Ch 38: Reborn to Raise My Husband

Qi Beinan helped Xiao Hu up during the night, then returned to his own room.
As he stepped outside, he noticed the lamp in Xiao Yuanbao’s room was still lit.
“Xiao Bao, still not asleep?” Qi Beinan asked softly from the doorway.
“Mm.” A voice answered from inside, so Qi Beinan pushed the door open and stepped in.

He saw Xiao Yuanbao had brought out his treasured clay savings jar, and a mountain of copper coins was piled up on the table. He sat under the oil lamp, threading the coins one by one onto a hemp string.
Qi Beinan sat beside him. “Why aren’t you resting? It’s already so late.”
Xiao Yuanbao handed him the string of coins. His voice had lost its usual brightness, and it sounded a bit weak:
“Father lost so much blood. It must cost a lot to treat him. I took out all the coins I saved—to pay the doctor for Father.”

These past two years, Xiao Yuanbao had helped with banquet cooking, sold wild mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, and poultry feathers. He’d managed to save over three hundred copper coins.

Originally, he had planned to save a little more to buy his father a good bow. But after seeing today’s scene, he didn’t want to anymore.

He’d long known that making a living in the mountains wasn’t easy. Minor cuts and scrapes were expected—but nothing had ever been as frightening as today.

Qi Beinan gently patted his head and softly consoled him: “Silly child. Even if Uncle Xiao didn’t have his own savings after all these years, you still have me. Why would we use your savings?”

“And besides, he’s only injured. The doctor who came today said that with a few months of proper care, he’ll recover. It’s not like Grandpa Fang’s case, where he had to stay bedridden for years.”

“But I’m still worried about Father.”

He feared his father wouldn’t heal well—would limp forever. Feared the old wound would ache in wind and rain. Feared one day he might lie down and never get up again.

He’d helped cook at a mourning meal once, and overheard someone say the deceased woman had died from an infected leg injury.

Xiao Yuanbao bit his lip. Just thinking about today made his eyes well up. He’d held it in all day, but now his voice choked and he could no longer stop the tears.

He turned and buried himself in Qi Beinan’s chest. “I don’t even have a mother anymore. What if Father also…”

The more he thought, the sadder he became.

Qi Beinan’s brows furrowed as he wrapped Xiao Yuanbao in a hug. “He won’t. As long as we have the doctor looking after him carefully, nothing will happen.”
He gently patted him. “Don’t be afraid. With your brother here, everything will be fine.”

Xiao Yuanbao cried for a while. After holding himself together all day and now sobbing his heart out, he was thoroughly exhausted. He lay against Qi Beinan and soon fell asleep.

Qi Beinan looked at the sleeping boy, who was still sniffling in his dreams, and his own heart ached.

He carried him to bed and sat by the bedside for a long while.

Xiao Hu’s injury had sounded an alarm for him. Years ago, someone had died in the mountains. Today was just sheer luck that Xiao Hu survived—but luck couldn’t be counted on forever.

Hunting in the mountains paid well, yes—but it put one’s life on the line. It was no long-term solution.

Now that Qi Beinan’s mourning period was over, he could sit for the exam next year. Xiao Yuanbao had grown up and had things to do. Life was visibly on the mend.

Xiao Hu didn’t need to risk his life anymore. This time recovering from injury might just be the perfect chance to persuade him to change to a safer livelihood.

Qi Beinan also had his worries. No wonder Xiao Yuanbao wanted to offer his savings—expenses were piling up lately.

Xiao Hu’s injuries were serious. A light recovery would take three months, a heavier one up to five. And during that time, there’d be no income, only medical costs and medicine.

Qi Beinan had enough on hand to support Xiao Hu’s recovery for half a year at least—but in the long run, money couldn’t just keep going out without any coming in. He’d need to find another way.

In the following days, word spread in the village about Xiao Hu’s injury, and people came to visit one after another.

The Fang family brought over an old hen, a basket of eggs, and Grandma Sun even sewed a large, soft cushion to help him lie comfortably in bed.

The village head’s family brought two big baskets of fresh fruit—bananas, grapes—along with two soft handkerchiefs and some common herbal medicine.

Steward Jiang cooked a pot of soft pig tendon porridge. Though he brought the least material goods, he came the most frequently.

Every few days he would send something nourishing for the injured—when he couldn’t come himself, he’d have Xiao Yuanbao go fetch it.
One day it was fresh meat porridge, the next day it was fragrant fish soup.

After a month on the bed, not only had Xiao Hu not lost weight, he had even put on some flesh.

Even occasional acquaintances like Madam Qiao came by with fruit and vegetables.
Even Zhu Yongxian from the estate sent someone with supplies.

Over the past two years, Qi Beinan and Xiao Yuanbao had treated others kindly. Normally it wasn’t obvious—but in times of trouble, the stream of visitors to their home spoke volumes.

Even if someone just dropped by for a quick visit, the warmth it brought to the heart was real.

“I followed Madam Wang to another county and only heard about this after returning.”

As soon as Fang Jie’er came back, she hurried to the Xiao household. Seeing that Xiao Hu was in good spirits, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
“No worries, I’m already much better,” Qi Beinan said.

While he and Fang Jie’er spoke in the outer room, Xiao Yuanbao went to make a pot of tea.

“Uncle Xiao’s injuries like this, with medicine and doctors—it can’t help but be costly.” Fang Jie’er took out a scented pouch from her clothing. “I came back in a hurry and didn’t prepare anything proper. Please take this bit of silver first.”

Qi Beinan declined again and again.

Fang Jie’er was capable. In these two years, her skill had improved day by day. She was now able to style hair independently.

As a newly rising hairdresser, her rates per styling already fetched forty-five copper coins per visit. What’s more, her clients were all wealthy or noble families, many offering generous tips. A single trip could easily bring in fifty to sixty coins. Some generous madams, in good spirits, even gifted silver or jade hairpins.

She was hardworking and clever too. She made her own scented hair oils, using them each time she styled. The pleasant fragrance often led the clients to purchase her oils on the spot.

Although noble ladies were choosy, the maids, attendants, and sons of big households bought from her frequently.

“I know you can now style hair on your own and earn money,” Qi Beinan said. “But you’re not exactly rolling in wealth either.”

When she first began, accompanying Madam Wang to appointments, Fang Jie’er merely assisted. Like Xiao Yuanbao accompanying Jiang Fulang, she earned ten to eight coins at most.

She was very filial. Early on, all her earnings went to Madam Wang.

Only now that she could work solo did she start making real money. But even then, her family still depended on her—Brother Fang was about to marry, and her younger brother would need a dowry someday.

How could Qi Beinan take her silver?

She offered it twice, but seeing he firmly refused, Fang Jie’er gave up.

She realized—how could a person like Qi Beinan casually stretch out his hand to take someone’s money? She had acted out of urgency and hadn’t thought it through.

“A while back, I was at a wealthy merchant’s house—the Ming family—and overheard that their master was looking for a scholar to copy the Xuanbao Sutra. Mister Qi writes beautifully—would you be interested? The old master pays well: ten copper coins per hundred characters, especially if the writing is neat.”

“That would be perfect,” Qi Beinan replied. “I’ve been copying books for the bookstore at just three copper coins per hundred characters. This job pays much better.”

Fang Jie’er was delighted. She should’ve thought of helping him earn money, not just handing it over: “I’ll be going to style hair for the Ming family’s daughter the day after tomorrow. I’ll ask about it then.”

Qi Beinan, familiar with scripture copying, wrote a few sample lines and asked her to take them to the merchant. Pretty words alone weren’t enough—it had to be seen to be believed.

He’d done plenty of scripture copying as a child.
Fang Jie’er carefully put the sample away and stayed a bit longer at the Xiao home before taking her leave.

…

In a flash, June arrived, and the sun grew scorching.
Even the chickens were hiding under the trees, refusing to step onto the baking-hot paths.
Xiao Yuanbao wore a sleeveless loose shirt and had his pant legs rolled up.
He wore wooden sandals, fetched a bucket of water from the well, and carried it into the main room.
He pulled a cold round melon from the well, brought it to the stove, and sliced it.
“Father, Brother, come eat melon.”
He passed bright red slices to the two, picked one for himself, and took a bite.
After being chilled in well water, the melon was refreshingly sweet. With his feet dipped in the same cool well water, the summer heat instantly eased.

Qi Beinan, busy copying scriptures at the table, paused his brush to enjoy a slice and cool down.

“These days, I’ve been relying on you two to look after me,” said Xiao Hu, lying on a bamboo mat covered with a cooling sheet, watching the two children buzzing around.
He was well-fed and well-cared-for these past days—he couldn’t feel more at ease.

Qi Beinan smiled. “We’re family—it’s only right we take care of you.”

Xiao Hu said, “There’s a box under my bed where I’ve stashed some money. Medicine, doctors, household expenses—they all cost. Beinan, go take it.”
“You’re taking exams next year. And now you’re still working on copying scriptures. Don’t let this delay more important things.”

Qi Beinan replied, “Copying isn’t just for a few coins—it lets me read all sorts of texts too. This Xuanbao Sutra—if not for the wealthy hiring copyists, ordinary people wouldn’t even get to see it.”

Xiao Yuanbao, having finished his melon, fanned Xiao Hu while supporting Qi Beinan’s words: “Brother knows what he’s doing.”

Qi Beinan glanced at Xiao Yuanbao and smiled.
Then he turned to Xiao Hu and said seriously, “Uncle Xiao, I’ll be sitting the county exam next year. If I pass, I’ll have to travel to the prefecture for the next round—it’ll be quite the journey, and I’ll be away from home.”
“So I’ve been thinking, now that you’ve suffered this injury, you might as well take the time to rest and recover.”
“I have a decent chance at passing the exam this time. Life will get better, and there’s no need for you to keep risking yourself like this. Xiao Bao was scared badly this time. If anything worse happens…”

Xiao Yuanbao quickly grabbed his father’s hand: “Yes, Father, even if life’s a bit harder, it doesn’t matter.”
He added, “Teacher said that if I keep working hard, I’ll be able to be the head cook when I grow a little older. Then I’ll earn money for Father—so don’t go into the mountains anymore.”

Xiao Hu was deeply moved hearing Xiao Yuanbao speak with such filial affection.
Though he had nearly lost his life this time, he wasn’t afraid for himself—if he were the type to flinch after a single brush with danger, he’d have given up this line of work long ago.
But he also knew that this profession kept the family constantly on edge. Just seeing how Xiao Yuanbao had grown thinner from worry made his heart ache.
He was simply used to having something to do. If not hunting, then what?

He could always return to farming in the village, and do manual labor on the side when free.
But such peaceful, quiet days always felt a little too empty to him.
So for a while, he didn’t respond to the two boys.

Qi Beinan, observing his silence, roughly understood.
He too was a man, and understood how a man could carry ambition that didn’t sit easily within four walls.
The life of farming—from sunrise to sunset, back bent over soil—held little thrill or tension. For someone like Xiao Hu, used to the hazards of the wild, it felt much too flat.

Qi Beinan had been thinking over the matter these days and said:
“I heard from the village head that the land over at Jujube Slope in the east is up for sale. I’m thinking, since we’ve got some savings, we might as well purchase more farmland. Once that’s done, we can hire hands to work it. Together with our existing twenty-some mu, it would be a decent spread.”
“At that point, Uncle Xiao wouldn’t need to venture into the mountains anymore. He could manage the workers and land, raise livestock and poultry, grow fruits and vegetables. If we sell to the city, it’d fetch more than ordinary farm produce. When funds allow, we can expand into forest and mountain plots. Over the years, if things go smoothly, we could build up a proper estate.”

Qi Beinan continued gently, “And if I do well—say I pass the provincial exams—then our taxes will be reduced or waived. That’s pure profit. These are peaceful times. With the Emperor benevolent and no wars in sight, land values will only rise. It’s a good time to buy more land while it’s still affordable.”

Xiao Hu listened carefully. He wasn’t well-read and didn’t understand national affairs.
But the way Qi Beinan explained it, it did sound reasonable.
In times of war, land couldn’t move with you and became worthless. But during peacetime, when families grew and prospered, land became more valuable.

He thought back to when he first settled in Geshan Village over a decade ago. He’d used his silver to buy ten mu of land, and it had only cost fifty taels in total.
As the years passed, land prices crept up—five taels a mu, then six, then eight… now over ten taels a mu.
Back then, a wild rabbit fetched only ten to twenty copper coins. But as more people developed a taste for game meat, prices soared.

And the fact that more people could afford such delicacies meant people had money—common folks were living better lives.
As for Qi Beinan becoming a provincial scholar—that was a lofty thought, but even he, as an illiterate man, understood the benefits if it happened.

Qi Beinan was steady and knowledgeable. Even without sitting for the exam, he’d already helped Zhao Guangzong pass the tongsheng exam. These past two years, Zhao Guangzong’d studied quietly at the county school and brought the village head honor.

Maybe, just maybe, Qi Beinan really had the talent.
If he passed and taxes were waived, the family could buy even more land. But by then, land would be pricier, and they might not have the silver on hand.
It was better to buy now than later.

Buying twenty mu in one go was beyond him. But look—didn’t they slowly accumulate over twenty mu already? Bit by bit.
For the sake of the future, Xiao Hu felt motivated.
“That does sound like a real path forward.”

Qi Beinan was glad to see him agree.
The peaceful days ahead would last, and true prosperity was still ten years off. Land prices were bound to keep rising.
And as for passing the exam, Qi Beinan wasn’t just making empty promises.

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes lit up. “If we save up enough land, wouldn’t we be like Ping Manor in the future? Father could be the steward!”
Qi Beinan laughed. “If you own the estate, you’re your own steward. That’s better than serving someone else.”

So the three came to a decision.

Qi Beinan brought out forty taels of silver.
Back when he sold his family estate, he’d received fifty taels and had barely touched it. Over the years, he’d made ends meet by copying books, writing couplets, penning letters—little by little, he earned enough for daily needs without dipping into the savings.
Now was the perfect time to use it for something important.
He kept ten taels on hand—for future exam travel, or in case of emergencies.
It was never wise to spend every coin you had—putting all your wealth in one basket was a dead end.

Xiao Hu contributed eighty taels.
He’d spent most of his earnings years ago—much of it wasted on Qin Niazi, who’d arrived in the household nearly penniless.
But since their separation, he’d saved well.
The land he leased out brought in over ten taels a year, and his mountain hunting brought in close to twenty more.
Apart from yearly taxes, he rarely needed money from Qi Beinan, and he wasn’t a spendthrift. Over four years, the savings had accumulated nicely.
Don’t let the amount fool you—it was already as much as a decent family in the city might have saved.

Yet when buying farmland, even this much silver couldn’t get you too many mu of quality land.
With their funds prepared, Qi Beinan went to consult the village head about purchasing land.
When it came to buying land, no one was more knowledgeable than the village head who managed the local plots—and with the friendly relationship between their families, there was no fear of being cheated.

At present, the market price for one mu of paddy field ranged from twelve to twenty strings of cash, while dry land went for ten to eighteen strings per mu.
Prices were based on the fertility of the land, its sun exposure, and annual yield.

Village Head Zhao advised them to go for mid-grade plots—paddy fields at about fourteen to fifteen strings per mu, and dry land about two strings cheaper.
After discussing it, he directly led Qi Beinan out for a field inspection and helped select the plots.
The family selling the land was in a hurry to sell, so there was room to negotiate on the price. Plus, going early meant better choices—if you waited too long, you’d have nothing left to pick from.

Village Head Zhao knew the sellers personally and bargained with them on Qi Beinan’s behalf.
Thanks to that connection, Qi Beinan used his 120 taels of silver to buy six mu of well-situated, mid-grade paddy fields and four mu of decent dry land.

When they returned home with the land deed, Xiao Hu sighed with emotion, “If only we’d done this earlier, I would’ve gritted my teeth and bought more land back then.”
Qi Beinan chuckled, “But back then, silver wasn’t as easy to save as it is now. Prices have risen—everything’s gone up.”

Xiao Yuanbao looked at the deed, delighted.

Not only was he happy that the family now owned ten more mu of farmland—what mattered most was that his father wouldn’t have to go up the mountain to make a living anymore.

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