Chapter 207: Extortion Is Also a Way to Make Money

Why let Afang hold the brush and write in place? Actually there is a reason.

First, although Du Shanü is okay at drawing normally, when it comes to writing......

That is the "ghostly talisman script" that even Chinu can't bear to look at.

Before even practicing a single stroke well, they go around sending letters, making people laugh foolishly!

Second......

Second, she does not want to hide her true feelings from Chinu and Afang.

Du Shanü always hopes Chinu can understand that Yu Baobao is merely a little lazy and indulgent, not wrong.

She can spot Yu Baobao in a crowd at a glance, and constantly misses her from afar—surely there is a reason for that.

If there were no Chinu, her love might not reach a brilliant blaze, but it wouldn't just go out either—perhaps it would be like a spark, waiting forever.

She keeps in mind that someone at home waits for her, and she will return home even if she has to grit her teeth.

Yu Baobao worries about her fighting outside, and will surely stay up all night with the lamp lit waiting for her.

This is not just simple love; it is family, responsibility, the last pure land between heaven and earth.

She could die together with Chinu, but the "lingering love" must still live.

It is not Yu Baobao who diverts her attention from Chinu's side; rather, Chinu snatches her heart and spirit from beside Yu Baobao, occupying a completely new position......

"Why won't little Chinu speak?"

Inside the house it was somewhat quiet; Du Shanü opened her mouth to ask her dear beloved.

Chinu, who never says soft words, still gave a cold snort upon hearing that:

"...... Wife Master just favors and pities Yu Baobao."

"When those who revere him come to force me to death, you'll feel relieved in your heart."

"What nonsense! What nonsense!"

She clearly did not mean that!

Du Shanü realized that her barrage of words hadn't been heard at all; she finally sighed and gently stroked Chinu's waist, saying:

"That won't happen; I love our little Chinu the most...... I could never bear to leave you and it......"

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Chen Weifang really couldn't bear to listen, so she turned and walked away.

He walked quickly, but he couldn't escape the huge commotion behind him as Chinu flew into a rage out of shame.

Thus, even after walking some distance, he could still hear the noisy argument from behind——

"How can Wife Master say such shameless words—! It's simply—! Simply the worst woman in the world——!"

"Do you love me or not? Are you doing this because I love it, or because it loves me——!"

"I followed you at such a young age——!"

"How can I not be worthy of your one endearing 'most beloved'——!"

In short, in short......

Chinu always has a big temper; when she kicks up a fuss, it sometimes seems endless.

Fortunately, things are different now from before.

Nowadays, Chinu has someone to coax her.

Every utterance of her fuss lands on solid ground.

Someone soothes her with gentle words, bit by bit following the scars on Chinu's body, accumulated over years, already covered in wounds.

Chinu's fur is smoothed bit by bit, and that earth‑shaking clamor naturally fades away, turning into occasional petulant murmurs.

Chen Weifang really didn't want to hear the indoor vows that were sour enough to make one's teeth fall out; she sighed deeply and turned to leave.

He usually walks slowly, each step landing with myriad grace and ease.

But today, it is somewhat different again.

When Chen Weifang reached the side corridor leading to the East Wing Study, she suddenly heard a faint footstep—extremely light and swift, then abruptly stopped.

He glanced sideways and saw, not far from the moon gate, a figure in green robes dismissing the servant behind him, then sneaking close to the wall, pressing an ear to the carved long window of the study.

The clamor inside the study had subsided; the young couple didn't know what they were saying, and occasionally a laugh or a curse would leak out.

Most of the time Du Shanü gets scolded, but most of the time she is also laughing.

Even after being scolded, she is overjoyed.

The two were lost in their tender exchange, unaware that someone outside was eavesdropping on the wall——

Ruan Jintian.

Indeed, Ruan Jintian.

This young man, who usually restrains himself and behaves properly in public, is now completely the picture of a little thief eavesdropping on the wall.

Chen Weifang did not speak, merely stopping to look quietly for a moment.

Ruan Jintian had been listening for a while; a hint of disappointment flickered on his face, and as he was about to step away, he suddenly seemed to notice something and turned his head instinctively——

Exactly meeting Chen Weifang's pair of deep, tranquil eyes, like an ancient pool!

In the instant their eyes met, Ruan Jintian's pupils shrank sharply.

His whole body seemed nailed to the spot; his face turned pale by three tenths, then flushed with a thin blush of embarrassment.

"Chen…… County Magistrate……"

His voice was dry and hoarse; his Adam's apple rolled up and down once, his lips moved, but he could not squeeze out a second sentence.

His usual stern composure had vanished; only his eyes darted about anxiously, his fingers unconsciously clenched his cuffs, the joints whitening.

He instinctively wanted to retreat, but his back was already against the wall.

He instinctively wanted to explain, but his mind went completely blank.

The corridor fell silent except for the faint sound of a breeze brushing his sleeves and a lone cicada chirping from a faraway tree.

Chen Weifang continued to look at him in that same calm manner, saying nothing, her lips showing neither a smile nor a frown, just stillness like an ancient well untouched by ripples.

Third Young Master Ruan.

Chen Weifang did not ask why he was there or why he had acted so rudely.

He waited until the exceptionally mature young man, teeth clenched, stepped to his side, then narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Third Young Master Ruan, what a coincidence."

"I recently came into possession of an ancient text; after examining it I found it quite fascinating, and recalling that the Ruan clan is esteemed and versed in the classics, I intended to seek you out to discuss it together."

Ruan Jintian had been tense all over, but seeing that Chen Weifang was not going to hold his eavesdropping against him, he exhaled in relief.

"Thank you for your concern; the Ruan family has always loved books, and sharing the appreciation of ancient texts is likewise a refined pursuit."

"I wonder what classic could have earned the county magistrate's notice?"

In fact, Ruan Jintian's relief came too soon.

Chen Weifang gave him a smiling once‑over, then spoke with deep meaning.

"It's not exactly a refined work; it's just a book of strange tales."

"The oddity lies in the author's daring to speak and write; the opening story tells of a husband born with a strange habit—he likes to watch his wife with other men. So one day he pretends to go out, but really just steps away for a while, then sneaks back to peek through the window."

Chen Weifang's tone was not heavy; she spoke softly and slowly, at length.

But with every word he spoke, Ruan Jintian's face grew a shade paler.

Chen Weifang briefly finished the story, then said with interest.

"The Ruan clan's collection contains many such works; have you, Third Young Master, ever heard this story?"

Ruan Jintian's face turned deathly pale, so pale it even took on a bluish hue.

He knew it was bad, yet had no retreat, and gritted his teeth.

"I am definitely not that kind of person!"

Chen Weifang laughed again.

"It's just a classic; how could Third Young Master take it seriously? Besides, you're not even married yet—how could you have acquired such a peculiar habit, right?"

"Right?"

"Right?"

Chen Weifang's question was soft, yet to Ruan Jintian's ears it rang like a deep rumble.

Ruan Jintian's face went from white to blue, then to red, then darkened—like a huge dye vat being stirred.

Chen Weifang looked away, revealing no trace of the smug satisfaction that comes from having exposed someone.

He walked a few steps down the covered walkway, then, as if casually, turned back and said to Ruan Jintian.

"By the way, Third Young Master, if you like that story in the book, why not buy it from me now?"

"If you don't buy it, I'll head to Zhoufu in a few days to call on Deputy Prefect Ruan; I might bring the book for him to look at, to see if we can work out some new scholarship."

"I'm sincere about selling; this book isn't expensive—just the price of a workshop will do."

?? Some things, after all, still need to rely on our Afang! (*^▽^*)