The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 7

For a married woman trying to survive outside, it is no easy task. She’s bound to stumble and fall, suffer losses and grievances.  If she were any more gentle, she might not only fail to support her mother-in-law and son but also lose her own life. Even worse, like many young women who couldn’t bear it while fleeing, she might have hanged herself.

However, Ling Yu always believed that the most important thing in this world was money, and even more important than money was life. As for face and dignity, sorry, they were nothing compared to life.

Therefore, regarding Cheng Shaotang’s so-called loyal act of ‘dying to protect his master’ in her previous life, she felt no pride at all, only a silent curse in her heart. Trading a life for a few hundred taels of compensation money wasn’t even as worthwhile as that ‘one meal of kindness’ from Master Liu—at least that man got face, benefits, and kept his life too.

The next day, Cheng Shaotang personally delivered an invitation to her father. In her previous life, Ling Yu hadn’t attended. Though her father was a scholar, the only one in the surrounding area to have passed the imperial examinations, he was domineering and autocratic. His word was law at home, and he never allowed anyone to contradict him. Her mother, Madam Zhou, and her sister, Ling Bi, were mild-tempered and obedient, never defying his will.

But Ling Yu was different. Though a girl, she was incredibly stubborn. She wouldn’t openly argue with her father, but if she didn’t want something, no matter how much Scholar Ling beat or scolded her, she would stubbornly refuse to yield.

The greatest conflict between father and daughter had always been her marriage. Scholar Ling, being who he was, naturally preferred scholar sons-in-law. His eldest daughter, Ling Bi, had married one of his own students, Liang Huaisheng.

Ling Yu herself was the daughter of a scholar, was literate, good with numbers, pretty, and capable. Since she’d come of age, suitors had lined up at their door. Her father’s chosen candidate was, of course, another scholar. But Ling Yu refused. Her father, her brother-in-law, and all the students she’d met were physically weak and incapable of any heavy work. They knew nothing besides spouting those classical phrases. Her father, especially, was someone she never once saw working the fields; all the household and farm chores were done by her, her mother, and her sister.

So from a young age, she swore she would never marry a scholar. If she married, it would be to someone strong, sturdy, and actually useful.

Accepting Cheng Shaotang’s proposal was the result of a full month of battling with Scholar Ling.

To say she had secretly fallen for Cheng Shaotang was untrue. There had been plenty of suitors back then. She chose him because he was the strongest, quiet but hardworking, honest, and steady. Hundreds of times better than those scholars who knew nothing but books.

The father and daughter had clashed over the marriage, and because the son-in-law wasn’t his choice, Ling Xiucai had nitpicked Cheng Shaotang endlessly. Ling Yu saw it all and couldn’t help feeling guilty toward Cheng Shaotang, who bore everything silently.

This time, she actually wanted to return to her parents’ home with him, but she’d already left the housework and their son to her mother-in-law yesterday for a trip to the county. She couldn’t trouble her again today. All she could do was watch him leave the house carrying gifts for her parents.

After tidying the house inside and out and helping Xiao Shitou practice walking for a while, Ling Yu handed her son to her mother-in-law. She then took the blanket the little fellow had soaked during the night down to the river to wash.

She arrived later than usual; only a few women were still there doing laundry.

She found a spot and had barely set her basin down when Aunt Niu shuffled over with a grave, earnest face. “Xiao Yu, you’d better keep a close eye on your man, or some shameless hussy will snatch him away.”

She gestured with her lips toward the direction behind Ling Yu.

Ling Yu turned—only to see the graceful silhouette of the village’s famous pretty widow, carrying a wooden basin.

When she didn’t react, Aunt Niu grew visibly frustrated. “I saw it first thing this morning! When Brother Shaotang walked past her house, she deliberately tossed her handkerchief toward him! It’s her old trick—countless men have been caught by it.”

“And then?” Ling Yu was surprised but more curious about Cheng Shaotang’s response.

“He was probably in a hurry and didn’t even notice. In the end, that foxy slut had to pick it up herself.”

He didn’t notice? 

Ling Yu didn’t think so, but there was no need to tell Aunt Niu outright. She simply smiled and replied, “Auntie, you’re right. I’ll keep it in mind.”

She didn’t take the little incident to heart. She trusted Cheng Shaotang’s character.

After washing the blanket clean and saying goodbye to Aunt Niu, she hurried toward home.

As she passed the small grove in the village, a burst of angry yelling erupted from inside, “Get lost, you bastard! You really think you’re something special? I’d have to be blind to fancy you! Touch me again and I’ll make sure you can’t have kids!”

“Stop pretending to be a virtuous widow. Everyone in the village knows—ah! Damn it, you actually hit for real?!”

“Get out! One more second and I’ll chop you to pieces!”

“You—you—you’ll pay for this!”

Moments later, a man stumbled out of the grove, both hands clutching his crotch. Ling Yu looked closer and recognized him as the village’s notorious hooligan.

She was startled, though thankfully, the hooligan was too busy fleeing to notice her at all.

Letting out a quiet breath, she turned around to see the beautiful widow, gracefully emerging from the woods, one hand gently smoothing her slightly disheveled hair, the other carrying a wooden basin of clean clothes.

“Oh? Shaotang’s wife!” The widow paused for a beat upon seeing her, then greeted her with a smile.

“Sister-in-law Zhu,” Ling Yu returned the greeting.

Neither of them had any intention of mentioning what had just happened. After a brief exchange, they went their separate ways. Ling Yu walked a short distance before stopping, unable to resist turning back to watch that charming, graceful figure fade into the distance.

In her past life, she too had once relied on a meal from someone. They’d lost their rations while fleeing, and with no shelter in sight. The adults could grit their teeth and endure, but how could a child under six like Xiao Shitou bear such hunger? Left with no choice, she swallowed her pride and begged the other refugees for a bit of food for him.

But in times like that, life and death hung by a thread. Food was priceless, and everyone could barely keep themselves alive. Though reluctant, they hardened their hearts and refused.

In the end, the one who helped them was none other than Xiao Xingping, the pretty widow who was always the subject of gossip in the village.

Ling Yu had never interacted with her. By the time she married into Chengjia Village, Xiao Xingping’s reputation was already poor. As a new bride, she wouldn’t join the gossip, but she also kept her distance.

Having once been a widow herself, she understood all too well how difficult life was for a woman, especially a beautiful one. Therefore, regardless of whether the rumors were true or not, she never questioned Xiao Xingping’s character.

After all, someone who could barely protect herself yet still offered help to others. How bad could her character really be?

***

On Xiao Shitou’s first birthday, everyone in the village who was on close terms with the Wang family came. Just like in her past life, only Ling Yu’s mother, Madam Zhou, came from her maternal family, though this time she brought the name Scholar Ling had chosen for his grandson: Cheng Lei.

“This is an excellent name—Lei as in ‘upright and open-hearted.’ Thank you for Father’s thoughtful gesture,” Cheng Shaotang said as he accepted the red paper bearing his son’s formal given name*.

“It’s quite fitting. It even matches his nickname,” Ling Yu added with a smile.

Their son’s nickname was ‘Xiao Shitou,’ and his official name* was ‘San Shi,’ the three stones that form the character Lei**. If she didn’t know how rigid her father was, she might’ve thought he was still holding a grudge against her for insisting on marrying Cheng Shaotang and had carelessly tossed out a name just to be done with it. 

(*TL’s note: Usually there were three given names in ancient times: 小名 (xiǎo míng) for nickname, 大名 (dà míng) for the formal official name used publicly, and 名字 (míngzi) for the actual full given name for official records and the scholarly name.)

(**TL’s note: 石头 (shítou) means “stone.” 三石 (sānshí) means “three stones.” 磊 (lěi) means “upright, honest,” and is made of three “stone” radicals.)

“Your elder sister isn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t come. This basket of eggs is from her,” Madam Zhou said.

Ling Yu wasn’t surprised; after all, her sister had also been too sick to attend in her previous life.

“I’ll visit her when I have the time.”

“There’s another matter. Your father plans to adopt a child from the clan to continue the ancestral line.”

“He’s finally made up his mind? Has he chosen someone?”

“Yes. Your third grandfather’s eight-year-old grandson.”

Sure enough… he chose this child in her previous life, too.

“Mother, if you ask me, it’d be better to pick someone else. You and Father are getting old. How will you have the energy to raise such a young child? And to put it bluntly, if anything happens in the household, how could a child like him manage? Wouldn’t it just let outsiders take advantage?”

Madam Zhou hesitated. “Young children are easier to grow close to…”

“His real parents are still alive. He’s eight already and knows everything. No matter how you raise him, he won’t become truly familiar with you. It’s better to adopt someone older. As long as the child has a good conscience and can honor the father–son bond, that’s enough.”

“This… what you say makes sense. “I’ll talk to your father later. But you know how he is. Once he decides something, no one can change his mind.”

Of course, Ling Yu knew her father’s temper. She hadn’t expected her mother to persuade him anyway.

The two chatted for a bit, and when it grew late, Madam Zhou took her leave.

After seeing her mother off, Ling Yu tidied the house again. She had just turned around when Cheng Shaotang came in grinning, leading a burly man with thick brows, big eyes, a broad face, and a square jaw, standing eight feet tall.

“Xiao Yu, quick! Make a few side dishes and warm some wine. My big brother and I will have a few drinks!”

“This must be my younger brother’s wife? Lucky kid!” The big man laughed and patted Cheng Shaotang on the shoulder.

Ling Yu was a little puzzled but didn’t ask further. She responded and went to the kitchen to prepare the food and wine.

As she carried the prepared wine and dishes towards the main room, she heard the man’s hearty laughter from afar: “…Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes! She’s just a little woman; since you’ve taken a liking to her, there’s nothing wrong with giving her away!”

“But, Brother, Miss Ziyan is deeply in love with you. If she’s given away, she’ll—”

“A real man never lacks a wife! Besides, a real man roaming the world must never abandon loyalty and righteousness. A mere little woman is nothing to worry about!”

“… Brother is right! A man must never abandon loyalty and righteousness! Come, let me toast you!”

Ling Yu’s face darkened. She took a deep breath and carried the wine and dishes inside.

“This gentleman’s heroic spirit is overwhelming—clearly a man of great loyalty and righteousness! Allow this humble wife to toast such a noble hero!” She smiled and refilled the man’s cup, then took the cup in front of Cheng Shaotang, filled it, and gestured for him to drink.

“Haha! Truly, my good sister-in-law! Shaotang, you’re blessed!” The man roared and drank the wine all in one gulp.

Ling Yu set the empty cup down, bowed politely, and then, as she was turning away, she shot Cheng Shaotang a glare so sharp it wiped the smile off his face instantly.

What did he do?

Cheng Shaotang was completely bewildered.