Chapter Seventeen: Restlessness

Xu Ruojin was not surprised in the least; she had long suspected that Li Qiuping was deliberately picking a fight. If there had truly been some urgent matter, she would have gone straight to their parents to ask for help—why would she come to her?

“I’ll help you with this, but I’ll write the letter for you after I get back from class,” Xu Ruojin said as soon as the matter was brought up.

Li Qiuping shot to her feet. “How can that do? You must write it right now!”

“It’s just a letter to let them know all is well—what’s going to happen if it’s sent a bit late?” Xu Ruojin, eager to get to her studies, had no patience for Li Qiuping’s petty antics. Her reply was crisp and to the point.

“Who do you mean will catch fire? Are you cursing my family? I only came to ask you to write a letter, and you have to be so vicious? Now that you’ve climbed up in the world, you can’t be bothered with your own family, is that it?” Li Qiuping had come looking for trouble and was fully prepared to pour oil on any spark. She wailed, sat carefully on the floor, and began slapping her thighs. “I’m telling you, whether you want to or not, you’re writing this letter today! If you refuse, I... I... I just won’t go on living! I really won’t!”

Xu Ruojin slapped her forehead, realizing she had underestimated Li Qiuping’s shamelessness. But she didn’t regret her words; judging by Li Qiuping’s demeanor, no matter what she said, Li Qiuping would make a scene.

“I never said I wouldn’t write it. I only asked you to wait until I got back from class—”

“Why should I wait? It’s just a class—what’s the harm in being a little late? You just don’t want to help me!” Li Qiuping glared at her.

After yesterday’s outburst from Madam Yang and now this morning’s tantrum from her sister-in-law, did the heavens have something against letting her have peace? Frustration welled up in Xu Ruojin, and her voice grew sharper. “Are you finished? Can’t you be reasonable?”

“What? You’re raising your voice at me? How dare you? I’m still your sister-in-law—you may not respect me, but you should at least respect your brother! You just look down on us! Mother is counting on you to help your brothers after you marry, but she’ll be heartbroken to see you so cold and unfeeling. You can’t even help with a simple letter—how can someone be so heartless!”

“Who are you calling heartless?” Xu Ruojin’s frown deepened.

Li Qiuping jabbed a finger at her nose. “You! You’re the heartless one!”

The more Li Qiuping spoke, the more aggrieved she became, and real tears began to fall, threatening to escalate into full-blown sobs.

Xu Ruojin’s patience evaporated. She arched an eyebrow and said, “Let me tell you, crying won’t help you have a son.”

“Rubbish!” Li Qiuping exploded, this time with genuine fury. “You’re the one who can’t have a son!”

“Screaming won’t help either. Have you ever seen a boy born from tears? It’s always girls who cry—keep crying if you don’t believe me.” Xu Ruojin glared back, no longer pretending to be patient.

Li Qiuping’s face turned livid. She pounded her chest and wailed, “I can’t go on, I really can’t...”

“I don’t have time to argue with you. If you’re willing to wait, I’ll write your letter when I get back. If not, you can stay here and cry. I’m leaving.” Xu Ruojin turned to Chun Cao. “Gather our things. We’re going.”

Chun Cao had been watching in stunned silence. At Xu Ruojin’s command, she hurried to fetch the book box. Only when they reached the gate did she pull Xu Ruojin aside. “Second Miss, are we really just leaving the young madam like that?”

“What else can we do? Is there anything worth stealing in our courtyard?” Xu Ruojin was in a foul mood. That cold-faced man had already taken the jade ruyi—what was left was worthless.

Chun Cao shook her head vigorously. “Nothing. Not even dogs come scavenging.”

“Then what’s there to worry about? We’re already late—let’s hurry.”

Xu Ruojin broke into a run, eager to be gone. Chun Cao hurried after her, shocked, fearing the young madam would be truly enraged and that Second Miss would get into trouble again.

Li Qiuping remained sitting in a daze. Only when she saw Xu Ruojin and the maid leave the courtyard did she come to her senses and exclaim, “She... she really left? Go check—did she really leave?”

The older servants peeked out, then quickly reported back, “She’s really gone, young madam. Come, get up—the ground is cold, you’ll catch a chill.”

As they helped her up, Li Qiuping dropped her act and scrambled to her feet. Clutching her waist, she hurried to the doorway, still stunned. “That little wretch really left? How dare she? She’s completely disregarded me!”

No one dared speak. Since the young madam became pregnant, her temper and pickiness had skyrocketed. No one wanted to be the target of her anger now.

“She’s mute, are you all mute too?” Li Qiuping raged, unable to vent her anger.

Her old nurse braved a suggestion. “You must be tired, madam. Why not rest and wait for Second Miss to return after her lesson?”

“I’m not leaving! I won’t let this go!” Li Qiuping bellowed toward the door before collapsing back inside.

She was determined to wait for Xu Ruojin to return—no matter what.

Meanwhile, Xu Ruojin was hurrying along with Chun Cao, heart pounding, for she had heard the cries of her younger brother being beaten before she even caught sight of Xu Zimo or the tutor, Master Wang.

The wailing was pitiful and anguished, each cry heavy with pain and despair. Xu Ruojin broke out in goosebumps.

Chun Cao clutched the book box and glanced at Xu Ruojin’s hand. Would her first beating be because they arrived late?

Xu Ruojin rubbed her palms nervously, dreading that she might be next. But even if she was to be punished, she couldn’t avoid it—it was her own fault for being late. She couldn’t just skip class out of fear.

Bracing herself, she entered the room to see Xu Zimo grimacing as he applied medicine to his hand, the bandage stained red—Master Wang had clearly not held back.

Master Wang looked furious, too angry even to scold them further. He had never taught such unmotivated students and deeply regretted accepting Xu’s father’s request to tutor them. It felt like a stain on his entire career.

When Xu Ruojin entered, Master Wang’s expression darkened. He’d thought the girl was diligent, yet here she was, late for class after just a few days—a bitter disappointment.

At his glare and cold snort, Xu Ruojin’s hair practically stood on end. She ran forward and bowed deeply. “Please forgive me, Master Wang. I was delayed this morning due to some matters—it was not intentional…”

She hesitated to explain the specifics; being late was being late, and an excuse would only draw out family shame. It was better left unsaid.

Expressionless, Master Wang tapped his ruler on the desk. “Show me the characters I assigned you to write yesterday.”

“Yes, sir.” Relief flickered across Xu Ruojin’s face as she turned to Chun Cao, who hurried to open the book box.

But inside, the stack of paper was pristine—there wasn’t a single word on it.

Chun Cao’s heart nearly jumped from her chest. She looked at Xu Ruojin in panic. “I… I forgot to bring it.”

A numb chill spread over Xu Ruojin. Had she been cursed? There was no escaping this punishment now.