Chapter 252: Chapter 152: Zhao Chun Comes Out
252 Zhao Chun is Released
However, Niu Baishun still heard about their shop renovation. At the time, he was busy collaborating with influential people in the Capital City on a lucrative venture and had grown disdainful of competing with such a small pharmacy. Consequently, he merely sneered at the news and paid them no further attention.
By then, the weather was turning cold. They would have to wait until all the medicinal ingredients were ready before the pharmacy could open. So, Sun Kang decided to set the opening day for after the New Year. This period would be dedicated to thorough preparations.
While the Sun Family was occupied with the pharmacy, the Zhao Family was not idle. Their reputation for pig farming was well-established; even the Imperial Palace sourced its pork from them. Their pork business was essentially stable, and the fruit trees Zhao Dong had planted began to bear fruit that year. Zhao Dong decided not to sell this first batch of fruit. Instead, he kept some for his family and gave the rest away as gifts. This was the season for persimmons, hawthorn fruits, and winter dates.
When Zhao Dong presented the fruits to Wang Fuhai, Wang Fuhai didn’t think much of them at first. After all, these were common fruits, and the ones Zhao Dong brought were small, incomparable to those he usually consumed. However, upon tasting one, he discovered the fruit was incredibly delicious. The familiar sweetness instantly reminded him of the medicinal vegetables!
Prince Liang and Boss Feng also received fruit from Zhao Dong, and their reactions were identical to Wang Fuhai’s. As a result, these fruits gained a measure of fame within a small circle of the Capital City’s nobility.
Not long afterward, Boss Feng and Prince Liang paid a personal visit to Zhao Dong and toured his orchard. The pair strolled around the orchard for at least ten laps, examining it closely, but could find nothing particularly special about it. It was an ordinary orchard with young trees, which were even smaller and less mature than those on their own estates.
As Boss Feng stood at the edge of the field, he said with a laugh, "I remember four years ago, Wang Fuhai mentioned to me the idea of offering fruit after meals in the restaurant.
"At the time, I thought the idea was quite novel but not very practical. Now, however, I think it’s an excellent idea.
"Brother Zhao, my point is, you must prioritize us with these fruits."
Prince Liang also nodded in agreement. "That’s right, that’s right. You must prioritize us, indeed."
Prince Liang noted that the orchard wasn’t very large; each fruit variety consisted of only about fifty young, immature trees. She realized that if they didn’t reserve a supply quickly, the fruit would likely be gone before they had a chance.
Zhao Dong laughed and said, "Sure, sure. But right now, the fruit trees are still young and can only produce enough for our own consumption."
The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked back toward the house. Prince Liang and Boss Feng each carried a bamboo basket filled with fruits they had picked in the orchard. One was a prince, the other the wealthiest man in the Capital City. Yet here they were, carrying bamboo baskets they had filled themselves while picking fruit, looking utterly delighted. If their acquaintances in the capital were to see them, they would undoubtedly be flabbergasted.
As the three of them chatted and laughed on their way down the back mountain, they happened upon Zhao Chun, who was loitering nearby. From a distance, he saw Zhao Dong leading two elegantly dressed individuals down the mountain and quickly hid in the woods bordering the road. He waited until Zhao Dong and his companions were out of sight before emerging, then stared thoughtfully in the direction they had gone.
Yes, Zhao Chun had been released from prison at the beginning of this winter. It was Niu Baishun who had used his connections to get Zhao Chun out; otherwise, who knew how long he would have remained incarcerated. He had been out of prison for several days now.
Zhao Chun was considerably thinner and looked much older. Though younger than Zhao Dong, he now appeared more aged. All the hardships he had suffered in prison had taken their toll. He harbored deep resentment towards his second brother, Zhao Dong, but dared not cause any more trouble. His three years in prison had instilled a profound fear in him. He stood there watching for a while longer, then, abandoning any thought of going to the fields, turned and headed straight home.
「Zhao Family Old House.」
Since Zhao Chun’s return, the bouts of madness afflicting Mrs. Wang had lessened considerably. However, during those three years, the greedy Mrs. Wang and Xiao Wang had squandered the family’s savings by raising pigs themselves. Furthermore, during those three years, Zhao Qiu had moved out on his own, and Zhao Chun had been imprisoned. With two fewer able-bodied workers, the family’s life had become exceedingly difficult. If it weren’t for Mrs. Wang’s younger daughter frequently and secretly subsidizing her natal family, the family at the old house certainly wouldn’t have survived until now.
Xiao Wang’s son, Zhao Ji, was faring relatively well. He had become a county-level scholar the previous year and was permitted to continue his studies at the county’s Official School.
But Xiao Wang’s two daughters did not have such fortunate lives. Xiao Wang had previously raised them as young ladies, hoping they would marry into good families so she could benefit from their good fortune. Now that the family was struggling, they relied on the financial help from Xiao Wang’s sister-in-law, Lady Zhao, to get by. Consequently, the two daughters no longer learned dancing or playing instruments; instead, they had to join the adults in the fields each day. Previously, Zhao Yun and Zhao Cai would be unwilling and would cry. After being scolded a few times by the loud-voiced Mrs. Wang, they no longer dared to cry or make a fuss and obediently followed their mother to work in the fields. They, who had once ridiculed and looked down upon the village girls, calling them rustic and plain, had now become grimy, unkempt young women themselves.
Seeing Zhao Chun return from outside, Zhao Cai ran over excitedly, "Dad, Auntie’s here! Auntie’s here!"
Hearing this, Zhao Chun nodded, closed the door behind him, and then saw Lady Zhao supporting Mrs. Wang by the arm as they walked out of the room.
Zhao Chun greeted, "Fourth Sister, you’re here."
Lady Zhao nodded, released Mrs. Wang, and approached Zhao Chun. Looking at how much older he had become, her eyes reddened as she said with heartfelt sympathy, "Third Brother, you’ve suffered."
Seven-tenths of this sympathy was genuine; they were, after all, biological siblings.
Back when Zhao Chun was imprisoned, Lady Zhao had felt intensely guilty. Zhao Chun had been arrested and jailed due to his involvement in the affairs of Landlord Qin’s household. It was her husband, Niu Baishun, who had facilitated Zhao Chun’s acquaintance with Landlord Qin.
Of course, she had always believed that the true culprits were her second brother, Zhao Dong, and his family, who had framed him!
Now that her third brother was out, she naturally hoped he could pull himself together. After all, her natal family was her greatest pillar of support in her husband’s household. The stronger her natal family, the better her own standing would be.
Thinking this, Lady Zhao took a box from her sleeve and handed it to her brother. "Third Brother, this is jewelry I’ve saved up over the years. Take it and reopen the tavern in the county town."
Hearing this, Xiao Wang and her daughters looked over with keen anticipation. When they saw the box of gold and silver jewelry, Xiao Wang’s and her daughters’ eyes lit up. They stared at the jewelry box with intense yearning, their hearts screaming, Take it! Please, take it!
However, Zhao Chun did not immediately accept it. Instead, he demurred, "I’m already indebted to my brother-in-law for arranging my release. I haven’t even repaid that kindness. How could I possibly take your money?"
Hearing his refusal, Xiao Wang and Zhao Yun’s eyes grew red with anxiety.