Qing Yanci Chapter Four

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Su Kang took a few taels of silver from the money pouch they had just retrieved from the thieves and handed it to Chen Xi. “This silver is both your medical fee and a token of gratitude for your bravery and help. It’s just a small sum, but I hope you’ll accept it so we can feel at ease.” Su Kang spoke sincerely.

Chen Xi glanced at Su Kang, sensing his earnestness, and replied, “You can just call me Zhao Chenxi, Young Master Su. I’ll accept it then. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Brother Su.” Saying this, Chen Xi felt a strange familiarity and suddenly recalled Su Xiu. Su Kang and Su Xiu shared some resemblance—they were half-siblings after all.

“Let us escort you part of the way! Brother Zhao, where is your home?” Su Kang asked earnestly.

“No need, Brother Su. My home is quite far, and I still need to buy a few things. I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” Chen Xi said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Come on, hurry up. Don’t dawdle; the sun’s almost setting,” Chen Xi noticed impatience in Su Jinran’s tone.

“Father, you take the carriage back first. I’ll see Brother Zhao off,” Su Kang gestured to his father and pointed to Chen Xi’s injured arm.

“Alright, I’ll head back first. Buy some things for this young brother. Thank you for today...” Su Jinran politely addressed Chen Xi.

“You’re too kind, Master Su, and thank you to you and Young Master Su as well...”

As Su Jinran’s carriage departed, Su Kang said to Chen Xi, “Let’s go buy the things you need. Afterward, I’ll send you back early.”

“First, let’s get some Spring Festival couplets for the New Year, then some oil, rice, soy sauce, vinegar, tea...”

After shopping, Su Kang helped Chen Xi buy these items. Chen Xi insisted on paying but was finally persuaded by Su Kang, who said, “Except for the couplets, the other goods come from our own shop, no charge. I’ve bought a pair of couplets for you. Don’t be so polite.”

Su Kang rented a carriage and hired several assistants because Chen Xi mentioned that their home was up the mountain. Considering the long journey and heavy load, they hired extra help.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, they reached the foot of the mountain, a trip that usually took one and a half incense sticks. The assistants and Su Kang carried the goods, all exhausted, reminiscent of the previous visit by Su Xiu and Sun Pengcheng.

Being men, they pushed through and carried the items all the way to Chen Xi’s home. After explaining the situation to Chen Xi’s mother and elder sister, Chen Xi’s mother expressed her heartfelt thanks to Su Kang.

Upon leaving, they were given mountain delicacies: fermented soybean paste and cured meat. They received four jars of the paste and over ten pounds of cured meat strips—considered the highest gift from mountain folk.

The assistants carried the gifts down the mountain with Su Kang.

Near dinner time, Su Kang returned by carriage. Liu Shi looked at the gifts her son carried and said, “What are these blackened things? Keep them away; they smell awful,” covering her nose with a handkerchief.

“Mother, these were gifts from a good friend today. I heard his family’s food is delicious. I even brought some for Sister Su Xiu.”

“Give it all to them then. Just looking at it spoils my appetite,” Liu Shi said coldly. She disliked both these gifts and Su Xiu’s mother and daughter. She thought, “Good, send unwanted things to unwanted people.”

Su Kang placed two jars of sauce and some cured meat in the kitchen and took the other two jars and more cured meat to Su Xiu.

“Second Madam, Sister Xiu, are you home?” “It’s Kang’er! We’re home, come in!” Wang Shi replied.

Though the mothers had their differences, the brother always stood on the side of justice, protecting his sister.

“I brought some delicacies for you, gifts from a friend: two jars of soybean paste and several pounds of cured meat. Let the little maid cook for you. Oh, Father will be home tonight, and so will my mother’s side. You can all enjoy it at dinner.”

If Su Jinran wasn’t home for dinner, Su Xiu’s and Su Kang’s families would eat separately. Mainly, Liu Shi was petty and couldn’t tolerate any slight.

“Brother, you’re here,” Su Xiu came out leisurely and suddenly spotted the jars of paste and cured meat on the table, eyes wide without blinking.

“Brother, did you... bring these?” Su Xiu couldn’t believe her eyes. These weren’t gifts from Chen Xi; they had been discarded by Sun Pengcheng.

Su Kang explained the whole story to Su Xiu, who immediately understood. It really was Chen Xi—truly kind, like sunlight, not only shining and warming himself but illuminating others. So thoughtful that even her brother wanted to be friends with him. How lucky would the woman be who married such a man! Su Xiu thought, though sadly, this lifetime was destined for missing out.

At dinner, Su Jinran, both wives of the two households, and their children sat together. As they ate, Xiao Hong brought a dish over, “What’s this smell? It’s fragrant!”

Su Jinran stared at the dish, saliva almost spilling.

“This is cured meat sent by Brother Zhao. We had the household cook prepare it. Everyone, try it!” Su Kang urged.

“Hmm, not bad. Though they’re mountain folk, the food they bring is decent,” Su Jinran said disdainfully, looking down on Chen Xi’s family for their poverty.

“Father, that’s unfair. After all, he helped you find the money pouch and got injured himself. Didn’t you always teach us to repay kindness?” Su Xiu’s words embarrassed Su Jinran, but she was right.

“Adults speak, you little girl shouldn’t interrupt. What you eat, wear, or use, isn’t it all from your father?” Liu Shi shot Wang Shi a glare. “Well...” Su Xiu was about to retort, but Wang Shi tugged her sleeve, signaling her to stop.

“Father, let’s have a drink. With so many delicacies today, we can have a few more cups...” Su Kang, sensing the tension, dared not defend his sister further. To argue more would be to slap Su Jinran’s face. He quickly changed the subject before things got out of hand.

“You’re right, Kang’er. Hurry and pour your father some wine,” Liu Shi praised her son, throwing a triumphant glance at Su Xiu and her mother, a proud smile on her face.

That meal was hard for Su Xiu; aside from the special cured meat from Chen Xi, the rest of the food was hard to swallow.

She felt hurt by her father’s demeanor. Gratitude and repayment of kindness had been his teachings since childhood, but now, as his business grew, he seemed like a different man.

After dinner, Su Xiu returned to her room, thinking about how both father and brother had met Chen Xi. If Chen Xi saw her dress, what would he think? Alas, she was to marry soon, and any other thoughts would have to be buried.

Time flew to the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Sun Pengcheng arrived by carriage to deliver the betrothal gifts for Su Xiu. Three days later, he was to marry her. Smiling faintly, he felt a bit happy.

The Su family elders had long awaited outside. Near noon, Sun Pengcheng’s carriage stopped at the Su family gate. The servants carried the gifts inside—so abundant that an ordinary family might not use them up in several generations.

During lunch, Su Xiu sat beside Sun Pengcheng, who gazed at her tenderly. Su Xiu looked uncomfortable; their feelings were shallow, and she hadn’t yet fully committed.

While everyone ate, Sun Pengcheng leaned close to Su Xiu’s ear and whispered, “Have you missed me these past few days?”

Su Xiu was shocked that he would say such flirtatious words in public. Her face flushed with some anger. She glared at him but said nothing, scaring Sun Pengcheng into silence.

They were watched by Su Jinran, who remarked, “Xiu’er has been conservative since childhood, never associating with other men except her brother. Dear son-in-law, please forgive her. Here, have a drink with me.” He tried to ease the situation.

“Here’s to you, father-in-law. I apologize for my rudeness!” Sun Pengcheng said.

“Truly, you’ve never been with another man? Does Zhao Chenxi count?” Su Jinran’s question recalled their last visit to Zhao Chenxi’s home. This old man probably didn’t even know Zhao Chenxi existed. Had Chen Xi not met them that day, would Su Xiu have revealed her identity as a girl to Zhao Chenxi? Or might something have happened between them? Or had it already? Zhao Chenxi was a thorn in Sun Pengcheng’s side, causing him headaches.

Su Kang noticed Sun Pengcheng’s frown as the future brother-in-law and struck up a conversation.

“Young Master Sun, is the wine too strong for you?”

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“A bit, but it’s fine,” Sun Pengcheng replied casually, hiding his restless thoughts.

“Later, there will be a delicacy you haven’t tried before. You can taste it,” Su Kang said, referring to the cured meat Chen Xi had sent.

“That’s great!” Sun Pengcheng feigned enthusiasm.

But when the dish arrived and he tasted it, he immediately recognized it as from Chen Xi’s family—they had made the same dish at Chen Xi’s home. Would Sun Pengcheng suspect Su Xiu had met Chen Xi again? Sun Pengcheng frowned, eating uneasily.

As Sun Pengcheng pondered, Xiao Hong brought the dish to the table, set it down, and left. The aroma was familiar and inviting.

“Master Sun, try some of this delicacy I mentioned,” Su Kang said eagerly.

Sun Pengcheng took a piece, chewed, and recognized the familiar recipe and taste. This was the cured meat he had discarded at the mountain foot—had Su Xiu sent someone to retrieve it? Or had they met again? Growing angrier, he stared at Su Xiu, demanding an explanation.

“Not tasty? Is it too salty?” Su Kang asked, noticing his displeasure.

“No, it’s just a flavor I’m not used to. Usually, the market doesn’t sell this kind of meat. Where is it from?” Sun Pengcheng inquired.

“It’s a gift from a friend, who also sent some soybean paste. It makes good side dishes,” Su Kang explained.

“Oh,” Sun Pengcheng replied thoughtfully. If the cured meat was a coincidence, adding the paste made it suspicious. This family was hiding something.

Su Xiu dared not meet his gaze. Though she was innocent, she was misunderstood. The dinner table was no place for explanations. Moreover, father and brother did not know Su Xiu and Chen Xi were classmates who had dined together. Explaining would only complicate matters. Su Xiu was troubled.

Seeing Su Xiu say nothing, suspecting the family was no ordinary one, Sun Pengcheng left after lunch, citing urgent matters.

Su Xiu’s family escorted him to the gate. “Uncle, Aunt, may I speak privately with Su Xiu?” Sun Pengcheng asked.

“Of course. Let’s go inside. Say what you need to,” Su Jinran said as everyone prepared to enter.

Liu Shi watched, thinking, “This girl’s marriage will be interesting,” and snorted before following.

“Peng, if there’s any misunderstanding with Xiu, clear it up,” Wang Shi worried.

“Aunt, it’s fine. I just want to say a few heartfelt words. Don’t worry,” Sun Pengcheng reassured.

“Alright, I’ll go in first.”

Once inside, Sun Pengcheng pulled Su Xiu aside. “I’ll ask only two questions: First, after we left Zhao Chenxi’s home, did you look for him again? Second, do you have a place for me in your heart?”

“Yes...” Su Xiu answered.

“Since that day, I haven’t seen him again,” she replied truthfully.

“And do you have a place for me?”

“Yes...” Su Xiu answered cautiously.

“Good. In two days, an eight-litter sedan chair will come to fetch you. Wait at home for me,” Sun Pengcheng slurred, lightly kissing Su Xiu’s cheek, which blushed deeply. Then he left by carriage without looking back.

He decided not to question the cured meat and paste further. He still wanted to believe in Su Xiu, though a lingering distrust remained.

Having drunk more than usual, Sun Pengcheng soon fell asleep in the carriage. A sudden jolt made him halt and crouch to vomit by the roadside. Afterward, he returned to the carriage and drifted into deep sleep as the fierce wind howled. The carriage curtains fluttered, chilling the sleeping Sun Pengcheng, but the alcohol kept him drowsy.

Normally, Sun Pengcheng rarely drank, even with Sun Yu. Usually, Sun Yu’s tolerance was better.

After more than an hour, the carriage stopped at the Sun residence. The driver called some male servants to help carry Sun Pengcheng inside.

“Hurry and get some sobering soup for the young master. How did he drink so badly? That little fox from the Su family must have bewitched him,” Lu Yiran angrily said. Soon, her personal maid Huan’er brought the prepared soup.

“I feel so... awful... Xiu... I feel terrible...” Sun Pengcheng muttered in bed, unsure if his pain was physical or mental. The bumpy, cold ride had left the usually strong man utterly drained.

“Pengcheng, open your mouth and drink the soup. It’ll help,” Lu Yiran said clearly, prioritizing his health over all else.

The household had a doctor, but he had gone home on leave due to family matters.

“Peng, what’s wrong? When did you get back? Didn’t you eat dinner at the Su home?” Sun Yu saw his son’s pained face and wondered if he’d drunk too much at the betrothal gift ceremony.

“Father, look at your son like this and still care about the betrothal gifts! Blame the Su family; I don’t know what they fed him,” Lu Yiran muttered, displeased.

“Ran, don’t talk nonsense. I’ve sent the servants to fetch the doctor. Get up; I’ll check on you,” Sun Yu said.

“Father, help me up. I want to... vomit... I feel awful...” Sun Pengcheng regained some consciousness. Sun Yu and Lu Yiran helped him sit up, while Huan’er prepared a basin. Sun Pengcheng felt dizzy, his stomach churning violently. With a loud “wah,” he vomited everything and collapsed weakly onto Sun Yu’s shoulder, fainting.

“Peng, don’t scare your father! What’s wrong? Your mother will be back soon. How do I explain this? You’ve always been fine...” Sun Yu wept.

“Father, lay him flat and cover him with a quilt. We’ll wait for the doctor,” Lu Yiran comforted him.

They laid Sun Pengcheng down and covered him. Lu Yiran placed a towel on his forehead to cool him.

“Master, Madam, the doctor is here,” Huan’er announced as she ran in.

“Get up and let the doctor examine him,” Sun Yu urged Lu Yiran aside.

The doctor checked Sun Pengcheng’s eyelids, lips, and took his pulse.

“Your son suffers from typhoid fever with severe wind-cold and a chilled stomach. I’ll prescribe several medicines. If he vomits after taking them, have him drink a little at a time, not forced. Rest is essential; he should recover in a few days. Master Sun, please send someone with me to collect the medicine.” Sun Yu stepped out to attend to someone.

The medicine was soon prepared. The servants instructed Huan’er on how to boil it, and she brought the warm decoction to Sun Pengcheng.

Lu Yiran fed him, but he vomited again. Remembering the doctor’s advice, she tried to give him small sips. She wept, “How can he get better? Why must he suffer so... sob...”

“Ran, don’t cry. I’m fine...” Sun Pengcheng slightly opened his eyes, tears streaming as he comforted Lu Yiran, “Why are you crying?” Lu Yiran wiped her eyes, hardly believing what she saw.

“I guess I was so sick I cried too. I’m feeling better now. You should rest in the west wing,” Sun Pengcheng said.

“I won’t leave you. I want to stay here. You sleep first!” Lu Yiran said.

Perhaps due to the medicine, Sun Pengcheng soon fell asleep again. Lu Yiran wiped his tears—the first time she had seen him cry.

“Peng, my son, how are you? I’ve been away all day. Why did you get sick?” Sun Pengcheng’s mother, Liu Shi, anxiously asked.

Liu Shi turned and offered three incense sticks to the Heavenly Sovereign of Great Compassion, murmuring prayers: “Infinite heaven and earth, boundless power, Great Compassion, bless and protect, I beseech the Heavenly Sovereign of Great Compassion, by the command of the Supreme Lord, bless my son to recover swiftly...” She repeated this thrice, imploring blessings. (The Heavenly Sovereign of Great Compassion is a deity from the Eastern Qinghua Chang Le realm, worshipped since before the Jin dynasty, known for alleviating suffering and granting blessings.)

In the middle of the night, Lu Yiran suddenly awoke, rubbed her sleepy eyes, and looked at the sleeping Sun Pengcheng. His fever had broken. Thanks to the medicine and divine blessing, her anxiety eased.

“Mother, may I speak privately? Don’t wake him,” Lu Yiran whispered to Liu Shi, explaining everything, though she exaggerated when speaking of Su Xiu.

“After sending the betrothal gifts, he’s this ill? They must have mistreated my son. I’m going to demand an explanation and reconsider the wedding on the eighteenth!” Liu Shi said angrily, blaming Su Xiu for her son’s illness.

“I’ll go with you,” Lu Yiran said, unwilling to let things go.

“What are you two doing? Come back! Two women causing a scene without knowing the facts? That’s shameful. Wait for Peng to wake and get the truth!” Sun Yu scolded them.

Sun Pengcheng slowly opened his eyes, seeing a kaleidoscope of colors, dazed. Then he realized his entire family surrounded him, startling him.

“Peng, you’re awake! You scared your mother half to death. What medicine did the Su family give you? You came back sick?” Liu Shi said, sitting beside him.

“Mother, stop fussing. It was just a mild cold. I’m much better now. What day is it today?”

“The seventeenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Your wedding was tomorrow, but now that you’re sick, should we postpone?”

“It’s an auspicious day. It can’t be postponed. I’m fine. Huan’er, bring me the medicine,” he insisted.

“Yes, Master. I’ll prepare it now, along with some porridge.”

Unable to dissuade him, they agreed to hold the wedding as planned.

The Su household also became busy, decorating inside and out with lanterns and banners. At night, Wang Shi entered her daughter’s room.

“Mother, sleep with me tonight. I don’t remember the last time we shared a bed. I really don’t want to let you go,” Su Xiu coaxed.

“All right, tonight I’ll stay. Have Xiao Hong bring the bedding. It’s getting colder; don’t catch a chill.”

“With you here, I won’t,” Su Xiu said lovingly.

“Xiu, marriage means adulthood. You can’t throw childish tantrums in your husband’s home. Respect your elders and don’t talk back. Once you marry into the Sun family, you belong there. Be more prudent; think before you speak, learn patience...” That night, Wang Shi spoke at length.

“Mother, even if they’re wrong, must I endure? I can’t...” Su Xiu pouted.

“If you can’t endure, you’ll suffer. Think about it—you alone against their whole family. Always reflect on your own faults before judging others. Look how well Pengcheng treats you...” Wang Shi advised.

“Mother, after hearing this, I don’t want to marry...” Su Xiu thought clearly—this marriage was inevitable.

That night, Wang Shi’s heart ached for her daughter, whom she had borne and nurtured for ten months. Sending her away to another family, especially a second household, made her uneasy. Holding Su Xiu close, it felt like when she was a child, always needing her mother’s embrace to sleep.

Such is a mother’s love. That night was the last Wang Shi would sleep with Su Xiu before her wedding.

At dawn, Wang Shi urged Su Xiu to rise. Winter mornings tested patience. Su Xiu suddenly clung to her mother, “Mother, I don’t want to go,” acting spoiled.

Wang Shi understood her daughter had never left home and reassured her, “Our families have business ties, and theirs is a prominent household. They won’t mistreat you. If you miss me, you can come back and stay with Pengcheng for a few days.”

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