Chapter 16: Collecting the Autumn Tax
The young couple’s first collaboration could be considered a success. With Zhang Kun’s family helping to make the wooden stakes needed for the wolf traps, Li Yuanjing and Yuniang were greatly relieved of their burden.
The key point was...
Li Yuanjing, that heartless capitalist, hadn’t paid or done much himself, yet the Zhang family was full of gratitude towards him.
Nonetheless, Yuniang still felt insecure. On the way home, she kept asking Li Yuanjing if she’d lost her composure at any point.
Li Yuanjing teased her, which stirred up a hornet’s nest; it took until they got home for him to finally soothe her.
But Li Yuanjing didn’t notice...
With over two taels of silver in her hands, Yuniang felt an endless sense of security, and she made a decisive, important resolution in her heart.
...
Dinner that night was crispy fish and white rice, prepared by Yuniang. Although the seasonings were far from adequate, the meal was reminiscent of the standards of later generations, and both Li Yuanjing and Yuniang ate with relish.
Just as Li Yuanjing was about to prepare the other materials for the wolf traps, Yuniang, blushing, suddenly grabbed his hand and shyly said,
“Brother, shouldn’t we... shouldn’t we rest now...?”
“Huh?”
Li Yuanjing was momentarily stunned, then smiled, “It’s still early. Why rest so soon? If you’re tired, go ahead and rest first; I’ll finish tidying up and join you.”
“Brother...”
Yuniang’s delicate hand refused to let go of his, and she looked up at him, pleading in anguish, “Brother, do you... do you not like me? Don’t you want me to serve you while you rest...?”
Li Yuanjing, even if slow-witted, understood her intent now.
This “rest” was clearly not the simple kind he’d imagined.
But the crux was...
Li Yuanjing himself wasn’t opposed, but Yuniang was still so young—how could he bear to act rashly toward such a lovely girl?
“Brother, do you truly not like me?”
Seeing his reaction, the blush on Yuniang’s charming face faded quickly, turning pale as death. Her slight frame trembled violently.
Clearly, Li Yuanjing’s silent refusal cut straight through her defenses like a knife.
Seeing Yuniang nearly unable to stand, ready to collapse at the slightest breeze, Li Yuanjing slapped his forehead, finally realizing—
The values of this era were completely different from those of the future. For Yuniang, failing to please him in this way felt like an unforgivable crime.
Suddenly, Li Yuanjing, feigning ferocity, swept Yuniang into his arms and tossed her onto the kang bed, laughing as he began to undress,
“You little rascal! Three days without a beating and you’re ready to tear down the roof. How dare you challenge your brother—watch how I deal with you tonight!”
...
The next morning.
As the first rays of sunlight streamed in, Yuniang opened her star-like eyes.
Seeing Li Yuanjing still sleeping soundly beside her, she couldn’t help but smile sweetly. Summoning her courage, she pressed her tender lips to his cheek in a gentle kiss.
Last night, though she hadn’t truly become his woman, her anxiety was gone.
Her brother had explained much to her—why he hadn’t yet made her his wife.
Because she was too young, and he feared that if she bore a child now, it would be difficult for her later.
He wanted to spend a lifetime with her, for both of them to live long and healthy lives.
Moreover...
Thinking of this, Yuniang’s face flushed as red as an apple.
She wondered where her brother had learned so many tricks—yet, she found herself not a bit repulsed by them.
Resolved, Yuniang decided that when she had children, she’d make sure they studied hard. If they disobeyed, she’d spank their little bottoms.
...
With money in hand, her heart was calm.
Having spent much energy caring for his little wife the previous night, Li Yuanjing wanted to sleep a bit longer, but was soon awakened by the noisy commotion outside.
Once dressed, he stepped into the yard and was amused by what he saw at the gate.
There stood Steward Xue from the Xue family, Wang Cuihua, Hou Wu, two yamen runners, and seven or eight servants in blue, all shouting at Yuniang.
But thanks to Li Yuanjing’s prior act of wielding a blade against Hou Wu, none dared enter—they only shouted from outside.
“Steward Xue, gentlemen,”
“May I ask why you’ve come so early to the student’s home?”
Seeing Li Yuanjing approach calmly, Yuniang felt reassured, quickly clutching his hand and whispering,
“Brother, I don’t know what’s happening, but they’re here to collect the autumn tax. According to custom, our family usually pays it in a few days, never this early...”
Li Yuanjing couldn’t help but laugh.
He knew exactly what scheme they played.
They wanted to force his hand, drive him to desperation, and make him sell Yuniang.
But unfortunately, their plan was miscalculated.
“Oh?”
“Scholar Li, you’ve finally arrived,”
Steward Xue grinned slyly at Li Yuanjing and turned to the two officials in black robes,
“This is Li Yuanjing—today’s autumn tax should be settled.”
The lead official barked,
“Scholar Li, you’re an educated man, but without official rank, you cannot be exempt from taxes. Open your door and pay this year’s tax at once!”
Yuniang’s hand tightened around Li Yuanjing’s, ready to pay, but Li Yuanjing held her back, feigning displeasure as he spoke to the official,
“Sir, as a disciple of the Ming Sect, it is my duty to pay taxes for the country. But according to custom, shouldn’t our household pay in five or six days?”
“Isn’t it against the rules for you to come so early?”
“Rules?”
“Ha!”
Steward Xue sneered,
“Scholar Li, Lord Ma’s word is the rule! If he says your taxes come first, you pay first! Or are you planning to resist the tax today?”
Wang Cuihua chimed in triumphantly,
“Li, you poor wretch, didn’t I warn you? Oppose me and you’ll have to wait for your next life!”
“Heh heh!”
“If you can’t pay today, you’ll be sent to guard the frontier in Liaodong!”
Hou Wu laughed,
“Li, didn’t I advise you? Sell your little wife to our benevolent Steward Xue, and all your troubles would be solved!”
“Too bad you’re too stupid to understand. Hahaha!”
“Brother...”
Faced with their aggression, Yuniang was frightened, her body trembling as she pleaded with Li Yuanjing.
Clearly, she wanted him to pay the tax and avoid further entanglement with these bullies.
Li Yuanjing pulled Yuniang behind him, sneering at Steward Xue and the officials,
“Gentlemen, I’ll pay the autumn tax today—no problem. But this shrew and this fool must pay theirs today as well!”
“Otherwise, I’ll stick to custom—pay in five days! As a Ming Sect disciple, I’m not afraid to stir things up with the elders!”
“Hey!”
“You miserable wretch, you’re asking for trouble! Watch how I deal with you!”
Hou Wu grew agitated, eager to impress these “noble” guests. He grabbed his hatchet and tried to force his way in.
“Stop!”
“What are you doing?! Put the knife down!”
Just then, as Hou Wu began rattling Li Yuanjing’s broken wooden door, a familiar, commanding voice rang out behind them.
Hou Wu froze in terror, fumbling to hide his knife but unsure where to put it.