Ch 30: Reborn to Raise My Husband

The third day of the third lunar month was the Shangsi Festival.

On this day, Madam Li of the Zheng family hosted two banquet tables.

She invited a few well-connected and well-liked women and husbands from the village, those she usually got along with, to her home for food and wine.

The Zhengs were considered one of the wealthiest families in the village. Zheng Dalang was renowned for his carpentry across the surrounding ten villages and even owned a successful shop in the county.

Their countryside home was built beautifully—whitewashed walls, blue-tiled roof, and a wide, spacious courtyard.

The household was generous, and Madam Li enjoyed making connections. She often held banquets and invited guests for food and drink.

Madam Li was the daughter of a tofu shop owner from the county, fair and lovely in appearance. After meeting Zheng Dalang, she married into the village.

Zheng Dalang treated her well—after twenty years of marriage, she’d never been asked to do fieldwork, and together they had five sons.

In rural households, having many sons was highly valued. Madam Li’s fertility brought her favor from the elders in the Zheng family, and her days were far more comfortable than most wives and husbands.

“Knowing I was hosting today’s banquet for Madam Li, Old Zheng went to my father’s shop early in the morning to bring back fresh tofu, just so I could treat everyone properly.”

Madam Li smiled as she spoke to Madam Zhang, “Try it later and see if it suits your taste. Bring some back to make tofu soup for Guangzong—he’s been studying hard lately, take care of his health.”

Madam Zhang replied, “He loves your tofu, always says it’s tender and sweet. He’s lucky to have you looking out for him.”

Madam Li was known for her friendliness. After marrying into the village, it was only natural she became close with the village head’s wife, Madam Zhang.

Not to mention they were old acquaintances—their family shops were on the same alleyway in the county.

Several familiar faces sat together in the room. Even the matchmaker, Madam Qiao, was present, sipping tea and chatting idly.

They talked about how the weather this year had been good, with plenty of rain—great for the crops.

They also discussed which girls and boys in the village had come of age and whose marriages were being arranged.

Just as the chatter was in full swing, a voice suddenly called in from the courtyard:

“Madam Li, I’m late!”

The women inside paused. The voice was unfamiliar, and all craned their necks to see who it was.

It was Qin Niazi, who had gone to be a concubine at the manor!

“What’s she doing here?”

Seeing Madam Li smiling and going out to welcome her, Madam Zhang muttered under her breath.

Sitting beside her, Matchmaker Qiao paused in her seed-cracking and said,

“Madam Li is well-connected—how could she not reach out to someone from the manor? We women can’t exactly invite the menfolk to our homes to drink, so we naturally invite their pillow companions.”

Madam Zhang understood the reasoning. Though she didn’t much care for Qin Niazi because of Qi Beinan, she wouldn’t show it—after all, they were all Madam Li’s guests today.

Soon, Qin Niazi was led in by Madam Li, arm in arm.

She wore her hair in the latest spring bun style popular in the city, adorned with a peach blossom silver comb.

Her jacket was a fine cloth in a rose shade embroidered with a joyous bird, and she wore a light-colored skirt. Though she was in her early thirties, she had dressed herself to appear fresh and youthful.

“I came in a rush, didn’t bring anything special. Just a bottle of pomegranate wine and two packets of cherry crisps, something for everyone to nibble on during the festival.”

As she lifted the items, the two silver rings on her index and middle fingers glinted.

Everyone in the room murmured in surprise. They had heard life was good for those at the manor, but they hadn’t expected her to look this prosperous.

If even a concubine was dressed in silver and fine fabrics, what must the main wife be wearing—silk and gold?

They couldn’t quite figure out just how wealthy that Steward Zhu really was, but seeing Qin Niazi’s presentation, it was clear she was favored.

Everyone had their own thoughts.

Though they had once looked down on her, now that she looked so well-off, they all quickly warmed up to her:

“I’ve only ever heard of cherry crisps—they’re so expensive. Thanks to Madam Li’s banquet, we get to taste some today!”

Qin Niazi, pleased with the flattery, said with a smile, “If you like them, Liu Fulang, I’ll send some to you another day.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose.”

“Madam Qin, don’t just stand there—come sit down. Have some tea to moisten your throat. The days in March aren’t as cold as before. The weather’s finally brightening up.”

Madam Kong, who had just greeted her, called her over as well.

Qin Niazi responded with a smile, sat down, took a sip of tea, and glanced around the room.

She recognized everyone: Madam Zhang of the village head’s household, Matchmaker Qiao, Liu Fulang who dealt in fresh fish from their own pond, and Madam Kong who owned the most land in the village…

All of them were from wealthy families.

“Madam Qin, your silver rings are quite lovely. I have one too, but it looks ugly on me.”

“I’d say it’s not the ring that’s ugly—it’s just that Madam Qin has such nice hands. Slender and elegant—anything would look good on them.”

Several women sitting near her began praising her.

Liu Fulang joked, “I’m just teasing. These hands of mine are rough like wooden mallets from all the housework. Nothing looks good on them.”

Qin Niazi felt euphoric. She thought to herself: coming here today was absolutely worth it.

Back when she was still in the Xiao household, she had never even dared to cozy up to these people—they’d all looked down on her.

But the wheel of fortune turns. Who would’ve guessed these same folks would now flatter her?

Being praised by people from well-off families was an entirely different feeling than being buttered up by poor ones.

Her heart swelled, and she began to speak louder and with more pride.

Off to the side, Madam Zhang and Matchmaker Qiao exchanged a smile and continued snacking on melon seeds.

“This batch of pumpkin seeds must’ve been stir-fried with sugar and salt—so fragrant.”

Someone with sharp eyes noticed that Madam Zhang, the village head’s wife, hadn’t said a word to Qin Niazi since her arrival. Rather than currying favor, she stayed firmly surrounded by her own circle.

“If she’d had another path, why would she have gone to be a concubine? Life is hard for women and fulangs alike.”

“She had a decent life before—all of us villagers are kind. It’s not like I wanted to leave. If I hadn’t been forced to, who would willingly throw away their days?”

Madam Zhang had been sipping her tea and wasn’t paying much mind to whatever sob story Qin Niazi and her crowd were spinning—until a few words of pitiful lament reached her ears.

“It was that hunter who drove you out! What kind of man is that? He’s never home, you were the one taking care of the child and the house, and yet he was so heartless?”

Qin Niazi dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice trembling: “That Qi boy—he wasn’t even blood-related to the Xiao family. He was only connected by a marriage arrangement made for Bao Ge’er. He clung to that to come all the way here and latch onto the household.”

“I thought it was improper for a future son-in-law to move in before the marriage, but I pitied him, having lost his parents. I figured if he wanted to stay, then fine. Who knew I must’ve offended him somehow—he kept stirring things up behind the scenes, persuading the hunter to send me back to my maiden home.”

“He must’ve still been thinking about little Sun-niang from before, thinking I stole her place, and so tried to get rid of me.”

Qin Niazi choked up. “And the hunter believed him and not me. After everything I did for that family, I ended up as the outsider.”

“Qin Niazi, you’re not afraid of divine punishment, saying things like this?”

The room, which had been filled with sympathy just moments ago, was suddenly silenced by a sharp voice.

Everyone turned to look—Madam Zhang, the village head’s wife, had spoken. The bright and open hall went so quiet you could hear the cuckoos outside.

Qin Niazi sniffled and looked mournfully at Madam Zhang. “Village Head’s wife, what do you mean by that?”

Madam Zhang stood up straight: “You know exactly why you divorced. No one here was criticizing you or picking at old wounds—but now you’re here twisting the story and pretending to be pitiful.”

“Even though you and the Xiao family parted ways, they never spoke ill of you once. Qi Beinan and the others never said a word to tarnish your name. But now you come back and turn the tables, gossiping about others at a banquet—who’s the one really stirring things up?”

Madam Zhang was clearly angry. She had intended to ignore Qin Niazi entirely, but seeing her acting pitiful and twisting the truth infuriated her. Her temper flared at once.

These days, Guangzong had no private tutor to study under—he was relying solely on the handwritten notes left behind by Qi Beinan’s late father, which Qi had gifted to him.

Even without that kindness, she wouldn’t have tolerated Qin Niazi’s dramatics, especially knowing the truth behind her being cast out: that she’d mistreated the child.

Still, neither the Xiao family nor Qi Beinan had ever complained aloud. Even during the divorce, they had shown restraint and left her some dignity.

Yet here she was, playing victim, spinning lies, and dragging others down with her.

If she didn’t cause trouble in the Xiao household, just staying in the village was enough to be an eyesore.

Qin Niazi had not expected Madam Zhang to step in so fiercely and was momentarily stunned into silence.

She resumed her performance, feigning hurt: “Village Head’s wife, you’re a righteous woman. Are you looking down on me because I’ve become a concubine?”

Madam Zhang sneered: “Save that act. A whole room full of wives and fulangs—who are you trying to impress with your nonsense?”

“Whether you’re a concubine or a main wife is your business. But spreading lies around the village—well, I don’t just look down on that. If I see it once, I’ll call it out every time!”

Liu Fulang and Madam Kong, who had been sitting near Qin Niazi, quietly shifted away. They both regretted flattering her—clearly, that silver hairpin had gone to their heads.

They realized they should’ve spoken up earlier when Qin Niazi was slandering the Xiao family and Qi Beinan. Anyone with a bit of sense would know how close the village head’s family was with Qi these days.

But Qin Niazi hadn’t noticed and kept running her mouth like a dam that had burst. Now that she’d dragged others through the mud, did she really think Madam Zhang would take it lightly?

The sharper ones stayed silent. But unfortunately, Madam Li’s younger sister from the city, unaware of village dynamics, had been echoing everything Qin Niazi said.

“Madam Zhang’s family were butchers. She’s got a fierce temper—fierce enough that even the village head has to yield. Everyone in the village knows not to cross her.”

Later, Madam Li came in, having heard the commotion, and tried to calm things down. But Madam Zhang, headstrong as ever, left without even touching the banquet food.

Matchmaker Qiao left Zheng’s house shortly after and darted straight to the Xiao household to gossip with Qi Beinan about everything that had happened.

She laughed heartily: “You should’ve seen your former aunt’s face—two layers of powder and she still couldn’t hide her embarrassment.”

“Madam Zhang may have a sharp tongue, but she’s fair. She scolded Qin Niazi in front of everyone, and now nobody dares speak to her anymore.”

“Talk about backfiring. She tried to stir up trouble and smear your name—look at her now, infamous in one afternoon.”

Matchmaker Qiao chuckled helplessly. It had been better entertainment than the banquet itself.

Qi Beinan, who knew exactly what sort of person Qin Niazi was, wasn’t surprised. He was simply grateful that Madam Zhang had spoken up for him.

“What’s the point of all her fussing again?”

Qiao Niazi said, “She’s gotten Steward Zhu’s favor now. Once people start living comfortably, they always want to find something to busy themselves with. With Steward Zhu backing her, no one dares say anything.”

Qi Beinan let out a soft laugh—there was truth in that.

“Qiao Niazi, you know Steward Zhu—any idea which wealthy household owns that estate?”

“I wouldn’t say I know him well,” she replied, “but I was somewhat acquainted with the previous estate steward. I heard their master lives in Jinling and is an official.”

Qi Beinan’s brow moved slightly. Jinling was far from Ling County, and it was quite common for prominent families or merchants to own estates scattered across the country. But for an official to have property far from his post, that would require a particular circumstance.

Either he had served in the area before, purchased land then, and didn’t sell it after being transferred, or it was a gift, or property from his wife’s family. Though the last two were less likely—more often, it was the first case.

But with just the details of “Jinling” and “an official,” there wasn’t much Qi Beinan could discern.

Qiao Niazi added, “Maybe the village head knows. You could ask him.”

Qi Beinan simply said he’d asked in passing.

A couple of days later, Jiang Fulang came by with a bundle of fresh peaches.

Qi Beinan went to make him tea, but Xiao Yuanbao snatched the tea set away and insisted on brewing it himself.

“Careful, you’ll burn your hands.”

From the kitchen came the little one’s voice: “I won’t anymore!”

Qi Beinan shook his head. You two really are something.

These days, every time Jiang Fulang passed by the Xiao house, he would drop something off.

Today it was a piece of cake, yesterday a stuffed pastry, the day before he called Xiao Yuanbao over to teach him how to make wontons.

Later that afternoon, Xiao Yuanbao came home—whether he learned to make wontons or not was unclear, but he’d eaten so much his belly was round as a drum.

Qi Beinan couldn’t help feeling a bit awkward at that point, unsure whether this was a teacher or an honorary father.

“Yangjia Village’s village head asked me to come cook for a banquet tomorrow—two meals, one the night before and one at noon the next day. I’ll take Bao Ge’er along. He’s never seen a proper full banquet yet.”

Qi Beinan immediately caught the implication: “So you’ll be staying the night out?”

“Mhm.”

Jiang Fulang replied, “We’ll leave tomorrow afternoon and be back the next night.”

Qi Beinan coughed lightly. “Wouldn’t taking Bao Ge’er along get in your way? He’s never stayed away overnight before—he might not be used to it and keep you up crying.”

Jiang Fulang said, “It won’t be a problem. Other cooks bring their apprentices, too. Learning to cook means seeing the world. There’ll be more than just me at the banquet—he’ll benefit from watching. Go out a few times and he’ll get used to it, won’t be crying over it.”

Clearly, he had thought this all through.

Qi Beinan opened his mouth but knew that Jiang Fulang was truly earnest about teaching Xiao Yuanbao, so he didn’t have the heart to turn him down.

Just then, Xiao Yuanbao came out, carefully carrying a cup of tea, and placed it in front of Jiang Fulang with a bright grin.

“Teacher, have some tea.”

Unable to refuse Jiang Fulang now, Qi Beinan turned to Xiao Yuanbao. “Your teacher wants to take you to another village to watch him cook. You’ll have to sleep out for one night. Do you want to go?”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes lit up. “There’s another banquet to watch?”

Seeing the excitement in the boy’s face, Qi Beinan immediately understood what he was thinking.

Truly… forgotten already, huh?

“Fine then, you go with your teacher tomorrow.”

Jiang Fulang saw Qi Beinan relent and finally took a sip of tea.

“I brought peaches for you all. Try them, see if they’re sweet. If Guangzong drops by, give him a couple too.”

Qi Beinan laughed. So Guangzong had also been dethroned as favorite: “I’ll save some for him.”

That night, Xiao Yuanbao was running all over the house, packing things for the trip—his first real trip away, and he was thrilled.

Clothes, not needed; toothbrush and tooth powder, essential—got to rinse daily.

Also, his comb—can’t have messy hair on the road… and the osmanthus water too, got to smell nice for the big banquet!

He carefully went over his checklist. When he turned, he saw his gege sitting by the oil lamp, holding a book but staring blankly at it.

“Gege, are you feeling unwell?”

Qi Beinan nodded. “A little.”

Xiao Yuanbao quickly dropped everything and ran over to press his hand to Qi Beinan’s forehead. “Does your head hurt?”

“No. Just my heart a little.”

Xiao Yuanbao blinked.

“Xiao Bao is only going for one night.”

Qi Beinan hadn’t expected him to catch on so quickly.

“Don’t worry, gege. There are lots of stars out tonight—tomorrow there won’t be any thunder or rain.”

He understood his gege’s unease—he used to feel the same whenever his father went up the mountain.

He patted Qi Beinan’s back and said in a coaxing tone, “If gege really gets too scared, I’ll ask Brother Zhao to come keep you company in the morning.”

Qi Beinan laughed. “Alright then. Go early, come back early.”

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