Chapter 19

With free time on her hands, Su Fu often came to the backyard to check on things. The most common praises she heard were:

“My disciple truly is gifted—one word, and she understands immediately.”

“A genuine martial prodigy—only one hour and she has already grasped the essence of the horse stance.”

“Indeed, in lightness skills, she even surpasses her master by a bit.”

By noon, Su Fu came inside to find Su Wan already able to fly up and perch on the courtyard wall.

“Mother, look at me! I can fly now!” Su Wan sat on the wall, swinging her little legs.

Ji Sang sipped his tea, and without hesitation said, “Well done. Wanwan is a born genius—among all I’ve met, she is the one with the sharpest comprehension. I believe in less than a month she will be able to run over rooftops, and in half a month, spar with me.”

“To have such a clever disciple is a blessing for any master.”

Hearing such high praise, Su Fu was overjoyed. “I truly thank you, Mr. Ji Sang. Without your discerning eye, my daughter’s talent might have gone unnoticed. If not for breaking ties with the Ning family, she wouldn’t have met such a good master. It’s all fate.”

She sighed softly, “I wonder if Ning Yumo will ever regret throwing us out of the Ning family.”

“But it’s fine. As long as my daughter is safe, I can bear anything.”

Seeing tears welling in Su Fu’s eyes, Su Wan immediately knew her mother was recalling painful memories. She lightly jumped down from the wall and gently shook Su Fu’s hand.

“Mother, don’t be sad. When I’ve mastered my skills, I will definitely go to the capital and make that villainous father regret throwing us out. A bad father like that doesn’t deserve to be Wanwan’s dad.”

Ji Sang’s brows twitched slightly when he heard “the capital.” Perhaps one day, Su Wan could help him return there and uncover that man’s conspiracy.

Meanwhile, the storage room had been converted by Su Fu into a kitchen. While she was busy there, Su Wan went to guard the shop. No sooner had she stepped outside than she ran into a familiar face—

Wang Shun.

“Hey, Boss,” Wang Shun greeted. “I heard your shop opened today. I thought I’d bring my friends to check it out. Yesterday’s incident was really just a misunderstanding.”

He called over his brothers. “Come on, buy something! Don’t just stand there. Whether you need it or not, buy something to wish the new shop good business!”

Just as Wang Shun finished speaking, he caught sight of Ji Sang in black coming out of the inner room. Ji Sang’s expression stiffened. “What, trouble again?”

“No, no, no, you’ve got it wrong, great hero! I’m just here to support the new shop,” Wang Shun hurriedly bowed and nodded to Ji Sang, picking out a big pile of goods. He even carried away two shovels.

“Pfft—” After they left, Su Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Ji Sang’s lips twitched in frustration. He thought to himself, If I hadn’t arrived in time yesterday, Wang Shun would’ve ended up in the mass grave.

The new shop had just opened, and business was going fairly well—not as bleak as expected.

After dinner, Su Wan continued practicing her martial arts.

Ji Sang sat nearby, drinking tea and dozing, never having felt life so comfortable.

Near closing time in the afternoon, a few women gathered at the door, whispering and pointing at Su Fu.
 “Look, that’s the former wife of the top scholar, but now she’s been abandoned.”

“You don’t know—she used to be so arrogant. Relying on her looks, she really thought she could hold the position of the top scholar’s wife. Now? She’s been cast aside.”

“I heard the top scholar just took office, and now he’s discarding his wife? Isn’t he afraid the world will shame him?”

“Pah, what’s there to fear? That woman never deserved the Ning family’s son. I heard she’s rude and uncultured—once in the capital, she offended the high officials. That’s why the Ning family discarded her.”

“That’s nonsense! It’s bad daddy who chased after a higher-status woman, the Lady of Pingle County, and abandoned wife and daughter. It’s not my mother’s fault!”
 Hearing people talk about her mother, Su Wan’s eyes reddened as she rushed out of the house, ready to defend her mother.

Su Wan didn’t recognize these women, but since they were spreading scandal about Ning Yumo, why not let them?
 After all, the entire Ning family must be on edge every day now. Counting the time, Ning Yumo should be about to take action.

If he didn’t act soon, the news would be impossible to suppress.

When Ji Sang heard “Lady of Pingle County,” he was a bit surprised. So Su Wan was the daughter of Ning Yumo, the top scholar. He remembered Ning Yumo had met the Lady of Pingle County the day he rode through the street.

Ning Yumo abandoned his wife and daughter to climb the ranks by courting the Rong Guo Duke’s mansion?

Ha, what a scholarly, upright gentleman—brazenly cheating his lord.

However, with Su Wan’s skills, dealing with a scumbag like Ning Yumo should be easy. What she really needs to fear is the Rong Guo Duke’s mansion, where the Chief Princess presides.

And the Chief Princess is…

Thinking of this, Ji Sang suddenly smiled.

So it seems he and Su Wan were on the same side.

Su Fu quickly pulled Su Wan aside, signaling her not to make a fuss. If this got spread to the capital, the Ning family wouldn’t let them off.

Thinking of their Su family behind them, Su Fu grew even more fearful, lowering her voice, “Wan Wan, some things you shouldn’t get involved in. Be obedient, and don’t mention your father’s affairs anymore.”

Su Fu’s face was full of worry and fear.

Su Wan wanted to say something but stopped herself.
 “Mother, I understand. I just don’t want you to suffer. It’s bad daddy’s fault, but you bear all the blame behind the scenes. I’m angry.”

Su Fu’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice choking as she said, “Mom, hearing you say that is enough. All I want is for you and Uncle’s family to be well. Nothing else matters. My good daughter, you understand better than anyone—I believe you do.”

Su Fu had long noticed that her daughter had changed since returning from the capital. Sometimes she was so mature and thoughtful that it made her heart ache.

The few gossipy women, seeing Ji Sang’s imposing presence, shrank their necks and hurried away.

Su Wan subtly gave Ji Sang a glance; he nodded slightly and turned back inside.

Su Fu couldn’t read or keep accounts, but she had her own method—she drew pictures of the goods sold on a piece of paper, then sketched the number of copper coins on the back.

She planned to take it back for her elder brother to tally.

Su Mingshan, who had long sold game, was very adept at accounting.

The general store’s business was all done before the Shen hour (around 3–5 pm), and usually, there was little business afterward, so they closed early.

When Ji Sang returned, Su Fu was just closing the shop door. The three of them rode the carriage back.

On the way, Su Fu reminded Su Wan not to tell anyone about today’s events, so as not to worry Uncle’s family.

Su Wan pretended to be in a bad mood and responded with an “Oh.”

Having the carriage made their travel faster. By the time they got home, Su Wan could even teach Su Mingshan some skills.

“Uncle, come learn with me,” Su Wan said enthusiastically.

Su Mingshan felt a little embarrassed but couldn’t resist Su Wan’s enthusiasm.

Ji Sang naturally taught with all his strength. What surprised him was that Su Mingshan’s horse stance was unexpectedly steady. Both his physique and his toughness made him a strong warrior ready for battle.