Chapter 2: A Young Lady Arrives at the Zhan Family
◎On repaying a kindness through revenge.◎
A Li tried to stop them from entering, but Shancha blocked him, letting her mistress inside. Despite being around the same age and height, Shancha was stronger than A Li.
Mu Jiaojiao praised her maid and, carrying her bag, entered uninvited. She had wanted to visit this place in her past life, but she was taken to the capital and never had the chance.
The Zhan family had only a small courtyard with three adjacent thatched huts: one for Zhan’s mother, one for A Li and Zhan Qiyu, and one for the main living area.
She quickly opened Zhan Qiyu’s room and found him reading.
“Scholar Zhan, my name is Mu Yun. You saved my younger sister yesterday, so I’ve come to thank you today.”
Mu Yun was her second brother. Since he wasn’t home, she used his name to express her gratitude.
But Zhan Qiyu didn’t even look up. A cold voice said, “Please leave.”
He didn’t want to say another word.
A Li finally squeezed into the room, “Aren’t you leaving? Our master doesn’t welcome you.”
But Mu Jiaojiao gave Shancha a look. Shancha gritted her teeth and escorted A Li out of the room.
Mu Jiaojiao unceremoniously sat at the tea table and opened her bag.
It contained several things:
First, several books – borrowed from her brother’s room in the dark. She didn’t understand them, but they looked new.
Then, exquisite and delicious pastries.
Next, writing brushes, rice paper, and inkstones – taken from her brother’s study.
She didn’t bring money, believing it less sincere.
She arranged everything as if it were her own room.
The slender man frowned slightly, speaking again, “This is my home.”
“I know it’s your home. That’s why I came.”
The petite figure flitted about the study, like a butterfly, perfectly matching the bright spring scenery.
A Li, his mouth covered by Shancha, thought his master would be furious. A village girl had once entered the courtyard and been severely scolded by his master, crying for a month afterward. Even his mother thought he was too harsh. Later, the girl’s family came to complain. Other girls who greeted Zhan Qiyu never received a kind word. He had the right to be aloof, but he was excessively so. These two girls, dressed as boys, had invaded his room and were sure to be scolded.
But after a while, A Li was confused. Although his master’s face was grim, he didn’t chase them away.
After Mu Jiaojiao arranged everything, she frowned. Even her frown was beautiful. She circled the room and left.
Only after she left did Zhan Qiyu turn the page. He was just reading the preface, not the main text.
“Untie him,” Mu Jiaojiao commanded.
A Li, released, wanted to retort but, seeing they were girls, simply entered his master’s room, nursing his arm.
Zhan’s mother entered, carrying a small basket. Seeing the strangers, she was surprised.
“What beautiful girls.” A former servant from a wealthy family, she rarely saw such beauty.
“Greetings, Auntie. I’m Scholar Zhan’s classmate. I hope my visit isn’t inconvenient.”
That the girls hadn’t cried surprised Zhan’s mother. Perhaps it was because previous girls weren’t pretty enough?
“Hello, hello. Come in, please.”
Mu Jiaojiao quickly became friendly with Zhan’s mother, munching on roasted peanuts. Shancha joined in. In her past life, Mu Jiaojiao wanted to compensate this woman. She heard that after her son’s death, she had passed away from grief a few days later. Mu Jiaojiao felt guilty towards mother and son. So, while Zhan’s mother praised her son, Mu Jiaojiao gave full emotional support, heaping praise on Zhan Qiyu.
A Li, pacing outside, couldn’t understand. He asked his master.
“What are those two girls doing? I don’t get it.”
“Chase them away.” He looked cold, resuming his reading.
A Li considered throwing out the gifts, but his master said, “I’m thirsty.”
When A Li returned with hot water, the gifts were gone. Did his master throw them away so quickly?
His master then gave him various tasks. Meanwhile, in the main room, Mu Jiaojiao was eating.
“Auntie, aren’t we waiting for Brother Zhan to eat together?”
“No, he always eats alone. He only eats with me during festivals.”
Zhan’s mother never bothered her son, entrusting everything to A Li, even the fieldwork. She treated A Li like her son and never neglected him, but their poverty meant they barely had enough to eat. Zhan Qiyu had self-studied for the scholar’s examination, unable to afford an academy.
“Oh. Auntie, here’s a drumstick, and this one’s for you.” Zhan’s mother was about to stew their only hen. Mu Jiaojiao decided to let Shancha cook it, but Zhan’s mother offered Mu Jiaojiao the drumstick. “Auntie, I don’t like chicken.”
Shancha was embarrassed. “Why did you stew the chicken, Miss, if you don’t like it?” But Mu Jiaojiao drank the chicken soup.
A Li, returning with lunch, grumbled, “That hen was for the New Year.”
Zhan Qiyu washed his hands, ready to eat. Hearing A Li’s complaints about the chicken, he tapped the table with his chopsticks, “No talking while eating.”
He ate more than usual. A Li thought his master was different, but couldn’t pinpoint what.
After the meal, Mu Jiaojiao refused to leave, continuing to chat.
“Auntie, Brother Zhan is eighteen. It’s time to consider marriage.”
Zhan’s mother, smiling, found the girl beautiful, kind, and generous. Her son was indeed excellent.
“Not yet.” Probably because of their poverty.
Mu Jiaojiao pressed on, “Does Brother Zhan have any admirers?”
Zhan’s mother froze, fearing a misunderstanding, “He has a cousin, but they don’t interact much.”
This suggested to Mu Jiaojiao that Zhan Qiyu liked his cousin but was rejected.
Realizing her plan, she gestured to Shancha.
Shancha reluctantly went to the kitchen, followed by A Li. Shancha pretended to fetch water, then used a fire starter to set the firewood on fire.
“Fire! Fire!”
A Li shouted, trying to put out the fire. Zhan’s mother and son joined in. Neighbors helped. Half the kitchen was destroyed.
Mu Jiaojiao rubbed her hands, satisfied.
“Thank you all.”
Zhan’s mother thanked the neighbors. Only a soot-covered A Li and Zhan Qiyu remained. Mu Jiaojiao offered them handkerchiefs.
No one took them.
A Li pointed at Shancha, “Why did you set our kitchen on fire?”
Zhan Qiyu’s gaze was cold, but he didn’t speak, rubbing his left hand, seemingly uncomfortable.
“Shancha, did you do it?” Mu Jiaojiao asked, surprised.
Shancha feigned tears, “Miss, I’m so sorry. I dropped the fire starter.” She dropped her handkerchief, apologizing profusely, “I’ll take full responsibility.”
But Zhan’s mother didn’t blame them, saying she’d wanted to renovate the kitchen anyway.
“No, we must take responsibility.”
Mu Jiaojiao feigned tears. No one could refuse her.
A Li waited for his master to scold her, but his master nodded, “A Li, pack our things.”
Before nightfall, they were in the carriage Mu Jiaojiao arranged, heading to her prepared residence.
Zhan’s mother wasn’t upset about the fire, delighted that her son had met such a generous girl.
A Li was bewildered. Didn’t his master hate being controlled?
Zhan Qiyu read, a fragrant handkerchief tucked into his sleeve. He avoided touching his hand, fearing the handkerchief would show.
Mu Jiaojiao told Zhan’s mother about Yanhua Town. A Li listened intently.
They arrived at their destination, and the driver left after helping them unload.
Zhan’s mother almost cried, seeing the small house, better than anything she’d lived in for a long time.
“Auntie, Brother Zhan, please settle in. Shancha and I will bring you dinner.”
They then quickly disappeared back through the hole.
The Zhan family stared at the hole, bewildered.