Qiao Wan hadn’t expected Huo Yan to overhear her conversation with the Old Doctor while he had been busy packing medicine.
Her mind racing, she chuckled foolishly and leaned closer:
“My elder brother got hold of a book from somewhere, filled with illustrations of people being pricked with needles. To find out if needling people could actually cure illnesses, I casually made up an excuse.”
After speaking, Qiao Wan mentally gave herself a thumbs-up—if she needed to use acupuncture in the future, she wouldn’t have to come up with a reason on the spot.
She really was a clever little thing.
Seeing that Qiao Wan’s expression didn’t seem deceptive, Huo Yan only said:
“Read fewer miscellaneous books.” Without another word, he took the items and headed straight home.
As soon as they reached the entrance, they found the courtyard gate wide open.
Qiao Wan turned to Huo Yan: “Didn’t you lock the door when you left?”
“I did.”
Huo Yan frowned. He distinctly remembered locking it and had even tested it twice.
He picked up the lock from the ground, examining it in his hand.
The lock was intact, with no signs of tampering. Huo Yan felt his waist—the key was still there.
It seemed someone had used his spare key.
“Let’s go inside first and see what’s missing.”
Huo Yan led the way, with Qiao Wan close behind.
Just as they entered the courtyard, they heard rustling sounds from behind the house.
Huo Yan set down what he was carrying, picked up a firewood knife, and was about to investigate—
A plump woman with a flat nose and round face emerged from the backyard, carrying a basket of vegetables.
“Aunt?” Huo Yan’s brow furrowed as he recognized her.
“Oh my, Huo Yan, you’re back without making a sound—you scared me!” Zheng Shi glared at him reproachfully.
“Move aside! The family is waiting for these vegetables to cook!” She tried to sidestep Huo Yan as she spoke, but her eyes remained glued to the pile of items Qiao Wan and Huo Yan had brought.
Rounding the corner, she immediately began rummaging through their belongings without even glancing at Qiao Wan.
“Perfect timing—we’re out of oil at home. I’ll take this fatty meat.”
Zheng Shi grinned from ear to ear, grabbing the meat to stuff into her basket—
But a hand abruptly stopped her.
“Hey—you!” Zheng Shi was about to curse when she looked up and saw Qiao Wan holding the meat, frowning at her.
Yesterday, she had heard that Huo Yan married Qiao Wan, but she didn’t believe it. Everyone knew Qiao Wan was infatuated with Huo Yaoxian from the third branch of the Huo family—how could she possibly turn around and marry Huo Yan?
“Qiao Wan? What are you doing here?” Zheng Shi shrieked, staring incredulously at Huo Yan. “You really married her?”
“Of course I did. That’s why she’s here. But…” Huo Yan stepped forward and coldly demanded, “Aunt, how did you get in?”
“I opened the door, naturally.”
“I don’t recall giving you a key.”
“I… I just took your spare key to make it easier to pick vegetables.”
Qiao Wan was infuriated by Zheng Shi’s audacity. “Are these your vegetables to pick? And is this your meat to take? Taking without asking is called stealing.”
“Who are you calling a thief?!” Zheng Shi jumped up, pointing at Qiao Wan’s nose. “I tilled that garden! I planted those vegetables! And this meat was bought by my nephew! Qiao Wan, don’t think marrying in means you’re in charge now—I’m taking these vegetables, and I’m eating this meat!”
With that, she lunged to snatch the fatty meat from Qiao Wan’s hands.
Qiao Wan hadn’t expected that the entire vegetable garden behind the house was actually planted by Zheng Shi. So Zheng Shi picking vegetables couldn’t really be considered stealing, but what about the meat? It was indeed bought with Huo Yan’s money.
What was Huo Yan’s attitude about this?
Lost in thought, Qiao Wan didn’t notice as Zheng Shi snatched the meat right out of her hands, then weighed it gleefully in her palm.
“I’ll take this meat as your newlywed tribute to your uncle,” Zheng Shi declared, hoisting her basket to leave.
“Put it down!” Huo Yan blocked her path. “You only dug two spadefuls in that back garden before complaining about back pain. I turned the rest of the soil myself, and I even paid for the vegetable seeds. Since when did my home become your personal vegetable patch to come and go as you please?” His gaze shifted to Qiao Wan, voice turning cold. “Moreover, now that Qiao Wan has married me, she naturally has authority in this household.”
“You ungrateful wretch! Heartless brute!” Zheng Shi shrieked in humiliated fury. “You forget our Huo family’s kindness the moment you take a wife!”
Watching her tantrum made Qiao Wan’s teeth itch with the urge to slap her twice. But as a newcomer, this was Huo Yan’s family matter – she shouldn’t interfere.
Huo Yan was irritated by Zheng Shi’s noise. He’d distanced himself from the Huo family precisely to avoid dealing with relatives like her, yet this aunt kept showing up under the pretext of “looking after” his place.
Previously, he couldn’t be bothered arguing and let her have her way, often retreating to the mountains for peace.
“Enough! Take your vegetables and get out!”
Zheng Shi froze at Huo Yan’s “get out,” face alternating between green and white. She never expected Huo Yan, who usually ignored her, to be so firm.
She glared at Qiao Wan: This troublemaker must have stirred him up! Just two days married and already driving a wedge between Huo Yan and his family. She wouldn’t let this go.
But seeing Huo Yan’s menacing expression, she knew she wouldn’t be taking that fatty meat today.
Zhe Shi threw the meat at Qiao Wan and spat angrily:
“That garden has my share too! Don’t think you can keep it all to yourselves! This isn’t over!” She turned to leave.
“Wait!” Qiao Wan grabbed the basket and extended her hand to Zheng Shi. “Give me my house key back.”
“Don’t push your luck, Qiao Wan! This is my nephew’s house – I can come whenever I want!”
Zheng Shi naturally refused. That key was her ticket to regularly help herself to cured meat and game.
Without it, how would their branch of the family supplement their diet?
“Fine if you won’t give it!” Huo Yan suddenly spoke.
Zheng Shi’s heart leapt, thinking he’d softened—
But then Huo Yan removed the lock from the door and handed it over. “Take this lock too. That’ll be two taels total.”
“Two taels?! You might as well rob me! What use does this hovel have for such an expensive lock!”
She hastily threw the key back. “This dump isn’t worth visiting even if invited!” She fled as if escaping, afraid she’d actually have to pay if she lingered.
Qiao Wan watched Huo Yan’s stern expression – the clear message that she’d either return the key or pay up – and burst out laughing.
This man truly showed no mercy to the Huo family.
For dinner, Qiao Wan rendered pork fat, using the leftover cracklings to make a savory sauce, then hand-pulled noodles.
The noodles were chewy, the cracklings crispy and fragrant.
Huo Yan was amazed from the first bite, burying his head in the bowl without a word.
But Qiao Wan’s eyes lingered on that plate of leftover cucumber salad from morning, thoughts flickering.
Though they’d retrieved the key, that Zheng Shi wouldn’t give up easily. She needed to devise a plan to make Zheng Shi abandon her schemes for good.
Qiao Wan leaned close to Huo Yan and lowered her voice: “I think… our house must have been burglarized last night!”
“Must have been?”
Huo Yan lifted his head from the noodle bowl, his eyes shining with unusual intensity.
Qiao Wan nodded emphatically: “Yes, it absolutely must have been!”