Chapter 62.
The weather changed daily; what had been windy and dry a few days ago was now damp and much colder, signaling the approach of winter.
Little Fu Ning was like a cozy little furnace, and Yu Ying, snuggling in bed with this adorable source of warmth, slept exceptionally well.
Fu Wei had risen early.
Fu Wei's new bamboo bed wouldn't be ready for another four or five days, so he was still sharing the bed with his niece and Yu Ying.
Fu Wei sat up, looking at the peacefully sleeping Yu Ying by the dim light, his lips curving into a gentle smile.
After a moment, Fu Wei gently lifted the quilt and got out of bed.
After putting on his outer garment, he walked slowly towards the door.
After pausing behind the door, he glanced at the walking stick beside it, then withdrew his gaze and walked out.
Yu Ying faintly heard a sound and sleepily opened her eyes. Shielded by a screen, she couldn't see the direction of the door.
But when she slightly raised her body, she saw the space beside the bed was empty; Fu Wei had evidently gone out.
Yu Ying's mind was still muddled, unable to distinguish between dream and reality, and she drifted back to sleep.
The sky was dark and the fog dense, enveloping the mountain-surrounded Lingshui Village.
Upon stepping outside, Fu Wei was greeted by thick fog, obscuring the view of trees even half a mile away, everything shrouded in a blanket of white.
Despite the foggy scene before him, Fu Wei's heart was clear.
Ever since the revelation about his mistaken identity, he hadn't stood so relaxedly as he did now.
It had been about half a year.
Initially, he felt guilty about the person who was mistakenly switched.
For he had enjoyed a life of luxury for twenty-one years, while Huo Min endured a life of hardship for the same duration, hence his guilt.
He surrendered his identity to Huo Minzhi and willingly accepted exile to Lingnan as a punishment for his family's crimes.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was being drugged into unconsciousness during his exile journey and having his legs broken while he was out.
The excruciating pain woke him up.
Upon awakening, he saw Huo Minzhi's face, full of satisfaction.
He left a menacing warning - "If you dare seek death, I'll make sure the Fu family joins you in your grave."
He wondered just how deplorable the people of the Fu family must be to raise such a ferocious person.
But later, he realized it was only Huo Minzhi's brutality.
Hate? Yet he couldn't bring himself to hate.
After all, Huo Minzhi had endured poverty and suffering for him; how could he face hating him?
He didn't know if not being switched at birth and living in such a place for twenty-one years would have turned him into someone like Huo Minzhi.
Unable to hate, yet filled with impotence and confusion.
In the end, there was only despair towards his foster father.
Huo Minzhi broke his legs, and his foster father must have known but tolerated it. How could one not feel chilled to the bone?
Fu Wei lived day by day, burdened with guilt, crippled legs, and the abandonment of his once-closest kin.
But now, things are different. Fu Wei no longer feels guilty for what Huo Minzhi did. His legs are almost healed, and he has found kinship and people he can't abandon.
Now, he wants to live, to live earnestly.
Closing his eyes, Fu Wei took a deep breath.
When Yu Ying got up, Fu Wei had already come in after grooming, telling her, "I've warmed some water for you."
Yu Ying was a bit surprised, but still went to the kitchen to pour the hot water and groom herself.
After grooming, she returned to the room and applied cream to her face.
After two days, the roughness on her cheeks had smoothed out.
She looked at the cream in her hand and pondered deeply.
It's essential to carefully assess the effects before selling it.
However, as the minor cracks on the hands, feet, and faces of other family members only required a few days of treatment to heal, this wasn't the effect she was aiming to test.
After all, ordinary creams could heal cracks. She needed something more remarkable than others to stand out.
Yu Ying thought of He Erlang, who had just returned yesterday with severe cracks on his hands, feet, and face. He was the perfect candidate to test it.
Today, when she goes to Yu County, she plans to buy some cream and let him try it to see the effects.
After breakfast, Yu Ying went to Yu County with her eldest brother and sister-in-law.
She was accompanied by them due to Fu Wei's and her concerns, along with Luo the shopkeeper's special reminder, which made her more cautious.
Knowing there could be trouble, but life must go on, they couldn't always hide at home, so she asked her eldest brother to accompany her to Yu County.
Bringing her sister-in-law was also to avoid any suspicions.
After their departure, Song Sanlang and the He family would help look after the house.
At the village entrance, Elder Chen saw Mrs. Yu and smiled, "Mrs. Yu's herbs are famous in Chen Village. Everyone says how capable she is."
Yu Ying smiled in response, "If it weren't for Shopkeeper Chen's initial advice, I might not have succeeded in this business."
Although Elder Chen loved hearing this, he knew from his son about the whole situation, so he was aware that his son had merely made an offhand suggestion.
He said, "Without true skill, even a well-set-up business can fail. My son only gave a suggestion, but Mrs. Yu not only completed one deal but also succeeded in a second. This proves Mrs. Yu truly has talent."
Chatting casually, they reached Yu County and got off the ox cart at the city gate.
Due to the colder weather and longer nights, Uncle Chen changed his time to return home as it got dark earlier.
He left an hour earlier than usual, just after the end of the 11th hour.
Yu Ying had visited Jade County countless times and was already familiar with both the general stores and the rouge shops.
After inquiring at a general store, she learned that the cheapest face cream cost five coins, also packaged in a bamboo container but half the size of hers and noticeably rougher, even to the point of being prickly.
Under the shop assistant's gaze, Yu Ying opened and sniffed the cream.
The white cream had the scent of lard.
This was undoubtedly just plain lard paste.
A jar of this lard paste, barely costing two coins to produce.
The store's other face cream, priced at ten coins, was in a small porcelain jar. Although not very exquisite, it felt more upscale.
Yu Ying thought this would be better than the five-coin variety, but fell silent upon opening it.
It was still lard paste, only in a porcelain jar.
……
Not buying any face cream, Yu Ying, under the disdainful eye of the shop assistant, bought kerosene and salt instead.
She then visited several rouge shops and purchased three jars of face cream.
She didn’t choose the common lard-based ones, opting for mid-to-high-end products instead of the most expensive.
Besides the rouge shops, Yu Ying also targeted the medical halls.
Since it was inconvenient for Yu Ying to enter the medical halls, she asked her elder brother to buy medicinally made face creams from several halls.
Though she didn't buy much, Yu Ying spent around two hundred coins, with nearly one hundred and fifty spent on face creams alone.
The herbal face creams were more expensive, ranging from twenty-five to thirty coins per porcelain jar, each carrying a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
The face creams from the rouge shops focused on floral fragrances, also not cheap, costing around fifteen to twenty coins.
Yu Ying didn't study them in detail, planning to compare them more carefully after returning home.
Around the appointed time, she went to the city gate to wait for Uncle Chen.
Upon Uncle Chen's arrival, she noticed a large, cloth-wrapped object on his ox cart, resembling a chair.
Uncle Chen, seeing Yu Ying, said, "This was delivered to Wu's eatery by the courier, intended for you, Madam Yu. There's also this letter."
Amidst her surprise, Uncle Chen handed her the letter.
Yu Ying, recognizing the words "For Madam Yu Liu, from Huo Bu Ming" on the envelope, understood and safely tucked the letter away.
Although the Fu couple was curious, they refrained from asking about the sender in front of others.
Leaving Jade County, the journey back to Lingshui Village took about an hour, along a fixed route.
Every half hour or so, the route passed through small villages.
Due to unrest in the Lingnan region, patrolmen often monitored the area to reduce incidents of robbery.
In case of robbery, handing over all money could ensure safety.
About half an hour after leaving Jade County, while passing through a mountain road, they were suddenly stopped by four masked men.
They had encountered robbers!
Besides Yu Ying and her companions, there was another man from Chen's village on the ox cart.
Uncle Chen's face turned pale as he considered turning back, but three more men emerged, blocking the path both ahead and behind, just a few meters apart.
The old ox was too aged to run fast, making escape impossible.
Not only Uncle Chen and the other man, but also Yu Ying and her sister-in-law turned pale with fright.
Yu Ying had been here for nearly half a year; though life was tough and she had encountered fierce wild boars, this was her first time facing robbers. How could she not be afraid?
In her fear, she looked towards her elder brother, who was slowly gripping the pole on Uncle Chen's ox cart.
Feeling slightly reassured, Yu Ying also discreetly reached into her basket to find her small crossbow.
Seeing no way out, Uncle Chen anxiously said, "Honorable men, we will hand over all our money. Can we please buy our safety?"
One of the men, even taller than Fu Zhen, stood surrounded by his group, arms crossed. He glanced around the ox cart, his gaze finally settling on a woman with dark spots on her face.
He sneered and spoke, "You'll hand over the money, but I also want to teach someone here a lesson."
Everyone on the cart was stunned. After a moment, Yu Ying met the robber's gaze and realized the trouble was targeted at her.
Suppressing her panic, she feigned calmness and asked, "Is the person you want to teach a lesson to, me?"
Hearing her speak, the man laughed, "A wise one, you are. Come with us, and promise to quit the medicinal herb business. We'll let you go in a couple of days."
Uncle Chen instantly understood, realizing that Madam Yu's business had blocked someone else's financial path!
Uncle Chen hurriedly said, "Honorable men, if this lady has offended anyone, please speak on her behalf. She will pay you with silver as gratitude. Please spare her this time."
Another person on the cart, in fear, blurted out, "Uncle Chen, why plead for this woman? It's clear she's brought this upon us!"
The leader ignored them both, instead focusing on the woman, and sternly said, "If you follow us quietly, we won't be rough. But if you resist, none of you will leave here!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Zhen gripped the pole and jumped down from the cart, his face dark and stern as he stared at the leader of the robbers.
The leader raised an eyebrow, mockingly said, "Oh, look here, someone who isn't afraid to die. Fancying yourself a hero, are you?"
Wen Xing, seeing her husband leap off the ox cart, instantly turned pale and called out tremulously, "Darling..."
Yu Ying, taking advantage of the distraction her brother had created, swiftly and methodically loaded her crossbow with short arrows, using the items behind her and Uncle Chen's cover.
Fu Zhen confronted the leader with a steely gaze and instructed Uncle Chen in a firm voice, "If the situation allows, leave quickly, don't worry about me."
The leader, hearing this, laughed heartily as if hearing a joke, then disdainfully addressed Fu Zhen, "Do you really think you alone can take on the seven of us?"
Another man on the ox cart hurriedly disassociated himself, his voice shaking more and more, "I don't know them, I'm not involved! I'll give you all my money, just let me go, please?"
The leader glanced at him, "Try to leave, and see if I don't break your legs."
The man’s face turned instantly pale, then, looking at the women on the cart, he shouted angrily, "You, you jinx, get off the cart and go with them, stop bringing us trouble!"
Before Yu Ying could respond, the terrified sister-in-law shot him a fierce glare and snapped, "Shut your mouth!"
Yu Ying, after glancing at her sister-in-law, had already loaded her crossbow with the short arrows, taking a deep, silent breath.
Fu Zhen, calm and composed, negotiated with the leader, "Let's fight first. Whether I can handle you or not, we'll find out after the fight."
Hearing his words, all the masked robbers burst into laughter.
After their laughter subsided, the leader nodded and said dismissively, "Fine, fine, fine. If you alone can defeat the seven of us, we'll leave right away."
Fu Zhen's stance with the pole shifted in an instant, resembling a warrior wielding a long spear, his gaze transforming as well.
Yu Ying swallowed nervously, gripping her sister-in-law's hand tightly as she anxiously watched her brother.
Fu Wei, almost daily, would review and critique Fu Zhen's spear techniques, suggesting improvements and rigorous practice.
Fu Zhen, already strong, had been diligently practicing for nearly two months. Although Fu Wei still found him lacking, Yu Ying thought he looked quite skilled.
Yu Ying's hand was on the crossbow inside her basket, resolved to act if her brother couldn't overpower the robbers.
The robbers, seeing Fu Zhen’s stance, couldn't help but laugh again. The leader casually signaled one of them to teach Fu Zhen a lesson.
A robber with a long stick approached carelessly, utterly disregarding the farmer-like figure in front of him.
Fu Zhen moved a few steps to an open space, readying himself for the confrontation.
The robber's eyes flashed with malice as he charged at Fu Zhen with his stick.
Fu Zhen's eyes narrowed sharply, and in an instant, his pole parried the robber's stick with stability and precision.
The robber was startled; the next moment, the pole vibrated, knocking his stick aside. Fu Zhen swiftly struck the robber's arms with the pole, causing the stick to drop instantly.
Falling into disadvantage after just three moves, the pole, like a spear, pressed against the robber's throat in the next instant.
The robber, with the pole at his neck, wore a look of disbelief.
The leader, who had been watching the spectacle, lost his casual demeanor and signaled two of his men with his eyes.
Understanding his cue, the two robbers, armed with long sticks, hurriedly charged forward.
Fu Zhen immediately dropped the pole and hooked up the round stick dropped by the robber with his foot, gripping it firmly.
Recalling the techniques taught by his younger brother, he calmly advanced to meet the attackers.
The first attacker, being overly complacent, was quickly defeated by Fu Zhen.
The next two were more cautious, but after some struggle, Fu Zhen managed to knock their sticks to the ground.
The leader, observing the situation, furrowed his brows tightly.
He hadn't been informed by the innkeeper that this woman had such a capable fighter by her side!
Seeing his two men defeated, the leader, along with the remaining three, charged forward.
As they swarmed him, Fu Zhen dared not relax his vigilance.
However, having only trained for less than two months, he soon took a hit from the leader's stick on his back, causing everyone on the cart to gasp in shock.
As another robber struck his leg, Yu Ying felt the urge to take out her crossbow.
But just as she was about to do so, her brother executed a swift counterattack, striking the leader's head with his stick.
Yu Ying quietly put the crossbow back down.
Fu Zhen seemed to grow more adept as he fought; the ordinary stick in his hands became a deadly weapon, moving swiftly and fluidly, dazzling onlookers.
After a minute and a half, some lay on the ground, while others clutched their arms and abdomens in pain.
The leader, clutching his head, no longer underestimated the farmer.
He declared, "I keep my promise!" then turned and shouted to his men, "Let's go!"
Fu Zhen, increasingly strained in his fight against the men, realized it was impossible to subdue them completely and bring them to the authorities.
As the robbers were about to leave, Yu Ying hastily asked, "Who exactly sent you?"
The leader turned back, glanced at her, and did not divulge the truth. He ominously replied, "Madam, you've blocked someone's way to wealth. Consider this a warning."
Saying so, he quickly helped his men to leave.
The men, supporting each other, only pulled down their face coverings once they were far away.
One asked, "Boss, are we really just leaving like this?"
The leader, nursing his aching head, retorted, "Do you think you can defeat that man? We seven couldn't beat him alone; it would be shameful to admit defeat!"
"But we still owe the medical hall a substantial amount. If we don't deliver a satisfactory result to Master Luo, it might be hard to explain."
The leader, pausing in his tracks and pondering for a moment, looked ahead and said, "Master Luo only wanted us to teach the woman a lesson, not necessarily to harm anyone."
Amidst his men's confusion, he continued, "Didn't they say the woman has planted a medicinal field..."
He turned to the three brothers who were less beaten, "You go and find out which field belongs to that woman. Trample all those seedlings at night."
The brothers hesitated, with one timidly saying, "But Lingshui Village is so desolate; fierce animals might emerge at night..."
The leader slapped his head, "Did I ask you to travel at night? Can't you go to Lingshui Village now, find a place to hide, do the deed at night, and return to Jade County early the next morning?"
Once the robbers truly left, except for Fu Zhen, everyone else felt as if they had been reborn after a calamity, instantly breathing a sigh of relief.
Wen Xing hurriedly climbed down from the ox cart and, trembling, approached her husband. Just as she was about to collapse, Fu Zhen quickly supported her.
"Darling, are you alright?"
Wen Xing, having watched her husband fight the robbers, was filled with fear and worry. She had been tense the whole time, and now that the crisis was over, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, even her voice trembling.
Fu Zhen, despite the pain in his back and legs, shook his head, "I'm fine."
He then lifted his wife and carried her back to the ox cart, casting a heavy glance at the other man on the cart.
The other man instinctively leaned back, swallowed nervously, and looked away, not daring to utter another word.
After taking a few breaths, Yu Ying relaxed her tense emotions and apologized to Uncle Chen, "I'm really sorry for alarming you, Uncle Chen, because of me."
Uncle Chen exhaled and said, "I've lived through more tumultuous times; today's incident is nothing. However, Madam Yu, it seems you have truly offended someone. It might be wise to find that person and negotiate peace."
Yu Ying nodded, "Thank you for your understanding and advice, Uncle Chen."
She turned to the other man, her tone apologetic, "I'll cover the fare for this ride for you, sir."
The man, aware of her uncle's formidable reputation, touched his nose awkwardly and with a mix of fear and embarrassment, said, "No need, no need."
Once everyone had calmed down, they continued their journey home.
Back in Lingshui Village, after repeatedly expressing her apologies to Uncle Chen, Yu Ying picked up her basket and, supporting her weary sister-in-law, headed home.
Meanwhile, Fu Zhen carried the object resembling a chair on his shoulder.
Luo's wife, busy feeding chickens with her two children, noticed her daughters-in-law entering the courtyard, one supporting the other who looked unwell. Seeing her son with the bulky item, she asked anxiously, "What happened?"
Not wanting to worry Luo's wife, they had agreed not to mention the encounter with the robbers.
Yu Ying explained, "Sister-in-law caught a chill and is feeling unwell."
Luo's wife immediately set down her wooden basin, "I'll go make some ginger soup to warm her up."
Fu Wei, hearing their voices, opened the door and saw their grave expressions, sensing that it was more than just a chill.
And moreover...
Fu Wei glanced at the large object on his elder brother's shoulder, pondering thoughtfully.
It was still early, and with such a large item, Elder Chen would surely help deliver it to their doorstep.
But now, with everyone looking solemn and Elder Chen not offering help, it seemed like something unexpected had happened.
Fu Zhen moved the bulky item into his second brother's house, then turned around to help his wife back home.
Yu Ying brought out a letter, saying, "This letter and the item wrapped in black cloth were delivered to Wu's restaurant by the officials, for you."
Fu Wei took the letter, glancing at the item wrapped in black cloth, feeling reassured.
After handing him the letter, Yu Ying sighed and sat down on a nearby bamboo stool to relax.
Fu Wei, not in a hurry to open it, looked at Yu Ying, who appeared tired, and asked softly, "What happened today?"
Yu Ying sighed again and recounted truthfully, "On our way back today, we encountered bandits. Fortunately, your brother has been practicing spear skills under your guidance these past two months, and he managed to drive the bandits away, sparing us from a robbery."
Hearing the word "bandits," Fu Wei's expression darkened: "Were those men targeting you?"
Chapter 62.
The weather changed daily; what had been windy and dry a few days ago was now damp and much colder, signaling the approach of winter.
Little Fu Ning was like a cozy little furnace, and Yu Ying, snuggling in bed with this adorable source of warmth, slept exceptionally well.
Fu Wei had risen early.
Fu Wei's new bamboo bed wouldn't be ready for another four or five days, so he was still sharing the bed with his niece and Yu Ying.
Fu Wei sat up, looking at the peacefully sleeping Yu Ying by the dim light, his lips curving into a gentle smile.
After a moment, Fu Wei gently lifted the quilt and got out of bed.
After putting on his outer garment, he walked slowly towards the door.
After pausing behind the door, he glanced at the walking stick beside it, then withdrew his gaze and walked out.
Yu Ying faintly heard a sound and sleepily opened her eyes. Shielded by a screen, she couldn't see the direction of the door.
But when she slightly raised her body, she saw the space beside the bed was empty; Fu Wei had evidently gone out.
Yu Ying's mind was still muddled, unable to distinguish between dream and reality, and she drifted back to sleep.
The sky was dark and the fog dense, enveloping the mountain-surrounded Lingshui Village.
Upon stepping outside, Fu Wei was greeted by thick fog, obscuring the view of trees even half a mile away, everything shrouded in a blanket of white.
Despite the foggy scene before him, Fu Wei's heart was clear.
Ever since the revelation about his mistaken identity, he hadn't stood so relaxedly as he did now.
It had been about half a year.
Initially, he felt guilty about the person who was mistakenly switched.
For he had enjoyed a life of luxury for twenty-one years, while Huo Min endured a life of hardship for the same duration, hence his guilt.
He surrendered his identity to Huo Minzhi and willingly accepted exile to Lingnan as a punishment for his family's crimes.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was being drugged into unconsciousness during his exile journey and having his legs broken while he was out.
The excruciating pain woke him up.
Upon awakening, he saw Huo Minzhi's face, full of satisfaction.
He left a menacing warning - "If you dare seek death, I'll make sure the Fu family joins you in your grave."
He wondered just how deplorable the people of the Fu family must be to raise such a ferocious person.
But later, he realized it was only Huo Minzhi's brutality.
Hate? Yet he couldn't bring himself to hate.
After all, Huo Minzhi had endured poverty and suffering for him; how could he face hating him?
He didn't know if not being switched at birth and living in such a place for twenty-one years would have turned him into someone like Huo Minzhi.
Unable to hate, yet filled with impotence and confusion.
In the end, there was only despair towards his foster father.
Huo Minzhi broke his legs, and his foster father must have known but tolerated it. How could one not feel chilled to the bone?
Fu Wei lived day by day, burdened with guilt, crippled legs, and the abandonment of his once-closest kin.
But now, things are different. Fu Wei no longer feels guilty for what Huo Minzhi did. His legs are almost healed, and he has found kinship and people he can't abandon.
Now, he wants to live, to live earnestly.
Closing his eyes, Fu Wei took a deep breath.
When Yu Ying got up, Fu Wei had already come in after grooming, telling her, "I've warmed some water for you."
Yu Ying was a bit surprised, but still went to the kitchen to pour the hot water and groom herself.
After grooming, she returned to the room and applied cream to her face.
After two days, the roughness on her cheeks had smoothed out.
She looked at the cream in her hand and pondered deeply.
It's essential to carefully assess the effects before selling it.
However, as the minor cracks on the hands, feet, and faces of other family members only required a few days of treatment to heal, this wasn't the effect she was aiming to test.
After all, ordinary creams could heal cracks. She needed something more remarkable than others to stand out.
Yu Ying thought of He Erlang, who had just returned yesterday with severe cracks on his hands, feet, and face. He was the perfect candidate to test it.
Today, when she goes to Yu County, she plans to buy some cream and let him try it to see the effects.
After breakfast, Yu Ying went to Yu County with her eldest brother and sister-in-law.
She was accompanied by them due to Fu Wei's and her concerns, along with Luo the shopkeeper's special reminder, which made her more cautious.
Knowing there could be trouble, but life must go on, they couldn't always hide at home, so she asked her eldest brother to accompany her to Yu County.
Bringing her sister-in-law was also to avoid any suspicions.
After their departure, Song Sanlang and the He family would help look after the house.
At the village entrance, Elder Chen saw Mrs. Yu and smiled, "Mrs. Yu's herbs are famous in Chen Village. Everyone says how capable she is."
Yu Ying smiled in response, "If it weren't for Shopkeeper Chen's initial advice, I might not have succeeded in this business."
Although Elder Chen loved hearing this, he knew from his son about the whole situation, so he was aware that his son had merely made an offhand suggestion.
He said, "Without true skill, even a well-set-up business can fail. My son only gave a suggestion, but Mrs. Yu not only completed one deal but also succeeded in a second. This proves Mrs. Yu truly has talent."
Chatting casually, they reached Yu County and got off the ox cart at the city gate.
Due to the colder weather and longer nights, Uncle Chen changed his time to return home as it got dark earlier.
He left an hour earlier than usual, just after the end of the 11th hour.
Yu Ying had visited Jade County countless times and was already familiar with both the general stores and the rouge shops.
After inquiring at a general store, she learned that the cheapest face cream cost five coins, also packaged in a bamboo container but half the size of hers and noticeably rougher, even to the point of being prickly.
Under the shop assistant's gaze, Yu Ying opened and sniffed the cream.
The white cream had the scent of lard.
This was undoubtedly just plain lard paste.
A jar of this lard paste, barely costing two coins to produce.
The store's other face cream, priced at ten coins, was in a small porcelain jar. Although not very exquisite, it felt more upscale.
Yu Ying thought this would be better than the five-coin variety, but fell silent upon opening it.
It was still lard paste, only in a porcelain jar.
……
Not buying any face cream, Yu Ying, under the disdainful eye of the shop assistant, bought kerosene and salt instead.
She then visited several rouge shops and purchased three jars of face cream.
She didn’t choose the common lard-based ones, opting for mid-to-high-end products instead of the most expensive.
Besides the rouge shops, Yu Ying also targeted the medical halls.
Since it was inconvenient for Yu Ying to enter the medical halls, she asked her elder brother to buy medicinally made face creams from several halls.
Though she didn't buy much, Yu Ying spent around two hundred coins, with nearly one hundred and fifty spent on face creams alone.
The herbal face creams were more expensive, ranging from twenty-five to thirty coins per porcelain jar, each carrying a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
The face creams from the rouge shops focused on floral fragrances, also not cheap, costing around fifteen to twenty coins.
Yu Ying didn't study them in detail, planning to compare them more carefully after returning home.
Around the appointed time, she went to the city gate to wait for Uncle Chen.
Upon Uncle Chen's arrival, she noticed a large, cloth-wrapped object on his ox cart, resembling a chair.
Uncle Chen, seeing Yu Ying, said, "This was delivered to Wu's eatery by the courier, intended for you, Madam Yu. There's also this letter."
Amidst her surprise, Uncle Chen handed her the letter.
Yu Ying, recognizing the words "For Madam Yu Liu, from Huo Bu Ming" on the envelope, understood and safely tucked the letter away.
Although the Fu couple was curious, they refrained from asking about the sender in front of others.
Leaving Jade County, the journey back to Lingshui Village took about an hour, along a fixed route.
Every half hour or so, the route passed through small villages.
Due to unrest in the Lingnan region, patrolmen often monitored the area to reduce incidents of robbery.
In case of robbery, handing over all money could ensure safety.
About half an hour after leaving Jade County, while passing through a mountain road, they were suddenly stopped by four masked men.
They had encountered robbers!
Besides Yu Ying and her companions, there was another man from Chen's village on the ox cart.
Uncle Chen's face turned pale as he considered turning back, but three more men emerged, blocking the path both ahead and behind, just a few meters apart.
The old ox was too aged to run fast, making escape impossible.
Not only Uncle Chen and the other man, but also Yu Ying and her sister-in-law turned pale with fright.
Yu Ying had been here for nearly half a year; though life was tough and she had encountered fierce wild boars, this was her first time facing robbers. How could she not be afraid?
In her fear, she looked towards her elder brother, who was slowly gripping the pole on Uncle Chen's ox cart.
Feeling slightly reassured, Yu Ying also discreetly reached into her basket to find her small crossbow.
Seeing no way out, Uncle Chen anxiously said, "Honorable men, we will hand over all our money. Can we please buy our safety?"
One of the men, even taller than Fu Zhen, stood surrounded by his group, arms crossed. He glanced around the ox cart, his gaze finally settling on a woman with dark spots on her face.
He sneered and spoke, "You'll hand over the money, but I also want to teach someone here a lesson."
Everyone on the cart was stunned. After a moment, Yu Ying met the robber's gaze and realized the trouble was targeted at her.
Suppressing her panic, she feigned calmness and asked, "Is the person you want to teach a lesson to, me?"
Hearing her speak, the man laughed, "A wise one, you are. Come with us, and promise to quit the medicinal herb business. We'll let you go in a couple of days."
Uncle Chen instantly understood, realizing that Madam Yu's business had blocked someone else's financial path!
Uncle Chen hurriedly said, "Honorable men, if this lady has offended anyone, please speak on her behalf. She will pay you with silver as gratitude. Please spare her this time."
Another person on the cart, in fear, blurted out, "Uncle Chen, why plead for this woman? It's clear she's brought this upon us!"
The leader ignored them both, instead focusing on the woman, and sternly said, "If you follow us quietly, we won't be rough. But if you resist, none of you will leave here!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Zhen gripped the pole and jumped down from the cart, his face dark and stern as he stared at the leader of the robbers.
The leader raised an eyebrow, mockingly said, "Oh, look here, someone who isn't afraid to die. Fancying yourself a hero, are you?"
Wen Xing, seeing her husband leap off the ox cart, instantly turned pale and called out tremulously, "Darling..."
Yu Ying, taking advantage of the distraction her brother had created, swiftly and methodically loaded her crossbow with short arrows, using the items behind her and Uncle Chen's cover.
Fu Zhen confronted the leader with a steely gaze and instructed Uncle Chen in a firm voice, "If the situation allows, leave quickly, don't worry about me."
The leader, hearing this, laughed heartily as if hearing a joke, then disdainfully addressed Fu Zhen, "Do you really think you alone can take on the seven of us?"
Another man on the ox cart hurriedly disassociated himself, his voice shaking more and more, "I don't know them, I'm not involved! I'll give you all my money, just let me go, please?"
The leader glanced at him, "Try to leave, and see if I don't break your legs."
The man’s face turned instantly pale, then, looking at the women on the cart, he shouted angrily, "You, you jinx, get off the cart and go with them, stop bringing us trouble!"
Before Yu Ying could respond, the terrified sister-in-law shot him a fierce glare and snapped, "Shut your mouth!"
Yu Ying, after glancing at her sister-in-law, had already loaded her crossbow with the short arrows, taking a deep, silent breath.
Fu Zhen, calm and composed, negotiated with the leader, "Let's fight first. Whether I can handle you or not, we'll find out after the fight."
Hearing his words, all the masked robbers burst into laughter.
After their laughter subsided, the leader nodded and said dismissively, "Fine, fine, fine. If you alone can defeat the seven of us, we'll leave right away."
Fu Zhen's stance with the pole shifted in an instant, resembling a warrior wielding a long spear, his gaze transforming as well.
Yu Ying swallowed nervously, gripping her sister-in-law's hand tightly as she anxiously watched her brother.
Fu Wei, almost daily, would review and critique Fu Zhen's spear techniques, suggesting improvements and rigorous practice.
Fu Zhen, already strong, had been diligently practicing for nearly two months. Although Fu Wei still found him lacking, Yu Ying thought he looked quite skilled.
Yu Ying's hand was on the crossbow inside her basket, resolved to act if her brother couldn't overpower the robbers.
The robbers, seeing Fu Zhen’s stance, couldn't help but laugh again. The leader casually signaled one of them to teach Fu Zhen a lesson.
A robber with a long stick approached carelessly, utterly disregarding the farmer-like figure in front of him.
Fu Zhen moved a few steps to an open space, readying himself for the confrontation.
The robber's eyes flashed with malice as he charged at Fu Zhen with his stick.
Fu Zhen's eyes narrowed sharply, and in an instant, his pole parried the robber's stick with stability and precision.
The robber was startled; the next moment, the pole vibrated, knocking his stick aside. Fu Zhen swiftly struck the robber's arms with the pole, causing the stick to drop instantly.
Falling into disadvantage after just three moves, the pole, like a spear, pressed against the robber's throat in the next instant.
The robber, with the pole at his neck, wore a look of disbelief.
The leader, who had been watching the spectacle, lost his casual demeanor and signaled two of his men with his eyes.
Understanding his cue, the two robbers, armed with long sticks, hurriedly charged forward.
Fu Zhen immediately dropped the pole and hooked up the round stick dropped by the robber with his foot, gripping it firmly.
Recalling the techniques taught by his younger brother, he calmly advanced to meet the attackers.
The first attacker, being overly complacent, was quickly defeated by Fu Zhen.
The next two were more cautious, but after some struggle, Fu Zhen managed to knock their sticks to the ground.
The leader, observing the situation, furrowed his brows tightly.
He hadn't been informed by the innkeeper that this woman had such a capable fighter by her side!
Seeing his two men defeated, the leader, along with the remaining three, charged forward.
As they swarmed him, Fu Zhen dared not relax his vigilance.
However, having only trained for less than two months, he soon took a hit from the leader's stick on his back, causing everyone on the cart to gasp in shock.
As another robber struck his leg, Yu Ying felt the urge to take out her crossbow.
But just as she was about to do so, her brother executed a swift counterattack, striking the leader's head with his stick.
Yu Ying quietly put the crossbow back down.
Fu Zhen seemed to grow more adept as he fought; the ordinary stick in his hands became a deadly weapon, moving swiftly and fluidly, dazzling onlookers.
After a minute and a half, some lay on the ground, while others clutched their arms and abdomens in pain.
The leader, clutching his head, no longer underestimated the farmer.
He declared, "I keep my promise!" then turned and shouted to his men, "Let's go!"
Fu Zhen, increasingly strained in his fight against the men, realized it was impossible to subdue them completely and bring them to the authorities.
As the robbers were about to leave, Yu Ying hastily asked, "Who exactly sent you?"
The leader turned back, glanced at her, and did not divulge the truth. He ominously replied, "Madam, you've blocked someone's way to wealth. Consider this a warning."
Saying so, he quickly helped his men to leave.
The men, supporting each other, only pulled down their face coverings once they were far away.
One asked, "Boss, are we really just leaving like this?"
The leader, nursing his aching head, retorted, "Do you think you can defeat that man? We seven couldn't beat him alone; it would be shameful to admit defeat!"
"But we still owe the medical hall a substantial amount. If we don't deliver a satisfactory result to Master Luo, it might be hard to explain."
The leader, pausing in his tracks and pondering for a moment, looked ahead and said, "Master Luo only wanted us to teach the woman a lesson, not necessarily to harm anyone."
Amidst his men's confusion, he continued, "Didn't they say the woman has planted a medicinal field..."
He turned to the three brothers who were less beaten, "You go and find out which field belongs to that woman. Trample all those seedlings at night."
The brothers hesitated, with one timidly saying, "But Lingshui Village is so desolate; fierce animals might emerge at night..."
The leader slapped his head, "Did I ask you to travel at night? Can't you go to Lingshui Village now, find a place to hide, do the deed at night, and return to Jade County early the next morning?"
Once the robbers truly left, except for Fu Zhen, everyone else felt as if they had been reborn after a calamity, instantly breathing a sigh of relief.
Wen Xing hurriedly climbed down from the ox cart and, trembling, approached her husband. Just as she was about to collapse, Fu Zhen quickly supported her.
"Darling, are you alright?"
Wen Xing, having watched her husband fight the robbers, was filled with fear and worry. She had been tense the whole time, and now that the crisis was over, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, even her voice trembling.
Fu Zhen, despite the pain in his back and legs, shook his head, "I'm fine."
He then lifted his wife and carried her back to the ox cart, casting a heavy glance at the other man on the cart.
The other man instinctively leaned back, swallowed nervously, and looked away, not daring to utter another word.
After taking a few breaths, Yu Ying relaxed her tense emotions and apologized to Uncle Chen, "I'm really sorry for alarming you, Uncle Chen, because of me."
Uncle Chen exhaled and said, "I've lived through more tumultuous times; today's incident is nothing. However, Madam Yu, it seems you have truly offended someone. It might be wise to find that person and negotiate peace."
Yu Ying nodded, "Thank you for your understanding and advice, Uncle Chen."
She turned to the other man, her tone apologetic, "I'll cover the fare for this ride for you, sir."
The man, aware of her uncle's formidable reputation, touched his nose awkwardly and with a mix of fear and embarrassment, said, "No need, no need."
Once everyone had calmed down, they continued their journey home.
Back in Lingshui Village, after repeatedly expressing her apologies to Uncle Chen, Yu Ying picked up her basket and, supporting her weary sister-in-law, headed home.
Meanwhile, Fu Zhen carried the object resembling a chair on his shoulder.
Luo's wife, busy feeding chickens with her two children, noticed her daughters-in-law entering the courtyard, one supporting the other who looked unwell. Seeing her son with the bulky item, she asked anxiously, "What happened?"
Not wanting to worry Luo's wife, they had agreed not to mention the encounter with the robbers.
Yu Ying explained, "Sister-in-law caught a chill and is feeling unwell."
Luo's wife immediately set down her wooden basin, "I'll go make some ginger soup to warm her up."
Fu Wei, hearing their voices, opened the door and saw their grave expressions, sensing that it was more than just a chill.
And moreover...
Fu Wei glanced at the large object on his elder brother's shoulder, pondering thoughtfully.
It was still early, and with such a large item, Elder Chen would surely help deliver it to their doorstep.
But now, with everyone looking solemn and Elder Chen not offering help, it seemed like something unexpected had happened.
Fu Zhen moved the bulky item into his second brother's house, then turned around to help his wife back home.
Yu Ying brought out a letter, saying, "This letter and the item wrapped in black cloth were delivered to Wu's restaurant by the officials, for you."
Fu Wei took the letter, glancing at the item wrapped in black cloth, feeling reassured.
After handing him the letter, Yu Ying sighed and sat down on a nearby bamboo stool to relax.
Fu Wei, not in a hurry to open it, looked at Yu Ying, who appeared tired, and asked softly, "What happened today?"
Yu Ying sighed again and recounted truthfully, "On our way back today, we encountered bandits. Fortunately, your brother has been practicing spear skills under your guidance these past two months, and he managed to drive the bandits away, sparing us from a robbery."
Hearing the word "bandits," Fu Wei's expression darkened: "Were those men targeting you?"
