Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Trap
The ox cart rocked and creaked over the uneven road, the wooden frame swaying with every rut.

Tang Yi Xiao sat up front beside Third Master Tang, feet dangling and trying hard to look grown. The rest of the Tang family crowded into the back. Dry straw lined the cart bed; everyone found a place to lean, and when they lifted their eyes, the sky was wide and clean, clouds drifting lazily above them.

After the crush of the market, the open road felt almost indulgent.

Li Tao Hua dozed first, her head tipping against the cart’s side. Tang Lu Wu lasted a little longer, staring up at the clouds until her lashes fluttered closed. Even Tang Da Fu, propped carefully, looked as if he might drift off.

Qin Hui Yin waited until the cart’s rhythm softened the world into something quiet. Then she edged closer to Tang Yi Chen, lowering her voice.

Tang Yi Chen glanced at her. “I found the shop assistant who stirred up trouble.”

Qin Hui Yin straightened a little. “Where is he?”

“He no longer works at the Chen family’s dyehouse. He’s a minor steward at a cloth shop now.”

“And then?”

“I asked him about the argument with my father,” Tang Yi Chen said. His expression didn’t change. “He insisted it was an accident.”

“He started it,” Qin Hui Yin said, heat creeping into her voice. “Accident or not, he should take responsibility. Uncle Tang got hurt. Why didn’t you make him pay the medical costs?”

“He refused to admit it had anything to do with him,” Tang Yi Chen said. “Only said it was an accident. He was injured back then too, badly. People said he might become an idiot. In that situation, who would dare press him?”

Qin Hui Yin rolled her eyes. “So did he become an idiot?”

Tang Yi Chen’s mouth twitched—almost a smile, almost nothing. “Not only did he not become an idiot, he became a minor steward.”

Of course he did.

“And the physician?” Qin Hui Yin asked.

“The physician moved away,” Tang Yi Chen said. “Something happened back in his hometown. He rushed back to deal with it. They said he might never return.”

The pieces didn’t fit. The more Qin Hui Yin held them, the more they cut into her palms.

“So there is something fishy,” she murmured. “What do you plan to do?”

“No rush.” Tang Yi Chen looked ahead, gaze steady. “I’ll handle it.”

Qin Hui Yin swallowed her impatience. If Tang Yi Chen said he could handle it, he probably could. He was that kind of person—quiet until he struck.

“Fine,” she said. “Then let’s talk about what’s urgent.”

His eyes shifted to her.

“The dam works,” Qin Hui Yin said. “The imperial examination is coming up. If you get dragged off to repair the dam, it’ll wreck your studies. It’s not worth it.”

Tang Yi Chen lowered his gaze. “Mm. I’ll scrape together two taels.”

“The household can afford that,” Qin Hui Yin said. “This isn’t something you shoulder alone.”

Tang Yi Chen looked at her for a long moment. He understood exactly what that meant. If the silver wasn’t paid, the one sent to the dam would be him. Qin Hui Yin could have kept her own earnings close and let the family argue themselves into a corner, but she was choosing otherwise.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

The cart rolled on, straw rustling, wind lifting loose hair against their cheeks.

When they reached home, Qin Hui Yin brought it up again, this time with everyone present.

Li Tao Hua was the first to explode. “Daughter, we worked ourselves to the bone and only saved two taels. If we hand it over, we’ll have worked for nothing!”

The room fell silent.

Then, unexpectedly, Tang Yi Xiao puffed up his chest. “I’ll go!”

Qin Hui Yin blinked. “Go where?”

“I’ll go work at the dam works,” Tang Yi Xiao said, jaw set. “It’s 300 wen a month, and they provide food and lodging. In a year I can earn a lot.”

Li Tao Hua’s anger shifted instantly into approval. “That sounds fine to me.”

“Mother, what are you thinking?” Qin Hui Yin pointed at Tang Yi Xiao, who barely reached her shoulder. “He’s nine. Do you think the Government Office is blind?”

Tang Yi Xiao’s face went red—half anger, half embarrassment. “I’m already grown up.”

“Yes, yes. Nine years old, very grown.” Qin Hui Yin waved a hand, unimpressed. “This isn’t about whether you want to go. It’s whether they’ll even take you.”

Tang Yi Chen spoke, serious again. “I’ll earn the money back. Consider it a loan.”

“Brother Chen,” Qin Hui Yin said, keeping her voice firm, “this is the household’s matter, not yours alone. The silver comes from household funds.”

She looked around the room, letting the words settle. “Didn’t we say it? We’re family. Since we’re family, we share blessings and hardships. You focus on the imperial examination. Don’t get distracted.”

Li Tao Hua shot her a look sharp enough to skin fish. “You’re generous, aren’t you.”

Qin Hui Yin slipped closer and hooked an arm through Li Tao Hua’s, giving it a small shake. “Mother…”

Li Tao Hua held out for the span of a breath, then finally gave in with a sour exhale. “Fine, fine. Now you’ve grown bold. The whole family listens to you. I can only listen too.”

Qin Hui Yin’s grin flashed. “Mother loves me. My mother is the best.”

Li Tao Hua slapped her hand away, but there was no real force in it.

They’d seen the notice at the Government Office that morning. By afternoon, an official from the Ministry of Works had already come through the villages, announcing it again and ordering each village head to compile a roster.

As soon as the officials left, the Village Head called everyone to the yard outside the ancestral hall.

It was the first time Qin Hui Yin had seen the entire village gathered in one place since she arrived in this world.

The elders stood in the center, faces drawn and stern. Men formed a rough ring around the courtyard. Women and children pressed behind them, whispering in clusters.

The Village Head didn’t waste words. “You’ve all heard what the officials said. I won’t repeat it. Do what you need to do. Be proactive. Don’t make me go door to door and nag.”

Madam Lin’s voice rose at once, sharp with grievance. “Village Head, our household has only one able-bodied worker. If he goes to the dam works, who will do the chores at home?”

Another woman chimed in. “My son and daughter-in-law just married. If he has to leave now, won’t the young couple be separated for months? When am I supposed to hold a grandson?”

“But 300 wen is pretty good,” someone argued.

“Short-sighted,” came a scoff. “What can 300 wen do? If we really wanted money, we’d go to the city and find work. Don’t tell me you can’t even earn 300 wen!”

Voices overlapped, rising into a messy roar.

“Enough!” the Village Head shouted, face darkening. “This isn’t a discussion. I’m informing you. The Government Office decided it. We carry it out.”

A man in the outer ring laughed, a little too loud. “Brother Chen’s boy—your father’s leg won’t heal that fast. Your family only has you who’s a bit older. Can you do this work?”

Another voice piled on, gleeful in its cruelty. “Leaving aside that Brother Chen’s boy is only 14, he’s a weak scholar. How’s he supposed to lift stones and haul mud? But if you don’t go, you pay silver. And your family is buried in debt. You probably can’t take out the money. No choice—you’ll have to grit your teeth and go. Don’t worry. When the time comes, big brother will look after you.”

The kindness was all teeth.

The Village Head frowned and turned his gaze toward Tang Yi Chen. “There’s not much time left until the imperial examination. Brother Chen’s boy, what are you going to do?”

Tang Yi Chen’s expression didn’t change. “I’m still thinking.”

Qin Hui Yin glanced at him.

Sly.

If he said now that he planned to pay silver, the villagers would gossip until their tongues blistered—calling him wasteful, calling his family shameless, pretending envy was concern. Better to look troubled and let them congratulate themselves for a moment. Peace and quiet were worth a great deal.

Third Master Tang spoke up, voice calm. “Village Head, at my age, and as a bachelor, I can’t do work like this. I’ll pay.”

The Village Head nodded. “Come see me later and I’ll record it. The rest of you—decide quickly and come find me.”

His eyes returned to Tang Yi Chen. “Brother Chen’s boy, you stay.”