The curfew drum sounded. The whole family, perhaps thinking of Cao Jie, grew somewhat subdued. Yu Xiao watched Cao Rong practicing his stance. The small boy had just been injured, yet he smiled as he comforted everyone, earnestly absorbing knowledge.
Yu Chun’s mother was feeding Cao Fang. The little girl wasn’t picky—her chubby cheeks puffed like a tiny hamster as she ate, mumbling softly, irresistibly adorable.
“Three thousand bends of the Wei River circle the palace walls,
Carrying drifting light past the washing stones.
White silk splashes like jade pearls,
Sunlight crushed into orange hues—hey!
The pounding scares away the carp maid,
Whose young man rides past on horseback?
His reflection stretches long by the well—”
Yu Chun’s mother sang as she fed her.
Her father sat nearby, frowning deeply, smoking. Occasionally, he added firewood or tapped his pipe, rolling dried leaves into it.
The faint glow of the fire flickered, filled with quiet worry.
Yu Chun’s burning heart gradually calmed.
This was her family now—people who would still worry for her even if she died in this unfamiliar world.
What had they done wrong?
Did being foolish mean they deserved to be schemed against to death?
Did foolish people not deserve to live?
Then what about those with great wealth who committed evil freely?
What was justice?
Daiyu: Do not lose yourself. Heaven treats all things equally. Whether noble or low, wise or foolish—it makes no difference. Walk the right path with a steady heart. Look at your children—everyone softens when they see them. Look at your family—they survived the massacre in Luoyang, reunited, bought land. If you endure, your family will rise.
“How come you haven’t eaten yet?” Cao Jie entered, smiling.
Yu Chun forced a smile but failed. “Waiting for you.”
“I’ve already eaten. Mother sent this to add a dish.”
Yu Chun’s father spoke, “Thank them for me.”
Cao Jie quickly served food, tearing apart a roast chicken.
“One cart of grain costs two guan, yet a roast chicken is only ten coins. Quite generous,” Yu Xiao said sarcastically.
“Give Cao Rong a drumstick,” Yu Chun said.
Yu Xiao left with a sneer.
“If this is your attitude, there’s nothing to discuss. No one is a fool,” Yu Chun said, meeting Cao Jie’s gaze. “If you look down on my family, why did you marry me?”
Cao Jie frowned. “When did I ever look down on you? Isn’t it you who has someone else in mind?”
She steadied her breathing.
“Fine. I won’t argue. Today you went to your parents—are they short on food?”
Cao Jie’s eyes widened.
“My brother’s family was buying pastries today. Why only bring back one cheap chicken? That must be their normal lifestyle. If it’s their own money, fine—but where did it come from? Look at your children—Cao Rong wanted sweets but didn’t ask. How will they see you when they grow up?”
Yu Chun broke into tears.
Seeing her cry, Cao Rong ran over crying too. Cao Fang followed, wailing.
Cao Jie’s expression softened.
“I’ll be honest. The land will be mine eventually. My brother gave way before—now he benefits more. In times like this, the clan must unite. If you can’t understand, we won’t survive.”
This was the first time Yu Chun saw him so defeated.
Chun: What should I do? Is he telling the truth?
Li Wan: It’s true.
Feng: You’ll have to rely on yourself.
Daiyu: That doesn’t justify his violence. There must be accountability.
Tanchun: Stop dwelling on this. Focus on earning money.
Baochai: Suppress losses, secure resources, act weak but gain control.
“I understand. I misjudged you,” Yu Chun said calmly. “Do they know about our cellar?”
“No. That’s our lifeline.”
“This was my overreaction. Filial duty outweighs fairness.”
“Exactly.”
Feng: Nonsense!
Baochai: Guard your family’s money.
“I found work today,” Yu Chun continued. “We should buy medicine—just in case of plague.”
“I spent all the money on seeds.”
Feng: Idiot.
Baochai: Protect your family’s money.
“I’ll earn money. We’ll prepare supplies. Don’t tell your brother.”
Cao Jie nodded.
“I understand.”
Yu Chun handed him Cao Fang, who giggled while tugging his beard.
“Eat,” he said. “Tomorrow we plant crops.”
Feng: Fool.
Li Wan: Still a fallback plan.
Yu Chun relaxed slightly. His absence would make things easier.
“What about transferring three mu of land to us?”
“That’s not possible.”
“I understand. No one can say you’re unfilial now.”
“Mother said your filial piety is noted.”
“They won’t visit tomorrow?”
“They’ll return to the village first.”
“Thank them for me,” Yu Chun’s father said.
The parents prepared to leave.
Yu Xiao rolled his eyes.
Yu Chun smiled faintly.
Cao Jie understood.
With no money left, the father-in-law would have to hide some savings.