Chapter Fifteen: The Chronicle of Taking a Concubine

The night wind blowing from the Great Blue Mountains could not dispel the heavy scent of blood that clung to everyone. After properly burying the bodies of the three bandits, Zhao Hengyi and his group finally led the terrified Liu Shuang back to the village.

The young members of the hunting party, who had been keeping vigil with the village chief and the elders, had no idea what extraordinary events had transpired during this seemingly uneventful night.

Wu Laoliu appeared alone before them, whispered a few words to the village chief, and then sent the young hunters home. There were matters yet unsuitable for the younger generation to be involved in.

Inside the textile workshop, the usual lively commotion continued. Under the bright glow of torches, the women of Elm Bay skillfully operated the new looms while engaging in cheerful gossip, their laughter ringing out from time to time.

Ever since the textile workshop had opened, these women—who once saw no hope for the future—had finally found something to look forward to. As long as they could work for Zhao Hengyi, they would eat their fill of rice and sorghum each day and earn two copper coins. The food bought with those coins, stretched with wild greens and grass seeds, was enough to feed a whole family for three days.

With the ability to earn wages, the women returned home able to hold their heads high. The men of the house no longer dared to beat or scold their wives or concubines at will. In any era, the ability to earn money greatly determined one’s standing within the family.

In a humble thatched cottage, Miao Xiaoyu sat unusually still beneath a dim oil lamp, her face tense and anxious instead of bustling about as usual. The six little ones, sensing something amiss, did not go to bed but instead sat quietly beside their eldest sister, each with their chin in hand.

In the corner, Sun Xiuying huddled uneasily, as if trying to hide herself within the shadows beyond the lamp’s reach.

Outside, there was a commotion—Zhao Hengyi’s familiar voice could be heard, greeting the women returning from the workshop. Miao Xiaoyu sprang to her feet at once, and the drowsy little ones immediately perked up.

When Zhao Hengyi entered the room, Miao Xiaoyu threw her arms around him, stifling her sobs as she wept in silence.

“It’s all right. See? I’m back safe and sound,” Zhao Hengyi said, forcing a smile onto his pale face as he gently patted his wife’s head. “Your sisters are watching—you mustn’t cry.”

Sensing that something had happened, the six little ones gathered around their brother-in-law, reaching out their small arms to hold him and their sister tightly.

In that moment, Zhao Hengyi’s heart found peace; all his efforts suddenly felt meaningful.

After comforting Miao Xiaoyu and the children, Zhao Hengyi finally turned his attention to Sun Xiuying, who still cowered in the corner.

“Xiuying, Liu Shuang has been detained by the village chief and the others. He won’t hurt you again.”

Zhao Hengyi, ever perceptive, noticed Sun Xiuying’s fear of him. “You are you, and Liu Shuang is Liu Shuang. What he did has nothing to do with you. In fact, if you hadn’t warned us, a great disaster might have befallen us all.”

“You don’t have to go back to Liu Shuang’s shack anymore. Stay here and help Xiaoyu look after the workshop.”

With those words, Zhao Hengyi could hold back no longer—he hurried outside to a secluded spot and vomited. The scent of blood seemed to cling to his nostrils, refusing to fade. It was his first time witnessing death up close; even knowing the men killed were malicious bandits, he still couldn’t suppress his body’s instinctive reaction.

That he had held out this long was already a testament to his steel nerves.

Only after emptying his stomach did Zhao Hengyi feel the bloody stench finally begin to dissipate.

Staring up at the bright moon in the night sky, Zhao Hengyi couldn’t help recalling Wang Erhu’s grinning face and those eager, sparkling eyes... Some people truly put others to shame! That bloodthirsty devil!

“Dear, Xiuying is a good woman—honest and upright, someone I could call a sister,” Miao Xiaoyu said softly as she gently patted her husband’s back, having followed him outside. “Since Liu Shuang picked her out from the wedding escort, she’s only seen him twice, and each time he beat her. She’s done nothing else—she’s still a clean and innocent girl...”

“Enough!” Zhao Hengyi, catching his breath, felt her words growing increasingly off track. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“These are things I just asked her myself. Xiuying is as honest as they come; she wouldn’t lie to me,” Miao Xiaoyu continued, lost in her own thoughts. “Now that Liu Shuang’s locked away, Xiuying’s got nothing left to hope for. If you’re willing to take her as a concubine, you’d be doing a good deed!”

Zhao Hengyi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He had married Xiaoyu only to save her—he had never once considered taking a concubine!

“If you don’t intend to take Xiuying as a concubine, why let her stay here with me?” Miao Xiaoyu said smugly. “I’m not a jealous woman. It’s only natural for a capable man to have concubines. Besides, if you won’t touch me, someone’s got to be here to attend to you...”

The more she spoke, the more outrageous it became—not a jealous woman, indeed! She was clearly reproaching him for not consummating their marriage!

Zhao Hengyi didn’t let her continue. He clamped his big hand over her mouth and quickly pecked her on the cheek.

“Go back and look after your sisters. Get some sleep. I’m going to the smithy.”

With that, Zhao Hengyi, feeling rather guilty, beat a hasty retreat.

Watching her husband’s slightly flustered figure disappear into the night, Miao Xiaoyu’s cheeks burned red as boiled shrimp. She pursed her lips and stood frozen for a moment before finally returning inside.

Her husband did care for her, after all. If only it weren’t for that cursed fate of hers!

Zhao Hengyi could guess at some of Xiaoyu’s thoughts, but as a modern man, his mindset was hard to change.

He didn’t care about any so-called curse, but he firmly believed that marriage needed a foundation of genuine feeling to last a lifetime.

At present, Xiaoyu’s feelings toward him were likely more gratitude than love.

Still, as their bond slowly deepened, Zhao Hengyi wasn’t so rigid—when the time was right, things would happen naturally.

For now, though, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was taking advantage of her vulnerability, and it made him uncomfortable.

Inside the smithy, Zhang Daniu worked bare-chested in just a pair of short trousers, wielding his hammer as sweat poured off him.

After everything that had happened tonight, Zhao Hengyi realized that protecting his wealth and safety would require more than just crossbows.

It was time to forge a batch of sharp, reliable long blades. Crossbows weren’t a weapon to be seen by too many eyes.

“Brother Daniu, tomorrow I’ll bring some men to make a batch of charcoal. That should help raise the furnace temperature a bit more.”