The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 22

“Talk about it another day?” Ling Yu grew anxious.

She understood her husband’s temperament all too well. If he agreed to those three today, there would be no changing his mind. How could she bear to watch him walk down the same path as in her past life?

Her anxiety scrambled her thoughts, and for the moment, she couldn’t think of any argument that might persuade him.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Since we brothers were released safely from prison, it means the matter has already passed. Important people have no time to remember insignificant people like us,” Wu Liren said, noticing her worry.

“Xiao Shitou was crying for his mother just now, but she’s gone to Aunt Jin’s. Shaoan might not be able to handle him alone. Why don’t you go take a look?” Cheng Shaotang didn’t understand her strange reaction, and with his brothers there, he couldn’t ask further—he could only speak patiently.

Ling Yu knew perfectly well he was trying to send her away. She bit her lip hard, drew in a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and racked her brain for the right words. Only after a long moment did she say in a low voice, “Chief Escort Wu is absolutely right. Nobles are busy and naturally won’t remember commoners like us. But what about His Highness Prince Qi? These same commoners who had unpleasant dealings with them have all gone into Prince Qi’s residence. Won’t they start thinking differently about Prince Qi?”

“What do you mean by that?” Wu Liren’s heart tightened, and he straightened subconsciously.

Seeing that he seemed to take her words seriously, Ling Yu steadied herself, glanced at the other three, whose expressions had also grown solemn, cleared her throat, and continued in a hushed voice, “Think about it. Since His Highness Prince Qi was able to pull people out of prison that day, he must have distanced himself from the other two and acted as a neutral third party. But now that those people have all become members of his household, won’t the other two begin doubting his intentions? They might even suspect that you were already working for Prince Qi behind the scenes—and that he took part in what happened that day.”

“In that case, wouldn’t His Highness Prince Qi be unfairly saddled with the blame?”

Wu Liren and the others exchanged glances; they truly hadn’t considered that.

“If what you’re saying is true, sister-in-law, then we can’t go to Prince Qi’s residence?” Tang Jinyuan asked.

“It’s not that you can’t go—just not all of you. After all, His Highness Prince Qi stood up to protect you. People of the martial world value loyalty above all else. If everyone receives his favor but not a single person goes, it’ll look like we’re trying to cover something up,” Ling Yu replied, now fully composed and sincere.

Cheng Shaotang stroked his chin, gazing at her thoughtfully.

“Sister-in-law’s words do make sense. We really didn’t think this through. How about this—let me ask Mr. Yan’s opinion before we decide anything. What do you all think?” Wu Liren finally said after a long pause.

“We’ll listen to big brother.” Since he had spoken, Song Chao and the others naturally had no reason to disagree, and Cheng Shaotang was the same.

Although she couldn’t completely dispel their intentions, she had at least won some time to persuade Cheng Shaotang—and for now, Ling Yu could breathe a little easier.

As for Mr. Yan’s opinion… Ling Yu scoffed.

Prince Qi’s residence wasn’t some shelter where just anyone could stroll in. They would naturally choose the more skilled among the bodyguards. So how could she not already know what Mr. Yan’s answer would be?

Let others go if they wanted—she couldn’t control that. But her man… no matter what method she had to use, she absolutely couldn’t let him go!

“It’s getting late, we should be going. Take good care of your injuries; we’ll meet another day again.” Wu Liren stood up to take his leave.

“How about staying for a simple meal before you go?” Cheng Shaotang quickly tried to persuade him to stay.

“No, there’s no need for ceremony among brothers. I’ll be going now.”

Watching the three leave, Ling Yu again began thinking about how to make Cheng Shaotang abandon the idea of entering Prince Qi’s residence. Just as she turned around, she met Cheng Shaotang’s scrutinizing gaze.

“You don’t want me to enter Prince Qi’s residence—why?”

Ling Yu was startled, but upon hearing his question, she met his gaze and said calmly and straightforwardly, “Yes. I don’t want you going to Prince Qi’s residence to be a guard. You protected escorts in previous years, and now you’re planning to protect others—why can’t you protect your own family?”

Cheng Shaotang was taken aback by her words, and after thinking for a moment, he suddenly felt she might have a point.

“I’ve already promised my brothers. A man’s word is his bond. How can I go back on it?” Cheng Shaotang’s brows furrowed again.

“You promised? I clearly remember you hadn’t promised at all.”

“If you hadn’t suddenly stopped me, I would’ve already—”

“Then you haven’t promised—so it doesn’t count,” Ling Yu said with sly confidence.

“Even if I didn’t finish, the brothers understood my meaning. Whether I finished or not, what difference does—”

“Even official documents don’t count unless fully signed. You didn’t even finish speaking, so how does that become a solemn promise? No matter how you argue, it’s unreasonable.” Ling Yu said righteously.

“Y–you’re just twisting logic?” Cheng Shaotang had never seen her so stubbornly argumentative, and he couldn’t help finding it funny and exasperating.

“Anyway, I just don’t agree to you going. If you insist on going, then… then you might as well just divorce me!” Ling Yu said in a huff.

“Nonsense! It seems I’ve spoiled you far too much, letting you speak without a shred of restraint!” Cheng Shaotang’s face darkened as he barked at her.

Having been his wife for two lifetimes, Ling Yu had never seen him look so severe. His usually unreadable face was now so dark it looked ready to drip ink.

She flinched instinctively, but thoughts of her previous life, struggling alone with their child and mother-in-law after his death, flashed in her mind. And now, he still wanted to throw himself into the swamp that was Prince Qi’s mansion. Fury surged, and she stomped her foot hard. “I’ll say it! I’ll keep saying it! If you’re so capable, then divorce me!”

“Ling Yu!” Cheng Shaotang’s expression grew even uglier when she continued shouting without fear, yet he couldn’t spit out any harsh words. He could only glare at her in frustrated anger.

But Ling Yu was in no mood to back down. She raised her voice even more. “What are you glaring at? Trying to see who’s got bigger eyes? You spend all day with those sworn brothers of yours, picking up every jianghu habit. ‘Loyalty’ this, ‘righteousness’ that—men like that always die early! You’re just trying to make my life miserable! If that’s how it is, then we don’t need to keep living like this. My child and I might as well leave you!”

After that, she rushed back into the house like a gust of wind, stuffed a few sets of clothes into a bundle, then dashed into the main room, scooped up Xiao Shitou, who was giggling on a tiny stool as Cheng Shaoan played with her, and then shot out the door like a whirlwind, disappearing in an instant.

Cheng Shaoan stared blankly at the now-empty little stool, unable to react for a long moment.

“Where’s your sister-in-law?” Ling Yu moved so fast that when Cheng Shaotang came out just a moment later, not only was his wife gone, but his son had vanished as well.

“She just carried Xiao Shitou out.” Cheng Shaoan pointed toward the door. Seeing his brother’s expression darken again, he asked, recklessly, “Brother, did you argue with sister-in-law and make her leave?”

“What nonsense!” Cheng Shaotang snapped.

He hadn’t quarreled with his wife at all; she was simply being unreasonable. How could she throw around words like “divorce” so casually? Frustration welled up heavily in his chest.

Despite this, he still hurried out, intending to find the wife who was ‘making trouble’ and had run off with their son.

Cheng Shaotang, having trained in martial arts and traveled the land for many years, still outmatched ordinary people in speed even while injured. And since Ling Yu was a woman carrying a child, she hadn’t gone far. After just a few miles, he already spotted the mother and son.

He was about to quicken his pace to catch up, but after a moment’s thought, he slowed down instead, following them from neither too near nor too far. Ling Yu held their son in one arm and the bundle in the other. Though she had stormed out angrily earlier, she now greeted familiar villagers with a bright smile.

“Yes, it’s been quite a while since I’ve gone back to my parents’ home. I finally had some free time today, so I brought my son to visit his grandparents.”

“He wanted to come too, but I wasn’t at ease, so I insisted he stay home to continue recovering.”

“That’s right. They prepared a whole bunch of food and supplies for me to take back, but I don’t have that much strength, so I only picked out some light things. We’re all family—what matters is the sentiment. The gifts themselves aren’t important.”

Cheng Shaotang almost laughed, but afraid of being discovered, he quickly hid in a small grove of trees. Only after the villagers passed did he come out and continue following his wife and child.

Along the way, watching Ling Yu tells blatant lies with a perfectly straight face and fools everyone. Even he, the husband who had angered her into wanting to return to her parents’ home, somehow became, in her words, a considerate and exceptionally filial son-in-law.

He had never known his little wife had this side to her. A charm that tickled right at the heart.

He continued following at a steady distance until Ling Yu and their child reached her parents’ home, where Madam Zhou opened the door and welcomed them inside.

Cheng Shaotang, however, felt it was inappropriate to enter. For one, he was still injured and wouldn’t look presentable. For another, showing up empty-handed wouldn’t be proper. After a moment of thought, he turned back.

Since his wife and son had safely arrived at her father’s house, he had nothing to worry about. So many things had happened at home lately, and she had been frightened and running around for so long. It was better to let her use this chance to rest well at her parents’ home.

Madam Zhou hadn’t expected her daughter to suddenly return with her grandson. All her questions immediately vanished the moment she saw Xiao Shitou, who looked even more adorable than before. She simply hugged the child and fussed over him lovingly.

“Where’s Dad?” Ling Yu wasn’t worried about being questioned by her mother. She was only concerned about running into her father. She glanced around, didn’t see him, and quietly sighed in relief.

“He’s at your third uncle’s house,” Madam Zhou replied.

“Mother, you said earlier that Brother Dachun’s employer wanted to sell a shop. Has he found a buyer yet?”

Ling Dachun was Ling Yu’s distant cousin who worked for a wealthy household in the county. After leaving Yang Suwen’s place, Ling Yu remembered the matter. Coming home this time wasn’t just because she was angry at Cheng Shaotang. She also wanted to inquire about that shop.

“I heard him mention it yesterday—said the shop isn’t making much money, the location isn’t good, and no one has shown any interest. Why are you asking?” Madam Zhou asked, suspicious.

Ling Yu didn’t answer and instead asked, “Is Brother Dachun home right now?”

“I just saw him, so he should still be here.”

“I’m going to find him!” Ling Yu declared and hurried out the door.

Ling Dachun was a little surprised when he heard why she’d come. “You want to rent that shop?”

“Yes, Brother Dachun. Could you help ask around and see if I can rent it? It’s not going to sell anytime soon anyway, so renting it to me is better than letting it sit empty.”

Ling Dachun considered it, then nodded. “You’re right. After the old master passed away, the young masters have been fighting over the dozen profitable shops. No one wants this one. But I’d still suggest you scrape the money together and buy it. They’re in a hurry to sell, so the price will definitely be negotiable.”

Ling Yu did a quick mental calculation. “If the rent isn’t much cheaper than buying it, then buying is definitely better.”

Once the business takes off, she could even resell it later for a higher price.

“Alright, I’ll talk to the young masters for you,” Ling Dachun agreed readily.

Of all her cousins, Ling Yu had always gotten along best with this one.

Truth be told, Ling Dachun didn’t have an easy life. His mother died young, and his father, Ling Laoliu, remarried and had two more sons. As the saying goes, with a stepmother comes a stepfather. When he was thirteen, Ling Laoliu gave him a rundown thatched hut and made him live by himself.

People in the clan often pointed fingers at Ling Laoliu for being so heartless. But his wife was the type who feared nothing, shrewish and bold. Anyone who dared confront her would immediately face sky-pointing curses, ground-rolling theatrics, and her yelling that everyone was bullying a poor remarried woman.

Eventually, even if everyone despised her, no one dared say another word. And from then on, Ling Dachun lived on his own all the way to adulthood.

Madam Zhou was soft-hearted and often invited Ling Dachun over for meals, so he naturally grew closer to the scholar Ling’s family.

Seeing him agree without even asking why she wanted the shop, Ling Yu felt a bit embarrassed. After a moment’s thought, she simply told him the whole plan about partnering with Yang Suwen to open a shop selling rouge and face powder.

Ling Dachun frowned upon hearing this. “It’s inconvenient for two women to run a shop. Have you told Shaotang about it? What does he think?”

Ling Yu mumbled. She had wanted to tell him, but she’d barely returned home before getting upset. Where would she have found the chance?

“I’ll speak to him myself.”

Only then was Ling Dachun satisfied. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Since you’ve tested it yourself and it does work, it seems the business is viable. I’ll return to the manor tomorrow and speak to the young masters for you. I’d say there’s a sixty to seventy percent chance of success.”

Ling Yu thanked him, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Since the age of thirteen, Ling Dachun had worked everywhere to support himself, taking on every kind of dirty and exhausting job and befriending people from all walks of life. And he was her elder brother, someone she trusted without question. It would be a waste not to bring him in!

“Brother Dachun, why don’t you join in too?”

Ling Dachun froze for a moment, then clapped his hands. “Great!”

He had already considered it earlier after hearing Ling Yu’s idea, but since it was a business between his cousin and another young lady, he felt it wasn’t appropriate for an unrelated man to get involved. Now that Ling Yu was inviting him personally, how could he bring himself to refuse?

“In that case, I’ll pay half the cost of the shop. Wait a moment.”

Ling Yu watched as he hurried into the house. In just a short while, he came back out carrying a tightly sealed jar.

“Xiao Yu, take a look.” As he spoke, he removed the seal and poured everything inside onto the table.

Wow—good heavens, it was all silver!

Ling Yu’s eyes widened. She picked up and weighed the scattered pieces one by one, estimating there to be at least a hundred taels.

“Where did you get so much silver?”

“Saved it over the years,” Ling Dachun said, a little proud. Then he added, “None of them know. You’re the first.”

“Them,” of course, meant his father, Ling Laoliu’s family.

“You’re something else! I really failed to recognize a hidden God of Wealth! If I’d known you had such a fortune, who knows how many families would’ve fought to marry their daughters to you? I’d have had a sister-in-law Dachun ages ago!” Ling Yu teased.

Ling Dachun brushed it off. “If they’re after money, they’re not good people anyway. Better not!”

Though she’d acted confident in front of Yang Suwen, Ling Yu had actually been worried about the money. She only had a few dozen taels left and was indeed strapped for cash.

Now that Ling Dachun had joined in, her most urgent problem was solved.

“How much is it in total?”

“Two hundred and twelve taels and six hundred cash,” Ling Dachun said precisely.

“Brother Dachun, I’m following you from now on!” Ling Yu said with exaggerated seriousness.

Ling Dachun slapped his chest. “Alright, your brother approves!”

The two siblings burst into laughter again.

And Ling Yu had her own little motives for bringing Ling Dachun into the venture.

Firstly, she couldn’t possibly keep the matter of opening Liufang Hall from her husband’s family. Cheng Shaoan might even step in, and since she always kept a trace of wariness toward him but couldn’t show it openly, it was better to bring Ling Dachun in to keep him in check.

Secondly, it was also for her parents’ sake. In her previous life, during the chaos of war, Scholar Ling’s adopted son ran off with his birth parents. It was Ling Dachun who protected him and Madam Zhou as they fled, caring for them until their final days. In this life, if she had the chance, she would certainly lend Ling Dachun a hand as repayment for his past kindness.

Of course, she also planned to find a way for her father to adopt Ling Dachun. One had no son, and the other had a father who might as well not exist—pairing them together couldn’t be more fitting.

Meanwhile, Madam Wang returned from visiting Madam Sun and her daughter, only to find her daughter-in-law and grandson missing. After hearing Cheng Shaoan say that “the eldest brother angered sister-in-law, and she took Xiao Shitou with her,” she grew both anxious and furious. The moment Cheng Shaotang walked in, she berated him head-on, “So you’ve grown capable now! Gone a few years and already learned the airs of a lord. Coming home just to beat and scold your wife. Bah! Have you forgotten who ran around for you when you got into trouble? Who kept this whole household together? You heartless wretch, I truly raised you for nothing!”

Madam Wang grew more and more furious as she spoke. Unable to hold back any longer, she swung her palm and smacked him. Cheng Shaotang didn’t dare dodge. He stood there honestly, letting her hit him. A farmer woman’s strength was no joke, and with his injuries, her slaps occasionally struck the wounded spots, making him suck in a breath from the pain, though he stubbornly endured it.