Chapter Fifteen: The Noble Benefactor

Wang Lin beckoned, and his trusted servant, Qingsong, hurried forward. Qingsong bowed respectfully at Wang Lin’s side, and Wang Lin shielded his mouth with his hand, whispering a few words in his ear. A flicker of surprise flashed in Qingsong’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, nodding repeatedly and answering respectfully. With his instructions given, Wang Lin straightened, and Qingsong quietly retreated to his original position.

Almost at the same moment, a troop of armored riders arrived at the back street of the county office, their horses’ hooves clattering. Lou Dalang, only a small child, was riding a horse as well, surrounded by the circle of silver-armored knights.

“Whoa~~”

With a childish command, Lou Dalang’s steed halted. Among the knights, one had already dismounted and hurried to the front of Lou Dalang’s horse, kneeling on one knee and raising his hands.

Lou Dalang, practiced and unhurried, grasped the knight’s arm, stepped onto his knee, and came down from the horse.

“...Greetings, Master Wang!”

Lou Dalang caught sight of Wang Lin, tall and dignified, and a look of impatience flickered in his eyes. He despised these hypocritical adults. They all disliked him for being arrogant and unruly, yet still put on an air of refinement and gentleness. Hmph. Did they think he didn’t know? The only reason they maintained this so-called etiquette was because his father, Lou Jin, commanded a hundred thousand troops. In Hedong, and even in Yizhou and other northern provinces, his father was someone many scrambled to curry favor with.

As Lou Dalang was Lou Jin’s only son, he was naturally the “crown prince” whom these people, no matter how much they disliked him, dared not offend! The chubby girl was better—her silly innocence was clear inside and out. Even when frightened, she wouldn’t cry. When questioned, she spoke honestly, without pretense or deceit, as transparent as a sheet of white paper, easily understood at a glance.

If this ridiculous county magistrate weren’t the chubby girl’s father, Lou Dalang wouldn’t even pay him any mind, let alone offer greetings. Hmph! Even if he didn’t show proper manners, these people wouldn’t dare say a word. They’d even rush to make excuses for him: “Dalang truly has the boldness of a general’s son.” Such hypocrisy! Scholars who, while cursing his ancestors in their hearts, still smiled and covered for him. This was the convenience brought by absolute power.

Though Lou Dalang was young and appeared mischievous and unmotivated, he had a deep, clear understanding of certain realities.

“Greetings, Young Master Lou,” Wang Lin replied, bowing slightly in return. He needed the Lou family’s support, but his dealings were with Lou Jin. Lou Dalang was only a child, firmly a junior; Wang Lin was not so degraded as to flatter a child.

Lou Dalang saw Wang Lin’s reserved demeanor and pursed his lips again. He had no patience for such hypocrisy, so he went straight to the point, “Where’s the chubby girl?”

Wang Lin frowned slightly. He had to admit, the Cui family did act with selfishness and malice in sending off A Jiu, but their reasoning wasn’t entirely unfounded. This Lou Dalang truly lacked all sense of propriety. Even if he wished to play with A Jiu, the proper way would be for his elders to accompany him as guests to the Wang family. Not, as now, running over by himself and barging in with no regard for etiquette.

If word of this got out, people would laugh at Lou Dalang and the Lou family’s lack of manners, but they’d also belittle the Wang family: “How has the prestigious Wang clan of Langya fallen so low, letting a wild brat run amok at their gate?” A trace of sadness flickered in Wang Lin’s eyes. Yes, the Wang clan of Langya had become so destitute that he hadn’t even thrown out the rude Lou Dalang!

Frustrated and indignant, Wang Lin’s resentment grew. He looked at Lou Dalang with a hint of coldness and said quietly, “Young Master Lou, you’ve come at an unfortunate time. My daughter is not at home.”

Having said this, Wang Lin offered no further explanation, his tone growing colder: “I have official duties to attend to at the office. Please make yourself at home, Young Master Lou.”

Wang Lin didn’t even bother with the polite phrase, “Forgive my rudeness.” He simply flicked his sleeve and left.

Lou Dalang only heard “not at home” and his eyes widened. “What? You said the chubby girl isn’t here? Where did she go?”

“Hey! Don’t go! I’ve got more questions for you!”

His little tyrant’s temper flared. Seeing Wang Lin turn and leave, Lou Dalang grew anxious and even referred to himself as “Ye Ye.”

Wang Lin hadn’t gone far, and Lou Dalang’s voice was loud enough for him to hear.

Wang Lin: ...Ye Ye? You brat, I’m the real Ye Ye here!

At the time, “Ye Ye” was another affectionate term for father. Some scoundrels even used it to elevate themselves and belittle their opponents, much like “Old Man” centuries later.

As a noble scion, even in his decline, Wang Lin had never heard anyone call him “Ye Ye.” His only comfort was: let it be, Lou Dalang is after all just a child, a notorious troublemaker in Hedong. To argue with him would be beneath his dignity. Wang Lin still needed the Lou family, so he had to console himself in this way.

While Wang Lin stormed off, Qingsong remembered his instructions. Seeing Lou Dalang about to chase after Wang Lin, Qingsong quickly stepped forward to block him.

“Let me inform you, Young Master. Our Lady Jiu has gone to the manor east of the city.”

“The manor? Why did she go there? Did she do something wrong? Was she... bullied?”

Indeed, Lou Dalang was mischievous, but not stupid. As a child raised in a large family, he was well acquainted with the ways of the inner courtyard. For example, for a young girl to be sent to the manor out of season, without elders, was usually a punishment—either for wrongdoing or as the result of scheming.

Lou Dalang recalled the chubby girl’s naive, soft, doughy face. How could such a gentle, tearless little dumpling cause trouble?

Qingsong hadn’t expected Lou Dalang to be so perceptive, needing neither guidance nor hints to arrive at “bullied.” Thus, the prepared speech his master had given him was rendered useless. But Qingsong was quick-witted and adept at improvisation.

He immediately adopted a look of difficulty and hesitation, as if silently asking, “Young Master, what do you think?” and appeared as though he wanted to speak but dared not.

Lou Dalang: ...Again! Why do all these adults love to act? Why not just speak plainly? Why must they put on such a show of wanting to speak but being unable? Hmph! Like someone struggling in the privy!

Lou Dalang had no patience for such nonsense and raised his whip: “Speak!”

If you keep stalling, Ye Ye will whip you!

Qingsong: ...Tsk, this Lou Dalang is just as the rumors say, truly an untouchable little tyrant. At six or seven years old, he threatened to use his whip at any moment. He was meant to be used!

Qingsong swallowed his anger and quickly bowed and nodded, “Yes, yes! I’ll speak now!”

Still, as he spoke, Qingsong couldn’t help but perform. He sighed purposely and looked at Lou Dalang with a hint of accusation: “As it happens, our Lady Jiu was sent to the manor, and it does have something to do with you, Young Master.”

“What does it have to do with me?” Lou Dalang protested. He’d caused plenty of trouble and others had suffered for his mischief, but when it came to the chubby girl, he could swear: he was innocent!

He was absolutely blameless.

“It’s not direct... Ai, I’m not sure how to explain it. Let’s put it this way: our Lady is Lady Jiu’s stepmother.”

“The relationship between a stepmother and stepdaughter is always delicate. Now, Lady Cui is expecting...”

Qingsong purposely stopped, adopting an air of secrecy, leaving the rest unsaid. The more he hesitated and concealed, the more room he left for suspicion.

Lou Dalang was no fool. Especially as his own family had a “stepmother”—well, not his, but his father’s. In his case, the stepmother had never harmed his father, but Lou Dalang knew it wasn’t for lack of will, only lack of courage and opportunity. When Madam Cui married in, his father was already a teenager and in the army, beyond the reach of any inner chamber schemes.

But the chubby girl was different—she was even younger than he was. A five- or six-year-old girl, so naive that even Lou Dalang wanted to bully her, let alone a vicious stepmother.

Lou Dalang immediately felt sympathy for Wang Heng.

Then, suddenly, Lou Dalang realized: “Damn! That vile woman! Dared to use Ye Ye!”

He remembered that the Wang family servant had just said “something to do with Young Master,” and what else could it be? Cui had used his reputation as a shield to drive the chubby girl away!

Well, well! What a wretched woman! She used Lou Dalang as a tool! Pregnant, feeling threatened by the child of the first wife, wanting to remove her, but didn’t do it herself—instead, she dragged Ye Ye into it!

Wait—pregnant? Hmph, daring to plot against Ye Ye? Did she think Ye Ye only knew how to scare people with defanged snakes?

A shadow of ruthlessness flashed in Lou Dalang’s eyes, eyes that ought to be full of childish innocence. Perhaps it was precisely because he was a child, ignorant of consequences, that his cruelty could terrify even adults.

...

Wang Heng had no idea what scenes unfolded at her family gate after she left. She sat obediently in the carriage, the wheels creaking as they rolled over the ruts of the muddy road. The ride was so bumpy that her bottom hurt.

Instinctively, Wang Heng shifted her seat. Being rather plump, she thought she’d moved just a little, but to Fu Mother’s eyes, she was swaying all over.

Fu Mother’s brow twitched. She wanted to scold Lady Jiu: “Lady Jiu, mind your posture! Do not behave improperly!”

But this journey was not for pleasure—they were being “banished.” The thought that Lady Jiu, so young, had been sent to the manor made Fu Mother’s heart ache. Sigh, Lady Jiu was pitiful enough; she, as caretaker, ought not be too strict.

The carriage left the city, following the official road eastward. On either side lay broad fields, scattered thatched cottages and small courtyards, and groups of travelers passing by.

Suddenly, just as Wang Heng was swaying and nearly dozing off, she heard a call that piqued her interest:

“Noble guest! Noble guest, please wait! I have delicacies you’ve never tasted before!”

PS: Thank you, Old Man Dreaming of Youth 1977, Sweet Girl 09, for your rewards; thanks to all for your bookmarks, recommendations, and monthly tickets. Thank you all for your support.