Not afraid

Just after the fifth watch, there was a gentle knock on the door of the fifth room on the second floor of the inn.

Tai Shi Zheng hadn't slept all night, holding Cui Zhijun in her arms. Every time she closed her eyes, she thought about how to deal with Chu Fanghua and dispose of Liu Yugeng. But since she couldn't sleep, she simply took Cuo Cuo out of the house at dawn, pretending to go out for a walk with the dog.

On the other side of the door, Bao Nian sat alone by the bed, feeling dejected. How could she close her eyes in such a situation?

Cui Jianchun and Bao Nian each have their own sufferings, but both find it difficult to fall asleep.

Fortunately, after a long wait, someone finally knocked on her door. Bao Nian, exhausted, sat up, the floor and ceiling spinning before her eyes. She leaned on the edge of the table, trying to catch her breath.

Zheng was wondering outside the door, but she didn't want to disturb the other tenants, so she called out softly, "Sister-in-law, are you in there?"

Bao Nian responded softly: "Hey."

She turned and walked to the door. Bao Nian opened the door and led Tai Shi Zheng in. When Zheng saw Bao Nian, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"

Bao Nian shook his head, "Madam, why are you here so early?"

Zheng closed the door and followed Bao Nian to the table. Bao Nian touched the kettle, which had already grown cold, and stood up to get back to work. "The water's cold. I'll go get some hot water from the store."

Zheng quickly stopped the man and said, "Don't bother, sister-in-law. I don't want to drink. I'd better talk to you about business first."

Bao Nian's hand, which was colder than a kettle, remained motionless. She seemed afraid of getting the answer from Tai Shi Zheng.

Ke Zheng knew that the person in front of her would have to face these things sooner or later. It was better to suffer a short pain than a long one, so she spoke frankly without any reservations, "Sister-in-law, this happened suddenly. I understand that it may be difficult for you to accept it for a while, but I still want to explain to you that Liu Yugeng deliberately took you back to Xingren Mansion in order to divorce your wife and remarry. He wanted to use the Chu family's influence to rise to the top, so he chose to betray his trust. Chun'er, like you, is a victim in this matter."

"What…"

Until this moment, Bao Nian still felt that all this was absurd.

After seven or eight years of marriage, they seemed like two completely unrelated people. Bao Nian had no idea what kind of person Liu Yugeng was, and Liu Yugeng didn't care what kind of person Bao Nian was. They were simply tied together by their parents' orders and the matchmaker's words.

But despite this, Bao Nian still fulfilled her responsibilities and obligations conscientiously, while Liu Yugeng kicked her away after taking advantage of her.

Despicable and shameless. The pain in her heart pressed against her throat.

Whenever she thought of Liu Yugeng's ugly face from the day before, she felt sick.

Zheng looked at the silence of the person in front of her, feeling extremely distressed, but she still chose to speak up and tell Bao Nian everything she knew, so that Bao Nian could see everything clearly once and for all. As for the final choice, it was up to her to make it.

First it was Liu Yugeng, then the Chu family, and finally Cui Jianchun. Bao Nian's anger gradually turned into confusion.

"So sister-in-law, what do you think of them doing this?"

As Zheng's final words fell into her ears, Bao Nian, a small village woman, felt powerless in the face of the title of Chu. She began to doubt herself. Perhaps she should go back to Xingren Prefecture with Liu Yugeng? Bianjing, perhaps, really wasn't where she belonged.

“I…I…”

Why not go home? Why not go home?

But she had ended up like this because of Liu Yugeng, so where should she go? Bao Nian stared at Taishi Zheng and asked helplessly, "My wife, the Chu family is powerful, and Liu Yugeng is now an official in the court. I am a lowly person in the capital, so what should I do? What can I do..."

After he finished speaking, he burst into tears.

Zheng sat there quietly, letting Bao Nian cry out loud. She felt that she had been suppressing her emotions for too long and it was time to let it out.

But venting does not mean letting go.

Half a minute later, Zheng silently handed over a clean handkerchief and said in a deep voice, "It's not our fault, so why should we be afraid first? Why do those who do wrong things feel at ease, while we have to be in danger? This is unfair."

Zheng's words woke the dreamer up.

Bao Nian was stunned and speechless. If she just gave in, would she really get the ending she wanted? Would she regret living her life with such sadness and humiliation?

"My wife, what do you want me to do?" Bao Nian finally spoke.

Zheng felt very relieved. Her voice was strong and powerful. "Sue Liu Yugeng."

But Zheng wasn't blindly urging them to fight back; she also wanted to protect them from harm. She repeatedly recalled the words the sage had spoken to her during the silkworm ceremony, and they remained etched in her heart for years. Life is difficult, and the path for women is even more challenging. Therefore, we should help and love each other, and move forward hand in hand.

When she looked up again, Zheng said to Bao Nian, "Baonian, there are laws in this world, and we should speak for ourselves."

This time, the voice fell,

She no longer called her sister-in-law, but whispered her name.

Sue Liu Yugeng?

Bao Nian did not agree as firmly as Cui Jianchun.

She has too many concerns. She and her are not the same person at all. The wildflowers growing in the damp and muddy land yearn for the sunlight, but are afraid to touch the unknown light. Bao Nian asked Zheng: "Can I...? Will anyone be willing to listen to me?"

"Yes."

Zheng answered without hesitation, as long as their voices were loud enough.

But faced with reality, Zheng still had to reveal the truth. "But before we have evidence, even if this matter reaches Kaifeng Prefecture, it will be suppressed by the Chu family. We need to face this reality. Otherwise, not only will it alert the Chu family and make them wary, but it will also get us into trouble."

"So, Bao Nian, we need to maintain the status quo for the time being, so that those who want to do evil will think that we are completely unaware and not on guard. Only then can they carry out their plans. Only in this way can we find their flaws. Isn't that what they want you to do to Xingren Mansion?"

"Then let's go with the flow and retreat in order to advance. When the time comes, we'll catch the enemy in a trap and defeat them with one move, without giving them the slightest chance to argue. But Bao Nian, if you don't want to, I won't force you. Everything is your own choice. No matter what, I respect you."

Zheng's determination gave Bao Nian a lot of courage. She had already been forced into a desperate situation by Liu Yugeng, so why should she show mercy to him?

Although Bao Nian did not have Cui Jianchun's decisiveness, she trusted Tai Shi Zheng very much.

Bao Nian stood up and clutched the handkerchief Zheng had handed her, tightly in her palm. She said, "I will sue, my lady! But Bao Nian is shallow-minded and really stupid. So from today on, whatever you say, Bao Nian will do. As long as the traitor Liu Yugeng can be punished and the innocent young lady Chun'er can be rescued from her predicament, even if Bao Nian has to suffer some punishment in Kaifeng Prefecture, Bao Nian thinks it's worth it."

With that final word, Bao Nian summoned up the courage she had when she left her hometown. She didn't want to return home in such a cowardly way. If she did, she wanted to return home in glory. She wanted to return to the hometown that had brought her so much sorrow with dignity.

Zheng is not afraid of the Chu family. What she wants is Bao Nian's affirmation.

Lifting the case and approaching Bao Nian, Zheng consoled him, "They are the ones who should be punished, not us. They are the ones who should be anxious, not us. In that case, I'll rent you a car and take you back to Fuyuanfang. For the next few days, you can travel between home and Baohefang as usual. I'm sure Liu Yugeng will come back to see you soon."

"But don't worry. Under the emperor's feet, the Chu family is not bold enough to do anything to kill you. But you must be prepared, they will definitely use some despicable means to force you to submit. And since Xiaobao is your weak spot, leave him at the head of the neighborhood for the time being. I will send someone to give the head of the neighborhood some things and ask her to take good care of him. As for the rest, if there is anything else, we can contact you at any time."

Bao Nian lowered her eyes, and the dim room suddenly brightened with daylight. She finally responded firmly, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

-

Before noon, Liu Yugeng went to Yuxiao Temple to deliver the news.

By the time the news reached Chu Fanghua, it was already mid-afternoon. From the small building above Yuxiao Temple, Chu Fanghua stared at the endless stream of believers coming and going below, pondering Liu Yugeng's recklessness. He cursed under his breath, "Useless Liu Yugeng, can't even handle a village woman. I wonder where he got that first place in the second class."

Chu Fanghua threw the cup casually, and the water in the cup spilled all over the floor.

But even though he complained, they were now in the same boat, so Chu Fanghua still had to worry about this matter.

The old woman named Danyun was unhurried, kneeling beside Chu Fanghua to rinse and add tea. She lowered her head and looked at the copper plate on the table that Chu Fanghua used for divination, and remained silent. These days, Chu Fanghua came to Yuxiao Temple every day, bowing to the gods every day, as if seeking peace of mind.

But can the sins you have committed be forgiven by simply bowing to the gods?

It’s better to fight for your own life.

Gently pushing the teacup away, Danyun asked calmly, "Madam, since Liu Yugeng is incompetent, what are you going to do next? I heard the young official relay that his wife seems to be working in the noodle shop owned by the second young master's wife in the main house. Liu Yugeng told you to be careful."

"Tai Shi Zheng?" Chu Fanghua heard this and stared at Dan Yun.

"She again! Why is she everywhere? The Taishi family has been declining since Empress Shunhe passed away. Now his father only holds the empty title of Huainan Jiedushi, and doesn't even have a title in Bianjing. Even if he knows Consort Xian, so what? Isn't it all because of the late Empress? If she knows what's good for her now, she should keep her tail between her legs. She still thinks the Taishi family is as powerful as before? She dares to go against the Chu family. She's really overestimating herself. Besides, this matter also concerns the Cui family. Is she really going to disregard the Cui family's reputation and help a powerless outsider? Has she been kicked in the head by a donkey?"

Chu Fanghua was arrogant and underestimated his enemy.

Danyun put down the kettle and wiped the water stains on the table.

She thought she was being too careless. "That being said, it's better to be careful when doing these things, Madam."

After all, they can't stand the light of day. This is what Danyun meant.

"It's better to be careful. If you have an idea, just say it." Chu Fanghua raised the tea that Danyun had brought and sipped it with interest.

Danyun and Chu Fanghua had already reached a tacit understanding. She continued with her work and pretended to speak casually, "You didn't need me to tell you that I knew Liu Yugeng couldn't be deceived. You must be planning to use some hard tactics to make that village woman feel that she couldn't stay in Bianjing anymore. She would give up and return home. Although this is a good idea, I still dare to say a few words."

"We shouldn't be too straightforward in our actions. It's best to put the starting point of all things on Liu Yugeng, so that it appears that the matter has nothing to do with us. That way, we won't be easily exposed."

Although Danyun did not agree with Chu Fanghua's decision to seek wealth and honor at such a risk this time, she had followed Chu Fanghua for decades and was loyal to her master, so she chose to stand on Chu Fanghua's side and make plans for her.

Chu Fanghua's eyes lit up when she heard that. Danyun guessed what she was thinking. She was worried that she had ideas but no solutions.

"That makes some sense. Keep going."

Danyun slowly stopped what he was doing and stood up from his knees. "And I don't know if you've noticed, Madam, but since that day I left the palace, you've been in charge of everything. Chu and the Empress Dowager have stayed completely out of it. But they were the ones who proposed this. If it succeeds, they'll get the biggest share. If it fails, they'll be unscathed. Madam, you want us to have extra protection, so you're dragging Chu into the water. Otherwise, when the shore is filled with people, we'll be the only ones drowning."

Chu Fanghua's eyes began to become unnatural. She knew very well that Empress Dowager Chu wanted to reap the benefits.

But what can she do?

Danyun’s words hit the nail on the head.

Chu Fanghua pretended to be angry and cursed in a deep voice: "You damned woman, you have become more and more daring recently. What ability do you have to drag them into this?"

Danyun looked calmly at the well-proportioned city of Bianjing. Here, tall buildings stood, and beneath the peace and joy, power was overlapping. This was the paradise of the Yuan Liang Dynasty, but also the most filthy ditch.

She has been in Bian Jing for thirty years and claims to know this place best.

Danyun spoke calmly, "The third brother of the Imperial Uncle, Chu Shouyin, has been secretly working as a moneylender in Bianjing since the Empress Dowager entered Baoci Palace. He hired a moneylender named Zuan Di Shu to lend money for him. I heard that this man has some tricks when it comes to collecting debts. Many people are afraid to offend him because of the Chu family..."

"Then let's ask Liu Yugeng to go and borrow money from him. Chu Laosan's business is not decent enough, so he certainly wouldn't dare to make a scene at the Censorate. By then, we will be one as husband and wife, and he won't be able to go to Liu Yugeng to collect the debt." Chu Fanghua smiled complacently.

Danyun said this, and she stopped responding to whatever Chu Fanghua said.

It turns out that she is the most cunning of the two wives.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Chu Fanghua continued to talk to herself, "Let Liu Yugeng use Chu Laosan's hand to force the village woman away. What does it have to do with us? Even if the matter is exposed in the future, they are already involved. If they don't protect me, I won't be able to explain myself. So, we will enter their cabin from the deck at the peak of the storm."

At this point, Chu Fanghua's smile became even more arrogant. "Okay, okay, you old woman, you're the most vicious person. Go, send someone to monitor that village woman's every move. If she behaves normally, notify Liu Yugeng to take action."

Danyun stood up, and Bianjing disappeared from her sight.

She answered yes, turned around and left through the curtain.

At that time, Chu Fanghua was the only one left in the elegant little building. Suddenly, a tall tongue of flame shot out from the incense burner in front of the Lingguan Temple, burning in Chu Fanghua's eyes as she peeped down. Everyone began to shout in panic, but she was the only one who sat there calmly.

Chu Fanghua stared at the flames with disdain. She casually tossed the copper plate on the table. Three sides were dark, a bad omen. But she seemed possessed, muttering in deep thought, "Burn, burn—the brighter the better."

-

After Tai Shi Zheng sent Bao Nian back to Fuyuanfang, he went to the house of the ward head.

You wouldn't know it until you go there. The neighborhood chief was originally a retired lady from the palace. Later, she used her life savings to buy a house in Fuyuanfang. Because she spoke fairly and was always the first to rush to the front when there was something going on in the neighborhood, she was elected as the neighborhood chief by her neighbors.

Zheng pushed the door open and saw a simple courtyard with two entrances.

The wardens warmly entertained her, and Zheng felt that she was just as Cang Yi had described her: warm, kind, and gentle, yet with a tenacity in her eyes. The wardens had never married, and had no children, yet they were still able to take care of Xiaobao with ease.

Zheng originally said that she would just put down her things and leave.

Unexpectedly, when the head of the neighborhood heard that she was Yi Yatou's sister-in-law, he pulled her over and invited her into the house for tea.

It was hard to refuse the headman's kindness, so Zheng followed him into the house.

But upon entering the house, Zheng's attention was drawn to the jade hairpin placed before the Buddhist altar in the center of the hall. She stood there for a long time. She felt a strange sense of familiarity, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

Seeing this, the monastery head opened the teapot and said to Zheng, "My lady is curious. Which family doesn't put the jade hairpin in a makeup box? Why would they place it in front of the Buddha altar?"

"Master...that's not what I meant, please don't misunderstand..." Zheng hurriedly explained.

The head of the monastery shook his head and said it was nothing, then he spoke openly about the past. "This jade hairpin means a lot to me. A year before I left the palace, I served Saint Shunhe for a while. At that time, the Saint had just married the late Emperor. We were not very familiar with this new Saint. In addition, the Saint was usually quiet and always liked to be alone. So we all thought that the Saint was difficult to get close to and difficult to get along with. We were always extra careful when serving him."

"As luck would have it, it happened to be the Saint's birthday, and I was on duty in the temple. Perhaps the wooden hairpin had been used for too long and was a little worn. It inexplicably broke in two, and my hair bun fell down with it. Losing my manners in front of the temple is an unforgivable sin."

"I was terrified. Unexpectedly, the saint took off the jade hairpin on his head, gave it to me, and even tied my hair into a bun for me."

"I refuse, saying that I am of humble status, how can I be a match for you?"

"But the sage said, 'A hairpin is meant to be used. What does it mean to be rich or poor? The meaning of its existence lies in being able to tie my hair up."

The monastery head smiled as she spoke, gazing at the hairpin in front of the altar. It was as if, through the warmth of jade, she saw the compassionate Empress in Kunning Hall that year. She felt the saint had left, yet it was as if she had never been there. At the very least, the good karma the saint had planted in Kunning Hall that year had sprouted, prompting her to pass on that kindness in Fuyuanfang after leaving the palace.

Zheng stood there in a daze.

She never thought that one day she would meet the saint again in such a place.

In a mysterious way, gazing across time and space, Zheng vaguely understood that this reunion was perhaps some kind of guidance from a sage. The sage was telling her that she was doing the right thing by resolutely standing by Cui Jianchun and Bao Nian...

-

Later, after drinking a cup of tea and coming out of Fuyuanfang, Zheng went to her own Huaiqingfang and briefly told Taishi Zhengjiang about everything that had happened recently. Zheng was worried that something might have happened to Baonian, so she thought of asking her father to go to Fuyuanfang when he was free, to take a secret look and secretly protect Baonian.

Who would have thought that he didn't even finish his words.

Taishi Zhengjiang immediately grabbed the tools on the stove and shouted, "What? There is such a dirty thing, is there still any law? Daddy will go now. If I run into them, I will kill them one by one, and I will see that I won't leave a single piece of armor behind--"

Seeing this, Zheng regretted having spoken too hastily, so she quickly grabbed Taishi Zhengjiang and said, "Daddy, I know you're anxious, but first put down the rolling pin, kitchen knife, spatula, oil bottle, and the lettuce I just bought for you!"