Chapter 157

The commotion of the Tang family arriving at the Wang household in a carriage was too big to go unnoticed. The Tang and Wang families had rarely interacted, so why had they suddenly shown up?

In this small town where everyone crossed paths daily, such an event involving the Wang family naturally piqued curiosity and gossip.

The members of the Wang family, having been cautioned by Grandma Wang to be discreet, answered vaguely when asked. They claimed that the elderly members of both families had hit it off at the first meeting and wanted to get acquainted, being from the same town. But no one really believed this. Seeing the Wang family with so many daughters, all grown young ladies with three already of marriageable age yet still unattached, people speculated. Could the Tang family have taken an interest in one of the Wang daughters?

Once the idea took root, imaginations ran wild. Everyone was curious—just which Wang girl had caught the Tang family’s eye?

“Hey, Yuan girl, your family is about to rise in status! Don’t forget about us, okay?” Madam Zheng teased with a smile as she leaned against the doorframe of her shop, speaking to Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er forced a smile and replied, “These are baseless rumors, Madam Zheng. Please don’t say such things. It wouldn’t be good for our reputation if word spread.”

Madam Zheng paused, surprised, and said, “Look at me, I was just talking, just talking.”

“Exactly, Madam Zheng. This kind of baseless gossip shouldn’t be spread. Even if you want to talk about it, at least make it believable. Do you think a prestigious family like that would even look at you?” A voice suddenly interjected. Wang Yuan’er turned to see Madam Xie, from Zhou Shunxing’s household, walking over with her hand supporting her pregnant belly. She glanced at Wang Yuan’er with disdain before saying to Madam Zheng, “Weigh me half a pound of sugar.”

“Ah, ah,” Madam Zheng replied hurriedly, going off to prepare the sugar.

Madam Xie then turned her attention back to Wang Yuan’er, mocking, “People really need to know their place. Climbing up to high branches isn’t something that can be done so easily—you ought to consider your own status first.”

Her words were dripping with bitterness, and Wang Yuan’er let out a laugh. “Wow, such acidity! Did you eat century-old vinegar? Are you feeling resentful, or do you regret marrying poorly?”

“Who are you talking about? Who’s resentful?” Madam Xie immediately bristled like a porcupine, ready to strike.

“Madam Zheng, I’ll be heading off now!” Wang Yuan’er ignored her, said her goodbyes to Madam Zheng, and brushed past Madam Xie’s shoulder as she left.

“Hey, you…” Madam Xie stomped her feet in anger, but Madam Zheng stopped her, smiling as she stuffed the sugar into her hands: “Here’s your sugar.”

Taking the sugar, Madam Xie gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and left.

Along the way, everyone who saw Yuan’er from the Wang family covered their mouths, laughing and whispering. It was easy to guess that they were talking about her.

Ah, people always love spreading gossip, never caring about whether it’s true or false.

Wang Yuan’er glanced at the sky; it was still early. Suddenly, her mind recalled a record in the “Records of Le Mountain” about past events, and her mood grew heavy. After thinking for a while, she decided to take advantage of the early hour and head to Changle Mountain.

Changle Mountain had several entrances. The most commonly used one was at the northern lowland pass. The terrain was low and easy to walk on, with fewer hazardous stones. Since many people had traveled through it, the road had become wider and safer. Naturally, Wang Yuan’er chose this entrance.

It was already late August, with autumn’s ups and downs. The leaves on the mountain trees had started to turn slightly yellow, and the maple leaves were gradually becoming red.

Wang Yuan’er casually picked up a rounded branch to use as a walking stick and slowly made her way up the mountain, observing and pondering as she went.

The Records of Le Mountain recorded that when heavy rain fell continuously, it would quickly gather into streams, causing creek water levels to surge and triggering mudslides, collapses, and landslides. In the event of torrential rain, flash floods could be immediately unleashed.

Flash floods differ from common floods, where water levels rise slowly and give you time to react. Flash floods arrive abruptly and swiftly. What’s more, you cannot know when they will come. When they do, there’s almost no time to be startled before the water sweeps you away.

The largest creek on Changle Mountain lies in the northern area. Its water flows clear and transparent, and the spring water is particularly refreshing and sweet. The older generations even called it “Longevity Spring.”

Wang Yuan’er strolled by the creek, rolled up her sleeves, and scooped a handful of spring water into her mouth. The sweetness delighted her.

Raising her head to look at the rushing creek in the distance, she felt a sense of disorientation. Would this beautiful creek someday turn into a monstrous flood, devouring everything?

Wang Yuan’er dared not think further. She wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve and continued up the mountain.

The sun gradually shifted westward. Among the dense forest foliage, sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting speckled patches of light.

Feeling peaceful, Wang Yuan’er gently hummed a tune.

Crunch!

Wang Yuan’er’s steps came to a halt. She gripped the walking stick tightly, her eyes scanning her surroundings with vigilance. After hearing no sound for a brief moment, she tilted slightly and continued forward.

Crunch, crunch!

Startled, she froze. That was unmistakably the sound of someone stepping on dry branches!

“Who’s there?” she demanded, clutching the stick even tighter and looking around. “Who’s playing tricks? Come out, or don’t blame me for being rude!”

Silence. Only the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.

Seeing no one, Wang Yuan’er turned around. Suddenly, rapid footsteps came from behind, alarmingly close.

A hand reached out toward her back. Wang Yuan’er spun around swiftly, closed her eyes, and swung the stick wildly.

“Take that for playing tricks! Take that! Let’s see if I don’t beat you to death, beat you to death!”

“Hey, hey, you crazy woman, where are you swinging that? Stop it already!” A man’s voice, like a clap of thunder, rang in Wang Yuan’er’s ears.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar!

The walking stick in her hand was forcefully grabbed, leaving her unable to use it. Wang Yuan’er had no choice but to half-open her eyes. When she saw who it was, she loosened her grip.

“Why is it you?”

Standing before her was a man dressed in a deep blue long robe with a jade crown on his head. His face, charming like a baby’s, bore slightly upturned peach-blossom-shaped eyes, which at that moment were full of displeasure and annoyance.

Who else could it be but Young Master Cui, Cui Yuan?

“I mean, really, why didn’t you take a proper look before swinging wildly at someone?” Cui Yuan rubbed his wrist, which was now dark red—exactly where Wang Yuan’er had struck him. “You little brat, you’ve got quite the strength!”

Wang Yuan’er glared at him. “Who told you to sneak around behind me? How was I supposed to know if you were a person or a ghost?” She glanced at the red mark on his wrist and felt a twinge of guilt.

“Have you ever seen a ghost in broad daylight?” Cui Yuan pointed to the sunlight filtering through the leaves and rolled his eyes. “Especially under such strong sunlight!”

Wang Yuan’er opened her mouth but said nothing.

“And what sneaking around? This path isn’t yours alone,” Cui Yuan retorted.

“Then why didn’t you respond when I called out to you?” Wang Yuan’er glanced guiltily at his hand and lowered her head.

I just wanted to scare you a little—how was I supposed to know this young lady would be so rough? Of course, Cui Yuan only thought this to himself and wasn’t foolish enough to say it out loud.

“Does it hurt?” Unable to suppress her conscience, and considering he was her tenant, Wang Yuan’er pointed to his wrist and asked.

Cui Yuan wanted to say, “What’s a little pain?” but decided he couldn’t let her off so easily. He coughed and said, “Of course it hurts. How about I hit you with a stick and see how you like it?”

Wang Yuan’er felt even more guilty and said, “I have medicinal wine at home. After we go down, I’ll bring it to you—it’s great for reducing bruises.”

Cui Yuan was about to say it wasn’t necessary but thought better of it and simply nodded. He released her hand and asked, “What’s a young lady like you doing alone in the forest? Aren’t you afraid of wolves or something dragging you away?”

Wang Yuan’er chuckled and said, “There are no wolves in this area. If you go deeper into the dense forest for about two hours, you might encounter wolves. You’re an outsider. How would you know!”

Cui Yuan looked a bit embarrassed but refused to admit it. “There may not be wolves, but there are big-tailed wolves.”

“What big-tailed wolves?” Wang Yuan’er didn’t understand and turned to look at him.

Cui Yuan pointed to himself, then raised both hands and made a gesture as if he were about to pounce on her. “Get it? If this young master had ill intentions, could a young lady like you fend me off?”

Wang Yuan’er finally understood, her face flushed red, and she glared at him.

“Don’t glare at me!” Cui Yuan walked past her and said, “Oftentimes, people are scarier than animals!”

Wang Yuan’er froze for a moment. She couldn’t deny it—wasn’t it true? People could sometimes be far more terrifying than animals, and the human heart was the most unpredictable. She caught up to him. “Then what about you? What are you doing in the mountains?”

“If you can come, why can’t this young master come? Can’t I come here for sightseeing?” Cui Yuan slightly turned his head and glanced at her sideways.

He was troubled by the Dengwen Case, his thoughts tangled and unable to unravel—where exactly had the stolen gold been hidden?

As he wandered and mulled over it, he happened to spot Wang Yuan’er heading up the mountain. Curious, he decided to follow her.

Wang Yuan’er, feeling a bit awkward, lowered her brows and said, “Young Master Cui, you’re not familiar with this mountain. It’s better not to wander around recklessly. The deeper you go into the forest, the denser the foliage becomes, and it’s easy to lose your way.”

“Perfect, then you can lead the way for me. Let this young master take a proper look at the mountain,” Cui Yuan replied.

Wang Yuan’er was about to refuse, but then she thought of something. This Young Master Cui seemed to have some connections with Lord Li. If she could get him to draw Lord Li’s attention to the streams on Changle Mountain, might that be feasible?

Without saying yes or no, she simply began walking forward slowly. Cui Yuan followed behind her, admiring the scenery around them—the babbling streams, the refreshing mountain breeze—a scene of tranquil beauty and serenity. Looking at the person walking ahead wore a light green dress adorned with pins. Her jet-black hair was braided into a single plait that hung down her back, and her hands lifted the hem of her skirt. While not as delicate or graceful as noble ladies, her figure carried a spirited charm—it was beautiful.

“Young Master Cui, are you too tired to walk?” Wang Yuan’er noticed he had slowed down and stood by a cluster of bamboo, turning back to look at him.

“Who’s too tired to walk?” Cui Yuan scoffed, taking several brisk steps that covered two meters. As he lifted his gaze—wait, what’s that…?

“Then hurry up. It’ll be hard to navigate if it gets dark, and we still need to head back!” She said this while turning around.

“Don’t move! Don’t move a muscle!” Cui Yuan’s voice was sharp, and his expression subtly changed.