Chapter Sixteen: One Faithful Wife Is Enough!

Haha!

Upon hearing the backstory, Ye Wuji laughed until he was doubled over. Struggling to compose himself, he said, "My son, you are truly extraordinary; you can earn a fortune with the slightest effort. Yet, when it comes to the nuances of human relationships in this countryside, you are completely clueless."

"Father, I really don't understand," Ye Xiu replied, feeling indignant. "It was rightfully his."

"There are some people who do not care for money or power; what they value most is sincerity. You did the Zhao family a kindness first. In Zhao Yide’s heart, whatever he does for you is his duty. He accepted the dried fruits and snacks you gave him because he accepted your goodwill. But by offering him money, didn't you clearly treat him like an outsider?"

Ye Wuji spoke earnestly, "If you were truly in trouble, Zhao Yide would risk his life for you. On the battlefield, he is the kind of true brother who would take a blade for you—a man who would trade his life for yours. Tell me, is your relationship with the Zhao family something that can be measured in money?"

"I understand now, Father!" Ye Xiu realized it in an instant; not everything is decided by money. His intentions were good, but his approach was wrong.

"You finish cooking; I’ll go pay a visit to the Zhao house," Ye Wuji said, patting Ye Xiu on the shoulder, straightening his robes, and heading out.

Before long, however, Zhao Youyou arrived wearing an apron. She took the spatula from Ye Xiu’s hand and said, "Brother You'an, go attend to other things; I will finish the cooking."

"Then I’ll help with the preparations." As Zhao Youyou cooked, Ye Xiu busied himself cleaning the chicken, duck, and fish.

"My brother has a temper like a stubborn dog, Brother You'an, please don't be angry with him." For some reason, Zhao Youyou felt a natural affinity for Ye Xiu. "Actually, my brother is clearly in need of money."

"In need of money? Why?" Ye Xiu asked, puzzled. "Your family has a butcher shop and a snack stall. While it may not be the wealthiest, it is certainly better off than most."

"He always says that he survived only because of the brothers who died on the battlefield. He not only gives all his military pay as pensions but also supports the widows and orphans of his fallen comrades every month." Zhao Youyou added the chicken to the wok and stirred it. "But a gentleman acquires wealth only through righteous means. Although he knows your heart, he absolutely cannot accept that money. My father has already scolded him for it."

Ye Xiu found that he could talk to Zhao Youyou with great ease—from Zhao Yide’s birth and his apprenticeship, to his time as a soldier fighting the Japanese pirates. Although Zhao Youyou had never seen a real battlefield, she spoke with such spirit, recounting the many stories she had heard from her brother.

Zhao Yide was no ordinary squad leader in charge of thirty men; he held a military rank, which exempted his entire family from taxes. The Great Qian Empire was fair to every soldier; the more enemies killed, the higher the rank earned. Beheading ten enemies granted one the rank of First-Class Gongshi, exempting the individual from corvée labor and taxes. Zhao Yide had killed over thirty pirates, earning him the second-rank title: Shangzao. This title granted a house, two servants, ten acres of permanent farmland, and full exemption from personal labor and taxes.

If not for his father’s illness, Zhao Yide would have followed General Yu north, and his rank would have only continued to rise. In the Great Qian Dynasty, while military merit could not grant a noble title, the rank earned was enough to start a new page in the family genealogy and ensure that, after passing away, one would receive the first incense offering every Qingming Festival. After all, who would refuse a charming ancestor who had slaughtered pirates?

Through his chat with Zhao Youyou, Ye Xiu gained a new appreciation for the Zhao family. Despite being allowed servants, they never kept any, holding true to their values—a rare and commendable trait. Truth be told, a second-rank title already surpassed seventy percent of the residents in Jinling City; the current Ye family was actually less well-off than the Zhaos. If Ye Xiu and Zhao Youyou were to have an arranged marriage, it would be the Ye family climbing the social ladder. It was only because Ye Wuji had passed the imperial examinations that the two families could be considered social equals.

When the meal was ready, Ye Wuji returned with the Zhao family. Zhao Yide looked at Ye Xiu, feeling somewhat awkward. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke, "I was too rash; I hope you will not take offense, young master."

"My son is a free-spirited man; he dislikes excessive formality," Ye Wuji laughed. "I heard from your father that you have many expenses. Why not work with my son in your spare time? Only by earning more money can you take care of those widows and orphans, right?"

Zhao Yide looked at his parents, then at Ye Xiu, and stopped resisting. "Understood. From now on, I will follow your lead, young master."

"That’s more like it!" Ye Xiu laughed. "Sit, everyone, sit! It’s been a long time since our house has been this lively."

To Ye Xiu’s surprise, Mrs. Zhao stared at him throughout the meal, much like a mother-in-law eyeing a prospective son-in-law.

Wine is a wonderful thing; it brings people closer. After three cups, Butcher Zhao tentatively asked, "Brother, I have something I don't know if I should say."

Ye Wuji clinked his glass with Butcher Zhao’s. "Old brother, please, speak freely."

"Then I shall be bold and ask," Butcher Zhao said, his tone full of curiosity. "Judging by the conduct of you and your son, you are clearly the children of a prominent family. How did you end up in a place like this?"

"Is that all? There is nothing to hide," Ye Wuji sipped his wine. "My father was once a third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue in the capital. Due to some accidents, we sold off our assets and drifted to this place."

"You two are not meant for a small pond; you will surely restore your family's glory," Butcher Zhao said, pouring Ye Wuji another drink. "I have managed to save a little money over the years. If you have any needs, brother, just ask."

"Old brother, that is your hard-earned money. I absolutely cannot take it!" Ye Wuji hurriedly refused. The Zhao family had already helped them enough; he could not take their money.

"You didn't refuse when I called you 'brother'; that is already me climbing above my station," Butcher Zhao said, looking at Ye Xiu with satisfaction. "Brother, you are preparing for the imperial exams. You’ll need money for everything when you go to the capital to take the metropolitan exam. To speak plainly, just consider it an investment from me!"

Both Ye Wuji and Ye Xiu held Butcher Zhao in higher regard. For him to be so open and explicitly call it an "investment" showed he was a man worth knowing. While Ye Xiu did not immediately grasp the full motive behind Butcher Zhao’s words, Ye Wuji understood perfectly. The "investment" was, in reality, an investment in Zhao Youyou; the old man's true intention lay with Ye Xiu.

Ye Wuji poured a fresh round of drinks for himself and the butcher. He slowly raised his cup, looking at Butcher Zhao with solemnity. "Old brother, after the Autumn Examination, why don't the two of us find a small tavern and discuss this in detail?"

Butcher Zhao understood instantly. Ye Wuji had clearly granted a place for Zhao Youyou. As for whether that place would be as a wife or a concubine, that would depend on how the two men negotiated after the exams. Because Zhao Yide held a military rank, Butcher Zhao’s request and bottom line were simple: equality as a spouse would be enough.