Chapter 34

Chapter 34

After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they arrived at a street on the corner of the southern city. This area was essentially the ancient equivalent of a red-light district, with seven or eight taverns and brothels of varying sizes clustered together, hung with brightly colored banners to ensure they were easily noticed.

The three of them stood at the entrance of the Autumn Moon House, their expressions as resolute as if they were heading off to war.

Wang Ying asked the person beside him, "Hey, have you ever been to a place like this before?"

Chen Qingyan replied sternly, "Of course not. How could a gentleman ever set foot in such a place?"

"But isn't this the kind of place literati and scholars love? Writing poetry for their beauties, admiring the moon, enjoying flowers, drinking, and making music..."

"Pah! That’s what shameless old degenerates do. Whoring is whoring—no need to pretty it up with excuses."

Wang Ying gave him a thumbs-up. It was rare to see such a young man—almost suspiciously principled!

After working up their nerve for a while, the three finally stepped inside. Standing at the entrance, they looked as clueless as raw recruits.

Unlike the scenes often depicted in television dramas, there was no gaudily dressed madam rushing over to solicit customers.

The first floor was a main hall with six or seven tables. As it was around noon, two tables were occupied by guests eating.

The only difference from an ordinary tavern was a girl strumming a pipa and singing a classical Southern-style melody. Her voice was melodious and moving.

Wang Ying began to wonder if they had come to the wrong place, but when he looked up, he noticed several women dressed in revealing clothing on the second floor.

An attendant approached and asked if they were there to eat or to go upstairs for entertainment.

Chen Qingyan, as if confronting a mortal enemy, immediately said, "We’re here to eat! We just came for the food!"

The attendant led them to a small table and handed them a menu.

The menu was a wooden plaque with a dozen or so dishes written in brushstrokes. The names were elegant and poetic, but it was impossible to tell what the dishes actually were. Wang Ying randomly pointed to three dishes, and the three of them sat down uneasily.

"Sister-in-law, do you think we’ll run into that man?"

"Not sure. Let’s try our luck here first. If we don’t find him, we’ll check the other place."

There were only two famous brothels in the city. If Fang Erlang really spent as much time in brothels as people said, they were bound to find him here.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the dishes arrived. "Yangchun Baixue" turned out to be a plate of scallions mixed with tofu? "Green Silk Strips" was cold tossed cucumber strips, and "Listening to the Mountains and Seas" was a cold marinated pig ear... So, on such a cold day, they had ordered three cold dishes?

No wonder the attendant had given them a strange look earlier without saying a word.

At least the staple food was warm—each had a bowl of millet. Not wanting to waste what they had paid for, they buried their heads and ate.

As they ate, they suddenly heard an attendant nearby call out loudly, "Second Young Master, you’re here! Please come in! We’ve reserved a private room upstairs for you!"

All three looked up simultaneously. A well-fed, corpulent man walked in through the entrance. Judging by his clothing and his dissolute, pleasure-worn appearance, it was most likely Fang Shen, Fang Erlang!

Lin Qiu was so nervous he almost stumbled. Wang Ying quickly steadied him and whispered, "Don’t stare. Be careful not to attract attention."

Only then did Lin Qiu look away, stealing sidelong glances at the man while eating.

Fang Shen was clearly a frequent patron at this brothel. As soon as he entered, he made his way upstairs with familiarity. Pausing by the girl singing, he asked, "This girl looks unfamiliar. Is she new?"

"She just arrived from Guazhou just two days ago. She has a lovely voice. Liniang, greet Second Master Fang."

The singing girl stood up and softly called out, "My respects, Second Master."

"Oh~~~ that sweet voice, it makes a man go weak. Alright, Second Master won't go upstairs today. I'll stay down here and listen to you sing a couple of tunes." As he spoke, he pulled out a piece of silver from his robe and stuffed it into the singing girl's collar, taking the opportunity to cop a feel.

The singing girl flushed red but dared not refuse, holding her pipa and continuing to play and sing.

Lin Qiu withdrew his gaze, this time he couldn’t even cry. Only one thought remained in his heart: rather than marry this man, he’d rather just die.

Chen Qingyan's chest was rising and falling with anger. His uncle was truly absurd, actually wanting to marry his son to such a person. And he had said Fang Shen wasn't as bad as rumors made him out to be—he was worse than the rumors!

Fang Shen sat down at a nearby table, and soon two carousing friends joined him. The group drank and exchanged lewd jokes; their talk was downright filthy.

Wang Ying intended to pay the bill and leave, but unexpectedly, the other party suddenly brought up Uncle Lin.

"How goes it with Lin accountant’s son that Second Master mentioned last time?"

"Almost settled, it's just a formality, isn't it?"

"Have you seen the young man?"

"Once. That tiny waist of his, tsk tsk tsk, it got me all hot and bothered. If he weren't so handsome, why would I go to all this trouble?"

"Second Master truly has good fortune. When the time comes, we brothers will get a taste of that happiness~" The man laughed with a sleazy grin, and Fang Shen also burst into loud laughter.

Unknown to others, Fang Shen had a perverse preference—he enjoyed having friends join in when he’s with a woman. His previous wife had taken her own life due to the humiliation, though somehow it was rumored that he killed her by beating.

"Second Master really plans to give the Lin family a shop after marriage?"

"Just talk. The shops are all managed by my elder brother. I don't have the authority to give them away."

"He's truly blinded by greed."

"No choice. That old fool is keeping a mistress on the side. I heard she just gave birth to a son last month. He's strapped for cash..."

Chen Qingyan clenched his fists, trembling all over. Wang Ying held him down firmly under the table—they must not act impulsively! The marriage could be discussed later. If they started a fight here and ruined their cousin's reputation, it would be a loss outweighing the gain.

"Waiter, bill please!"

"Coming! That'll be 230 cash in total."

How could a few cold dishes cost over 200 cash? Wang Ying didn’t bother arguing. He took out the money, handed it to the waiter, and pulled the other two out.

No one spoke on the way back. Wang Ying never expected that Aunt’s husband would do such a thing—no wonder he was so determined to marry his son into the Fang family. He had planned this all along.

When they arrived home, Chen Rong was preparing lunch. "Is everything settled?"

Lin Qiu ran back to the west room without a word.

"You child, I'm asking you a question."

Wang Ying stopped his aunt. "Is Uncle home?"

"He's out."

"Good timing. Don't cook for now. Qing Yan and I need to talk to you!"

Seeing his serious expression, Aunt quickly put down her work, turned off the stove fire, and followed him into the room.

Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan recounted every detail of what had happened that morning to Chen Rong.

After speaking, seeing her dazed for a long time, Chen Qingyan took Chen Rong's hand and said, "Aunt, don’t worry. Your nephew is here. I’ll support you no matter what happens."

Leaning against the wall to keep from collapsing, Chen Rong gritted her teeth fiercely, her face twisted with almost vicious hatred.

"No wonder, no wonder... no wonder he wanted to disgrace my Qiu Er! So he already had a bastard outside! That beast lower than a pig or a dog!"

Chen Rong rushed out to confront him, but Wang Ying quickly stopped her. "Aunt, don’t be impulsive. Even if you confront Uncle now, he won’t admit it. The most important thing right now is to comfort Cousin. When we came back, I noticed he didn't look right—we must make sure nothing happens to him."

Just as they spoke, a scream came from the West Room. "Big Brother, what are you doing!"

The three of them were startled and immediately ran over. In the West Room, Lin Qiu was holding a pair of scissors, stabbing at his own neck. The first strike was a little off, missing the vital spot, but it bled heavily. Lin Sui held his arm, preventing him from making a second attempt.

Lin Qiu’s eyes were resolute. "Mother, I won’t marry that man. Let me die!"

Chen Rong let out a cry, snatched the scissors from his hand, and held her son, weeping so hard she could barely breathe. "You’re breaking your Mother’s heart! Let me go with you, I won’t live either. Let’s go together..."

Lin Sui stood frozen in fear beside them, her hands covered in blood, also crying.

Wang Ying, his eyes red, pulled them apart. "Aunt, stop crying for now. Quickly bandage Cousin’s neck!"

Chen Rong snapped back to reality and used a handkerchief to press on the wound. Chen Qingyan carried Lin Qiu on his back and rushed out. Uncle Chen and Dun Zi came to help, supporting them as they hurried to the medical clinic in town.

At the clinic, the doctor removed the handkerchief, and everyone couldn't help but gasp. A half-finger's length gash had been torn in his neck, the flesh torn and gruesome. It was clear Cousin had fully intended to die.

Wang Ying felt sick to his stomach and stepped outside for air.

At the entrance, he ran into Cao Kun, who was supporting a worker coming to have his foot treated—it had been hurt while unloading goods.

"What a coincidence, Shopkeeper Wang. We meet again."

"Boss Cao."

"Someone in the family sick?"

"Yes, my cousin was injured and is being treated inside."

Cao Kun didn’t pry further and helped the worker inside. Unexpectedly, he saw that quiet young man again.

Compared to this morning, the young man looked deathly pale, as if he'd lost his soul. He sat blankly on a wooden stool, letting the doctor stitch his neck.

Not sure how he injured his neck, but it looked really creepy.

Cao Kun had experienced the stitching needle before—a few years ago, while delivering goods, his arm was slashed, and even he, a tough man, couldn’t help but cry out during the stitching. This young man didn’t make a sound, earning Cao Kun’s curiosity and admiration.

After stitching, the doctor advised, "How did this happen? It’s so severe—it will likely leave a scar. Avoid spicy food these next few days, and eat less meat, or the swelling will be hard to treat."

"Alright."

The doctor prescribed a medicine to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. Chen Qingyan took it to have it prepared.

Wang Ying came in to pay the bill. Chen Rong, supporting Lin Qiu, said, "We came out in a rush and didn’t bring money. I’ll pay you back when we return."

"Aunt, don’t mention it. The important thing is for Cousin to recover."

"Sigh."

They helped Lin Qiu out, and Cao Kun followed them. "Shopkeeper Wang, wait."

"What is it?"

Cao Kun hesitated, scratching his head. "I have specialized wound medicine for external injuries. In the Porter Guild business, bumps and bruises are common—it’s better than what the clinics have. When you send someone to pick up the goods later, take a bottle back."

"This... how can I accept?"

"It’s fine, it’s nothing expensive. Don’t forget." With that, he went back inside.

Wang Ying couldn’t help but reflect that Boss Cao was a good-hearted man.

Back at the Lin house, Dun Zi hitched the horses to the carriage to deliver goods to the Porter Guild. Wang Ying saw Chen Qingyan standing at the door, his face dark with anger, and went over to hold his hand.

Chen Qingyan: "A father should protect his children. Even wild beasts protect their young—how could he do such a vile thing!"

"Sigh... it’s no use saying that now. Aunt’s temper won’t keep this hidden. When Lin Zhangbin returns, they’ll likely fight."

"Doesn’t he deserve a beating? He deserves to die! If only my father were here—if he were alive and knew Aunt suffered like this, he’d have beaten that shameless man to death with a stick."

"True, but he’s still Cousin’s biological father. We can’t decide this—it’s up to Aunt."

Just then, Aunt came out of the West Room. "I’ve made up my mind. I want a divorce and to take Qiu Er and Sui Er away."

"Aunt." Wang Ying stepped forward to support her. "How is Cousin?"

"Asleep. I’ve put away all the sharp objects in the room. Sui Er is watching him."

Chen Qingyan asked, "Aunt, are you sure?"

Chen Rong’s voice choked with tears. "I’m sure. If I don’t divorce him, Qiu Er will be driven to death!"

"Since you’ve decided, then come home with your nephew!"

"No, I still have part of my dowry saved—originally for Qiu Er and Sui Er’s marriages. I’ll use it now to rent a place. The three of us will live on our own."

Wang Ying frowned. "Aunt, you don’t want to return to our town?"

Chen Rong shook her head. "If it were just me, maybe, but with two children, I’d only be a burden..."

"How can you say that?" Wang Ying took her hand. "Even strangers in this situation would help, let alone you being Qing Yan’s aunt. Father-in-law passed early—if he were alive, he wouldn’t have let you suffer like this. He would have brought you home long ago."

Mentioning her Big Brother, Chen Rong could no longer hold back and broke into loud sobs, "My Big Brother... why did you leave so early... who will take care of your sister now?"

Chen Qingyan wept openly. "I will, Aunt. I’m the same as my father. As long as I’m here, I’ll take care of you!"