Chapter 56

Qin Zheng lowered her eyelashes, murmuring something under her breath. Chu Chengji didn’t catch it, so he leaned closer and asked, “What?”

Qin Zheng stepped back, feigning a yawn as she headed towards the house. “I’m tired, I’m going to rest.”

Chu Chengji watched her retreating figure and chuckled silently.

With his hair still wet, he knew he couldn’t go to bed like that.

He stood alone in the courtyard for a moment, hands clasped behind his back.

A few fireflies still floated among the treetops and grass, while a swath of stars glimmered in the sky above.

The humble farmhouse courtyard seemed to hold a piece of the starry night itself.

Chu Chengji gazed into the distant mountains shrouded in the night and mist, where the capital, Bianjing, lay.

His casual gaze concealed a hidden sharpness.

With the grain issue resolved, Qin Zheng had ample time to plan the transformation of the mountain path into a suspension bridge.

However, following last night’s turmoil, security measures at the village gate had tightened considerably to ensure the safety of the women in the village.

Qin Zheng thought the matter had concluded, but just after breakfast, Wang Dama came looking for her.

It turned out that the Wang family’s daughter had attempted suicide the previous night and, though she was saved, she had caused another commotion this morning.

Wang Dama asked Qin Zheng to accompany her to check on the girl.

Such incidents required a respected village woman to offer comfort and reassurance.

Since Lin Yao’s parents had passed away early and he was unmarried, the responsibility fell to Wang Dama, his nursemaid.

Chu Chengji, as the village strategist, had Wang Dama bring Qin Zheng along to subtly affirm their standing in the village.

Qin Zheng hesitated, saying, “I’ve only met that Wang girl a few times. She’s been through a fright; it would be better for someone familiar to comfort her. I’m afraid my presence might not be appropriate.”

Qin Zheng appreciated Wang Dama’s good intentions but couldn’t think of anything to say to comfort the girl, considering her actions.

The chaos from last night’s unrest was almost uncontrollable, with a few instigators being the main culprits.

The Wang girl was a victim but also the catalyst.

Qin Zheng didn’t care who she liked; she just hoped the girl would settle down.

Once Shen Yanzhi was forced to retreat by the court, Chu Chengji’s next target would be Qingzhou City.

Recruiting soldiers and raising a banner would take precedence, making the small village of Qiyun insignificant in comparison.

The gap between the Wang girl and Lin Yao would only widen, making even meeting each other difficult.

Seeing her hesitation, Wang Dama sighed, “This was the village leader’s idea. He didn’t mean to trouble you. Since he hasn’t married, it’s awkward for him to handle this himself, and I’m just a rough person, so I thought to invite you along.”

Lin Yao’s idea?

Was he trying to bolster Chu Chengji’s authority in the village?

After breakfast, Chu Chengji went to the training ground.

The bandits, untrained and undisciplined, could manage surprise attacks but were no match for well-trained soldiers.

He was starting from scratch, and it would take time to train them, but they needed to resemble an army at the very least.

Otherwise, when the time came to act, they’d be nothing more than a ragtag bunch.

Unable to consult with Chu Chengji, Qin Zheng, hearing it was Lin Yao’s suggestion, hesitated for a moment before agreeing to go with Wang Dama.

Lin Zhao wanted to accompany her, but as an unmarried girl, Wang Dama persuaded her to stay behind.

From Wang Dama, Qin Zheng learned that the girl was named Wang Xiu.

She was a child born to a courtesan brought back by the people of the Western Village from the mountains.

Even the courtesan herself didn’t know who Wang Xiu’s father was.

During her childhood, Wang Xiu was often beaten and scolded by her mother, who didn’t even give her a proper name.

After the courtesan died of illness, Wang Xiu was adopted by the destitute Wang Granny.

The name “Wang Xiu” was given to her by Wang Granny.

Wang Dama, who naturally had a stern face, looked even more fierce when talking about Wang Xiu. “That girl has had a hard life. In the past, I would look after her whenever I could, and Biaozi treated her like a half-sister. Back then, I thought she was just a bit cunning. Now her behavior has become increasingly disgraceful.”

Qin Zheng didn’t know how to respond.

If it weren’t for the misunderstanding about Chu Chengji sewing clothes, she wouldn’t have even known this person existed in the village.

Fortunately, they had arrived at Wang Granny’s house.

A crowd of village women had already gathered outside, peering into the crowded house and whispering among themselves.

When they saw Qin Zheng and Wang Dama approaching, they parted to let them through.

Wang Dama asked, “How is the Wang girl?”

One of the women replied, “She cut her wrist this morning. She lost a lot of blood, and Doctor Zhao is inside bandaging her up.”

Inside, faint sounds of a woman’s heart-wrenching cries could be heard: “Let me die… let me die. I can’t live like this…”

Another woman outside sneered, “That Wang girl sure picks her times well. She tried to hang herself last night after the banquet in the big kitchen.

If Granny Wang hadn’t called out, she would have been dead by now. If she had tried it just half an hour earlier, no one would have been around, and Granny Wang wouldn’t have been able to lift her, and she’d be dead for sure.”

She laughed and continued, “Cutting her wrist this morning, too. Granny Wang found her when she went to call her for breakfast, blood all over the floor. If she had cut it in the middle of the night, she wouldn’t need a doctor now…”

Another woman elbowed her and glanced at the grim-faced Wang Dama, whispering, “Have some decency. She’s still a young girl. Show some respect.”

The first woman snorted, “A child born of a courtesan is just as shameless. As soon as the military strategist’s wife was captured by water bandits, she dared to bring food to the strategist.

Now that the wife is back and the village leader is planning an uprising, she’s trying to seduce the leader. Like mother, like daughter.”

She glanced at Qin Zheng and Wang Dama before walking away.

The villagers respected Lin Yao and his family, but it was more like a village head and villagers’ relationship.

This woman showed no respect for Wang Dama, making Qin Zheng suspect there might be some bad blood between them.

However, the woman had mentioned Wang Xiu bringing food to Chu Chengji, seemingly to incite Qin Zheng’s dislike for Wang Xiu.

Sure enough, Qin Zheng soon heard several women whispering, “That Guo woman holds grudges. Back then, when Wang Xiu’s mother got involved with her husband, she stormed in with a knife and chased them through the village. She hasn’t been nice to Wang Xiu ever since.”

“Wang Dama protected Xiu a few times, so the Guo woman hates her too…”

Qin Zheng, having heard a load of gossip, felt awkward.

Because of the woman’s mention of Wang Xiu and Chu Chengji, many women were now giving her knowing looks.

Qin Zheng felt incredibly uncomfortable but had to maintain a composed facade.

She thought to herself that she really shouldn’t have come.

Wang Dama, only now learning that Wang Xiu had once tried to cozy up to Chu Chengji, looked even more displeased and said to Qin Zheng, “I didn’t know that the Wang girl had done those things.”

She feared that her actions might cause a rift between Qin Zheng and Chu Chengji.

“My husband explained this matter to me; there was a misunderstanding, and it wasn’t as that woman claimed,” Qin Zheng calmly clarified, absolving Chu Chengji of any involvement.

She continued, “Miss Wang has been through a lot. It’s best for her to rest quietly now. Everyone, please don’t gather here today. Come back to visit her when she’s feeling better.”

Qin Zheng’s calm demeanor made the women believe she had known about this all along.

They lost interest in the drama and, after Wang Dama firmly instructed them to leave, they dispersed in small groups.

The room quickly emptied, leaving only Wang Granny sitting by the bed, her eyes swollen from crying.

Qin Zheng now had a clear view of Wang Xiu’s face. Despite her pallor, she was quite pretty, though her closely-set features gave her a somewhat petty appearance.

As Qin Zheng and Wang Dama entered, Wang Granny knelt before them, “Thank you both for driving away those gossiping women. They were trying to drive my granddaughter to her death…”

Qin Zheng instinctively stepped back to avoid the kneel, “Please, get up. We don’t deserve this.”

She had sent away the gossiping women not out of concern for Wang Xiu but because she knew that if Wang Xiu started spreading rumors about Lin Yao and Chu Chengji, it would only make things worse.

Wang Granny, wiping her tears, stood up, “The military strategist’s wife has a heart of gold…”

Doctor Zhao had just finished bandaging Wang Xiu’s wound.

Wang Dama, already stern-faced and now even more so after learning of Wang Xiu’s previous actions, asked directly, “How is she?”

Doctor Zhao replied, “The cut is deep. The wound must be kept dry. With proper care, it will heal in time.”

Wang Dama nodded in acknowledgment.

Seeing they had more to discuss with Wang Xiu, Doctor Zhao packed up his medical kit and left.

Wang Dama placed a basket of eggs on the table and coldly addressed Wang Xiu, “Take care of your wound. Unless you really want to die, stop these stunts. You’re only making a fool of yourself.”

Wang Xiu’s tears flowed again, “I truly don’t want to live. After what happened, who will believe I’m still innocent…”

Wang Dama gave her no sympathy, “You weren’t worried about what people would say when you shamelessly brought food and water to others.”

Wang Xiu bit her lip, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

Wang Granny, distressed for her granddaughter, pleaded, “Please, stop… Xiu has had a hard life with such a mother. The village women have always gossiped about her. Why do you believe their nonsense?”

Wang Dama retorted, “She knows the truth in her heart.”

Although not related by blood, Wang Dama and Wang Granny shared the same surname through marriage and both were widows.

Wang Dama’s sympathy for Wang Granny had led her to look after her.

Hearing Wang Dama’s harsh words, Wang Xiu buried her face in the pillow, crying uncontrollably.

Seeing her granddaughter’s distress, Wang Granny began to cry as well, “Don’t blame her. It’s my fault. He Jia’s daughter is always around the village leader. No one dares say a word against her because of her connection to He Laozhi. Xiu likes the village leader, but He Jia’s daughter slapped her, and I couldn’t even stand up for her…”

Qin Zheng suddenly felt that Wang Xiu’s personality was also somewhat shaped by Wang Granny, and she seemed to feel that Wang Xiu was not entirely at fault.

If Wang Xiu had been raised this way since childhood, it would be strange if she didn’t develop some twisted aspects.

Initially, Qin Zheng found her behavior quite bizarre, but knowing about her background and upbringing, Qin Zheng no longer found it surprising.

She could only say that unfortunate people often had detestable qualities.

Wang Dama clearly had heard Wang Granny’s rhetoric before and was impatient, “The entire village was in chaos yesterday because of her!”

Wang Granny defended, “Xiu went to deliver tiles out of kindness. When she saw the village leader had no water, she went to bring some.

How can you blame her for almost falling victim to criminals? Isn’t the military strategist supposed to manage them? If the military strategist had been stricter, would my Xiu have encountered such a thing?”

Qin Zheng, who had been uninvolved until now, thought to herself, Is this going to be pinned on me and Chu Chengji?

The veins on Wang Dama’s forehead bulged, “What are you trying to say?”

Wang Granny tearfully pleaded, “My Xiu is such a good girl. She was in danger for the village leader. Now, only if the village leader marries her, she won’t be manipulated by those gossiping women for the rest of her life…”

Wang Dama burst into laughter, “Wang Granny, are you talking in your sleep?”

Wang Granny looked embarrassed.

She knew very well that Wang Xiu’s status did not match Lin Yao’s.

Wang Dama stared at Wang Xiu angrily, “You tried to hang yourself last night and cut your wrist this morning, all for this?”

She sneered, “Wang Xiu, let’s get the ugly truth out in the open. He Laozhi had the power, but even he didn’t marry He Jia’s daughter. What makes you think you’re better than her in any way?”@@novelbin@@

Wang Xiu cried, “I don’t want to be the main wife. I just want to be by the village leader’s side. I’m devoted to him…”

Some harsh words couldn’t be said in front of Qin Zheng.

Wang Dama said directly, “You know your reputation isn’t good now. Why does the village leader keep you by his side?”

This was a bit harsh.

Wang Xiu’s fingers turned white as she gripped the bedsheet.

Wang Dama had nothing more to say to this grandmother and granddaughter.

She turned to Qin Zheng, “Madam Cheng, let’s go.”

Qin Zheng was eager to leave.

Listening to their conversation made her feel suffocated.

But when Wang Granny saw them about to leave, she ran to block their way.

Perhaps thinking that Qin Zheng looked kind-hearted, she knelt in front of Qin Zheng again, embracing her legs, “Madam Cheng, you’re like a living bodhisattva. It’s because your husband didn’t discipline his subordinates that my granddaughter suffered.

The village leader doesn’t care about our lives. Please, let the military strategist take Xiu as a concubine. You can treat her as a maid in private, but give her a status so she won’t be manipulated by the gossiping women in the village anymore. This child has suffered too much…”

Qin Zheng hadn’t expected Wang Granny to say such things.

Fortunately, she had sent away the onlookers earlier.

Otherwise, if this matter had been exaggerated and spread, who knows what it would have become.

She frowned and tried to pry Wang Granny’s hands off her legs, but Wang Granny, despite her thin appearance, was strong from years of farm work.

Qin Zheng couldn’t move her.

She coldly said, “Let go.”

Qin Zheng, usually a gentle person in the village, suddenly emitted a chilling aura.

Wang Granny inexplicably felt scared.

Qin Zheng’s gaze wasn’t sharp like a blade, but rather like a wind howling over an icefield, chilling to the bone.

She seemed completely different from her previous amiable self.

Wang Granny shivered and let go of Qin Zheng’s leg.

Qin Zheng brushed off the part of her skirt that had been touched by Wang Granny, then lifted her head.

Instead of looking at Wang Granny, she glanced at Wang Xiu, who lay on the bed with tears still wet on her face. “Your granddaughter is so devoted to the village leader. If you humiliate her like this, it won’t be good if she decides to end her life out of despair.”

Wang Granny’s lips trembled, at a loss for words.

Wang Xiu, lying on the bed, felt extremely embarrassed hearing Qin Zheng’s words.

Qin Zheng continued to walk out.

Wang Dama also found both the grandmother and granddaughter disgusting.

Before leaving, she added, “Don’t embarrass the village leader by clinging to your old ways!”

Wang Granny wanted to stop them but was pushed aside by Wang Dama.

She sat on the ground, holding her arm and crying, “My hand is broken…”

Wang Xiu, crying on the bed, threw herself into Wang Granny’s arms, saying to Wang Dama, “Granny, if you’re angry, take it out on me, not my granny…”

Qin Zheng stood at the door, looking coldly at the scene, suddenly understanding why He Yunjing and Lin Zhao disliked Wang Xiu so much.

Was this family a bunch of troublemakers?

Wang Dama rolled up her sleeves. “If your hand is broken, let me see where it’s broken so I can fix it for you.”

Wang Granny cried even louder, “My son died for the village, and now the village bullies us. My child, it’s not worth it for me to do this for you!”

Although the women who had been watching were driven away, there were still many people passing by outside who heard Wang Granny’s crying and peeked into the courtyard.

Wang Dama was not good at arguing, but she knew how to be most effective.

She kept mentioning that her son had died for the village, and now Lin Yao and others were mistreating them.

The people in the village knew their nature, but those from other mountains did not.

The military morale, which had finally stabilized, couldn’t be disrupted by this grandmother and granddaughter.

Although Qin Zheng was annoyed, she also understood that Wang Dama couldn’t do anything to them here.

Wang Dama was Lin Yao’s wet nurse, and her position was Lin Yao’s position.

Qin Zheng glanced coldly at Wang Xiu and said, “I heard that Miss Wang Xiu was saved by a skilled warrior under my husband’s command. Those criminals have been executed, and Miss Wang Xiu has only had intimate contact with Zhao Kui. If Miss Wang Xiu is willing to marry, I will tell my husband to inform Zhao Kui. A hero saving a beauty, and the beauty giving herself to him in return, will surely become a great story.”

Wang Xiu, thinking of Zhao Kui’s small mountain-like, stout figure, his fat face, and the sledgehammer that could turn a person into a pile of flesh with one blow, turned pale as a sheet of paper and shouted sharply, “I won’t marry him!”