ATLAS TRANSLATES

As soon as she heard that voice, Bie Sulan grabbed the kitchen knife from the chopping board and rushed out.

“Junior sister, junior sister!” The brown-robed man called out anxiously to Bie Sulan, but he moved as lightly as a swallow, and no matter how Bie Sulan swung the knife, she couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes.

Bie Suxin came out and quietly ordered her sister, “Stop this at once!”

Bie Sulan put away the knife and stood dejectedly beside her sister, pouting as she said softly, “It’s all his fault! If it weren’t for him, how would Father have ended up in prison…” As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she wiped them with her sleeve.

The brown-robed man felt both ashamed and guilty: “Junior sister, I have wronged you all. I know whatever I say is useless. I… I just came to see Master and bring you some things.” As he spoke, he placed two pieces of cured meat on a stone bench nearby, then took out a bulging blue cloth money bag from his chest and placed it next to the meat, turning to leave immediately.

“Senior Brother Chen, wait.” Bie Suxin stepped forward and took the money bag, “We appreciate your kindness. Father doesn’t blame you either. We’ll accept the meat, but take your money back. Your family isn’t well-off either, with your aunt and young sister to support, how could we use your money?” As she spoke, she tossed the money bag to Senior Brother Chen.

Senior Brother Chen fumbled to catch the money bag, silently placed it on the ground, and turned to leave.

Bie Suxin picked up the money bag and caught up to Senior Brother Chen in a few steps, trying to get him to take the money back. Senior Brother Chen stubbornly refused, with one trying to stuff the money bag into the other’s sleeve while the other blocked it with their elbow. Back and forth, they began to spar.

Senior Brother Chen was quick and powerful, yet his movements flowed as naturally as water. Bie Sulan was light and graceful, like floating flowers and falling leaves. The two of them leaping and dodging made for quite a pleasing sight.

The people inside had come out when Bie Suxin opened the door. Now standing under the eaves watching, they were all dumbfounded. Especially Dou Zhao: “I never imagined Suxin knew martial arts,” she muttered, “Seeing her fair and delicate, while Sulan is sturdy and strong, I thought only Sulan had learned martial arts from Master Bie…”

Chen Qushui smiled: “Both sisters learned martial arts from Master Bie. Master Bie said that if girls learn some martial arts, even in marital fights, they can gain the upper hand and won’t be at a disadvantage. Otherwise, why would Shan Jie need to use official power to force Master Bie to submit?” As he spoke, thinking of what had happened to the Bie family, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Learn both literary and martial arts, to serve the emperor.

Dou Zhao also sighed.

Chen Qushui stepped forward and shouted “Stop!”

The two quickly separated.

Only then did Dou Zhao notice that this Senior Brother Chen was spirited and handsome.

He stepped forward, bowed to Chen Qushui, respectfully called him “Uncle Chen,” appearing quite familiar with Chen Qushui.

Chen Qushui glanced at the money bag tassel hanging from his sleeve and smiled, “Regarding Master Bie’s matter, although you were wrong in judging character, you shouldn’t blame yourself too much. Ultimately, it was Shan Jie who was too despicable. If you feel uneasy, just come help the sisters with some heavy work when you’re free. No need to give money, your family isn’t well-off either.”

Senior Brother Chen’s face turned red as he said, “I’ve already quit working for the Shan family. After the new year, I’ll be working as a caravan guard with Chen the Cripple. I probably won’t be home for several years…”

Bie Suxin’s expression changed slightly as she said, “You’re going to work as a caravan guard with Chen the Cripple beyond the passes? Do you know what kind of caravans Chen the Cripple guards? Few who go with him come back alive. You’re your family’s only son!” As she spoke, her hand shot out like lightning and pulled the money bag from Senior Brother Chen’s sleeve. “No wonder you suddenly have money…” She loosened the money bag’s drawstring, revealing four gleaming silver ingots.

“It’s not with Chen the Cripple,” Senior Brother Chen awkwardly defended, “It’s with other people…”

But Bie Suxin wouldn’t let him brush it off, saying sternly, “If not with Chen the Cripple, where did you get so much money? How many years of life-and-death contract did you sign with Chen the Cripple?” Her expression became serious as she continued, “Senior Brother Chen, if we knew the money you’re giving us is your life money, how could we accept it with peace of mind?”

Senior Brother Chen lowered his head, mumbling, “I know… I have no other skills… Master said not to use martial arts to harm others, besides some fighting skills, I don’t know anything else…”

Bie Suxin simply told him, “Father has already entrusted me and my sister to Fourth Miss Dou. Senior Brother need not worry about us.”

“Entrusted to Fourth Miss Dou?” Senior Brother Chen froze, then exclaimed, “Entrusted? What kind of entrusting?”

Bie Suxin said tactfully, “Taking refuge with Fourth Miss.”

“How can this be, how can this be!” Senior Brother Chen heard this and became agitated, his face flushing red, “How could Master let you become servants for others!”

Bie Suxin, worried that Dou Zhao might take offense, quickly glanced at her, and seeing Dou Zhao smile knowingly at her, she finally relaxed.

Meanwhile, Senior Brother Chen was already shouting, “Junior sister, you can’t go, you… you… why don’t you just marry me instead? My mother will take good care of you and little junior sister, and I will protect you both well, never letting anyone covet you again…”

Everyone in the courtyard was speechless.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but think to herself.

This Senior Brother Chen, looking to be twenty-two or twenty-three years old, how could he be so naive to think that once a woman is married, no one would have ill intentions! Perhaps Shan Jie, seeing that Bie Suxin married a commoner with no power or influence, would be even more inclined to cause trouble. Why else would some noble sons in the capital take pride in seducing married women?

Bie Suxin was extremely embarrassed, while Bie Sulan jumped up directly: “Chen Xiaofeng, what madness are you speaking? My sister would never marry you! You can’t even beat my sister…”

So this person is Chen Xiaofeng!

Dou Zhao watched with interest as his face instantly turned as red as cloth. “I, I…” he stammered for a long time without managing to say anything, until Chen Qushui helped him out of the situation: “Marriage is a lifelong matter, how can it be taken lightly? Since you’re here, come in and have some tea!”

Chen Xiaofeng didn’t dare look at the Bie sisters, and followed Chen Qushui into the woodshed with his head down.

Bie Gangyi lay motionless on the bed, looking as if he were dead if not for the slight rise and fall of his chest.

Chen Xiaofeng kowtowed to Bie Gangyi.

Bie Suxin was clearly worried that Chen Xiaofeng might get carried away with his enthusiasm and leave her in an awkward position. After Chen Xiaofeng kowtowed to her father, she solemnly introduced him to Dou Zhao: “This is Fourth Miss of the Dou family. Father was able to get out of prison thanks to Fourth Miss speaking up for Father before the elders in her family. Father was also worried that Shan Jie wouldn’t give up and would continue to harass us, so he entrusted us sisters to Fourth Miss. Fourth Miss is kind-hearted and willing to protect us sisters, which is why she took us in.”

Chen Xiaofeng had noticed Dou Zhao earlier. He had only felt that this young lady, though simply dressed, had an extraordinary bearing that commanded respect. Not knowing her relationship to the Bie family, and since neither Bie Suxin nor Chen Qushui had introduced her, he hadn’t dared to look too much. Now he couldn’t help but look over.

He saw that Dou Zhao had long eyebrows extending to her temples, and despite her young age, her beautiful eyes were clear and bright as winter stars. Her beauty was overwhelming, like jade beside pearls, making him feel ashamed of himself. His lips trembled, not knowing how to express the thoughts filling his mind.

Dou Zhao’s original intention was to help the Bie sisters. If Bie Suxin and Chen Xiaofeng had feelings for each other, she wouldn’t mind helping arrange this marriage. Chen Xiaofeng could then run some small business under the Dou family name. The Bie sisters didn’t necessarily have to enter the household to serve her tea.

When she was leaving, she asked Bie Sulan, “Is Chen Xiaofeng very close to your family?”

Bie Sulan made a sound of agreement, then said somewhat dejectedly, “His father was also a martial arts instructor who died when he was seven. My father took pity on him and accepted him as a disciple, even recommending him to be an instructor in the capital. He was worried that if he left, there would be no one to take care of his mother and sister, so he went to work as a guard for the Shan family. Sigh, if he hadn’t gone to work for the Shan family, how would all this have happened?” She looked very troubled.

Dou Zhao smiled gently and asked, “You all had a good relationship before, right?”

Bie Sulan nodded: “He was like a brother to us…” As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes widened. “Fourth Miss, you’re not thinking of matchmaking him with my sister, are you? Please don’t agree to his request! My father says he’s just an impulsive fellow who acts without thinking things through. Otherwise, my father would have already arranged for my sister to marry him!”

Dou Zhao was somewhat surprised.

However, since Bie Gangyi felt it wasn’t suitable, that Chen Xiaofeng must indeed have aspects that made him unsuitable for Bie Suxin, she naturally wouldn’t presume to know better.

“Don’t worry, in the future, when you sisters marry, I’ll respect your own choices.”

Bie Sulan blushed.

When Dou Zhao returned home, she first went to pay her respects to Grandmother and told her about visiting the Bie family. Grandmother listened with great interest: “So Bie Suxin knows martial arts? Bring them here for me to see when they come!” She was very curious.

Gan Lu, who had always been in awe of Dou Zhao and cautious around her, couldn’t help but smile when she heard Grandmother mention the Bie sisters: “Bie Sulan knows martial arts too.”

“Really?” Grandmother became even more interested and asked, “What do they look like? Are they big and burly with thick waists?”

Both Gan Lu and Su Juan, seeing Dou Zhao sitting there smiling, became bolder. One laughed, “You’ll know when you see them!” while the other said, “It will definitely surprise you.”

They chatted and chirped, becoming much more lively and cheerful.

This was their original nature.

Dou Zhao sighed with feeling, thinking she had made the right decision in bringing them along.

After dinner, she went to see her Third Cousin.

“Money just sitting there is just sitting there, might as well do some business,” Dou Zhao gave the fragrant powder she had brought back from Zhending to Shu’er, and sat drinking tea with her Third Cousin and his wife in the reception room.

Hearing this, Third Cousin couldn’t help but exchange a glance with his wife, who somewhat cautiously asked, “What kind of business does Fourth Sister want to do? Who will help manage it?”

Dou Zhao pretended not to notice and smiled, “Seeing how much paper, ink, and brushes our family uses each year, I thought of opening a shop selling writing materials. As for who will manage it, I haven’t decided yet. Maybe we can ask Third Uncle to help introduce an experienced manager.”

So it was Dou Zhao’s own sudden idea, and not someone else instigating her to get involved in business matters.

Third Cousin relaxed and asked with a smile, “How much money do you need?”

“Ten thousand taels should be enough!” Dou Zhao smiled.

Dou Xiuchang was so startled that his hand trembled, spilling tea on his clothes.