After reading for a while in the second young master's study, he began to feel thirsty. Years of companionship had made the clever maid Tian Hua bring a cup of tea to quench his thirst. Looking at the delicate little girl or rather young lady before him, the second young master suddenly asked, "Xiao Hua, you must be about the same age as my younger sister now, right?"
"Second young master, I am a year older than the third young miss."
"Hehe, oh! At this age, it's almost time for you to get married, but it's best to wait until you're eighteen. I'd like my younger sister to marry at eighteen or even a few years later. After all, this is the Republic era now. By the way, has the wet nurse found a match for you?" The second young master Wang said with a light smile, seemingly teasing her intentionally or unintentionally.
"Second young master, you're so mean. I don't want to... I..." Xiao Hua suddenly realized something and blushed, falling silent with her head down. Her phoenix eyes were watery, gazing at the second young master Wang. He suddenly noticed that the somewhat shy little girl before him had a certain feminine charm.
Xiao Hua was seventeen this year, her full name Tian Hua. Because her mother was the wet nurse of the second young master, she, like her mother, worked as a servant in the Wang household. Everyone called her Xiao Hua, and her full name Tian Hua'er was rarely used. Country folks didn't pay much attention to such things. In the household, she was mostly called Tian Xiaohua or Xiao Hua'er. Due to her mother's position as the wet nurse of the second young master, she had served him since childhood. At fifteen, while delivering ginseng soup, she overheard her mistress, Madam Wang, and her mother discussing that once the second young master came of age, he should take her as a concubine. Now that the second young master was of age, the matter was delayed due to the affairs of Master Wang. It was said that in his youth, Master Wang was famous for his martial arts skills, known as a tough character who loved to associate with all sorts of people and was notorious for his philandering. He especially enjoyed martial arts competitions, only showing restraint in his old age.
After teasing Tian Hua'er for a while, the second young master decided to go out for a walk to clear his tired mind from reading. He accidentally saw Yue Yiniang acting suspiciously, looking around like a thief, which stopped him from going forward to greet her. Yue Yiniang's behavior puzzled the second young master, sparking an impulse in him to secretly follow her. Today, Yue Yiniang was dressed quite charmingly, in a slightly pink cheongsam that highlighted her unique beauty and voluptuous figure. The pink rouge on her face made her look several years younger. Her beautiful legs, accentuated by a pair of white high heels and stockings, added to her allure. Dressed like this, she was a stunning beauty, a rare sight, the second young master concluded, feeling an inexplicable emotion deep inside, genuinely envying his father from the bottom of his heart.
They say curiosity killed the cat. After following her for a while, the second young master saw Yue Yiniang enter a restaurant and reserve a private room. Along the way, he had many conjectures, the most prominent being that she was having an affair. Otherwise, why would she dress so beautifully? The second young master took a room next to hers, ordered some dishes, and then pressed his ear against the wall to eavesdrop.
Soon enough, the sound of a door creaking open and shut was heard. Yue Yiniang's coquettish voice came through, soft but discernible.
"Why did you ask to meet me? With the master ill, our frequent meetings could get out, and that wouldn't be good for either of us," her coquettish complaint couldn't hide the joy in her tone.
"I missed you, so I..." It was a man's voice, and the second young master frowned upon hearing it.
"No matter how much you miss me, not now. Don't you have my photo? Sigh!" Clearly, Yue Yiniang's tone had softened.
"Photos don't do you justice. I just wanted to see you one more time. How have you been these days? I know it's wrong, but I couldn't help myself..."
"Brother Xueming, I know I..."
Hearing this, the second young master was furious. Yue Yiniang was indeed cheating, and this man named Xueming must die, the second young master swore bitterly in his heart. But more sounds came, making him suppress his anger to hear what the adulterous pair would say next.
"Xiao Yue, you've suffered all these years. I'm useless, I..."
"I know. Here, take some of my savings to start your own business."
"Thank you, but I can't take your money, Xiao Yue. I'm a man, and your kindness leaves me at a loss for words."
"If you're at a loss for words, then just accept it. Consider it as the Wang family owing you. And how did you end up harming the master like this, even implicating Master Gao?"
"Hehe, Xiao Yue, that old man brought it upon himself by being lustful yet incapable, insisting on seeking tonic. I just gave him a taste, never expecting he'd get addicted and couldn't stop himself, he..."
"What 'he'? You gave the old man such despicable stuff, and now you're playing the good guy? The most wronged is Second Sister, who now barely acknowledges me."
"I know, hehe. Isn't it because that old fool spent the night at his wife's place and then fell ill? You didn't give him the medicine, so what's it to do with you?"
"It's nothing to do with me, but with us meeting so frequently, I suspect Second Sister is starting to doubt me."
"No way." The man's voice clearly showed panic.
"Don't worry, Second Sister just has some suspicions for now."
"That's good, that's good."
"Hmph! Is that all the courage you've got?"
"It's not about me, but it's not good for you. After all, I'm a man." Listening to the man's excuses, Second Young Master sneered inwardly. A man's words are a devil's lies. You say you won't take the money, then conveniently change the subject. Most likely, you've taken it.
Second Young Master now felt even more furious. It was this pair of shameless lovers who had brought his father to such a state. Having thought this, he no longer paid attention to their flirtatious banter. He was afraid that if he listened any longer, he might be driven to murder. Now that he had discovered his prey, it was time to plan the capture. Second Young Master paid the bill with resentment. He couldn't alert the enemy yet, especially with his father in such a state. Another scandal would make the Wang family even more disgraced.
Second Young Master kept reminding himself to stay calm and restrained. He took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes in thought, and then made a decision.
He went downstairs and stopped the waiter, whispering in his ear and secretly slipping him a few silver coins. The waiter smiled, pocketed them, and then went to fetch a fruit platter, taking it directly to Madam Yue's private room.
Soon after, he came back down and whispered a few words into Second Young Master's ear, who was sitting in a secluded corner. Second Young Master nodded and gave the waiter a few more silver coins.
The Ruyi Gambling House, the largest entertainment venue in town, 'Young Master, you're here,' the doorman immediately put on a smiling face and greeted the second young master of the Wang family as he arrived. As for gambling, the second young master was neither disgusted nor fond of it. It was a place to mingle with all sorts of people, and he was a regular.
'Young Master, care to play a few rounds?'
'Yes, but may I ask, is Brother Dog here?'
'He is! He's had quite the luck today, won quite a bit.'
The second young master took out a silver dollar, handed it to the man, and said, 'Please, do me a favor and invite him over.'
'Young Master, you're too kind, how could I accept this...'
'It's nothing, we're friends now, aren't you giving me face?'
'Then I'll shamelessly accept. Wait a moment, I'll go fetch Master Dog.'
The man's smile grew even wider. He knew that despite the second young master's scholarly appearance, he was also skilled in martial arts, embodying the boldness of Master Wang, and was extremely generous.
The second young master went to a seat nearby and found a few acquaintances, essentially some ruffians. He called them over and whispered a few words. Two of the ruffians were the quickest on their feet. After giving them some money and a brief instruction, the second young master slapped a few more dollars into their hands. Money talks, and who doesn't like money? Then, smiling, they headed towards the hotel the second young master had just left. In no time, they arrived at the hotel and inquired about the private room the second young master had paid for but not vacated. 'Is it that one over there?' one ruffian pointed to Second Aunt's private room and asked.
'No, it's the one next to it. The people in that room haven't left yet.'
The two ruffians had their own plans. They hurried to the second young master's private room, which he had specifically instructed Little Brother not to clear after someone came to eat. So the two ruffians feasted heartily, occasionally pricking up their ears to listen for any sound of the neighboring room's door opening.
Indeed, the second young master had paid the two to keep watch. He had already learned from Little Brother what the man in that room roughly looked like. They were only to monitor the man, not the woman, should anyone leave the room.
By the time the second young master had arranged everything, it was already dark.
'Second Brother, you're back,' looking at the younger sister who came to greet him, the second young master's heart, wounded by Aunt Yue's actions, suddenly softened.
'Mm.'
'Second Brother, are you not feeling well?'
'No.'
'Why are you back so late?'
'Had some business to take care of.'
'You had business? It wasn't a rendezvous with a lover, was it?'
'You little rascal, teasing your brother now.' The second young master affectionately flicked his younger sister's nose.
'What's the matter, Second Brother? What kept you out so late?'
"Eldest sister," the second young master called out first, then looked at the beautiful young woman before him and explained, "It's nothing, everything has been taken care of. Besides, with eldest sister's protective charm, any problem is just a small one, right, little sister?"
"Right. Right," the third young lady quickly nodded, holding onto her second brother's arm.
The young married woman looked at her intimately close younger siblings, especially the carefree little sister who was like a flower, and said with deep concern, "Second brother, with father in his current state, you're the man of the house now. You must pay more attention to resting. You should also try to persuade mother more and help her out. Mother has looked quite worn out lately. Eldest sister is useless, only bringing burdens to the family."
"Eldest sister, what nonsense are you talking about? We're family. It's the Republic era now, who still believes in such things?"
"The words of the older generation are never wrong," the young married woman said, her face still gloomy.
"Eldest sister, you're just too..." The second young master, seeing this scene, felt frustrated but, noticing the loneliness in his sister's eyes, dared not show it. He swallowed the words "too unambitious" and instead blurted out, "too adorable." This incongruous tone immediately made the little sister and eldest sister laugh.
The second young master hadn't expected this outcome. A mistake had led to a fortunate move, bringing a bit of joy to eldest sister after all. Sigh! He then recalled what eldest sister had just said. Right! It's up to me to take charge of this Wang family now.