Chapter 41

Chu Father gripped Chu Lingyue’s wrist with a death grip, dodging and scolding all the while. “You old hag, daring to assault someone in public! This old man will impeach you… no, sue you!”

Old Madam Tang spat in disgust. She stopped jabbing and simply raised her cane, bringing it down straight toward his head.

Tang Jin watched with her heart pounding in terror. On one hand, she felt this vile old man deserved a beating. On the other, she worried Old Madam Tang might not know her own strength and truly injure him.

She held back for a moment, but finally couldn’t stand it any longer. She stepped forward, pried Chu Father’s hand open, and pulled Chu Lingyue inside to safety.

Seeing his daughter being led away, Chu Father immediately shouted, “Lian’er, come back!” Even as he yelled, he tried to charge after her.

But Old Madam Tang’s cane blocked his path relentlessly. He could only retreat while dodging.

For a moment, the scene was utter chaos.

Right then, a loud shout came from the crowd of onlookers. “What’s everyone crowding around for? Make way, make way!”

The common folk glanced over and saw it was constables from the yamen. They hurriedly parted.

The moment Chu Father spotted the constables, it was as if he’d seen his saviors. He immediately pointed at Old Madam Tang and lodged his complaint. “Officers, you’ve arrived just in time! This old man wants to sue this old woman—not, this old man wants to report her for assaulting a good citizen in public, abducting a woman, and maliciously trying to tear apart our father-daughter bond.”

“Exhausted this old lady to death—bah! If anyone’s snatching a wedded wife, it’s you.” Old Madam Tang saw the constables had arrived and finally lowered her cane, her face full of indignation.

If this had been in her younger days, with her deadly aim, that vile old codger wouldn’t have been standing by now. People really couldn’t fight the ravages of age—her reflexes were just too slow these days.

Liu Da blinked in confusion. Under so many watchful eyes, he instinctively turned to the familiar face and asked, “Lai Di, what’s going on here this time?”

Tang Laidi took a deep breath, seething with anger. “This rotten old man showed up stirring trouble, insisting Lingyue is his daughter and trying to drag her back to make her someone’s concubine. Liu Da, take him away and give him a proper interrogation. Who knows, he might be some heartless schemer’s pawn sent to sabotage us.”

Liu Da frowned and gripped his saber hilt as he eyed Chu Father. “You lot really won’t give up your wicked ways. Come with me to the yamen for a chat.”

Chu Father’s heart skipped a beat. He turned tail and bolted.

No kidding—this constable was clearly in cahoots with them, casually tossing around “Big Brother” and “little sister.” It was obvious they meant to pin some trumped-up charge on him.

As long as there’s life, there’s hope.

He was all alone right now—far too disadvantaged. Better to head home first and plan his next move.

Seeing the man try to flee without a word, Liu Da drew his saber and hurled it in a single motion.

The hilt struck Chu Father’s occiput dead-on. The saber clattered to the ground as the man crumpled.

Chu Lingyue’s expression shifted in shock. She started forward unconsciously, but Tang Jin quickly tightened her grip on her hand and held her back, whispering, “My lady, let’s watch and see.”

Chu Lingyue pressed her lips together. The word “Daddy” caught in her throat.

“Trying to run in front of your Liu Grandpa? You’ll explain yourself at the yamen.” Liu Da walked over, picked up his saber, and planted a foot on Chu Father’s shoulder. Only then did he turn to the onlookers. “The thief has been subdued and knocked out. Official business—unrelated folk, disperse at once. No more crowding.”

The crowd eyed his fierce demeanor and scattered, though a few thrill-seekers lingered at a distance.

Hearing that the man had only been knocked out, Chu Lingyue’s steps faltered, and her tightly clenched fingers slowly relaxed.

Tang Jin noticed Chu Lingyue going limp and released her hand, drawing her into an embrace instead. Half-holding her up, she murmured reassurances. “It’s all right now, my lady. No need to fear.”

Chu Lingyue let out a slow breath, her mind a haze.

Though she’d lost all faith in her father and resolved never to acknowledge him again, she didn’t truly wish him harm.

He was her father, after all. Before his dismissal from office, he’d doted on her for over a dozen years, raising her like a precious pearl.

At that moment, Liu Da pulled a money pouch from his bosom and handed it to Tang Laidi. “Lai Di, this is the silver the magistrate fined from Shopkeeper Lu yesterday. I went to the Lu residence first thing this morning to collect it. You’re the victim—take it.”

This was County Magistrate Gu’s order as well. A caning alone wouldn’t suffice; he wanted a hundred taels in silver as compensation to make an example of him.

Liu Da had long admired Tang Laidi’s tenacity and felt regret over her dismissal, so he’d been especially proactive in this matter.

Without hesitation, Tang Laidi accepted it and smiled. “Thanks, Liu Da. Come for a drink sometime soon—my treat.”

“Good, I’ll head over right after duty today.” Liu Da’s eyes lit up. Anyone with eyes could see from yesterday’s court scene just how delicious the food at this little restaurant was.

As someone involved in the case, he’d naturally inquired about the prices there too.

With her invitation, he was in for a feast today.

Cupping his hands in farewell, he dragged Chu Father off toward the County Yamen.

Liu Da knew full well that the magistrate’s favor likely stemmed from his and his brothers’ good rapport with Tang Laidi back when she was still around. They’d often consulted with her on cases, and the magistrate had noticed.

When she’d been let go, he’d felt powerless without evidence and chosen silence.

In hindsight, if they’d spoken up then, the magistrate might have found a way to keep her on as a constable.

He regretted realizing it too late. Worried about speaking without proof, he’d stayed quiet, forcing the magistrate to dismiss Tang Laidi and promote Tang Yaozu instead.

But it wasn’t too late now—he saw the magistrate’s intentions clearly.

From here on, he and his brothers would look out for the little restaurant. That was probably what the magistrate hoped for too.

Their county magistrate was a true lover of talent…

In a private booth on the second floor of Tower Beyond Towers across the way, Scholar Chu closed the window and turned back. “Shaoyang, come dine with your father at the restaurant opposite tonight. I’ll head to the yamen first—you go check on Lian’er.”

He’d grumbled on about old times and listened to his daughter’s account of the little restaurant. His thoughts had crystallized.

Chu Shaoyang blinked playfully, feigning displeasure. “Daddy’s mistaken—our big sister is Chu Lingyue now.”

Scholar Chu chuckled. “All right. Hurry and keep Lingyue company. Reassure her—my elder brother is a far cry from what he once was. He can’t stir up any waves now.”

“Got it, Daddy. Come back soon.” Chu Shaoyang replied sweetly.

Thank goodness her father wasn’t like her uncle, or she’d likely have walked the same path as her big sister.

Back in the restaurant, Tang Jin held Chu Lingyue close, though her gaze fixed on the money pouch in Tang Laidi’s hands. A hundred taels—jackpot!

Sensing something, Chu Lingyue steadied herself and gestured for Tang Jin to let go. She strode over and shut the door.

Turning back, she dipped her head slightly. “Thank you, Grandmother. Thank you, A-Jin. Thank you, Lai Di.”

All she could offer now was this shallow gratitude. She wondered if she’d ever have the chance to repay them.

Old Madam Tang spoke first. “Lingyue, don’t stand on ceremony with us. We’re all family—what’s there to thank? Sit down and talk.”

Tang Jin plopped into the nearest seat and beckoned Chu Lingyue over. “My lady, come here. Time to split the silver.”

At those words, Tang Laidi rolled her eyes despite herself. She knew this hundred taels wouldn’t stay hot in her hands for long.

Her close friends’ eyes lit up at the sight of money—who knew how much they’d been coveting it.

Tang Jin truly had been. She counted on her fingers. “After our last split, we’ve barely done any business these past few days, but we made fifty-two taels. Add this hundred, that’s a hundred fifty-two total. Per our agreement, Lai Di and I get sixty each, you get thirty, my lady. The remaining two can go to Grandmother—she’s been steaming rice and boiling tea water too, can’t let her work for nothing.”

Hearing she had a share, Old Madam Tang coughed once, then boomed with vigor, “This old lady has no objections.”

With that, she eyed Tang Laidi with gleaming, predatory intent.

Tang Laidi felt the silver pouch burning a hole in her palm. She set it hastily on the table and raised both hands. “No objections here either.”

She hadn’t objected anyway, but she had the distinct feeling she’d get thrashed if she spoke too late.

So weird!

Chu Lingyue glanced subtly at Tang Jin and smiled. “That’s the fair split. Grandmother’s earned it too.”

Whether by design or chance, her quick pivot diluted the melancholy in the air.

Tang Jin’s face broke into a beaming grin, and she began dividing the silver.

Old Madam Tang eyed the piles with a squint-eyed smile. Her nest egg for old age was looking up. Raising that unlucky granddaughter hadn’t been for nothing. The girl could be infuriating at times, but she was filial enough.

She pocketed her share and headed to the back courtyard. In her room, she pulled the plump long stocking from the bottom drawer of her vanity, unwrapped layer after layer, then rewrapped it just as meticulously. She felt deeply satisfied.

Tang Laidi was more straightforward. Unwilling to carry so much silver on her, she announced she was stepping out and headed straight to the money shop. She exchanged the eighty taels from both splits for silver notes, keeping only the two taels of her monthly constable pay on her person. Her heart settled into perfect calm.

Ha—this pitfall had been the right leap. Sticking with her good sisters, she’d strike it rich sooner or later.

Back in the restaurant, Tang Jin saw Old Madam Tang and Tang Laidi vanish the instant they got their silver. She knew exactly why. Looking at Chu Lingyue, who sat primly at the table, she asked curiously, “My lady, aren’t you going to stash your silver?”

Chu Lingyue paused at the question, as if recalling something. She rose to leave—then sat right back down.

“My share isn’t much. No need.”

She’d thought of the silver she’d hidden back in Tang Village and felt a reflexive twinge of worry. But then she remembered she’d scrimped barely more than a tael’s worth of scraps from this person over the past year. She could fetch it another day. Leaving now felt oddly guilty for some reason.

Tang Jin smiled and poured two cups of tea. “Speaking of which, I still don’t know your old name.”

Lian’er? And surnamed Chu—Was it Chu Lian’er?

Chu Lingyue lowered her gaze, her voice faint and drifting. “My old name wasn’t pleasant. No need to mention it.”

[Ding, reward: a plate of stuffed green peppers with meat.]

Hearing the System’s chime, Tang Jin sipped her tea. “My lady, you actually like your old name, don’t you?”

Must not be Chu Lian’er after all—probably something beautiful.

After a moment of silence, Chu Lingyue said softly, “I can’t say I like it. It just reminds me of Mother. Father was surnamed Chu, Mother Ning. They reportedly met in a place called Lotus Flower Village, so they named me Chu Ninglian.”

Before sixteen, she’d never imagined her father would one day be dismissed from office. After sixteen, she’d never dreamed he’d forget his vows to Mother—not only taking a stepmother and fathering a little brother, but treating her with ever-growing disdain.

This year at twenty-six, she would be Chu Lingyue from now on. No longer the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s young miss, Chu Ninglian.

Seeing the melancholy on her face, Tang Jin quietly sipped her tea and asked no more.

Meanwhile, at the yamen court.

The moment County Magistrate Gu heard Liu Da report another disturbance at Tang Laidi’s little restaurant, he glanced at the still-unconscious Chu Father and flew into a rage. “Men! Give this scoundrel a sound thrashing with the board first—wake him up that way!”

“Hold on, wise brother.” Scholar Chu arrived just in time to hear the order for the bastinado and called out before even entering.

County Magistrate Gu looked up and smiled faintly. “How’s this, Brother Chu—you’re here?”