Chapter 14: Malice

The content was concise, outlining that after Zhou Qing sold the poem, she must not mention its origin under any circumstances, or face a hundredfold penalty.

Zhou Qing chuckled, "What if it wasn't me who leaked it?"

As she spoke, Zhou Qing glanced at the shop assistant who had just been present.

The shop assistant...

Why are you looking at me?

Do you think I would leak it?

The shopkeeper smiled, "Don't worry, miss, he would never leak it."

The shop assistant...

She didn't even say it was me, why did you assume it was me!

What if she meant you!

The shopkeeper...

Zhou Qing said, "Let's add a clause, just to put everyone's mind at ease."

Fair trade, adding a clause was no big deal. The shopkeeper thought for a moment and then wrote it down.

After signing the contract, Zhou Qing handed over the complete poem to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper couldn't wait to read it.

"After a thousand trials and countless blows, still strong, unyielding to the winds from any direction."

Reading it, he slowly closed his eyes, savoring the essence of the poem, fully immersed in it.

What a powerful line about enduring the winds from all directions.

Zhou Qing pocketed the money, breaking the shopkeeper's reverie, "About my father's book copying job..."

The shopkeeper slowly opened his eyes, still lingering in the poem's charm, "Such a good poem!"

He then turned to the bookshelf and pulled out a copy of the Analects, "Market price, two hundred copper coins per book, our store provides the paper, but you'll need to prepare your own ink and brush."

"Do we need to provide any collateral?"

The shopkeeper waved his hand, "No need, miss. If you have any more good poems, you're welcome to bring them."

Zhou Qing responded with a cheerful smile.

She noticed that the shopkeeper didn't take her father's book copying job too seriously.

Without requiring collateral, it was clear that even if they didn't finish copying the book, he wouldn't mind.

It seemed the poem could indeed bring the bookstore considerable profit.

With money and book in hand, Zhou Qing left the bookstore.

She had chosen this bookstore because it was the largest in Qinghe County.

The reason was simple.

Follow the big boss, and you'll have meat to eat.^[1]

For the bookstore to be this large, the shopkeeper's connections must be extensive.

Once she got acquainted with the shopkeeper, she could have him recommend her father to an academy.

Although there were academies in the town, Zhou Yuan was in the town. What if Zhou Huaishan's character got exposed?

Besides, a large bookstore wouldn't scam them for a small profit. Selling poems would be more stable and successful, without drawing unwanted attention from malicious competitors.

Unaware of the sinister gaze following her, Zhou Qing left the bookstore.

Zhou Huaihai stood at a corner near the bookstore, clenching his fists.

Judging by Qing’s demeanor, she had succeeded!

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Huaihai entered the bookstore.

The shop assistant immediately approached, "What can I get you, sir?"

Zhou Huaihai hesitated, "I'm that young lady's uncle."

The shop assistant immediately sized up Zhou Huaihai and called out, "Shopkeeper!"

The shopkeeper was in the back savoring tea and poem. Hearing the loud call, he thought someone was bringing more poem, and excitedly came out.

"And you are...?"

Zhou Huaihai bowed slightly, "I'm a scholar (tongsheng) from Qingyang Village and that young lady's uncle."

The shopkeeper...

So?

"Did she just come to ask for a book copying job? To be honest, her father is an honest farmer, who only knows a few characters and can't read."

The shopkeeper...

He sized up Zhou Huaihai.

Could it be that he wrote the poem?

"Like a bamboo cling to the green mountain..."

With his hands behind his back, the shopkeeper recited the poem to Zhou Huaihai with a meaningful look.

Zhou Huaihai...

Huh?

Full of question marks.

"I just came to remind you not to be deceived. My niece is quite the talker."

Seeing Zhou Huaihai's reaction, the shopkeeper realized that the poem had nothing to do with him.

Heh, this is getting interesting.

An uncle running to sabotage his niece's good fortune.

The shopkeeper's gaze turned cold, "You are still just a scholar (tongsheng), yet you've read the sages' books in vain and dare to say such things."

With that, the shopkeeper flicked his sleeves and turned away.

Zhou Huaihai's face flushed red, "Ungrateful!"

The shop assistant sneered, "Do you misunderstand that phrase? If you don't understand it well enough, perhaps you should go back and study more. No wonder you're still a scholar (tongsheng) at your age."

With that, he picked up a broom and swept the floor.

Zhou Huaihai, covered in dust and feeling humiliated, he clenched his fists in anger but didn't dare curse loudly.

Why did Qing get the book copying job while he was kicked out?

Could it be...

A flash of thought crossed Zhou Huaihai's mind, and a contemptuous smile appeared on his face.

With Qing’s bean-sprout figure, what did the shopkeeper see in her?

Giving the bookstore sign a hateful glance, Zhou Huaihai left in anger.

Unaware of the malicious thoughts against her, Zhou Qing wandered to a paper shop.

Originally, she planned to sell the rights to the calligraphy of happiness and blessing characters her father had written.

After all, such decorative characters were rare in Qinghe County.

But having just sold a poem, selling calligraphy rights now would draw too much attention.

What if someone caught on?

After all, she was just a farmer’s daughter.

What if greedy merchants targeted her?

Holding back, Zhou Qing bought a roll of red paper instead.

Fortunately, with ten taels from selling the poem's rights plus the silver piece from Shen Li, she had enough money.

After buying what she needed, Zhou Qing returned to the tea shop.

By the time she arrived, Cheng Wu was already waiting.

Once Zhou Qing sat down, Cheng Wu snapped the reins, and they departed.

Shen Li, eagerly waiting at the calligraphy shop entrance...

Uncle Zhong, watching Shen Li with his chin in his hand...

Seeing Shen Li’s disappointed face, Uncle Zhong burst into laughter, "If you can't bear it, go after her."

Shen Li stepped forward.

Uncle Zhong...

He’s really going!

"Miss, miss."

Hearing the shout from behind, Zhou Qing turned to see Shen Li in his dark robe approaching.

Such a nice young man, why does he always dress so old-fashioned?

Muttering to herself, Zhou Qing quickly jumped off the cart, "Boss Shen, is something the matter?"

Cheng Wu stopped the mule cart.

Shen Li...

"Recently, the calligraphy shop has been accepting books copied by scholars. Does anyone in your family need a book copying job?"

As he spoke, Shen Li noticed the roll of red paper on the mule cart, and his heart skipped a beat.

Zhou Qing, full of gratitude, was about to reply when Shen Li continued, "Is your family preparing for a wedding?"

Zhou Qing...

"Huh?"

Shen Li pointed at the red paper.

Zhou Qing...

You’re really nosy!

She shook her head with a laugh, "No, I bought it for writing. My father is indeed copying books, but we've already found a bookstore. Thank you, Boss Shen."

Cheng Wu eyed Shen Li, feeling this young shop owner had ulterior motives.

"Sister Qing, we should go, it might rain later."

Shen Li...

The sky was completely clear!

Zhou Qing smiled and bid Shen Li farewell, then got back on the mule cart.

Watching Zhou Qing leave, Shen Li felt a pang of disappointment.

He really wanted to follow her.

"Excuse me, you mentioned the calligraphy shop is accepting book copying jobs? Do you think I qualify?"

Behind Shen Li, a timid scholar asked.

Shen Li...

Inside the calligraphy shop, Uncle Zhong...

"Pfft, hahahahaha."

_____

Footnotes:

[1] In context, this means that if you align yourself with a powerful or influential person, you will benefit and have a good life. The 'meat' symbolizes good rewards or benefits.