Volume One, Chapter 13: Visiting the Father-in-Law

“Father, Mother, this silver is a gift from your son-in-law to honor you both.”
“Father, these past few days, my husband has been working tirelessly, hunting on the mountain to earn money. Winter is approaching, so here is some silver to buy you a few winter clothes.”
“All this food was specially brought by my husband when he left. He said that silver alone is not enough; we must eat well to get through the winter.”

Liu Feng smiled broadly as he watched the two sisters, who were eloquent and always spoke in his favor, painting him as an exemplary husband.

Isn't this a broken engagement?

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful...

“This can’t be right, honoring us?”

The father-in-law looked utterly incredulous, glancing at Liu Feng, then carefully observing his own daughters. Both sisters looked well, their complexions bright, and their clothing entirely renewed.

Only then did his lingering worries ease.

Yet Mu Linfeng still hesitated to accept the gifts, mainly because he couldn’t bring himself to lose face. After a lifetime as a healer serving the people, to be supported by his son-in-law would surely become a subject of ridicule.

“This won’t do. Even though you have no children, there are three of you in the family. The silver and food will come in handy sooner or later.”

“Father...”

Mu Wanqing feigned anger, snorting coldly.

Mu Wanqing then pointed at the second sister and said, “Look at Second Brother. How can you be so stubborn? Everyone knows your little schemes. What’s more important: pride or living comfortably?”

“Besides, my husband is incredibly capable. We’ve stocked enough rice to last the entire year.”

“And he even bought an ox cart.”

“Yes, Father, my husband is already arranging for timber to repair the house.”

“What? Enough rice for a whole year?”

“And an ox cart?”

The father-in-law was utterly incredulous. Was this really the same unskilled son-in-law?

He hurried outside for a look, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

An ox, in the Great Li Dynasty, was a treasure. Horses were reserved for military use and rarely allowed in civilian hands, except in a few special places like escort agencies.

An ox was the most valuable possession of an ordinary farmer. Owning one signified a wealthy household.

An ox cart—if word spread about that—would surely make others envious.

His son-in-law had truly become successful.

“Well, well...”

Mu Linfeng turned to Liu Feng, repeatedly uttering words of praise, his eyes moist with tears, perhaps from emotion.

“A good son-in-law, a virtuous son-in-law. I was mistaken—I was blind.”

Mu Linfeng approached Liu Feng and grasped his hand.

“Wife, go prepare some small dishes. With such an accomplished son-in-law, I must have a drink with him.”

“Father-in-law, I’m lucky. I brewed some wine myself, adding herbs like polygonatum. Would you like to try?”

“But this wine... it’s... quite strong.”

“Father-in-law, don’t drink too much.”

“Son-in-law, are you questioning my drinking capacity?”

“Not at all, not at all. How would I dare.”

Mu Wanqing carried the wine jar, and Mu Wanqing brought in several small dishes.

Liu Feng had already been ushered to the place of honor by his father-in-law.

Mu Wanqing poured wine for the two men. Before Liu Feng could explain, Mu Linfeng raised his porcelain cup and drained it in one gulp.

Mu Linfeng felt as if his throat was on fire, a fierce burning sensation shooting straight to the top of his head, followed by a harsh cough.

“Impossible... cough cough... I’ve never seen such strong wine.”

“Wife, quickly, bring water... water...”

Liu Feng smiled helplessly; he had warned them already.

This is the ancient era. Most wine is simply brewed without distillation, often mere rice wine with low alcohol content.

Liu Feng used modern techniques to distill his wine. Though the equipment was crude, multiple distillations guaranteed an alcohol content above 40 percent.

Such strength was unimaginable in this time.

If one could drink it all in one go, that would be a miracle.

“What a potent wine, son-in-law.”

After drinking water, Mu Linfeng’s discomfort eased, and he eagerly inquired.

“Father-in-law, this is a homemade brew.”

“This wine is strong. Most people would fall drunk after a few cups, but it has many uses—medicinal, even. It purifies bacteria.”

“Son-in-law, this wine has such functions?”

“It can dispel evil spirits and purify the skin, yes, Father-in-law.”

Listening to Liu Feng, Mu Linfeng fell into deep thought, growing more amazed.

“To brew medicinal wine like this requires knowledge of pharmacology.”

Mu Linfeng looked at Liu Feng in astonishment.

“Father-in-law, compared to you, I’m just a child playing at medicine—only a little knowledge.”

Liu Feng answered modestly.

At this moment, the increasingly intoxicated father-in-law laughed heartily.

“Ha ha... ha ha... marvelous...”

“Divine will, divine will...”

“I, Mu Linfeng, have such a son-in-law. I am content.”

After a satisfying meal and drink, the family chatted leisurely. The mother asked again about the sisters’ pregnancies.

Seeing no improvement in their condition, her face was full of worry.

“Mother, we know. Why are you so anxious...”

Mu Wanqing said shyly.

Later, Liu Feng asked about the war. The second brother, returning from the battlefield, surely knew more.

“Now the battlefield is strewn with corpses.”

“The northern barbarian armies have reached the borders of Youzhou. Many spies and scouts have infiltrated the city.”

“If this winter’s conflict is not controlled, all of Youzhou may be destroyed by next year.”

Mu Shaoguang’s remaining eye was filled with worry.

Hearing this, Liu Feng’s concern deepened. The situation was urgent.

Most of the silver in hand had already been spent; the remaining funds were insufficient to support further ventures.

If the northern barbarians breached Youzhou’s defenses, what could humble commoners like them do?

Nothing but await death or live as slaves to the barbarians.

For long-term survival, they needed ample silver.

“Yes, a gambling house...”

“That’s what I’ll do when I return.”

Liu Feng planned silently.

After dinner, Mu Linfeng arranged rooms for his daughter and son-in-law, while Liu Feng busied himself feeding the ox—an invaluable asset.

Because they would be out overnight, they left Old Tian Ba to guard the house.

After all, the grain and poultry inside needed watching.

In times of chaos, one cannot trust human nature.

Things like open doors at night or lost items returned on the road are mere fantasies.

Without a guard, even the thatch on the roof might be stolen by morning.

Though approaching sixty, Mu Linfeng was no ordinary drinker that afternoon.

After arranging the rooms, he took his wife inside.

At that moment, Mu Linfeng was restless with desire. Were it not for his son-in-law’s presence, he would have lost control long ago.

The two sisters covered their faces, laughing outright.

They were truly delighted with Liu Feng. Which family’s son-in-law could be this devoted and respectful to his in-laws? Liu Feng was truly exceptional.

Mu Wanqing and Mu Wanqing had also drunk quite a bit by then, feeling a fiery heat burning inside their bellies, an inexplicable urge rising to their heads.

Liu Feng had just settled his ox and ox cart when the sisters each took one of his hands, pulling him toward their room, pleading with him to hurry.