Chapter 15: The Furious Slap at Jiang Wencheng

Some people, when you open your heart to them wholeheartedly, they disdain you; but when you start to disregard them, they feel agonizingly lost.

Jiang Wencheng and his son both lost their tempers. One thought that if he simply beckoned with his finger, Yan Chaonian would immediately come over eagerly, ready to cater to his every whim. The other didn’t even want to raise a finger but still expected his wishes to be fulfilled, and only if coaxed gently.

Now, with the other party refusing to respond, the two were utterly distressed—one pounding the bed frame, the other throwing down his book—both cursing Yan Chaonian for her narrow-mindedness and lack of sense. One’s face flushed with rage, the other shouted that she would get what she deserved!

“The boss, that father and son pair are impossible to please,” a clerk in the inn’s main hall sighed deeply. “One moment they complain the water’s not hot, the next the food’s bad. They ask to open the windows because it’s too cold, then ask to close them because it’s stuffy. We’re out of money and yet they’re still so picky.”

“Do you think they’ll just stay here forever without paying a single coin?” the clerk wondered aloud, even suspecting the duo might have staged this whole ‘visited by thieves’ episode on purpose, hoping for free lodging and meals.

The innkeeper glanced up toward the second floor with a troubled expression, uncertain whether these were truly noble guests or frauds. Early this morning, one of the staff said someone would bring money today, and indeed someone came, but not a single copper was seen.

“Boss, stew a chicken and send it to the second floor, and make sure to add dried bamboo shoots.”

“Choose the best horse feed too. Don’t think that just because our master was robbed, we can slack off. Just put the expenses on the tab; once Lord Wen returns, he’ll settle the bill.”

Cui Yong’s face was grim. The thief wasn’t his doing, yet the master and young lord took out their frustrations on him, so he had no choice but to vent his anger downward.

The innkeeper’s mouth tasted bitter; he only hoped the guest upstairs was truly a distinguished person. Otherwise, his losses would be enormous.

After leaving the inn, Yan Chaonian did not feel happy—instead, her heart felt heavy, and she regretted coming this day.

The vile faces of that father and son flashed vividly in her mind again, making her chest ache with anger. She truly wanted to turn back, go upstairs, and give that scoundrel Jiang Wencheng a good beating.

Strike while the iron is hot—if she didn’t hit him now, would there be another chance once he recovered?

The more she thought about it, the more tempted she became. Just as she was about to turn around, she silently chanted, “I am a dignified and kind person. I must control myself. I must stay calm. I cannot cause trouble for Yuan Shen.”

Whenever anger welled up, she reminded herself like this. It had worked before; today’s effect was only so-so, but it succeeded in making her walk away.

The bustling silk market gradually quieted; fewer people came to trade. To have a few days of leisure amid the busy spring plowing season was rare. The real excitement would only return next month when Rong City hosted its grand festivities.

She recalled her elder uncle mentioning a batch of cotton had arrived and suggested she go take a look together. But they had gone on their own. Since she had free time today, she might as well go see it herself.

Keeping busy would keep her from getting angry.

In Chaijin Lane, a few scattered customers still came to place orders today. Li Chun and Li Xia were responsible for receiving them. When they saw Yan Chaonian arrive, Li Chun stepped forward a couple of paces.

“You’re just in time. There’s something I need to tell you.”

Last night, someone came into Zhang’s brocade workshop and ruined the brocade meant for the upcoming competition. Once the news spread, all the brocade workshops grew tense.

“Our brocade wasn’t affected here, but we still have to be cautious. On the morning of the competition, we’ll bring the backup fabric first to draw attention. Then you can bring the real one later.”

Yan Chaonian understood the stakes. Every year, fabric sabotage happened during the brocade competition; competition in Rong City was fierce.

Cotton threads, silk, weavers, looms, the floral patterns—everything was contested.

Who wouldn’t want to win the competition and gain both fame and fortune?

After discussing this, Li Chun glanced quickly at Yan Chaonian and hesitated. “There’s one more thing. You should be mentally prepared.”

“What is it?” Yan Chaonian asked, a little anxious. “What could trouble my uncle so much?”

Seeing Li Chun so hesitant, Li Xia stepped forward and spoke, “Someone saw you going in and out of the garrison headquarters. Not knowing the reason, they’re speculating that you have an affair with Yuan Shen.”

“An affair?” Yan Chaonian was momentarily stunned, then laughed. “Those people, can’t they think well of me at all?”

Li Xia pouted. “Well, your wedding wasn’t a grand affair, and you haven’t appeared publicly as the garrison commander's wife. People can only guess wildly.”

“Is that really a crime?” Yan Chaonian accepted it calmly. It was normal for her to be seen going out frequently; Yuan Shen had said there was no need to hide too much. She wasn’t ashamed of being seen.

Yet...

Why did this make her temper flare more and more?

“It’s nothing serious. Your uncle just worries too much. Next time you hear such rumors, go and tear the other’s mouth apart. We have nothing to fear from a little gossip.”

Li Xia continued muttering, “These past couple of days, people from the Jiang family have been lurking around the back gate too, sparking more idle talk. Don’t worry...”

Yan Chaonian endured it all, thinking Jiang Wencheng was a jinx. Ever since he showed up, nothing had gone smoothly for her.

“Looks like I’ve been plagued by bad luck lately. I should ask Madam Si to help ward off evil spirits.”

Li Chun and Li Xia reminded her to be more cautious in the future. When they learned she had already made things clear with Yuan Shen, they felt somewhat relieved. After she left, Li Chun still told Li Xia not to slack off in watching Jiang Wencheng closely. They couldn’t let him cause any trouble.

After all, they were men. They should think more of Yuan Shen. A proper ex-husband should be as good as dead and not bring bad luck by popping up unexpectedly.

Yan Chaonian had intended to check on the weavers in the backyard but was ‘chased away’ by Li Chun and Li Xia. Walking down the street, the more she thought about it, the angrier she grew; the more she thought, the more she wanted to hit someone.

Her mind was filled with how Jiang Wencheng's arrival had ruined her peace of mind. When had she ever been this restless?

She didn’t know whether it was the fiery spirit inherited from her mother or the long absence of Yuan Shen, which had left her emotions bottled up. At this moment, she only wanted to teach Jiang Wencheng a lesson.

“It’s that jinx’s arrival that spoiled my mood. I can’t let him off so easily. Today, I must beat him to a pulp!”

Better to vent on someone else than suffocate herself. She quickened her pace toward the Dingxing Inn, with her guards following closely behind.

Yan Chaonian’s steps grew faster until she reached Dingxing Inn. She stormed up to the second floor, kicked open Jiang Wencheng’s door, turned around and slammed it shut behind her. Inside, she kicked over a stool blocking her way.

Jiang Wencheng, resting and sipping chicken soup, sat up immediately. Before he could speak, she slapped him hard across the head.

It was outrageous. Jiang Wencheng roared in fury, “Yan, you—”

“Shut up! Just hearing your voice makes me sick. I want nothing more than to beat you to death.”