Making A Fortune Through Hunting To Support My Wife - Chapter 22

The day was bright and beautiful, with a gentle sun and a pleasant breeze.

Many villagers were squatting at their doorsteps, cradling large coarse porcelain bowls and eating breakfast, when the area between the south and the eastern tail of the village began to bustle with activity.

Upon inquiring, the villagers realized with a start, today was the day the sisters-in-law, the elder and younger Mrs. Wang, were going to the Xu family at the eastern end of the village to collect a debt.

“It’s truly strange. Does Jing’er’s family have a grudge against the Wangs? Just yesterday they had a fight with Wang Ergou’s lot, and now the Wang sisters-in-law are at the door to demand payment.”

“Who’s to say? But the main Wang and Xu families have always been on decent terms. I haven’t heard of any friction between the houses. It’s just the younger generation causing trouble. But young people are hot-headed, fighting and bickering is normal.”

In an era starved for entertainment, the villagers loved nothing more than gathering to watch a spectacle or listen to gossip. Many finished their meals in two quick gulps and followed the crowd toward the Xu residence.

As the villagers passed a house made of blue bricks and tiles, the owner was in the courtyard, book in hand, pacing as he memorized text. Hearing the clamor outside, the young man frowned with disgust. A surge of irritation rose in his heart, making him want to look at his books even less.

He hadn’t passed the imperial examinations this time and would have to wait another three years. By then, he would be twenty-seven.

He lived alone with his mother. His education had been funded by the savings left by his late father now, he and his widowed mother made a meager living by him transcribing books for others.

Originally, if he had passed and become a Juren, he could have pleaded with his mother to let him marry Song Yu. Even if his mother didn’t fully agree, they could have reached a compromise.

But that “despicable villain” had snatched his beloved away while he was traveling to the provincial capital for the exams! If the boat hadn’t capsized, he wouldn’t have returned so late, only to find his sweetheart married to someone else!

Xu Jing, that disgusting fellow who likes men, what kind of man is he!

Irritation mixed with fury made it impossible for Li Xiuyun to continue studying. He threw down his book and unbolted the courtyard gate. Even if his mother tried to stop him this time, he was going to find trouble with Xu Jing!

At the Xu house, breakfast had just finished. Xu Jing was in the yard sharpening a hunting knife and organizing arrows. Tomorrow, she and Wang Hu were heading into the deep mountains.

This time, they planned to stay for several days to catch some “big game” to sell to Wang Hu’s distinguished client. She needed to prepare plenty of dry rations, water, and essential mountain supplies.

As she was thinking, the sound of a noisy crowd drew near. Xu Jing didn’t pay it much mind at first, but with her keen hearing, she caught her name and the words “debt repayment” amidst the chatter. Her heart stirred, and she raised an eyebrow. They’re here.

In farming families, the courtyard gates were usually left open when someone was home, and the Xu family was no exception. The elder and younger Mrs. Wang entered, flanked by a group of villagers.

The younger Mrs. Wang, known for her pungent personality, spotted Xu Jing in the yard and asked immediately, “Today is the day your Xu family repays the debt. Are you ready?”

“If you can’t pay, I’m giving you fair warning, don’t blame us if we ask the Village Chief to seize your land as collateral!” Her voice was shrill, drowning out the villagers’ murmurs.

“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Auntie. No need to trouble the Village Chief. Here, this is two taels and two maces. Count it clearly, Auntie, once you leave my house, I won’t acknowledge any discrepancies.”

Xu Jing didn’t hesitate, pulling out the two taels and two maces she had prepared and handing them over. She had been waiting for the Wang sisters-in-law for exactly this moment. By paying the debt in front of the villagers, the Wangs couldn’t harass them later, and word of this would surely reach those with “ulterior motives.”

The younger Mrs. Wang stared at the silver in her hand, stunned. The Xu family had actually managed to borrow enough money to pay the debt.

She huffed, snatched the money, and then, thinking of something, eyed Xu Jing up and down with a smirk. “I naturally trust the Xu family not to cheat us out of a single penny.”

“Jing’er, you’re quite capable, earning over two taels in just seven days,” she said, turning toward Song Yu and Grandma Xu at the doorway, raising her voice. “Sister-in-law Xu, you’ve married a good granddaughter-in-law, she really knows how to share the family’s burdens.”

The villagers leaning over the courtyard wall caught the hidden meaning. Oh, she’s subtly stinging Xu Jing, implying he didn’t have the money and squeezed it out of his new wife to pay the debt.

Even if Xu Jing went hunting, no one had seen her bring back any major game, just a few pheasants and rabbits. Could that really earn two taels? If the money wasn’t taken from the Song girl, where else could it have come from? They hadn’t heard of Xu Jing borrowing from the main Xu clan either, otherwise, those gossipy wives would have spread it long ago.

However, some villagers countered: “That can’t be right. Jing’er is very protective of his wife. Didn’t he beat up Wang Ergou just for trying to bully her?”

“Who knows? Everyone lives behind closed doors. That Granny Xu isn’t easy to deal with. Do you think Jing’er favors the grandmother who raised him, or the wife who just crossed the threshold?”

Xu Jing’s gaze toward the younger Mrs. Wang turned cold, though she maintained a hollow smile.

“My wife is indeed wonderful. You have a sharp eye, Auntie. Unlike some people who don’t know the facts and just let their mouths run wild, they’ll end up in the Tongue Pulling Hell sooner or later!”

Using praise to mock, who doesn’t know how to do that?

In ancient times, people were very superstitious. Hearing Xu Jing’s words, the younger Mrs. Wang nearly exploded, but the elder Mrs. Wang, who had been acting invisible, quickly pulled her back.

Xu Jing didn’t feel like bickering further and waved them away like bothersome flies. “Since we are settled, I have field work to do. I won’t be hosting you.”

The villagers, satisfied with the drama, began to disperse. The younger Mrs. Wang, who had led the charge, was nearly fuming. The elder Mrs. Wang, clutching the warm silver, comforted her, getting the money back was what mattered. She still had to go to the Qi family in the county seat to demand the remaining one tael. Thinking of the extra silver coming her way, she felt quite pleased.

Because of the elder’s persuasion, the younger Mrs. Wang didn’t make a scene. She left, grumbling, with her sister-in-law.

With that matter half-finished, Xu Jing took her farming tools to the fields to weed. Song Yu insisted on coming along, saying two people would be faster. Since the sun wasn’t too high and the work wasn’t heavy, Xu Jing agreed. Honestly, even if she hadn’t, Song Yu would have gone anyway. She couldn’t stop the stubborn girl.

In Song Yu’s words, since she lived and ate here, working the fields was only natural, otherwise, what would the villagers think of her?

Later that day, Xu Jing planned to investigate who exactly was pulling the Wang family’s strings.

The two set out wearing straw hats, carrying baskets and hoes. The cut grass could be used to feed the chickens, nothing was wasted.

“Do you have time later?” Song Yu asked suddenly as they walked.

Xu Jing was curious. “After the field, I have an errand. I’ll be free in the afternoon. Do you need something?”

“It’s early August. After the harvest, I want to raise a piglet. It won’t be ready by New Year, but we can raise it to sell or eat.”

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow. “I go hunting, so we won’t lack meat. But raising a pig is fine, we can make bacon and sausages later.” She added, “Hunting is harder in winter, so a pig is a good idea.”

Song Yu was happy she agreed so readily.

As they talked, Xu Jing suddenly frowned. Without looking around, she leaned in closer to Song Yu and whispered, “Someone is following us.”

“What?!” Song Yu almost cried out but managed to suppress it.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here. Let’s head toward the more secluded path and lure them out to see what they want.”

Xu Jing wondered if the mastermind behind the Wang family was finally losing patience.

Hearing her calm, steady voice, Song Yu remembered the sight of her coldly aiming a bow at Wang Ergou. Her heart instantly settled.

The Xu family’s fields were already somewhat isolated. They took a turn down a deserted fork in the road, and the person behind them followed without suspicion.

Once the timing was right, Xu Jing spun around and shouted, “Come out! Why are you following us?”

The follower was caught off guard. However, since he had intended to find Xu Jing and Song Yu alone anyway, he stepped out from behind a tree with an air of “openness.”

Of course, that “openness” was only in his own mind, to Xu Jing and Song Yu, he looked incredibly shifty.

Xu Jing stared at the young man. A flash of confusion crossed her eyes, followed by a slight ache in her head as memories surfaced. “Scholar Li, why are you following us?”

Li Xiuyun ignored her and looked at Song Yu. Both were dressed simply, one tall and heroic, the other slender and elegant. They looked exceptionally well-matched, which caused a pang of jealousy in his heart.

He opened his mouth, his fists clenched so tightly inside his sleeves that his nails dug into his palms. His gaze finally shifted back to Xu Jing, filled with unconcealed disgust.

“Xu Jing! To marry Xiao Yu just to get revenge on me, you are utterly despicable!”

Xu Jing suppressed the wave of lingering emotional pain from the original owner’s body. Some memories of this Scholar Li were fragmented, but it was clear the original owner had liked this man. Apparently, it was because of him that she had rushed up the mountain in a fit of pique, fallen, hit her head, and died.

Xu Jing frowned. This guy has quite the ego. Just as she was about to snap back, more memories flooded in. Her expression soured. It seemed the original owner did marry Song Yu as a calculated move to spite him.

Why didn’t I remember this before? Is my memory triggered by specific people?

Seeing Xu Jing’s silence, Song Yu pursed her lips. Even if they were only a couple on the surface, she wouldn’t let someone insult them like this. Besides, she didn’t like Li Xiuyun at all, he was a hypocrite who acted one way in public and another in private. His aggressive mother was even more unpleasant.

Song Yu narrowed her eyes. “Scholar Li, do not speak nonsense. I am already married to A-Jing. A-Jing is my husband.”

“Xiao Yu…” Hearing Song Yu defend Xu Jing made Li Xiuyun’s blood boil.

Song Yu cut him off. “Scholar Li should call me ‘Mrs. Xu.’ I am a married woman, please mind your words.”

Beside them, Xu Jing was thinking, Wow, what a mess. The original owner liked Li Xiuyun, Li Xiuyun liked Song Yu, and Song Yu married the original owner. A melodramatic love triangle? And now she was part of it. Ridiculous.

Judging by Song Yu’s tone, she didn’t like this guy at all.

Xu Jing finished “eating the gossip” of her own wife. She coughed twice, took Song Yu’s wrist, and pulled her behind her to face Li Xiuyun. Her brow arched, her voice deepening.

“Did you hear that? Scholar Li, don’t call people by their names so familiarly. If you dare covet my wife again, don’t blame my fists!”

Li Xiuyun’s face turned beet red with rage. He pointed a trembling finger at her. “Xu Jing, you!”

“You what? Coveting another man’s wife and you call yourself a scholar?” Xu Jing scoffed with disdain. She turned to Song Yu. “Wife, let’s not pay him any mind. Let’s go.”

Hearing the title “wife,” Song Yu’s heart skipped a beat. The skin where Xu Jing held her wrist felt hot, and the tips of her ears turned red beneath her hair. Even if it was an act, she felt a strange fluttering in her chest.

“Xiao Yu! He can’t even pay his debts and has to use your money, do you really want to be with such a person?! If you are unwilling, I can…”

“Enough!” Xu Jing spun around fiercely. “If you say another word to ruin my wife’s reputation, my fists won’t be merciful!” She raised a fist threateningly.

The original owner had always been a “licking dog” to Li Xiuyun, always greeting him with smiles. This version of Xu Jing felt like a complete stranger.

Li Xiuyun swallowed hard, only able to hiss, “You uncouth brute! You savage!”

Xu Jing chuckled. As if he wasn’t from the same village.

They had been standing there long enough that other villagers working nearby were approaching. Sensing more gossip, the villagers quickened their pace. Xu Jing gave Li Xiuyun one last warning glare and hurried away with Song Yu.

To them, Li Xiuyun was like a piece of dog excrement, disgusting to even step near.

As they walked away, Li Xiuyun wanted to chase them, but seeing the approaching villagers, he simply huffed and went home in a gloom. He knew Xu Jing well, but as for Song Yu… he couldn’t tell if his feelings were from the pain of being “robbed” of his love, or the blow to his masculine pride that Song Yu had chosen Xu Jing over him.

After walking a safe distance, Xu Jing made sure Li Xiuyun wasn’t following and sneered. “Finally showed some sense. Men are so arrogant no matter where they are, it’s infuriating.”

Song Yu was pleased, but something about the comment felt odd.

Noticing her expression, Xu Jing asked, “Xiao Yu, don’t you agree?”

“Well… if it’s Li Xiuyun, then yes,” Song Yu nodded gently.

“Hmph, I think it’s most men,” Xu Jing waved her hand. Fine, she was biased.

That shouldn’t include you, Song Yu replied silently in her head.

Sensing her thoughts, a flicker of hesitation appeared in Xu Jing’s eyes. Revealing her true identity carried risks, but after these days of living together, she genuinely liked this girl and had developed some trust. Now that the debt was paid and life was becoming easier, perhaps she could make things a bit more honest between them.