The Eldest Uncle's Family

Willow Leaf Alley, at the home of Zhou Muyun's eldest uncle, Zhou Yanming, a gloom hung over the household.

Zhou Yanming sat on the threshold, his face bruised black and blue. Looking at the crates of counterfeit medicinal herbs in the courtyard, he felt as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof.

How had he fallen for it in the first place? He had not even known when they had switched the goods.

"Look, look, look. All you do is look. Can looking make the money come back?" Xiu Niang came out of the room and launched into a furious tirade at Zhou Yanming.

"The last time I told you to go to that poor nephew of yours and get back the eight taels of silver, you failed to get it back too. What exactly can you accomplish?"

"Xiu Niang, Yun'er's household is just an orphaned mother and her children. You know how hard their lives have been..."

Before Zhou Yanming could finish, Xiu Niang cut him off.

"Our family isn't struggling now? Zhou Yanming, don't think I don't know. That little slut Xu Rou has some looks. You've got your eye on her, haven't you?

Oh my, fancying your own sister-in-law. You've certainly grown bold..."

"Xiu Niang, enough!"

Zhou Yanming clenched his fists, roaring angrily.

He knew his wife had a sharp tongue, but most of the time, she meant well for the family, so he usually tolerated her in every way.

But Xu Rou was his own sister-in-law. How could she slander the two of them like that?

"Zhou Yanming!" Xiu Niang raised her voice into a shriek. "Are you going to hit me now?"

She promptly plopped down on the ground, flailing her arms and legs as she burst into loud sobs. "This family can't go on anymore! What a sin! I don't want to live..."

"Xiu Niang, don't... sigh..."

Zhou Yanming let out a long sigh. Though anger still simmered in his heart, he got up and intended to help his wife to her feet.

After all, rolling around and making a scene on the ground would only invite ridicule.

Besides, he knew that their small capital had all been swindled away, and life was becoming increasingly difficult. His wife's words were, more or less, a way to vent her frustration.

"Don't touch me." Xiu Niang slapped Zhou Yanming's hand away and shouted, "Then go get those eight taels of silver back right now."

"Xiu Niang, how can I bring myself to ask for it? Yun'er learning martial arts isn't something that can make money overnight..."

"I don't care! Either you get the silver back today, or I'll make such a fuss that everyone finds out!"

Rumors could wound people deeply. How could Zhou Yanming not know that?

If this got out, even if it was false, people would surely gossip about it.

"Fine, I'll go. Get up from the ground already."

Zhou Yanming spoke helplessly.

Only then did Xiu Niang reveal a trace of a triumphant smile and get up from the ground.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the front door.

Zhou Yanming hurried over and opened it. When he saw that it was Zhou Muyun, an awkward look appeared on his face.

"Y-Yun'er, what brings you to your eldest uncle's place?"

"I heard from my mother that you were having difficulties, Eldest Uncle. I've come to return the eight taels of silver I borrowed from you."

As he spoke, Zhou Muyun took eight taels of loose silver from his pocket and handed them to Zhou Yanming.

"This... come in and have some tea. And if you return the silver to me, what will your household do?"

Zhou Yanming was surprised that Zhou Muyun had come to repay the debt, but he was also worried.

That was eight taels of silver. In his eyes, Zhou Muyun's household had most likely borrowed it just to repay him.

"Your nephew has made some small achievements in his studies, so Eldest Uncle need not worry. As for tea, I won't have any. Farewell."

"Alright... alright, then. Yun'er, give my regards to Xu Rou and Xiaotong."

"Alright, Eldest Uncle."

Zhou Muyun did not enter. After saying farewell, he left, carrying the one hundred and fifty taels he had originally intended to return as well.

As for why he had not returned it all at once, it was naturally because of his eldest aunt's slander of his mother.

Zhou Muyun had arrived long ago, and he had naturally heard every word exchanged between Zhou Yanming and Xiu Niang.

He would definitely repay the money, but he would have to do it another way. It was time to teach certain people a lesson.

After watching Zhou Muyun leave, Zhou Yanming closed the door, holding the eight taels of silver as he turned and walked back inside.

"Did that poor nephew of yours come looking for you? Don't tell me he came to borrow money again. I told you, giving them money was like feeding a dog a meat bun..."

Xiu Niang saw the silver in her husband's hand and stopped halfway through her words, surprise appearing on her face.

"He came to repay the money?"

"That's right." Zhou Yanming nodded.

Xiu Niang snatched the silver from Zhou Yanming's hand and counted it. A smile spread across her face.

"At least their household knows what's good for them. Hmph, they should have repaid it long ago."

Zhou Yanming watched Xiu Niang carry the money into the inner room and said nothing more, only hoping that this would make his wife settle down for a while.

The household's previously gloomy atmosphere did indeed improve considerably because of those eight taels of silver.

Though the husband and wife still looked worried, Xiu Niang no longer made an aggressive fuss.

Before long, the door of the Zhou Household was pushed open again, and Zhou Yanming's son, Zhou Qiu, rushed in in a panic.

"Father, Mother! Ying... Ying Tianlong, they... they..."

Upon hearing the name "Ying Tianlong," both husband and wife turned pale, while Xiu Niang began to tremble.

"What happened to Ying Tianlong? They haven't come back again, have they?" Xiu Niang asked in a trembling voice.

Toward the man who had swindled away their family's savings, the couple felt more fear than hatred. After all, he was a martial artist.

"They're all dead!"

"Dead?"

The couple stared wide-eyed in disbelief. It had only been a few days, and that gang of thugs led by Ying Tianlong was already dead?

"Qiu'er, you can't talk nonsense about something like this." Zhou Yanming frowned.

"Father, I'm really not making it up. Word has spread all over East Market. I saw the County Magistrate's Office coroner go in with my own eyes, then watched them carry the bodies out!"

Zhou Qiu spoke vividly, his face utterly serious.

Only then did the couple believe that Ying Tianlong and the others were truly dead.

"Good! They died well! Heaven has eyes!" Xiu Niang clapped her hands in delight, beaming from ear to ear.

Zhou Yanming also felt much of the gloom in his heart lift, but now that those people were dead, could they get their money back?

"Qiu'er, do you know who did it?"

"They say they attacked officials and were killed in return."

When Zhou Yanming heard that officials had done it, his heart sank.

They had been threatened and had not dared report the matter. According to the law, Ying Tianlong and the others' possessions would naturally be confiscated.

Sigh. At least the resentment in my heart has been vented.

Just as Zhou Yanming was lamenting inwardly, a rapid knock suddenly came from outside, followed by a booming voice.

"Knock, knock, knock! County Magistrate's Office business! Open the door at once!"

The family of three exchanged confused looks. Why would the County Magistrate's Office come to their home to investigate a case?

Could it be because of Ying Tianlong? Zhou Yanming had a few suspicions.

He nodded to signal Zhou Qiu to open the door. Since officials were handling a case, commoners like them naturally had to cooperate.

Zhou Qiu turned and opened the door. Lu Ming strode in aggressively with two constables.

Lu Ming wore a stern expression. He looked over the three people in the room and said unhurriedly, "I have been ordered to investigate Ying Tianlong's case. Did you purchase goods from him?"

After speaking, Lu Ming swept a cold glance over them and added, "Answer truthfully."

Hearing Lu Ming's words and seeing his expression, the three family members' hearts skipped a beat.

The constables from the County Magistrate's Office could sometimes be even more frightening than gangs.

"Sir, I... I did purchase some, b-but I was deceived by him."

Zhou Yanming swallowed hard and stammered.

"So you're admitting that you bought them?" Lu Ming stepped forward and glared at Zhou Yanming as he spoke sharply.

Thud.

Xiu Niang's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground. She bullied the weak and feared the strong, and seeing Lu Ming's forceful attitude, she thought they were about to be arrested.

Zhou Qiu was not much better. Cold sweat streamed down his face, and he looked close to tears.

After looking at his family, then at Lu Ming, Zhou Yanming bowed and gave a bitter smile. "In reply to you, sir, I admit it."

"Good!" Upon hearing the admission, Lu Ming said loudly, "Is your name Zhou Yanming?"

"This commoner is Zhou Yanming. I bought all the goods myself. It has nothing to do with my wife or son."

Zhou Yanming intended to shoulder it alone. One person suffering was better than the whole family suffering.

"Sir, if you want to arrest someone, arrest me..."

"Hahaha, Xiaoyun's eldest uncle, don't be so nervous. I'm here to return property to its rightful owner."

Lu Ming's words cut Zhou Yanming off directly.

Zhou Yanming was completely dumbfounded. What did he mean, return property to its rightful owner? And Xiaoyun's eldest uncle—did Xiaoyun mean Zhou Muyun? When had he become involved with the County Magistrate's Office?

Xiu Niang and Zhou Qiu were even more confused, unable to make sense of the situation at all.

Filled with doubt, Zhou Yanming cautiously asked, "Sir, does Xiaoyun mean Zhou Muyun? And this return of property to its rightful owner, could it be...?"

Lu Ming dropped his stern expression and said with a smile, "I was only verifying your identity just now, so my words were somewhat harsh. Please don't take offense. I was entrusted by Zhou Muyun to return the silver that Ying Tianlong swindled from you."

Seeing Lu Ming's attitude change completely and hearing his explanation, Zhou Yanming finally understood.

Their money had returned. It was his nephew, Zhou Muyun, who had helped them!

"This is one hundred and fifty taels. Returned to its rightful owner."

Lu Ming took out a bag of silver and handed it to Zhou Yanming.

Looking at the money in his hands, Zhou Yanming's hands trembled uncontrollably. His money had actually come back.

"Th-Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me. Thank your nephew instead. Xiaoyun wiped out that gang all by himself before he could recover your money. Cherish that good nephew of yours!"

Lu Ming patted Zhou Yanming on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.

"Yes, yes, yes. I should thank Xiaoyun."

Zhou Yanming nodded repeatedly.

"Now that the money has been delivered, we'll take our leave."

Lu Ming turned to leave, but seemed to remember something. He turned back, swept a glance over the three of them, and smiled mysteriously. "Oh, I forgot to mention that Xiaoyun is now with the County Magistrate's Office."

With that, he led his men away from the Zhou Household.

It was only long after Lu Ming had left that Zhou Qiu and Xiu Niang came back to their senses.

Zhou Qiu only felt that his cousin had truly made a name for himself.

As for Xiu Niang, it felt as though she had heard an absurd fairy tale. Their family's money had been recovered entirely thanks to the poor nephew she usually mocked.

At that thought, a trace of panic rose in her heart, and she said, "Husband, do you think Zhou Muyun might...?"

Zhou Yanming turned to look at his wife. Remembering her usual remarks, he sighed. "Xiaoyun must have succeeded in martial arts. Another day, I'll take you to visit them and ease the tension between us."

Hearing her husband's words, Xiu Niang did not argue this time, a rare occurrence.

That was right. Zhou Muyun was now both a martial artist and someone from the County Magistrate's Office. He was no longer that poor boy.

Xiu Niang's feelings were a tangled mess. She nodded, tacitly agreeing.

Meanwhile, after Zhou Muyun asked Lu Ming to return the money and hinted that he could teach them a lesson, he returned home.

Inside the room, he carefully studied the Seven-Colored Glazed Body. He intended to begin cultivating this body-tempering technique today.