The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 49: The Four Joys of Life

“Conscripting corvée labor? So soon?” Qiu Huanian was stunned.

When he learned from Hu Qiuyan that the imperial court was increasing conscription in several counties near the border, he had already anticipated that Zhang County, which was not far from the frontier, would not be spared. However, he had not expected it to happen so quickly.

“There’s less than a month until the autumn harvest…”

“Precisely because the autumn harvest is approaching.” Du Yunse slowly shook his head. “After the harvest, our dynasty will have ample provisions and idle manpower. The royal court of the grasslands understands this principle as well, so they will undoubtedly make one last desperate move before the harvest. Although Wu Shen has yet to send any relevant news, judging from the repeated corvée conscriptions along the border, the situation is already extremely tense.”

Those conscripted for corvée labor at the frontier were responsible for transporting grain and military supplies, constructing fortifications, clearing battlefields, and, if the army lacked sufficient numbers, even being sent to the battlefield to fight—making it the most perilous form of corvée labor, with little chance of survival.

“The border counties have already conscripted labor twice. To protect the land and ensure the autumn harvest, they cannot draft more in the short term, yet the frontier still lacks manpower, so they have no choice but to conscript from other regions.”

Qiu Huanian frowned with worry. “Will our area face a second round of conscription?”

Du Yunse’s expression remained grave. “Judging from County Magistrate Wang’s tone, it seems unavoidable.”

“…”

Qiu Huanian let out a sigh. His mind was already picturing the faces of those from Du Family Village who would be drafted for this corvée labor.

After spending over half a year in Du Family Village, he had grown familiar with these people, accustomed to seeing them day after day. After this conscription, he did not know if some of them would ever return.

“What about that imperial envoy who’s connected to the Second Prince?”

“This official was the one finally selected, after much debate at court, to conduct a strict investigation into border smuggling in Liaozhou.”

“His name is Zhao Tianyu. He was a jinshi in the sixteenth year of Yuanhua, and the mentor of that year’s jinshi class was none other than the Second Prince’s maternal grandfather. Zhao Tianyu received considerable favor from him and is personally skilled in construction and administration. He is adept at managing affairs and has risen quickly in the official ranks.”

The sixteenth year of Yuanhua was just six years ago. For Zhao Tianyu to ascend from jinshi to imperial envoy within six years was an extraordinarily rapid progression, even in the history of the Yu Dynasty.

“Why was the Second Prince’s man specifically chosen?”

“Perhaps as a matter of balance. The Third Prince has already been granted the title of Prince of Jin, so the Second Prince’s side must also be given something in return. Besides, Zhao Tianyu’s capabilities do make him suitable for this role.”

A counterweight? Who was making these counterweights? And what exactly was being balanced?

Aside from the emperor, who else had the authority to stand above the struggle for succession and manipulate the scales?

What was Emperor Yuanhua truly planning? He had placed the Crown Prince under house arrest but had not deposed him, while keeping the two most competitive adult princes firmly under his control, as if adjusting a scale.

Since they were in Liaozhou, they could not know the finer details of these matters, nor was there much need to think too deeply about them for now.

Du Yunse changed the subject. “I also learned the origins of the newly arrived Du Zirong and her two children.”

“What origins? Do they really have some connection to a prince in the capital?” Qiu Huanian grew interested.

Lately, Yuchuan, her younger brother, and Zirong had been lingering around his house, occasionally making sarcastic remarks. While they posed no real threat, they were quite annoying.

“The Second Prince has many merchants under his command, and Du Zirong’s husband, Bai Yanwen, is one of them. However, a few years ago, he fell out of favor for mishandling an assignment. This time, when the Second Prince needed merchants to accompany Zhao Tianyu to Liaozhou, Bai Yanwen happened to have years of experience doing business in the area, so he was given the opportunity to redeem himself by traveling here.”

“So that’s how it is. Serving a prince in the capital—it’s not entirely wrong to say so.”

Although the Second Prince had not yet been granted a title, as the emperor’s son and with a powerful maternal family, it was only a matter of time before he was made a prince.

Qiu Huanian found something odd. “Even if he fell out of favor, he was still working for a prince. His family’s wealth should be considerable. Why do his wife and children dress so plainly and live at Widow Zhuang’s house without ever spending money to improve their situation?”

Du Yunse replied, “County Magistrate Wang said that Bai Yanwen’s legitimate wife is a distant relative of the Second Prince’s consort. Du Zirong is likely a concubine. Now that they have returned to her family home, and Bai Yanwen remains in Zhang County, ignoring them entirely, there are likely many hidden disputes within his household.”

Qiu Huanian had not expected such a situation, but after thinking about it, it made sense.

Zirong had eloped back then, following a wealthy man of unknown origins and later forcing her mother to approve the marriage. She had not returned home for years, and the two families had no contact whatsoever—not even the exchange of New Year’s gifts—only occasional scraps of news. That did not resemble the usual relationship between in-laws.

Even among village folk, it was customary to exchange some rice and meat with in-laws during the New Year. But once Zirong had married into wealth, there had been no word from her.

If she had become a concubine to a wealthy merchant connected to a prince, while his legitimate wife had a noble background, then everything made sense. Du Family Village was not truly considered part of her husband’s family.

Still, Zirong had managed to remain in Bai Yanwen’s household for over a decade, even bearing a son and daughter. Her life had probably not been too harsh. Something must have changed recently to force her back to her maternal home.

Recalling Yuchuan’s haughty, contemptuous demeanor, Qiu Huanian chuckled and shook his head. “No wonder that girl acts like we’re all beneath her. She’s used to luxury. I wonder if she’ll ever adjust to life in Du Family Village.”

Now that he understood the background of Yuchuan and her family, Qiu Huanian felt completely at ease.

Their connection was merely through Bai Yanwen, who was linked to Zhao Tianyu, who in turn was backed by the Second Prince—a relationship so convoluted that, given their current circumstances, Yuchuan and her family could cause no real trouble.

“What does Magistrate Wang want to discuss with you at the county office?”

“Magistrate Wang has been entertaining Bai Yanwen for a few days now but is unsure of Zhao Tianyu’s intentions. He’s uneasy and wants to discuss it with me.”

“Sigh… Let’s hope this imperial envoy truly intends to investigate smuggling thoroughly, cutting off supplies to the grasslands, rather than merely engaging in power struggles and lining his own pockets.”

…

The day after Du Yunse’s return, the Zhang County government sent constables on horseback to the villages under its jurisdiction, delivering the order for additional corvée conscription. Farmers were gripped with fear, and even the ripening crops in the fields seemed to darken.

At the edge of the fields, brothers Yunting and Yunlei heard the news from their anxious family members. They put down their farming tools and exchanged a silent look, unsure of what to say.

“I’ll go,” Yunlei said. “Fifth Brother is about to get married. He finally found a good match, so we can’t let this delay things.”

“Yunlei, I—”

Yunlei waved a rough hand, grinning. “No need to say anything, Fifth Brother. It’s always the unmarried and the young who go for corvée labor. I have the least attachments among us. If I don’t make it back, just pass my name on to a child in the family so I won’t be forgotten.”

Yunting wrung his hands helplessly, struggling to find the right words. Yunlei clapped his older brother on the shoulder.

“There are seven days before we depart for the frontier. Fifth Brother, go talk to Sister-in-law’s family and see if the wedding can be held early. Let me have a good meal at your wedding feast before I go.”

Yunting took a deep breath. “…Alright.”

Apart from Yunting and Yunlei, many families in Du Village were also arguing over who should go for the corvée labor.

Some families with bad relations or few brothers even got into heated arguments and physical fights over it. After all, this time the corvée labor was different—it was likely to cost lives.

The clan leader’s family was also facing the same problem. After sending away the yamen officer who had come to deliver the orders, the clan leader gathered all the family members in the main house.

According to the laws of the Yu Dynasty, men between the ages of twelve and sixty could be called for corvée labor. This meant that the clan leader’s three sons and his eldest grandson, Yun Cheng, were all eligible.

“In seven days, the newly recruited corvée laborers from Zhang County will set out for the border. The three of you brothers should discuss among yourselves.”

The third son, Baoli, frowned. “Just spend five or six taels of silver to buy someone from a poor family with many sons to take the name. Isn’t that what the wealthier families in the village are doing?”

“Even if every household has to send one person this time, it only means the price will be higher, but it’s still doable.”

When it comes to money, sometimes human lives don’t count for much.

The clan leader sighed and shook his head. Instead of looking at his third son, he asked his eldest, “Baoren, you tell me why not.”

Baoren said in a deep voice, “The fact that the court is recruiting people household by household shows how urgent the situation is. Many families are already unwilling to send someone for the corvée. If Father, as the clan leader, does not set an example by sending his own sons and grandson, there will surely be those who refuse to comply. If the recruitment does not go smoothly, the county magistrate will not be pleased either.”

The clan leader nodded slowly. Before he could speak, Baoli’s eldest son, Yunzhe, boldly spoke up, relying on his young age. “Then let Second Uncle go! He’s the most idle one in the family. My mother is pregnant, so my father absolutely can’t go.”

Standing in the corner, Cunlan’s hand clenched instantly, her nails digging painfully into her palm.

Ye Taohong couldn’t hold back and said, “It’s Baoli’s wife who’s pregnant, not him! Why should that mean he can’t go? Is his wife’s pregnancy so much more precious than anyone else’s?”

“Second daughter-in-law, stop shouting when we’re discussing serious matters,” the clan leader frowned and interrupted Ye Taohong. “Yunzhe, as a junior, you shouldn’t speak out of turn either.”

Ye Taohong still wanted to argue, but Meng Fu Yue pulled her back. Meng Fu Yue knew her father-in-law well—he would not tolerate family members quarreling. Ye Taohong’s outburst would only put her at a greater disadvantage.

Baoren didn’t want to see his two younger brothers fight over this matter. Although he also didn’t want to go, he knew there was no way to avoid it. “Father, why don’t I go? Our family has both me and Yun Cheng. It would be fairer if I went.”

The clan leader knocked his cane against the ground. “What do you mean, your family and my family? We haven’t split up yet! Since ancient times, unless absolutely necessary, when has the eldest son ever been sent to take risks?”

The clan leader paused for a moment before speaking again. “The third daughter-in-law is pregnant, so it’s indeed not a good time for the third son to leave. Second son, you will go this time.”

Baoyi’s heart sank. He met his father’s gaze and finally gritted his teeth. “Alright, I’ll go.”

Ye Taohong’s eyes filled with tears. Cunlan held her still-unaware younger brother as her mind buzzed. Yunzhe deliberately shot her a provocative look, but Cunlan bit her lip and remained silent.

The clan leader thought for a moment before saying, “Letting the second son go is considering the third daughter-in-law’s pregnancy, but we can’t let the second son take all the loss. The third son will have to take on more work in the future. Second daughter-in-law, go to the public funds later and take two taels of silver—one for you and one for Cunlan—to make yourselves a fine set of clothes.”

The clan leader made his decision. “That’s settled, then. Eldest daughter-in-law, help prepare the second son’s travel gear in the coming days.”

After leaving the main house, Baoyi’s family returned to their own quarters. Ye Taohong finally couldn’t hold back her tears.

Baoyi bent over to comfort her. “When you first married me, you didn’t think much of me. This time, why doesn’t my leaving suit your wishes?”

Ye Taohong, eyes red, spat, “That was years ago! You still hold a grudge over it?”

“Big Brother only has Yun Cheng, but Yun Cheng is promising. The third brother has already had three sons, and the one in the belly might be another one. Father dotes on them endlessly. But our second branch has always been the punching bag.”

“If you don’t come back, don’t expect me to stay here waiting. I’ll take Cunlan and return to my parents’ house to remarry. Our son can stay with the Du family since you people value sons so much. As for our daughter, you never cared about her anyway.”

Baoyi hugged her, heart aching. “Who said I don’t care about our daughter? Our Lan girl is our treasure. This time, Father finally agreed to give you silver for new clothes. Haven’t you always secretly envied Hua Ge and Jiu Jiu? Aren’t you happy about it?”

Ye Taohong’s nose stung, and she choked up. “If it means trading your life for it, even if you gave me a phoenix coronet and red robe, what good would it do? I might as well buy mourning clothes in advance.”

“Why do you speak of such bad luck? It’s not that dangerous. You’re cursing me now,” Baoyi wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes with his rough thumb. “I promise you, I’ll come back safe and sound. We still have to save for Lan girl’s dowry and find her a good husband.”

Cunlan watched her parents crying together. Holding her little brother in her arms, she silently wept on the kang bed. She didn’t want new clothes. She would rather not go to school, not learn to read, and do all the housework every day if it meant she wouldn’t have to risk losing her father.

…

The shadow of the court’s corvée recruitment loomed over Du Village. Even though Qiu Huanian’s family had no worries about it, they were still affected.

The villagers, who used to have good relationships, had recently stopped visiting each other. Even on the road, there were fewer people to greet, and everyone seemed preoccupied and worried.

Just like that, three to five days passed, and finally, a joyous event spread through the village.

Qiu Huanian received the wedding invitation from Yun Lei and said with a smile, “Yun Ting is finally getting married. We must go and help.”

Yun Lei replied politely, “The date was set too hastily, and the preparations are not very thorough. As long as you’re willing to come, that’s enough.”

Qiu Huanian asked, “Is it your family’s turn to send someone for the corvée labor?”

Yun Lei nodded. “That’s right. I’m the youngest, and I haven’t been engaged yet, so I’m the most suitable choice. Before I leave, we’re handling my fifth brother’s wedding first—it also brings some joy to the village.”

Qiu Huanian understood. Besides the reason Yun Lei mentioned, there was another one—if Yun Lei were to die out there, the family would have to deal with a funeral, and no one would know when the wedding could take place.

Yun Ting’s wedding was being rushed, and the very next day would be the official ceremony. After dinner, Qiu Huanian packed up a pile of things and took Jiujiu along to help.

Yun Ting and Yun Lei had worked at their house for several months, and they had built a strong bond. Qiu Huanian wanted to help these hardworking and diligent brothers however he could.

Yun Ting’s family was one of the poorest in the village. They didn’t even have enough tables for the banquet and had to go around borrowing from every household.

Qiu Huanian found two tables and eight stools, which Yun Lei had already taken earlier.

Tomorrow’s banquet would be serving the “Four Big Bowls,” a term commonly used in the village.

Though called “big bowls,” each bowl was only the size of a fist. Every table would have one bowl of pork, one bowl of chicken, one bowl of meatballs, and one bowl of stir-fried eggs—enough to make up the “Four Big Bowls” of meat dishes.

Once these meat dishes were finished, they wouldn’t be replenished. Each person could only have a small taste. In addition, there would be large plates of pickled vegetables, greens, and other cheap vegetarian dishes that could be refilled to ensure everyone got enough to eat.

Families with slightly better financial conditions had more meat in their “Four Big Bowls,” while poorer families could only afford a little bit of meat mixed with vegetables.

The beans and eggplants in the vegetable garden were growing well, so Qiu Huanian picked more than half a basket of each and delivered them all to Yun Ting’s house. In addition, he bought two pounds of pork and five pounds of tofu to add to the banquet.

Yun Ting’s family had gone to town themselves and bought five pounds of pork, one chicken, and a pile of cheap offal, which they minced for making meatballs. On average, each bowl of meat dishes contained only a few slices of meat.

This was already an improvement thanks to the money Yun Ting and Yun Lei had saved from working at Qiu Huanian’s house this year. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to afford this level of a banquet. If things were any worse, Yun Ting wouldn’t have remained unmarried at twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

Qiu Huanian was pulled aside by Yun Ting’s family to sit and chat for a while. Meng Fuyue and Ye Taohong, two sisters-in-law, also arrived.

When the clan leader heard that Yun Ting was getting married, he sympathized with their difficult situation and asked Meng Fuyue to bring over a slaughtered hen and half a basket of eggs.

Yun Ting’s family happily accepted the things Qiu Huanian and Meng Fuyue brought. With these extra ingredients, tomorrow’s banquet would be slightly more generous.

Apart from Qiu Huanian and the clan leader’s family, other villagers also contributed what they could. However, since most families were struggling financially, they didn’t bring any extra meat.

Qiu Huanian and Meng Fuyue sat around chatting. The hottest topic in the village recently was, of course, the corvée labor.

“Will your family send someone personally, or will you pay someone to take their place?”

“My father-in-law has already made arrangements—he’s sending Baoyi.”

Baoyi? Qiu Huanian hadn’t expected to hear that name. If they were deciding by age, Yun Cheng was actually the youngest. However, since he had already passed the child scholar exam at such a young age and had a bright future ahead, the clan leader’s family would never let him go.

But even if Yun Cheng wasn’t going, Baoyi still had a younger brother, Baoli. Both of them were married with children—why had they skipped over the youngest and chosen the second son, Baoyi?

“My third sister-in-law is already several months pregnant. My father-in-law feels sorry for the unborn child, so he didn’t send Baoli.” Meng Fuyue gave a vague explanation.

Qiu Huanian noticed that Ye Taohong was wearing silk clothes today. Cunlan also had a new set, but neither of them looked happy about their new outfits. A thought formed in his mind.

The affairs of the clan leader’s family were not something Qiu Huanian could comment on. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Ye Taohong, who seemed rather downcast, and said, “Uncle Baoyi is leaving, and we don’t know when he’ll be back. Auntie, if you and Cunlan ever feel bored, you’re welcome to visit my house. Jiujiu and Cunlan are good friends—they can study and embroider together.”

Ye Taohong had been feeling troubled. Her father-in-law had been urging her to quickly buy fabric and make new clothes for herself and Cunlan, all so Baoyi could feel reassured before leaving.

She and Cunlan had made a special trip to the county to pick out their favorite silk fabric and had rushed to finish sewing the outfits overnight. She had once envied others who wore silk, but now that she was dressed in it herself, she felt no joy at all.

She had also been worrying about how she and her children would manage once Baoyi was gone. Hearing Qiu Huanian’s invitation, she immediately agreed with delight.

Since Baoli didn’t have to go because his wife was pregnant, and their family had more sons, it was only natural for their household to take on more chores, right?

In any case, she would only do her fair share of the work and wouldn’t worry about others anymore.

Once she finished her chores, she would take Cunlan to chat with Qiu Huanian. Cunlan could study and learn more with Jiujiu—far better than staying at home and being bullied by the boys in the third branch of the family.

…

The next morning, shortly after sunrise, the sound of gongs and drums came from outside the courtyard.

Qiu Huanian opened the gate and saw Yun Ting’s wedding procession returning.

Yun Ting, riding a mule draped in red fabric borrowed from Qiu Huanian’s house, led the way. Behind him were musicians playing gongs and drums, followed by a somewhat worn-out sedan chair carried by four people.

The musicians, sedan chair, and bearers had all been hired from town at the cheapest rate, costing one qian of silver for just one morning’s use.

Inside the sedan chair, Yun Ting’s new husband sat. Through the slightly misfitting curtain that bobbed up and down, his red veil and wedding attire could be glimpsed.

His dowry had already arrived the night before—two sets of bedding laid on the wedding bed, a brand-new cabinet in the room, and a spinning wheel, a generous dowry for a rural family.

Qiu Huanian watched as Yun Ting, beaming with joy, rode past his courtyard, grinning from ear to ear as he greeted everyone along the road. A group of five- or six-year-old children followed, clamoring for sweets.

At some point, Du Yunse appeared beside Qiu Huanian, but instead of looking at the wedding procession, he gazed directly at his own spouse.

“Next year, let’s hold our own wedding.”

Qiu Huanian blinked, then realized that he and Du Yunse were indeed missing a grand, memorable wedding.

He was someone who valued rituals. In his previous life, he never had the chance. Now that he was in this era, with a beloved partner, he naturally wouldn’t want to forgo it.

However… he couldn’t let someone get so smug so easily.

Qiu Huanian looked at Du Yunse with smiling eyes and deliberately said, “Who said I agreed to marry you? If you want to marry me, it’s not going to be that easy.”

Du Yunse smoothly followed his lead and asked, “Then what would it take for Hua-ge to agree?”

Qiu Huanian pressed his knuckle against his chin, pretending to think seriously for a moment. “Have you ever heard of the Four Great Joys of Life?”

“Please enlighten me, Hua-ge’er.”

“The Four Great Joys of Life are: timely rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a distant land,”

“the wedding night, and—”

“the moment of achieving top honors in the imperial exam.”

Qiu Huanian’s lips curled into a smile as he spoke the last phrase, his tone lingering and meaningful.

“Master Du, the great literary star, as the saying goes, good things come in pairs, never alone. If you haven’t achieved the latter yet, don’t even think about the former.”

Taking advantage of the doorframe’s cover, his delicate and beautiful face suddenly leaned in close to Du Yunse. His eyes were bright and clear, his breath carried a faint fragrance, making Du Yunse’s heart pound—he wanted nothing more than to hold this person tightly in his arms.

Qiu Huanian admired the sudden darkness and restraint in Du Yunse’s eyes, narrowing his own beautiful eyes in satisfaction.

Who told Du Yunse to always maintain that proper and virtuous appearance? Since his medicine hadn’t run out yet and there was no chance of any intimacy happening soon, he might as well make him impatient.

As the festive sounds of suona horns and drums still echoed in the air, gradually fading into the distance, Du Yunse suddenly lowered his head and kissed the corner of Qiu Huanian’s lips, which were curled up like a cunning little fox.

After the kiss, Du Yunse gazed at Qiu Huanian’s slightly flushed cheeks and said in a husky voice, “The moment I achieve top honors in the exam will be our wedding night. Hua-ge’er, you promised this yourself—I’ll remember it.”

“I will give you the best.”

He wanted to claim this person completely in the most triumphant, most glorious moment of his life, when a future of boundless success and radiance was unfolding before him.

To spend a lifetime together, to promise eternity—one life, and beyond.