Chapter 195: Come Lend a Hand

One must admit, as befits a high official, Huang Yan's political instincts are indeed sharp.

Only after Li Lin mentioned that the Wang family wished to meet him did he realize their intentions.

Huang Yan gently rotated the white porcelain teacup in his hand and said, "The Wang family does have certain connections; many of their people hold posts throughout Jincheng. Giving them the position of Beiliu County Magistrate would be no harm, but... the current eldest legitimate son of the Wang family will not make an excellent family head."

Li Lin nodded and said, "Indeed..."

"In other words, you are friends with the Wang family's second son, Wang Tianyou!"

Li Lin smiled and admitted it.

Huang Yan pondered for a moment, then said, "If the Huang family were led by the eldest son, this official would be too lazy to bother with them. But if Wang Tianyou can become the family head in the future, then matters could be discussed. Very well, I have noted this. In a few days, I shall summon someone from the Wang family to come and talk."

Li Lin clasped his fists: "Many thanks, Taishan, for your favor."

"Why be so formal between us?" Huang Yan stroked his beard and smiled: "By the way, is Qing'er well now?"

"Qing'er should already be at Taishan's home by now."

Huang Yan paused in surprise: "You brought Qing'er along this time as well?"

"Yes!"

"Hmm!" Huang Yan stood up: "Today, this official feels drowsy and unwell; I must take a day of rest."

On the other side, the carriage carrying Huang Qing and Hong Luan stopped before the Huang residence.

The gatekeeper was still the same old man from before.

Upon seeing Huang Qing and Hong Luan, he could scarcely believe his eyes, immediately rushed forward, and exclaimed joyfully, "Eldest Young Lady, you have returned!"

Huang Qing nodded.

The gatekeeper invited the two inside, then closed the door: "The Eldest Lady and the Young Lady are receiving guests in the rear courtyard; Eldest Young Lady, please go directly there."

Huang Qing led Hong Luan through the Huang residence, heading straight for the rear courtyard.

Along the way, many servants were familiar faces, though there were also some newly arrived servants.

The old servants all bowed to her, and she responded to each one in turn.

Upon reaching the rear courtyard, she saw the Eldest Lady seated in the main position, her younger sister Huang Ling sitting beside her, and her younger brother Huang Ying seated on the left.

Opposite them sat a young man and a young woman of quite pleasing appearance.

Huang Qing's sudden appearance from the moon gate naturally drew their attention.

As their gazes shifted over, the Huang family members all rose joyfully.

Huang Ling lifted her skirt and ran over happily: "Sister!"

She reached Huang Qing, grabbed the latter's hand, her eyes brimming with tears: "Why have you come? The journey must have been very hard."

"Not hard at all; my husband protected me."

The Eldest Lady and Huang Ying also walked over, and the family exchanged heartfelt words of reunion after a long separation.

Then the Eldest Lady took Huang Qing's hand, walked to the pavilion in the rear courtyard, and introduced her to the others: "This is my Huang family's eldest daughter."

The two on the opposite side rose and bowed with clasped fists: "We greet Huang Damei."

"This is Young Master Fang of the Fang family, and this is Young Lady Fang."

Both sides exchanged bows, then took their seats.

Young Master Fang was Fang Fengyi.

Generally speaking, if a man appears here, he is already considered 'one of the family.'

Upon hearing this, Huang Qing immediately understood that this Young Master Fang was her younger sister Huang Ling's future husband.

She curiously sized him up for a moment and inwardly nodded in approval.

He was dignified and handsome, appearing quite noble; he would be a good match for her sister.

But... he was far inferior to her husband.

At this moment, the Fang siblings were also sizing up Huang Qing.

Regarding this married eldest daughter of the Huang family, they had heard of her: golden hair, blue eyes, and quite beautiful.

Seeing her today, she was indeed beautiful, possessing a special charm.

Fang Fengyi cast only a single glance before withdrawing his gaze, daring not to look longer.

He considered himself a 'gentleman'; one should not look at what is improper.

However, Young Lady Fang kept staring at Huang Qing, and finally spoke: "Eldest Sister of the Huang family, what powder do you use?"

"Hmm?" Huang Qing paused in surprise: "I do not use powder; I only occasionally apply rouge."

Because Li Lin liked to taste the rouge on her lips, she generally applied a bit in the evening to please her husband.

"But why is your face so smooth?" Young Lady Fang asked.

Huang Qing's skin quality was truly excellent now; the surface was as smooth as jade, without a single flaw.

Such a condition would seem merely beautiful to men, but to women, achieving this degree is extremely, extremely difficult.

Hearing this, Huang Ling also examined her eldest sister closely and suddenly said, "Oh yes, I remember you used to have a tiny scar on your left forehead; it is gone now."

Huang Qing had fallen when she was young, specifically while playing with Huang Ling, so the latter remembered it vividly.

She had scraped her skin on her forehead; although the finest medicine was used, a small scar remained.

It was invisible at a distance but visible up close.

But now, that scar was gone.

The Eldest Lady of the Huang family also leaned over and exclaimed in wonder: "It really is gone. And this skin is so moist it makes one envious; what exactly did you use?"

Huang Qing blushed slightly; she did not wish to say now, especially since other men were present.

Hong Luan spoke up at this moment: "Eldest Lady, this is a token sent by our husband."

She was helping her Young Lady out of this predicament.

A large box was placed on the table, emitting a dull thud; the sound alone suggested it was heavy.

Fang Fengyi and the others felt nothing, but Fang Xiaomei beside them showed a change in expression, looking at Hong Luan in surprise.

The Eldest Lady had noticed the box earlier; she immediately opened it, saw the white porcelain bottle inside, and laughed at once: "My son-in-law has given thought to this."

Seeing the Youth-Preserving Pills and Body-Strengthening Pills inside, the Eldest Lady was very satisfied.

Although the household still had reserves, watching those small items diminish bit by bit with no new income naturally left her feeling somewhat anxious.

At this moment, Fang Xiaomei kept studying Hong Luan.

Hong Luan sensed the other's gaze, then looked back.

Fang Xiaomei smiled and asked: "This elder sister, have you studied martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Lady and Huang Ling both laughed.

The Eldest Lady said: "Hong Luan is a sister who grew up with Qing'er since childhood; she has never studied any martial techniques."

"Doesn't seem like it..." Fang Xiaomei said with a smile: "That box is extremely heavy; someone who has never studied martial arts couldn't possibly lift it."

The others were stunned.

Fang Fengyi stood up, exerted a bit of force, and turned red before lifting the box just a little.

Then he set the box down, exhaled, and looked at Hong Luan as if he had seen a ghost.

After all, Hong Luan looked soft and weak, not at all like someone who had practiced martial arts.

Just now she had been holding that box for a long time, yet now she showed no sign of fatigue whatsoever.

The others wore similar expressions, while Huang Qing remained very calm.

Fang Xiaomei stood up, clasped her fist, and said: "Disciple of the Tianyi Gate, Fang Yongwei; I dare ask, which sect and school does the martial lady belong to?"

Hong Luan's face turned very red; she waved her hands vigorously: "I have no sect; my husband taught me everything."

Ah!

Several people were left speechless.

Huang Ling reacted: "Li... brother-in-law even taught you martial techniques? Isn't this nonsense? What woman would learn such things?"

Huang Qing frowned slightly.

The Eldest Lady scolded: "Ling'er, how can you speak so of your brother-in-law? Matters between husband and wife are not for you to judge."

Huang Ling instinctively shrank her shoulders.

Fang Yongwei clasped her fist and said: "Martial lady, may I have a hand..."

Hong Luan was stunned, then extended her own hand and placed it before the other.

Fang Yongwei was also stunned for a moment, then said helplessly: "It seems you truly are not a person of the Jianghu. Your husband having you learn martial techniques at this age is also a strange man."

Huang Ling nodded repeatedly beside them.

Fang Yongwei continued to explain: "The term 'have a hand' is Jianghu slang; it means to spar."

Hong Luan waved her hands repeatedly: "That won't do; I'm not even considered a person of the Jianghu; I certainly cannot compare to you..."

But at this moment, Huang Qing suddenly said: "Hong Luan, spar with the martial lady Fang and see how well the skills our husband taught us hold up."

Hong Luan's body stilled for an instant; having grown up with Huang Qing since childhood, she immediately understood the Young Lady's meaning.

She did not want others to look down on her husband.

She immediately said: "Very well, let us spar."

At the same time, she felt somewhat ashamed; just now she had only thought of herself, failing to realize that the other's words were also questioning her husband's skills.

Then her gaze grew sharper.

Fang Yongwei walked to the open ground outside, waved her hand, and said: "Let us do it here. Do you study fists and feet, or weapons?"

"A set of fist techniques, a set of sword techniques."

Fang Yongwei nodded and said: "Then let us try both. Fist techniques first."

Having spoken, Fang Yongwei assumed a forward horse stance, extended her right hand, and waved at Hong Luan.

(End of this chapter)