Chapter 144

In the small courtyard filled with hairpins and flowers.

The two siblings who had just returned from a half-month long trip collapsed onto the wicker chairs, before they could even finish the fruit soup that Aunt Zhang had just served. Upon hearing this explosive news, they were shocked.

"Yes, the Sun family has been put through the wringer recently. Governor He seems to particularly hate Madam Sun," Xu Mo said with a slight nod during his vacation.

In order to avenge his wife, or perhaps to earn his wife's forgiveness, Governor He ordered the two "servants" to be beaten with fifty heavy rods until they were bloody and then thrown back at the doorstep of the Sun family.

Moreover, he somehow found four even more beautiful women and threw them into the backyard of the Sun family head, causing complaints from the head's wife. The backyard has been chaotic with fowl and hound until now.

That's not all. Some of the Sun family's sons who worked in the government offices were all laid off, and even several shops they owned on East Street were inexplicably closed down.

Governor He's methods were more ruthless than anyone had expected, and it was all just to avenge his wife.

For a time, even Xu Mo had to admire him.

If it weren't for exposing the Wang family and venting his anger onto Wang Fufeng, that is.

Speaking of which, Wang Fufeng was older than them, already fifteen.

Although getting married early was a bit rushed, making a betrothal first and then holding the wedding ceremony next year at sixteen or seventeen would still be reasonable.

But after all, Wang Fufeng had suffered in their place, which made Xu Mo feel a little guilty.

"Has it been said which family's daughter it is?" Jiang Sheng was actually curious about this.

Zheng Ruqian glared at his foolish sister, then asked, "Is she good looking? Is she smart and quick-witted?"

In the minds of the six siblings, Wang Fufeng was such an awe-inspiring figure. He was intelligent and talented, and although he was weak, he was still upright and noble.

They wondered which family's daughter would be a match for such a young master.

"It hasn't been said yet, but she will certainly be chosen from Anshui County," Xu Mo sighed softly. "I don't know if Fufeng is willing or if he can get married and have children peacefully."

After all, someone as sickly as him, who also had such a clever disposition.

After Xu Mo sighed, he turned his head and saw that the siblings had begun another heated discussion.

"Could it be the Wu family?" "The Sun family is unlikely."

"The Liu family? Or the Bian family? It wouldn't be the county magistrate's daughter, right?"

"Does the Bian family have a daughter of marriageable age?"

"The Bian family has a daughter of marriageable age?"

Xu Mo's mouth twitched slightly.

Soon, the siblings discovered a new problem.

"Although we have lived in Anshui County, it seems we don't really understand this place," said Jiang Sheng, blinking her big round eyes. "We can't even find out how many girls of marriageable age there are to ask about on Brother Fufeng's behalf."

Zheng Ruqian scratched his head. "I can send Little Song to go find out."

But he was not a native of this land either. Although he could barely inquire about it, there would still be many obstacles, doubling the difficulty.

To quickly understand a city, finding a local was imperative.

Not only this city of Anshui, but other counties and prefectures as well--if there was someone who could deliver vegetables while also inquiring about matters, that would be so convenient.

Zheng Ruqian seemed to have discovered a new world. He stared blankly and walked out.

"Where's second brother going?" Xu Mo frowned, somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Sheng finished all of the fruit soup in one gulp, and drank Zheng Ruqian's as well. "He probably went to inquire about potential brides for Brother Fufeng."

After all, they were all worried about Wang Fufeng, and cared about their friend Wang Fufeng.

At the same time, a fierce argument broke out in the Wang family.

Wang San Ye glared at his rebellious son and shouted angrily, "Go over the successive heads of the Wang family. Which one did not get married before taking over the whole clan? Now that you've accepted the Wang family's credentials, you must get married soon and give the third branch a son."

"Besides, your health is also not good. Who knows how many years you have left to live. If you don't get married and have children sooner, what will happen if we have to arrange a posthumous marriage for you?"

Even though he was his own father, the words he said were worse than those of an uncle.

Wang Fufeng trembled with anger to the tips of his fingers. "Father also knows my body is ruined. If I die, wouldn't it be good to hand the power back to you? Why bother giving birth to a child again, forcing you to be conflicted?"

Wang San Ye was taken aback. This was indeed his original plan.

All the people in the Wang family, from the eldest branch to the second and third, were waiting it out, hoping to outlive Wang Fufeng and then compete for power.

But since the county magistrate had pressured him, he had no choice but to worry about his rebellious son's marriage.

After the wedding, given Wang Fufeng's health, he might die early. As for the child, whether he was born or not, it would just be pus and blood. Thinking this way, Wang San Ye became elated again.

"Let me tell you, it is only right and proper for a father to arrange his children's marriages. You have to listen whether you want to or not!" He said arrogantly, threatening in his tone, "Learn from your younger brother, obedient and docile. Whenever I ask him to get married, he must get married then."

Wang Fufeng swallowed hard again.

Chang Yan, who had been watching the long banquet, couldn't stand it any longer. He stood beside Wang Fufeng and patted his chest to help him breathe.

Wang San Ye glanced coldly at the little dwarf who often came in and out of the Wang family, his eyes flashing.

"Prepare well for the wedding. Father will do his best to find you a daughter from a prestigious family." Having said that, he turned and left.

Only then did Wang Fufeng close his eyes and exhale deeply.

Chang Yan leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Brother Fufeng, don't be angry. Since Third Master Wang keeps boasting about your younger brother's obedience, why don't you marry a sister-in-law first to show him?"

Wang Fufeng's expression changed. Knowing he had a plan, Wang Fufeng simply let go and said, "Just do as you want."

After being together for so long, he had absolute trust in the six siblings.

Chang Yan smiled and whispered a few words into Wang Fufeng's ear.

Soon after, he fed Wang Fufeng the little medicine pills that the fourth brother had kneaded. With his hands behind his back, he bounced and trotted out of the Wang family courtyard.

As he passed through a deserted alley, someone stopped him. "Are you Young Master Chang? Our master has requested your presence."

Chang Yan was startled, probably not expecting that there would still be moments when people mistook him for being surnamed "Chang." The corners of his mouth twitched as he followed them.

Sure enough, he saw Wang Fufeng's father drinking tea in the Wang family's backyard.

"So you're Chang Yan?" Wang San Ye's eyes were full of arrogant contempt. "I know you have a good relationship with Fufeng. There is something I want you to take care of. If you can accomplish it, you will be richly rewarded."

Indeed, that flashing gaze earlier was not meaningless.

Chang Yan bowed his head and laughed softly. But when he raised his head, he declaimed sonorously, "Third Master, I cannot betray Brother Fufeng."

Wang San Ye laughed even more contemptuously. He looked up and gave a meaningful glance to the Wang family servant.

The Wang servant immediately took out two torture devices and threw them on the ground.

Coincidentally, Chang Yan recognized both of them. One was called finger clamps, worn over the fingers. With a strong pull, all ten fingers would suffer together. At best, the bones would fracture and need to be nursed back. At worst, all ten fingers would be severed.

The other was called a compress board. It had a similar torturous effect, but it compressed the ribcage instead. Those who were tortured usually died from rupture of the internal organs and vomiting blood.

The Wang family was just a noble clan, not an official government yamen. They should not be privately keeping torture devices.

But looking at the traces of blood dots on the torture devices, it was clear they had been used many times.

Chang Yan's eyes roiled like tidal waves, but on the surface he was trembling with fear. He fell to the ground accordingly and cried, "Spare my life, Master! Just tell me, tell me and I'll do it all."