Chapter 60: Chapter 60
Chapter 60
The overly dramatic behavior did not catch the attention of others, as both the guards and Liu Sun exhibited similar expressions, perhaps slightly more than the one with attitude.
Meanwhile, the harmonious family of Yueqian, Mu Heng, Xiao Long, and Huan’er were uninterested in those around them while they ate. The four of them served each other food, exchanging happy, radiant smiles—a sight many would envy.
It wasn’t until after they had finished more than 20 fried chicken legs and the last of the pickled lime winter melon stew that they snapped back to reality. What Yueqian had prepared to last for the next three days was devoured completely by these famished guests.
Just the general and his guards had nearly finished everything. There was also Liu Sun, who unexpectedly ate far more than anticipated. She wouldn’t have let go of the last chicken leg if it weren’t for her beloved Young General competing for it.
"Are you full now?" The clear voice of a young girl rang out, it was Huan’er looking at them timidly yet boldly. She had the duty to wash the dishes before practicing her writing, so she was somewhat in a hurry.
By then, Xiao Long had already cleaned their part, and the washbasin still held water waiting for the additional 8-9 bowls from the general’s group. Hence, Huan’er took on the task of fetching them.
Unbeknownst to them, even Yueqian and Mu Heng had already left. They had gone to the back of the house to look on their land, leaving the three to enjoy their meal fully satiated. Seeing this, they couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment.
"Um, thank you very much," the large general stood up. He walked away, leaving the children to handle their dishes without a second thought.
If Yueqian had seen the other party’s haughty demeanor just then, she would not be able to refrain herself from scorning him. Even though she understood he was the eldest son of a military family, attended by many servants catering to his every whim, but at this moment, the three were merely intruders asking for food and behaving as if Mu Heng’s younger siblings were servants obligated to serve them.
It was unfortunate for Yueqian that she was impatient to wait for them, as there were many tasks awaiting her and Mu Heng. Thus, Yueqian had already walked to the back of the house with Mu Heng.
This matter was no small task for them. After Mu Heng learned of some of her powers, Yueqian had asked for his help with this project. She needed to find a place to exchange fine liquors with the Arts Institute, necessitating the construction of a storage building.
Of course, Mu Heng had no issue with the storage, as he no longer planned to construct a chicken coop at the back of his house.
His plan for the future required a conversation with Yueqian later. All this because he planned to take Yueqian to another kingdom, at least to establish a status for himself.
It wasn’t just his resentment toward the Young General; ever since Mu Heng learned about Yueqian’s powers, he constantly thought that he couldn’t continue living like this—at least not without being able to protect this secret.
If they were just ordinary villagers, living comfortably for another 10-20 years without any major business, it was unlikely that the local people would not notice that there was something odd about them. They couldn’t keep using the excuse of her dowry forever because they didn’t have enough power to prevent others from searching their house. If an official were to inspect their home because someone reported to them, they would have to reveal everything.
But if he was one of the powerful, anyone who wanted to use their power to inspect him would first need evidence. They couldn’t just create problems over trivial matters.
While the couple was planning the construction of the storage shed at the back, the Young General had already taken the liberty to inspect Yueqian’s house. If it weren’t considered too rude, he might have even entered their bedroom to inspect it.
After wandering around, he encountered Yueqian and Mu Heng discussing the details of the storage building, so they didn’t pay much attention to them until the three approached them. Only then did Yueqian finally notice them.
“Haven’t you left yet?” she asked, puzzled.
Her look was quite challenging, staring down at the Young General and Liu Sun as if wanting to drive them away, with Mu Heng by her side holding the blueprint they had drawn.
“It’s getting dark. Do you still have work to do?” the tall man asked.
His demeanor was condescending, as if he couldn’t believe Yueqian had to endure such hardships. His gaze was filled with pity, pretending to sympathize with Yueqian having to endure such conditions.
“You must be very tired,” he approached, hands clasped behind him as if he was admiring a garden.
Yet, his words were intended to make Yueqian feel worse, knowing her past as a noble lady of the Qin family. In the evenings, she might have been painting, playing zither, playing Go, or enjoying the garden in evening view, but now as Mu Heng’s wife, she could only work all day and night.
The general used this comfort to lure her because even if Yueqian was no longer a lady of Qin family but his wife, a wife of a Young General like him, how could she be expected to labor so intensively?
At most, she would be worried and struggle with other nobles, but the comfort she received would still be greater than staying here. If she wasn’t foolish, she would naturally expect to return to the capital. He just hoped she wouldn’t resist by acting foolishly and too proud to see his good intentions.
Because if she really did, he would use another plan to force her to return, which would surely cause her much more suffering!
She was his fiancée, his future wife. Since childhood, she had been his. No matter how he played, she remained his. To torment her with such small means was her fate to accept, but if she continued to resist... he would make her have to return on her own!
If given the chance to walk back and she still refused, then next, she would have to crawl back to him!
“You ask if I am tired? After seeing me laughing just now?” Yueqian raised her eyebrows and asked, her face not hiding her mocking expression.
She had always been like this; if displeased, she could speak disparagingly at any time. Until now, Yueqian had never used such an attitude towards the general.
Every day she came running to him, showing how much she loved him in this way and that. This was the first time he had heard such a thing. No! Since he had been here, she had never once shown any sign of welcoming him.
"Yueqian, you’re really naive. Do you think you can be happy forever with the dowry you have left?" Seeing that gentleness was ineffective, the large man began to speak of more frightening things.
"Just a few gold taels, is that enough to sustain you for a lifetime? And in the future, if you want to have children, your hardships will double. Right now, you don’t even have the strength to defend yourself. What about your husband? Is he a great tree that can shade you from the sun? Or is he still hiding behind your frail back?"
Every word he uttered was filled with nothing but scorn.
Mu Heng clenched his fists, feeling an urge to punch the other man. Being truly powerless at the moment, he would have to wait until he had truly established himself. After that, he would make him come back and apologize to him, to have that man look at him with fear!
Believe it, ten years... ten years are not too late for revenge!
I, Mu Heng, will remember this grudge and one day I will return it all!
"You talk as if you’re a great tree that can help me. True, right now my husband doesn’t have the strength like you, but at least he is a tree that has never caused me pain."
"Besides... in your backyard, no matter how large the shade, the area is packed with beautiful flowers so tightly that I could not possibly compete for nourishment. Thus, I prefer to stay under the small shade of my husband, but I can eat comfortably."
"Do you understand what it means to be... comfortable?"
"At first, I had to rampage everywhere simply because I was Miss Qin, engaged to you. After that, I was hated by people without you ever reducing the number of beauties in your house. Day by day, their number only increased."
"Eventually, I was driven out to a remote place. At first, I was very afraid, not wanting to leave like this because I didn’t think I did anything wrong. But who cared?"
"Once I became a discarded pawn, I opened my heart and saw a wonderful husband like this, someone who has taken care of me like no one else ever has since I was born."
"So, if I still think about going back to you, call me a fool. I must be a foolish woman to still want to bring myself to such a miserable place."
"True, I may have to work harder here, but do you think that when I was in the capital, I didn’t have to work hard? I had to concentrate on learning, forced to play the zither to please men, a dance style I hated. My hands were blistered from embroidery. I’m working here yet my legs hurt less than when I had to practice walking on a steep wooden piece.” Yueqian spoke earnestly.
Does this man thinks being a nobleman is everything? He has no idea how much women in the capital have to endure, what they have to face every day, possibly even being beaten until their legs break simply because they have to walk in the style of a lady.
In addition, they must study hard to capture the hearts of men, learn extensive household management, and read so many books that they get dizzy. Even their mothers frequently faint from struggling against the other women in the house.
So, is this his idea of happiness?
Yueqian looked at Liu Sun, who should know best, yet she still chose to stand by his side. As for what she knew about the future, everything that Liu Sun would face, nearly losing her child, having to change herself to secure her position, even having to kill other children to ensure her son’s survival. An optimistic woman who thinks seizing favor is everything, only to find out it isn’t so.
Loved or infatuated, but ultimately, if a husband talks about work, marriage alliances, no matter how much he loves her, every time there is a punishment, it must save face of other families.
Will she always receive justice? Besides consolation, what else does the heroine of the story receive?!
Having said this much, these people should realize and let her live in peace at last. Yueqian was so annoyed. They should really be following the novel’s plot. Why are they so troublesome!
