Madam Liu and her son stayed until the afternoon before hurrying back to the county town.
Before leaving, the Liu Familyâs young master had made plans with Yangyang to fight again next time.
"Son, youâre supposed to call it sparring, not fighting, you know?" Yang Chuxia only said this after Madam Liu and her son had mounted their carriage and left.
"I like to call it fighting, it sounds more violent and imposing," he said while delivering a kick.
Hearing this, Yang Chuxia broke into a cold sweat and wanted to say, "Son, youâre so violent at such a young age, youâll scare off the girls and never get married when youâre older."
Another day passed, and news from Shen Qiu arrived.
"How is it?"
Yang Chuxia asked the messenger.
"Madam, it has been verified. Miss Shen indeed has an unusually close relationship with the Zhang Familyâs Eldest Young Master."
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia closed her eyes, then muttered to herself, "An unusually close relationship, thatâs a good one. I think sheâs out of her mind and canât see her own situation clearly. Tell me, how âunusually closeâ is their relationship?"
"Madam, Shen Qiu and the Zhang Familyâs young master met several years ago. They lost contact after Shen Qiu moved to the county town, but they bumped into each other again after she moved to the town. In truth, the young master from the Zhang Family is just a playboy who fancies Shen Qiuâs looks. Plus, heâs sweet-talking and spendthrift, almost every month he would buy Shen Qiu several new outfits and even jewelry, all of which she accepted."
"Apart from that, has any further relationship developed?" Yang Chuxia asked.
"Nothing of the sort has been found, I guess she just wants to swindle some money from the young master of the Zhang Family."
"Hmph, she has it all figured out, hasnât she? On one hand, she deceives him for clothes and jewelry to satisfy her vanity, while on the other, she plans to marry Uncle Dayong and live a comfortable life later. Does she think everyone else is a fool? If she really married into the Yang Family, would the Zhang Familyâs Young Master be willing? After he spent so much money on her."
And Yang Chuxia did not believe that there was no substantial relationship between the two. The Eldest Young Master of the Zhang Family was no fool; why would he spend money on her without getting anything in return?
This woman must be out of her mind. Sheâs been dragging things out with Uncle Dayong for so many years. Why couldnât she keep herself under control once she came to town? And if she couldnât, why waste those two or three years? There must be something wrong with her.
"Madam, what should we do now?" the messenger asked.
"Keep a close watch on them and wait for my instructions."
"Yes."
"Oh, right, has the Zhang Familyâs young master married?"
"He has a sick wife who is said to be seriously ill and could pass away at any time."
If that was the case, Yang Chuxia couldnât help but suspect Shen Qiu was waiting for the Zhang Familyâs sick wife to die. By then, Shen Qiu could marry into the Zhang Family. But perhaps, fearing that the wife might not die soon, she was stringing Uncle Dayong along? It felt as though she was using Uncle Dayong as a backup, the same as back then.
"I understand the situation. You may go now."
"Yes."
Once the messenger had left, Yang Chuxia thought that she definitely needed to tell Uncle Dayong about this, lest he end up marrying such a rotten person.
The only question was whether to tell him directly or to hint at it indirectly.
After much contemplation, Yang Chuxia decided that it was better to be direct. Uncle Dayong was a man and should have a stronger capacity to handle the truth.
With that decision, she had Sister-in-law Li prepare some homemade treats and took Yangyang with her to Land Officer Yangâs home.
"Mother, why are you bringing me along when youâre going to discuss matters? Uncle Qingkang doesnât like to play with me, he finds me too noisy."
Hearing this, Yang Chuxia stared at him intently, "You actually have some self-awareness; I also find you pretty noisy. Iâm taking you to see your great-grandmother, why all these questions?"