Because the whole affair was far too complicated, Fang Shubai feared that if he reported it to the authorities, other matters would come to light as well. In the end, he could only swallow the loss in silence.
Fortunately, the previous night he had endured the pain and managed to find the petty thief. Two taels of silver were enough to send the man out of town overnight, and only then could he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Madam Zhou stood in the courtyard, cursing at the top of her lungs.
“Which damned bastard beat my son like this? My son is a scholar with an official degree! They dared to lay hands on him? They’ve become completely lawless!”
Ruan Qingli was hanging freshly washed clothes in the courtyard. The more she listened, the happier she became.
Go ahead and curse.
The harsher the scolding, the more it proved she’d beaten Fang Shubai badly.
Aunt Zhang climbed onto a ladder and peeked over the wall, quietly calling out,
“Qingli!”
Ruan Qingli looked up, delighted to see her.
“Aunt Zhang, you’re working for the Fang family again?”
“Yes. They’ve hired me back. Qingli, I heard what happened to you. I don’t believe a word they’re saying. I know you’d never do such a thing.”
Touched, Ruan Qingli said,
“Aunt Zhang, I knew you’d believe me.”
Aunt Zhang glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before asking,
“Qingli, are you doing all right at Constable Han’s house? What are your plans for the future?”
At the mention of her future, Ruan Qingli shook her head in confusion.
Seeing her remain silent, Aunt Zhang continued,
“Qingli, you’re still young—not even twenty yet. Are you really going to let your youth slip away like this? You should find a good man and remarry.”
Ruan Qingli smiled faintly.
“Who would be willing to marry someone in my situation?”
“Qingli, would you consider becoming a second wife? There’s a Master Li who lives on the west side of town. He’s only in his early thirties and owns several shops. His wife died years ago, and he has a son and a daughter. I heard he’s looking for another wife. He doesn’t care whether she can bear children. He just wants someone gentle and capable. Why don’t you meet him?”
Ruan Qingli wasn’t naive. She knew Aunt Zhang wouldn’t bring this up without a reason.
“Aunt Zhang, tell me honestly. Did Master Li ask you to come sound me out today?”
Having been exposed so directly, Aunt Zhang looked embarrassed.
“Qingli… yes, Master Li did ask me. But I don’t have any selfish motives. I honestly think you’re a good match. He said he doesn’t mind your past. He only wants someone willing to live an honest life with him. He’s a bit older, but he’s decent-looking and well-off. If you marry him, at least you’ll never have to worry about food or clothing.”
After hearing Aunt Zhang’s words, Ruan Qingli was somewhat tempted.
After all, staying at Han Sheng’s house couldn’t be a long-term solution.
He had kindly taken her in. She couldn’t simply continue imposing on him forever.
Maybe…
Meeting the man wouldn’t hurt.
Seeing her hesitation, Aunt Zhang smiled.
“I’ll make the arrangements. Once we’ve settled on a date, I’ll let you know.”
Three days later, Ruan Qingli met Master Li.
He looked fairly presentable and wore a mustache. He wasn’t nearly as youthful-looking as Aunt Zhang had described. At first glance, he was clearly a man in his mid-thirties.
They met at a teahouse.
Ruan Qingli remained reserved, while Master Li was exceptionally enthusiastic.
After only half a cup of tea, he had already begun planning their future.
“Miss Ruan, after we’re married, you won’t need to work as a servant anymore. Just stay home, manage the household, and take care of my two children. I’ll give you one hundred copper coins every month for spending money. You can spend it however you like.”
It was only one hundred copper coins, yet he spoke as though he were offering her a hundred taels of silver.
The more Ruan Qingli listened, the more her head ached.
To avoid responding, she simply lowered her head and drank her tea.
Seeing her finish the cup, a gleam flashed across Master Li’s eyes.
He immediately refilled it with great enthusiasm.
“This teahouse serves the best tea in town. Have a few more cups.”
Tea was a luxury Ruan Qingli rarely enjoyed.
With wars raging everywhere, ordinary people barely had enough to eat, let alone spare money for tea.
Only merchants who profited from the country’s hardships could earn fortunes during times of disaster.
Seeing that she showed little interest, Master Li suggested,
“Miss Ruan, would you like to visit my home? You can see the household for yourself and have a better idea of what your future would be like.”
Ruan Qingli didn’t have a favorable impression of him.
There was something lecherous about the way he looked at her.
She refused outright.
“No. It’s getting late. I should head back.”
As she stood to leave, Master Li quickly asked,
“What about our marriage?”
“I don’t think we’re well suited after meeting today. Let’s leave it at that.”
The moment Ruan Qingli rose to her feet, her legs suddenly weakened, and dizziness washed over her.
She had never encountered an aphrodisiac before.
She had no idea what was happening.
She only knew she could barely stand.
Seeing the drug take effect, Master Li smiled.
“Miss Ruan, are you feeling unwell? My carriage is waiting outside. Let me take you home.”
Ruan Qingli refused.
But after staggering only a few steps out of the teahouse, her legs gave out completely.
Master Li gave a meaningful glance.
An older woman immediately emerged from the shadows and, without giving Ruan Qingli any chance to resist, forced her into the carriage.
The moment she was inside, Master Li’s hands began wandering over her.
When he reached for her face, Ruan Qingli gathered the last of her strength and bit him fiercely.
She bit down so hard that he cried out in pain.
Using his free hand, he grabbed her by the throat to force her to let go.
Still unsatisfied, he slapped her across the face.
“You bitch! Who are you pretending to be so chaste for? You were willing to run away with another man. Who knows how many men have already slept with you? If it weren’t for your pretty face, do you think I’d want damaged goods like you—”
Before he could finish speaking, the carriage suddenly lurched to a stop.
The curtain was thrown open.
A powerful hand yanked him straight out.
The instant Han Sheng saw the barely conscious Ruan Qingli inside the carriage, he turned around and delivered several vicious kicks to Master Li.
Master Li was beaten so badly that he didn’t even get a chance to speak.
Had Su Mingyuan not stopped Han Sheng, he would have lost at least one leg.
“Ah Sheng, that’s enough! Leave him to me. Take Miss Ruan back first. Something’s clearly wrong with her.”
The journey home was anything but peaceful.
At first, the drug had only made Ruan Qingli dizzy and weak.
But as that stage passed, strength gradually returned to her body.
Only now she became increasingly restless.
Right in front of Han Sheng, she began tugging at her clothes.
“It’s so hot…”
Han Sheng immediately caught her hands.
“Ali, don’t move around. Hang in there. It’ll pass.”
Ruan Qingli found his hands wonderfully cool.
She pressed her face against them.
“I feel so awful… help me…”
How was he supposed to help?
Han Sheng could clearly see how miserable she was.
He had no idea how much of the drug that scoundrel had given her.
If they hadn’t happened to spot her from the restaurant across the street, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
“Ali, endure it a little longer. We’ll be at the medical clinic soon.”
But Ruan Qingli couldn’t bear it anymore.
It felt as though countless tiny flames were burning inside her body.
Her mouth was dry, and every breath felt scorching.
Like a little kitten, she rubbed herself against Han Sheng, searching instinctively for relief.
Yet nothing eased the torment.
Instead, it only grew stronger.
At some point, Han Sheng realized she had wrapped her arms around his neck.
Then she climbed onto his lap.
Her soft lips pressed gently against his.
Boom.
It was as though something exploded inside both of them.
The most primal desires buried deep within stirred to life in an instant.