The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 36

Upon learning that her sister was pregnant again, Madam Wang was delighted for her, smiling as she said, “Your sister-in-law has devoted herself to Buddhism for years. This time, the Bodhisattva will surely grant her wish—your sister will definitely give birth to a healthy, chubby son.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Mother,” Ling Yu replied happily.

“It would be even better if you could give Xiao Shitou a younger brother someday.” Madam Wang seamlessly shifted the topic to her.

Ling Yu smiled. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t like a daughter, Mother?”

Madam Wang paused, thought for a moment, then brightened. “A daughter would be wonderful. I’ve never raised one myself. Having a sweet little granddaughter would be lovely.”

As she said this, she suddenly felt that a granddaughter would indeed be nice—perhaps even perfect, making up for her lifelong regret of never having a daughter. She immediately changed her mind. “How about we give Xiao Shitou a sister first, and later a brother?”

Ling Yu burst into laughter. “Alright, whatever you say, Mother.”

If she could choose, she would still prefer to have a son. The world had always been harsher on women, and if war ever broke out, daughters would inevitably suffer more than men. She did want a daughter, but only if she could ensure she could provide her with a stable, worry-free life.

Of course, if a little girl arrived sooner than expected, she would still be overjoyed.

Ling Yu had assumed that after this ordeal, Cheng Shaoan would lose all motivation to manage his business. After all, the reason he had worked so hard earlier was that she had exploited his feelings for Jin Qiaorong, pulling him along with both pressure and temptation.

But now that Jin Qiaorong had abandoned him, and all his savings were gone, she thought he would collapse completely and return to being the idle, carefree Cheng Shaoan of the past.

She hadn’t expected that a few days later, when Ling Dachun consulted her about the opening date of the Liufang Hall branch, he would also tell her that Cheng Shaoan had approached him, hoping to open his clothing shop on the same day.

“Is everything ready in his shop?” Ling Yu asked, a little surprised.

“I went to take a look. He doesn’t have many items, but each one is finely made—you can tell he put real effort into it. Still, I suggest he rest well for a while. There’s no need to rush; he should settle his emotions first.” Ling Dachun knew nothing of Jin Qiaorong being alive, assuming only that Cheng Shaoan had truly lost his wife. Ling Yu, of course, kept silent and said nothing.

“If he insists, then let him be! Finding something to keep himself busy is good; it’s better than staying at home alone and overthinking. Besides, even though my sister-in-law is gone, the embroiderers he hired earlier are quite skilled and already have a reputation. Opening a little early won’t be a problem.”

Ling Dachun considered her words carefully and felt she had a point. “That’s fine too.”

“Also, the land and the house you asked me to purchase in Jinzhou City earlier—I’ve prepared everything.” He handed her the brocade box he had brought, which contained the land and house deeds.

Hugging the brocade box, Ling Yu let out a long breath and asked, “What about yours? Did you get them as well?”

“I did. I just still don’t understand why you want to buy property there, and even had me purchase some too.” He remained puzzled.

Naturally, Ling Yu couldn’t tell him it was because she intended to flee to Jinzhou City once war broke out, and also because Guo Qi would be transferred there as prefect next year.

Seeing her evasiveness, Ling Dachun didn’t press her. After a moment of hesitation, he finally asked, “Has Suwen come to see you recently?”

“No, not at all. Why? Why are you suddenly asking about her?” Ling Yu refilled his tea and asked casually.

“N-nothing, just asking, just asking.” Ling Dachun lowered his head to sip his tea, hiding his discomfort.

Ling Yu, however, had sharp eyes and immediately noticed. An idea flashed through her mind, and she feigned confusion. “Since cooperating with the Ye family, Suwen has been much more relaxed than before. She used to visit Liufang Hall from time to time. Has she not been going recently?”

“Hm, maybe… maybe she has other things to do! Right, I have something to handle, I’ll be going first.” Before Ling Yu could react, he hurried away.

Something was off… Stroking her chin thoughtfully, Ling Yu watched his figure as he walked away.

When Cheng Shaoan told his brother about his plans, Cheng Shaotang shared Ling Yu’s views. He simply instructed him to stay grounded, manage the shop well, and not trouble himself with other matters.

With his brother’s support, the burden in Cheng Shaoan’s heart finally lifted. When he saw Ling Yu leading Xiao Shitou inside, he quickly stood to leave. “I’ll head back to continue preparing for the opening.”

Ling Yu looked helplessly at his fleeing figure. Irritated, she said, “Am I really that frightening? I was just excited back then. Does he still need to be this scared of me now?”

Cheng Shaotang’s lips curved slightly, but he didn’t reply. Instead, he beckoned his son over.

Xiao Shitou let go of his mother and ran to his side with quick little steps. He climbed onto his lap with practiced ease, plopped down on his thigh, then lifted his face and called out brightly, “Daddy!”

“…Good lad, you’re getting more and more agile.” He shook his head and pinched his son’s chubby arm.

The little guy grinned at him, his eyes curved with delight.

“He’s becoming more and more like a little monkey—never staying still. And he’s far too bold. Last time, while Officer Cui wasn’t looking, he actually climbed onto a stool and tried to ride his horse,” Ling Yu said irritably.

Cheng Shaotang laughed and pinched his son’s cheek. “How is your courage this big, little rascal? What would we have done if the horse had kicked you? Fortunately, Brother Cui’s horse has a good temperament.”

“Are you praising him or scolding him?” Ling Yu asked, displeased.

“Praise or scold, it’s not a bad thing for a boy to be bold,” Cheng Shaotang said casually.

“Everything’s packed. We should head out—if we leave early, we’ll come back early.” Ling Yu stepped forward, wiped her son’s face, and lifted him into her arms.

“In that case, let’s go.”

Since Ling Bi was pregnant, they naturally had to visit her as her family. Taking advantage of Cheng Shaotang’s day off, after checking in on Madam Wang, the family of three set out for Liangjia Village.

“Is this the carriage you’ve been working on these past few days?” Holding her son, Ling Yu circled around the carriage at the door in surprise.

Cheng Shaotang smiled. “How is it? Looks decent, right? I’ll buy another horse later just for pulling it, so it’ll be convenient whenever you go out.”

The horse currently harnessed was one the county office assigned him for official duties, and he was temporarily using it for the carriage; the carriage itself was something he had personally built during his spare time in recent days.

“That’s wonderful. It really will make going out much easier.” How could Ling Yu refuse her husband’s thoughtfulness? She naturally agreed with a smile.

“Then, my wife, please get in the carriage?” Cheng Shaotang reached over and lifted Xiao Shitou inside first, then turned back with a raised eyebrow.

Ling Yu was amused by his rare playful expression.

With the family of three, Cheng Shaotang naturally took on the role of driver. Hearing his son’s cheerful laughter, occasionally mixed with his wife’s playful scolding from inside the carriage, he couldn’t help but smile.

Mother Liang and Liang Huaisheng had waited so many years for their daughter-in-law to become pregnant again. Their joy was beyond words; even Madam Zhou was so excited she kept chanting, “Amitabha, may the Bodhisattva protect us.”

Ling Yu wasn’t surprised to see her mother at her sister’s home. Over the years, because Ling Bi hadn’t conceived again, Madam Zhou had endured just as much pressure as she had. Now that heaven had finally taken pity, Madam Zhou couldn’t possibly sit still. Once she received the news, she gathered everything a pregnant woman might need and, escorted by Ling Dachun, came to Liangjia Village.

Upon seeing her younger sister, Ling Bi immediately gripped her hand tightly, tears glimmering in her eyes. “I really have you to thank. If you hadn’t stopped me last time, I almost did something foolish.”

If she had discovered she was pregnant only after a concubine entered the household, she would have been furious with herself. Thankfully, she had listened to her sister’s advice.

Ling Yu smiled, afraid she might say something about going to town to thank that fortune teller, Sai Banxian, and quickly asked her about her pregnancy.

Overjoyed, Ling Bi answered everything without reservation.

The three women chatted for quite a while about the baby in her belly, and before they realized it, the conversation shifted to Ling Dachun.

“Mother, Dachun isn’t young anymore. His marriage really can’t be delayed. He’s busy with business all day, and it’s not good for him to have no one looking after him,” Ling Bi said gently, stroking her still-flat stomach.

“How could I not know that? But the boy is awfully strong-willed. Every time I bring up his marriage, he always dodges the subject,” Madam Zhou said with a sigh.

Ling Yu smiled lightly. “What are you worried about? Since Brother Dachun is so strong-minded, he must already have his own thoughts about something as important as marriage. Let’s just wait for him to bring it up himself.”

“Do you know something?” Ling Bi asked curiously.

Even Madam Zhou was intrigued, probing, “Has Dachun taken a liking to some girl?”

Ling Yu only smiled, refusing to say another word.

Seeing her stay silent, Ling Bi grew anxious and moved to pinch her. “You’re doing this on purpose to string us along—trying to watch a good joke, aren’t you?”

Ling Yu dodged her with a laugh, and the two sisters tumbled into cheerful teasing.

Meanwhile, the Ling Dachun they were discussing was pretending to be clueless, listening as Liang Huaisheng openly and subtly lamented the hardships of studying.

“As a husband, I can only rely on my wife’s hard work to earn money for the household, and it weighs on me. I want to copy texts for others to earn a little to ease the burden, but she’s afraid it’ll interfere with my studies and refuses no matter what.”

“Every time I see Tangya envy other children’s new clothes, I can only hate that I truly am a useless scholar!”

Cheng Shaotang glanced at Ling Dachun, who appeared to be listening seriously yet whose thoughts had long drifted off, cleared his throat, and kindly said, “Brother-in-law, just focus on your studies. When you someday take top honors in the examinations, Sister will naturally see her hardships rewarded.”

Cheng Shaotang didn’t pay attention to what Liang Huaisheng said next, instead keeping an ear out for the movement in the opposite room. When he saw Ling Yu appear, he immediately stood up to take his leave.

Ling Dachun followed closely behind.

Liang Huaisheng’s smile stiffened slightly; after politely urging them to stay a few times, he sent them out the door.

“Brother Dachun, have you seen Suwen recently?” Ling Yu asked quietly when no one was paying attention.

Ling Dachun’s expression stiffened, and he shook his head. “No.”

That girl was deliberately avoiding him; how could she let him see her so easily?

“How about I find a chance to call her out for you?” Ling Yu asked with a mischievous smile.

Ling Dachun cleared his throat. “If so, that would be even better.”

Ling Yu couldn’t hold back another laugh.

As they left, Cheng Shaotang and his wife took Madam Zhou and Ling Dachun and his mother with them, personally sending them home before preparing to drive back to the county town.

Unexpectedly, on the way back to the city, the carriage suddenly broke down and had to stop.

“It seems your skills still aren’t up to standard—there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Ling Yu teased as she watched Cheng Shaotang climb down, dusty and disheveled, to repair the carriage.

“Practice makes perfect,” Cheng Shaotang said casually, not at all bothered by her teasing gaze.

“Xiao Yu, bring me the hammer.” A moment later, Ling Yu heard him call.

She answered, found the hammer and handed it to him, then held the wooden board in place as she watched him skillfully hammer the nails—completely unaware that their son, with his short little legs, had run off chasing a butterfly with colorful wings.

Once the couple finished repairing the carriage and washed their hands with water from their water bag, they finally realized their son was gone.

“Xiao Shitou, Xiao Shitou…” Ling Yu cried out in panic and fear, calling her son’s nickname.

Even Cheng Shaotang, usually calm in any situation, was now terrified. Forcing himself to stay composed, he said, “He’s just a child; he can’t have gone far. Besides, there’s no one else around except us…”

He carefully examined the surroundings. This wasn’t a bend in the road—the entire path stretched straight ahead, and no one else was in sight. Beside the road was a grove of trees, its branches and leaves lush and dense, rustling softly in the breeze.

“Let’s search in the grove!” he ordered decisively.

Ling Yu was completely at a loss. She could only nod repeatedly, and without waiting for him to say more, she called her son’s nickname as she rushed into the forest ahead of him.

Cheng Shaotang followed in long strides, searching the woods for any trace of the child.

Birdsong and insect calls echoed through the trees, and the birds perched on the branches were startled by their frantic shouts, fluttering away in a rush.

“Xiao Shitou, Xiao Shitou, where are you? Don’t scare Mother!” Before she realized it, Ling Yu’s calls had turned into sobs.

If anything happened to her son, she would never forgive herself. If not for her negligence, how could she not have known when he ran off?

“Mother…” The soft, milky voice of a child drifted over. Ling Yu froze, turning around in both shock and relief—only to scream at the sight before her. “What are you doing?!! Let him go! Let him go!!”

Cheng Shaotang, searching from another direction, turned pale at his wife’s scream. He pushed off the ground with his toes and shot toward her.

But when he saw his son gripped by a strange man, a dagger pressed against the child’s neck, his pupils constricted sharply.

“Let him go!! Don’t hurt him!!” Seeing the sharp dagger only inches from her son’s throat, Ling Yu was so terrified she nearly fainted.

“Shut up. Scream again, and I’ll kill him!” the man barked.

“Okay, okay, I’ll be quiet, I’ll be quiet—just… don’t hurt him. He’s only a child who doesn’t understand anything…” Ling Yu covered her mouth tightly, pleading through sobs.

Cheng Shaotang wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, keeping her from collapsing, and forced his voice not to shake. “Whatever you want, we’ll agree to it. Our only request is that you don’t harm my son.”

“Go drive your carriage in. Now!” the man ordered coldly.

“Okay, okay, we’ll bring it in right away, but could you put the knife down first? Don’t scare him,” Ling Yu cried, tears streaming down her face. Afraid she’d sob aloud, she bit her lip hard until she tasted blood.

Xiao Shitou looked dazedly at his parents not far away, then up at the strange uncle gripping his arm. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Uncle, you’re bleeding!”

Only then did Cheng Shaotang notice the patch of blood spreading across the man’s chest.

“Go drive the carriage in, or I’ll kill him with one strike!” The man hadn’t expected the child to be so bold. Not only did he not cry or fuss, he even dared call him “uncle,” and wasn’t frightened by the blood on him at all.

“No, don’t, please don’t! Hurry and drive the carriage!!” Ling Yu was so terrified she almost screamed again. She pushed hard against Cheng Shaotang, shouting in panic.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Shaotang pulled her sharply aside, and with a loud crack, a wrist-thick sapling beside where they had just been standing snapped clean in half.

Before Ling Yu could steady herself, Cheng Shaotang shoved her farther away. Off balance, she fell to the ground and stared blankly as he clashed with a black‑clad man who had appeared out of thin air.

Though Cheng Shaotang was skilled, his opponent was equally formidable and armed as well. Cheng Shaotang couldn’t gain the advantage.

Their fight grew fiercer, and Cheng Shaotang gradually fell behind, the opponent’s sword nearly piercing his throat several times.

Ling Yu watched, terrified, her heart lodged in her throat. Just as another vicious strike was about to land on Cheng Shaotang, a man’s voice suddenly rang out behind her: “Stop!”

The black‑clad man halted immediately. With a light step, he leapt toward the man still holding Xiao Shitou, dropped to one knee with a thud, and said, “Your subordinate is late. Please punish me, Master!”

“We’ll leave this place first!”

The moment the man in black halted his assault, Ling Yu lunged toward Cheng Shaotang, clinging to him, her whole body trembling.

Cheng Shaotang wrapped an arm around her in return, gently patting her back. His gaze, sharp as a blade, stayed locked on the master and servant ahead, watching them whisper to each other.

It seemed unlikely they would leave here unharmed today…

“Go bring the carriage. If you dare try anything, I’ll twist this brat’s head right off.” The man in black tucked Xiao Shitou under his arm, hauling his “master” upright with the other.

“Don’t hurt him! I’ll go right now!” Cheng Shaotang’s eyes darkened. Ignoring Ling Yu’s struggles, he pulled her along and headed for the carriage.

“Our son is still in their hands…” Dragged forward, Ling Yu kept glancing back at Xiao Shitou, who was squirming in discomfort.

“Trust me. I’ll bring our son back safe,” Cheng Shaotang murmured.

“You promise?” she asked, tears brimming.

“I promise.” He snapped the reins, urging the horse toward the woods.

Even if it cost him his life, he would protect the mother and child.

“Release my wife and son! Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you there. One is a woman, the other an ignorant child—keeping them around will only bring trouble.”

Cheng Shaotang watched as the man in black first shoved the unconscious Xiao Shitou into the carriage, then helped his “master” in, and finally forced Ling Yu to follow with the tip of his sword. Suppressing his anger, he spoke in a deep voice.

“Cut the nonsense! If you don’t want them to lose their lives, drive straight ahead!” the man in black snapped.

Cheng Shaotang’s hand clenched inside his sleeve, but the pressure of the situation forced him to lower his head. Helplessly, he watched as the man in black climbed into the carriage, closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and then suddenly lashed the horses with his whip.

The carriage immediately vanished in a cloud of dust.

As soon as Ling Yu climbed in, she clutched her unconscious son tightly, checking him carefully. Seeing that he was only slightly bruised on his left arm and otherwise unharmed, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

She kissed his cheek, tears streaming freely from her face.

After a moment, she hastily wiped her tears, hugged him even tighter, and glared vigilantly at the two people opposite her who were bandaging his wounds.

“Who are you? What do you want? We’ve never met you before. We have no grudge against you. Why are you holding my family hostage like this?”

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. The more you know, the quicker you die. That’s my only advice to you.” The man in black finished bandaging his ‘master’s’ wounds and finally shot her a cold, warning glance.

Ling Yu bit her lip. Of course, she understood that. But if she really couldn’t escape her fate today, she at least wanted to die with some clarity—so she wouldn’t end up standing before the King of Hell without knowing who to blame.

Her gaze drifted to the “master”. His face was completely drained of color, his brows locked tight, and there is a freshly bandaged wound across his chest. Then she looked at the man in black beside him, whose injuries were just as severe. She bit down on her lip again, harder this time.

These two were obviously being hunted down by enemies. That must be why they had kidnapped her and her child and forced Cheng Shaotang to drive them away.

She needed to think of a way to escape—fast. Otherwise, if their pursuers caught up and a fight broke out, wouldn’t she be dragged into the mess all over again?