Chapter 59: Taking a Carriage Home

Chapter 59: Taking the Carriage Home

After Wen Xi finished making the samples of the Zhaowen bag and the brush roll, he first checked the stitching and embroidery patterns a few times himself. Once he confirmed there were no issues, he showed them to He Jin for a look.

He Jin had helped with the sewing, and he had great confidence in their skills. He glanced at them and said, "We've done such good work, Madam Lu is sure to be satisfied."

Perhaps infected by his confidence, Wen Xi felt a bit more assured as well.

The next day, he rode an oxcart into town and delivered the items to Lin's Silk Shop as Lin Zhaozhao had instructed.

Lin Zhaozhao had already informed the shopkeeper and assistants in advance. Upon learning of Wen Xi's purpose, a shop assistant led him to the Lin residence.

The gatekeeper at the side door relayed the message, and before long, Lin Zhaozhao came out from the house.

Seeing Wen Xi, he was as friendly as ever, even inviting him inside to sit for a while.

Wen Xi politely declined: "I still need to deliver some things to Madam Lu later, so I won't come in."

"To Aunt Lu's place?" Lin Zhaozhao's eyes lit up. "Then I'll go with you! Wait for me a moment—I'll stash these things first."

Wen Xi stood there waiting for a while. When Lin Zhaozhao came back out, he said, "Let's go, let's go—I'll have the family carriage take you there."

The two boarded the carriage, and Lin Zhaozhao took the opportunity to settle the rest of the payment with Wen Xi.

Earlier on the pleasure boat, he had given a deposit of one tael. Wen Xi calculated that the balance was twenty taels. When Lin Zhaozhao pulled out his money pouch, he took out two ten-tael silver ingots and handed them over.

Earlier, when his mother found out Wen Xi was coming, she'd told him to give Wen Xi a little extra silver and not to shortchange him.

The words were well-meant and sounded courteous, but Lin Zhaozhao didn't quite agree.

If it were any other shop delivering goods, tipping extra was common. But he saw Wen Xi as a friend, and treating him like a common peddler wouldn't sit right.

After Wen Xi accepted the silver, Lin Zhaozhao said with a grin, "I've got something else for you."

Without dragging it out, he pulled out a brocade box and handed it to Wen Xi.

When Wen Xi opened it, he found a smooth, lustrous celadon jade bracelet inside. He had no idea what it was worth, but given Lin Zhaozhao's status, it was probably not cheap.

"This is too much." Wen Xi felt awkward accepting it. "You should keep it for yourself."

"It's not much—just a few taels, not worth as much as the two sachets you gave me." Lin Zhaozhao took out the bracelet, took Wen Xi's hand, and slid it on. "I went to a jewelry shop in town just to pick this out for you. You can't refuse it."

Since he'd said that much, keeping refusing would just seem too polite. Wen Xi felt the cool jade bracelet on his wrist and smiled. "Then thank you."

Lin Zhaozhao was a regular at the Lu household, and the gatekeeper knew the lady of the house treated him like her own son, so they let them in without announcing them.

Before they even got to the side hall, they happened to run into Madam Lu, who was coming back from pruning flowers in the garden. Seeing Lin Zhaozhao and Wen Xi arriving together, she wasn't surprised and said with a smile, "Zhao Geer, take Master Yan's husband to the side hall and wait for me there—I'll change my clothes and be right there." She turned to the maid behind her and said, "Go to the kitchen and bring them two bowls of the chilled sweet dumplings to beat the heat—it's hot, so cool off first."

The cold sweet dumplings had crushed ice and osmanthus honey sprinkled on top, soft, chewy, sweet, and refreshingly cold—definitely the hottest cold treat of the season.

It's just that ice was too rare for country folks; otherwise Wen Xi could've tried making it himself at home.

Madam Lu changed her clothes and came over. She sat down and first made small talk with Wen Xi, asking if he was hot on the trip and if everyone at home was doing well. After some polite small talk, she got to the real matter.

Wen Xi wiped his hands with a cloth first, then took the embroidered samples from his bundle and handed them to the maid to pass up. Madam Lu looked carefully at the stitching and embroidery, then nodded. "Not bad—better than I thought it would be."

Returning the samples to Wen Xi, she took a piece of paper from her sleeve. "This is what I need. Take a look and see if you can make everything on it."

Wen Xi took the list and looked it over. Besides sachets and Zhaowen bags, it also included bookmark weights and a small embroidered screen—nine elegant items in total as a set.

At the bottom, there was a special note that the embroidered screen was for blocking wind on a desk and only needed to be slightly larger than a round fan.

Wen Xi had other helpers at home, so when Madam Lu asked, he answered with confidence, "I can do it."

"Good. I'll provide the materials—you just do the work. I won't shortchange you on the labor."

Madam Lu gave Wen Xi three different types of fabric: a roll of brocade, a roll of plain silk, and a roll of twill silk, along with some fine silk thread.

Lin Zhaozhao felt the fabrics first, then took Madam Lu's arm and said, "With materials this fine, they should go to someone with skills like Xiao Xi's. If Xiuyuan can pass the prefectural exam, I'll order a set just like this to give him."

Madam Lu shook her head. "Never mind the prefectural exam—if he can pass the county exam, I'd gladly give him one."

Then, feeling she shouldn't say such disparaging things in front of Lin Zhaozhao and Wen Xi, she added with a smile, "Though I reckon it's not out of the question. A couple of days ago, he came home for his monthly break, all smiles, parading in front of me, saying he'd improved on this month's academy assessment and scored in the third rank."

"Really?" Lin Zhaozhao had always known Lu Xiuyuan wasn't strong in his studies. Hearing this, he said happily, "Improvement is good—maybe one day Xiuyuan will pass the scholar exam for you too."

"Oh dear, I wouldn't dare hope for that." Madam Lu smiled and glanced at Wen Xi. "Speaking of which, I have to thank Xiucai Yan. With Xiuyuan's temper, it's rare that your husband has the patience to guide him."

Since the other party was being gracious, Wen Xi responded in kind: "It's also because your young master Lu is quick-witted—he catches on right away. With anyone else, the progress wouldn't be nearly as fast."

The words were well said, and Madam Lu felt pleased hearing them. She said to Wen Xi, "Since you and Zhao Geer rarely come together like this, stay for lunch at the residence. Later, I'll arrange for a carriage to take you and the fabrics back."

These fabrics were precious, and it would indeed be inconvenient for Wen Xi to carry them home himself. Seeing that Madam Lu was genuinely inviting, he stayed for lunch.

Just after noon, Wen Xi took the Lu family carriage back to Daoxiang Village. The carriage was fast, and he arrived home before the hour of Shen (3-5 PM).

Next-door Aunt Li and Granny Wang heard the commotion and came out to look. As the Yan family saw off the driver, Aunt Li spoke up: "Oh, Xi Geer, off to town to do business again today?"

Before Wen Xi could answer, she continued, "This carriage looks so elegant—it must belong to some noble family. Lanfang, your family's husband is becoming more and more accomplished."

Chen Lanfang smiled but said, "Accomplished or not, it's just a child messing around."

Granny Wang said, "Being able to do business with the big households in town—he's the first in our village. If that's not accomplished, what is? Good fortune is written all over his face. Lanfang, don't be so modest."

"It's all thanks to Auntie and Granny for teaching me—otherwise, I wouldn't have such skills." With that, Wen Xi took two boxes of pastries from his bundle, handing one to Aunt Li and one to Granny Wang. "I picked these up on my way into town. Aunt Li, Granny Wang, please take them home and have a taste."

The two women declined briefly before accepting, smiling and saying things like "You're too kind, child." Wen Xi exchanged a few more pleasantries with them before turning to follow Chen Lanfang back into the courtyard.

Once the gate was closed, Chen Lanfang's smile faded slightly, and she said to Wen Xi, "You handled this well. Coming back by carriage is bound to draw attention. Never mind others—Granny Wang and Aunt Li are our neighbors, and they taught you a few stitches before. We should thank them properly."

Wen Xi nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Buying a few thank-you gifts didn't cost much, and there was no reason to leave anyone feeling slighted.

After the Lu family carriage made its rounds through the village, it sparked quite a bit of discussion. Previously, carriages entering their village had always come for Xiucai Yan. Now that Xiucai Yan wasn't around, who was yesterday's carriage for?

Aunt Li, who was weeding in the fields, heard the chatter and immediately said, "Who else could it be for? It was for Xi Geer, of course."

Someone who didn't know the details asked, "What for?"

"For his embroidery. That Xi Geer's skills are even better than the people at the town embroidery shops, so the nobles in the city naturally want him to do their stitching."

"He has that kind of talent?"

"He has all kinds of talents. If he hadn't been born into that family, his life would've been good long ago."

"Lanfang is truly blessed—not only is her son capable, but the husband she married for him is impressive too."

"Back then, everyone in the village praised Liu Geer, but who knew Xi Geer was the real treasure? Not only does he have skills, but he never slacked off when working in the fields either. Just look at that Liu Geer." The speaker tilted her chin, gesturing toward the field below. The others followed her gaze and saw Liu Geer, who had been weeding moments before, now wrapping a handkerchief around his hand, which had been cut by wild grass.

"Those two, Wen Shishan and Li Qiaozhen, were so high and mighty before, bragging that their eldest son was handsome and destined for a good life, sure to marry into a wealthy family as a young husband. But after all that picking and choosing, he ended up marrying into the Zhao family—it's a real joke."

"What's so good about that? If you ask me, that Liu Geer is nothing but trouble. What kind of husband is always fighting with his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law every few days, and runs back to his folks' place over nothing? All those years of schooling might as well have been fed to the dogs."

The neighbors didn't bother to lower their voices, and every word drifted clearly into Wen Liu's ears, making him so angry he nearly twisted his handkerchief to shreds.

That's just how country folk are—when you're on top, every Tom, Dick, and Harry comes to fawn over you, but once you're down, they can't wait to kick you when you're down.

Just wait, sooner or later his turn would come.

But Wen Liu didn't get his turn; instead, he got news brought back by Zhao Shoutian from town.

"I found out what you asked me to look into. According to Er Gou and the others, your old man often goes to a widow surnamed Sun in Ping'an Lane on West Street. That widow has a child, and it's most likely your old man's bastard."

Hearing this, Wen Liu was both furious and resentful. So that's why his dad had been brushing him off more and more—turns out he was keeping another woman on the side, and even had a bastard child.

Seething with rage, Wen Liu immediately went back to his parents' home and told Li Qiaozhen everything.

Li Qiaozhen had long known that Wen Shishan was keeping another woman on the side, but the man was cautious and had never been caught red-handed. When she heard that Wen Liu had found the vixen's residence, her blood boiled, and she grabbed Wen Liu's hand, ready to go have it out with Widow Sun.

Wen Liu held her back: "Mother, hold your horses. Tomorrow my father is going to help out in the neighboring village. I'll get Zhao Shoutian to come along too, and we'll go while he's away. That widow has no one to protect her, so we can handle her however we want. Just hold your tongue tonight and don't let my father suspect anything."

Li Qiaozhen clenched her fingers: "Fine, I'll listen to you."

The next day, the moment Wen Shishan was out the door, Zhao Shoutian brought his husband and his mother-in-law to Ping'an Lane.

The front door was pounded on heavily and urgently. Widow Sun placed her son in the cradle and went to open the door, cursing as she went: "Which bastard is knocking like that? Trying to rush me to my grave?"

The moment she opened the door, she saw three strangers standing at her doorstep. Widow Sun's heart gave a lurch, but before she could ask, Li Qiaozhen grabbed her hair: "So you're the shameless hussy who's been messing with my man!"

Hearing this, Widow Sun knew she was Wen Shishan's wife from the countryside. She wasn't one to take it lying down and tried to fight back, but Li Qiaozhen had a firm grip on her hair, pinning her in place.

Widow Sun's scalp stung, and seeing that the three of them didn't look like they were here to play nice, she quickly said: "My husband's Wang the butcher, who sells meat in town. He's a widower—how would he have a wife? Who are you people? Are you here to rob my house?"

Li Qiaozhen paused, glanced at Zhao Shoutian, and said: "Did we get the wrong house?"

"How could that be? Er Gou said it's this one. That butcher's probably her other man."

"Fine then, you two-timing hussy—you're not satisfied with seducing my man, but you have to go after the butcher too? I'll teach you a lesson for him right now." With that, Li Qiaozhen slapped Widow Sun twice across the face.

Widow Sun wasn't one to back down either. Enduring the pain, she reached out and scratched at Li Qiaozhen's face, and the two of them immediately went at it.

While they were grappling in the yard, Zhao Shoutian ducked down and snuck into the house. He tore through boxes and cabinets until he found a small locked wooden box containing a few strings of copper coins and some silver jewelry, which he stuffed into his shirt.

Wen Liu followed him inside and immediately spotted the child in the cradle.

The baby was only six or seven months old, staring at him with wide eyes, his mouth all scrunched up like he was about to cry.

Wen Liu stared at the child for a long while, looking at the longevity lock around his neck, and the anger in his chest burned hotter. His father spent all the family's money on this bastard, and on top of that, he'd sold Wen Liu off to a loser like Zhao Shoutian just for the bride price. This kid, not even a year old, was already living large at Wen Liu's expense.

His hatred burned even hotter, and he reached out to grab the child and smash him on the ground.

"What are you doing!"

Widow Sun had somehow broken free from Li Qiaozhen and stumbled into the room, snatching the child into her arms. She curled up in the corner, a fierce, protective look in her eyes.

Wen Liu's hand froze mid-air, and he sheepishly withdrew it.

Seeing that bastard kid in Widow Sun's arms nearly drove Li Qiaozhen crazy, and she lunged forward to snatch the baby away. Just then, Wang the butcher finally arrived with the local constables.

Seeing the scene, Zhao Shoutian knew they were in trouble. He tried to slip away quietly through the back door with Wen Liu, but the constables quickly subdued them.

Zhao Shoutian quickly pointed at Li Qiaozhen: "She's the one who did the hitting. We didn't do anything!"

"Nothing?" Wang the butcher reached into his chest and pulled out a handful of silver and jewelry. He slapped Zhao Shoutian's cheek with his greasy palm. "Take these and go explain yourself to the county magistrate."

At the mention of going to the county office, Zhao Shoutian's legs went weak, and he quickly begged for mercy.

"Sir, please be generous and let us go. We just came to demand an explanation. I'll return the things..."

But Li Qiaozhen was the type who wouldn't be scared by threats. With her hair disheveled and panting heavily, she said: "This shameless slut seduced my man and spent my family's money. Beating her to death would be too good for her. What right do you have to arrest me?"

The constables had seen plenty of such unruly women. She could throw her tantrums now, but once she got to the county office, she'd learn what real trouble meant.

Seeing that the three of them were truly being hauled off to the county office, Wen Liu's face paled. But he had been to school and knew a bit about the law.

He hadn't hit anyone, nor had he stolen anything. No matter what, the punishment wouldn't fall on him.

As for his mother and Zhao Shoutian, he couldn't care less.

Wang the butcher brought Widow Sun and the child to the county office. After the magistrate took his seat, he recounted the whole affair from start to finish. Widow Sun knelt beside him, holding the child, her cheeks swollen and tears streaming down one by one—she did look pitiful.

Li Qiaozhen, seeing him shift all the blame onto her, kicked Widow Sun, who was kneeling nearby, before the magistrate could even question her, and shouted: "This slut seduces other people's husbands and still has the nerve to act innocent? What right do you have to arrest me? Is there no justice in this world?"

Even in the courtroom, she resorted to her countryside tactics of throwing tantrums, thinking that whoever made the biggest fuss would win.

But the courtroom was no place for her antics. Seeing that she remained unrepentant even here, the magistrate's face darkened. He slammed the gavel on the table: "In this court, you dare to shout and cause a commotion, and even resort to violence? How disgraceful! Guards, slap her mouth."

At the order, the attendant stepped forward and delivered a hard slap to Li Qiaozhen's face.

A sharp crack rang out, snapping Li Qiaozhen's head to the side.

Wen Liu hadn't expected the court to be so ruthless. He wanted to speak up but feared the punishment would fall on him, so he knelt in silence.

The attendant's slaps were specially trained to be heavier than an ordinary person's. After ten slaps, Li Qiaozhen's face was swollen and bruised, blood trickling from her mouth, and she could no longer utter a word.