Wang Daxia rode off on his horse, and Chen Jingji intended to lodge a complaint with Wang Commander. Unfortunately, the fall had left him in considerable pain, his hands and face covered in dust and willow catkins, making him too embarrassed to be seen. Supporting his lower back, he slowly shuffled his way to a well at the end of the alley.
The well water here was clear and sweet, giving Sweetwater Alley its name. All the residents of the alley fetched their daily water from this spot.
The sun had set, and a group of women were gathered around the well platform, drawing water to wash dishes and laundry. Chen Jingji asked the women for a bucket of water to wash his face and hands.
As they were all acquaintances, the women laughingly handed him an empty bucket while teasing him:
"Wang Commander’s stepmother and stepson are always at odds, causing a scene every other day. Who in their right mind would dare rent that house?"
"Exactly! You’d only end up with trouble sticking to you. The place has been vacant for years, and you managed to trick an outsider into renting it. How could Second Young Master Wang let it slide?"
"Serves you right for getting a beating from Young Master Wang! Regret it now, don’t you?"
Chen Jingji cranked the windlass over the well, hauling up a bucket of water. "A man’s got to be tough to earn a living and support a family. I need to make money to marry and provide."
One woman flung a basin of greasy dishwater into the roadside drainage ditch. "You’re like a wax duck boiled in a pot—your body’s falling apart, but your mouth stays tough! Young Master Wang will surely beat you every time he sees you from now on."
Having borrowed their bucket, Chen Jingji held his tongue and focused on washing his face and hands.
Once cleaned up, he brushed the dust and willow catkins from his round-collared robe and checked his reflection in the water bucket. Satisfied he looked presentable again, he thanked the women and set off to seek help from Wang Commander.
Who could possibly rein in Young Master Wang’s reckless behavior? Only his father.
The Wang family had a side gate in Sweetwater Alley. By now, it was completely dark, and the gatekeeper informed Chen Jingji that Wang Commander had not yet returned from his yamen.
Wang Commander served as the head of the Northern City Military Command.
The capital had five Military Commands—east, south, west, north, and central—each responsible for public security, theft prevention, fire control, and street cleanliness in their respective districts (equivalent to a combined police station, urban management, and fire department for the northern district, with Wang Commander as its chief).
Chen Jingji waited at the gate, but after a long while with no sign of Wang Commander returning, he instead heard the clattering sound of a Tiger Crutch.
By the hazy moonlight and the lanterns hanging at the Wang family’s side gate, Chen Jingji spotted the itinerant doctor shaking the Tiger Crutch—it was his tenant, Wei Caiwei, returning from her rounds.
Oh no! She wouldn’t be able to get in—he still hadn’t retrieved the key from Wang Daxia!
Chen Jingji rushed over to greet Wei Caiwei. "Doctor Wei, there’s something I need to explain to you…"
Every family has its troubles. The mother of the Wang family’s second son, Wang Daxia, had passed away early, and he refused to accept discipline from his stepmother, Madam Wu. He was an uneducated, spendthrift prodigal, known to everyone as Young Master Wang.
Fearing the wastrel would squander his late wife’s dowry, Wang Commander entrusted it to his second wife, Madam Wu, for management—which included the small building Wei Caiwei had rented.
Young Master Wang was the type to fish coins out of a boiling oil pot just to spend them—how could he let this go?
Whenever Chen Jingji brought potential tenants to view the property, Wang Daxia would show up and cause a scene, scaring them away. Thus, despite its prime location in the northern city, its tidy condition, and fully furnished rooms, the house had remained vacant for half a year.
Today, Chen Jingji had gotten lucky: Young Master Wang had left early in the morning for unknown reasons, allowing Chen Jingji to succeed—partly coaxing, partly deceiving—in renting the place to the unsuspecting itinerant doctor."...That's how things stand." Chen Jingji explained, "Doctor Wei, rest assured. No matter how much Sun Wukong stirs up trouble, he can never escape the Buddha's palm. Once Commander Wang disciplines his son, the keys will be returned. Commander Wang is Young Master Wang's golden headband."
Contrary to expectations, Wei Caiwei didn't fly into a rage or curse Chen Jingji as a cunning merchant. Instead, she listened with great interest to his gossip about the Wang family, saying:
"So that's how it is. I'm quite satisfied with this house. As for the keys—I'd like to meet this Young Master Wang first and reason with him. We'll try courtesy before force. If I directly complain to Commander Wang, Young Master Wang would inevitably get beaten, damaging his self-esteem. The more pressured he feels, the more stubborn he'll become. Even if he returns the keys tonight under Commander Wang's pressure, he might come back to cause trouble in my home in a few days, making my household restless forever."
Chen Jingji quickly said, "A doctor's heart is like that of a parent. Doctor Wei, you're truly a living Bodhisattva. However, you mustn't harbor any illusions about Young Master Wang. He's the notorious young profligate of the entire Northern District—even his stepmother Lady Wu can't handle him. Spare the rod and spoil the child. Only Commander Wang can control him."
For some reason, no matter how Chen Jingji warned her, this young widow insisted on seeing Wang Daxia, saying: "I've decided to talk with Young Master Wang first."
Having no alternative, Chen Jingji went back to the Wang residence and asked the gatekeeper, "Is Second Young Master Wang at home?"
The gatekeeper servant shook his head again, "Our Second Young Master went out early this morning and hasn't returned yet."
When Chen Jingji relayed this to Wei Caiwei, she calmly pointed to a night market across the street and said, "I haven't had dinner yet. No hurry—I'll eat while waiting."
Chen Jingji was also hungry and said, "This is my oversight in handling matters. This meal is on me, as an apology to Doctor Wei."
Chen Jingji was quite cunning—once someone accepts a meal, they're less likely to make demands. If housing disputes arose, this itinerant doctor wouldn't directly refuse the rental.
There was still room to salvage the situation.
Being stingy, Chen Jingji chose the cheapest wonton stall in the night market, making excuses: "This stall is closest to the Wang residence, convenient for keeping watch. Once we see Young Master Wang return, we can speak with him immediately."
Wei Caiwei smiled without exposing him, "Broker Chen is very thoughtful."
This out-of-towner is so easy to fool! Still young and inexperienced after all. Chen Jingji sat down and ordered a bowl of mustard green and pork wontons.
Wei Caiwei said, "Boss, two bowls of three-delicacy wontons. One bowl without cilantro."
Chen Jingji's heart ached at the expense, "Ahem, Doctor Wei, this place gives generous portions—fifteen large wontons per bowl. I'm afraid you might overeat."
Wei Caiwei smiled, "I'm not eating alone."
Chen Jingji looked around, "Ah? Does Doctor Wei have attendants with her?"
Wei Caiwei said, "It's for my late husband—I'll pay for my late husband's bowl of wontons myself."
When a husband dies, the wife must offer him meals for three years.
Since I'm already treating, right? One more bowl of wontons won't break the bank. Chen Jingji quickly said, "Let me get it, let me get it. Just a few coins anyway."
While they were talking, three bowls of wontons arrived. Chen Jingji started eating, while Wei Caiwei placed the cilantro-free bowl on the west side of the table, sprinkled some pepper, and set out a pair of chopsticks. Speaking to the air, she said:
"Erlang, time to eat. Today I... have been busy until now. Business is quite good. The capital is truly different—dinner is so late. You must be hungry."
So meticulous toward her dead husband, even remembering he doesn't eat cilantro but prefers pepper!Chen Jingji thought to himself, if my future wife treats me this well, I’d probably be over the moon!
“The bond between you two is truly deep,” Chen Jingji never imagined he would one day envy a dead man.
Wei Caiwei sighed softly, “Alas, deep affection is often short-lived.”
Halfway through their meal, a figure wandered over and plopped down in the seat of Wei Caiwei’s late husband, patting Chen Jingji on the shoulder.
“You’re lying in wait for my old man to tattle on me, aren’t you? Give it up—wherever you go tonight, I’ll follow. You won’t get a chance to meet my father.”
It was none other than Wang Daxia, the young master.
Caught off guard, Chen Jingji stammered, “Young Master Wang, you’ve misunderstood. I was just hungry and stopped here to eat.”
“You’ve got quite the appetite, ordering two bowls of wontons,” Wang Daxia sniffed the air. “Hmm, no cilantro—just how I like it. Don’t mind if I do. This meal’s on you.”
Wang Daxia picked up the bowl and started eating.
Chen Jingji was stunned. “You… how dare you! This is the dinner Doctor Wei offered to her late husband!”
At the sight of Wang Daxia, Wei Caiwei’s gaze froze, her lips parted slightly, and the spoon in her hand slipped uncontrollably, clattering into the bowl and splashing broth. “It’s you! I’m… I—”
Seeing Wei Caiwei flustered and stumbling over her words, Chen Jingji assumed she was afraid of Young Master Wang and quickly stepped between them. “Young Master Wang! Bullying a young widow—what kind of skill is that?”
In his anger, Chen Jingji dropped the polite “Second Young Master” and used the nickname “Young Master Wang” instead.
Wang Daxia sidestepped Chen Jingji, tilting his head to scrutinize Wei Caiwei. The white Mourning Bun on her head stood out starkly in the night.
To be charming, wear mourning. What a pretty young widow!
Wang Daxia’s eyes instantly sparkled like stars, and his eyebrows lifted playfully.
At the sight of a beauty, Wang Daxia’s attitude softened considerably. He set down the bowl and said:
“Young widow, I bear you no grudge. You’ve been deceived by this unscrupulous agent. He knew full well the house was disputed, yet he tricked you into signing the lease for a mere five taels commission. The house and all the furniture inside were part of my late mother’s dowry. I want to keep them as mementos and won’t allow outsiders to live there. The rent is now in my stepmother’s hands. You should demand the rent back from Chen Jingji and find another place to stay.”
By now, Wei Caiwei had collected herself and regained some composure. She said, “Young Master Wang, you’ve misunderstood. Chen Jingji and I were waiting at your doorstep for you to return home, not to complain to Wang Commander. Regarding the house, I’d like to discuss it with you face to face. My surname is Wei, and I practice medicine for a living. You may call me Doctor Wei.”
Well, well, this young widow is quite interesting! She’s speaking to me, the notorious young master, so politely.
She really treats me like a person, but…
Wang Daxia frowned, stroking his chin as if deeply troubled. “There’s nothing to discuss. My mother’s dowry is not for anyone to touch. Doctor Wei, you should move out.”
That settled it—there was no room for negotiation.
Just as Chen Jingji was about to speak up again, Wei Caiwei pointed to the bowl in front of Wang Daxia and said, “My late husband has already partaken. Are you hungry, Young Master Wang? If you don’t mind, please have this bowl of wontons. Even if our deal falls through, it’s still an honor to have met you.”
The so-called offering of food was symbolic—once the sentiment was conveyed, it could be eaten by the living after a short while. Ordinary folks wouldn’t waste food.A charming young widow was generously treating him to wontons. If he refused, wouldn't that make him seem more prudish than even this young widow?
"Thank you, Doctor Wei." Wang Daxia picked up his spoon to eat the wontons. After all, as a scion of an aristocratic family, though he might be a ne'er-do-well, his table manners were impeccable—not a single sound could be heard.
It seemed Doctor Wei intended to withdraw from the rental agreement, and the five-tael brokerage fee would have to be returned. Chen the Agent grew anxious, finding the shepherd's purse wontons in his bowl no longer appetizing. What should he do?
Just then, the clatter of hooves arose on the road—the Northern City Military Command had begun its nightly patrol. Chen the Agent sprang to his feet, craning his neck in anticipation: Commander Wang was returning! It would be best to speak with the young master's father!
Wang Daxia saw through Chen the Agent's scheme and grabbed his hand, forcing him back into his seat. "It's not my father. A murder just occurred in the northern city. The Northern City Military Command is currently hunting the culprit everywhere. My father is busy with the case and probably won't return home for the next few days. Abandon any thought of tattling to him."
"Ah?" Chen the Agent was shocked. "A murder! Who was the victim?"
"I don't know. I heard the scene was utterly gruesome." Wang Daxia gestured horizontally across his neck with the spoon. "A single slash to the throat—the arterial spray reached the willow catkins on the branches, dyeing the white fluff crimson."
Chen the Agent shuddered in fear, instinctively covering his neck with both hands. "Good heavens, what kind of grudge could drive someone to this? What a horrific way to die."
Wei Caiwei lowered her head, gazing at the scallions floating in her bowl. What grudge? What hatred? Of course, it was the vengeance for her slaughtered family, the hatred for her murdered kin!
I did it.
Reborn into this life, she would repay kindness with kindness and settle debts with vengeance—only then would she not waste this second chance given by heaven.
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