Chapter 27: If You Are Asking for a Favor, You Should Have the Proper Attitude

"Yuan Sheng has come all the way from the academy to invite her personally; what airs is she still putting on?"

As soon as Old Woman Jiang heard that Qin Hanxiao had not yet risen, she began to clamor immediately. "Does she really think she’s some high-born young lady? Go out and ask around—in which household is a daughter-in-law still in bed at this hour?"

Qin Hanxiao was startled awake by this very sound. Upon opening her eyes, she discovered that she was actually lying across Pei Yuantang’s chest. Moreover, her arm was draped around his waist, and her leg was resting over his thigh.

Did they sleep like this last night? It was indeed his initiative, but certainly not in this position.

"Did they wake you?"

Qin Hanxiao was already feeling guilty, and Pei Yuantang’s question only deepened her unease. As she pulled herself away from his embrace, she said, "I’m sorry, I must have been muddled with sleep." Otherwise, how could she have possibly burrowed into his arms? "What’s going on outside? Why is Grandmother here again?"

Because she was flustered, Qin Hanxiao did not dare to look at Pei Yuantang, and thus failed to notice his slightly reddened ears and unnatural expression.

"They have come to invite you to treat your eldest aunt. Pei Yuansheng likely suspects something, but whether or not you go is entirely up to you. If you don’t want to go, no one can force you."

Pei Yuansheng had come once before, even going into town to find a doctor for his mother, but to no avail. The day before yesterday, he had come to see Pei Yuantang, fishing for information, trying to find out if Qin Hanxiao was behind it. At that time, however, Pei Yuantang was too worried about her safety to exchange more than a few words before chasing him away.

Qin Hanxiao turned her back to him to get dressed. "I might as well go and take a look. Summer is almost here; the family needs some light clothing made."

When she turned back to face him, she had already composed herself to look as she always did. Pei Yuantang, too, had returned to his normal self. He sat propped against the headboard, watching her.

"Let San Lang go with you."

When she stepped out, she heard Pei Yuanxing lecturing Old Woman Jiang, "What other families do is none of our business; in my house, we do as we please. Since you are here begging my second sister-in-law to treat someone, you had better show the attitude of someone begging."

Old Woman Jiang was about to let out a string of curses when her eldest grandson, Pei Yuansheng, pulled her back. "Grandmother, you go back first; I will wait here for my sister-in-law." As he ushered her out, he whispered something in her ear. Old Woman Jiang rolled her eyes at Pei Yuanxing before leaving indignantly.

*Let them enjoy their arrogance a while longer,* she thought. *Once the eldest daughter-in-law is recovered, I’ll see how she handles that little hussy, Qin Hanxiao. Daring to frame her and making the whole village point fingers at her—she would never forgive that little wretch.*

When Pei Yuansheng returned, he saw a woman of extraordinary beauty standing in the courtyard. It was his first time seeing Qin Hanxiao, and he was immediately captivated by her appearance.

He had always taken pride in his wife’s family background and looks, believing that no woman in Shanghe Village could compare to her. Even though he had heard that Pei Yuantang’s new bride was formerly a young lady of status, she was, after all, a country girl now; how could she possibly be compared to his wife? His wife’s family, while not wealthy, were scholars and farmers; a woman raised in a scholarly household was naturally superior to a village woman.

Yet, seeing Qin Hanxiao now, he felt his own wife paled in comparison.

"This must be my sister-in-law. I am your eldest cousin-in-law. I have come today specifically to ask for your help regarding my mother’s illness."

At that moment, Pei Jinghui poked her head out from the kitchen and called to Qin Hanxiao, "Second Sister-in-law, you're up? Come and wash up, the hot water is ready."

Qin Hanxiao sighed; such a wonderful sister-in-law was hard to find in this world. "Coming."

She didn't even give Pei Yuansheng a proper glance before heading straight into the kitchen. Pei Yuansheng, who had always held himself in high regard due to his status as a scholar and was used to looking down on others in the village, had never been subjected to such cold treatment. He thought to himself: *Indeed, a country woman, ignorant of manners and etiquette. It seems she is just a vapid woman with nothing but beauty.*

But for the sake of his mother, he had to swallow his pride. "Sister-in-law, no need to rush, I will wait right here in the courtyard."

Pei Yuanxing sneered, refusing to indulge him. "Did my second sister-in-law agree? If you want to wait, get out and wait elsewhere. Don't be an eyesore in my courtyard."

Inside the kitchen, Qin Hanxiao and Pei Jinghui exchanged a look and smiled silently. Pei Yuanxing’s sharp tongue was truly useful.

Pei Yuansheng frowned, immediately launching into a lecture. "Pei Yuanxing, is this how you speak to your elder brother? Is this how our third aunt raised you? You have absolutely no manners."

Pei Yuanxing was showing restraint by not physically attacking him. He looked at Pei Yuansheng with contempt and mocked, "My eldest brother is buried on the mountain, and my second brother is inside the house. Who are you to lecture me? You keep talking about manners, yet you, as a junior, dare to criticize my mother—is this the 'manners' of a scholar?"

Pei Yuansheng was left speechless and flushed with rage, but Pei Yuanxing wouldn't let him off so easily. "I said, if you want to beg, you need to show the attitude of a beggar. If you dare to mutter another word, see if I don't beat you until you’re missing teeth. Get out!"

Pei Yuanxing always followed through on his words; he grabbed a wooden staff and chased Pei Yuansheng out, slamming the gate shut behind him. Pei Yuansheng, expelled and furious, flicked his sleeves and prepared to leave, but the thought of his mother paralyzed in bed and near death forced him to bite his tongue and endure.

"Sister-in-law, my mother is your eldest aunt, your elder! Even if she has done wrong, she has already been punished. Please, for the sake of the Pei family, save her. Even if she has offended you, this state of affairs should be enough to vent your anger, shouldn't it? Can you really just watch her die?"

This was supposed to be begging? Pei Yuanxing glanced back at his second brother’s room, waited two seconds, and hearing no response from his brother, he raised his staff and headed out to beat Pei Yuansheng. "With a mouth that spews nothing but filth, and daring to slander my second sister-in-law—see if I don't beat you to death!"

The next moment, Pei Yuansheng’s cries of "Ouch!" echoed from outside, bringing a sense of satisfaction to Qin Hanxiao and the others. Before long, Pei Yuansheng’s apologies and pleas for mercy could be heard. "It was my haste that led to my wrong words, please forgive me, sister-in-law. Please, save my mother."

Qin Hanxiao finished her breakfast, gave Pei Jinghui a wink, and they stepped out to see Pei Yuansheng. Seeing that Pei Yuanxing had been hitting him only in the fleshier parts of his body, Qin Hanxiao couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect. *A pro.*

A few onlookers had gathered nearby. As soon as Pei Yuansheng saw Qin Hanxiao, he shouted, "Sister-in-law, I beg you to save my mother!"

Qin Hanxiao stopped Pei Yuanxing and said to Pei Yuansheng, "I can try, but let me make this clear: I cannot guarantee that I can cure her."

Pei Yuansheng replied repeatedly, "Fine, fine, as long as you go."

But Qin Hanxiao had more to say. "Some things must be clarified."

"Go ahead," Pei Yuansheng urged impatiently.

"First, your mother did not offend me; there is no enmity between us. Second, your mother was beaten by your grandmother, not by me. If you are unclear about this, we can go right now and clarify it in front of the village head. This kind of slander is not something I, Qin Hanxiao, will bear."

Pei Yuansheng’s expression shifted several times, but eventually, he gritted his teeth and bowed to Qin Hanxiao. "I spoke wrongly in my haste earlier. I know you are innocent; I apologize."

Qin Hanxiao accepted the apology with a clear conscience. "You are the one begging for my treatment today, and I have stated the ugly truth up front: I may not be able to cure her. My consultation fee is five taels of silver, payable before treatment begins. If I cannot cure her, there are no refunds. Think it over—will you proceed or not?"