Chen Jinghan held Su Qing’er tightly, as if afraid she might run away, repeating over and over, “Wife, I was wrong. I didn’t protect you properly. It’s all my fault.”
“Husband…” Qing’er, nestled in his embrace, finally let out all her pent-up frustrations. This dreadful day had at last come to an end.
The next day, as Chen Jinghan was returning home after court, a child of seven or eight blocked his path.
The child brandished a long spear, standing firm, and asked with an imposing tone, “Are you Chen Jinghan?”
“I am. And you are…?” Jinghan asked with interest, eyeing the small figure before him.
“I’m Song Ruchen. Song Ru’ning is my sister.” The child introduced himself, jabbing the spear forward.
Jinghan couldn’t help but laugh—he hadn’t even gone to the Song family to demand justice yet, and now they came knocking first… sending such a tiny representative!
He waved casually. “I never strike children. Go home now.”
Ruchen’s face flushed red as he lunged with his spear.
Jinghan watched the child’s movements. They were precise, indicating some years of training.
With a swift turn, Jinghan dodged the first strike.
The boy thrust again, this time aiming for Jinghan’s leg.
This child… if left unchecked, trouble was guaranteed!
Jinghan grabbed the spear, twisting it with a little force, snapping it with a loud clank to the ground.
Ruchen stood frozen, dumbfounded.
“Master above, please accept a bow from your student!” The boy quickly regained his composure, prostrating himself with a deep kowtow.
Jinghan was taken aback. He helped the boy up, insisting that he didn’t take apprentices and telling him to go home and stop this nonsense.
But Ruchen wouldn’t let up, sticking close behind him.
After a short distance, Jinghan wore a stern expression and feigned anger: “Go home now! Keep following me and I’ll lock you up!”
“You’re trying to scare me? Ha! I’m not afraid!” Ruchen grinned mischievously, eyes gleaming as if he had seen through everything.
Jinghan found the boy’s boldness audacious. First, his sister nearly killed Qing’er, and now this one challenges him with a spear.
He remembered his father had said that the venerable Song general was loyal and righteous, and though both his sons died in battle, the family still had grandchildren.
Having witnessed the impudent siblings, Jinghan began to doubt the rumors, thinking, “Perhaps a crooked tree produces crooked branches. Maybe the Song family really is like this.”
Seeing Ruchen still following, Jinghan had an idea. As the boy approached, he scooped him up onto the horse, securing him across the back, and rode swiftly home.
Ruchen, thinking he was about to be imprisoned, flailed and struggled.
Jinghan spanked him on the rear a few times until he calmed down. They galloped quickly, arriving at the estate in no time.
He dismounted, dragged Ruchen to the courtyard, and warned: “Since you insist on following me, stay here properly. Don’t cause trouble, or I’ll lock you up!”
“But you brought me here, didn’t you? Doesn’t that mean you agreed to be my master?” Ruchen smirked mischievously, noticing the nameplate above the gate.
“No more nonsense! Stand here and don’t run!” Jinghan had intended to scare him into begging, then release him onto the street. But the boy’s stubbornness left him no choice but to bring him inside.
Hearing the commotion, Su Qing’er came out, witnessing the standoff. She asked curiously about the scene.
Ruchen’s eyes brightened at the sight of Qing’er. His face bloomed into a grin as he stepped forward: “Sister, I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. Even a fairy descending from the heavens couldn’t match you.”
Qing’er laughed at his words, her mood lifting instantly.
Jinghan, however, frowned deeply, stepping in front of Qing’er. “Brat! She’s my wife. Don’t speak nonsense to her!”
Ruchen pouted, unbothered. “Nonsense? I’m just saying she’s beautiful. What does it matter to me if she’s your wife? I haven’t even complimented you!”
Jinghan nearly foamed with rage. If not for the boy’s age, he would have disciplined him on the spot.
Qing’er found the situation amusing—her fearless husband seemed completely at the mercy of this child.
She kept smiling, leaving Jinghan both helpless and frustrated.
Just then, Ruchen’s stomach grumbled loudly. Embarrassed, he lowered his head.
Qing’er walked past Jinghan, grabbed Ruchen’s arm, and led him toward the dining hall.
Jinghan hurried after her: “Wife, do you even know who he is?”
“Didn’t you bring him here? Why can’t I lead him inside?” Qing’er shot him a glance, amused that her usually decisive general seemed hesitant today.
Before Jinghan could respond, Ruchen introduced himself again, declaring he had come to seek revenge because his sister had been wronged.
“Wife, did you hear that? He came for Song Ru’ning! This family really…” Jinghan’s anger flared again as he recounted everything Song Ru’ning had done to Qing’er.
Ruchen didn’t believe a word. That day, when his sister returned from the birthday banquet, she cried, claiming a general named Chen Jinghan had scolded her, saying the entire Song family was corrupt. He had come specially for revenge.
“Hmph! You believed your sister’s words without question? If you don’t, go ask around and see for yourself! Our Chen family doesn’t get involved with arrogant households, got it?” Jinghan vented all his frustration.
Seeing his veins bulging with rage, Ruchen was slightly shaken. He turned to Qing’er and asked, “Sister, is what he said true?”
Qing’er, seeing the boy was still a child, didn’t wish to burden him. She stayed silent on the side.
“I’ll go check! If you’re lying, I’ll challenge you!” Ruchen’s face turned red as he bolted off, forgetting all about the earlier notion of apprenticeship.
Initially, he had wanted to get back at his sister, then considered learning from Jinghan after seeing his skill. But now, after hearing Jinghan slander his sister, he only wanted to verify the truth before confronting him.
In truth, what truly made him hesitate was Qing’er—she had treated him kindly at their first meeting, so he knew she wouldn’t lie.