Chapter 2, The Indispensable Wife

Of course, I am going home

Miss, I have heard that Jiang Xiaohu is quite useless

Lan Xinyue ... ... "Jiang Xiaohu tilted his head and thought for a long time, finally recalling this name. Strange, "What does Miss Lan want with me?"

Thus, our Miss Lan bid farewell to the maid and happily stood at the door waiting for her husband. Little did she know that this wait would last half a day, and by the time the sun set, she could no longer endure it

She stared at Jiang Xiaohu for a long time, and suddenly with a flick of her delicate hand, before anyone could react, she had already grabbed Jiang Xiaohu by the collar and was dragging him outside, saying resentfully: "In any case, you are going back with me today, whether you want to or not!"

The useless Jiang Xiaohu actually picked up such a beautiful wife! The men present were all furious; this beauty, despite her stunning appearance, is just as brainless as Jiang Xiaohu!

Looking at the golden hairpin, Jiang Xiaohu was taken aback, took it with suspicion, examined it closely, bit it to confirm, and then couldn't help but smile broadly: "Since it belongs to our family, I will take it back. You should leave quickly."

"Wife?" The person's eyes immediately widened larger than copper bells, as if they had just heard the biggest joke in the world. After a long while, they finally closed their mouth, confirming in astonishment, "Jiang Xiaohu? You are Jiang Xiaohu's wife?"

Speaking of Jiang Xiaohu, Lan Xinyue once met him, it was during the grand birthday celebration of Old Master Jiang, when she accompanied Old Master Lan to pay her respects. At that time, she was only eight years old, while Jiang Xiaohu was around thirteen or fourteen.

Who is it?" Accompanied by a languid voice, someone lifted their head

Wow... I absolutely do not want a wife like this, not gentle at all, I do not want a shrew, wow...

Miss Lan was quite pleased, thinking that she would no longer have to see that ugly creature every day, which improved her mood significantly. However, she soon discovered another matter: he was currently embracing a beautiful woman, and was displaying a nonchalant expression in public, clearly showing that he did not regard her at all

Ultimately, face cannot outweigh the soreness in one's feet. Miss Lan steeled herself, took out a handkerchief as white as snow to place on the steps, and carefully sat down, rubbing her legs while contemplating how to meet her future husband.

In contemplation, time always seems to pass more quickly than usual

Jiang Xiaohu was not short in stature, yet unexpectedly, he could not break free from the grasp of this seemingly frail woman. Thus, everyone watched in astonishment as he was dragged out the door.

"Who told you that it was a joke?" Miss Lan said angrily, "Do you know where he is?"

"If you know, then hurry up and leave," he waved his hand impatiently, redirecting his attention back to the gambling table. "Next, next, what time did it start?"

Jiang Xiaohu? The girl looked at her in surprise a few times, then turned her face and called out to the nearby gambling table, "Jiang Xiaohu, Jiang Xiaohu, someone is looking for you"

Faint screams could be heard from outside the door

Yongcuilou? Young Miss Lan noted this name, let out a cold snort, casually discarded the person, bent down to pick up the handkerchief on the steps to wipe her hands, threw it away, and then, with an exceptionally graceful posture, tucked her hair by her temples and walked elegantly towards the street outside

To marry such a person? Miss Lan suppressed her anger and stepped inside.

"Who said I withdrew?" Lan Xinyue, disregarding her pride, pulled the gold hairpin from her head, walked up to him, and said with conviction, "This was the betrothal gift from your family back then. Take a look, it bears the mark of the Jiang family."

It is said that on the second day, Jiang Xiaohu received a good beating

The process of waiting is both tense and thought-provoking

Jiang Xiaohu was startled and struggled, saying: "Hey, what are you doing..."

Miss, are you really going to marry him

Hmph

Although the clothes on his body are worn and tattered, anyone who sees him cannot help but acknowledge that his face is truly handsome. His eyebrows, nose, and lips are all beautiful, but his eyes always appear as if they have just woken up, lacking any spirit.

Of course, do you think he will go crazy with joy

You! Lan Xinyue is about to vomit blood

That is good

Upon hearing this, everyone exclaimed in astonishment, this beauty has gone mad, pursuing to marry a useless fellow

From their attire and demeanor, it is evident that the two share a master-servant relationship. The one in the lead, around seventeen or eighteen years old, has delicate eyebrows and red lips, a small yet prominent nose, and large eyes that, when smiling, resemble crescent moons. The makeup of rouge and powder is applied just right, neither too heavy nor too light, and her entire face is exquisitely refined to an unparalleled degree. This young lady is the cherished jewel of Master Lan, our Miss Lan.

I wonder what he looks like now? He wasn't unattractive as a child, so he shouldn't be too bad-looking as an adult, right? Although it is said that "a wife does not mind her husband's looks," a husband who is too unattractive can still be quite disappointing to girls

The acupoint was restrained, the face swollen and red, and the person cried out in pain: "Ouch, ouch, I won't dare anymore, I won't dare..."

Gradually, the sun is setting

Miss Lan, whose given name is Xinyue, became a renowned beauty in the martial world at the age of fourteen. Her martial arts skills are also commendable, and it is said that she has mastered about forty to fifty percent of the family heirloom technique known as "Lanxin Finger".

Then I will wait here, you may go back.

Why hasn't Jiang Xiaohu returned yet? Miss Lan has started to feel anxious, standing up and looking around. At that time, she clearly instructed the maid to send him a message saying that she would come, and he was so eagerly waiting to welcome her. Why is he being so neglectful now?

"But once married, one must rely on her husband for support. Can he afford to support a young lady?" The maid anxiously glanced inside the door. Miss Lan had always been pampered at home, with very particular tastes in food, clothing, and accessories. She would not use any rouge other than that from Baochangzhai in the capital, and she would not wear any garments other than those from Qiyunzhai in Jiangnan. It was evident that Jiang Xiaohu, this useless fellow, was not someone capable of earning a living to support a wife.

"That boy is useless. If you are willing to come with me, he wouldn't dare to do anything." The man smiled and reached out to pinch her face.

The person was stunned for half a day, and suddenly burst into a fit of laughter, laughing so hard that they could hardly catch their breath, pointing at her and saying: "Miss... are you not joking?"

In fact, he looks really good when he smiles, and Miss Lan's face turned red.

Amidst the sound of conversation, two fairy-like beauties gracefully approached and came to a stop in front of the Jiang family's gate

Gazing at the grand entrance of the Emerald Tower, she felt as if her lungs were about to explode with anger. How could you, Jiang Xiaohu, have such a beautiful wife without any effort? While others would be overjoyed, you not only fail to joyfully kneel at the door to welcome her, but you even have the mood to run off to such a place!

Understood

He seems to be absent

Where is Jiangxiaohu

Why? He thought seriously for a moment and smiled, "Without a wife, I can sleep wherever I want, gamble if I wish, and find a girl whenever I like..."

Reaching out to touch her face, Miss Lan felt anxious. Everyone who had seen her praised her; she must not be unattractive. Now, Jiang Xiaohu was merely a down-and-out young man who struggled even to afford meals. How could he possibly reject a beautiful woman offered to him as a wife?

Jiang Xiaohu inexplicably asked: "Where to go back?"

Shall I go in? I have heard that it is often haunted inside. Although Miss Lan has never believed in ghosts, entering alone does feel somewhat uneasy. Moreover, I have yet to meet my husband, and it would not be proper to enter without permission. Looking at the dusty steps, she frowned. Usually at home, there would be someone to set up a chair for her to sit on. How could the esteemed Miss Lan of the Lan family disregard her image and sit on the filthy steps?

My name is Lan Xinyue

Do you know where Jiang Xiaohu is located

The brothel? Being stared at by several ambiguous gazes around her, Miss Lan finally understood the meaning of these two words, her face burning hot

"Wife?" Everyone, including Jiang Xiaohu, gasped in astonishment

This ... ... '' mentions a practical issue, which put Miss Lan in a difficult position. However, it was not a problem, as she soon had an idea. With a smile, she took out a few pieces of silver and said, '' I secretly brought some silver out. With this capital, we can make it ourselves.

The appearance of this graceful and charming young lady is simply worlds apart from that of the earlier shrew; truly, one cannot judge a person by their looks. This seemingly delicate young girl is, in fact, a fierce tigress. It seems that Jiang Xiaohu's luck may not be as good as he thinks.

I heard from my aunt that men all like gentle and virtuous women. Should I be a bit more gentle when I see him

Hmph

"What?" Miss Lan couldn't help but exclaim, "You actually want to take it and send me back? I am your wife!"

This poor fellow actually refuses to marry? Lan Xinyue could no longer maintain her composure, feeling both ashamed and angry: "But I am your wife"

Miss Lan was both surprised and angry: "I am Jiang Xiaohu's wife!"

It seems to be at Miss Huan's place in the Emerald Tower

Ah," Jiang Xiaohu came to his senses, looked at the beauty in his arms, and stammered, "This... we have already broken off the engagement, right? I will not marry you."

After weighing her options, Miss Lan gritted her teeth and decided to stand and wait

No one has ever dared to be so presumptuous. How could Miss Lan tolerate this? Instantly, her brows furrowed in anger, she turned her face away to avoid him, raised her hand, and swiftly slapped him more than ten times. Then, she seized his collar and twisted his arm, saying, "Say it again!"

Finally, she grabbed a maid and quietly asked, "Where is Jiang Xiaohu?"

She certainly did not appear to be joking. The man gradually stopped laughing, looked her up and down a few times, then turned his eyes and forced a smile: "How could a young lady marry that useless fellow? Following him, you won't even have enough to eat. Aren't you afraid of starving to death? You might as well come back with me..."

"When you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; when you marry a dog, follow the dog," Miss Lan interrupted her discontentedly, "Haven't you learned this? A girl follows her husband after marriage, and from now on, she will be with her husband, having nothing to do with her family of origin."

I do not want such a fierce woman

What do you want from me? Lan Xinyue suppressed her anger, lowered her eyes, and feigned shyness: "Have you forgotten? We once had a marriage contract, and now I have come to find you to be your wife."

"Not anymore," Jiang Xiaohu said as he held the beauty in his arms, explaining, "I don't have the money to support you."

Just when Miss Lan was at her wit's end, someone passed by, and she quickly stepped forward to call out to them

The sky darkened

Jiang Xiaohu

Miss Lan decided not to think too much anymore, as it was of no use. However, one thing is certain: she would never again be thrown into the pool by Jiang Xiaohu, because she possesses martial arts skills, while Jiang Xiaohu is the most useless person.

With her fist quietly clenched in her sleeve, she made an effort to present the most charming smile: "Jiang Xiaohu, why aren't you hurrying back with me!"

At this moment, she is peering into the door with a displeased expression: "Why is there no one?"

So many years have passed, and Jiang Xiaohu's appearance has gradually become blurred. However, the smile he gave her when he was angrily taken away by Old Master Jiang that day remains etched in Miss Lan's memory—his handsome little face illuminated by the sun, his brilliant smile as warm and gentle as sunlight, completely capturing her attention. That smile left a deeper impression than his actual appearance.

The parlor was filled with an overwhelming scent of cosmetics, the fragrance so cloying it made one feel nauseous. Nearby, several gambling tables were set up, with a dense crowd of people huddled together. Miss Lan kept murmuring to herself, quickly covering her nose and face with her sleeve, striving to prevent herself from fainting

Suddenly stopped by a beautiful young woman, the person squinted and said: "Miss is ... ... "

Has he moved?

That encounter left an indelible mark on her life, as Jiang Xiaohu's malicious nature had begun to reveal itself at that time. Everyone warned her to keep her distance from him, yet Lan Xinyue, possessing a spirit of challenge, insisted on seeking out that handsome young boy to play. The result, of course, was that she was deceived by Jiang Xiaohu's flowery words into gambling, losing not only her silver and jewelry but also being thrown into the pond to catch goldfish. She was not allowed to come up until she caught at least twenty. Poor Lan Xinyue was forced to catch fish while crying, and by the time the servants discovered her, the once dignified young lady was completely soaked, her legs covered in mud, utterly losing face.

Jiang Xiaohu repeatedly waved his hand: "It doesn't count, it doesn't count, this engagement has long been canceled"

But I do not want a wife

"Why should I go home with you?" He was even more confused, "Who are you?"

I have

You should leave quickly

With capital in hand, he became exuberant, while Lan Xinyue stood by, trembling with anger, her beautiful eyes wide open—indeed, this person was far from the husband she had imagined. Not marrying him was no great loss; at most, she would return home to be scolded by her father. However, the fact that the esteemed Miss Lan was actually rejected by a most useless poor boy would surely become a laughingstock in the world. Moreover, his indifference was even more unbearable for her.

Yes

Having said that, he casually placed the hairpin into his sleeve and looked at his gambling companions on either side: "It is made of real gold. Let me take it to exchange for a few taels of silver, and we shall gamble until dawn today"

Why

I am his wife

He must have been beaten quite badly that time, which is very satisfying! Miss Lan thought with glee.

The person, originally in a state of panic, was now dumbfounded as they gazed at this figure from behind

If the young lady marries him, the master will be angry and will no longer care about you