Chapter Fifty: Returning in Defeat

"Anxi, let me tell you, if you return what you took, I’ll be generous and let this matter go. Otherwise, I’ll make sure your whole family suffers." Madam Jiang, cursing and swearing, waddled up to An Yi. Her huge frame was nearly three times An Yi’s size, and she stood with her hands on her hips, looking as domineering as ever.

An Yi was almost amused by her threats. She took two steps back, lifted her chin, and looked at Madam Jiang coldly. "Be clear with your words. What did I take from you?"

"What did you take? Oh, you little wretch, how dare you ask? You little seductress, leading my Gu Yu astray, making him bring things to your home every day. What, you think you can deny it? I’m not someone to cross. If you don’t give those things back, I’ll tear you apart."

An Yi had no desire to argue further and asked, "Are you sure you want me to say out loud why Li Gu Yu has been bringing things to my house?"

"Go ahead, speak up. I’d like to hear what clever excuse you have." Madam Jiang, thinking she had caught An Yi in the act, shouted belligerently.

An Yi remained unfazed by her bluster and replied calmly, "Did you know that Li Gu Yu was sick a few days ago?"

Madam Jiang was stumped. She truly hadn’t heard about Li Gu Yu’s illness. The corners of her mouth twitched as she muttered, "He was just pretending to be sick to slack off and avoid catching snakes up the mountain."

An Yi’s gaze darkened. "Li Gu Yu collapsed on the road. I saw him and called Luo Wuqi to carry him to Physician Lu’s house. Physician Lu examined him and confirmed he was ill. And yet you say he was faking it—are you doubting Physician Lu’s skills?"

Physician Lu was the only doctor in the surrounding villages. Whether his skills were remarkable or not, everyone knew that when someone was seriously ill and couldn’t manage on their own, they had to seek his help.

Madam Jiang dared not challenge Physician Lu’s reputation. She pursed her lips and said, "That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m asking why Gu Yu keeps bringing things to your house."

"I never asked Li Gu Yu to bring us anything. Those wild fruits were a thank you gift because I helped him get to Physician Lu for treatment," said An Yi.

Someone from the crowd interjected, "Xier saved Gu Yu, so it’s only right for him to give her some wild fruit as thanks for saving his life."

"What do you mean ‘only right’?" Madam Jiang sneered. "He was sick; couldn’t he go get treatment himself? Why did she have to get involved?"

Before An Yi could retort, someone nearby couldn’t stand it anymore. "Is that any way to speak? We’re all human—how could Xier just ignore Gu Yu when he collapsed on the road? She saved his life and now you’re blaming her for it?"

"The old monk at the temple always says saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. Xier did nothing wrong in helping. What kind of conscience do you have to speak like that?" someone else snorted.

"Her conscience’s been eaten by dogs—otherwise, why would she force a sick child up the mountain until he fainted on the road?" someone in the crowd seized the chance to accuse Madam Jiang.

"He’s just a child—she won’t give him food or clothes, only beats and scolds him. I’ve seen harsh stepmothers, but never one like her," another added.

Madam Jiang was usually so fierce that villagers avoided her and few dared confront her face-to-face. But today, emboldened by the crowd, they all turned on her. At first, Madam Jiang tried to fight back, trading insults, but she was no match for so many at once. Soon, she was forced to slink away in defeat and disappeared home, thoroughly embarrassed.

With Madam Jiang gone, the crowd, having seen enough drama, broke up into small groups and dispersed.

An Yi returned home as well, took out the burdock she’d picked and put it away carefully. Everything was ready—she just needed the final touch.

After Madam Jiang’s outburst, Li Gu Yu no longer dared visit their house, afraid of causing more trouble for them. An Jian, having lost his student, could only sigh and lament.

An Yi cast him a sidelong glance. "Second Brother, you’d better focus on your studies. The children’s exam in February is no easy feat."

"I know it’s not easy," An Jian scratched his head. "I also know I won’t pass. Not everyone is like our big brother, who passed the exam at ten and became a scholar."

In the Xu Dynasty, the imperial examination system had three stages. The children’s exam was the first, itself divided into three steps: the county exam held every February, with five sessions; if you passed, you advanced to the prefectural exam, and if you passed that, you could take the academy exam. Passing the academy exam meant you could enter the academy and become a "scholar."

Scholars were exempt from certain taxes, received a monthly stipend of twenty-seven catties of rice and three taels of silver, and became eligible for the provincial exam, held every three years.

Passing the provincial exam meant you could go to the capital for the metropolitan exam, and if you succeeded, become a presented scholar, meet the emperor, and enter officialdom. Years of hardship and study would finally pay off, earning fame and honor for your family.

"You rascal, you haven’t even tried and you’re already giving up. Can’t you work a bit harder? You started school at five, just like your big brother—if he could pass, why can’t you?" Madam Luo happened to walk in and scolded him sternly.

An Jian shrank his neck and stuck his tongue out at An Yi.

An Yi hid a smile behind her hand.

At the beginning of August, taking advantage of An Jian’s school break, the three of them made a trip to town. Aunt Liu and her daughter couldn’t join them; the day before, Zhu Fucai had gambled away all his money and came home demanding more from Aunt Liu. When she refused, she was beaten black and blue and was in no condition to go out.

An Yi brought An Jian to Jihuai Hall. "Uncle Chen, this is my second brother, An Jian. Second Brother, this is Uncle Chen."

"How do you do, Uncle Chen?" An Jian greeted politely.

"Very good, very good." Uncle Chen smiled, took the cloth bag, and weighed the herbs. "Girl, once winter comes, there’ll be fewer herbs. While the autumn weather holds, bring me as many as you can."

"All right," An Yi replied, accepting the six silver coins and eleven copper coins Uncle Chen handed over. "Uncle Chen, from now on, my brother will deliver the herbs. Please look after him."

"Is something going on at home, child?" Uncle Chen asked.

"My mother wants me to stay home and do needlework. I can’t always come myself," An Yi replied, not exactly lying—she had promised to make shoes for An Kang and An Jian, after all.

"A girl should learn needlework," Uncle Chen teased, winking. "A young lady who can’t sew will have trouble finding a husband."

"Uncle Chen!" An Yi protested playfully.

Uncle Chen burst out laughing.

Author’s note: This chapter is a free extra to thank everyone for your support as the story goes premium today. There will be more premium chapters this afternoon—please keep supporting. Ten thousand words for first subscriptions! Please do not repost!