Chapter 5

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Jiang Yun was shoved to the ground, and even the aunt selling vegetables nearby couldn’t stand it any longer. She dropped her produce and shouted loudly, “Hey, shameless ones! You can’t even afford a bamboo shoot, yet you shove others around, bullying a young man like that?”

The two men—one fat, one thin—glanced nervously at each other when they heard the aunt’s outburst. They knew the bamboo shoots weren’t expensive; they were just used to getting things for free.

But seeing the young man was alone, and that no one was there to back him up, the two men grew bolder. They shamelessly retorted, “They were expensive to begin with, is that wrong? Mind your own business, old woman.”

The aunt was furious, but Jiang Yun got up from the ground, fighting back tears, and gripped her arm. “It’s okay, we’re few and can’t argue with you. Thank you.”

He was afraid that his troubles might bring trouble to the aunt, so he held back his anger.

Seeing Jiang Yun back down, the two men grew even more arrogant, preparing to leave with a swagger. Suddenly, a tall shadow loomed over them.

Gu Chengwu had arrived, still wearing his bamboo hat. His eyes were cold and indifferent, and the dagger at his waist gleamed faintly.

He looked coldly at the two men, immediately silencing them.

The plump man tried to pull the thin one away but was blocked by Gu Chengwu’s swift presence.

“Who… who are you?” the fat man stammered, his bravado instantly gone, his voice trembling and shrinking.

Who wouldn’t be scared when confronted by such a towering man, especially one with a knife at his waist and an inscrutable expression—a man clearly not to be trifled with.

Gu Chengwu stood firm like a mountain and said, “Return it.”

What exactly to return was obvious without needing to be said.

The fat man turned pale, all his earlier swagger vanished. If only he had known the bamboo shoot seller had a man with her, he wouldn’t have tried to take advantage!

In the end, they had no choice but to return the bamboo shoots. Jiang Yun did not take advantage either, returning the three wen in change.

Once the troublemakers left, the crowd that had gathered to watch the commotion dispersed.

The aunt selling vegetables covered her mouth in laughter, thinking she’d figured something out. She nudged Jiang Yun with her elbow. “You’re a lucky young man, to have such a strong and upright partner.”

Jiang Yun’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly explained, “N-no, he’s not…” But after the ordeal, his stammer worsened, and the words were hard to come by.

He stood there awkwardly, staring at the man who had just come to his aid.

Gu Chengwu glanced at him and said, “Hurry up, don’t keep Chen Bojiu waiting.”

It was nearly noon, the busiest time for street vendors selling vegetables. After the earlier commotion, people now knew bamboo shoots were being sold here, and the curious all rushed to buy them.

The last basket was left with a single bamboo shoot, which sold for sixty-three wen.

Jiang Yun had deliberately saved this one. He was not good at flattering words and somewhat shy; he gave the shoot to the aunt beside him. “Thank you… for helping me earlier.”

The aunt laughed heartily, thinking this young man was honest. Not wanting to be coy, she accepted it. Bamboo shoots were common in the countryside anyway. “Alright then, go back to your man quickly.”

Jiang Yun’s face flushed red as he lowered his head, “He’s not my man.”

The aunt thought he was just shy and didn’t press further. Smiling, she lifted her basket and turned to head home.

Jiang Yun returned beneath the big tree with a bag full of copper coins. Old Chen was feeding the cattle, while Gu Chengwu sat on the cart, wiping the dagger with his sleeve.

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He carried the dagger with him, clearly treasuring it.

Old Chen finished tying the cattle’s ropes, drove the ox cart, and called out, “Off we go, sit tight!”

The cart swayed as they set off on the road home.

Jiang Yun sat in the same spot as before, but his mood was different—perhaps because he had earned sixty-three wen, which brought him some comfort. Or perhaps he now saw Gu Chengwu in a different light, no longer feeling as fearful as before.

The wheels creaked along the road, a gentle breeze stirred their hair. On either side stretched lush green fields, where shepherd’s purse grew in abundance.

Neither spoke. Jiang Yun kept his gaze lowered, quietly watching the corner of his gray cloak. He was naturally reticent, prone to stammering, and over time had grown afraid to speak, fearing others might dislike him.

Suddenly, the man spoke: “Sold out?”

The empty basket on his back made it clear he was asking knowingly.

Jiang Yun nodded, also asking knowingly, “You… you sold the rabbits too.”

The man hummed in response, and the two tacitly fell silent.

Before they knew it, the ox cart had reached the village entrance. Under the big tree by the gate, several women were sitting on small stools, chatting idly.

Zhao Xiang from He Laoer’s household was among them. She was idle, and though it was nearly noon, she hadn’t gone home to cook, instead gossiping with the others.

From afar, she spotted two people on the ox cart but only recognized Jiang Yun.

Zhao Xiang curled her lips and said to an old woman nearby, “This Yun guy—well, besides not being as good-looking as Mo Ge’er, he can’t even speak properly. I reckon there’s something wrong with him,” she pointed to her head.

“Looks like he’ll have a hard time finding a husband. He’ll probably have to be supported by Liu Guihua.”

The old woman glanced at her and said, “I don’t think it’s as bad as you say. Yun isn’t very sharp, but he’s hardworking. Haven’t you seen him working in the fields day after day?”

Zhao Xiang frowned when the old woman didn’t agree with her, scooted her stool a little further away, and began chatting with another middle-aged man.

“If you ask me, he’s nothing compared to Mo Ge’er. Look at Mo Ge’er—so eloquent. He’d be a good match for my family’s nephew!”

Everyone knew Zhao Xiang’s intentions. The nephew was well known—over twenty, still single, idle all day, spending the family’s money wandering the streets with a shady crowd. Not a decent person at all.

She just wanted to benefit from Mo Ge’er’s mother’s money.

Everyone was well aware of this but kept quiet since they all lived in the same village. It was better to avoid conflict.

The cart stopped. Jiang Yun carefully carried the empty basket on his back, clutching his bag of coins tightly, afraid to drop them.

At this moment, Zhao Xiang noticed the other man on the cart—it was the one from the back mountain. She was startled and muttered, “Why’s that ominous fellow here?”

Most people knew Gu Chengwu, aware he had been to the battlefield and had taken lives. Who would want to provoke him?

Especially Zhao Xiang, who was always a bully to the weak. Upon seeing Gu Chengwu, she immediately silenced her gossip. Using the excuse, “It’s noon, I have to cook,” she quickly left.

Jiang Yun paid no mind to Zhao Xiang. Now, he was only focused on protecting his coins, hoping Liu Guihua and Jiang Mo wouldn’t see him on the way home.

But just as he reached the doorway, Liu Guihua glared at him with an ugly expression. Unsurprisingly, she started scolding him again, “Where have you been all this time? Why aren’t you back cooking? Are you trying to starve me to death?”

Jiang Yun pressed his lips and said nothing, setting down his basket and heading straight to the kitchen.

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Liu Guihua’s scolding continued in the front yard: “I’ve wasted years feeding you! The food I give you might as well be for the dog! All you do is laze around…”

Across the yard, Aunt Xu sighed, arranging some peppercorns drying in a basket. “I’m telling you, Liu family, keep your voice down. Yun usually works hard. What you’re saying is too harsh.”

Liu Guihua shouted back, louder than ever, “Mind your own business!”

Aunt Xu shook her head, disapproving of Liu Guihua’s behavior. She thought Yun had a hard life under his stepmother.

Liu Guihua constantly bragged about how hard it was to be a stepmother, praised Mo Ge’er, and belittled Yun, fooling many people.

Only those living nearby knew the truth: Yun did all the work for the family daily, not only going hungry and cold but also enduring contempt. The ones truly shirking responsibility were that mother and son.

Though Aunt Xu sympathized, it was still a family matter. She had no standing to intervene.

In the kitchen, Jiang Yun held the bag of coins close to his chest, feeling secure but also worried about where to hide the money.

He slept in the woodshed. Though Liu Guihua didn’t come often, there was nowhere to hide valuables without risk of discovery.

The porridge in the pot was ready. Jiang Yun quickly stir-fried some mustard greens, warmed some steamed buns, and ate with a bit of pickled vegetables.

Returning to the woodshed, he noticed a missing brick beneath his straw bedding. It was a hidden spot, unnoticed even with daily comings and goings, especially by the lazy Liu Guihua and Jiang Mo.

After stashing the money and ensuring no one had seen him, Jiang Yun finally felt at ease and went out to work.

It took about half an hour to walk from the west to the east side of the village. Jiang Yun scanned the roadside for any spring wild vegetables.

At the bridgehead, a man limped toward him, moving slowly.

Since coming to the countryside, Yu Ge’er had been curious about everything and often ran off to explore.

Seizing a moment when his family was busy studying, he sneaked out and happened to meet his good friend Jiang Yun, which made him excited.

Jiang Yun was startled and hurried to support him. “Aren’t you supposed to stay home and rest? Why are you out?”

“It’s dull at home, no one to talk to, and I can’t sit still. I don’t like embroidery. I just happened to run into you. Where are you going?”

“To the eastern fields. I’m going to scatter these seeds. Once they sprout, we can transplant them.”

Hearing this, Yu Ge’er’s eyes lit up. “I’ll go with you! When I was with my father in Liu County, I never worked in the fields.”

Jiang Yun smiled faintly, though his eyes were filled with envy.

For him, working the fields was hard labor. For someone like Yu Ge’er, whose life was simple and carefree, it was an adventure.

The two walked hand in hand toward the fields. Along the way, they passed a small hill—not tall, but enough to block the view of one side.

A dirt road led behind the hill, seldom traveled.

Jiang Yun had heard that the man from yesterday lived just behind that hill.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun instinctively slowed his pace and looked in that direction.

Yu Ge’er noticed and asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing, nothing. Let’s go.”