One day, Xia Yun returned home from the yamen and saw Third Sister Xia washing clothes in the courtyard. He walked over with a smile and said, “The County Magistrate gave out some reward money today. I saw someone selling flowers on the street and bought one each for you and Fourth Sister. Quick, put it away before our sisters-in-law see it.” He pulled out a pink silk flower from his sleeve and handed it over.

Third Sister Xia grumbled, “Brother, this flower is nothing special. The one Chen Xianglan gave me was so much better, but that little wretch snatched it away!”

Xia Yun was startled at hearing “Chen Xianglan” and quickly asked, “Chen Xianglan? Which Chen Xianglan?”

Third Sister Xia replied, “Chen Wanquan’s daughter. Some days ago, my Mother, Second Sister-in-law, and I visited the Chen family. Their house is truly grand – even their vinegar bottles are made of agate! Chen Xianglan gave me a flower, but my Second Sister-in-law took it after we got home. Second Sister-in-law said the Chen family invited us because they wanted to marry their daughter to you, but after Mother went two more times, they wouldn’t even open their door. Second Sister-in-law said the marriage probably won’t happen now.”

Xia Yun became immediately anxious. He knew Jin Shi’s character all too well – ignorant, shallow, and always looking to take advantage. How could they make a good impression on the Chen family with such behavior? No wonder Chen Wanquan had been treating him coldly these past few days, unlike his previous warmth. So this was the reason! Xia Yun stamped his feet repeatedly and said, “Why didn’t you tell me about visiting the Chen family?” Seeing that Third Sister Xia couldn’t explain clearly, he immediately went to find Second Sister-in-law in the side room.

The second Sister-in-law was doing needlework in her room when Xia Yun burst in with wide eyes, startling her. She quickly put down her needlework and asked with a smile, “What brings Third Brother here?”

Xia Yun asked urgently, “When did you, Mother, and Third Sister go to the Chen family? What did you talk about? I just heard from Third Sister that Mother went to the Chen family two more times but they wouldn’t open the door – what happened?”

Second Sister-in-law’s eyes darted around before she put on a smile and said, “Oh, that’s what this is about. I thought it was something else. Some days ago, the Chen family invited us over as they had moved to a new house and wanted to invite their old neighbors for a visit. You were sleeping at the yamen those days and hadn’t come home, so we didn’t mention it to you.” She patted the edge of the kang bed, asking Xia Yun to sit down. Leaning forward slightly while supporting herself on the table, she covered her mouth with a fan and said in a low voice, “Tell me honestly, Third Uncle, do you… have feelings for the Chen family’s daughter?”

Xia Yun’s face immediately turned red, and he lowered his head without speaking.

Second Sister-in-law giggled, waving her fan, “I’ve noticed how diligent you’ve been, running to Chen Wanquan’s pawnshop every day. You say you’re looking for precious items to buy and please your superiors, but you’re thinking about someone there!”

Xia Yun’s face grew even redder. He stood up and made a deep bow to Second Sister-in-law, saying, “Second Sister-in-law truly has the wisdom of Zhuge Liang. I need your help with this matter.”

Second Sister-in-law laughed heartily, “We’re all family, no need for such formality…” Her expression suddenly changed to one of worry, her brows furrowing as she said, “But I’m afraid this won’t be easy to arrange.”

Xia Yun quickly sat back down and asked, “What do you mean?”

Second Sister-in-law said, “I had long noticed Uncle’s interest in the Chen family’s daughter, and when we visited their home, I intended to probe their thoughts on the matter. But to be frank, you know Mother’s personality – she ended up offending both mother and daughter. I had to do a lot of mediating before they showed any sign of reconsidering. The Chen family is so wealthy, and Xianglan is so beautiful – they naturally have high standards. These past days, I’ve been exhausting myself trying to plan this for Uncle.” She sighed and rubbed her temples, “I’ve gotten thinner from all this work.” She glanced at Xia Yun from under her slightly raised eyelids.

Though Xia Yun was somewhat pedantic, he was quite sharp at reading people’s intentions. He immediately took out half a string of copper coins from his sleeve, handed them over, and said with a smile, “Thank you for your efforts, Second Sister-in-law. Please take these coins to buy some food and take care of yourself. If you can help me succeed in this matter, I will surely reward you generously.”

The second Sister-in-law’s eyes immediately lit up with a smile, but she didn’t take the money right away. She watched as Xia Yun placed the half-string of coins on the kang table, then sat cross-legged and said, “I’d say I’m seventy to eighty percent confident about your matter.” Seeing Xia Yun’s eager expression, she thought to herself, “Regardless of how this turns out, I’ll first trick some silver out of you.” She made up a story, saying, “Although the Chen parents have high standards, I’ve noticed that Xianglan seems willing. Her parents treasure her like their own eyes – if she agrees, this marriage will happen whether they want it or not.”

Xia Yun immediately stood up, asking excitedly, “Really?”

Second Sister-in-law chuckled, “Of course! I have more good news – how will you thank me if I tell you?”

Xia Yun was so delighted he couldn’t keep still, feeling as if thousands of insects were crawling in his heart. He took out another tael of silver from his pocket, pushed it over, and said, “This small token of appreciation – Second Sister-in-law, please use it to buy some fabric to make new clothes for my little niece.”

Second Sister-in-law smiled, “You’re quite clever. That day, Xianglan asked me many questions about you and praised your handsome appearance. Before leaving, she even secretly gave me a flower to pass to you! I’ve been so busy these days that I completely forgot about it.” She got up and took out a gauze flower from the chest at the head of the kang and handed it to him.

Xia Yun was ultimately a smart person and said, “Earlier in the courtyard, Third Sister said Xianglan gave her a flower that you later took – is it this one?”

The second Sister-in-law secretly cursed the Third Sister for being loose-lipped. Her eyes darted around as she said, “Of course, it’s this one. As soon as Xianglan gave it to me, that dead girl snatched it away, insisting it was given to her. It took me quite a while to get it back – don’t let her see it again.”

With this explanation, Xia Yun believed her. He stood holding the flower in a daze, thinking to himself, “So Xianglan has already given me a token of her affection, clearly showing her deep feelings for me. I’m truly foolish for not noticing her heart! Now I certainly cannot disappoint such sincere emotions from this fine lady.”

Second Sister-in-law coughed lightly and said, “However, her parents aren’t very pleased with this matter right now, so I’ll need to make several more visits…”

Xia Yun thought to himself, “My mother is muddle-headed and can’t be relied upon. Only Second Sister-in-law is clever and adaptable – if this matter is to succeed, it depends entirely on her planning and strategy.” He gritted his teeth, took out another tael of silver from his pocket, and handed it over, saying, “Second Sister-in-law is truly a remarkable woman among women. This matter depends heavily on you. You’ve run your legs off for my sake – this silver is for you to buy new shoes.”

Second Sister-in-law, feeling she had squeezed enough money out of him, readily accepted the silver and said with a smile, “This matter isn’t certain to succeed, but I’ll certainly do my very best for you.”

Xia Yun thanked her repeatedly. From then on, he believed that Xianglan had feelings for him. He would often stare at the flower in a lovesick daze, thinking of Xianglan’s fair skin and lovely face, his heart fluttering, only regretting that he couldn’t meet with his beloved. But let’s leave this for now.

The next day, Xia Yun went to the yamen early for a roll call. Just as he reached the back gate of the yamen, he saw a small sedan chair being carried over from across the street. Xia Yun quickly stepped aside to make way as the sedan chair was carried directly into the yamen. Suddenly, the curtain was lifted, revealing a woman’s face. She appeared to be in her twenties, with snow-white skin marked by small spots, small eyes, and a straight, high nose bridge. Though not a beauty, she had a clean appearance with a certain charm. The woman ordered the sedan bearers to stop and said to Xia Yun with a coy smile, “Young Master Xia, you’re here so early!”

Xia Yun kept his head down and responded briefly.

After the woman left, Zhang, the gate guard, smiled at Xia Yun and said, “Clerk Xia, you don’t recognize who that is, do you?”

Xia Yun replied, “Isn’t she Madam Cao, the wife of Tax Inspector Ren?”

Zhang grinned meaningfully and said, “She’s quite famous, and you’ve already heard of her despite being new here. Everyone calls her ‘Lady Cao.’ She claims to be related to the Lin family and uses their name to gain respect, so we all treat her with extra courtesy. This Lady Cao is quite formidable – somehow she found a way to connect with the County Magistrate. Despite not being particularly beautiful, she managed to bewitch the old magistrate and got her good-for-nothing husband appointed as a tax inspector. Now that’s a lucrative position – truly impressive scheming!”

Xia Yun was startled, “You shouldn’t speak so carelessly about such matters!”

Zhang clicked his tongue and said, “How could I be making this up? Do you think she comes so early every day to bring food to her husband? Nonsense! She’s climbing into the County Magistrate’s bed after roll-call! Everyone in the yamen knows it clear as day, including her husband. Well, a green hat won’t kill him, and his position depends on his wife anyway, so he keeps quiet about it. I heard he even has to prepare his wife’s foot-washing water at night – it angered his mother to death. He smirked and patted Xia Yun’s shoulder, saying, “I think this young woman has her eye on you now. Better be careful – she might come knocking on your door during your night shift!”

These words made Xia Yun’s face turn bright red, and he hurried away.

This woman was Cao Lihuan. Originally, Ren Yu wasn’t much of a scholar, so the Ren family used their connections to secure him a position as a jailer in the yamen. One time when Cao Lihuan came to bring Ren Yu an umbrella, she happened to meet County Magistrate Han Yaozu. Unlike women from modest families who might be shy and hesitant, Cao Lihuan was worldly and graceful. She greeted him properly, speaking courteously with a sweet smile on her face, making quite an impression.

This Han Yaozu, though over fifty and dignified in appearance, was a lustful man. However, having a fierce wife at home, he didn’t dare to be too brazen, and the concubine he had taken was merely for show. Now, seeing Cao Lihuan tall and proper, well-dressed, unlike ordinary women’s relatives, though not a beauty but possessing a certain charm, he became somewhat interested. He became friendly and secretly sent an old woman to inquire about Cao Lihuan’s intentions.

Since marrying Ren Yu, although Cao Lihuan didn’t get along with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she has been faithful to her husband and focused on their daily life. However, having seen the grand lifestyle of the Lin family, she now lived a restricted life with a useless husband, worlds apart from her life with the Lin family. She naturally harbored countless grievances and wasn’t one to remain subordinate to others. When Han Yaozu sent the old woman, she saw it as an opportunity. After playing hard to get a few times, she became involved with Han Yaozu.