The Fearless Husband - Chapter 16

Chapter 16 — His Fierce Reputation Was Now Set in Stone…

Yu Qingxi straightened his new robe, preparing for dictation, when a classmate came to tell him that someone was looking for him.

“Did they say who it was?” he asked.

“They said it’s family. Looks like your younger brother.”

Assuming it was Yu Qingfa, Yu Qingxi didn’t think much of it and went out casually—only to freeze when he saw who it really was.

Yu Qinglong stood there in patched clothing, one layer of mending atop another. If not for his clean face and tidy hair, he might have been mistaken for a beggar dragged out of a ditch.

Yu Qingxi’s expression immediately turned strained. With other students nearby, he forced his irritation down and asked stiffly, “What are you doing here?”

Though Yu Qinglong knew his “elder cousin” was younger than him in actual age, he still greeted politely, “Cousin, I need your help—you have to save me.”

Yu Qingxi frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Yu Qinglong led him aside. “Third Uncle wants to marry me off to a bun-seller here in town. I heard that man has a foolish younger brother who hits people for no reason. When I heard it, I got so scared. Luckily, I remembered that you’re nearby. If I end up being treated badly, Cousin, I can only come to you for help, right? You’re learned and respected here—you wouldn’t ignore me, would you, Cousin?”

What the hell!

A bun-seller? With a half-wit brother who beats people? Yu Qingxi’s face went dark. He knew that family—one of the brothers was barely taller than Yu Qinglong’s shoulder, and the other howled nonsense all day long so that even people streets away could hear. What kind of life would it be, marrying into that mess?

Seeing his cousin’s expression grow uglier by the second, Yu Qinglong continued, “Maybe Third Uncle thought you live nearby and could look after me, so he decided on that family. It’s convenient, right? If anything happens, I can just come find you.”

That was the last thing Yu Qingxi wanted!

He snapped, “Did your father and Dad agree to this?”

“If Grandmother supports it, I don’t think they’ll be able to refuse,” Yu Qinglong said calmly. “She always listens to Third Uncle. But with you here, Cousin, it doesn’t feel so bad. The place isn’t that far. If I need you, I can come quickly.”

Yu Qingxi’s face was practically green. “Absolutely not. That family is no good. If anyone goes to propose, you tell your father and uncle to refuse. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.”

Yu Qinglong tilted his head. “But Grandmother will side with Third Uncle. And if I marry the bun-seller, I could eat big meat buns every day. I could even bring some to you, Cousin. I was scared before, but now that I’ve seen you, I feel much braver. With you backing me, they won’t dare mistreat me, right?”

Yu Qingxi stared, speechless, as his cousin spoke with such convincing innocence that he almost believed he wanted the match. The implications hit him like a hammer.

There was no way Third Uncle was doing this for his benefit—more likely, he was trying to ruin him! The third branch had always been jealous that he got to study, especially since Yu Qingfa was an impulsive fool. And yes, Grandmother had used family funds to help him attend school—something that had long festered as resentment in Third Uncle’s heart.

Yu Qingxi’s jaw tightened. “Don’t worry about this anymore. I’ll speak to Grandmother myself.”

“What? Then… no more meat buns?” Yu Qinglong asked innocently.

Yu Qingxi gave a sharp snort and stalked back into the academy without another word.

——

That afternoon, Old Madam Yu was waiting at home.

The night before, she’d expected the eldest branch to come barging in to protest—but they hadn’t. So, before dawn, she sent her third daughter-in-law to check. The woman came back saying the eldest branch had gone out early—neighbors said to town.

The old lady frowned. “Gui’er, you’re sure everything’s arranged with Li Da?”

“Of course, Mother,” Yu Dagui said.

Outwardly, it was said to be for Li Da—but in truth, it wasn’t just him.

Li Er, his simple-minded brother, didn’t understand much—but he did understand women and ge’ers. Yu Qinglong was to be shared between the brothers. Li Da, hearing that Yu Qinglong was tall and strong, had already fantasized about “subduing” him. There was even talk of including Zhao Lao Si. The three of them drank together often—vile men, every one. Once the match was sealed, they’d tear the eldest branch apart, and the second branch wouldn’t escape either.

The more Yu Dagui thought about it, the more exhilarated he felt. He rubbed the scar across his left hand—half the palm long, a gift from his eldest brother’s beating years ago. His father had thrashed him after catching him lying about working the fields. He’d almost lost his hand, and the second brother hadn’t said a word in his defense.

Just thinking about it made his teeth ache with hatred.

People always said Zhao Lao Si was no good—but Li Da was different. You had to have connections to sell buns successfully, and Li Da had a polite, respectable face. People in town thought he was a decent man—small in stature, but otherwise fine, and even a bit wealthy.

This time, no one could accuse Yu Dagui of acting improperly.

If Yu Qinglong dared to object, he’d call him unfilial—he’d accuse the eldest branch of sabotaging the second branch’s marriage negotiations. As long as they framed it as “helping Yu Qingye’s marriage,” they’d have the moral upper hand.

Old Madam Yu agreed completely.

But she hadn’t expected, after all that waiting, that instead of the eldest branch, her eldest grandson would arrive.

Yu Qingxi rarely came home except on the first and fifteenth of each month.

“Qingxi?” Yu Dagui frowned. “Why are you back already?”

Yu Qingxi’s glare was cold. “Third Uncle, are you trying to marry Qinglong to that bun-seller’s family? I don’t agree!”

“You’re a junior. It’s not your place to agree or disagree!” Yu Dagui snapped. “You second branch people really love meddling, don’t you?”

“Meddling?” Yu Qingxi barked a laugh. “That family lives right by my academy! If Qinglong is mistreated and comes to me for help, do I ignore him or not? If I help, the trouble never ends. If I don’t, my reputation is ruined! My teachers and classmates will see it all—how am I supposed to study after that?”

Old Madam Yu slammed her cane. “He wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh, he’d dare,” Yu Qingxi retorted. “He’s much bolder now. He already came to me today! He told me himself that since I’m his cousin, he’ll rely on me if he’s unhappy. So, no—this marriage cannot happen! And from now on, none of you should interfere with him again!”

When he’d left the academy, his teacher and classmates had all started asking questions. Yu Qinglong had even shouted, “Cousin! I’ll be counting on you from now on! You’re the best brother I have!”

That had nearly killed him with embarrassment.

Now everyone knew he had a cousin—a tall, manly-looking ge’er with soft eyes and a timid smile.

Yu Dafu, the second son, quickly interjected, “Mother, you know how important Qingxi’s future is! Don’t ruin his prospects over nonsense.”

Old Madam Yu hesitated. She’d invested heavily in this grandson—he was the family’s hope for honor and advancement.

Sensing her doubt, Yu Dagui grew furious. “Mother! I already turned down Zhao Lao Si once. If I refuse Li Da too, I’ll look like a fool! This will happen whether anyone likes it or not! Just use your authority and pressure the eldest branch. Do you think they’ll dare defy you?”

Li Da had promised him a tael of silver if it worked.

The old woman turned to her grandson. “Qinglong really came to you?”

“Would I lie about that?” Yu Qingxi said sharply. “It was this very morning! Why else would I have rushed home? You can’t let this continue, or I won’t be able to study in peace. I’m sitting for the provincial exam next year! Let the eldest branch manage their own affairs—we shouldn’t meddle!”

Zhang Baodan scoffed, “Easy for you to say—you’re not the one who got beaten!”

Yu Qingxi snapped, “If he got beaten, it’s because he struck first! And Third Uncle knows perfectly well what kind of man Zhao Lao Si is. He squanders money drinking with lowlifes—how can you expect not to get beaten for that?!”

“Who are you calling a lowlife?!” Yu Dagui roared, standing up. “Yu Qingxi, don’t think you can look down on us just because you’ve read a few books!”

“And you think you can ruin our Qingxi’s future?” Ye Meihua, the second wife, shot back. “Try it—I dare you!”

“Enough!” Old Madam Yu barked. “You’re all brothers—if you want to fight, take it to the eldest branch!”

“Yes!” Yu Dagui shouted. “Let’s go—I’d like to see if they’ll actually resist!”

“No!” Yu Qingxi slammed his fist on the table. “Grandmother, are you trying to destroy me?!”

“How could I?” she said sharply. “Gui’er, sit down! I was just saying. No one’s going to the eldest branch. Qingxi’s exam is the priority.”

“And why’s that?” Yu Dagui demanded.

“Because I’m your mother!” she snapped coldly. “That boy’s not worth the trouble anyway. If no one will have him, let him rot at home! When Qingye fails to marry Bai’s ge’er, we’ll see how long Qinglong can bear the shame of freeloading there!”

“But I already promised Li Da!” Yu Dagui shouted. “If I can’t deliver, I need compensation—two taels of silver!”

“Two taels?!” Ye Meihua cried. “Why so much?”

“Li Da said he’d pay me a tael if it worked! Now because of you people, I’ll have to pay him instead—so you owe me double!”

“Never!”

“Then I’m going through with it!”

“You try, and I’ll make you regret it!”

“Enough!” the old lady groaned, clutching her head. “The third branch has a point, but two taels is too much. Give him five hundred wen. And no one is to touch this matter again before Qingxi’s exam. After that, I’ll deal with the eldest branch myself.”

Half a tael short and no revenge—Yu Dagui was furious but could do nothing.

The one seething most silently, though, was Yu Qingfa.

He hadn’t said a word since Qingxi arrived. Every time something involved Qingxi, he was the one forced to yield.

But why should he?

As he watched his mother stash away the coins, he memorized the spot. If he wanted revenge, he couldn’t rely on this family. He’d have to act on his own.

——

Everyone busied themselves with their own schemes.

The next morning, Yu Qinglong woke early as always. Seeing that neither the second nor the third branch had shown up, he knew his trip to town had worked. Grabbing the water buckets, he headed out.

“I’ll come with you,” his eldest brother said.

“No need, Big Brother. I can manage.”

He had gotten used to the weight now. The more he kept himself busy, the less he thought of the comforts of his past life. Hard work was the only cure for nostalgia.

Still, his brother followed him anyway—worried that yesterday’s mess had left tempers brewing.

At the village well, they found two families drawing water. One woman—Aunt Zhang from across the old Yu house—called out, “Qinglong Ge’er! Heard you went to town to raise a fuss at the Li family’s bun shop?”

Yu Qingjia frowned. “That’s nonsense. Who told you that?”

Yu Qinglong didn’t bother to deny it. He already knew where the rumor came from—the old house, of course. He turned to Aunt Zhang with a calm, almost smiling gaze. “Aunt Zhang, do I look like the sort of person who would do that?”

Something in his voice—or maybe his eyes—made her spine go cold. She shivered involuntarily. “O-of course not.”

He smiled lightly, lifted her water bucket, and set it neatly on the stone ledge. “I thought so too.”

Aunt Zhang snatched her bucket and scurried off, heart pounding.

From that day onward, the rumors began to spread.

They said Yu Qinglong had changed since the Wang family broke off the engagement—become fierce, fearless, his eyes sharp enough to kill.

Some whispered that Li Da had heard of his temper and backed out of the match himself. “Too small,” they said, “afraid Yu Qinglong might slap him to death.”

Others claimed Yu Qinglong had gone to town and nearly beaten Li Er to a pulp.

Now, people said even dogs turned tail when they saw him coming.

And oddly enough—someone actually saw it happen.

In truth, Yu Qinglong had simply sprinkled a bit of powder that even dogs couldn’t stand. But the rumor suited him just fine.

That was exactly what he wanted.

If people feared him, no one would ever dare come proposing again. Then he could study in peace.

One day, he would live as a healer, earn his own living, and support his family.

Marriage? Not for another three or five years.

The thought of letting a stranger touch him again—he’d rather die.

Author’s Note:
Fang Shu: But I’m not a stranger, husband~ 😭🥺
Yu Qinglong: …I only found that out later. 😎