Chapter 161 – Preparing to Build a House
Ms. Zhong felt weak, partly from fear of Yan Bozhang and partly from Yan Xiaosi’s intimidating demeanor. Yan Shuqin and Yan Shuxue, standing at the cave entrance, shared her weakness, barely able to stand without leaning against the stone wall.
Yan Shuxue, in a daze, looked at Yan Xiaosi and asked Yan Shuqin, “Big Sister, is that really our Xiaosi?”
Yan Shuqin, equally dazed, nodded: “Yes, that’s our Xiaosi.”
Yan Shuxue, puzzled, remarked, “Big Sister, how did Xiaosi become so formidable? She even dared to tell the Yan family to leave.”
Yan Shuqin felt a mix of warmth and discomfort. “Xiaosi… Xiaosi has become so fierce to protect us. I, as the eldest sister, failed to protect her, and now it’s her protecting me.”
Hearing this, Yan Shuxue also felt a twinge of guilt. “Big Sister, I’m useless too.”
…
The scene shifts to the Yan family. The old master of the Yan family sat in the parlor, waiting for news from Yan Bozhang. Having failed to present the treasure they thought was a night pearl, their hope now rested on Yan Shuqin becoming Yao Jin’s concubine. If Yao Jin was promoted to a higher position, he might help Yan Bozhang and Yan Wenfeng due to the family connection.
As darkness fell, the old master grew impatient and ordered a servant, “Go to the entrance and wait for the master. Tell him to come to the parlor as soon as he returns.”
“Yes, Old Master,” replied the servant.
When the moon rose, Yan Bozhang and two servants of the Yan family finally returned, looking disheveled. The servant waiting at the gate hurried to greet them.
“Master, you’re back. The Old Master is waiting for you in the parlor.”
Yan Bozhang, having failed in his task, entered the parlor with a stern face. Besides the old master, Ms. Li and her daughter, as well as Ms. Hu and her daughter, were present.
Yan Shujing sensed something was wrong seeing Yan Bozhang’s tense face. “Father, did Third Aunt agree?”
As Yan Shujing spoke, the old master also looked towards Yan Bozhang.
Yan Bozhang frowned, “Third Brother’s wife did not agree.”
Hearing this, the old master’s face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the tea table.
Seeing the old master’s anger, the two servants accompanying Yan Bozhang exaggerated the situation. “Old Master, it was Xiaosi who refused. He even…”
Interrupted by their hesitant speech, the old master glared and demanded, “What else? Say it all.”
“Young master Xiaosi was disrespectful to the master and told him to leave. He said that being barefoot, he’s not afraid of those with shoes. He threatened our Yan family, saying if anyone makes his life difficult, he will retaliate.”
“Rebellious, utterly rebellious,” the old master fumed, his beard trembling with rage. “A mole under the eye corner is indeed a sign of a jinx. How dare he, at such a young age, disrespect his elders and threaten our Yan family! Back then, I should not have been soft-hearted and kept this jinx…cough cough.”
“Grandfather, don’t be angry, take care of your health,” said Yan Shujing, patting his back to comfort him.
Yan Shuxiu, envious of Yan Shujing’s behavior in front of the old master, joined in. “Grandfather, Yan Xiaosi is outrageous, daring to threaten Uncle and our Yan family. I say he should be severely punished to make him understand our family’s might. Once frightened, he won’t dare to disobey you.”
Ms. Hu added, “Father, Shuxiu is right. The reason Xiaosi is so bold is that he doesn’t know your true power.”
Ms. Li, who usually disagreed with Ms. Hu, surprisingly echoed her words, nodding to the old master Yan, “Yes, yes, Father, you must show Yan Xiaosi how formidable you are.”
Old Master Yan remained silent for a moment, thinking that Yan Shuxiu’s suggestion made sense, but he was somewhat hesitant. “But Yan Xiaosi has intimate connections with that distinguished person from Xijing. If we deal with Yan Xiaosi and he complains to that person, we might end up worse off.”
Yan Bozhang, pondering with a frown, suddenly brightened with an idea. “Father, don’t worry. We can hire a few thugs from Xize County to deal with Yan Xiaosi anonymously.”
Old Master Yan considered this a feasible plan.
…
The next morning, Yan Xiaosi and Yan Shuxue prepared to go to the county office to register their land. Yan Shuxue carried a clay pot containing wild mushrooms fried by Ms. Zhong, intending to take them to Yan Shuyun in Daxing Town.
As they descended the mountain, they ran into Tian Dazhuang, who was herding cattle. He stopped them, “Xiaosi, Shuxue, where are you two headed?”
Yan Shuxue replied, “We’re going to the county office to register our land and also looking for craftsmen to build a house.”
Tian Dazhuang, disliking the idea of Yan Xiaosi living in the cave on Big Sister Peak, felt somewhat excited knowing they were going to the city to find builders. “Xiaosi, Shuxue, wait for me. I’ll take the ox back and hitch it to the cart, then I take you to the county office.”
Yan Xiaosi waved him off. “Brother Dazhuang, there’s no need. We’ll walk to Daxing Town and hire a horse carriage to get to the city. You’ve been running around for us. If your mom finds out, she’ll scold you for meddling in others’ affairs.”
Yan Xiaosi was all too familiar with Ms. Wang’s scolding. Tian Dazhuang looked embarrassed, “Xiaosi, my mother is a bit fierce, but she’s not bad-hearted.”
Yan Xiaosi agreed. Ms. Wang was indeed boisterous and stingy but not malicious; otherwise, she wouldn’t have supported Yan Shuqin’s affection for Tian Dazhuang.
“We need to hire a cart anyway. How about I give you twenty copper coins to take us to the city and back?” Yan Xiaosi proposed, though Tian Dazhuang’s oxcart was rather uncomfortable compared to a horse carriage, it was cheaper.
Tian Dazhuang really didn’t want to take Yan Xiaosi’s money, but fearing his mother’s anger, he accepted it reluctantly. “Wait here, I’ll go back and hitch the cart to the ox.”
At home, Ms. Wang was doing laundry. Seeing Tian Dazhuang return so quickly and immediately start hitching the cart to the old yellow ox, she questioned him. “Dazhuang, what are you up to now? Are you running errands for Yan Xiaosi again? I tell you, don’t go. I’m puzzled, what kind of spell has that little rascal Yan Xiaosi cast on you that you are so devotedly following him around?”
Tian Dazhuang frowned upon hearing his mother’s ranting. “Mom, Xiaosi is a good person, and I enjoy his company. Besides, I’m not doing this for free today; he gave me twenty coins.”
Hearing about the twenty coins, Ms. Wang’s demeanor changed instantly, smiling as she extended her hand, “Dazhuang, where are those twenty coins? Let mom see them.”
