Chapter Forty-Four: Xiang Zhuang Performs the Sword Dance with Intent to Assassinate the Duke of Pei

“This is good fortune for your two boys, but we must get the patriarch’s approval first,” Su Youcai reflected after a moment.

“Yes, I’m aware. But I wanted to hear your opinion,” she said, raising her cup again. “If you agree, drink this wine.”

Su Youcai glanced at Su Lu and Su Tai. Seeing the two brothers had no objections, he tipped his head back and drank the cup.

This proposal was not at all unusual. In these times, when people went into business together, trust, righteousness, and harmony were prized above all. It was common to swear brotherhood or form kinship ties before a partnership.

The proprietress, a young widow, could hardly swear brotherhood, so becoming sworn kin was the best option.

She was delighted, clasping Su Lu with one hand and Su Tai with the other. “I’ve set my heart on taking you both as my sons. Should the patriarch refuse, I’ll come to your house and weep.”

Su Tai was grinning from ear to ear, clearly pleased at the prospect of a godmother.

Su Lu, however, suspected the proprietress had motives beyond the obvious, though his smile was radiant. “If my grandfather disagrees, I’ll call you godmother in secret.”

“Oh, my dear Qiu!” the proprietress gushed, her heart melting, clutching his hand tightly. “From now on, your godmother will love you as her own.”

With that, she had the old woman bring out the gifts she’d prepared: a new set of clothes for Su Tai, and a set of fine writing brushes and ink for Su Lu. Both gifts, bought at the town’s best shops, were meant to let these motherless boys feel again the warmth of maternal love.

~~~

After the meal, the four set off from the inn, hurrying home to Erlang Shoal through the night.

Their hearts were set on home, and they arrived within half an hour.

“So, you finally remembered to come back?!” Their aunt, hearing the commotion, came to open the door and greeted them with a long face.

She was always one to forget the pain once the wound had healed...

“Enough! Go fetch water to wash our feet!” their uncle barked, seizing the moment to show his authority, striding into the main hall.

“Why should I?!” The patriarch was already asleep, so their aunt felt invincible. “It’s been ten days since you left on the first of the month. You think you deserve a hero’s welcome?”

“Because of this!” Their uncle flung his bundle onto the table—six strings of copper coins gleamed in the candlelight.

Their aunt was stunned, stammering, “You—you didn’t rob anyone, did you?”

“Of course not…” Their uncle nearly choked. “Don’t talk nonsense! We earned this with honest work!”

“What kind of job makes this much in ten days?” she gasped, not remembering the last time she’d seen so much money.

Their main income came from his official stipend. As a seventh-rank military officer, the monthly salary was seven shi of rice, but with the empire’s finances in shambles, full payment was impossible. Forty percent was paid in depreciated paper money—so, in reality, only sixty percent of the salary was received.

This meant they got four shi of rice a month. Rice prices fluctuated, but roughly two shi were worth one tael of silver, so the uncle effectively earned about two taels a month.

Su Youcai, as the clan schoolteacher, earned just one tael at best.

As for the younger uncle, it was a blessing if he didn’t ask for money—no one expected him to contribute.

Thus, the household had only three taels a month to live on, with many mouths to feed, social obligations, and a student to support. It was never enough.

They scraped by, relying on ten extra acres under cultivation and whatever side earnings their uncle could bring home.

Now, with six whole strings of coins, their aunt was overjoyed, feeling as if her bones had grown lighter by three ounces. “Sit tight, all of you! I’ll get hot water to wash your feet!”

~~~

Of course, Su Lu and his family would never let their aunt fetch water, and besides, who used hot water for washing feet? They quickly drew cold water from the well, washed up, and collapsed into bed.

Only their uncle lounged beside the pile of coins, leisurely chewing a betel leaf roll while their aunt washed his feet.

“I heard from the He family’s matron that you sold water at the temple fair, but how could selling water make so much?” she gazed at her husband in admiration, as she always did when he brought home money. “How did I end up with such a capable man?”

“Well…” their uncle coughed. “I did play a big part, but the one who really devised the plan was Qiu.”

“Him?” She was skeptical. “That silly boy? He’s not that clever.”

“A silly boy who passed the academy entrance after just three months of study?” their uncle replied gravely. “Stop judging him by the past. Qiu is not what he once was. Whether in studies or business, he’s bound for greatness!”

“Really?” She wasn’t blind, but her impression of Su Lu was stuck in his childhood.

“Of course!” he snapped. “Our Su clan has produced another prodigy—a blessing for the whole family. Why can’t you see it?”

“I’m just worried he’ll overshadow Chun,” she finally admitted.

“That won’t happen,” their uncle said, head held high. “As the saying goes, ‘Brothers fight tigers together.’ They’ll bring honor to our family side by side. Why are you so petty?”

“How am I petty? Wasn’t that your concern as well?” she retorted. “You seem to argue both sides.”

“Ahem, let’s not dwell on the past.” He changed the subject. “From now on, treat Qiu and Chun equally. They’re grown now—hurt one’s heart, and he’ll bear a grudge. Understood?”

“Yes, yes,” she nodded, though who knew for how long she’d remember. Then, worried, she muttered, “But what if he already resents me?”

“Your sister-in-law’s been gone for eight years; you’ve raised him all that time. The Su clan values family and loyalty—blood is thicker than water. Don’t you know how to win a child’s heart?” he said lightly. “Tomorrow, just say all six strings go to the second brother for Qiu’s tuition.”

“All of it?” She began to ache with regret.

“You foolish woman, if you’re going to curry favor, do it thoroughly!” he scolded. “How much does your son spend at the academy each year?”

“Six strings…” she blurted out.

“And didn’t I just say to treat them equally?” he pressed.

“All right,” she conceded, face sour. “But what if they split it evenly after all?”

“That’s not your concern.” Their uncle lifted his foot from the basin, full of swagger. “Mark my words—our days will only get better and better!”

“Well, that’s good. Anyone can be a good woman in a wealthy home!” She dried his feet with a towel.

~~~

The next morning, breakfast was noticeably more sumptuous—there was even bean flour mixed into the sorghum porridge.

“Excellent, we should have been eating like this all along,” the old lady said, beaming.

“At last, something that doesn’t scratch the throat,” Jinbao agreed, delighted.

~~~

“Has the sun risen in the west?” The patriarch, seeing their aunt actually serve Su Lu an egg custard, was deeply puzzled.

“The boy’s about to start school—he needs nourishment,” she replied, glowing with good cheer. “And I haven’t mentioned yet, but last night they brought back a full six strings of coins.”

“That much?” The patriarch was astonished, then pleased. “Now Qiu’s tuition won’t need to be borrowed, will it?”

“Not at all! I think we’ll give all six strings to Second Brother for Qiu’s tuition,” she said, winking. “What do you think, old man?”

“Hmm, finally something sensible,” the old patriarch replied, eyeing her warily. “You didn’t eat any wild mushrooms last night, did you?”

“No, I know what I’m saying,” she replied with some exasperation. Turning to Su Lu and his father, she said, “Don’t worry—Qiu’s tuition will be set aside first from now on. No more miscalculations.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law,” Su Youcai replied, still a little skeptical, whispering, “Are you sure you didn’t eat wild mushrooms?”

“I’m sure!” she said, half amused, half exasperated. “Who doesn’t want to be a good person when there’s money to spare? Why can’t you all accept that?”

“I can, I can!” Su Lu quickly piled on the flattery. “Aunt, you are beautiful and kind—your nephew is truly blessed.”

“Me too!” Su Tai chimed in, grinning from ear to ear—Qiu’s tuition was finally secure.

“Oh, Father, there’s something else,” Su Youcai ventured, seeing the time was right.

“What is it?” The patriarch’s sharp eyes narrowed, warning bells ringing in his mind. Still, his son had suffered enough this New Year, so he held his tongue.

“This windfall, and the money we earned, came from Madam He’s business,” Su Youcai began carefully. “Of course, we worked hard for it. We all got along well, so we thought of investing a share in her business.”

The uncle said nothing, wholly unlike his usual self, always ready to boast.

Su Youcai had to press on. “It’s customary to formalize such partnerships with a sworn kinship, to make things closer. Madam He is fond of Xia and Qiu, and wants to take them as her godsons. I didn’t dare agree on my own—I wanted to ask your permission first.”

“What nonsense—Madam He? Isn’t she Scholar Cheng’s daughter?” the patriarch grumbled, rubbing his temples as a headache set in. “Why are we getting tangled up with the Cheng family’s women again?”

“She’s part of the He family now,” Su Youcai replied cautiously. “Besides, in Erlang Shoal, half the families are Su or Cheng. It’s hard to avoid them.”

“There’s still the other half, isn’t there?” The patriarch tapped the table. “And the He family’s gone now—Scholar Cheng, that old dog, will surely get involved.”

Who knows you better than your enemy? The patriarch’s insight into Scholar Cheng was uncannily accurate.

“Father, you needn’t worry. I’m not the third brother—I’m only letting the boys recognize her as godmother, nothing more,” Su Youcai promised. “Besides, Madam He is capable, and investing with her will help our family.”

“You’ve already invested. Why bother asking me?” the patriarch retorted. “But let me be clear: business partnerships and godparents are fine, but you must never follow the third brother’s path!”

“Exactly, Second Brother. Last time, Father nearly gave his life to clean up Third Brother’s mess. We can’t go through that again,” the uncle finally spoke.

“What do you take me for?” Su Youcai bristled, face turning red as if deeply insulted. “My sons are grown. How could I lose my head? How can I set an example as a teacher? And don’t you dare sully Madam He’s reputation!”

“We’ll see,” the patriarch grunted, pulling out a betel leaf roll and chewing it fiercely. The animal instinct in his heart sensed foreboding...

Su Youcai could only sigh and fall silent. Apparently, the third brother’s scandal had left the patriarch deeply scarred.

P.S. Su Lu can finally go to school—a new chapter begins! It’s a new month, dear patrons—please consider supporting with a monthly ticket! Your humble monk bows in gratitude…