“This is so delicious! I’ve never eaten duck this good before. Wanru, did you make it? It’s amazing!”
Shen Wanru chuckled at the praise, “I didn’t make it—it was my daughter.”
Second Aunt was surprised that it was really Qiuling who had cooked it. “I didn’t expect you, Qiuling, to make such a delicious duck! Could you teach me how?”
Ye Qiuling laughed playfully, “Of course, Second Aunt.” Second Aunt tasted the stir-fried cabbage, its sweetness and flavor surpassing anything she had made herself.
“You really are a culinary expert, Qiuling,” she praised, “even a simple cabbage tastes this good coming from you.”
Qiuling smiled shyly at the compliment, “You’re too kind, Second Aunt.”
Everyone laughed together, each grabbing a piece, fearing they might miss out, until the last portions were hotly contested.
By the time the bowls on the table were empty, no one was fully satisfied.
Liu Xun rubbed his belly and sighed, “I’m so full! Sister Qiuling, your cooking is amazing. Can I have more next time?”
Ye Qiuling shook her head, “Sorry, little brother. We’re moving to the town tomorrow. Next time, when we’re in town, I’ll treat you, okay?”
Liu Xun looked disappointed. “Ah, you’re moving? If I had known, I would have come sooner,” he said, regret clearly on his face.
Everyone chuckled at the little adult-like mannerisms of the boy. Xiao Feng smiled, “You can come to town and play with Brother and Sister Qiuling then.”
Liu Xun nodded eagerly, “Okay!”
Moonlight poured through the window, stars twinkling in the night sky.
It was late. Second Aunt held Liu Xun’s hand, trying to leave, and he kept glancing back, unwilling to go.
Only when Second Aunt firmly insisted did he reluctantly leave.
Ye Qiuling and Shen Wanru cleared the table. Xiao Feng, being thoughtful, said, “Sister, since you cooked, I should wash the dishes. I won’t compete with you.”
Ye Qiuling laughed at his thoughtfulness, “Alright, alright, I won’t compete.”
She placed the bowls in the rice-washing water, and Xiao Feng added a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid.
The dish soap was something Ye Qiuling had exchanged in the system space. She told them, “I made this from herbs collected in the mountains and put it in this jar.”
The family trusted her words and didn’t question it further.
Ye Qiuling lay in bed, feeling content, thinking about how she no longer had to ride a donkey cart thanks to her good brother.
Light streamed through the window, and she squinted, wanting to sleep more—but a commotion outside woke her.
Ye Qing was shouting outside with his father.
Ye Qiuling asked Shen Wanru what had happened. Shen Wanru explained it was about yesterday’s incident in Sucheng.
Ye Qing, seeing Qiuling, pretended to cry pitifully, “I was fine with Brother Sucheng, but that villain Qiuling ruined everything.
“Brother refused to speak to me. He was going to marry me, but Qiuling interfered. Now Brother ignores me.”
The word “Brother” echoed in Qiuling’s mind.
Second Sister-in-law, hearing her daughter blame Qiuling for spoiling what could have been a good match, pushed Qiuling forward. “You villain, why do you meddle in everything?”
Qiuling had just woken up. Her head was fuzzy, and she staggered, almost falling. Shen Wanru caught her in time.
Fully awake now, Ye Qinglin scolded, “You two sowed chaos early in the morning—if Ye Qing hadn’t provoked me yesterday, I wouldn’t be arguing with him.
“He doesn’t want to be with you, so why take it out on me? If your brain’s not working, go eat some pig brain, but don’t come here to cause trouble.”
Ye Qing’s fingers shook, stammering, “You… you… you…” unable to finish a sentence.
Second Sister-in-law, frustrated, grabbed a broom to strike Qiuling, but Qiuling quickly retrieved a kitchen knife from the kitchen.
A smile crossed her face, eyes fixed intently on them. “Let’s see who dares hit me.”
Startled by her grin, Second Sister-in-law recoiled. Qiuling pressed forward with the knife, forcing them back to the doorway.
The grandmother finally arrived, saw Qiuling holding the knife, and scolded, “Unfilial girl! How can you treat your aunt and cousin like this? You should put that knife away.”
Qiuling hadn’t been pointing the knife at anyone. Thinking her authority had impressed Qiuling, the grandmother continued scolding, “Shen Wanru, Ye Dazhi, how did you raise such a rude daughter?”
Hearing her father and mother’s names, Qiuling lost her patience and shouted back, “Grandmother, I was being polite to give you face, but you’re abusing your age. They came here to cause trouble, yet you don’t scold them and instead scold me. Why are all of you coming here unwelcome?”
Grandmother barked, “How dare you interrupt your elders?” and reached to slap Qiuling.
Knowing the grandmother was no pushover, Qiuling dodged in advance, looking smug.
The grandmother lost balance, stumbled forward, and crashed to the ground with a loud thump.
Crying out in pain, she yelled, “Third daughter-in-law, look at the daughter you raised!”
No one helped her up.
The grandmother fumed, “Third daughter-in-law, come help me!”
Shen Wanru refused to assist, watching coldly as the grandmother struggled.
“Your daughter must be possessed, her personality has changed, she needs an exorcist,” the grandmother muttered.
Shen Wanru could no longer endure the verbal abuse and spoke for her daughter, “Grandmother, we were showing respect by tolerating you, not because we lack temper. Now that the family is divided, you shouldn’t come here making a scene for Ye Qing.”
“Yes, yesterday Ye Qing provoked Qiuling first. Qiuling was just angry and spoke a few words. You should manage your daughter, she shouldn’t bark around everywhere, it’s annoying.”
Qiuling, seeing her mother defend her, felt empowered and proud, silently agreeing that Ye Qing was indeed irritating.
Ye Qing whispered to his father, Ye Darong, “Father, it’s all Qiuling’s fault. If not for her, you could have passed the exams. I was friends with Su Cheng, the magistrate’s son. If I’d said a few words, you would have succeeded—what a shame.”
Simple-minded Ye Darong, hearing this, thought he had missed his chance at success because of Qiuling.
He roared in anger, “Qiuling, you still haven’t apologized to Master Su! If you did, my daughter could become Madam Su!”
Qiuling rolled her eyes, ready to retort angrily.
At that moment, a carriage slowly arrived at their door. Recognizing the familiar setup, Qiuling’s eyes lit up—it must be her good brother.
Neighbors, already observing the morning commotion, were astonished to see the carriage stop.
For a moment, everything went silent. The person in the carriage stepped out, the sunlight highlighting him, making him even more handsome. He wore a dark purple robe embroidered exquisitely in silk, clearly extremely expensive.
Village girls, seeing such a striking young gentleman, wanted to approach him, but his imposing presence made them hesitant.
Ye Qing, seeing him handsome and thinking of marrying into wealth, smugly stepped forward. “Are you Cheng-ge’s servant? Here to fetch me? I knew Brother Cheng would forgive me,” she said with a coquettish glance at Chen Xuanmo.
Chen Xuanmo twitched at her tone, seeming to think she was ridiculous. He bypassed her, stopping in front of Qiuling, a slight smile on his lips. “I’m here to help you move. Welcome?”
Ye Qinglin was mesmerized by his presence and didn’t respond.
Chen Xuanmo studied his expression, neither rushing him nor speaking further. They held each other’s gaze for a minute until Ye Qing finally spoke, and Qiuling turned her eyes away.
Her good brother’s looks were truly otherworldly. When she found the right sister-friend, she must introduce him—so impressive.
Chen Xuanmo’s ears flushed slightly. Seeing her full, rosy lips, he felt a fleeting urge to kiss, but restrained himself, knowing it wasn’t the time.
Ye Qing, trying again, said, “I’m talking to you. Is Su Cheng waiting for me at Lanting Pavilion in town?” and tried to climb into the carriage.
Chen Wu blocked her expressionlessly, “This carriage belongs to Master. Please leave.”
Ye Qing huffed, “Do you know who I am? In town, I’ll have Su Cheng take you to Shuxiang Court!”
Chen Xuanmo’s voice turned cold, “Su Cheng wouldn’t dare to have my people delivered anywhere. Also, I am not Su Cheng’s man, so you have no authority to command me. The last person who did… the grass on his grave has grown three meters high.”
The oppressive aura from his words made everyone shiver as if coated in ice, instinctively stepping back from Ye Qing.
Even Ye Qing was startled but tried to maintain composure. “What nonsense! Hurry and take me to see Brother Su Cheng!”
Chen Xuanmo ignored the clearly irrational girl and turned to Qiuling, “Qiuling, shall we go inside and sit?”
Qiuling, impressed by his commanding presence, grinned, “Sure.”
They stepped inside. The interior revealed a small table with a few chairs, otherwise empty.
The floor was clean, and the cabinet for dishes was neatly organized. Chen Xuanmo couldn’t help feeling a pang of pity, his wife’s home was so poor.
But money was the one thing he never lacked. He could let his wife spend his wealth, little by little, without worry.