Chapter 10: Taking Advantage of the Blaze

By this time, dawn had fully broken, and the streets began to fill with the rising and falling cries of street vendors. Su Yunqing gave a few instructions to Zhu Bo before following Wu Renpin outside.

Wu Renpin offered her the sedan chair, limping alongside with a sore leg. Despite the pain, his heart was light. When one takes from others, one must also give; accepting what was offered marked a significant step forward for him. He never cared much for worldly possessions—he would gladly give her the entire household, if need be.

Though Su Yunqing had grown up nearby, this was her first time visiting the Wu family. She had always harbored a strong dislike for him since childhood. Every time he came for a feast at their home or they crossed paths on the street, the way he looked at Qin Yueniang made Su Yunqing want to gouge out his eyes and trample them underfoot.

Thus, when it came to obligatory Wu family banquets, her father or brothers would go in her stead.

Su Yunqing stepped down from the chair and followed Wu Renpin into the house. Inside the doorway stood a tall stone screen. Beyond it stretched a spacious courtyard filled with rare flowers and plants, vibrant and full of life even in this bleak season.

The Wu residence was vast; the front yard alone was much larger than the Su family’s. Su Yunqing quietly surveyed the surroundings.

Wu Renpin called the steward, “Take Third Miss to the storage room. Open the doors and see what she needs. Bring a few large camphorwood chests and wicker baskets for her to pack her things.”

The steward replied respectfully, “Yes, Master.”

The Wu estate was a five-section compound, with the storage room at the far end. Su Yunqing walked slowly, casually asking the steward about the occupants of various rooms. Seeing how generously their master treated her, the steward answered patiently without neglect.

At the storage room, Su Yunqing had a good understanding of the estate’s layout. She grabbed a few random items, tossed them into a wicker basket, and left.

Returning to the third floor, she noticed many clothes hanging on racks in the courtyard. Slowing her pace, she seized the opportunity while no one was paying attention—including the steward and the boys carrying the baskets—and quickly snatched a set of maid’s clothes, slipping them into the basket.

At the doorway, she pretended to inspect the basket and smoothly tucked the maid’s outfit at the bottom.

Wu Renpin, keen to maintain his image of generosity, naturally never bothered to check what she took. It didn’t matter anyway; sooner or later, these belongings—and the people—would return to him.

This thought made him smile quietly.

After Su Yunqing stepped down from the sedan chair and had the two boys carry the wicker basket inside, she followed them in.

Zhu Bo greeted her with a smile, “Third Miss, Madam has awakened. Aunt Hao is here with her, taking care of her.”

“Awakened?” Su Yunqing, ignoring the pain in her leg, hurried inside in quick strides.

Hearing her voice, Aunt Hao rose from beside the bed. “Third Miss, you’ve finally come back. Madam hasn’t eaten; only you can persuade her.”

“Mother…” Su Yunqing knelt beside the bed, taking Qin Yueniang’s hand, but Qin turned her face away.

“Mother, I’m back.”

Seeing no response, Su Yunqing looked to Aunt Hao, who frowned and lowered her head. “Madam fell ill after hearing you went to Wu Renpin’s house. She wouldn’t eat or speak—only weep.”

Su Yunqing leaned over and gently turned her face back toward her. Her hands were soaked with tears; the bedding beneath the pillow was wet.

She knew her mother was angry, but she couldn’t tell her the truth.

“Mother, it’s been a day and two nights. Please eat something. Aunt Hao made some porridge—don’t let her efforts go to waste!”

With that, she helped her sit up.

Qin Yueniang looked pale and exhausted, tears streaming relentlessly. “Mother is useless. I’ve failed you.”

Su Yunqing wiped the tears from her face with a handkerchief, scooped a spoonful of porridge, and brought it to her lips. “Mother, nonsense. Now is when I should protect you. Come, drink the porridge.”

Qin Yueniang tried to open her mouth, but a sharp pain in her chest and a wave of sorrow hit her throat; she quickly turned her face away.

Seeing this, Su Yunqing set down the bowl, sat on the bed, wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders, and held her close, burying her head in her neck.

“Mother, you still have me…”

At last, Qin Yueniang could no longer hold back and sobbed openly. Those nearby were moved; even Zhu Bo wiped tears secretly.

“Mother, after grandfather and eldest brothers are buried, you will go with Uncle back to Chongluan. I will honor Father’s dying wish and marry Cheng Ji in Cenzhou. Once married, I will bring you there. We will never be apart again, alright?”

Qin Yueniang continued to cry, unable to respond.

“Mother, please eat something. How can I bear to leave you and marry when you are like this? Father will blame me for not taking good care of you, for making you angry!”

After much coaxing, Qin Yueniang finally took her medicine and drank a small bowl of porridge before falling weakly asleep.

Soon, the mourning hall was rearranged, a group of monks and Daoists came to hold ceremonies, chanting sutras and performing rites to ease the spirits—quite a lively scene.

Su Yunqing watched all this coldly, a silent sneer curling at her lips.

Seven days later, Elder Su and his two grandsons were buried alongside his wife and children.

After everyone left, Qin Yueniang knelt long before the grave, unwilling to rise. Su Yunqing remained silently by her side, the mother and daughter quietly burning joss paper.

“Father, eldest brother, second brother, rest assured. I swear I will take good care of Mother and never let her suffer. Of course, I will also look after myself. Please watch over grandfather and grandmother from there…”

The autumn sun hung low, making the sky seem vast and boundless. Bare tree branches held a few crows, whose cries pierced the air with a mournful chill.

“Mother, it’s past noon. We should head home. In a couple of days, Uncle will arrive.”

“If I go to your uncle’s house, what will you do?” Her voice was weak and lacked strength.

“I’ll wait here for the Cheng family’s boat to pick me up. Once I reach Cenzhou and get familiar with the Cheng family, I’ll come to Chongluan to bring you back…”

Qin Yueniang interrupted, “Foolish child, no one brings their mother to a wedding.”

“That doesn’t matter. If you feel uncomfortable living with the Cheng family, we can find a place elsewhere. You are the only person I care about in this world. How can I feel at ease being so far apart?”

A faint smile forced its way onto Qin Yueniang’s pale face. “Your uncle—why would you worry about him?”

“I’ll miss you too. I wish we could never be apart for a single day.”

Qin Yueniang seemed to realize something, turning to look at her. “By the way, why did you ask your uncle to come so early? The Cheng family’s wedding procession won’t arrive for at least half a month. I should be the one to see you off first…”

As the two spoke, a series of footsteps sounded behind them. Turning, they saw Wu Renpin approaching.

Several sedan bearers followed him, carrying two sedan chairs, stopping about thirty feet away.

Qin Yueniang’s expression instantly turned cold. “Why is he here?”

Su Yunqing did not answer directly, only saying, “That’s why you must go to Chongluan as soon as possible…”

“Send him away!”

This Wu Renpin always appeared when others were vulnerable, taking advantage of their misfortune. His behavior was disgraceful, and just seeing him made Qin Yueniang physically ill.

“Mother, given our situation, we can’t afford to offend him head-on. Wait for me—I’ll go talk to him.”

Su Yunqing rose, dusted the dirt from her knees, and walked steadily toward Wu Renpin.