Chapter 38

The courtyard’s snow was swept clean by Shen Yu. In the afternoon, she even accompanied her father-in-law up the mountain for hunting.

With her injured hand, she couldn’t exert much force, so they didn’t catch anything good. However, her father-in-law was happy. He said that in the past, his son would also accompany him hunting, and even if they returned empty-handed, he would still be happy.

After dinner, Shen Yu played with a bamboo woven ball in the courtyard, while their shadows stretched long on the ground.

Xie Tingzhou and her father-in-law sat chatting under the eaves.

Over the past few days, as they interacted more, the two became more acquainted. Xie Tingzhou didn’t seem as aloof as he appeared, and her father-in-law was no longer afraid of him.

“Dahuang, run!”

Shen Yu waved her hand, and the bamboo woven ball flew out.

Dahuang sprinted, returning to drop the ball at Shen Yu’s feet, then eagerly wagged his tail with his front legs on Shen Yu’s knees.

Shen Yu patted Dahuang’s head, praising him, “You’re amazing, Dahuang!”

“Oh, everyone’s here.”

They turned to see a woman standing outside the courtyard, one hand resting on the fence, the other carrying a basket.

Upon seeing her, Shen Yu’s father-in-law’s expression darkened instantly, and he turned to Xie Tingzhou, saying, “This is Mrs. Liu from the village… oh.”

Shen Yu didn’t understand, “Father, what’s wrong with her?”

Xie Tingzhou understood. Being a few years older than Shen Yu, he caught on to the meaning behind her father’s exclamation.

Her father looked embarrassed, having lived his life facing the earth, he lacked the eloquence to express himself tactfully.

“Well, it’s just that… I’ll tell you later.”

Shen Yu felt anxious halfway through the conversation, and seeing Xie Tingzhou’s understanding expression made her feel even worse.

It seemed like only she and Dahuang didn’t understand what was happening in the courtyard.

Shen Yu sat on a small stool, staring at Xie Tingzhou in confusion. Dahuang nudged her leg, but seeing her ignoring him, he sat on the ground, also staring at Xie Tingzhou.

The image of the two of them sitting side by side obediently made Xie Tingzhou want to laugh.

He calmly looked away, coughing lightly with his fist under his nose, “She has quite the experience in socializing between men and women.”

Shen Yu was stunned for a few seconds before realizing.

A widow without a pillar in her family would naturally be vulnerable to others’ advances. Judging from Mrs. Liu’s demeanor and appearance, she didn’t seem like a modest person.

Mrs. Liu, seeing everyone engrossed in their own conversation, raised her voice, “Uncle Liu, I heard you have guests at home. I figured you might not have enough hospitality for your guests, so I brought some over.”

With that, she pushed open the gate and swaggered in, swaying her hips.

Shen Yu was astonished. It was her first time seeing someone move like a snake. Wouldn’t her waist break?

Mrs. Liu, noticing the young man’s gaze fixed on her, threw him a flirtatious glance.

Uncle Zheng couldn’t bear to watch, so he moved away from the stool, facing a bare tree in the courtyard, and lit up a pipe.

Mrs. Liu walked straight to Xie Tingzhou, uncovering the basket to reveal a roast chicken inside, saying, “Young master, this was personally cooked by me.”

The widow’s eyes shimmered, as if she wished to throw herself at Xie Tingzhou right there.

It must be self-invited seduction, Shen Yu thought, but she didn’t speak up to stop it.

This woman still had some charm left. Who knew if Xie Tingzhou would be willing or not.

After all, she had heard some rumors. After Xie Tingzhou left the battlefield, he became a regular at various brothels in Beilin, living a debauched life.

Those officials and wealthy men catered to his tastes, gathering beauties from everywhere to please him. Though he didn’t accept all of them, he would select a few, indicating he had standards.

Xie Tingzhou stood up, towering over Mrs. Liu.

He accepted the roast chicken, “Thank you very much.”

Seeing him accept it, Widow Liu suppressed her joy and softly said, “Young master, there’s no one at my home. A few days ago, it rained, and the house leaked a bit. Could you come with me tonight to take a look?”

Shen Yu scoffed lightly. It was getting dark, and what was the point of fixing a roof in the dead of night? Wasn’t she afraid of falling and getting hurt?

Xie Tingzhou heard the scoff and glanced at Shen Yu.

He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Sorry, I’ve been weak since I was young, so I’m afraid I can’t climb up to fix the roof.”

Shen Yu scoffed again. Even if he’s been weak since he was young, Xie Tingzhou seemed to have forgotten the days when he wielded his sword on the battlefield.

Mrs. Liu became anxious and quickly said, “No need to fix the roof, no need at all.”

If there weren’t others present, she would have simply said to come to bed.

Xie Tingzhou nodded thoughtfully, “I see.”

He looked at Shiyu, “But my younger brother here is quite skilled in climbing beams or anything else.”

Shen Yu felt unfairly targeted and almost fell off her stool.

She had only lightly scoffed, no, twice, was it really necessary to take it so personally?

Mrs. Liu wanted to say something more, but fearing Xie Tingzhou’s imposing aura, she didn’t dare speak up and could only look at Shen Yu instead.

This one’s not bad either. Although not as tall and straight as the other one, he’s a bit thin, but his face is still handsome. You can’t find someone this handsome in the whole town.

Mrs. Liu was sure of it. She then smiled and leaned towards Shen Yu, stretching her voice, “Young master—”

“Don’t,” Shen Yu interrupted her without hesitation, with a pained expression, “I won’t hide it from you, I have some issues in that area, I have the will but not the strength.”

Xie Tingzhou suddenly choked, whether from the wind or from those words, no one knew.

The topic was too sensitive, and the father-in-law had already gone inside with his pipe.

Mrs. Liu was so shocked that she couldn’t close her mouth, then she looked at Xie Tingzhou, as if seeking confirmation.

Xie Tingzhou resisted a smile and said, “Well, there’s nothing we can do, please leave.”

Mrs. Liu walked away a few steps, then looked back at the basket in Xie Tingzhou’s hand.

It was a big loss. She had thought that since she was a widow anyway, after sleeping with him, she would let the young master know how good she was, and remarrying wouldn’t be impossible.

Now, not only did she fail to take advantage, but she also lost her chicken.

What a loss!

After Mrs. Liu left the courtyard, Xie Tingzhou looked at Shen Yu, “Have the will but not the strength?”

Shen Yu remained silent, it wasn’t him who provoked this. He even bought medicine for him, tea, and clothes. When disaster struck, he pushed her out to be a scapegoat. His conscience must have gone to the dogs.

He looked annoyed, which Xie Tingzhou found amusing and it aroused a teasing spirit in him.

“You’ve done a great service in protecting your master. After we go to the capital, I’ll find you a specialist in male health and give you a few concubines.”

“No need for that,” Shen Yu gritted his teeth, “How about giving me something else?”

“What?”

“That knife.”

Xie Tingzhou smiled at him, “You like that knife?”

Shen Yu nodded eagerly.

Xie Tingzhou chuckled, “Don’t even think about it.”

Not giving it to me? Then why did you ask? I should have thrown it into the river long ago, Shen Yu thought.