Three years ago, my parents caught a cold and had no money to buy medicine. I knelt at your doorstep, knocked my head until it bled, and begged Uncle to lend me 50 copper coins to save their lives. Do you remember what you said?
Su Qinghe’s gaze was like a sharp blade scraping across Su Daqiang’s hypocritical face. You said the family was so poor that we had nothing to eat, and even the rats starved to death. But at that time, the smell of braised pork drifting from your house was so strong that even Second Aunt next door could smell it! My parents died simply because they couldn’t afford treatment and their illnesses dragged on until the end. Where were you, that so-called good uncle of ours, back then?
Her words caused an immediate uproar among the crowd. The villagers who had just thought Su Daqiang was in the right now looked at him with eyes full of disdain, as if they were staring at a beast.
Good heavens, did such a thing really happen? He let his own brother and sister-in-law die without lifting a finger to help!
That’s so cruel! That was his own younger brother!
These two have no sense of shame at all! I almost believed their nonsense just now!
You’re absolutely right! I even thought they were decent people. How shameless are they to come and take advantage of their younger relatives!
Su Daqiang had his true colors exposed in public. His face turned red and pale by turns, and he roared in shame and anger, You’re talking rubbish! You must have remembered it wrong! I won’t waste time arguing about those old and trivial matters. I am your uncle, so you must respect and provide for me. This cart full of goods, we should get at least half of it! And you have to give me ten taels of silver as compensation for all the years you haven’t shown us proper respect!
As soon as Wang heard this, she perked up immediately. She dropped her pretentious act completely, revealed her shrewish side, rolled up her sleeves, and rushed toward the ox cart. Why waste words with this wicked girl? I’m her elder, so it’s an honor for her to let me take some of her things! This fine flour is mine, and this cloth is also mine!
Her thin, claw-like hands were almost touching the sack of fine flour.
Pa!
A sharp sound rang out. The whip in Xiao Hanyuan’s hand moved like a swift snake, lashing hard on the ground right next to Wang’s feet and kicking up a cloud of dust.
The tip of the whip was only a hair’s breadth away from her instep. Terrified, she let out a sharp scream, leaned backward, and fell flat on her back on the ground.
Xiao Hanyuan stepped forward. His tall figure stood like an iron tower, blocking in front of Su Qinghe. He looked down at this shameless couple, exuding a chilling and intimidating aura. His voice was as cold as ice shards, Whoever dares to touch anything here will have their hands cut off.
Su Daqiang’s legs trembled from the overwhelming pressure, yet he still tried to save face. He pointed at Su Qinghe and stammered in a scolding tone, This is outrageous! Su Qinghe, are you just going to stand there and let this outsider bully your own uncle? You unfilial girl, you’ll be struck dead by lightning for this!
If anyone deserves to be struck by lightning, it’s you two heartless and ungrateful people! Su Qinghe poked her head out from behind Xiao Hanyuan, grabbed a broom leaning by the door, and struck it hard against the ground. I have no money to give you, and I won’t give you anything else either! If you don’t leave right now, I’ll go to the county government office and report you two for brazenly robbing your younger relatives! What you’re doing is no different from what bandits do!
Exactly! What Qinghe said is right! You dare to rob people in broad daylight? If that isn’t banditry, I don’t know what is!
Just look at them, everyone! They were putting on such high and mighty airs as elders a moment ago. Now that they can’t get what they want, they throw a tantrum right here on the ground. They’re no better than hooligans and rascals. They’ve completely shamed all the people in our village!
If I had an uncle who let his own brother die and then tried to exploit his niece, I wouldn’t just chase him away with a broom. I’d beat him out of the house with a thick stick!
How dare they ask for ten taels of silver as a respect payment? Aren’t you afraid that taking such ill-gotten money will bring bad luck or even ghosts knocking on your door in the middle of the night?
I support Qinghe in reporting them to the authorities! Let the county magistrate see the true faces of these so-called kind elders. It’s obvious they’re bullying an orphan girl whose parents have passed away, trying to take all her property for themselves. That’s truly despicable!
The onlooking villagers pointed and talked, making the couple’s faces turn extremely ugly.
Wang was thoroughly embarrassed. Her eyes rolled around, and when she caught sight of the sacks of chestnuts, a cunning plan suddenly popped into her head.
If this wicked girl could make money by buying and selling chestnuts, there was no reason she couldn’t do the same.
The girl bought them for two copper coins a catty, and she definitely sold them for a much higher price!
Wang spun around abruptly and shouted loudly to the surrounding villagers, Fellow villagers! You’ve all been tricked by this wicked girl! Chestnuts are very valuable in the town! She buys them from you for two copper coins a catty, which shows she has no conscience at all, making money off your hard work! Don’t let her fool you!
The crowd broke into an uproar.
Seeing the reaction, Wang puffed out her chest proudly and yelled at the top of her voice, I’ll pay three copper coins! Three copper coins for every catty! Whoever has chestnuts can sell them to me! I’ll pay you immediately, no delays, no excuses!
Her words hit the crowd like a splash of water into a boiling pot, and everyone went wild.
Two copper coins turned into three — that was a fifty percent price increase!
Is what you said true? Three copper coins?
Of course it is! I, Wang Cuihua, always keep my word! She shouted loudly, Anyone who trusts me can bring their chestnuts to my house. I’ll give you the money as soon as I get the goods!
Even those who had sold chestnuts to Su Qinghe the previous day were so filled with regret that they slapped their thighs, wishing they could snatch their chestnuts back from Su Qinghe’s place and sell them again.
The yard of the Su family became quiet in an instant. The villagers gathered around Wang, treating her like the center of attention.
Xiao Hanyuan frowned deeply as he watched the scene unfold. He turned to look at Su Qinghe, but to his surprise, instead of looking anxious, she was hopping and jumping around the yard.
The way she moved was so strange, unlike anything Xiao Hanyuan had ever seen before.
Are you… feeling unwell or out of your mind from the shock? He asked, his brows still furrowed, his handsome face looking stern and serious.
Not at all. Su Qinghe kept doing jumping jacks. I’m just exercising to lose weight.
Xiao Hanyuan fell silent, not knowing what to say.
After a pause, he asked again, Aren’t you worried?
Worried about what? Su Qinghe had already done sixty jumping jacks. Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and her chubby face was flushed pink, looking much fairer and healthier compared to its usual sallow, dull tone. We have people rushing to collect the goods for us and even saving us the trouble. I’m too happy to be worried.
Xiao Hanyuan looked into her bright, sparkling eyes and watched her keep doing those odd movements. His firm, attractive lips pressed together slightly.
She really had a lot of self-control and calmness.
……
After leaving Su Qinghe’s house, Wang and Su Daqiang returned home and started buying chestnuts with great enthusiasm.
Determined to outdo Su Qinghe, Wang went all out. She spent every bit of their family savings and even forced Su Daqiang to dig out all the copper coins he had hidden under the bed.
Within just one day, the pile of chestnuts beside Wang’s feet grew as big as a small hill — more than 800 catties in total!
In Su Daqiang’s yard, the sacks of chestnuts were piled so high they almost buried their two small, run-down houses.
Wang stood in the middle of the yard, hands on her hips. Her fleshy face shone with an oily glow from pure excitement. The last sack of chestnuts bought that day sat right by her feet. To get these over 800 catties of goods, she had emptied their entire savings and even borrowed two taels of silver from her family. But what did that matter? As long as they brought the goods to the town the next day, they would make several times their investment in profit.
Husband, do you see this now? This is what people mean when they say the bold get rich while the timid stay poor and hungry!
Wang wiped the sweat off her forehead and yelled at Su Daqiang, who was squatting on the ground counting the now-empty money bags. That wicked girl thought she could compete with me? She buys at two copper coins, so I buy at three. Let’s see where she gets the money to fight me!
Su Daqiang looked at the empty money box with a heavy heart and took a few puffs from his long-stemmed pipe. This is everything we have. What if something goes wrong…
Shut your unlucky mouth! Wang slapped him hard on the back. Zuixianlou is a famous restaurant. If they were willing to take goods from that wicked girl, they will certainly buy from us too! Our chestnuts are bigger and better. Tomorrow, I’ll ask for five copper coins a catty, and their manager will practically beg to buy them from us!
Back at Su Qinghe’s place.
They hadn’t collected a single chestnut all day, yet Su Qinghe ate and drank as usual, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Xiao Hanyuan’s brows were drawn together so tightly they formed a deep crease between his eyes.
Are you really not worried at all? He finally couldn’t hold back and asked.
They had collected nothing all day. Every villager had sold their chestnuts to Wang and her husband.
Word had it that all the chestnuts on the mountain behind the village had been bought up, and almost all within miles around were gone too.
What’s there to worry about? Su Qinghe smiled, her eyes shining brightly. You just wait and see.
The glow of the setting sun fell on her full figure. For the first time, Xiao Hanyuan felt that the clumsy, foolish aura that had once seemed unpleasant about her had completely vanished. In its place, she looked smart, cheerful, and completely in control of the situation.
Early the next morning, before the sun had even fully risen, Wang and Su Daqiang got up. They borrowed an ox cart specially, and packed all the over 800 catties of chestnuts neatly onto it.
The proper road to town was wide and straight, but Wang refused to take it. Instead, she ordered Su Daqiang to take a detour and drive the creaking cart straight to Su Qinghe’s front gate, stopping right there in a pompous manner.
Well now! Little Qinghe, aren’t you up yet? Wang sat high up on the pile of chestnuts on the cart. Look at this! Just look at this whole cart of goods! You were acting so confident and capable yesterday. Why aren’t you buying chestnuts today? Oh right, I almost forgot — all the chestnuts within miles around are right here with me. Even if you wanted to buy some now, you wouldn’t find even a tiny bit of chestnut shell anywhere!
Su Daqiang waved the ox whip in his hand, his face full of the smugness of a petty person who had just won a small victory. His chin was tilted so high he almost looked at the sky. Humph! You’re way too young and inexperienced to compete with us! This business belongs to us now. You just wait and suffer! Once we get this cart to town, the silver we earn will practically burst our pockets!
Su Qinghe pushed open the door and stepped out upon hearing the noise, followed closely by Xiao Hanyuan, whose face was dark and grim.
Seeing Su Qinghe come out, Wang became even more arrogant. She raised her voice with a sharp, mocking tone. Husband, once we make this big fortune, we’ll tear down this shabby house of ours and build a big, fancy mansion with multiple courtyards! And when we’re done, if we’re in a good mood, we might even be generous enough to invite this niece of ours who has never seen the world over for a visit. We’ll let her broaden her horizons and see what life is really like for wealthy people!
You’re absolutely right! Su Daqiang laughed loudly, glancing at Su Qinghe with pure disdain. But she’d better wash her feet clean before stepping inside, or she’ll get our new floor tiles dirty!
Their faces were full of bitterness, sarcasm, and ridicule, enough to make anyone’s blood boil with anger.
Xiao Hanyuan’s eyes turned icy cold, filled with a dangerous, violent rage. His fingers tightened around his whip until his knuckles turned white. He took long strides forward, ready to teach these two foolish people a lesson they would never forget.
Wait a moment.
A slender hand reached out and gently pressed against Xiao Hanyuan’s arm.
He stopped instantly and turned around. To his surprise, Su Qinghe showed not a trace of anger. Instead, she stood calmly leaning against the doorframe, with a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips.
Let them go. Her tone was calm, her eyes looking at them as if they were two ridiculous clowns rushing happily into a trap. The happier they laugh now, the harder they’ll cry later. We just need to sit back and watch the show.
Just then, the crisp sound of hooves broke the tense atmosphere.
A carriage with a signboard reading Zuixianlou trotted slowly into the village and headed straight toward the Su family yard.
Wang’s eyes lit up, filled with wild joy. Look! I told you so! The manager there must have heard that I have goods, and sent a carriage specially to buy them! You wicked girl, now you’re stunned, aren’t you!
She pushed her way through the crowd and rushed forward with a fawning smile, blocking the road in front of the carriage. Oh my, you must be the young man from Zuixianlou! Come here, look at this! I have 800 catties of top-quality chestnuts here! They’re big, plump, and fresh! I’ll sell them for only five copper coins a catty!
The carriage came to a stop, and a thin, young assistant jumped down.
He didn’t even glance at Wang, and brushed away her outstretched hand. He wiped his sleeve with a look of pure disgust. Get out of the way! Where did this crazy old woman come from, blocking the road!
Wang stumbled back from the push, completely confused. Wait, young man, I’m here to sell chestnuts!
The assistant ignored her completely and walked straight up to Su Qinghe. His disgusted expression instantly turned into deep respect as he spoke. Madam Su! Our manager sent me to give you a message. The sugar-fried chestnuts we bought from you yesterday sold incredibly well — we couldn’t keep up with demand! We were afraid we wouldn’t have enough to sell tomorrow, so he sent me here specially with a carriage to take another 300 catties back!
As he spoke, he took a silver ingot from his chest and presented it with both hands. This is the deposit the manager asked me to bring you. Please check it.
Complete silence fell over the scene.
Wang’s eyes were wide open, ready to pop out of their sockets. She refused to give up and rushed over, pointing frantically at her own pile of chestnuts. Young man! Did you make a mistake? I have chestnuts too! They’re exactly the same as hers! I only ask for five copper coins! It’s cheaper than hers!
The assistant rolled his eyes at her impatiently. Auntie, do you have trouble understanding what people say? Our manager has made it clear: we only buy goods from Madam Su. If we break this rule and ruin our reputation, can you afford the consequences?
His words hit Wang like a loud, resounding slap across the face.
She swayed unsteadily and collapsed onto the ground, her vision turning black.
Eight hundred catties of chestnuts… over two taels of silver… that was all the savings she had for her old age!
No… I don’t believe it! If Zuixianlou doesn’t want them, I’ll sell them to someone else! Wang jumped up in a fit of madness and shouted instructions to Su Daqiang. Move them! Load them onto the cart! We’re going to town! We’ll sell them to Yipinxiang! To Juxianlou!
The couple borrowed a cart and dragged all their chestnuts away with great difficulty, panting and sweating all the way.
The villagers looked at each other in silence as they watched Su Qinghe direct Xiao Hanyuan and the assistant to move the chestnuts. Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. This young lady of the Su family truly was an extraordinary and capable person.