Chapter 30: Malice

Feng Buji's drowsiness vanished, and his little face turned serious. "Yes, we must spend it quickly."

Auntie Wang suggested, "Then buy land. With this much silver, we could buy over seventy mu."

Feng Chuchen said, "Since our family is going to open a medical clinic in the capital, we should first buy a residence in the city, and then buy another one to use as a clinic once we've earned more money. Let's buy near Xihe Gate; the houses there are relatively cheap, and it's close to our hometown and the Green Reed Marsh."

Since a memorial archway was being erected here, this courtyard would be preserved forever as the ancestral home.

As long as her sister suggested it, Feng Buji agreed.

"Alright."

Since both masters had spoken, Auntie Wang agreed as well.

She said, "Then let's buy it quickly. The longer we wait, the more trouble we might invite."

Feng Chuchen said, "We'll go buy it as soon as we finish our tasks. We must all stay alert tonight, especially Shaoyao. Don't tie Datou up, and don't close the door to the woodshed..."

Datou was loud. When it barked wildly, it wouldn't just wake the owners; the sound could reach the entire village. It was also formidable, capable of taking on two grown men.

Seeing their tense expressions, Feng Chuchen smiled. "The Emperor has just honored Great Aunt; even the boldest thieves won't dare act in the near future. We just need to be careful."

Shaoyao promised, "Miss, Young Master, don't worry. I am a light sleeper; I'll hear even the slightest movement. I'll also keep a club by the bed and a wood-chopping knife under the bed. Anyone who dares enter, I'll hack them down."

Feng Chuchen nodded; she would also keep a stick in her room.

The night was deep, and the starlight was brilliant.

The people of White Horse Village were still in a state of excitement, with groups of three and five standing outside their doors discussing the matter of Midwife Feng.

Squire Zhao called his third son, Zhao Wei, into his room.

"I think Chuchen is quite good. She is beautiful, literate, and since Midwife Feng has been honored, I want to propose her to you as your wife."

There was something else he couldn't bring himself to say. Feng Buji wouldn't live long, and the Feng clan members had pushed the siblings aside; the property and honors left by Midwife Feng would belong solely to Feng Chuchen in the future.

An image of Feng Chuchen flashed before Zhao Wei's eyes: thin and tall, with slightly dark skin and a few small pimples on her forehead. With her simple hairpins and cloth skirt, she was clearly a country girl, lacking any elegance or refinement.

He intended to take the imperial examinations and become an official in the future. Marrying her? It would lower his social standing.

He refused, "Father, Feng Chuchen is a country girl. She cannot provide refined companionship, nor can she manage a household well. I do not like her."

Squire Zhao's face darkened, and he rebuked him, "Short-sighted! Although your eldest uncle is the County Vice Magistrate in Quhe County, distant water cannot quench a nearby thirst; it won't help much with your entry into officialdom. If you marry Feng Chuchen, for the sake of Midwife Feng's reputation, people in the official circles will help you."

Zhao Wei made excuses, "Feng Chuchen frequently enters and exits delivery rooms; she carries filth upon her, and she has even been to prison. Marrying such a woman would bring bad luck. Not only would she not help me, but she would actually hinder my career. Why not let Fourth Brother marry her?"

Squire Zhao's small eyes glared. "Are you unaware of Fourth Brother's situation?"

Zhao Wei said, "Although Fourth Brother isn't very bright, our family has high status, wealth, and land; we are an official family. Once Feng Chuchen marries in, she will be a young mistress. When I enter officialdom later, I can simply look after her and Fourth Brother."

This arrangement would allow him to bring Feng Chuchen into the family to aid his future career, without him having to marry the country girl himself.

It was truly a triple win.

His son's intentions could not be hidden from Squire Zhao.

He barked, "Nonsense! Feng Chuchen has very high standards; why would she be willing to marry Fourth Brother? Saying such things would only offend people. Although she frequently enters delivery rooms, I heard she has never personally delivered a baby."

"With the Emperor's personal decree and Midwife Feng's protection, she will not bring bad luck. Listen to your father; marrying her will bring you many benefits. I have already decided: once her mourning period is over, I will hire a matchmaker."

Zhao Wei said stubbornly, "Father, Fourth Brother is just slow-witted. When the family divides the estate later, give him more property. He won't lack food or drink, and whoever marries him will enjoy a life of luxury..."

Seeing his father's cold expression, he dared not speak further, thinking only of how to make Feng Chuchen marry the dim-witted Fourth Brother so he could wash his hands of the matter...

The next day after breakfast, Feng Chuchen and the others carried offerings, paper money, incense, and candles to Jiupo Ridge to offer incense to Great Aunt.

Auntie Wang specifically tied Datou up, not letting it go up the mountain on its own.

She sent Banxia to the Yao family to invite Uncle's family to come for the communal feast tomorrow.

Old Man Yao was the uncle Great Aunt respected most; for such an important moment, they had to be invited.

The Yao family lived in a neighboring village, a walk of about an hour and a half.

Shaoyao stayed to watch the house.

Feng Chuchen carried Feng Buji on her back, while Auntie Wang led Datou. The group and the dog headed north. They crossed a stream, bypassed the Green Reed Marsh, and arrived at the foot of Miaoqingshan Mountain.

Following the small path up the mountain for another fifteen minutes, they reached a slope; this was Jiupo Ridge.

The vegetation on Jiupo Ridge was sparse, with no strange rocks or magnificent pines, no pavilions—only a few catalpa trees and some low shrubs.

The mountain wind was strong, making the leaves rustle. Auntie Wang hurried to put a padded jacket on Feng Buji.

Under a catalpa tree sat a lonely grave. Standing before it, the Green Reed Marsh below and the distant villages were all within view.

Jiupo Ridge was far from being as scenic as other parts of Miaoqingshan, and because there was a mass grave at the foot of the mountain, most travelers took a detour to the north unless they were in a hurry.

The feng shui here was truly not considered good. When the siblings originally wanted to bury Great Aunt at Jiupo Ridge, many people had opposed them.

It was only when they heard it was Midwife Feng's dying wish that people relented.

Feng Chuchen felt that kindness was the best feng shui; Great Aunt had used her great kindness to accumulate countless blessings for her descendants. Wherever she was buried, that place would become a blessed land.

The small grave looked lonely, but with so many children accompanying her nearby, Great Aunt was not lonely.

There were some unburnt incense sticks and paper scraps in front of the grave; someone had come to burn paper for Great Aunt.

As soon as Datou arrived, it ran to the side of the grave and lay down, letting out low whimpers.

Feng Chuchen brushed the tombstone with a branch and cleared away the fallen leaves before kneeling with Feng Buji; Auntie Wang knelt behind them.

They took out several apples, a piece of boiled pork, and then the incense, candles, and paper money.

As Feng Chuchen burned the paper, she murmured softly, "Great Aunt, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and we have come to see you. Yesterday, an imperial eunuch came to deliver the decree. The Emperor praised you as a righteous woman and personally wrote 'Mother of a Thousand Infants.' He will build a memorial archway in front of our house..."

"Great Aunt, you worked hard your whole life, carving out a clear path for Brother and me, and for the future generations of the Feng family. Don't worry, I will take good care of my brother, raise him safely, and see him married with children..."

In her heart, she thought: *If you have a spirit in heaven, please rest easy. I will take care of Buji and this family. If you have already gone to be reincarnated, I hope you are born into a modern society.*

*Women there are much happier than here. There are hospitals for childbirth, and they can have C-sections; you won't have the regrets you had here. Obstetricians are far less burdened than the midwives here, yet they are still respected by the world...*

Feng Buji whispered, "Great Aunt, you must take care of yourself over there. Don't work too hard, and eat plenty of good food. Now we are the descendants of the 'Mother of a Thousand Infants,' no one dares to bully us, and Sister will be able to find a good husband..."

Auntie Wang also said some words to put Great Aunt's spirit at ease.

Suddenly, a strange voice rang out.

"Robbery! Robbery!"