Gu Lejia grew anxious. "Seventh Uncle, I don’t want to go back."

Ancient Wen Heng glanced up at him. That icy gaze scared Gu Lejia so much that he scrambled back two steps, nearly shrinking into a corner.

"The boy has never been out on his own, so he doesn’t understand the importance of household registration and family. Regardless, he must go home this time," Ancient Wen Heng said, choosing his words carefully. "He’s caused you a lot of trouble already. If there were any issues, I hope you will be candid with me, Chen Dongjia."

Chen Dagui nodded in understanding. "It’s for the best. If I hadn’t helped cover for him, he never would have made it this far without a household registration.

Lejia is a pretty diligent worker and hasn’t caused us any trouble. In fact, I still owe him some of his wages.

When he comes back for his luggage, I’ll have the accountant settle up with him in advance."

With things out in the open, Chen Dagui breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Gu Lejia. "Lejia, no matter what, you need to have your household registration papers with you. Otherwise, you’ll always be on edge, no matter what you do.

But rest assured, as long as you’re willing to work, my shop will always have a place for you."

"But I don’t want to go back just yet," Gu Lejia stammered. "Seventh Uncle, couldn’t I write a letter and have my parents send my household registration with someone?"

Ancient Wen Heng stared at him. "You have unfinished business here?"

Gu Lejia hesitated. "Well, not really... it’s just..."

Chen Dagui set down his teacup and looked at him. "Is it about Xiuxiang from the shop next door?"

Gu Lejia’s face instantly flushed crimson, and he sputtered, unable to give a clear yes or no.

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t need to hear the details to guess what was happening.

"You foolish boy," Chen Dagui chided. "She’s a widow who was cast out of her home. You can’t let yourself get completely bewitched just because she smiled at you a few times."

Ancient Wen Heng asked, "Is there something wrong with her?"

Chen Dagui sighed. "You could say Xiuxiang has had a bitter fate. Her mother died during a difficult childbirth with her younger brother, leaving the two of them to scrape by under a stepmother.

She finally endured until she was of marriageable age, but for the bride price, her stepmother married her off to a sickly man. She had barely been with his family for any time at all before the man succumbed to his illness, saddling her with the cursed reputation of being a ’husband-killer’.

Her husband’s family, claiming her fate was too ’hard,’ refused to let her stay and sent her back to her parents’ home.

Her stepmother took her in, but everyone around here knows she’s already spread the word: as long as someone can pay the bride price, it doesn’t matter who they are—they can take Xiuxiang away.

As for Xiuxiang, I don’t know if she’s just given up and decided to be reckless, but she spends her free time wandering the streets. She’ll chat and joke with any man who catches her eye."

"Xiuxiang is just being friendly! It’s not what you think.

Besides, other than exchanging a few words with us, she hasn’t done anything improper," Gu Lejia said hurriedly. "She’s a really good person..."

Ancient Wen Heng slammed his cup down on the table. "So good that you can disregard your parents, and the grandparents who dote on you?"

Chen Dagui didn’t want the young man whose life he’d saved to fall into this trap. "This Xiuxiang may not be a wicked person, but her status as a widow and that difficult stepmother of hers alone make her a poor choice. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Besides, your own uncle has found you. You’re no longer some rootless shop boy. You should go home and be a good son to your parents. They’ll find you a girl from a respectable family, and you’ll forget all about this."

Gu Lejia scratched his head in agitation. "But... I already promised Xiuxiang..."

At this, he glanced nervously at Ancient Wen Heng, not daring to finish his sentence.

But everyone present was sharp. Not only did Ancient Wen Heng’s expression turn cold, but even Chen Dagui, who had always thought well of the boy, stared at him in disbelief.

Ancient Wen Heng looked at Chen Dagui apologetically. "My apologies for troubling you to make this trip today, Chen Dongjia. And thank you for saving this boy Lejia’s life. I will be sure to pay a formal visit another day."

Chen Dagui immediately stood up. "It was nothing, Scholar Gu, please don’t give it a second thought. I’ve been out for quite a while, and my family will worry if I don’t head back. I’ll take my leave now."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "It’s already dark, so I won’t insist you stay. Tianbao, take a lantern and see Chen Dongjia home."

As for Gu Lejia, who tried to leave with them, he was immediately grabbed by Ancient Wen Heng.

Chen Dagui could see the uncle and nephew had things to discuss, so he naturally didn’t refuse the offer. He cupped his hands. "Then I’ll be on my way."

Hong Tianbao had familiarized himself with the neighborhood over the past two days. He quickly returned with a lit lantern and waited by the main gate.

After seeing their guest off, Ancient Wen Heng returned to the head of the table. "Speak. What did you promise her?"

Gu Lejia glanced cautiously at him and Jin Qianqian, then finally screwed his eyes shut and steeled himself. "I promised I would pay her bride price and get her out of that house."

"Do you even know how much her bride price is? Do you have enough Silver on you?" Ancient Wen Heng sneered. "You don’t even have your own household registration. How do you plan to settle down here with her?"

"Seventh Uncle," Gu Lejia said, looking at him timidly, "I know her stepmother is asking for a high bride price... I can’t come up with twenty taels of Silver. Do you think... you could lend it to me?"

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Jin Qianqian. "Don’t worry, both of you. I promise I’ll work hard. Once I’ve earned enough Silver, I’ll definitely pay you back."

Jin Qianqian: "..." ’What was that look about? I swear, I want to kick him.’

After he finished, Gu Lejia just stood there, looking at Ancient Wen Heng with hopeful expectation. The moment he’d seen Aunt Seven in the shop, the idea had begun to form in his mind.

And when Xiuxiang had stopped him again, he blurted it out before he could think.

’Seeing that Seventh Uncle lives in such a large courtyard with servants, he surely isn’t lacking this little bit of Silver.’

Ancient Wen Heng looked at him and nodded slowly. "Well, look at you. Quite the man now, aren’t you? How long have you been away from home? You’ve already cast aside your parents’ wishes and the matchmaker’s arrangement.

Since you’re capable enough to arrange your own marriage, I’m sure this little difficulty is nothing to you. Knowing you’re alive and well should be some comfort to your parents. From now on, you can make whatever trouble you want. Do as you please!"

"No," Gu Lejia cried out in a panic. "Seventh Uncle, you’re my real uncle!"

Jin Qianqian: "..." ’Except he really isn’t.’

Ancient Wen Heng shot him a look. "You know very well I’m just your Seventh Uncle—and an uncle from a separate branch of the family, at that. I have no obligation to manage your marriage and children.

Besides, while you’re holding your beautiful wife, am I, your ’real uncle,’ supposed to take the fall for you? To face the blame from your own father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother? Do you think I’d agree to a deal like that?

In any case, I’ve found you, and that should be some comfort to your parents. As for the rest, you’re on your own. Go make whatever trouble you want."