Chapter 120: Luring into the Trap

After returning, Qi Guang swiftly took action, assigning a few men to go to Xinghua Village and gather information on the Song family.

Soon, Qi Fifth returned, visibly angry as he reported to Qi Guang, “Boss, the whole Song family is rotten. Madam Jiang is Su Mixue’s aunt, and she has caused a lot of trouble for the young lady.”

“Madam Jiang conspired with Song Dalang to target the young lady, but in the end, they reaped what they sowed. Song Dalang died in prison, and now the Song family holds a grudge against the young lady. Keeping them around is simply a hidden danger.”

Qi Guang’s eyes flashed with a sharp intensity. “What about Mrs. Hu?”

“Mrs. Hu once tipped off the young lady about their plans. Somehow, Madam Jiang found out and has been tormenting Mrs. Hu to the brink of death,” Qi Fifth said, full of righteous indignation. “Boss, we need to get Mrs. Hu out of there quickly, or Madam Jiang will beat her to death.”

Qi Third interjected, “Song Erlang is at the tavern in town.”

Qi Guang narrowed his eyes. “You two come with me to town.”

To them, the young lady’s benefactor was their benefactor, and they would never allow anyone to bully her!

After discussing their plan and disguising themselves, the group headed to the small tavern.

Inside, Song Erlang was drinking with a few classmates. There were only a few days left until the provincial-level imperial exam.

One of the classmates praised him, “Song Erlang, you’re really something! Only a few of us from our academy made it to the rank of xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level exam), and you were one of them, ranking third overall. With such results, there’s no doubt you’ll pass the provincial exam and become a juren (a successful candidate at the provincial level).”

Li Guangyao picked up the wine cup and filled Song Erlang’s cup, then lazily leaned back into his chair, raising the wine cup as if to toast, saying, “Let’s drink to the future ‘juren’!”

As soon as Li Guangyao finished speaking, he took a big gulp of wine.

Song Erlang, pleased with the flattery, downed his drink in one go, modestly saying, “It’s just luck, Brother Li, you praise me too much.”

Li Guangyao was the son of a merchant, not talented in academics but excelling in all sorts of vices—drinking, gambling, and womanizing.

Song Erlang both envied and looked down on Li Guangyao, but he couldn’t avoid associating with him because of Li Guangyao’s generosity.

Li Guangyao, being sharp, knew very well that Song Erlang saw him as a fool to be taken advantage of.

He sneered inwardly, watching Song Erlang’s pretense, and said playfully, “Erlang, you’re about seventeen or eighteen now, right? No woman warming your bed at home—don’t you feel lonely at night?”

“Erlang, how could you feel lonely? Your elder brother is gone, leaving behind a widow, who’s still in her prime at only nineteen, and without any children. You could take on the responsibility of both families by fathering a child with your sister-in-law and giving your brother an heir,” Fang Youtian said with a sly grin.

He continued with a chuckle, “Erlang, you’re truly fortunate. A few years ago, the court abolished the rule that required younger brothers to mourn for their elder brothers. You not only don’t have to wait three years to take the imperial exams, but you also get a woman for free.”

Song Erlang’s face darkened, but Fang Youtian went on, “You’re a xiucai now, and with your future in officialdom, if word got out that you were visiting brothels, it would ruin your career.”

“Your family is poor, and even though you’re a xiucai, what noble family’s daughter would want to marry you? But once you make the honor roll, high-ranking ministers in the capital will be eager to marry off their daughters to a scholar of your standing, and you’ll rise to the top in one leap.”

Fang Youtian laughed lewdly, “In the meantime, your sister-in-law will do just fine for your pleasure. She’s likely more exciting to play with than the women outside.”

Song Erlang’s face flushed with embarrassment. Although Mrs. Hu had some beauty, she had been tormented by Madam Jiang to the point of being unrecognizable, which disgusted him. Yet, after hearing Fang Youtian’s words, he shamefully found himself a bit tempted.

Li Guangyao chimed in, egging him on, “Erlang, you wouldn’t dare, would you?”

He then turned to Fang Youtian, saying, “Don’t lead Erlang astray. Offer him a drink and apologize.”

“Yes, yes, look at my loose tongue. Erlang isn’t like us; he’s destined to become a high-ranking official one day.”

Fang Youtian slapped his own mouth lightly and raised a cup of wine towards Song Erlang. “Erlang, let’s have a drink. Just forget I ever said those things.”

Song Erlang sneered, “Who wouldn’t dare? Fang Youtian is right. My brother died early without leaving behind a son. If I take on both family lines and sleep with my sister-in-law, who would dare say anything?”

Fang Youtian gave a thumbs-up, then with a sly tone, he asked, “But will your sister-in-law agree?”

“Even if she doesn’t agree, she’ll have to. If she lets my brother’s bloodline end, she’s a sinner,” Song Erlang said as he picked up his wine cup and flipped it over, refusing to let Fang Youtian pour him more wine, publicly embarrassing him. “I won’t be drinking this.”

Fang Youtian’s face darkened instantly.

Li Guangyao, still smiling, tried to smooth things over, taking another cup and pouring wine for Song Erlang. “Come on, come on, let’s keep drinking.”

Song Erlang accepted the cup and drank.

Fang Youtian clenched his fists, glaring at Song Erlang, who was now chatting and laughing with Li Guangyao. Anger flashed in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Qi Third and Qi Fifth, who had overheard the conversation, were seething with rage, their fists clenched tightly. They were so furious that they wanted to smash Song Erlang’s head.

This scoundrel is truly despicable, unworthy of being called human.

“Boss, let’s just castrate him. That way, this beast won’t be able to take the imperial exams and can go straight to being a eunuch,” 

Qi Third said as he slapped a dagger onto the table with a loud “thud,” ready to rush over and take care of Song Erlang the moment Qi Guang gave the nod.

Qi Guang’s sharp eyes focused on Song Erlang. After downing his drink in one gulp, he changed the plan on the spot, pointing at Fang Youtian. “You two keep an eye on that tall, skinny one.”

“That guy’s name is Fang Youtian. He’s got a gambling-addicted father at home, and they’re dirt poor. He hangs around with Li Guangyao, spending all his time in brothels and gambling dens,” Qi Third explained, having learned about Song Erlang’s social circle while investigating the Song family.

Just as a clever idea struck Qi Fifth’s mind and he was about to speak, he noticed Song Erlang and his group getting up to leave. “They’re leaving. Should we follow them?”

“You two follow them. I’ve got other business to attend to,” Qi Guang said as he headed straight for the gambling den.

—

Song Erlang headed to the academy, Li Guangyao went home, and Fang Youtian, feeling restless and itching to gamble, wandered off to the gambling den.

Two quarters of an hour later, Fang Youtian was unceremoniously thrown out of the gambling den.

The guard at the den, a burly man with a fierce expression, spat at Fang Youtian, “Fang Youtian, you owe the gambling den several dozen taels of silver. If you don’t pay up by tomorrow, we’ll chop off your hand.”

He then stepped on Fang Youtian’s hand, grinding it under his foot with force.

“Ah—!” Fang Youtian screamed in pain, and veins bulging on his forehead. He begged, “Brother Niu, please give me a few more days. I promise I’ll pay back the money.”

Brother Niu sneered, “For every day we give you, the debt doubles. You can’t even pay off the thirty-plus taels you owe now. How will you come up with a hundred taels if we give you a few more days?”

“Brother Niu…”

“Giving you a few more days isn’t out of the question.” Brother Niu suddenly changed his mind, squatting down to look Fang Youtian in the eye. “Bring us someone, and we’ll consider the debt settled.”

“I’ll definitely bring someone for you, Brother Niu.” Fang Youtian, drenched in cold sweat, hurriedly agreed, terrified that Brother Niu might change his mind. “I’ll bring them to you today.”

With that, Brother Niu and his guards headed back into the gambling den.

Fang Youtian didn’t waste any time. Clutching his red and swollen hand, he rushed straight to the academy.