Chapter Ten

In the morning, Qi Qiongqiong stood before the kitchen counter, wearing an apron, her hands nimbly kneading a mass of dough. Her movements were practiced and skillful, flowing with a natural ease that suggested she had been working in a kitchen for at least a decade. Even though the dough was already soft and elastic, she continued to knead it.

Gu Yuru entered and said, "Sister Qiong, Father told me to inform you that he and I will eat breakfast with the workers at the salt fields. You only need to prepare enough for three people—yourself and our two elder brothers. Father also mentioned that the brothers have been studying very hard at night, so please add a few extra eggs to their breakfast."

Qi Qiongqiong opened her beautiful, wide eyes, fixed them on Gu Yuru, and said, "Sister Yuru, I am your eldest brother's wife now, so please stop calling me 'Sister Qiong' from now on!" Even as she spoke, her hands never ceased their rhythmic kneading.

Gu Yuru asked, "Sister Qiong, what should I call you then?"

Qi Qiongqiong replied, "You are my sister-in-law. You should call me 'Eldest Sister-in-law,' or simply 'Sister-in-law' will do."

Gu Yuru shook her head. "I have called you 'Sister Qiong' for nearly twenty years. It is a habit, and I cannot change it!"

Qi Qiongqiong feigned anger. "That won't do! You must change it!"

"Why?" Gu Yuru asked.

"Because it is a matter of etiquette; one cannot be disorderly!" Qi Qiongqiong said. "I am the eldest sister-in-law, an elder, and you are the younger sister. The younger must respect the elder. You must address me as 'Eldest Sister-in-law'!"

Gu Yuru pleaded, "Sister Qiong, it is a bit difficult for me to change all of a sudden. Can't you let me take my time?"

Qi Qiongqiong seemed quite stern. "No! There is no taking it slowly."

Watching her expression, Gu Yuru remarked, "Sister Qiong, why is it that a woman's tone changes so much once she gets married? You never used to talk to me like this!"

Qi Qiongqiong replied, "A person's tone changes according to their status! Stop chattering! Hurry up and call me 'Eldest Sister-in-law,' or I will go tell Father-in-law immediately that you are disrespectful to your elders." With that, she clapped her hands, ready to untie her apron as if she were about to go file a complaint.

Seeing that Qi Qiongqiong was not going to let it go, Gu Yuru quickly conceded, "Alright, alright! You don't need to 'or else' me. I will call you 'Eldest Sister-in-law' right now..."

As soon as Gu Yuru finished saying the words, Qi Qiongqiong burst into laughter. "Sister Yuru, I was just teasing you! I am both your senior sister and your sister-in-law; from now on, call me whatever you like!"

Gu Yuru said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, since I have already said it, I will call you that from now on. Besides, calling you that makes us truly feel like a family."

After Gu Yuren married, Gu Datong no longer allowed Gu Yusheng to labor in the salt fields. He kept him at home to study alongside his elder brother in preparation for the imperial examinations.

Gu Datong was a father who understood human nature. Knowing his eldest son had just married, he naturally expected him to spend more time with his new bride, so he did not push Gu Yuren too hard in his studies. Moreover, he knew Gu Yuren's talent was limited; having passed the provincial examination, he had already exceeded expectations. In Gu Datong's heart, if his eldest son could pass the metropolitan examination and become a Jinshi, it would be a crowning glory, but if not, he would still be fine.

However, Gu Datong's attitude toward Gu Yusheng was entirely different. He believed Gu Yusheng was exceptionally gifted and that if it hadn't been for a serious illness during the last exam, he would have already become a Jinshi. Thus, Gu Datong did not allow Gu Yusheng to study in his own bedroom, fearing he might slack off near the bed. He had his daughter, Gu Yuru, clear out a well-lit utility room next to her bedroom specifically for Gu Yusheng to study in. At night, Gu Datong could see the light from Gu Yusheng’s study and hear him reciting his lessons.

Gu Datong was very attentive to their well-being, often having Gu Yuru or Qi Qiongqiong prepare delicious late-night snacks for the brothers to nourish them. Under their father's watchful eye, Gu Yusheng could not slip out at night. With the date for the examinations approaching, he felt he had to diligently review his knowledge. During the day, however, it was different. His father left before dawn and stayed at the salt fields all day, returning only at night. Consequently, Gu Yusheng often slipped out during the day to practice his swordsmanship by the sea, sometimes with his elder brother, and sometimes alone.

Today, his brother was keeping his sister-in-law company, so Gu Yusheng went out alone. After practicing a set of sword forms on the beach, he sat by the mangroves to contemplate his own original sword techniques. The sea breeze was fresh and cool. As he pondered, he fell into a deep sleep on the sand.

In his dream, the waves and the gulls sang to him.

In the afternoon, the tide receded, leaving the beach wide and expansive.

Xiao Guimu carried a shrimp basket, busy foraging. She had rolled up her pant legs, her slender, fair calves occasionally submerged in the seawater or bathed in the gentle breeze. Under the sun, they emitted a jade-like glow that captivated the hearts of local boys.

The tide was good today. After an hour of foraging, she had a bountiful harvest: fish, lobsters, large conch, crabs, and mantis shrimp.

For a time, Xiao Guimu had thought of leaving the salt fields for Yang City to open a restaurant and be her own boss. But since Qi Qiongqiong had married into the salt fields, she had gained another companion with whom she could share her thoughts. Gradually, she abandoned the idea of leaving. Qi Qiongqiong loved seafood, so Xiao Guimu went foraging every day, bringing the best of her catch to her.

Xiao Guimu set her basket on the sand, looking down at her harvest, thinking, "I'm so lucky today! I'll take these to the Gu family later to make the young mistress happy..."

"Hahaha! Little beauty, out foraging?" A man’s voice came from the bushes nearby.

Xiao Guimu stood up and looked toward the trees, seeing a middle-aged man emerge, followed by two small lackeys.

Xiao Guimu scrutinized the man. He had a rat-like face and a predatory expression—a look of utter shamelessness. She recognized him immediately as the notorious Master Guo, a wealthy and powerful fish merchant in the area. He was a local with money and connections; rumor had it that the assistant prefect of Yangzhou was his distant relative. He was a wealthy man who acted without virtue, monopolizing the beach and growing rich off land rents. Even the salt fields leased by Gu Datong were on land owned by him.

Knowing the man was trouble, Xiao Guimu thought, "Since I can't afford to offend him, the best of the thirty-six stratagems is to leave." She hastily grabbed her basket and started toward home.

Master Guo ran over quickly, blocking her path with a leering grin. "Little beauty, don't leave. I was watching your jade-like legs from the bushes, and you've already hooked my soul! People say that meeting is fate. Since we’ve met, why don't you stay and play with me for a while before going home?"

Xiao Guimu realized she had encountered a scoundrel. She loathed such men and longed to kick him, but she decided that avoiding trouble was better. She turned and ran in another direction.

Master Guo grew anxious. "Aha, trying to sneak off? Not a chance!" He turned and shouted at his lackeys, "You idiots, what are you standing there for? Surround her from the front!"

The two lackeys ran ahead of Xiao Guimu, shouting, "Don't run, don't run..."

Master Guo yelled, "Stop her!" Since she was a child, Xiao Guimu had secretly practiced light-body techniques under the guidance of her father, Xiao Tianjian. Aside from Gu Yusheng, no one in the salt fields knew this. Beyond these techniques, her swordsmanship and spear skills had reached a level of perfection. Once, after they finished training, her father, a former great general, had said happily, "Daughter, your swordsmanship has reached a high level! You are either a Green Dragon or a Silver Dragon!"

Xiao Guimu had asked with pride, "Father, I don't know what a Green Dragon or a Silver Dragon is! Tell me, between my swordsmanship and Brother Yuren's, who is better?"

Xiao Tianjian hesitated for a moment. "Daughter, the sword styles you both study are different paths, so I cannot say who is superior. But there is one thing: the style you study requires strategy. If you are evenly matched, your ability to use strategy will surely allow you to defeat Brother Yuren."

Xiao Guimu asked happily, "Really, Father?"

Xiao Tianjian smiled radiantly. "Of course! But, daughter, because of our special status, the martial arts I have passed on to you are unique. Some in the imperial court know of my skills, so for safety, I order you: unless absolutely necessary, never use the martial arts I have taught you. Do you remember?"

Xiao Guimu replied, "I remember, Father!"

"Good."

Xiao Guimu asked again, "Father, I promised not to use the martial arts you taught me, but what if I encounter bad people in the future?"

Xiao Tianjian said, "I will teach you a set of women's escape techniques for self-defense."

...

Watching the three scoundrels closing in, Xiao Guimu thought, "Today, I will use the escape techniques Father taught me to deal with them!"

She set down her basket, walked behind a large reef, and shouted, "In broad daylight, what do you think you are doing?"

Master Guo drooled, "Little beauty, I'm not doing anything, I just want to play with you."

Xiao Guimu cursed, "Scoundrel! Truly, bad people only get worse as they age!"

Lackey A said, "Little beauty, our Master has plenty of silver, just play with him!"

Lackey B added, "Little beauty, our Master often plays with young ladies, and no one has ever complained. Don't worry!"

Xiao Guimu was furious. "You are truly shameless! Take this!" She threw a punch.

"Ouch! You dare hit my face!" Lackey A cried.

Xiao Guimu said, "And this!" She kicked Lackey B squarely between the legs.

"Ouch, it hurts! You... you kicked my manhood!" Lackey B curled up on the ground, crying in pain.

Xiao Guimu quickly left the reef and headed toward her basket.

Master Guo kicked Lackey B's backside. "Are you just going to squat there and die? The little beauty is escaping, hurry and chase her!" Saying this, he launched a flying kick toward Xiao Guimu’s back. The speed was so great that Xiao Guimu was stunned—the old man knew martial arts.

Xiao Guimu used her escape technique to dodge the blow. Afraid to go back to her basket, she darted into the bushes.

Lackey A had been hiding there. He snuck up from behind, grabbed her waist, and laughed, "Finally caught you, little beauty!"

Xiao Guimu looked down, then raised her right foot and stomped hard on his instep.

"Ouch, it hurts... you little beauty..." Lackey A hopped on one foot, clutching his foot.

After his kick was dodged, Master Guo seemed to realize something. He sat on a rock, crossed his legs, and acted like a general. "Idiot B, she wants to hide in the bushes, stop her! Idiot A, the little beauty is behind that rock! Go, throw stones at her!"

Lackey A cried, "Master, my foot is broken, I can't get up!"

Master Guo cursed viciously, "If your foot is broken, you don't get to eat tonight!" He then lunged at Xiao Guimu.

Xiao Guimu sidestepped, and Master Guo missed. Enraged, he drew a sharp sword from his waist and began swinging it. Xiao Guimu ducked into the bushes again, shouting, "Help! Master Guo is trying to kill someone!"

Master Guo stopped swinging and asked, "You know who I am?"

Xiao Guimu said, "Who doesn't know the Moon Bay fish tyrant, Master Guo?"

Master Guo said happily, "Exactly! Little beauty, I have vast wealth. Which woman in Moon Bay doesn't want to get close to me? Name your price—how much money do you want to play with me?"

Xiao Guimu feigned a pitiful expression. "Master, I don't want money." She remembered her father's instruction: use strategy.

Master Guo was overjoyed. "If you don't want money, what do you want?"

Xiao Guimu looked pathetic. "Master, I just want to go home."

Master Guo's true colors emerged. "Not a chance!" He looked at his lackeys. "Grab her!" The three of them closed in on her.

Xiao Guimu shouted for help, "Help! The esteemed Master Guo is abducting a decent woman in broad daylight!"

"Stop!" Gu Yusheng leaped out and shouted sternly.

He had been sleeping on the nearby beach and rushed over upon hearing Xiao Guimu’s cries.

Master Guo narrowed his rat-like eyes. "Kid, who are you?"

Lackey A puffed out his chest. "Master, this kid is Gu Yusheng, the second son of the salt field owner Gu Datong."

Master Guo said, "Haha, I thought it was someone important! It’s just the wet-behind-the-ears second son of the Gu family!" His face darkened. "Second son of Gu, do you know my relationship with your father?"

Gu Yusheng replied, "I do!"

Master Guo continued with a stern face, "If you know, how dare you interfere with my business! You clearly don't respect me! Lackeys, beat him soundly..."

Gu Yusheng said, "Wait! Master Guo, do you know who this woman is?"

Lackey A chimed in, "Master, I've already investigated! She is the only daughter of the salt field guard, Xiao Tianjian."

Master Guo leered, "No wonder she's so fresh! Lackeys, hurry home and get the betrothal gifts! Today, I am going to the Xiao family to claim this little beauty!"

Gu Yusheng shook his head and asked, "Master, do you know who her fiancé is?"

Master Guo said arrogantly, "Probably some salt worker? Whoever it is, a few taels of silver will make them cancel it."

Gu Yusheng acted helpless. "Master, this engagement cannot be canceled."

Master Guo asked dismissively, "Which family is it? Why can't it be canceled?"

Gu Yusheng had intended to say the Qi family of the Yang City salt shop, but he suddenly remembered that Master Guo was a bully who feared the powerful and loved to fawn over officials. If he said it was the Qi family, it might not stop the scoundrel. He suddenly remembered the newly appointed official he had met on the street, and his mother and the man in white.

"It is the household of the newly appointed Judicial Commissioner, Lord Li, of Yang City," Gu Yusheng said.

Master Guo smiled crookedly. "Hahaha, what nonsense! A mere salt worker trying to climb the social ladder with the new Judicial Commissioner!"

Gu Yusheng gestured with his hands. "Master, you don't know this, but the Xiao family was once a prominent household before they fell on hard times! Their marriage was arranged while they were still in the womb!"

Master Guo deflated like a punctured balloon. "So that's it! She is engaged to the Judicial Commissioner's... princess? Kid, I have connections in the government. If I find out this is a lie, I'll have your head!"

Xiao Guimu blurted out, "It's that young man in white."

Master Guo, a man who truly bullied the weak and feared the powerful, shot Xiao Guimu a threatening look and then scurried away with his two lackeys.

Gu Yusheng retrieved the shrimp basket from behind the rock, helping Xiao Guimu pick up the scattered fish and shrimp. He said, word by word, "Master──Guo, feel──free──to──go──inquire." With that, he hoisted the basket and headed home.

Xiao Guimu chased after him. "Stop right there!"

Gu Yusheng turned back. "What for?"

Xiao Guimu's face flushed red. "Who did you say was my fiancé at the Judicial Commissioner's household?"

Gu Yusheng said seriously, "It's you! Didn't you just say that the man in white was your future husband?"

Xiao Guimu's face turned beet red. She stepped forward and punched him. "You shameless jerk, you're teasing me on purpose..."

A few days later, Master Guo brought two lavish gifts to pay his respects to Gu Datong and Xiao Tianjian. One gift was for the Gu family, the other for the Xiao family. He claimed he had been drunk that day and had foolishly played a coarse joke on the guard's daughter, and had come to apologize. He asked Gu Datong and Xiao Tianjian to forgive him, given his status as a landlord and his drunken state, and asked Xiao Tianjian not to hold a grudge.

Gu Datong told Master Guo, "Getting confused while drunk is human nature. We won't take it to heart, so please rest easy, Master Guo!"

As he left, Gu Datong insisted that Master Guo take back the gifts. Master Guo initially refused, but seeing Gu Datong's firm attitude, he obediently took them back.

After Master Guo left, Xiao Guimu whispered to Gu Yusheng, "Master Guo might know martial arts."

Gu Yusheng laughed, "Don't talk about 'mights'! I've known Master Guo since I was a child, and I've never heard of him knowing martial arts."

Xiao Guimu rolled her eyes at him. "You shameless jerk, you're too arrogant! Regardless, I've told you; believe it or not, it's up to you!"