Chapter 24: The Creditor

Tang Greenweed noticed Li Peach Blossom’s face was tight with anger, while Qin Huiyin, cowed by the scolding, looked pitiful and helpless. Tang Greenweed, never good with words, had no idea how to comfort them. She tugged at Tang Yixiao’s sleeve and whispered, “What should we do?”

Tang Yixiao quietly packed away the leftover bamboo bowls, squatting down to tidy up, paying no attention to the quarrelsome mother and daughter.

Once the other women had gone, the anger lifted from Li Peach Blossom’s face. She turned to Qin Huiyin, saying, “Everything’s sold out. We can pack up.”

“Mother, you didn’t even give me a signal just now. Weren’t you afraid I might not understand your intentions?” Qin Huiyin replied with a sly grin.

“We’re so attuned to each other—just a frown from me, and you can guess what I want. How could you not understand?” Li Peach Blossom replied.

Tang Greenweed was stunned, gazing blankly at the mother and daughter who had so easily turned hostility into camaraderie.

Qin Huiyin was amused by her look and giggled, “We did it on purpose. Only by making those aunts think they’ve gotten a great bargain will they pay so willingly.”

Tang Yixiao, standing nearby, commented coolly, “Did you really think she’d turn on her own daughter?”

Given her indulgence toward Qin Huiyin, no matter what the girl said, she would always agree. How could she fall out with her over a bit of merchandise?

Tang Greenweed breathed easier. As she packed, she watched Li Peach Blossom and her daughter counting the money box together, envy flickering in her eyes.

With everything sold, it was time to head home. Today, they hadn’t bought peas or rice flour—only scraps from the butcher. The plump butcher had promised her some pig’s feet, and, miraculously, he’d found ten.

As the ox cart reached the Tang family’s gate, before it even stopped, furious voices could be heard inside, followed by the sound of breaking things and then the pleading of Tang Dafu.

Tang Yixiao leapt from the cart and rushed into the courtyard. After parking the cart, Third Uncle Tang joined the others, hurrying to see what was wrong.

A few villagers were lurking outside, peering in curiously. One called out to Third Uncle Tang, “Uncle, best not get involved. This has nothing to do with you.”

Third Uncle Tang asked, “What’s happened?”

“It’s the fifty taels Tang Dafu owes—his creditors have come to collect.”

As Li Peach Blossom and the others entered, the thugs inside, who’d been smashing things, heard the commotion and streamed out. At their head was a sharp-featured, shifty-eyed man, dressed showily, but his eyes were murky and sly. He was accompanied by seven or eight burly enforcers, all dressed like hired hands, tall and menacing.

“Back just in time,” sneered Chen Zhongyi, eyeing Li Peach Blossom and her daughter with a leer, his yellowed teeth bared in a repulsive grin. “Take them all.”

The thugs moved to seize the women.

“Wait!” Qin Huiyin stepped protectively in front of Li Peach Blossom, her tone fierce. “You barge into our home and want to abduct decent women? Is there no law left in this land?”

Li Peach Blossom pulled Qin Huiyin close, her voice cold as steel. “What do you want?”

Tang Dafu, wailing in pain, crawled out, dragging one leg. His pathetic appearance might have drawn pity from some, but to these brutes, it was merely laughable.

“Boss Chen, I beg you, give me more time. Once my leg heals, I’ll work and pay back every tael. My wife and children have nothing to do with this—please, don’t trouble the