Xu Qian found himself with a tidy sum: one tael and four mace of silver. Add that to his original three mace and the one he’d picked up, and he had a full two taels in hand. The golden swaying hairpin he had his eye on? Ten taels. He’d need to hustle.
He repeated his riddle‑solving act for three more young ladies, scraping together enough for five taels total. “Should be enough for one hairpin, but I still need to buy one for Auntie… and maybe one for myself.”
“Sir?” The shopkeeper’s pale face broke his reverie.
Xu Qian stared at him.
“Could you… perhaps show some leniency?” the shopkeeper pleaded.
“That’s a strange thing to say, given you set the rules,” Xu Qian replied.
“Just tell me what you want.”
“I’d like to buy two golden swaying hairpins, but I only have enough for one… and that’s at half price.”
“I’ll… I’ll give them to you,” the shopkeeper said through gritted teeth.
“That’s too generous.”
“Just… please don’t come back. I’d be eternally grateful.”
*Can’t take the heat?* Xu Qian tucked the two hairpins into his robes and strutted out, thoroughly pleased.
It wasn’t that he wanted a freebie—he wasn’t that kind of man. It was just that the shopkeeper was *so* insistent. As for the shopkeeper’s feelings? He didn’t care. Running a shop like that meant twenty or thirty taels was a sting, but not a fatal blow. Besides, if you’re going to play tricks, you’d better be ready for someone who knows how to play them better. No rule said you could profit off others while they couldn’t profit off you.
Soon after leaving, a chill crept up his spine. The hairs on his neck stood on end, as if a thousand tiny needles were pricking his skin. His heart raced. Adrenaline surged. *Someone is following me. Watching me. Hostile.* The realization dawned with cold clarity.
He kept his composure, pretending nothing had happened, but his mind was racing. *Who’s tailing me? The Treasure Vessels Pavilion?* Unlikely. The shopkeeper looked like he wanted to punch him, but the kind of expert who could make his skin crawl definitely had backing. A simple shop like that wouldn’t have such talent. *The White Deer Academy?* No—those great scholars were fighting over who’d take him as their personal flutist. They wouldn’t be hostile.
*It’s the Zhou residence.*
At this stage, anyone with a grudge, anyone secretly watching him, had to be the Zhou family.
A sobering thought. His past life’s instincts told him: if you’re being followed, the other party is planning to move soon—maybe tonight.
*My decision to visit the White Deer Academy was right. Even if Second Uncle and I are decent fighters, the women in our household are liabilities…*
His expression grew grave. Dealing with the Zhou family couldn’t wait.
Back at the Xu residence, he immediately dug out the military crossbow he’d “exchanged” (i.e., swindled) from Song Qing at the Directorate of Celestials and strapped it to his waist. The heart‑protecting mirror went on his chest. Only then did he feel a sliver of safety.
He scaled the wall to the main house and spotted Xu Lingyin in the backyard, herding a flock of geese. She stood hands on hips, stamping her feet, sending the goslings scattering in panic with indignant honks.
“Big brother, big brother, look how fierce I am!” she cried when she saw him.
“Where’d the geese come from?” Xu Qian blinked. There hadn’t been any this morning.
“Mother had them bought. She said we should raise our own…” Xu Lingyin tilted her head, her voice sweet. “I forgot the rest.”
*Probably cheaper than buying them from the market.* Xu Qian said, “Be careful not to step on them. Are there any big geese?”
“The big goose is over there! I’ll drive it out!” Xu Lingyin volunteered, her short legs pattering into the flower bed.
Seconds later, a child’s scream like a slaughtered pig erupted from the bushes.
The shrubs shook violently. Xu Lingyin burst out, wailing, a large white goose clamped onto her calf. Her face was a mask of impending doom. “Big brother, help…!”
Xu Qian stood by, watching, and burst into laughter that sounded suspiciously like a pig’s squeal.
…
At dusk, Second Uncle Xu returned from his shift. Dressed in military garb, a long saber and crossbow at his waist, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s—a far cry from his usual civilian demeanor.
The three men gathered in the study. Lü E served hot tea, then slipped away.
Xu Cijiu spoke: “Everything is arranged. Mother and Sister can be sent to the academy tomorrow. It’s perfect—Lingyin is about to start her education. The tutor Father hired isn’t up to the task, but the academy’s teachers will be fine.”
When Lingyin heard the good news, she’d probably cry with joy… Xu Qian’s mind drifted to a joke from his past life about handing a box of workbook problems to an overly enthusiastic kid.
Second Uncle was overjoyed. This solved one of his biggest worries. With the women safely settled, he could focus without looking back.
“Cijiu, thank you. I always knew sending you to study was the best decision I ever made.”
Xu Cijiu looked a little embarrassed. “Father, it’s Big Brother’s doing, not mine.”
“Ningyan?” Second Uncle looked at his nephew in surprise.
After hearing his son’s explanation, Second Uncle sighed regretfully. “Ningyan, my biggest mistake in life was sending you to train in martial arts.”
He now believed his nephew was a born scholar.
*I’m just putting my past‑life knowledge to good use.* Xu Qian said gravely, “There’s something I need to tell you, Second Uncle. I was followed on my way back. Cijiu, what about you?”
Father and son exchanged a tense look.
Xu Xinnian frowned. “If I were followed, how would I know? I’m only at the Enlightenment realm.”
Second Uncle stood, pacing restlessly. His voice was low. “Ningyan, stay here tonight. We should sleep close to each other—easier to watch out for one another. And I’ll head out later to alert the Imperial Blade Guard. They can increase patrols in the area tonight.”
Xu Xinnian and Xu Qian locked eyes, their mood heavy.
…
At dinner, Xu Qian glanced at his sister, Xu Lingyue, who ate with elegant poise. He cleared his throat, drawing the family’s attention.
From his robes he produced a small rosewood box engraved with the words “Treasure Vessels Pavilion.” He slid it open. Inside lay a finely crafted golden swaying hairpin, its head sculpted into delicate flowers, set with pearls, and adorned with slender golden tassels that swayed with the slightest movement.
The sheer weight of the gold made everyone stare.
Xu Lingyue and Auntie were stunned. Their large, sparkling eyes locked onto the hairpin.
Golden swaying hairpins, with their intricate workmanship and precious materials, were coveted by the daughters and wives of wealthy families. Ordinary women couldn’t afford such finery. Auntie had once owned a carved one, which she treasured.
Xu Qian, a single man, wouldn’t buy a hairpin without reason. There were only two women in the house who could wear it. As the family matriarch, Auntie’s face lit up, her eyes softening. “At least you have some conscience. Hand it over…”
Before she finished, Xu Qian placed the hairpin in front of Xu Lingyue. “Sister, this is for you!”
Xu Lingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Treasure Vessels Pavilion’s jewelry was famous in the area—exquisitely crafted, highly sought after by the daughters and wives of local rich families.
“Thank you, Big Brother.” Her delicate face broke into a genuine smile, eyes curving like crescent moons.
Auntie’s body trembled. Her full chest rose and fell. Eyes red‑rimmed, she turned on Second Uncle with a fierce glare. “Tell me—do you want your nephew or me?”
She was at war with that little brat.
Second Uncle shot his nephew a deadly look and quickly served his wife a piece of meat. “Calm down. Don’t lower yourself to his level.”
Xu Qian felt a kick to his shin and looked up at Xu Xinnian beside him.
The younger brother simply kept his head down, eating in silence.