The sky was just beginning to lighten when the four of them, fully prepared, set out for the town to set up their stall.
At this moment, Zhao Jiaqi remembered the promise she had made to her mother-in-law the night before. She pulled Wang Zhaodi aside and said with a troubled expression, "Sister-in-law, I'm truly sorry. It was inconsiderate of me to ask my elder brother to help yesterday. These two elders..."
"Sister-in-law, you don't need to explain. I understand," Wang Zhaodi interrupted her directly.
After a moment of thought, she continued, "To be honest, my father-in-law is a good man, and Auntie is capable and has a good temper. If the two elders can get along, your brother and I would be happy. I just don't know what you and your husband think!"
Now it was Zhao Jiaqi's turn to feel awkward. What could she, a daughter-in-law, say? She gave a few forced laughs, "I really don't know about this. You know I just got married."
Wang Zhaodi took her hand and gently patted it, fully understanding the difficulties of a daughter-in-law.
She didn't dwell on the matter. "I'll talk to Auntie. It's indeed not easy for you, as a daughter-in-law, to bring this up. You don't need to worry about it."
When a daughter-in-law persuades her mother-in-law to remarry, those who understand know it's about finding someone to care for her. Those who don't understand might think she's trying to shirk her duty of care.
Therefore, Zhao Jiaqi really couldn't say these words. What if her mother-in-law was a petty person? How would they get along in the future?
In town.
A new food vendor appeared at the dock, attracting immediate attention from afar. Those who had finished their morning chores finally stopped their work and prepared to welcome the merchant ships.
"Husband, I've packed two portions of liangpi, and the seasonings are all in this bamboo tube. Please take them to Steward Wang."
Zhao Jiaqi handed the items to Fan Zehao. She still remembered the ingot of silver from Steward Wang and hoped to repay it as soon as possible.
Fan Zehao took the items and went. Familiar with the route, he left the items at the gatehouse, said a few words, and then ran back.
As the sun gradually rose, merchant ships of all sizes began to dock.
The stall immediately became lively. Being newcomers and setting up a stall for the first time, Wang Zhaodi and Fan Guangping appeared rather reserved.
Zhao Jiaqi, on the other hand, was more outgoing. She shouted loudly, imitating others. After trying to shout a few times, Wang Zhaodi also loosened up.
"Delicious and affordable liangpi, five wen per portion! It cools you down and fills your stomach. The first in all of Yun Nation! Don't miss out, step right up! Free tasting, no charge if it's not delicious..."
Wang Zhaodi's voice was loud, and within a few calls, a large crowd gathered, mostly driven by curiosity.
After tasting, customers bought two or three portions, exclaiming how delicious it was. Those who hadn't tasted it yet, seeing this, stopped trying and just grabbed.
The hundred portions of liangpi were thus snatched up. Just as the four of them were happily discussing how much liangpi to make the next day, their stall was overturned.
A seven-foot-tall man, stout and burly, with a large head, a round face, and a thick, fleshy countenance, a short knife tucked into his belt, and a club in his hand, stood with one foot on a stool, his eyes sharp and hostile as he looked at them. "Do you know where this is? Who allowed you to set up a stall here without my permission? Do you understand the rules!"
The ruffians behind him stared at the four of them, smirks of mockery appearing on their faces.
It was the protection racket!
Zhao Jiaqi understood the intentions of these people and was no longer afraid. On the contrary, Fan Guangping recognized the man.
He quickly stepped forward, smiling obsequiously, "Isn't this Boss Xie? It's a misunderstanding, like the Dragon King's temple being flooded by the dragon itself, treating family as strangers!"
Xie Kun frowned, his thick forehead creasing. He disdainfully pushed Fan Guangping aside. "Go away, who's family with you? Since you know me, you should know who rules this area."
"Of course, Boss Xie rules. Everyone at the dock knows that. It's just that I used to work at this dock and truly didn't know this stall had to pay taxes, and it's our first day setting up. Boss Xie, you are a magnanimous person, please let us off today."
Fan Guangping knew very well that this Boss Xie could be ruthless enough to cripple people, and the county magistrate was his brother-in-law. He was also Steward Wang Lifeng's son-in-law in town, a connection that allowed him to wield considerable influence in town and the county.
If nothing else, even the town mayor had to show him some respect.
"Let you off? Then wouldn't others follow suit? It's a pipe dream! Smash it for me first!" With a glare, Xie Kun gave them a taste of his power.
A group of people swarmed forward, and with a clatter, everything in sight was smashed to pieces.
Zhao Jiaqi was shielded by Fan Zehao, but despite her attempts to dodge, a porcelain bowl was broken, scratching her ankle. A faint bloodstain quickly appeared on her thin white socks.
Seeing his wife injured, Fan Zehao, the doting husband, was finally enraged.
He pushed Zhao Jiaqi behind him, casually grabbed the nearest thug, lifted him over his head, and hurled him fiercely towards Xie Kun. "How dare you injure my wife! I'll tear you apart with my bare hands."
He hadn't raged when they were being arrogant or smashing things or yelling insults. But when the person most important to his heart was hurt, he exploded, beyond his control. No matter how Zhao Jiaqi pulled and tried to persuade him, she couldn't quell his burning fury.
"Sister, sister, you go hide to the side. Don't get hurt again."
Wang Zhaodi dragged Zhao Jiaqi to a side, while Fan Zehao was now surrounded by a group of people, fighting them with sticks.
"Are you blind? Can't you see my brother-in-law is getting beaten? Hurry up and help!" Wang Zhaodi yelled at her timid husband.
The latter felt even more wronged. Those thugs were all big and strong; if he went up, he would undoubtedly be beaten. Wang Zhaodi couldn't stand it any longer and kicked him into the crowd.
Anger surged in his heart, and malevolence arose!
After being hit a few times, Fan Guangping just picked up a stick and was about to strike back when the people in front of him all collapsed.
At this moment, Fan Zehao was choking Xie Kun's neck, lifting the seven-foot-tall man up by force.
The man, weighing over 180 to 190 jin, gradually lifted off the ground, his face turning a liverish color. He frantically slapped Fan Zehao's arm, but Fan Zehao felt no pain. Cold hatred, carrying the scent of death, erupted from his eyes.
Grinding his teeth, he said, "You hurt my wife, you deserve to die!"
His clear and handsome face contorted with ferocity. He looked at Xie Kun as if he were a chicken about to die.
This was the first time Zhao Jiaqi had seen him so fierce. Not only was she stunned, but Wang Zhaodi and Fan Guangping were also seeing it for the first time in many years.
Zhao Jiaqi, recovering her senses, scrambled to stop him from killing: "Husband, husband, let go! I'm fine, truly fine. Look at me..."
She patted, pulled, and shook Fan Zehao's arm, but he remained as steady as a mountain, his arm not moving an inch.
His ability to defeat a dog with one punch was no mere boast. Such arm strength was indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people.