Chapter 52 A Scheme of Division

Chapter 52: A Scheme to Sow Discord

After Ai Geer's first-month celebration, the major family event was over, and miscellaneous tasks decreased significantly. The clinic returned to its usual routine, methodically receiving patients. With Lei Ding and Yang Shu's help, Wu Qiu managed to care for Ai Geer, finding it tiring yet filled with joy. Ai Geer had now grown into a plump, fair-skinned little dumpling, his small face as tender as a freshly peeled lychee. Wu Qiu held him every day, reluctant to let go, his love overflowing. His own health had also recovered considerably, not only from good rest but also because Lei Ding massaged and performed acupuncture on him daily, teaching him exercises to aid his rehabilitation. However, for Wu Qiu, the most important thing was that the whole family was safe and sound, and that Lei Ding could stay by his side, greatly soothing the various anxieties he felt as a new father.

Lei Ding was naturally happy with this situation. Spending every day with Wu Qiu and the child, especially being with Wu Qiu, never bored him for a moment. Even when they didn't speak, just quietly being together, it never felt dull or tedious, only bringing a sense of peace. Yet, the more content he was, the more unsettled Lei Ding felt.

Because Wu Peng was still at large. This man, now like a madman and fixated on him, was like a vicious wolf lurking in the dark night. As long as he remained unpunished, he posed a constant danger to Wu Qiu, to Ai Geer, and to their family.

Lei Ding couldn't hide Wu Qiu and Ai Geer at home forever, nor could he keep retreating and compromising indefinitely.

Recently, he had been injured, and just as he recovered, Wu Qiu gave birth. Then came the need to care for Wu Qiu and Ai Geer, leaving him with no spare energy to deal with this matter. Now, over two months had passed. Even if Wu Peng initially didn't know whether the prefectural office had killed him, by now he must have gotten wind of the news and would certainly not let it go. Lei Ding had to make a decision early and devise a plan.

Lost in thought, he only snapped back to reality when Yu Yuan called his name for the third time, looking up and offering an apology.

It was already dark. Yu Yuan had come to find Lei Ding after finishing the miscellaneous tasks at the medicine shop, firstly to deliver a few medicinal ingredients, and secondly because he knew Lei Ding had been preoccupied with this matter. Now that some leads had been uncovered, he thought to mention it in passing.

Lei Ding nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

Yu Yuan waved his hand: "We are sworn brothers. You were nearly driven to ruin by someone, how could I stand idly by? No need for formalities. If you want to thank me, after this is over, treat me to a good, hearty drink at Guiyun Tower."

Lei Ding smiled: "Naturally. I still have two jars of aged wine at home, I'll bring them to treat you then. It's late today, and the curfew hour is approaching soon, so it's not convenient for me to keep you talking. Tomorrow, I'll invite Sun Xun, and I'll bring Qiu Er along. Let's gather in my courtyard to properly plan this."

Yu Yuan agreed while smiling: "You still can't bear to leave Qiu Geer out, huh? For matters like this, us few grown men can handle it. Why disturb him? Wouldn't he be frightened if he heard?"

Lei Ding shook his head with a smile: "Qiu Er is perceptive. Even if I don't tell him, he'll more or less sense something and start worrying on his own. That would truly make him secretly anxious, which is worse. It's better if I tell him first, invite him to listen tomorrow. Firstly, to prevent his fear and worry; secondly, to hear his thoughts. Perhaps he might have ideas we haven't considered, making our plan more thorough."

Since he put it that way, Yu Yuan had no further objections. They agreed to meet at Lei Ding's study in the east wing courtyard at the Si hour, around mid-morning, the next day. After seeing Yu Yuan off, Lei Ding hurried back to the east wing courtyard. Wu Qiu, seeing him enter, smiled: "You're back, perfect timing. Ai Geer just finished nursing. You hold him for a bit; Auntie Yang will come soon to take him to sleep."

Lei Ding took Ai Geer into his arms. It was already June, but infants are sensitive to cold, so he was dressed more warmly than adults, yet he still seemed extremely small—a soft little bundle cradled in Lei Ding's arm, reaching out with tiny hands to grab Lei Ding's clothes. Wu Qiu leaned over, slipping a finger into the baby's palm, which was immediately grasped tightly. Wu Qiu couldn't help but chuckle: "Look at him, quite strong."

Lei Ding looked at Ai Geer, then at Wu Qiu's profile, and couldn't help but smile along: "Ai Geer has gained quite a bit of weight this month; he doesn't feel as light as when he was just born. Qiu Er, don't hold him all the time in the future. Putting him on the bed while you stay with him is the same. Be careful not to strain your wrists."

Wu Qiu thought carefully; indeed, his wrists had been aching lately from holding the baby too much, so he quickly agreed. Then, while Lei Ding was looking down playing with Ai Geer, he stole glances at him.

He had a feeling Lei Ding seemed preoccupied. Several times today, he had seen him frowning silently. Just now, when he returned from outside, although he didn't show anything unusual, Wu Qiu felt the vibe around him was different from usual. Wu Qiu secretly wondered if Wu Peng and his associates were up to something again, but feeling nervous, he didn't want to say much in front of Ai Geer. He knew perfectly well that Ai Geer couldn't understand their conversation yet, but he still didn't want him involved in such troubles. He had to wait until Yang Shu took the child away before trying to ask indirectly.

As soon as Yang Shu left, Lei Ding closed the door and saw Wu Qiu sitting on the bed, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Knowing Wu Qiu had indeed noticed something, he couldn't help but smile: "Qiu Er, there's something I want to discuss with you."

He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Wu Qiu's eyes lit up; he pounced from behind, wrapping his arms around Lei Ding's neck: "I thought you didn't want to tell me and was wondering how to ask you."

Lei Ding held his hands, gently rubbing them, and said warmly: "Qiu Er is my husband. When there are family matters, I naturally need to ask for your help in making decisions. It's like going to war: you are the strategist, I am the general. Charging into battle should be my duty; I'll protect you. But I can't leave you completely in the dark about the situation, how could you then devise strategies?"

Hearing this, Wu Qiu was very pleased. He thought that since he and Lei Ding were already a family, they should share both joys and hardships. Although he understood Lei Ding's protective nature, he didn't want to leave everything on his shoulders alone. Now that Lei Ding was willing to confide in him, he was overjoyed, affectionately nuzzling Lei Ding's cheek: "This is how a married couple should be. Good brother, tell me quickly."

Lei Ding said solemnly: "Tomorrow, I've invited Yu Yuan and Sun Xun to come to our home to discuss how to deal with Wu Peng. I've asked them to help investigate some information these past days. Would Qiu Er be willing to come listen then? Perhaps we can find some weakness."

Wu Qiu tensed upon hearing "Wu Peng" and asked: "I want to go! But is it about Wu Peng? Has he made another move, planning to do something bad?"

Lei Ding shook his head: "Not yet. But this man is narrow-minded and vengeful. If he finds out I'm not only alive but living well, he will certainly seek revenge. Next time, he might not use a proxy again. If we wait until then, it will be dangerous. It's better to strike first and prepare early."

He gently pulled Wu Qiu's arm, turning him from behind to sit on his lap. He rarely showed such a serious expression to Wu Qiu, but today he didn't smile again, looking deeply into his eyes before finally kissing the red mole at the corner of Wu Qiu's eye: "Are you afraid, Qiu Er?"

Wu Qiu, however, chuckled, softening his body and resting his head on Lei Ding's shoulder: "There's nothing to be afraid of, because we will definitely find a way to make them face punishment and never disturb our lives again. Tomorrow, I'll go with you. First, let's see if we can learn the details about this Wu Peng!"

Lei Ding smiled: "Qiu Er always says I make you feel at ease, but when I feel uncertain, only you can steady my heart."

The next day, Yu Yuan indeed came to the clinic with Sun Xun. Lei Ding ushered them into the study of the east wing courtyard, where Wu Qiu was already waiting. After exchanging greetings and everyone taking their seats, Yu Yuan recounted Wu Peng's recent situation and also mentioned Xue Hu: "This man hasn't been in Yongning City for long either; most likely he's also a refugee from the Hedong Circuit. Big Brother Lei said he holds a grudge against you, so you probably know a bit about his original circumstances. I later found out that he originally fled with his parents. His mother was in poor health and passed away halfway. He and his father arrived here, still carrying some family silver, so they lived decently at first, even staying at an inn for a couple of days. However, the silver he had left wasn't much. To get some money, he actually went to a gambling den, where the owner set him up, and he lost all his money in a day or two."

Hearing this, Sun Xun couldn't help but curse: "Shame on him, for a man! If he urgently needed money, why not find work somewhere? Had to resort to such crooked methods."

Lei Ding suddenly remembered how Wu Qiu, in order to save his mother, had desperately sought work everywhere back then. If he hadn't encountered him, Wu Qiu might have been taken into that den of vice by a brothel madam in his desperation. Seeing that Xue Hu clearly didn't want to endure hardship and work, only seeking easy gains, and had even gambled away his life-saving silver, Lei Ding felt even more disgusted. Noticing Wu Qiu lowering his eyes in silence, he took one of Wu Qiu's hands under the table, gently patting the back of it in comfort.

Yu Yuan continued: "Exactly, so he's clearly a man without capability. After losing all his silver and being kicked out by the innkeeper, he mixed with other refugees. His father, both angry and heartbroken over the lost silver, perhaps also contracted some illness, and in a fit of rage, passed away. Later, Xue Hu begged for a living inside and outside the city. It's unclear how he got involved with Wu Peng. I had someone mingle with them to fish for information. He only said that he and Wu Peng share the same enemy, which brought them together. It seems now that their common enemy is probably you."

Sun Xun curled his lip: "These two are in cahoots, and now they've formed an alliance. Won't dealing with them be even more difficult for us?"

Lei Ding gave a cold laugh: "Their 'alliance' is likely gilded on the outside, rotten within. Since that's the case, let's first use a scheme to sow discord on them, making their alliance collapse on its own."

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Author's Note: The countdown to reckoning begins!