Only the four of them were having dinner today. Zhou Ning was a man of few words, while Zhang Xiaoyi was quite talkative. Luo Qingshan, sitting next to them, grew shy—he wasn’t much of a talker either. Shen Linchuan had no choice but to rack his brains to liven up the atmosphere, which was driving him crazy!

“Brother Luo, do you still have any relatives left?”  

“None. My parents have passed away. All I have now is this courtyard and a shop on Jinshui Street that brings in rent—just enough to get by.” 

Zhang Xiaoyi looked up. “Mr. Luo, you’re truly impressive—you passed the Xiucai exam.”

Shen Linchuan had made some inquiries about Luo Qingshan’s family background; it turned out to be a respectable family.

After dinner, Shen Linchuan dragged Zhou Ning to wash the dishes, then had Luo Qingshan walk Zhang Xiaoyi home. Since it was broad daylight, there was nothing wrong with escorting a young ger home.

Zhang Xiaoyi was overjoyed inside. Ning-ger really had it figured out—he had Shen Linchuan wrapped around his finger. Sure enough, Shen Linchuan had gone out of his way today and even asked Luo Qingshan to walk him home!

The two of them huddled together washing dishes. As soon as Luo Qingshan and the others left, Shen Linchuan leaned his head against Fulang’s shoulder. “I’m exhausted—cooking and keeping the mood lively. You’ve got to reward me.”

Zhou Ning nudged the person on his shoulder. “Shen Linchuan, you’re getting more and more clingy these days.”

“Zhou Xiao Ning~.”

Zhou Ning nodded. “Got it. You’re off duty today, so let’s turn in early.”

Shen Linchuan chuckled. After working so hard all day, he was going to get a little something in return—he’d pull out the picture book later and try something he’d never tried before. “Shen Linchuan, does Luo Qingshan have a thing for Yi-ger?”

This was Zhou Ning’s first time playing matchmaker, and he really hadn’t figured out what Luo Qingshan was thinking.

Shen Linchuan laughed out loud. “That pear syrup might be simple to make, but it takes at least a full day to simmer two jars of it. You tell me—doesn’t that say it all?”

Zhou Ning perked up. “I was worried he wasn’t interested—I didn’t want to end up just breaking Yi-ger’s heart.”

Shen Linchuan continued his usual routine: whenever he ran into Luo Qingshan, they’d walk to and from school together; and whenever Zhang Xiaoyi came over, he’d invite Luo Qingshan to join them for tea and a meal.

Shen Linchuan didn’t know how things were going between the two of them, but one day on the way to school, he noticed Luo Qingshan had a new pouch at his waist—one that gave off a faint scent of medicine.

Shen Linchuan pretended to reach for it. “Brother Luo, where did you buy that pouch?”

Luo Qingshan blocked his hand. “It—it was a gift from Yi-ger.”

Shen Linchuan had only been testing the waters; he hadn’t expected Luo Qingshan to be so open and honest, coming right out and saying it.

Shen Linchuan shot him a teasing glance. “You’d better thank my Fulang properly. If it weren’t for him repeatedly insisting on it, I wouldn’t have bothered getting involved in your business.”

Luo Qingshan bowed to Shen Linchuan. “I’ll be sure to present a generous gift in the future.”

Within a couple of days, Luo Qingshan had made up his mind—even Doctor Zhang was taken aback. His son was no longer a young ger, yet he’d always refused to go on matchmaking visits. Who would’ve thought that once he arrived at the county seat, he’d actually found someone he liked?

Since this concerned his son’s future, Doctor Zhang dared not take it lightly. With the Zhou Er family’s case as a precedent, he thoroughly investigated the matter with Shen Linchuan and also questioned the neighbors in Baobao Alley before he could finally put his mind at ease.

On the day the engagement was formalized, Shen Linchuan and his family of three came over. Xu Zhifan and Ye Jinglan arrived from the academy, and even Zhou Fang came. Amid the lively atmosphere, they drew up the marriage contract, and all that remained was to wait for the wedding at the end of the year.

Zhou Fang flung her handkerchief about with a touch of jealousy. “I thought I’d be the one marrying into the county magistrate’s household, but I never expected you, Zhang Xiaoyi, to beat me to it.” 

Zhang Xiaoyi laughed without holding back. “That’s because I have good taste.”

There weren’t many people from the Luo family; the few familiar faces who did come were treated to a lively banquet prepared by the Zhang family.

Upon hearing Zhou Fang’s words, Zhou Da laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, Fang. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

Zhou Fang hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile, “Uncle, I want someone with a handsome face and a family with some money—and it would be even better if he were a scholar.”

Zhang Xiaoyi burst out laughing. “Zhou Fang, you’re making a big wish—go make it at the temple.”

Zhou Fang glared at Zhang Xiaoyi. “What’s so hard about that? There’s one right here in front of me.”

Everyone looked up. Of those present, only Xu Zhifan and Ye Jinglan were of marriageable age. Ye Jinglan didn’t come from a well-to-do family; he was handsome—in a refined sort of way—and a scholar, but his family had no money. His older brother and sister-in-law didn’t even want to take care of him and had often scolded him harshly.

Everyone then turned their heads toward Xu Zhifan. He had a handsome, well-proportioned face, was a scholar, and was wealthy—all three qualities perfectly matched what Zhou Fang and her daughter had described.

Xu Zhifan was just raising his wine cup to drink when he set it down and noticed the entire table staring at him. He choked on his drink and began coughing. “I—I like someone who excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, who’s as beautiful as a heavenly maiden, and who enjoys romantic moments under the flowers and moonlight!”

Zhou Fang gave Xu Zhifan a flirtatious glance. “I can be that ‘heavenly beauty’ under the flowers and moonlight.”

Xu Zhifan coughed even harder, waving his hands frantically in panic—Zhou Fang was unusually feisty, and he couldn’t handle her.

Zhou Fang snorted and glared at him again. “Look at you—such a pathetic sight. I wouldn’t even give you the time of day.” 

“That’s good, that’s good,” Xu Zhifan said with an awkward smile.

Everyone at the table silently lowered their heads to eat. Shen Linchuan was struggling so hard to hold back his laughter that his shoulders were shaking. Zhou Ning, afraid of embarrassing Zhou Fang—after all, she was a young lady—gently tugged at Shen Linchuan’s sleeve. Shen Linchuan cleared his throat and adopted a serious expression. “Ning-ger, eat your food.”

Zhou Da asked a few more concerned questions about how Zhou Fang was getting along at the restaurant these days. Zhou Fang nodded and said she was doing well—she swept the floors and washed dishes there, earning forty copper coins a day with room and board included, and the food was even better than what she had at home.

“It’s just that Zhou Youcheng found out somehow that I was there and came looking for me once.”

Fearing that Zhou Fang, a young woman, might be taken advantage of, Zhou Da hurriedly said, “What did he want with you? Next time he comes looking for you, I’ll go and teach him a lesson.” 

“He came to ask me for money. What a shameless man—he actually had the nerve to ask me for money! Pah!”

Ever since Zhou Youcheng had been expelled from the academy, Shen Linchuan hadn’t heard a word from him. As long as he didn’t pose a threat to his family, Zhou Youcheng was as insignificant to him as a weed by the roadside.

After eating at the Zhangs’, the group went their separate ways. As he left, Shen Linchuan was still carrying two large carp—a token of gratitude from Luo Qingshan. Each weighed about ten jin, and Shen Linchuan planned to send one over to his older brother’s house later.

The group walked home together. Just as they reached the front gate, they saw Shen Dasao sitting there, wiping away tears. Zhou Ning quickly helped her to her feet. “Sister-in-law, what’s the matter?”

Shen Linchuan also hurried to open the courtyard gate. “Sister-in-law, let’s go inside and talk.”

Shen Dasao’s eyes were bloodshot from crying. “Linchuan, your older brother—your older brother has been tied up. They said they’re taking him to see the officials.” Shen Linchuan was startled. Why on earth would he be taken to see the officials out of the blue?

“Sister, take your time—there’s no rush.”

Shen Dasao wiped her tears. “I’m not sure either. I was minding the shop when a servant ran over and said your older brother stole something from someone. They caught him red-handed, detained him, and said they’re taking him to the authorities.”

“How could my older brother possibly steal someone’s belongings!” Zhou Ning naturally didn’t believe it.

Shen Dasao added, “Your older brother is the most honest person there is. How could he possibly steal someone’s belongings? That servant said he’d already been beaten up, and they’re demanding our family pay silver to ransom him—otherwise, they’ll hand him over to the authorities.”

Shen Linchuan knew his older brother’s character as well; there was no way he’d steal from anyone. It must be that he’d made an enemy somewhere. “Sister-in-law, did they say which family it was?”                                 

“They said the Sun family. The servant said he went to look for Shen Linchuan—he must know where the person is, right?”

“The Sun family.” Shen Linchuan snorted coldly. So it wasn’t his older brother who’d made an enemy—it was he himself who’d made an enemy and dragged his older brother into this. Zhou Da asked anxiously, “Did they say which branch of the Sun family?”

Shen Dasao shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, he didn’t. The young servant left right after he spoke.” 

“Shen Dasao, how much silver did they ask for?”

“One hundred taels.” Shen Dasao hurriedly produced a bundle. “I’ve taken all the silver we have at home, but we’re still forty-eight taels short. Uncle Zhou, please lend it to me and my family—I’ll definitely pay you back.”

Zhou Da let out a sigh. “Sister-in-law, why are you being so formal? We’re all family. We need to get him out of there as soon as possible.”

Shen Linchuan went inside to fetch the silver. He knew his elder sister-in-law must have brought out every last coin they had—one hundred taels was no small sum. If it weren’t for the family’s mosquito coil business, they likely wouldn’t have been able to come up with that much.

Shen Linchuan wrapped up one hundred taels of silver right away. “Ning-ger, you go home with my sister-in-law. You’ll need to look after Hu-zi and Xiaoyu. I’ll go pick up my older brother.”

Zhou Ning grabbed Shen Linchuan’s arm. “I’ll go with you.”  

“Do as I say. Take your sister-in-law home. I’ll go with Father.”

Zhou Da also urged, “Ning-ger, go send your sister-in-law home. I’ll go—we’ll be back in no time.”

The Zhou household was filled with unceasing weeping. Luo Qingshan, hearing the cries, came over as well. He and Shen Linchuan were close friends from school, and his future Fulang and Zhou Ning had been close since childhood. Luo Qingshan also said, “I’ll go too.”

As soon as he heard Shen Dasao mention the Sun family, Luo Qingshan had already guessed which household she meant. There was only one family surnamed Sun with whom Shen Linchuan had a grudge: Sun Shiping’s. Only then did Zhou Ning agree. He supported Shen Dasao as he escorted her home, while Shen Linchuan and the other two went to the Sun residence to retrieve the person.

When they arrived at the Sun family’s gate, Shen Linchuan announced their visit. A young servant led the three of them to a side gate. “My young master said only Mr. Shen is allowed inside; no one else is permitted,” the servant said.

Zhou Da raised his fist in a threatening gesture. “What kind of nonsense is this!” 

“Father, it’s fine. I’ll just go in by myself.”

Zhou Da and Luo Qingshan were stopped outside, while Shen Linchuan, holding the silver, went inside to fetch the person. His family and the Sun family had long-standing animosity—a conflict that couldn’t be resolved with a few words—and Shen Linchuan was worried about his older brother.

The servant led Shen Linchuan to a secluded courtyard. Before he even reached the gate, Shen Linchuan could hear laughter coming from inside. The servant knocked on the door, and the laughter inside stopped.

Zhou Youcheng wiped the smile from his face. “Young Master Sun, I’ll step aside for a moment.”         

“Go on, go on,” Sun Shiping waved him off, shooing him away as if he were a dog.

Zhou Youcheng clenched his fists. So what if they had some power at home? Once he passed the imperial exams, he’d deal with every last one of them.

The courtyard gate swung open, and Shen Linchuan walked in. He saw Sun Shiping sitting arrogantly in a chair, leisurely peeling a tangerine. “Tsk, just look at the fine thing your brother has done—stealing from my family.”

Shen Linchuan didn’t want to get into an argument with Sun Shiping; he tossed the bundle containing the silver onto the ground. “Where’s my older brother?”

“Birds of a feather flock together. Your older brother steals, and you’re cut from the same cloth. What a coincidence—your brother had to go and steal from the Sun family of all places.”

Shen Linchuan stood silently in the courtyard. Finding the exchange tedious, Sun Shiping ordered his men to drag Shen Dage out.

Shen Dage’s short brown robe was stained with blood—traces of whipping—and he lay unconscious. Shen Linchuan glared intently at Sun Shiping. “You dare to torture him behind closed doors!”

“He’s nothing but a thief. That jade artifact was found on him—everyone saw it. How could I possibly frame him?” Shen Linchuan helped Shen Dage to his feet, a deep sense of helplessness welling up inside him. “Big Brother, let’s go home.”         

“Hold on. You think you can just walk away like that? Tsk. I never would’ve thought a country bumpkin like you could actually come up with a hundred taels of silver.”

Sun Shiping had finally managed to get a hold of Shen Linchuan and was certainly not about to let him go so easily. At that Mid-Autumn Festival flower-viewing banquet, Zhou Da had snatched the imperial wine that rightfully belonged to him, causing him not only to be punished by his father but also to lose face at home!

“What do you want?”

“Shen Linchuan, your family loves to drink, doesn’t it?” Sun Shiping tilted his chin toward a jar of wine sitting on the ground. “Once you’ve finished that wine, I’ll let the two of you go. Consider yourselves lucky—if you end up in jail, you’ll be in for a world of trouble.”

From the moment the Sun family asked for silver to ransom his brother, he knew this whole affair was aimed at him. His older brother had merely been caught in the crossfire; Sun Shiping didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, which was why he’d sent him to secure his brother’s release.

Shen Linchuan set down Shen Dage, who was still unconscious. In ancient times, alcohol wasn’t highly purified, but a whole jar of white liquor was equivalent to several jin of the stuff. Although Shen Linchuan could hold his liquor, he couldn’t say for sure he’d be fine after drinking that much.

Sun Shiping crossed his arms and looked up haughtily. “Go ahead, drink it! Finish this whole jar for me!”

Shen Linchuan sat down on the ground and picked up a bowl, downing bowl after bowl as if they were plain water. At first, he only felt a numbing sensation on his tongue, but after a few bowls, he couldn’t suppress the urge to vomit. Never mind drinking alcohol—even a few bowls of plain water would make anyone feel nauseous and want to throw up.

After downing more than half the jar, Shen Linchuan felt his breathing grow rapid and his heart racing. He couldn’t suppress the nausea, and a searing heat burned in his stomach. A servant standing nearby, fearing a fatal outcome, pleaded, “Young Master, that’s enough. If you keep drinking, someone’s going to die.”            

“Drink! I’ve never seen anyone die from drinking!”

Shen Linchuan held onto the jar with one hand to keep from losing his composure, while the hand holding the bowl trembled slightly. The alcohol had heightened his senses considerably; he felt neither humiliation nor pain, as if everything were fading into a blank void. But there was one person he would not let off the hook: Sun Shiping. His older brother couldn’t be beaten half to death for no reason.

Shen Linchuan clenched his fists and began drinking again; after a few more bowls, the jar was empty.

Shen Linchuan pushed himself up from the floor. He said nothing, merely glancing at Sun Shiping, who looked somewhat startled. “Shen—Shen Linchuan, you got what you deserved! What are you standing there for? Get him thrown out of here!”

Two servants hurried forward to help them up, guiding them out one by one. Only after everyone had left did Zhou Youcheng step out. Seeing Shen Linchuan’s pale face, a look of satisfaction flashed across Zhou Youcheng’s face—Shen Linchuan had finally met his comeuppance.

“Young Master Sun, Shen Linchuan got exactly what he deserved. Pah!”

Sun Shiping closed the folding fan in his hand. “He’s not dead, is he?”                                 

“It’s just a jar of wine—how could he die? He’ll just be miserable for a few days. That’s nothing compared to the embarrassment he’s caused you, Young Master Sun.”