"Who knows if it's true or false anyway? If you want to die at their hands, I certainly don't."
Though puzzled as to how she could possibly meet her end at the hands of Bai Huiru and her daughter, Xia Jinjuan figured that since Zhiliao had warned him, it was best to be on his little guard.
After all, it would be best never to see them again.
Yet, to his dismay, the very next day they ran right into each other in town.
*Chapter 017: The White Moonlight Is Nothing Special After All*
Xia Jinjuan led his wife and daughter straight to Jinyi Workshop. Upon spotting them, Boss Su hastily set aside his current business to greet them with utmost courtesy, a gesture that made Xia Jinjuan feel deeply respected.
As a scholar, how could a man not care about his pride?
Xia Zhiliao silently urged her mother onward. *Hurry up and get to business, Mom!*
Only then did Madam Xia Chen speak up. "Boss Su, this is the embroidery I've been rushing to finish over the past few days. Have a look..."
"No need to look, just leave it right there. I'll make sure yours sells first," Boss Su declared generously.
"Please... you really should take a look. You're well-traveled and knowledgeable. If there's anything poorly stitched, it'll help me improve."
Boss Su smiled faintly. "Well, if you put it that way, I'll take a look. My sister-in-law's craftsmanship surely won't disappoint."
Boss Su had already reasoned that, having incurred such a massive favor from them, he couldn't shortchange them even if the work proved difficult to sell—he would just have to find a way to offload it. But the moment he actually looked down at the piece, he was struck speechless for a long, long time.
Xia Jinjuan hurriedly stood up, thinking to himself that they were done for; his wife's embroidery must be so mediocre that the man was displeased.
*Look at that! Really take a good look! My mother's embroidery is simply peerless.*
The next instant, Boss Su beamed with delight as he looked at Madam Xia Chen. "Sister-in-law, your embroidery is truly exquisite! The pattern is gorgeous and refreshingly unconventional, and this technique rivals that of a master artisan. May I boldly ask who trained you?"
Boss Su's reaction caught the couple off guard. Madam Xia Chen had never received such recognition in all her life and suddenly found herself at a total loss.
"I... I..."
Xia Zhiliao's warm little hand tightly grasped her mother's calloused palm, offering a bright, beaming smile.
*Mom, don't be nervous. Take your time. Boss Su doesn't eat people.*
Tempted by the little milk bun's encouragement, Madam Xia Chen relaxed a fraction. "I... I don't have a master. I've just been stitching this way ever since I first picked up a needle."
Boss Su grew even more excited. "So you're self-taught? Goodness, sister-in-law, you are truly extraordinary! This technique is remarkably similar to that of a master in the Capital. I thought perhaps you had some connection to them."
Madam Xia Chen shook her head. "I'm just a country woman who's never even been to the county seat, let alone the Capital."
Watching the woman before him, Boss Su couldn't help a gaze of genuine admiration. He meant nothing by it—he was simply thrilled—yet Xia Jinjuan found himself growing rather tense watching this unfold.
*Look at the way Boss Su is staring at Mom... Tsk tsk tsk. If Dad goes chasing after that other woman, maybe Mom and Boss Su would make a good match instead. Boss Su is a good man; I think he'd make a fine stepfather.*
Panic seized Xia Jinjuan. The real father was standing right here! Who needed a stepfather?
He hastily scooped up his daydreaming daughter, his mouth twitching as he asked, "Boss Su, judging by your reaction, my wife's embroidery should sell quite well, then?"
Boss Su nodded enthusiastically. "Sell well? That's an understatement! Heavens, you two are truly the benefactors of the Su Family. I won't keep secrets from you—sister-in-law's craft might just help Jinyi Workshop reach even greater heights!"
Madam Xia Chen felt entirely bewildered by the praise. Was she... really that remarkable?
*That's right! My mom is just that amazing, Boss Su. You certainly know talent when you see it.*
Hearing his younger daughter heap praise upon Boss Su made Xia Jinjuan's heart sink a little deeper. He couldn't leave any openings for another man; otherwise, his wife and daughter would end up belonging to someone else.
Naturally, he had to take action to stop his youngest daughter from idolizing this Boss Su any further.
"Boss, do you happen to have—"
Just as they were chatting amiably, a soft voice suddenly broke the harmonious atmosphere.
Xia Zhiliao turned her head to see a graceful woman with a slender figure and alluring demeanor, staring at her father in utter astonishment.
Then, she glanced at her mother's terribly pale face.
Smart as she was, she likely guessed the woman's identity.
*Could this really be that Huiru person? How can there be such a coincidence?*
Recalling what his daughter had said yesterday—that there were no such things as mere coincidences—Xia Jinjuan suspected this was all orchestrated by Bai Huiru.
His heart tightened.
"Brother Jinjuan, what a coincidence. You're here too?" Ignoring Madam Xia Chen entirely, Bai Huiru swept her watery eyes past the mother and daughter, letting them linger on Xia Jinjuan's face before casting her gaze down with coy shyness.
Noticing the displeasure on his younger daughter's face, Xia Jinjuan was so startled he nearly took a few steps back to widen the distance between them. "N... not a coincidence, we were just leaving."
With that, Xia Jinjuan glanced at his dazed wife, took her hand, and gave it a reassuring squeeze as if to prove something. "Boss Su, we'll leave the items here and come back in a couple of days."
"Alright, no problem. Just leave them right here with peace of mind, I'll make sure to fetch you a good price," Boss Su said, completely unaware of the tension, baffled as to why they were suddenly rushing off.
Bai Huiru caught Xia Jinjuan's panic, yet the corners of her lips curled upward slightly. If he had nothing to hide, why panic?
Just as the family of three brushed past her, she spoke in that gentle voice once more. "This must be Sister-in-law? When I ran into Brother Jinjuan yesterday, I mentioned I'd love to drop by for a visit, but I never expected to run into you all here."
*Unbelievable! She's terrified my mom wouldn't find out my dad went to see her yesterday. How utterly vile!*
Xia Jinjuan hadn't caught the implication at first, but with his daughter's reminder, it hit him: Huiru was deliberately trying to make his wife angry!
Pouting, Xia Zhiliao made a funny face at the woman.
*Mom, don't be afraid of her! You're the legitimate wife now, and she's just a wicked woman from the outside. You have to defend your territory.*
Seeing how radiant and pretty the woman was, Madam Xia Chen had initially felt a pang of self-doubt. No wonder Jinjuan had fallen for her at first sight back then, and why he still couldn't let go; compared to this woman, she really fell far short.
Yet, hearing her daughter's words, she thought of her children—what would become of them if she lost?
Bracing herself, she squeezed out a smile. Being naturally timid, she had never engaged in this sort of confrontation before. "So it's Sister Huiru... W... what a coincidence. Hearing Jinjuan mention you were back yesterday, I was actually planning to invite you over for a sit-down."
The moment she finished speaking, Madam Xia Chen felt as though she might collapse from exhaustion. That was entirely too terrifying.
"Sister-in-law is truly kind-hearted. In that case, I wonder if tomorrow would be convenient—"
"Not convenient!" Xia Jinjuan interrupted hastily, glancing at his daughter out of fear she would be displeased. "I have my studies tomorrow, and your sister-in-law has matters to attend to as well."
Xia Zhiliao blinked in bewilderment. What had gotten into her father?
*Why is Daddy turning this wicked woman down? Could he be planning a secret rendezvous behind our backs?*
Xia Jinjuan felt entirely aggrieved. Why wouldn't his daughter trust him?
He must not be doing enough yet.
Bai Huiru's smile stiffened. "It's fine. I'll be staying in town for quite a few days this time. We can—"
"Huiru—oh no, Madam Lu. Our humble home is crude and hardly compares to the Marquis's Estate. We truly aren't equipped to entertain a guest of your status, so let's skip it."
With that, Xia Jinjuan looked toward his daughter, wearing the hopeful expression of a child waiting for praise.
*Zhiliao, look! Your dad has nothing to do with this woman, see?*
*Chapter 018: Dad and Mom Have Been PUA'd*
Bai Huiru lost a bit of her composure, giving Xia Jinjuan a deep, lingering look.
It was a gaze laden with resentment, incomprehension, and something altogether unnameable.
Shuddering as if he had brushed against something filthy, Xia Jinjuan hurriedly pulled his wife and daughter away once more.
Bai Huiru clenched her fists, her eyes burning with malice. A country girl who had managed to become a marquis's concubine and bear his daughter, she no longer cared much for a rustic scholar, but she utterly despised the feeling of being pushed away.
Noticing that his daughter had remained entirely silent the whole way, Xia Jinjuan felt a prickle of anxiety and sheepishly offered, "That Bai Huiru... honestly, out of nowhere insisting on visiting our home, who knows what wicked scheme she's plotting?"
*What scheme? A vixen's scheme, of course! Anyone else with a temper like mine would have scratched your face right off, Dad.*
Madam Xia Chen cast a glance at her husband. She had never even raised her voice in her life, let alone scratch a man; the very thought terrified her.
*Mom, you don't need to fear if Dad gets lured away by some vixen anyway. Your embroidery can make money! We'll sell this batch next time we come, and since your craft is so wonderful, it'll bring business right to their Jinyi Workshop. We can negotiate a partnership with Boss Su and buy a stake in his business.*
Madam Xia Chen listened in utter bewilderment. What on earth did buying a stake mean? Could things really work out like that?
Xia Jinjuan thought his daughter was simply extraordinary for already grasping the ropes of business. Such a precious daughter could never be left for someone else to raise!
He had to put on a stellar performance right now and give his wife no reason whatsoever to leave him.
"Wife, pay no mind to irrelevant people. Had I known she was like this, I wouldn't have given her the time of day. Boss Su clearly has an eye for your embroidery, and it should fetch a fine price. Once we're back, I'll help you talk to him about a partnership."
Madam Xia Chen nodded happily. It seemed her daughter's idea had been the right one; since even a knowledgeable man like her husband said so, it was bound to work out.
"I... I feel like I'm dreaming! But those patterns were Zhiliao's idea anyway, our Zhiliao is the most brilliant."
*Mom is brilliant too! From now on, we mother-and-daughter duo will team up and live our best lives without needing Dad at all!*
That simply wouldn't do.
Knowing his daughter was still unhappy with him, Xia Jinjuan blamed everything on that jinx Bai Huiru. Was she deliberately trying to drive a wedge between father and daughter?!
"Of course our daughter is brilliant, but you're no slouch either. You've truly worked yourself to the bone. Once I pass the imperial examinations, I promise I won't let you suffer anymore."
*Hmph! Once you pass the exams, you'll turn right around and marry another woman. Will you even remember my mom then? Liar!*
Though he had no idea why his daughter would harbor such thoughts, Xia Jinjuan felt wronged and hurriedly swore, "I promise you, even if I pass the exams, you will be my only wife. Believe me!"
Gazing at her husband with absolute adoration, Madam Xia Chen nodded.
Silently, Xia Zhiliao sighed. Her mother was truly much too easy to fool.
Turning his attention to Xia Jinjuan, the man placatingly pleaded, "Zhiliao, trust your dad. Dad would never abandon you and your mother."
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Xia Zhiliao remained unconvinced.
Walking on eggshells now, Xia Jinjuan was convinced that the harmonious bond between father and daughter had only fractured because of Bai Huiru's appearance, and he loathed that woman to the core.
To lose his precious daughter's affection over a vain woman who had once cast him aside—that would be a catastrophic loss.
"Zhiliao, let Dad take you to the apothecary so you can start talking sooner, alright?"
Xia Zhiliao didn't refuse. She knew her own condition well, but since her interdimensional storage space hadn't followed her across, she couldn't conjure up medicinal herbs out of thin air, could she?
She might as well check out the medical standards around here first.
However, after waiting nearly a full hour to see the physician and listening to him drone on for a few moments, Xia Zhiliao was already shaking her head.
"You're fortunate to have brought this child to me. Had you gone anywhere else, she'd likely never be cured."
Madam Xia Chen and Xia Jinjuan were overjoyed, tears even welling up in their eyes. "Can she truly be cured?"
"Indeed. However... silver will be required, of course. This child needs high-grade medicine."
Xia Jinjuan nodded eagerly. "Money is no object, Doctor. As long as my little girl can speak, cost means nothing. I'll scrape the silver together by any means necessary."
It wasn't as though they hadn't sought help before, but numerous physicians had declared her incurable—that the child was mute for life.
Hearing this physician casually declare her curable now, how could Xia Jinjuan not rejoice?
In that moment, his joy at the prospect of his daughter finding her voice was entirely genuine; all thoughts of ingratiation were cast to the winds.
Watching from the side, Xia Zhiliao saw it all clearly; her lips twitched, and her heart softened considerably.
This father truly cherished her.
Before he turned into a complete scoundrel, perhaps she could try to reform him?
"Her condition requires ginseng, deer antler, ganoderma..."
*Pfft, old swindler! He's just trying to fleece us for our money! Expensive medicine doesn't necessarily mean it works; he's only pulling the wool over my parents' eyes because they don't know medicine. My condition will heal itself anyway—just watch, in a few months I'll be able to curse him from head to toe.*
Startled, Xia Jinjuan paused. What did his daughter mean by that?
"Doctor, this medicine..."
Clearing his throat, the physician shot Xia Jinjuan a sidelong glance. "The medicine may be somewhat pricey, but isn't it worth it to let your daughter speak? Such a pretty little girl, and so bright too—if she can't speak, won't her whole life be ruined? Think carefully; don't go thinking I'm after your money."
*You ARE after my dad's money! Dad, let's not treat it, he's a huge swindler!*
Tugging hard on her parents, Xia Zhiliao tried to drag them away. This old fogey was a master of psychological manipulation.
"Ah, what a sensible child. Tsk tsk, parents mustn't hoard silver at the expense of their child. A little bit of coin in exchange for her voice is no loss, no loss at all."
Madam Xia Chen's resolve wavered. She knew her daughter was sensible and assumed the child was simply reluctant to spend money.
Weren't they starting to earn an income now? Even if they were making money, she couldn't let Zhiliao miss her chance to speak!
"Doctor, it's fine. Whatever the cost, we'll pay for the treatment."
Nodding with satisfaction, the physician said, "A mother knows best. Ten months in the womb makes the maternal bond closest. Child, you have a fine mother."
Unable to stomach any more, Xia Jinjuan felt compelled to defend his own parenting. "We'll treat her, absolutely! No matter the cost, get my girl cured."
Xia Zhiliao nearly screamed out loud. Unfortunately, she still couldn't manage it yet; her original body's vocal cords were severely damaged—though she still hadn't figured out how someone so young could end up in that state—which, combined with psychological trauma, had rendered the original mute.
Now that her soul inhabited this body, the psychological barrier had vanished; she only required some medicinal assistance and silver needle acupuncture to recover rapidly.
It was nothing like the astronomical costs this old fraud claimed.
Yet, seeing that her parents had already been brainwashed, what was she to do?
*Dad! Mom! Don't fall for it! Within three months, I'll be talking on my own! Wouldn't that money be better spent on a big feast?*
The hand Xia Jinjuan had extended to fetch his coin purse paused mid-motion.
*Chapter 019: Altering Old Lady Xia's Paralyzed Fate*
Noticing Xia Jinjuan's hesitation, the physician's expression darkened. "A child's future cannot wait! Once she can speak, she can marry into a good family later on, and you'll share in her blessings. If she remains mute, even ordinary farming families might not want her—"
*Shove that nonsense up your own backside, you old charlatan.*
As Xia Zhiliao tugged frantically at her parents, the physician brushed it off and continued his sales pitch.
"The child is truly sensible, knowing how to save you money. But as parents, you mustn't shortchange such a wonderful girl."
*Shut your trap! I'm just trying to keep you from succeeding, you old crook! Dad, take that money and buy a set of silver needles instead—Grandma's going to fall and injure her leg in a couple of days, and we're going to need them.*
Amid the tugging and pulling, a specific plot point flashed through Xia Zhiliao's mind: Old Lady Xia was supposed to fracture her leg, only to be left permanently paralyzed by a quack doctor. By the time the Xia family moved to the Capital, it was too late to fix, confining her to a bed for the rest of her life.
Believing her parents' profound trust in this man, it dawned on her that this very fellow might be that exact quack!
*Dad, don't trust him! He's the one who's going to paralyze Grandma later on! Trusting him is worse than trusting me—did you forget I saved Su Mingche? I know what I'm doing, I really do!*
With that revelation, Xia Jinjuan gave the physician a deep, assessing look. "The child is out of sorts today, we'll return another time."
Madam Xia Chen had also caught the drift of her daughter's inner voice and felt a jolt of terror. How on earth was her mother-in-law going to injure her leg out of nowhere?
"Let's go," Xia Jinjuan said. He trusted his daughter implicitly, and upon reflection, the fancy herbs the man had rattled off did sound rather dubious.
Normally, he wouldn't dare squander a single tael of silver, but seeing his daughter gaze up at him with yearning eyes while silently begging for a set of silver needles, his heart melted.
Coupled with the incident involving Bai Huiru earlier, he was eager to win his daughter over.
When Xia Jinjuan returned carrying a small wooden box, Xia Zhiliao didn't think much of it at first.
Opening the box in confusion, Madam Xia Chen asked, "Why did you buy this?"
Standing on tiptoes to peer inside, Xia Zhiliao saw that it actually contained silver needles. In that instant, she was overwhelmed with excitement.
*How did Dad know I wanted silver needles? We share such incredible telepathic rapport! Even though Dad understands me so well... if you dare betray my mom, I still won't forgive you.*
Relieved to see his daughter's delight, Xia Jinjuan explained, "I saw Zhiliao staring intently at the physician's silver needles earlier, so I guessed she fancied them."
Taking the wooden box, Xia Zhiliao nodded happily. Not only did she fancy them, but she desperately needed them right now.
Xia Jinjuan's explanation dispelled Madam Xia Chen's doubts. "So that's how it was. I thought..."
Testing the waters, Xia Jinjuan asked, "You thought... what?"
Madam Xia Chen had suspected her husband might have heard their daughter's inner voice too. But since Zhiliao had muttered so many things—even threatening to abandon her father—if he had heard that, he surely wouldn't have bought the child her wish.
"It's nothing. I thought... you were planning to study medicine yourself."
"And why not? Those physicians spout nonsense and sound utterly unreliable. I might as well learn medicine myself and treat our Zhiliao!"
Lowering his gaze to his happy daughter, Xia Jinjuan added, "Zhiliao can learn too. She can become a female physician when she grows up."
"I've never seen a female physician before," Madam Xia Chen remarked simply, thinking how extraordinary her daughter would be if she achieved such a thing.
"Once our Zhiliao masters it, you'll have seen one. Whenever any of us comes down with an ache or a fever, we won't need to trouble outsiders anymore."
Madam Xia Chen smiled faintly. Her husband had been treating her with growing kindness lately; gentle and considerate, he hadn't even batted an eye when the woman he once pined for appeared right before him.
Her heart brimmed with hope for the future.
Meanwhile, watching the family of three depart in such harmony from afar, Bai Huiru stamped her foot with bitter frustration.
What was there to be smug about? He was just a man she had discarded anyway.
Thinking of her own beautiful, clever daughter compared to that mute child of theirs, Bai Huiru's irritation quickly subsided.
Her daughter was destined to marry an imperial prince and become an empress one day.
As the family of three strolled back in high spirits, a piece of news reached their ears the moment they entered the village.