Chapter 15: Who Is More Noble? (Part One)

In the remote countryside, clashes among village women were hardly unusual. Yet in Ma Ying’s eyes, this was a grave humiliation. Deng Ji’s wife had seen her and had not even bothered to acknowledge her—did she still think things were as they once were? Deng Ji was no longer the man he had been; the former county registrar, Wang, had been transferred, leaving Deng Ji without a patron. Now, Jiyang belonged to the Kuai family. Ma Ying’s husband’s maternal cousin had married into the Kuai clan, so naturally, Ma Ying could now hold her head high.

Once Kuai Zheng assumed the post of county magistrate, he immediately appointed Deng Cai as registrar. This showed the Kuai family’s high regard for Deng Cai. Even old Master Deng, Deng Ji’s father, who had once favored Deng Ji, now greeted Deng Cai with a broad smile.

Why, then, did Deng Ji’s wife dare to ignore Ma Ying? Officially, Deng Cai was Deng Ji’s superior and had made Deng Ji’s life miserable. Privately, Deng Cai was Deng Ji’s elder brother, not born of the same mother, but with the hierarchy firmly in place. Deng Ji’s wife should have approached Ma Ying with proper respect, paying her due homage. After all, in the current Deng household (meaning Deng Ji’s branch), it was her husband Deng Cai who called the shots.

Ma Ying was not a woman of wide horizons, born of humble stock and lacking in worldly experience. Previously, Deng Ji’s talent had won him favor with the registrar Wang Wei, allowing him to overshadow Deng Cai. Though they were brothers, their personalities were worlds apart; the elders had always valued Deng Ji more, which only deepened the resentment Deng Cai and his wife harbored towards him.

Now, the tables had turned. Deng Cai was in charge, and Ma Ying had grown more arrogant. That morning, upon hearing that a carriage had arrived at Deng Ji’s house, Ma Ying felt uneasy. Later, she encountered Cao Nan, who was in a hurry and failed to notice Ma Ying. This irked Ma Ying—so what if a carriage had come to your house? Who knows where it came from? But now, Deng Cai was the master of Deng Village, and you dare to ignore me?

Deliberately, Ma Ying collided with Cao Nan and then sought fault with her. Whether it was due to the arrival of her family, giving Cao Nan more confidence, or some other reason, Cao Nan, usually not one for arguments, couldn’t help but retort. This infuriated Ma Ying, who lunged forward and struck her. Cao Nan, being a frail woman, was no match for the fierce Ma Ying. Amid their quarrel, Ma Ying pushed Cao Nan to the ground, and somehow, Cao Nan lost consciousness.

Ma Ying was startled and rushed back home. Yet after returning, she stewed on the matter, feeling unsatisfied. That wretched woman dared to feign death to scare me! Ma Ying was convinced she hadn’t used much force—Cao Nan must have been pretending. Still, she herself had been truly frightened, panicking and fleeing. If this got out, wouldn’t she become the village laughingstock?

No, this could not be allowed to stand!

It was the dead of winter; though the sun shone brightly outside, the air remained bitterly cold. Sitting in the main hall, Ma Ying’s indignation grew. No, this was not over—so what if Cao Nan had visitors? They were just a bunch of lowly folk. If she backed down now, she’d be mocked by the villagers. She had to teach Cao Nan another lesson, or else she would lose all face.

“Big sister, are you busy at home with something important?”

As she pondered, a voice came from outside. Moments later, a young man wrapped in a cotton robe strode in. He was short but sturdy, his pale face betraying poor health. His thin brows and triangular eyes darted about restlessly.

Ma Ying broke into a smile upon seeing him. “Brother, what brings you here?”

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The young man’s name was Ma Yu, Ma Ying’s younger brother. He spent most of his time idling about the county town, known in Jiyang for being a local ruffian. He had trained in martial arts for a few days and possessed significant strength. Now that Deng Cai was in power, no one dared provoke him—he was notorious in Deng Village, leading a gang of lazy hangers-on and causing trouble wherever he went.

Despite this, Ma Ying and Ma Yu shared a close sibling bond. Ma Yu was a frequent guest at the Deng household, often bringing gifts.

Ma Yu entered the hall and casually sat beside Ma Ying. “Big sister, I’m here today to ask a favor.”

“What is it?” Ma Ying asked.

“Brother-in-law is now a prominent figure in Jiyang; the new magistrate values him highly, and his prospects are bright.” Ma Yu spoke forthrightly, “But look at me—I was hoping you and brother-in-law could help me land a job at the county office. I’m not getting any younger, and I can’t keep wandering around the town forever.”

Ma Yu was just over twenty, yet still unmarried. Ma Ying felt anxious; they were outsiders in Jiyang, not natives, so they needed to support each other. If she could get Ma Yu a position in the office, Deng Cai would have a helper, and it would be easier to explain things to outsiders.

Serving the government was worlds apart from idling away one’s days. Ma Ying agreed without hesitation.

“Big sister, you seemed unhappy when I came in,” Ma Yu remarked, now relaxed after airing his request.

His question struck Ma Ying right at her sore spot. She sighed and recounted what had happened, then said, “Brother, this has been troubling me. That sly woman always puts on airs, and today she feigned death in front of me. If I don’t punish her, who will respect me in the future?

Your brother is in power now, but you know all too well how many in the village still look down on us. I need to use this incident to teach the villagers a lesson—let them know we siblings are not to be trifled with, so they won’t dare provoke us again.”

Ma Yu laughed, “I thought it was something serious—it’s just a matter of disciplining that woman, isn’t it? Don’t worry, big sister, leave it to me. I’ll handle it cleanly and make sure no one dares underestimate us siblings.”

“Brother, if we confront her directly, won’t it draw too much attention?”

Ma Yu burst out laughing, “Sister, I won’t give anyone a chance to use this against brother-in-law. Just leave it to me.”

Ma Ying felt reassured. Despite his usual indolence, she trusted her brother’s cunning.

“I have a string of coins here—take it. If it’s not enough, come back for more. I leave this matter entirely to you.”

Ma Yu nodded, took the money, and left.

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He didn’t act immediately; instead, he gathered a group of village idlers to investigate. Cao Nan had regained consciousness, but was still weak. Word had spread that someone had been sent to the county town to fetch a doctor. Ma Yu scoffed, “Bringing in a doctor? Good, he can save your life!”

“Who else is in her house?” he asked.

“Oh, just a strong man, a woman and a child—heard they’re Cao Nan’s parents. The carriage arrived at noon and has already left. At this moment, Cao Nan’s house is empty except for them.”

“Perfect—a chance to show them our strength!”

Ma Yu, accompanied by seven or eight loafers, marched toward Cao Nan’s home, making a commotion as he went. “We’re going to get my sister’s hairpin from Cao Nan—my sister’s hairpin is pure gold, worth ten strings of coins. It disappeared after she met with Cao Nan today—she must have stolen it!”

Villagers scattered at the sight of their approach, but whispered among themselves:

“The Deng Cai household grows ever more outrageous. Isn’t this bullying? Everyone knows Cao Nan’s character—she’d never steal a hairpin. They must be framing her.”

“Not necessarily! Ma Ying is no longer the same as before. She did quarrel with Cao Nan at noon—maybe it happened then…”

“Enough, just keep quiet! This matter isn’t ours to meddle in. Hurry, inform the old master—let him intervene before things get out of hand!”

“Yes, yes, let the old master step in.”

“But I just saw the old master head to the county town; he’s probably not home.”

“What should we do then?”

“…”

Amidst these murmurs, Ma Yu and his group arrived at Cao Nan’s doorstep.

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Thanks to the readers: The Passing Sigh, Faint Mist, Among Them, Clouds Drifting with the Wind, Thunderstorm Beneath the Tree, for their generous support!

Warm congratulations on the book’s fourth helm-holder: Among Them.

Flowers, applause…

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