Chapter 5

Mother suddenly strode toward Bai Yuanqing, seized her hair, and slapped her. “You curse! How dare you endanger my son? He treated you so well—how could you repay kindness with treachery?”

If I could not see what Mother intended, then my rebirth had taught me nothing.

He Peizhi lay with his eyes closed. I smiled. “Rest, Mother. Leave Bai Yuanqing to me. I promise to dispose of her cleanly.”

Then I called deliberately, “Ah Jing, bring me the hoe. I’ll send this ungrateful dog to the next world myself.”

“B-Big Sister?” Ah Jing froze in fright.

“Go.”

“He Nian, you wouldn’t dare!” When Ah Jing actually obeyed, He Peizhi struggled upright and glared at me.

I smiled back. “You know whether I dare, Brother. We are refugees now. Killing a person is no harder than killing a chicken—one swing of the hoe.”

Taking the hoe from Ah Jing, I advanced on Bai Yuanqing one step at a time. She went deathly pale and shrank backward.

He Peizhi did not disappoint me. Before I reached her, he shouted, “Enough! Miss Bai did not harm me. I chose to drink the medicine. I am only a burden to everyone. I know my sister despises me for being useless.” His voice grew increasingly aggrieved.

Disgusted, I dropped the hoe and snapped, “You are useless. As grandson and son, you defy your elders and lack filial duty. As elder brother, you bully your siblings and lack benevolence.”

“You never intended to die. You swallowed her dangerous drug because you wanted everyone to coddle you as before—and force us to accept this pair of vipers.”

The villagers understood at once.

Under their suspicious gazes, He Peizhi was so humiliated that he fainted in earnest.

I had never meant to kill Bai Yuanqing yet. Her death would only deepen He Peizhi’s resentment and preserve her forever as the great lost love of his memory.

He adored his Qingqing so dearly. I wanted to see whether they could remain as passionately devoted in this life as in the last.

His scheme was plain. However much my parents deceived themselves, my grandparents would no longer favor him.

What use was raising the second-ranked imperial scholar if his heart was rotten? An ingrate remained an ingrate forever.

Around eleven that night, several of us sat by the fire to discuss the future. Grandpa said, “Since Peizhi loves that girl so much, he can marry her once we settle.”

Before He Peizhi could rejoice, Grandpa continued, “After the wedding, we divide the household. Second Son will no longer support Peizhi. You must plan for your own family.”

Second Uncle opened his mouth, then merely nodded in a daze.

Grandpa had always demanded that the whole family pull in one direction. In that moment he seemed much older, but this decision was long overdue.

“And we will say no more about Peizhi’s studies. A man must know gratitude and contentment. If he treats his family’s kindness as his due, he will only break their hearts.” Grandpa sighed and looked at He Peizhi with bitter disappointment.

Understanding him, He Peizhi panicked. Forgetting his vaunted manners, he dropped to his knees and knocked his forehead against the ground.

“Grandpa, I was wrong. I lost my senses for a moment. I swear I will never disappoint you again. I have so many ambitions. I want to give our family a good life and let you and Grandma live in comfort. Please let me continue my studies! I truly know I can succeed.”

No matter how he begged, Grandpa would not relent.

Leaning against a tree, I watched He Peizhi abase himself for his education and laughed scornfully.

Ah Jing, chewing licorice root, nudged my arm. “Big Sister, can Brother still study?”

Xiaochun’s hands paused over the straw sandal she was weaving. I stroked her head and answered firmly, “No.”

“But I think Mother and Father will soften. They always favor him.” Ah Jing pouted, looking at last like a child.

I raised an eyebrow at the starry sky. “Only if he still has the means. Besides, Grandpa and Grandma will never agree. Don’t worry. Big Sister will handle everything.”

Sometimes accidents could be arranged. I had done nothing yet only because the time was not right.

If they could not bear to finish him, they could hardly blame me for being ruthless.