Chapter Fifty-Six: The Hong Family

"The rebels have besieged the city for so long, brother, we haven't seen each other in ages. Why don't we step out and find a place to talk?" Pear Brother looked at Wu Dalang with hopeful eyes. Wu Dalang didn't want to refuse, but he hesitated, saying, "I want to go out too, but my wife at home..."

"Just ask your sister-in-law. If she agrees, then come out. If not, just let me know."

"Alright."

Wu Dalang nodded and walked inside, while Pear Brother curled his lip. If it hadn't been for the daily free flatbread, he wouldn't have bothered to talk to this short fellow. His sister-in-law was as beautiful as a fairy; how could she ever be interested in him? Was she afraid he'd fool around outside? Before the city was besieged, Pear Brother had always been with Wu Dalang, and had secretly peeked at him during their shared moments—truly three inches.

In less than half the time it takes for incense to burn, Wu Dalang came running out, carrying a jug of wine and some beef and pork, his face full of excitement. "My wife agreed to let me go out. Let's find a place quickly."

"No need to look, I've got it all arranged."

Pear Brother gave a mischievous smile and led the bewildered Wu Dalang left and right, finally stopping in a bustling place.

Emerald Pavilion.

The largest brothel in Yanggu County. After the rebels surrounded the city, families who could no longer survive sold their daughters here. Suddenly, a large supply of quality girls became available. The wealthy gentlemen and young masters all wanted to come and taste something new; girls who once fetched exorbitant prices were now much cheaper. Of course, some truly exceptional virgins had already been hidden away by the Emerald Pavilion, nurtured in secret, trained in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, dance, and instruments. After three or four years, when the chaos subsided, they would reappear and surely fetch a sky-high price. Now was the time for brothels to stock up.

Even so, the girls entertaining guests had risen a tier in quality.

"Oh... Isn't this a brothel?"

Wu Dalang was startled when he saw the sign for Emerald Pavilion.

"Yes, it's a brothel."

"Wu Brother, tonight I'll let you taste some real flesh. Surely your sister-in-law never lets you touch her? Never mind, there are plenty of women in the world."

With that, Pear Brother dragged Wu Dalang toward the Emerald Pavilion. Wu Dalang did not dare agree and wanted to leave. Partly out of embarrassment, partly because he'd never tried it and feared his wife's wrath, he hesitated at the door—but several scantily clad girls grabbed him and pulled him inside. For a moment, Wu Dalang felt as if he'd been entranced, dragged helplessly inside.

Glasses clinked and cups changed hands.

After eating and drinking their fill, each chose a pleasing companion, and drink emboldened the timid.

The girl emerged from Wu Dalang's room, her face full of delight, while the madam approached sternly: "Why are you out so soon? Get back in and serve the guest!"

"Oh, mama... I've finished serving him!"

The woman smiled at the corner of her mouth; the madam immediately understood, and the two exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

What a useless man.

The next day, Wu Dalang returned home with Pear Brother, full of vigor.

"Wu Brother, how was last night?" Pear Brother asked.

"Mm, not bad."

Wu Dalang was feeling pleased, never having imagined that being with a woman could bring such pleasure. If only he could experience it with his fairy-like wife at home—what a joy that would be. But remembering her disdainful glances, he felt a surge of irritation.

As his wife, why should she refuse to serve him?

This thought began to ferment in Wu Dalang's mind, rage slowly igniting. Once home, he tried to force himself on Pan Silver Lotus, who naturally refused and cursed him. Wu Dalang tried to press his advantage, but was frightened off by her brandishing scissors. Still, his resentful, poisoned gaze lingered on Pan Silver Lotus upstairs.

Wu Dalang's visit to the brothel was reported truthfully by Shen Lian to Chief Constable Wu Song, who was quite pleased—his elder brother had finally wised up. The sister-in-law feigned lofty virtue, and he hadn't been able to seduce her; the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. She wouldn't even let his brother touch her. What use was such a woman?

Now that his brother had tasted the pleasures of women, surely he'd soon despise her. Once his brother expelled her from the home, Wu Song planned to seize her and keep her in the dungeon for his own delight. After all, he was not as tender-hearted as his brother.

When dawn broke,

Su Yang went early to Liu Wenxiang's room for breakfast. There was nothing major to discuss at home, so after breakfast, everyone went their separate ways. Only Wang Chunxiao looked at him with a touch of melancholy in her eyes.

The two male house slaves, Zhang San and Li Si, had also been tested with the Root Measurement technique; their bones were poor, the lowest rank of earth-grade. Better for them to remain ordinary servants at home.

Su Yang paid a visit to the neighboring courtyard.

The Hong Family.

Their ancestors had been especially wealthy, once producing a magistrate, who retired to Yanggu County and bought a grand mansion, far more luxurious than the Wang family's. But the descendants went from bad to worse—two scholars in the family, but only going through the motions, not even passing the lowest exams; their business failed repeatedly, and they were slowly eating away their fortune.

Now only a ninth-grade martial artist sat in the house—the second son of the Hong patriarch. With the decline of the family, nothing of value remained, not even a few maids; most chores had to be done by the masters themselves. They guarded nothing but this grand mansion.

When Su Yang expressed his intention to buy the property, he was met with stern refusal.

"A mere son-in-law, and you want to buy our Hong family mansion? What do you think you are?"

"Our ancestors were magistrates of the Su family. If we sold our house to a son-in-law like you, I'd have no face before my forebears."

"Get out, leave at once!"

The Hong patriarch pointed at Su Yang's nose in anger, brandishing a broom and ready to drive him out.

"Hong Patriarch, do you know my strength?" Su Yang raised an eyebrow, surprised at the Hong family's reaction.

The Su family’s son-in-law, eighth-grade strength.

The Hong family dared show such anger toward him—were they tired of living?

"Strength? Nonsense. You're just a son-in-law, nothing but a disgrace to scholars. Leave!"

The Hong patriarch's second son stepped forward, dressed in black, his voice full of vigor as he scolded, "The Wang family has not a single martial artist, yet they've survived without suffering disaster—so you ought to cherish it, not show off outside, and now you even want to buy someone’s ancestral home."