Chapter 10: Not Raised in an Ordinary Household
Lu Dashan hurriedly bowed.
The foul words on Zhao De’s lips were forcibly swallowed; though unwilling, he could only clasp his hands and offer a perfunctory salute. “Elder.”
As Su Tang wiped her tears with her sleeve, she recognized the newcomer.
The old man was a respected elder in the town and a frequent patron of her spicy hotpot stall.
Unbothered by Zhao De’s indifferent gesture, the old man looked upon the tearful Su Tang with compassion, shaking his head as he addressed Zhao De, “Now that she is the wife of the Lu family, she is one of our own, a lady of this town. How can you call her an outsider?”
“If someone set a fire, then go to the yamen and report it. Is it proper conduct to break down doors at dawn and storm into people’s homes?”
His cane struck the ground with a sharp sound.
Those gathered around all nodded in agreement, their gazes toward Zhao De turning cold.
Zhao De glared back, wanting to retort, but the words stuck in his throat, not a syllable escaping. In the end, he could only force out a dry laugh, flick his sleeves, and stride away.
Those paying close attention noted that this dignitary left even faster than the day he came to collect the five taels of silver in taxes.
...
With Master Zhao gone and his troublesome lackeys following, the early morning commotion at the Zhao residence faded, and the townsfolk resumed their daily labors as always.
Su Tang and Li Qingtian, having gathered more ingredients, made their way to the stream to wash them.
Though it was later than usual, the smiles on the faces of those they passed were warmer and more genuine than before.
“The Lu family’s daughter-in-law is here.”
“The water’s clear on this side.”
...
“Thank you, Auntie. You look even younger today than you did yesterday,” Su Tang replied.
“Ha! This young wife certainly knows how to flatter,” the woman laughed, her face blooming like a flower.
Su Tang followed her directions, moving to the indicated spot.
Indeed, it was much cleaner than where she’d washed before.
“How wonderful,” Su Tang murmured. She turned to speak to Li Qingtian, only to find her in tears.
“I only meant to teach them a lesson. I never wanted you to suffer for it. I won’t let it happen again,” Li Qingtian choked out.
Earlier, with the Lu men and Master Zhao present in the courtyard, Li Qingtian had dared show nothing. But now, with only the two of them, she could no longer hold back.
Su Tang quickly grasped Li Qingtian’s hand and whispered, “You did nothing wrong, Sister Li. Didn’t we see it all clearly today? Without evidence, they’d pin it all on us anyway. So you see, even if we hadn’t acted, trouble would have found us.”
“If anything, we have you to thank for that fire last night. Now we truly have a foothold in this town. If there’s a next time, I’ll be counting on you again.”
Li Qingtian, tears still glistening, stared in disbelief. “Truly?”
“Of course,” Su Tang nodded firmly. “If Master Zhao does evil, he deserves punishment. Otherwise, won’t he be even more reckless in the future?”
Li Qingtian finally broke into a smile through her tears. “Very well. I’ll remember that.”
********
Zhao Residence.
Crash—
A porcelain teacup shattered on the floor, splintering into pieces.
Master Zhao stood, chest heaving, while the servants around him trembled in silence.
Outside the main hall, the old steward wiped sweat from his brow as he approached. “Master, we’ve checked all the inns in town. None of the merchants coming or going in recent days seemed suspicious.”
Master Zhao’s gaze was cold. “So you found nothing!”
“Please forgive me, Master,” the steward hastily pleaded.
Master Zhao fixed him with a glare, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Well, well—twenty years. My Zhao family has gone twenty years without a fire. We must truly be on the decline, for even rabble now dares to trample us!”
This morning, he had people smashing at one door, and at the same time, others searching the inns for possible arsonists—attacking on both fronts. He’d expected they might come up empty-handed, but his anger still needed venting. With no evidence, what could Lu Dashan do? At most, he could demand a secret recipe, which might bring Zhao some satisfaction.
He never expected that little wife to be so formidable!
Always invoking the law.
Very well. If that’s the game, he would not be blamed for what came next.
“Go. Buy up all the pepper and chili in town,” Master Zhao ordered.
“Yes, sir,” the steward replied, hurrying away.
Master Zhao took the teacup offered by a servant and drained it in one gulp.
****
On Ping’an Town’s main street, the spicy hotpot stall bustled with customers.
“One bowl, with extra broth!”
“We’re all family here, so give me a generous helping!”
...
“Of course! And when my sister shops at your place, you’d better give her a good price,” Su Tang replied with a smile.
“Absolutely.”
Friends and strangers alike haggled or tossed down coins without asking for change. All left extolling the deliciousness of her fare.
The fragrant, spicy steam rose into the autumn air, warming even the passing breeze.
“Bring me a bowl,” an elderly man said, approaching with his cane. It was the same elder who had earlier sent Master Zhao packing.
Li Qingtian forced a smile and echoed Su Tang’s cheerful tone. “Elder, have some of the softer pieces.”
He nodded as he watched her work.
Once Li Qingtian had finished preparing the hotpot and set it on a small table, the old man gently tapped her arm with his cane.
She looked at him.
He raised his chin, indicating she should look at the stall, where her young mistress was chatting and laughing with the customers.
Usually, she was either busy helping her mistress or preparing food in the back courtyard; she’d never seen her mistress from outside the stall before.
Her brows were as graceful as distant mountains, her smile delicate, gentle as orchids and lilies, her bearing like a butterfly in flight or a bird on the wing.
The young mistress was truly radiant.
Even in the Lu household, she’d never seemed this lighthearted and free.
Li Qingtian gazed on, entranced.
“Our town is peaceful—peaceful as can be,” the old man said with pride.
Li Qingtian murmured, “You’re right, Elder.”
...
With a purse fuller than before, Su Tang felt her confidence swelling with each transaction, though her cheeks ached from constant smiling. Suddenly, a loud voice rang in her ears.
“Exclusive spicy hotpot! Buy fifty, get fifteen free! Don’t miss out—come and try!”
Su Tang was taken aback.
Usually, Li Qingtian’s smiles were forced, but now she was hawking at the top of her lungs, her voice nearly as loud as her father-in-law’s.
What had gotten into her?
Before Su Tang could ask, a figure approached the stall.
Her eyes brightened, and her smile grew even wider.
“Our benefactor is here.”
Village Head Fang looked at Su Tang’s radiant smile and could scarcely believe this was the same frail girl he’d seen at the inn that night, on the verge of death.
That night, she’d seemed barely alive—married off in hopes of a miracle, a desperate measure. Who could have imagined that in just eight or nine days, she would be so full of life?
“Benefactor? I grew up with Old Lu—just call me Uncle,” he said.
“Yes, Uncle. Would you like a bowl to try?”
“Gladly.”
After just one taste, Village Head Fang understood why his brother-in-law clung so tightly to the secret recipe.
“I have something to discuss with you. Is there somewhere private?” he asked.
Su Tang nodded.
******
The courtyard gate was tightly shut.
Outside, Li Qingtian’s voice could be faintly heard calling out to customers. The subtle aroma of spices drifted in through the cracks. The large black dog, which had been lying by the gate, sneezed and moved to a corner, resuming its nap. The window of the house was half-open, and shadowy figures could be glimpsed within.
Seated at the table, Village Head Fang glanced away from the window and turned to the young lady beside him.
She raised her brows, her eyes clear, her hands folded quietly before her. She was the very picture of dignity and grace.
Ordinary families could never raise such a daughter.