I bring bad luck to my husband, you bring bad luck to your wife.

"You bought it so quickly? Have you seen the house? What do you think?"

"It's great. The previous owner lived there himself and never rented it out. I went to see it. It has two fewer rooms than our house, but the location is good. If you want to go back to your parents' house in the future, you can walk less by 15 minutes."

"That's wonderful." Xiangxi was genuinely happy for her brother and sister-in-law.

On the day of Xiangqiang's housewarming party, Xiangxi dressed Xuebao up early and prepared to go out.

Swallow followed behind, carrying gifts for the greenhouse.

Yang Tongchuan has something to do today and can't go, but that location is easy to find; just mention Xiangxi and you'll find it.

When Xiangxi saw her brother's new house for the first time, it was indeed much better than her sister-in-law's previous house.

It's a proper courtyard house, small but complete. The people living around it are all respectable.

"Xige'er is here, come in quickly."

My sister-in-law wore new clothes today, and several neighbors and vendors from the market came to visit.

The sister-in-law set up a table in the east room and a table in the west room. The men drank on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room, while the women and the young man ate at the table in the west room, without disturbing each other.

"Sister-in-law, let me help you." Xiangxi wanted to hand Xuebao over to Yanzi and go help her sister-in-law.

"No need, everything is ready. Just watch over Xuebao and sit inside." The sister-in-law dared not let Xiangxi do any work now.

The house was small and there were many people, so Xiangxi told Yanzi to go back first, and she would take Xuebao home after she finished eating.

Fortunately, Xiangxi knew everyone in the west room.

In their eyes, Xiangxi is no longer just Xiangqiang's younger brother; he is also the husband of Constable Yang in the yamen, someone they need to curry favor with.

Xiangxi was very tired during the meal, as people kept talking to him.

If they had nothing to say, they would just praise him. They started praising Xiangxi and Xiangqiang when they first arrived at the dock, saying that Xiangxi had thick earlobes, which meant he was blessed, and that he was destined for wealth and honor.

Xiangxi's face was almost frozen from forcing a smile. Just as she was about to make an excuse that the child needed to go home to nurse, she prepared to leave.

Yang Tongchuan arrived. He had just finished his business at the yamen at noon and thought he would come over to support his brother-in-law and pick up Xiangxi to take home.

When the people in the east room saw the chief constable arrive, they insisted on pulling Yang Tongchuan to sit down and have a few drinks.

To save face for Xiang Qiang, Yang Tongchuan sat down, drank a cup, chatted for a few minutes, and then made an excuse that he had things to do in the afternoon and dared not drink more.

Then he took Xiangxi with him and left.

on the way back.

"How are you feeling?" Yang Tongchuan knew that Xiangxi had been really looking forward to today and had started preparing several days in advance.

"Something's a bit strange." Xiangxi came to her brother's place today and truly experienced what it means to visit relatives.

You don't have to do anything yourself; you can just sit there like a guest.

My sister-in-law was exceptionally polite to me. Her politeness made Xiangxi feel like a stranger, and my brother's spirits improved considerably; he even straightened his back.

Finally, I won't be called a spineless coward who sneaks under widows' skirts and raises dead people's children anymore.

"That's right, even birds leave their nests when they grow up, let alone people." This was the effect Yang Tongchuan wanted. He wanted Xiangxi to understand that his brother was just his brother, and that he had grown up and had his own family now.

For Xiangxi, only himself can be his support.

------------

Since taking on the job of constable, Yang Tongchuan's social engagements have noticeably increased.

Those people in the county who make money in the gray area often find various excuses to invite you to dinner, and you can't refuse.

This time, Yang Tongchuan returned late, and the strong smell of perfume and alcohol on his body was impossible to hide.

Xiangxi was so angry that her eyes drooped and her face fell.

"Today, the casino's big boss is treating us. He hired a few singers, and one of them sat next to me. That's probably when I caught it." This was Yang Tongchuan's first time contacting the gambling den alone.

Previously, this line was handled by Constable Wang.

The head constable was not an official position; he belonged to the clerk system (without rank) and was under the jurisdiction of the county lieutenant.

His going to the meal was essentially on behalf of the county magistrate. He would be collecting tributes for the magistrate from now on.

"Keep this. I've already sent the big sum to the county magistrate, and I've set aside some for the brothers. This is ours." Yang Tongchuan handed Xiangxi a money bag.

heavy.

"You've got some nerve, daring to accept this?" Xiangxi was particularly nervous as it was her first time doing something "illegal."

"If I don't accept it, these people won't be able to sleep. They'll think I'm complaining about the amount and want to ask for more, and they'll worry that I'm blocking their path to wealth." Yang Tongchuan, emboldened by alcohol, told Xiangxi about the current situation in the yamen.

"Our county magistrate is definitely going to be promoted this year. Once the magistrate leaves, the registrar will likely take his place, and my superior, the county lieutenant, will probably become the registrar. It's a matter of one person for another, and they won't be able to hold their positions without some money to fill them." Yang Tongchuan was in the thick of it all, just being used as a pawn.

Someone always has to do the shady stuff.

Xiangxi didn't understand these things in the government office; he only felt that the silver in his hand was burning hot.

Yang Tongchuan, on the contrary, didn't care. He used to be the one drinking "dishwater," but now he can drink some meat soup, so there's no difference.

"They've all been promoted, so who will take over the position of county magistrate?" Xiangxi knew absolutely nothing about government affairs.

"Those who are appointed through family connections or those who are selected through the imperial examinations are usually the ones who become county magistrates. I hope it's the former, because those appointed through family connections must be sons of officials of the fifth rank or above. Don't underestimate these sons of officials; they understand the ways of officialdom better than those Jinshi from poor families, and they are easier to serve and more generous." Yang Tongchuan was unusually talkative tonight after drinking.

He had kept these words inside for a long time; if he didn't say them, he would suffocate.

"Xiangxi, trust me. I know what I'm doing and I won't cross the line." Yang Tongchuan's words were not only for Xiangxi, but also a warning to himself.

Xiangxi still felt wronged, always feeling that Yang Tongchuan was fooling him.

"If you don't believe me, check it yourself. See if I haven't wasted a single drop of food."

"Don't touch me, you stink! Wash yourself clean outside before you come back in." Xiangxi chased the person out.

"Okay, I'll wash it clean and then let my husband check it."

Yang Tongchuan went to the kitchen and fetched a large bucket of hot water, then rinsed himself clean from head to toe.

He wasn't lying; he really didn't do anything tonight, even though the other party bluntly said they had arranged a guest room for him to stay overnight and prepared people to serve him.

Yang Tongchuan declined. Given the Yang family's traditions, if he dared to act recklessly, not only his parents but also his elder brother wouldn't forgive him. Besides, he wasn't the kind of man who couldn't control his desires.

After washing up and returning to the house, Xiangxi had already prepared a towel to help him dry his hair.

It's still cold after spring begins, so you can't sleep with wet hair.

Yang Tongchuan sat on the edge of the bed, enjoying Xiangxi's care, and looking at Xuebao beside him.

Xuebao can sleep through the night now, sleeping soundly in her crib. Yang Tongchuan just can't resist the urge to move the child around.

Olaf's little face got tickled from being touched, so he waved his little hands, trying to wake up.

Startled, Xiangxi quickly went over and patted the child's back, trying to coax him back to sleep.

If I wake up at this hour, none of us will get any sleep tonight.

Yang Tongchuan knew he had almost caused trouble.

She secretly took the towel she used to dry her hair and kept rubbing her face, trying to ease the embarrassment.