Chapter Eighteen: No Ordinary Person Would Do Such a Thing

With just a few words from Li Zisheng, all eyes in the crowd turned toward him.

“Oh, young master, have you found the evidence? To whom does this earring belong?” the bystanders pressed eagerly. Even the two who had been at each other’s throats moments ago now watched Li Zisheng intently, the charged atmosphere dissipating.

“This earring belongs to the young man,” Li Zisheng declared.

At his words, tension filled the air once more.

“You must be mistaken, young master. This rascal is no good; don’t let him fool you. You’re a man of learning, you should be careful with your words,” someone among the crowd questioned, doubt clear in his tone. The result was unexpected—given the vagabond’s reputation, it seemed impossible the earring could be his.

Li Zisheng merely shook his head. People, he thought, tended to believe only what they wished, and thus often missed the truth.

“Young master, I listened to you because you seemed reasonable, but now you make wild accusations and soil my reputation. Move along, go on!” The middle-aged woman, her composure slipping, waved him away.

“Auntie, aren’t you tired of putting on this act?” Li Zisheng asked, looking her in the eye.

“Nonsense! How can you prove this earring isn’t mine?” the woman retorted angrily.

“Oh? You say I have no proof. How about this: the jade hairpin in your hair looks valuable. Why not exchange it for silver, or better yet, let’s break it in half and each take a piece?” Li Zisheng suggested, studying her. Both the crowd and the young man watched curiously, unsure of his intentions.

“Are you addled, child? Why would I give you my belongings, let alone break them? Are you so desperate for money? Have you learned nothing from your studies?” The woman felt the advantage was hers and scolded him loudly.

“And you—would you be willing to give me one of your earrings?” Li Zisheng turned to the young man.

The man shook his head. “No.” He said nothing more; after all, only this child was speaking on his behalf—everyone else seemed ready to tear him apart.

“Very well. That makes things clear. A normal person wouldn’t so casually agree to split their belongings with a stranger unless the item wasn’t theirs to begin with. That’s why you, Madam, agreed without hesitation, while the young man refused—which is only natural. Most people would at least hesitate before agreeing or refusing such a proposal,” Li Zisheng concluded, pointing at the woman.

At this, realization dawned on the crowd. Their gazes turned accusingly toward the woman. Seeing this, she lost all composure and hurried away, not even bothering to retrieve her small box.

Of course, it wasn’t that she didn’t want it—Li Zisheng happened to be sitting atop it, leaving her at a loss.

The onlookers began to condemn the woman’s behavior, though few had kind words for the young vagabond either; his reputation as an unfilial son preceded him. But with the matter resolved, the crowd praised Li Zisheng and began to disperse.

“One moment, everyone! Please check your belongings—has anything gone missing?” Li Zisheng called out.

Cries soon erupted: “My jade pendant is gone!” “My purse is missing!”

“No need to panic,” Li Zisheng reassured them. “That woman must be a habitual thief. It was strange for her to be carrying a box, and odder still to see her at what is usually a butcher’s stall. If I’m right, everything she stole is in this box. Please, take a look.”

He opened the box, and sure enough, inside was a dazzling array of items—jade pendants, purses, ornaments, and more.

One by one, people reclaimed their possessions. Li Zisheng, not wishing to linger, slipped away under admiring glances, returning to find his father. After all, getting to the county academy was their main priority; there was no time to lose.

“Young master, wait!” The young man hurried after him.

“Thank you for your help, young master. I wonder, how much silver do you have? I’d like to pawn these earrings to you,” the young man offered, a hint of awkwardness in his demeanor toward the boy.

“Ah? Why?” Li Zisheng was taken aback.

“Because you’re a good person.” Without further explanation, the man pressed the earrings into Li Zisheng’s hand. Despite his youth, Li Zisheng’s grip was no match for the adult’s.

“But I only have five taels of silver. I don’t know how much these earrings are worth, but surely five taels aren’t enough,” Li Zisheng protested. The five taels he carried had been secretly slipped to him by his grandmother—she must have saved for ages. The rest of their funds, for living expenses and tuition, were with his father.

“Five taels will do. My name is Eight Taels. If you ever need anything, you can find me at the old temple south of town.” The young man, as if making a weighty decision, handed over the earrings, accepted the five taels, and left with one last, lingering look at what had been his.

Li Zisheng wasn’t one to take losses lightly. He noticed the man’s reluctance, but returning the earrings was a saintly gesture he couldn’t bring himself to make—not after spending five whole taels, an amount that could support a farming family for two months.

“Well, I’ll save these earrings for my grandmother. They’re so valuable, I must have gotten the better end of the bargain. Eight Taels—if I ever become an official, I’ll find a way to help you too.”

“Xiaosheng, where have you been? Why weren’t you waiting where I told you? I was worried sick! If your grandmother or mother found out, they’d have my hide.” His father’s face was flushed, clearly from running around in search of him.

“I’m sorry, Father. I was just drawn into a bit of excitement.” Li Zisheng would never reveal the whole story—punishing a habitual thief might bring trouble, and that was the last thing his honest father needed.