Chapter 1235 – Preparing for Battle, Rest and Recuperation (14)
“Mr. Yang has arrived?”
Hui Jun was always concerned about the matters surrounding Jiang Pengji. How could she not learn about the talents that the other party favored?
She promptly had the House Maid lead Yang Si into the main hall, treating him like an honored guest.
Fu Wang, the wild wolf, watched this with a pang of jealousy in his heart.
Cradling a child in one arm, he strode into the main hall with a mighty gait, embodying the role of an alpha wolf declaring his territory.
Yang Si: “…”
He had only stepped away for the New Year; whom did he offend!?
Was everyone taking turns feeding him dog food?
Even a rough figure like Fu Wang could openly squat in a charming lady’s residence—was the heavens even watching over this?!
Inwardly fuming, Yang Si maintained an outward calm.
He said, “I didn’t expect this to be Lady Hui’s home. I apologize for my abrupt visit; please forgive any rudeness.”
Yang Si knew Hui Jun well enough, as she was truly a captivating beauty one couldn’t easily forget, though they hadn’t interacted much.
Since the Huangshui incident, Hui Jun had concealed her identity as the Empress of Zhong Zhao, transforming into a compatriot Maidservant of Jiang Pengji. She had then been permitted to establish her own household. Yang Si had vaguely heard that this young lady had been in contact with Zhang Ping from the carpentry shop and Shao Guang, seemingly aiming to merge the use of foot-powered spinning wheels and water wheels, intending to allow hydraulic power to replace manual spinning—a venture that seemed to yield promising news.
Although he didn’t know the specifics, just hearing about it led Yang Si to believe that this woman was extraordinary.
Hui Jun smiled lightly, “Mr. Yang, you’re too kind. Your arrival at my humble abode is truly my fortune.”
Beside her, Fu Wang, still holding two infants, cleared his throat twice with a heavy sound.
Hui Jun shot him a disdainful glance, making an action that was clearly displeasing, yet she executed it with boundless charm.
“There are still Maidservants outside sweeping snow off the roof; I will go supervise. You two take your time talking.”
Yang Si glanced at Hui Jun’s departing figure, then at Fu Wang, who was frowning with a child in his arms, and he secretly winced.
If he couldn’t see the clues unfolding, he had wasted years in the world of romance.
“Those two children—could they be Lady Hui and General Fu’s?”
Fu Wang nodded, unabashedly owning up.
The moment he beheld the two dragon and phoenix twins, his fondness for them only grew.
Especially the daughter—her striking resemblance to her mother was uncanny—not just he, but even the elder Xie Qian next door shared his admiration. Oddly enough, Xie Qian’s granddaughter, Li Nuan, bore a striking resemblance to his daughter; if not for the height difference, they would appear to be twins. After some inquiries, he discovered that Hui Jun and Li Nuan’s grandmother bore a remarkable similarity in their youth—
Such is fate!
Due to the children, both warrior families had increased their interactions, exchanging gifts during festivals and such.
Yang Si’s eyes shifted as he hesitantly remarked, “But as I recall, Lady Hui seems to have established her own household?”
Once someone establishes a household, they become the head of the family, and the children take her surname.
Fu Wang felt a bit awkward.
Fu Wang replied, “What surname doesn’t matter; I never believed in the Fu name.”
He was originally a discarded male infant from a frontier family, raised by a female wolf until he met his lifelong benefactor and adoptive father, Fu Yang.
Fu Yang named him and changed his surname, giving him an identity of his own.
As for who his ancestors were and what their surname was, he had no clue.
To him, the child’s surname didn’t hold any significance—he was merely glad that they were his children.
Even if they took Hui Jun’s name, he wouldn’t mind much, as he had no concept of household registration or ancestral lineage.
Yang Si: “…”
That made a lot of sense; he found himself at a loss for words.
“General Fu holds Lady Hui in such high regard; it’s truly enviable—”
Fu Wang casually retorted, “What do you envy, Mr. Yang? As long as you nod your head, how many daughters from good families would be willing to follow you?”
Yang Si wasn’t a leftover old man; he was clearly part of the DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) community, thank you very much.
At Fu Wang’s comment, a hint of awkwardness flickered across Yang Si’s expression.
“Mr. Yang… could it be you have difficulties you can’t speak of?” Fu Wang asked cautiously, seemingly worried about touching on Yang Si’s “sensitive spot.” A man who does not wish to marry or take a wife often has “issues,” after all. “Would you like to consult some Young Doctor? Avoiding disease only worsens it.”
Before Yang Si could respond, Fu Wang continued, “I happen to know of a few potent remedies; would you like to give them a try?”
Yang Si: “…”
Seeing Fu Wang looking robust and manly, who would need “potent remedies”?
He remained silent, yet Fu Wang could catch the unspoken understanding.
For men, some topics need not be verbalized; communication through looks and expressions alone suffices for seamless interaction.
Fu Wang clarified, “It’s certainly not for me; I’m doing just fine. I happened to overhear a few side stories about some fellows having troubles in their intimacies.”
Yang Si’s expression became even more peculiar, nearly turning a purple shade.
Apologies, his health was excellent, and he had no need for “potent remedies” for a boost—
Yang Si’s hesitance towards marriage was influenced by various reasons, including the fact that his mother was a prostitute and experiences from his youth.
Deep down, while he hadn’t directly caused the death of his mother and his aunt, he had to hide in the cellar, listening as they suffered humiliation to their demise— a mental block he could never surpass. He vaguely remembered having quite an affection for his aunt; even his first embarrassing dream was about her.
Wise and clever, gentle and mild, Yang Si even thought about asking for her hand after she came of age.
But youthful infatuation was fleeting and momentary.
Now at the age of standing firm, he had come to terms with many matters, whether concerning his mother’s identity or his past remained merely a bygone era.
Only—
He had lost the youthful impulsiveness, and being single felt perfectly fine.
When he grew old, he intended to visit the Nursery and pick out a child he found pleasing to serve as his heir, so he would have someone to honor him in his old age.
Fu Wang noticed Yang Si’s unexpected expression and awkwardly said, “It seems I might have misunderstood—”
Yang Si remarked, “About that remedy you mentioned—”
The moment Fu Wang heard this, his ears perked up, and the two children in his arms, alongside him, all stared intently at Yang Si.
“No need for me; however, a certain Feng Zishi might find it useful.”
A wolfish remedy—a drug that wouldn’t kill that scoundrel!
Leaving, he had been fed two servings of dog food, which filled Yang Si with frustration.
“To the administrative hall!”
Drowning in work while devouring dog food.
As the carriage turned down two alleys, Yang Si was lost in thought when the curtain seemed to be struck by something, and a cold snowball landed inside the carriage.
Soaking wet with snow, Yang Si’s temper flared instantly. He hurriedly ordered the carriage driver to stop, lifting the curtain to confront the culprit.
Which little rascal threw snowballs at his carriage?
Upon peeking outside, he realized the alley was empty. He glanced at the position of the curtain, then traced the direction from which the snowball had come.
Jiang Nongqin, clad in tidy attire, held a snow-sweeping broom in hand, standing elegantly on the wall’s edge.
That snowball had just come from her sweeping.
With some lack of confidence, she said, “I apologize; I thought no one was around—”
Yang Si looked up at Jiang Nongqin, standing against the light, swallowing hard.
On a whim, he teased, “If you truly meant it, could you lend a hand and help me sweep off the snow from the roof?”
Unfazed by this slight challenge, Jiang Nongqin replied without changing her expression, “Naturally.”
A true gentleman can bend and flex; sweeping snow was but a small task.
It was merely her carelessness that disturbed Yang Si’s carriage, so it was fair for her to compensate by cleaning the snow.
Yang Si: “…”
Something felt off about this situation.
