"Third Uncle?"
At the mention of this name, a wave of warmth surfaced from the memories of the original host of Shi Yi's body. Fragmented memories flooded back, especially the scene where, when Hu Mazi had raided the mountain village, Third Uncle had sacrificed his own arm to save him, even kneeling in humiliation to beg for mercy.
Shi Yi took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine."
"Leave three rabbits for me to take to my aunt later. Once she knows you’re my wife, she’ll protect you in the village. It will put my mind at ease when I go out to take care of business."
"I am not your wife. Please get that straight."
"I’ve made some rabbit stew in the pot, following the way you cooked earlier today. Go eat. I’ll handle the game."
Wang Zhijiao found the term "wife" offensive. The goodwill Shi Yi had built up in her mind throughout the day vanished in an instant. After saying this, she went to the riverside to process the game.
Shi Yi didn’t take it to heart. *I actually like a woman with such spirit,* he thought to himself. *That makes it a challenge.*
He looked around. He noticed that everything in the house was neat and tidy. The animal hides were processed with meticulous care, and the soil in the vegetable garden had been turned over.
"She’s a woman who knows how to keep a home, even if she is a bit cold." Shi Yi felt very satisfied.
When he tasted the stew in the pot, his eyes lit up; she had significantly improved the seasoning compared to his own efforts earlier. The more he looked at this wife he had bought for a pound of rice, the more he liked her.
After eating, he went over to help her with the work. The two of them were busy until late into the night. Shi Yi was a healthy man, and he had plenty of improper thoughts about Wang Zhijiao, but he was certainly no lecher. For a woman like her, he had all the time in the world to take it slow. He did not enter the dilapidated wooden cabin that night.
The next morning, he prepared some food and left it in the pot. Then, he packed the hides and rabbit meat from the previous day into a basket and set off for town at daybreak.
Wealthy Song was one of the major families in town. The estate boasted vermilion gates, over thirty rooms, and more than twenty servants. Third Uncle, Shi Kang, despite having only one arm, was still highly skilled in martial arts and had been working as a guard at the Song Estate for a monthly salary of ten catties of rice.
He hadn't waited long at the back gate before Third Uncle, Shi Kang, walked out.
"Good lad, you’ve really surprised me. Did you wipe out a rabbit warren in the mountains?"
"Third Uncle." Shi Yi called out with great respect. After all, his life had been bought with his uncle’s arm.
Shi Kang walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Come on. I’ve already spoken to Steward Wu. Two coppers for each hide, three for the meat. Remember to watch his mood and act accordingly. The Song Estate will be hiring more servants next month, and I’ve put in a word with Steward Wu for you. Once you have a steady income, you’ll be able to provide for your wife."
"I spoke with that girl yesterday afternoon. Though she’s a bit cold, she’s well-bred and keeps the house in perfect order. She’s a good girl for a household..."
Shi Kang chattered away, just like any ordinary elder. Shi Yi carried the basket of mountain goods, staring at his uncle’s empty sleeve. Deep down, a monstrous hatred for Hu Mazi and the traitor in the village burned within him, but he held it in.
After half a stick of incense, they met Steward Wu. The man had a handlebar mustache and kept his eyes squinted, casting a look of intense disdain. Throughout the meeting, Third Uncle kept up a stream of polite, obsequious flattery, while Steward Wu didn't even cast a single glance at Shi Yi. He was the very picture of a man who throws his weight around and looks down on those beneath him.
Fortunately, everything went relatively smoothly. In the end, Shi Yi exchanged his twenty-four rabbit hides for sixty-eight coppers, and his thirty catties of rabbit meat—from yesterday and this afternoon—for ninety coppers, totaling one hundred and fifty-eight coppers.
After settling the account at the Song family’s counting house, Shi Yi was ready to leave with his money. But Steward Wu squinted at him.
"Wait. Shi Kang, why is your nephew so ignorant of how things work?"
Shi Kang immediately reacted. "I apologize, Steward Wu. The boy must have been so excited that he forgot to show his respects to you." He hurried over to Shi Yi and signaled to him with his eyes.
Shi Yi didn’t really want to give the money up; it was the fruit of his own labor, after all. But he didn't want to make things difficult for his uncle, who was caught in the middle. He took out ten coppers and respectfully presented them to Steward Wu.
"Master Wu, my apologies. This is my first time in such a grand estate. I don't know the rules or the ways of the world. Please bear with me."
Steward Wu looked down at him from his lofty position and took the coins slowly. He weighed them in his hand, then tossed them back at Shi Yi.
"You dog, do you take me for a beggar? Who are you trying to brush off?"
Shi Kang hurried over. "Master Wu, didn't you say ten coppers..."
Steward Wu cut him off. "I was joking, and you took it seriously? Shi Kang, do you know how many poor people in Xiguan Town are begging for a job in our Song Estate? What can ten coppers do? Is that even enough for a cup of tea?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Master Wu, name your price, and I’ll explain it to my nephew." Third Uncle Shi Kang did his utmost to please him. He had knelt before Steward Wu more times than he could count just to get his nephew a position here. He didn't trust having his nephew in the village; if he could get into the Song Estate, he would be a man of the Song family. Even Hu Mazi of Qingniu Mountain would have to think twice before touching him. It was, in effect, a protective talisman.
Steward Wu, certain that the uncle and nephew were desperate for his help, peered through his squinted eyes with a glint of greed.
"One hundred and twenty coppers. I’ll allow your nephew to join the Song Estate. That Hu Mazi of Qingniu Mountain is someone, sure, but in front of my master, he’s nothing. Once you’re in the Song Estate, you’re a dog of the Song family. Hu Mazi may be vicious, but even a dog is looked after by its master—he naturally wouldn't dare touch you."
Shi Yi was furious. The steward wasn't just greedy for money; he was insulting him in every breath. He could barely suppress his rage, but he suddenly realized how deeply divided by status this feudal society was. If you were poor and had no power or connections, you deserved to be humiliated.
Shi Kang looked troubled. "Master Wu, my nephew has just taken a wife. We need money for everything. Could you, perhaps..."
"With his status, he can afford a wife?" Steward Wu laughed mockingly. "If you don't pay, then get lost. Don't make a racket here; I don't have time to waste on you."
Steward Wu left immediately after saying this. Shi Yi wanted to speak, but Shi Kang pulled him away toward the exit, knowing the steward's temper all too well.
Once they were outside, Shi Yi couldn't help but curse, "What a dog throwing its weight around. Insatiably greedy! I'll deal with you sooner or later!"
Shi Kang looked at his nephew as if he were a stranger. "Yi'er, what's gotten into you?"
Shi Yi took a deep breath, suppressing his fury. "It’s nothing, Third Uncle. Not paying him—it won't cause any trouble for you, will it?"