Chapter 40: Blocking the Way?

"Spare us, please!"
"Second Brother just brought us to scare them a little."
"He said he was paid to do the job."
"We don’t even know who hired him."
"..."
"Woo woo, woof woof—"

The four battered men, faces swollen and bruised, sobbed out their confession under the menacing growl of the big black dog.

Upon hearing this, Lu Dashan gritted his teeth. "Liu Er!"

He immediately set off to settle the score with Liu Er, who had already slipped over the wall.

"Shouldn’t you check on your son first?" someone asked.

Lu Dashan slapped his forehead and hurried deeper into the alley.

"Son, are you all right?"

"I’m fine, thank you, Father."

His son’s voice, though deep and resonant, sounded fragile in the narrow alley.

Lu Dashan’s mouth hung open; it was as if his son’s words had circled the air before finally reaching his ears. "Ah, th-that’s good."

"And how is your new wife?"

Turning to Su Tang, his gaze was still somewhat dazed and stiff.

Su Tang forced a polite smile and replied with humility, "Thank you, Father-in-law. I am unharmed."

Lu Dashan shivered—whether at the word "daughter-in-law" or "father-in-law," he couldn't tell—and the haze in his eyes instantly cleared. "That’s good. Let’s go home."

Though those outside couldn’t see Lu Dashan’s expression, they witnessed Su Tang’s respectful bow clearly and couldn’t help but click their tongues in admiration.

"Lu Dashan, you should have seen it—your daughter-in-law stood her ground with just a tree branch, holding those ruffians at bay like a lone warrior."

"Indeed, if it weren’t for her..."

The rest went unsaid, but the meaning was obvious.

Scholars are weak.

Standing next to Lu Dashan, his son looked less and less like his kin.

Lu Dashan, having finally come to his senses, was once again astonished.

Protected... the young master?

He couldn’t wrap his head around it...

Had they not been surrounded by so many, he might have asked his son outright—was this some sort of scheme?

Lu Dashan frowned and mulled it over, catching a sharp glance from Li Qingtian.

He quickly straightened up and declared in a solemn tone, "The Lu family is truly blessed."

Everyone: If only we could give Lu Dashan a beating too.

Li Qingtian pondered silently.

Something’s off about Lu Dashan...

***

Lu Dashan, Li Qingtian, Su Tang, and Jingyuan emerged from the alley.

The four culprits were still detained outside. "What should we do with these men?" someone asked.

All eyes—onlookers and those who had intervened—turned to Lu Dashan, as his family were the victims.

Lu Dashan glanced at Jingyuan.

Jingyuan looked askance at Su Tang.

Catching on, Lu Dashan followed suit.

Li Qingtian kept his gaze fixed on his wife.

With so many watching, Su Tang’s smile grew a little stiff, but she’d weathered greater storms.

She bent her knee in a graceful bow. "Thank you, uncles and elders, for your timely aid. My husband, our family, and I are deeply grateful and shall certainly repay your kindness."

"No need, no need, it was the right thing to do."

"We’d do the same for any household. In broad daylight, these lads must be mad."

The men who’d stepped in waved their hands dismissively, spitting at the four offenders.

The culprits, subdued and watched by the snarling black dog whose jowls nearly grazed the ground, dared not flee.

Su Tang smiled. "They were momentarily blinded by greed, but since my husband and I are unharmed and have received your righteous lesson, let’s leave them to the town chief’s justice. What do you all think?"

Pale-faced but determined, her words warmed the crowd, and everyone nodded in agreement.

The Lu family truly was blessed.

Those who had fought took it upon themselves to handle the rest, urging Lu Dashan to return home and calm his family.

As the crowd dispersed, someone slipped away unnoticed; Jingyuan and Lu Dashan exchanged a silent glance.

***

Back at the house, Li Qingtian could not hide his lingering fear.

"Thank goodness we decided yesterday how many goods to sell today. If we hadn’t closed shop early..."

"Yes, ordinarily you’d be home by now. I was just about to go look for you, but never expected—" Lu Dashan slapped his thigh, his honest face twisted in anger.

"I thought it was merely a thief, but it turns out otherwise," Su Tang said, her complexion easing a little as she glanced at her young husband.

Jingyuan replied, "They were after me."

Lu Dashan’s eyes went wide. "S-son, how do you know?"

Jingyuan remained silent.

Su Tang answered, "Liu Er confessed himself."

Li Qingtian and Lu Dashan looked at Jingyuan, who nodded. Li Qingtian glared at Lu Dashan. "It must be you. The young master hardly leaves the house—he’s only just started school."

Lu Dashan scratched his head, even more bewildered. "Yes, he’s only been at school a few days. If it’s about our business, they shouldn’t be targeting him... so it really is me?"

"Has anyone held a grudge against you lately? Or have you gotten in someone’s way?" Li Qingtian pressed.

Su Tang noticed her husband watching Li Qingtian and cleared her throat.

Li Qingtian caught himself overstepping, covered his mouth, and straightened up. "Forgive me, Father-in-law. I spoke out of turn—I was just anxious. Your daughter-in-law is frail, and your son is rather delicate. We were fortunate to have brave souls around today; if it had been in a deserted spot, regret would come too late."

Lu Dashan, oblivious to any awkwardness, nodded. "Yes, you’re right. There can be no regrets in such matters."

He looked to Jingyuan, and a subtle current passed between their eyes.

"I’ll go and see what I can find out," said Lu Dashan.

"Be careful, Father," Jingyuan replied.

"All right," Lu Dashan said, heading out at once.

Li Qingtian rose to follow.

Lu Dashan stopped him. "You stay here with them. It’s best to have someone at home."

Li Qingtian hesitated but agreed.

Lu Dashan was more familiar with the town, after all, and was better suited to the task than she was.

***

After Lu Dashan left, Su Tang turned to Jingyuan. "Has anyone at school been unfriendly or hostile to you?"

Jingyuan looked at her.

Su Tang hesitated. "Could it be that fellow, Huang?"

Jingyuan pressed his lips together. "You should rest now."

With that, he rose and went to his room.

Su Tang stared after him, then looked at Li Qingtian: What did he mean by that?

Li Qingtian hesitated. "Perhaps he just wants you to rest?"

Su Tang replied gravely, "I think I hit the mark."

At this, Li Qingtian quickly asked, "Who is this Huang?"

Su Tang blinked, then laughed softly. "I really might be tired—I should get some rest," she said, turning to her room.

That classmate Huang certainly had a greasy, unpleasant air, but to think he’d hire thugs? It seemed unlikely. Besides, her husband had only been at school a few days—if a supposedly virtuous scholar would stoop to such means, her little husband must be quite the troublemaker.

She opened the door.

There he was at the table, already spreading paper to practice his calligraphy.

Clear-featured and handsome, elegant and refined, a young man in his prime, truly the image of a noble youth.

How could anyone take a dislike to him?

Su Tang couldn’t help but smile with the fondness of an elder.