Gu Pingyuan was positioned in a corner of the pawnshop by Second Manager Ding. He wasn’t upset about it and stood there steadily, his eyes constantly following the transactions, pondering the intricacies of the pawn business.

“Officials rely on documents, private citizens rely on contracts.” Gu Pingyuan had a discerning eye, and being an insider looking out, he quickly discovered that these small pawn tickets had quite a few tricks. On a palm-sized piece of paper, regardless of how many items were pawned, the surface would always be filled with writing—pawning a single long gown would fill the page, and pawning seven or eight miscellaneous items would also fit—to prevent people from adding more text. This demonstrated the skill of the ticket writer: sometimes using characters as big as walnuts, sometimes tiny script like fly heads, with evaluations interspersed throughout. Gu Pingyuan had only been standing there for a short while when he witnessed two transactions that nearly turned violent because of disparaging descriptions of pawned items.

First, a scholar came to pawn a lake brush. Brush and ink weren’t worth much, but this brush handle was special—made of fine white jade from Hetian, smooth and pleasing to the touch. According to the scholar, this brush was a family heirloom. The precious material was secondary; what made it truly remarkable was its self-moistening brush tip. While other brushes would inevitably dry out after extended use, this brush never dried and maintained a constant moisture like water, making writing and painting flow effortlessly.

As the scholar spoke, he became animated with excitement. Gu Pingyuan, being fond of literary pursuits himself, was enthralled by the description until Second Manager Ding coldly interrupted, drawing out his words: “How much do you want for it?”

The scholar was startled, swallowed, blinked, and hesitantly replied, “Fifty taels…”

“Fifteen taels!”

“Fifteen… but this is a family heirloom!”

Second Manager Ding raised his eyelids slightly: “Are you pawning it or not? You’ve been to several shops, haven’t you? Did anyone offer more than fourteen taels? Our Wanyuan Pawnshop offers the fairest prices. But since you seem new to pawnshops, let me give you some advice: ‘Pawn less, redeem less, pay less interest; pawn more, redeem more, pay more interest.’ Regarding the price I just quoted, you’re free to go lower if you wish, and if you’re willing to sell it outright, I can add five more taels, but no more than that.”

After pondering for a while, the scholar swallowed his pride and pawned it. However, when it came time to write the pawn ticket, another issue arose. Second Manager Ding called out in a drawn-out voice: “Write: one worn-out brush, saltpeter rod…”

The scholar became agitated upon hearing this. “What? This is a fine lake brush with a Hetian jade handle! Do you know your goods?”

Second Manager Ding responded impatiently: “Have you ever been to a pawnshop before? If you don’t like it, take it back. Every pawnshop in the Great Qing writes tickets this way. Have you ever seen a gold watch written on a pawn ticket? They’re all written as copper watches! Bookworm!”

The scholar became stubborn and ultimately decided not to pawn the brush and took it away. A while later, a country fellow came in and faced a similar situation. The Third Counter clerk called his redwood dressing mirror “miscellaneous wood.” The countryman became angry, and after a few heated exchanges, he attempted to strike the clerk but was blocked by the counter, which stood more than a person’s height—apparently, these tall counters served such a purpose.

Gu Pingyuan silently shook his head. From a young age, he had experienced such treatment from pawnshops numerous times. The major shops by the docks all had folk sayings about them, such as “Better to die bent than sue, better to starve than pawn” and “Money, grain, pawn—eating the poor, drinking the poor, hating the poor”—all referring to pawnshops. Those who came to pawn, whether rich or poor, were all facing difficulties and were predominantly poor people. Pawnshops made their living off the poor yet were consistently acerbic in their speech, exploiting the customers’ urgent need for money, treating them as less than human, and not resting until customers were thoroughly infuriated. They would rather lose business than concede in their words. In Gu Pingyuan’s view, this was purely an outdated practice of pawnshops. As the saying goes, “A kind word keeps you warm for three winters, a harsh word chills you even in June.” Businesspeople should greet customers with smiles, anticipate their needs and even their unspoken desires—that’s how to conduct business. From this perspective, pawnshops around the world, clinging to these old rules and practices, had driven away countless potential deals, which was truly lamentable and detestable.

While Gu Pingyuan was contemplating this, he noticed a weasel-faced man peering at the entrance during the commotion in the shop, attempting to enter several times but hesitating. No one else noticed him, only Gu Pingyuan spotted him immediately.

As Gu Pingyuan was pondering this man’s intentions, an apprentice ran in and called out, “Second Manager, the Grand Manager has returned.”

“Oh, quickly go greet him.” Second Manager Ding knew that the Grand Manager’s late return meant he had certainly acquired something. Sure enough, when he went out to greet him, he saw four apprentices carefully carrying a large white jade screen. The palm-thick screen had been ingeniously carved into nine layers, with birds, flowers, fish, and insects exquisitely depicted. What was particularly remarkable was that although jade normally doesn’t take ink, this screen had somehow been inscribed with “The Red Cliff Rhapsody” using some rare ink. The calligraphy was powerful and majestic, and upon closer inspection, the signature revealed it to be the work of Liu Bowen, a founding minister of the Ming Dynasty.

This was truly a treasure, especially since the Grand Manager had personally gone to receive it. Who wouldn’t offer a few flattering words? Gu Pingyuan watched as everyone crowded around an elderly, corpulent man wearing a manager’s headscarf and a blue cotton robe—this had to be Manager Zhu. Zhu was a fat man whose facial flesh trembled with each step, and his eyes were barely visible slits amid the fat. Yet one glance from those eyes revealed extraordinary shrewdness.

Manager Zhu pointed at the screen with his thick fingers and announced, “Take it to the Celestial Repository and store it properly. I’ve already negotiated with Master Liao—this item is pawned as a ‘dual convenience.’ Record it accordingly.” A “dual convenience” meant the item could be either redeemed or sold, with two prices pre-negotiated between the pawnshop and the customer. The payment would initially be according to the redemption price, but from the day of pawning, it could be sold according to the “sale” provisions. Once sold, the difference between the sale price and the redemption price would be given to the customer. If the customer came to redeem it before the pawnshop sold it, interest would be calculated based on the redemption price.

The few clerks remaining at the counter all came out to help carry the screen, except for Gu Pingyuan and one clerk who was attending to a customer. Gu Pingyuan didn’t move because he saw that the weasel-faced man had somehow slipped into the shop and was pestering a clerk, insisting on redeeming his item immediately.

Redeeming pawned items, unlike pawning them, didn’t necessarily require a manager with a good eye; ordinary clerks could handle the redemption of common items. The clerk had wanted to go forward and show his eagerness to help, but was blocked by this man and couldn’t proceed. With visible irritation, he verified the pawn ticket, confirmed the payment was correct, and quickly went to the storehouse to retrieve the package the man had pawned, according to the number on the ticket. He opened it on the spot and shook out a fur-lined sable coat.

Typically, a quick glance at the fur coat to verify it was the original item would have been sufficient, with no need for thorough inspection. According to pawnshop rules, the pawn ticket would invariably describe it as “plain board without fur, insect-eaten and rat-bitten, a broken and tattered coat,” written that way—like the earlier “worn-out brush” and “miscellaneous wood”—to avoid trouble in case of improper storage. In fact, pawnshops were meticulous about preserving items and rarely made mistakes; reputation was at stake. But today’s customer was different. He pointed across the counter, making the clerk turn the fur coat over and examine it carefully, much to the clerk’s irritation. But “the pawner is a grandson, the redeemer is a master”—as long as the goods hadn’t left the counter, the customer had the right to inspect them. After the man finally had no more complaints, the clerk wrapped up the fur coat, handed it over, and hurriedly ran out from behind the counter to the Grand Manager. However, before he could deliver his prepared flattery, a voice from behind shouted: “Wait!”

The clerk and everyone else was startled. No one knew to whom this shout was directed, and even Manager Zhu Sheng was momentarily taken aback. He strained to lift his neck and squinted in the direction of the voice. They saw a refined young man blocking a customer who was heading out.

The one who had shouted was Gu Pingyuan. He had acted quickly, seeing the man trying to slip away, and had preemptively blocked the doorway with his arm while maintaining a smile on his face: “Sir, please wait!”

“What’s the matter?” The man’s face flashed a hint of panic.

“Just now, our clerk was careless and forgot to ask for your pawn ticket. Now that you’ve redeemed your item, please return the ticket to the shop.” Gu Pingyuan stared intently into the man’s eyes.

“What pawn ticket? You’re joking! Throughout the world, redeeming pawned items requires both the ticket and payment. If I didn’t provide the ticket, how could the clerk give me my item? You’re being unreasonable—get out of my way!”

This argument seemed entirely reasonable. The pawnshop staff, already disliking this “heaven-sent” Fourth Counter clerk, now believed he was stirring up trouble for no reason and showed clear disdain on their faces. Only the clerk involved heard this exchange, peeked into the counter, and suddenly turned pale.

Manager Zhu, not knowing who this young man was who was giving orders in his shop, frowned and was about to speak when Second Manager Ding, fearing Gu Pingyuan would cause trouble and implicate him, quickly stepped forward and waved repeatedly at the customer, saying, “This is a misunderstanding. Go ahead, go ahead.”

“He cannot leave!” Gu Pingyuan blocked the way with his body and said firmly: “Let me put it differently then. Something was just stolen from the counter, and we need to report a theft. No one is allowed to leave the shop, and everyone must be searched. If stolen goods are found, or even the tools used for the theft, wouldn’t that be catching the thief red-handed?” He deliberately glanced at the man’s chest, smiled, and said, “Wouldn’t that be catching both the thief and the evidence?”

Now it was the man’s turn to pale. He swallowed hard and looked pleadingly at Gu Pingyuan but didn’t know what to say.

Second Manager Ding was about to speak when he heard Manager Zhu “cough” behind him. Sheng Zhu had a keen eye for antiques and people alike. Taking in the entire scene with a glance, he knew something was definitely amiss and decided to see how it would unfold.

Gu Pingyuan wasn’t being overly harsh. After his uncompromising statement, he softened his tone: “Whether it’s lost or stolen isn’t clear yet. If sir has found something we’ve lost, please return it to the shop and spare us from having to involve the officials.”

The man stared blankly for a moment before understanding Gu Pingyuan was offering him a way out. He repeatedly said, “Yes, yes, I just picked up a pawn ticket from the ground.” As he spoke, he pulled a piece of paper from his chest, but accidentally dropped a foot-long bamboo pole, which frightened him so much that his entire body trembled as he looked anxiously at Gu Pingyuan.

Gu Pingyuan took the ticket from his hand, bent down to pick up the bamboo pole, examined it briefly, and returned it to the man, saying, “Please keep your own belongings safe as well, sir. If they were lost in our shop and someone picked them up, wouldn’t that become ill-gotten gains?”

A flash of shame crossed the man’s face. His lips quivered, but he said nothing, only nodding heavily before bowing and leaving.

Only then did Gu Pingyuan walk over and hand the pawn ticket to the clerk who had handled the redemption. The clerk didn’t dare look at the Grand Manager’s expression, his hand trembling slightly as he tightly gripped the ticket.

Zhu Sheng had already understood what happened. He cupped his hands toward Gu Pingyuan and said, “Sir, thank you for your righteous assistance. May I ask your esteemed name?”

Gu Pingyuan bowed deeply: “Grand Manager, no need for such courtesy. This was merely my duty.”

“Your duty? What do you mean by that?” Zhu Sheng frowned.

“My name is Gu Pingyuan. I just started today as the Fourth Counter clerk. I hope for your guidance in the future, Grand Manager.”

“What? I wasn’t informed. Who arranged this?” Upon hearing this, Zhu Sheng’s eyes widened as he looked at Second Manager Ding. Ding knew that Zhu Sheng and Wang Tiangui were at odds. He had originally planned to explain the matter gradually, but now realized he had no choice but to briefly recount what Accountant Qu had said that morning.

Zhu Sheng listened with his hands clasped and an impassive expression on his face. When Ding finished, he looked Gu Pingyuan up and down and suddenly asked, “Your name is Gu Pingyuan?”

“Yes.”

“Recently, there’s been an outsider who braved the Black Water Marsh and has become quite famous. I heard he’s also surnamed Gu…”

“I won’t deceive the Grand Manager. That was indeed me. After returning to Shanxi from Mongolia, I was recruited by Chief Manager Wang to work here.”

“Hmph!” Upon learning that Gu Pingyuan was indeed the person being discussed throughout the streets, Zhu Sheng’s fleshy face trembled slightly as he forced an insincere smile: “He’s certainly ahead of the curve, but why would he assign a person of your caliber to just a Fourth Counter position? Isn’t that a waste of your talent? By rights, he should have made you the Grand Manager!”

Hearing Zhu Sheng’s words, all the clerks in the pawnshop lowered their heads slightly. Gu Pingyuan had heard from Accountant Qu that this Wanyuan Pawnshop was Wang Tiangui’s business, which meant that although Zhu Sheng was the Grand Manager, in terms of status, he was essentially an employee hired by Wang Tiangui. Yet his tone suggested deep dissatisfaction with Wang Tiangui, which he made no effort to conceal in public.

Gu Pingyuan was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Meanwhile, Zhu Sheng had already turned his attention away and coldly addressed the clerk who had made the mistake: “What is a pawn ticket?”

“It’s…” The clerk was too frightened to speak. Zhu Sheng didn’t rush him, allowing time to pass slowly. Under an invisible pressure, the clerk finally spoke tremulously.

“The pawned item is the source, the pawn ticket is the boat. The living water can ferry across, all relying on a single lonely boat. If carelessness capsizes the light craft, the living water’s waves show no mercy!”

“Correct. When did you learn to recite this poem?”

“I’ve been an apprentice in the pawnshop for three years. I learned to recite it on my first day.”

“Why were you made to recite this poem on your first day?”

“…”

“Pawn tickets are paramount! Pawned items are paramount! These are the two pillars supporting a pawnshop—without either one, it collapses! If a pawn ticket isn’t retrieved, and later someone comes to redeem their item but can’t get it back, is that forging documents and destroying our credibility, or allowing people to extort us with unreasonable demands? You’re about to complete your apprenticeship, yet you’re still so careless! Second Manager!” Zhu Sheng suddenly grew angry and called out.

“Yes!” Second Manager Ding quickly responded.

“Punish him with no dinner for a month. While others are eating, have him check and create backup records of all the tickets in the shop. Additionally, dock his wages for two months.” Zhu Sheng’s words were like the wind; with each sentence he spoke, Second Manager Ding acknowledged, and the clerk’s posture sank lower.

After announcing the clerk’s punishment, Zhu Sheng asked, “Do you accept this punishment?” As the clerk was about to respond with a dejected face, Gu Pingyuan stepped forward and said, “Grand Manager, isn’t this too harsh?”

“Oh.” Zhu Sheng’s eyes brightened as he assumed a listening posture. “The Fourth Manager has just arrived and already has profound insights. I’d like to hear them.”

Gu Pingyuan found his sarcastic tone unpleasant. Nevertheless, since the other man was the Grand Manager, he had to suppress his irritation. He bowed slightly and said, “I wouldn’t dare claim profound insights. That man was clearly attempting to steal deliberately. I saw it clearly—he took advantage of the shop’s commotion, diverted the clerk’s attention, and used a bamboo pole coated with glue to steal the pawn ticket from inside the counter.”

“Whether it was intentional or not, retrieving the pawn ticket is the responsibility of the redemption clerk. He failed to safeguard the ticket properly and deserves punishment.”

“I’m not saying he shouldn’t be punished. However…” Gu Pingyuan hesitated before continuing, “When the Grand Manager entered the shop, the clerks all left their posts and couldn’t perform their duties. The managers were right there but failed to immediately correct this violation of shop rules, giving that man the opportunity. Clear rewards and punishments ensure orders are followed. I believe everyone present today should bear some responsibility, rather than simply punishing this clerk and considering the matter settled.”

This statement was tantamount to publicly criticizing Zhu Sheng for failing to lead by example in following shop rules—being strict with others but lenient with himself—and in one sweep implicating all the managers and clerks. Second Manager Ding was stunned, and the clerks were astonished as they stared at Gu Pingyuan. They couldn’t believe how bold he was, daring to directly confront the Grand Manager on his very first day.

Zhu Sheng was also greatly surprised. His face turned red with anger, but he suppressed his temper and managed a forced smile: “It seems Chief Manager Wang sent you here to discipline the pawnshop, with me as the first target, correct?”

Gu Pingyuan hadn’t wanted things to become so tense: “Grand Manager, I said this purely out of concern for the business. One clerk’s oversight is merely an isolated incident, but if everyone disregards shop rules, incidents like today’s will become commonplace. I have no personal agenda whatsoever…”

“Enough, enough.” Zhu Sheng had no desire to listen further and angrily said, “Second Manager, note this down—dock my wages for two months as well.” Second Manager Ding didn’t dare respond directly and simply contracted his neck slightly in acknowledgment.

“Young man, you’ve criticized everyone in the shop. Shouldn’t you also mention your own mistakes?” Zhu Sheng suddenly calmed down and looked solemnly at Gu Pingyuan.

“Mine?” Gu Pingyuan asked, confused.

“Hmph, there was clearly a thief in the shop, and even if you didn’t want to make a big scene, there were three managers above you present. Yet you let the thief go without consulting any of us. What punishment should fit this arrogant, presumptuous error?”

Gu Pingyuan was rendered speechless. He had indeed been careless and had been caught in a mistake. After much thought, he said, “I was negligent. Please punish me severely according to shop rules, Grand Manager.”

“Between you and that clerk, I only want to punish one today. I’ve already stated the punishment—either you or him.” With this statement, Zhu Sheng publicly declared that he didn’t view Gu Pingyuan as a Fourth Counter clerk but merely as an ordinary apprentice.

“I am willing to accept the punishment.” Gu Pingyuan didn’t hesitate for a moment. Having stood up for someone, he had to see it through to the end. Half-hearted actions would only earn contempt.

“Then you shall be punished.” Zhu Sheng said lightly, then without another glance at Gu Pingyuan, he strode into the back hall.

The clerks also felt awkward and dispersed, each giving Gu Pingyuan a few glares. Only the clerk who should have been punished, when no one was looking, nodded gratefully toward Gu Pingyuan. Gu Pingyuan felt uncomfortable, never expecting that on his first day he would clash with the Grand Manager. How would he manage going forward?

The pawnshop’s winter schedule reversed day and night. After closing, clerks who lived in the city returned home to eat, while apprentices had to stay in the shop. Without lodging, Gu Pingyuan spoke with Second Manager Ding and ended up staying with several apprentices. He hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls of food and, seeing that no one was engaging with him, felt awkward about starting a conversation. He lay down on the bed assigned to him, pondering his own concerns.

Since being humiliated by Wang Tiangui’s scheme, Gu Pingyuan had nearly lost his life in the South Minor River. Fortunately, at the critical moment, he had been enlightened by that madman—like a Buddhist’s awakening blow—pulling his heart back from death. However, he was now merely not dead—what should he do next? Would he be held by Wang Tiangui’s grip on his weaknesses, serving him like an ox or horse for life? Would he have to swallow his pride for a lifetime, seeking only to live safely without incident? Gu Pingyuan silently shook his head.

The more he thought, the more chaotic his thoughts became. He decided not to dwell on boundless concerns and instead focus on what needed to be done immediately. The first priority was to save Old Chang Si’s life by any means necessary. Chang was a good man who had suffered greatly because of him, lost his home, and been imprisoned. Gu couldn’t abandon him. As Wang Tiangui had said about “not letting Chang Si hold the chamber pot,” that was unacceptable—not only should Chang not suffer in prison, but Gu had to gradually devise a way to rescue him.

“Right!” Gu Pingyuan straightened up and jumped off the bed, startling the apprentices who stared at him in bewilderment. “Right now, protecting Old Chang Si is paramount. If his body is beaten and damaged in prison, he’ll be a broken man even if rescued.” Having made up his mind, he put on his outer garment and strode out in a few quick steps.

“Madman!” someone muttered softly behind him.

Coincidentally, not far from Wanyuan Pawnshop, near the Wenchang Pavilion, Gu Pingyuan actually encountered a madman.

“Husband! Husband!” As he walked, he heard someone crying out ahead, along with people clapping and jeering. Upon approaching, he saw a disheveled beggar in the middle of the road trying to grab a steaming pile of horse dung. It seemed he was having a fit of madness, seeing filth as food. A woman carrying a basket was desperately trying to stop him but couldn’t match the madman’s strength. She was pushed and shoved, falling several times, until finally, having no alternative, she lay on the ground, holding onto one of the madman’s feet.

“Madman Qiao, you’re so fortunate to have such a beautiful wife. Why not go back to your warm bed with her?” Most in the crowd were just watching the spectacle, but there were several “young ruffians” who used the opportunity to harass the woman while pretending to speak to the madman.

“Yes, Madman Qiao, how many days has it been since you’ve slept with your wife? Better be careful she doesn’t find another man behind your back.”

The madman Qiao heard this and defiantly shouted: “I-I just finished sleeping with her, slept right through until broad daylight.”

The crowd immediately burst into laughter. The woman, already sorrowful, now saw her husband fall into a trap while she, a respectable housewife, was publicly humiliated. She began sobbing from shame and anger. Several hooligans continued taunting: “Madman Qiao, look, she’s crying. Obviously she doesn’t accept what you’re saying. How could a madman like you marry such a pretty wife? Aren’t you just boasting?”

“Me, boasting!” Madman Qiao, humiliated and enraged, grabbed the woman and attempted to tear her clothes off in the street. The woman cried out in alarm, twisting her body to escape, but she was no match for her husband’s strength. In the struggle, the buttons of her date-colored jacket were torn off, revealing the embroidered undergarment beneath. The hooligans clapped and laughed uproariously at the sight.

Gu Pingyuan was furious. Since being exiled beyond the Great Wall, his greatest worry had been that his mother and younger siblings might be bullied. Seeing this situation, where these thugs were so despicable they wouldn’t even leave a madman alone, he felt a surge of righteous indignation, completely forgetting his own precarious situation. With a shout, he rushed forward and grabbed the madman’s hands, trying to save the woman.

It should be known that a person’s strength is often greatest when they go mad, as they no longer recognize propriety or fear, allowing their raw power to be fully unleashed. Gu Pingyuan was a scholar, not physically strong, so despite using all his might, he couldn’t subdue the madman. Fortunately, a man came running from behind and wrapped his arms around the madman’s waist, repeatedly calling out, “Brother, Brother, stop it!”

Together, the two men finally subdued the madman, though they were both drenched in sweat from the effort. Onlookers, seeing that the madman’s relative had arrived, realized there would be no more spectacle and gradually dispersed.

Gu Pingyuan took a deep breath, finally able to look up and examine the newcomer. Their eyes met, and both were startled.

“Brother Qiao!”

“Boss Gu!”

This man was none other than Qiao Songnian, with whom Gu Pingyuan had parted ways outside Taiyuan City two days earlier. Gu Pingyuan had given him two hundred taels of silver and told him to return to Qiao Family Fort to study for the imperial examinations. Why had he come here instead? His clothes were unchanged, and he was covered in dust, sweating profusely. Just as they were about to speak, they heard the woman softly sobbing: “Songnian, Songnian, please answer me, will you?” Strangely, she was addressing the madman, who after being subdued had become unusually docile, sitting motionless on the ground.

“This…” Gu Pingyuan now recognized that the madman was the beggar who had piled wood and lit a fire for him the previous night, inadvertently saving his life. But why was the woman calling him “Songnian”? Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help but glance questioningly at Qiao Songnian.

Qiao Songnian’s face showed embarrassment. He lowered his voice and said, “Boss Gu, this is not the place to talk. Please come to my elder brother’s home where we can discuss this properly.”

Gu Pingyuan explained he had urgent business to attend to. Qiao Songnian told him that his brother and sister-in-law lived seventeen li away in Oil Reed Ditch Village across the Little South River, where he was also staying temporarily. He hoped Gu Pingyuan would visit when he had time, so he could properly express his gratitude.

Gu Pingyuan bid him farewell, watching as Qiao Songnian and the woman supported the madman from both sides, slowly walking away. Then he continued on his way, asking directions until he reached the Chang family compound. Looking at the Chang family gate in the night, his feelings were mixed. Originally, there should have been joyous laughter here—the caravan returning successfully having made a fortune, the Chang family’s troubles dispersed, and himself retiring with honor to return home. Who would have thought that Wang Tingui’s deliberate scheme to seize the family property, exploiting Gu’s status as an “exiled criminal,” would so quickly turn fortune to disaster, enveloping the Chang household once again in sorrow?

After standing lost in thought for a while, he knocked twice on the door ring. Soon someone cautiously asked from inside, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Sister Li,” Gu Pingyuan recognized the voice. “I’m Gu Pingyuan.”

The sound of the door bolt being removed followed, and one side of the gate opened. Sister Li stepped out, her face showing surprise and joy: “Young Master Gu, is it really you? Oh my! Yesterday when I saw that Chen Laizi take you away, I nearly lost my soul! And when Miss Chang Yu’er returned, she wouldn’t say a word about it. It seems you’ve been released, but what about Old Master Chang? Has he been released too?”

“Well…” Faced with this barrage of questions, Gu Pingyuan didn’t know how to respond, so he changed the subject: “Is everyone at home alright?”

“How could things be alright? The property deed has been taken by Wang Tingui, and he’s forcing us to vacate the house within three days. And poor young Master Liu Heita, so badly injured and now gone who knows where…”

“What? What happened to Brother Liu?” Gu Pingyuan asked anxiously.

“He… Oh my, I’m so confused, talking in the middle of the street! Young Master Gu, please come inside.”

Gu Pingyuan was about to step forward but hesitated, thinking it would be better to keep his distance from the Chang family for now, to avoid giving people cause for gossip. Just as he pulled his foot back, he heard someone say from behind the door: “Sister Li, that won’t be necessary.”

It was Chang Yu’er who emerged. Her feelings were a hundred times more complex than Gu Pingyuan’s. In a single day, her father had been imprisoned, her elder brother had disappeared, their family home had been seized, and the man she admired had become an accomplice of her enemy. These blows were too much for a young woman to bear, and she had locked herself in her room, crying all day. Now, facing Gu Pingyuan, Chang Yu’er felt conflicted. She didn’t want Gu Pingyuan to stubbornly face execution, but was this how she wanted the once loyal and righteous “Big Brother Gu” to survive? Moreover, the fact that he had been with that kind of woman… it made Chang Yu’er sick just thinking about it.

So although her eyes were swollen from crying, her voice was soft yet firm. “Young Master Gu,” she used the same form of address as Sister Li, “there are only two women at home, and it’s not convenient to receive visitors after dark. Whatever you have to say, please say it here in the street.”

Seeing Chang Yu’er made Gu Pingyuan uncomfortable as well. Not only had he caused terrible harm to her family, but last night, far from acting with honor like Liu Xiahui, he had behaved like a lecherous beast, with his disgraceful behavior witnessed by Miss Yu’er. This made him extremely embarrassed.

Having resolved not to further implicate the Chang family, he naturally couldn’t show too much concern for their affairs. Moreover, people were passing by in the street, so he kept his tone as detached as possible: “Miss Chang, I have a share in the profits from this Mongolia trip, and I’ve come to collect my money.”

“Young Master Gu, at a time like this, you…” Sister Li was shocked that Gu Pingyuan would kick them while they were down.

“Sister Li!” Chang Yu’er had been looking down, avoiding Gu Pingyuan’s gaze, but now she suddenly raised her head, fixing him with a glare as sharp as a knife. Gu Pingyuan did not look away, meeting her gaze steadily. Chang Yu’er felt a bitter pain in her heart, nodded slightly, and said, “Very well, wait here.”

Chang Yu’er went inside and soon returned with a small cloth package. Opening it revealed two bank notes, one for a thousand taels and another for five hundred. “Young Master Gu, let me explain clearly. The caravan’s transport fees were paid with the goods we brought back. My brother and I were too preoccupied to handle it ourselves, so we entrusted Sun Erling to sell the goods. The original capital was one thousand taels, and with the profit, it was enough to cover the transport costs. From the remaining silver, after deducting the cost of the medicinal materials and Xuanji Hall’s rightful profit, my Chang family’s share as silent partner should be seven hundred and fifty taels, half of which—three hundred and seventy-five taels—belongs to you. Then there’s the five thousand taels you secured with your shout at the Mongolian river, which naturally all go to you. You said the deceased workers should be generously compensated, and I’ve followed your instructions. This expense was split equally between the Chang family and you, totaling four hundred taels.”

“By this calculation, your share amounts to five thousand one hundred and seventy-five taels. My brother and I, fearing mishap, each carried half. I have two thousand five hundred taels here, which I’m giving you now. My elder brother went out today, and the rest of the bank notes are with him. When he returns, he will certainly repay you the remainder. However many days pass, the interest according to the bank note’s rate will be calculated and paid to you as well!”

Sister Li, hearing Chang Yu’er speak so coldly, felt deeply uneasy though she didn’t understand the situation. She wanted to mediate but was frightened by the look on Chang Yu’er’s face. Chang Yu’er held out her hand with the package of bank notes, her face turned aside, cold as frost and filled with hatred, yet her eyes brimming with tears. Having raised Chang Yu’er since childhood and regarding her as her own daughter, Sister Li had never seen her so heartbroken and resolute. In her shock, she could not speak.

Gu Pingyuan was also startled by these words, then gave a bitter smile: “It can’t be calculated that way. Half of the price I shouted was on behalf of the Chang family, and as for the compensation I promised, I can’t let the Chang family pay for it.”

Chang Yu’er seemed not to hear, her hand remaining motionless, holding the money out steadily.

“Besides, you’re about to move out of the Chang family compound and need to find shelter. The Chang family also has outstanding debts…”

“Young Master Gu,” Chang Yu’er’s voice was cold and hard, seemingly three degrees colder than the north wind, “the Chang family’s affairs are our own business, and we don’t need outsiders inquiring about them. I understand what’s proper.”

Gu Pingyuan immediately understood this was in response to his “not knowing what’s proper” comment earlier that morning. Seeing that people in the street were already noticing and pointing at the large sum of money in Chang Yu’er’s hand, he worried about bringing more trouble to the Chang family, which would go against his current intentions. With no alternative, he took the package, folded it twice, and placed it securely against his body.

“Miss Chang,” he called out as she turned to go back inside, “I’m going to visit your father in prison. Would you like to come along?”

Chang Yu’er bit her lower lip without responding. She truly wanted to go. Yesterday at the county jail, under Wang Tingui’s arrangements, she had only witnessed Gu Pingyuan’s humiliation but hadn’t been able to see her father. Today, when she and Sister Li tried to visit again, the jailers made various excuses, saying the case hadn’t been heard yet and visits weren’t allowed to prevent collusion. She was worried sick about her father suffering in prison and would have loved to see him. But having spoken so harshly just now, how could she turn around and accept his offer?

Seeing that Chang Yu’er neither refused nor spoke, Sister Li understood that the young lady was too embarrassed to change her stance after speaking so definitively. She quickly spoke up: “Young Master Gu, that would be wonderful, but can we really see him?”

“I’ll find a way,” Gu Pingyuan wasn’t entirely confident. If the jailers refused, there would be nothing he could do.

“Good, good. Young Master Gu, please wait a moment.” Sister Li hurried inside with quick steps and soon returned, handing Chang Yu’er a wicker basket. “There’s not much on short notice, just some ready-made pastries. I’ve also filled the water pouch that the master often uses on business trips with wine. The weather is cold, and drinking some wine will help warm the body.” With that, she gave Chang Yu’er a gentle push. “Hurry along with Young Master Gu. When you see the master, don’t cry—try to comfort him.”

Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er walked one behind the other in silence, both feeling incredibly awkward. After walking through two streets, Gu Pingyuan spoke first: “I just heard Sister Li say that Brother Liu has disappeared. What happened?”

“…” Again he was met with silence, so Gu Pingyuan knew to close his mouth. Along the way, he knocked on the door of a furnace room, exchanged the bank note with a premium, and received twenty silver ingots, which he arranged neatly in a wooden box.

When they reached the county prison gate, the guard blocked their way with his staff and asked with narrowed eyes, “What do you want? This is a restricted area. No unauthorized access. Stay back.”

“Sir,” Gu Pingyuan said politely, “we are family members of a prisoner and wish to visit him.”

“At this hour? Don’t you understand the rules? There are no visits allowed at night! The prison doors have been locked. If you want to visit, come early tomorrow.” As the guard shouted, a man emerged from the prison. He wore an open sheepskin robe, a six-ridged melon-skin hat, and had a face that tapered from top to bottom, with lips pressed into a thin line. He asked, “What’s the matter? Why all this noise at night?”

The guard immediately put on a smiling face: “Sir, these two people don’t understand the rules and insist on visiting at night. I was just sending them away.”

“Hmm?” The man raised his bulging eyes and, in the light of the lantern by the door, recognized Chang Yu’er behind Gu Pingyuan. “It’s you again? Didn’t I tell you that Chang Si’s case hasn’t been tried yet and no visits are allowed? Go home!” He waved his hands repeatedly, presenting an implacable appearance.

“Did you hear that? This is our Registrar Li. Since His Excellency has spoken, why aren’t you leaving?” the guard added threateningly.

When Gu Pingyuan heard that this man was the prison registrar, his spirits lifted. According to Qing dynasty regulations, the county magistrate naturally held the seventh rank and was in charge of criminal cases and taxes, but many matters were delegated to lower-ranking officials. For instance, the eighth-rank county deputy magistrate mostly managed military and postal affairs, the ninth-rank chief clerk handled documents and education, and below them was the registrar who managed the various departments and the prison. The registrar had no official rank but, in terms of practical authority, wielded more power than the deputy magistrate or chief clerk and was the official with whom common people most frequently interacted. Being fourth in the county hierarchy, he was colloquially called the “Fourth Master” and epitomized the small official with great power. Thus there were those unscrupulous individuals who would rather bribe the provincial governor’s office to become a registrar than a chief clerk, precisely because of the lucrative opportunities the position offered.

Gu Pingyuan knew that befriending the prison registrar would be like lighting a lamp for Chang Si in the dark prison. So he composed himself and fixed his gaze on the man.

“Registrar Li,” Gu Pingyuan stepped forward and cupped his hands in a salute, “may I have a word with you in private?”

“What business do you have?” Registrar Li had seen this many times before, knowing that Gu wanted to make a request and offer a bribe, so he walked a few steps aside with him.

Since the registrar hadn’t refused outright and had come along, things would be easier. Gu Pingyuan didn’t waste words; no amount of talk would be as effective as silver. He simply held out the wooden box, opened it in the light, revealing twenty newly minted silver ingots gleaming with bluish luster. The sight made Registrar Li involuntarily swallow.

Gu Pingyuan’s move was truly effective; while bank notes were good, nothing captivated the eye like actual silver. Eight or nine out of ten prisoners were poor, and when their poor relatives came to visit, a string of copper coins was considered generous. Who had ever seen someone offer twenty silver ingots at once? Even Registrar Li was stunned, his gaze fixed on the gleaming silver, unable to look away.

On the way, Gu Pingyuan had already thought this through. Actually, one or two silver ingots would have been enough to arrange the visit, but he wanted precisely this overwhelming effect—to immediately subdue the other party, not only making it impossible for the registrar to refuse but also leaving a deep impression for future dealings. Of course, such an approach required substantial financial backing. As he opened the box, Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help feeling that “money can make ghosts turn millstones.”

He seized the moment to add: “Registrar Li, my elder relative has unfortunately suffered imprisonment. I’ll need to trouble you frequently in the future, and with such regular visits, I truly must ask for your assistance.” With that, he closed the lid and pushed the box into Registrar Li’s arms.

“Regular visits?” Registrar Li’s eyes had already lit up at the sight of silver, but these four words pleased him even more. Though prisons were dark and dismal places, money was the guiding light. Without another word, he personally led them into the prison.

Gu Pingyuan had been imprisoned before, but this was Chang Yu’er’s first time in such a place. Walking step by step down the gloomy corridor lit by torches on both sides, she couldn’t help feeling waves of dread. Suddenly, her eyes caught a glimpse of fresh bloodstains in a corner, and she let out a startled cry.

“Oh, it’s nothing. That bald Shi from the front street was misbehaving again. During the temple fair when it was crowded, he groped the concubine of Official Situ. The master was angered and said he wanted to teach him a good lesson.”

Chang Yu’er was too frightened to make a sound, but Gu Pingyuan asked, “What kind of lesson?”

“Since his hands were misbehaving, at midnight they heated a pot of oil and gave him a cleaver. They told him that by dawn, if he still had that hand, he would have to wash it clean in the hot oil. The fellow held out until the rooster crowed but finally took the knife and cut off his own hand.”

Chang Yu’er felt nauseated, and Gu Pingyuan also looked distressed. Around a corner, Chang Yu’er let out a soft cry of surprise and called toward one of the cells, “Uncle Nine, why are you here?”

The old man she called “Uncle Nine” was so thin there wasn’t two ounces of flesh on his body. His eyeballs seemed to bulge from their sockets, and his gray hair and beard merged together in an unwashed, disheveled mass. Clutching the wooden bars of his cell, upon seeing Chang Yu’er, he made hoarse sounds that, upon careful listening, formed the word “hungry.”

A jailer standing near the registrar kicked the old man’s hands, making him flinch in pain as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Old fool, what are you howling about? Can’t take it after just seven or eight days? Can’t pay your taxes and still want to eat? Let him starve!”

Gu Pingyuan gave Chang Yu’er a questioning look. Her eyes were already red, and she seemed to be answering Gu Pingyuan or perhaps talking to herself: “He’s Old Ge from Oil Reed Ditch outside the county. The most honest man there is. He’s been a bachelor all his life—everyone calls him Uncle Nine. He worked briefly at our salt field…”

“It’s just unpaid taxes—is it necessary to starve him like this?” Gu Pingyuan’s seemingly calm tone carried a hint of challenge.

“These are the county magistrate’s rules, and we must follow them. These troublemakers—if you don’t starve them for ten days or so, how will they ever find the money they’ve hidden away?” Registrar Li replied indifferently.

“Give him something to eat first. We’ll discuss this when we leave. Since we know him, I’ll pay his taxes for him.” At Gu Pingyuan’s words, Chang Yu’er gave him a surprised look, then silently took out two woven oat cakes from her basket and passed them through the bars to “Uncle Nine.”

This was still the bright cell area. As they went deeper, they entered the pitch-black dark prison where no daylight penetrated. Thinking of her father confined in such a place, Chang Yu’er’s tears fell “pitter-patter.”

The group continued walking until they reached the innermost large cell. Without asking, they knew Chang Si must be held here.

“This cell is for death row prisoners and serious offenders. Visits are not allowed by rule. Be quick about it. If the county magistrate comes to inspect, I’ll have a hard time explaining.” With that, Registrar Li called inside, “Chang Si, someone’s here to see you.”

Upon hearing this call, Chang Si immediately rushed to the cell door and looked out. Seeing who it was, he softly exclaimed: “Yu’er…”

“Father!” Chang Yu’er cried out in anguish, rushing forward to grasp her father’s hands through the wooden bars, carefully examining him. Seeing how haggard her father had become from the torture, Chang Yu’er sobbed uncontrollably.

“Father is fine, I’m fine, see? I’m alright. Yu’er, how could a young woman like you come to such a place? And Heita really shouldn’t have… Brother Gu?” Chang Si was halfway through his sentence when he looked up and saw Gu Pingyuan standing behind his daughter with tears in his eyes. He was stunned. He had assumed Gu Pingyuan must also have been arrested, yet here he was standing outside, free.

Gu Pingyuan stepped forward and dropped to his knees, too overcome with emotion to speak.

“Father, I’ve brought you harm. I deserve to die!”

“Ah, what kind of talk is that! Actually, I’ve brought trouble to you. This is clearly about seizing my property. If it weren’t for this situation, he might not have exposed you. Besides, there’s a saying: ‘Don’t fear the thief who steals, fear the thief who covets.’ With his scheming, even without this incident involving you, I would have hardly escaped misfortune!” Chang Si shook his head.

These were words of comfort taken to the extreme of thoughtfulness. Gu Pingyuan felt that Chang Si was truly honest to a fault, which made him even more uneasy. He stood up and invited the registrar outside, reached into his robe, and when his hand emerged, it held a five-hundred-tael bank note.

“Accept money, eliminate disaster”—seeing Gu Pingyuan’s increasingly generous offers, Registrar Li became somewhat hesitant to accept and asked with slight reluctance: “Tell me, what is this five hundred taels for?”

Gu Pingyuan spoke very sincerely: “No particular reason, just hoping to establish a connection. I only ask that the Registrar look after him.”

“How should I look after him?” the registrar asked with narrowed eyes.

“I wouldn’t presume to specify—specifying might create difficulties for you if it can’t be done. In general, the old man is aging, and any comfort you can provide would be a blessing for him.”

With these words, the registrar’s face finally broke into a smile, knowing that this silver wouldn’t burn his hands. He reached out and took the bank note.

“Very well, you speak with understanding. Rest assured, I will take care of Old Master Chang. Although death row prisoners can’t be moved to another cell, I’ll make sure he gets enough food, and even allow him to walk in the courtyard every afternoon. Satisfied?”

“Yes, thank you very much.” Five hundred taels of silver would cover a small household’s expenses for ten years, yet here it bought only enough prison food and a daily walk. But Gu Pingyuan knew that prisons were notoriously dark and dismal places, and it was already fortunate that the jailer had accepted the money and would act on it. He clasped his hands in gratitude. Just then, they heard a commotion from inside—crying, shouting, and cursing. Both Gu Pingyuan and Registrar Li were startled, not knowing what trouble had arisen, and hurried back inside.

After they had left, Chang Si and Chang Yu’er had briefly shared what had happened over these days. The change of ownership of the Chang family compound couldn’t be hidden, but Yu’er didn’t dare mention Liu Heita’s disappearance. When her father asked about his godson, Chang Yu’er only said she worried that her brother’s volatile temper might cause trouble if he came. Her father nodded repeatedly. Chang Yu’er gave a brief account of the Mongolian affair, and Chang Si alternated between joy and worry—shedding tears when he heard about Old Qi’s death to save everyone, then unconsciously smiling when learning that Gu Pingyuan had successfully completed the transaction. When he heard that Gu Pingyuan had become Wang Tingui’s employee, Chang Si frowned. Being older, he didn’t see things so simplistically.

“Father, Wang Tingui’s intentions are unclear. He took the property deed but won’t release you. It seems it won’t be easy to get you out anytime soon.”

Chang Si nodded, patting his daughter’s hand: “I’m old, and dying here is just dying. My greatest concern is bringing trouble to you all. I think you should escape with Brother Gu whenever you can. Let Wang Tingui have the mansion, and as for me, let him do as he will.”

Chang Yu’er bit her lip and shook her head: “Father, there must be a way. You… you should eat something first. I came in a hurry and only brought a few pastries and a pouch of wine.”

Chang Yu’er spread a plain cloth on the ground and took out the items from her basket, arranging them neatly, with the wine placed to one side. Chang Si was truly starving; just smelling the aroma of the oat food made him salivate. He hastily stuffed a bun into his mouth, swallowing it in a few bites, then pulled out the stopper of the pouch and took a large gulp of wine. His ravenous manner was unbearable for Yu’er to watch. She turned away, wiping the tears that continuously flowed from the corners of her eyes.

At this moment, more than a dozen prisoners behind them began making a commotion. They had already been treating Chang Si as an easy target, and seeing that he had visitors bringing food late at night, especially a beautiful daughter, some of them—truly deserving inmates, death row prisoners, and villains—grew excited. Facing death, they wanted to harass the beautiful Chang Yu’er, but restrained themselves while the jailer was present. Once Registrar Li left, and catching the scent of wine, several exchanged glances and approached.

“Old Chang, living in death row and still getting food delivered at night, eating and drinking well, eh? Heh heh, I didn’t know you had such a pretty daughter! You should have said something earlier—brother here wouldn’t have made things difficult for you these past few nights. Why did you have to get up in the middle of the night to hold my chamber pot?”

“That’s right. How about it? I’m willing to be a generation below you—what do you say to being your son-in-law?”

“Come on now, with your monkey-thin frame, you want to be her son-in-law? Young lady, I say you should choose me. As for the benefits, well, you’ll find out tonight, heh heh heh…”

These men’s vulgar words made Chang Yu’er blush furiously. Chang Si knew he couldn’t offend them and could only turn and bow repeatedly.

“Gentlemen, please be kind. My daughter will be leaving shortly. Please don’t make things difficult for her. I thank you all.”

“Thanks? How much is thanks worth per catty? We don’t care for it. Have your daughter reach in here and massage our legs—that would be real gratitude.”

Chang Si had no choice but turned urgently to Chang Yu’er: “Yu’er, leave quickly. This is no place for you. Don’t come to see your father again. What’s meant to be will be, and what’s fated can’t be avoided. Let’s accept heaven’s will.”

Chang Yu’er was helpless, staring blankly at her father who had aged visibly in just a few days, finding it impossible to leave. At this moment, seeing that Chang Yu’er was ignoring them, the prisoners felt awkward and bored. One of them simply pulled down his pants and exposed his indecent parts to urinate outward.

This action frightened Chang Yu’er, making her pale as she covered her face and turned away. Even the mild-mannered Chang Si couldn’t tolerate such humiliation of his daughter. As the saying goes, “Even the meekest person can become fierce as a leopard.” With an angry growl, he lunged forward before fully standing, tackling the prisoner around the waist and knocking him to the ground, throwing wild punches without aim. But Chang Si was alone in there and overwhelmed; he was quickly knocked down, surrounded by men kicking him. Others came and snatched all the food from the ground, fighting over the wine in the pouch.

Chang Yu’er had collapsed to the ground in tears, screaming for them to stop beating her father, but no one listened. Only when Gu Pingyuan and the registrar hurriedly returned did things change. The registrar directed the jailers standing outside to lash with their whips. These jailers, well-practiced in their craft, sent whips raining down between the wooden pillars. Before long, they had scattered the prisoners, who fled in disarray, heads pointing inward and buttocks outward, crouching against the walls with hands protecting their heads.

Chang Si, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, struggled to stand up. He wanted to reach out and touch his daughter’s face but withdrew his hand upon seeing the blood stains. Chang Yu’er grabbed her father’s hand and placed it against her own face, sobbing softly.

“Father… Father…” Chang Yu’er refused to let go, and Chang Si felt as if a knife was twisting in his heart, whispering: “Yu’er, listen to your father and leave… don’t be like this… it pains me.”

Chang Yu’er was a sensible girl. She took out her handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of her father’s mouth, then forced herself to stand up despite her grief, looking back repeatedly as she left the death row cell. Gu Pingyuan watched with a pained expression. Chang Si beckoned him over and lowered his voice: “Brother Gu, I know everything. Yu’er is just a woman, and Heita is reckless and prone to trouble. Please take care of them for me.”

“You needn’t ask, Father. Please rest assured.”

“If there’s a chance…” Chang Si glanced around and lowered his voice further, “just escape, don’t worry about these old bones of mine.”

“Father, if I feared death, I would have fled outside Black Water Marsh. I could have escaped when the Mongolians were pressing hard, and even last night I could have run. Let’s not speak of this anymore.”

“Ah…” Chang Si sighed, then raised his head: “Since that’s the case, I won’t say more. This isn’t a convenient place to talk anyway. I know you must have compelling reasons for submitting to Wang Tingui’s authority. Judging by Yu’er’s tone earlier, she seems to hold it against you, and Heita must feel even stronger. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Yes.” Seeing the old man still so concerned for others even in his current state, Gu Pingyuan’s heart ached, and tears fell. He bid Chang Si to take care of himself, and before leaving, cast one more glance at the wretched-looking prisoners in the jail, frowning deeply.

Chang Yu’er waited numbly outside. Gu Pingyuan walked past her: “Miss Chang, let’s leave now.”

Chang Yu’er looked back once more at the dark death row cell, gazing for a long time before finally turning away to follow Gu Pingyuan. When they reached the bright cells, Gu Pingyuan remembered what had happened earlier and said to Registrar Li, who had walked ahead: “Registrar Li, about that prisoner who owed grain taxes, I would like to pay his taxes now.”

“No need,” Registrar Li waved his hand. “Those two cakes choked him to death. Look, they’re carrying him out now.”

Both Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er were shocked. Sure enough, a corpse was being dragged out of the cell—it was “Uncle Nine,” his eyeballs bulging, with half a cake still in his mouth.

Chang Yu’er watched as “Uncle Nine” was dragged past her. Her mouth half-open, her gaze followed him all the way outside the prison door. Suddenly, she covered her face and ran out of the prison with her head down.

“Alas!” In his five years beyond the Great Wall, Gu Pingyuan had seen countless exiles die from cold and hunger, but this was the first time he’d seen someone die from overeating. He truly felt this was a great tragedy of human life. Hearing the jailers say they would wrap the body in a straw mat and send it to the crematorium, Gu Pingyuan turned and handed them a twenty-tael bank note, asking them to procure a thin-planked coffin and bury the old man in a cemetery, even if it was a pauper’s field, so he could rest in peace.

“You have a kind heart!” Registrar Li strolled over, somewhat emotionally. “These days, a kind heart invites retribution.”

Gu Pingyuan forced a smile, then suddenly remembered something: “Registrar Li, those prisoners sharing the cell with Chang Si—do you have a register of their names and addresses?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Could I copy it down?”

“Oh, very well.” Normally, government documents couldn’t be casually copied, but Gu Pingyuan had been generous, and the prisoner list wasn’t confidential. The registrar, feeling obligated by the gifts received, thought for a moment and agreed. He forgot to ask what purpose the register would serve.

Three days passed in a flash. Whenever Gu Pingyuan had free time, he would run to the pawnshop, though no one asked what he was doing. Under Zhu Sheng’s indifference, all the employees, from Secondary Manager Ding downward, tacitly ignored Gu Pingyuan.

By the morning of the third day, Gu Pingyuan was at his post when he noticed Qu Guanzhang visiting Wanyuan Pawnshop again. At that moment, Zhu Sheng was in the shop examining an antique-styled jade hook cloud pendant. He held it up to the light, and the corner of his mouth immediately curled in disdain as he pushed the jade outward, not even asking “How much do you want to pawn it for?”

“What’s the matter? This is from the Han Dynasty royal family, very rare. If your pawnshop lacks capital, I can lower my price, but not accepting it at all—what kind of business is this?” The owner was a middle-aged man in fine clothes, biting a jade pipe stem, asking anxiously.

“Such a large blood inclusion—was this dug up from a tomb?” Zhu Sheng didn’t contradict him.

“It’s a family heirloom. How it was obtained before that, I don’t know!” The middle-aged man looked quite proud.

“Which generation passed it down?”

“You needn’t ask that. All I know is that my great-grandfather had this item.”

Gu Pingyuan observed from the side and noticed that although all the clerks were busy with their work, the corners of their mouths showed signs of schadenfreude, as if watching an anticipated show.

“Is that so? Did your great-grandfather grab it as a baby, or was it just after his one-month celebration?” As soon as Zhu Sheng asked this, the clerks burst into laughter as if on cue, seemingly playing to the Chief Manager.

“You… what do you mean?” The middle-aged man put down his pipe, looking annoyed.

“This is clearly a recent imitation. Did you think the ‘blood inclusions’ could fool my eyes? Don’t you know that since I became Chief Manager, I’ve never misjudged an item? You’d better try to fool the ‘Auspicious Cloud Pawnshop’ across the street.”

“What… what ‘blood inclusions’? What nonsense are you talking about?” Hearing Zhu Sheng’s words, the middle-aged man’s expression became flustered, though he still wouldn’t back down.

Zhu Sheng’s face turned stern: “The ‘blood inclusions’ can indeed be convincingly faked, but it’s against heaven’s principles. Putting heated jade in the belly of a live cat or dog to absorb blood—such things harm one’s karmic merit. I advise you not to do this anymore.”

The middle-aged pawnshop owner was speechless and left in shame. Qu Guanzhang came over and greeted him: “Chief Manager Zhu truly has exceptional eyesight. Your skills haven’t diminished with age, congratulations!”

Zhu Sheng had noticed him early on and nodded faintly: “Ah, it’s Account Manager Qu. What brings you here? Or is Manager Wang recommending another nobody?”

Qu Guanzhang glanced at Gu Pingyuan behind the counter, seeing that Zhu Sheng disliked him and seemingly satisfied with his situation. Without engaging in verbal sparring with Zhu Sheng, he went straight to the point: “Today is an auspicious day for Manager Wang’s move. He said he knows there are several good sets of furniture and decorations in Wanyuan Pawnshop’s back warehouse and wants them sent over.”

This arrogant demeanor immediately changed Zhu Sheng’s expression: “I’m sorry, but the items in the warehouse are all registered. How can they be moved out casually?”

“This entire business belongs to Manager Wang. Why not?” Qu Guanzhang’s face also darkened.

“This is a pawnshop, not a store! These are other people’s possessions. What if they come to redeem them?”

“That’s not my concern. Aren’t there unredeemed items?”

“There’s no furniture among the unredeemed items worthy of Manager Wang’s attention. Please leave!” Zhu Sheng flicked his sleeve, dismissing the visitor.

“You!” Qu Guanzhang knew Zhu Sheng was stubborn but hadn’t expected such a strong rebuff, and was immediately embarrassed and angry.

Seeing the two at an impasse, Gu Pingyuan interjected: “Chief Manager, I’ve been preparing a separate register these past few days. In the Tian warehouse, there’s a set of chicken-wing wood furniture with gold inlay and a hundred treasures, along with that rosewood mother-of-pearl inlaid marble luohan bed. Their redemption periods have expired and have become unredeemed items, both valued at over a thousand gold.” Gu Pingyuan knew these words would offend Zhu Sheng, but he had already decided that with Wang Tingui and Zhu Sheng clearly at odds, he needed to show his allegiance at the right time. Even if he was being used as a pawn by one side, it was better than standing around like a firewood stick.

“Did you hear that? Send those two items he mentioned to Manager Wang’s new residence later.” Qu Guanzhang seized the opportunity and decisively left these words, walking away without waiting for Zhu Sheng’s response or looking back.

Zhu Sheng whirled around and stared at Gu Pingyuan, finally letting out a cold laugh after a while: “Good, good, good. Truly worthy of being recommended by Manager Wang.” He cupped his hands. “Then I’ll trouble Fourth Manager to personally deliver these items!” All the pawnshop staff glared angrily at Gu Pingyuan, but he remained composed, seemingly unaffected. Instead, he asserted his position as fourth manager, ordering several clerks to bring the items from the warehouse.

After loading the cart, Gu Pingyuan took an apprentice named Jin Hu to deliver the goods—the same apprentice he had publicly helped a few days earlier. Gu Pingyuan had ulterior motives in choosing him and spoke up halfway through the journey.

“This Manager Wang and Manager Zhu seem to have some grudge between them?”

“Well… actually, there’s no harm in telling you, since everyone in the pawnshop—no, in all of Taigu—knows about this.” Gu Pingyuan had greatly helped Jin Hu that day; otherwise, when someone came to redeem an already redeemed item and discovered Jin Hu had handled it, he would have been in serious trouble. Jin Hu wasn’t ungrateful and had been secretly helping Gu Pingyuan organize pawn registers these past few days. Currently, he was the only one in the pawnshop who would still speak with Gu Pingyuan.

“To tell the truth, Chief Manager Zhu’s father could be said to have died at Manager Wang’s hands.” Jin Hu lowered his voice and explained in detail the events that had occurred decades ago.

It turned out that years ago, Zhu Sheng’s father had opened a small money shop, the predecessor of today’s Taiyufeng. He had a capable apprentice named Wang Tingui. Wang had a natural talent for the money business, and Zhu’s father trusted him greatly, entrusting important business to him while sending his own son to study pawnbroking in Tianjin. The implication was that he intended to pass the money shop’s management to Wang Tingui, while his son would only be a financial backer, not involved in operations. But Wang was quite cunning. Seeing the business grow increasingly profitable through his daily efforts, only to ultimately benefit others, he felt resentment. And seeing that Zhu’s father remained healthy in his management of the shop, with no indication of when Wang might take charge, he secretly withdrew money from the shop to offer high-interest loans. He also colluded with local ruffians and government clerks, deliberately using the shop’s name to cause deaths and then pursue lawsuits. This forced Zhu’s father to transfer his shares to Wang Tingui’s name, and then…

“I understand. So it was all a scam. In his desperation, Zhu’s father failed to see through his apprentice’s predatory intentions, misplaced his trust, and Taiyufeng fell into Wang Tingui’s hands,” Gu Pingyuan immediately grasped the outcome.

“Exactly! I heard this from a senior at the pawnshop. It happened so many years ago, and with rumors passing from one to another, who knows what’s true anymore. Anyway, Zhu’s father died in anger, and when Manager Wang checked the ‘fortune god shares’ registry, he discovered it contained only 95% of the shares, half a percent missing. It turned out that when Zhu Sheng went to Tianjin as an apprentice, he took half a percent of the fortune god shares in his name.”

“Half a percent? What use is that?” Gu Pingyuan asked, puzzled.

“It’s of great use! Chief Manager Gu, you’re from outside the province and don’t know the rules of Shanxi money shops.”

It turned out that in Shanxi businesses, regardless of size, at year’s end they would hold a three-day shareholders’ meeting, inviting all investors from far and wide—first to distribute profits, and second to offer opinions on the year’s gains and losses. Even someone with just a hundred taels of silver in shares would be treated as an honored guest by the shop. Whatever they said, the chief manager would have to listen to with the utmost respect. For three days and nights, banquets would continue without interruption. Only after the festivities ended could the shops continue their business for the new year, repeating this cycle year after year.

“At the shareholders’ meeting, they first distribute profits in silver, then discuss rights and wrongs. In other businesses, everything is polite. Even if there’s something to be said, they would first apologize, then speak gently without causing offense. Only Taiyufeng is different.” Jin Hu’s words piqued Gu Pingyuan’s interest.

“How is it different?” he asked, turning his head.

“That’s when things get lively. Taiyufeng has only two shareholders: one is Wang Tingui with ninety-five percent, and the other is Zhu Sheng with half a percent. Zhu Sheng despises Manager Wang but can do nothing about it, so the annual shareholders’ meeting at year’s end becomes his best opportunity to vent. For those three days, after eating and drinking his fill, he points his finger at Manager Wang’s nose and berates him. Manager Wang cannot talk back and must stand there listening, even as he’s cursed to high heaven. After three days of verbal abuse, Zhu Sheng always spits on his dividend bank note, throws it in Manager Wang’s face, and leaves with a swagger, never taking his share of the profits.”

“Though he’s a stubborn old man, he certainly has backbone,” Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help but praise.

“That’s true.” Jin Hu nodded repeatedly, looking around to ensure no one was nearby, then continued: “You might not realize that despite Zhu Sheng’s skills, he has no surplus wealth. His family lives in a dilapidated house, barely a step above eating chaff and vegetables.”

“How can that be?” Gu Pingyuan could hardly believe it.

“Ah, it’s all because of Manager Wang’s doing. After humiliating Manager Wang like that, did you think he would let him off easily? Zhu Sheng opened his own pawnshop—this very Wanyuan Pawnshop—but within a few years, it was taken over by Taiyufeng. Whenever he tried to partner with others in business, Wang Tingui would interfere every time. In the end, he was left empty-handed and deeply in debt. Manager Wang sent people several times with messages, saying that if he would surrender that half-percent fortune god share, not only would his debts be paid, but the pawnshop would be returned to him. Yet Zhu Sheng refused each time, refusing to even consider it. Wang Tingui, probably fearing that too much pressure might backfire, still allowed him to serve as Chief Manager here, and Zhu Sheng agreed. Later, I heard from Secondary Manager Ding that he stayed reluctantly because he feared the old employees of the pawnshop would suffer if he left.”

“So that’s how it is.” Gu Pingyuan sympathized with Zhu Sheng, as both had suffered greatly at Wang Tingui’s hands. He sighed, “These past few days, I’ve observed that although Chief Manager Zhu has a stubborn temper, he seems like a good person.”

Jin Hu nodded in deep agreement, then suddenly pointed ahead: “We’ve arrived. Isn’t that the Chang family compound up ahead?”

“It’s now the Wang family compound,” Gu Pingyuan corrected him expressionlessly, driving forward to unload the goods.

Gu Pingyuan was right. The wooden sign reading “Chang Residence” had been removed from the main gate, replaced by large red lanterns with the character “Wang” hanging high on both sides of the entrance. As Gu Pingyuan approached the gate, Wang Tingui stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the magnificent entrance, a hint of satisfaction playing at the corners of his mouth.

“The paint on the gate is old. Tomorrow, find a painter to apply three coats of paint. Remember, use the good Qingjiang lacquer.”

“Yes,” Account Manager Qu beside him answered with a bow.

Seeing Gu Pingyuan arrive with the cart, Qu Guanzhang’s eyes flickered, and he deliberately said: “Whatever Manager Wang wants, he eventually gets. No one can stop him.”

Gu Pingyuan knew these words were meant for him but didn’t take the bait. Wang Tingui smiled slightly, then noticed County Magistrate Chen’s sedan chair approaching. Having purchased a seventh-rank official title himself, Wang wasn’t rushed. He waited until Magistrate Chen alighted and received the greetings of those gathered before strolling over, making a gesture of obeisance and saying, “Greetings, Magistrate.”

Magistrate Chen was in his early forties, with a fair complexion that gave him something of a scholarly appearance, except for his sunken cheeks and sickly, lusterless face—the result of opium smoking. He had come specially in casual attire to congratulate Wang Tingui on his housewarming. Seeing Wang’s gesture, he hurriedly prevented it: “We are of the same rank. How can I, as a brother, accept such formality from Elder Wang? Please, no ceremony.” Then he added in a low voice: “I received many favors the other day. Thank you, Elder Wang.”

Wang Tingui smiled with restraint: “Your presence brings honor to my humble home, though it’s still quite disorderly. I won’t move in for a few more days. The Full Moon Restaurant on Drum Tower Street is the proper place for a housewarming banquet. I hope you will grace us with your presence there.”

“Naturally,” replied Magistrate Chen. Taking a few steps to the compound entrance, he looked up and nodded in appreciation. “Elder Wang, with your great business talent and this fine residence, greater achievements are surely within reach.” After a moment’s thought, he stroked his beard and slowly recited: “Vermilion pavilions reflect the sunset’s glow, Tall parasol trees and cold willows where ravens fly. Amidst the deep nine gates where flowers bloom and willows darken…”

The art of poetry lies in the turn and conclusion. Although Magistrate Chen had passed both levels of imperial examinations, Shanxi province didn’t have as many scholars as Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so he rarely had opportunities for poetic exchanges. Moreover, since becoming the magistrate of Taigu and developing his opium habit, he had long neglected poetry. Now, composing impromptu verses, he got stuck on the final line. The third line already hinted at the depth of the courtyard with potentially inauspicious connotations. If the conclusion didn’t turn this around skillfully, wouldn’t it become an unlucky omen for the host? Magistrate Chen began to sweat nervously. He looked around, but neither of his secretaries had accompanied him, and he was surrounded by merchants whose eyes only saw money. They all stared at each other, at a loss.

Just as host and guest were extremely embarrassed, someone from the side loudly recited: “First glimpse of the new moon in the mountain hollow.”

“Excellent!” Magistrate Chen, relieved of his predicament, couldn’t help but clap in admiration. Looking back, he saw it was Gu Pingyuan who had completed the verse.

“Well done, truly a fine line. What is your name?”

“This humble one is Gu Pingyuan,” Gu answered, his heart pounding and his eyes fixed on Magistrate Chen. Having just arrived at the Chang family compound, he had suddenly realized something was amiss. Chang Si had been imprisoned for crimes, his property confiscated for official auction—all proper procedure. How had it so confusingly passed into Wang Tingui’s hands in private? Could it be that…? Suspicions arose, and he boldly gave his real name, watching as Magistrate Chen nodded impassively and smiled at Wang Tingui, saying, “This man must also be one of Elder Wang’s employees. With such quick wit, no wonder Taiyufeng’s business keeps growing.”

“It’s all thanks to your daily support, Magistrate,” Wang Tingui responded with a forced laugh, his expression quite unnatural.

Wang Tingui invited the magistrate to board his sedan chair for the banquet. As soon as the chair bearers lifted it away, Gu Pingyuan stepped behind Wang Tingui, his voice tinged with indignation: “So Magistrate Chen didn’t even know my name.”

Wang Tingui, realizing Gu Pingyuan understood, didn’t turn around but merely scoffed: “So what? Do you dare to beat the drum and appeal for justice?”

“I don’t dare. Manager Wang, your strategies are flawless. I admire you.”

“You’re a smart man, and dealing with smart people saves trouble. Take care of yourself.” With that, Wang Tingui left for the Full Moon Restaurant, accompanied by Qu Guanzhang and several senior employees.

Standing there, Gu Pingyuan reconsidered his situation. He realized that without official involvement, things might actually be simpler. As the saying goes: “Once a word enters the official gate, nine oxen cannot pull it back.” Although Chang Si was in the county jail, it was essentially no different from Wang Tingui’s private prison. The matter now lay entirely in Wang Tingui’s hands. However, given the man’s ruthlessness and cunning nature, figuring out how to placate him enough to release Chang Si remained a troubling problem.

Just as he was thinking this, he happened to glance toward the compound gate and saw Chang Yu’er walking out with a bundle, accompanied by Sister Li.

After several days, Chang Yu’er appeared even thinner, her small pointed face evoking sympathy. Since returning home that day, she had cried whenever she thought of her father being beaten in the death row cell. Even after crying, she would go out searching for Liu Heita’s whereabouts. These days felt like a nightmare, and she had no time to think about moving. Moreover, the family was now completely destitute, unable to afford renting a place large enough for their belongings.

When the three-day deadline arrived, Wang Tingui’s men stormed in like wolves and tigers, carelessly discarding the family’s possessions. Chang Si’s room, preserved for decades exactly as it had been when Chang Yu’er’s mother was alive, was now to be Wang Tingui’s bedroom, and its contents were strewn about the courtyard.

Chang Yu’er had only picked up a handkerchief embroidered by her mother, clutching it tightly. After much persuasion from Sister Li, she hastily gathered some essential items, planning to stay temporarily at Sister Li’s home. Facing such a family catastrophe without any relatives to confide in, if not for Sister Li’s companionship, Chang Yu’er would have contemplated suicide. Now, seeing Gu Pingyuan as she left, she paused, thought for a moment, then greeted him softly: “Bro-Brother Gu…”

Hearing her revert to the former address, Gu Pingyuan was quite surprised: “Miss Chang, please speak if you have something to say.”

Chang Yu’er hesitated, then finally gathered her courage: “These past few days, people have been coming to our home to express gratitude. Half were my family’s creditors who thought collecting debts would be difficult after our misfortune, but someone sought them out and repaid everything. The other half were families of prisoners sharing my father’s cell, saying someone used my father’s name to buy rice and flour and provided for their living expenses. They all sent messages into the prison, telling those inmates to properly respect my father. Was all this your doing, Brother Gu?”

Gu Pingyuan nodded slightly. These were indeed the two matters he had attended to whenever he had free time these past few days.

“I’ve calculated the amounts they mentioned. It seems most of the bank notes you took that day were spent on my father.” Chang Yu’er didn’t know that another five hundred taels had been used by Gu Pingyuan to bribe the registrar.

“Elder Chang was imprisoned because of me. Whatever I spend is only right. You needn’t concern yourself,” Gu Pingyuan said gently.

Chang Yu’er suddenly looked up: “Brother Gu, you haven’t changed at all. I was wrong to blame you.”

Gu Pingyuan’s heart trembled: “No, I am a coward who fears death, which is why I stay working under Wang Tingui, seeking to save my life.” If Chang Yu’er knew he was determined to rescue Chang Si and even seek revenge against Wang Tingui, she would inevitably be implicated. Gu Pingyuan had always worried about this, so he willingly defamed himself to protect her.

Chang Yu’er shook her head slowly: “Though I am a woman, I know that a true man can be killed but not humiliated. You must have your reasons for doing this…”

“Hahaha!” Gu Pingyuan, not wanting her to continue, interrupted with slightly manic laughter: “You speak of humiliation—what do you know of humiliation? Let me tell you. Literary friends sharing a deep night of conversation at an inn, yet within half a month, our paths diverged dramatically. I was punished, offended, and escorted from Shuntian Prefecture prison beyond the Great Wall—disheveled, filthy, wearing prison clothes and a large cangue. Meanwhile, my friend became the top imperial scholar, riding proudly out of the Great Qing Gate, arrogant in his red robe and black official hat. When we met by chance on the main road in the capital, he deemed a prisoner like me an obstacle and bad omen, ordering the guards to ‘whip him hard’! As I lay on the ground enduring the lashes, I looked up to see the hooves of my former literary friend—now the top scholar—passing right beside me. That was true humiliation!”

As Gu Pingyuan reached the emotional part of his story, he was genuinely moved. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked up at the sky to prevent them from falling. He continued slowly: “Ten years of diligent study, rewarded with a moment of shame—truly unforgettable for a lifetime. So the humiliation Wang Tingui has inflicted upon me no longer matters. As a mere exiled criminal, I consider it great fortune just to preserve my life and continue breathing. As for what I’ve done for your father, consider it my final repayment. From now on, your Chang family will walk your sunny road, and I, Gu Pingyuan, will cross my solitary bridge. We will have no further connection.”

Chang Yu’er knew nothing of Gu Pingyuan’s past sufferings. Hearing them suddenly, she was stunned. Putting herself in his place, she felt profound sympathy. But when she heard his words about severing all ties, she shook her head involuntarily: “No, you are a man who takes responsibility for his actions. You would never submit to a villain like Wang Tingui.”

“Miss Chang! How must I explain for you to understand?” Gu Pingyuan took a deep breath and said calmly: “To survive, I am willing to be Wang Tingui’s dog!”

Chang Yu’er’s body trembled; Gu Pingyuan’s words had shocked her. She looked at this man whom she couldn’t help but love and had already fallen deeply in love with. In his eyes, she saw thick layers of sorrow and helplessness, yet through the fog, the former firmness and persistence remained clearly visible. Chang Yu’er stared at Gu Pingyuan, her body seemingly frozen, before slowly backing away after a long moment. Sister Li moved to support her, but Chang Yu’er ignored her, turning to the compound gate and knocking twice on the door ring.

Seeing it was the former owner who had just left, the doorkeeper called for the steward. Wang Tingui’s steward approached with his nose in the air, saying as soon as he emerged: “If you want to take anything from here, do it quickly. If you’re late, you’ll have to look for it in the beggars’ den!”

Chang Yu’er curtseyed expressionlessly: “I’m not here to take anything. I just heard that this compound lacks servants and maids. I am willing to sell myself into service, at your master’s disposal.”

No one expected Chang Yu’er to say such a thing. Gu Pingyuan was shocked and pale, thinking her grief had driven her mad. He took two quick steps forward to intervene. But the steward spoke first, asking dubiously: “Aren’t you Old Chang’s daughter?”

“With my father and brother absent, and being unmarried, I can naturally sell myself into service,” Chang Yu’er replied impassively.

“That’s not what I meant.” The steward found it beyond reason that the former owner’s daughter would suddenly apply to be a servant and didn’t dare agree. However, Chang Yu’er appeared intelligent and pleasant, and being a local, there was no immediate reason to refuse her. While he was deliberating, a voice said, “Very well, you can be my maid.”

Everyone was surprised again. Looking through the gate, they saw it was Wang Tingui’s concubine, Ruyi, who had answered.

When Wang Tingui moved to this compound, he hadn’t disturbed his old residence and had only brought his concubine Ruyi with him. Ruyi had taken a liking to Chang Yu’er’s maiden chamber and was directing several maids in its arrangement. She had come out to walk around and see the compound’s feng shui layout. Inadvertently approaching the main gate, she looked out and saw Chang Yu’er conversing with Gu Pingyuan. Ruyi, being an expert in matters of romance and a champion of bedroom affairs, immediately noticed Chang Yu’er’s deep feelings for Gu Pingyuan.

Though Gu Pingyuan had submitted to Wang Tingui, Ruyi’s good impression of him remained undiminished. She felt this man was very different from others she had encountered. In quiet moments these past few days, she couldn’t help thinking that if Crooked Hat hadn’t entered according to plan, she and this young man would have consummated their relationship. If it hadn’t been Wang Tingui’s trap, they might even have fled together, living the dreamlike life she had envisioned. Born in a brothel, where “a pair of jade arms pillow thousands, and half a cinnabar lip is tasted by tens of thousands,” she had seen countless men yet unexpectedly developed feelings for this stranger who had touched her but only briefly. Knowing Wang Tingui’s vicious nature, she dared not reveal a hint of these ambiguous thoughts.

Now, discovering Chang Yu’er’s feelings for Gu Pingyuan, Ruyi felt a trace of jealousy. She decided to take Chang Yu’er as her servant to separate her from Gu Pingyuan. Even she found this reason laughable, yet she acted without hesitation.

“Young Master Gu, how have you been?” Ruyi came out, ignoring everyone else, and greeted Gu Pingyuan with a beaming smile.

Hearing this form of address, Gu Pingyuan was reminded of that night and looked uncomfortable. “It’s Fourth Concubine. This lowly one doesn’t deserve your concern.”

Ruyi smiled with pursed lips and deliberately positioned herself between Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er, speaking in a voice neither loud nor soft but audible to both: “Why pretend? If that old crooked one hadn’t entered a step earlier, who knows where you and I would be now. Isn’t that right? You were a witness, after all.” The first part was directed at Gu Pingyuan, while the latter part was meant for Chang Yu’er.

Chang Yu’er blushed crimson with shame. She wanted to spit in disgust but restrained herself, biting her lower lip and asking: “Does what you said earlier still stand?”

“Of course it does. Your name is Chang Yu’er—that’s a nice name, no need to change it. From now on, you’ll be my personal maid, and I’ll call you Yu’er,” Ruyi said, staring at her.

Thinking of the scene between Ruyi and Gu Pingyuan made Chang Yu’er sick, and now she would have to personally serve this woman. She hesitated for a moment.

“What’s wrong, you don’t want to? Yes, you were once the young lady of this mansion, and now you’ll be making my bed, sweeping, serving tea, and pouring water for me. Perhaps it’s too demeaning for you?” Ruyi seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled strangely.

“No, since I’m entering your household, I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.” Chang Yu’er had made up her mind, thinking: “Brother Gu, if you’re willing to be Wang Tingui’s dog, then I’ll accompany you. Even if it means climbing knife mountains or plunging into oil cauldrons, I want to be with you.”

“Very well, settle your price with the steward, then come find me.” With that, Ruyi cast a deep glance at Gu Pingyuan, said “Young Master Gu, we’ll meet again another day,” and walked gracefully back inside.

In Ruyi’s presence, Gu Pingyuan felt uneasy both in face and heart. He had wanted to stop Chang Yu’er but couldn’t get the words out. After Ruyi went inside and Sister Li pulled Chang Yu’er aside, he followed and asked: “Miss Chang, though this place used to be your home, it’s now a den of tigers and wolves. How can you become a servant in the Wang household?”

Contrary to her recent frailty, Chang Yu’er raised her head and looked at Gu Pingyuan without blinking, her words as resolute as a snow-covered mountain stone: “Brother Gu, if you insist on portraying yourself that way, I can’t help it. But this is my home, and I believe in heavenly justice. Sooner or later, someone will come to drive Wang Tingui out and restore justice to my family.”

These words precisely echoed Gu Pingyuan’s own thoughts. His patient waiting was indeed for such a day, though he hadn’t expected Chang Yu’er, a mere woman, to show such uncommon determination. He stared at her, stunned. Though the sudden calamity had nearly broken her, she now seemed to have recovered the courage she had shown in Mongolia. Gu Pingyuan didn’t realize that, whether in Mongolia or Taigu, Chang Yu’er’s courage stemmed from her trust in the man standing before her.

“Brother Gu, I’m going now. If you see that person who punishes evil and eliminates injustice, please tell him I’ll be waiting right here in this compound, no matter how long it takes. On that day, I want to personally witness Wang Tingui receive his just deserts. Don’t you agree?”

Gu Pingyuan gazed into Chang Yu’er’s eyes and nodded deeply. No longer hiding his intentions, the corner of his mouth turned up in a slightly comforting smile: “Rest assured, that person has heard. As you said, ‘Good is rewarded with good, evil with evil. It’s not that there is no retribution, but that the time has not yet come.'”

With these words from Gu Pingyuan, Chang Yu’er had all she needed. She smiled radiantly and turned toward the compound.

Ruyi hadn’t gone far and was watching from a shadowy spot inside the gate. Though she couldn’t hear what Gu and Chang were saying, their demeanor revealed a deep connection. Especially when Chang Yu’er turned around, the confident and reassured expression on her face truly seemed unshakable, as if even a mountain collapsing before her would not change her countenance. Ruyi felt a stirring in her heart, remembering how long ago she too had been utterly devoted to a man, seeing him as her lifelong support. Back then, her face had worn the same expression—with that person by her side, no wind, frost, rain, or snow could frighten her. Yet who would have thought the ending would be as it was? With these thoughts, a bitter smile spread across her face, and her gaze toward Chang Yu’er became a mixture of envy and admiration, as if looking at a dream she had once had but could never realize.