In the backyard of the county magistrate’s residence, the magistrate’s wife was drinking tea while reviewing the account book when she heard that the old madam of the Yao family’s carriage had startled its horse.
The magistrate’s wife was greatly shocked and hurriedly asked, “How is Old Madam Yao now?”
“I heard it’s not good. Old Madam Yao was frightened and fell ill upon returning home,” the steward who came to report said. “The maidservant attending to Old Madam Yao had already gone to the Huichun Hall to ask Doctor Xu to come and treat her.”
A servant from the magistrate’s residence had just gone to Huichun Hall to buy medicine and recognized the maidservant serving Old Madam Yao, thus learning of the matter.
Upon returning, the servant reported it, and the steward came to inform the mistress.
The steward knew the magistrate’s wife wanted to curry favor with Old Madam Yao and had been visiting her frequently as of late. Naturally, upon hearing such news, he thought it necessary to inform her.
The magistrate’s wife asked, “Do you know why Old Madam Yao’s carriage startled the horse?”
The steward shook his head. “I don’t know. The Yao family hasn’t said anything.”
The Yao family was strict with their rules, and their servants wouldn’t easily disclose information about their masters, so it was difficult to get any details.
The magistrate’s wife pondered for a moment and then instructed someone to inform her husband at the yamen while also ordering the servants to prepare a change of clothes and a gift. She intended to visit Old Madam Yao at her other residence to offer her regards.
Old Madam Yao had arrived in Shanping County half a month ago.
Although she hadn’t made any public announcements upon her arrival, how could the county magistrate remain unaware? When Old Madam Yao first arrived in Shanping County, the magistrate’s wife had specially gone to visit her.
Upon receiving the news, Magistrate Zhang quickly came over.
Hearing that Old Madam Yao had met with an accident, he was deeply alarmed. If anything serious happened, it could spell the end of his tenure as magistrate.
Seeing his wife, he reminded her, “When you go later, pay close attention. See if Old Madam Yao needs any assistance, and under no circumstances allow anything to happen to her.”
The magistrate’s wife naturally understood and said, “I know.”
Old Madam Yao’s status was extraordinary. If something had happened to her elsewhere, it might have been manageable, but it occurred in Shanping County. Should the Yao family place blame, they wouldn’t be able to escape unscathed.
The magistrate’s wife quickly prepared herself and took a carriage to Old Madam Yao’s other residence.
Upon arriving, she learned that the matriarch of the Wang family was also present.
The Wang family was a prominent family in Shanping County. Their descendants were notably accomplished, having produced two jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examinations). The family had a strong scholarly tradition and was highly respected by the literati.
The Wang family’s old madam and Old Madam Yao were direct sisters with a deep bond.
Years ago, one had married into the Yao family in the northern region, while the other married into the Wang family in the south. Thus, they had spent most of their lives apart.
This time, Old Madam Yao had come to Shanping County because the Wang family’s old madam had fallen seriously ill earlier in the year. The illness had lingered for several months without a complete recovery.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yao, concerned about her sister, had come all the way from the capital to visit her.
After sending someone to announce her arrival, the magistrate’s wife was soon led inside.
The residence where Old Madam Yao was staying was actually a property of the Wang family. Since Old Madam Yao had come, the Wang family had tidied it up for her to reside in.
Old Madam Yao preferred quiet surroundings, and this place, with its serene and tranquil environment, was perfect for an elderly person to live in.
—
Inside the room, Madam Wang was anxiously inquiring about Old Madam Yao’s health.
Old Madam Yao had gone out of the city today to offer incense at the temple, but on her way back, the horse pulling her carriage was startled midway, causing her to suffer greatly.
When the Wang family heard about this, they were deeply alarmed. Madam Wang came immediately to check on Old Madam Yao.
Considering the Wang family’s old madam’s frail health, they didn’t dare inform her of the incident. Instead, they instructed everyone to keep it from her, allowing only Madam Wang to visit and assess the situation.
Upon hearing that the magistrate’s wife had arrived, Madam Wang frowned and said, “Aunt, you’re not feeling well. Why don’t I have someone send her away?”
Although she understood why the magistrate’s wife had come, Madam Wang was still somewhat displeased.
In the end, they were merely worried that an accident involving Old Madam Yao here would affect Magistrate Zhang’s future career prospects.
Old Madam Yao said, “There’s no need. Since she’s here, let her in.”
She patted Madam Wang’s hand, her expression warm and calm.
As soon as the magistrate’s wife entered, she was met with the scent of medicine wafting through the room. Feeling uneasy, she couldn’t help but worry about Old Madam Yao’s condition.
She then noticed Madam Wang seated on a low stool by the bed and quickly offered her a polite smile.
The Wang family held a significant position in Shanping County. Known for their scholarly culture, Madam Wang’s husband was a juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination). Although he hadn’t taken up an official post for certain reasons, many sought to study under him.
Unfortunately, his standards were exceedingly high, and very few local scholars in Shanping County met his expectations. To date, he had accepted only a handful of students.
On the bed, Old Madam Yao was reclining against a pine-scented ink pillow.
When the magistrate’s wife glanced over, she noticed her pale complexion and the band tied around her forehead. She looked weary, no longer bearing the plump and serene air she had upon their first meeting.
This only deepened the magistrate’s concern. After paying her respects, she asked after Old Madam Yao’s health with great care.
“Thank you for your concern; it’s nothing serious,” Old Madam Yao replied.
The magistrate’s wife expressed her worry a few more times. Seeing that Old Madam Yao, apart from looking unwell, seemed otherwise unharmed, she finally felt relieved.
As long as Old Madam Yao was fine, that was all that mattered.
She tactfully understood that the elderly madam needed rest after the fright and, after leaving her gift for the sickbed, quickly took her leave.
After the magistrate’s wife left, Madam Wang, still seated by the bed, said, “Aunt, you’re unwell. Why bother meeting her?”
She didn’t think much of the magistrate’s wife, who was overly obsequious. The woman had recently been visiting the other residence often to see Old Madam Yao, and there was no need to guess her intentions.
Old Madam Yao chuckled. “I’m fine. It’s just that Nanny Lu and the others were overly nervous.”
Nanny Lu, who was wiping sweat from the elderly madam’s forehead, interjected, “It’s not that we were overly nervous. The situation was truly terrifying at the time.” She turned to Madam Wang and said, “You wouldn’t know, but when the horse got startled midway, it bolted wildly. The coachman couldn’t control it, and the carriage jolted so violently that even we couldn’t endure it, let alone the old madam at her age…”
As she spoke, a lingering fear lingered in her tone. Even now, recalling the incident made her heart race uncontrollably.
Nanny Lu patted her chest to steady herself and continued, “Later, the horse suddenly dropped to its knees. The carriage, unable to withstand the momentum, was about to topple sideways. Fortunately, at that moment, a young lady came forward and steadied the carriage.”
Madam Wang was taken aback. “Steadied the carriage?”
Something about this sounded odd.
The carriage Old Madam Yao was riding in belonged to the Yao family and was custom-made. It was extremely heavy, and with the momentum of the startled horse pulling it, even a strong and burly man wouldn’t be able to easily hold it in place, let alone a young woman.
Nanny Lu nodded. “It’s true. That young lady reached out and steadied the carriage, setting it upright.”
Madam Wang was utterly stunned.
From the bed, Old Madam Yao saw her reaction and couldn’t help but smile. “Unbelievable, isn’t it? If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t believe it either. Who could imagine someone with such immense strength?”
“Exactly,” Madam Wang agreed. “If you had said it was a man, I might believe it somewhat. But to say it was a young woman…”
Old Madam Yao added, “According to Old Chang, she was a young and beautiful lady too.”
Old Chang was the coachman.
Madam Wang was even more intrigued. “No matter what, she saved you today, Aunt. We must properly thank her.” Then she asked, “Do you know where that young lady is from? I must prepare a gift and personally thank her.”
The young woman had saved Old Madam Yao, which made her a benefactor of the Wang family as well.
Nanny Lu shook her head. “We don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Madam Wang was surprised. “How could you not know?”
“She left as soon as she steadied the carriage, so quickly that we couldn’t stop her,” Nanny Lu explained. “But judging by her clothes, she’s likely from one of the nearby villages and was in town to buy things today.”
Madam Wang felt a twinge of regret. The area around Shanping County was dotted with villages, and searching through them one by one would take an immense amount of time.
Moreover, doing so might create too much commotion, which could draw unnecessary attention to the young woman and cause her trouble.
Even so, she said, “No matter. If she’s from a nearby village, she’ll likely come to town to shop again. I’ll instruct people to keep an eye out.”
As for Old Madam Yao’s description of a beautiful young woman, Madam Wang couldn’t quite imagine how beautiful she could be.
She had seen young women from rural areas before. Unlike city girls, they weren’t pampered and often worked in the fields. The wind and sun left their skin tanned and rough. Even those from more cherished families couldn’t completely avoid household chores, making it rare for one to grow up delicate and fair.
Even if a rural girl was pretty, it would likely be in a rustic way—perhaps with slightly darker skin.
Hearing this, Old Madam Yao’s spirits lifted a bit, and she smiled. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Madam Wang smiled and nodded, understanding that her aunt truly wished to thank the young woman in person. It seemed this young woman’s fortunes would not be small in the future.
Of course, Madam Wang herself was also grateful. Given Old Madam Yao’s age, if the carriage had truly overturned, the suffering she’d endure would have been immense. It might have even caused discontent on the Yao family’s side.
—
Suddenly having over three hundred taels of silver in her hands, Yu Li felt much more secure in her heart.
As expected, money gives people courage—when you have money in your hand, you don’t panic.
Every day after receiving her daily wages, Yu Li became more extravagant in her spending. Her carrying basket was always packed to the brim, almost to the point where it couldn’t hold any more.
As time went on, it was inevitable that she’d encounter villagers who were also heading to the county to shop.
People from Qingshi Village had seen her in the county town several times—sometimes on the road, sometimes in shops buying things.
Occasionally, in the afternoons, someone would spot her returning from the village entrance, carrying her fully loaded basket.
Gradually, everyone in the village figured out that Yu Li must have found some kind of work in the county town.
Otherwise, why was she always going to the county? Surely the Fu family couldn’t have so many things to buy.
Whenever the villagers chatted, they couldn’t help but speculate about what kind of job Yu Li had found in the county town.
One evening, as Yu Li was fetching water, she came across a group of older women chatting under a tree.
Now, since she had to leave before dawn, she could only handle tasks like fetching water, chopping firewood, and watering the vegetable garden in the evening—things she could do with her strength.
The older women in the village liked to sit in the shade, doing needlework while chatting.
When they saw Yu Li walking by with two buckets of water, one of the women called out to her, “Li Niang, I’ve heard you’ve been going to the county town a lot lately. Did you find a job there?”
Yu Li stopped and nodded seriously.
Another woman, curious, asked, “Li Niang, what kind of job did you find?”
Many people around turned to look, curious about what kind of work Yu Li had found in the county town that allowed her to buy so many things every day.
Of course, they also considered that it might not be her money—perhaps the Fu family had given her money to buy things for them.
Ever since the Fu family had generously provided Yu Li with medicine to nurse her health—spending two or three hundred coins on tonics that lasted her over half a year—it had solidified the rumor that the Fu family was wealthy.
So, when people saw Yu Li buying things, they envied her but didn’t think it was her own earnings.
Those families with daughters were particularly interested in knowing what kind of work Yu Li had found in the county town, wondering if their own daughters might find similar jobs.
In the countryside, apart from farming for a living, most people could only take on odd jobs during the off-season. Extra income was rare.
Not every young woman knew how to do needlework, and those who weren’t skilled wouldn’t be accepted by embroidery workshops. They could only stay home and help with chores.
In their impression, Yu Li seemed capable only of hard labor and nothing else.
Unlike Yu Yin, who was skilled at needlework and clever, Yu Li wasn’t particularly sharp, and they couldn’t imagine what kind of job she could have found in the county town.
In the eyes of rural folk, the county town was a big place, and finding work there wasn’t easy. Most village men could only find manual labor, and young women had even fewer options.
But seeing Yu Li had found work in the county town, regardless of how much it paid, it was at least some income of her own.
For a young woman, as she got older, it was important to save some private money. When she eventually married, she’d have silver of her own to spend.
When they asked, Yu Li replied, “Slaughtering pigs.”
“What?”
In an instant, everyone thought they had misheard, their faces showing astonishment.
Thinking they hadn’t heard clearly, Yu Li calmly repeated, “Slaughtering pigs.”
Everyone: “…”
Alright, they were now certain. She was indeed talking about slaughtering pigs.
“You—you’re working as a pig slaughterer?” the person speaking stammered, their voice a little unsteady. “Do you even know how to do that?”
Yu Li nodded. “Of course I do.”
She had been slaughtering pigs for almost two months now—how could she not know?
Someone quickly reacted and asked, “Wait a second, why did you take up such a job? Isn’t that heavy labor? You’re just a young woman…”
“I have the strength,” Yu Li replied matter-of-factly.
“…”
Oh, right. The older women finally remembered—Li Niang was indeed quite strong.
Slaughtering pigs was physically demanding work, and without strength, it couldn’t be done.
That was true, but still—slaughtering pigs didn’t seem like something that had anything to do with a young woman. Looking at her delicate and pretty face, and thinking about her slaughtering pigs…
Everyone found it hard to accept, their expressions dazed and confused.
Seeing that they had no more questions, Yu Li picked up her water buckets and left.
Once she had gone far enough, they finally snapped out of it and started talking amongst themselves.
“The work Li Niang does… it’s not something ordinary people can handle.”
“Yeah, but how did she, a young woman, decide to take up pig slaughtering? What was she thinking?”
“I’ve heard slaughtering pigs is quite lucrative. Old Man Jiao from the neighboring village used to slaughter pigs, and he’d make dozens of coins for each one. The Jiao family even built a blue brick tile-roofed house from doing that. It’s pretty enviable.”
“But Li Niang can’t possibly slaughter an entire pig by herself, right? Even if she earns dozens of coins, she’d have to split it with others.”
“That’s true…”
Those who had initially planned to find out what kind of work Yu Li was doing in the county, thinking they could send their daughters to work with her, immediately gave up the idea.
Their daughters couldn’t possibly handle such work.
Not just their daughters—even grown men might not manage it. Slaughtering pigs required not only strength but also skill and courage. It wasn’t something ordinary people could do.
How could Yu Li have such nerve? She actually dared to slaughter pigs.
Everyone was filled with admiration.
—
Before long, the news that Yu Li had found a job slaughtering pigs in the county spread throughout the village.
Everyone who heard it was in a daze, utterly incredulous.
If it were someone’s son going to slaughter pigs, they wouldn’t think much of it. But Yu Li was a young woman—how did she end up with a job slaughtering pigs?
The news quickly reached the Yu family.
Old Madam Yu was completely stunned. She turned to ask, “Old man, did you hear this? That dead girl Li Niang found a job slaughtering pigs in the county!”
Old Master Yu nodded, indicating that he had indeed heard.
Old Madam Yu couldn’t believe it and muttered, “No wonder that dead girl has such nerve. If she dares to slaughter pigs, isn’t hitting people just normal for her?”
Not to mention hitting people—she even defied her elders…
What was there that she wouldn’t dare to do?
As Wang Shi passed by, she overheard the old lady’s words. Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly said, “Mother, if Li Niang is working as a pig slaughterer, do you think she might get too carried away and one day come back with a butcher’s knife? If someone makes her angry, she might just hack them!”
Old Madam Yu: “…”
Old Madam Yu nearly felt like hitting someone.
She fumed, “What do you mean? Are you suggesting that Li Niang will bring a knife back and chop us up?”
Wang Shi put on an innocent expression. “Mother, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying Li Niang has quite the guts. Now that we know she’s a pig slaughterer, maybe we should be careful not to upset her. Otherwise, if one day she brings back a butcher’s knife…”
She was actually speaking from the heart.
These days, their third branch really didn’t dare provoke Yu Li. Whenever they saw her, they made sure to steer clear. If avoiding her wasn’t possible, they immediately backed down, doing everything they could to avoid offending her.
But the same couldn’t be said for the first branch.
She hadn’t forgotten that the first branch still had two scholars. Since they were stuck studying in the county and hadn’t returned, they likely didn’t know just how dangerous Yu Li could be.
If one day they decided to challenge Yu Li, it would surely be a show worth watching.
Now that the family had split, Wang Shi couldn’t stand to see the first branch doing well.
If Yu Jingde and his brother achieved anything significant in the future, not only would she not feel happy, but she would actually feel deeply upset.
Old Madam Yu held back her anger, her chest so tight she could barely breathe.
She wanted to scold Wang Shi, but ever since the family split, Wang Shi was now the head of the third branch and no longer subject to her mother-in-law’s control. Wang Shi wasn’t particularly afraid of her anymore.
Without her authority over the household, Old Madam Yu was like a tiger without claws—no longer intimidating.
In the kitchen, where Yu Qin was tending the fire and cooking, she overheard the conversation outside and felt a little dazed.
Li Niang was actually slaughtering pigs? Wasn’t that a butcher’s job?
How did she have the courage to do that?
Thinking of Yu Li’s delicate and refined appearance, Yu Qin felt a sense of disorientation.
Yu Li had changed so much. She was now so stunningly beautiful that Yu Qin almost didn’t recognize her. Every time she saw her, Yu Li seemed to have become even prettier—so beautiful that Yu Qin had started to feel self-conscious.
There was a time when Yu Qin considered herself the most beautiful girl in the Yu family.
As one of the most beautiful and refined girls in the village, Yu Qin had always taken pride in standing out. The other girls in the village were dark-skinned, rustic, and rough—how could they ever compare to her?
But now, standing in front of the utterly transformed Yu Li, Yu Qin realized that she was nothing in comparison.
However, upon hearing that Yu Li was working as a pig slaughterer, spending every day surrounded by stinking pigs, Yu Qin suddenly felt that no matter how pretty she looked, it wasn’t worth much.
How filthy must that work be?
Yu Qin even felt a bit sorry for her. She couldn’t understand why Yu Li would choose such a job.
After dinner, as the sky began to darken, Yu Qin went to the yard to bring in the laundry. Just as she was doing so, she saw Yu Li passing by.
On an impulse, she called out, “Li Niang.”
Yu Li stopped and looked at her calmly.
Meeting Yu Li’s gaze, Yu Qin’s heart started pounding uncontrollably, a trace of fear creeping in.