Chapter 1382 – South Sheng, The Autumn of Chaos (Part Eight)
Just as Jiang Pengji had anticipated, rumors began circulating in Zhangzhou at this time.
The destructive power of these rumors was immense, spreading like a virus, eventually alarming the two ladies residing in the back quarters.
Yang Tao married Yan Lin‘s younger sister, and Yan Lin also married one of Yang Tao’s favored younger sisters. Their relationship was not that of brothers, but closer than that, making the two wives in the inner chamber particularly harmonious, often referring to one another as sisters. Yan Lin aided Yang Tao in attending the alliance against the Nán Mán by Nan Sheng, while the two ladies naturally remained at the safety of the rear guard, waiting for their husbands’ triumphant return.
Entertainment was sparse for the women in the inner chamber, and the two would typically gather to drink tea and chat, embodying a sense of tranquil contentment. Yan Shuyao, Yan Lin‘s sister, bore a striking resemblance to her older brother and, with a bit of embellishment, was quite the charming figure. Although Yang Tao’s younger sister was born out of wedlock, her beauty was exceptional, and her personality endeared her to Yang Jian. Despite her status, she received treatment no different from a legitimate child.
Yan Lin did not place importance on family background; he didn’t slack off towards his wife due to her birth status, and the couple respected each other.
The common folk of Zhangzhou always spoke of the two couples as celestial figures, with the men being handsome and wise, and the women beautiful and virtuous—a true pair of talents and divine couples. However, in recent days, the tone had shifted, and external gossip reached the ears of the two ladies.
This matter began with a maidservant who accidentally knocked over a teacup, nearly scalding Yang Roujia.
Yan Shuyao furrowed her brows, reproaching the maidservant, “You usually work carefully; why are you so clumsy today?”
Though Yan Shuyao was young, she was remarkably steady, managing her household with a set of skills that left no room for laziness among her servants.
Her voice was not loud, but the maidservant immediately fell to her knees, begging for mercy.
Since Yang Roujia was unharmed, and Yan Shuyao was not a harsh person, she intended to lightly reprimand her— a small punishment would suffice.
Who would have thought that the maidservant would slip up and inadvertently reveal something that piqued the interest of both ladies?
“What rumors from outside?” Yan Shuyao inquired.
The maidservant stammered, struggling to voice her words, “Recently, there are rumors saying… saying…”
After a long pause, the maidservant still hadn’t completed her sentence, but from her expression, it was clear the rumors were not promising.
Yan Shuyao ordered someone to take the maid away to reflect on her actions and immediately summoned her confidant to inquire about the news.
If it were a minor issue, it would be well and good, but if it were serious, she couldn’t afford to be complacent.
“Have you heard any rumors, sister?”
Compared to Yan Shuyao’s household, Yang Roujia was more active in social settings, so she might have caught wind of something.
The latter shook her head, looking utterly bewildered.
Before long, her confidant returned, pale-faced and hurried.
“Lady, lady… There indeed are malicious individuals spreading rumors to defame our lord.”
Yan Shuyao responded, “Calm down, maid, speak slowly.”
The attending maid took a deep breath and hurriedly said, “Earlier, I went to find information and heard people saying they were slandering our lord and Yang Tao!”
Yan Shuyao was astonished. “Slandering my husband and brother-in-law? Who is so bold?”
The attending maid recounted everything she had overheard, making both Yan Shuyao and Yang Roujia‘s faces grow dark with anger.
The Tao Clan was spreading rumors in Wanzhou that Yang Tao had insulted Jiang Pengji with counterfeit goods, and the same tactic was being used in Zhangzhou.
During a banquet, Lan Ting got drunk and, in his haze, mocked homosexual relationships, even using Yang Tao and Yan Lin as examples.
“Yang Jian is a real hero, yet his son Yang Tao is a ridiculous fellow, outwardly golden but rotten at the core.”
The crowd was baffled, wondering how Yang Tao had been ridiculous.
When pressed further, Lan Ting continued, “He and Yan Lin publicly claim to be brothers, yet they are merely sworn brothers. They married each other’s sisters, and they don’t find that disgusting. I wonder how both ladies, who are beauties, handle being neglected by their husbands and left to guard empty boudoirs?”
If these words came from an ordinary person, they’d be risking their life, but uttered by Lan Ting, they held weight, as the truth has a terrifying way of spreading.
After a few rounds of drinks, Lan Ting became thoroughly intoxicated and loudly joked, “Are Yang Tao and his friends really so close they need each other for comfort? It’s all quite amusing, isn’t it—a true spectacle!”
What does “磨镜” mean?
When two men engage in a romantic relationship, it’s called “断袖,” but when two women get together, it’s known as “磨镜.” Two women snuggling together derive pleasure from each other’s touch, as their bodies are similar; thus, their love resembles the reflection in a mirror, which is why female same-sex relationships are termed as such.
Lan Ting not only spouted nonsense at the banquet but also, the next day after waking up, sent people out to find individuals who resembled Yang Tao and Yan Lin, declaring in public, “I’ve heard of this ‘断袖’ but never seen it. How about you two disrobe and demonstrate for my amusement? Nothing’s better than sharing the fun. Once you perform for me, you can show the masses what ‘断袖’ really looks like!”
With that, the two lookalikes began undressing and touching each other, indulging in intimate acts in front of the crowd, very much enjoying themselves.
Not only that, they were drugged and tossed onto the street for all to see.
Their disgraceful behavior was laid bare, akin to beasts consumed by lust; the scene was too disturbing to witness!
…
When the attending maid finally revealed the vague details of the rumors, the two young ladies nearly fainted from rage.
“I’ve often heard my husband mention Liu Xi, saying she is straightforward and open-minded, but I never thought my husband was mistaken; she is shameless and worse than a pig or dog!” Yan Shuyao took a moment to breathe, her face deathly pale, and her lower abdomen throbbed with pain.
Seeing her condition, the attending maid hurriedly called for a Young Doctor and got her some calming medicine to stabilize her.
Yang Roujia’s face also turned ashen with anger, though she was more worried about Yan Shuyao‘s health.
After all, the other party was not only a close friend but also a sister-in-law and aunt!
Yang Roujia demanded, “How could this escalate so far without us hearing anything beforehand?”
“This matter hasn’t been thoroughly investigated yet; I dared not bring it to the ladies’ attention.”
Yan Shuyao asked with a pale face, “Where did this rumor originate?”
Upon careful questioning, they discovered that the rumor stemmed from a group of merchants claiming to come from Wanzhou to do business in Zhangzhou.
“That doesn’t sound right.” Yan Shuyao shook her head, “Wanzhou is far from Zhangzhou; could it be these merchants are so desperate that they’d travel just to rush their goods? With the spring plowing just completed, there isn’t much business between the two places, their excuses are full of contradictions—”
Hearing this, Yang Roujia felt her anger subside somewhat, addressing the person in charge, “Why not apprehend these individuals first and thoroughly interrogate them? I refuse to believe their mouths could withstand the torture of prison!”
Yan Shuyao asserted, “The immediate priority is to curtail the spread of the rumors.”
