Yuanzhao looked coldly at the newcomer. With just one glance from him, Jia Xiaomei immediately ran out, while Chen Yishu reacted quickly and shut the doors at once, trying to keep the commotion from spreading outside.
After soothing the customers with a few words, he stepped forward and looked at the young woman, his tone carrying a hint of appeasement.
“What exactly do you mean by this? If there’s some misunderstanding, let’s talk it through clearly. There’s no need to get yourself so worked up.”
The young woman sized him up from head to toe. He really was somewhat good-looking, and the restaurant was thriving under his management too. He indeed had some ability.
She sneered.
“Fine, then I’ll explain properly. You—do you know Yu Qing?”
“Young Master Yu? We did meet a few times when I was selling food in the county some time ago. He said my wraps tasted good, so he bought many to reward the servants at his house with. What about it?” Yuanzhao could not understand. “Besides, I’ve already been married for two years. If you say I seduced Young Master Yu, then you’d better produce evidence.”
“You’re married?” The young woman froze, clearly not expecting that. Before coming here, she had not investigated thoroughly. She had only heard rumors described in vivid detail, so naturally she believed them.
“I’m Zhao-ge’er’s mother-in-law. He’s been part of our family for two years already. Clever, sensible, obedient, and well-behaved. As for what you’re accusing him of, he absolutely could not have done it.” Madam Shi stepped forward to defend him.
The customers eating and watching the drama finally understood.
This young woman had obviously accused the wrong person of having an affair.
Immediately, everyone began talking over one another to explain.
“Boss Yuan’s husband is this year’s jinshi! He’s a teacher at the county academy and even holds an official post in the capital!”
“Boss Yuan stays in the restaurant every day. The only times he’s absent are when his husband is on break and the young couple goes home to rest together. Where did you come from, barging in here spouting nonsense?”
“You were probably deceived, weren’t you? Ask around town! Boss Yuan isn’t that kind of person at all!”
The young woman looked somewhat embarrassed. She indeed had not investigated clearly, but she still refused to believe the rumors had come from nowhere.
Lifting her chin slightly, she said, “Fine. Even if what they’re saying is true, the rumors between you and my husband are still real. Explain yourself clearly!”
“Young Master Yu merely bought our wraps. What exactly is there to explain? Since you insist I’ve done such things, why don’t we bring Young Master Yu here and confront each other face-to-face?” Yuanzhao was too exasperated even to get angry anymore. He had a perfectly good official husband already—why would he choose someone he disliked instead?
“Then we’ll confront him!” the young woman said proudly, lifting her chin again. “But I should clarify this—I’m not yet married to Yu Qing. Still, he’s my fiancé. He was the one who came to my family to propose marriage.”
Yuanzhao nodded to show he understood.
He had known all along Yu Qing would bring him trouble. That was why he had always avoided him. Previously, he had even stopped setting up his stall while accompanying someone for examinations, yet after several months, trouble still came knocking.
The problem likely was not the young woman before him.
The real problem was probably Yu Qing himself.
The moment Jia Xiaomei ran out, she hurried to the back courtyard, hitched up the carriage, and rushed toward the county city. She dashed into the academy looking for someone. The moment Shi Wuxiang heard what happened, he abandoned everything, asked Hu Lu to watch over the classroom for him, and left immediately.
Shi Wuxiang and Yu Qing arrived at the restaurant almost at the same time.
The moment Shi Wuxiang entered, the young woman’s eyes widened in a daze. She now understood much more clearly just how wrong she had been, because this face was far superior to Yu Qing’s.
“Are you alright?” Shi Wuxiang held Yuanzhao’s hand and squeezed it gently. “You didn’t get hit, did you?”
Yuanzhao shook his head. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I won’t suffer for no reason.”
Only then did Shi Wuxiang pull him protectively behind himself. His icy gaze landed on the girl in green robes, his voice frighteningly cold as well.
“You’ve slandered my husband’s reputation like this. If you have no evidence, you’ll be punished with flogging.”
The girl in red swallowed nervously.
“Don’t try to scare me with that. Yu Qing will be here soon, and then the truth will naturally come out. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize myself!”
The moment she finished speaking, Yu Qing arrived.
As soon as he entered, his gaze swept restrainedly across Yuanzhao for a moment before he immediately went to pull the girl in red.
“Xu Ling, come with me. Don’t make trouble here.”
“What do you mean I’m making trouble? Explain yourself clearly! Those ugly rumors have already reached my ears—how can you still pretend you know nothing?!” Xu Ling was both shocked and furious. “How many mouths are there in your Yu family that you need to buy wraps every single day? And you still deny having a relationship with him?!”
Yu Qing did not explain himself. He merely looked at Yuanzhao with that restrained, suffering expression, then continued trying to drag Xu Ling away.
If Yuanzhao himself did not know perfectly well that he and Yu Qing had absolutely no relationship, then just from that look alone, he would almost think he had truly done something wrong!
“Since Young Master Yu is already here, and there are many customers present as witnesses, why not clarify this matter properly? Otherwise, if these rumors spread and damage my husband’s reputation, I really will become angry.” Shi Wuxiang let out a cold laugh. The contemptuous look in his eyes clearly showed he had already seen through Yu Qing’s little schemes.
Shi Wuxiang was no longer what he once was. He was no longer merely a scholar with a xiucai degree. Even juren stood a rank below him now. If he wished to hold Yu Qing accountable, Yu Qing could only endure it.
Yu Qing’s eyes were filled with pain.
“I have nothing to say.”
Yuanzhao’s eyes widened instantly.
“You really should have nothing to say! I’ve barely even spoken to you a few times! You’re seriously strange—acting like this for no reason. Are we even close?”
Shi Wuxiang wrapped an arm lightly around his waist and patted him soothingly. When he looked toward Yu Qing again, his gaze carried mockery.
“You and this Young Master Yu actually met before. Before the drought, Boss Yuan once saved a tall young ge’er on the road back to Huicun Town. That person looked exactly like this Young Master Yu.”
“That was my younger twin brother. He’s already dead. Is Teacher Shi planning to make use of a deceased person for your accusations?” Yu Qing’s heart jolted. He suspected Shi Wuxiang might truly know something.
“You yourself were that young ge’er. Born to a concubine, you disguised yourself as a ge’er to avoid assassination attempts from the legal wife. During the drought, you used the opportunity to eliminate the elders of your household. When the mountain has no tiger, the monkey becomes king—so now you even want to alter your own background?” Shi Wuxiang tore away every last shred of dignity, exposing all the rotten deeds Yu Qing had committed.
Yu Qing’s expression darkened. He had not expected Shi Wuxiang to have investigated his past so thoroughly!
Even Yuanzhao himself was stunned.
So Yu Qing was actually that ge’er from back then?
No wonder his words and actions had always felt strange. It was clearly because he had become fixated on Yuanzhao after being rescued that time!
Disgusting!
“And as for you.” Shi Wuxiang looked toward Xu Ling. “You’re just a fool who got used by him without even realizing it.”
At first Xu Ling had not understood, but now she did. The admiration she once held for Yu Qing vanished instantly.
She had truly believed he was someone who stepped forward to support the Yu family during difficult times. She had thought that although he had been raised outside the family, he still possessed refinement and ability.
Now it seemed he certainly did have ability.
The ability to commit evil.
She originally wanted to slap Yu Qing across the face, but since she was not tall enough, she simply kicked him hard in the shin instead.
“You lied to me while also obsessing over another man’s husband! Aren’t you disgusting?! Our engagement is canceled. Rot in the Yu family by yourself!”
“Xu Ling, don’t make trouble.” Yu Qing’s voice sounded repressed, as though squeezed out through clenched teeth.
“I’m making trouble? I treated you with complete sincerity, and you used me as your weapon? You wanted me to ruin his reputation so you could get him?” Xu Ling could not help laughing harshly twice. “Ridiculous! He’d sooner fall for a pig than for you!”
Yuanzhao pressed his lips together.
Insult him if you want, but why drag me into it too?
“Xu Ling!” Yu Qing barked.
“Don’t say my name. Aren’t you disgusting?” Xu Ling truly was not afraid of him. They were both children of merchant families. Yu Qing’s footing was not even stable yet, and he had been the one begging to marry her while secretly acting insane outside.
Xu Ling no longer wished to waste words with him. She turned to leave without hesitation, only for Shi Wuxiang to stop her.
“Stop.”
“Before you leave, there’s still something you need to do.”
Xu Ling had been so furious she nearly forgot what she herself had said earlier. She paused, then suddenly remembered. Walking before Yuanzhao, she lowered herself into a graceful bow.
“Boss Yuan, I’m sorry. Today I came making a scene without understanding the situation properly. Have your staff calculate any losses, and send the bill to the Xu family for me. I’ll take my leave first.”
Xu Ling had been spoiled by her family into having a quick temper, but she could still distinguish right from wrong. She dared to make trouble, but she also dared to sincerely apologize.
Seeing her leave, Yu Qing immediately tried to follow after her.
“You still cannot leave,” Shi Wuxiang said coldly. “Everything that happened today started because of you. Faced with these rumors, you offered no explanation and instead allowed matters to escalate. We both know exactly what your intentions were. You smeared my husband’s reputation, and now you think you can simply walk away?”
“Xu Ling already said it was a misunderstanding. Since the matter doesn’t exist, yet you still keep pressing the issue—could it be that you don’t trust your own husband?” Yu Qing sneered darkly and meaningfully glanced toward Yuanzhao.
Yuanzhao: “…???”
You think a few provocative words can drive a wedge between us?
Not only Shi Wuxiang, even the customers watching the drama wore expressions of disapproval.
That young lady knew she was wrong and apologized. Yet this supposedly grown man wanted to walk away after causing trouble?
How incompetent did someone have to be to behave like this?
Shi Wuxiang curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“Miss Xu apologized for her own mistakes. Yet you refuse to apologize. Yu Qing, are you truly unafraid that I’ll hold the Yu family accountable?”
Those words were naked threats.
With Shi Wuxiang’s current status and position, if he wished to hold a merchant household accountable, he could easily invent some excuse.
Shi Wuxiang was already considered unusually kindhearted. Otherwise, from the very beginning, he could have simply reported Yu Qing to the authorities and thrown him into prison without even giving him the chance to put on this pitiful act.
“What do you want?” Yu Qing pressed his lips tightly together, his gaze filled with hatred and restraint.
“Kneel.”
Shi Wuxiang’s thin lips parted slightly. The two light, casual words struck Yu Qing like thunder crashing down upon him, leaving him stunned in disbelief, almost suspecting he had heard wrong.
As those two words fell, the atmosphere inside the restaurant instantly became strange.
No one had expected Shi Wuxiang to say such a thing. For a moment, even the sounds of customers slurping porridge became noticeably quieter.
One person accidentally let out a loud slurp and immediately earned a punch from his companion.
Yu Qing’s eyes split with fury.
“Shi Wuxiang, don’t push people too far!”
“Today, I am pushing you too far. What can you do about it?” Shi Wuxiang took a sip of tea, his voice carrying unconcealed disdain and arrogance.
This was what they called rank crushing people to death.
He had always possessed a good temper. Ever since returning from the palace examination, he had never acted superior, nor had he bullied others simply because his status had changed. Deep inside, he still carried those values of equality and righteousness.
But when it came to protecting reputation, he had to wield his status properly.
What could Yu Qing do?
Shi Wuxiang was no longer the poor xiucai scholar commonly seen around Mingqu County. Even before this, he had already become a juren lord beyond Yu Qing’s ability to shake. After the palace examination, the imperial decree had already been delivered back. The county magistrate personally welcomed him home, and even the magistrate himself treated him with several degrees of courtesy.
Yu Qing had been unable to touch him before.
Now, he was even more powerless.
Yu Qing closed his eyes briefly. With humiliation written all over his face, he stepped forward, lifted his robes, and walked before Yuanzhao. Yuanzhao instinctively tried to dodge in panic, only for Shi Wuxiang to wrap an arm around his waist, holding him in place.
“He deserves this,” Shi Wuxiang said. “It is only proper for you to receive this apology.”
Only then did Yuanzhao stop moving. This version of Ah Xiang felt somewhat unfamiliar to him, but remembering that Ah Xiang was seeking justice on his behalf, he no longer felt burdened.
He could not let Ah Xiang lose face.
Yu Qing knelt before them, grinding his teeth so hard it almost sounded audible.
“Shi-fulang, today’s matter was my recklessness. I kneel in apology to correct the rumors and ask Lord Shi for forgiveness.”
“Let today serve as a lesson to you. If there are ever rumors again that stain my husband’s reputation, you’ll be the first person I seek out.” Shi Wuxiang glanced at him with disgust. “Get lost.”
“Yes.”
After answering, Yu Qing stormed away furiously.
Only after he left did Shi Wuxiang finally put away that wild, overbearing aura. Rising to his feet, he began soothing the regular customers, even announcing that today’s meals were on the house. After all, all the expenses would later be billed to the Xu family, so they were not losing money.
The regular customers all understood what he was doing.
He was trying to reassure them while also subtly sealing their mouths.
Although the misunderstanding had already been clarified, if a married ge’er became entangled in rumors involving another man’s name, it was still no good thing.
The customers all laughed and thanked him. After eating, they wiped their mouths and left. They had watched an entertaining spectacle, eaten for free, and witnessed a vivid example made to kill the chicken and warn the monkeys.
Who would still dare spread nonsense outside?
The restaurant abruptly became quiet.
Yuanzhao felt the current Shi Wuxiang was somewhat frightening and did not dare speak carelessly. In the end, Madam Shi was the first to break the awkward silence.
“If you have something to say, go upstairs and talk. Don’t block things here. Customers will still be coming later.”
“Alright.”
Shi Wuxiang brought Yuanzhao upstairs while not forgetting to instruct Lu Xiu to tally all the tables from earlier. Later, he intended to return to the county city and collect payment from the Xu family personally.
Inside the small private room—
Yuanzhao did not even dare sit too close to him.
Shi Wuxiang raised a brow.
“Am I going to eat you? Come sit over here.”
“Oh…”
Yuanzhao answered dryly and cautiously shuffled his butt toward the chair beside him.
“Are you normal again now?”
“What kind of question is that?” Shi Wuxiang looked helpless. “When have I ever not been normal? Speak properly.”
Yuanzhao puffed his cheeks.
“You were very abnormal just now. Really fierce. Like you wanted to beat him to death. You can’t do things like murder and arson!”
“I didn’t do anything.” Shi Wuxiang felt helpless again. “You’re already imagining things before I’ve even done anything. I’m not some vicious criminal.”
There was truly no need to kill Yu Qing over this matter.
He was a good person raised in a law-abiding modern society. How could he possibly do such things?
“I know you didn’t. I’m just reminding you. Although I really do hate him.” Yuanzhao sighed heavily. “Will he secretly trip us up and bully us later? You really never heard those rumors in the county city, right? They were completely fake!”
Why was he panicking so much?
Shi Wuxiang nodded slightly.
“I never heard them. Naturally, I trust you. The rumors Xu Ling heard were likely deliberately fed into her ears by Yu Qing himself. Otherwise, the county magistrate probably would’ve informed me already.”
Yuanzhao suddenly understood.
So that was why Shi Wuxiang said Xu Ling had been used as a weapon.
Although he had long sensed Yu Qing harbored those kinds of thoughts, he had never expected the man to truly be this vile. Though he did not regret saving him back then, he still felt furious.
“He won’t dare do this again in the future. I’ll make sure he learns his lesson.” Shi Wuxiang comforted softly. “I still have to return to the academy shortly. Are you really going to let your husband see you pouting the whole time?”
Yuanzhao glared at him fiercely, but after only a moment, he broke into a grin.
“How could I? Husband is heaven itself. Do I look good when I smile?” Yuanzhao grinned and bumped his shoulder lightly. “Then I’ll go see you off later, alright? I’ll head to the Xu family myself. You’re a scholar—how can you personally go collect debts?”
“Stop putting scholars on a pedestal. Some scholars are the most scheming people of all. They dare say anything and do anything.” Shi Wuxiang warned him. “Don’t lower your guard just because someone is a scholar. Why are you baring your teeth at me while I’m talking? You even dare cover your ears? Yuanzhao? I think you’re asking for me to discipline you.”
Yuanzhao curled his lips.
Why was he treating him like a student again?
The two of them had a small unpleasant moment, but it did not affect their feelings at all. Yuanzhao escorted Shi Wuxiang back to the academy before heading into the city himself to find the Xu family.
The Xu household was in chaos at the moment.
The instant Xu Ling returned home, she began crying and shouting, cursing Yu Qing as a bastard and faithless scoundrel. She even blamed her parents for agreeing to the marriage and causing her to lose face today…
Father Xu and Mother Xu carefully comforted her while simultaneously cursing Yu Qing as a turtle bastard.
“Master, someone’s outside collecting a debt. Says he’s from some restaurant—the one who sold wraps on the street before.” The steward hurried in to report. He feared it might be a scammer, since the Xu family had never done business with that little street vendor.
“It’s him! I embarrassed myself apologizing today because of him. It’s all Yu Qing’s fault!” Though Xu Ling was furious, she still knew exactly who deserved her anger. “Yu Qing is the true culprit!”
Father Xu’s eyes widened.
She even knew how to use idioms now!
He immediately waved his hand.
“Go settle the bill. Be polite about it.”
“Yes.”
“Wait.” Xu Ling stopped him. “Invite him inside. I haven’t served him tea yet.”
The Xu family had rules—an apology required serving tea. Over the years, she had often darkened her face while pouring tea for her parents and elder brothers…
Yuanzhao was invited into the estate grounds.
The residence occupied extensive land, enough to show the Xu family possessed considerable standing within the county city. No wonder Yu Qing had been so eager to marry a Xu daughter.
“Miss Xu, I’ve already received the silver,” Yuanzhao said when he saw the people seated in the front hall.
“I know. I wanted to invite you for tea. Sit.” Xu Ling said, “Serving tea to admit fault—if the tea isn’t served, then the apology isn’t complete.”
She truly possessed a fiery personality. This rule had been specially made for her. They said tea calmed the heart, and the time spent drinking it would help her cool down.
Yuanzhao knew she was sincere, so he sat down to drink tea with her. He had nothing else to do anyway.
Xu Ling handed him tea and said, “Today I acted recklessly. Boss Yuan, please finish this tea and accept my apology.”
“You’re too polite, Miss Xu. It’s enough that the misunderstanding has been cleared up.” Yuanzhao accepted the tea and took a sip.
It actually tasted rather good.
“It’s also because I judged people poorly. I thought I’d found a pearl, but it turned out to be a turtle bastard!” Xu Ling was furious enough to die, wishing she could rush straight to the Yu family and scratch Yu Qing’s face to pieces.
Yuanzhao was not close to her, so for a moment he did not know what comforting words he should say.
There was not much he could say regarding poor judgment of character. After all, he himself judged character quite accurately, and saying so aloud would sound like boasting.
Xu Ling rambled on for quite a while while Yuanzhao awkwardly responded here and there. Only after he finished all his tea did she finally stop talking.
“How’s the tea? I saw you finished it all. I’ll pack some tea leaves for you to take home. Don’t be embarrassed—it’s me who should be embarrassed.” Xu Ling immediately instructed the servants to prepare it.
“Your house is very large,” Yuanzhao began conversationally.
Xu Ling nodded slightly.
“You think it’s beautiful too, don’t you? We bought this estate ten years ago. Back then it seemed cheaper. Nowadays, it’d probably cost several hundred taels at least.”
Yuanzhao nodded.
The estate truly was nice. If they ever had the chance in the future, it would be wonderful if they too could buy a house in the county city.
Though by then, Ah Xiang probably would no longer be together with him.
The thought made him suddenly feel down for a moment before he quickly forced himself back into better spirits.
“If Miss Xu has no other matters, then I’ll take my leave first.”
Yuanzhao rose to his feet and left without saying much more.
With Shi Wuxiang absent for once, Chengdu and the others were naturally curious. After hearing what had happened, they all found it hard to believe.
Yuanzhao was already an exceptionally good ge’er!
“And you just let him off like that?” Chengdu exclaimed in surprise. “What kind of punishment is kneeling? A shameless person like that should be dealt with properly. Otherwise, sooner or later he’ll make trouble again.”
In modern civilized society, aside from worship or marriage ceremonies, forcing someone to kneel was considered deeply humiliating. But Chengdu’s thoughts clearly differed somewhat from the people of this world.
Shi Wuxiang humbly asked for advice.
“If it were you, what would you do?”
Chengdu sneered.
“Naturally, strike at the thing he cares about most. He only just took over the Yu family and already rushed to form a marriage alliance with the Xu family. Clearly he knows his own foundation is lacking. What he values most is nothing more than the Yu family’s shops and farmland. Of course that’s where you should strike.”
“Be more direct,” Fu Ying said.
“Trip him up, seize his shops, rake in his silver!”
That certainly was direct enough.
Shi Wuxiang smiled helplessly. “I’m a scholar, not some bandit who robs homes and plunders people. I can’t just do those things for no reason.”
“Then report all the dirty methods he used to the county magistrate. The magistrate values you highly, so he’ll definitely investigate thoroughly. Blood is already on Yu Qing’s hands. He won’t escape without losing a layer of skin. By then, everything will fall cleanly into your hands,” Chengdu said.
Fu Ying nodded repeatedly.
That no longer counted as especially vicious methods.
Shi Wuxiang could not help laughing. In the end, it still came down to letting the county magistrate handle things. But that truly was the proper course. After all, Yu Qing really had harmed members of the Yu family before. Though Shi Wuxiang could understand his motives, Yu Qing had already offended them, so matters naturally could not end peacefully.
“Then later tonight I’ll make a trip to the county office.”
Shi Wuxiang was not exactly some upright gentleman. It was merely because of differences in values that he could not casually commit malicious acts. But now that there was a better solution, naturally he intended to use it.
The county magistrate was naturally delighted by his arrival. After hearing the story, he also gained some impression of the Yu family.
“The current head of the household used to present himself as a ge’er. Out of consideration for the hardships he suffered before, I did not pursue the matter of the household registration. But if he truly committed such acts, then he indeed should be punished.” Although Magistrate Zheng trusted Shi Wuxiang and already believed most of the story, before personally investigating the matter, he still would not make promises lightly.
Shi Wuxiang expressed his understanding.
“Then this student shall await Your Excellency’s news. Today he slandered my husband. Although I vented some anger, I still feel I let him off too easily.”
“I know you cherish your husband dearly, but if such things happen again, you must still think three times before acting. When despicable people strike back, they do so fiercely. You may not be able to withstand it,” Magistrate Zheng warned.
“This student has been taught.”
He also understood now—
Kneeling truly would not make Yu Qing feel pain.