Chapter Sixty-Two: A Fright on the Street

An Yi did not wish to dwell on it. Her eyes flickered slightly as she turned to ask An Jian, “Second Brother, I haven't been to town in a few months. Has the price of medicinal herbs dropped?”

An Jian caught the look in An Yi’s eyes and followed her lead, saying, “Yes, it has dropped a bit. I forgot to mention it to you.”

An Yi turned back, smiling apologetically. “Shopkeeper, forgive me. I didn’t know the prices and spoke in error. Please don’t mind.”

“No worry, no worry. The price of herbs rises and falls—it's commonplace.” The shopkeeper instructed his clerk to take the herbs to the storeroom, counted out one tael and six coins of silver from the cash box, and handed it along with the empty sack back to An Yi. “My surname is Sun. Young lady, may I ask yours?”

“Greetings, Shopkeeper Sun. My surname is An.”

“If you have more herbs in the future, bring them to me. I’ll give you a fair price—you won’t be shortchanged.”

“Thank you, Shopkeeper Sun.” An Yi thanked him and left the Golden Hall with Mrs. Luo and An Jian.

An Kang had been waiting outside for quite a while. Seeing the three emerge, he came forward with a smile, “Physician Lu said that my sister’s medical skills are no less than those of the resident doctors. I didn’t believe it at first, but now I truly do.”

“Did Physician Lu really say so?” Mrs. Luo asked in delight.

“Big Brother, that’s just Master favoring his apprentice, saying nonsense. Are you really convinced?” An Yi had no intention of making a name for herself through medicine. Had Mrs. Luo not spoken up, she would have stood aside earlier. Those without compassion are unfit to be doctors. When the old man said this, he did not know she had learned medicine for darker purposes, but she had kept his words close to heart.

The street bustled with people. An Kang smiled and said no more.

Treating Sister Zhen’s daughter had delayed them, and it was already past noon. The family found a nearby noodle stall and ordered four bowls. Their food had not yet arrived when someone called out, “An Kang, Little Sister An!”

Hearing the words “Little Sister An,” An Yi knew it was the chubby Cheng Zhi Lin. Sure enough, she turned to see his bun-shaped face grinning.

Cheng Zhi Lin bowed deeply to An Kang, “An Kang, Little Sister An, I’m deeply sorry about last time. I offer my apologies to you both on behalf of my sister.”

“It was a small matter, already in the past. There’s no need for apologies,” An Kang replied with a smile.

“Yes, yes, it’s over and done.” Cheng Zhi Lin sighed in relief. He had planned to visit in person but hadn’t found the time. Today, he happened to meet them and hurried over to make things clear, not wanting to lose An Kang as a friend. “Little Sister An, my sister was egged on by Li Xiao Wu. She speaks without thinking. Don’t take it to heart. Keep selling your herbs to Ji Huai Hall. With me there, nothing will happen.”

Mrs. Luo had already been puzzled when An Yi suddenly stopped selling herbs to Ji Huai Hall and sought out another pharmacy. Hearing Cheng Zhi Lin’s words, she realized something had occurred. Though she wanted to ask, she refrained, as they were in public and with outsiders present.

An Yi smiled faintly, “I haven’t taken it to heart.”

“I knew Little Sister An would be generous and wouldn’t fuss with those petty girls.” Cheng Zhi Lin laughed. “Don’t eat noodles here—let me treat you at Bai Wei Pavilion.”

Just then, the noodles arrived.

“You needn’t trouble yourself, Young Master Cheng. After our meal, we’ll head home,” Mrs. Luo politely declined.

An Kang said, “Zhi Lin, I’ll treat you another day—we’ll have a proper drink.”

This time, Cheng Zhi Lin didn’t insist as before, simply smiling, “Very well, see you another day.”

He left with his two attendants.

After their meal, Mrs. Luo led the children around the street, buying some white rice, flour, and salt. Returning home from town, it was just past the first quarter of the evening. Mrs. Luo didn’t rush to cook. She grabbed An Kang and An Yi, demanding, “What happened? Why did you switch pharmacies for selling herbs?”

An Kang answered quickly, “Mother, it’s nothing. That day Cheng Zhi Lin’s sister came by. She and my sister had a minor argument, and my sister stubbornly refused to sell herbs to Ji Huai Hall.”

Mrs. Luo gently tapped An Yi’s shoulder, “You child, your temper is too strong. Matters should be kept separate. You quarreled with Miss Cheng, and she offended you, but Ji Huai Hall didn’t. Without so much as a word, you sold the herbs elsewhere. If the Fourth Young Master finds out, what would he think?”

“I don’t care what he thinks.” An Yi rolled her eyes, snorted, and turned toward the inner room.

“Really... whose bad temper did this girl inherit?” Mrs. Luo glanced sideways at An Kang, “Zhuzi, you too. Your sister acts up and you don’t stop her—you just let her be.”

“Mother, it’s not a big deal. The herbs are my sister’s. She can do as she likes,” An Kang replied with a smile.

“‘Do as she likes,’ you say. This—”

Mrs. Luo was interrupted by An Yi’s voice from the inner room, “Mother, I’m hungry! Please cook!”

“Alright, I heard you. I’ll start cooking.” Mrs. Luo called out.

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll explain everything to Brother Song Yan,” An Kang said as he sat by the stove to stoke the fire.

Mrs. Luo knew An Kang could handle it and said no more, washing her hands to prepare dinner.

Early June saw the honeysuckle in Baicao Garden bloom. Newly planted honeysuckle should bloom mid-June, so the early bloom suggested there might only be one flowering this year.

At dawn, once the dew had dried, An Yi and Physician Lu picked flower buds in the garden, each gathering a basketful and laying them out on reed mats to dry. Though the harvest wasn’t large, An Yi was delighted—it was the first medicinal herb produced from Baicao Garden.

After two days of drying, the honeysuckle was ninety percent dry. Removing stems and impurities, Physician Lu took half, leaving the other half for An Yi. Since there wasn’t much, An Yi didn’t take it to Golden Hall to sell, but kept it in a small clay jar, using a bit each day to brew tea.

Mid-June, after harvesting early rice, An You Nian didn’t send word through others this time. He had his two sons deliver seven hundred catties of grain, half of which was white rice.

Mrs. Luo thanked them politely, stored the grain, and invited them to lunch. Two days later, she had Luo Chunli bring it to town to sell for cash. So much grain couldn’t be eaten all at once and would attract pests.

An Kang wanted to speak with Han Song Yan to clear things up, but Han Song Yan, after handling affairs in Hengzhou, rushed home to report to his elders and had not returned to Lingling.

Steward Chen, seeing that the An family hadn’t sold herbs in over a month, took the opportunity to visit Jingtang Village himself to inquire.

When Steward Chen arrived, Mrs. Luo was at Hetang Village, An Yi was in Baicao Garden, so An Kang received him.

“Steward Chen, it’s not that we’re unwilling to sell herbs to Ji Huai Hall, but someone heard some idle gossip and came to the door. Since it concerns my sister’s reputation, we had to avoid suspicion and sell elsewhere. I hope you understand.” Though An Kang didn’t say directly that it was Cheng Shuanglin causing trouble, his meaning was clear.

“Master An, Ji Huai Hall is Han family’s business, unrelated to the Cheng family. You needn’t mind their words. Please tell Miss An that she can bring her herbs anytime—prices can be negotiated.” Steward Chen, having risen to manager at Ji Huai Hall, was no fool. He caught the meaning in An Kang’s words and spoke sincerely.

An Yi’s herbs were cleaner and drier than others, with better efficacy. Moreover, Steward Chen liked An Yi and hoped for long-term cooperation.

“Steward Chen, it’s not a matter of price. Ji Huai Hall has always been fair, and we’re grateful for your care. But my sister, though a girl, keeps her word. If she promises not to sell to Ji Huai Hall, she won’t, and I can’t persuade her.” An Kang apologized.

Steward Chen saw there was no turning back and took his leave, resolving to report to Han Song Yan when he returned.

When An Yi returned, An Kang told her about Steward Chen’s visit.

An Yi said nothing.

Days passed peacefully, repeating like flowing water through half a month. An Yi and An Jian went to town, selling herbs at Golden Hall. Physician Li, who sat in the hall, still recognized her. He snorted coldly and went to the back room.

Shopkeeper Sun smiled apologetically, “Miss An, that’s just his bad temper. Don’t mind it.”

An Yi smiled faintly. He was an insignificant person—not worth her attention.

Three packs of herbs sold for two taels and three coins of silver.

The siblings left Golden Hall with empty cloth bags. Not far ahead, at the alley entrance, two burly men flung a man heavily to the ground. One pointed at him and cursed, “You wretched pauper! How dare you come here without money? Open your dog eyes and look—is this a place for the likes of you?”

An Yi looked closely—the man on the ground was none other than the inveterate gambler Zhu Fu Cai. The lesson Li Fifth Master gave him last time hadn’t been enough. He still drifted through life, frequenting gambling dens daily.

An Jian and An Yi didn’t involve themselves in Zhu Fu Cai’s business and walked past him.

Suddenly, a rapid clatter of hooves approached. The pedestrians ahead quickly moved aside, and the siblings hurried to the street edge.

“Aah!” A sharp scream.

An Yi looked up. Several horses were charging forward, yet Zhu Fu Cai sat dazed in the middle of the road, staring blankly at the oncoming horses, unable to move.

Seeing he was about to be trampled, some timid onlookers closed their eyes, unable to watch. At that moment, An Jian dashed forward, grabbed Zhu Fu Cai, and rolled them both to the roadside, narrowly escaping the galloping horses.

The lead horse, pure white, was pulled up by its rider, rearing high and changing direction. Its hooves struck the stone pavement with a piercing sound.

“Second Brother!” An Yi’s face paled in terror as she ran over, “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

An Jian stood up, dusted himself off, and said sheepishly, “Sister, I’m fine. Not hurt at all.”

From the white horse jumped a youth of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in purple brocade. Behind him followed five burly men in black. Seeing the youth dismount, they followed suit.

The crowd gasped, their breath drawn by the youth’s beauty. Words failed them, and the phrase “peerless beauty” sprang to all their minds.

The youth in purple seemed accustomed to such reactions, remaining calm as he raised his hand.

One of the black-clad men produced a twenty-tael silver ingot and placed it in his hand.

The youth approached Zhu Fu Cai and offered him the silver. “Apologies for frightening you, this silver—”

Zhu Fu Cai’s eyes lit up at the sight of silver. Revived instantly, he grabbed the ingot before the youth finished, scrambled up, and ran off—clearly eager to gamble again.

A black-clad man seized him by the collar, halting him. “Young Lord, these three were deliberately blocking the road to extort silver.”

The youth’s expression darkened as he fixed his gaze on the An siblings.

“What do you mean by that? Which eye saw us colluding with him to extort silver? On what grounds do you slander us?” An Jian stepped forward, shielding An Yi, glaring angrily at the man.

“If not, why would a grown man remain in the path of charging horses?” the black-clad man retorted coldly.

“How should I know why he didn’t move?” An Jian was perplexed himself, wondering what was wrong with Zhu Fu Cai.

“You must know. You’re all in it together,” the man insisted.

“The horses came and he was scared stiff, unable to move. My brother risked his own safety to save him—is that extortion? If so, who’d dare help others in trouble? Folks, judge for yourselves—was it wrong to save him?” An Yi saw the other black-clad men approaching and quickly rallied the crowd.

“There’s nothing wrong with saving people,” the onlookers echoed.

An Yi stepped out from behind An Jian, pointing at Zhu Fu Cai. “He’s a hopeless gambler, just thrown out by the gambling den. My brother and I were merely passing by, unrelated to him. If you doubt it, have your men ask around—the truth will come out.”

The youth’s eyes fell on An Yi. His thick, long lashes set off his phoenix eyes, deep and unreadable.

An Yi stared straight ahead, not meeting his gaze, her expression calm as he scrutinized her.

After a moment, the youth withdrew his gaze and mounted his horse. “Twelve, let him go—we have proper business to attend.”

The black-clad man retrieved the silver from Zhu Fu Cai, released his collar, and Zhu Fu Cai collapsed to the ground, legs weak. The men mounted their horses and rode off with the youth in purple.

An Yi glared at An Jian and strode away.

“Sister!” An Jian hurried after her. “Sister, Sister!”

An Yi ignored him, lips pursed, as she walked ahead.

“Sister, why won’t you talk to me?” An Jian asked, confused.

An Yi turned her head to the left.

An Jian moved to her left. “Sister, are you angry with me?”

An Yi remained silent.

“Sister, are you upset I saved Zhu Fu Cai?”

An Yi rolled her eyes.

“Sister, don’t be angry. I was acting out of chivalry—I want to be a hero, and I couldn’t ignore someone in peril,” An Jian declared solemnly.

“Are you a hero?” An Yi stopped, anger giving way to a sardonic smile. “You’re a fool. What if you’d been trampled? Zhu Fu Cai’s life is worthless—if he died, so be it. Alive, he wastes food; dead, he wastes land. Why did you risk yourself for him? You did something so dangerous—I’ll tell Mother and let her scold you.”

“Sister, dear sister, I know I was wrong—please don’t tell Mother.” An Jian bowed and begged her forgiveness.

An Yi ignored him again, sitting at a street stall and ordering a bowl of wonton noodles.

An Jian sat beside her, face dejected. “Sister.”

“What?”

“I’m hungry too.” An Jian had no money and spoke pitifully.

An Yi gave him a sideways glance. “Heroes don’t need to eat.”

“Sister.” An Jian tugged his ear. “Sister, I was wrong—I won’t do it again.”

An Yi, both exasperated and amused, called out, “Madam, another large bowl of wonton noodles.”

Seeing An Yi order him noodles, An Jian knew her anger had faded and grinned.

After eating, the siblings visited a shop selling writing supplies, buying a stack of practice paper and two brushes.

Leaving the shop, An Yi saw a jewelry stall across the street and walked over.

“Sister, this would look good on you,” An Jian said, picking up a big red silk flower, trying to please her.

An Yi grimaced—her brother’s taste was terrible. She ignored him and chose a carved jade hairpin and a silver-plated butterfly pin.

The siblings wandered as they walked, left the city, and found Luo Chunli. Once everyone was together, Luo Chunli drove the ox cart home at a leisurely pace.

At the village entrance, under the locust tree, it was lively—a crowd chatting away. Unless it rained or snowed, the village gate was always busy in the evening. An Yi thought nothing of it, passing by, but caught words like “purple robe,” “white horse,” and “handsome man.”

An Yi frowned slightly. Could the youth in purple she’d seen in town have come to the village? The thought flickered and she dismissed it. In such a poor, remote place, how could such a “noble” person visit? Most likely someone saw him in town and was using the story as gossip, boasting of having seen a so-called nobleman.

Back home, An Yi didn’t immediately take out the jade hairpin, nor did she tell Mrs. Luo or An Kang about An Jian’s rescue. After dinner, she brought out the pins. “Mother, this is from Second Brother and me for you.”

An Jian’s heart, which had been suspended, finally settled. His sister might scold harshly, but she truly cared for her brother.

Mrs. Luo looked at the pins, about to smile, but then put on a stern face. “You two are wasting money again.”

“How is buying things for Mother wasting money?” An Yi took out the butterfly pin. “Mother, I also bought this. Isn’t it pretty?”

“Pretty.” Mrs. Luo no longer blamed them, taking the pins. “Come, let Mother put it on you, Xi’er.”

An Yi shook her head, the tiny butterfly swaying left and right. She giggled, “Big Brother, does it look nice?”

“Very nice,” An Kang laughed.

An Yi turned to ask An Jian, “Second Brother, does it look nice?”

“Nice, nice, my sister is the nicest,” An Jian replied with emphasis.

It was getting late. The family chatted for a while before An Yi removed the pin, stored it in a wooden box, fetched water to wash up, and went to bed.

At dawn, a few drops of rain brought a hint of coolness. After breakfast, An Yi went to Baicao Garden. Seeing the bamboo gate open, she knew Physician Lu had arrived. She walked in, calling, “Master, I…”

An Yi saw several people in the garden—the youth in purple and his five attendants.

--- End of chapter ---

Note: I thought I uploaded this, but it turns out I didn’t. Sorry to have kept everyone waiting so long.