Chapter 19: Stop Overthinking

Su Tang took it.

The system remained motionless.

“This is the Longxu noodle payment,” Su Tang said.

Li Qingtian: “?”

As Su Tang’s words fell, the system suddenly shimmered with a hazy light—precisely the task: “Donate a sum of money.”

Su Tang’s eyes flickered. So that’s how it works~

*

Night descended. In Ping’an Town, the lights flickered, some bright, some dim. The occasional barking of dogs was silenced under the scolding of townsfolk, gradually fading into stillness.

A slender figure, as light as smoke, swept across the rooftops, heading straight for the town’s sole inn and tavern.

By day, the tavern bustled with activity, but now it was quiet as a tomb. Behind, the inn housed merchants who had stopped for the night.

Amidst the sounds of counting coins, laughter and curses, and angry shouts, the windows were either ajar or tightly shut, yet every movement inside was clearly observed by figures lurking outside.

Soon enough, the shadow leaped from the roof and sped toward the outskirts of Ping’an Town.

Beyond the town, there stood a small temple.

Inside, the flickering firelight danced.

Several shadows scaled the temple roof. Peering through the ruined eaves, they could see a few travelers gathered by the fire, talking.

The shadow in black watched for a while, then retreated quietly.

Under the moon and stars, the face revealed itself—it was Li Qingtian.

If she truly was following her mistress and servant, she needed a place to stay.

In Ping’an Town, everyone knew each other. Lodging with a family would quickly be discovered by them. Only the inn, or the wild temple, would do.

But whether in the inn or the temple, none of the people she saw matched those who had stalked her during the day.

Could it really be the Zhao family?

Li Qingtian was about to leave, when suddenly she thought of something and turned back.

……

Inside the temple, three men huddled around the fire, talking.

“This trip to the capital is to seek out relatives and friends. I know a few people, but sadly my family is poor. I have no choice but to rely on others, hoping that next year’s imperial examination will earn me some reputation. First to repay my parents for raising me, and second to honor the elders of my clan,” the young scholar said.

“Brother Yuan, you truly are learned—humble and courteous. If we had elders like yours, we wouldn’t need to toil and wander day after day. If you find success, don’t forget the friendship we’ve shared in this humble temple,” the burly man declared.

“Heh, it’s not that you must remember us. I mean, if things don’t work out for me, I’d be happy to serve under Brother Yuan, better than sleeping in the open and eating in the wind, isn’t it?” The oily fellow among them poured water, playing up his flattery.

Brother Wang nodded with a serious face.

The young scholar replied cheerfully, “Very well. If I, Yuan, achieve anything, I’ll welcome you with open arms.”

“That won’t do, how could we dare,” Brother Wang said hastily. “If that day truly comes, it’s we who’ll seek you out for a living. You should follow proper custom.”

“Exactly. Brother Wang leads, I, Liu Er, follow. The bond we’ve formed tonight in this ruined temple is worth more than ties with strangers, isn’t it?” Liu Er said.

“That’s right, I agree,” the young scholar replied.

“Then it’s settled. Brother Wang and I will await your good news, Brother Yuan.” Liu Er pointed to the crumbling clay statue nearby. “The Bodhisattva is watching. Surely she’ll bless you with victory.”

The young scholar stood solemnly. “Then I, Yuan Wenliang, must offer a prayer.”

He rose and went to the clay statue. Brother Wang glanced at Liu Er, and both were about to follow when the young scholar cried out in astonishment.

They rushed over.

On the altar before the clay Bodhisattva, three bright copper coins lay.

“This—when I came earlier, there was nothing here,” the young scholar whispered.

Liu Er’s face turned pale and he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, I saw too, there was nothing.”

But the three copper coins could not be faked.

Brother Wang picked one up and sniffed it at his nose.

“There’s a fragrance.”

Hiss—

In the wild temple, three healthy men stood, yet on the altar a mere step away, three fragrant copper coins appeared out of nowhere.

None of them carried sachets, nor had any idea how they got there.

Could it truly be...

With a thud, Liu Er knelt. “Bodhisattva, bless me. Though I am prone to petty greed, I am no villain. Today, with Brother Yuan and Brother Wang, I mean no harm. May you see clearly.”

The young scholar knelt as well. “Bodhisattva above, meeting Brother Wang and Brother Liu today is a great fortune. If I succeed, I will keep my word.”

“I, Wang Zhimeng, swear—never to fail a brother, nor betray a friend.”

“……”

Though there was no incense, their voices drifted into the night sky.

********

Within Ping’an Town.

In the small courtyard, indoors.

By candlelight, Su Tang quietly watched as her “system tree” at last glowed faintly, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The Longxu noodles were finished—“prepare a meal,” complete.

Sister Li paid—“earn a sum of money,” done.

Sister Li went out at night to see whether the people from the day were really following her, and along the way helped donate some money.

Now, though she didn’t know who Sister Li donated to, the task was accomplished.

If it were just the system, she could ignore it. But since it affected her livelihood, she had to take it seriously—it had to be completed.

The system owed her a reward, no less.

Page (2/3)

Considering the dangers she faced now, surely the system should provide her with a bodyguard or something…

Su Tang was lost in her daydreams when she sensed a burning gaze beside her.

She returned to herself and met the eyes of her little husband, who sat at the table, chin propped in hand, watching her.

His lips pressed together, and his eyes were deep and dark as a pool.

Wait, had she made a ferocious face just now?

Su Tang raised her brows slightly, giving a gentle, demure smile without showing her teeth. “Husband.”

The young man’s lips twitched. “You can stop thinking about it.”

“Ah?” Su Tang froze.

He said, “It’ll be earned back.”

“What?” Su Tang remained puzzled.

He glanced at her, eyes dropping to indicate the box where she kept her money.

Su Tang: “……”

What did he mean?

Did he think she was just thinking about money?

Su Tang bit her lip, feigning emotion. “How well you understand me, husband. The two thousand four hundred taels I spent were not in vain.”

A vein twitched at his forehead. He set down his book and went to bed.

Su Tang’s brows arched, her eyes smiling. “Retiring so early tonight, husband? Let me join you.” She rose and followed.

……

The candle was extinguished.

Moonlight poured softly outside the window.

Su Tang lay in bed, a palm’s breadth away from her little husband.

“Husband?” she whispered.

He didn’t move or reply.

Su Tang called again, “Husband, husband? Husband, husband? …” She seemed determined not to stop until he answered.

He let out a breath, and his nose responded with a sound.

Su Tang, as if unaware, spoke with the same cheerful tone in the darkness: “Good, husband isn’t asleep.”

The young man thought: Even if I were, I’d have to wake now.

Su Tang turned over. In the night, she couldn’t see his expression, but his eyes shone bright as black jade.