[I still can't figure it out. Why did Lin Yu kneel to me?]
[Maybe his legs went weak.]
[Then he needs more sunshine and more calcium.]
Inside the carriage, the three people listening to Tong Aning's thoughts exchanged looks.
Su Zhouyue wanted to laugh, but worried that laughing now would seem too abrupt. Weak legs? Lin Yu had probably been scared to death by Tong Aning.
Still, his reaction happened to show just how guilty he felt.
Su Zhouyue gave Tong Aobai a bland glance. He was looking at her too. Su Zhouyue frantically signaled with her eyes, and Tong Aobai indicated that he understood, moved over, and took her hand.
Su Zhouyue: ?
He had better actually understand!
[System, why don't you fill me in now? Who are those three pieces of gossip about? The suspense is clawing at my heart and liver.]
All three cast seemingly casual glances at Tong Aning. They very much wanted to know too.
[Well...]
Tong Aning suddenly pitched forward. Su Zhouyue hurriedly caught her in her arms, leaving Tong Aning dizzy and disoriented.
[I almost got carriage-sick.]
Su Zhouyue stroked Tong Aning's head and asked worriedly, "Aning, are you all right?"
Tong Aning shook her head.
Tong Yibin lifted the curtain and asked, "A Shu, what happened?"
"Eldest Young Master, this humble servant doesn't know either. A carriage up ahead suddenly rushed toward us."
Tong Yibin looked toward that carriage.
A man in splendid brocade robes stepped down from it and was berating his servant.
"How could you let your mind wander on such an important day?"
"My lord, this humble servant won't dare do it again."
"If I didn't still need you, I'd send you packing right now."
"Thank you, my lord. Thank you, my lord."
The man straightened his clothes, then noticed that the other carriage actually belonged to the marquis's household. He approached and cupped his hands toward Tong Yibin. "Vice Minister Tong, my servant's ignorance caused this offense against you."
Tong Yibin said, "No harm done."
"Thank you, Vice Minister."
Zhuang Chi hurriedly had his coachman move aside to let the marquis's carriage pass.
Su Zhouyue asked, "Who is that?"
Tong Aobai thought for a moment but could not recall, so he looked at Tong Yibin.
Tong Yibin said, "Zhuang Chi, a bureau director at the Ministry of Justice."
Su Zhouyue murmured, "Why does that name sound familiar?"
Su Zhouyue had an excellent memory, but remembering a name without being able to put a face to it was still a common occurrence.
Tong Yibin said, "He married last year. His bride was the Shen family's daughter. It was a grand affair, with red bridal dowry stretching for ten li."
Su Zhouyue remembered. The Shens were renowned wealthy merchants in the capital, and Shen Tang was their only daughter. Her wedding had been spectacular; even the commoners who went to watch had received considerable amounts of money.
Su Zhouyue looked at Tong Yibin and asked, "How do you remember it so clearly?"
Tong Yibin: "..."
Su Zhouyue did not press the matter. "Let's go."
[A wealthy merchant's daughter... Why do I smell gossip?]
[Host, you're amazing. This Zhuang Chi really does have gossip.]
Tong Aning's eyes lit up, but how could she get the carriage to stop?
Su Zhouyue said, "Wait, I suddenly feel a little dizzy."
Su Zhouyue made a show of holding her forehead.
Tong Aning asked with concern, "Mother, what's wrong? Shall we rest a while before going?"
Su Zhouyue nodded. "All right."
A Shu stopped again.
Su Zhouyue looked at father and son, then stroked Tong Aning's little face. "Our Aning really is the best, unlike your father and eldest brother, who didn't even ask."
Tong Aobai: "..."
Tong Yibin: "..."
Tong Yibin said languidly, "Mother, isn't it because you want to..."
Tong Aning blinked. Wanted to what? Before her eldest brother could finish, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.
Tong Aning drew back the curtain.
As it turned out, Zhuang Chi had stopped his carriage right outside the male courtesan house.
Just as Tong Aning looked over, a jade-like young male courtesan emerged from the establishment and cast Zhuang Chi a shy, timid glance.
Tong Aning's eyes widened. [System, could he be the one from that gossip about keeping a male lover at a male courtesan house?]
The system was deeply gratified. [Host, you finally guessed right for once!]
Tong Aning: ...
What was she to do? She did not particularly want to have guessed right.
Su Zhouyue came over, put her head beside Tong Aning's, and looked outside with her.
Su Zhouyue frowned. "Is he planning to bring him into his household?"
The young courtesan had already placed his hand on Zhuang Chi's.
Su Zhouyue sighed. Poor Shen Tang.
Suddenly, an arrow shot past Zhuang Chi's cheek.
Zhuang Chi: "!!!"
A bloody scratch marked his face. A Ze hurriedly took out a silk handkerchief, but Zhuang Chi pushed him away and looked straight at the newcomer. "Shen Tang, have you gone mad?" he demanded angrily.
The woman who had ridden in like the wind held a bow and arrow in one hand and reined in her horse with the other. Shen Tang smiled. "Not as mad as you."
Shen Tang dismounted and walked up to Zhuang Chi. She glanced at him, then looked at the establishment's male proprietor and raised an eyebrow. "Can women enter your establishment?"
The proprietor first frowned, then broke into a beaming smile. "Of course, of course."
"Shen Tang, have you gone mad? You're a married woman. How can you have the gall to enter a male courtesan house?"
Shen Tang shook off Zhuang Chi's hand. "If you can go in, why can't I? Let me tell you, with my wealth, booking this entire establishment would be nothing."
[Sister Tang, I support you! Buy the place and have a different male lover every day.]
Su Zhouyue: ...
Was her daughter learning bad habits?
The voice was abrupt, but not unpleasant, clear and pure as spring water striking mountain rocks.
Shen Tang looked toward the voice and met a pair of equally clear eyes.
[Huh? Why is she suddenly looking at me?]
Now Shen Tang could confirm that it was this little girl speaking.
Only... her mouth did not seem to have moved?
Shen Tang found it rather inconceivable.
Seeing her like this, Zhuang Chi grew even more displeased. "Shen Tang, what are you looking at? Don't think having money makes you so great."
Shen Tang glanced at him. "Having money does make me great. I can even have a different one every day. Can you?"
Zhuang Chi was mad with rage. "Shen Tang, you..."
"Tangtang, whatever it is, let's talk it over calmly."
Zhuang Chi's parents had arrived.
Zhao Yan looked at the bloody scratch on Zhuang Chi's face with heartache. Zhuang Xin frowned as well. "Even if Zhuang Chi was in the wrong, you shouldn't have shot at him in the street."
Since Shen Tang had married into the household, Zhao Yan and Zhuang Xin had both treated her quite well.
Although Zhao Yan's tone was a little harsh, it was probably concern throwing her into confusion.
Shen Tang softened her tone. "I've made you worry, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
Zhao Yan took Shen Tang's hand. "Tangtang, it's normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, but I will never allow a rooster that can't lay eggs through our Zhuang family's doors."
Zhuang Xin said, "Yes, Tangtang. Rest assured, we'll both uphold justice for you."
"Thank you, Mother-in-law. Thank you, Father-in-law."
"Father, Mother, I'm determined to bring A Ze into the household today. No one is going to stop me."
"You beast."
Gritting his teeth, Zhuang Xin slapped Zhuang Chi, startling even Shen Tang.
Zhuang Chi said, "Father, hitting me won't help."
"You..."
Zhuang Xin looked ready to slap Zhuang Chi again.
Zhao Yan hurriedly stopped him, shielding her son. "Let me have a word with Chi'er."
Zhuang Xin waved impatiently.
Zhao Yan took Zhuang Chi's hand and earnestly tried to persuade him. "Chi'er, what's so good about a male courtesan? If you really want someone, why not find a girl at Spring Breeze House?"
Holding his cheek, Zhuang Chi said, "Shen Tang is already trying to kill me. Would she let me find one?"
Zhao Yan turned to Shen Tang again. "Tangtang, don't worry. Chi'er is only taken with the novelty. Once it wears off, your mother-in-law will uphold justice for you."
With things having been put that way...
Shen Tang was just about to agree when she suddenly heard the little girl's voice again.
[What a brilliant move. First a male courtesan, now someone from Spring Breeze House. Retreating to advance-isn't this still about taking a concubine?]
Something stirred in Shen Tang's heart.
[System, so the male lover is just one part of their two-option scheme?]
This host pleased the system immensely.
The system said, [This is all an act put on by Zhuang Chi and his family. Their target is Spring Breeze House's top courtesan.]
[Why don't they just talk it over properly with Shen Tang?]
[Because they want both the woman and the money, of course.]
Shen Tang went rigid. She could not help thinking: if she really agreed, would she not be under this shameless family of three's thumb for the rest of her life?
Tong Aning marveled. [Who came up with such a genius idea?]
[Who else? Zhuang Chi's father.]
[Don't tell me his father has a lover at Spring Breeze House too...]
[Huh? Host, how did you know?]
[I guessed.]
Truly, dragons begot dragons, phoenixes begot phoenixes, and a rat's son knew how to burrow.
Author's note: