Chapter 33: My Lady, I Can Do It

*Crunch!*

Under the dim, yellowish glow of the oil lamp, the little kid popped a fried peanut into his mouth, chewed it up, and wore a face full of bliss.

His small eyes darted between the two adults under the lamp.

At this moment, the two adults were in a state of distress: the older sister was frowning deeply, and the brother-in-law was silent, his indignation tinged with gravity.

"Let's pawn it."

Su Yunjin spoke as if she had made a monumental decision, placing her mother's silver-plated copper hairpin on the table.

She continued, "That jar of lard at home hasn't been used much; it should be worth a little money."

"And the grain at home—we'll keep five catties for emergencies and sell the rest. Ask the neighbors if anyone wants it. Also..."

Su Yunjin began calculating to Chen Jie which items in the house could be sold for cash.

But no matter how she calculated, even if they sold everything they owned, they wouldn't make two taels of silver.

Yet the deficit was twenty-five taels. What... what were they going to do!

Su Yunjin was so anxious that a cold sore was already beginning to form under her lip.

Watching Su Yunjin lost in her endless calculations, she didn't even realize a strand of hair had come loose and drifted toward her lips; as she spoke, she accidentally bit into it.

Seeing this, Chen Jie reached out to brush the hair away for her.

She froze, then looked at Chen Jie, her voice tinged with urgency, "Are you even listening to me!"

"Mhm, I'm listening."

"Then what are your thoughts?"

Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "Don't worry, I've already thought of a way."

"Actually borrowing twenty-five taels from Physician Bai won't work. You've only just become his apprentice; he won't lend you that much money."

Chen Jie replied, "You're right, but I'm not planning on having Physician Bai lend me the money. My lady, do you trust me?"

Su Yunjin paused and looked at him.

She saw Chen Jie looking at her with eyes as soft as flowing water. Under the dim oil lamp, as their eyes met, ripples seemed to stir in the air.

For a moment, Su Yunjin felt as if she might melt under that gaze.

*Crunch!*

Just as the two were lost in their tender moment, an unharmonious sound rang out. The little kid had popped another peanut into his mouth and was chewing contentedly.

Su Yunjin snapped back to reality, her face flushing. She lowered her head and continued her accounting.

Chen Jie shot the little kid a fierce glare, only to find the boy completely ignoring him. The boy picked at a booger and, seeing his brother-in-law watching him, used his freshly-picked hand to grab a peanut and said, "Brother-in-law, want some?"

"Eat it yourself."

"Oh."

He tossed it into his mouth. *Crunch...*

His little mouth moved up and down like a hamster's.

Feeling helpless, Chen Jie saw Su Yunjin starting to calculate again and said, "My lady, it's getting late. Let's sleep. I will resolve this matter myself."

Hearing this, Su Yunjin frowned. "How will you resolve it?"

Chen Jie knew that if he didn't give her some reassurance, his wife wouldn't be able to sleep.

"Tomorrow, give me the eight mace of silver in your pouch. I'll go to Uncle Erba to borrow another two mace to make a full tael. Then I'll go to my master. I was actually framed in this matter; originally..."

Chen Jie explained how he had been set up.

Su Yunjin frowned, biting her lower lip in deep thought.

"If this had happened before, we certainly wouldn't have been able to do anything. But now I have a master. If a disciple is cheated like this, my master will surely help."

"But Physician Bai..."

"My master might not be able to do it, but don't forget, my master's son-in-law is Wu Zhong, the manager of the fish market. He can speak directly to Yu Biao. A little bit of silver is just a matter of a single word for them. Besides, I plan to pay back the principal. We'll just have to accept our bad luck, alright?"

Hearing this, Su Yunjin finally relaxed her brow and nodded. "Husband, if it can be done like that, it would be wonderful."

Chen Jie smiled. "You feel relieved now, right? Rui Rui, bring something for your sister to eat. She didn't even eat her dinner properly."

At Chen Jie's call, the little kid immediately stood up. "Yes!"

He quickly brought over the pork knuckle and steamed buns that Chen Jie had previously forbidden him from eating, placed them in front of his sister, and stared at her expectantly.

Chen Jie used a knife to slice the bun, stuffed a few pieces of pork knuckle inside, and handed it to Su Yunjin. "Try it."

Su Yunjin took the bun and took a small bite.

The little kid beside her was salivating. "Sister, *smack*, what does it taste like?"

Chen Jie looked at the boy. "You want some? This is for your sister."

"I'm not eating it, I just want to smell it."

Chen Jie chuckled. Su Yunjin glared at him. "Stop teasing Rui Rui. I can't finish it all, here, take it."

"No way."

As Chen Jie spoke, the little kid added, "Sister should eat it. Rui Rui was just asking, I'm not eating."

Chen Jie patted Rui Rui's little head. "Such a good boy. This one is for your sister. Brother-in-law will make another one for you, okay?"

"Mm-hmm!" Rui Rui nodded vigorously.

Chen Jie made another one just like the first, and the two siblings ate happily.

Watching them eat with such gusto, a sense of satisfaction filled Chen Jie's heart. However, as he turned away, a flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes. Ma Liu and Yu Sanliu—those bastards who were eyeing his wife—could not be allowed to remain.

He would never allow Su Yunjin to end up in the same predicament as Cui'er, who had jumped into the well.

***

Meanwhile, at the Yu family mansion in Xiantao Town.

Yu Sanliu sat at a table laden with various delicacies, while a beautiful young woman was feeding him.

Ma Liu stood behind him with his hands at his sides.

Yu Sanliu chewed the shrimp meat the woman had peeled for him, took a sip of wine, and asked, "Are you saying that Chen Jiu-si has become an apprentice to Bai Wenjing?"

"Yes."

"Sigh... this is a bit troublesome. What did you do?" Yu Sanliu pressed his pinky against his brow.

Ma Liu replied, "That Chen Jiu-si said to give him some time and that he would borrow money to pay it back. I took the liberty of agreeing, saying he must return twenty-five taels with interest in three days. If there is any issue, please punish me, Young Master."

Yu Sanliu nodded. "Mhm. Since you've already made the decision, do as you said. In three days, bring men and collect the money."

"But, Young Master, he is Bai Wenjing's apprentice. What about Wu Zhong?"

"So what if he's Bai Wenjing's apprentice? Debts must be paid; it's only natural. As long as there is an IOU, I'd dare to collect the debt even if he were Bai Wenjing's own father. What is there to fear? Just do what needs to be done."

"Yes, Young Master, I understand." Ma Liu nodded immediately, then seemed to think of something. "But Young Master, what about the Old Master?"

Yu Sanliu looked at Ma Liu. "Ma Liu, remember this: you are my man. I'll deal with the old man myself. Besides, the old man has been up in the mountains looking for rare treasures these past few days; how would he have time to worry about me? Heh..."

"Yes, Young Master, I understand. I will proceed as you instructed."

"Go on then," Yu Sanliu said. He stood up and pointed to a beautiful young woman standing behind him, who clearly had been crying. "You, come to my room."

"Ah~"

The woman was startled. Yu Sanliu leaned in close, staring her down. "Little lady, you wouldn't want your man to have his limbs broken, would you?"

"Be good, sweetie~ it's time for our evening lesson."