Chapter 39: Ye You'an, Do You Want a Stepmother?

It was the time of Grain Rain, and the Qinhuai River was bustling with an increasing number of flower boats. Countless scholars and poets sat at the bows, admiring the breathtaking scenery of the Jiangnan region. Ye Xiu boarded a large cargo ship, quietly taking in the magnificent landscape.

Today was the day he had arranged to collect tea with Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao. The distillery was already in operation, under the supervision of the old village head. Ye Wuji’s studies were being overseen by Ye Xiren, allowing Ye Xiu a rare moment of peace.

Shopkeepers Liu and Xiao had remained inside the cabin the entire time, as if hiding from something terrifying. Curious, Ye Xiu asked, "You two are..."

Shopkeeper Liu instinctively pointed a finger in the direction of Zhao Yide. Ye Xiu smiled; the men guarding the cargo today were all from Wulong Lane. They were former soldiers, each with several lives on their hands. Standing along the ship's rails, they looked fierce and radiated a murderous aura.

"Going downriver to collect tea, it’s inevitable that we’ll run into some unpleasant people or situations," Ye Xiu explained with a smile. "These men are all strong laborers from Wulong Lane who have been to the battlefield and killed Japanese pirates." Saying this, Ye Xiu walked over to a man named Wu Laosan and lifted his collar, instantly revealing a multitude of ghastly scars.

"It is currently the Grain Rain season; although many are collecting tea, we are the only ones with official authorization," Shopkeeper Liu said with a wry smile. "No one dares to bully us."

"I see," Ye Xiu mused. "But why are we heading downriver? Can’t we collect tea in Nanjing?"

"We could, but the price would be about thirty percent higher. Besides, we are hoarding this stock in secret, so we must go to the source," Shopkeeper Liu said, his eyes lighting up. "But we cannot waste time on the way to Hangzhou, so Old Xiao and I discussed it and decided to head to Zhenjiang Prefecture."

Speaking of business, Shopkeeper Xiao also became animated. "It’s only eighty-some miles by water; with the current, we’ll reach the Zhenjiang ferry in an hour. After loading the cargo, we can be back by tomorrow."

"Good," Ye Xiu nodded. He had never been to the countryside and welcomed the chance to see its beauty.

The cargo ship sailed with the current. Zhao Yide and the ship captain cast their nets at the stern. When the nets were hauled in, the catch was bountiful. It had to be said that the aquatic life in ancient times was truly abundant. Beyond the common species, Ye Xiu was surprised to see the fresh "Four Delicacies of the Yangtze."

The Four Delicacies of the Yangtze refer to four types of fish native to the river: silverfish, knife fish, river catfish, and shad. By the modern era, the shad had almost gone extinct.

"This haul is quite a prize," the captain remarked, feeling lucky. "Sir, shall we have stir-fried silverfish with eggs, braised river catfish, and steamed knife fish and shad?"

"That will do," Shopkeeper Liu nodded. "Set up a table on the deck so the three of us can enjoy the scenery while we drink."

Ye Xiu felt a surge of excitement; this was a scene he could never have seen in his previous life, let alone taste. He followed the captain to the stern, watching intently as he cooked.

"Young Master Ye, you come from a prestigious family; surely you must be able to eat even fresher ones every year?" Shopkeeper Liu asked curiously.

"I..." Ye Xiu sighed. "That was in the past. My family has fallen on hard times."

Just then, a massive four-story ship sailed upstream. As the two vessels passed, water splashed onto the cargo ship.

"Just because the ship is big, does that make you special?" Ye Xiu fumed. However, upon seeing the banner of a Duke of the realm flying from the other vessel, he helplessly changed his tune: "Well, the ship is large; it is indeed impressive."

A four-story ship was considered the pinnacle of luxury in ancient times. Its interior was decorated with magnificent style, filled with mahogany furniture and rare flowers. The deck was even extravagantly covered with a red carpet. A plump boy of about ten sat on a round stool, surrounded by maidservants who were using silver cutlery to feed him fish. On his plate were the same Four Delicacies of the Yangtze, but of a much higher quality than those on Ye Xiu’s boat. The knife fish was full of bones, and the maids were carefully picking them out, placing only the most succulent parts into a silver bowl.

"Young Duke, please eat."

The chubby boy pursed his lips and pushed the bowl away. "Tribute food like this—you get sick of it after eating too much."

Just then, an unharmonious voice drifted across the river: "Just because the ship is big, does that make you special?"

The boy slammed the table in anger and stepped out of the cabin, catching sight of Ye Xiu standing at the stern. The next second, the boy’s eyes lit up. "Turn the ship around! Turn around!"

"Young Duke, aren't we going to Jinling?" a member of the Imperial Guard approached, looking confused.

"Once we've turned, have all the guards stand along the railing and shout a phrase at that ship for me." The boy tore the money pouch from his waist and handed it to the guard. "Whoever shouts the loudest gets a hundred taels of silver!"

The guard did not dare to defy him and hurriedly ordered the sailors to turn the ship where the current was slow. Looking back at the cargo ship, the meal was already served. Before Ye Xiu could even take a bite of the shad he hadn't even dared to dream of eating in his past life, he realized the four-story ship had turned around, caught up, and was now sailing side-by-side with them.

A row of Imperial Guards stood on every level of the railing. The moment the signal flag dropped, nearly a hundred guards shouted in unison:

"Ye! Do you want a stepmother?"

"Ye! Do you want a stepmother?"

"Ye! Do you want a stepmother?"

They shouted three times, the sound echoing across the sky. The chopsticks in Ye Xiu’s hand clattered to the deck. He stared at the opposite vessel with a livid expression. A chubby boy in fine silk robes stood on the highest deck, looking down at him. Using all his might, he roared at Ye Xiu, "Great nephew! I’ve got a stepmother ready for you. Do you want to pick her up yourself, or should I deliver her to your door?"

Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao exchanged confused looks, unable to understand what was happening. But they were certain of one thing: they could not afford to provoke the people on that ship.

Ye Xiu looked at the chubby boy, feeling a throbbing headache. He recognized him—this was Cheng Pengju, the foolish son of Duke Lu, Cheng Aman.

Cheng Aman was a veteran of three reigns and the Duke of Weiguo of the Great Qian Empire. With his "Green Cricket" warhorse and his heavy battle-axes, he was undefeated under heaven. When the Emperor Taizong first ascended the throne and the Tiele tribe invaded the border, Cheng Aman led the army and settled the Tianshan Mountains with three strikes of his axe. After repelling the Tiele, Cheng Aman pursued them for two thousand miles, opening up the Hexi Corridor. He fought all the way to Mount Langjuxu, where he held the imperial sacrificial rites. From then on, the steppe tribes never dared to invade the south again.

After returning in triumph, Emperor Taizong, to honor Cheng Aman’s achievements, named him Marquis of Champion and granted him a fiefdom of five thousand eight hundred households. When Emperor Gaozong, Zhao Xuanhe, ascended the throne, he remembered Cheng Aman’s merits and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Weiguo.

Unfortunately, the Cheng family line was thin, with only one heir per generation. By the time it reached Cheng Pengju, he was so cherished that they feared he would break if held or melt if kept in their mouths. They had hoped to raise the boy into a great general, but to their dismay, he had no interest in literature or martial arts. He spent his days engaging in petty mischief, lacking any of the demeanor of a young Duke, acting more like a street ruffian.

Five years ago, when Ye Wuji and his son arrived in the capital, because Ye Xiu had once said, "Cheap names are easier to raise," the six-year-old Young Duke immediately went to the authorities and changed his name to Cheng Gou-dan (Dog-egg). For this, Cheng Aman hung him from a crooked tree for three days and three nights. Only under the persuasion of canes and sticks was he forced to change his name back.

For some unknown reason, the boy had fixated on Ye Wuji, insisting that he would marry his own sister, Cheng Jianbi, to him. Reunited after five years, Ye Xiu felt his head buzzing.