Chapter 20 If There’s No Sharing, Then Let’s Eat

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and go serve the master!” the steward barked at Fujuan.

She nodded quietly and turned to walk toward the back courtyard.

She hadn’t gone far when Ai Wanhua stormed over, shoving her roughly to the ground before pushing the door open and barging in.

“Father, are you just going to let Li Yi off so easily?” Ai Wanhua exploded with rage, kicking a round stool across the room and sending every ornament atop the table crashing to the floor.

When at last his tantrum had run its course, he slumped into a chair, breathing heavily.

Ai Yingjia fixed his younger son with a steely gaze.

“I’ve warned you before: don’t push people too far. Don’t bring shame to our family. Now look at you—your face is swollen like a pig’s head, covered in plasters, absolutely ridiculous. Haven’t you brought this all on yourself?”

Ai Wanhua’s face twisted with venomous resentment as he ground his teeth.

“I’ll kill Li Yi if it’s the last thing I do. I’ll have my revenge.”

Ai Yingjia’s tone was grave. “Revenge? Li Yi is shrewd and formidable—a true man of talent and strength. You want revenge? Have you forgotten the lesson he’s already taught you?”

“So I’m supposed to just swallow this humiliation?”

Ai Yingjia sneered coldly, slamming his cane against the floor as he slowly stood.

“My original intent was to win Li Yi over, make him a sharp blade for our family. The battlefield is perilous; if he could help your elder brother distinguish himself, it would be worth sparing him. But he refused to see reason.”

“Then what do you plan, Father?” Ai Wanhua’s eyes blazed with hope.

“That Li Yi is a rebel at heart, refusing to acknowledge rank or status. Even at his age, he knows how to win people’s loyalty, and he’s disrespectful to our family. In time, he’ll only grow more defiant, stirring up the villagers and becoming a threat.”

Ai Yingjia’s expression darkened, murderous intent flickering in his gaze. “If he won’t serve as our tool, then he must die.”

Ai Wanhua leapt to his feet in excitement. “I’ll gather some swordsmen tonight and finish him off!”

“Wait.” Ai Yingjia raised a hand to stop him, watching his son intently. “We are men of gold and jade, not clay and rubble. If we slip up and Li Yi seeks revenge, it could destroy us both. Remember: a thief can strike at any time, but you can’t be on guard forever.”

“Then what do you suggest, Father?”

“Our family is known for benevolence and righteousness. We can’t dirty our own hands. Let the authorities play the villain.”

Ai Yingjia spoke in a low, deliberate voice: “Take my card to General Wu Zimian of Yansui and have him send troops to assist. Then, have Yan Zibin dispatch officials to press the Li family village for taxes and grain, pushing Li Yi to retaliate. Once he resists, accuse him of tax evasion and collusion with bandits. The soldiers can execute him on the spot. And once he’s gone, his betrothed will be yours.”

Ai Wanhua clapped with glee. “Father, you’re truly cunning.”

“Hm?”

“I mean, wise and calculating—truly wise and calculating.”

Ai Yingjia shook his head in exasperation, as if disappointed, and admonished, “For now, focus on recovering from your injuries. Don’t provoke Li Yi and risk alerting him.”

“I understand, Father,” Ai Wanhua replied. He hated Li Yi bitterly, but he also feared him. Without support, he wasn’t about to risk his neck.

Just then, a teacup shattered outside.

Ai Yingjia stepped out, pained at the loss. “This was a fine Ru kiln piece, you wretched maid! Someone come here!”

Fujuan fell to her knees, trembling. “Please, Master, forgive me—it slipped from my hands.”

“Slipped? Your worthless life isn’t even worth that cup.”

He ordered someone to fetch bamboo rods and mercilessly beat Fujuan until he was exhausted.

Bruised and battered, Fujuan crept back to the servants’ quarters and curled up in a ball.

Meanwhile, outside the Ai family estate, Li Yi was met by Li Guo, Gao Jie, and several others who gathered around him.

At the city gate, a crowd of villagers had assembled. On seeing Li Yi emerge, they surged forward.

Li Guo, curious about the four baskets following Li Yi, lifted the cloth covering one.

“Mother! That’s a lot of copper coins!”

Li Guo’s eyes widened as he threw himself at the coins, letting them pour through his hands.

Li Yi smacked him on the back of the head, scolding, “You’re too young to be so greedy!”

Li Guo grinned foolishly, clutching a basket of coins as if unwilling to let go.

Li Yi hauled him up and kicked the basket over. The coins scattered across the ground, drawing cries of surprise from the villagers.

“Brother Yi, what are you doing?” Li Zijin asked, baffled.

Li Yi motioned for patience, then stood atop the steps and called out in a loud voice, “Fellow villagers, these coins are compensation from Master Ai. Without your help today, I would never have gotten them. So, let’s split the money among us all.”

He had exchanged ten taels of silver for copper coins precisely so they could be divided among the villagers.

Li Yi had expected everyone would be delighted, but instead, a hush fell over the crowd.

Puzzled, he watched as Elder Gao stepped forward, his expression solemn.

“Li family lad, we know you’re capable. But you’re a son of Ganquan, and we didn’t help you for money or for thanks. We helped because we see you as one of our own.”

Li Yi replied, a little embarrassed, “Elder Gao, that wasn’t my intention.”

“I know you’re a decent young man and can’t stand to see folks work for nothing,” Elder Gao said, nodding. “But by doing this, you make us outsiders, and that would hurt our feelings.”

Li Yi’s great-grandfather also spoke up. “Yi, Master Ai and Magistrate Yan only backed down because of you. We’re just simple folk scraping by and didn’t do much. As for dividing the money, let’s not speak of it.”

The villagers all shouted their agreement, saying that taking money would be an insult.

Seeing this, Li Yi could only bow deeply and declare in a resonant voice, “Then we won’t split the money, but we can’t skip the meal. Everyone, please come to my family’s manor. I’ll host a feast, and from now on, we’ll be one family.”

“Well said!” Elder Gao laughed, stroking his beard.

“Yes, let’s all go!”

“Brother Yi’s made his fortune; let’s enjoy a good meal!”

The villagers chatted excitedly as they followed the Li family elders toward the estate.

Li Yi picked up the half-basket of coins left and handed it to Li Zijin.

“Brother, take a few men and buy chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep from the other villages, then have them slaughtered and brought back for the feast.”

Li Zijin nodded. “Don’t worry, Yi. This is a big event for our village, and I’ll make sure everything goes perfectly.”

With that, he took the coins and left with several sturdy friends.

Gao Jie approached, watching the departing crowd. “Brother Li, you’re truly remarkable. I can’t believe you came through this unscathed.”

Li Yi turned to him with a smile. “It wasn’t me—it’s that the Ai family and Yan Zibin were afraid. If I feared them, they’d run roughshod over me. But today, they feared I’d make them bleed on the spot, so they had to swallow their pride. In the end, they’re just paper tigers.”

Gao Jie laughed heartily. “Paper tigers—well said, Brother Li!”

“So you’re not afraid of Ai Yingjia and Yan Zibin anymore, are you?”

Gao Jie curled his lip, his voice cold. “This world, I’ve long since had enough. If they dare to cross me, I’ll cut off their heads in the night.”

A glint flashed in Li Yi’s eyes. He lowered his voice. “Brother Gao, I have a business proposal for you. Do you dare?”

“What wouldn’t I dare? Tell me.”

“Next month, the Ai family has an important shipment coming to the official granary. Will you join me in taking it?”

Li Yi laid out his plan.

Gao Jie frowned, silent for a long moment, then said awkwardly, “The Ai family’s goods aren’t easy to seize. Let me talk it over with my brothers first.”

Li Yi understood—men like Gao Jie had many ties.

“There’s no rush, but please be careful. Don’t let word get out.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”