Chapter 203: Heaven-Sent

"Father and Mother clearly arranged a marriage between our two families. Later they said it was off, and our family returned the betrothal gifts to theirs, even gave them an extra ten taels — ten taels! Our family can't earn that much silver in a whole year. There's no way to go on living like this..." Aunt Liu wept and wailed, "... but it wasn't settled for certain, and we never found a middleman to formally break the engagement. I said we should still go through with the Pang family match. That white-bearded immortal said the betrothal gifts should come from our family instead, so fine, we'd give them. Who knew that Pang family's Brother Yu would get promoted, and from then on not a word, and when I went to their door they wouldn't even see me. Too snobbish! All the neighbors know it. Our old Liu family has lost all face. No one dares propose to our daughter. What's to be done about that tribulation? My poor daughter..."

Aunt Liu sat on the ground weeping and wailing, surrounded by a crowd three layers deep on all sides, all chattering and gossiping. Even with Tongcheng's current economic hardship, who wouldn't want to watch such a spectacle — a real-life version of appealing to the imperial court, right here in their dull daily lives.

Pang Yu watched Aunt Liu with trepidation. Pi Yingju stood off to the side, expressionless, impossible to tell what he was thinking. Yang Erming, however, looked somewhat flustered — after all, he was Tongcheng's magistrate, and Pang Yu had come out of the county yamen. Whether the woman's story was true or not, it was no good thing for him. At this thought he couldn't help turning to glare at Ruan Jin, blaming him for failing to clear the streets properly.

Shi Kefa listened in utter confusion. Though Aunt Liu's account was muddled, he at least understood she was accusing Pang Yu, and he tilted his head to glance at him.

Pang Yu cursed Aunt Liu inwardly — this shrew really knew how to pick her moment. All those other days she never went to appeal to any imperial official, but today, right at his own community by suitable for the people Gate, she came to put on this show.

Pang Yu had never encountered anything like this. He thought that if he hadn't tried to swindle Aunt Liu out of those sixty taels when the engagement was broken off, this farce wouldn't be happening now. In the past, Pang Yu wouldn't have feared her accusations — whether she complained to Yang Erming or Pi Yingju, it wouldn't have affected him. Only now, with this Shi Kefa, Pang Yu couldn't be sure.

Shi Kefa was a Donglin Party man. Pang Yu had only met one other, Zhang Guowei, but he had learned something from Ruan Dacheng: Donglin Party men placed great weight on reputation and moral standing — at least on the surface. Their treatment of Ruan Dacheng was a classic example. If over a trifle like this Shi Kefa came to think less of his moral character, and that in turn affected material support for the Garrison Battalion, it would truly be a poor bargain.

Now Shi Kefa had stopped to hear Aunt Liu's complaint, and it looked as though he meant to adjudicate this domestic matter. Pang Yu felt some panic himself. From what he knew, if it were Zhang Guowei or Pi Yingju facing this, they'd have their men pull her aside and be done with it — and could even sell Pang Yu a favor. Only if they meant to use it against the accused would they stop and listen.

Pang Yu stole a look at Shi Kefa's eyes, trying to deduce whether Shi Kefa merely wanted something to hold over him, or genuinely intended to meddle in this wretched affair.

In his haste he truly couldn't tell. Just then a shriek came from Aunt Liu's direction, drawing Shi Kefa's attention. Pang Yu cleared his throat, preparing to rebuke her.

A low voice beside him said, "General, do not entangle yourself with this woman. Simply state your defense to the Circuit Intendant."

Pang Yu quickly turned his head to look. It was none other than Zhou County Deputy's advisor, Mr. Yu. This time last year, he had been someone Pang Yu needed to curry favor with; now their positions had reversed.

Hearing his words now, the threads in Pang Yu's mind grew a little clearer. He truly could not afford to get tangled up with Aunt Liu — that would degenerate into a marketplace squabble, lowering his status to her level. Then, once matters like breach-of-contract penalties and tribulation crossing got dragged out, things would only become harder to explain.

Pang Yu said in a low voice to Shi Kefa beside him, "Your Excellency, permit me to explain. This woman's daughter was indeed betrothed to your subordinate from childhood. Last July, when your subordinate suffered a severe blow to the head, this woman, seeing the situation, proposed breaking the engagement. After your subordinate agreed, she reversed herself. Ever since, she has been pestering my family relentlessly. Your subordinate has no wish to entangle with such a snobbish household, and so firmly refused to renew the match. I never imagined that today this matter would disturb Your Excellency."

Shi Kefa gave an "Oh." Seeing a trace of doubt still on his face, Pang Yu pointed at the surrounding onlookers and said, "All the people here know this woman's character. Your Excellency may send someone to inquire discreetly."

Hearing Pang Yu say this, Shi Kefa seemed to feel that lingering here was somewhat inappropriate. He nodded without saying anything and appeared ready to leave.

Over on her side, Aunt Liu saw this. She scrambled up from the ground, fished a sheet of paper from her sleeve, and waved it about. "The marriage contract is right here! Get promoted and then deny it — this is just like that Chen Shimei in the operas! I beg Your Honor to give our Liu family justice! Brother Yu's father is right here — Your Excellency, ask him!"

A clamor rose from the crowd as everyone turned to look where Aunt Liu was pointing. Pang Yu's nominal father stood on the street curb, his face ashen. The people around him quickly edged away. Shi Kefa, intrigued by this dramatic turn, couldn't help stopping in his tracks.

Pang Yu thought to himself, This is bad. This nominal father of his strongly disapproved of the things he did and had lately been leaning toward renewing the match with the Liu family. Worse, he very likely could not grasp how important Shi Kefa was to the Garrison Battalion.

Shi Kefa's gaze shifted back and forth between their two faces. His expression soured somewhat, and the look he directed at Pang Yu carried suspicion. Pang Yu knew that Shi Kefa had taken some offense. For now, since he was counting on Pang Yu to defend Anqing, it wouldn't affect his garrison commander post, but once an impression of moral failing was formed, it would be far less advantageous later when fighting for equipment, rations, and pay.

For now, he had to set all that aside. Pang Yu hoped first to get Shi Kefa away from the scene, lest Aunt Liu drag out matters like the reversed betrothal gifts and the tribulation crossing.

Pang Yu steadied his nerves and said quietly, "This is my father. These petty domestic trifles have troubled Your Excellency; this humble person is deeply ashamed. Your subordinate will settle this matter within the next few days and ensure no further errors or lapses occur."

Shi Kefa hesitated. At that moment, Pi Yingju, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke: "If this woman has a grievance, she ought to go to the county yamen's Document Receiving Office, file a formal complaint, and prepare the marriage contract and other evidence. The Village Elder and the middleman should serve as witnesses. Jinxian would naturally adjudicate fairly. Now, blocking the road in public and accosting Your Excellency, behaving like a marketplace shrew — truly not a word she says is credible. This humble official believes the Tongcheng Constables should be ordered to seize her and take her back to the yamen."

Shi Kefa's chronic indecision flared up again. He stood frowning in thought. Pang Yu knew Pi Yingju was helping him, but the most urgent thing now was to leave this place quickly. That Aunt Liu had broken the engagement first — the neighbors all knew that. But the matter of the breach-of-contract penalty was unknown to many. If Shi Kefa heard that he had sold the marriage contract for money, he'd be damned if he'd ever cheerfully allocate rations, pay, and supplies to the Garrison Battalion.

"All you neighbors, take a look! A clear as day marriage contract, and he just says it doesn't count..." Aunt Liu, unaware that they were already preparing to seize her, collapsed to the ground again wailing, tears and snot streaming down her face. She blew her nose with a loud honk, wiped her hand on the stone paving slab, and prepared to continue her appeal.

The surroundings were in an uproar. Nearby residents all pressed in this direction, laughter and jeers everywhere. Pang Yu turned and shot Ruan Jin a look, signaling him to get Aunt Liu out of there at once.

Just then, a figure squeezed out from the roadside and came to the middle of the road beside Aunt Liu. The crowd grew even noisier. Pang Yu looked — it was the Liu family daughter, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Today she wore a pale green long skirt. She didn't have that ethereal, floating-immortal feeling from the first time he saw her, but there was an added freshness. Only, seen in the daylight, that birthmark was a little more noticeable.

The Liu daughter stood in the open, her face bright red under countless gazes, both hands gripping the hem of her skirt tightly. Yang Erming was now frantically signaling Pang Yu with his eyes, asking whether they should quickly arrest this mother and daughter pair.

Before Pang Yu could respond, the Liu daughter dropped to her knees with a thud before the several officials. Pang Yu instinctively stepped back half a pace. Aunt Liu hadn't even been sent away yet, and here came another accuser.

"This humble maiden reports to all Your Excellencies: the breaking of the engagement back then was my mother's doing. It has nothing to do with the Pang family's Brother Yu. The Pang family is not to blame."

A hubbub broke out. Some onlookers who didn't know the details began pointing fingers at Aunt Liu. Even Pang Yu was taken aback — he hadn't expected infighting within the Liu family.

The Liu daughter gritted her teeth and continued, "At the time, this humble maiden did not agree to breaking the engagement. Though I am no gentleman, I understand keeping one's word and honoring commitments, and I understand chastity and righteousness. A woman's status is fixed by the marriage contract. Even if the Pang family refuses to renew the match, this humble maiden still considers herself a member of the Pang household. I would rather grow old alone than marry another in this life. This is my fate; the Pang family cannot be blamed. I only hope that Brother Yu meets with a fine match, attains great wealth and high rank in this life, and brings glory to his family's door."

At these words, the scene quieted considerably. No one had expected the Liu daughter to say such things. Under the crowd's gaze, she grew less nervous instead. She kowtowed once to Shi Kefa, pulled Aunt Liu up from the ground, and headed back toward the shopfront.

Pang Yu watched their retreating figures and muttered, "Your grandmother's... This girl is formidable."

"Young Master, we leave first thing tomorrow morning?"

"Of course we're leaving. That Liu daughter is a formidable character. Shi Kefa couldn't stop praising her. If my marriage gets settled by him like this, how am I supposed to sell it for a good price later?"

In the temporary camp in the northwest corner of the Ye Family Old Residence, Pang Yu buried his face in a water basin and scrubbed vigorously. When he stood up, quite a few droplets had splashed onto his clothes.

He grabbed the face cloth from Pang Ding's hands, wiped his face, sat down at the table, and said fiercely, "Neither of those two, mother or daughter, is easy to deal with. I underestimated them. Right, right — the night of the civil unrest, that Liu girl even grabbed a cleaver and wanted to go hack people with me. How did I not guard against this?"

Pang Ding hesitated. "Circuit Intendant Shi hasn't even left yet — how can we just leave?"

"He's leaving too. Pi Yingju and Yang Erming went to discuss it with him again this afternoon. None of them want Xu Strengthening to stay. Tongcheng can't afford to supply him, and neither can Anqing. Shi Kefa has arranged for Xu Strengthening to march to Anqing the day after tomorrow. I fought to march tomorrow."

"Then the Circuit Intendant didn't say anything about your marriage?"

"How could he not? He said the Liu daughter is a rare fine woman, a heaven-sent match. He's far too easy to fool." Pang Yu slammed the cloth onto the table. "Aunt Liu, that snob — if I hadn't awakened, our old Pang family could kneel at her door and she still wouldn't agree to the match."

Pang Ding tilted his head and looked at Pang Yu. "Then how did Young Master get out of it?"

Pang Yu gave a snort. "I told Shi Kefa: 'While the Xiongnu are not yet vanquished, why speak of home?' You thought only Aunt Liu could hoodwink a scholar?"

Pang Ding slapped his thigh. "Young Master's skill is still a cut above."

Pang Yu shook his head. "This is just stalling. A political marriage with another family is out of the question now. It'll have to be this way for the time being. Enough about Aunt Liu. Tell the Central Army to prepare two extra carts tomorrow. Mr. Yu is coming with us to Anqing."

"Zhou County Deputy is leaving?"

"Zhou County Deputy is in poor health. Staying in Tongcheng in constant fear isn't good for him. He's already tendered his resignation and returned to his hometown. Mr. Yu needs to make a living, and the Garrison Battalion needs him too." Pang Yu steadied his emotions and asked, "Put him in the Central Army for now. For this armor tender, have him handle the paperwork."

Pang Ding probed, "Young Master really intends to make that much armor?"

"Of course. That's what I got all that silver for. I used to always say war is fought with money, but only after this battle do I truly understand: sturdy armor and sharp weapons count for more than big talk."

"But those blacksmiths don't know how..."

"I don't need them to know how to make armor. I just need them to make lock rings — one single specification. I want every blacksmith in Anqing able to make them. In two months, the Garrison Battalion will look completely different. Next time, we'll give the Roving Bandits a show."