Chapter 15: Mad Dog

“Uncle Yang, is Xiaoxing alright? What exactly happened?” Su Mu asked as she came to Uncle Yang’s side.

Uncle Yang wiped his tears as he spoke, “It’s all because my younger daughter Xiaomei insisted on eating candies. She finished all the ones you brought, so she begged Xiaoxing to go out and buy more for her. Xiaoxing couldn’t refuse, so he took her and Xie Yi together. Who knew my little daughter would be restless, hopping and skipping along the way, tugging on Xiaoxing and causing him to fall and hit his head…”

Hearing the crying, Xie Yi came out. As soon as Uncle Yang saw him, he expressed his gratitude with tears streaming down his face, “Fortunately, fortunately Xie Yi was there. It was he who helped support Xiaoxing back and ran to request a doctor.”

Xie Yi?

Su Mu looked at him. Light flickered in Xie Yi’s eyes, as if he too had been frightened.

Uncle Yang held Xie Yi’s hand, overcome with gratitude, “Truly a good child. Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, who knows how long my Xiaoxing would have lain on the ground. Little Mei is too small to help Xiaoxing up.”

With that, Uncle Yang pulled little Mei to the side and spanked her. Little Mei wailed loudly.

Su Mu hurriedly persuaded him. It was not easy for Uncle Yang’s anger to subside. She followed Uncle Yang into the room and peeked at Lin Xiaoxing through the door curtain before taking Xie Yi home.

“I really didn’t expect to encounter something like this.” Su Mu sighed as she closed the door, examining Xie Yi from head to toe.

Being stared at by her, Xie Yi felt uneasy inside, thinking his actions had been seen through, exposing his tracks.

Today at Lin Xiaoxing’s home, he heard him express his admiration and love for Su Mu, saying it was love at first sight half a year ago when they first met.

But despite love at first sight, he felt Su Mu had nothing at the time and was unwilling to marry. It was not until he saw Su Mu go from a low-ranking servant to an outer court manager at the Yan household that his intentions were stirred. But he was beaten to it by Yan Jiyue.

Now that Su Mu was divorced and going to take the imperial examinations, the intentions of the father and son pair were reignited. They had even decided to find a matchmaker in a few days.

Xie Yi played deaf and mute by their side, outwardly appearing not to understand, but inwardly both irritated and jealous.

He knew he shouldn’t be jealous, and had no reason to be jealous.

But jealousy was jealousy. There was no reason, and no question of should or shouldn’t.

Just then, Lin Xiaomei begged Lin Xiaoxing to go out and buy candies. He went along with them.

The bluestone tiles were slippery after the rain. A round green apricot rolled to Xie Yi’s feet. With a retaliatory mindset, Xie Yi waited for the right moment and kicked it under Lin Xiaoxing’s feet.

Everything that followed happened naturally.

Because he was far from Lin Xiaoxing and no one else was around, only the mischievous Lin Xiaomei kept playing with Lin Xiaoxing. So even if Lin Xiaoxing fell, Xie Yi could keep himself totally detached from it.

And conveniently play the good guy.

Everything flowed so smoothly that compared to getting revenge on those men who wanted to frame him under the human traffickers back then, Xie Yi’s current methods could be considered extremely elementary. So skilled that it had reached the point of numbness.

Thinking back to the years when the Xie family was living peacefully in the desert, Xie Yi was liked by many women because of his good looks, including a very powerful woman named Tang Ta.

Tang Ta was in her 30s and her original husband had just died. She relentlessly made advances toward him.

He originally had no intention, but because she was wealthy and powerful, and marrying her would make him the main husband, and she had no children, his parents were very satisfied.

Marriage was naturally decided by parents. Even if Xie Yi didn’t like it, he had no right to refuse.

But Xie Yi had a younger brother named Xie Miaorong who was one year younger. Although not as beautiful as Xie Yi, he was always jealous of Xie Yi’s good looks and popularity with women.

Therefore, whenever Xie Yi showed interest in any woman, Xie Miaorong always had to step forward to interfere, secretly seducing them, to show that his charm was no less than his brother’s.

Xie Yi was well aware of Xie Miaorong’s competitive nature. So he used the same old trick, indicating that he was very satisfied with Tang Ta’s wealth and power, and marrying her to be the main husband would allow him to have whatever he wanted in the future.

As expected, Xie Miaorong couldn’t sit still. He used his charms to steal Tang Ta’s heart, naturally becoming the star of the wedding instead of Xie Yi.

Xie Yi schemed a little and betrothed the brother who always loved to fight over things, while he himself regained his freedom.

By the time Xie Miaorong sobered up, it was too late for regrets. But before Xie Yi could witness the wedding, the war broke out, and he didn’t know where Xie Miaorong was now.

“It’s good that you’re okay.” Su Mu didn’t know all this was Xie Yi’s doing. Instead, she was worried that Xie Yi had been frightened. Now that he was fine, she was also relieved.

Xie Yi was slightly startled but quickly showed a standard harmless smile.

“Sister Mu is worried about me?” His voice was as light as a drizzle.

Su Mu nodded, “Of course, after all…”

“After all what?” Xie Yi asked curiously.

Su Mu shook her head, blushing a little, “Nothing.”

After all, in her previous life, besides dying for her, Xie Yi had lived with her for ten years. Even a pet would develop feelings after ten years, let alone a person.

Moreover, during those ten years, only Xie Yi took care of her daily life, never letting anyone else do it, almost to the point of attending to her every need.

Yan Jiyue once sarcastically said to her face, “With that little wretch by your side, forget about a husband, not even a needle could squeeze in. Where is there any place for me by your side… But don’t worry, I wouldn’t lower myself to stand by your side anyway.”

At the time, she still thought this was Yan Jiyue’s sarcastic mocking. Now looking back, and thinking of Xie Yi dying for her in her previous life, perhaps it was as Yan Jiyue said.

Xie Yi, in his own way, was isolating her from Yan Jiyue.

This method was like a gentle breeze and drizzle, moistening things silently. Those involved could not discern his hidden intentions.

But fortunately, she was reborn now, and Xie Yi had not yet fallen in love with her. There was still time for everything.

“You had a fright today. You rest well. I’m going out for a bit.” Su Mu changed the subject.

“Sister Mu, I’m fine. Where are you going?” Xie Yi tugged at her sleeve.

Su Mu smiled, “You had a scare. I’m going out to buy a chicken to stew some soup for you to drink.” A blush spread across Xie Yi’s face, but he was reluctant to let go. His tone carried a coquettishness he never had even in front of his parents, “I… I want to go with Sister Mu. Can I?” Su Mu relented, “Alright then.”

Xie Yi happily followed Su Mu to the market. The market was noisy and chaotic, people jostling people, live poultry jostling live poultry, instantly creating a scene of chickens flying and dogs leaping.

Since being sold to Juancheng by the human traffickers, Xie Yi had always been confined to the rear courtyard, engaging in nothing but schemes and intrigues. He had not seen such a lively scene again. Compared to the desolate desert town, Juancheng was obviously more bustling with a local vibe.

Xie Yi looked at the dazzling array of goods, his eyes filled with novelty.

“There are many people in the market. Hold tight to my sleeve so you don’t get lost,” Su Mu said in a low voice.

Xie Yi withdrew his gaze of novelty and looked at the hint of worry in Su Mu’s eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young woman leading her little husband, seemingly also out to visit the market. The little husband nestled by his wife’s side, his eyes timid yet curious, clutching tightly to his wife’s sleeve, whispering, “Wife, there are so many people here.” The wife’s eyes were smug and satisfied. A sense of honor from being needed made her exceedingly complacent. She wrapped her arm around her little husband, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Xie Yi reflected, had he been acting too well-adapted?

Su Mu is a woman from Jiangnan. She should also like this kind of gentle and refined Jiangnan male demeanor.

No!

Xie Yi suddenly startled awake. What was he doing?

It was one thing to sabotage Lin Xiaoxing because of Su Mu, but now how could he not restrain himself from wanting to pander to and please her just because of Su Mu’s casual words?

Was he crazy?

Xie Yi swallowed, steadying his mind. He tightly held her sleeve and said in a calm voice, “Understood.” Soon, Xie Yi pulled her to a stall where a farmer was selling his own poultry.

“Su girl, I heard you got divorced!” Juancheng was not big. One could run into acquaintances everywhere. The farmer knew Su Mu.

Su Mu smiled and replied, “Mm.”

The farmer looked at Xie Yi and spoke bluntly, “Is this your newly married husband? Not bad, not bad, pretty! Just looks too thin, not very good for childbearing!”

You’re the one not good for childbearing!
Your whole family is not good for childbearing!

Xie Yi fiercely glared at the farmer behind Su Mu’s back.

Su Mu quickly paid and left, afraid the loose-lipped farmer would offend Xie Yi.

“Don’t take that older brother’s words to heart,” Su Mu carefully observed Xie Yi’s expression.

He lowered his brows, looking a bit glum. “Sister Mu…”

“Hm?”

Xie Yi bit his pale lip with his white teeth, seeming to have difficulty speaking. “Sister Mu, I… I have very good childbearing ability.”

In the female-dominant country, a man’s fertility was the second most important thing besides chastity.

That long-tongued man, what right did he have to disparage him upon first sight, and in front of Su Mu no less!

Although he looked thin, he was still… still quite well-endowed once the clothes came off, unlike Yan Jiyue who you could tell was just skin and bones with one glance through his clothes.

Moreover, Father had once found someone to feel his bones and tell his fortune, saying he would have many wives and blessings in the future.

Su Mu gave an awkward smile. “Mm, I know. That older brother always talks like that. Let me apologize on his behalf.”

Xie Yi shook his head.

It wasn’t Su Mu’s fault. What was she apologizing for?

Furthermore, Su Mu had nearly emptied herself for his sake. Although he was born ruthless, he still had a tiny bit of conscience. That negligible conscience was entirely devoted to her alone.

Su Mu was the only person he didn’t want to regard with malicious speculation and schemes.

After returning home, Su Mu boiled water and added firewood. Xie Yi plucked the chicken. Half an hour later, a pot of fresh, rich, fragrant old hen soup was ready.

Xie Yi ladled out a bowl and handed it to Su Mu first. “Sister Mu, have a taste.” He was quite confident in his cooking skills.

Su Mu took a sip. The rich aroma of bones spread in her mouth. The chicken meat was stewed until soft and tender, melting upon entering the mouth. She couldn’t help but praise, “It’s so delicious.”

Seeing Su Mu’s satisfied expression, Xie Yi didn’t drink the soup, but his body seemed to warm up along with it.

“There’s still a lot in the pot. I’ll go scoop another bowl for Sister Mu.”

“No need. Later scoop a pot. I’ll send it to Uncle Yang. Lin Xiaoxing is still recuperating and should also drink some chicken soup to replenish.”

Xie Yi’s heart suddenly turned cold. “…Alright.”

“Young master, this servant has found out the information you wanted investigated,” Xiao Ping said kneeling at Yan Jiyue’s feet.

Ever since news of the divorce spread, a large group of unrelated relatives from the Yan family had swarmed over trying to get a share.

Fortunately, Su Mu had earlier given him a heads up, allowing him and his father to find the amnesiac Yan Ting. Only then did the Yan family avoid being divided up.

The relatives’ intentions of splitting the family property came to naught. They returned disappointed. Yan Jiyue remained the glorious eldest young master of the Yan family.

He lay slanted on the soft couch, coldly sweeping his gaze over Xiao Ping kneeling at his feet. “Speak.”

“This servant inquired and found out that Xie Yi was previously sold by human traffickers to Scholar Li’s residence. Scholar Li doted on him greatly.”

Yan Jiyue sneered, “A fox can’t change its nature no matter where it goes. Always flirtatious, seducing any woman he sees. Continue.”

Xiao Ping hurriedly said, “It was precisely because of Scholar Li’s favor that Xie Yi suffered the jealousy and abuse of Scholar Li’s husband. Heard… heard from their servants that Scholar Li’s husband even used private punishment.”

Yan Jiyue’s phoenix eyes were coldly aloof. “What private punishment?”

“Branding.”

“What word?”

Xiao Ping gritted his teeth. “…Lewd.”

He really didn’t expect that the methods he previously thought his young master could use when willful were already ruthless enough. Who knew Scholar Li’s husband’s methods would be even more vicious.

To actually carve this kind of word on a young man’s body. Fortunately, Xie Yi was illiterate and didn’t know the meaning of that word.

If he knew the implications of that word… he would probably go mad.

“…Lewd?” The insulting word rolled off Yan Jiyue’s tongue, like a black snake slithering out of a gloomy cave, its scarlet forked tongue dripping with venom. “Interesting.”