Chapter 41: Chapter 41
Chapter 41
"I’ve missed you so much. Suddenly, being sent so far away. If you hadn’t sent news, I would have confronted the Qin family!" he exclaimed in annoyance. His words caused the two children nearby to feel immensely shocked.
Xiao Long immediately strode, pulling his petite sister-in-law away from the other, eyeing the young man with utmost hostility. Huan’er did the same. The little girl even positioned herself defensively in front of her sister-in-law.
"Don’t mess with Sister-in-law."
"Yes, Sister-in-law is married. It’s not appropriate for men and women who aren’t married to each other to be so close."
The children shouted. Just how Wu Yuandong jumped down was already attracted people’s attention, now, with the children filled in their brother’s role, added to the amusement.
"Qian’er, these kids..." Yuan Dong looked at his close younger sister. He looked at those children with affection, admiring their bravery, yet he felt an urge to tease them to tears.
The man with stern demeanor eyed the children with an angry look. Huan’er was extremely terrified. She was feared since she knew there were many men around, and they were children, with their sister-in-law who was small. At first, she wanted her sister-in-law to leave quickly, but she already knew the man.
Seeing their sister-in-law standing next to a muscular, handsome man who looked every bit the part of a wealthy individual made them feel like their brother had a formidable rival.
"Brother Dong Dong, these little ones are my husband’s younger siblings. This handsome young man is Xiao Long, and the beautiful young lady is Huan’er. Kids, this is Brother Yuan Dong; you can call him Brother Dong Dong like I do. He’s been a great big brother to me back in the capital." Yueqian introduced her family to the brother she respected.
She understood what the children were thinking but had no intention of cheating on her husband. Inside, she felt calm and free from guilt.
Brother Dong Dong didn’t see her as anything more than a sister. They had known each other since childhood, well enough not to consider it a romantic relationship. Otherwise..., the old man, father of Brother Dong Dong, might have arranged their marriage long ago, even before the incident occurred.
"Oh, the man who accepted a hundred silver taels to marry you, huh!" Yuan Dong scoffed, recalling the situation.
He looked down upon the man who lacked dignity. Even if Yueqian insisted that she was willing to leave the Qin family to be with this man, in Yuan Dong’s eyes, it wasn’t right!
Normally, a man should bring a bride price to propose to a woman, not take money from her and then take her as a wife. No matter how poor he was, such actions seemed like leeching off a woman, didn’t it?
Moreover, his actions amounted to collaborating in destroying a woman’s pride and tarnishing her honor, didn’t they?
"Brother Dong Dong," Yueqian called his name softly, aware of what her brother-like friend must be thinking. However, this was the path she had chosen. Moreover, marrying Mu Heng was more a fortune than misfortune for her.
"You don’t need to comfort me. You married that dishonorable man, what else can I say? Did you separate a husband and wife like that? Hah! No matter how much I dislike him, I wouldn’t sabotage the plans you’ve laid out," he spoke, sounding like a child arguing with his mother that he is grown up and knows better.
"Thank you, Brother Dong Dong, for understanding. Besides, I’m very happy with them. My husband takes good care of me, never lets me do any hard work, and the kids are very helpful and not mischievous at all. Everyone understands things," Yueqian spoke of the merits of her new family to Yuan Dong.
This relaxed his discontentment, and the burly man softened his gaze as he watched the little ones who had earnestly defended their sister-in-law.
"Even though this marriage may not be just, I’m glad that you will no longer be bullied," he said joyfully, knowing how difficult Qin Yueqian’s life had been before. Even though her mother was the principal’s wife, the household was far from peaceful, with constant strife and competition. That’s why Yueqian told them she chose this path—to escape from those evil people.
Let it be. Even though he might not agree with something, seeing Yueqian happy, what more could he do?
"Miss Qin, are you well?" asked a man who followed them down, fanning himself with a bird’s feather fan, his demeanor that of a learned scholar.
"Ah, Uncle Luan, you’re here too," Yueqian saw him, her eyes filled with respect.
Uncle Luan, or Luan Taichun, a tutor at the Arts Institute, was a man of great learning who enjoyed writing intriguing literature, making them kindred spirits in their fields. Yueqian sold modern novels that were accessible to many, while Luan Taichun continued to win the hearts of older scholars with his eloquent words.
Yueqian was very close to him; Uncle Luan often gave her advice on her novels, and they frequently exchanged views. Whenever Yueqian visited the Arts Institute and didn’t go to see him, he would surely feel slightly upset.
"Of course, I would come. You’ve been gone for months; I wondered if you had any new work. I came here wanting to be the first to read them," he said like a willful elder. Yueqian chuckled softly before pulling out books from her shirt.
"I certainly have it, just that this time people at my home have also started practicing calligraphy. If sold cheaply, they should still be acceptable, right? May I entrust these books to you?" Yueqian handed over two well-bound novels of her own, along with four more textbooks that Mu Ying had transcribed.
Luan Taichun examined the calligraphy in the transcribed textbooks. Even though the handwriting was clearly that of a beginner, the firm strokes intrigued him. He traced his finger over each character then looked up at Yueqian.
"The person who wrote this is quite interesting. With a good teacher, he could develop rapidly," Uncle Luan spoke seriously to Yueqian.
"Yes, he is steadfast and open to learning, truly. It’s unfortunate that he was born in such a rural village," she nodded, agreeing with him. Luan Taichun glanced at the characters again, seemingly contemplating something.
However, seeing them, Wu Yuandong could not help but interrupt.
"Don’t plan too far ahead just yet. I came here not only to see you and leave someone for you, but also to tell you something important." As Wu Yuandong said this, the old man seemed to remember as well.
His thick eyebrows, completely white, knitted together, signaling just how significant the news they had just received on their journey was.
"Let’s go upstairs to discuss this matter," Yueqian told them.
Huan’er, still standing in front, grabbed the hem of her sister-in-law’s shirt, not trusting to let the beautiful sister-in-law enter the place, fearing there might be dangers or traps inside.
"It’s alright, Huan’er. Brother Dong Dong and Uncle Luan have been looking after me since I was a child. If anyone is to harm me, it certainly wouldn’t be them." Seeing their sister-in-law affirm this, the children agreed to let her go, though they remained vigilant.
They had never encountered so many people before, and as part of a newly arrived group, they were somewhat dirty and disheveled, making them look unreliable and potentially dangerous.
"We’ll talk in the room. Let the kids go find something to eat first." Wu Yuandong wanted to discuss important matters, which were obviously meant to be kept confidential from them. The two children were initially reluctant to leave their sister-in-law but agreed when Yueqian reassured them with a serious expression. However, they were still concerned.
Yuan Dong led Yueqian into a room that had been tidied up, a stark contrast to the old and dirty exterior, suggesting they had only just arrived. This accelerated travel was due to the news received en route.
"What has happened?" Once already sat, Yueqian asked with a grave expression.
She had a premonition that this was a matter of great fear, so she did not wait or casually chat about something else.
"About that former fiancé of yours..."
"Former fiancé? The Young General?"
"Yes, him," Wu Yuandong said, annoyed.
He had thought his younger sister-like friend’s troubles would end once she sacrificed her reputation to marry a poor man who had taken money to marry her. But it turned out the turmoil was not over.
On hearing the news, he wanted to rush back and stealthily eliminate the Young General, regardless of the consequences, even if it meant imprisonment or execution. He wouldn’t regret it.
It was unfortunate that his return might not have been timely enough to warn the younger sister he adored, so he had hurried here as fast as possible. At least if Yueqian was forewarned, she might escape the wicked clutches.
"Brother Dong Dong, what has happened?"
"Just a few days ago, a spy working for your scoundrel ex-fiancé sent word. He’s ordered his men to gather bandits to raid and kill as many people as possible in the village where your husband lives, with specific instructions to kill any man who goes into the forest. Seemed like he wants to kill your husband." Wu Yuandong looked at the delicate face of the young woman as he spoke,
her thin brows knitting together in thought. Even if Wu Yuandong couldn’t hear Yueqian’s internal voice, he could guess she was pondering why her ex-fiancé would do this.
The old man sitting with them thought similarly, having had more time to think on their journey. So, he said what was on his mind.
"His hatred is too great. He seems to want you to become a widow and then be sent back to the capital, where you’ll live under the scrutiny of many, a widow in the capital, with your previous scandal. Either way, you’d suffer tremendously." Uncle Luan said, reflecting on the plan of the person known as the general of the kingdom.
"Is that what will happen? Even if my husband dies, shouldn’t I stay in his house, in this village, until I die?" Yueqian frowned, not understanding.
A woman who is married should belong to her husband’s family; how could she be sent back to the capital?
"That would be the usual case, but this time he plans to bring the army himself to suppress the bandits," Luan Taichun said, as they had also considered this possibility. But ultimately, it would be manipulated by the arrival of the other party!
