After finishing all the tasks that needed to be done ahead of the midday business rush, Gu Tangjin returned to the Ji family with Ji Rongxia, carrying a small basket.

The uncooked glutinous rice balls were carefully wrapped in oilcloth, while the roasted taro was encased in dried lotus leaves. Both were placed in the basket, which was then covered with its lid—and that was that.

Even the most shameless acquaintances who saw them carrying things home would at most lift the basket lid—no one would unwrap the oilcloth or tear open the dried lotus leaves to peek at what they were taking to their maternal home.

They were prepared for this, wary of drawing too much attention.

As the couple approached Jiutang Alley, they spotted an obnoxious old Fulang from afar.

The gaunt Wang Laofulang was striding out carrying a wooden bucket, seemingly headed to fetch water at the lane entrance.

Not every household had its own well; those without had to draw water from the government-dug wells nearby, paying ten wen per month.

This wouldn’t normally be noteworthy, but Wang Laofulang was the father of Zhang Qijiang—the very family that had broken off the engagement with Ji Rongxia!

Spotting Ji Rongxia, Wang Laofulang curled his lip in disdain.

Ji Rongxia, however, seemed oblivious to his presence, arm linked with Gu Tangjin’s as they strolled slowly toward home.

Master Zhang the Lacquerer and Master Xia the Carpenter had arranged a betrothal between their children.

Wooden items were prone to mold; large pieces required either oiling or lacquering upon completion. Thus, the Ji family frequently interacted with Master Zhang’s household.

Both families knew each other well, which is why his father had arranged the betrothal between him and the Zhangs’ young grandson, Zhang Enyao. The Zhangs needed to support Enyao’s education and were strapped for cash, so his father helped find work for Zhang Qijiang. He occasionally sent gifts and silver too, treating the Zhangs with genuine kindness. He’d hoped Ji Rongxia would have a good life after marrying into them, never imagining they’d be so unreliable.

His elder brother’s marriage had been arranged in much the same way. His elder brother’s fulang’s family lived in the countryside, with many members and ample land. And they even leased a small mountain plot where bamboo and fruit trees grew. Beyond farming, they supplemented their income by selling fruits, bamboo shoots, bamboo materials, and timber in the city. The Zhang family purchased bamboo and wood from their family, and through these transactions, the two households became acquainted and came to know each other well. This familiarity eventually led to the engagement.

His brother’s Fulang had a gentle disposition and got along well with his elder brother. Ultimately, it was a matter of incompatible personalities—one couldn’t blame the family for having previously betrothed him to the Zhang family.

Zhang Enyao studied at the academy. Ji Rongxia had rarely seen him properly; even when they crossed paths outside, it was always a hurried encounter. There was little real connection between them. He had assumed everyone around him was like that. Zhang Enyao had even passed the Tongsheng examination, making him a suitable match.

Looking back now, he was foolish. He didn’t even know what kind of person he was about to marry. How utterly foolish!

Back then, Ji Rongxia had developed an ‘illness’—he kept hearing strange noises. Because of this minor ailment, Zhang Qijiang had broken off the engagement.

Now, Ji Rongxia knew perfectly well he wasn’t ill. Yet he felt a certain gratitude that this incident had led him to a better match.

Wang Laofulang had always felt that Xia-ger was beneath his grandson, who had passed the Tongsheng examination. Now that the engagement was broken, he felt even more superior to the Ji family. Ji Rongxia’s current attitude, which clearly didn’t hold him in high regard, only fueled his anger.

Lowering his voice maliciously, convinced Ji Rongxia couldn’t hear him, he spat, “You deaf fool! Why aren’t you hiding at home? What are you doing out here? And dragging that cripple along? Don’t you fear offending people?”

“Oh my, oh my! What’s that buzzing like an old mosquito?”

“Husband, it seems the food we brought today is too tempting, attracting this noisy creature. We should really shut its mouth to stop it from sucking blood and causing trouble.” Ji Rongxia hadn’t intended to engage with this old Fulang, but since Wang Laofulang had started the insults, he naturally had to oblige.

“My Fulang speaks wisely.” Gu Tangjin chimed in obediently, like a bookish little fool who only knew how to follow his Fulang’s lead.

Ji Rongxia glared at him, stifling a smile.

How could Wang Laofulang not know they were talking about him?

He was so angry his old face turned red.

“You good-for-nothing ger with your sharp tongue! I fear you’ll be unable to even lay eggs in the future!” Wang Laofulang pointed his withered, yellow finger at Ji Rongxia as he scolded.

Ji Rongxia, however, showed no sign of anger or impatience. He smiled brightly and said, “What business is it of yours if I curse insects? You practically begged to be insulted—how amusing. Thank you for worrying about my affairs. With your own young ones causing such trouble, I suggest that at your age, you let the youngsters fetch water… Otherwise, seeing you struggle with those old arms and legs makes me weary just watching.”

Wang Laofulang was caught between cursing and holding back—after all, Xia-ger hadn’t uttered a single unkind word.

Yet these words stung far worse than any curse. Was Xia-ger deliberately poking at his heart, implying his own descendants were unfilial? That he, an old man, should be fetching water and cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn?

Wang Laofulang was so furious he nearly forgot to fetch the water. Gritting his teeth and casting aside his pride, he headed straight for the Ji family’s back gate, ready to unleash a torrent of curses.

Wang Laofulang’s curses flowed endlessly, filled with vulgarities that made ears bleed. Many young Fulang and women working or cooling off at the doorways of Jiutang Alley held their breath in anxiety for Ji Rongxia.

But to everyone’s surprise, Ji Rongxia smiled and said, “Oh, I almost forgot to mention—I value peace and quiet. If you disturb my home’s tranquility, I’ll make sure your grandson finds no peace either. I see plenty of stalls near the academy. I’m currently setting up a breakfast stall myself. Oh dear, I wonder if the scholars there would enjoy hearing the story of the ungrateful Zhang family breaking off our engagement while I lay gravely ill.”

“You—you—shameless! Xiucai Gu, how can you let him—” Before Wang Laofulang could finish, Gu Tangjin spoke in a leisurely tone.

“Very well. As a scholar with the title of Xiucai, I shall speak when the time comes. There will surely be scholars eager to listen.” Gu Tangjin’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he gazed upon Ji Rongxia’s vibrant appearance, filled with delight.

As for that Zhang Tongsheng…

Before deciding to marry Xia-ger, he sought out an old acquaintance and had him examine Zhang Tongsheng’s essays.

After reviewing them, he felt the man had barely scraped by to become a Tongsheng. Upon further inquiry, he learned that Zhang had indeed ranked last among those who passed the Tongsheng exam.

His prospects were likely limited from here on out; becoming a scholar would require nothing short of a miraculous sudden enlightenment. Gu Tangjin exchanged some books he’d copied in the prefectural city for favors from several friends, enlisting them to keep a close eye on this Zhang Tongsheng.

The man didn’t even show his face when the engagement was broken off, showing utter disregard for Xia-ger’s reputation. Gu Tangjin found such behavior utterly distasteful.

“You! You!” Wang Laofulang stammered, unable to utter anything else.

He’d never seen a young Xiucai like this before—one who seemed to obey every word from that deaf Fulang.

Seeing Ji Rongxia living so freely made his heart feel like it was being scorched by fire.

What right did that deaf Fulang have to live well?

Wang Laofulang was like a chicken with its throat squeezed shut, unable to utter a single curse. Everyone in Jiutang Alley knew Ji Rongxia’s fiery temper—he always followed through on his words. If Wang dared to curse in the street today, Ji Rongxia would likely drag Gu Tangjin out to set up a stall outside the academy within the hour. And look at Gu Tangjin, letting that deaf Fulang do as he pleases.

“Unlucky star,” he muttered in a whisper, spat, and scurried home with his tail between his legs, forgetting even to fetch water.

“Xia-ger is still as formidable as ever. When the Zhangs called off the engagement, he was bedridden with illness—otherwise, he’d have scolded them into submission long ago.” Madame Zhao, who lived across from the Zhangs, watched the scene unfold, her teeth gleaming in a wide grin.

“You bet. I’ve seen through them—they always pick on the weak and fear the strong!” Ji Rongxia still bristled at the memory, not so much over the broken engagement but their utter disregard for the Ji family, trampling his parents’ sincere intentions underfoot!

Gu Tangjin gently squeezed his palm, and Ji Rongxia’s anger finally began to subside.

Under the eaves next door, Cheng Laofulang, cooling off, remarked, “Xia-ger, you’re back again? Marrying into the Gu family has its perks—you can visit often.”

“You bet. The Gus are a generous family.” Ji Rongxia meant every word. The Gu household truly upheld upright values and had a simple, harmonious family dynamic. He felt perfectly at ease living there!

As the two chatted outside, Hong Yuelian faintly overheard them. Curious, she opened the door to find her younger ger and sonr-in-law standing there.

“Oh, you’re here! Why didn’t you come in? It’s hot out—come inside first,” Hong Yuelian called out.

After exchanging a few words with Cheng Laofulang and the others, the two entered the house.

Ji Rongxia didn’t mention the troubles at the gate. Instead, he stated plainly, “Mother, Tangjin, and I want to grow some vegetables. Our family’s fields aren’t big enough, so I was thinking of taking a few wooden tubs home and filling them with soil.”

“Sure thing! We just don’t have any ready-made ones at the moment. I’ll have your father make some for you. Once they’re done, your eldest brother will bring them over.” Hong Yuelian invited them into the main hall to sit.

Carpenter Ji and Ji Ronghu were busy with woodwork in the shed.

Upon hearing this, Ji Ronghu said, ”Alright, I’ve saved up quite a bit of scrap wood these past days. I’ll make you some larger tubs. I’ll bring them over when they’re ready.”

“Thanks, Brother!” Ji Rongxia called out brightly.

Gu Tangjin added, “Thank you, Brother. Thank you, Father.”

Ji Ronghu wiped the sweat from his face, flashed a white-toothed grin, then bent back to work.

Carpenter Ji was even more taciturn. He merely glanced up at them twice and nodded.

“Don’t bother with them,” Hong Yuelian sighed. “Those two are as quiet as mice—you couldn’t get a word out of them if you beat them with a stick.” Thankfully, she and Xuecheng were both talkative; otherwise, with Xia-ger gone, the house would be dead silent.

Qian Xuecheng brought over two bowls of sweetened water. “Have some water. It’s so hot out. You must be parched after walking all this way.”

“I can handle it myself, brother-in-law. Oh, right—Mother, I brought you some roasted taro and glutinous rice balls. You should cook the rice balls quickly and eat them now; they won’t keep in this heat. I made them all myself. They’re delicious.”

Ji Rongxia took the sweet water, then slapped his forehead as he remembered the basket. He hurriedly thrust it at Qian Xuecheng.

Qian Xuecheng had been married into the Ji family for over a year now, living with Ji Rongxia for nearly as long. She was well accustomed to his whirlwind temperament.

“Then please sit down. I’ll cook them up right away. Let’s all taste Xia-ger’s handiwork together. Xia-ger, you must stay and eat before leaving.” Qian Xuecheng said, heading toward the kitchen.

Gu Tangjin hurriedly declined, “We’ve already eaten today. Xia-ger brought these specifically for our parents, brother, and brother-in-law to try.”

Qian Xuecheng smiled without comment and headed straight for the kitchen.

Ji Rongxia tried to help, but Hong Yuelian stopped him: “Do you think our kitchen is as spacious as your restaurant? It barely fits one person—any extra makes it cramped. Don’t go making things worse.”

“I wouldn’t be causing trouble.” Still, Ji Rongxia didn’t move. He thought better of it—leaving would leave his husband and mother sitting alone, which felt awkward—so he obediently sat back down.

“I heard you two arguing outside earlier. Did you get into a fight?” Hong Yuelian wasn’t easily fooled. Though she hadn’t caught every word, Ji Rongxia’s temperament gave her a good idea.

“It’s not my fault. I tried to avoid him…” Ji Rongxia explained the whole situation clearly.

“Bah! He deserved it! He insulted us to our faces, and we’re not afraid of trouble. Well said, Xia-ger!” Learning that Wang Laofulang had first called her little ger deaf and her son-in-law lame, Hong Yuelian slammed the table in anger.

Gu Tangjin watched the scene with a smile. He thought to himself that now he finally understood where Xia-ger’s temperament came from.