Generally speaking, Zhao Jinfeng didn’t pick up men who were lying by the roadside, half-dead.
So many heart-wrenching novels in her previous life began with someone picking up a good-for-nothing man on the roadside. Then fate would deliver the three-part gift set: her whole family slaughtered, her heart gouged out, and her eyes dug out.
But… this man… was really something else.
First, he had abs.
Second, he had abs.
Third, he had abs.
And, when you thought about it—
She was the one who’d contacted the bandits. She’d paid their wages, and she’d picked the meeting place. So this man… she had no choice but to pick him up.
The original owner[1]In Chinese transmigration fiction, the “original owner” refers to the person who originally inhabited the body now occupied by the protagonist, whose consciousness or memories come from … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); was already sixteen. Her father had just died, and at home she had a vicious stepmother waiting to manipulate her marriage.
So Zhao Jinfeng decided to take the initiative.
Zhao Jinfeng searched him thoroughly, feeling her way to the heavy purse at his waist.
Inside were several gold leaves[2]Small, leaf-shaped pieces of gold carried as valuables in some historical Chinese settings. Their worth depended on their weight and purity. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, each one gleaming and substantial, of pure gold and full weight.
She took them and slipped them into her own pocket.
Her movements were practiced.
Then she gripped his chin with both hands, pried his mouth open, and leaned in to carefully inspect his teeth, hair, ears, and the rest.
Zhao Jinfeng gave a satisfied click of her tongue. “Not bad. Clean, even teeth. No doubt he’s from a wealthy family.”
She took his hand and rubbed each finger in turn.
Hmm.
There were calluses in the web between his thumb and index finger, and on his index finger and thumb.
After giving his strong, muscular thigh a squeeze, Zhao Jinfeng was sure he must be a soldier.
And judging by the jade pendant he carried with him, his standing in the army couldn’t be low.
Zhao Jinfeng let out a surprised “Oh,” her voice bright with delight. “Where did Gang Leader Cao find me such a fine specimen?”
Her maid, Caihuan, leaned closer, eyes lighting up. “Gang Leader Cao said this man is vicious. His enemies chased him all the way into Meng County. Gang Leader Cao and the others lay in wait for half a day, and only dared act once they saw he was badly wounded. Then they drove him all the way to the entrance of our village—”
Zhao Jinfeng was very pleased. “Tell Gang Leader Cao and the others that… from now on, all the goods should meet this delivery standard.”
Caihuan had gotten blood all over one hand when she touched the back of the man’s head. Her face clouded with worry. “He hit his head while fleeing. We’ll have to get a physician to treat him… I’m afraid it’ll cost quite a lot.”
Zhao Jinfeng tossed the gold leaves from the purse to Caihuan. “No matter. Use his money. Oh, right—what number is he?”
Caihuan looked through the booklet she carried. It recorded all sorts of men they had rescued at the village entrance over the past six months, complete with portraits and notes on their personalities. Caihuan only recognized the numbers. “Number Eleven was a down-and-out scholar sitting the imperial exam[3]The imperial examination system was used in traditional China to select candidates for government service through examinations emphasizing classical learning. Its structure and requirements varied … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. This one… must be Number Twelve.”
Zhao Jinfeng clasped her hands together reverently. “Amitabha[4]Amitabha is a Buddha revered in Mahayana Buddhism. Invoking his name is a common expression of prayer, devotion, or supplication in Chinese Buddhist tradition. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. This humble believer is willing to eat a balanced diet of meat and vegetables, with four dishes and a soup[5]A familiar Chinese meal arrangement consisting of four dishes accompanied by soup. Zhao Jinfeng humorously presents eating such satisfying meals for the rest of her life as though it were a religious … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, for the rest of her life. In exchange, may the first eleven men I rescued come back and repay me as soon as possible—”
Caihuan went to fetch a physician. The physician said the injury was at the back of the man’s head, and when he woke up, there was a chance he might be blind or suffer memory loss.
Zhao Jinfeng said none of that was a problem.
If he lost his memory, she’d claim to be his wife.
If he went blind, she could exploit his vulnerability and the fact that she had saved his life to make her move.
A win-win.
She really was a despicable woman—
The physician wrote out a prescription. Seeing that the man was still unconscious, the two of them helped him change clothes, then left him in the thatched hut and rode an ox cart into town to buy medicine.
Zhao Jinfeng spent a handful of silver on medicine to stop the bleeding and treat bruises. She was about to head to a clothing shop to buy two men’s outfits when, as soon as she entered a fabric shop, someone blocked her way.
The one blocking her was a young woman of fifteen or sixteen, decked out in gold and silver jewelry and exceptionally pretty. With her hands on her hips, she glared and stood squarely in Zhao Jinfeng’s path.
Zhao Jinfeng searched her memories, then decided: some stray cat or dog she didn’t know.
But she looked like she’d come to pick a fight—
The original owner’s mother had died in childbirth. The original owner grew up branded as the girl who’d killed her mother, and had to scrape by under her stepmother’s thumb from a very young age. As a result, she’d become timid and submissive.
The kind of coward who could get beaten twice by any passing cat or dog, then hold it in all the way home before finally crying.
“Hey!” As the girl spoke, several fierce-looking older women had already closed in around them, surrounding her from several sides. The girl asked haughtily, “Are you Zhao Jinfeng?”
Zhao Jinfeng sneered, looking perfectly righteous. “I’m not.”
“Everyone in Meng County knows Zhao Jinfeng as the jinx[6]This reflects a traditional superstition that someone might be fated to bring misfortune or death to family members. Such accusations were sometimes used to stigmatize children whose parents died, … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); who brought misfortune to both her parents. You’re comparing her to a respectable woman like me. Are you deliberately insulting me?”
Caihuan pressed her lips together.
She had to admit—
Her young mistress really had no shame.
Ever since her mistress had fallen gravely ill six months ago, her disposition had changed completely. When she flew into a rage, even dogs by the roadside got slapped twice.
Caihuan didn’t want to be slapped, so she edged half a step back, leaving the battlefield to her mistress.
“You won’t give in until you’re forced to!” The girl flicked her sleeve, and a portrait tumbled out. “Dare you say the woman in this picture isn’t you, Zhao Jinfeng?”
Zhao Jinfeng stared at it for a while, then said with absolute certainty, “She does look a little like me, but… I’m not as beautiful as she is…”
Zhao Jinfeng started to leave, but the girl reached out to stop her. Anger filled her slanted eyes. “Zhao Jinfeng, don’t think that just because you have a pretty face… you can dream of becoming my father’s second wife[7]In this context, a second wife refers to a subsequent principal wife taken after an earlier wife, rather than a concubine. She would hold the position of household mistress and become the … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. He’s twenty years older than you—old enough to be your father. I don’t care if you flirt with other men, but if you dare set your sights on the Su family, I’ll make sure you regret it!”
Zhao Jinfeng froze.
Madam Yan, her stepmother, really hadn’t been idle.
Ten months ago, the original owner’s father had died. Zhao Jinfeng was still dressed in plain mourning clothes[8]In traditional Chinese filial customs, children observed a mourning period after a parent’s death, often wearing subdued clothing and avoiding celebrations or other activities considered … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); with a mourning flower in her hair, yet Madam Yan had already been eagerly arranging matches for her in secret.
A mute from West Street, a boatman at the docks, a widower from the antiques street, butcher Wang Er from the market—
Heaven knew how Madam Yan had managed to dig up such a lineup of “rare talents”[9]The original Chinese expression alludes to Wolong, the “Crouching Dragon,” and Fengchu, the “Young Phoenix,” famous epithets associated with the Three Kingdoms strategists … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_9').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_9', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
And now there was this rotten old man.
Sure enough, playing the beauty card on its own… was a disaster.
Good thing she had no shame.
Beauty plus shamelessness—that was an unbeatable pair of jokers[10]This refers to “Wang Zha,” or “Rocket,” a combination of the two jokers in Dou Dizhu, a popular Chinese card game. The pair is the game’s highest-ranking combination, … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_10').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_10', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });.
“Miss Su,” Zhao Jinfeng said calmly. “You just said you’d make sure I regretted it—”
Miss Su exploded. “So you finally admit you’re Zhao Jinfeng?”
“Don’t interrupt your elders when they’re speaking. If you keep showing such bad manners, I’ll have to teach you properly.”
Miss Su: “???”
“What kind of elder are you supposed to be?”
“I’m discussing marriage with your father. How does that not make me your elder? Once I marry into the family, you’ll have to call me Mother.”
Miss Su looked as though she’d been struck by lightning!
“Everyone knows marriage is decided by the matchmaker’s word and the parents’ decree[11]This reflects a traditional Chinese marriage principle in which parents or family elders held authority over marriage arrangements, often working through a matchmaker. Individual consent and actual … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3713905_1_11').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3713905_1_11', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });. Instead of talking to your father or my stepmother, you came to me in private, the easiest person to bully. Is that because you’re a coward who only picks on the weak?”
Miss Su froze, then flew into a rage. “You’re the one seducing my father! That day, you walked past our shop wearing clothes like a courtesan’s, and you used your wiles on my father. Now he’s been bouncing around the house for days, making a fuss about marrying you!”
Zhao Jinfeng searched her memory, then ventured, “Your father… is he that short, stout man with the beady eyes at the Su Family Rice Shop?”
The old woman beside Miss Su immediately began nodding and saying, “Yes, yes, yes, yes!”
Miss Su shot her an angry glare.
Zhao Jinfeng remembered.
That day, she’d gone to buy rice, and the moment she stepped inside, some lecher had fixed his eyes on her.
When she was leaving, Shopkeeper Su had insisted on loading a sack of rice onto her ox cart. She’d politely declined, but while they were pushing and pulling over it, the lecher had even felt her hand.
“There’s no point telling me this. I’m a very traditional person—I have to listen to my mother. Whoever Mother tells me to marry, I’ll marry. Instead of making a scene here, you’d be better off making one at my house. Oh, my house is right ahead, at the end of Sweetwater Lane, directly across from the big locust tree—”
“Quick, quick! If you get there too late, I really will become your mother—”
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