Jiangnan Gaiden - Capítulo 33
"After the welcome-home banquet, I will apologize to my elder brother and promise to marry her no matter what."
It seems Leng Gang knew all along how much anger this would provoke if made public. The three Shi brothers alone could kill him for ruining Wuxia's reputation; let alone Leng Ziyang, who had always opposed their relationship. Huan'er had originally wanted to suggest they elope. Clearly, someone as proud and strong as Leng Gang would disdain such an escape from reality. A real man! A real man has to endure hardship!
Just as he was about to ask Leng Gang, Wu Jie's voice came from outside the door: "Lotus Seed Soup, sent by fast horse from a thousand miles away, is here to see you!" After he finished speaking, he entered.
This stubborn fool, with that ambiguous look in his eyes, is probably being enlightened by Wuhen, waiting to enjoy her jealous shrewish act.
"What are you doing here? Where is Wuji?"
“My elder brother has invited the four chief stewards to Fengyun Tower and wants me to serve you. If you’re not feeling well, don’t attend dinner.” Wu Jie beamed, pulling up a chair and sitting down by the bed. Huan’er was about to scold him when she saw Wu Xia’s figure drift past the window, heading towards Plum Courtyard. Turning back, she saw the adoration in Leng Gang’s eyes and smiled, “Leng Gang, you go first. I have something to discuss with Wu Jie.”
Leng Gang nodded and left.
Wu Jie asked impatiently:
"What's the matter? Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Huan'er's eyes darted around, and she decided to cut to the chase without beating around the bush.
"Who is that girl? What is her identity?"
Wu Jie laughed:
"I knew you'd be tempted to ask." A classic suspenseful tactic.
Huan'er unleashed her fury, glaring at him with her hands on her hips.
"Whether you tell me or not, you probably don't know either. You're just pretending to know everything in front of me! Only uneducated people play this game."
Wu Jie jumped up and said:
“How could I not understand? Xiaoqing is a girl that Uncle Leng picked up. Two years ago, she was sold to a brothel by her family. Because she refused to serve customers, she was beaten and injured all over before escaping. She happened to faint next to Uncle Leng’s horse. Uncle Leng redeemed her and brought her back to work as a maid. Later, when he found out that she could read, he let her help in the accounting department. She was diligent in her work, never complaining about her duties, and she was also diligent in her extra duties. She especially loved grinding ink, running errands, and serving tea for my elder brother. A year ago, Uncle Leng even suggested that my elder brother take Xiaoqing as a concubine; my elder brother didn’t have any objections, saying that we would talk about it after he married his first wife. Now, we don’t know what my elder brother thinks.”
Huan'er felt a pang of bitterness and said coldly:
"Did your older brother have any improper relationship with her?"
Wu Jie shook his head:
"My elder brother is very principled. He doesn't get involved with servants, and he doesn't allow guests or subordinates to harass the maids. Besides, he already has Ma Xianmei..." She suddenly covered her mouth, looking at Huan'er in fear.
Huan'er didn't fly into a rage as Wu Jie had imagined. After a moment of surprise, she sighed and said, "Tell me all at once! How many women are trying to steal my husband? Tell me so I can have a better understanding."
"No! Brother is very sensible. Ma Xianmei was just a prostitute. Now that he's married, he naturally won't go looking for her anymore. Sister-in-law, you... won't hold it against Brother, will you? Those are all things of the past." Shi Wujie hated himself for his loose tongue; his brother would surely kill him if he found out.
How to argue? What to argue about? Getting jealous is the most shameful thing! Anyway, she couldn't win an argument; and she couldn't win a fight either. Besides, who knows what the future holds! Before marriage, they were strangers, so there was nothing to care about. But if her husband cheated on her after marriage, she'd have to doubt her own charm first. The best way was to make Shi Wuji love her so much that he couldn't bear to part with her. That way, he wouldn't have time to think about anyone else. That's always been her way: deal with the enemy in front of him first. As for other enemies that might be more threatening, they didn't count until they appeared. That's why her reaction to Ma Xianmei wasn't as strong as her reaction to Xiaoqing. She'd deal with them when they appeared in the future.
"Go away! Don't let your older brother know what you said to me, or you'll be skinned alive! I'll pretend I don't know anything, so be smart." She said this in a condescending tone.