Miao Chu

Chapter 211 Taking a Break
Since Xiang Yuan died, even though he was in a foreign land, his body had to be laid out for a funeral. According to his instructions before his death, the coffin would be returned to his hometown after the seventh day after his death.

The group was currently staying at the herbal medicine merchant's house when, overnight, first the government troops came to arrest them, and then someone died. This large courtyard, which had only been recently purchased, suddenly became a haunted house, making it difficult to live in or sell in the future.

The herbal medicine merchant and Xiang Yuan were just doing business together, and the merchant was hoping to make more money from this deal. He never expected to encounter such bad luck. It felt like someone was stabbing him in the heart with Coptis chinensis root. He was so miserable that he cursed Xiang and Rui to the bone.

He immediately sought out the steward of the Xiang family and said, "Who would have thought such a calamity would strike, Brother Xiang, and suffer such a terrible fate? It's all because that Rui Fusheng is a heartless person!"

After scolding Rui Fusheng, he started talking about feelings: "I have been friends with your master for many years. He only has one son left. As an elder, it is natural to take care of him. You can continue to live in this house. But after such an incident, when the body is laid to rest, shouldn't we move it to a temple or Taoist temple and find some virtuous masters to help ward off disaster and misfortune?"

He added, “Brother Xiang was always a man of great pomp and circumstance in life, so it wouldn’t be right to let him leave in such a shabby manner. Shouldn’t the funeral rites be grand and elaborate? It would be more convenient to go to a place beyond the Three Realms.”

His words were full of implications.

Manager Xiang was a shrewd man, and immediately said, "What you say is true, sir. I have already arranged for people to procure the coffin materials, and I will find a nearby temple in a while to invite the master over..."

This herbal medicine merchant had done a lot of business with Xiang Yuan. Now that the house matter was settled, he asked about business matters, urging those who wanted to settle accounts to settle accounts, and those who wanted to deliver goods to deliver goods. There were also deposits that had been agreed upon with Xiang Yuan, which now needed to be refunded. In addition, there were items that the three parties had purchased together. Since Xiang Yuan was the middleman, and Rui Fusheng had an accident, that share should also be paid by the middleman.

One, three, five, seven, nine, the more you calculate, the more there are.

Manager Xiang dared not agree.

He was going to try to brush it off with some words, but the herbal medicine merchant wouldn't listen. He insisted on getting an immediate result—Xiang Yuan's business in Huazhou was quite large, involving many different trades. Once the news got out during the day, everyone would come to his door to block him, and he might not be able to outbid others.

"Do you think you get to decide? Where is Xiang Lin? I'm going to find him!" the herbal medicine merchant said, taking a step towards the back.

Manager Xiang hurriedly caught up and gave him a long speech of persuasion, saying that the young master was seriously injured and was resting. He promised that after reviewing the accounts and discussing the matter tomorrow, the first person would definitely be paid.

Despite his persistent pleading and cajoling, the herbal medicine merchant completely ignored him.

This house originally belonged to him; he knew the place very well.

As soon as Manager Xiang chased into the backyard, he heard a sharp cursing voice coming from inside.

"You jinx! It's you! It's all your fault! Wherever you go, people die. You killed your parents, and now you're killing my father!"

"Now my father is dead, and I've been injured like this by bad guys, but you're completely unharmed. Isn't it all because of your bad luck?"

In the courtyard, many workers and helpers stood by, not saying a word or daring to move.

The one who swore was Xiang Lin.

Seeing the herbal medicine merchant looking at him, Manager Xiang was in a real bind.

He hurried forward and used Xiang Yuan's dying words to persuade the man, saying, "When the coffin is laid in state, the young master and young master Yan will have to wear mourning clothes and act as filial sons to greet the guests. They will also have to carry the coffin and the memorial tablet. How can you start arguing now? What will it look like to outsiders? The master is still behind us!"

These words only made Xiang Lin angrier.

When his mother died, he had heard people say that those who acted as filial sons, carrying the coffin and memorial tablet, would be entitled to a share of the family property in the future.

That bastard Liang Yan dares to even think about dividing the family property?!

Xiang Lin immediately shouted, "Who does he think he is, Young Master Yan? Why should he observe mourning for my father? His surname is Liang, and my father's surname is Xiang. He's an outsider. What kind of guest is he? People will laugh at him!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the door and cursed, "You surnamed Liang, if you have any shame at all, get out of here! Don't eat another bite of rice from the Xiang family!"

Liang Yan stood there awkwardly, his eyes swollen.

Seeing that he didn't move, Xiang Lin became even more annoyed.

He took anesthetic and slept halfway through the journey. He was still sleepy, but was suddenly woken up and learned that his father had died unexpectedly. He was in a strange state of excitement, sleepy, tired, nervous, and strangely excited.

Looking at Liang Yan in front of him, he felt a surge of anger rising within him.

If it weren't for this bastard showing off and vying for everything, why would I have been so angry that I went to whittle down the plum blossom stakes all night?
If the plum blossom stakes hadn't been broken, that knife might not have been so heavy, so wrong, and Father might not have died!
It's all that bastard Liang's fault!

Once this thought came to mind, it was as if it had taken root in Xiang Lin's mind. It was as if it had been nourished by the sweet dew in the jade bottle, and in an instant, it had grown into a towering tree that was thousands of years old. No matter who came or how hard they tried, they could not shake it.

His gaze toward Liang Yan grew even fiercer and more malevolent. Unable to contain himself any longer, he glanced around and spotted a small stone on the ground not far away. He strode forward, picked it up, and began smashing it over Liang Yan's head, yelling, "Are you going to get out of here or not? Are you going to get out of here or not? If you don't get out, I'll beat you out!"

As he spoke, he turned to the steward who had stepped forward to stop him and roared, "My father is dead, and now I'm in charge! Anyone who dares to speak, get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room fell silent and lowered their heads. Even the person in charge stopped in his tracks. He felt a sense of relief.

Ah, yes! Dad's dead, now I'm in charge!

Although he was a little sad, he was always away on business all year round and rarely came back. Every time they met, he would either beat or scold them. He also loved to control people. Everything he did was wrong and inferior to others. In his father's eyes, even Liang Yan, that bastard, was better than his legitimate son.

He forced me to study, insisted that I practice martial arts, forbade me from doing this or that, and even controlled who I played with!

Screw studying, what a load of crap!

He doesn't want to go to the capital, he doesn't want to go to any school! He doesn't want to be controlled by anyone!

He wants to go home!

In the family, grandparents and maternal grandparents, who doesn't have the final say?

They can fight dogs if they want, hunt birds if they want, and eat and play whatever they want without anyone stopping them!

Back in my hometown, I still have many playmates, all of whom are perceptive. If I say anything, they will all gather around.

The last time he mentioned wanting a slingshot to shoot bird eggs, five or six people brought him a slingshot the next day, and they even helped him find the bird eggs and nests!
He had previously declared that once he opened his shop, he would recruit them as managers to do big business together!
I'll open it as soon as I get back, a huge slingshot shop!

Xiang Lin became more and more excited as he thought about it, and his eyes turned red.

Across from him, Liang Yan dodged the stone that was thrown at him and said, "Uncle Xiang is gone. You are the saddest. I don't blame you. If you don't want me to keep vigil or carry the coffin, then I won't. The Xiang family's money has nothing to do with me. My surname is Liang—but can't I at least kowtow?"

Xiang Lin pointed to the white cloth covering the back and said, "Get out of here after you've kowtowed!"

Liang Yan stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and was about to kowtow when Xiang Lin rushed forward and kicked him hard in the back.

With a "thud," Liang Yan lost his balance and his head hit the ground hard, drawing blood immediately.

Xiang Lin laughed loudly and said, "Kneel! Kneel! Why aren't you kneeling anymore?"

No one in the entire courtyard spoke.

Even the herbal medicine merchant was stunned.

Liang Yan's vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his head. It took him a while to recover. Enduring the pain and anger, he got up, walked to Xiang Yuan's other side, knelt down again, and kowtowed three times. After finishing, he stood up and said to Xiang Lin, "Uncle Xiang called us..."

"Get the hell out of here!" Xiang Lin pointed at the door and spat.

With things having escalated to this point, Liang Yan naturally couldn't stay in the courtyard any longer.

He covered his head as he left the courtyard and returned to his room.

Xiang Lin hated him to the core; if he stayed any longer, he would only be making a fool of himself.

But I'm only ten years old, where can I go?
Which shops are hiring apprentices or general laborers?

He searched the room thoroughly.

Over the years, because Uncle Xiang was often away from home and didn't spend much time there, and the servants and the two elders of the Xiang family were all busy with their own affairs, and there was also Xiang Lin around, they didn't prepare too many things for him.

Later, Uncle Xiang said he would take him out, and he did buy some things, but they were just a few sets of clothes for spring and summer.

In addition, when traveling, one would receive gifts from various uncles, aunts, and cousins, many of which were gold and silver items.

Liang Yan rummaged through the items for a while and finally took two boxes. He arranged the items one by one, putting the clothes and shoes in a small wooden box and the rest of the items in another. After he finished, he was about to count the items when, unexpectedly, as he looked down, drops of water fell into the boxes.

He quickly closed the box, wiped his eyes, told the water to stop flowing, and then went back to the corner to take out a bundle from the wooden box.

The bundle was very worn and patched. Inside, there were only two sets of clothes and a pair of cloth shoes.

Liang Yan took off his clothes and put on the largest set from his old bundle—the bundle he carried with him when Uncle Xiang took him home years ago, and the things inside naturally belonged to Liang, not Xiang.

Years have passed, and he has grown quite a bit taller. Clothes that used to fit him barely now look short and small, revealing his calves and half of his arms.

But it's not that you can't wear it.

After getting dressed and changing his shoes, Liang Yan heard someone knocking on the door and entering.

He looked up abruptly, saw the person who had come in, and noticed that there was no one behind him. Disappointment unconsciously showed on his face. He then stood up and called out, "Uncle Sheng."

The person who came was the manager.

Seeing Liang Yan's expression, observing his actions, and noticing his short and simple attire, with one box open and the other closed beside him—the open box revealing everything laid out neatly, as if it were for easy identification rather than for taking away—it was clear to Manager Xiang that he was planning something.

"Liang Yan".

Manager Xiang didn't call him Young Master Yan as before, but called him by his name. He took a few steps forward, but sighed and said, "There's no need for that—you should accept whatever the master gives you. It's what you deserve."

Liang Yan shook his head and said, "I'm not surnamed Xiang, so I won't take advantage of that."

He added, "Uncle Sheng, Uncle Xiang previously instructed me to look after Xiang Lin and me. Now that he doesn't want to see me, I won't get in the way here. I..."

He hesitated for a long time, unsure how to continue.

What about me?

At this moment, Liang Yantai wished he were a dashing swordsman in a play, a wealthy man who spends lavishly, or a general with superb martial arts skills.

But the world is so big, yet he has nowhere to go. He doesn't even know how to get food if he leaves the Xiang family.

How could you be so useless!
Manager Xiang did not stop him, but took out a letter from his pocket and said, "Keep this—there is a caravan of merchants in the west of the city. The leader is an old acquaintance of yours. After things are settled here in a couple of days, I will take you to their door. You can go to the capital with that caravan and seek refuge with Master Zhu Liangfu."

"This year, the master placed an order with him to buy preserved duck and pork. I made it clear in my letter that the money should be used for your daily expenses. I also asked him to help me find a reliable martial arts school. You should practice martial arts diligently. Although Master Zhu is a butcher, I have observed him for many years and he is a man of integrity and kindness. You will not suffer any losses with him."

Liang Yan quickly shook his head and said, "I never wanted to take advantage of this. The deposit that Uncle Xiang gave to the master is now Xiang Lin's money. If he finds out that I used his money later..."

When Manager Xiang heard Liang Yan say this, he shook his head, sighed, and said, "You stubborn fool!"

He continued, “When the master was alive, I couldn’t say anything, but now that he’s gone, and you’re acting so stupidly—when your father risked his life to save the master, why didn’t he immediately provide for your family when he came back? Instead, he waited for several years until there was no one left in your family before sending people to look for you and finally bringing you into the mansion. Do you know why?”

Liang Yan shook his head.

The steward continued, "Your father didn't have to die. It was because the master said he had dropped his invoices and money on the way back and insisted on going back to retrieve them that he encountered the bandits who had returned to attack. The invoices and money were actually on him, but the ones he went back to retrieve belonged to a merchant in the same caravan. He had seen them fall to the ground when the bandits attacked him and had been thinking about them ever since..."

“He had a dream that your father came to his door to demand justice. At first, he didn’t take it seriously, but the next day when he went to Feng County to do business, everyone else was fine except for you. You tripped and fell on flat ground and broke your arm. Then at lunchtime, you broke half a tooth by a stone in your rice. When you came back, you rushed to find the head monk of Lingtai Temple and followed his instructions to go and pick you up.”

On that sweltering, humid day, Liang Yan felt a chill run through his body as he listened. When he heard the last sentence, it was as if someone had ripped a hole in the top of his head and poured in icy water mixed with crushed ice, making his teeth chatter.

***
Inside the official post station, Song Miao remained on tenterhooks.

She waited for a long time but received no news, so she had no choice but to go to sleep fully clothed.

I didn't sleep very well.

In the early hours of the morning, she heard a slight noise outside and immediately got up. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Han Li carrying a lantern walking from the second gate not far away.

She hurried out the door and met him halfway there.

Han Li, holding up his lantern, saw that it was Song Miao. Without even greeting her or exchanging pleasantries, he immediately said as she got closer, "We've got her! Rui Fusheng is that crooked Lu Mao!"

Song Miao let out a long breath.

Before she could ask, Han Li had already explained where and how he caught him, and what methods he used. Finally, he said, "If you hadn't been so observant, he would have already escaped."

He then briefly explained how Rui Fusheng had prepared and how many escape plans he had.

Song Miao felt relieved and stopped worrying. She said, "Since the bandit leader has been brought to justice, I won't bother you any longer. You must be exhausted from staying up this long. It's best to rest early. I'll ask you more questions tomorrow when I have time."

As he said this, he was about to leave.

Han Li responded and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and asked, "If I remember correctly, tomorrow is the day when stall owner Song takes a break, right?"

　Thank you everyone for your monthly tickets, Xiaoxiang tickets, and all kinds of tickets. If there are no unforeseen circumstances, Miaomiao will have more activity funds next month (October). At that time, we will have to work hard for the operations officer, Xiaotu!

　　We'll try to see if we can set up some activities that are easy to participate in but have a limited entry threshold for real readers, so that we can recoup some of the costs for everyone.

　　If you have any good activity suggestions, please leave a comment below so the operations team can consider them. Thank you everyone! Poor Xiao Miao has finally been able to afford something for a month now, so happy!!! Thank you to all my fellow foodies!!

　　(End of this chapter)