Chapter Ten: Testing Each Other

But things are different now.

“Brother-in-law, what are you saying? We’re all family, there’s no need to distinguish between us.”

Han Qing smiled gently, as if he truly regarded him as kin. Liu Tieniu found it almost unbelievable, feeling a bit perplexed inside. Did this kid take the wrong medicine? Could it be he really bears no grudge?

Before coming, Liu Tieniu had braced himself mentally: if Han Qing wanted to hit him or curse him, he’d endure it. After all, as long as he could win Han Qing’s favor, he’d never have to worry about food or clothing again. Perhaps he might even strike it rich along with him.

But Han Qing spoke so openly, leaving Liu Tieniu at a loss.

“You’re being too formal. It’s just some things in the past that made me feel a little guilty and uneasy, so I thought I’d come and apologize. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Liu Tieniu nodded. “I understand. You had your reasons for what you did.”

Han Qing remained calm, as if he truly held no resentment.

“Actually, brother-in-law, I didn’t come for anything big today. I just wanted to ask if you happen to have some silver on hand lately?”

Oh? Here to borrow money?

How the tables have turned. It felt quite satisfying.

“Just say what you need. If there’s anything I can help with, I surely will. How much do you want? Name a number, no need to beat around the bush.”

“You understand me best. Your sister wouldn’t let me ask for it, but I thought a little extra could help with household expenses. Besides, things haven’t been going so well at home lately…”

He rambled on with a lot of nonsense, but really, he just wanted thirty taels of silver.

Han Qing nodded. “I can't produce that much at once, but don’t worry, I have a way to help you get it.”

He spoke slowly, dropping hints step by step.

“The little story shop in the east of the city can lend you thirty taels, but there’s a term to the loan—can you accept that?”

Huh? Liu Tieniu was momentarily stunned, but knowing his brother-in-law could get so much silver, the money for drinking and pleasure would be easily at hand.

“Of course I’ll pay it back. I’ll return it next month for sure,” Liu Tieniu promised.

“I know the people there. I can get the money for you, but they require something as collateral. Do you have anything you could pawn?”

“That’s not difficult. There’s a valuable jade hairpin at home that I’m not allowed to sell—should I just let it sit there and gather dust?”

Liu Tieniu had long felt resentful toward the thing. If his wife hadn’t insisted it was important, he would have sold it secretly ages ago.

“Alright, I can only provide you with this guarantee. But if you fail to repay next month…”

The trouble was obvious.

“Brother-in-law, am I someone who doesn’t keep his word?”

But in his heart, Liu Tieniu had already calculated his scheme. The guarantor wouldn’t be himself, and if trouble arose, he’d surely let his foolish brother-in-law bear it.

Afterward, he took the thirty taels and left happily.

Upon seeing the jade hairpin, Han Qing’s expression darkened. It was the piece their mother had secretly tucked into his sister’s dowry when she married, now being squandered so carelessly by this good-for-nothing, even pawned off.

When the term ended, he’d see the man’s true face clearly. For now, though, he must keep this matter hidden. His sister placed her husband’s family above all else, enduring anything without complaint, and it was impossible she’d easily leave Liu Tieniu. He’d have to wait a while longer.

Han Qing returned to the study and carefully perused the Four Books and Five Classics. Most of them spoke of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and virtue, but lacked much in invention or creation, which made them somewhat dull. Still, with the imperial exam looming, he couldn’t afford distraction.

He pondered whether he should forge another path. Selling manuscripts now could not be a lasting solution.

At midday, the household fare had subtly changed. In recent days, there were noticeably more meat dishes, and his wife seemed more radiant—the aura of wealth nourished her. Yet his mother sighed.

“Why is the price of salt so high lately? It’s truly unreasonable!”

Her words betrayed impatience. Though life had improved, the soaring prices were not what they’d expected, especially for salt blocks—coarse, bitter stuff. The officials withheld strictly, especially at critical junctures, forcing them to recalculate everything.

“It’s probably because some local officials are deliberately skimming,” Han Qing remarked suddenly.

Previously, the Bai family controlled numerous industries, and among them, likely some salt officials. Upon learning they intended to buy coarse salt, they raised prices and reduced quantities on purpose. Seeking justice proved futile; all they could do was swallow their bitterness.

“Mother, things will turn around eventually. Don’t be too disheartened here,” Han Qing said calmly, showing no sign of panic.

He had studied salt refining thoroughly before; the only difficulty now was how to acquire more coarse salt. The authorities’ regulations made it impossible for ordinary people to buy such quantities. The plan was only forming in his mind; to implement it, he’d have to wait for the right opportunity.

Yet the Bai family’s harassment hadn’t ended. Just three days later, they raised the price of salt again, even selling them less on purpose.

When Xu Xiu returned home, she was angry but didn’t mention it to him. He heard about it from Er Zhuang.

“Brother, I saw sister-in-law get bullied today. You should comfort her when you get home.”

Er Zhuang recalled: they paid the same price for coarse salt, but sister-in-law received less. Complaints were dismissed, even accused of causing trouble maliciously. Wasn’t this ruining them?

“I understand,” Han Qing nodded.

Just then, he received a letter. Miss Zhilan was seeking his help.

She wrote that Madam Li had secretly taken all their indenture contracts, seemingly preparing to sell Drunken Flower Pavilion directly to Bai Second Young Master.

This spelled big trouble. He wasn’t about to lose such a valuable ally for nothing.

He immediately went to meet Zhilan and asked her to explain everything in detail.