"Ah, I see, you mean they're just putting on a show, seeking fame."
"I don't know about others, but the daughter of that Minister of Rites, I once saw her beat an old man half to death for soiling her shoes."
Her once beautiful features instantly became hideous.
"Which one is it?" Ling Yao looked down.
"The prettiest one, the one who smiles the sweetest."
Ling Yao squinted at him and then looked at the girl distributing porridge. She was indeed beautiful and smiled sweetly. Among the young ladies serving porridge, only her line was the longest, and those who received porridge were all deeply grateful.
She didn't dislike the dirty old man, and even asked him a few concerned questions.
Someone called her: "Bodhisattva."
"That's why you shouldn't be fooled by appearances. The most genuine, pure, and innocent woman I've ever met is you. When I bought you home and took off your clothes to bathe you, I saw your essence through your body." Xiao Shan said these nonsensical words with a solemn expression.
Ling Yao quickly turned around and saw that the guards on the city wall were all gone.
Fortunately, no one heard.
This scoundrel.
"Then you must have dog eyes, I heard dog eyes can see the internal organs through people's flesh."
"Who knows what happened? The moment I saw you, I wanted you to be my wife."
"That was lust, animalistic desire, not true affection for me." Ling Yao remembered he had lied to her then, saying she was just a fire-tending girl.
So, he had bad intentions all along.
Xiao Shan wagged his finger, very sure of this point.
"You're so thin you barely have any flesh on you, just bloody whip marks. I've seen many beautiful women stripped bare, and I never even glanced at them. You think I'd have lust for your body? Oh, wait, there was one part that mesmerized me. I like peaches, I really do."
Xiao Shan's gaze lingered on a certain part of her body, and he swallowed hard.
Under his heated gaze, Ling Yao felt as if she were naked.
She knew exactly what he meant. It was her favorite place to play, with all sorts of tricks, and even when she slept, he would hold it tight, as if afraid it would escape.
But it was torture for her.
"General Xiao, is it appropriate for us to discuss this here?" she gritted her teeth and pinched his waist with her slender hand.
Xiao Shan was unfazed. "Let's make it clear first. After the child is born, it will be raised by a wet nurse. I'm already looking for a reliable person. No one is allowed to touch it there, only I can eat it."
What was he saying outside! What a scoundrel.
Weren't they here to understand the people's situation?
"You truly are impudent! I'll punish you by not allowing you into bed tonight!"
"That won't do. I must guard the princess at all times, lest some thieving insect flies over carelessly."
No one could have imagined that the great general and the divine maiden, standing high on the city wall and concerned about the people's welfare, were discussing such topics.
Knowing that the general was watching from the city wall, Chen Kui did not dare to be careless and patrolled diligently.
"What are you doing? This porridge is for the refugees. You're dressed decently, don't try to take advantage. If you eat one more bowl, someone else will have one less, and they might not survive the winter."
Su Yurou was so ashamed she almost buried her head in the ground.
"My husband and I came to the capital for his imperial examination. Our travel money was stolen. Now, now I really have no money to eat..."
"What is your husband's name?"
"Liu, Liu Donghuai."
"Good, I'll investigate. It's best not to lie." Chen Kui scared her a bit and then moved on.
Su Yurou breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a bitter helplessness. Squeezing in with a group of dirty people was already disgusting enough. For this bit of food, she had lost all dignity.
She was also a young lady from a well-off family. Although her family background was not as high as those distributing porridge, in Donglin County, her father was a respected scholar, so she was also looked up to.
Who would have thought that she would fall to this state one day?
Regret welled up in her heart again, but thinking of her husband gave her comfort.
As long as her husband was good to her, it was worth it.
That old woman would die sooner or later.
Su Yurou glanced at the city wall inadvertently.
Two figures stood there, one dark and one white. One was tall and mighty, the other like an immortal in white, standing against the wind, as if about to ascend to heaven.
The man's figure looked so familiar.
Whoever could stand there must be a great figure.
Finally, it was her turn. She held out a bowl and then took another bowl from her embrace, stammering, "I have an old mother at home. Can I, can I have an extra bowl..."
After she spoke, she clearly saw a flicker of disdain in the young lady's eyes.
Although she eventually got two bowls of porridge, Su Yurou returned to the rented courtyard as if she were a wandering spirit.
Liu Donghuai was still in the room copying characters. To quickly gather the rent money, he had been copying until late at night for the past few days. He was working very hard, and Su Yurou naturally felt sorry for him.
"Why are you back so late? The porridge is cold. Hurry and heat it up, give Donghuai a bowl to warm his body first." Wang Cuilan came over with her arm in a sling. Without asking anything, she urged her to heat the porridge.
"Mother-in-law, there are only two bowls, it might not be enough."
"Donghuai drinks one bowl, you and I drink one bowl. How can we not get through this? You're just pampered. What's wrong with eating a little less and getting through this difficult time?" Wang Cuilan had always disliked the delicate Su Yurou.
In her eyes, her son was the best. Although his father had tarnished his reputation, he was ambitious and steady, and with the county magistrate's guarantee, he was sure to achieve success.
This delicate young lady marrying into their family was not a disadvantage at all. Which daughter-in-law didn't prioritize her own husband? She, on the other hand, often went back to her maiden home in Donglin County, ate her fill, and then returned home. She was lazy and greedy, and didn't care about her husband at all.
Su Yurou stopped talking and, hungry, went to heat the food. She picked out some sand from the not-so-thick porridge and brought it into the room.
"Husband, eat something to warm yourself up first!"
Liu Donghuai seemed oblivious, still writing furiously. Only when Su Yurou spoke again did he stop writing, flex his stiff fingers, and raise his red eyes, smiling apologetically.
"I lost track of time. Yurou, have you and Mother eaten?"
"...We have. Husband, eat quickly. Your health is important."
Looking at Liu Donghuai like this, Su Yurou's heart warmed. Her husband was so good. She hoped he would pass the exam soon and end this bitter life!
Liu Donghuai took out more than ten copper coins from his person: "After deducting the rent, there are only a few left. Although it's not much, it will have to do for now. Once I get familiar with this place, I'll find another job. You've suffered these past few days."
Nowadays, martial arts were valued over literature, and the income from copying books was too little, not enough to live on. He regretted agreeing to let his wife and mother come with him. If they were in Donglin County, they wouldn't be living like this.
Everything in the capital was expensive. Su Yurou put away the more than ten copper coins, her face showing little joy. This wouldn't buy much.
"Su, hurry out. Don't disturb Donghuai while he's copying."
Outside, Wang Cuilan was calling again.
Liu Donghuai squeezed Su Yurou's hand and said gently, "Don't wait for me. Go to sleep. I have to copy a bit longer."
Su Yurou turned away sadly.
"Yurou, it will pass soon."
Behind her, his comforting words could be heard.