SLH | Chapter 16

I’m Not Angry

A few days later.

The people of Yunxi Village, having finished their farm work, found themselves with a few days of leisure. They gathered in small groups in front of their courtyards, chatting idly.

“Why haven’t we heard Old Lady Liu cursing at the eldest household these past few days? She cursed continuously for half a month, and suddenly stopping feels a bit odd.”

“I know about this. A fortune teller came to the village a couple of days ago. He was spot on, knowing the names of every family’s sons and daughters, where they got married, their ages””everything was accurate! Old Lady Liu, who believes in these things, went to get a fortune told. Guess what happened?”

Everyone leaned in, curious: “What happened?”

“The fortune teller predicted that a Wenqu Star had descended into Liu’s second family and that in the future, they will surely rise to great heights!”

The crowd gasped.

Then they couldn’t help but question: “That can’t be right. Given Old Lady Liu’s boastful nature, she would’ve spread this news far and wide. Why is she so quiet?”

The woman who knew the inside story spoke mysteriously: “You all don’t know this. The fortune teller said that although the Liu family has a Wenqu Star, they must keep a low profile. They mustn’t boast before the young master becomes an official, or it will affect their luck.”

“What? That Liu kid can pass the imperial exams?”

“Our village hasn’t even produced a scholar. If they really produce an official, wouldn’t we all benefit from it?”

“Indeed, just saying it gives us face. Families with young men and women wouldn’t have to worry about marriage!”

“My goodness, you all dare to dream! Forget about an official, even scholars are rare in Lianxi Town. If Yushu can really pass the exams, the Liu family must have some divine blessing!”

“True, the eldest Liu family just severed ties with them last month. If they knew the West Courtyard had a Wenqu Star, they’d regret it deeply.”

Liu Hu returned from working in town, and as he turned into the village, he overheard several aunties chatting enthusiastically. Seeing him, they warmly greeted him.

“Huzi, just back from work in town?”

Liu Hu nodded, carrying his tools, and greeted, “Auntie.”

“Hey, Huzi, have you heard? The village is saying your fourth cousin is a Wenqu Star, destined to become an official.”

Everyone looked at Liu Hu, expecting him to show regret. But to their surprise, this honest fellow didn’t care at all, showing no change in expression.

“I’ve heard. Auntie, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”

“This silly boy, you’re all part of the Liu family. If your cousin really passes, your East Courtyard will rise too.”

Hearing this, Liu Hu frowned, “Our family has already cut ties with them. It won’t benefit us. I have to go back and make medicine for my wife, so I’ll head back first.”

With that, he walked towards his home.

“Well, he really is a fool. If I had the chance, I’d praise Old Lady Liu every day, as long as it meant my family could eat meat daily and have endless money. I wouldn’t mind being scolded or even slapped.”

“That’s an official! I’d do anything to get close to them!”

“Have you all forgotten? The Liu family split because Old Lady Liu threw Ruan Xiulian’s two sons into the back mountain. If the old hunter at the foot of the mountain hadn’t found Huzi, he’d be long gone. The two families are practically enemies, so there’s no way they’d get close again.”

“True, I almost forgot about that.”

“Hey, did you hear? Zhao Laoqi’s daughter is going to marry a rich man in town as a concubine…”

As the conversation drifted away, Liu Hu turned past the big banyan tree at the alley corner, finally finding peace.

When he entered the courtyard, Xia Ge’er, who was playing, immediately ran up to him.

“Uncle!”

Liu Hu bent down to pick up the little guy, and Xia Ge’er, with furrowed brows, complained in his childish voice.

“Uncle was out for so long today. Xia Ge’er finished two candies and still wouldn’t come back inside.”

Inside the west room, Song Tingzhu was standing by the window reading. He happened to see this scene and gave the man a gentle smile, explaining warmly, “I told you yesterday, my body has almost recovered. I needed some fresh air today.”

He paused, a faint blush appearing on his ears, “You promised me you wouldn’t be angry.”

“I’m not angry,” Liu Hu grinned, turning to Xia Ge’er, “Uncle forgot to tell you, from now on, just make sure Uncle drinks his medicine.”

The little guy nodded seriously, “Xia Ge’er understands~”

During dinner, sister-in-law Tang Chunxing brought up the West Courtyard.

“I went to Aunt Cai’s to swap for tofu today. She said that Liu Yushu is a Wenqu Star reincarnated and will become a big official.”

Hearing this, Ruan Xiulian got angry, immediately putting down her chopsticks and glaring at her daughter-in-law.

“Stop thinking about useless things. Even if the West Courtyard had a mountain of gold, it has nothing to do with us.”

Tang Chunxing bit her bread, lowering her eyes, “I was just mentioning it, not thinking of taking advantage.”

Ruan Xiulian’s face darkened, “You better not.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Liu Xiaomei picked some vegetables for her mother, smacking her lips, “Mom, try this pickled dish. I think it’s not marinated enough.”

Ruan Xiulian tasted it and nodded, “It’s a bit bland. Add two more spoons of salt later.”

“Oh, Mom, brother-in-law drew some new patterns for me. I embroidered a handkerchief. Can you help me decide on a price?”

The young girl ran back to her room to get the handkerchief, eagerly handing it over.

Ruan Xiulian took it, surprised, “This pattern is beautiful, and the embroidery is fine. It should sell for at least three or four coins.”

“Really?” Liu Xiaomei was excited, immediately calculating, “I still have enough scraps to embroider about fifteen more. If each is priced at three coins, that’s forty coins, and after deducting the cost of thread, I can earn twenty or thirty coins!”

In town, a plain linen handkerchief costs only half a coin. One with simple patterns can sell for half a coin more. Liu Xiaomei’s, with fresh designs only found in the prefectural city, and her exquisite embroidery with bright thread, can sell for a few coins more.

If she used cotton or silk, the price could increase further. But cotton and silk are expensive, and Liu Xiaomei’s embroidery skills aren’t refined enough. Using good materials might backfire, failing to fetch a high price.

Liu Meng gave his sister a thumbs up, “Little sister, you’re amazing, earning money now.”

Liu Dasheng was also pleased, saying, “Little sister, you don’t have to give your earnings to the family. Keep it as your own savings.”

Liu Xiaomei beamed, “Thank you, Dad!”

The courtyard was filled with laughter.

After dinner, the family retired to their rooms.

In the west room, the couple soaked their feet, extinguished the oil lamp, and lay side by side on the bed.

“Husband?” In the dark, Song Tingzhu called softly.

No response.

He turned his head to look, hearing the man’s slightly heavy breathing and faint snores, clearly fast asleep.

Song Tingzhu adjusted the blanket for him, thinking: There’s no rush, I can talk about making money another day.

Author’s Note:

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Cutting down on word count, more updates after v~

[Flowers][Flowers][Flowers][Flowers]