Volume One, Chapter 18: To Win Over Fan Xiu, First Win Over His Sister-in-Law

“Hmph!” Madam Li snorted heavily. “Don’t celebrate too soon! This money must be repaid! If you don’t compensate me, I’ll break your dog’s leg!” She glared fiercely at Fan Xiu.

“Sister-in-law, rest assured, you won’t lose out!” Fan Xiu chuckled and quickly returned to his usual demeanor.

Xiao Ruoqing glanced at Fan Xiu, then at Madam Li. She realized that Madam Li held even greater influence in Fan Xiu’s heart than Fan Yuan did. To truly win Fan Xiu’s loyalty, she first had to win over this sister-in-law.

At that moment, Wang, the steward dressed in a blue robe, entered the courtyard with two house servants.

“Is Scholar Fan here?” Wang called from the center of the yard.

Li Chuntao’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Why have you come again? Didn’t you say ten days later? Our family has no money now!”

Fan Xiu was momentarily stunned, while the others in the Fan family stared warily at Wang.

Just yesterday, Wang and Zhang Scarface had caused a huge scene at the Fan residence, bringing great shame to the family; even now, their disgrace was the subject of gossip.

“I’m not here to demand money,” Wang smiled. “Today, I come with a message from my master. He says the interest on the silver Scholar Fan borrowed before is forgiven—you only need to repay the principal.”

“What?” The Fan family exchanged shocked glances.

Seventy taels of silver was a large sum. For Zhao, a wealthy gentleman, seventy taels might be trivial, but for the Fan family, it was a fortune.

Wang continued, “Also, my master says he awaits you at the Zhao estate and welcomes you anytime.”

Zhao had agreed to discuss business with Fan Xiu? Fan Xiu stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Now that he had the ten taels borrowed from Madam Li, his funds were less strained than before. Yet earning over three hundred taels within ten days remained a formidable challenge.

More importantly, he didn’t intend to repay all this money in full.

Zhao’s debt, eighty taels principal with seventy taels interest, though high, was not outrageous. But the Four Seas Money House had loaned only twenty taels and now demanded two hundred, with the interest still climbing!

If he repaid whatever they asked, he’d be a fool.

Yet the Four Seas Money House was powerful, and despite now being a scholar, Fan Xiu lacked the strength to oppose them.

In these ten days, earning money was one goal; more crucial was improving his abilities to avoid being exploited.

“Alright, I’ll go with you. Please lead the way,” Fan Xiu said.

“Please,” Wang replied with a smile, extending his hand.

Just then, from the bed, Xiao Ruoqing suddenly said, “Wait, Fan Xiu, let my sister come with you.”

“Huh?” Fan Xiu was surprised. “Her? Is that necessary?”

“She knows some martial arts. If there’s danger on the road, she can help,” Xiao Ruoqing explained.

Fan Xiu was speechless. “Danger? I think she’s the biggest danger herself!”

He had no desire to have 'Liu Yue' tagging along—cold and quick to draw her sword at the slightest provocation.

“You!” Ying glared at Fan Xiu with murderous intent.

“Don’t worry, wife,” Fan Xiu chuckled, “I’m just a poor scholar; what danger could there be?”

Xiao Ruoqing seemed slightly irritated, so Fan Xiu hurriedly made to leave. Wang and the two servants followed.

After they left, Li Chuntao frowned at Ying. “I say, one of you showing up was bad enough, now there’s another—do you think our Fan family is some kind of shelter?”

Ying frowned, about to retort, but Xiao Ruoqing quickly stopped her.

“Sister-in-law,” Xiao Ruoqing smiled gently, “How could the Fan family be a shelter? Didn’t you hear just now? Fan Xiu called me his wife. As his wife, it’s only right I stay here. My sister staying with me for a while isn’t a problem either.”

Ying was shocked, staring at Xiao Ruoqing in disbelief.

What was the Empress saying?

Before, when Fan Xiu called Xiao Ruoqing his wife, everyone thought it was mostly teasing, and Xiao Ruoqing never confirmed it.

Now, she openly admitted it in front of the entire Fan family?

She was the reigning Empress!

Even if they had to hide under the Fan family’s roof due to the Cheng family’s threat, this was hardly necessary.

Li Chuntao folded her arms, appraising Xiao Ruoqing and Ying from head to toe. “Do you think I’d believe you? Rich heiresses like you, even if fallen on hard times, would never stoop to depend on the destitute Fan family, who couldn’t support you! I truly don’t understand why you’re staying here.”

Xiao Ruoqing replied, “Sister-in-law, you worry too much. Fan Xiu is my lifesaver. I stay here to repay my gratitude. Don’t worry; we can endure hardship and still have some savings.”

Xiao Ruoqing truly admired this sister-in-law of Fan Xiu’s.

Li Chuntao was blunt and sharp-tongued, never kind to Fan Xiu, yet genuinely cared for him.

What sister-in-law would go to such lengths to help her younger brother-in-law succeed? Even rushing back to her natal family to borrow money when he needed it?

Such a woman deserved to be called extraordinary.

After speaking, Xiao Ruoqing gave Ying a knowing look.

Ying immediately understood and pulled a cloth pouch from her belongings, handing it to Xiao Ruoqing.

“Sister-in-law,” Xiao Ruoqing said, “This contains twenty taels—the entirety of what my sister and I have. If you don’t mind, please accept it.”

She didn’t fear Li Chuntao would embezzle the money.

Li was stunned, speechless at Xiao Ruoqing’s candidness.

Then she frowned. “If you had the money, why didn’t you give it to Fan Xiu earlier when he needed it? Why give it to me now?”

Xiao Ruoqing smiled lightly. “I was worried Fan Xiu might squander it, but I trust you’ll manage the money—and Fan Xiu—well.”

Li took the pouch solemnly, suddenly feeling its weight was not twenty taels, but a thousand pounds.

She grasped Xiao Ruoqing’s hand firmly, her expression resolute. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law! As the eldest sister-in-law, I will discipline Fan Xiu properly. If that brat dares to bully you, I’ll break his leg! Mark my words!”

On the carriage, Fan Xiu sneezed violently, shaking it.

Wang quickly asked, “Scholar Fan, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Fan Xiu rubbed his nose.

It must be the courtesans missing him.

He had to hurry and earn money to return to the pleasure quarters and enjoy wine and songs!

Yes! That was decided happily.

At the Zhao estate, as Fan Xiu and Wang entered, Master Zhao was sipping tea with two dazzling concubines in the courtyard.

“Greetings, Master Zhao,” Fan Xiu bowed.

“Oh, it’s our county’s Fan Da Scholar! I’ve been looking forward to your arrival,” Zhao laughed heartily.

His two concubines, dressed in silk and satin, stood behind him, occasionally casting curious glances at Fan Xiu.

Fan Xiu wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Zhao Defu’s concubines’ gazes seemed strange—eyes full of desire, as if they wanted to devour him.

“You two,” Zhao waved them off, “go back first. I want to have a good talk with Scholar Fan.”

Fan Xiu cupped his hands. “You flatter me, Master Zhao.”

“Ha ha,” Zhao laughed. “Scholar Fan, to be honest, I failed the county exam three times and didn’t even pass the licentiate level! If you passed, you must be truly talented! I heard from Steward Wang that you saved an old man on your way back from Xuzhou. May I ask where that gentleman is now?”