Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 46

Lu Yueju stared at the bamboo weaver, her face filled with sorrow. She thought to herself, how could my son’s preferences become so bizarre?

 

But then, upon further thought, perhaps Xiao Wu just liked this kind of rugged masculinity. It wasn’t impossible. That would explain why Xiao Wu wasn’t interested in the handsome young master Shen from the Shen family.

 

Just as she was mentally preparing herself, Liu Shu hurriedly interjected, “It’s not him! He’s just a neighbor!”

 

“Well, that’s good, that’s good,” Lu Yueju quickly patted her chest, feeling relieved.

 

The bamboo weaver glanced around cautiously and asked Liu Shu, “Who is this?”

 

Liu Shu was about to reply when his mother blurted out, “I’m also his neighbor, his former neighbor.”

 

The bamboo weaver nodded at her, then made up an excuse and quickly left with his two children to avoid social interactions.

 

“You? A neighbor?” Liu Shu turned to look at his own mother.

 

“Since we’ve disguised ourselves to this extent, let’s see it through,” Lu Yueju said.

 

Liu Shu could tell from her eager expression that she couldn’t wait to play along. He couldn’t help but give her a thumbs up. “You’re amazing, esteemed Madam Lu.”

 

“Madam Lu? I’m just Lu Meiren1  here,” Lu Yueju retorted with a glare.

 

“Meiren it is,” Liu Shu respectfully replied.

 

After they had walked a little further, they ran into Zhang Moyang coming towards them.

 

“Xiao Wu!” Zhang Moyang rushed over, hooking his arm around Liu Shu’s shoulder and pulling him into a corner. He lowered his voice and asked, “Have you seen where Madam Lu is staying at the inn?”

 

“Why?”

 

“My father wants to invite her to our house as a guest.”

 

“I don’t know, I haven’t paid attention. Go find out yourself.”

 

“Tsk, you’re so oblivious. Didn’t you even follow her carriage? Forget it, I’ll go ask around.” Zhang Moyang turned away in disdain, then noticed a woman staring at him not far away.

 

The woman took a few steps closer to him. “Is your surname Ke?”

 

This question startled Zhang Moyang, and he blurted out, “Who are you?”

 

“I’m Lu Meiren.”

 

“Oh, hello, Meiren,” Zhang Moyang thought her name was Meiren and wondered about the family’s naming conventions. He thought if he had a daughter, he might name her Meiren, and everyone would have to call her that.

 

Lu Yueju laughed and turned to Liu Shu. “This kid has such a sweet tongue and looks decent. Is he the one?”

 

“No, his surname is Zhang,” Liu Shu sighed.

 

“Do you know each other?” Zhang Moyang asked in surprise, looking between them.

 

“This is my former neighbor,” Liu Shu smoothly introduced.

 

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you,” Zhang Moyang immediately replied.

 

“What have you heard about me? Did Xiao Wu mention me to you?” Lu Yueju asked.

 

Zhang Moyang: “Not really, it’s just polite words. Why would you take it seriously?”

 

Lu Yueju laughed.

 

“Well, you two continue talking. I’ll go find Madam Lu,” Zhang Moyang said and went off to inquire at various inns.

 

“Who is he looking for?” Lu Yueju asked Liu Shu in confusion.

 

Liu Shu briefly explained the connection between the Zhang family and the Liu family, asking, “Do you remember him?”

 

“How many people do I meet every day? How could I possibly remember everyone? If I can’t remember, it means their business is just average,” Lu Meiren said coldly and nobly. “But since he’s a new friend of yours, I can spare some time to meet him.”

 

As they spoke, they arrived at the rouge shop. Liu Shu said, “He’s inside, let’s go.”

 

“Wait, come up with a way to get him out. I want to meet him alone,” Lu Yueju instructed mysteriously.

 

“What are you going to do?” Liu Shu asked warily.

 

“What, are you afraid I’ll eat him up? Go on, I’ll watch out for you,” Lu Yueju said.

 

By now, there were fewer customers in the shop. Shen Ke put down his pen and saw Liu Shu returning. He walked over and sniffed him, satisfied. “Hmm, looks like you didn’t go drinking with Zhang Moyang.”

 

Liu Shu smiled awkwardly. It was a close call; he almost went drinking!

 

“Zhang Moyang went to handle other matters. How about you come with me to see Chen Yinglian?” Liu Shu suggested.

 

Shen Ke glanced at Zhang Mosheng in the shop, and Zhang Mosheng nodded. “Go ahead, I can handle things here.”

 

“Great, let’s go then.” Shen Ke naturally took his hand, and the two of them walked out of the shop door together.

 

Liu Shu  scanned around but couldn’t see where his mother had gone. He continued walking for a while until he spotted Madame Lu hurrying towards him. “Accidentally,” she bumped into Shen Ke without lifting her head, quickly apologizing and then swiftly moving away.

 

Shen Ke watched her depart, and as he looked back, he noticed a gold ingot on the ground. Picking it up, he asked, “Did that lady just drop this?”

 

“Yeah,” smirked Liu Shu, tugging at his mouth. “It’s hers.”

 

“Miss! Miss, please wait!” Shen Ke turned and hurried after her, but the lady was surprisingly fast. It took him a while to catch up. “Miss, you dropped something.”

 

“Oh, thank you!” Madame Lu turned back, took the ingot, and as she lifted her head, she froze. “Sir, you have such a handsome appearance!!”

 

Shen Ke smiled modestly, bid her farewell, and then turned back to find Liu Shu. However, Liu Shu informed him there was no need to seek Chen Yinglian. She had other matters to attend to alone and asked him to return to the shop first.

 

In a narrow alley, mother and son quietly discussed:

 

“My dear child, he’s truly handsome!” Madame Lu raised her thumb. “No wonder, my son, you have good taste.”

 

“Of course! He’s my one in a million treasure!”

 

“And honest too. Not bad, not bad.”

 

“Now you must trust in his character, right?” Liu Shu couldn’t help but feel proud.

 

“Not yet. Just an appetizer earlier. I haven’t served the main course.”

 

“What main course?”

 

“Never mind. My people are already on it.”

 

Back at the shop, Liu Shu was startled to see a group of elegantly dressed women surrounding Shen Ke, flirting with him and about to touch his cheek, which startled Liu Shu greatly.

 

“Ladies, please restrain yourselves,” Shen Ke suddenly stood up, his face turning serious. “If you’re here for rouge, you can ask Miss Zhang. I’m in charge of the accounts here.”

 

“Why is Master so serious? When you’re free, come to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, drinks on us,” the lead woman winked at him.

 

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested,” Shen Ke said expressionlessly.

 

Seeing his serious demeanor, the women laughed and left teasingly.

 

Rubbing his forehead, Shen Ke couldn’t help but urge Zhang Mosheng, “When will your brother hire an accountant?”

 

“He’s working on it,” Zhang Mosheng said with some guilt. “If not, I can do it.”

 

Just as Liu Shu relaxed, several disreputable men entered one after another, heading straight for Shen Ke.

 

Liu Shu immediately guessed who was behind this and was about to find his mother when a shallow shadow fell suddenly, blocking the sunlight on his face.

 

“Are you here to watch the show?” Shen Ke smiled at him.

 

“What should I do?”

 

Shen Ke pondered, “Hold my hand, hug me, or kiss me?”

 

Liu Shu burst into laughter and was about to lean in for a kiss when Shen Ke suddenly covered his mouth, laughing, “Intimate matters shouldn’t be seen by these people.”

 

Shen Ke turned to the miscreant men and said, “Please leave. No matter who sent you or what your purpose is, please don’t come again, or we’ll have to involve the authorities.”

 

The men left disgruntledly, and Shen Ke released his grip, bending down to kiss Liu Shu.

 

Liu Shu grinned, curious. “How did you know they were sent by someone? What if, like me, they were simply enchanted by your beauty?”

 

“They were too organized and purposeful,” Shen Ke replied.

 

“Exactly, exactly,” Liu Shu nodded repeatedly.

 

In the evening, as the two prepared to return to the village, Liu Shu still had his mother on his mind. He made up an excuse to sneak away from Shen Ke and went to find his birth mother secretly.

 

Lu Yueju was already comfortably seated in the inn, back to her usual self. Seeing him arrive, she closed the door and said, “This kid is not bad.”

 

“Just ‘not bad’?” Liu Shu panted, sitting down and taking a few sips of tea. “Mother, speak from your heart.”

 

“I don’t have that thing.”

 

“Then swear on your beautiful face.”

 

“Alright, he’s indeed outstanding. He’s worthy of you, alright?”

 

Liu Shu proudly propped up his legs. “Of course, didn’t I tell you that Ah Ke is the best in the world!”

 

“Is he treating you well?”

 

“Yes, when I was at my lowest, he took me in. He shared half of what he had to eat at home with me. He didn’t mind my clumsiness, even though I broke things in his house. I caused him quite a bit of trouble, but you know what? He never got angry with me because of these things. How can someone have such a good temper?” Liu Shu couldn’t help but marvel.

 

Lu Yueju pressed on, “Then what does he get angry about?”

 

“Going to the gambling den, visiting the brothel… but I’ve changed. I haven’t been to those places in almost half a year!” Liu Shu said, hardly believing it himself.

 

“You should’ve told me earlier!” Lu Yueju raised an eyebrow, a satisfied smile on her face. “You’ve been transformed so well. I should thank him properly. What does he like?”

 

“He likes calligraphy and painting.”

 

“Goodness, why didn’t you say so earlier!” Lu Yueju slapped the table. “I love cultured and refined men the most. Who knows how many times better he is than Old Liu!”

 

“Cough, mother, be careful. He’s the man I love, not someone you’re choosing to like.”

 

“Ah, what a pity.”

 

Lu Yueju waved her hand grandly, “Alright, I’ll send him ten sets, no, eight sets of Hu brushes, ink, rice paper, and inkstone. These won’t cost much. What else does he like?”

 

“Recently, he seems to be interested in farming.”

 

“What? He can even farm!?” Lu Yueju covered her chest. “Farming is good, it shows he’s down-to-earth, hardworking, and strong.”

 

“Mother!”

 

“Alright, alright, let’s talk business. He likes farming, right? Then I’ll give him a hundred acres of good land, let him farm as much as he wants.” Lu Yueju declared boldly. “What else does he like?”

 

“He used to like collecting medicinal herbs and studying medicine.”

 

“What?!” Lu Yueju stood up straight from her chair. “You honestly tell me, is there anything he can’t do?!”

 

“He can’t give birth.”

 

“Oh, right.” Lu Yueju sat back down with a sigh. “How is his medical skill?”

 

“He’s treated dozens of patients, and they all recovered.”

 

Lu Yueju nodded approvingly and asked, “What else does he like?”

 

“He likes me.” Liu Shu blushed shyly.

 

“In that case, let’s start with your betrothal gifts—”

 

Liu Shu looked at her expectantly.

 

“Let’s settle your betrothal gifts first. All of what we’ve discussed counts towards it. We’ll see if we need to add ten thousand taels of gold, jewelry, and gems later.”

 

Liu Shu’s face brightened. “Mother, do you agree to our relationship?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“What about the engagement with the Shen family?”

 

“Let me think about it.”

 

After a while, unable to resist, Liu Shu asked, “Mother, have you made up your mind yet?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

“What exactly are you thinking about?!”

 

“I’m thinking…” Lu Yueju looked at him slowly, admiringly. “You really are my son. We have exactly the same taste!”

 

“Mother!” Liu Shu hummed.

 

“It’s a shame a grown man shouldn’t stay long. You’re already married to someone else without even being married, leaving your birth mother here.” Lu Yueju whimpered, wiping the tears that hadn’t come out with a handkerchief.

 

“Aren’t you going to the Zhangs’ for dinner tonight?” Liu Shu reminded her.

 

“Oh, right. Then hurry up and leave,” Lu Yueju waved her hand.

 

Liu Shu quickly rolled away, taking Liu Fugui with him before leaving.

 

Back at the shop, Liu Fugui immediately started barking wildly at Zhang Moyang by the door: “Woof woof woof!”

 

Zhang Moyang: “Where did this dog come from? What’s its name?”

 

Liu Shu: “Its name is Fugui.”

 

Zhang Moyang: “I didn’t ask what you named it, I’m asking what it’s barking!”

 

Liu Shu: “Its name is Fugui.”

 

Zhang Moyang: “…”

 

“Where did you get this from?” Shen Ke walked over and asked.

 

“Found it by the roadside, probably abandoned by someone, it stuck to me as soon as it saw me,” Liu Shu said, patting Fugui’s head and silently thinking: You don’t understand, you’re just a three-year-old child, you don’t understand anything.

 

Fugui stuck out its tongue and licked his hand, which seemed quite affectionate to outsiders.

 

“It’s so white, really abandoned by someone else?” Zhang Moyang squatted down, curious to touch its head, but as soon as he touched it, Fugui barked at him.

 

“Why so fierce!” Zhang Moyang immediately withdrew his hand.

 

Shen Ke also wanted to touch it, but was afraid it wouldn’t like him, so his hand hesitated and retracted halfway.

 

Seeing this, Liu Shu picked up Fugui. “Come on, you touch it.”

 

Shen Ke cautiously reached out and touched its soft head.

 

Fugui sniffed and then licked his palm with its tongue. Shen Ke was taken aback, a smile hanging on his lips.

 

“Why isn’t this dog fierce to him?!” Zhang Moyang was unconvinced.

 

“Of course, because Shen Ke smells like family to Fugui,” Liu Shu chuckled. “Because we’re family.”

 

Fugui softly barked twice.

 

Liu Shu leaned in to listen attentively, nodding solemnly as if listening to something important.

 

“What did it say?” Shen Ke couldn’t help but ask with a smile.

 

“It said—’You are my destined one.'”

 

“Is that so? Let me hear.” Shen Ke also leaned in.

 

“How was it, did you hear?”

 

“Yeah, it also wants me to cherish you,” Shen Ke replied.

 

“Alright, let’s go, brother, let’s go!” Zhang Moyang, annoyed, grabbed Zhang Mosheng and headed out. “We’re not playing with idiots, let’s go home and meet the guests.”

 

Meiren1  – Literally means Beautiful/Pretty Person

 

TLn – I love Xiao wu’s mother