Chapter Six: Worse Than a Dog

Yun Shuang paused slightly just as she was about to step out the door.

Catching deserters?

Although it was common to have deserters in Great Qi, ever since the garrison at Xia Prefecture changed commanders four years ago—now led by a man known as the Iron-faced King of Hell—the number of deserters in Xia Prefecture had sharply declined. In the past two years, not a single deserter had come from their village.

Still, whether there were deserters or not had little to do with her.

Yun Shuang originally intended to take the children out in search of food, but just as they left the house, she was met by a young gentleman of eighteen or nineteen. He wore a pale gray robe made of coarse cloth, his figure slender yet upright. His features were well-defined, and unlike the other villagers, whose faces were tanned and rough from the sun, his skin remained fair. In this village, his appearance was enough to draw anyone’s attention.

As soon as Er Ya saw him, she skipped forward, smiling broadly. "Uncle Xu!"

The young man’s surname was Xu, given name Changyong, and he was nineteen this year. His family was moderately well-off in the village, and his eldest brother had performed admirably in the army, recently promoted to commander of a hundred men—a ranked officer. Moreover, with many sons in the Xu family and Changyong being the sixth, as long as the older brothers remained and there was no large-scale conscription, it was unlikely he would ever have to serve. For this reason, he was the dream suitor of every unmarried girl in the village.

Xu Changyong’s eyes brightened when he saw Er Ya bounce in front of him. He gently patted her little head and said, "Good morning, Er Ya."

Then, looking toward Yun Shuang standing not far away, his face tinged with a shy blush, he said, "Madam Yun, you seem in good spirits today. I hear you were unwell recently—I was quite concerned…"

Yun Shuang met his gaze coolly. Xu Changyong had always treated her differently from others, and because of this, the original Yun Shuang had unwittingly attracted much hostility. Even Changyong’s mother watched her with suspicion, as if she had seduced her son.

She replied in an even tone, "Thank you for your concern, Xu Sixth Young Master."

With that, she turned to leave.

Goudan immediately shot Er Ya a disapproving look. "Er Ya, come back."

Er Ya was this warm to everyone. Though this man would never harm them, Goudan didn’t like him either.

He always stared at their mother as a dog would at a bone, yet he couldn’t protect her. He wasn’t even as good as a dog. There was no way he wanted him as their father.

Er Ya gave a little "oh," then hopped back to their side.

As the trio was about to leave, Xu Changyong opened his mouth, unconsciously reaching out his hand. "Wait—"

But he didn’t know what to say.

Yun Shuang was always this distant with him.

Yet ever since he heard she had fallen ill again, he’d been restless with worry, wandering near their house whenever he had free time. Today, finally seeing her—especially looking so radiant and full of life—how could he bear to let her go so easily?

When he saw which way they were headed, he perked up, quickly catching up to them and following close behind. "Are you also going to watch the garrison troops catch the deserter? I heard the one who ran is Wu Chengqi from the Wu family. The soldiers who came from the garrison just now went straight to the Wu house—there were quite a few of them, at least twenty, all mounted on tall, fine horses. The sight was impressive! I remember there were never so many when they came for deserters before.

I heard others in the village say these men are clearly proper soldiers, no less than centurion rank. The Wu family is in serious trouble this time..."

Only then did Yun Shuang realize they were heading toward the Wu family home. Her brows furrowed slightly.

She had hurriedly chosen a direction to avoid Xu Changyong without thinking, only to end up on the most troublesome path.

The Wu family’s house, as Xu Changyong mentioned, was just a short way to the left. After a few steps, Yun Shuang could already see a crowd of villagers gathered at the Wu family’s gate, eager to watch the commotion.

On the open ground beside the house stood over twenty warhorses, each taller than a man. They were lined up in two neat rows, heads held high, occasionally snorting and stamping the earth, bringing an overwhelming sense of majesty to the humble, narrow village road.

Just as Xu Changyong had said, these soldiers were no ordinary men.

Yun Shuang’s frown deepened. She had no wish to join this spectacle. She was about to lead her children away when a shrill, mocking voice suddenly rang out.

"Well, well, if it isn’t our sick beauty, Madam Shuang! Didn’t Sister Hua say you were ill just yesterday? How can you be out and about today? Don’t tell me you heard the officers from the garrison were here and got up to some unseemly scheme?"

A voluptuous, still-charming woman emerged from a nearby courtyard, accompanied by a young maiden. The girl looked about fifteen or sixteen, bearing clear resemblance to the woman—delicate brows like distant mountains, eyes limpid as autumn water. She wore a brand-new apricot blouse embroidered with plum blossoms, crossed at the collar, and a coral pleated skirt, making her look fresh and lovely, more radiant than flowers.

It was none other than Liu Pei’er, whom Aunt Miao had mentioned just yesterday.

Seeing her so finely dressed, Yun Shuang almost thought today was some important festival.

She glanced indifferently at the mother and daughter before her. If anyone had hidden motives, it was surely these two.

The Liu family had only this one daughter and showered her with affection. Because Liu Pei’er had always been beautiful, the whole family held their heads high. Suitors lined up from this village to the next, yet all were turned away.

Moreover, Madam Wu, Liu Pei’er’s mother, was always taking her daughter to town, making it clear to everyone that the Lius would never settle for marrying their girl to an ordinary man—they were set on climbing higher.

It was understandable enough: water seeks lower ground, people aspire upward.

As long as they didn’t come looking for trouble.

At this moment, seeing Xu Changyong following closely beside Yun Shuang, Liu Pei’er’s face paled. She bit her lip, her voice sharp, "Madam Shuang is so beautiful—even Brother Changyong is utterly bewitched by her. If the officers see her, they’ll surely be delighted as well."

Xu Changyong hastily waved his hands. "Pei’er, you… don’t say such things! I was just on my way to the Wu house and happened to meet Madam Yun. If outsiders heard such gossip, it would ruin her reputation…"

"Oh, come now," Madam Wu sneered, giving Yun Shuang a contemptuous glance, "Madam Shuang has raised two children alone for so many years—I thought she no longer cared for her reputation. With such looks, what man wouldn’t be taken with her? Our Pei’er can’t compare, but she doesn’t need everyone’s affection. So long as there’s one who will truly cherish her, who’ll marry her home in a grand procession, I’ll be content.

Come, Pei’er, let’s go have a look at the excitement ourselves!"