The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 8

After seeing his sworn brother off, Cheng Shaotang shook off the alcohol, bathed, changed, and returned to the room. His wife was already asleep, embracing their son.

He glanced at the boy sleeping soundly, lips smacking now and then, then looked at Ling Yu’s back. His expression softened—but the thought of the news Song Chao brought that evening made a shadow form between his brows.

The chief escort had been replaced. Would the escort agency still be the same? The work was already living on a knife’s edge; without unity from top to bottom, it would be impossible to stay safe. He could only hope the new chief was someone who valued loyalty and camaraderie. Otherwise…

He sighed quietly, took off his shoes, and was about to lie down when he turned and found Ling Yu smiling at him.

“So, the great paragon of loyalty and righteousness has returned…”

Even though the woman before him was smiling radiantly, for some reason, he felt a chill run down his spine.

“I wouldn’t dare accept such praise, madam,” he replied carefully.

“Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes. When will you, brave warrior, finally plan to throw out your current old clothes?”

Cheng Shaotang instantly understood what she was angry about. She must have heard his sworn brother’s earlier comments. No wonder she insisted on offering a toast.

He cleared his throat and, careful not to wake their son, spoke quietly: “Regarding Miss Ziyan… My brother really acted poorly. No matter what, she treated him with sincerity. Whether he accepted her or not, he shouldn’t discard her like worn-out shoes.”

However, brotherhood and friendship have always been about seeking common ground while respecting differences. While he could never approve of his brother’s disdain for women, he wouldn’t sever their bond over it.

Hearing his words, which also showed disapproval of the man’s actions, Ling Yu’s anger finally began to ease. She understood the principle of harmony despite differences.

But she wasn’t about to let him off easily, letting out a soft snort and saying, “According to your logic, if someday a girl treats you with the same sincerity, shouldn’t you happily bring her back to be my sister? Or should I step down and hand her my place?”

“Madam jests,” he replied solemnly. “I’m already a married man. I know how to avoid impropriety. As for enjoying the ‘blessing’ of two wives, I humbly and firmly decline.”

She snorted again, but at least she looked appeased.

Seeing her expression relax, Cheng Shaotang finally breathed out. After thinking for a moment, he pulled a palm-sized cloth bag from his discarded clothes, handing it to her.

“Here.”

“What’s this?” Ling Yu took the bundle, casually opening it as she asked.

But the moment she saw the three silver ingots inside, her eyes instantly lit up.

“Thirty taels!!” She cradled the ingots, turning them over again and again, completely unwilling to let go.

Just then, Xiao Shitou, sound asleep, rolled over. His tiny hand smacked her wrist, sending one ingot tumbling onto the bed with a dull thud. She scrambled to scoop it up, inspecting it from every angle like it was the most fragile treasure in the world.

“You naughty boy,” she scolded, gently tapping her son’s nose as she carefully put the three ingots away.

Perhaps sensing he’d been scolded, Xiao Shitou pouted pitifully. Ling Yu quickly patted his back and gently coaxed him back to sleep.

Seeing her so delighted, Cheng Shaotang couldn’t help smiling as he explained, “When we escorted the goods to the Northern Frontier last time, the brothers and I pooled some money to buy local specialties to resell. Everything sold out yesterday; this is our share.”

Ling Yu’s eyes sparkled, and she praised him generously. “Didn’t expect you rough men to have such business sense. Goods from the Northern Frontier are rare elsewhere. Selling them for a profit makes that trip worth it.”

Back then, she truly hadn’t chosen wrong. This man had always been able to provide. In her previous life, before he passed away, no matter how hard the times, she never needed to worry about making ends meet. She only had to tend to her mother-in-law, raise her son, and manage the household.

It was only after he was gone that she learned to shoulder the burdens he left behind. Starting with her first meal’s worth of income from washing and mending clothes, she took on any work that would earn money, no matter how hard or tiring.

“You’re absolutely right.” Seeing the bright glow in her eyes and the unrestrained joy on her face, Cheng Shaotang couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.

But when he thought of the escort agency’s current situation, worry crept back in.

Fortunately, Ling Yu was completely absorbed in the newfound thirty taels and didn’t notice his unusual expression.

“Now we’ve saved over thirty taels. This money’s just sitting there anyway. What do you think about using them to start a small business?” After rehearsing the question over and over in her mind, she finally asked softly.

Cheng Shaotang froze for a moment, then shook his head. “Providing for the family is a man’s duty. Men work outside; women manage the home. You don’t need to trouble yourself with outside matters. If the family needs anything, I’ll figure it out.”

Ling Yu wasn’t surprised by his answer, so there wasn’t any disappointment.

Seeing she wasn’t insistent, he simply chalked it up to a passing whim and let the matter drop.

***

That day, after Cheng Shaotang finished breakfast, he headed back to the escort agency. Once Ling Yu completed her chores and saw her son nodding off, she coaxed him to sleep and then went next door to borrow embroidery patterns from Aunt Aniu. It so happened that Aunt Aniu’s married daughter, Ruyi, had returned to her parents’ home, so Ling Yu chatted with her for a while before taking her leave.

When she pushed open the courtyard gate, she heard Madam Wang laughing in the main room, along with a voice that sounded unfamiliar yet oddly familiar.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, come here,” Madam Wang called, waving her over the moment she saw her.

Ling Yu smiled. She recognized the two faces inside—familiar from her past life, though technically strangers to her now.

“This must be Shaotang’s wife? Such a lovely young lady! It’s only been a few years, and I never imagined he’d already be married with a child.”

The middle-aged woman in a blue headscarf rose as Ling Yu entered, took her hand, and gave her a friendly once-over before speaking to Madam Wang with a laugh.

“Time truly flies. Qiaorong has grown into such a fine young woman. Eldest daughter-in-law, this is your cousin-aunt from the Jin family, and this is your cousin Qiaorong,” Madam Wang said with a sigh as she made the introductions.

Ling Yu curtsied respectfully. “Aunt.”

Madam Sun quickly helped her back up with a warm smile. “We’re family—no need for formalities.”

Ling Yu then greeted the shy young woman in the room. “Cousin Qiaorong.”

Jin Qiaorong hurriedly returned the gesture. “Sister-in-law.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Ling Yu studied the girl more closely.

An almond-shaped face, peach-blossom cheeks, brows like willow leaves, eyes full of gentle spring water, and lips tinted like vermilion—truly a rare and striking beauty.

Sensing her gaze, Qiaorong lowered her head bashfully and stepped back toward Madam Sun’s side.

“Since we have honored guests from afar today, Mother, I’ll prepare a few dishes. Please chat with Aunt and Cousin while I cook.”

“That’s fine then. Your aunt and the others have been on the road all day, they must be hungry by now.” Madam Wang nodded.

Madam Sun exchanged a few polite words, then quickly turned to her daughter. “Qiaorong, go help out.”

“How could we let our guests work? You two just sit and relax. My daughter-in-law is quick and capable,” Madam Wang said with a smile, her pride in Ling Yu almost overflowing from her voice.

Madam Sun, catching the look on her face, immediately understood how pleased she was with her daughter-in-law. She slipped in a few well-timed compliments, which made Madam Wang beam even more.

Meanwhile, Ling Yu had left the main room and was on her way to the kitchen when she spotted Cheng Shaoan sneaking around by the window, poking his head in like he wanted to go in but didn’t dare.

“What are you doing?” she asked. She already had a pretty good idea, but she pretended not to know.

“Shh…” Cheng Shaoan raised a finger to his lips.

Ling Yu pressed her lips together, too lazy to bother with him. She went to the vegetable garden, plucked a bunch of cabbage, washed it clean, and tossed it into a basket to drain. Then she fetched the leftover piece of cured meat from a few days earlier, sliced it thinly, rinsed it, and put it in a bowl. After lighting the stove and letting the wok heat up, she poured in a bit of oil and added the seasonings to stir-fry until fragrant.

Within moments, a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air—so irresistible that Cheng Shaoan, still hovering at the doorway, couldn’t help but swallow loudly.

“Sister-in-law, your cooking just keeps getting better,” Cheng Shaoan said with a silly grin, taking the chance to flatter her as she lifted the wok.

Ling Yu shot him a glance, wiped her hands on her apron, and spoke bluntly. “Just say what you want to say. Standing here at the door isn’t proper.”

He rubbed his nose awkwardly, clearly wanting to speak but not quite working up the courage.

When he still didn’t say anything, Ling Yu simply turned back to her work. Only then did his shy, careful voice drift over. “Sister-in-law… do you think Cousin Qiaorong is pretty?”

Ling Yu paused in her washing, then replied casually, “Pretty? Of course she’s pretty. There isn’t a girl in the entire village who looks better than she does.”

“I thought so too.” Cheng Shaoan practically beamed.

Having lived one lifetime already, Ling Yu saw straight through him. She sneered inwardly but kept her face smooth. “Cousin Qiaorong is indeed the prettiest girl in the village—but you, Second Brother, are also the most handsome young man our village has.”

What she said was true—Cheng Shaoan’s looks were more than enough to make any young girl’s heart flutter. Every time she returned to her parents’ home, familiar or unfamiliar young women and wives in the neighborhood would openly or subtly inquire about him.

Normally, Cheng Shaoan wouldn’t have felt anything from such praise. But today, being flattered by both his sister-in-law and the newly arrived cousin, he felt quite flattered.

“Sister-in-law, do you really think Cousin Qiaorong and I are well-matched?” he asked, embarrassed yet unable to hold back the question that was on his mind.

“A perfect match, of course! The two of you are practically made for each other—heaven-made, earth-formed!” Ling Yu said, looking him directly in the eyes, every word spoken with convincing sincerity.

How could they not be a match? There wasn’t a more fitting pair in the world. Both heartless enough to ignore their family’s life and death, both bold enough to steal the family’s money and run off. If anyone told her they weren’t husband and wife, she’d never believe it.