Author’s note: Finished on a whim, surprising, isn’t it? Haha. The next story is about a female mountain bandit and a weak young master. Stay tuned~
Black-Faced Constable became startled, wondering if someone was intercepting them. He drew his cleaver and instructed his remaining companion to surround them from another side.
When they approached, they discovered two brothers with dark faces, completely dead.
The Black-Faced Constable looked at the sickly scholar, who lay disheveled with his eyes tightly closed, seemingly also dead. Heart racing, the constable lowered himself to check the scholar’s breath. Suddenly, the scholar opened his eyes and flicked his fingernail into the constable’s nostril, a pale yellow powder inhaled into his lungs. Instantly, the constable widened his eyes, choking and scratching his throat, before diving headfirst into a deep pit.
The change happened too quickly. The remaining constable swung his knife at the scholar, but the scholar shot another silver needle into the constable’s eye. The constable screamed, covering his eye as black blood flowed from the wound, collapsing onto his brothers’ corpses.
Silence returned, with only the scholar’s heavy breathing audible. After a while, he struggled to sit up, climbed down from the cart, and searched the constable’s body for dry rations and liquor, which he consumed. After resting, he slowly stripped the constable’s clothes and piled them aside, then pushed the three naked corpses into the deep pit.
Weak and pausing after each movement, he eventually completed his tasks.
Fallen leaves mixed with the constable’s uniform, which he ignited with a fire starter. He then changed into a white gauze robe from the cart, discarding his burning clothes and prisoner’s outfit into the pit along with the corpses.
With the clothes and bodies smoking, his face showed no expression as he supported himself on the tree trunks, walking out of the dense forest.
As he exited the forest, several men dressed as tenant farmers rushed up and grabbed him, shouting, “Sir, we’ve caught another one!”
The sickly scholar did not resist, assuming these men were there to take his life. His hidden poison needles were exhausted, leaving only two poison pills in his ear and hair bun. Surrounded by so many, he had to endure and appear weak, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.
A tall, muscular man in arrow-sleeved clothing approached, surrounded by others. He examined the scholar and, stroking his short beard, said, “This guy is almost dead. I don’t want him! Take him to town and find a doctor!”
The sickly scholar was surprised, realizing these were not his enemies.
A thin tenant farmer laughed, “Second Master, though this scholar is weak, he’s quite handsome. Why not take him back for the young mistress to see?”
The big man nodded, “He looks better than you all. Fine, bring him back.”
“Go find a doctor to examine him at the manor, and be quick about it!”
The thin tenant farmer Zhou Liuzi agreed and ran off, while others escorted the sickly scholar in another direction, accompanied by several bound young men. The scholar observed quietly, realizing that these young men were also captured by the big man. But for what purpose? Could this man be interested in male companionship?
The scholar glanced at the young men—some white, some dark, some tall, some short—yet all attractive. These days, even single men weren’t safe traveling. He touched the pills in his ear, a hint of ruthlessness crossing his face.
A tenant farmer cheerfully remarked, “These guys are better than yesterday’s catch. The young mistress will surely find one she likes. Second Master, you’ll find a son-in-law this time!”
The big man sighed, “Can’t be sure. My daughter is very picky. If she doesn’t like these, we’ll have to catch more tomorrow!”
The scholar’s eyelid twitched. So they were kidnapping men for his daughter—what kind of fierce, ugly woman would need to kidnap a husband?
The standard female voice mentioned: “Host, among the men present is this text’s sick and clingy character.”
So quickly? What good luck. Ruan Ning looked around and spotted the pale-faced handsome man who could barely stand while supporting the corridor pillar—could it be him?
“Yes,” the standard female voice quickly confirmed.
Ruan Ning: …
This was truly a sickly and clingy character, deeply ill and fragile.
“What’s your name?” Ruan Ning asked the scholar.
He kept his eyes lowered, his voice devoid of warmth: “Ji Mingshao.”
“It’s you.”
Author’s note: This is a warm and sweet text~
Chapter 96: The Female King’s Captured Husband
Red silk, lanterns, and candles were prepared in Ruan Family Village, indicating a wedding was imminent.
However, Chen shi thought otherwise. Gently, but firmly, she said: “No, Ji Mingshao is in poor health. Ning’er cannot marry him.”
“Okay, then she won’t marry,” Ruan Shi Xin told Ruan Ning.
“Mother, I want to marry him,” Ruan Ning said, pouting.
Chen shi sighed, stroking her shoulder gently: “Ning’er, we must find a son-in-law to support the family. We need someone capable, like your father. Ji Mingshao is too young and weak; I can’t feel at ease.”
A maidservant approached: “Miss, Master Bai and Miss Qing have arrived. Second Master is calling you.”
Ruan Ning glanced at Ji Mingshao, who sat silently without acknowledging her. She smiled softly and said, “Young Master Ji, I’ll go first. I’ll come back to see you later.”
In the main hall, Master Bai Ruan Shimin animatedly discussed County Magistrate Li with Ruan Shixin and his wife. He said, “County Magistrate Li is young and promising! He has already sent the betrothal letter and will take Miss Qing as his second concubine in two days. This is a stroke of luck!”
Nearby stood a young girl in a red dress, her disgruntled expression evident. When Ruan Ning entered, her disdain grew.
Chen expressed concern: “Uncle, the Ruan family isn’t high-ranking, but we’re respectable. How can a Ruan daughter become someone’s concubine?”
Ruan Shimin ignored her and directed his comments to Ruan Shixin: “Second brother, your household rules are lacking. A sister-in-law shouldn’t interrupt when her brother-in-law is speaking. In my house, such an ill-mannered woman would have been divorced long ago!”
Ruan Shixin chuckled: “Big brother, we’ve already separated households. These are the rules in my home, and you can’t interfere.”
Ruan Shimin was furious, cursing before saying: “You’re so afraid of your wife; you’ve embarrassed the Ruan family. Regarding your niece marrying an official, this brings honor to our family. You should contribute some money, just one thousand taels, in cash or silver notes.”
Ruan Shixin, accustomed to his brothers’ extortion, knew that if he didn’t pay, he’d be harassed endlessly. He couldn’t possibly beat his own brother, so he held up two fingers: “Two hundred taels. Not a cent more. She’s becoming a concubine, not getting married, and doesn’t need a dowry. Two hundred taels are enough.”
“One thousand taels!” Ruan Shimin shot back. “Are you trying to pay off a beggar? What can two hundred taels do?”
Chen, being kindhearted, saw Ruan Qing nearby looking indignant and pulled her aside: “Qing’er, go play in your sister’s room.”
“Big brother, we’ve already separated our families,” Ruan Shixin gently pushed him back. “My wife and children are none of your business.”
“Fine, fine, you’ve grown wings and dare to push your big brother!” Ruan Shimin yelled. “Give me a thousand taels of silver, and I’ll leave. Once I get the money, I won’t come to your door again!”
Ruan Shixin had heard similar words countless times.
Every time his brother swore to cut ties, he still returned asking for money. Feeling helpless and angry, he said, “Only two hundred taels. Take it or leave it!”
