Chapter 77.
After Yu Ying pushed Fu Wei into the courtyard, the family was startled by his disheveled appearance.
Fu Wei sighed inwardly, having been preoccupied with convincing the yamen runner, he had forgotten about his own appearance.
And seeing Yu Ying had made him so happy that he completely forgot about his state.
Mrs. Luo, who was hanging clothes, hurriedly dropped them and anxiously asked, "What happened to Erlang?"
When the courtyard gate closed, Fu Wei stood up from his wheelchair, showing no signs of serious harm, and calmly explained, "I fell from the palanquin on the way back. To avoid people discovering my leg condition, I had to fall with it."
Mrs. Luo, taken aback, stuttered, "But how did you fall?"
Yu Ying intervened, "Let me check where Erlang got hurt."
She didn't believe Fu Wei could fall from the wheelchair; she knew about its stability. Unless someone deliberately caused trouble, the wheelchair wouldn't fall.
Mrs. Luo quickly nodded, "Go and check on him."
Yu Ying and Fu Wei entered the room together, then closed the door and let down the window curtains.
Recalling last night's events, Yu Ying turned to look at Fu Wei behind her, ignoring his intense gaze, and asked, "Where are you hurt?"
Fu Wei started to say, "Actually, it’s..." He paused, swallowed the words 'nothing serious,' and corrected himself, "Just hurt my arm and shoulder."
Yu Ying was somewhat surprised; she had expected him to downplay his injuries as usual, but he answered directly this time.
Still, his response was casual, as if the injury was not his own.
Yu Ying frowned, "What do you mean 'just' your arm and shoulder? Surely you don't want to hurt your legs too?"
There was concern in her tone, and Fu Wei warmly smiled, replying, "I know my limits."
Hearing him say he knew his limits, Yu Ying realized there was something unusual about his injury.
But the priority was to check his arm. She set aside her suspicions for the moment and said, "Sit down and let me see where you're hurt."
Fu Wei hesitated briefly but began to loosen his clothing.
To make him more comfortable, Yu Ying said, "I'll go outside and fetch some cold water."
After speaking, she left the room to get the water.
Luo, seeing her come out, anxiously asked about Second Young Master's condition.
Knowing Fu Wei didn’t want Luo and the others to worry, Yu Ying said, "It's nothing serious, just some bruises. I'm getting some well water for a cold compress."
Hearing this, Fu Zhen immediately stood up to fetch well water.
By the time Yu Ying entered the room with the water, Fu Wei had already taken off his outer shirt, wearing only a thin undershirt.
He sat upright on the bed, his back straight, rolling up the loose sleeves above his shoulders.
After months of recuperation, Fu Wei's arms were no longer as thin as when Yu Ying first met him. Now, the muscles on his arms were well-proportioned and healthy-looking.
Everything seemed fine except for bruises on his forearm, upper arm, and a spot slightly below the shoulder.
Perhaps it hadn't been long, as the bruises had not yet dispersed.
One glance at the shape of the bruises revealed they were not from a fall, but from being hit, likely with a stick.
Yu Ying placed the basin on the floor and dipped her hands into the freshly drawn well water, shivering from the icy chill.
As she gradually got used to the cold water, she wrung out the cloth to semi-dryness, then stood up. Seeing that it was inconvenient for Fu Wei to apply the compress while sitting, she suggested, "You should lie on your side."
Fu Wei, hearing this, lay down.
Yu Ying applied the cold cloth to his arm, and seeing him in thin clothes, pulled over a quilt, asking him to lift his arm so she could cover him.
Then, she wrung two more cloths and placed them over the other two bruises.
Fu Wei watched her with careful and serious attention, his gaze never leaving her.
Yu Ying was well aware of his intense gaze. Wanting to ignore it but finding it too intense to do so, she finally turned to him and said, "I know you miss me, but you should restrain yourself a bit."
Fu Wei shifted his gaze as she suggested, but a faint smile still lingered on his face.
He spoke slowly, "I missed you greatly. Every day I wondered when you would return, when I would see you again."
They used to spend almost every day and night under the same roof. Even when one was in Yu County and the other in Lingshui Village, he felt as though they were miles apart.
Not to mention her half-month trip to the county seat. As the saying goes, 'a day apart seems like three years'; these eighteen days felt like eighteen long years to him.
"Cough cough..."
Yu Ying was caught off guard by his words and quickly averted her gaze, saying, "Don't talk; you're distracting me."
Fu Wei smiled and remained silent.
Applying a few compresses was a matter of moments.
When Yu Ying turned to get a stool from the table, she secretly exhaled a warm breath and calmed her fluttering heartbeat before placing the stool beside the bed to sit down.
She looked at Fu Wei's arm and said, "I'll change it for a fresh one after half a moment."
Her gaze moved from his arm to his face, asking, "Who hit you?"
Fu Wei, neither wanting nor intending to conceal it from her, truthfully replied, "Luo Dianshi, the younger brother of the owner of Luo's Medical Hall."
Yu Ying's expression changed slightly, "He really hit you?!"
After the surprise, she quickly asked, "Why weren't you prepared for him?"
Fu Wei: "I let him hit me on purpose."
Startled by his admission, Yu Ying narrowed her eyes slightly, speculating, "A ploy to gain sympathy?"
"A mix of feigning injury, reverse psychology, and a strategy of seeming to allow the capture," added Fu Wei, listing two more tactics.
Confused, Yu Ying asked, "What’s going on?"
Fu Wei explained, "I've been in the county office for about twenty days and have gradually understood its dynamics, including the background of the other assistants. Mr. Qian is talented but aloof, not keen on socializing, so people in the office find him difficult to approach. Mr. Sun, knowing his own limitations, is adept at winning people over, thus he's well-regarded in the office."
"Honestly, for a magistrate like Zhou, having too many assistants can invite speculation, so he typically keeps only one or two. Mr. Qian, being an old associate, holds a special bond with him and won't be let go. Mr. Sun, however, was hired to help the magistrate acclimate to Yu County. Three years have passed, and his role has been fulfilled. Knowing this, Mr. Sun has been working to secure his position in the office."
Understanding dawned on Yu Ying, "So, with your arrival, one of the two might have to leave, and that would be Mr. Sun. Knowing you are here, his days are numbered, so he incited Luo Dianshi against you?"
Living in an era of widespread internet access, Yu Ying had wide knowledge and had seen such scenarios often.
Fu Wei was somewhat surprised by her quick understanding but found it natural. He nodded, "Luo Dianshi is now unsuccessful and dispirited, easy to manipulate. They probably thought breaking my hand would force me to leave or at least scare me away."
Yu Ying frowned at the mention of breaking his hand, "So you knowingly let Luo Dianshi attack you, to use your injury as a strategy to win him over, forgive him, and gradually dissolve his hostility towards you? And the reverse psychology to make him trust and then doubt Mr. Sun?"
Fu Wei smiled, "Not just him, but also Officer Huo and the patrolling officers. Or rather, I aim to win over everyone in the county office."
Yu Ying fell silent for a moment, neither supporting nor opposing his tactics. She only cautioned, "Don’t use such tactics without being fully prepared. What if you really hurt your hand?"
Fu Wei explained, "It wasn’t without preparation. Magistrate Zhou asked me to find a way to have Mr. Sun leave the office. If Mr. Sun leaves, I stay in two months; if not, I leave."
"When Mr. Sun invited me for drinks, I guessed he might incite Luo Dianshi to attack me. So, I requested the magistrate to order extra patrols inside and outside the office after the shift. Officer Huo, after attending the banquet, had been discreetly watching Luo Dianshi, perhaps fearing he'd make a mistake. If Luo Dianshi acted, it would be quickly noticed."
Concluding, he looked at Yu Ying, "I wasn’t unprepared."
Hearing his arrangements, Yu Ying smiled helplessly, then shared a knowing look and laughed with him.
After a moment, Yu Ying sobered up and said earnestly, "Since you’re prepared, follow your plan, but be careful."
Fu Wei nodded, then asked her, "What happened while you were in the county seat?"
Recalling the person he had seen earlier, he added, "What about Song Sanlang?"
After Yu Ying stood up to change the cold compress for him, she began to recount the events that transpired in the county seat.
She explained that they didn't collaborate with the medical hall but set up a small stall instead, and Song Sanlang stayed in the county seat to run the stall.
Fu Wei listened attentively and, after hearing everything, smiled, "If you really make a name for yourselves, leaving the shop won’t be far off."
Yu Ying laughed lightly, "We've just started the stall, and you're already planning a shop for me, like getting fat without eating."
"Step by step, with caution, there will be rewards."
Yu Ying hummed softly in agreement and, seeing it was about time, stood up to remove the cloth from his arm, then said, "I brought back something for everyone. I'll give it to you after dinner."
Picking up the basin, she advised, "Rest for a while."
Saying this, she carried the basin out of the room.
Soon, Fu Zhen, having washed up, entered the room and said to his brother lying on the bed, "I might have to share the room with you tonight."
Fu Wei thought to himself that if Ah Ying were also staying in the same room, he would definitely offer money for his elder brother and sister-in-law to stay elsewhere.
But obviously, that wasn’t possible.
He propped himself up in bed and asked, "There were no accidents on your trip to the county seat, were there?"
Fu Wei was still worried, suspecting Yu Ying might only share good news and hide any troubles.
Fu Zhen, knowing what his brother was really asking, sat down on a stool beside the bed and replied, "Sister-in-law had a lot on her hands, not easy at all, but fortunately, there were no major troubles."
Hearing this, Fu Wei finally felt relieved.
Fu Zhen pondered for a moment before asking, "I know you didn’t fall. What exactly happened?"
Fu Wei responded, "Although it wasn't a fall, it was within my calculations, so there's no need to worry excessively."
Fu Zhen remained silent for a bit, then said, "As long as you have everything under control, I won't pry. But if you need anything, just tell me."
"Actually, there is something. I was hoping to discuss it with you, elder brother."
Fu Zhen was taken aback, then listened as Fu Wei said, "Next spring, there will be a selection for officers in the government office. I want you to participate."
"Me, participate in the officer selection?"
Fu Wei affirmed, "It's most fitting for you to participate, elder brother."
“But what if my wife needs to go to the county seat again?”
After pondering, Fu Wei said, “If she goes, you can request leave.”
Fu Zhen frowned, puzzled, "Is it that casual in the government office?"
"Of course not, but the magistrate, being from a military background, highly values talent, especially..." Fu Wei looked his brother up and down, then continued, "Someone of your stature, strong, and with some skills."
Continuing, Fu Wei added, "It's perfect since you're in Yu County and I can move around now. I can teach you other techniques. Every three days, elder brother, you should come to Yu County, and it will be convenient for me to train you."
Now, with high walls surrounding their small courtyard in Yu County, they could practice spear techniques without drawing attention.
Fu Wei had this in mind, but after taking out a stick and being met with a meaningful look from Yu Ying at his arm, he conscientiously told his brother they would continue next time.
After a brief rest, the group who had hurried back from the county seat started to help out.
Yu Ying entered the kitchen and found that Luo had bought a pig's foot and a two-pound fish at some point.
Luo said, “You’ve all been busy for nearly half a month. I bought a pig's trotter to help you replenish.”
Yu Ying, sensing the implication of 'replenishing what’s lacking,' smiled wryly and then said, “I know how to cook this, I'll do it.”
Luo handed over the pig's trotter for Yu Ying to handle.
Yu Ying knocked off the hoof cap and asked her elder brother to chop the trotter in half with a cleaver, break the bones, then place it on a few sticks laid over the brazier to burn off the hair and the porky smell.
After a while, the trotter turned slightly black. Yu Ying washed it thoroughly in two basins of water, scraping off any remaining bits on the skin.
While her elder brother was chopping the trotter, Yu Ying and Fu Ning went to the grocery store to get some vinegar, sugar, and a small packet of pickled green plums.
Back home, she blanched the trotter, adding slices of ginger and wine to the water. When it boiled, she skimmed off the froth, then rinsed the trotter in cold water.
Ready to cook, she added some sugar and oil to the pot. Once the sugar caramelized, she put in the trotter until it changed color, then added some soy sauce, salt, and wine for stir-frying.
When it became fragrant, she added three bowls of water, enough to cover the trotter, and added four pickled green plums to braise.
After about half an hour, when the water in the pot had reduced, Yu Ying added three spoonfuls of mild black vinegar and stirred. The lightly colored trotter instantly took on a red hue, deepening as she stirred.
She covered the pot, waiting for the sauce to reduce further.
When finally served, the long-stewed trotter was tender and springy, with an appealing color and rich aroma that stimulated the appetite.
As Yu Ying placed it on the table, two little but enthusiastic fans stared unblinkingly, exclaiming in unison with elongated awe.
Yu Ying playfully tapped their noses, saying, “Auntie's specialty dish is served.”
Fu An looked up excitedly, guessing, “I know this dish, it’s braised pork trotter, right!?”
Yu Ying shook her head, “It’s sweet and sour pork trotter.”
The dining table had a large pot of trotters and a fish, along with a vegetarian dish, more than enough for their family of seven.
The trotter, a favorite for everyone, was perfectly balanced in sweetness and sourness, tender and fragrant, not greasy at all.
The two children ate so much their bellies were round, complaining of being overstuffed. Yu Ying had to gently massage their bellies to aid digestion.
After the massage, she took them out for a walk.
When they returned, the sky had already turned dusky.
Oil lamps were lit in the main room, and the family gathered there. Yu Ying and her sister-in-law brought out the items they had purchased in the county seat.
There was something for everyone.
For Luo, it was a piece of cloth.
Fu Wei's gift was twenty sheets of paper and two pens.
Yu Ying explained to him, "Paper costs five coins per sheet in Yu County, but only three in the county seat. I thought you would need it, so I bought twenty sheets. The pens there are also better and cheaper than those in Yu County. Your old pen is fraying, so I got you two new ones."
Fu An and Fu Ning had been eagerly waiting for their gifts, their faces full of anticipation as they looked at their aunt.
Seeing their expectant eyes, Yu Ying smiled, "Of course, I haven’t forgotten about you two."
She then took out another pen and five sheets of paper from the parcel, "This is for Fu An."
Fu An was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed in surprise, "Really for me? Not for my uncle?"
"Your uncle has his; this is for you."
Fu An accepted the gift with a mix of shock and joy.
He had always been hesitant to touch his uncle’s pen and ink and practiced writing on the ground - though he was still reluctant to use these new ones, his happiness was unaffected.
Lastly, it was little Fu Ning's turn to receive his gift.
Yu Ying looked towards her sister-in-law and said to Fu Ning, "Your gift, your mother bought it for you."
Hearing this, Fu Ning turned to look at her mother.
Wen Xing took out a small stuffed toy she had hidden behind her.
Seeing the stuffed toy, Fu Ning's eyes lit up instantly. She dashed towards her mother and took the toy.
Holding the toy tightly, she looked up, grinned, and said softly to her mother, "Thank you, Mom."
Wen Xing couldn't help but smile tenderly.
The gentle light of the Tang house shone on everyone's joyous faces.
After the gifts were distributed, Fu Wei called Yu Ying into the room and said, "The magistrate is ready to implement the cultivation of slopes for soybeans and medicinal herbs."
Yu Ying, hearing this, asked, "Does that mean I can rent land now?"
Fu Wei nodded, "Even if you don’t have enough money, the government office will allow a one-year grace period before collecting rent."
Yu Ying said, "I can afford to rent ten more acres of slope land that only require silver, not grain."
She had set aside enough money for renting land and hiring help, not much, but just enough.
After discussing this, Yu Ying remembered her sister-in-law’s issue and brought it up with Fu Wei.
Then she added, "Could you check if you can find out where my sister-in-law’s aunt’s family is now?"
Surprised to learn of his elder brother and sister-in-law's ordeal, Fu Wei nodded, "I'll inquire about it during my duty tomorrow. Cases like theirs should be easier to track. Once I find their whereabouts..." He paused, looked at her, and asked, "What do you want to do?"
Yu Ying, usually gentle, showed rare indignation, "After all the suffering my sister-in-law endured for three years, we can't let them off without making them pay dearly."
Seeing her uncharacteristically fierce expression, Fu Wei smiled, "Alright, I'm with you. We'll make them pay."
Yu Ying blinked and then clarified, "I meant financially exploit them, just in terms of money."
Fu Wei slightly shook his head, "Their actions are against the law, and considering the previous magistrate was removed for corruption and bribery, they can't escape punishment."
Yu Ying's face lit up with satisfaction at his words, "That would be ideal. My sister-in-law will be happy to hear this."
"I'll go tell her right now," she said.
Watching her leave with a radiant smile, Fu Wei couldn't help but smile too.
He could tell that her trip to the county seat had brought her closer to her sister-in-law. Their relationship seemed more like close friends now, rather than just in-laws.
As night deepened, the family had to adjust their sleeping arrangements due to limited space – Fu Wei and Fu Zhen shared one room with the children, while the four women squeezed into the other. They added two long bamboo stools next to the bed for extra space.
After managing through the night, the next day Yu Ying and her elder brother's family returned to Lingshui Village.
Back in Lingshui Village, Yu Ying rested for a while before checking on the medicinal fields.
The fields, tended by Uncle He and his family, were in excellent condition. The two hired workers hadn’t slacked off either; the herbs had grown significantly and there were hardly any weeds.
Returning from the fields, Yu Ying started to roughly calculate the expenses of the trip to the county seat and the profits from the stall.
After balancing everything, they ended up with an extra two hundred coins.
Yu Ying didn’t keep any of the money for herself, instead giving it all to her elder brother and sister-in-law: “You’ve been busy helping me without a single complaint; I’m truly grateful.”
Pushing two portions of the money towards them, she said, “This is the compensation for lost work I promised earlier. When Song Sanlang returns and we deduct his share, the remaining profit will be divided to give you each a ten percent share, as we agreed.”
Fu Zhen, upon hearing this, frowned and said, “Mar and I didn’t do much, how can we ask for more? We are content with just the ten percent profit.”
Yu Ying insisted, “One tenth each. After all, I only supplied the medicinal ingredients. You did most of the work, like rendering the fat, grinding the herbs, and cooking the ointment, not to mention managing the other miscellaneous tasks.”
Concluding, Yu Ying did the math for them: “Even after paying Song Sanlang four and six coins, and your ten percent share, I still make the lion's share of the profit.”
She planned to continue making the ointment, and during busy times, she couldn’t manage it all alone, so their share was well deserved.
Moreover, considering the profit from ten jars of the more expensive ointment, after simple deductions like rent and Song Sanlang's cut, the lowest profit still amounted to about one hundred sixty to seventy coins.
Giving each of them seventeen coins, she still had around one hundred thirty coins for herself.
Based on the few days of stall operation in the county seat, they could easily sell around one hundred jars a month.
The profit from this venture was self-explanatory.
After Yu Ying had simply explained the finances to them, they accepted the money.
In the end, they returned one hundred fifty of the two hundred coins to her.
They had already received enough kindness from their sister-in-law and didn't want to keep owing her money. Thus, they were always thinking of repaying the debt for their freedom as soon as possible.
Chapter 77.
After Yu Ying pushed Fu Wei into the courtyard, the family was startled by his disheveled appearance.
Fu Wei sighed inwardly, having been preoccupied with convincing the yamen runner, he had forgotten about his own appearance.
And seeing Yu Ying had made him so happy that he completely forgot about his state.
Mrs. Luo, who was hanging clothes, hurriedly dropped them and anxiously asked, "What happened to Erlang?"
When the courtyard gate closed, Fu Wei stood up from his wheelchair, showing no signs of serious harm, and calmly explained, "I fell from the palanquin on the way back. To avoid people discovering my leg condition, I had to fall with it."
Mrs. Luo, taken aback, stuttered, "But how did you fall?"
Yu Ying intervened, "Let me check where Erlang got hurt."
She didn't believe Fu Wei could fall from the wheelchair; she knew about its stability. Unless someone deliberately caused trouble, the wheelchair wouldn't fall.
Mrs. Luo quickly nodded, "Go and check on him."
Yu Ying and Fu Wei entered the room together, then closed the door and let down the window curtains.
Recalling last night's events, Yu Ying turned to look at Fu Wei behind her, ignoring his intense gaze, and asked, "Where are you hurt?"
Fu Wei started to say, "Actually, it’s..." He paused, swallowed the words 'nothing serious,' and corrected himself, "Just hurt my arm and shoulder."
Yu Ying was somewhat surprised; she had expected him to downplay his injuries as usual, but he answered directly this time.
Still, his response was casual, as if the injury was not his own.
Yu Ying frowned, "What do you mean 'just' your arm and shoulder? Surely you don't want to hurt your legs too?"
There was concern in her tone, and Fu Wei warmly smiled, replying, "I know my limits."
Hearing him say he knew his limits, Yu Ying realized there was something unusual about his injury.
But the priority was to check his arm. She set aside her suspicions for the moment and said, "Sit down and let me see where you're hurt."
Fu Wei hesitated briefly but began to loosen his clothing.
To make him more comfortable, Yu Ying said, "I'll go outside and fetch some cold water."
After speaking, she left the room to get the water.
Luo, seeing her come out, anxiously asked about Second Young Master's condition.
Knowing Fu Wei didn’t want Luo and the others to worry, Yu Ying said, "It's nothing serious, just some bruises. I'm getting some well water for a cold compress."
Hearing this, Fu Zhen immediately stood up to fetch well water.
By the time Yu Ying entered the room with the water, Fu Wei had already taken off his outer shirt, wearing only a thin undershirt.
He sat upright on the bed, his back straight, rolling up the loose sleeves above his shoulders.
After months of recuperation, Fu Wei's arms were no longer as thin as when Yu Ying first met him. Now, the muscles on his arms were well-proportioned and healthy-looking.
Everything seemed fine except for bruises on his forearm, upper arm, and a spot slightly below the shoulder.
Perhaps it hadn't been long, as the bruises had not yet dispersed.
One glance at the shape of the bruises revealed they were not from a fall, but from being hit, likely with a stick.
Yu Ying placed the basin on the floor and dipped her hands into the freshly drawn well water, shivering from the icy chill.
As she gradually got used to the cold water, she wrung out the cloth to semi-dryness, then stood up. Seeing that it was inconvenient for Fu Wei to apply the compress while sitting, she suggested, "You should lie on your side."
Fu Wei, hearing this, lay down.
Yu Ying applied the cold cloth to his arm, and seeing him in thin clothes, pulled over a quilt, asking him to lift his arm so she could cover him.
Then, she wrung two more cloths and placed them over the other two bruises.
Fu Wei watched her with careful and serious attention, his gaze never leaving her.
Yu Ying was well aware of his intense gaze. Wanting to ignore it but finding it too intense to do so, she finally turned to him and said, "I know you miss me, but you should restrain yourself a bit."
Fu Wei shifted his gaze as she suggested, but a faint smile still lingered on his face.
He spoke slowly, "I missed you greatly. Every day I wondered when you would return, when I would see you again."
They used to spend almost every day and night under the same roof. Even when one was in Yu County and the other in Lingshui Village, he felt as though they were miles apart.
Not to mention her half-month trip to the county seat. As the saying goes, 'a day apart seems like three years'; these eighteen days felt like eighteen long years to him.
"Cough cough..."
Yu Ying was caught off guard by his words and quickly averted her gaze, saying, "Don't talk; you're distracting me."
Fu Wei smiled and remained silent.
Applying a few compresses was a matter of moments.
When Yu Ying turned to get a stool from the table, she secretly exhaled a warm breath and calmed her fluttering heartbeat before placing the stool beside the bed to sit down.
She looked at Fu Wei's arm and said, "I'll change it for a fresh one after half a moment."
Her gaze moved from his arm to his face, asking, "Who hit you?"
Fu Wei, neither wanting nor intending to conceal it from her, truthfully replied, "Luo Dianshi, the younger brother of the owner of Luo's Medical Hall."
Yu Ying's expression changed slightly, "He really hit you?!"
After the surprise, she quickly asked, "Why weren't you prepared for him?"
Fu Wei: "I let him hit me on purpose."
Startled by his admission, Yu Ying narrowed her eyes slightly, speculating, "A ploy to gain sympathy?"
"A mix of feigning injury, reverse psychology, and a strategy of seeming to allow the capture," added Fu Wei, listing two more tactics.
Confused, Yu Ying asked, "What’s going on?"
Fu Wei explained, "I've been in the county office for about twenty days and have gradually understood its dynamics, including the background of the other assistants. Mr. Qian is talented but aloof, not keen on socializing, so people in the office find him difficult to approach. Mr. Sun, knowing his own limitations, is adept at winning people over, thus he's well-regarded in the office."
"Honestly, for a magistrate like Zhou, having too many assistants can invite speculation, so he typically keeps only one or two. Mr. Qian, being an old associate, holds a special bond with him and won't be let go. Mr. Sun, however, was hired to help the magistrate acclimate to Yu County. Three years have passed, and his role has been fulfilled. Knowing this, Mr. Sun has been working to secure his position in the office."
Understanding dawned on Yu Ying, "So, with your arrival, one of the two might have to leave, and that would be Mr. Sun. Knowing you are here, his days are numbered, so he incited Luo Dianshi against you?"
Living in an era of widespread internet access, Yu Ying had wide knowledge and had seen such scenarios often.
Fu Wei was somewhat surprised by her quick understanding but found it natural. He nodded, "Luo Dianshi is now unsuccessful and dispirited, easy to manipulate. They probably thought breaking my hand would force me to leave or at least scare me away."
Yu Ying frowned at the mention of breaking his hand, "So you knowingly let Luo Dianshi attack you, to use your injury as a strategy to win him over, forgive him, and gradually dissolve his hostility towards you? And the reverse psychology to make him trust and then doubt Mr. Sun?"
Fu Wei smiled, "Not just him, but also Officer Huo and the patrolling officers. Or rather, I aim to win over everyone in the county office."
Yu Ying fell silent for a moment, neither supporting nor opposing his tactics. She only cautioned, "Don’t use such tactics without being fully prepared. What if you really hurt your hand?"
Fu Wei explained, "It wasn’t without preparation. Magistrate Zhou asked me to find a way to have Mr. Sun leave the office. If Mr. Sun leaves, I stay in two months; if not, I leave."
"When Mr. Sun invited me for drinks, I guessed he might incite Luo Dianshi to attack me. So, I requested the magistrate to order extra patrols inside and outside the office after the shift. Officer Huo, after attending the banquet, had been discreetly watching Luo Dianshi, perhaps fearing he'd make a mistake. If Luo Dianshi acted, it would be quickly noticed."
Concluding, he looked at Yu Ying, "I wasn’t unprepared."
Hearing his arrangements, Yu Ying smiled helplessly, then shared a knowing look and laughed with him.
After a moment, Yu Ying sobered up and said earnestly, "Since you’re prepared, follow your plan, but be careful."
Fu Wei nodded, then asked her, "What happened while you were in the county seat?"
Recalling the person he had seen earlier, he added, "What about Song Sanlang?"
After Yu Ying stood up to change the cold compress for him, she began to recount the events that transpired in the county seat.
She explained that they didn't collaborate with the medical hall but set up a small stall instead, and Song Sanlang stayed in the county seat to run the stall.
Fu Wei listened attentively and, after hearing everything, smiled, "If you really make a name for yourselves, leaving the shop won’t be far off."
Yu Ying laughed lightly, "We've just started the stall, and you're already planning a shop for me, like getting fat without eating."
"Step by step, with caution, there will be rewards."
Yu Ying hummed softly in agreement and, seeing it was about time, stood up to remove the cloth from his arm, then said, "I brought back something for everyone. I'll give it to you after dinner."
Picking up the basin, she advised, "Rest for a while."
Saying this, she carried the basin out of the room.
Soon, Fu Zhen, having washed up, entered the room and said to his brother lying on the bed, "I might have to share the room with you tonight."
Fu Wei thought to himself that if Ah Ying were also staying in the same room, he would definitely offer money for his elder brother and sister-in-law to stay elsewhere.
But obviously, that wasn’t possible.
He propped himself up in bed and asked, "There were no accidents on your trip to the county seat, were there?"
Fu Wei was still worried, suspecting Yu Ying might only share good news and hide any troubles.
Fu Zhen, knowing what his brother was really asking, sat down on a stool beside the bed and replied, "Sister-in-law had a lot on her hands, not easy at all, but fortunately, there were no major troubles."
Hearing this, Fu Wei finally felt relieved.
Fu Zhen pondered for a moment before asking, "I know you didn’t fall. What exactly happened?"
Fu Wei responded, "Although it wasn't a fall, it was within my calculations, so there's no need to worry excessively."
Fu Zhen remained silent for a bit, then said, "As long as you have everything under control, I won't pry. But if you need anything, just tell me."
"Actually, there is something. I was hoping to discuss it with you, elder brother."
Fu Zhen was taken aback, then listened as Fu Wei said, "Next spring, there will be a selection for officers in the government office. I want you to participate."
"Me, participate in the officer selection?"
Fu Wei affirmed, "It's most fitting for you to participate, elder brother."
“But what if my wife needs to go to the county seat again?”
After pondering, Fu Wei said, “If she goes, you can request leave.”
Fu Zhen frowned, puzzled, "Is it that casual in the government office?"
"Of course not, but the magistrate, being from a military background, highly values talent, especially..." Fu Wei looked his brother up and down, then continued, "Someone of your stature, strong, and with some skills."
Continuing, Fu Wei added, "It's perfect since you're in Yu County and I can move around now. I can teach you other techniques. Every three days, elder brother, you should come to Yu County, and it will be convenient for me to train you."
Now, with high walls surrounding their small courtyard in Yu County, they could practice spear techniques without drawing attention.
Fu Wei had this in mind, but after taking out a stick and being met with a meaningful look from Yu Ying at his arm, he conscientiously told his brother they would continue next time.
After a brief rest, the group who had hurried back from the county seat started to help out.
Yu Ying entered the kitchen and found that Luo had bought a pig's foot and a two-pound fish at some point.
Luo said, “You’ve all been busy for nearly half a month. I bought a pig's trotter to help you replenish.”
Yu Ying, sensing the implication of 'replenishing what’s lacking,' smiled wryly and then said, “I know how to cook this, I'll do it.”
Luo handed over the pig's trotter for Yu Ying to handle.
Yu Ying knocked off the hoof cap and asked her elder brother to chop the trotter in half with a cleaver, break the bones, then place it on a few sticks laid over the brazier to burn off the hair and the porky smell.
After a while, the trotter turned slightly black. Yu Ying washed it thoroughly in two basins of water, scraping off any remaining bits on the skin.
While her elder brother was chopping the trotter, Yu Ying and Fu Ning went to the grocery store to get some vinegar, sugar, and a small packet of pickled green plums.
Back home, she blanched the trotter, adding slices of ginger and wine to the water. When it boiled, she skimmed off the froth, then rinsed the trotter in cold water.
Ready to cook, she added some sugar and oil to the pot. Once the sugar caramelized, she put in the trotter until it changed color, then added some soy sauce, salt, and wine for stir-frying.
When it became fragrant, she added three bowls of water, enough to cover the trotter, and added four pickled green plums to braise.
After about half an hour, when the water in the pot had reduced, Yu Ying added three spoonfuls of mild black vinegar and stirred. The lightly colored trotter instantly took on a red hue, deepening as she stirred.
She covered the pot, waiting for the sauce to reduce further.
When finally served, the long-stewed trotter was tender and springy, with an appealing color and rich aroma that stimulated the appetite.
As Yu Ying placed it on the table, two little but enthusiastic fans stared unblinkingly, exclaiming in unison with elongated awe.
Yu Ying playfully tapped their noses, saying, “Auntie's specialty dish is served.”
Fu An looked up excitedly, guessing, “I know this dish, it’s braised pork trotter, right!?”
Yu Ying shook her head, “It’s sweet and sour pork trotter.”
The dining table had a large pot of trotters and a fish, along with a vegetarian dish, more than enough for their family of seven.
The trotter, a favorite for everyone, was perfectly balanced in sweetness and sourness, tender and fragrant, not greasy at all.
The two children ate so much their bellies were round, complaining of being overstuffed. Yu Ying had to gently massage their bellies to aid digestion.
After the massage, she took them out for a walk.
When they returned, the sky had already turned dusky.
Oil lamps were lit in the main room, and the family gathered there. Yu Ying and her sister-in-law brought out the items they had purchased in the county seat.
There was something for everyone.
For Luo, it was a piece of cloth.
Fu Wei's gift was twenty sheets of paper and two pens.
Yu Ying explained to him, "Paper costs five coins per sheet in Yu County, but only three in the county seat. I thought you would need it, so I bought twenty sheets. The pens there are also better and cheaper than those in Yu County. Your old pen is fraying, so I got you two new ones."
Fu An and Fu Ning had been eagerly waiting for their gifts, their faces full of anticipation as they looked at their aunt.
Seeing their expectant eyes, Yu Ying smiled, "Of course, I haven’t forgotten about you two."
She then took out another pen and five sheets of paper from the parcel, "This is for Fu An."
Fu An was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed in surprise, "Really for me? Not for my uncle?"
"Your uncle has his; this is for you."
Fu An accepted the gift with a mix of shock and joy.
He had always been hesitant to touch his uncle’s pen and ink and practiced writing on the ground - though he was still reluctant to use these new ones, his happiness was unaffected.
Lastly, it was little Fu Ning's turn to receive his gift.
Yu Ying looked towards her sister-in-law and said to Fu Ning, "Your gift, your mother bought it for you."
Hearing this, Fu Ning turned to look at her mother.
Wen Xing took out a small stuffed toy she had hidden behind her.
Seeing the stuffed toy, Fu Ning's eyes lit up instantly. She dashed towards her mother and took the toy.
Holding the toy tightly, she looked up, grinned, and said softly to her mother, "Thank you, Mom."
Wen Xing couldn't help but smile tenderly.
The gentle light of the Tang house shone on everyone's joyous faces.
After the gifts were distributed, Fu Wei called Yu Ying into the room and said, "The magistrate is ready to implement the cultivation of slopes for soybeans and medicinal herbs."
Yu Ying, hearing this, asked, "Does that mean I can rent land now?"
Fu Wei nodded, "Even if you don’t have enough money, the government office will allow a one-year grace period before collecting rent."
Yu Ying said, "I can afford to rent ten more acres of slope land that only require silver, not grain."
She had set aside enough money for renting land and hiring help, not much, but just enough.
After discussing this, Yu Ying remembered her sister-in-law’s issue and brought it up with Fu Wei.
Then she added, "Could you check if you can find out where my sister-in-law’s aunt’s family is now?"
Surprised to learn of his elder brother and sister-in-law's ordeal, Fu Wei nodded, "I'll inquire about it during my duty tomorrow. Cases like theirs should be easier to track. Once I find their whereabouts..." He paused, looked at her, and asked, "What do you want to do?"
Yu Ying, usually gentle, showed rare indignation, "After all the suffering my sister-in-law endured for three years, we can't let them off without making them pay dearly."
Seeing her uncharacteristically fierce expression, Fu Wei smiled, "Alright, I'm with you. We'll make them pay."
Yu Ying blinked and then clarified, "I meant financially exploit them, just in terms of money."
Fu Wei slightly shook his head, "Their actions are against the law, and considering the previous magistrate was removed for corruption and bribery, they can't escape punishment."
Yu Ying's face lit up with satisfaction at his words, "That would be ideal. My sister-in-law will be happy to hear this."
"I'll go tell her right now," she said.
Watching her leave with a radiant smile, Fu Wei couldn't help but smile too.
He could tell that her trip to the county seat had brought her closer to her sister-in-law. Their relationship seemed more like close friends now, rather than just in-laws.
As night deepened, the family had to adjust their sleeping arrangements due to limited space – Fu Wei and Fu Zhen shared one room with the children, while the four women squeezed into the other. They added two long bamboo stools next to the bed for extra space.
After managing through the night, the next day Yu Ying and her elder brother's family returned to Lingshui Village.
Back in Lingshui Village, Yu Ying rested for a while before checking on the medicinal fields.
The fields, tended by Uncle He and his family, were in excellent condition. The two hired workers hadn’t slacked off either; the herbs had grown significantly and there were hardly any weeds.
Returning from the fields, Yu Ying started to roughly calculate the expenses of the trip to the county seat and the profits from the stall.
After balancing everything, they ended up with an extra two hundred coins.
Yu Ying didn’t keep any of the money for herself, instead giving it all to her elder brother and sister-in-law: “You’ve been busy helping me without a single complaint; I’m truly grateful.”
Pushing two portions of the money towards them, she said, “This is the compensation for lost work I promised earlier. When Song Sanlang returns and we deduct his share, the remaining profit will be divided to give you each a ten percent share, as we agreed.”
Fu Zhen, upon hearing this, frowned and said, “Mar and I didn’t do much, how can we ask for more? We are content with just the ten percent profit.”
Yu Ying insisted, “One tenth each. After all, I only supplied the medicinal ingredients. You did most of the work, like rendering the fat, grinding the herbs, and cooking the ointment, not to mention managing the other miscellaneous tasks.”
Concluding, Yu Ying did the math for them: “Even after paying Song Sanlang four and six coins, and your ten percent share, I still make the lion's share of the profit.”
She planned to continue making the ointment, and during busy times, she couldn’t manage it all alone, so their share was well deserved.
Moreover, considering the profit from ten jars of the more expensive ointment, after simple deductions like rent and Song Sanlang's cut, the lowest profit still amounted to about one hundred sixty to seventy coins.
Giving each of them seventeen coins, she still had around one hundred thirty coins for herself.
Based on the few days of stall operation in the county seat, they could easily sell around one hundred jars a month.
The profit from this venture was self-explanatory.
After Yu Ying had simply explained the finances to them, they accepted the money.
In the end, they returned one hundred fifty of the two hundred coins to her.
They had already received enough kindness from their sister-in-law and didn't want to keep owing her money. Thus, they were always thinking of repaying the debt for their freedom as soon as possible.
