The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 22: Causing Trouble

When Wei Liuhua came in secret, Qiu Huanian was in the small vegetable garden in the courtyard, planting vegetables.

The soil had already been tilled and formed into ridges. He took a large bundle of long sticks, about as thick as hemp stalks, that he had collected from the mountain and inserted them at intervals along both sides of the ridges. He tied them together in groups of six to create bean trellises and planted two ridges of sword(jack) beans.

Sword beans grew vigorously. These two ridges would be enough to feed the whole family throughout the summer and autumn. When stewed with meat, they were a perfect match.

In the remaining space, Qiu Huanian planted one ridge of baby bok choy, one ridge of eggplants, and one ridge of chili peppers. Together with the chives and green onions that were already growing, the variety in the small vegetable garden was quite complete.

The black soil of the Northeast was naturally fertile. Without the need for extra fertilizer, simply scattering the seeds and watering them was enough for the vegetables to grow.

Seeing Wei Liuhua, Qiu Huanian put down his farming tools, washed his hands, and invited her to sit in the courtyard to talk.

After Wei Liuhua finished recounting the conversation between Zhou Shi and Zhao Shi, Qiu Huanian couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

The details of the kidnapping case were only known to those who had attended the banquet at the clan leader’s house that day. Because County Magistrate Wang had instructed them not to spread the news before the case was officially closed, none of them had spoken about it outside. Qiu Huanian had even specifically reminded Jiujiu and Chunsheng to keep quiet, so naturally, Wei Liuhua was unaware of the specifics.

“Qiu Fu and Qiu Gui were taken away and haven’t returned yet?”

“They say it’s been half a month. Zhou Shi couldn’t wait any longer, so she came yesterday to demand an explanation.”

Qiu Huanian nodded. Logically speaking, Qiu Fu and Qiu Gui were only peripheral figures in the kidnapping case and had not participated in the earlier series of crimes. If County Magistrate Wang had kept them locked up all this time, it seemed the case was more complex than he had initially thought.

County Magistrate Wang had arrested people swiftly, leaving the Qiu family with no opportunity to ask for details. They probably still didn’t know the role that Qiu Huanian and Du Yunshe had played in the matter.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have just gone to Zhao Shi to cause trouble—they would have come looking for him too.

Qiu Huanian shook his head and changed the subject. “Zhao Shi and the others are going to the prefectural city to accompany Du Yunjing for his entrance exam?”

Wei Liuhua laughed. “They’re already packing their luggage and will be leaving within the next two days. They’ll be gone for over a month. I can finally relax a bit and openly go back to my parents’ house to collect sugar beets.”

Qiu Huanian’ supply of sugar beets was running low again, and Wei Liuhua was keen on making money.

Qiu Huanian suddenly thought of something. “I feel like the sugar beets from your home village are sweeter than those from other places.”

“Maybe it’s because we plant a lot of them. Every time we save seeds, we keep the ones from the best-growing plants. Over time, they’ve all become sweeter.”

Qiu Huanian was struck with an idea. In modern times, sugar beet varieties capable of producing sugar were introduced from abroad, but they were also selectively bred. If that was the case, why couldn’t he cultivate them in ancient China as well?

He originally thought about buying the best sugar beet seeds from them to cultivate himself. But then he reconsidered—if the sugar beets in Wei Liuhua’s home village were naturally sweeter, it might not just be due to the seeds. The local climate, soil, and water quality might also play a role. If he rashly moved them to another place, he might end up with nothing.

“The next time you go back to your parents’ house, ask those who are willing to participate to select the best sugar beet seeds and plant them with extra fertilizer in the same place. If they manage to grow even sweeter sugar beets, I’ll buy them at three wen per jin.” Qiu Huanian decided to let them try in their own village first.

Three wen per jin! A single sugar beet weighed around two jin, meaning it would be worth six wen—almost as much as two eggs!

Wei Liuhua’s eyes lit up when she heard this. She immediately wanted to return to her parents’ house and start planting sugar beets herself.

Hua Ge’er never spoke empty words. If he said this, it meant sugar beets could indeed be cultivated to become even sweeter. Making money in a remote mountain village wasn’t easy, so Wei Liuhua decided that the next time she returned home, she would make sure to instruct her parents and brothers to take this matter seriously!

The two chatted for a while before Wei Liuhua got up to leave. The gluten in the pot had just finished steaming, so Qiu Huanian sliced a few pieces for Wei Liuhua to take home for You Ge’er. These were all plant-based proteins, great for supplementing a child’s nutrition.

Wei Liuhua happily accepted them and hid them at the very bottom of her basket. Before leaving, she suddenly remembered something and added, “Hua Ge’er, you told me to keep an eye on Li Gu’er. I’ve been watching her these past few days, but I haven’t seen her using any paper for anything suspicious.”

The last time Qiu Huanian had accidentally come across Li Gu’er acting secretively on the back mountain, he had warned Wei Liuhua to be cautious.

“Has anyone in your household suddenly fallen ill?”

“No. Hua Ge’er, do you mean… the paper was wrapped around medicine?” Wei Liuhua was startled and quickly thought back. “Our household’s water is always carried by Yun Hu, and I’m the one who cooks. If she had done something, the two of us would have noticed something was off.”

“I’m just guessing—it could be something else. But in any case, stay vigilant.”

Wei Liuhua shuddered at the thought and repeatedly thanked him. “Thankfully, she’ll be leaving for the prefectural city in a few days. She won’t have a chance to harm You Ge’er.”

As for Du Baoquan, Du Yunjing, Zhao Shi, and Fubao? Who cared about them!

If Yun Hu hadn’t been hesitant and unsure, or if there had been a good reason, Wei Liuhua would have already demanded to split from the family.

Qiu Huanian originally thought that the Qiu family couldn’t blame him for Qiu Fu and Qiu Gui’s arrest. But unexpectedly, while he was selling sugar in town that afternoon, Meng Wudong suddenly rushed into the tofu shop.

“Hua Ge’er! Stop selling sugar for now and hurry home!”

Meng Yuanling, who was nearby, was startled. “Second Brother, speak properly! What happened?”

Qiu Huanian closed the basket of sugar and looked at Meng Wudong. After catching his breath, Meng Wudong said, “Your family has come to Du Family Village looking for you. A huge group of them is blocking the village entrance and refusing to leave. Even people from other villages have gathered to watch. I heard about it from passersby on the way and rushed back to tell you.”

Qiu Huanian’ brow furrowed deeply. “What exactly are they saying?”

“They’re demanding to see you, calling you unfilial. They say they won’t leave unless you come out. Your father is even holding your mother’s memorial tablet…”

Meng Yuanling, who was naturally quick-tempered, couldn’t help but curse. “Bah! They were the ones who sold Hua Ge’er, cutting ties long ago! What does being unfilial even matter now?”

“If they had done any proper inquiries, they’d know Hua Ge’er is in town selling sugar every afternoon. I think they deliberately waited for him to be absent before causing a scene to blow things up!”

By first accusing him of being unfilial, they could then use it as leverage to demand terms from Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian took a deep breath. “I’ll take the mule cart back first.”

“Hurry, but be careful! I’ll stay here and help sell the sugar.”

Qiu Huanian drove the mule cart back to the village. On the way, he ran into the Baoren couple, who had come looking for him. The three of them rushed back to the village entrance, where the Qiu family was still wailing and making a scene.

“Xue’er! Look at the good son you gave birth to! He resents us for selling him because we were poor and now refuses to save his own brothers!”

“You ungrateful wolf, disregarding your parents! The Qiu family raised you for nothing!”

“A venomous ger like you should be divorced and sold off by your husband’s family!”

“Hand over the money you earned and return it to the Qiu family, or we won’t leave today!”

“If you still have any conscience left, go to the county yamen and plead to have your brothers released!”

…

With Bao Ren and Meng Fuyue protecting him, Qiu Huanian made his way through the crowd and stopped beside Du Yunse. Seeing the worry in Du Yunse’s eyes, Qiu Huanian shook his head with a smile and then looked at the Qiu family members.

“Go to the county yamen and plead? Qiu Fu and Qiu Gui were arrested by the county yamen?”

“They were arrested, and my pleading would be of any use? What, am I some long-lost relative of the county magistrate?”

His blunt questioning left the Qiu family, who had been speaking evasively, momentarily speechless.

After all, they couldn’t exactly say, “They tried to abduct you but got caught, so now you should plead for their release!”

The villagers of Du Family Village and others who had come to watch the commotion all perked up their ears. That’s right—why did Qiu Fu and Qiu Gui getting arrested mean Qiu Huanian had to go plead for them?

“You, you—” Qiu Chuanzong was at a loss for words.

“What does this have to do with me? Explain it clearly first, or how am I supposed to plead?” Qiu Huanian feigned ignorance.

Qiu Chuanzong faltered, while Zhou shi’s eyes darted around before she came up with a plan.

“Hua ge’er, it’s really disappointing for you to say that. Wasn’t it because you disliked Du Yunse for being poor and turned to your maiden family, hoping to climb up to a higher branch? Your brothers got involved in a human trafficking case just to help you—you can’t just ignore them!”

As she spoke, Zhou shi kept glancing at Du Yunse, certain that no man could tolerate such a thing. Even if there was no evidence, as long as Du Yunse started to doubt, Qiu Huanian would have to lower his head and settle the matter quietly. Then, half the battle would be won!

Yet, contrary to Zhou shi’s expectations, Qiu Huanian showed no trace of panic. He simply turned to Du Yunse and asked, “Do you believe it?”

Du Yunse looked at him, his gaze filled with trust and indulgence. “Nonsense.”

Qiu Huanian chuckled. “Did you hear that? My man says he doesn’t believe it. Your attempts at sowing discord are rather weak.”

The onlookers, who had been harboring some doubts, dismissed them upon hearing Du Yunse’s straightforward response. After all, the little couple had a bond strong as gold—who would be so tactless as to meddle in their affairs?

Zhou shi was in disbelief. How could a man like Du Yunse exist in this world? He didn’t even suspect being cuckolded? Just as Zhao shi had said, Qiu Huanian must have already turned into a fox spirit, bewitching his man layer upon layer!

Seeing Zhou shi fail, Qiu Chuanzong finally reacted and threw out his trump card.

“When we sent you to the Du family, it was as a child husband, but no formal indenture was signed. You and Du Yunse are not officially married yet—you still belong to our Qiu family.”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qiu Chuanzong smirked smugly, narrowing his murky eyes as he threatened, “A parent’s decree is above all else. If you don’t obey me, tomorrow I’ll go to the county yamen and sell you off through a human trafficker!”