WSMTATMC C56

Chapter 56

A few days later, Chen Qingyan finally returned from the manor, and along with him came Qingsong and Qinghuai.

Liang Boqing had driven them out, saying he wanted a few quiet days to himself. In truth, it also served as giving the children a short holiday.

It was the very first time little Chen Qingsong had been separated from his mother for so long. Entering the courtyard and seeing his elder sister and mother, his eyes turned red. Yet, being a little older now, he cared for his dignity, so he turned his head and hid behind Qinghuai, too embarrassed to come forward.

Inside the house, Wang Ying brought out a frozen fruit-shaved ice he had prepared that morning. He had taken some ice from the experimental field, crushed it, drizzled it with honey, and topped it with diced fruits. Cool and refreshing, the taste was more than pleasing in the midst of the summer heat.

The children held their bowls, eating with delight, while Madam Li watched beside them, her face full of tender affection.

Having not seen them for two months, she noticed her youngest son had grown taller, his cheeks fuller, though darker from the sun.

“How come Mr. Liang didn’t come? With all of you leaving, was it fine to leave him alone at the manor?”

Chen Qingyan replied:

“Teacher disliked the heat and didn’t want the trouble of making the journey back and forth, so he stayed at the manor with Uncle Chen.”

Madam Li waved Qingsong and Qinghuai over to sit by her.

“Your father’s letter has arrived. They’ve already settled down in Shanzhou, so don’t worry too much.”

Qinghuai nodded. Truth be told, he had long grown accustomed to studying away from home. Back in Laizhou, he had already followed his master on endless travels, and would return home only after long intervals.

He knew his parents placed great hopes upon him, and he was determined not to disappoint. Under Master Liang’s guidance, he had already acquired quite a lot of skill.

In matters of poetry and rhythm, he was the most advanced among his peers, able to compose many verses even at this young age. Some of his lines were so striking that even Liang Boqing himself found them impressive.

Meanwhile, Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying had been practically inseparable ever since they reunited. Even though their palms had grown sweaty, neither was willing to let go.

Chen Rong teased them:

“You’ve been traveling in heat and exhaustion. Go wash yourselves, take some rest for now. At noon I’ll make dumplings for you.”

“Alright.”

Everyone returned to their own courtyard. Chen Qingyan practically stormed through, walking with the wind. The moment he entered, he swept Wang Ying into his arms.

“Slow down!”

“I missed you too much. Just meeting in the experimental field for one short hour each day is far from enough.”

“I feel the same.”

The two lingered together till they were drenched in sweat, then headed to the bathing room to wash. Since Wang Ying was now with child, they could not be intimate, and could only relieve each other by hand.

Touching his small belly, Chen Qingyan asked:

“Why do I feel you’ve gotten a little plump?”

Leaning against his shoulder, still lulled by afterglow, Wang Ying murmured lazily:

“How could I not? Mother keeps having Aunt Chen cook delicacies for me every day — all my favorite foods. And I hardly do any chores. I’ve gotten so idle and soft.”

“If you’re bored, why not come back to the manor with me this time?”

“Not yet. Brother Qiu’s wedding is coming soon. I’d rather stay to help.”

“That’s true. Aunt alone might not manage everything perfectly. Then I’ll entrust him to you — make sure he gets married off in glory.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll see to it.”

After bathing, they rested in the bedroom. But with the weather so blistering hot, Chen Qingyan fetched a large block of ice from the experimental field, set it in a wooden basin, and instantly made the room cool.

Nestled in his arms, Wang Ying felt a peace beyond words, sleeping until nearly nightfall.

It was a rare reunion for everyone, so that evening Wang Ying had the servants bring out the grill. Together in the courtyard they roasted lamb.

With his pregnancy, Wang Ying could not stomach greasy food, so he grilled vegetables instead. The children, however, devoured with hearty appetites — finishing off more than half a lamb between them.

Afterwards, they sat cooling in the courtyard breeze, discussing Lin Qiu’s marriage.

Only just over a month remained till the wedding. Much of the dowry had been prepared, with the final items to be collected gradually during the remaining days.

Back when Chen Rong herself married, their parents had prepared an abundant dowry. Yet, over the years, much had been spent on sustaining the Lin household. The remainder was divided into two parts: one to accompany Lin Qiu’s marriage, and another to hold back for the youngest son’s future wedding.

Madam Li, too, had prepared generously — several bolts of fine cloth, and six heavy quilts of eight catties each, stuffed with fresh cotton. They would last a lifetime.

Wang Ying, being pragmatic, prepared twenty guan (strings of cash) in silver for the dowry. Nothing was more useful than money itself; for managing daily life, money was indispensable, and it gave the family firm footing.

Lin Qiu, no longer the shy youth of before, sat quietly listening, his face glowing with a smile of happiness.

Lin Sui nudged him lightly and whispered:

“Brother, it’s wonderful staying here with aunt.”

Indeed, it was wonderful staying here!

Chen Qingyan and the boys stayed only a few days before returning. The popsicle shop had already run out of stock, with too many customers asking after them.

Every day of delay meant a loss of over a full string of cash, far too painful for Wang Ying. He quickly shooed them back.

Once they left, the household returned to its normal state. By day, the children went to the shop to sell popsicles, while Wang Ying occasionally brought lunch to them.

This morning was no different. The children had left early for the shop, while Wang Ying went a bit later. After watering the vegetable patch and plucking a tender cucumber to eat raw, he too prepared to head to town.

Passing by the cherry vendor, he decided to buy some. Just as he was paying, the vendor suddenly exclaimed, startling him so that he lifted his head. At that very moment, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, his vision went black, and he collapsed unconscious.

Meanwhile, the popsicles at the shop had just sold out, and the children were about to close.

On the way back, they were suddenly stopped by a woman, who clutched at Chen Qingyun.

“Girl, weren’t you the one who bought my cherries last time?”

Frightened, Qingyun shook her off and backed a few steps.

“What do you want?”

“Ah heavens — your brother-in-law…”

“What?!”

The woman stammered as she recounted what had just happened. At her description, their backs went cold, and tears brimmed their eyes.

“Did you see clearly where that madman dragged him?”

The woman shook her head.

“I was terrified. How could I dare follow him?”

Hearing this, the siblings immediately sprinted home, rushing to ask whether Wang Ying had returned.

Madam Li said:

“Didn’t he already leave for the shop earlier this morning?”

At this, Qingyun burst into tears, stomping her feet in panic.

“It’s over! Sister-in-law’s been taken away!”

“What?!”

Madam Li’s ears buzzed, her world spinning as if she might faint.

Chen Rong, equally alarmed, supported her quickly.

“Perhaps it’s a mistake. Hurry, send the servants to search. Maybe nothing’s wrong.”

Lin Qiu and Lin Sui bolted toward the rear courtyard, while Ershun, Lin Zai, and the other servants scattered to search the town. When they found no trace after circling around, they hurriedly reported it to the magistrate.

By the time Magistrate Huang arrived with constables, two whole hours had passed since Wang Ying’s disappearance.

The cherry-seller woman was questioned repeatedly. From her account, the suspect was undoubtedly the deranged Scholar Zhang. The constables headed straight to Zhang’s household.

But upon arrival, they found no one. From neighbors, they learned both his parents had suddenly died months before, with neighbors arranging their funerals.

“So he lives alone now?”

“Yes. I heard he once went to the county seat to lodge an official complaint. But having no money to enter, he beat the grievance drum. For that he was flogged dozens of times and thrown out. Since then, he’s been mad. He never returned home, only begging for scraps in the streets. We haven’t seen him for long.”

Magistrate Huang frowned darkly. He hadn’t expected Zhang truly went to the county to report grievances.

“If you see him, notify us immediately.”

“Understood.”

Qingshui Town wasn’t large, yet for one to find a single hidden man was no easy feat. They searched till shen hour (around 3–5 pm) without a sign. With dusk approaching, it became harder still.

The constables returned empty-handed. The Chen family, however, continued searching, even calling upon relatives and friends for help, knocking door to door, desperate not to miss a clue.

Madam Li and Chen Rong waited anxiously at home. From the very moment news arrived, the women’s tears hadn’t ceased.

“If Ying’er suffers the least misfortune, how can I ever face Qingyan again…”

“Ah Ying is such a kind soul. Heaven forbid, nothing will happen… don’t cry… he’s clever…” Chen Rong spoke while holding back sobs, yet her own heart writhed with the same torment.

No one had expected something like this would happen in broad daylight.

Wang Ying woke to the scraping sound of a knife being sharpened.

Opening his eyes, he met only pitch blackness. A rancid stink filled his nostrils, making him gag.

Struggling to move, he realized his hands and feet were firmly tied with rope, immobilizing him. His heart plummeted in dread. He had been kidnapped.

But by whom?

Though his first instinct was to hide in the experimental field, another thought stopped him.

That space had shared time — if Chen Qingyan happened to enter at this moment, he might notice. And even if not, the field allowed shelter only for one hour per day. If his captor lingered nearby, then stepping back out afterward would be certain death.

He tried calling out:

“Is anyone there? Help!”

The sharpening stopped. Footsteps shuffled closer. Soon, the doorway was cleared of firewood, and in appeared none other than the ragged Scholar Zhang — the very man they had met a few days ago on the street!

Wang Ying’s heart hammered wildly.

“It’s you! You’re not mad?! Somebody help!! Help!”

Tilting his head, Scholar Zhang rasped hoarsely,

“Don’t waste your breath. Nobody lives nearby. Do you think I could afford to go mad, while you and Chen Qingyan still live happily?”

Cold sweat trickled down Wang Ying’s spine. He realized that Zhang had only been pretending insanity this whole time. The thought was terrifying.

Steeling his nerves, he asked,

“Why did you abduct me?”

“Why, to kill you of course! But simply killing you would be too cheap. Much better to slice your flesh piece by piece, sending it to the Chen family, so Chen Qingyan will live each day in dread! Now that’s true fun.” He cackled hideously.

The laughter sent chills deep into Wang Ying’s bones. Insane or not, the man clearly wasn’t in his right mind.

Scholar Zhang mistook his silence for fear, and continued circling him, knife in hand.

“Chen Qingyan deserves to die. You deserve to die. All those who looked down on me deserve to die. Father deserves to die. Mother deserves to die… If I kill them all, everything will finally be set right…”

“You brought this on yourself—”

“I never meant to harm him!”

“Then what about the cheating slip hidden in his basket?”

“That slip was merely what I had written for myself… but when they searched me, I panicked and shoved it into his test basket.”

“Even so, it came from you—”

Suddenly, Zhang lunged, seizing Wang Ying’s hair, shrieking:

“So what! He’s rich enough to live well without the exams, but I had nothing! NOTHING!!”

Terrified beyond endurance, Wang Ying had no choice but to trigger the experimental field.

A flash of white enveloped him, and the next moment, he lay upon the familiar earth of that magical realm.

At once, Chen Qingyan’s startled voice rang by his ears:

“Ah Ying, what happened to you?!”