Chapter 18: The Past
“My mother was from Lin County in Lingzhou Prefecture. After she married into the prefectural city, she and my father jointly operated a paint shop there. Initially, the shop saw little business, but over the years, trade gradually improved, and our family’s circumstances became better.”
“Hmm, painting is profitable.” In the darkness, Jiang Song’an murmured in agreement, finally understanding why Yuan Yao possessed such an indescribable aura; it turned out her family was well-off, and she surely had never suffered any hardships growing up.
“Life has become easier, yet people’s desires have only grown. My mother gave birth to four daughters in a row, which made my grandmother anxious. Believing our circumstances had improved, she arranged for my father to take a concubine.”
Yuan Yao’s voice sounded distant, as if recalling events from long ago: “Little Qi was probably only three years old back then. My mother, living in the Yuan household, had to care for the elders, look after us children, and manage the shop all at once. Her health collapsed almost immediately—perhaps more due to heartache than physical strain. In short, my mother was unhappy every single day. Yet, to others, continuing the family line was paramount, so she could only watch helplessly as that concubine entered our home.”
“Later, that concubine indeed bore a son. Overjoyed, my grandmother demanded my father elevate her to the status of an equal wife. From that moment on, my mother took to her bed permanently and passed away within less than a year…”
Inside the tent, silence reigned. Jiang Song’an asked in a low voice, “How old were you that year?”
“Thirteen.”
Jiang Song’an fell silent. Yuan Yao continued, “But heaven showed mercy. Less than half a year after my mother passed, the paint shop’s business began to decline steadily. Later, the authorities discovered that my father had been involved in some illicit schemes for profit over those years. In short, troubles arose, and the Yuan family collapsed.”
Jiang Song’an: “Did your father kick you out?”
“It wasn’t my father; it was that woman, and my grandmother.”
“Your grandmother?” Jiang Song’an sneered. “Still so vicious even in her old age?”
Yuan Yao offered a bitter smile. “My father’s trouble was quite serious; I don’t fully understand the details myself. I only know he was imprisoned, and our entire family was confiscated. On top of that, war broke out that year, forcing many people to flee. With resources enough to sustain only one person, my grandmother chose to abandon us, keeping only that little boy.”
Jiang Song’an fell silent once more.
Yuan Yao spoke with remarkable calm, as if recounting someone else’s story, yet how could Jiang Song’an fail to hear the bitterness and sorrow woven within her words?
“And after that… comes the matter about my uncle that I mentioned earlier,” Yuan Yao said with a bitter smile.
Silence settled over the room once again.
In the darkness, Jiang Song’an suddenly turned over and pulled the person beside him into his arms. As if soothing a child, he gently patted Yuan Yao’s back. At that moment, Yuan Yao, who had been struggling to suppress her emotions, finally let all the grievances in her heart flow out in tears. Jiang Song’an said nothing; he simply held her tightly, letting her cry.
After she had cried her fill, he coaxed her gently, “Sleep now. All those things from the past are over. From this day forward, I will be here for you every single day.”
–
Early the next morning, Jiang Song’an had already prepared breakfast: steaming bowls of Yangchun noodles bought from the stall at the alley entrance, still warm when he returned.
The three sisters had already begun eating. Yuan Yao looked at him with some surprise, but Jiang Song’an merely offered a faint smile. “People need food like iron needs steel; even if the sky falls, one must eat first.” With that, he handed Yuan Yao her chopsticks.
Yuan Yao had little appetite, yet her heart felt considerably more at ease. She picked up her noodles and ate them in small bites, but before she could take more than a few, the sound of knocking—thump, thump, thump—came again from outside the door.
The four sisters startled like birds frightened by the bowstring. Yuan Yao immediately moved to set down her chopsticks, but Jiang Song’an calmly turned to the three younger sisters: “Go eat in the kitchen. Take your time, and don’t come out.”
Yuan Shuang nodded at once and led her sisters toward the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Jiang Song’an rose, wiped his mouth, then gently pinched Yuan Yao’s cheek, repeating those same words: “Don’t be afraid.”
Then she walked over and opened the door.
She neither asked Yuan Yao to hide nor to conceal herself; outside the door, Pan Shi’s vicious face appeared right before her eyes.
Upon seeing Yuan Yao, Pan Shi was clearly stunned for a moment, then her entire expression twisted: “So! You little slut, you really are here!”
As Pan Shi spoke, she tried to rush inside, but she overlooked that it was Jiang Song’an who had opened the door. He slightly shifted his stance, standing before her like an immovable wall.
“What do you want?”
Jiang Song’an exuded such an imposing presence that merely standing before him made one’s legs tremble, even without any movement; moreover, his tone was far from friendly, carrying a hint of roguishness.
At the same time, Aunt Dou and Sister-in-Law Hongmei arrived upon hearing the commotion.
At this moment, Lady Pan was eager to rush inside and settle accounts with Yuan Yao. Pointing a finger straight at Jiang Song’an, she cursed, “I knew it! You were just pretending yesterday; you really are her husband, aren’t you? You little wretch, running off here to live a life of ease while leaving us with a complete mess! Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”
Yuan Yao’s face turned pale, yet she did not flinch. Stepping forward, she said, “May I ask, exactly what have I done to wrong your family? Wasn’t it you who initially tried to marry me off to that butcher?”
“You little brat! So you did overhear us. You ate and drank freely in our home for several months. Out of the kindness of my heart, I arranged a marriage for you, and what do you do? The very next day, you run off with silver in hand. You truly are an ungrateful wolf!”
“Was that such a wonderful marriage that I couldn’t leave? Or is it, Aunt, that you had already accepted their silver, and now that I’ve left and cannot repay it, you are so frantic today? Furthermore, yes, I left, but the money I took belonged to my mother. What does that have to do with any of you?”
Yuan Yao retorted without hesitation, leaving Pan Shi momentarily stunned.
How did she know?
She hadn’t mentioned the matter that day, yet judging by Pan Shi’s reaction, it seemed someone had hit the mark.
Yuan Yao sneered coldly: “So, what exactly did you come to see me for today?”
Du Yuan was also present, standing behind Lady Pan and staring in astonishment at this unfamiliar niece. Lady Pan, quick-witted as ever, immediately retorted, “What do you think? To repay the debt, of course! You brought your three younger sisters here—four mouths to feed—and lived off us for three or four months without paying a single coin for food. Don’t even think about dodging that bill!”
Yuan Yao replied indifferently, “I have no money.”
Lady Pan: “!!!”
“If you have no money, then let your husband pay!” Since stepping into the courtyard gate, Lady Pan’s eyes had never stopped scanning; while hurling insults, she simultaneously slyly probed around, eager to discover what kind of life Yuan Yao was currently leading. Though the courtyard appeared utterly empty, revealing nothing, Lady Pan remained completely unconvinced. After all, she had nearly been deceived just yesterday.
At this moment, Jiang Song’an, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. He let out a cold laugh: “Asking for money from me? You really have some nerve.”
Du Yuan was a coward; he had been somewhat afraid of Jiang Song’an since their first meeting. Naturally, Pan Shi was also intimidated, but relying on her status as a woman, she rushed to the front. With hands on her hips, she angrily declared, “Why can’t we ask you for money?! You are her husband, and I am her maternal aunt! Speaking of which, who exactly arranged this marriage in the first place? You haven’t even paid our family the betrothal gifts! Yes, pay both the grain allowance and the betrothal gifts together. If you don’t, I’ll just move into your house and stay!”
Aunt Dou chuckled at this: “Betrothal gifts? Have you lost your mind? What do betrothal gifts have to do with you, as her maternal aunt?”
“How can you say they have nothing to do with me?! Her mother gave birth to four good-for-nothing daughters in one breath! They were kicked out by the Yuan family. If it weren’t for my kind-heartedness in taking them in back then, do you think they would still be alive today?! By the way, where are those three younger ones?! Since you’re here today, perfect—those three little things will eventually get married too. Hand over their betrothal gifts as well. After that, I won’t bother asking you for anything else; otherwise, I will never let this go!”
The moment these words left her lips, everyone present froze for an instant.
Just listen!
In all of history, never has such an absurd thing been heard: Yuan Li is only nine years old, yet she’s already plotting to claim someone else’s betrothal gifts?!
Indeed, shamelessness has been seen before, but never anything quite this shameless.
Yuan Yao’s face turned pale, yet her mind remained utterly calm. She sneered, “You’ve really calculated everything perfectly. Are you trying to recoup all the profits you missed out on back then?”
Pan Shi retorted, “Say whatever you like! I’m not leaving without my money. You may be clever and resourceful, but remember, the household registration documents for Yuan Li and Yuan Qi are still in my possession. Think carefully before you act!”
The household registration documents were a lingering concern for Yuan Yao. Indeed, Lady Pan had deliberately held them back, intending to withhold the records of all four sisters. Before her departure, Yuan Yao managed to locate her own and Yuan Shuang’s, but no matter how hard she searched, those of her third and youngest sisters remained missing. Her original plan had been to visit the village head after the New Year to resolve this matter.
Jiang Song’an had clearly lost his patience by now: “Are you done?”
Pan Shi did not expect such a reaction from him and was momentarily stunned.
“Once you’re done talking, get out.”
Pan Shi: “…”
Jiang Song’an kept standing between Pan Shi and Yuan Yao. “Who do you think you’re fooling with all this nonsense? If you’re after money, you’ve come to the wrong person.”
After speaking, she immediately moved to shut the door and drive them away, but Pan Shi, quick-eyed and deft, grabbed Du Yuan and blocked the entrance to the Jiang household. “Just try laying a hand on me!”
Jiang Song’an raised an eyebrow.
Pan Shi shouted loudly, “Let me tell you plainly this time: unless you give me money, I absolutely will not leave! If you refuse to acknowledge me, I’ll just settle down right here at your doorstep! I’ve already endured all the hardships of fleeing disaster along the way, so what’s one more? But I swear I’ll make your household utterly chaotic—eating, drinking, relieving myself, everything right here before your very eyes. You decide how to handle it!!”
Jiang Song’an suddenly chuckled twice.
“Go ask around; I, Jiang Song’an, have never been extorted by anyone. If you want to sleep at my doorstep, be my guest, but stay alert even while dozing off!”
No sooner had he spoken than he abruptly lifted his leg and kicked Du Yuan squarely in the shin, holding nothing back. Just like the basin that had rolled far away yesterday, Du Yuan let out a muffled groan and stumbled forward. At that very moment, with a loud “bang,” Jiang Song’an slammed the door shut.