gets sick because you failed to look after him properly, then you’ll have me to answer to.”

Jian Ru nodded vigorously. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him!”

Seeing his earnestness, Madam Li’s expression gradually softened.

Jian Ru asked, “Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

Madam Li let out a soft sigh. “Jinhui said she hadn’t seen him so happy in years.”

Jian Ru clapped his hands, a look of sudden realization on his face.

Madam Li looked at him curiously.

Jian Ru said, “So, it was indeed my eldest sister who told you.”

Madam Li, irritated, reached out to pinch his arm, but Jian Ru nimbly dodged and bowed, saying, “I’ll go back and tell Jintong the good news.”

As he was about to dash out of the room, Madam Li called after him, “Don’t hold a grudge against your sister!”

Jian Ru laughed brightly, his eyes sparkling, “Who has time for grudges? There’s too much joy to be had every day!”

Shortly after Jian Ru left, Granny Jin entered to serve tea to Madam Li.

Granny Jin glanced discreetly at her expression and, seeing she still looked worried, asked, “You’re still uneasy—why did you give in?”

Madam Li said, “When their father was still alive, he always argued with me about this, saying I was too restrictive with our youngest, that a closed-off state of mind isn't good for his health. I was too worried about him getting sick to listen.”

“Jinhui said she saw him going out with Xiao Ru the other day, happy as a child. Though I blame Xiao Ru for taking him out behind my back, since our youngest came of age, I’ve rarely seen him genuinely happy.”

“He’s so filial—he listens to whatever I say and bottles up his unhappiness. Yesterday, when Xiao Ru knelt in the main hall, I felt uneasy about it the whole time. Our youngest found out and secretly went to keep him company; though it pained him, he still didn’t confront me. If he had, I might have felt a little better.”

“As a mother, I’ve turned into the villain.” Madam Li wiped her eyes.

Granny Jin quickly passed her a handkerchief to dry her tears, saying, “The second young master understands your intentions; he doesn’t blame you.”

Madam Li said tearfully, “He’s too understanding—that’s why I’ve always relied on him to obey me in everything. Last night, I barely slept, thinking about it. The more I thought, the more I felt I’ve wronged him. His health has made life hard enough, and all these years, I’ve added to his burdens. I’ve failed as a mother!”

Granny Jin, wiping her tears, felt heartbroken herself, but thinking that the second young master would finally get his wish, her tightened heart relaxed a little.

…

When Jian Ru returned to his room, Zhao Pin was also there, talking with the second young master. Seeing Jian Ru enter, he stood up and greeted him with a smile.

Noticing that Zhao Pin didn’t leave upon his return, Jian Ru understood he had come to see him.

Zhao Pin seemed hesitant to speak. Jian Ru looked at the second young master, who said helplessly, “Brother-in-law came to apologize to us.”

Jian Ru asked in surprise, “Apologize for what?”

Zhao Pin scratched the back of his head and said, “Please don’t blame Jinhui. She didn’t want to tell Mother, but…”

He hesitated, and Jian Ru finished for him, “Eldest sister was worried that once this passed, I wouldn’t learn my lesson or be afraid, and might take Jintong out recklessly again, risking his health.”

Zhao Pin smiled awkwardly.

Jian Ru said, “Brother-in-law, don’t worry. I know better. Eldest sister saw us sneaking out long ago and covered for us even when Jintong was seriously ill. She only told Mother after he recovered. I understand her kindness—I don’t blame her; I should thank her.”

Hearing this, Zhao Pin’s expression eased considerably. He said, “Jinhui may be stern, but her heart is soft. It’s a relief you don’t blame her.”

The second young master said slowly, “Eldest sister and brother-in-law have always looked out for us deeply. We remember it all—please don’t worry.”

With that settled, Zhao Pin prepared to leave. As Jian Ru saw him out, he seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to say something.

Zhao Pin noticed and said softly with a bitter smile, “Don’t worry—I’ll honor the promise I made.”

Only then did Jian Ru unclench his brow and watch as Zhao Pin left the courtyard.

Having spent nearly half a year together, he felt that this brother-in-law had a good character, which was why he was willing to keep the matter about that woman a secret for him. However, comparatively speaking, he was certainly closer to his elder sister and his heart was with Li Jinhui. When the day came, if Zhao Pin didn’t give an explanation, he definitely wouldn’t continue covering up for him.

Thinking this, Jian Ru turned and went back into the room, a smile tugging at his lips. He had to share the good news his mother had told him with the Second Young Master.

…

When Zhao Pin returned to his own home next door, Qiao Zhi and Xian Yu had both gone to study with their tutor, while Jinhui was rummaging through the cabinets inside and out.

Seeing this, Zhao Pin hurried over and asked, “What are you looking for? Let me help you.”

Jinhui said, “Have you seen that thin padded jacket I made early last year? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

Zhao Pin took her elbow and guided her to sit aside, then reached into the cabinet and pulled out the jacket in no time. “Is this the one?” he asked.

Jinhui’s eyes lit up. “Yes, that’s the one I was looking for!” She dusted off the jacket and smoothed it out. “How is it that I couldn’t find it after searching for so long, but you found it instantly?”

Zhao Pin bent down and tidied the cabinet his wife had messed up, then turned back with a smile. “Just call me whenever you need to find something.”

Hearing this, Jinhui set the jacket aside, walked over, rested her forehead against his back, and nuzzled, mumbling, “Tell me, what would I do without you?”

Zhao Pin’s ears turned red again, but when his wife rubbed against his shoulder, his face suddenly paled, and he forced himself not to pull away.

Jinhui, eager to get to the medical clinic, didn’t notice his discomfort. She put on the newly found jacket, then took Zhao Pin’s bandaged fingers and examined them. “I just changed the dressing this morning. Be sure not to get it wet today. I’ll wash the clothes when I get back, understood?”

Zhao Pin looked up at her and nodded gently, murmuring in agreement.

Seeing his pale, gentle features, Jinhui felt her heart soften. She tapped Zhao Pin’s forehead and said, “I lectured you last night, and that was my fault. But you’re a grown man—you can’t keep getting hurt like this. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on my work at the clinic.”

Zhao Pin gave an embarrassed smile. Jinhui pinched his cheek, and only then did he walk her out.

After Jinhui left, Zhao Pin locked the door from the inside and went to the bronze mirror. He slipped the clothing off one shoulder, revealing a large bruise on his fair skin. He took some ointment from the cabinet and, contorting painfully, managed to apply a little while looking into the mirror. The pain brought a cold sweat to his forehead.

Once he finally finished, even dressing made him clench his jaw.

He hid the ointment back in the cabinet, opened the door to air out the room, and then went to the storeroom in the yard. There, he found a bundle, slung it over his shoulder, and headed out.

His destination was in the western suburbs of the town. It wasn’t until he had left the town that he untied the bundle, took out an old cotton robe, and put it on. He covered himself thoroughly with a hat and scarf, put on his mittens, and organized the hooks and picks in the bundle before tying it up again and continuing on his way.

The farther he went, the more desolate it became. Finally, he reached a rocky riverbed and saw a group of people dressed similarly to him, bending over and searching for something at the foot of the mountain.

As Zhao Pin approached, someone said in surprise, “Weren’t you just hit by falling rocks yesterday? Why are you back again today?”

Zhao Pin’s eyes, visible above his scarf, curved into his usual gentle smile. “It’s nothing major. The hit wasn’t too bad.”

The man looked him up and down and advised, “You don’t look like someone who does rough labor—more like a scholar. Why risk your life here with us? One of these days, you could die here. No matter how much jade you dig up, you won’t be alive to enjoy it.”

Just as he said this, scattered rocks rained down noisily from the mountain nearby, crashing to the ground.

Someone nearby choked on the dust, looked up, spat a few times, cursed, and then bent back down to continue sifting through the stones.

This was a well-known jade beach in the area. Every spring, when the ice and snow melted, large amounts of rocks were washed down, along with raw jade ore, all carried into the riverbed at the foot of the mountain.

In summer, the water was too high for collecting jade; in winter, everything was buried under thick snow. Only spring and autumn were suitable for jade picking, especially spring, when the jade had just been washed down and was most abundant.

A piece of high-quality jade, sold to a jewelry shop in town, could support an ordinary family for two or three years.

But high rewards came with high risks. The reason few people came here to seek fortune was that rocks frequently fell from the mountain. Being injured was common, and every year, people died here, crushed by massive boulders.

So, even though everyone knew money could be made here, unless they were truly desperate, no one wanted to take the risk.

These past few days, Zhao Pin had been lucky, finding several nice pieces of jade. But he’d also been unlucky—yesterday, a large boulder had grazed his shoulder. If someone nearby hadn't yanked him to safety, he would have died there yesterday.