Sécurité

Chapitre 31

The man held her hand tightly and wouldn't let go: "Sister-in-law, please have pity on me and take me as your wife. I will always put you first and listen to you. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west."

Xiao Yuan was quite angry at her words, and suddenly realized that Madam Qian's dislike for this niece was quite reasonable. Seeing that she was so angry that she couldn't even speak, Cai Lian quickly stepped forward, pried open Qian Shisan Niang's hand, and helped Xiao Yuan out the door, saying loudly as they walked, "Young Madam, she just wants to be a concubine, why not grant her wish? Didn't Cheng Fu come to ask you to give him someone the other day? I think this one is very good."

Ayun came over with the doctor and heard them talking about arranging a concubine for Cheng Fu. She and Axiu had been very close lately, so she quickly said, "She is not worthy of Cheng Fu. The gatekeeper outside is fine, though." After saying that, she told the doctor to go back and said that such a person was not fit to be a doctor.

Cailian, who understood much better than her, scolded, "Don't be foolish. If you're going to die, die outside. Why are you causing trouble in our family?"

Xiao Yuan held Cai Lian's hand until they sat down in their room before she could catch her breath: "That Qian Shisan Niang is even more hateful than Ji Liu Niang."

Cailian poured her a cup of hot tea and said, "There isn't even a mark on her neck. Who would believe she hanged herself? Why don't we prepare a sedan chair and send her home tomorrow?" Xiaoyuan took the tea and drank a sip, saying, "She's not my relative after all. If Madam doesn't speak up and the Qian family doesn't send anyone to pick her up, it's not good to just send her back."

Cailian comforted her, saying, "If she hangs herself today, Madam will definitely send her away tomorrow. Otherwise, if it comes true next time, Madam will not be able to escape responsibility."

Chapter Eighty-Nine: Erlang's Ceremony

Early the next morning, before dawn, Madam Qian sent a maid named Thirteen Niang back to the Qian residence, waiting for Ji Liu Niang's dowry boat to arrive so she could take her back to Quanzhou.

The family waited and waited, and finally the dowry boat arrived. Accompanying it were two other people who claimed to be witnesses. Master Cheng, preoccupied with inspecting the dowry, paid no attention to these witnesses and simply handed them over to Madam Qian. Madam Qian had them brought back, and upon seeing them, she was shocked. Who were they? It turned out to be Qian Shisan Niang's parents, Uncle Qian and Aunt Qian. She first had the maids close the door, then lowered her voice and asked, "How did you end up on Sixth Sister's dowry boat?"

Uncle Qian had been taught beforehand and spoke in a loud voice: "We've wanted to send your cousin here for a long time, but we didn't have the money for the journey. It just so happens that Ji Liu Niang's dowry boat is coming to Lin'an. Why not take a free ride? Speaking of which, your in-laws are really good. As soon as we arrived, someone helped us send your cousin to his uncle and aunt's house."

The house of my cousin's uncle and aunt, isn't that the house of Old Master Qian? Madam Qian gritted her teeth and said, "What about the witness?"

Aunt Qian spoke with a strong sense of justice and a loud voice: "One should be kind. Ji Liuniang's reputation is tarnished, and we can't let it ruin your Cheng Erlang."

Ji Liu Niang clearly gave it to Sister Cheng, so why did she say it was for Cheng Er Lang? Madam Qian wasn't stupid; after a moment's thought, she realized that Uncle Qian and his wife must have been deliberately brought here by their daughter-in-law. This was a subtle warning to her mother-in-law: I have something on you, don't mess with me. She looked at the piercing eyes of Uncle Qian and his wife and waved her hand weakly: "If you want any money, go to my parents' place to get it."

Her dowry maid slammed the door shut behind Uncle Qian and his wife, then turned to ask Madam Qian, "Madam, so what if Sixth Sister is a concubine and has a bad reputation? Why do you have to use money to shut Uncle and Aunt Qian up?" Madam Qian smiled bitterly, "Master is very particular about rules. If he finds out that the person I was going to send to Second Brother's room has a bad reputation, he will definitely blame me."

I lost this game to my wife; from now on, I'll have to be mindful of her moods.

The maidservant suggested, "Why not listen to Aunt Cheng and adopt her youngest son?" Madam Qian was not confused about this and retorted, "Not to mention that the master wouldn't approve, children separated by blood are not close to each other, let alone a nephew." After saying this, she sighed, "I am the most unfortunate one. Don't be fooled by my current prosperity. When the master and my parents pass away, I will be all alone, like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others. Even my dowry will probably be taken away."

While she was shrouded in gloom, the Cheng and Jin families were overjoyed. Master Cheng was beaming with delight after receiving a substantial sum of money, and he was busy keeping accounts in his study. Eldest Sister Cheng brought Ji Liu Niang home, and that very day she became Jin Jiu Shao's eighth concubine. Her captivating eyes proved effective, and in just one night, she had Jin Jiu Shao completely infatuated. Eldest Sister Cheng was so pleased that she went around telling everyone that she had found a capable woman of her own.

A few days later, she brought Ji Liu Niang to thank Xiao Yuan for being the matchmaker. Xiao Yuan looked up and saw that the so-called "one of her own" had a pair of peach blossom eyes that looked like they'd been punched twice, swollen like two steamed buns. She couldn't help but be astonished: "Big sister, is this how you treat your own people?"

Sister Cheng first turned around and spat in Ji Liu Niang's face. Then she answered Xiao Yuan's question: "You're quite good at coaxing men. But you're disobedient. Let me teach you a lesson with my fists first. If you still don't change, I'll sell you off."

Xiao Yuan saw that Ji Liu Niang was pouting, wanting to cry but not daring to. She knew that Ji Liu Niang had suffered a great loss. So she advised Sister Cheng, "Save your breath. After all, she is Madam's relative." Sister Cheng smiled brightly, "I just heard from Father that my stepmother's uncle and aunt are making a fuss at the Qian family about adopting a son. This stepmother, on one hand, her second aunt wants to adopt a son for her, and on the other hand, her uncle wants to adopt a son for her parents. With both sides combined, she's busy enough. How can she possibly care about this cousin?"

Xiao Yuan asked again, "Is Father going to help the Qian family?" Sister Cheng replied casually, "Father only married into the family because they are childless. He's currently planning how to send Uncle Qian and his wife back to Quanzhou."

They were all so busy. Only then could I steal a moment of peace. Xiao Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Ji Liu Niang, she didn't seem so unpleasant anymore. She ordered someone to take her to the servants' quarters for tea. Sister Cheng looked outside and saw that the gate to the fourth courtyard was open. She asked, "Qian Shisan Niang doesn't live here anymore? I was thinking of taking her back after her facial injury healed. Although she's prettier than Ji Liu Niang, she seems more obedient. Having her as one of our own is better than Ji Liu Niang." Xiao Yuan hated Qian Shisan Niang the most. She said, "She lives at the Qian residence. Go ask her. Aunt Qian isn't her biological mother, she'll definitely give it to you."

Sister Cheng refused to go, saying, "I'll just ask my stepmother for it back. I don't want to give her family any face. I can buy a concubine anywhere. Why go to her door to ask for one?" Seeing that she was unwilling, Xiao Yuan didn't force her. She asked Sister-in-law Yu to bring Brother Wu to see her aunt.

At Wu Ge's one-month celebration, Sister Cheng, being the elder, doted on her nephew. She snatched Wu Ge from Sister-in-law Yu's arms and held him tightly in her embrace. Wu Ge was over five months old and, although he couldn't speak yet, he loved to babble, which delighted Sister Cheng, who kissed him repeatedly. Only after feeding the baby with egg yolk mixed with human milk did Madam Sun finally let go and get up.

Xiao Yuan accompanied Sister Cheng to the second gate, repeatedly reminding her not to be too harsh on Ji Liu Niang, lest she offend her stepmother. After seeing Sister Cheng off and returning to her room, she found a handsome young man in the room. She was slightly startled and was about to leave when Cheng Mutian came out from the inner room and said, "He is a close relative, there is no need to be discreet."

When Xiao Yuan saw him, her surprise turned into joy. She wanted to ask him when he had returned, but since there was a guest present, she had to first have tea and snacks served. She then asked which relative he was. Cheng Mutian smiled and said, "This is Gan Twelve. He's come to the capital to take the imperial examination."

It turned out to be Cheng San Niang's fiancé, Gan Yuan. But how did she bring him here? Xiao Yuan was puzzled when Cheng Mutian said, "Twelve hasn't eaten yet. Let's make him some food first." Knowing that he had something to say, Xiao Yuan quickly ordered someone to take Gan Twelve to the small dining room in front.

After seeing him leave, Cheng Mutian said, "Just now, Gan Shier and I went to see Father. Father said that he is an old acquaintance's son and wants him to stay at home. But where is Third Sister? What should we do?" Master Cheng is such a person who values rules and etiquette, yet he doesn't care about Third Sister's chastity. He really doesn't value this daughter. Xiao Yuan felt sad for her and replied, "It's easy. We'll partition off the east wing of the fourth courtyard, build a wall around it, and only open a door on the outside. That way, it will be like a separate household, and we won't have to worry about people gossiping."

Cheng Mutian thought it was a good idea and immediately sent someone to fetch a bricklayer. Xiao Yuan saw several large boxes tied with hemp rope on the ground and asked, "Did you bring back any gifts for your parents after your trip?" Cheng Mutian said coldly, "I went on a business trip, not a vacation. What gifts would I need to bring back?" As he spoke, he personally cut the hemp rope with scissors, opened one of the boxes, and waved excitedly at her, "Come and see what I brought back for our son. It's enough for you to open a toy store."

Xiao Yuan knew he was angry because his father and stepmother wanted to put a concubine in his room. She couldn't help but laugh and quietly instructed the maids: "How can you bring a gift for your son but not for your father? It will cause gossip. Quickly go to the storeroom and find some unfamiliar decorations to send to the front. Just say that the young master brought them from Quanzhou."

Although Cheng Mutian didn't know what she said, the servants all dispersed, but he was happy that only he and his wife were left in the room. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Not only did our son get some, but I also brought some for you."

After saying that, he opened a large box and took out the items inside one by one as if presenting a treasure. Xiao Yuan noticed that he didn't mention Qian and Ji at all, and asked curiously, "You came back from the alley, didn't you? Why didn't you ask if there were any concubines in the house?" Cheng Mutian held up an item in front of her and smiled, "I went through the alley because I was afraid that Gan Twelve would run into Third Sister. As for those two young ladies, Father already told me that one was given to Eldest Sister and the other was returned to the Qian family, is that right?"

Xiao Yuan could tell that Master Cheng was telling his son about this in a boastful tone, and couldn't help but laugh. Pointing to the thing in his hand, she asked, "Is this a wig?" Cheng Mutian put the thing on her head: "This is 'Lazy Hair Combing.' If you're too lazy to comb your hair in the morning, just wear this on your head, and it'll look just like a real hair combing." Xiao Yuan took off the "Lazy Hair Combing" and looked at it, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten up: "I'm not that lazy. Besides, I don't have to do my own hair combing. I have the maids."

Cheng Mutian blushed at her laughter and quickly took out another small porcelain box: "This is 'Sun Xian's Youthful Cream,' which is said to be made by grinding three inches of bark from the cork tree, three inches of root from the trichosanthes tree, and seven jujubes together. The shop owner said that if you use this often, you will look like a young girl."

Seeing how mysterious he was talking, Xiao Yuan took the lid, opened it, and smelled it. She asked, "The smell is quite nice, but how do you use it? To wipe your face or to bathe?" Cheng Mutian was taken aback, his face turning even redder. "I forgot to ask that."

She had found out the recipe perfectly, but forgot to ask what it was for. Xiao Yuan laughed so hard she rolled onto the tatami mat and pounded the edge of the mat again and again.

Cheng Mutian had kindly brought gifts for his wife, but he lost face after presenting only two items. He was both ashamed and angry. He went forward, locked the door, and pounced on the bed, saying, "There's one more thing. I do know how to use this one." As he spoke, he started tugging at his shirt and then his skirt.

Xiao Yuan was so annoyed by his nagging that she was about to give in when suddenly Gan Shier called out from outside, "Sister-in-law, I have a question for you."

Cheng Mutian jumped up and ran to the door to check it carefully. Seeing that the bolt was securely fastened, he then straightened his clothes, panting, and urged Xiaoyuan to adjust her skirt. Xiaoyuan, her face flushed from his caresses, touched her disheveled hair and put on the "Lazy Hairdressing" headband. Seeing that his gift had come in handy so quickly, Cheng Mutian, having won the round, grinned from ear to ear. He went to open the door himself and scolded Gan Shier, "Next time you come in, you must announce yourself first."

Chapter Ninety: The Toy Store (Part 1)

Twelve obediently lowered his head and admitted his mistake. Afterward, without waiting for anyone to ask him to return the box of children's toys, he laughed and said, "So, Brother Cheng, why did you bring back so many boxes? It turns out they're for your son." Xiao Yuan, afraid this would get back, quickly said, "No, these are for when I open a toy shop. I brought them back to look at examples. Once I find a good craftsman, I'll have them make them."

Gan Shier's eyes lit up, and she rubbed her hands together, saying, "Sister-in-law, why bother finding a craftsman to do these things? I'll do it myself." Xiao Yuan laughed, "You're such a child. You're busy with the imperial examinations; you don't have time for this." Cheng Mutian glanced at her, "He's a year older than you." Then he urged Gan Shier, "You've been hammering and chiseling all the way here, not at all like a scholar. Hurry up and go back to your studies." Gan Shier stood firmly, "I have something to say to sister-in-law."

Cheng Mutian's sisters were all afraid of him, but they didn't expect their future brother-in-law to be so fearless in front of him. He couldn't do anything about the stubborn person, so he could only sit down in a chair and ask, "What is it? Tell me in front of me."

Gan Shier was unwilling and stared at the roof without saying a word until he drove him away before speaking: "Sister-in-law, it's not that I want to keep it from my brother, but if he finds out about this, he'll definitely give me a good scolding." Xiao Yuan found it amusing that her husband had met his match for the first time, and asked him what he wanted to tell her in secret.

Gan Shier, without batting an eye, said, "Sister-in-law, I want to see Third Sister." This child was really bold. Xiao Yuan was taken aback: "Men and women are different. You don't 'meet your wives,' how can you meet in private?" Gan Shier said with a bitter face, "Sister-in-law, it's not that I'm breaking the rules, it's just that I don't want to marry a complete stranger. I want to take a look first, so I have a better idea of what to expect. If she has a pockmarked face, I'll be prepared when she lifts the veil."

Xiao Yuan was amused by him: "You are supposed to be a scholar, but you don't act like one at all. What you said makes some sense. I have an idea for you: go and pay your respects to my master and your uncle every morning."

This is a good idea to have Gan Shier go and see Cheng San Niang while she is paying her respects. It's a good way to see her and it's also very proper. Gan Shier bowed deeply and thanked her, saying, "If I can get my wish, I will definitely make some nice things for you to do at the shop to make a good impression."

Xiao Yuan chuckled to herself, realizing that Third Sister wasn't marrying a scholar, but a craftsman. As soon as Gan Twelve left, she quickly sent someone to summon Cheng Third Sister and told her, "Gan Twelve will also be paying his respects to Father starting tomorrow. Be careful and make sure you see him clearly."

Cheng San Niang's face flushed red as she twisted her skirt sash in frustration. "It's an arranged marriage, what am I supposed to do?" Xiao Yuan knew she usually kept her thoughts to herself, so she ignored her and simply handed her a box of ointment that Cheng Mutian had brought back, then sent her back home.

The next day, when Xiao Yuan went to pay her respects to Master Cheng, she indeed saw both the proud and upright Gan Twelve and the shy and bowed Cheng San Niang in the hall. She laughed all the way back to her room: "One of them is too shy, and the other is too bold. I wonder what they would be like as a family."

After Gan Shier finished his greetings and met his future wife, he didn't go back to his studies. Instead, he ran to find Xiao Yuan, insisting on taking the box of things back to make them. Xiao Yuan couldn't refuse him, so she had two servants carry the large box over to him.

She initially thought he was just being childish, fiddling with the things for a bit and then giving up. Unexpectedly, a few days later, Gan Shier actually brought back two boxes exactly as they were. The maids were all amazed, comparing the contents of the two boxes back and forth, unable to tell which box was the original and which Gan Shier had made.

Gan Shier, wiping his sweat, asked boastfully, "Sister-in-law, how's my skill?" Xiao Yuan really didn't dare trouble a scholar to work in her shop. She deliberately poured cold water on his enthusiasm: "What kind of skill is it to just copy what I make? We can sell these things, and so can others." Gan Shier seemed to know he would be reprimanded. Smiling, he pulled two items from behind his back: "For Brother Wu to play with."

Xiao Yuan took them and looked at them. One was a ceramic roly-poly toy. The other was a wooden frame with a rotating wooden plate on top. Around the plate hung painted cats, dogs, birds, and fish. With a gentle push, the birds and animals started to spin. Wu Ge, standing to the side, watched without blinking.

Seeing the satisfied look on Xiaoyuan's face, Gan Shier hurriedly asked, "Sister-in-law, how is it?" Xiaoyuan pushed the tumbler toy and laughed, "The craftsmanship is not bad. However, if we hire you into the shop, your father-in-law will definitely come to Lin'an to question you. Besides, our Third Sister is waiting for you to pass the imperial examination and come to marry her."

Gan Shier loved it when people praised his skills. He chuckled and said, "I've met Third Sister. She's very good. I'd marry her even if I didn't pass the imperial examination." Xiao Yuan laughed and told the maid to pat him. She said, "Are you playing dumb? Even if you don't pass the imperial examination, it's my Third Sister who won't marry you, not you."

No matter how she tried to persuade him, the stubborn Gan Shier wouldn't listen. He would run to her every day, taking the wooden boards and animal-shaped instruments used for learning to read and making many small flutes and zithers.

Faced with his enthusiasm, Xiaoyuan and her husband were at a loss. They could only secretly inform Cheng Sanniang, telling her to be prepared to marry a craftsman. Seeing the toys piling up higher and higher in Xiaoyuan's room, they quickly called him over, asking him to choose a location to open a shop. Thinking that sharing joy is worse than enjoying it alone, Xiaoyuan reasoned that Aunt Chen also had a little child, so why not invite her to open a shop and play together?

When Aunt Chen received the news, she excitedly brought her little daughter, Yu Niang, to pick out toys. But when she saw the whole box of wooden and ceramic toys, she said disappointedly, "Our Yu Niang is only eight months old. She doesn't want these cold, lifeless things."

Xiao Yuan blushed. Her brother Wu was a son, and he only thought of things boys played with; he had absolutely no idea what girls liked. Fortunately, she herself had been a girl once and knew what girls liked. She quickly called over Sister Zhu, the head of the sewing room, and showed her a cloth tiger: "Since you can make tigers, you can certainly make cows, sheep, cats, and dogs too. Make as many as you can, and there will be extra rewards for the good ones."

Aunt Zhu accepted the order and led the people in the front-line workshop to work day and night, producing a batch. Xiao Yuan looked at their work; the rabbits and goats were lifelike, but unfortunately, they were all realistic, more suitable as decorations. Knowing they didn't understand the word "cartoon," she had to step in herself, drawing several books of animals that they considered "four unlikes." Aunt Zhu pointed to a "four unlikes" with a large round face, long beard, and a bow on its ear, and asked Xiao Yuan, "Young Madam, what is this?" Xiao Yuan guessed she didn't understand English, so she made up an answer: "Big-faced cat."

Aunt Zhu was very careful, and pointed to a real big-faced cat and asked her, "What is this?" Xiao Yuan opened her mouth, and after a while, she answered, "The big-faced cat's sister." Afraid that Aunt Zhu would ask more questions, she quickly said, "I just drew it casually, how could I have time to name it? Why don't you make it up? You can also give a reward for the best one."

There were rewards for doing this, and rewards for naming the animals. The servants were overjoyed, and a wave of guessing pictures and making up names swept through the Cheng family. In a short time, many cats with dog names and many dogs with cat names appeared.

Many hands make light work. With the strong support of Gan Shier and the women of the front-line house, Xiao Yuan's toy store quickly opened to great fanfare. The small musical instruments made by Gan Shier were very popular, and the soft and fluffy "four-not-like" dolls were also very popular. Not only did the dolls scramble to buy them, but even some young women with childlike hearts bought them to put on their bedside tables.

Business was booming, and everyone was happy, except for Madam Qian. Given her dowry of 200,000 strings of cash, why would she be jealous of her daughter-in-law's small shop? It turned out that the Qian family had only been in Lin'an for a short time, and most of their initial dowry was dead money. Although they had hastily acquired several estates, the output was poor, and the shop in the city was even more unprofitable. It made sense; she was constantly worried about being alone in her old age and was preoccupied with scheming against her daughter-in-law, leaving no time to care for the business, hence its poor performance.

That day, taking advantage of Master Cheng's good mood, she went to him and complained: "My daughter-in-law's shop, her remarried mother has a share, and your married elder sister also has a share, so why is mine the only one not included? It's not like I didn't contribute any capital."

Actually, not giving her any shares was Master Cheng's idea. Seeing that the Qian family's adoption was still undecided, he feared that Madam Qian would move all the money back to her parents' home, benefiting her cousin. When Madam Qian heard that not giving her shares wasn't her daughter-in-law's idea, but Master Cheng's, she angrily said, "Not to mention my parents won't adopt, and I won't move the money back to my parents' home, even my daughter-in-law, doesn't she have a family of her own?" Master Cheng laughed, "She has a son. Does she think she can leave the money to Brother Wu instead of using it to support her not-so-close brothers in her family?"

Madam Qian was taken aback, and a bellyful of grievances welled up inside her. However, she was afraid that if she spoke, she would touch a sore spot for Master Cheng and anger him. So she had no choice but to hold back her tears and take the sedan chair back to her parents' home.

Madam Xin was at home worrying about the adoption issue when her daughter came in wiping away tears. She said anxiously, "Grandma, I haven't sorted things out here yet. Where did you suffer this grievance? Did your daughter-in-law give you a hard time?" Madam Qian cried in her arms, "My daughter-in-law seems to be doing alright now, but my husband is wary of me because of my cousin's adoption."

After going through countless hardships and defeating numerous concubines, Madam Xin managed to protect her only daughter. Seeing her daughter in tears, her heart ached, and she said hatefully, "If your father hadn't been somewhat swayed by their words, I would have sent him back long ago. Daughter, just bear with it for a few more days. If they continue to pester me, I'll tie them up with ropes at night, throw them onto any boat returning to Quanzhou, give the boatman some money, and release them when we arrive."

Madam Qian had great trust in her mother's abilities, and after being persuaded by her, she went home and waited for news with peace of mind.

Chapter Ninety-One: The Toy Store (Part Two)

As for Madam Xin, the thought of her daughter suffering after returning to her husband's family was too much for her to bear. So, while the Qian family of four was fast asleep, she summoned several quick-witted servants to tie them up, gag them with rags, and send them to a ship bound for Quanzhou that very night. The ship captain wasn't a novice at this kind of thing. He took the money, threw the men into the cargo hold, and went off to drink and gamble with them.

The cargo hold was filthy, messy, and stuffy, and the four men had their mouths stuffed with cloth, so they couldn't even groan. They barely made it to the next morning when Qian Shisan Niang, who was closest to the door, caught sight of a boatman passing by. She tried to ram the door with her head, tumbling outside. The boatman impatiently kicked her, picked her up, and was about to throw her back into the hold when he realized he was carrying a beautiful young woman. He drooled and squeezed Qian Shisan Niang a few times, but dared not take advantage of her. He ran to the boatman to report the good news, saying that the woman delivered the night before was a fine find.

The boat captain was also tempted when he heard that there was a beautiful woman in the cabin, but he hesitated because he had received a lot of money. The boatman suggested, "Why don't we deceive her for once? Let's say that the person who brought her here intends to throw her into the sea. Let's scare her first, and then discuss it slowly. If she is willing to give herself to him in exchange for her life, even her parents can't say anything."

The boatman praised her as brilliant and went to see Qian Shisan Niang himself. She was indeed quite beautiful. He then coaxed and tricked her into telling him the boatman's plan. He then personally removed the cloth from her mouth and coaxed her gently: "Young lady, I see you are no more than eighteen years old. Do you want to lose your life at such a young age? Why not submit to us brothers?"

Qian Shisan Niang's greatest wish was to be a concubine. Becoming a plaything for the boatmen was not what she wanted. When she was about to die, her mind was unusually quick, and she made up a story: "I am not a young lady, but a concubine. The first wife is vicious. She took advantage of the husband's absence and tied me up with my father, mother and brother here."

The boatmen burst into laughter: "You're just a concubine, yet you bring your parents and younger brother to live with your husband's family. How shameless! No wonder the first wife is unhappy."

The boatman stroked his unkempt chin and asked, "What's your husband's name?" Qian Shisan Niang answered without hesitation, "Cheng Mutian, the young master of the Cheng family who does maritime business." The boatman who had just offered the suggestion came over again and said to the boatman, "Brother, we often use the Cheng family's dock when we sail. Since she's his concubine, why don't we return her? Young Master Cheng will surely reward us." The boatman laughed and said, "That's right, that's what I was thinking too. But we have to avoid his first wife, otherwise we won't get a reward and we'll get a scolding."

Fearing that Qian Shisan Niang was lying, the boatmen only took her with them to find the Cheng family mansion, leaving Uncle Qian and the other two in the cabin. They were waiting for the boat to depart and didn't want to waste a moment, so they rushed along, leaving Qian Shisan Niang, with her bound feet, panting heavily.

Upon arriving at the Cheng family's gate, the boatmen dared not act rashly. The captain personally went to the gatehouse to inquire and learned that Young Master Cheng had gone to the newly opened toy store, and only Young Madam Cheng was at home. The boatmen all praised this as excellent. They then dragged Qian Shisan Niang to the toy store entrance. They all recognized Cheng Mutiandi and looked around for quite some time, but seeing no sign of him, they became anxious and scolded Qian Shisan Niang, "You lying little woman! If you really are his concubine, why have you been standing at the gate for so long without Young Master Cheng coming to greet you?"

Qian Shisan Niang was afraid they would drag her back onto the boat. She quickly looked up and glanced around. She then pointed to a richly dressed young man: "That's him."

The boatmen only wanted the reward. They didn't care whether the man was Young Master Cheng or not. They stepped forward and asked for a reward: "Young master, we brought your concubine back. We'd like to ask for some money for our trouble." If it were anyone else, they would have been scolded severely, or even taken to the yamen to be accused of "brothel trapping." But they were lucky; they just happened to run into He Yaozhi, the second son of the He family.

Old Man He hadn't even married, let alone had children. Why was he lingering in front of the toy store? It turned out he wanted to marry the young lady from the Zhang family but didn't have a decent dowry. Madam Jiang refused to give him a betrothal gift. Having no other option, he took advantage of the opening of the small round toy store to "borrow money." As for why the boatmen couldn't see Cheng Mutian at the door—they were hiding from Old Man He.

Old Man He was a womanizer. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted to marry the young lady from the Zhang family, who didn't have a good dowry. He glanced at Qian Shisan Niang a few times and thought she was even more beautiful than the young lady from the Zhang family. So he readily took out a few dozen coins from his sleeve and tossed them to the boatman.

The boatmen glanced at the few dozen iron coins in the boat captain's hand. Suddenly, they were furious. They grabbed him and started hitting him: "Are you trying to fob us off like beggars? Look at you dressed in silk, yet you're so stingy!"

He Lao Er had just come out of the brothel. His lover had taken all the money he had brought with him. Now he had no money left on him. He couldn't take a beating either. After taking several solid punches, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "Brother-in-law! Help!"

Cheng Mutian, hiding in the shop, saw everything clearly. He asked Cheng Fu to give him a few words of advice and then gave him half a string of cash to pay off the boatmen.

Cheng Fu carried the money outside, grinning as he watched He Lao Er take a few more punches before speaking: "Thank you all, heroes, for bringing our young master He's wife back. Here are a few coins, just a small token of my appreciation. Brothers, take them and buy some wine."

Despite being beaten black and blue, He Lao Er remained clear-headed: "Not a wife, not a wife, just a concubine."

Cheng Fu dismissed the boatmen and whispered in his ear, "Young Master He's wife is no ordinary person; she's from our Madam's clan, a close relative." He Lao Er was slightly surprised: "Madam Qian's niece?" He knew the Qian family was wealthy and a prominent family in Quanzhou. If this was truly Madam Qian's niece, it would be a good match for him. However, he couldn't even afford the dowry for marrying the young lady from the Zhang family. This Qian family…

Cheng Fu seemed to see through his thoughts and laughed, "Although this Miss Qian has no dowry, you won't have to spend any betrothal gifts either. Isn't that a bargain?" He Lao Er didn't believe it: "The Qian family is no worse than the Zhang family, how could they not ask for betrothal gifts?"

Qian Shisan Niang was overjoyed when she heard their words that they wanted to marry her as their principal wife. But when she saw that he didn't believe her, she was even more anxious than Cheng Fu and hurriedly stepped forward to say, "What he said is exactly right. I don't want a penny of your betrothal gifts."

He Lao Er felt he had gotten a great deal: a beautiful wife for free, and a good family background. He borrowed a sedan chair from Cheng Fu and immediately carried her home, planning to ask Madam Jiang for a wedding banquet the next day. Before they even entered the second gate of the He residence, a servant rushed over to report, "Second Young Master, there's a couple and a boy outside. They say they were found by someone." He Lao Er was in a good mood and waved his hand, saying, "They probably know I'm getting married and are here to ask for wedding money. Fine, just give them to them."

Qian Shisan Niang hurriedly poked her head out of the sedan chair and said, "Could it be my parents and younger brother?" Hearing that they were her future father-in-law and brother-in-law, He Lao Er quickly ordered someone to invite them in. He told Qian Shisan Niang to get out of the sedan chair and recognize them. Sure enough, it was Brother Qian's family of three. He warmly invited them to stay at his house for a few days until after the wedding banquet before returning to the Qian family mansion. Uncle Qian, remembering Madam Xin's methods, trembled with fear. Upon learning that Qian Shisan Niang had already married herself off in an instant, he was so frightened that he grabbed his sister-in-law and son and turned to run. As they ran, he said to his sister-in-law, "Marrying off a daughter is a loss! Before that cheap son-in-law asks for a dowry, let's quickly find a boat and go back to Quanzhou."

Qian Shisan Niang knew perfectly well why her parents had run away, and couldn't help but shed tears. When He Lao Er saw the beauty crying with tears streaming down her face, he found her even more stunning and wished he could hold her in his arms that very night. He hurriedly left the sedan chair and ran into Madam Jiang's main room to tell her the good news: "Mother, you are right. The young lady of the Zhang family has no dowry but still demands a betrothal gift, which is truly despicable. I have a sister here whose mother-in-law, Madam Qian's, is a relative's niece. She doesn't want a single penny of betrothal gift. Please, Mother, prepare two tables of wine for me tomorrow so that we can consummate our marriage."

When Madam Jiang heard this, she thought he wanted to take a concubine, and said, "Although you are not my biological son, if I really wanted to take a second wife, I would have to work hard for you. But the Qian family is so rich, would they give you a young lady as a concubine?"

He Lao Er explained, "She's not a concubine, she's the principal wife. Because she didn't bring a dowry, she doesn't need our betrothal gifts." Madam Jiang was furious when she heard that there was no dowry. She was so angry that she almost beat him with a broom, let alone hold a banquet. He Lao Er was hit on the foot by a vase she threw at him, and he winced in pain. He quickly hid. He didn't know that Qian Shisan Niang would be willing to be a concubine. He thought that the Qian family was a wealthy family and would at least give her the position of principal wife. So he shrugged, got into the sedan chair he had borrowed from Cheng Fu, and went back to the toy store to borrow money from Cheng Mutian.

Cheng Mutian was extremely generous this time. He asked Cheng Fu to book several tables of wine at a tea and wine shop that specializes in arranging banquets. He also packed a box of various toys from the shop for him, saying, "Your sister used all her savings to open this shop. She doesn't have much left for you, so I'll give you these toys as a congratulatory gift."