Chapter 67
Qiao Xinnian returned home. Although the past few days in the imperial prison had not subjected him to excessive hardship, enduring that kind of harsh environment had still aged him noticeably. The people in the Qiao residence bustled about, both welcoming Qiao Xinnian back and preparing food and drink for the man who had endured days of fright to have a proper meal.
In truth, it wasn't just Qiao Xinnian who suffered. While he alone was in prison, the entire family outside didn't have it much better than inside.
Qiao Xinnian affectionately patted Qiao Hezhi's head. "These past days must have worried you and your mother terribly. It's fortunate we had our son-in-law holding things up. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to rest easy about you two while in that prison. Luckily, he was willing to run around everywhere making arrangements, or I wouldn't have been able to walk out of that prison safely today."
"Now that I'm out, I've only tired our son-in-law further, having to go express thanks and repay favors." True feelings are revealed in adversity; the family had genuinely experienced Fang Yu's goodness firsthand.
"This son-in-law's running around is only what should be done," Fang Yu said. After taking his leave from the Assistant Prefect, he hurried back to Hufengjing. Upon entering the residence, he heard the family discussing recent events. "Now that Father-in-law is safe and sound, your son-in-law can rest easy. If anything had gone amiss, this crybaby Hezhi would have been looking at me and crying every day."
His words drew a laugh from both Father and Mother Qiao. Qiao Hezhi gently patted his arm and gave him a reproachful glare. The previously somewhat oppressive atmosphere lightened considerably.
"Originally, the Assistant Prefect said today that the cost of distributing the medicine would be covered by the government. But I thought about it; if we handle this matter well, on one hand it can clear our name of suspicion, and on the other hand, it's a charitable act. So, let's still cover the medicine distribution costs ourselves."
Once the family sat down at the dining table, Fang Yu briefly outlined his plans for what came next.
"That bit of silver is nothing. I originally thought that entering prison this time would inevitably mean being heavily extorted for a ransom payment. I never expected my worthy son-in-law would personally act as a litigation master to defend me in court and secure my release. That alone has already saved us a great deal of money."
Qiao Xinnian was all too accustomed to government offices using minor pretexts to detain merchants, seizing opportunities for extortion and blackmail. The so-called "spend money to avert disaster" was a well-understood principle among merchants. Those of them who were major merchants still had it somewhat easier, as they could afford the payments. Smaller merchants had it much worse, suffering oppression yet forced to be a mute eating bitter herbs, without the means to save themselves.
[哑巴吃黄连 (yǎ ba chī huáng lián): lit. A mute person eats bitter herbs; fig. To be forced to suffer in silence, unable to voice one's grievance or pain.]
Those with merchant status had few human rights, which was precisely why so many of them sought to cozy up to scholars.
Qiao Xinnian couldn't help but marvel again: the Qiao family ancestors' graves must have been emitting auspicious smoke to have found such a promising son-in-law. Not only capable, but also responsible and willing to exert himself for his fulang's family. An ordinary person would likely have rushed to sever ties with the in-laws at the first sign of trouble, perhaps even taking out anger on their spouse. Fang Yu not only refrained from blaming his fulang but also used his own connections to intervene. How could the family not be deeply moved?
"Father-in-law has endured hardship these past days. Please eat and drink well and rest properly. Leave the subsequent matters for this son-in-law to handle."
After dinner, Fang Yu and Qiao Hezhi didn't stay overnight there but returned to their own residence. Tomorrow they needed to prepare for medicine distribution and recording testimonies. If they left from here tomorrow morning, it would be too late.
Sitting in the carriage, Qiao Hezhi felt considerably more at ease. "Although the source of the poisoning hasn't been found yet, seeing Father safe and sound has set my mind at ease. These past two days have been hard on you, with all this running around."
He tilted his head to look at Fang Yu, saying softly, "Thank you, Husband."
"If it were only me today, Father-in-law might not have been released from prison so smoothly. It was really thanks to you carefully collecting all the evidence and witnesses, and acting quickly to send word to the Assistant Prefect's residence. Each of these things was indispensable. If any part had gone wrong, I couldn't have spoken so boldly and confidently in court."
Fang Yu leaned against the carriage wall, half-closing his eyes with a smile. "But hearing you thank me makes me feel these busy days were worth it. However, I'm not entirely happy. Is this all the thanks I get?"
Qiao Hezhi's brow furrowed slightly, then his eyes shifted. He gently patted his own shoulder. "Last night, husband stayed up all night organizing his thoughts, and today has been running about ever since. Why not rest and sleep a little in the carriage now? I'll wake you when we arrive."
It would be impolite to refuse such an offer. Fang Yu promptly tilted his head to rest on Qiao Hezhi's shoulder. Though the ger was slender and a bit shorter, making the perch somewhat bony and awkward, the fragrant neck and warm person were still immensely appealing.
He was enjoying himself immensely, nuzzling against Qiao Hezhi's shoulder. Just as he was about to close his eyes, a sudden warmth touched his forehead. The sensation of lips pressing against him momentarily stunned him. When he lifted his gaze, Qiao Hezhi had already raised his head and faced forward again, acting as if nothing had happened. Yet, his reddened lips gave him away with a slight, unconscious press.
Fang Yu lowered his eyelids, tightly pursing his lips to hide his smile. His face, usually thicker than a city wall, was uncharacteristically tinged with a faint blush.
The next day, at the Qiao family's distribution site, two large pots of medicinal decoction were brewing, along with packets of herbs for treating the illness and some restorative and nourishing medicines. Early in the morning, commoners were already waiting outside the site for medicine. Though the crowd wasn't as large as those receiving general alms, the numbers were still startlingly high.
To Fang Yu's surprise, besides the commoners coming for medicine, there were also quite a few scholars waiting outside.
"How did you all get here?"
Since the end of the provincial examination, with the new bereavement at home, his own illness, and now the trouble with his in-laws, he hadn't found time to return to the academy. He had been on leave until now. The Master had been quite understanding. Although he hoped Fang Yu could return to the academy soon to hold a lecture sharing his experiences, he hadn't urged him to end his leave and return immediately.
Seeing familiar faces like Qiu Yanqi, Wu Shuyou, and others now filled him with both surprise and delight.
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