Chapter 5
The novel never explained in much detail why disaster befell the Qi family.
All I knew was that Qi Sanyuan had won a battle at the frontier, then bragged that he was the imperial court’s “pillar that steadied the sea.”
A hostile official later reported his words.
Several other minor offenses were dug up, and a group of officials impeached him together.
In recognition of Qi Sanyuan’s victory, the emperor did not pursue the matter too harshly.
He merely stripped Qi Sanyuan of his post, confiscated his property, and sentenced him to one hundred strokes of the court cane.
In short, the only thing Qi Sanyuan got to keep was the underwear on his body.
My only response was a dry “ha.”
Who were you to call yourself the “pillar that steadied the sea”?
His Majesty had never even claimed that title for himself!
And how had you managed to make so many enemies?
I sat in the teahouse across the street, watching Qi Sanyuan stand thunderstruck as chest after chest was carried from his home.
Lan’er kicked and screamed, trying to save the few pieces of jewelry she had brought with her.
One of the palace eunuchs kindly explained,
“A dowry counts as Qi family property too.”
Lan’er thought of me then. Her eyes narrowed.
“Hua Yan’s dowry! She took it away without permission!
“My lords, hurry and confiscate it!”
Good heavens! What had I ever done to her?
The eunuch’s mouth twitched.
“She is already divorced from him…
“Miss, that is going rather too far…”
Once the estate had been emptied, Qi Sanyuan was pinned down in public, and the court cane fell mercilessly across his body.
At first he managed to bear it. Later, perhaps the pain became too great—and he had not slipped the executioners any silver.
They really did beat him as though they meant to kill him.
Qi Sanyuan began shrieking like a pig being slaughtered.
At a signal from me, Xiaomei had the teahouse musicians stop playing.
A smile curled my lips as I sipped tea and ate pastries to the music of his delightful screams.
Hua Yan, I borrowed your body.
Consider this my compensation to you.
When the show was over and the crowd dispersed, I strolled over to the Qi residence… No! It could only be called the Qi house now.
And even that house was included in the confiscation.
Which meant that first thing tomorrow morning, Qi Sanyuan and his true love would be homeless.
Tsk! How tragic!
Please, keep up the good work.
When I entered, Qi Sanyuan was receiving his “second beating” of the day.
His father wielded a shoulder pole, raining blows down on the son who lay helpless on the ground.
“Your mother and I went to a Buddhist temple to pray for blessings, and you tore the whole family apart while we were gone?!
“Hua Yan was such a wonderful girl, and you divorced her!
“Then what manner of creature did you bring into this house instead?
“And you call yourself the pillar that steadies the sea?!
“Come on, then! Get up! Let me see what you’re really made of!”
Mother Qi glared darkly at Lan’er, looking as though she very much wanted to slap her.
According to the novel, Qi Sanyuan’s parents were actually good people who protected Hua Yan from beginning to end.
Unfortunately, after the confiscation, shock and rage overwhelmed them, while Qi Sanyuan and Lan’er infuriated them beyond endurance.
They died not long afterward.
Everyone turned to stare as I entered.
Qi Sanyuan’s parents looked ashamed and unable to face me.
Qi Sanyuan’s eyes brightened. He thought old affection had brought me here out of concern for him.
Lan’er cursed viciously instead.
“You came to laugh at us, didn’t you?
“You venomous woman!”
The corner of my mouth twitched.
“Your man is still lying on the ground. Shouldn’t you help him up first?”
While Lan’er reluctantly went to help the mud- and blood-covered Qi Sanyuan from the ground,
I walked up to his father, who still looked ready to continue the beating.
“Elder Qi, you must not hit him anymore.”
Qi Sanyuan’s eyes instantly gleamed with hope.
His father, however, noticed that I had changed how I addressed him and sighed.
Just as Qi Sanyuan looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to plead on his behalf, I continued,
“It doesn’t matter if you beat him senseless. What matters is that you don’t ruin your own health in your anger.”
Qi Sanyuan’s expression changed at once.
“Hua Yan, you—”
I ignored him entirely, treating him as mere background noise.
“Elder Qi, I fear the authorities will repossess this house tomorrow.
“Why don’t you and your wife stay at my home for the time being?”
Qi Sanyuan’s parents repeatedly waved their hands, insisting they could not impose.
Lan’er, on the other hand, looked openly hopeful, her eyes darting from side to side.
In the end, after I pestered them without mercy, Qi Sanyuan’s parents relented. They insisted it would be temporary and that they would move out as soon as they found another home.
As we left, Lan’er supported Qi Sanyuan while the two followed behind us.
I pretended not to understand.
“Why are you following me?”
Lan’er answered as though it were obvious.
“We’re going home!”
I laughed.
“My home is mine. What does it have to do with either of you?
“It’s too small to accommodate two faces as shamelessly large as yours.”
Qi Sanyuan’s face turned red, then white. He frowned.
“Stop making a scene, Hua Yan…”
Before I could speak, his father spat directly in his face.
“If you can’t find a mirror, take a piss!
“Have a good look at yourself!
“You think you’re worthy of Yan’er?
“I bitterly regret arranging this marriage for you!”