Chapter 122: Her Husband is Ding Suian

“Young Master, don’t rush into action. Let me first inquire about the mastermind.”

“No need. Elder Sister, have you forgotten what our Shadow Division does?”

“You already found out?”

“Mhm.”

“Who is it?”

“Someone from Prince Leyang’s Estate.”

“Oh?”

Prince Leyang and Prince of Lanyang were both among the Six Founding Princes, and similarly, they were idle princes stripped of military authority.

However, his family was better off than the Prince of Lanyang’s in that they had moved from Leyang to the Capital over a decade ago, actively placing the entire family under Your Majesty’s watchful eye.

Because of this, His Majesty showed them considerable favor in earlier years.

Now their descendants are numerous and influential, with wide-ranging connections.

Lin Hansu thought for a moment and said, “I will go back and speak with His Highness. You just need to drive those ruffians out of Honglu Temple Ward, sparing Prince Leyang’s Estate some face.”

Ding Suian nodded. “Elder Sister, has our Silk Shop paid the street-clearing tax yet?”

Lin Hansu couldn’t help but smile. Just a moment ago, he looked like a stubborn man unwilling to spend his own money, but now the phrase ‘our Silk Shop’ rolled off his tongue so naturally and smoothly.

“Granny Zhang.”

Lin Hansu called Granny Zhang in and instructed, “Nanny, go ask Sidu whether Young Master Ding’s Silk Shop has paid the street-clearing tax.”

Even an old servant like Granny Zhang paused for a few breaths upon hearing this, realizing that ‘Young Master Ding’s Silk Shop’ was the couple flirting, before she turned and headed to the front.

Soon after, Granny Zhang returned and whispered something into Lin Hansu’s ear.

“Not yet. Perhaps because it just opened, they haven’t come to our Silk Shop yet.”

“Good.”

In the blink of an eye, it was the Sixth Day of the Ninth Lunar Month.

Suimian Street, Ding Family.

In the rear courtyard, Zhao Yan and Ruan Ruan were sitting side-by-side on the kitchen threshold.

Zhao Yan stared unblinkingly at the black, glossy Medicinal Pill in her palm.

Ruan Ruan had a copy of the tale of the red snake resting on her lap, reading with intense concentration.

“Ruan Ruan, you’ve been missing for days. Were you doing Alchemy?”

Ruan Ruan didn’t lift her head, continuing to stare at the storybook. “Yes! Daoist Master Bixu of Shouyi Temple is my Senior Martial Uncle. He is the most famous Alchemist in our Great Wu! My Master has been taking us to learn Alchemy techniques from Senior Martial Uncle these past few days.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan couldn’t help but lick her lips. Mountain Spirit Monsters always harbored a deep, bone-deep craving for Medicinal Pills.

“What is the name of the pill you refined?”

“Ten-Ingredient Great Tonic Pill.”

“That sounds so powerful!”

“Of course! I refined it myself.”

“Can I have a taste?”

“No way! This was refined for Elder Brother Yuanxi. If you eat it, you’ll grow a beard, your chest will shrink, and your voice will become coarse!”

“Oh, then I won’t try it.”

Zhao Yan listlessly put the Medicinal Pill back into the small satchel beside Ruan Ruan. Ruan Ruan’s eyes never left the storybook; she was currently reading the exciting part where Alias of Ding Suian fought the Red Bamboo Snake at night, though she couldn’t understand the meaning of many Moves in the book, such as ‘Airborne Flying Clip’ or ‘Hanging Orchid.’

Zhao Yan looked up at the sky and encouraged, “Ruan Ruan, let’s go find Young Master!”

“Huh?”

Ruan Ruan finally looked up this time. Their eyes met, and she immediately said, “Okay!”

After walking a couple of steps, Ruan Ruan added, “We should have a good reason to go, right?”

“Hmm~ Let’s just say we made something delicious and want him to try it!”

“But we don’t know how to cook?”

“Dummy, if we can’t cook it, can’t we buy it?”

As they left the residence, Zhao Yan, whose mood had suddenly brightened, felt that the usually fierce Great Monk had become kinder. “Great Master Fahai, we’re going out to play! Watch the gate carefully and don’t let the family chickens get lost.”

“Amitabha. This poor monk is not called Fahai. This poor monk’s monastic name is AZhi. No, This poor monk’s monastic name is Zhisheng!”

“Mmm~ Sorry, Great Master Zhihai.”

“This poor monk is Fahai! Wait, This poor monk is called Zhisheng!!!”

The two held hands and went out onto the street. They first bought some snacks from a stall, then divided them up.

“Ruan Ruan, the Sesame Glutinous Rice Cake was made by me personally. If Young Master doesn’t believe it, you have to vouch for me!”

“Mhm mhm, then this portion of Pan-Fried Mutton Rolls was made by me. Yan Yan, you have to testify for me too!”

Ever since the First Day of the Ninth Lunar Month, Ding Suian had suddenly started working overtime and hadn’t returned home for several consecutive days.

Zhao Yan couldn’t even find him to practice her skills.

She wanted to go to Honglu Temple Ward to ask him what was going on, but she didn’t dare go out on the street alone. Fortunately, Ruan Ruan came today, so she had company!

Afternoon.

Wang Jar wore a tattered coarse short jacket, squatting in a sheltered spot on the street corner, looking exactly like a beggar.

Diagonally opposite was the Nixia Silk Shop, which had recently opened.

This was the task his Boss had given him: the Silk Shop was the only one left in Honglu Temple Ward that hadn’t paid the street-clearing tax.

He had been staking out this spot for four days.

Just as Wang Jar was starting to lose hope, during the *wei* hour (1-3 PM), the tattooed strongman named Third Master appeared swaggering at the street corner with more than ten attendants.

Wang Jar immediately rejoiced. They finally showed up!

Their direction of travel was straight toward the Nixia Silk Shop.

Wang Jar only needed to wait for the group to enter the shop before running back to the Military Patrol Post to report the news.

But they didn’t grant him his wish.

He saw that Third Master walked to the entrance of the Nixia Silk Shop, his body already halfway turned, but his head remained fixed on the other end of the long street.

He immediately exchanged a few words with his lackeys behind him, then his body, which had been facing the Silk Shop, turned back around, and he continued striding forward.

Wang Jar was confused and looked in the direction Third Master was heading—

Two young women, holding hands and carrying a food box, were whispering to each other, occasionally giggling.

One had an oval face and large eyes, with a pair of sweet dimples when she smiled, looking innocent and carefree.

The other had a melon-seed face and long, narrow eyes. Although she was still young, she possessed an innate charm and flirtatiousness.

Both were stunning beauties.

Were the ruffians led away by these two young women?

Wang Jar was in a bind. Should he intervene?

If he intervened, the original plan would likely fall apart.

While he hesitated, the two young women, completely engrossed in their conversation and oblivious to their surroundings, had drawn much closer.

Wang Jar stared closely for two breaths, then suddenly slapped his thigh!

He had seen these two when he followed the Dutou to Lanyang to suppress the plague.

He wasn’t sure what the relationship between the two young women and the Dutou was. But they were definitely connected.

Wang Jar cried out “Aiya!” and quickly rushed over—

“Young ladies, I have a piece of fortune to present to the two of you.”

Lai Sanhu was not completely without cunning; he first assessed their clothing.

The round-faced one wore old clothes resembling a Daoist Robe.

The melon-seed-faced one’s fabric was decent, but she was wearing a summer dress in the autumn, and the garment was clearly a bit small. If he guessed correctly, it must have been second-hand clothes bought from someone else’s estate.

This outfit was likely the only good clothing she could wear out, being neither the right fit nor appropriate for the season.

Such a vain woman would be the easiest to capture.

Even so, Lai Sanhu still put on a benevolent appearance.

Snatching common women in broad daylight, right under the Emperor’s nose, was something they shouldn’t do unless absolutely necessary.

The Noble above him incurred social costs when covering for him. If he did it too often and gained a reputation for recklessness in the Noble’s eyes, his value would decrease.

Although Ruan Ruan was innocent, she wasn’t stupid. Seeing the man’s attire, she knew he was bad news.

Zhao Yan was more quick-witted, but lacked experience in human society, and foolishly asked, “What kind of fortune?”

“Heh heh, a Noble’s Estate is recruiting maidservants. If the Master takes a liking to you, twenty taels of silver monthly and luxurious living are guaranteed.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yan immediately lost interest and simply said, “I already have a Master~”

After speaking, she pulled Ruan Ruan and started to leave.

The reaction of this supposedly vain young woman greatly exceeded Lai Sanhu’s expectations.

But Lai Sanhu didn’t want to give up. That Noble’s greatest hobby in life was women. Anyone sent into the estate who caught his eye would bring at least several hundred taels in rewards.

Now that he had finally encountered two women far exceeding the usual standard, how much reward silver would he receive for delivering them?

He quickly spread his arms to block them, whispering, “Young ladies, why don’t you go and try it out first? It’s a small matter if you don’t care for great wealth and nobility, but if you bring disaster upon your family, that would be trouble!”

When Ruan Ruan heard the man start threatening them, her cheeks quickly puffed up, her large eyes widened, and she shouted, “Potato descending the mountain, scram!”

“Stop!”

Just then, a loud shout came from behind.

Lai Sanhu, frustrated by the lack of progress, turned around and saw—a beggar.

Wang Jar was originally transferred into the Vermilion Bird Army from a regional garrison and was not a local.

He had just joined the Vermilion Bird Army shortly before following Ding Suian to Lanyang. Furthermore, with a hundred people rotating shifts at the Military Patrol Post, Lai Sanhu naturally wouldn’t recognize a minor figure like Wang Jar.

He merely assumed Wang Jar was crazy and trying to play the hero, so he immediately yelled, “Hit him!”

The beating was partly for the two young women to see—since the gentle approach failed, they would use this method to intimidate them.

It was also for the surrounding populace to see, lest anyone else be foolish enough to meddle.

Wang Jar was never known for his martial prowess. Surrounded and beaten by over ten men, he decisively curled up on the ground, covering his head and shouting, “Stop hitting me! I’m an Imperial Guard Soldier!”

The ruffians, already worked up, paid no attention. Firstly, no one believed him, assuming he was trying to scare them off by falsely claiming to be part of the Imperial Guard because he couldn’t stand the pain.

Secondly, even if they really did hit an Imperial Guard Soldier, it might not be a huge deal.

Lai Sanhu even yelled, “We’re hitting you precisely because you’re blind!”

“Stop! Hurry up and stop! Or I’ll electrocute you all~”

In Ruan Ruan’s simple view of right and wrong, this beggar was being beaten because he tried to help them, so she couldn’t just stand by and watch.

But her two shouts were quickly drowned out by the ruffians’ curses.

Ruan Ruan, getting anxious, let out a delicate shout, “The Big Dipper Descends Upon the Altar, The Earth’s Pulse Channels Thunder! Summon!”

*Crackling sounds*

Lai Sanhu turned his head and saw a faint Purple Glow rising from Ruan Ruan’s palm, causing him to freeze slightly.

He then subconsciously raised his hand and struck toward her palm, intending to scatter the Lightning Glow.

Ruan Ruan reacted instinctively, waving her hand and flinging the Lightning Glow outward.

*Sizzle*

*Bang*

A mist of blood erupted.

The street instantly fell silent.

Lai Sanhu’s right hand, which he had struck out with, was severed at the forearm, the arm bone exposed, and the flesh charred black.

The missing part was so thoroughly shattered that not even a single intact finger bone could be found.

The fortunate thing was that the wound, cauterized by the Thunder Technique, had contracted the flesh and possessed a certain degree of hemostatic function—

A belt dipped in iodine, disinfecting while beating.

This was the strict love from the Daoist Ancestor Grandma!

Zhao Yan watched from the side, blood boiling, wanting to rush up and fight.

But the feeling of her tailbone and ears subtly itching made her quickly suppress that thought.

It would be quite entertaining if she exposed her tail on the street.

“Aoo~”

The belatedly realizing Lai Sanhu let out a miserable howl. In fact, he still hadn’t registered the pain, only fear and anger. “Beat this beggar to death! Capture these two young women! I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!”

Ruan Ruan was also frightened.

I clearly wasn’t that powerful.

During her first real combat in Lanyang, when she blasted the Wolf Demon, it only scorched some fur.

This person looked so fierce, why was he so unresistant to electricity?

He wasn’t even as tough as a Wolf Demon.

After all, she had severed someone’s arm. Facing the menacing ruffians surrounding them, Ruan Ruan couldn’t help but feel timid. She quickly took a step back and shielded Zhao Yan, saying, “My Daddy is Ruan Guofan. How about I ask him to pay you compensation?”

The ruffians couldn’t immediately place Ruan Guofan in their minds, and their aggressive advance did not stop.

At this moment, Zhao Yan poked her head out from behind the trembling Ruan Ruan and, relying on borrowed prestige, shouted, “Don’t come any closer! Her husband is Ding Suian! He is very fierce! And very powerful!”

Suddenly, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button.

The dozen or so ruffians collectively froze.

After Zhao Yan finished speaking, she felt she had lost out, so she quickly added, “He’s my husband too.”

On the side of the street, Li Si, who sold sesame flatbreads, bolted towards the Military Patrol Post.