The academy had a twenty-day summer break every year for fieldwork. In the past, Liu Donghuai didn't find it tedious. He would spend his days studying, occasionally meeting up with classmates, and time would pass before he knew it.
This year was different. He was restless, with his book open before him, yet unable to absorb a single word for half the day.
Last night, his father had returned home, and his mother had immediately pulled him into their room. They had whispered for a long time, and sometimes he could hear his mother's crying.
He guessed his mother was complaining to his father, accusing him of being disobedient, of…
His mood grew more agitated. Outside, the women washing clothes by the riverbank had started talking again.
“I just saw that hunter’s wife. She was going to bring her husband some water. No wonder Xu’s eldest daughter said that hunter dotes on her. The way she carries herself, it’s so alluring! Even I can’t tear my eyes away.”
“That hunter Xiao is a ruthless man. He took down the domineering Tian family. I heard from my great-aunt that all of the Tian family’s property was confiscated, and the elder Tian couple were driven to a ruined temple by the village chief.”
“Hush! Don’t talk nonsense. The city has issued a notice banning discussion of this matter. If it gets out, Lin’an County will be labeled as harboring rebels, and the court will send troops to suppress us. You know, these are not peaceful times, with unrest everywhere.”
“Yes, yes, we mustn’t speak carelessly. Anyway, the Tian family were bad people; they deserved to die!”
“Ah, speaking of hunter Xiao’s wife, that dark mark on her face doesn’t seem so terrible after looking at it for a while. If you examine her closely, she’s quite beautiful!”
“Yes, yes, I think so too. Her lips are rosy, her eyes sparkle as if they hold stars, and her skin is as white as snow. I met her on the road today, and she glanced at me. My heart pounded!”
“Haha, what are you, an old woman, getting so flustered about? Are you just hungry?”
“Get lost! Ah, you know, with her looks, if she were with human traffickers, wouldn’t she be…?”
The women exchanged knowing glances, their expressions conveying unspoken understanding.
“Perhaps not necessarily. What if, you know, hunter Xiao cherishes her like a treasure?”
“What kind of person is hunter Xiao? He’s so fierce, how could he be good to a woman? Don’t listen to Da Niu; he might be mistreating her behind closed doors!”
…
Liu Donghuai’s expression turned grim. He didn’t want to listen, but the words kept drilling into his ears. Why did these village women always gossip about others? What business did other people’s lives have with them?
This was how rumors spread.
He put away his book and closed his eyes.
By eavesdropping, how was he any different from those women?
That woman, that woman, so delicate, how could anyone bear to mistreat her? He saw that although Xiao Shan looked fierce, he seemed to protect her, otherwise, he wouldn’t have killed anyone.
It was true, if she were his wife, he too would not tolerate anyone bullying her.
Liu Donghuai’s face flushed, and he felt annoyed and ashamed of his thoughts just now.
All this study of the sages was for nothing!
Liu Donghuai returned home. His father, Liu Demao, was about to leave.
“Dad!”
Liu Demao looked stern, appraising him from head to toe. Seeing that he held a book and was wearing a simple farmer’s short jacket instead of the scholar’s robe he wore to school, his face was fair, and he appeared gentle and polite, Liu Demao’s expression softened.
“Where have you been studying?”
“In the woods by the river.”
Liu Demao nodded. His son had always loved reading there, unable to stop until it was dark. He had looked for him a few times when he was younger. Now that his son was older, and his business was increasingly busy, he hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk with his son in a long time.
He had returned early today. Liu Demao decided not to go out. “Son, sit with your father and have some tea.”
Liu Donghuai was a little surprised. His father was usually very busy; did he have free time today?
The father and son hadn't chatted much in a long time, and for a moment, they didn't know where to start.
Liu Demao, accustomed to business, quickly found a topic.
“Donghuai, you’ll be taking the imperial examinations next year. Your mother had planned to discuss your marriage after you took the exam. You know her intentions; it’s simply that if you succeed, you might be able to find a match from a higher social standing.”
Liu Donghuai nodded, feeling a bit annoyed. Since his mother had revealed her true colors this time, he felt less respect for her. Hearing her original plan made him feel even more that she was driven by self-interest, calculating everything so meticulously. He had always complied since he was a child; couldn’t his marriage be a little more to his own liking?
“But I don’t think so. As the old saying goes, establish a family before building a career. Once a man is married, he has a sense of responsibility, which might not be unhelpful to you. What do you think?”
Liu Donghuai caught a hint of his father’s intention. “Dad, you want me to get married?”
“Isn’t this asking for your opinion? I have a business partner, and he has a daughter who is of marriageable age. She’s also pretty and charming. I’ll take you to meet them one of these days, so you can get acquainted.”
Liu Donghuai stood up, anger flaring on his fair face. “I won’t meet her, and I have no intention of getting married. I know what Mother told you. Dad, I didn’t expect you to be like this. Humiliating others is humiliating yourself. What do you think of your son? A fool blinded by beauty, or a lustful thief coveting another man’s wife!?”
“You, you have disappointed me too much! Even if I get married, it will be according to my own wishes; I won’t be manipulated by you!”
Liu Donghuai slammed the door and went into his room.
Liu Demao’s face had turned so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Wang Cuilan came out of the room, her face pale and drawn, and let out a sarcastic laugh. “You didn’t believe me, did you? See? Your son has always respected you, when has he ever yelled at you? He’s lost his mind. I raised him with my own hands; how could I not notice?”
Liu Demao exhaled heavily. “I’m going to find the village chief.”
Regardless of whether his son had become so rebellious because of a woman, he was indeed problematic, reacting too intensely. It was as if his most hidden thoughts had been touched, making him angry out of shame. He absolutely would not allow anyone to ruin the son he was so proud of!
As dusk approached, Xiao Shan went to the city.
Qu Linglong’s belly had begun to show. She wore a loose, men’s garment to conceal it as much as possible.
Xiao Shan also prepared several doses of Angelica nourishing soup for Xue Niang. “If you can’t do it, don’t. If others notice, it will cause trouble.”
“I have no one to support me; should I just wait to starve!” Qu Linglong pouted. “If there’s trouble, I’ll find you. You can’t abandon me, right?”
“That depends on the situation. If it implicates me, you’ll see if I’ll help.”
“So heartless. Xue Niang is lucky to have such a capable man protecting her.”
Xiao Shan grunted. How could she say she was lucky? Who had suffered more than her?
“Have you ever treated Princess Lingyin at the Prince of Runan’s mansion before?”
This time, Xiao Shan didn’t leave immediately after getting the medicine; he actually started chatting with Qu Linglong.
“Princess Lingyin?” Qu Linglong raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment. “I did go there once. You know, I’m not that old; I only started seeing patients at fifteen. Two years ago, I was invited to the prince’s mansion once.”