The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 26

Seeing her agree so readily, Cheng Shaotang breathed a slight sigh of relief. Then, recalling what he’d heard from Ling Dachun that day, he frowned. “When did you start a business partnership with Brother Dachun and Miss Yang?”

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt his wife had become quite interested in business these days. She’d secretly encouraged her second brother to open a tea stall, and now that the tea stall wasn’t doing well, she had already come up with something new.

Ling Yu felt a pang of guilt. She’d already invested so much in Liufang Hall, the shop was settled, the contract was signed, and only now did she realize she hadn’t mentioned any of it to her husband.

But after thinking it over, she felt justified again.

“That day when we got home, I was going to discuss it with you. But you just had to act irritating for no reason, so I never got the chance to say it.”

Cheng Shaotang was about to retort, asking her when he had ever angered her, but the moment he remembered how she’d stormed off to her parents’ home with their son that day, he swallowed the words back down.

Forget it, why bring up those unpleasant things again and risk upsetting her?

Seeing him stay silent, Ling Yu grew a little uneasy, unsure whether he meant to object. She deliberately softened her tone and explained, “With Brother Dachun around, he handles everything.”

Cheng Shaotang wasn’t very willing, but things had already reached this point. Objecting now would be pointless. Besides, Ling Dachun truly was capable; with him involved, he could at least feel reassured.

What’s more, once he became a constable at the county office, he would be able to help them even more.

Noticing his expression gradually soften, Ling Yu knew he’d agreed. Her eyes darted mischievously, and she suddenly tugged lightly at his sleeve, speaking in a coquettish tone, “It’s just a little venture. If we lose money, you’re not allowed to get angry with me.”

Cheng Shaotang chuckled. “If you’re afraid of losing money, then why do it at all?”

“Because I have you! No matter what happens, I still have you to take care of me!” Ling Yu blinked at him, her pretty face still tinged with a rosy glow, full of trust and dependence as she looked at him.

Even though he knew she was deliberately trying to please him, Cheng Shaotang still found it immensely gratifying, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting. Being openly relied upon by his wife felt wonderfully satisfying.

Seeing his reaction, Ling Yu knew her little trick had worked and quietly snickered to herself.

Men! Truly… softness does conquer strength.

The next morning, after breakfast, Cheng Shaotang helped her apply medicine again.

“I smell like medicine from head to toe. Even Xiao Shitou dislikes me,” she muttered gloomily as she slowly dressed, remembering how the boy had avoided her and flung himself straight into Cheng Shaotang’s arms that morning.

Feeling wronged, she added resentfully, “That heartless little brat!”

Cheng Shaotang shook his head with an amused smile, wisely pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

After all, if he dared imitate her and scold their son now, the very next person to get scolded would definitely be him.

When Madam Zhou and Yang Suwen entered, only Ling Yu was in the room.

Knowing she was leaving, Yang Suwen reluctantly took her hand. “Sister Yu, why are you leaving so soon? Can’t you stay a few more days to keep me company?”

“I’ve already been back for several days. If I don’t return soon, I’m afraid my mother-in-law won’t know what to say,” Ling Yu replied with a smile, gently squeezing her hand back.

“Xiao Yu is right. You’re already someone’s wife, how can you stay at your parents’ home for this long? If people find out, they might say unpleasant things,” Madam Zhou added.

“Going back to your own home and still worrying about gossip? Getting married really isn’t easy at all!” Yang Suwen exclaimed, eyes widening.

“You little girl, talking nonsense again!” Madam Zhou chided her, and Yang Suwen only giggled a few times in embarrassment.

Ling Yu couldn’t help laughing as well. “You’ll understand someday.”

“Exactly. Auntie will keep an eye out and find a good family for our Suwen,” Madam Zhou said with a smile.

Even the usually carefree Miss Yang was teased into a bright blush by the two of them.

“Our Third is the brightest child in the clan, but his mother and I can’t read a single word. We didn’t want to bury his future, so we reluctantly agreed to let him be adopted by you.”

Just then, a somewhat unfamiliar male voice sounded outside. Ling Yu paused for a moment before it suddenly struck her, wasn’t that Ling Laosi, the biological father of the “brother” she had in her previous life?

Hadn’t her mother said he’d changed his mind last time? Why was he bringing it up again? Had he reversed himself yet again?

She frowned.

He had already gone back on his word once in this life. Surely her father wouldn’t agree to adopt the child again? Even so, the matter gnawed at her, and she asked Madame Zhou, “Mother, what does Father think about the adoption? Has Fourth Uncle changed his mind again?”

If Ling Laosi hadn’t changed his mind again, he certainly wouldn’t have come to bring up the adoption again. It’s just that she didn’t know what her father’s plans were.

Madam Zhou sighed, “Third son is indeed a clever child. He learns to read and write faster than any other child in the clan. Your father has always cherished his intelligence and spent a lot of time teaching him. But last time, he was ultimately heartbroken by his family. Although he still can’t bear to part with the child, I’m afraid he won’t agree again.”

“Then I’m relieved,” Ling Yu said with a smile.

Madam Zhou poked her forehead impatiently. “You two, father and daughter, have never gotten along. He says east, and you insist on going west. What’s wrong with the Third son? Why do you dislike him so much?”

“When have I ever said I disliked him? Why would I target a child? I just feel he’s not suitable to come to our family. It’s better for him to stay with his biological parents. After all, such a clever child, Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt want him to bring honor to the family!” Ling Yu said dismissively.

She didn’t exactly dislike Ling Laosi’s youngest son, her “brother” from her past life, but she certainly didn’t like him either. Besides, this wasn’t adoption; it was clearly her parents raising a child for them.

After all, if they truly wanted to adopt him, why would they secretly tell the child that it wasn’t that his biological parents didn’t want him, but that they were forced to give him up because they didn’t dare offend his current “father”?

It was supposed to be a mutually agreeable arrangement, but in the end, it became her father abusing his power to steal someone’s child.

And her “brother” was extremely filial; whenever there was something good in the house, he would always take it to his biological parents.

She felt that such a filial child was better off staying with his biological parents.

Madam Zhou shook her head, then heard Ling Yu ask, “Mother, if we’re talking about adoption, I think Dachun is perfect. After all, you and Father watched him grow up, and he’s been close to our family all these years. He’s been filial to you and Father, and good to my sister and me. Why has Father never considered adopting him?”

“If Father were willing, Uncle and Aunt would probably agree immediately.”

Madam Zhou said helplessly, “Your father hadn’t considered adoption before, but later, when the idea came to him, he was determined to raise a scholar. Dachun is good, but he’s never liked studying, so your father naturally didn’t think of him.”

“Mother, if we’re going to adopt, let’s adopt Dachun! I won’t acknowledge anyone else, no matter who they are.”

“I think Brother Ling is quite a good person, too. Wouldn’t it be better if he were adopted and became Sister Yu’s brother?” Yang Suwen, who had been quietly listening, couldn’t help but interject.

Madam Zhou hesitated, “That depends on your father’s opinion. Besides, Dachun is all grown up now, capable of working and earning money. Your sixth uncle and the others might not be willing.”

Ling Yu smiled slightly, “Mother, have you forgotten that Brother Dachun is still unmarried? If he were to get married, it would require a considerable expense. If the family property is divided in the future, he will also take a portion of the inheritance. Do you think Sixth Aunt would be willing to let him go? A useless stepson who can barely support himself, asking her to pay for his wedding and let him take a portion of the inheritance in the future? There’s no way Sixth Aunt would agree to that!”

But if she ignored it, the village’s scorn would drown her, and her children would never be able to hold their heads high again.

Madam Zhou hesitated, “This…this is a parent’s duty, whether you like it or not, you have to do it!”

“Auntie, you’re a kind person, so naturally you feel this is your duty. But you don’t know how treacherous people can be. I’ve heard many stories of stepmothers abusing their stepchildren!” Yang Suwen said seriously.

Ling Yu glanced at her. So this girl knows how treacherous people can be? That’s truly rare!

“Now that Father has been hurt and humiliated by Fourth Uncle’s family, he must be somewhat disheartened about the adoption. Mother, if you persuade him, Father might agree. Then, when Dachun becomes an older brother, my sister and I will have another source of support. Don’t you think that makes sense?” Ling Yu whispered, trying to persuade her.

Madam Zhou was still hesitant, but when she heard the sentence, “My sister and I have gained another source of support,” she was instantly swayed.

Yes, how could she forget? Young children are easier to raise, but she and her husband are getting old. If they pass away soon, how will their two daughters be able to rely on such a young child?

Ling Yu, observing their expressions, knew her persuasion had worked.

Whenever it involved her and her sister, her mother would definitely consider it carefully. If her mother insisted, even if her father initially refused, he would eventually agree after much persuasion.

In any case, gentleness can overcome rigidity; even the most stubborn person will eventually yield when they are determined.

The family of three bid farewell to Scholar Ling and his wife, as well as Yang Suwen. Because Ling Yu was injured, Cheng Shaotang specially borrowed a donkey cart to take the mother and child home.

Just as Ling Yu had said, after Ling Laosi changed his mind, Scholar Ling became disheartened about the adoption and never mentioned it again.

He was a somewhat bookish person who always believed that what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you should not force. Since fate had decreed that he would have no children, why should he be so persistent?

The saying goes, “One cannot know what happens after death,” but does that mean one knows what happens in the afterlife? What need is there for incense offerings? There’s really no need to be so attached.

But Madam Zhou was single-mindedly focused on finding support for her daughter. This usually gentle woman was now so stubborn that even Scholar Ling found it difficult to handle.

He couldn’t bring himself to scold her; although she was illiterate, she had served him for so many years and bore him two daughters.

He pretended to be busy and ignored her, but she would incessantly nag, buzzing like a fly, utterly unbearable.

Finally, after barely managing to hold out for a few days, Scholar Ling could no longer resist, and his tone softened.

While discussing shop repairs with Ling Dachun, Yang Suwen remembered Ling Yu’s instructions to her. Her eyes darted around, and she went to ask him about his opinion on adoption.

Ling Dachun had long regarded Scholar Ling and his wife as his own parents, so how could he refuse? However, he hesitated when he thought of his biological father and stepmother’s temperament.

He didn’t care much about himself, but if his biological father’s family used this to lean on his second uncle’s family, wouldn’t it be his fault?

“What’s the big deal? I have a way to guarantee they won’t have the face to come looking for you again,” Yang Suwen said nonchalantly, aware of his worries.

“What way?” Ling Dachun asked anxiously.

Yang Suwen explained, “If they’re willing to help you, it means they still have some blood ties with you, so forget the adoption. If they want to abandon you, then you shouldn’t concern yourself with such relatives. But you must keep this from your uncle and aunt; if they find out, this charade won’t last.”

Ling Dachun remained silent. That’s fine—let him try, and perhaps he can give up in the future.

Ling Laoliu returned home humming an unknown tune, only to see his wife pointing at and scolding their daughter.

“Eat, eat, eat! All you do all day is eat! Why don’t you do more housework? Lazy and good-for-nothing! Raising you has been a complete waste!”

Ling Zhaodi was both aggrieved and angry at her scolding, yet dared not utter a single word in reply.

“You damned devil, where have you been drinking again?!” Madam Meng, smelling the alcohol on him, immediately flew into a rage.

“Old Zhang treated me to a few drinks, and it didn’t cost me anything,” Ling Laoliu hiccuped.

Hearing it didn’t cost anything, Madam Meng’s face softened slightly, but then she saw Ling Zhaodi standing there with her head down and scolded again, “What are you still standing there for? Go cut some pig feed!”

“Laoliu, Laoliu! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened to your Dachun!” someone rushed in to report.

“What happened? Is he dead? If he’s not dead, then he’s fine. Stop making such a fuss,” Madam Meng cursed.

Although he hadn’t inquired about him for years, he was still his own son. Ling Laoliu hurriedly asked, “What happened to him?”

“He broke his leg, oh dear, it’s badly injured. The doctor said he might be bedridden for the rest of his life.”

“Then he’ll be completely useless! Oh dear, what’s the point of him living? He’ll just be a burden!” Madam Meng shrieked.

“I’m going to see him!” Ling Laoliu shouted, rushing out, leaving Madam Meng cursing behind him.

***

Ling Dachun remained expressionless, seemingly oblivious to the conversation outside.

“Easy for you to say! Ten taels of silver! You might as well rob us! Besides, the doctor said he’ll never be able to stand again; he’s a cripple. If he’s crippled, why bother treating him? It’s a waste of money!” came Madam Meng’s shrill voice.

“Lao Liu, what are you thinking? Dachun is still your son. Are you really going to ignore him?” Scholar Ling asked, suppressing his anger.

“His mother is right. Ten taels of silver is too expensive, and besides, the doctor said the situation isn’t optimistic…”

“Do you have any conscience? The doctor clearly said that while the situation wasn’t optimistic, it wasn’t hopeless. How come you’re saying it’s incurable? You’re just trying to avoid paying those ten taels of silver, so you’re deliberately cursing the child!” the usually mild-mannered Madam Zhou angrily accused.

“It’s just ten taels of silver, you make it sound so easy! Why don’t you pay? If ten taels isn’t enough, then another ten taels? Ten taels after ten taels, it’s a bottomless pit!” Madam Meng complained.

“You…you’re simply unfit to be parents!” Scholar Ling roared.

“That’s right, it’s too much! The doctor said there was a good chance, but you’re saying it’s hopeless, a cripple. You drove the child away back then, and the child has been living alone ever since. Now that the child is in trouble, you’re still shirking responsibility! It’s outrageous!” one of the growing crowd of villagers said in defense.

“That’s right! If it weren’t for the kind hearts of Scholar Ling and his wife, Dachun might not be alive today!”

“They say a stepmother is like a stepfather. Ling Laoliu, aren’t you afraid Dachun’s mother will come looking for you in the middle of the night?”

“Enough! If they were truly so kind, why didn’t they pay for it?!” Ling Laoliu roared, his face flushed.

“He’s not even his son. They’ve done more than enough. How can you be so shameless?” someone immediately retorted.

“If he wants him, then adopt him!” Ling Laoliu shouted, and as soon as he finished, he realized it was a brilliant idea.

If Ling Dachun wasn’t his son anymore, he wouldn’t have to pay those exorbitant medical fees and medicine costs. After all, his son was so useless; he was nineteen and couldn’t even earn a single tael of silver.

Madam Meng’s eyes lit up. That’s it! How could she not have thought of that?

“Yes, yes, yes! Your family has no son. Dachun has been close to you since childhood; he should be your son. Why not adopt him? It would give your family an heir.”

Scholar Ling trembled with anger. He had indeed planned to discuss the adoption with Ling Laoliu, but he hadn’t expected it to be proposed so publicly under these circumstances.

This was clearly an attempt to prevent Dachun from becoming a burden, discarding him like a hindrance. How would the child face the world then?

“You spoke so sweetly just now, but now you refuse! I see you’re just pretending to be good people, hypocrites!” Seeing that Scholar Ling wouldn’t agree, Madam Meng shrieked again.

“Second brother, I’m only thinking of you. Of all the brothers, you’re the only one without a son to carry on the family line. Who will take care of you in your old age? Dachun is someone you’ve watched grow up, and he’s always been close to you two. Giving him to you is the most suitable thing to do,” Ling Laoliu hypocritically advised.

“Ling Laoliu, you two are truly shameless! Dachun was perfectly fine before you mentioned adoption, but now that he’s bedridden, you’re talking about adoption, and even about taking care of him in his old age! Who knows who will care for whom then!” The surrounding villagers erupted in uproar. They’d seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless.

Madam Meng was not one to be trifled with. She immediately started acting out and wailing, saying that being a stepmother was not easy and that everyone bullied her because she was a second wife. The scene instantly descended into chaos.

“Enough! You don’t want Dachun, but I do! From now on, he is my son, Ling De’s son, and has nothing to do with you!” Scholar Ling roared, successfully silencing the crowd.

“Alright, alright, from now on, he’s your son. Let’s go find Second Uncle to change the family register.” Ling Laoliu was overjoyed, afraid he’d change his mind, and grabbed him to go change the register.

“Yes, yes, change the register! Change the register!” Madam Meng scrambled to her feet.

“Such an important matter as adoption, and you just casually change the register like this? You don’t want people to raise your son for you, and then when Dachun recovers, you’ll put him on the biological father’s register and expect them to support you, do you?” A young woman’s voice rang out from the crowd, instantly stirring up a storm.

“Given the shamelessness of this couple, they really are capable of such a thing. Scholar Ling, you should think carefully!”

“That’s exactly right. If Dachun recovers and becomes successful, this couple will definitely cling to him.”

“Bah! I have two sons! Why would I need Ling Dachun to support them? Even if he’s a lifelong good-for-nothing, even if he actually became successful, I wouldn’t care!” Madam Meng roared.

“Once he’s adopted, he’s no longer my son! Whatever happens to him in the future is none of my concern! I don’t care either!” Ling Laoliu shouted back, his face contorted with anger.

The commotion outside gradually faded, quickly returning to silence. Yang Suwen looked at the expressionless Ling Dachun with sympathy, sighed after a while, and patted his shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. At least your uncle and aunt genuinely care about you and want to protect you.”

“I know,” Ling Dachun said bitterly.

Although he had expected this outcome, seeing it actually happen sent a chill through him.

Ling Yu received the items Madam Zhou had sent for Xiao Shitou, and as expected, found Yang Suwen’s letter tucked inside. She skimmed through it and smiled faintly.

Just as she had predicted, everything unfolded exactly as she expected.

“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, come quickly and take your son away! Ouch, my dear nephew, don’t pull me! It hurts so much! Sister-in-law, help!” Cheng Shaoan’s cries for help came from outside. Ling Yu casually placed the letter on the table and went out.

When she returned to the room after scolding her son with a stern face, she saw Cheng Shaotang holding the letter, his expression grim.

“Was it your doing that Dachun was adopted?”

“What’s the problem?” Ling Yu asked, puzzled.

“What’s the problem? You actually think this is okay? You forced him to sever ties with his biological father in public, making him look abandoned by his father in front of everyone!” Cheng Shaotang suppressed his anger.

“Even if Uncle Lingliu has his faults, he is still his biological father. The debt of nurturing is greater than heaven! There can be no overnight grudge between father and son. Now, with all this, their bond is broken. How is he supposed to face himself in the future?!”

Enraged by his accusations, Ling Yu retorted, “Did I tell Sixth Uncle to abandon him? What kind of life has he lived all these years? Others may not know, but don’t you? Sixth Uncle showed no filial piety first, then turned his back on him without a second thought. So heartless! Does he expect Brother Dachun to be his dutiful son?!”

“Blood ties cannot be severed so easily, especially not in such a despicable way. Sixth Uncle Ling certainly has many faults, but has he never shown any kindness? From the moment his child was born until he grew up, has he never truly loved him?” Cheng Shaotang’s face grew increasingly grim.

“Has Brother Dachun never shown any filial piety? Has he never truly been dutiful to him? And what has he received in return?! As the saying goes, a kind father and a filial son are a perfect match. Now that the father is unkind, is the son expected to be blindly obedient?” Ling Yu retorted without backing down.

***

TL’s note: four chapters for your happy new year~