Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 180

Chen Gensheng rubbed his temples, frustrated. “That sister of yours is getting more and more out of line. So what if Mother soiled the bedding? She cleaned a room and screamed all day about it. If Mother was well, would she even need her care?”

Whenever the old lady made a mess, it was Madam Qin and Second Madam Qin who cleaned up. Only those who’ve done this kind of work know how unpleasant it really is. Though Chen Gensheng was a dutiful son, his daily tasks only involved serving medicine, he never dealt with the filth.

It wasn’t just Second Madam Qin who resented it. Even Madam Qin felt grossed out when cleaning phlegm from handkerchiefs, though she never dared show her disgust in front of Chen Gensheng.

“To change the subject,” Madam Qin quickly said, afraid Chen Gensheng and Qin Fang might start arguing, “I just remembered something. The other day, Qin Fang said Genfu heard that the third son of the Yu family had been tangled up with Li Xiu’e from the edge of the village. Something fishy might be going on there.”

Chen Gensheng’s attention shifted, and he gestured for Madam Qin to stop cleaning as he turned to her. “Yu family’s third son and Widow Li? Did Genfu see it himself, or just hear it from someone?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” Madam Qin replied, withdrawing her hands. “Let me go get Qin Fang. We can ask her directly.”

Chen Gensheng nodded.

When Qin Fang was brought in, Madam Qin asked, “Didn’t you say a few days ago that the Yu family’s third son and Li Xiu’e were up to something? Did Genfu see it with his own eyes or was it just some drunken gossip?”

Second Madam Qin immediately perked up at the topic and sneered, “Genfu was drinking with others when he heard it from Gousheng of the Huang family. Isn’t the Yu family’s third son often drinking with Gousheng and the rest?” 

“Gousheng claimed that after one drinking session, he saw third Yu, drunk as could be, staggering down to the edge of the village and disappearing into Li Xiu’e’s house for over an hour. He swears it was clear as day.”

Li Xiu’e was quite striking and had been widowed young. Though there were whispers in the village, after her husband died, she’d moved to the edge of town with her kids and kept to herself. Over time, the gossip faded since no one had any solid dirt on her.

As the village head, Chen Gensheng had always pitied her and her children. During harvest season, he would even arrange for honest men from the village to help her with the farming.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” murmured Madam Qin. “Could Yu family’s third son really be having an affair with her?”

“Big Brother, you’d better be cautious,” Second Madam Qin said with mock concern. “If this kind of scandal breaks out in our village, people will laugh at us! Our village’s reputation would be ruined.”

Chen Gensheng’s eyes glinted. Such a scandal would be a powerful piece of leverage, something he could use to his advantage.

“Keep your mouths shut,” he ordered. “This is all hearsay for now. Don’t go around spreading it, or we’ll have the Yu family at our doorstep making a fuss.”

“That’s it? We’re just dropping it?” Second Madam Qin eyed him, unsure of his intentions.

Chen Gensheng gave a meaningful smile. “You don’t need to worry about this. I have a plan.”

There wasn’t any hard evidence yet. If word got out now, Yu Hanshan might catch wind of it and cut off all contact with Widow Li. That wouldn’t serve Chen Gensheng’s purpose.

Just then, Chen Genfu walked in from outside. He had just returned from escorting Chen Zhiqing back from town and dropping off the borrowed donkey cart. Seeing everyone gathered in the main hall, he announced, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I’ve delivered Zhiqing to the Li family. Their driver has already left with the scholars and the Li family boy for Qingzhou.”

Madam Qin looked relieved. “Who from the Li family went with them?”

“Li Qiu’s paternal uncle. That kid even gave me a letter for Ah-Rou,” Genfu said with a grin as he fished the letter from his coat. “He’s clearly set on marrying our Ah-Rou. If he comes back as a certified scholar, Ah-Rou’s marriage will be quite the event.”

Madam Qin took the letter, smiling, and turned to Second Madam Qin. “Ah-Ying is also of marrying age now. We should start looking for a good match for her too.”

Second Madam Qin had long envied Chen Rou’s engagement to a scholar and always hoped to find an educated family for Chen Ying. She smiled and said, “When Zhiqing returns from the exams, we’ll have him keep an eye out for any promising classmates. If Ah-Ying can land a scholar too, I’ll be smiling in my sleep.”

“There’s no rush with Ah-Ying’s match,” said Chen Gensheng. “Let’s wait until the autumn exam results. If Zhiqing does pass, we’ll have no trouble finding Ah-Ying a good match.”

He then turned to Genfu. “Second Brother, I want to talk something over with you.”

Madam Qin took Second Madam Qin into Chen Rou’s room, leaving the main hall to the two brothers.

“What is it, Big Brother?” asked Chen Genfu as he poured himself a cup of cool tea.

“Is what Gousheng said really true?” Chen Gensheng asked.

“What about? The affair?” Chen Genfu blinked, then nodded knowingly. “So you’ve heard too? I didn’t see it myself, but I doubt it’s fake. When we were drinking the other day, some folks even said that ever since Yu Hanshan started selling meat in Zhengjia Village, there’s often the smell of meat coming from Widow Li’s place. How could she afford that? She’s a poor widow raising two kids. No way she’d be eating meat unless something shady’s going on.”

Chen Gensheng lowered his voice. “Keep an eye on Yu Hanshan. If you can get solid proof of him sleeping with Li Xiu’e, even better.”

Chen Genfu agreed, then asked, “Why spy on him? If it’s true, couldn’t you just gather the villagers and catch them in the act?”

Chen Gensheng shook his head. “Not yet. Let’s wait and see how the exam results turn out. If any of the Yu boys pass, then we’ll act.”

If a scandal involving a widow and a family elder breaks out, it could tarnish the entire Yu family. Even if they pass the imperial exams, a family with corrupt morals could be stripped of their scholar status. Let that old man from the Yu family be smug for now, raising a son like this, he’ll have plenty to cry about later.

Chen Genfu, seeing how serious his brother was, nodded. “Got it. I’ll keep a close eye on them.”

Meanwhile, Yu Hanshan had no idea that his affair with Li Xiu’e had already been discovered. Ever since he started selling meat at the market, he’d pick out a choice cut, fat and lean, and bring it to her home each day. 

Handling all the business and money himself, he had some disposable income. On his trips to town, he bought her a silver hairpin, then rouge and powder. One thing led to another, and he finally succeeded in getting her into bed.

Now, with passion high and desire fierce, he snuck off to the edge of the village every evening after closing his stall, indulging in passionate nights with Li Xiu’e before returning home, completely unaware that he was already being watched.

Inside the Mu family’s carriage, thick blankets were laid across the floor, and even the seating was exceptionally comfortable. To the gentle rhythm of hooves clopping against the road, both Yu Fuling and Yu Jiao had drifted off to sleep.

Yu Fuling leaned against Yu Jiao, who at first had rested against the carriage wall. But as sleep deepened and the carriage swayed, she slowly tilted until she was nestled against Yu Qizhe’s shoulder.

Afraid she might be uncomfortable, Yu Qizhe carefully adjusted her, gently cradling her in his arms so she could sleep soundly against his chest.