Dandy Escapes From Marriage - Chapter 47

Liu Shu took the dog back to the village, sitting in the carriage playing with it all the way, his face never stopped smiling, occasionally engaging in some unknown conversation with the dog.

 

Seeing him like this, Shen Ke couldn’t help but think that if he had his own child, he would surely cherish and maybe even spoil them.

 

“Xiao Wu, do you want children?” Shen Ke asked.

 

“Why?” Liu Shu instinctively looked at his stomach, “Can you give birth?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“Then why are you asking?” Liu Shu thought for a moment, shook his head, “I don’t like children. My eldest brother’s two children are so naughty, I just want to beat them when I see them.”

 

“What about well-behaved children?”

 

“Well-behaved ones, of course I like them. Well-behaved ones, not just children, I like adults too.” Liu Shu turned around and sat on Shen Ke’s lap, teasingly stroking his chin, “Don’t you agree?”

 

Just as they were about to kiss, Fugui protested with a bark: “Woof!”

 

Liu Shu picked it up and tossed it between them, finally stopping Fugui from disturbing them.

 

Passing by the bamboo craftsman’s house, they heard a lively noise inside. They got out of the carriage and saw the craftsman chasing two children in the yard.

 

“What are they playing?” Liu Shu jumped out of the car and walked to their door to ask.

 

“They’re making too much noise,” the craftsman said breathlessly, then hurried to chase the two children who were about to climb onto the roof, anxiously shouting, “Don’t climb the bamboo, you’ll fall!”

 

Smoke rose from the chimney, and Liu Shu curiously approached the kitchen door and saw the craftsman’s wife cooking.

 

She turned around, saw him, and smiled, “Young master, do you remember me?”

 

“Naturally, you’ve visited my eldest brother’s shop several times.”

 

“Yes, initially just to inquire about you for my sisters, but in the end, I became interested in you,” the woman smiled, “By the way, I’m Liu Qiaohui, what should I call you?”

 

“Just call me Xiao Wu.” Liu Shu pointed to Shen Ke who followed closely, “He’s called Ke Shen.”

 

“Nice to meet you.” Liu Qiaohui smiled.

 

Shen Ke nodded in acknowledgment, then looked at Liu Shu and asked quietly, “What about her sisters?”

 

“It’s like the group of customers who come to the shop just to see you,” Liu Shu scoffed.

 

Liu Qiaohui fried the dishes, feeling a touch of vinegar inexplicably rising.

 

At this moment, Fugui in the yard suddenly shouted anxiously, as if roaring after being frightened.

 

Liu Shu immediately ran out and saw the two children holding sticks and hitting Fugui.

 

“What are you doing! Are you asking for a beating?” Liu Shu quickly took away their sticks in three or two steps, glared at them fiercely, and lovingly touched Fugui’s head.

 

The craftsman quickly apologized, saying he hadn’t noticed.

 

Shen Ke stepped forward, his voice low, “This is none of your business. Let them apologize themselves.”

 

The two children grinned, turned around to run away, but Shen Ke grabbed the older one by the hand and pulled him back.

 

“I didn’t ask you to joke, apologize to him and Fugui, don’t think you can indulge yourselves just because you’re children,” Shen Ke lectured.

 

“I won’t apologize!” the older child stubbornly said.

 

Hearing the commotion, Liu Qiaohui ran out and, seeing the situation, picked up a stick and beat them, “I’ve told you so many times, don’t cause trouble for others, why don’t you listen!”

 

The two children cried loudly, crying loudly.

 

Liu Qiaohui beat them while crying, then apologized to Liu Shu, “I’m really sorry, they haven’t had a father since they were young, I’m busy in my daily life and can’t take care of them, so I raised them like this, I’m really sorry.”

 

“Beating them like this won’t work, scars heal and forget the pain, they’ll only get worse next time,” Shen Ke said, “Send them to school and learn what is proper conduct.”

 

“I want to send them too, but the school is too expensive. I just thought, when they grow up, maybe they’ll understand,” Liu Qiaohui said tearfully.

 

“I’ll send them, I’ll pay for it.” The craftsman whispered.

 

“What are you saying, we haven’t even married yet, how can I use your money,” Liu Qiaohui directly refused, “Rest assured, I’ll find a way, I didn’t mean to bring these two children to trouble you.”

 

Liu Shu left them to discuss their family affairs and left with Fugui. Shen Ke followed closely behind, touched Fugui’s head, and said, “Let me see if there are any injuries, fortunately nothing has swollen.”

 

“You see, not every child is likable! I don’t like children at all! Fugui is more sensible than any child!” Liu Shu exclaimed.

 

“Yes, Fugui is the most sensible.”

 

Upon returning to the courtyard, Liu Shu set the dog down, and it immediately darted around the yard, startling the hens, causing them to flap and squawk in a panic.

 

“Oh dear, Fugui, don’t step on their eggs!!!” Liu Shu shouted.

 

Two eggs in the chicken coop were smashed under its feet, which infuriated him to no end. He grabbed Fugui by the collar and dragged it to a corner, scolding it harshly.

 

Shen Ke couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

During dinner, Liu Shu noticed there was a bit too much porridge in the pot. “Oh no, looks like I cooked too much. With this weather, it might not keep until tomorrow.”

 

“It’s not too much. We have one more mouth to feed at home now.”

 

Shen Ke served a separate bowl for Fugui. After dinner, he brought out a few worn-out clothes and stacked them in a corner of the hall to make a bed for Fugui.

 

The next morning, Liu Shu was awakened by the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs outside. Stepping into the courtyard, he saw Fugui engaged in a standoff with several hens.

 

In just one night, Fugui had adapted to its surroundings and wandered around who knows where, turning its originally white fur into a dirty mess. Liu Shu was fuming with anger.

 

“For heaven’s sake, Fugui, who let you get this dirty?!” he yelled from the doorway.

 

“Wake up and wash your face.” Shen Ke came out with a bucket of water from the kitchen, placed it in the yard, and waved to Fugui. “Come here, Fugui.”

 

Fugui seemed to have developed a liking for the person who had arranged its bed, obediently going over to him, only to be immediately bathed. However, it wasn’t used to strangers washing it, trying to run off after a few attempts. Shen Ke patiently spoke to and calmed it down.

 

“Fugui, give me your paw.” Liu Shu stepped forward, extending his hand, and Fugui habitually placed its right paw on it.

 

“Stay still, don’t move.” Fugui obediently stood there, allowing Shen Ke to scrub and wash it.

 

“It listens to you so well. It doesn’t seem like it was just picked up. It looks like it’s been raised for years,” Shen Ke chuckled.

 

“I used to have dogs at home, so I know some training methods,” Liu Shu smiled awkwardly, helping to scrub the dog. Unable to hold back, he said, “You treat dogs so well. If we have children in the future, will you be as good to them? Or do you just really like dogs?”

 

Shen Ke smiled, “I love all good things.”

 

Liu Shu immediately looked up at him.

 

“It’s rare to see you so fond of something. There’s not much entertainment in this village, so having a dog to accompany you is nice,” Shen Ke said tenderly, drying Fugui off and letting it play. Turning his head, he saw Liu Shu looking at him affectionately, his eyes filled with infatuation.

 

“Let’s get married, Ah Ke,” Liu Shu suddenly said, “I can’t stand it anymore, ahhhh, I really want to get married!”

 

Shen Ke was momentarily stunned, then smiled, “Alright.”

 

“When?!”

 

“After we’ve both retired, I’ll go propose to your family,” Shen Ke said.

 

“Deal! It’s settled!!!” Liu Shu thought about quickly getting his mother’s approval and preparing the betrothal gifts!

 

When they arrived in town, as soon as they entered the shop, they heard the Zhang siblings discussing the guests from last night.

 

“I didn’t expect Madam Liu to be so young and beautiful, so generous and capable of managing most of the Liu family’s business. It’s truly admirable. I wish I could be as capable as her,” Zhang Mosheng said enviously.

 

“Sister, you could be too, but why do I always feel a strong sense of familiarity with Madam Liu?” Zhang Moyang muttered.

 

“You saw her when you were young, so feeling familiar with her is normal.”

 

“Maybe. I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

 

“Madam Liu?” Shen Ke walked in and casually asked.

 

Liu Shu’s heart skipped a beat.

 

“Oh, you mean the lady from the Jinling Liu family. Although she’s from the fourth branch, she’s been actively involved in business these years, so everyone’s used to calling her Madam Liu. Yesterday, when she passed through town, we invited her over for a simple meal. She’s very straightforward. Upon hearing that we young folks opened a rouge shop, she didn’t ridicule or belittle us. Instead, she was willing to invest to expand our store! Much better than my father! He’s never approved of such ventures!” Zhang Moyang said.

 

“It seems this Madam Liu is quite easy to get along with,” Shen Ke commented.

 

“Yes.”

 

Liu Shu remained silent but secretly gave Zhang Moyang a thumbs-up in his mind, thinking, “Keep going, you’re doing great!”

 

“I just don’t understand how such a capable person like her raised her son to be a prodigal,” Zhang Moyang pondered aloud.

 

Liu Shu: *&%￥#@

 

Before Shen Ke could ask more, Liu Shu interrupted, “We have a visitor. Stop chatting and get back to work.”

 

Each person returned to their tasks. When things settled down, Liu Shu found an excuse to check on the craftsmen’s progress.

 

After a while, a soldier arrived at the shop, somewhat familiar to Shen Ke. He immediately realized this was someone from the Prefectural Yamen.

 

“Young Master Ke, this is a letter from the magistrate.” The soldier presented him with a letter.

 

Shen Ke took it and saw the words “Opened by Ke Shen” on the envelope. After thanking the soldier, under the gaze of Zhang’s siblings, he entered a secluded room and tore open the envelope. Inside was another letter, the real correspondence —

 

Ke Shen, personally opened.

 

The handwriting was unmistakably that of Master Shen from the Hanlin Academy.

 

He sent the letter through his elder brother, so his father could only send it back to the elder brother. To prevent his false identity from being inadvertently exposed, his elder brother had specially added an outer envelope.

 

As he read the letter, it began with a very polite rebuke from Master Shen, only mentioning the matter towards the end. It stated that the engagement was a commitment between the two families for many years. If he insisted on breaking it, he must return home, and the family would personally go to the Liu family in Jinling to apologize and resolve the matter face-to-face before it could be settled.

 

His eyes lit up — Jinling Liu family?

 

So the engagement was actually with the Liu family Zhang Moyang had mentioned?

 

“Where is Madam Liu now?” He immediately went to ask Zhang Moyang.

 

“At the Yunlai Inn. What’s going on?” Zhang Moyang replied, but Shen Ke had already rushed out.

 

He ran all the way to Yunlai Inn and asked the waiter, “Which room does Madam Liu stay in?”

 

“Madam Liu? Who is she?” The waiter looked confused.

 

“She’s a young, beautiful, and elegant lady,” Shen Ke summarized based on Zhang’s siblings’ conversation.

 

“Oh, that lady. She has already left here.”

 

Shen Ke’s hopes were dashed. He couldn’t help but think of the instructions in the letter urging him to hurry back to the capital.

 

Meanwhile, outside the city in a carriage, Lu Yueju was very displeased. “You came to rush me early in the morning. Do you still think of me as your mother?”

 

“Of course I do!” Liu Shu massaged her shoulders and waist. “But mother, you also need to consider your son’s lifelong happiness. I really can’t wait to marry A’Ke. Every moment feels too long!”

 

“I was planning to formally meet him.”

 

“Once we marry him into the Liu family, you can see him whenever you want!”

 

Lu Yueju chuckled. “Alright, I’ll go back and talk to the old man. You take care of yourself here, don’t make me worry, okay?”

 

“I got it, I got it.” Liu Shu suddenly became curious. “Wait, how did you suddenly come to terms overnight?”

 

“I tossed and turned yesterday. Early in the morning at the inn, I met a master and had him read your birth chart for marriage prospects,” Lu Yueju said.

 

“What did the master say?”

 

“He said your destined partner involves mutual avoidance. I thought it’s not just that you don’t like that boy from the Shen family; maybe he also feels you’re not suitable for his status. We’re from a merchant background, quite a leap. Even if you marry, you probably won’t get along well. There wouldn’t be much harmony.”

 

“Mother, you’re right. But why does this master’s words sound so familiar? Who is this master?”

 

“His Dharma name is Hui Shang.”

 

Indeed, it was him!

 

After seeing her off for a while, Lu Yueju sent him away. After watching the carriage disappear from view, he returned alone to the city. It just so happened that he met Hui Shang buying steamed buns at the city gate.

 

“Oh, what a coincidence.” Liu Shu casually grabbed a steamed bun from his hand.

 

“Why are you snatching my bun?” Hui Shang mumbled with a mouthful of food.

 

“You can’t even spare one bun?” Liu Shu opened his mouth and took a big bite. “Didn’t go out to beg for alms today?”

 

“I earned some money. Just treating myself.”

 

Liu Shu laughed. “Looks like Master Hui Shang still has some skill in making money.”

 

“Barely. Speaking of which, it’s strange. The lady I met today gave me a birth chart. Guess what?”

 

Liu Shu swallowed nervously. “What happened?”

 

“It’s exactly the same as the one you gave me last time.”

 

“Such a coincidence, haha.”

 

“Do you know what’s even more coincidental?” Hui Shang asked meaningfully.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I heard that Young Master Liu — um um um!”

 

Liu Shu stuffed the steamed bun into his mouth, silencing him, and dragged him to a deserted corner, smiling slyly, “Sorry, buddy, you know too much!”