Chapter 7

Yexiaotian called out three or five times, and the door, which had several cracks and looked like a weathered old face, creaked open. A woman in a green robe and skirt, in the prime of her youth, gracefully emerged, leaning against the door. Seeing Yexiaotian, she couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

This woman had a fair and smooth forehead, with eyebrows like distant mountains, gently frowning as if carrying an invisible sorrow. Her slender waist was tied with a fine sash, exuding a delicate grace.

She stood gracefully by the door, and the old, cracked door seemed to take on a refined elegance because of her. Though dressed in simple clothes and with a slender figure, she was exceptionally beautiful.

This girl had a gentle beauty that made people feel pity. Beauty that could cause disaster didn't necessarily have to be so stunning as to captivate everyone; it was the kind of appearance and demeanor that could directly capture your heart, making foolish men willing to shed blood for her. The woman before him clearly possessed such qualities.

Seeing such a charming person, Yexiaotian, though from the capital and having seen many beautiful women, was still taken aback. He thought to himself, "A good bamboo shoot can come from a bad bamboo. Yang Lin, who is as cunning as a cricket, unexpectedly has a daughter with a fox-like appearance."

The young woman lived alone in a humble place, never interacting with others. She only received coarse rice from the Yang family's servants once a month. Her residence was in a dead-end alley, with no one passing by the front door. Suddenly seeing a stranger, and one who seemed to be looking for her, she was naturally surprised and a bit wary. She asked softly, "Who are you, and why are you here?"

Yexiaotian hurriedly replied, "Miss, I am Yexiaotian, from the capital. I have brought a personal letter from your father, Lord Yang Lin."

The woman gasped, covering her mouth, and asked in a trembling voice, "You... what did you say? Whose letter have you brought?"

Yexiaotian said, "Miss, could you please open the gate and let me in to speak?"

The woman then realized and hurriedly went to open the door. As she removed the bolt and opened the gate, Yexiaotian was about to step in when he heard a loud shout from the alley entrance, "Hey, you there, what are you doing?"

Yexiaotian turned his head and saw four or five men just turning into the alley. The one in front had a thin, bamboo-like figure, none other than Yang San Shou, the head steward of the Yang family, who had just ordered his servants to beat someone.

Yexiaotian was startled. With Yang San Shou around, these people were likely not good. He didn't know why they were here, but if the letter from Yang Lin fell into their hands, the five hundred taels of silver would be lost.

Yexiaotian quickly darted into the courtyard and said to the young woman, "It's not good, people from the Yang family have come. This letter is very important and must not fall into their hands. Miss Yang, I need to hide for a moment and will come back to discuss important matters with you later."

Yexiaotian looked around urgently and saw a chicken coop in the corner, covered in spider webs, indicating it hadn't been used for a long time. He immediately ran over, leaped onto the chicken coop, and with a quick step and a push of his arms, climbed up the wall. There was a loud crash as the chicken coop collapsed...

The young woman was bewildered by the sudden series of events. As she stood there, dazed, watching Yexiaotian struggle in the rubble, Yang San Shou and several strong men rushed in, shouting, "Where did that scoundrel run... Grab him!"

---

Yexiaotian was pushed and shoved, finally entering the Yang family courtyard through a side gate, which he had been looking forward to for two months, traveling for two months, but ultimately dared not take the final step. Yang San Shou, escorting Yexiaotian, was elated. This suspicious young man from outside must have a secret affair with the lowly woman. Even if he didn't, he could be accused of it. In front of the lady, he would surely gain some benefit. Hehe!

Yang San Shou was increasingly pleased and pushed Yexiaotian hard, shouting, "Move faster, you must have eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall to dare steal a woman from the Yang family. Wait and see what I'll do to you!"

Yexiaotian was in a dilemma. The charge of stealing a woman was serious, but the most direct and effective way to clear his name was to produce the letter and tell the truth. But could he do that? If he did, the five hundred taels of silver would be lost. If the Yang family was even more ruthless and still accused him of being a lover, he might lose his life. Yexiaotian had heard how the common people dealt with adultery.

The gentle woman was also bound and brought along. They arrived at a moon gate in the inner courtyard, where a servant woman took the woman inside to see the lady. Yexiaotian was left outside.

Yexiaotian noticed a few other people waiting to see the Yang family's master. One of them was short and stocky, with a bristly beard, broad shoulders, and a face full of scars. He was rubbing his hands and, upon seeing Yang San Shou, hurriedly asked, "Brother San Shou, why is my woman bound and taken in?"

Yang San Shou coldly snorted, "That little wretch, daring to disgrace the Yang family's reputation by having an affair with this young man. Wait and see what my lady will do to her after using the family law."

The burly man was displeased and pouted, "Such a delicate and tender woman, if she is beaten to a pulp by your lady, what will happen? Brother San Shou, she will soon be my woman, and I should be the one to punish her."

Yang San Shou sneered, "Oh, oh, oh, Mr. Mu, you're quite the lover, aren't you? You haven't even gotten her yet, and you're already showing affection. A woman who doesn't know shame and doesn't keep her virtue, isn't it good for me to teach her a lesson for you?"

Mr. Mu grumbled, "When you take a concubine, you take her for her beauty. As long as she is young and beautiful, who cares how many men she has been with before? Once she is in my house, I'll make sure she never sees a male mosquito."

Hearing this, Yexiaotian was secretly shocked: "Miss Yang, though a concubine's daughter, is still from an official family. The lady of the Yang family, upon hearing her husband's death, wants to sell her daughter to a butcher as a concubine. How heartless, isn't she afraid of being criticized?"

Yang San Shou's face darkened at Mr. Mu's words, and he scolded, "Can't you understand simple words? Do you think with your ten taels of silver, you can buy a beautiful woman from the Yang family? Pah! If my lady didn't want to humiliate that little wretch, you wouldn't have a chance. You're just a nobody, and you dare to act like someone important."

Yang San Shou's outburst left Mr. Mu red-faced and speechless, but he dared not argue and could only retreat, muttering to himself.

---

In the inner courtyard, Lady Yang, nearly fifty and exuding elegance, was walking with a man older than her, with white hair and a clear, lean face, wearing a scholar's robe and a four-cornered silk cap, looking very refined.

The refined scholar walked slowly and said with a serious face, "Sister, this is very inappropriate. Selling her to a butcher? How could you think of such a thing? Aren't you tarnishing your own reputation?"

Lady Yang's face showed a brief moment of discomfort, but she remained silent. After a pause, she said, "I can't bear this grudge. If I don't make that little wretch suffer, I can't quench my anger. Brother, please don't interfere."

The refined scholar stroked his beard and thought for a moment, then asked, "San Shou reported that there was a man in her courtyard?"

Lady Yang said angrily, "Yes! That little wretch, indeed, was unfaithful, keeping a man. I will not let them off easily."

The refined scholar chuckled, a cold glint in his eyes, "Sister, since you have this reason, why sell her to a butcher and tarnish your own reputation? Today, many guests have come to pay their respects, and the head of the Yang clan is also here. Since this couple has disgraced the Yang family, why not let the clan leader handle it?"

Lady Yang suddenly understood and said happily, "Yes! How could I not think of that? Brother, you are so thoughtful!"

They walked to a side door, where a servant girl was waiting, holding several white silk ribbons. The brother and sister took them, tied one to their foreheads, and another around their waists, then walked out slowly.

The gentle young woman was being held outside the side door. Seeing Lady Yang, she burst into tears, sobbing, "Lady, Shuiwu is innocent. Shuiwu did not do anything improper, Lady..."

Lady Yang's face was cold as ice, and she laughed coldly, "Save your words for the clan leader. Take her away!"

---

Yexiaotian waited outside the moon gate for a while. A young maid ran out of the house, panting, and said to Yang San Shou, "Head steward, the lady wants you to take this man to the memorial hall and wait for the clan leader to handle it."

Yang San Shou, hearing this, ordered his men to take Yexiaotian through a series of courtyards to a large, spacious hall. Incense was burning in the main hall, and the corridors were lined with mourning banners. The Yang family members were all in mourning, and many guests were standing in groups in the courtyard, occasionally being guided by a master of ceremonies to enter the memorial hall to pay their respects.

Seeing this, Yexiaotian thought, "This is the old man's memorial hall. They brought me here..."

A thought flashed through his mind, and Yexiaotian suddenly felt elated. His biggest worry was that the letter would be found and destroyed by the Yang family. Now, with many guests present, all important figures in Jingzhou, if he revealed Yang Lin's will in front of them...

The Yang family might be concerned about their reputation and image in front of so many people from the same social circle. However, this was just a guess. He was afraid that Lady Yang might act recklessly, and the guests might not bother to stand up for him, a stranger. It would be better if there were some officials present.

Yexiaotian began to observe the guests carefully. At this moment, a few strong women brought the gentle and graceful young woman, bound and tied, her slender figure clearly visible.

Seeing the woman's figure, Yexiaotian's eyes lit up, and he secretly appraised, "This young woman has a slender waist, a thin face, and long legs, a very graceful figure, but I didn't expect her chest... to be quite well-endowed."

Yexiaotian, by nature, was a carefree person. Just moments ago, he was worried about the Yang family's vicious plans, but now he was interested in ogling the woman.

---

P: Feng Ling's little treasure secretly came to give a reward last night, and I was very moved. So I decided not to make him Yang San Shou's lackey. I'll give him a more important role. Yes, that's what I'll do. Friends who support me, please give all your recommendations. Friends who oppose me, please give all your recommendations! Advertisement: "The Heir of the Green Sack" has been uploaded with 70,000 words. Welcome to collect and read!