Married Thrice to Salted Fish

Chapter 9

9.

Let alone in wealthy and influential families, even in poor humble families, paying respects to her in-laws was something that a daughter-in-law had to do. Lin Qingyu was extremely averse to doing it, but in order not to leave Liang Shi anything to hold against him, he had no choice but to appear before Liang Shi every day and go through the motions.

In the past, Liang Shi wouldn’t say much to him either him. He never responded to topics between married women and Liang Shi couldn’t get a firm grasp over him. So, she would simply ask him a bit about Lu Wancheng’s condition and then allow him to return to the Blue Wind Pavilion.

Early this morning, Lin Qingyu stepped into the main hall. He saw Liang Shi sitting in the main seat and knew she had something to say.

Sure enough, Liang Shi had the maid serve two cups of freshly brewed tea and then said while savoring the taste, “Qingyu, you have been married into the Hou Mansion for a while.”

Lin Qingyu did not reply. Liang Shi waited for a while and then continued, “Do you know what is the most important thing about being a wife?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “I don’t know.”

“The top priority is, of course, to bear children children for your husband. However…” Liang Shi sighed, looking very much filled with regret.

Lin Qingyu inwardly sneered. “This I cannot do. Madam should have Young Master Hou cast me off and have him marry a good wife who can.”

Liang Shi had probably grown accustomed to his sarcastic remarks and wasn’t upset at being contradicted. Instead, she smiled and said, “What silly thing are you saying? You are Wancheng’s lucky star. Wancheng could never ever leave you.”

When Liang Shi finished speaking, she sized up Lin Qingyu’s expression. Seeing that he remained unmoved, she brought her face back to a serious expression. She said, with stern countenance, “The most important thing is what is called ‘assisting one’s husband and teaching one’s children’. For now, the ‘teaching’ part, you cannot do. So you can only learn how to ‘assist one’s husband’. You are the Shaojun of the Hou Mansion. You too should learn how to manage the affairs of the mansion, so that you can share Wancheng’s burdens.”

“Share Young Master Hou’s burdens?” Lin Qingyu laughed, “Dare I ask Madam, what exactly are Young Master Hou’s burdens? Is it the Hwamei being unable to sing, or the myna being unable to speak? Or… is it his illness?”

Just as Lin Qingyu guessed, upon hearing the word “illness”, Liang Shi’s lips pursed unnaturally. “Doctor Zhang is there to take care of Wancheng’s condition.”

“If I remember correctly, Master Hou once asked me to take care of Young Master Hou’s body. At that time, Madam was also there.”

“In-indeed, there was such a thing.”

Lin Qingyu nodded lightly, “Then it shall be as Madam said.”

Liang Shi’s fingers curled into fists, but a smile appeared on her lips. “Long before you married, I heard the matchmaker say that the son of the Pan Yuan of the Imperial Hospital was born not only with matchless good looks, but also with outstanding talent and intelligence, with the ability to remember things with a single look. It is the most capable people who do the most work. Given your intelligence, attending to both the matters of the mansion and to Wancheng’s health should not be a difficult feat for you. —- Come.”

An old woman walked in. It was Liu Momo who had been punished a month ago to do drudgery. Liu Momo presented several thick ledgers and said, “Asking Shaojun to take a look at these.”

Lin Qingyu casually picked up the top one and said indifferently, “I have not seen you in a month. Liu Momo evidently appears to have aged. It seems that you have not had an easy time of doing drudgery.”

Liu Momo forced a smile and said, “This servant committed a mistake. It is only right that she was punished.”

“These are the ledgers for just this month. Try to organize them first. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can ask Mother at any time.” Liang Shi said, “There’s quite a lot of them, but given your ability… How about three days? Within three days, tidy up the ledger and return it Mother, yes?”

Before Lin Qingyu could speak, Liu Momo rushed in to say, “Shaojun, the Madam regards you very highly.”

“Exactly,” Liang Shi said with a smile. “I am old and I wish to enjoy a life in ease and comfort. In the future, this huge Hou Mansion will depend on Qingyu’s management.”

Although the act that mistress and servant put on was clumsy, it was reasonable. The mistress has entrusted the stewardship of the household to the Shaojun. No matter how anyone looked at it, the mistress was being magnanimous and was putting her trust in the Shaojun. If the Shaojun were to shirk this responsibility, he would be branded as being unable to tell good from bad, of being an unworthy wife.

The question was, was Liang Shi sincerely letting him manage the household?

How could that possibly be? Unlike Lu Wancheng’s biological mother, Liang Shi was born ordinary. Her father was only an assistant minister below fourth-rank. She must still cower in fear in front of Nan’an Hou. There was the eldest son left by the first wife and her own biological son was trash. The only thing Liang Shi could carry with her in the Hou Mansion was the power of stewardship.

He didn’t have the least bit interest in the Hou Mansion’s power of stewardship. He was, however, interested in seeing Liang Shi regret her actions, seeing her ashamed and reproaching herself.

“I will carry in my heart the Madam’s kindness.” Lin Qingyu threw the account book in his hand back onto the tray, “I accept these ledgers.”

Liang Shi nodded, gratified, “Qingyu, don’t let Mother down.”

As soon as Lin Qingyu left, the gentleness left Liang Shi’s face. She murmured, “He actually agreed so readily…”

Liu Momo looked askance in the direction of the door. “Don’t look at how Shaojun appears like an immortal aloof from politics and material pursuits. In his heart, he still covets the wealth of the Hou Mansion.”

Liang Shi shook his head. “He only has the Imperial Medical Office in his heart. Normally, he shouldn’t be this kind of person.”

“Why would he not be? Madam, one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature. You must keep your guard up. You must not let Shaojun actually seize the power of stewardship.”

“About this, you can rest assured.” Liang Shi said easily, “I sent someone to inquire about it. He never asked about the account books of the Lin Residence. No matter how outstanding in ability and wisdom, it is impossible to attend to both things at once. We’ll have to see which one he wants to give up. As for the stewardship…in the end, it can only be mine.”

Liu Momo said solicitously, “Madam is wise.”

Liang Shi slowly got up with Liu Momo’s support. “Notify the servants who understand the accounts. Don’t let them help people they shouldn’t.”

Madam Liu hurriedly said, “This servant will go at once.”

In the Blue Wind Pavilion, Lu Wancheng slept until midday as usual. Seeing that his complexion didn’t look so good upon waking up, Hua Lu asked him if he was uncomfortable anywhere. Lu Wancheng rubbed his forehead and said, “I have a headache.”

Hua Lu said nervously, “You’re in perfectly good condition. How can you have a headache?”

Lu Wancheng guessed, “Probably from lack of sleep.”

Hua Lu: “…”

Although it was a common occurrence for Lu Wancheng to have headaches and slight fevers, Hua Lu didn’t dare be the slightest bit neglectful. And so, she went to the study and invited Lin Qingyu over.

Lin Qingyu checked his pulse, felt his forehead, and said, “You’re sleeping too much.”

Lu Wancheng was shocked. “Impossible.”

“Why would it be impossible?” Lin Qingyu said, “Do you think you’re a baby? You sleep for sixteen hours a day. If anyone’s going to get a headache, it’s you.”

Lu Wancheng sighed, “What should I do then?”

Lin Qingyu sat on the side of the bed, massaging Lu Wancheng’s temples for him, the force of his hands neither light nor heavy. “Sleep less. In the future, even if you want to wake up, you might not…”

His voice stopped abruptly.

Lu Wancheng was resting on Lin Qingyu’s lap, smelling the faint scent of books on him. Suddenly there was a hint of uneasiness. He stiffened for a moment. Telling himself that Lin Qingyu was also a man, he then relaxed, closing his eyes to enjoy this moment of peace.

He hadn’t enjoyed for long before Lin Qingyu ruthlessly stopped and got up, letting Hua Lu take his place.

Lu Wancheng said quietly, “It’s over?”

“I’m very busy.”

“Huh? What are you doing?”

Light as a feather, Lin Qingyu let out this sentence, “You have a good stepmother.”

After Lu Wancheng inquired a little bit, he found out what had happened that morning. He couldn’t help chuckling and he said, “She’s in a bit of a hurry, isn’t she? Can’t even wait for a few months…Not bad.”

Hua Lu couldn’t understand. She said, “If Shaojun becomes the one managing the household in the future, wouldn’t our life be better?”

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “What are you thinking?”

In the afternoon, Lin Qingyu ran out of the study, taking the medicine roller with him. The Blue Wind Pavilion had an elegant gazebo most suitable for enjoying the spring scenery. It was a pity that Lin Qingyu came a step late and the pavilion had already been occupied.

Lu Wancheng was half-lying on a rocking chair. Rocking slowly, he basked in the sun. Dressed as he was in red, with a languid look on his face, and his long hair carelessly tied together, it added to his romantic and unrestrained air.

Hearing Lin Qingyu’s footsteps, Lu Wancheng opened his eyes and looked. “Why is Doctor Lin here? And I thought you’d be staying in your study the whole day.”

Lin Qingyu said, “I’m here to pound medicine.”

Lu Wancheng asked, “Eh? Aren’t you looking at the accounts?”

Lin Qingyu said, “I’ll deal with it later.”

“Then, not only do you want to read medical books and dispense medicine, but you also want look at the accounts? You want everything?”

Lin Qingyu asked in reply, ” Otherwise?”

“Can you even finish it?”

“I’ll try.”

“Oh… Doctor Lin, what kind of medicine are you pounding now?”

“A good medicine for causing kidney weakness in men.”

Lu Wancheng:?

In a gazebo by the water, with luxuriant flowers and trees all around, the two of them, ones basking in the sun, the other pounding medicine, shared this boundless spring scenery.

It was already getting late by the time Lin Qingyu finished today’s matter of dispensing medicine. He lit the lamp in the study and began to look through the ledgers. Though it was true that he has never come into contact with the household’s general affairs, he was constantly by his mother’s side when he was young. His mother often managed the accounts, and imperceptibly influenced by what he has seen and heard, he too managed to get the general idea.

Bookkeeping is done in a streamlined way, so it’s not difficult to understand. But the writing in the account books Liang Shi gave him were small and blurred. After only half an hour of looking at it, and his eyes were already sore. In addition, the transaction dates were confusing, details were missing, and the contents missing from one book appeared in another… No wonder Liang Shi wanted him to finish it in three days.

But even so, it might not be impossible for him to do it.

In the dead of night, the candlelight flickered. Hearing the soft sounds behind the door, Huan Tong, who’d been waiting upon Lin Qingyu by the desk, ran to open the door, “Young Master Hou? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Lu Wancheng stepped into the study with Hua Lu’s help. “The night is long and I’m not in any mood to sleep. Besides, your Young Master won’t let me sleep more.”

With his head down, looking at the ledger, Lin Qingyu said, “I told you to sleep less during the day. I didn’t tell you to stay up late.”

From morning to night, Lin Qingyu didn’t stop for even a moment. By this time, he could no longer hide his exhaustion. Seeing Lin Qingyu’s tired face, Lu Wancheng’s chest tightened. He said, “It’s zishi already. How about you don’t look at those for now? Leave today’s matters to tomorrow’s you, how about it?”

Lin Qingyu didn’t look up. “Tomorrow’s me would rather give it to today’s Young Master Hou.”

“……Eh?”

“Since Young Master Hou has a long night ahead of him and doesn’t wish to sleep, why not come and help me…?”

Lu Wancheng choked. He put his hands to his temples and starting walking backwards. “My head’s starting to hurt again. Let me lie down. I should lie down…”

Lu Wancheng slipped away so fast that it made Huan Tong wonder if his illness had already healed. Huan Tong served Lin Qingyu a fresh cup of tea, and whispered, “That Young Master Hou! Really! He’s so averse to even the littlest bit of work.”

Lin Qingyu was used to it. “He’s just a bag of lazy bones. You’d be better off burning incense and praying to Buddha than to count on him.”

When he said these words, he found that Lu Wancheng had unexpectedly turned back and returned. Allowing no explanation, he walked in front of Lin Qingyu. Expression imposing, he looked at the books spread out on the table.

Lin Qingyu was baffled. “What?”

Lu Wancheng leaned forward and blew out the table lamp.

Lin Qingyu: “…”

In the darkness, he felt a cool touch around his wrist. Lu Wancheng had unexpectedly gotten hold on his wrist. “Go to sleep, the account books… leave them to me.”

Lin Qingyu broke free of his grip. “Leave them to you? You’re not just going to leave them undone, are you?”

Lu Wancheng was momentarily at a loss for words. He was unable to refute.

“Besides, if Liang Shi finds out that you’d done it, wouldn’t she accuse me of being disrespectful to my husband? I want to do this well because…”

“I know, you want to take this opportunity to slap her in the face. But there’s no need to make life difficult for yourself. You don’t like managing the affairs of the household so why force yourself?” Lu Wancheng said, “Huan Tong, hide the lamp. Don’t let your Young Master light it.”

Lin Qingyu said coldly, “Young Master Hou, mind your own business. Don’t involve yourself in mine. Huan Tong, turn on the lamp.”

Huan Tong didn’t dare disobey the Young Master’s words and he turned on the lamp again. Lin Qingyu then saw that Lu Wancheng’s expression was no longer his usual lazy and casual one. Lu Wancheng raised his eyebrows and said, “Your business?”

Lu Wancheng like this felt a little unfamiliar to Lin Qingyu.

Lu Wancheng said again, “Since when were the troubles created by my stepmother, your business? Shouldn’t it be mine?”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself.” Lin Qingyu’s voice was a bit cold, “Young Master Hou should just rest and recuperate.”

Lu Wancheng was silent for a moment. He then suddenly smiled, returning to normal again. “But without Doctor Lin in the room, I can’t sleep at night.”

“Then you might as well stay up.” Lin Qingyu didn’t feel sorry for him at all. “The occasional burning of the midnight oil never killed anyone.”

Lu Wancheng: “…”

Neither of them slept well that night. Lin Qingyu went to bed in the wee hours of the morning and still got up early to continue burying himself in the books.

“Young Master,” Huan Tong’s voice came from outside, “There’s an uncle who wants to see you. He said he was summoned here by Young Master Hou.”

What was Lu Wancheng up to?

Lin Qingyu frowned. “Let him in.”

Not long after, a regular-looking middle-aged man walked in and said, “Paying my respects to Shaojun. I am an accountant from Wen Guo Gong‘s Mansion. My surname is Zhang, and my name is Zhang Shiquan.”

Lin Qingyu was a bit surprised but he more or less understood what was going on. “Young Master Hou asked you to come to…?”

“Last night, Young Master Hou wrote to Master Guo Gong. The letter said that Shaojun had some messy accounts he needs to take care of and that he was unable to do as much as he would like to. After choosing carefully, Master Guo Gong sent me to come help.” Zhang Shiquan respectfully said, “Do not worry, Shaojun. I have been doing work in accounting since I was a child. No matter how bad the accounts are, I can settle them in one go.”

Lin Qingyu came back to his senses and handed a ledger to Zhang Shiquan. “Manager Zhang, please take a look.”

Zhang Shiquan turned a few pages and then said, “This ledger was obviously deliberately made confusing. If Shaojun would entrust this matter to me, please allow me to take a day to fix this. Your complexion does not look too good. You should go back and rest. ”

There is specialization in every industry. If he could achieve the goal, Lu Qingyu didn’t want to waste time on it.

Lin Qingyu walked out of the study. He stopped a maidservant, and asked, “Where is Young Master Hou?”

The maid said, “Young Master Hou has finished his meal. He’s already gone to the garden.”

Lin Qingyu arrived at the garden. Lu Wancheng was playing the pitch-pot game with a few of the maids and pages. Huan Tong lost half of his monthly allowance and was wailing in distress. Lu Wancheng was sitting to the side, the corners of his lips flying up into a smile. He bore a remarkable resemblance to an ignorant and incompetent silk-clothes disciple.

Lin Qingyu looked at him for a long time, and suddenly felt… as if he could understand Lu Wancheng.

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Young Master Hou: Gradually rising up for the sake of his wife

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