"Chapter 47"
"Yu Ying slept in, waking up only at the hour of si (9-11 am), by which time Fu Ning had already gone out to play."
"Upon waking, her shoulders and neck were sore, probably due to the recent stress and the sudden shift to relaxation."
"She tried to massage herself, but it proved to be awkward and ineffective."
"Noticing her discomfort, Fu Wei, setting aside the curtain he was working on, offered, 'When I was learning martial arts, my master taught me how to relieve shoulder and neck tension. If you don't mind, I can help massage them for you.'"
"Yu Ying readily agreed to the massage, but since Fu Wei couldn't stand up, it was difficult to massage her shoulders. So she moved a small wooden stool over."
"Just as she sat down, Fu An's excited voice came from outside the courtyard, 'Auntie, auntie, the yamen runner is here, the yamen runner is here!'"
"Yu Ying stood up again as soon as she sat down, telling Fu Wei, 'I'll go and take a look.'"
"Fu Wei watched her leave the room, silently lowering his hands that he had just raised."
"Yu Ying then left the house and, led by Fu An, went together to the Sun family's home."
"Three days later, the marks on Fu An's face gradually faded, leaving only some swelling on his cheek, but it didn’t dampen his eagerness to see Aunt Cui Lan's misfortune."
"Yu Ying noticed a change in Fu An's character, completely different from when she first met him."
"The former Fu An was like a little hedgehog, bristling with spikes, ready to strike back at anyone who slandered or harmed his family."
"But these days, his smile had grown more frequent, and he was becoming more like a child."
"Perhaps it was because he now had his aunt to rely on, his parents had returned, and his grandmother's eyesight was gradually improving. With so many dependable adults at home, his burdens had lightened, making him more cheerful."
"After about fifteen minutes of walking, they saw many villagers gathered outside a large courtyard."
"As Yu Ying and Fu An approached, people who recognized Mrs. Yu of the Fu family couldn't help but show respect."
"As they got closer, people made way for them."
"Yu Ying looked into the courtyard and saw Aunt Cui Lan bent over, her face pale."
"Standing before her were Huo, the yamen runner, and another official."
"'Sir, it's all a misunderstanding, just a joke,' the woman hastily pleaded."
"Although Huo, the yamen runner, was tempted by a few coins, he wasn't utterly shameless. Hearing the woman trivialize framing someone's reputation as a joke, his expression darkened, and he sternly reprimanded, 'Joking about a woman's reputation is akin to pushing her to death. Do you realize that causing someone’s death is a criminal offense, you wicked woman!'"
"The term 'wicked woman' frightened Aunt Cui Lan, her already pale face losing all color."
"Someone commented, 'Aunt Cui Lan has caused countless troubles with her gossip. Last year, she falsely accused the young daughter of the Song family, nearly driving her to suicide. Even after it was proven a misunderstanding, she didn’t change her ways. Thinking Madam Yu of the Fu family was an easy target, she concocted lies, but now she’s caught in her own trap.'"
"'She’s also spread rumors about many widows in the village, forcing them to hide in their homes. Her malicious tongue will eventually cause someone’s death. She boasted this morning outside the Fu family’s house that she wouldn’t pay a penny even if imprisoned. It’s better to lock her up and prevent further harm.'"
"Hearing the villagers’ comments, Aunt Cui Lan, sweating profusely, turned and scolded them, 'Stop slandering me with your lies!'"
"Suddenly spotting Yu in the crowd, she pointed accusingly, 'Sir, sir, these injuries on me were caused by Yu’s poisoning. Arrest her, arrest her!'"
"Yu didn’t need to defend herself, as the villagers, respecting her for standing up to authority, spoke on her behalf, 'You’re the one spewing lies. We all saw clearly that Madam Yu never even touched you. You have no evidence and falsely accuse her out of malice.'"
"After hearing the villagers, originally planning only to seek compensation, he grew genuinely disgusted with her relentless lies."
"He shouted angrily, 'Mrs. Sun!'"
"Startled by his shout, Aunt Cui Lan trembled and withdrew her hand."
"'Answer truthfully, and don’t you dare hide anything, or I’ll take you to the government office right now!'"
"'Did you falsely accuse Madam Yu of inappropriate conduct?'"
"The entire village knew about it; Aunt Cui Lan couldn’t deny it and reluctantly nodded with her eyes closed, 'I admit…'"
"'You claim Madam Yu poisoned you. Do you have any direct evidence? Baseless accusations will be treated as false charges!'"
"Aunt Cui Lan’s eyes widened in fear, trembling too much to make further accusations."
"After washing with the water boiled with Ji Ruo grass today, the itching stopped and the swelling reduced significantly. It seems I was really stung by scorpion grass. Although I don't know where I encountered it, I can't be certain it was Mrs. Yu who caused it."
"Aunt Cui Lan dared not speak, the answer now clear."
"Huo, the yamen runner, spoke sternly, 'You wretched woman, spouting false accusations so easily, disregarding others' reputations. If we let you go today, you will surely cause more trouble. We will take you to the county yamen for the magistrate to deal with!'"
"Hearing this, Aunt Cui Lan immediately knelt down, wailing, 'Please spare me, Your Honor, I swear I won’t gossip about others again, I won’t dare!'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, declared, 'Spare you? First, let's see if Mrs. Yu can forgive you.'"
"Aunt Cui Lan, seeing a glimmer of hope, quickly turned and knelt towards Yu Ying, 'I am an ignorant woman, a gossip, Mrs. Yu, you are magnanimous, please spare me this once!'"
"The onlookers sighed at the spectacle. The once arrogant and gossipy woman was now in a pitiful state."
"She brought this upon herself, and the villagers felt no sympathy for Aunt Cui Lan."
"She used to slander anyone she pleased, thinking she was untouchable. Now, someone had finally put her in her place."
"After this, they wondered if she would dare to spread baseless rumors again."
"Yu Ying, standing outside the courtyard fence, spoke calmly, 'I've already said, I want an apology and a hundred wen as compensation.'"
"'I’ll pay, I’ll apologize!'"
"Aunt Cui Lan, who had earlier declared she'd rather go to jail than pay, now quickly agreed, cowed and desperate in the face of being taken away."
"Huo, the yamen runner, turned to Mrs. Yu, 'Are you willing to settle this matter?'"
"Yu Ying feigned amiability, 'After all, we are from the same village. It’s not good to make things too tense. If she agrees to my terms, I am willing to settle.'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, noted her tactful response, then sternly said to Aunt Cui Lan, 'Since Mrs. Yu has filed the complaint and is now willing to reconcile, you have three days to apologize and deliver the compensation to the Fu family. If you fail to comply within this period, you will be taken to the yamen.'"
"Aunt Cui Lan nodded repeatedly, 'I will keep my promise!'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, seeing he had sufficiently intimidated her, left with a warning, 'If I find out you’re still unjustly slandering others without cause, you won’t be spared!'"
"After saying this, the two yamen runners, with their swords at their sides, left the Sun family’s courtyard."
"Yu calmly observed Aunt Cui Lan collapsed on the ground, then turned to Ah Fu, 'Let’s go.'"
"Ah Fu, having seen Aunt Cui Lan’s fate, was unconcerned about her future and simply nodded, taking his aunt’s hand to leave."
The villagers, watching the aunt and nephew leave, couldn't help but whisper about the Fu family's change of fortune.
"Fu Dalang and his wife are back, now under the protection of an official post. Isn't this a change in their luck, if not a blessing?"
Upon returning home, Fu An eagerly shared with his grandmother and mother what he had just witnessed.
After hearing her grandson's account, Mrs. Luo spat lightly, "She got what she deserved."
The sister-in-law said, "Now she'll surely think twice before gossiping or troubling our family again."
Yu Ying nodded, "One lesson should be enough to scare her off."
She no longer concerned herself with Aunt Cui Lan's affairs and approached her sister-in-law.
Seeing her sister-in-law arranging straw mats moved from a smaller room, she asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Wen Xing smiled shyly, "I thought the bamboo bed might be uncomfortable for you and mother, so I decided to make some mats from these straw mats to lay on the bed."
Yu Ying, reminded of her own sore shoulders, immediately offered help, "Let me help you with that."
Together, they worked efficiently. They first laid the straw layers flat on a clean surface, then Yu Ying brought some mugwort, lit it, and extinguished the flame, leaving only the smoke.
They used the warm smoke of the mugwort to fumigate the straw mats.
Finally, they left the straw mats to dry under the sun for most of the day, ready to be brought in when the afternoon sun wasn't so intense.
After finishing with the straw mats, Yu Ying, having worked up a light sweat, washed her face and hands before entering the house.
Upon entering the room, I saw Fú Wēi shaving bamboo with a kitchen knife. Yú Yíng curiously asked, "What are you doing?"
Without stopping, Fú Wēi replied, "I'm planning to improve your repeating crossbow and make one for our elder brother."
Remembering the previous crossbow, Yú Yíng inquired, "How will you improve it?"
Fú Wēi explained, "The bamboo used for the bow previously was quite old. I had our brother cut some that's only four to five years old. Bamboo from this period is strong and flexible, ideal for making bows."
Pausing his work, he looked at Yú Yíng, "Next time you go to the market, see if there's any animal hide for sale."
Puzzled, Yú Yíng asked, "What do we need animal hide for?"
Fú Wēi, touching the bowstring of the crossbow, explained, "This string is made from hemp, which lacks toughness and loosens after a few uses. The reason it couldn't penetrate the boar's skin when you last used it was due to the poor choice of materials for the bow and string."
Yú Yíng was well-versed in herbs but knew little about weapons, so she curiously asked, "Aren't bowstrings made from animal tendons? Are they made from hides instead?"
Fú Wēi smiled faintly, "Animal tendons are highly stretchable, suitable for crossbows and small bows that don't require as much tension, hence the use of animal hide. Of course, if there's no hide, tendons can also be used, depending on what's available."
Half-understanding, Yú Yíng nodded and replied, "Then I'll check it out in Yù County in a few days."
As they were talking, someone knocked on the door.
Both Yú Yíng and Fú Wēi looked towards the door.
Standing at the doorway, their sister-in-law held a bamboo ruler and a thin hemp rope, softly saying, "I've come to take your measurements for a new dress."
Remembering the fabric she bought in Yù County yesterday, Yú Yíng invited her sister-in-law in.
Wēn Xìng entered the room somewhat timidly and greeted Fú Wēi on the bed, "Second brother."
Fú Wēi nodded slightly and also greeted her, "Elder sister-in-law."
Standing with arms outstretched for measurement, Yú Yíng allowed her sister-in-law to proceed, while Fú Wēi discreetly averted his gaze.
With each measurement, Wēn Xìng marked the bamboo strip with a sharp stone.
As the rope encircled her waist, Wēn Xìng exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law, your waist is so slender."
Upon hearing this, Fú Wēi instinctively glanced over, noticing the slender waistline usually hidden under loosely tied clothing, now accentuated by the tight rope, highlighting her narrow waist and wider hips.
The delicate waist, so slender it seemed it couldn't fill a single grasp.
Fú Wēi's breath hitched, a lump formed in his throat, his gaze inadvertently touching something forbidden, and he quickly looked away.
Moments later, Wēn Xìng took approximate measurements and softly said to her sister-in-law, "I'll leave the task of measuring Second Brother for his clothes to you."
With that, Wēn Xìng left the room with the bamboo ruler and a rope detailed with multiple knots.
Yú Yíng hadn't had the chance to ask her sister-in-law to make clothes for herself and their elder brother as well, but decided to mention it later.
Turning back with the rope and ruler, Yú Yíng looked at Fú Wēi and asked, "Do you mind if I measure you?"
Fú Wēi, unable to meet her gaze, simply replied, "Call our elder brother instead."
Yú Yíng, who had only asked as a matter of routine, was taken aback.
They had been lying together before, so why was he suddenly so reserved?
Respecting Fú Wēi's wishes, Yú Yíng didn't insist on measuring him.
When Fú Zhèn returned dragging thick bamboo poles for building a thatched hut, Yú Yíng called him in to measure Fú Wēi.
Just then, Wēn Xìng arrived with tea for her husband and paused in slight surprise, puzzled by her sister-in-law's request.
"Aren't the sister-in-law and Second Brother a married couple? Why does she need the eldest brother to take his measurements?"
While pondering this, the sister-in-law came over to request that Wēn Xìng make clothes for herself and the eldest brother, causing Wēn Xìng's initial confusion to fade away in surprise.
After taking the measurements, Wēn Xìng began cutting the fabric to make the clothes.
Since ordinary people didn't wear clothes of complex styles, and Wēn Xìng herself couldn't make them, a simple set of clothing could be completed in about three days.
By afternoon, Yú Yíng, along with her sister-in-law and elder brother, gathered the straw and selected the better pieces to weave into mats of bamboo bed size, about an inch thick.
While they were making the mats, Fú Ān and Fú Níng didn't go to play but helped by picking out the unusable straw.
As dusk approached, they were still busy working, and Madame Luó went to prepare the evening meal without calling them.
Finally, when the meal was ready, the mats were all completed.
There were two large and one small mat, along with seven straw pillows made as per Yú Yíng's request.
The pillows would be somewhat prickly if used directly, so Yú Yíng, somewhat unsure, gave the leftover fabric scraps to her sister-in-law to make pillowcases.
After the mats were finished, they were rolled up and carried into the house.
While Fú Zhèn helped Fú Wēi to get up, Yú Yíng and her sister-in-law laid the mats on the bamboo beds and then covered them with straw mats.
After the elder brother and sister-in-law left, Yú Yíng brought out the pillowcases she had made the night before and covered the straw pillows with them.
The fabric for the pillowcases, chosen by Yú Yíng, was a harmonious patchwork of indigo, ochre, and black. The shape had been slightly trimmed during the patching, making them look not only unattractive but unexpectedly harmonious.
Yú Yíng then strung a hemp rope above the window, threading it through the curtain and hanging it up.
After finishing, Yú Yíng returned to the edge of the bed and sat down. Feeling the bed’s newfound softness, she couldn't resist climbing up and lying next to Fú Wēi, resting on the pillow.
Compared to the uneasy straw bed and the hard bamboo bed, this one, with its added mattress and a faint scent of sunshine, made Yú Yíng so content that she wanted to roll around on it.
Fú Wēi, looking down at the woman whose eyes and brows were smiling, was somewhat puzzled, "Just because of an added mattress, you are this happy?"
Hearing this, Yú Yíng turned to lie on her side, facing him with a smile in her eyes, "Why don’t you lie down and try it too?"
Fú Wēi pondered for a moment, then complied with her suggestion and lay down.
Lying on the mattress with his head on the straw pillow, he took a moment to really feel it and agreed with her, "Indeed, it's much more comfortable."
Yú Yíng turned back and lay flat again, saying, "Since ancient times, people have valued food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I care about these things too. From the original straw bed to the old bamboo bed, and now to this new bamboo bed with a mattress and a pillow, naturally, I’m delighted."
Since arriving in this era, after starting with almost nothing, Yú Yíng found her material desires easy to satisfy.
As long as everything went smoothly, she would be content.
Fú Wēi and she lay quietly on the bed together, with a gentle breeze blowing through the window, causing the curtains to flutter slightly.
Early the next morning, Yú Yíng went into the mountains with Uncle Hé, Aunt Hé, and her elder brother.
Her sister-in-law stayed at home to help out and also to make clothes.
Additionally, having an extra person at home was helpful for quickly bringing in the drying herbs if it rained.
With the addition of Fú Zhèn, there were still only four people gathering herbs, and now, approaching August, they had just over two months left.
Herb gathering isn't a task that can be done all day, nor is it feasible to go every day.
Moreover, although the mountains are full of herbs, we can't venture too deep and must stay in safer areas to find herbs for treating colds and fevers.
Based on the current rate, even if we gather eleven or twelve pounds a day, which dries down to only eight or nine pounds, it would take two months to accumulate five hundred pounds. Considering rainy days and other interruptions, it's uncertain whether we'll have enough by the delivery deadline.
Additionally, Yú Yíng isn’t planning to rely solely on this one deal.
After calculating the time, Yú Yíng realized they not only lacked manpower but also storage space for the herbs.
Thinking it over, Yú Yíng discussed with Fú Wēi, her elder brother and sister-in-law, and Uncle Hé and Aunt Hé, about finding two or three more people to help.
Fú Zhèn moved the table and chairs outside and then carried his younger brother out into the courtyard.
Once everyone was gathered, Yú Yíng explained the current situation.
Ever since Uncle Hé and Aunt Hé earned over a hundred coins from the last herb gathering, they had been considering bringing their eldest son back home to help them work for Lady Yú.
Working under the gentry, their son often faced harsh treatment; sometimes he returned with whip marks visible on his back.
Earning a few coins a day, enduring hardship and beatings - if it weren't for the need to make a living, they wouldn’t want their eldest son to suffer like this.
So when Yú Yíng brought up the topic, Aunt Hé mentioned it as well.
"Lady Yú, what do you think about my eldest son?"
Yú Yíng had only seen the eldest son of the Hé family once during the thatching work, remembering him as a diligent worker.
She responded, "He would be suitable, but isn’t he currently employed?"
Aunt Hé sighed, "Working for those gentry families is often harsh. Although it carries some prestige in the village, in reality, he is treated no better than a beast of burden…"
Yú Yíng fell silent for a moment before saying, "If the eldest Hé can help, that would be great, but I hope he makes his decision after carefully considering the pros and cons."
Uncle Hé, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, "After gathering herbs tomorrow morning, I'll go and discuss it with him in the afternoon."
At this point, Fú Zhèn asked Uncle Hé, "Is Sòng Sānláng also working in the same place as the eldest Hé?"
Uncle Hé nodded, "Yes, they work together."
Fú Zhèn thought for a moment, then said, "Then I’ll go with Uncle Hé to visit Sòng Sānláng as well."
Yú Yíng remembered Fú Ān mentioning that his father had a close relationship with Sòng Sānláng. When his father was not around, Sòng Sānláng would come to help the Fú family and even bring some food.
Anyone who cared for a widow and her orphan in such a way must be a very good person.
Returning to the matter of finding help, for now, they only had the eldest Hé as a candidate, since it was not easy to find someone trustworthy and compatible with Yú Yíng’s requirements.
Three days after the government official's visit to Língshuǐ Village,
Aunt Cuìlán came to the Fú household. Reluctant as she was, she dared not delay any longer.
Yú Yíng had been so busy these past few days that she almost forgot about Aunt Cuìlán's situation.
Aunt Cuìlán was truly frightened of Madame Yù.
Madame Yù had threatened to report her to the authorities, and she did – it wasn’t just an empty threat.
The fact that the case had actually been reported was one thing, but more importantly, the government officials really came.
With the ability to influence officials to act, how could she not be afraid?!
The villagers said that Madame Yù’s confidence in taking legal action suggested she might have connections in the government office.
Hearing this, Aunt Cuìlán grew even more frightened.
If Madame Yù truly had connections in the government office, dealing with her would be as easy as flipping one's hand. Filled with fear, Aunt Cuìlán hurriedly gathered the hundred coins and came to the Fú household within the three-day deadline.
Upon seeing Yú Yíng, Aunt Cuìlán quickly offered a forced smile, "Madame Yù, I have brought the hundred coins."
Handing over the hundred coins, Aunt Cuìlán's heart bled.
This was more than half of her family's savings!
Yú Yíng took the string of copper coins and handed them to her sister-in-law to count, ensuring none were missing, before quietly turning her gaze towards Aunt Cuìlán.
The scratch marks on Aunt Cuìlán's face were still visible, making her appear somewhat frightening.
Knowing what Madame Yù was waiting for, and not wanting to lose more face in front of the villagers gathered outside, Aunt Cuìlán asked, "Madame Yù, can we talk inside the house?"
Yú Yíng coldly refused, "No, we’ll talk here."
Seeing no other choice, Aunt Cuìlán apologized, "I'm sorry, Madame Yù. I shouldn't have slandered you or falsely accused you of poisoning without evidence. Please forgive my pettiness and don't hold a grudge against someone as insignificant as me."
Yú Yíng did not respond, only saying, "I've apologized here, but what about to Fú Ān?"
Upon hearing she had to apologize to an eight-year-old boy, the thirty-something Aunt Cuìlán's face turned red with embarrassment.
After her face twitched a few times, she finally looked towards Fú Ān standing beside Madame Yù and glared at him.
After hesitating for a while, she finally apologized, "I'm sorry, Fú Ān. I was unreasonable and hit you. It was my fault. I hope you can forgive me."
After she apologized, laughter from the villagers behind her followed, mocking her for having to apologize to an eight-year-old child at her grandmotherly age.
Although Aunt Cuìlán was thick-skinned and shameless, she still felt humiliated and, after apologizing, covered her face and ran out of the Fú household.
The widows and Sòng family's youngest daughter, who had all been slandered and harmed by Aunt Cuìlán, felt vindicated seeing her retribution. They spat in the direction she left, muttering about bad luck.
"Chapter 47"
"Yu Ying slept in, waking up only at the hour of si (9-11 am), by which time Fu Ning had already gone out to play."
"Upon waking, her shoulders and neck were sore, probably due to the recent stress and the sudden shift to relaxation."
"She tried to massage herself, but it proved to be awkward and ineffective."
"Noticing her discomfort, Fu Wei, setting aside the curtain he was working on, offered, 'When I was learning martial arts, my master taught me how to relieve shoulder and neck tension. If you don't mind, I can help massage them for you.'"
"Yu Ying readily agreed to the massage, but since Fu Wei couldn't stand up, it was difficult to massage her shoulders. So she moved a small wooden stool over."
"Just as she sat down, Fu An's excited voice came from outside the courtyard, 'Auntie, auntie, the yamen runner is here, the yamen runner is here!'"
"Yu Ying stood up again as soon as she sat down, telling Fu Wei, 'I'll go and take a look.'"
"Fu Wei watched her leave the room, silently lowering his hands that he had just raised."
"Yu Ying then left the house and, led by Fu An, went together to the Sun family's home."
"Three days later, the marks on Fu An's face gradually faded, leaving only some swelling on his cheek, but it didn’t dampen his eagerness to see Aunt Cui Lan's misfortune."
"Yu Ying noticed a change in Fu An's character, completely different from when she first met him."
"The former Fu An was like a little hedgehog, bristling with spikes, ready to strike back at anyone who slandered or harmed his family."
"But these days, his smile had grown more frequent, and he was becoming more like a child."
"Perhaps it was because he now had his aunt to rely on, his parents had returned, and his grandmother's eyesight was gradually improving. With so many dependable adults at home, his burdens had lightened, making him more cheerful."
"After about fifteen minutes of walking, they saw many villagers gathered outside a large courtyard."
"As Yu Ying and Fu An approached, people who recognized Mrs. Yu of the Fu family couldn't help but show respect."
"As they got closer, people made way for them."
"Yu Ying looked into the courtyard and saw Aunt Cui Lan bent over, her face pale."
"Standing before her were Huo, the yamen runner, and another official."
"'Sir, it's all a misunderstanding, just a joke,' the woman hastily pleaded."
"Although Huo, the yamen runner, was tempted by a few coins, he wasn't utterly shameless. Hearing the woman trivialize framing someone's reputation as a joke, his expression darkened, and he sternly reprimanded, 'Joking about a woman's reputation is akin to pushing her to death. Do you realize that causing someone’s death is a criminal offense, you wicked woman!'"
"The term 'wicked woman' frightened Aunt Cui Lan, her already pale face losing all color."
"Someone commented, 'Aunt Cui Lan has caused countless troubles with her gossip. Last year, she falsely accused the young daughter of the Song family, nearly driving her to suicide. Even after it was proven a misunderstanding, she didn’t change her ways. Thinking Madam Yu of the Fu family was an easy target, she concocted lies, but now she’s caught in her own trap.'"
"'She’s also spread rumors about many widows in the village, forcing them to hide in their homes. Her malicious tongue will eventually cause someone’s death. She boasted this morning outside the Fu family’s house that she wouldn’t pay a penny even if imprisoned. It’s better to lock her up and prevent further harm.'"
"Hearing the villagers’ comments, Aunt Cui Lan, sweating profusely, turned and scolded them, 'Stop slandering me with your lies!'"
"Suddenly spotting Yu in the crowd, she pointed accusingly, 'Sir, sir, these injuries on me were caused by Yu’s poisoning. Arrest her, arrest her!'"
"Yu didn’t need to defend herself, as the villagers, respecting her for standing up to authority, spoke on her behalf, 'You’re the one spewing lies. We all saw clearly that Madam Yu never even touched you. You have no evidence and falsely accuse her out of malice.'"
"After hearing the villagers, originally planning only to seek compensation, he grew genuinely disgusted with her relentless lies."
"He shouted angrily, 'Mrs. Sun!'"
"Startled by his shout, Aunt Cui Lan trembled and withdrew her hand."
"'Answer truthfully, and don’t you dare hide anything, or I’ll take you to the government office right now!'"
"'Did you falsely accuse Madam Yu of inappropriate conduct?'"
"The entire village knew about it; Aunt Cui Lan couldn’t deny it and reluctantly nodded with her eyes closed, 'I admit…'"
"'You claim Madam Yu poisoned you. Do you have any direct evidence? Baseless accusations will be treated as false charges!'"
"Aunt Cui Lan’s eyes widened in fear, trembling too much to make further accusations."
"After washing with the water boiled with Ji Ruo grass today, the itching stopped and the swelling reduced significantly. It seems I was really stung by scorpion grass. Although I don't know where I encountered it, I can't be certain it was Mrs. Yu who caused it."
"Aunt Cui Lan dared not speak, the answer now clear."
"Huo, the yamen runner, spoke sternly, 'You wretched woman, spouting false accusations so easily, disregarding others' reputations. If we let you go today, you will surely cause more trouble. We will take you to the county yamen for the magistrate to deal with!'"
"Hearing this, Aunt Cui Lan immediately knelt down, wailing, 'Please spare me, Your Honor, I swear I won’t gossip about others again, I won’t dare!'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, declared, 'Spare you? First, let's see if Mrs. Yu can forgive you.'"
"Aunt Cui Lan, seeing a glimmer of hope, quickly turned and knelt towards Yu Ying, 'I am an ignorant woman, a gossip, Mrs. Yu, you are magnanimous, please spare me this once!'"
"The onlookers sighed at the spectacle. The once arrogant and gossipy woman was now in a pitiful state."
"She brought this upon herself, and the villagers felt no sympathy for Aunt Cui Lan."
"She used to slander anyone she pleased, thinking she was untouchable. Now, someone had finally put her in her place."
"After this, they wondered if she would dare to spread baseless rumors again."
"Yu Ying, standing outside the courtyard fence, spoke calmly, 'I've already said, I want an apology and a hundred wen as compensation.'"
"'I’ll pay, I’ll apologize!'"
"Aunt Cui Lan, who had earlier declared she'd rather go to jail than pay, now quickly agreed, cowed and desperate in the face of being taken away."
"Huo, the yamen runner, turned to Mrs. Yu, 'Are you willing to settle this matter?'"
"Yu Ying feigned amiability, 'After all, we are from the same village. It’s not good to make things too tense. If she agrees to my terms, I am willing to settle.'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, noted her tactful response, then sternly said to Aunt Cui Lan, 'Since Mrs. Yu has filed the complaint and is now willing to reconcile, you have three days to apologize and deliver the compensation to the Fu family. If you fail to comply within this period, you will be taken to the yamen.'"
"Aunt Cui Lan nodded repeatedly, 'I will keep my promise!'"
"Huo, the yamen runner, seeing he had sufficiently intimidated her, left with a warning, 'If I find out you’re still unjustly slandering others without cause, you won’t be spared!'"
"After saying this, the two yamen runners, with their swords at their sides, left the Sun family’s courtyard."
"Yu calmly observed Aunt Cui Lan collapsed on the ground, then turned to Ah Fu, 'Let’s go.'"
"Ah Fu, having seen Aunt Cui Lan’s fate, was unconcerned about her future and simply nodded, taking his aunt’s hand to leave."
The villagers, watching the aunt and nephew leave, couldn't help but whisper about the Fu family's change of fortune.
"Fu Dalang and his wife are back, now under the protection of an official post. Isn't this a change in their luck, if not a blessing?"
Upon returning home, Fu An eagerly shared with his grandmother and mother what he had just witnessed.
After hearing her grandson's account, Mrs. Luo spat lightly, "She got what she deserved."
The sister-in-law said, "Now she'll surely think twice before gossiping or troubling our family again."
Yu Ying nodded, "One lesson should be enough to scare her off."
She no longer concerned herself with Aunt Cui Lan's affairs and approached her sister-in-law.
Seeing her sister-in-law arranging straw mats moved from a smaller room, she asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Wen Xing smiled shyly, "I thought the bamboo bed might be uncomfortable for you and mother, so I decided to make some mats from these straw mats to lay on the bed."
Yu Ying, reminded of her own sore shoulders, immediately offered help, "Let me help you with that."
Together, they worked efficiently. They first laid the straw layers flat on a clean surface, then Yu Ying brought some mugwort, lit it, and extinguished the flame, leaving only the smoke.
They used the warm smoke of the mugwort to fumigate the straw mats.
Finally, they left the straw mats to dry under the sun for most of the day, ready to be brought in when the afternoon sun wasn't so intense.
After finishing with the straw mats, Yu Ying, having worked up a light sweat, washed her face and hands before entering the house.
Upon entering the room, I saw Fú Wēi shaving bamboo with a kitchen knife. Yú Yíng curiously asked, "What are you doing?"
Without stopping, Fú Wēi replied, "I'm planning to improve your repeating crossbow and make one for our elder brother."
Remembering the previous crossbow, Yú Yíng inquired, "How will you improve it?"
Fú Wēi explained, "The bamboo used for the bow previously was quite old. I had our brother cut some that's only four to five years old. Bamboo from this period is strong and flexible, ideal for making bows."
Pausing his work, he looked at Yú Yíng, "Next time you go to the market, see if there's any animal hide for sale."
Puzzled, Yú Yíng asked, "What do we need animal hide for?"
Fú Wēi, touching the bowstring of the crossbow, explained, "This string is made from hemp, which lacks toughness and loosens after a few uses. The reason it couldn't penetrate the boar's skin when you last used it was due to the poor choice of materials for the bow and string."
Yú Yíng was well-versed in herbs but knew little about weapons, so she curiously asked, "Aren't bowstrings made from animal tendons? Are they made from hides instead?"
Fú Wēi smiled faintly, "Animal tendons are highly stretchable, suitable for crossbows and small bows that don't require as much tension, hence the use of animal hide. Of course, if there's no hide, tendons can also be used, depending on what's available."
Half-understanding, Yú Yíng nodded and replied, "Then I'll check it out in Yù County in a few days."
As they were talking, someone knocked on the door.
Both Yú Yíng and Fú Wēi looked towards the door.
Standing at the doorway, their sister-in-law held a bamboo ruler and a thin hemp rope, softly saying, "I've come to take your measurements for a new dress."
Remembering the fabric she bought in Yù County yesterday, Yú Yíng invited her sister-in-law in.
Wēn Xìng entered the room somewhat timidly and greeted Fú Wēi on the bed, "Second brother."
Fú Wēi nodded slightly and also greeted her, "Elder sister-in-law."
Standing with arms outstretched for measurement, Yú Yíng allowed her sister-in-law to proceed, while Fú Wēi discreetly averted his gaze.
With each measurement, Wēn Xìng marked the bamboo strip with a sharp stone.
As the rope encircled her waist, Wēn Xìng exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law, your waist is so slender."
Upon hearing this, Fú Wēi instinctively glanced over, noticing the slender waistline usually hidden under loosely tied clothing, now accentuated by the tight rope, highlighting her narrow waist and wider hips.
The delicate waist, so slender it seemed it couldn't fill a single grasp.
Fú Wēi's breath hitched, a lump formed in his throat, his gaze inadvertently touching something forbidden, and he quickly looked away.
Moments later, Wēn Xìng took approximate measurements and softly said to her sister-in-law, "I'll leave the task of measuring Second Brother for his clothes to you."
With that, Wēn Xìng left the room with the bamboo ruler and a rope detailed with multiple knots.
Yú Yíng hadn't had the chance to ask her sister-in-law to make clothes for herself and their elder brother as well, but decided to mention it later.
Turning back with the rope and ruler, Yú Yíng looked at Fú Wēi and asked, "Do you mind if I measure you?"
Fú Wēi, unable to meet her gaze, simply replied, "Call our elder brother instead."
Yú Yíng, who had only asked as a matter of routine, was taken aback.
They had been lying together before, so why was he suddenly so reserved?
Respecting Fú Wēi's wishes, Yú Yíng didn't insist on measuring him.
When Fú Zhèn returned dragging thick bamboo poles for building a thatched hut, Yú Yíng called him in to measure Fú Wēi.
Just then, Wēn Xìng arrived with tea for her husband and paused in slight surprise, puzzled by her sister-in-law's request.
"Aren't the sister-in-law and Second Brother a married couple? Why does she need the eldest brother to take his measurements?"
While pondering this, the sister-in-law came over to request that Wēn Xìng make clothes for herself and the eldest brother, causing Wēn Xìng's initial confusion to fade away in surprise.
After taking the measurements, Wēn Xìng began cutting the fabric to make the clothes.
Since ordinary people didn't wear clothes of complex styles, and Wēn Xìng herself couldn't make them, a simple set of clothing could be completed in about three days.
By afternoon, Yú Yíng, along with her sister-in-law and elder brother, gathered the straw and selected the better pieces to weave into mats of bamboo bed size, about an inch thick.
While they were making the mats, Fú Ān and Fú Níng didn't go to play but helped by picking out the unusable straw.
As dusk approached, they were still busy working, and Madame Luó went to prepare the evening meal without calling them.
Finally, when the meal was ready, the mats were all completed.
There were two large and one small mat, along with seven straw pillows made as per Yú Yíng's request.
The pillows would be somewhat prickly if used directly, so Yú Yíng, somewhat unsure, gave the leftover fabric scraps to her sister-in-law to make pillowcases.
After the mats were finished, they were rolled up and carried into the house.
While Fú Zhèn helped Fú Wēi to get up, Yú Yíng and her sister-in-law laid the mats on the bamboo beds and then covered them with straw mats.
After the elder brother and sister-in-law left, Yú Yíng brought out the pillowcases she had made the night before and covered the straw pillows with them.
The fabric for the pillowcases, chosen by Yú Yíng, was a harmonious patchwork of indigo, ochre, and black. The shape had been slightly trimmed during the patching, making them look not only unattractive but unexpectedly harmonious.
Yú Yíng then strung a hemp rope above the window, threading it through the curtain and hanging it up.
After finishing, Yú Yíng returned to the edge of the bed and sat down. Feeling the bed’s newfound softness, she couldn't resist climbing up and lying next to Fú Wēi, resting on the pillow.
Compared to the uneasy straw bed and the hard bamboo bed, this one, with its added mattress and a faint scent of sunshine, made Yú Yíng so content that she wanted to roll around on it.
Fú Wēi, looking down at the woman whose eyes and brows were smiling, was somewhat puzzled, "Just because of an added mattress, you are this happy?"
Hearing this, Yú Yíng turned to lie on her side, facing him with a smile in her eyes, "Why don’t you lie down and try it too?"
Fú Wēi pondered for a moment, then complied with her suggestion and lay down.
Lying on the mattress with his head on the straw pillow, he took a moment to really feel it and agreed with her, "Indeed, it's much more comfortable."
Yú Yíng turned back and lay flat again, saying, "Since ancient times, people have valued food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I care about these things too. From the original straw bed to the old bamboo bed, and now to this new bamboo bed with a mattress and a pillow, naturally, I’m delighted."
Since arriving in this era, after starting with almost nothing, Yú Yíng found her material desires easy to satisfy.
As long as everything went smoothly, she would be content.
Fú Wēi and she lay quietly on the bed together, with a gentle breeze blowing through the window, causing the curtains to flutter slightly.
Early the next morning, Yú Yíng went into the mountains with Uncle Hé, Aunt Hé, and her elder brother.
Her sister-in-law stayed at home to help out and also to make clothes.
Additionally, having an extra person at home was helpful for quickly bringing in the drying herbs if it rained.
With the addition of Fú Zhèn, there were still only four people gathering herbs, and now, approaching August, they had just over two months left.
Herb gathering isn't a task that can be done all day, nor is it feasible to go every day.
Moreover, although the mountains are full of herbs, we can't venture too deep and must stay in safer areas to find herbs for treating colds and fevers.
Based on the current rate, even if we gather eleven or twelve pounds a day, which dries down to only eight or nine pounds, it would take two months to accumulate five hundred pounds. Considering rainy days and other interruptions, it's uncertain whether we'll have enough by the delivery deadline.
Additionally, Yú Yíng isn’t planning to rely solely on this one deal.
After calculating the time, Yú Yíng realized they not only lacked manpower but also storage space for the herbs.
Thinking it over, Yú Yíng discussed with Fú Wēi, her elder brother and sister-in-law, and Uncle Hé and Aunt Hé, about finding two or three more people to help.
Fú Zhèn moved the table and chairs outside and then carried his younger brother out into the courtyard.
Once everyone was gathered, Yú Yíng explained the current situation.
Ever since Uncle Hé and Aunt Hé earned over a hundred coins from the last herb gathering, they had been considering bringing their eldest son back home to help them work for Lady Yú.
Working under the gentry, their son often faced harsh treatment; sometimes he returned with whip marks visible on his back.
Earning a few coins a day, enduring hardship and beatings - if it weren't for the need to make a living, they wouldn’t want their eldest son to suffer like this.
So when Yú Yíng brought up the topic, Aunt Hé mentioned it as well.
"Lady Yú, what do you think about my eldest son?"
Yú Yíng had only seen the eldest son of the Hé family once during the thatching work, remembering him as a diligent worker.
She responded, "He would be suitable, but isn’t he currently employed?"
Aunt Hé sighed, "Working for those gentry families is often harsh. Although it carries some prestige in the village, in reality, he is treated no better than a beast of burden…"
Yú Yíng fell silent for a moment before saying, "If the eldest Hé can help, that would be great, but I hope he makes his decision after carefully considering the pros and cons."
Uncle Hé, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, "After gathering herbs tomorrow morning, I'll go and discuss it with him in the afternoon."
At this point, Fú Zhèn asked Uncle Hé, "Is Sòng Sānláng also working in the same place as the eldest Hé?"
Uncle Hé nodded, "Yes, they work together."
Fú Zhèn thought for a moment, then said, "Then I’ll go with Uncle Hé to visit Sòng Sānláng as well."
Yú Yíng remembered Fú Ān mentioning that his father had a close relationship with Sòng Sānláng. When his father was not around, Sòng Sānláng would come to help the Fú family and even bring some food.
Anyone who cared for a widow and her orphan in such a way must be a very good person.
Returning to the matter of finding help, for now, they only had the eldest Hé as a candidate, since it was not easy to find someone trustworthy and compatible with Yú Yíng’s requirements.
Three days after the government official's visit to Língshuǐ Village,
Aunt Cuìlán came to the Fú household. Reluctant as she was, she dared not delay any longer.
Yú Yíng had been so busy these past few days that she almost forgot about Aunt Cuìlán's situation.
Aunt Cuìlán was truly frightened of Madame Yù.
Madame Yù had threatened to report her to the authorities, and she did – it wasn’t just an empty threat.
The fact that the case had actually been reported was one thing, but more importantly, the government officials really came.
With the ability to influence officials to act, how could she not be afraid?!
The villagers said that Madame Yù’s confidence in taking legal action suggested she might have connections in the government office.
Hearing this, Aunt Cuìlán grew even more frightened.
If Madame Yù truly had connections in the government office, dealing with her would be as easy as flipping one's hand. Filled with fear, Aunt Cuìlán hurriedly gathered the hundred coins and came to the Fú household within the three-day deadline.
Upon seeing Yú Yíng, Aunt Cuìlán quickly offered a forced smile, "Madame Yù, I have brought the hundred coins."
Handing over the hundred coins, Aunt Cuìlán's heart bled.
This was more than half of her family's savings!
Yú Yíng took the string of copper coins and handed them to her sister-in-law to count, ensuring none were missing, before quietly turning her gaze towards Aunt Cuìlán.
The scratch marks on Aunt Cuìlán's face were still visible, making her appear somewhat frightening.
Knowing what Madame Yù was waiting for, and not wanting to lose more face in front of the villagers gathered outside, Aunt Cuìlán asked, "Madame Yù, can we talk inside the house?"
Yú Yíng coldly refused, "No, we’ll talk here."
Seeing no other choice, Aunt Cuìlán apologized, "I'm sorry, Madame Yù. I shouldn't have slandered you or falsely accused you of poisoning without evidence. Please forgive my pettiness and don't hold a grudge against someone as insignificant as me."
Yú Yíng did not respond, only saying, "I've apologized here, but what about to Fú Ān?"
Upon hearing she had to apologize to an eight-year-old boy, the thirty-something Aunt Cuìlán's face turned red with embarrassment.
After her face twitched a few times, she finally looked towards Fú Ān standing beside Madame Yù and glared at him.
After hesitating for a while, she finally apologized, "I'm sorry, Fú Ān. I was unreasonable and hit you. It was my fault. I hope you can forgive me."
After she apologized, laughter from the villagers behind her followed, mocking her for having to apologize to an eight-year-old child at her grandmotherly age.
Although Aunt Cuìlán was thick-skinned and shameless, she still felt humiliated and, after apologizing, covered her face and ran out of the Fú household.
The widows and Sòng family's youngest daughter, who had all been slandered and harmed by Aunt Cuìlán, felt vindicated seeing her retribution. They spat in the direction she left, muttering about bad luck.
