Chapter Three: Strange, So Strange

Han Qing looked at the bits of silver in his hand. Though it wasn’t a full tael, it was enough to buy some grain for a couple of days, sparing them from having to survive on wild greens for a while. When he looked up, he noticed his mother and Xiuxiu both gazing at him with a look of astonishment.

“What is it? Is there something on my face?” Han Qing touched his cheek, but both women shook their heads.

Only a few days ago, Han Qing would never have stooped to pick up such a small piece of silver, holding fast to the saying that a gentleman does not bend for a mere pittance.

He walked over to Jiang Xiuxiu and gently reached for her hand, but she shrank back, withdrawing from his touch. On her face, the same look of fear from before flashed across her features, and her knees buckled as she knelt down again.

“Husband, I know I was wrong. I won’t covet that silver anymore. I’ll go out to the fields and dig up wild greens right now.”

Before Han Qing could say a word, Jiang Xiuxiu had already stood up, grabbed her basket, and hurried out the door.

Han Qing had meant to give her the silver so she could buy some grain, and with the few coins left over, perhaps make herself a new muslin skirt. He hadn’t imagined she’d be so wary of him. Smiling wryly, Han Qing shook his head, realizing that some things could not be rushed. After making sure his mother was settled, he too left the house.

It was his first time in this world, and he had to learn how to survive here—he had no intention of remaining a pauper forever.

They say good news travels slow, while rumors spread far and wide. The news of Han Qing’s miraculous recovery had already swept through the villages like a popular storybook. Everywhere he went, eyes followed him.

Upon entering the rice shop, Han Qing looked around for a long time without seeing the owner.

“Boss! I’d like to buy some rice!”

The shop assistant emerged, and upon seeing it was Han Qing who wanted to buy rice, his face soured.

“What kind of rice do you want?” he asked lazily.

Han Qing couldn’t help feeling displeased at the man’s attitude.

“I say, with service like yours, who would want to shop here in the future?”

The boss hurried out and interrupted Han Qing, casting a scornful glance at him.

“Give it a rest, Han family boy. Even if I’m the only rice shop in the village, and not even counting the credit you’ve run up, I could still refuse to sell to you!”

Hearing this, Han Qing lost the mood to argue. He just wanted to buy some rice and get home quickly.

After looking around, he finally chose a cheap sack of unhusked rice. Though it contained a lot of impurities, it would fill their stomachs and last them a few days.

Leaving the shop, Han Qing shivered involuntarily. It was early spring—a time when the weather was still cold and unpredictable. He thought of Jiang Xiuxiu’s thin muslin clothes.

Han Qing quickened his steps and made his way into the cloth shop.

In the Qing Kingdom, clothing was less about style and more about color. Han Qing counted the money in his pocket and settled on two pieces of gray fabric.

After buying these things, only a handful of coins remained. The silver he’d just received was nearly gone, and Han Qing could only laugh bitterly.

Since there was still time, he decided to go check on Jiang Xiuxiu. After all, a young girl couldn’t possibly carry such a heavy load by herself.

As soon as he reached the edge of the fields, he heard a sharp, shrill voice.

“Are you tired of living? All the wild greens in this field belong to me! You come over here to dig them up—dump them all out, now!”

The sound startled Han Qing. Weren’t women of this era supposed to be gentle and virtuous? Yet this one sounded like a roaring lioness.

And of all people, it was Jiang Xiuxiu arguing with her!

Having spent her life trying to please others, Jiang Xiuxiu had always been timid and reserved. How could she possibly get into an argument?

Han Qing hurried his pace. Through the crowd, he saw Jiang Xiuxiu crouching on the ground, her basket full of freshly picked wild greens.

Seeing her in this state made Han Qing’s heart clench with guilt.

He never should have let her come here to gather wild greens!

Pushing through the crowd, Han Qing rushed to her side.

The woman scolding Jiang Xiuxiu was Wang Caifeng—a notorious character, both domineering and, it was said, on vaguely intimate terms with Han Qing.

When she saw Han Qing approach, she sashayed over with a provocative air.

“Well, look who it is—it’s you, you good-for-nothing! Look at your cursed wife, daring to steal my wild greens!”

Wang Caifeng knew Han Qing disliked his wife, so she deliberately said this, waiting to see him give Jiang Xiuxiu a harsh beating. That would make her feel vindicated.

But to her surprise, Han Qing completely ignored her, only gently helping Jiang Xiuxiu up from the ground. The other women watching were dumbstruck.

What had gotten into Han Qing today? When had he become so different?

Seeing Han Qing’s gentle treatment of Jiang Xiuxiu, Wang Caifeng grew even more annoyed and whined, “Brother Han, before you arrived, your cursed wife was bullying me! You must teach her a good lesson!”

Bully you? Who would believe such a thing?

“My wife bullied you? If she did, then so be it. Bring any grievance you have to me,” Han Qing replied coolly.

Wang Caifeng hadn't expected such a response and nearly burst into tears from anger.

“You heartless wretch! How can you treat me like this? Back when we were reading poetry in bed, you never treated me so coldly!”

Han Qing felt awkward. He was speechless at the former Han Qing—leaving such a beautiful wife at home while seeking excitement elsewhere.

Beside him, Jiang Xiuxiu looked aggrieved, silently shouldering the basket of wild greens and heading home.

Han Qing was about to follow her when Wang Caifeng grabbed his arm.

“You can’t leave! Since your cursed wife took those wild greens, you have to pay for them!”

Han Qing really didn’t want to hear another word from her. With a gentle flick of his arm, he accidentally sent her tumbling to the ground.

“Help! He’s beating a woman!” Wang Caifeng cried out.

Her shout drew a crowd, eager for gossip and spectacle.

“Here’s your money—enough for those greens. From today on, we are done with each other,” Han Qing said coldly, handing over the last of his coins.

He wanted nothing more than to catch up with Jiang Xiuxiu. That woman was truly pitiable, and he was determined to protect her, never letting her suffer again.

When he got home, Jiang Xiuxiu had already prepared dinner. Han Qing was so hungry he felt hollow inside.

That night’s meal consisted of a few lumps of cornbread, a thin porridge with a few floating grains of bran, and a plate of dark pickled vegetables.

Plain fare, nothing more.

After dinner, Han Qing wanted to get closer to Jiang Xiuxiu, but she deliberately avoided him, so he retreated to his small study. There were many books inside, though most had little to do with civil service exams. No wonder he was only a pupil, wasting his days on tales of romantic scholars and beauties rather than the Four Books and Five Classics.

On the shelf was a history book about the Qing Kingdom. Han Qing took it down and began to read in earnest, finally gaining a real understanding of this world.

Late into the night, he grew tired but did not return to his bedroom, wanting Jiang Xiuxiu to have a good night’s sleep. The girl had suffered enough.

Already frail, Han Qing soon drifted off at his desk. He only awoke when someone called his name, slowly opening his eyes.