The Ruthless Female Forensic Doctor's Husband-Destroying Story

Chapter 4

Xiao Que was overjoyed and hurriedly sent someone to inform Madam Jiang. While helping her with her washing and dressing, she casually said, "Young Master is dressed very neatly today. He went with the Master to the Peony Garden to admire the flowers and attend a banquet. It is said that many famous scholars and literati of the court are there. The Master must want to introduce Young Master to them."

Xiao Que said this only to please her, thinking that since they were husband and wife, and now that the husband was making progress, the wife would surely be happy. Little did she know that Xu Shirong was a woman with a different soul. Seeing that she didn't show much joy upon hearing this, only smiled slightly, she remained silent and continued to help comb and tie her hair. Just as she stopped, she saw that Madam Jiang had come over, presumably to visit after receiving the news. She got up to greet her, but Madam Jiang called her away, knowing that she must have something to say, and hurriedly told the rest of the people to leave together.

When Xu Shirong saw that it was Madam Jiang, she stood up and said, "Greetings, Mother-in-law," before Madam Jiang stepped forward and took her hand, asking a few questions about her eyes. Xu Shirong answered them one by one, and Madam Jiang repeatedly said that it was good, and told her to rest assured and continue to recuperate. Finally, her tone changed and she said seriously, "Jiaoniang, I heard from the people downstairs that Huan'er has been forced to stay in the study for more than half a month because of you. This is originally a matter between you and your husband, and I, as your mother-in-law, shouldn't say too much. But now the rumors are a bit unpleasant, and we still have to consider our reputation."

It turned out that Yang Huan had been sleeping in the study for over half a month, which had become a laughing stock among the servants, eventually reaching Jiang's ears. Jiang knew her daughter-in-law was domineering and had previously chased her son away from her room, but it only lasted a few nights at most. She thought the young lady's anger would subside, but after secretly inquiring with someone in the east room, she discovered that more than half a month had passed and the situation was still the same. Jiang became displeased and decided to give her a proper talking-to. In the past, she would have simply sent someone to summon her, but now that Yang Huan's eyesight was impaired, she had no choice but to go herself. Fortunately, she received news of Yang Huan's impaired eyesight this morning and rushed over immediately.

Xu Shirong, upon hearing that she already knew about her driving away Yang Huan, realized that according to common sense, she had indeed gone too far, and for a moment she was speechless, standing silently.

In the past, when Madam Jiang disciplined Jiao Niang, although she never argued back, she always found herself arguing, which often left her frustrated. Furthermore, she was jealous and shrewish, intolerant of any concubine or maidservant by her husband's side. The slightest hint of such a thing would cause chaos throughout the entire household. Over time, Madam Jiang naturally grew tired of her. Today, seeing her merely lower her head slightly, her expression seemingly calm, was somewhat unexpected. After thinking for a moment, she took the opportunity to emphasize her point, saying, "You've been married into the Yang family for quite some time now. The girl from the South Courtyard entered even later than you, and now Sister Xi and Brother Qing have already charmed the old lady with their silver tongues. But there's been no progress with you. I used to be too lazy to say anything to you, but now even the old lady can't stand it anymore. A few days ago, she even said she wanted to arrange for Huan'er to take a concubine so that the family could have more children. I was afraid you'd have a grudge, so I stopped her. You need to think this through carefully. If you continue to act so recklessly, don't blame me, your mother-in-law, for forcing someone into your room. Then you won't be able to sell people out like before. Even if you complain to your mother's family, no one can say that the Yang family has mistreated you!"

Xu Shirong's heart stirred. Although she had inexplicably become Xu Jiaoniang, she had absolutely no desire to actually marry someone like Yang Huan. However, being new to the place and having poor eyesight, she planned to find a way out later. Initially, when Jiang Shi suggested she share a room with Yang Huan, she was somewhat troubled. Last time, she had told a "funny story" that scared him away; she couldn't possibly tell a thousand and one stories every night. Now, hearing Jiang Shi mention taking a concubine was exactly what she wanted. She raised her head and smiled, "Mother-in-law is right. As the ancient sages said, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no descendants. If my husband is ruined by Jiaoniang, then it will truly be my fault. As for taking a concubine for my husband, Mother-in-law, you can decide for yourself."

Upon hearing Xu Shirong's words, Madam Jiang was greatly surprised. She stared at her intently for a long time before asking suspiciously, "Jiaoniang, do you really mean what you're saying?"

Xu Shirong nodded and said seriously, "Offspring have always been a major matter for men. Even if my daughter is ignorant, she dares not delay you now. It would be best to take in several more wives so that the family can continue to grow."

Madam Jiang nodded and sighed, "My son, you kowtowed once, and I never imagined you would understand so much more than before. Your magnanimity is truly a blessing for the Yang family."

Xu Shirong remained silent, only offering a slight smile. Jiang Shi was delighted, and then called in a few sparrows, repeatedly instructing them to serve her well before happily departing.

Yang Huan, having followed his father around entertaining guests for most of the day, returned home to find his sleeping quarters gone. He called a maid and learned that Jiang Shi had ordered him to move them back to the bedroom. Delighted, he hurried to the bedroom. Upon entering, he saw his beloved concubine leaning alone against the long, vermilion-lacquered, intricately carved window, her eyes seemingly gazing at a garden of flowers outside. From the side, her eyelashes were slightly upturned, and a small black jade hairpin adorned her dark hair. A kingfisher feather earring hung from her ear. She wore a moon-colored embroidered robe and skirt, her expression relaxed. Though she wore no other adornments, she looked even more pleasing to the eye than when she was dressed as a goddess.

Yang Huan was young and had recently been engrossed in studying the erotic secrets of talented men and beautiful women, which had made him somewhat restless. Now, seeing such a beauty, who was also his wife, he could no longer restrain himself, and his heart began to itch. But remembering her coldness from a few days ago, he took two steps forward, then hesitated and stopped.

Xu Shirong was leaning against the wall, contemplating her future, when she heard the noise. She turned her head and vaguely saw a figure, much taller than the maids in the room. She had a vague idea of who it was, so she turned her head back and ignored it.

Seeing that Jiao Niang's expression was indifferent, Yang Huan didn't care. He moved closer and found a topic to talk about, saying with a smile, "I went to the peony banquet today and learned a lot. I also heard a joke during the banquet."

Xu Shirong gave a faint "hmm." Yang Huan took another step closer, then continued with a lewd grin, "This joke is about Fan Zhongyan, the current Prefect of Kaifeng. Last year, there was a severe drought in the Jingdong and Jianghuai regions, and he was ordered to provide disaster relief. Upon his return, he actually brought back a few handfuls of wild grass to present to the Emperor and the palace officials, claiming it was food for the starving disaster victims. Isn't that ridiculous? Disaster relief is one thing, but to make such a fuss, everyone else is here at today's banquet except him, saying he's too busy. What a fame-seeking scoundrel!"

When Xu Shirong heard him mention Fan Zhongyan, a famous minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, and speak of him in that tone, she felt utterly disgusted. It turned out that her grandfather, when serving as an official in the late Qing Dynasty, had always admired Fan Zhongyan, taking him as his role model in everything he did. Although she and her brothers were young, they were often taught that the ultimate dream for scholars and officials was to receive the posthumous title "Wenzheng" from the emperor, for "Wenzheng" was the most beautiful and incomparable posthumous title, and those who received it were generally the most virtuous scholars of their time.

"How could a scoundrel like you possibly understand the lofty character and integrity of Fan Zhongyan?" Xu Shirong sneered. "He had the nation's well-being at heart, worrying about the world's troubles before enjoying its pleasures. You wouldn't even be worthy to carry his shoes!"

Yang Huan had thought his "joke" would make the beauty laugh, but he was met with a cold shoulder and was scolded by her. However, he was not angry. On the contrary, seeing the frost on her face, he found her even more interesting than usual, and he couldn't help but step forward and pick her up.

Xu Shirong was startled, and by the time she came to her senses, she was already being placed on the bed.

Yang Huan carried his wife to bed and hurriedly lowered the red silk curtains. Just as he was about to press her down, he saw her angry face and, caught off guard, was kicked off the bed by Xu Shirong. She landed on her bottom, the fall stinging her, and her anger flared again. She jumped up, flung open the bed curtains, and roared, "You unreasonable woman! I told you jokes and you didn't appreciate them. I kept me by your side and didn't argue with you, but now you've kicked me off the bed!"

Hearing his rapid breathing, Xu Shirong realized he was genuinely angry. She sat up, smoothed out her skirt, and said, "Yang Huan, don't try anything with me anymore. I've already made it clear to my mother-in-law today that if you want to take concubines, go ahead and take as many as you like. I won't say a word against it."

Yang Huan was taken aback, thinking he had misheard. He stared blankly for a moment before cautiously asking, "You just said you would allow me to take a concubine?"

Xu Shirong hummed in agreement and said coldly, “Indeed. There is only one thing you must remember. Your mother-in-law had your bedding moved back today. From now on, even if we live in the same room, you are not allowed to get close to me again, and you must not tell anyone. If you do this, I can make you take a concubine, and I can also, just like before, pluck out all those other women around you one by one.”

Although Yang Huan was somewhat puzzled by his beloved wife's unusual behavior, after a little thought, he felt that this was a worthwhile deal. Having a few nice concubines and maids was naturally better than staying with this eccentric and unpredictable wife. So, he readily agreed.

Yang Huan found a moment of free time and quietly asked Bi'er, who served Jiang Shi, about it. He learned that Bi'er was indeed going to arrange for him to take a concubine, which put his mind at ease. From then on, he spent his days loitering in the study, and when he returned to his room at night, he would make a makeshift bed at the foot of Xu Shirong's bed. Sometimes, he would sneak up in the middle of the night to look at her sleeping face. Although he was so eager that he even reached out his hand, he would remember her usual ruthlessness and the future of having two beautiful women by his side, and he would restrain himself.

Another half month passed quickly, and Xu Shirong's eyes had fully healed. Only then did she see her current appearance in the mirror. Although she had been mentally prepared for some time, she still felt very awkward when she suddenly saw that the unfamiliar woman in the mirror was herself. She also saw that Yang Huan was only about twenty-two or twenty-three years old. Although he was tall and slender and had a decent face, the more she looked at him, the more she felt that he had a frivolous air about him, and her dislike for him grew even stronger.

This day was a big one for Yang Huan. After Emperor Renzong personally examined the successful candidates in the Imperial Examination at the Jiying Hall and selected the top three, he was going to examine the sons of officials who had been granted hereditary privileges. If they were truly capable, they should have taken the regular imperial examinations, which would have been the proper way to bring honor to their ancestors. Therefore, this examination for the sons of officials granted hereditary privileges was merely a formality to give preferential treatment to the ministers.

Now, Yang Huan, amidst the many privileged sons of officials, performed the kneeling ceremony and was granted permission to rise by Emperor Renzong. He then stood in the Jiying Hall and saw a young emperor, roughly his own age, seated on the throne in the center, flanked by civil and military officials in purple robes and crimson crowns. The atmosphere was solemn. Looking around at the people around him, he was surprised to recognize many familiar faces from his usual camaraderie. Now, fearing being called upon by the emperor, they were all bowing and shrinking back. Remembering his father's instructions, he subconsciously glanced at where Yang Huan was standing, only to find him glaring fiercely at him. Startled, he quickly lowered his head as well.

Emperor Renzong, having witnessed the outstanding talent and eloquent responses of the many successful candidates in the imperial examination, and having personally selected the top three, was in high spirits. However, seeing this group of sons of officials who had risen through the ranks through hereditary privilege, standing there hunched over, lacking any of the former scholars' bearing, he felt a sudden displeasure. He casually asked, "If you were to become officials in the future, how would you conduct yourselves?"

The people standing in this hall had all been instructed by their fathers before entering the palace that they only needed to lower their heads and not say a word before the emperor, and once they got through that, they would naturally be granted official positions. Now, hearing the emperor's question, they dared not raise their heads, and each of them lowered their waists even further.

Yang Huan was originally inconspicuous among the crowd, but now that everyone else was hunched over, he had lowered his head, and given his already tall stature, he suddenly stood out like a crane among chickens. Grand Commandant Yang saw his son standing there so conspicuously, and fearing he would attract the emperor's attention, he wished he could step forward and push him down, but dared not move, inwardly cursing his son for being so tactless.

As soon as Emperor Renzong finished speaking, the crowd bowed even lower, as if afraid of being called on. Although he knew that these people were all uneducated, he was still somewhat disappointed and too lazy to say more to them. Just as he was about to end the conversation hastily, his eyes suddenly caught sight of a young man in a green robe in the crowd. He was tall and slender, and although he was also bowing his head, he did not look like the others who were practically crawling on the ground. An idea struck him, and he pointed at him and asked, "The one in the green robe, which family are you from?"

Grand Commandant Yang was startled, inwardly cursing his son a thousand times over. But since the emperor had already spoken, he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward, saying, "Your Majesty, this is my son."

Upon hearing that it was the son of Grand Commandant Yang, Emperor Renzong suddenly remembered that Consort Yang had mentioned this younger brother of hers, named Yang Huan, to him a few days earlier, and had asked him to look after him today. This was the first time he had met Yang Huan. He found the young man to be handsome, though he seemed somewhat flustered. Being young himself, a mischievous thought arose in his mind, and he stared at Yang Huan, asking, "If you were to become an official in the future, how would you conduct yourself?"

Yang Huan never expected that he would be called upon by the emperor to answer questions. He was an uneducated man, and when he saw countless eyes staring at him in the hall, he panicked. He couldn't even remember the few high-sounding test-taking speeches that Grand Commandant Yang had forced him to memorize the night before, just in case. He stammered for a long time, and saw his father's face getting more and more ugly, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Emperor Renzong had only spoken on a whim, but seeing that Grand Commandant Yang's face was growing increasingly pale, and respecting him as a pillar of the court, he did not want to offend him too much. He coughed and was about to dismiss all the sons of officials who had received hereditary titles when he suddenly heard Yang Huan, who was seated below, loudly proclaim: "Your Majesty, I cannot speak of such profound principles. I only know that the way of an official is to be the first to worry about the troubles of the world and the last to enjoy its pleasures!"

Yang Huan's words shocked everyone in the room.

Grand Commandant Yang stared blankly at his son, never expecting him to answer in such a way. He was overjoyed and thought to himself, "Could it be that my ancestors have appeared today to help me?"

The ministers flanking the hall, especially the highly talented civil officials, who already held these sons who had entered the court through hereditary privilege in contempt, were all filled with shame upon hearing this statement. Several were particularly moved and stepped forward to Emperor Renzong, saying, "Your Majesty, the sage said, 'If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.' 'Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures.' These words, though simple and unadorned, are full of wisdom and hit the nail on the head, expressing our true feelings. As ministers, this is truly our duty and responsibility. We are deeply moved by what we hear!"

After listening, Emperor Renzong looked at Yang Huan for a moment and sighed, "Did everyone in the hall hear what Minister Yang said? If every official could take this as an example, why would our Great Song Dynasty worry about unrest in the world and instability in the lives of its people?"

Amidst the buzzing chatter of the hall, only Fan Zhongyan, then serving as the Imperial Academician of the Tianzhang Pavilion and the Prefect of Kaifeng, stood there. He first seemed enlightened, silently reciting twice the phrase, "Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures." Then, a sense of loss washed over him; the words seemed familiar, but upon closer examination, he couldn't recall their origin. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "My very thoughts have been expressed by the young master of the Yang family!"

Chapter Seven

Yang Huan, who was drenched in sweat, suddenly remembered a few days ago when his beloved had casually remarked to him. In a moment of quick thinking, he copied it verbatim, hoping to avoid a scolding from his father at home. Little did he know that his words would ignite the passion of the many ministers in the hall, and even the emperor himself would praise him with a pleased expression. Yang Huan was momentarily stunned and bewildered. However, Emperor Renzong, seeing his composure in the face of praise, was even more pleased. Once the hall quieted down, he spoke, "Although Yang Huan is only in his early twenties, he already possesses such a heart for the world and lofty ambitions. This shows the Grand Commandant's effective guidance; he is truly a model for all the ministers in the court."

Seeing his colleagues looking on with envy, and even his usually aloof relative, the scholar Xu, stroking his beard and nodding with a smile, Grand Commandant Yang instantly felt a wave of relief wash over him, dispelling the long-standing resentment he had felt because of his son's lack of ambition. He was overjoyed to hear Emperor Renzong praising him again, and quickly stepped forward to say a few words of humility.

Emperor Renzong nodded, pondered for a moment, and smiled at Grand Commandant Yang, saying, "It is truly a good thing that your son has such lofty ambitions. However, there are no substantive positions in the capital where he can realize his aspirations. If he is only given those sinecure posts, it would be a waste of his talents. In my opinion, it would be better to take advantage of his youth and send him to a substantive post outside the capital to hone his skills for a few years before returning to the capital to take on important responsibilities. What do you think, Minister Yang?"

Although Grand Commandant Yang had just felt a surge of pride, he wasn't so overjoyed as to lose his mind. He knew his son's capabilities perfectly well, and he wondered what good fortune had bestowed upon him for those words. Now, hearing Emperor Renzong's message that Yang Huan was to be transferred to a substantive post, he hesitated for a moment, intending to find an excuse to decline. However, upon hearing that he was to be sent out to serve as an official, to be free and unrestrained, no longer confined at home to be constantly disciplined by his father, Yang Huan was overjoyed and immediately knelt down, kowtowing and saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will certainly fulfill my duties and live up to Your Majesty's trust in appointing me today."

Emperor Renzong nodded in satisfaction and looked at the Minister of Personnel, asking, "Where in the various prefectures outside the capital are there any suitable vacant positions?"

The Minister of Personnel was still reeling from Yang Huan's astonishing words, deeply impressed by the young man's ambition. Hearing Emperor Renzong's inquiry, he feared that suggesting a suitable place would disappoint the emperor's intention to cultivate this future high-ranking official. After a moment's thought, he said, "Qingmen County under Tongzhou in Huainan East Circuit suffered from a flood last year. The then-magistrate was investigated and punished for corruption, but a suitable replacement has yet to be found. If Your Majesty wishes to train Lord Yang's son, this place is indeed an excellent choice."

Emperor Renzong looked at Yang Huan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and asked, "Are you willing to go to Qingmen County in Tongzhou to take up the post of magistrate?"

Grand Commandant Yang had already been secretly winking at his son the moment the Minister of Personnel mentioned the destination. However, this was the first time Yang Huan had ever been in such a prominent position, especially in front of the Emperor and all the civil and military officials. He had completely forgotten about his father and was no longer paying attention to his father's wink. Upon hearing Emperor Renzong's question, he immediately kowtowed with great joy and replied, "This student is willing."

Grand Commandant Yang, seeing that his son had already agreed, cursed him under his breath as a fool. Having served in the court for a long time, he knew that Qingmen County, located on the coast of the East China Sea, suffered from seawater intrusion and flooding seven or eight years out of ten, despite having salt fields established by the court. The former magistrate, recently dismissed, had left behind a mess that everyone avoided. Who would want to serve there unless they were a disgraced official from the capital? Yet his son, oblivious to the danger, had already volunteered. The only solution now was for him to speak up and stop him. Thinking this, he quickly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, my son is usually idle and lazy. Although he has the will to serve the court, he lacks any real talent or ability. The position of magistrate is crucial to the safety and livelihood of the county's people. I fear my son is too ignorant to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. I implore Your Majesty to send someone more reliable.”

Emperor Renzong laughed and said, "My dear minister, there is no need for such modesty. Everyone in the palace today has witnessed your son's talent, and his dedication to serving the court is no less than that of any of you. Just let him gain experience for a few years, and if he does it well, he will surely be given an important position in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Grand Commandant Yang felt both joy and worry. He was pleased that Emperor Renzong valued his son, who had made such a remarkable debut, but worried that after his initial success, the son would most likely bring shame upon him in the future. Although he was still somewhat unwilling, since the emperor had already spoken, he had no choice but to express his gratitude and return to his post.

Emperor Renzong nodded in satisfaction and gave Yang Huan much encouragement. Yang Huan was even more excited and eager to take up his post the next day and experience being the head of a county.

After the court session ended and the officials saw the emperor off, they all came over to congratulate Grand Commandant Yang. The Grand Commandant smiled and responded to them. Once everyone had left, he took his son out of the palace gate and, seeing that no one was around, slapped Yang Huan on the back of the head.

Yang Huan was still basking in his joy and feeling smug when he was suddenly slapped by his father. It was as if he had fallen from the clouds to the mud. He cried out in infinite grievance, "Even the Emperor praised me today, so what's wrong with that? Why did you hit me like that?"

Grand Commandant Yang pointed at his son, stamped his foot, and cursed, "Fool, fool!" After cursing himself, he sighed and, without saying anything more, hurriedly headed towards the Grand Commandant's residence, leaving Yang Huan standing there blankly, completely bewildered for a long time.

The news of Yang Huan's stunning performance in the Jiying Hall quickly spread throughout the entire Grand Commandant's mansion. A group of women gathered around the old lady, listening to Yang Huan boast about his glorious moment.

"The emperor, with a stern face, asked, 'If you were officials, what would you do?' The men standing around me, who only knew how to walk birds, fight cocks, and drink and gamble, couldn't answer. Afraid of being called out by the emperor and embarrassed, they all shrank their necks and bowed their backs. Only I stood still..."

When Xu Shirong was summoned to the north room by the maid sent by the old lady, she hadn't even lifted the curtain to enter when she heard Yang Huan's somewhat excited voice from afar. She frowned slightly, and after lifting the dark green brocade curtain with its floral patterns, her voice became even clearer: "His Majesty sits on high, seeing me from afar and calling on me to answer. I calmly replied that the way of an official is to be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures. After saying this, I didn't think much of it, but guess how all the civil and military officials in the hall reacted?"

Yang Huan paused here, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense, and remained silent. The old lady, who had been listening intently, eagerly pressed for an answer, asking, "What was the reaction?"

Yang Huan scooped up Xi Jie and Qing Ge, who were clinging to his clothes and acting coquettishly, one in each arm, and then continued triumphantly, "Grandmother, Mother, let me tell you, all those civil and military officials were as excited as if they had found gold ingots. Some of them were almost moved to tears, praising me for my eloquent speech and every word I uttered..."

As he was speaking, he suddenly saw Xu Shirong emerge from behind the ebony screen inlaid with the character for longevity. He paused, somewhat embarrassed, and shut his mouth, unable to speak for a moment.

Xu Shirong greeted the old lady and Jiang Shi without looking to the side, then stepped aside and stood behind Jiang Shi.

"My son, what happened to him afterward?"

Jiang was listening intently when she noticed that Yang Huan had fallen silent, so she urged him to ask.

Yang Huan stole a glance at Xu Shirong and saw her standing there with her brows furrowed and eyes lowered, her expression indifferent. He felt a pang of guilt and hummed a few times before whispering, "They all praised my words, and even the Emperor complimented me. He gave me the position of magistrate of Qingmen County in Tongzhou. I'll be taking up my post in a few days..."

Xu Shirong was somewhat surprised. She glanced at Yang Huan and saw him looking at her with a fawning smile. She felt a little contemptuous, snorted inwardly, and lowered her eyes again.

Jiang said with a mixture of joy and worry, "My son, you have made a name for yourself in front of the court officials and the emperor today, so your grandmother's love for you has not been in vain. There is only one thing, I heard from your father that Qingmen County is located in a remote area and is not a good place to go. I am afraid that you will suffer if you go there in the future."

Yang Huan raised his head and said proudly, "Mother, I am no longer a child, and I am already tired of living in the capital. Why would I be afraid of suffering?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked at him with newfound respect, even Sister Xi and Brother Qing clapped and praised him repeatedly. Yang Huan was somewhat smug, glancing at Jiao Niang, and saw that she also had a slight smile on her lips, but it looked more like a sarcastic expression. Knowing that she didn't trust him, he felt a surge of anger in his heart.

The old lady nodded in approval, saying, "Huan'er is still young, it's good for him to go out and experience some hardships. Although that place is a bit remote, he is still the head of a county, so even if it's tough, it won't be too bad. If you're worried that he won't be used to it, prepare more of your own utensils and tools to take with him. Also, before he takes office, be sure to find a reliable concubine to take with him. If Jiao Niang can't take care of herself, at least there will be someone who cares about her."

As the old lady finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Xu Shirong.

Xu Shirong knew that the old lady probably didn't like her usually, and that the last words were probably meant for her to hear. So she didn't say anything more, just smiled and replied softly, "Yes."

The old lady paused slightly. A few days ago, she had heard from Madam Jiang that this young lady herself had proposed that Yang Huan take a concubine, and she had been somewhat skeptical. Now, she deliberately probed her with words, observing her expression. Seeing that she was neither surprised nor angry, but instead agreed with a smile, although she was somewhat puzzled as to why her granddaughter-in-law had suddenly changed her mind, she still thought it was a good thing. She then turned to Madam Jiang and said, "It must be a girl from a respectable family. We must not let Huan'er's temperament lead us to let in those slutty, seductive women from brothels who only know how to seduce men, lest we cause another uproar." Madam Jiang naturally agreed immediately.

Sister Xi was a little confused and asked Yang Huan, "Brother, you already have a sister-in-law, what need do you have for other girls? My father only has my mother."

While the old lady was speaking, Yang Huan had been secretly glancing at Xu Shirong's expression. Seeing her indifferent and seemingly unaffected, he felt a strange unease. Suddenly hearing Xi Jie, whom he was holding, speak like this, he was momentarily speechless. However, Luo San Niang, who was standing nearby, covered her mouth and laughed, "The little girl is too young to understand these things. Qing Ge will understand later."

When Qing Ge heard his name mentioned, he grinned and said, "From now on, I'll be like my father, only good to my mother."

As soon as Qing-ge finished speaking, he amused everyone in the room. The old lady was both amused and annoyed, pointing at Xi-jie and Qing-ge, speechless. Yang Huan looked at Xu Shirong again and saw her also burst out laughing, her eyes instantly softening and brightening. In all the years they had been husband and wife, this was the first time he had seen such a smile from her, and for a moment he was completely captivated.

Chapter Eight

Xu Shirong was amused by Qingge and was wondering what kind of parents could raise such adorable children when she suddenly noticed Yang Huan staring at her intently. Her annoyance returned, and she immediately stopped laughing. She then heard the old lady and Jiang Shi continuing to talk to Yang Huan, rambling on about the same things that had just happened. Having lost all interest, she endured it for a while longer, but finally couldn't bear to listen anymore. She made an excuse and left, returning to her room.

Xu Shirong dismissed Xiao Que and sat down on a bench in front of the table, gazing intently at the set of silver-white and vermilion-painted flower cups on the table.

She had been here for almost two months, and had a fairly good grasp of the situation. However, she was still somewhat lost about her future. She knew that women in the early Song Dynasty could divorce, but as the daughter of the Crown Prince's tutor, Xu Hanlin, and the eldest grandson's wife of the Grand Commandant, even if her family agreed, the Grand Commandant's family, for the sake of their reputation, would likely not easily agree. Should she spend her life with this纨绔 (playboy) husband? She didn't know where her tolerance limit lay. Should she go with him to his post, then find an opportunity to escape and start over under an assumed name? But she used to be a forensic doctor; if she lost her identity as Xu Jiaoniang, how would she, a woman, make a living in this unfamiliar world?

Dusk was falling outside the window, and it was getting dark. Xu Shirong was startled awake and was about to get up and light the lamp when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her. Unlike the light and delicate footsteps of sparrows and butterflies, the footsteps were cautious and tentative. Without turning around, she knew who was coming.

"Why aren't you there keeping your grandmother happy? What are you doing here?"

Xu Shirong turned around from the bench and looked at Yang Huan, asking a question.

Yang Huan chuckled, moved closer to her, and sat down at the other end of the bench. He then leaned in and said, "Well... I heard that from you, and it just so happens to come in handy... Isn't that a coincidence..."

Xu Shirong turned her head to take a closer look at him. She saw that he seemed to be explaining, but there was still a hint of smugness in his eyes. She also saw that he was getting closer and she could almost smell his scent. Her breath caught in her throat, and she suddenly stood up from the bench. She said coldly, "I didn't say those words. They were said by Prefect Fan of Kaifeng, whom you look down on."

Yang Huan was taken aback: "What he said... then why didn't he say a word in court today?"

Just then, Xiao Que came in and said that dinner was ready. Xu Shirong ignored him and left on her own, leaving Yang Huan scratching his head for a while before hurriedly following her.

That night, the two shared a room. Xu Shirong slept in the same bed, while Yang Huan moved from his makeshift bed on the floor to the bench. Although the bench was long enough to accommodate a person, it was still too narrow. Lying on it, Yang Huan thought about his impressive appearance at the Jiying Hall during the day, and about the freedom he would have in the future. His mind was filled with excited, unrestrained thoughts. He used to be a late sleeper, but now, even at the third watch of the night, he felt more awake than sleepy. As he tossed and turned, the smiling face of his beloved suddenly flashed before his eyes. He couldn't help but glance at the lowered bed curtains, and listened intently for a while. He could only faintly hear her even, soft breathing, so she must be fast asleep. Suddenly, he felt an irresistible urge, so he got off the bench and tiptoed towards the bed.

The closer Yang Huan got to the bed curtains, the more nervous he became, almost as if he were having an affair, and his heart raced. He quietly peeked through a crack in the curtains and, by the moonlight, saw the beautiful woman lying on her side on the couch, fully clothed and with her legs bent. Her long, dark hair was piled up at the back of her head beside the soft, fragrant pillow, revealing a section of her snow-white neck. A thin, layered silk quilt covered her waist, outlining the curves of her waist and rounded hips.

Yang Huan hadn't been near any woman since she kowtowed, but now he felt a surge of desire. He couldn't help but swallow hard, and quietly moved closer to climb onto the bed. His hand just reached for her waist when he suddenly remembered her recent aversion and coldness towards him, and hesitated. He withdrew it slightly, but then he caught a faint scent of floral soap. His heart fluttered, and he couldn't resist any longer. He steeled himself and reached out again, but just as he touched her chest, he saw her move slightly, and he was startled, quickly withdrawing his hand.

Although Xu Shirong had made a three-point agreement with Yang Huan, she still didn't fully trust him. Every night, she not only slept completely covered up, but also slept very lightly. Just now, as soon as Yang Huan climbed into bed, she woke up. She only slightly opened her eyes, resisting the urge to move. When she saw his hand about to reach her chest, she deliberately moved slightly. Seeing that she had scared his hand away, she turned over, opened her eyes, and looked coldly at Yang Huan, who was still sitting cross-legged on the bed, saying, "Why aren't you sleeping in the middle of the night? What are you doing here? Are you trying to kick out those colorful concubines and maids yourself?"

When Yang Huan saw that she was awake, he felt guilty and jumped off the bed. He stammered, "I just heard a buzzing sound coming from your tent and was worried that the mosquitoes might not have been properly fumigated and might bite you, so I came in to check on you." As he spoke, he lifted the tent flap and went out.