Chapter 6: At a Loss for Words
“What nonsense are you spouting!” The village chief Fang glared.
Master Zhao leaned in, the golden tooth at his mouth glinting slightly. “Didn’t brother-in-law say she was down on her luck? Now that the young lady is well, shouldn’t she go home? Why is she clinging here instead, not seeking out any relatives? What does our little town have to offer? A foolish husband? Hmph, surely she’s done something shameful and can’t go back.”
Fang’s voice was cold. “What business is it of yours?”
“To possess treasure is to invite trouble!” Zhao said. “Brother-in-law might not know, since he doesn’t do business, but ever since that little spicy soup stall opened, the earnings at the town’s restaurants have dropped by thirty percent. I’ve got people watching: that stall brings in at least five taels of silver daily, and that’s just after opening. If it keeps up, will our restaurants even survive?”
Fang fell silent.
Zhao pressed his advantage. “I know you want our town to stay as peaceful as its name, but when a golden rice bowl suddenly appears, everyone will want a closer look. Right now it’s me, but if it were someone else, their family might truly go bankrupt.”
Fang studied Zhao, pondering. “Let me think about it.”
The glint of gold flashed in Zhao’s smile.
Settled.
********
On the lively streets of Peaceful Town, in front of the spicy soup stall, Su Tang’s smile was brighter than yesterday.
No wonder—the crowd today was even larger.
She reckoned that in just a few days, she’d reach her goal of a thousand bowls.
Li Qingtian helped beside her, lips pressed tight, eyes scanning all directions. “That master hasn’t shown up today~”
“He was just thrown out yesterday; surely he needs to recuperate and return another day,” Su Tang replied.
“Who knows what schemes he’s plotting,” Li Qingtian muttered, gritting her teeth.
Su Tang laughed, “With you here, I’m not afraid.”
Li Qingtian nodded firmly. “That’s right, I’m here.”
Yesterday, when Master Zhao came, she wasn’t present. If he returned today, she would make sure he knew their mistress and servant were not easy targets.
Su Tang could guess what was on the mind of the woman beside her—the same woman who had carried the original owner, body and soul battered, for a hundred miles. Without her, the original owner would have perished in the murder a month ago. Fifteen years, and the original owner never knew this woman was her mother’s last guardian left at her side.
In her final moments, the original owner trusted her most.
And Su Tang, newly arrived, unfamiliar with everything, trusted her most as well.
Her thoughts circled, and Su Tang cheerfully greeted her regular customers, “Did you enjoy yesterday’s meal? Would you like something lighter today? All right, more pepper, less chili.”
The regulars, seeing Su Tang’s radiant smile, unconsciously handed over a few extra coins without realizing it.
Su Tang’s smile grew even brighter.
“Make way, make way~”
Suddenly, the street grew noisy.
A crowd of dozens approached, pushing aside pedestrians. Two sedan chairs wobbled delicately at the center.
The curtains on the sedan chairs fluttered, hiding their occupants.
But the guards surrounding them looked familiar—weren’t they the same ones who acted shamelessly at her stall yesterday?
Li Qingtian recognized them too, her gaze blazing as she stared at the sedan chairs.
Su Tang glanced over, then continued tending to her customers.
Earning money mattered most.
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“This is from the village chief’s house.”
“Master’s wife is here too.”
“Wonder what bad advice they’re giving the chief now.”
“...”
Someone murmured, their gaze subtly drifting toward the spicy stall.
Others fell silent for a moment, then began discussing other topics.
On these cramped streets, Su Tang heard everything, and so did her regulars. One regular cradled a bowl of spicy soup—clearly much larger than the standard fifty-coin size—and commented casually, “I heard the master’s wife loves all kinds of foods. The biggest restaurant in town has a share owned by her.”
Loves food, biggest restaurant.
Yesterday, Master Zhao had all but tried to snatch her spicy soup recipe openly.
Su Tang grew alert, turning to find Li Qingtian watching her.
Li Qingtian smiled, “It’s nothing.” She was there.
********
Night grew deeper.
The town, lively by day, now quieted, interrupted only by the occasional barking dog.
A knock at the door. Li Qingtian opened it, candlelight flickering by the window. Su Tang stood at the door, her smile gentle and warm. “I wanted to talk to you about the stall.” Her clear voice echoed in the courtyard.
“All right.” Li Qingtian stepped aside.
Su Tang entered.
The door closed.
Inside, Su Tang sat by the lamp. Li Qingtian carefully opened the window, the candle’s flame dancing as it threw shadows onto the silent street outside.
“My lady, I’ll be back in a quarter hour,” said Li Qingtian.
“Be careful,” Su Tang replied.
“Don’t worry.”
Li Qingtian slipped out the window as silently as a fish.
Under the candlelight, Su Tang’s shadow alone was cast upon the window, yet it seemed as if she were speaking to someone.
The original owner had done this before—from the road to the capital to Peaceful Town, it was inevitable that some, seeing her ill or perceiving two lone women, would develop unwelcome intentions. Sister Li would slip out at night and return soon after, either deterring those people or distracting them with other matters.
But before, they were just passing through. Now, they were settling.
She wondered if this trick would still work...
Su Tang was pondering when a knock sounded at the door.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She steadied herself and asked, “Who is it?”
No answer.
Was she too nervous and misheard?
Su Tang was about to continue pretending to talk when she suddenly heard the black dog outside whimpering.
It was the young master!
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Su Tang hurried to the door and opened it.
Indeed, it was the young master.
The big black dog wagged its tail at his feet, nosing about, eager to slip inside.
Su Tang curved her lips, then stepped forward, seemingly by chance, to block the doorway. “Does young master have business?”
The young master looked into the house.
Su Tang didn’t hesitate; she lifted her chin, straightened her back, and took two more steps forward.
The young master had to step back a few paces to avoid bumping into her.
Su Tang seized the chance, moved her arm, and closed the door behind her.
“Sister Li knows you’re here, husband, so let’s not disturb her,” Su Tang said with a smile.
“...” The young master.
“Is there something important?” Su Tang asked curiously.
The young master just looked at her, silent.
Su Tang suddenly understood. “Are you asking about the academy?”
Still silent, but his lips tightened.
She realized she’d guessed right.
Immediately, Su Tang’s face fell in regret. “I thought father-in-law had gone to ask at the academy... Tomorrow I’ll ask the teacher myself.”
“The sooner you start school, the more books you’ll be able to read.”
The young wife before him spoke softly, gently coaxing, as if speaking to a child.
The young master remained silent.
Su Tang glanced at the big black dog wagging its tail, trying to make its presence known, and asked again, “Is there anything else, husband?” If not, he should return~
Still silent, he just looked at her.
Su Tang gritted her teeth inwardly, looking troubled. “Sometimes you need to say a little more, husband.”
He remained silent, but turned away and lifted his gaze.
...
Su Tang followed his gaze.
The crescent moon hung high above, stars scattered like pearls across the heavens.
Su Tang murmured, half dazed, “Do you want to look at the stars, husband?”
His gaze flickered, and he turned to face her.
Su Tang’s eyes curved in a smile. “How did you know I wanted to look at the stars too? We truly share a connection.”
The young master’s eyes widened slightly.
Lies came so easily to her~
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