Chapter 62: Exposure

Sure enough, the moment she stepped out of the magistrate’s office, Mother Yang changed her expression entirely.

Supporting her dying son, who was gasping for more air than he could draw and was entirely unable to speak, she glared at Feng Erniang with eyes blazing with fury. Even Xu Chengyue, who stood nearby, was implicated, receiving several fierce glares from her.

Fortunately, she still remembered that her son had been beaten with the heavy wooden paddle, and making a scene in public would bring him utter disgrace. Therefore, she managed to refrain from screaming out loud, though given her usual behavior, she was entirely capable of doing just that.

Having finally escaped the Yang family—which felt to her like the depths of hell—Feng Erniang breathed a sigh of relief, yet confusion immediately took its place.

Now that she had left the Yang family, where was she supposed to go?

Her maiden home was out of the question. Back when she was being tormented by her husband’s family, she had once returned home to seek help, and both her father and mother had been furious.

However, the moment she mentioned having them preside over a formal separation, the two of them fell silent.

Her father had sat aside in silence, while her mother embraced her and wept bitterly, murmuring, "My poor child, it is all my fault for not finding you a good husband in the first place, leaving you to suffer so much. But among us women, once married, which of us doesn't endure hardship rather than choosing a formal separation? Don't worry, you are still young. Once you conceive and have a child, they will never dare treat you like that again."

This was the solution her mother had chosen: endure it, give birth to a child, and wait until she had weathered the worst of it.

Yet, could she truly survive until that day, rather than being beaten to death long before it arrived? Feng Erniang deeply doubted it.

Her father and mother shared the same view, firmly believing that a separation was an utterly shameful disgrace that brought dishonor upon the family.

Now that she had truly divorced—and under the magistrate's decree of annulment by mutual incompatibility, a ruthless, entirely ungraceful manner—the moment she returned, her father and mother would likely drive her out of the house.

Of course, perhaps despite their anger, her parents might pity her plight and take her in.

Yet the mere thought of living at home, watching her parents sigh all day long as if the rest of her life had been utterly ruined, made Feng Erniang feel sick to her stomach.

Furthermore, her brothers and sisters-in-law were still at home; adding another mouth to feed was something they would undoubtedly resent. Besides, if she never remarried, her brothers and sisters-in-law would bear the responsibility of supporting her, and they would surely be impatient to marry her off to someone else. But Feng Erniang wanted no part of that.

"Do you have anywhere to go?" Xu Chengyue asked.

"No," Feng Erniang shook her head.

She thought with a blush: surely Lady Xu isn't planning to take me in, is she? How could that possibly do? She had already troubled her far too much.

"Then come with me."

Do not misunderstand. Although Feng Erniang’s plight was tragic, to Xu Chengyue she was ultimately a stranger, and she certainly wouldn't feel comfortable leading a stranger back to her own home.

Therefore, she took Feng Erniang to the real estate broker she had consulted when she first arrived in Luoyang. Upon confirming that the house she had previously rented had not yet been leased out, she paid a month's rent in advance on behalf of Feng Erniang and settled her into the residence.

Once Feng Erniang received her dowry and the alimony from the Yang family, she could repay Xu Chengyue.

Having finished all this, Xu Chengyue finally returned home, feeling that she had acted somewhat impulsively today, meddling in many affairs that were none of her business. Yet she had simply found it impossible to stand by with folded arms.

To watch women of this era suffering endless torment while walking a lonely path through domestic violence—unaware of how to avoid being harmed or how to protect themselves using their own means—was heartbreaking.

A woman like Feng Erniang, who dared to accuse her husband in the courtroom today, was already exceptionally rare. Self-respect is precious, and Xu Chengyue admired women with such a rebellious spirit.

Moreover, the help she offered was merely a trifling effort to her, but to Feng Erniang, it was a timely assistance, like providing firewood in the snow.

The graceful handwriting Feng Erniang displayed had also stirred an appreciation for talent in her; who knew, perhaps in time she might even become a master calligrapher.

Besides, the blushing, enchanting, and opulent phrasing she had written in those letters, along with the lingering, ambiguous atmosphere she created, would be perfectly suited for writing romance novels. Many people would surely love to read them.

Of course, Xu Chengyue had no intention of asking her to write them. After all, she herself had to exercise considerable restraint in her own writing, to say nothing of the far more conservative ancients.

At this thought, Xu Chengyue’s heart stirred, tempted by the urge to write certain types of adult romance literature. She could boldly claim that the censored literature of modern web platforms had completely buried her talent.

Yet, when she considered the current environmental conditions, her enthusiasm instantly deflated.

Such works were originally meant for self-amusement, but the current hardware conditions were simply inadequate. Unlike the file applications on her past life's mobile phones and computers, where a single password lock kept others from seeing them, the risks here were too high.

If her manuscript drafts were ever accidentally lost or seen by others, it would be the ultimate, invincible social death. She simply could not afford to lose face like that.

That being said, ancient society did not strictly restrict such reading materials. If one truly wished to write them, it was still possible without worrying about violating legal statutes and suddenly finding oneself hauled away by authorities.

However, if Xu Chengyue wanted to write spicy stories, publication would inevitably involve many hands. The thought of everyone around her seeing her disgraceful hobby made it impossible for her to even imagine the scene.

***

Because the plot of the previous volume was utterly explosive, and its heavy foreshadowing created a sharp contrast with the main text, it had rapidly captivated readers' hearts, igniting heated discussions in both Chang'an and Luoyang.

Therefore, the release of this new volume could be described as eagerly awaited by all. Quite a large number of readers were waiting for the resolution, while many others cursed the author for cutting off the chapter at such an immoral moment, deliberately leaving them hanging.

Yet, they simply could not bear to part with the wonderful story and desperately wanted to know what happened next, so they could only swallow their frustration and accept their fate.

Thus, the Shan Hai Bookstore once again welcomed a bustling, steaming atmosphere. Many people lined up to buy books, and after purchasing them, some would gather together in teahouses to read them in groups.

Reading habits varied from person to person. Many enjoyed quiet solitude and were unaccustomed to reading when others were around.

However, some liked reading alongside friends and family, occasionally discussing the plot and sharing their respective views.

Both reading methods had their own unique charm, with no superiority between them; it all depended on individual preference.

The servers in the teahouses had long grown accustomed to such scenes. Thanks to the popularity of the serial novels, their teahouse had far more patrons than usual. The teahouse owner was even considering asking the author, Yue Ming, for a piece of calligraphy—just like Tianxiang Pavilion had done—to hang in the main hall and boost their reputation.

By the time the city drums sounded and the bookstore opened for sales, the previously quiet teahouse was suddenly filled with guests. The crowd bustled about, sitting in small groups, discussing animatedly.

"Aish, you two hurry up! Why are you walking like snails? You're driving me crazy with anxiety."

"What's the rush? Haste makes waste. We've got the books in our hands now, no need to panic."

Three more people entered the teahouse. The leader of the group rushed in frantically, not even bothering to pick a specific spot. He grabbed a table, sat down, and hurriedly beckoned to the others trailing behind.

The moment they sat down, the two who had just claimed there was no need to rush swiftly flipped open their books to read.

They were desperate to know what had happened to fifth young master Qin previously. Why had the false news of his death spread? And after his return, what kind of story would unfold between the two whose relationship had once grown so stiff?

—Upon learning that fifth young master Qin had returned to Chang'an safe and sound, Su Qishan immediately spurred her horse into a gallop, racing toward Chang'an.

She didn't even have time to pack her belongings. Alone, with a single horse, she forged ahead unflinchingly, just as she had when she once rushed off to the borderlands.

Leaving behind only the people and things connected to her that remained at the frontier.

"No way? She just rushed back to Chang'an like that? What about Young Master Jiang? So many things happened between them, and it just ends like this? General Su is far too heartless," the speaker said in disbelief.

"Surely not. No matter what, there has to be some kind of conclusion between the two of them."

—After fifth young master Qin's "passing," all the maidhens of Chang'an had grieved deeply for quite some time, and some young scholars had even written elegiac poems for him.

The moment news of his return spread, the entire city of Chang'an erupted in excitement, with everyone scrambling to catch a glimpse of him.

Fifth young master Qin had a gentle disposition and was cordial to everyone who came to visit him. When people asked about his ordeal, he did not conceal anything.

It turned out that when he was caught in distress at the border, he had been captured by bandits disguised as foreign merchants. To save his life, he displayed his talent, which duly won their high regard.

That band of bandits headed south all the way, and he waited for an opportunity. Upon reaching Yangzhou, taking advantage of their relaxed vigilance, he secretly passed on information and cooperated inside and out with local officials to capture them all, after which he finally returned to Chang'an.

The listeners nearby either frowned, sighed, or cheered, cursing those detestable bandits on one hand while praising fifth young master Qin's brilliance and valor on the other.

"It seems fifth young master Qin is a fine gentleman after all: exceptionally talented, eloquent, unflinching in the face of danger as he dealt with villains, possessing quick wit without arrogance. He and General Su are a match made in heaven, one literary and one martial."

"A match made in what?! Do you think this is breeding livestock, matching whoever you see!" The speaker, holding a cup of milk tea, was a staunch supporter of Jiang Hexuan. Hearing someone praise Qin Wulang, his rival in love, he protested indignantly.

"Hey, how are you talking? I'm just expressing my view, why are you so aggressive?" The person wearing a dark blue headwrap spoke casually only to be snapped at, and naturally felt displeased.

"Let's keep it civil, no fighting. Everyone focus on reading."

The two simultaneously exhaled heavily through their noses.

"Hmph!"

"Hmph!"

—The very moment fifth young master Qin returned, he went looking for Su Qishan, only to learn from others that she had gone off to the borderlands searching for him.

He had wanted to set off immediately as well, but feared she might miss him on her way back upon hearing the news, so he endured and waited in solitude in Chang'an for a long time.

Whenever he had free time each day, he would run to the city gate of Chang'an facing the borderlands and wait.

Finally, one day, he welcomed the dust-covered Su Qishan.

"Wulang!" General Su, usually as cold and hard as ice, broke into a tender smile as if melting, and threw herself into Qin Wulang's embrace like a returning swallow.

"Qiniang!" Fifth young master Qin opened his arms to receive her.

The two embraced passionately right in the middle of the street. Ordinarily, such behavior would be considered inappropriate for the occasion, yet no one pointed fingers at them; instead, everyone wore expressions of relieved smiles.

Among the people of Chang'an, who hadn't heard the story of young general Su and the jade-faced scholar in white from the Qin family back then? That they could have a happy ending was something many eagerly anticipated.

"Wuwuwu, I admit they are great together, and it's touching to reunite with a lover risen from the dead, but what about Young Master Jiang? Are they just going to abandon him like this?" The milk tea fan still hadn't forgotten Jiang Hexuan; while moved by the couple before him, he still worried about the one far away at the border.

"Ah, the ways of the world are fickle. Let the past be the past, people still need to look forward. Su and Jiang's relationship wasn't all that wonderful to begin with; now that they've parted ways, they can surely live better lives."

"It wasn't wonderful, but it was profound! How could they possibly forget a love carved so deeply into their bones? Even as a mere onlooker, I can't let go."

—The two lovers, reunited after being lost, felt that time and tide waited for no one. If they didn't grasp the present, they wouldn't know whether tomorrow or an accident would arrive first.

Thus, they busily and eagerly began discussing marriage preparations.

Their affection grew even deeper after having been separated by life and death. They cherished their bond immensely, and to call them perfectly attuned or deeply devoted husband and wife would be no exaggeration.

Yet fifth young master Qin always felt something was amiss, because whenever Su Qishan looked at him, she would fall into a trance, as if she weren't looking at him at all, but rather at someone else—especially when he smiled.

Moreover, when he played the Qin for her as he used to, or played chess with her, she would constantly drift off, absent-minded.

This made fifth young master Qin harbor a lingering unease.

"She must be thinking of him, right?! I knew she hadn't forgotten! Jiang Hexuan has a cheerful personality and loves to smile at people." The milk tea fan grabbed evidence from the subtle clues, pointing at this passage and shouting nonstop.

Earlier, when the two were at odds, he had hoped Jiang Hexuan would run away quickly.

Yet seeing Su Qishan now accompanied by such a gorgeous beauty left a sour taste in his mouth once more, making him urgently eager to find evidence that Su Qishan still held a place in her heart for him.

"Sigh, what kind of mess is this?" The blue headwrap sighed for the nth time.

"Since both of them are so great, why can't she just have both? Fifth young master Qin has a high status and can be the primary husband, while Young Master Jiang comes from a common background and can be the secondary one. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

"How is that possible? How could our Young Master Jiang ever be a secondary husband!" The milk tea fan refused to yield. "At the very least, he needs the status of a co-equal husband."

What the hell kind of co-equal husband status? You must have forgotten that the laws of the Great Tang stipulate a woman can only have one husband.

His voice was so loud that many people in the bookstore heard him.

Everyone was left speechless.

—Fifth young master Qin had initially thought it was simply because the two of them had been apart for too long, coupled with the emotional rollercoaster of life and death, making it normal for her to feel somewhat unaccustomed to things.

However, as time went on, Su Qishan's condition not only failed to fade, but worsened. Even when he was speaking, the moment he finished a sentence, she would have already forgotten it the next moment.

This forced him to suspect that something he knew nothing about must have happened at the border.

Therefore, he went to question the guard who had closely followed Su Qishan back and pursued her all the way.

Daring not disobey fifth young master Qin, and having received his absolute guarantee that his identity wouldn't be exposed, the guard had no choice but to tell the whole story from beginning to end.

Upon hearing of Su Qishan's harrowing experiences at the border, fifth young master Qin wore a dazed expression.

"Hahaha, I knew her misdeeds would be exposed eventually, ending up with neither money nor love, unable to win on any front." The milk tea fan found Su Qishan thoroughly obnoxious and gloated maliciously at this moment.

"Don't jump to conclusions just yet. Look at fifth young master Qin's reaction; it seems things aren't that simple."

—Fifth young master Qin then asked the guard, "How much does he resemble me?"

The guard replied, "If he doesn't smile, he is almost identical to you." ads

Upon receiving the answer, fifth young master Qin walked back in a daze, sitting alone in the empty study in complete silence for an entire day.

When he finally emerged, he went straight to the Su residence.

Seeing him arrive, the people of the Su household exchanged knowing smiles and left space for the two of them.

"Qiniang, there is something I wish to discuss with you," fifth young master Qin said with a serious expression.

Su Qishan's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

"Do you remember when you met with trouble at the border and were rescued by someone?" he asked.

"Of course I remember. The person who saved me was you! Why are you asking me the reverse?" Seeing that it wasn't her secrets from the border that he had discovered, Su Qishan relaxed significantly and joked good-naturedly.

Yet she saw fifth young master Qin shake his head.

"In truth, it was not me. The one who saved you was someone else."

How could that be?

Su Qishan and the readers following along were struck dumb with astonishment, thinking the exact same thing at that very instant.

Their hearts tightened vaguely, filled with an ominous premonition.

If the person who saved Su Qishan wasn't fifth young master Qin, then who else could it be? She couldn't possibly have mistaken her own savior.

Wait... the only person who could possibly make Su Qishan mistake him for...