Fortune Across the World

Chapter 33: Harvest and a Midnight Intruder (Part 2)

"Speak! Or I'll let you taste the arrow with your head!" Ding Qiyu threatened.

"I'll talk, I'll talk! Spare me, spare me, ow—" The man cowered, clutching his leg. "I-I'm from Fuze Village. He Lizhi from your village told me there's a very beautiful girl here, and if I came at night... I could take her home as my wife..." The man regretted it deeply. He Lizhi hadn't mentioned there was a young man here, nor that there were traps!

"What did you say?!" Ding Qiyu's eyes blazed with anger. She had thought that family was merely troublesome and envious. She hadn't expected them to stoop so low, trying to have a filthy man sneak in at night to ruin Lian'er's honor! Though Daqian was relatively open-minded, a woman's reputation was still highly valued. If this man had harmed Lian'er, it would be a grievous injustice, potentially ruining her life. Ding Qiyu couldn't bear the thought of what might have happened without the security system. In a fit of rage, she kicked the man to the ground, relentlessly beating him as screams echoed through the courtyard.

Inside, Lianer, feeling humiliated by the man's words, fled to her room in tears. Aunt He, equally furious, grabbed a broom and stormed into the courtyard, striking the man's face repeatedly.

The man, now bruised and battered, his voice hoarse, was on the verge of passing out. Aunt He pulled Ding Qiyu back, saying, "Qiyu, that's enough. You'll tire yourself out beating this beast!" She shouted at the man, "Get out of here!"

The man, as if granted a reprieve, dragged his bleeding leg and crawled out the gate. He had managed to climb the wall upon arrival, but now he couldn't even walk properly.

"Mom, I need to confront He Lizhi!" Ding Qiyu seethed with unresolved anger.

Aunt He held Ding Qiyu's arm, "Those scoundrels will never change!" Resolutely, she said, "Qiyu, let's move to the city."

Ding Qiyu had long awaited her mother's approval and nodded eagerly, "Yes, let's move! Those ruffians are utterly shameless!" Tomorrow, she would inquire about the house with Weiming. With the earnings from the Curved Leaf Plow business, they could afford a nice place in the city.

Not seeing Lian'er, Ding Qiyu asked, "Mom, where's Lian'er?"

Aunt He, worried, replied, "She heard what that scoundrel said and ran back to her room, upset."

"What? I'll go check on her!" Ding Qiyu said, rushing inside.

"Yes, you go. I can't sleep anyway, I'll wait a bit before turning in." Aunt He didn't follow, sensing Lian'er's feelings for Qiyu, though she couldn't quite discern Qiyu's feelings. To her, Qiyu was like a son, and she didn't want to interfere, leaving things to their natural course.

In the room, Ding Qiyu found Lian'er curled up under the covers, which pained her heart.

Lian'er felt deeply humiliated and distressed. He Lizhi had maliciously arranged for a stranger to potentially ruin her honor. If it had happened, how could she ever face Qiyu or hope to be with her...

Gently, Ding Qiyu called "Lian'er" and pulled her from the covers. Surrounded by Qiyu's familiar scent, Lian'er nestled into her embrace, weeping silently.

Looking down at her, Ding Qiyu playfully said, "Oh, my little crybaby, why are you crying again?" She wiped Lian'er's tears, soothing her, "It's okay, nothing happened. I'll protect you forever; no one can harm you. So, no more tears, alright? It hurts me to see you cry."

Ding Qiyu's tender words always banished Lian'er's gloom, filling her with sweetness. She cried for a while, releasing her grievances, then wiped her own tears.

"Hehe, Lian'er is so good. Alright, time for sleep." Ding Qiyu gently stroked her hair.

From her embrace, Lian'er softly asked, "Can you stay with me a little longer?" Her tone hopeful.

Unable to refuse, Ding Qiyu smiled and agreed, "Okay, but you have to close your eyes and sleep." She gently laid Lian'er down, tucking her in.

Lian'er nodded, snuggling closer to feel surrounded by Qiyu's presence.

Leaning against the headboard, Ding Qiyu softly sang a lullaby, "The night at the naval port is quiet. Sea breeze, blow gently; waves, rock softly. Qiyu's little crybaby is going to sleep..." Her voice, rich and soothing, carried Lian'er as if she were on a gently rocking boat beneath a starry sky. Like a dream weaver, Qiyu's gentle song lulled Lian'er into a peaceful slumber.

In the darkness, Ding Qiyu listened to Lian'er's steady breathing, glimpsing her faint smile in the moonlight. Gazing deeply at the silvery moon, Qiyu's song came to a close. She wiped a tear from her eye, silently whispered "Goodnight" to Lian'er, and left the room.

Outside, Aunt He stood by the door. Seeing Ding Qiyu's troubled expression, she asked, "Qiyu, are you okay?"

Ding Qiyu shook her head, whispering, "I'm fine. Lian'er is asleep now, so you should rest too. Goodnight." She then returned to her room.

Watching Qiyu's retreating figure, Aunt He sighed softly. This strong child always brought light to others, yet she carried her own hidden wounds.

Hearing Aunt He settle in, Qiyu lay in bed, pulling the covers over her head. Closing her eyes, she recalled the warm melody of her lullaby, with the final line altered to "Granny's little Qiyu is going to sleep..."

The next day, Ding Qiyu intended to find Lu Weiming at the General's Mansion, but upon reaching Feiyu Courtyard, he was already there. Seeing her, Weiming eagerly approached, "Brother Yu, I've found a courtyard for you!" Despite his usual boisterousness, Weiming was genuinely loyal to his friends.

Qiyu was delighted, "It seems my wishes are coming true. I was just about to ask you about it!"

"Your mother agreed to move? Great! Come, let me show you the place now." Weiming was thrilled, pulling Qiyu along.

Leaving the mansion, they walked for about fifteen minutes before stopping at a pair of ebony gates. Weiming pointed, "Here! This is it!"

"Here?!" Qiyu was shocked. The location alone, on the same street as the General's Mansion, was out of reach for those without connections, no matter the wealth.

"Yes! It's perfect—close to my home, very convenient! No thieves or ruffians around. Don't you like it?" Weiming, worried Qiyu might dislike his choice, asked nervously.

Qiyu quickly reassured him, "No, no, it's not that. It's just... well, I don't know how to say it..."

Understanding Qiyu's hesitation, Weiming clapped her shoulder, saying, "We're brothers, right? No need to feel awkward. If you keep this up, you're treating me like a stranger!"

Touched, Qiyu gratefully replied, "Yes, we're brothers—good brothers!"

Weiming laughed heartily, "That's more like it. Let's take a look inside."

They approached the gates, and Weiming knocked on the bronze knocker. After a short wait, the gates opened to reveal a spirited elderly man, who greeted Weiming with a bow, "Second Young Master, you're here!"

Weiming helped him up, "No need for formalities, Uncle Li. This is Ding Qiyu, whom I mentioned before. I'm here to show him the courtyard." Turning to Qiyu, he added, "An old general under my father recently retired. He owns several courtyards on this street. Based on your request for something not too large, I thought this one was ideal, and it's the closest to the mansion. Uncle Li is their steward, and I arranged this viewing with him."

After greeting Uncle Li, Qiyu followed him and Weiming to tour the courtyard. It was a simple two-entry courtyard. Entering through the ebony gates, the front yard featured a south-facing house and a gatehouse. Passing through a moon gate led to the rear yard, with the main house to the north, containing three rooms. Flanking the main house were east and west wings, two rooms each, with the kitchen in the southeast. A locust tree adorned the courtyard, its pale blossoms mingling with scattered leaves, reminiscent of scenes from Yu Dafu's "Autumn in the Old Capital." A stone table and circular stools beneath the tree added a touch of leisure to the tranquil setting.

After the tour, Weiming pulled Qiyu aside, asking, "What do you think, Brother Yu? I think it's quite suitable. As your intermediary, I promise you won't be shortchanged!"

Qiyu found the courtyard excellent, with an ideal location, reasonable layout, and complete furnishings, allowing her family to move in immediately. However, she wasn't sure if her earnings were enough to purchase it outright and considered renting if necessary.