Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 143

“No, he’s my nephew,” Ying Su said.

The Su heir nodded, looking as if that was the answer he expected. He ordered, “Detain everyone for now. Once their innocence is confirmed, release them.”

Clearly, “everyone” included Ying Su and her group. Her expression darkened. If she were locked in prison, who knew when she’d be released? The little bun was still at home alone, she couldn’t stop worrying.

Wang Ba quickly spoke up, “My lord, my sister has nothing whatsoever to do with the Canal Gang. She only got involved to rescue me. She’s just an ordinary woman. Could you show mercy and let her go?”

The Su heir curved his lips in a smile, as if laughing at Wang Ba’s wishful thinking. His gaze swept over Ying Su before he turned and left.

Ying Su couldn’t help muttering under her breath, her voice sharp with contempt, “Pretty boy!”

How sharp were the Su heir’s ears? With his formidable inner strength, how could he not hear her gritting her teeth? His narrow eyes lifted. He turned back, pointed at Ying Su, and said, “That one, hold her separately!”

Then his mouth tilted into a smug smile. His handsome face plainly conveyed the words, “What can you do about it?”

Ying Su ground her teeth furiously, though she kept her face calm.

She had originally thought she could fish in troubled waters within the Canal Gang and gain some benefit. Who knew this Su heir would interfere, capturing the entire gang in one sweep and returning every dock in Jiangbei to court control, managed by the local yamen. Her plans all fell to nothing.

Her heart had been set on the Shili Town docks. She’d hoped to squeeze some profit out of the Canal Gang this time. At the very least, Wang Ba would owe her a great favor. No matter who became the new gang leader, as long as she helped Wang Ba secure his position, she would have a share in the dock business at Shili Town.

Now she could only grind her teeth at that Su heir, who had ruined everything. He should have stayed in his northwest army camp. Why barge in and meddle in her affairs?

After the Su heir left, the man in black with the bamboo hat, Shen Yi, removed his hat and stepped toward Ying Su. To the soldiers about to escort her away, he said, “Let me speak to her for a moment.”

Seeing his black robes, the soldiers recognized him as one of the Su heir’s men and quickly stepped aside.

Shen Yi’s real name was Shen Changge. For years in the northwest, everyone had called him Shen Yi. For a long time, he was unknown. Then he happened to save Su Yan’s life. Su Yan, impressed by his courage and ferocity in battle, promoted him to qianzong and placed two squads under his command.

(Note: Qianzong is similar to a centurion, commanding 1000 men under them.)

When Su Yan came to Jiangbei to deal with the Canal Gang, Shen Changge begged to go along, his true aim being to return to Shili Town to see his family. Su Yan, not unkind to his subordinates, allowed him leave to visit home.

Now Shen Changge studied Ying Su from head to toe. A strange feeling welled in his heart. This woman looked very much like his younger sister, but her actions and speech were completely different. Was she really his sister?

Ying Su felt uneasy under his stare. She shifted slightly and lifted her head to meet his gaze.

After a hesitation, Shen Changge asked, “Do you know me?”

Ying Su shook her head, her brow arching. So this man knew her? It must not be her he recognized, but the body’s original owner. She gave him a longer look. His face was somewhat familiar, yet she couldn’t recall where she’d seen it. Most likely because the original soul had already vanished, along with its memories.

Shen Changge thought, “If she were my little sister, she’d recognize me immediately. But her expression clearly shows she doesn’t. Father said she had been found… Looks like this woman only happens to resemble Cuihua. Besides, this one is ruthless. Cuihua was so gentle, she’d never act like this.”

When Ying Su saw disdain creep into his eyes, she snapped, “What are you looking at? Never seen a woman before?”

Her sharp words made him retort, “I’ve seen women, just not one like you. You don’t look like any respectable wife.”

“I don’t, but you do?” Ying Su shot back coolly, rolling her eyes.

Shen Changge was left speechless. He opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but thought better of it. Quarreling with a woman hardly suited a man of honor.

Ying Su was kept in Tongzhou prison for four whole days. On the fifth day, she was finally released. The lower-level ruffians of the Canal Gang were let out as well, including Wang Ba and Wang Yuan.

“Sister, I can’t thank you enough. From this day on, I, Wang Ba, will treat you as my own blood sister.” Wang Ba, sitting on the boat with his wounds bandaged, looked at Ying Su with deep gratitude.

Ying Su smiled faintly. “Brother, you’re being too formal.”

Wang Ba laughed heartily and patted her shoulder. “Good sister!”

When she returned to Shili Town, Ying Su went straight to Weixuan’s textile shop. Seeing her, Liu Chuncao’s face lit up with excitement. She grabbed Ying Su’s hand and said, “You’re finally back! You’ve been gone four or five days. Mother-in-law and I were worried sick.”

A warmth stirred in Ying Su’s heart. Whatever Liu Chuncao had been like before, at least now she showed genuine concern. Ying Su said, “I was delayed by some matters outside. Nothing happened at home, right?”

It was just a casual question, but Liu Chuncao’s face changed. After hesitating, she said, “I need to tell you something, but don’t get angry…”

Ying Su’s brow furrowed, her face suddenly tense. “Huzi, did something happen to him?”

Liu Chuncao quickly shook her head. “No, no, Huzi’s fine!”

Ying Su’s heart finally settled. If Huzi was safe, what else could make her angry? She looked at Liu Chuncao in confusion.

“Well… here’s the thing. Not long after you left, a matchmaker came to propose for you. The old house actually agreed behind Mother-in-law’s back and even accepted the betrothal gifts.”

“When Mother-in-law found out, she went to argue with them, quarreled with the old house, but still couldn’t get them to return the gifts…” Liu Chuncao glanced at Ying Su’s expressionless face and grew worried.

“That old house really is absurd,” Ying Su thought. “Since when do they get to make decisions for me?”

“Who’s the engagement with?” Ying Su asked.

Liu Chuncao quickly replied, “I heard Mother-in-law say it’s with a family related to Third Aunt’s side, her cousin’s son. But he’s no good. Always stealing and loafing about. I heard his former wife divorced him because he beat her too much.”