Chapter 9 The List of Sons-in-Law Ling Cang! Senior Brother is here! ...
Ling Cang! Senior brother is here!
The man in red landed beside Wang Yan, clicking his tongue in disgust. "Fu Jizheng, it's been years since we last met. How come you're bullying a weak woman like this?"
Wang Yan immediately threw the sword over and echoed, "Bullying the weak with the strong is not the act of a gentleman!"
Fu Jizheng recalled Qingjian, "She's no weakling."
Wang Yan explained with great interest, "He means you're too weak, and he only dares to bully those who are weaker than you."
Fu Jizheng gritted his teeth in anxiety, "Huai'er!"
Shen Minghuai, who had been watching the battle from the sidelines for a long time, strolled out of the bamboo forest and seemed to respectfully call out, "Master."
Li Changling squinted at him, "This is the disciple you took in? I thought he was some young master who admired our Aying."
Fu Jizheng was extremely impatient and casually ordered, "Avenge your master."
This was the first time Shen Minghuai had ever seen the legendary Li Changling. He had only heard of him before, and today he was finally meeting him in person. Tall and slender, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he wore a flamboyant red robe, his golden crown holding his ponytail high, and his arrogant expression seemed vaguely familiar. Then he looked at the young woman behind him. Perhaps the effects of the wine hadn't completely worn off, as a faint blush lingered on her cheeks.
Shen Minghuai stood still, uttering two words: "Cherish your life."
Li Changling burst into laughter, "Old Fu, you should learn from your apprentice. What's with the 'Huai'? You should share some self-awareness with your master. You're always making a fool of yourself and giving me a reputation for not respecting my elders."
"That's called cutting! sparring!" Fu Jizheng was furious. "It doesn't matter, it's the same if my disciple beats your disciple."
Li Changling asked in bewilderment, "My disciple?"
The two people opposite him both looked at Wang Yan.
Li Changling immediately realized what he meant and said with a mischievous smile, "Good disciple! Call me master."
"Dream on." Wang Yan had been observing their expressions, but why wasn't there that tense, confrontational atmosphere? As Jiang Wan's ex-lover and current lover, they should be at odds with each other!
Li Changling said with a nonchalant tone, "So all this time when you went out to swindle and cheat, you were using my name all along."
Wang Yan immediately retorted: "This is the first time you've failed so quickly; it's clear that your reputation isn't enough to intimidate us."
Li Changling pointed at the two people opposite him, "Don't you even know who you're trying to fool? How could I have a disciple as incompetent as you?"
Fu Jizheng realized with a start that he had almost accidentally hurt someone nearby, "Then she is..."
"Junior Sister".
Both Fu Jizheng and his apprentice showed expressions of surprise. Although Shen Minghuai had guessed that the two had a close relationship and the thought of them being fellow disciples had flashed through his mind, he did not expect it to be true.
Wang Yan nudged him with her elbow. Li Changling reassured her that Fu Jizheng wasn't the type to gossip. Still, something didn't seem right. She quietly pointed at Shen Minghuai.
"You only met him today?"
Li Changling asked, puzzled, "Yes. What, is he famous?"
“Not really…” Wang Yan frowned and looked over, hesitating whether to tell Li Changling, when the person opposite suddenly spoke up.
"I have to say it several times, it wasn't me."
Wang Yan thought he could read minds, and was so surprised that she blurted out, "Jiang Wan's lover really isn't you?"
Li Changling, wondering what was going on, hesitated before explaining, "What lover? It's just that a guard surnamed Yin has some connection with her. What are you thinking?"
It really wasn't... Wang Yan actually felt a little relieved. It seemed like she could get back the conscience she had lost.
"Let's go, let's go to Fenglelou for drinks—it's on you, consider it an apology to my junior sister." Li Changling then hooked his arm around Fu Jizheng's shoulder, and as they passed Shen Minghuai, he added, "You, take Aying back."
Wang Yan was quite indignant and shouted at their retreating figures, "Hey! Apologizing to me is asking you out for drinks?"
Shen Minghuai stood silently ahead. She had misunderstood him for so long.
The two sat down again, one after the other. Their positions weren't fixed; Wang Yan followed Shen Minghuai, then glanced at Shang Nianyao, who was sitting not far away, and smiled. The poetry gathering resumed, with the exchange of poems and reversals.
Two cups of wine were placed at once; the first cup presented the first line of a couplet, the second the second. One cup, less wine, hurried ahead and stopped where Shang Nianyao stood, while the other, like an old horse still in its stall, stopped before Wang Yan…
After hesitating for a moment, Shang Nianyao still came up with a couplet: "Ten miles of floating light follow the wild geese away."
Many people whispered among themselves, "That's a good line."
Seeing that Wang Yan neither drank nor composed poetry, Liu San joked, "If Madam Wang is really in a difficult position, I can help you compose a couplet."
The people around immediately started making a fuss, thinking she was going to refuse again, but Wang Yan suddenly said, "The spring night is too short for me to refuse."
Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable laughter. It was a veiled criticism of Liu San's unpleasantness. Shen Minghuai on the right also lowered his eyes and smiled.
Princess Yi was also amused by her, saying, "Your poem is quite unique."
Liu San said angrily and disdainfully, "Why does Madam Wang need to try to fool us with such nonsensical sentences? I told you long ago that I could help you."
Wang Yan said calmly, "I was just trying to kindly remind Young Master Liu. As the saying goes, 'The problem with people is that they like to be teachers.' If I want to ask for advice, I will ask Young Master Shen. Do you think you are more knowledgeable than him?"
The crowd started making a fuss again.
"Yes, Brother Chen is sitting next to her. Liu San, what are you doing getting involved?"
“Back when we were at the Imperial Academy, you all witnessed Minghuai’s talent and knowledge.”
"The Master praised him as surpassing Qu Yuan and Song Yu in talent, which made Wang Yiheng extremely envious!"
She was deeply skeptical and whispered in Shen Minghuai's ear to ask if the matter was true, but he deliberately kept it a secret. Didn't she know her brother's character and learning? They must be making things up and exaggerating.
Wang Yan then sat up straight and said loudly, "How about 'Five Subtle'? I've just come up with the second line, everyone please listen."
The noise stopped.
"The beauty of spring in the nine heavens is intoxicating."
As soon as he said that, the crowd started discussing it again.
Liu Er jumped out again, "With such literary talent, why did you decline our invitations the previous times? Do you look down on us?"
Wang Yan's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes showed no sign of yielding. "How could that be? To tell you the truth, Young Master Shen saw that I was in a dilemma just now and helped me to complete the rhyme, so I reluctantly composed this line."
Everyone looked over again, but Shang Nianyao picked up a plum and put it in her mouth. Shen Minghuai paused in his teacup, then slowly began to drink his tea.
Princess Yi intervened, saying, "It wasn't said we couldn't help. In that case, let's move on to the next round."
One after another, the scholars chattered on and on. They all went their separate ways; it was past noon, the sun was still bright, and there was no sign of it setting.
Wang Yan walked back with Shen Minghuai, asking, "Is Young Master Shen already back at his residence?"
Shen Minghuai glanced at her. "Are you going to Fenglelou?"
Wang Yan smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking!" For some reason, even though she had only known this person for a month, she could always see through her thoughts.
Before Shen Minghuai could answer, Wang Yan pulled him by his wide sleeves and led him toward the Shen family carriage.
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the young woman's white skirt. Her pearl hairpins shimmered in the spring sunshine, like magnolias in full bloom, yet even more vibrant and charming. A crabapple blossom fell from her temple. He was momentarily lost in thought.
Wang Yan asked Ying Ming to escort him to Fengle Tower, then left with the words "See you later" before turning and walking towards his own carriage.
A gentle breeze rises again, and the begonia in my palm flutters once more.
He was actually angry just now. How could he care about something like this? Shen Minghuai slowly withdrew his gaze and silently got into the car.
As soon as Wang Yan got off the carriage, a woman carrying a tricolor kitten rushed over in a hurry, and the two of them fell to the ground.
Sang Xing quickly helped Wang Yan up, "Are you alright, my lady?"
"It's alright." Wang Yan straightened his clothes, and the woman quickly apologized, tightly protecting the cat in her arms, her expression changing drastically.
"Stop!" a shrill voice called out.
Wang Yan grabbed the woman and looked back; they were actually two fathers-in-law.
The woman said anxiously, "My lady, I'll make it up to you another day..."
Who are they?
"They're from Eunuch Bao's men, madam..."
Shuli was kind and virtuous, and Bao Geyu was her attendant. Bao Gonggong was Shufei's man. Wang Yan immediately released her, but was then stopped by another man.
"etc."
Shen Minghuai appeared behind her without her noticing. "I need to get to the bottom of this."
Wang Yan quickly moved aside, making enough room for the two of them to sit down.
The two eunuchs stopped, panting, and immediately noticed the jade pendant at Shen Minghuai's waist. They bowed respectfully and greeted him, "Young Master Shen."
"What do you two gentlemen mean by this?"
Shen Minghuai was much taller than them, and his condescending attitude revealed the air of a proud son of heaven.
“A noble lady in the palace wants to keep a cat and asked our family to find a rare one, so we thought we could make a deal with this lady.”
The woman resolutely refused, "I won't sell."
The tricolor kitten poked its head out at the sound, revealing heterochromatic eyes—one blue and one orange, clear like two gemstones.
Shen Minghuai mediated, saying, "Since this lady said she wouldn't sell, the nobleman probably didn't allow the two of you to take her by force."
"Of course, of course. I didn't explain clearly earlier. It was a misunderstanding." The two eunuchs disappeared in a flash.
"Thank you, young master!" The woman curtsied in thanks, then left with the heterochromatic-eyed kitten in her arms.
Shen Minghuai walked straight towards Fengle Tower. The kitten in the shadows was itching to pounce. Wang Yan quickly stepped forward and said, "Your jade pendant is so powerful. Could I borrow it to wear sometime?"
Shen Minghuai glanced at her and replied with silence. After asking the waiter, Wang Yan led him to a private room on the second floor with practiced ease. Clearly, their sudden appearance together had surprised Li Changling and Fu Jizheng.
Wang Yan sat down next to Li Changling without ceremony, his face beaming with undisguised joy. "Master Fu, please."
Fu Jizheng looked bewildered, unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
"One serving each of the following: Three-Crispy Soup, Fried Quail, Stir-fried Lung, Stir-fried Clams, Cassia Seed Soup with Pickled Vegetables, Two-Colored Kidneys, Steamed Goose and Duck Ribs, Cooked Noodles with Tung Bark, Spiced Jade Chess Pieces, Flatbread, Perilla Fish, White Pickled Vegetables, Broth with Pork Bones, and Stone Tripe Soup."
Fu Jizheng usually only came to drink, and at most he would order a couple of dishes to go with his drinks. He knew the prices at Fenglelou, so he was dumbfounded when he heard this.
“How could I let Master Fu pay for it?” Wang Yan turned to Shen Minghuai understandingly. “Naturally, it should be done by your disciple.”
Shen Minghuai didn't even blink, reassuring Fu Jizheng, "It's my treat."
Li Changling rested his chin on his hand and exclaimed, "Old Fu, you've taken on a fine apprentice!"
Before all the dishes were served, someone came to report from outside. A waiter brought a visiting card, saying it was for Fu Jizheng. Li Changling was confused and asked Wang Yan, who just shrugged. She had encountered this strange scene this morning while leaving the city via Fenglelou.
"The top of the list of potential sons-in-law?"
Wang Yan asked curiously, "These words sound familiar." Indeed, she had heard them before at the porridge shop outside Danzhou City.
Many servants were scattered around Fengle Tower, hoping to catch a glimpse of Fu Jizheng, who often drank ten jars of wine there, all because of that rumor.
It is said that if a woman is interested in marrying Shen Minghuai, she must be able to outdrink his master. However, Fu Jizheng is not usually in the capital and rarely appears in public. People only know that Shen Minghuai's master is a drunkard who drinks ten jars of liquor every time he comes to the capital.
Perhaps it was during these years that it was said that only the daughter of a certain prefect caught his master's eye, and thus in recent years, only that woman could get so close to Shen Minghuai, but she had already left the capital.
I also heard that the Shen family places great importance on talent when choosing a wife, requiring her to be the most talented woman in the capital. This is all what Juan Tao told her this morning.
A moment later, another visiting card arrived. Fu Jizheng stopped the servant delivering the cards, saying that the following cards did not need to be brought into the room. Not long after, the servant's voice rang out outside the room again. Wang Yanfang picked up her chopsticks, raised her hand, and then slammed the jade chopsticks onto the bowl, looking at Shen Minghuai with a resentful expression.
Fu Jizheng stormed out of the room and shouted, "Either take it back, or you keep it. Don't disturb my meal!"
The outside finally quieted down. The meal was very enjoyable. Although there were many dishes, Wang Yan asked the chef to halve the portion size of each dish, and in the end, the four of them ate almost nothing.
Throughout the entire process, Shen Minghuai barely uttered a word, while Li Changling and Fu Jizheng reminisced about the past, talking incessantly like a flood. Autumn moon and spring breeze, a beautiful and pleasant time indeed.
When Fu Jizheng talked about his connection with his apprentice, he was so excited that he practically danced with joy.
"That day, I came out of Huixianlou after drinking. I found a little baby crying and begging for his parents by the roadside. He saw that I performed a set of drunken boxing moves so beautifully that he kept following me and insisted on becoming my disciple."
Shen Minghuai ruthlessly exposed him, "That day, Master was completely drunk and walked straight into the river. It was clearly me who rescued you from the river, and you cried and begged to take me as your disciple to express your gratitude."
Li Changling couldn't help but slap the table and laugh, "Old Fu, you're so drunk you even fell into the river and almost lost your life? Drinking is bad for your health, drinking is bad for your health!"
Wang Yan had already put down his jade chopsticks at some point. "He felt restless and anxious if he didn't drink for a day, yet he had the nerve to admonish others."
Fu Jizheng and Li Changling clinked glasses, "Likewise, likewise."
Li Changling retorted, "I am far superior to him in terms of alcohol tolerance!"
Fu Jizheng was speechless and could only swallow his resentment along with the wine.
The private room was located near the bustling city center. As dusk fell, the outside was already quite lively. The constant noise drifted into the room, making Wang Yan restless. She suggested to Li Changling that they go to the night market, but he refused. Instead, she looked at Shen Minghuai with shining eyes.
"No--"
The moment the words of refusal left his mouth, all three eyes converged on one spot. Wang Yan stood up and pulled him outside.
"You must have never been there, it's really interesting!"
Li Changling shouted from behind, "Make sure you bring our A-Ying back safely!"
As soon as Wang Yan stepped out of Fengle Tower, the moon was already full over the city. He had already inquired about the location beforehand and headed straight for Hongqiao Bridge. Along the way, vendors selling medicine, dried fruit, and cooked food came in an endless stream, and there was also an abundance of trinkets, paper paintings, and musical pieces.
The street was a chaotic mess of food stalls. Wang Yan took a closer look and ran towards Mei's Crystal Sliced Food, carrying roasted chestnuts in his arms.
Today is the Shangsi Festival, a day of bustling traffic, yet for some reason, Shen Minghuai is not afraid of losing people if he gets distracted, as if the person walking ahead will definitely turn back to look for him.
Wang Yan had already paid the money when Shen Minghuai walked to the Mei family's shop. "Their pastries are also quite good."
"Have you eaten?" Wang Yan took the food, sat down at the table and placed the pastry over to him. "I thought Young Master Shen would frown and say sternly, 'I don't eat unclean things.'"
Shen Minghuai smiled at Disu, "That was certainly true before."
This man rarely showed genuine emotion in his smile; this was probably the first time. Crispy pastries are mostly favored by women; perhaps he came with the prefect's daughter… It seems the two of them are much closer than she thought.
"Summer food is more plentiful than today's, including my favorite Shatang iced cold dumplings."
Shen Minghuai said softly, "It's a child's taste."
Wang Yan was quite unconvinced, "What's wrong with a child? Age doesn't matter when it comes to food."
After finishing their meal, they happened to catch a variety show. When Shen Minghuai urged Wang Yan to return to the manor, he still looked reluctant. As soon as he got into the carriage, his eyelids began to droop, and his consciousness became increasingly blurred.
Shen Minghuai had never scrutinized a woman so intently for so long. She was completely unguarded around him, closing her eyes with such ease. Perhaps it was out of trust in Li Changling; after all, no one dared to harm her under Li Changling's watchful eye.
The girl's eyelashes cast a long shadow on her face; with only a touch of makeup, even the most vibrant colors paled in comparison. Hiding that hint of cunning, she was actually... somewhat adorable.
Shen Minghuai held the black cloak in his hand for a long time before finally covering her with it when they arrived at the Prince's residence.
"arrive."
Wang Yan was a light sleeper. She had vaguely sensed the carriage stop, but was fully awake as soon as Shen Minghuai spoke. She simply draped her cloak over herself, grabbed some food, thanked him, lifted the curtain, got out of the carriage, and went straight into the mansion.
Ying Ming hesitated before saying to the person inside the carriage, "Young Master, the cloak..."
Shen Minghuai reverted to his usual enigmatic and aloof demeanor, saying, "Let's go back to the manor."
As expected, Li Changling was playing chess with Wang Zhen in the east wing. Before entering, Wang Yan took off his cloak and handed it to Juan Tao.
"I'm back."
Though only three words long, it seemed as if a melody on a bamboo flute was being played in Wang Yan's ear. It was as if he were lamenting and yearning, as if he were weeping and pleading.
Li Changling discarded his white piece and feigned reproach, saying, "I think you're about to turn your back on us."
Wang Yan quickly set out a plate of rabbit and spicy ginger radish, saying, "This is for you two."
Li Changling immediately turned the page, but Wang Zhen remained unmoved.
Do you know what time it is now?
Knowing he was late, Wang Yan dared not utter a sound. "Hai Shi (9-11 PM)..."
Li Changling pretended to join Wang Zhen in scolding, "Coming back in the middle of the night, a man and a woman alone, what kind of behavior is this?"
Wang Yan tugged at Wang Zhen's sleeve, "Brother...it's all my fault. He didn't come with me to the night market, so I didn't pay attention to the time...Besides, there were so many people on the street! How could we be alone together? It was packed with people."
Wang Zhen, always a thoughtful person, said earnestly, "What if someone with ulterior motives sees this and says something unpleasant outside?"
Wang Yan smiled broadly, "That would be perfect."
Li Changling suddenly realized, "So you were going to use that kid as a shield?"
A note from the author:
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The poem was just something I wrote off the cuff; please forgive me if it's not very good. [melted]
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