Chapter Forty-One: The Third Young Master and the Third Young Lady

"Yiqing, you haven't been back long. You should go back and get some proper rest," Wang Lantian said, patting my shoulder.

"That's right, Young Master Liu. You don't look very well either. You should go back and rest more. I'll just accompany Young Master Wang to the temple," Wang Lan added.

I nodded. "Alright then, I'll head back first. You two be careful on your way."

Prefect Ma had summoned Zhu Yingtai to his room with an expression of deep disappointment. She was, after all, his future daughter-in-law, yet she had been found sleeping with another man right in front of his own son. How could he, as a future father-in-law, endure such a thing? If it weren't for the wealth and status of the Zhu family, he would have taught her a lesson long ago.

The rumors were that after Zhu Yingtai fell off the cliff, she was rescued by a fisherwoman. Liang Shanbo had climbed down the mountain and tracked her all the way to Tao Yuanming's residence. Once the two met, all misunderstandings and grievances seemed to vanish in the face of their life-and-death ordeal, replaced only by comfort and deep emotion.

Tao Yuanming seemed quite fond of the pair and revealed his true identity to them. Consequently, the couple insisted that Tao accompany them back up the mountain, and they even brought the fisherwoman along to work at the academy.

They say truth is stranger than fiction, but did it have to be this coincidental?

After Ma Wencai returned to his room, Matong sneaked in behind him.

Ma Wencai sat at the table, toying with a teacup, and asked, "How did the investigation go?"

"Young Master, I specifically made inquiries in Yangzhou. The Liu family has two sons and one daughter. The eldest, Liu Yitang, is a third-rank official residing in Nanjing. The third daughter, Haitang, never leaves the house. As for the second son, no one has ever seen him, and his name is nowhere to be found," Matong reported.

"Haitang?" Ma Wencai frowned, rubbing the rim of the cup thoughtfully. "You say the third daughter of the Liu family is named Liu Haitang?"

Matong nodded vigorously. "That's right, Liu Haitang. Yitang and Haitang—they sound like siblings, don't they?"

"Why can't his name be found?" Ma Wencai irritably threw the teacup back onto the table, his expression one of deep dissatisfaction.

Matong immediately dropped to his knees in fear. "Young Master, I haven't been slacking! No one has ever seen the second son, nor has anyone ever heard his name."

"Such a thing exists? Since the eldest son and third daughter have names, Liu Yiqing must be the second son. If so, how can no one know his name?" Ma Wencai muttered to himself, frowning.

"That's not right, Young Master. Young Master Liu is clearly the third son of the Liu family. That is what Magistrate Liu told the Master himself," Matong said.

Ma Wencai immediately grabbed Matong by the collar and hauled him up from the floor. "What did you say? Say it again."

Terrified, Matong could barely breathe and stammered, "I... I said Young Master Liu is the third son of the Liu family. That is what Magistrate Liu said himself."

"Third son? Third daughter?" Ma Wencai mused, the corners of his mouth curling up into a laugh. He shoved Matong aside, sending him tumbling back to the floor.

Watching Ma Wencai’s unpredictable expression, Matong was trembling. "Young Master, what are you laughing at?"

"Heh... Matong, why are you so thick-headed? If there is already a third daughter, how can there be a third son?" Ma Wencai tapped Matong on the head playfully. "Liu Yiqing is not only slender and fair-skinned, but she also has pierced ears. Even the imperial palace couldn't raise a man so delicate."

Matong’s eyes lit up, and he jumped up in excitement. "That’s it, Young Master! You’re so clever to have figured it out so quickly. Why didn't I think of that?"

Ma Wencai’s lips curled into a smirk. "This matter must never be spread. If anyone else finds out, you will be the one to answer for it."

Matong clamped his mouth shut and nodded frantically.

Ma Wencai shook his head, laughing to himself. "Haitang... heh..."

*Bang!* I kicked the door open.

"Ah!" Matong shrieked, collapsing to the floor in fright. "Young Master Liu, when... when did you come in?"

So scared? Asking when I came in—were this master and servant plotting something sinister? I walked slowly over to Matong, squatted in front of him, and stared straight into his eyes. "Tell me, when did I come in?"

Matong clutched Ma Wencai’s leg, hiding behind him with a look of misery, as if I were bullying him. "Y-Young Master Liu, I don't know anything!"

"Don't know what?" I wanted to see what kind of mischief these two were up to.

"Matong," Ma Wencai suddenly barked, hauling him up and shoving him toward the door. "Have some dignity, you’re embarrassing yourself."

Damn it, he startled me again. Tell me, Brother Wencai, do you know the Lion’s Roar? Can you stop acting so erratic?

Ma Wencai stood at the door with his back to me, one foot already outside. "I... I'm going to see my father!"

"Come back!"

Ma Wencai reluctantly pulled his foot back. I looked him up and down. His gaze was strange and flickering—he was definitely up to no good. "Tell me, what have you done? Why so guilty?"

Ma Wencai immediately adopted an arrogant posture, sneered twice, and said dismissively, "Even if I, Ma Wencai, did something bad, I would never feel guilty."

Damn, this guy's skin is thicker than a city wall. I couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. "You’re tough."

I reached out and pinched his cheek. To my surprise, before I could even speak, Ma Wencai was startled, covering his face and retreating several steps. "What are you doing?"

Disorienting—why did it feel like I was the one flirting with him? I gave him a disdainful look. "I just wanted to see if your skin was made of reinforced concrete. I’m afraid even a bullet couldn't pierce it."

"What? What are you talking about?" Ma Wencai asked, looking confused.

"Oh," damn it, I let something slip again. My mouth is truly my own enemy. "Nothing, I didn't say anything. Aren't you going to see your father? Why haven't you left? Go have a nice family reunion!"

"What family reunion? Nonsense," Ma Wencai shot me a look of disdain and walked out the door.

I didn't care how many people were in your family. I only knew that I was truly exhausted. Bed, I need you so badly.

I took off my shoes and outer robe and dived under the covers. Unfortunately, I had barely drifted off when the door opened again. I assumed it was Ma Wencai returning and didn't pay it any mind, but the sound was wrong—it was Prefect Ma’s voice.

Good heavens, wasn't Ma Wencai going to see his father? That should have taken a while. Why was the Prefect in my room? I bounced out of bed, only to see Ma’s servants packing up Ma Wencai’s luggage. What was this? Was he dropping out?

"Prefect Ma, what are you doing? Where are you moving Brother Wencai’s things to?" I asked.