Chapter 28: If Saving a Life Is Possible, What Harm Is There in Losing a Little Pride?

"Ah."

"Scholar Li, the world is as it is—how can everything be perfect and go as one wishes? Eight or nine out of ten things in life are bound to be unsatisfactory..."

Li Yuanjing slept until noon, then called for Big Ya to accompany Jade Lady, helping her adjust to the house where someone had just died. He himself went to the autumn tax collection site to observe everyone’s reactions.

Perhaps because Li Yuanjing and his companions had acted so convincingly last night, the news had already spread widely. Even the official Ma, came over to pat Li Yuanjing’s shoulder and offer his condolences.

"Thank you, Master Ma, for your guidance."

Li Yuanjing cupped his hands in gratitude and smiled wryly. "Master Ma, although most of my silver was stolen by that scoundrel Hou Wu, I still have enough left to get by. Besides, a true man is born to be useful; if a thousand pieces of gold are lost, they will return. How could I let such a small matter defeat me?"

"Born to be useful, and lost gold will return?" Ma, a man of the world, was startled to hear Li Yuanjing recite poetry in his moment of reflection. He quickly gave Li Yuanjing a thumbs-up and praised him, "Scholar Li, you truly are a learned man! With your talent, I believe such a trivial matter will never defeat you. You are destined for great things!"

Ma seemed genuinely impressed by the poem and began to address Li Yuanjing with respectful language. Li Yuanjing was a bit taken aback, not expecting such a pleasant surprise. Since Ma, an old hand, was willing to get close, Li Yuanjing did not refuse and began to consult him about the prices of textiles around Feng County.

Li Yuanjing had always wanted to build a community of shared interests in Spring Village. Now, with the threat of bandits looming, he was determined to speed up the process. The geography of Spring Village was simply too poor; if he wanted to bring everyone onto his ship quickly, textiles were the only viable industry.

Ma, eager to curry favor with Li Yuanjing, answered every question thoroughly and without reservation.

Soon enough, Li Yuanjing had a general understanding of the textile industry in Feng County and its environs.

However, coming from later times, Li Yuanjing knew better than anyone that without investigation, one had no right to speak. With his current resources, he could certainly launch the textile venture, but he would have to personally survey the market himself.

After the conversation, Li Yuanjing discreetly gifted Ma a hundred coins as a token for tea, which made Ma feel even more favorably toward him. Ma personally escorted Li Yuanjing dozens of steps away.

As Li Yuanjing departed, Ma quickly calculated his own schemes.

He thought to himself, "I’ve heard the esteemed lord loves poetry and literature most. Yet I’ve never heard Scholar Li’s verses before, and they seem quite good..."

"If I present Scholar Li’s poetry to my elders, and they in turn offer it to the lord... If the lord is pleased, wouldn’t that be..."

Inspired, Ma summoned his assistant, saying, "Old Liu, I have important business and must return to the county office. Keep a close eye on things here, especially Scholar Li’s safety. Do not neglect him in the slightest! Understood?"

...

Li Yuanjing, unaware of Ma's calculations, had barely left the tax site when Zhao Zengjin, who had been looking for him, found him.

Zhao Zengjin had just gotten up and, not finding Li Yuanjing at his home, was told by Jade Lady that he was at the tax site. Thus, he came searching.

Seeing Zhao Zengjin, Li Yuanjing excitedly slapped his forehead and laughed, "Old Zhao, I was just looking for you. You’re right on time. Come, help me find some good timber—I want to make something!"

Zhao Zengjin, a carpenter by trade, knew all too well who had timber in Spring Village and happily led Li Yuanjing.

"Li... Scholar Li..."

Just as the two walked a few steps, a timid female voice sounded behind them.

Zhao Zengjin immediately became alert, instinctively shielding Li Yuanjing.

Li Yuanjing saw who it was, signaled Zhao Zengjin to step back, and smiled, "Xiugu, is there something you need from me?"

The woman was none other than Hou Wu’s wife, Xiugu. Compared to when Li Yuanjing had seen her days ago at the old village chief’s house, she was even thinner. But her hair was tidy now, and her clothes appeared freshly washed, making her already pleasant features even more attractive.

If one looked only at her face and not her attire, she might resemble a pure and naive university student from modern times—a sight to please the eye.

However, Li Yuanjing saw something unsettling in her seemingly indifferent gaze...

Given Hou Wu’s recent actions, Li Yuanjing felt somewhat indebted to Xiugu and treated her gently.

Xiugu, seeing his attitude, hung her head in shame, biting her soft red lips till nearly bleeding.

After a moment of hesitation, she gathered her courage and pleaded, "Scholar Li, could—could we speak in private for a moment... Just a moment..."

She looked at Li Yuanjing with pleading eyes.

Because of Hou Wu, Zhao Zengjin clearly disliked Xiugu and was about to intervene, but Li Yuanjing waved him off and said to Xiugu, "Alright."

"Whatever you need, just tell me. As for Hou Wu..."

Li Yuanjing recalled the scene where Xiugu had tried to sell her daughter, and sighed deeply, "It’s not your fault. That bastard Hou Wu didn’t want to be a decent man, even his parents couldn’t control him, so how could you?"

"Scholar Li..."

Li Yuanjing’s words made Xiugu’s tears flow uncontrollably. She pleaded with her eyes for him to follow her into a deserted alley.

Li Yuanjing already guessed what Xiugu wanted and, ignoring Zhao Zengjin’s anxious gaze, entered the alley first, signaling Zhao Zengjin to keep watch nearby.

"This..."

Watching Xiugu quickly follow Li Yuanjing into the alley, Zhao Zengjin could only sigh helplessly. With such an astute master, he could have any woman he wished—why would he be interested in Xiugu, a woman who had borne children?

But he could say nothing at that moment.

"Thud!"

In the alley, Xiugu knelt before Li Yuanjing, bowing her head to the ground in tears, "Scholar Li, I’m so sorry... So sorry... I bow to you on behalf of that useless man..."

Watching Xiugu bow repeatedly, nearly breaking her forehead, Li Yuanjing didn’t have time to worry about appearances and hurriedly helped her up.

In truth, when Xiugu appeared, especially seeing her dressed like this, Li Yuanjing guessed her intentions.

Though she was already a wife and mother, she was not yet twenty years old. In modern times, she would still be an innocent girl.

But now, she clearly intended to end her life...

After all, for ordinary people in this era, a married daughter was like water poured out. With Hou Wu’s crimes, how could she return to her family? If she tried, her relatives might beat her to death.

And with Li Yuanjing publicly announcing that Hou Wu had robbed him of most of his wealth, Xiugu couldn’t survive in Spring Village either...

Li Yuanjing felt undeniable responsibility for her predicament...

"Scholar Li, you..."

Being so close to Li Yuanjing, Xiugu’s face turned red, but she quickly steeled herself and said in a trembling voice, "Scholar Li, the Hou family owes you, and I, Xiugu, cannot repay you in this lifetime. If there is a next life, I’ll be a beast of burden to repay your kindness..."

With that, she tried to run.

Li Yuanjing was quick and grabbed her.

He pulled her into his embrace, pressing close to her ear and whispered fiercely, "Did I let you run? Why are you running?"

"To tell you the truth, I’ve taken a fancy to you—do you understand?"

As he spoke, Li Yuanjing pressed Xiugu against the wall, his hands somewhat bold.

"Scholar Li..."

Xiugu’s face flushed red, wanting to resist but not knowing how, trembling helplessly.

Li Yuanjing sighed silently.

To save this living soul, so what if he lost a bit of dignity?

He said harshly, "Xiugu, I know things are hard for you now, but did you ask me? Do you think I’ll let you fall?"

"Listen carefully.

"I’m about to open a weaving workshop—just a few days from now. Then, you can come and work for me. I won’t shortchange you."

Li Yuanjing pulled out a hundred coins and slipped them into Xiugu’s sleeve, continuing, "I know you worry about your daughter, but as far as I know, the girls have just gone to the county—they haven’t been sold yet. If you’re obedient, I won’t hesitate to give you more money so you can redeem her. Understand?"

"Ah? This..."

Xiugu stared at Li Yuanjing in disbelief, her eyes wide with astonishment.