Chapter 2: Entering the Esteemed Family

I said this young man is just pretending, yet father still doesn't believe it. Look, a bowl of cold water, and all ailments are cured! The young man didn't even glance at Gao Qiu, putting down the bowl and pushing his old father out the door. He must have returned home because he ran out of money; otherwise, why would he come back so readily? Father, do not concern yourself with this lazy fellow. Ying Niang, take good care of your husband

Gao Qiu nodded heavily, but unexpectedly, the light beauty, who had just been gentle and charming, suddenly jumped up like a little rabbit and dashed out the door. Before long, she returned dragging someone with her, and it was none other than Gao's grandfather. Upon hearing his wife say that their son had turned over a new leaf, the expression on Gao's grandfather's aged face first showed astonishment, then disbelief, and finally, he began to kneel at the door, repeatedly bowing to the heavens in prayer: "Heavenly Lord above, if my son truly can reform and change his ways from now on, I, the old man, will surely prepare three offerings to express my gratitude..."

Oh my! Gao Qiu felt his entire body stiffen; this ambiguous posture and favorable conditions—he was already a fully developed young man! However, based on the previous statement, he simply could not bring himself to push her away. Since he was impersonating Gao Qiu, he certainly could not casually dismiss Ying Niang, his cheap wife. It seemed that he would have to put in considerable effort to cultivate their relationship. Embracing Ying Niang, he gradually fell into deep thought and confusion. Since he was impersonating Gao Qiu, he certainly could not casually dismiss Ying Niang, his cheap wife. It seemed that he would have to put in considerable effort to cultivate their relationship. Embracing Ying Niang, he gradually fell into deep thought and confusion.

What brother, it was made very clear during the division of the family assets. Who can he blame for losing all the family fortune? Let me be frank, if his family is out of food, do not come to me for help. I still have a wife and children to support! Father, you may well give the portion left for the third son to the second son; I do not have that much spare money!

Hearing such blatant arguments from outside, Gao Qiu gained a clear understanding of his predecessor's character issues. It seems that Gao's grandfather still harbors some compassion for his son, while that elder brother has come to see himself as a plague. As for the younger brother, he is likely still too young to have heard the commotion

However, this girl before him was merely Yingniang of the Song Dynasty, with no connection to Xiaojing. If she were to recognize him as an imposter, the consequences would be utterly unimaginable. Was he to divorce her...! That would be tantamount to harming another person! Upon realizing this, Gao Qiu became completely alert. While gently comforting the beauty in his arms, he inquired about the Gao family's situation, only to immediately hear a hidden story of the noble family.

Official! Ying Niang could no longer contain her overwhelming grievances and emotions, and deeply leaned into Gao Qiu's embrace

"Official... official, what are you doing?" Ying Niang was startled by this unusual action, wanting to withdraw her hand but unable to resist Gao Qiu's strength. After a struggle, she could not help but soften her body and fell into her husband's embrace, her heart racing like a startled deer

This tactic proved effective; the old man, who had just been cursing incessantly, seemed to panic. He was pinching the pressure point and shaking vigorously while shouting. However, Gao Qiu merely pretended to be unconscious. It was only when someone unsteadily lifted him that he felt reassured. It seems that this time, they would safely reach their destination.

How would I know the customs between couples in the Song Dynasty? Gao Qiu felt overwhelmed and immediately called out: "My lady... uh, Ying Niang, it is not that I am unwilling to call you 'my lady', but rather that there should not be such formalities between husband and wife. Calling you by your given name feels more intimate, does it not? By the way, in the future, please refrain from calling me 'your servant' repeatedly; it sounds uncomfortable. Rest assured, I will definitely mend my ways this time and will never leave home again!"

Gao Qiu had no idea who this voice calling "Er Lang" was addressing, but he still turned his head instinctively, harboring a glimmer of hope that perhaps the person was his "family." Little did he know that turning around would lead to trouble; an old man with graying temples was swinging a cane at him without any warning, while shouting and cursing.

After a long time of swaying unsteadily, he was finally placed on a wooden bed by someone. All around him, the sound of footsteps was chaotic, and the constant arguing reached his ears

The young woman trembled slightly, raising her head in disbelief, her eyes shining with a glimmer of hope. However, that fleeting light quickly dimmed, replaced by a self-pitying remark: "If my lord does not disdain me, why still does he not call me his wife?"

Following a group of woodcutters, Gao Qiu finally arrived at Bianjing City. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief. Although he was confident that there were no flaws in his plan, he still felt somewhat anxious upon seeing the soldiers, as a thief's heart is always uneasy. The genuine Gao Qiu had only mentioned that his home was at Zhuque Gate before his death, and being unfamiliar with the geography of this place, he could only wander around like a headless fly, not daring to ask for directions. After wasting nearly an hour and a half, he finally found Zhuque Gate to the east of the Imperial Street, but his stomach was already growling with hunger.

Upon hearing the term "official," Gao Qiu was genuinely taken aback. The late request from his predecessor only mentioned that there was an old father and two brothers at home, without any mention of a wife. He was completely unprepared for the fact that there was a wife at home. What should he do?

Gao Qiu saw the old man indiscriminately attacking without distinguishing right from wrong, while everyone nearby had already fled, feeling utterly distressed. It was true that the former was a rogue, but it was unreasonable to be beaten for no reason; even if it was a cheap shot, it was still unacceptable. However, he could not ascertain the identity of the assailant at that moment; what if it wasn't the main culprit? Suddenly struck by inspiration, he immediately fell down straight.

"Dalang, Erlang is after all your younger brother. Now that he is in a coma, how can you say such things?"

At this moment, Gao Qiu finally saw clearly the young woman named Ying Niang, who appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Her simple hemp skirt could not conceal a certain graceful elegance. He noticed that her face bore a hint of sorrow and was free of makeup, and her features strikingly resembled those of his girlfriend, Xiao Jing, to a degree of seven or eight parts alike. In shock, he could not help but grasp her left hand tightly.

That damned fellow, in modern times, a virtuous wife like this would be impossible to find even with a lantern. Yet he still fails to cherish her, leaving her to guard an empty house? Gao Qiu himself felt indignant, but more than that, he experienced a sense of relief. Very well, this girl has little connection to the real Gao Qiu and should not be able to discern the truth. With a heart that is three parts genuine and seven parts false, he tried his best to coax her, saying: "Ying Niang, it was my fault before; you did nothing wrong. Rest assured, I do not despise you..." Very well, this girl has little connection to the real Gao Qiu and should not be able to discern the truth. With a heart that is three parts genuine and seven parts false, he tried his best to coax her, saying: "Ying Niang, it was my fault before; you did nothing wrong. Rest assured, I do not despise you..."

"My lord, I am confident in my ability to manage the household with diligence. I have always served my father-in-law, uncle, and younger uncle with the utmost respect. Since I entered this household, I have only seen you a few times in three years. Even when you return home, it is only to scold me from morning till night, never a kind word! What have I done wrong? Why do you never stay in my room, but instead pursue those courtesans in the streets?" Ying Niang spoke with a mix of shame and anger, her tears soaking a large area of Gao Qiu's chest. What have I done wrong? Why do you never stay in my room, but instead pursue those courtesans in the streets?" Ying Niang spoke with a mix of shame and anger, her tears soaking a large area of Gao Qiu's chest.

The ungrateful little beast, all day long just wandering aimlessly, not knowing what shameful deeds you are up to! You leave for ten days or half a month, and you don't even bother to send a word back, are you intentionally trying to drive me to my grave...

Hearing the old man Gao muttering endlessly, Gao Qiu could not help but feel infuriated to the extreme. How could the heavens inexplicably throw him into ancient times? And this old man still wanted to express gratitude to the heavens; this was utterly unreasonable. With a belly full of resentment, he suddenly shouted, "Old man, stop talking about thanking the divine grace. What use are these clay and wooden idols? I'm starving; is there anything to eat?" In an instant, he received four astonished gazes. It seemed that if he truly wanted people to believe he had turned over a new leaf, there was still a long road ahead.

Just as he was looking around anxiously, a hoarse voice suddenly called out from behind, "Er Lang!"

Although it was broad daylight, the light in the room was extremely poor. After a long while, he finally discerned a frail figure on the other side of the wooden table, seemingly sobbing softly. It is said that there are no secrets between husband and wife; could he really hide this from the wife of Gao Qiao? Or should he simply find an excuse to divorce her? With a mindset of testing the waters, he called out softly, "Ying Niang?"

After a long while, Ying Niang seemed to feel that her posture was somewhat improper, and she quickly stood up to sit properly, gently reaching up to smooth her disheveled hair. She always felt that everything she had seen and heard today was so unreal, and while feeling gratified, she did not forget to confirm once more: "My lord, you truly will not associate with those friends anymore?"

You ... ...

The figure clearly trembled for a moment, struggling for a long time before gracefully making its way to the bedside, the voice lighter than a mosquito's buzz: "What orders do you have, my lord?"

Before he could fully gather his thoughts, a heavy sound of footsteps suddenly echoed in front of the bed, sending a chill across his face, prompting him to jump up immediately. When he opened his eyes, he saw a tall young man standing by the bed, holding a bowl of cold water, with a half-smile on his face.

In the moment when the warm and fragrant jade entered his embrace, Gao Qiu finally came to his senses, hurriedly and awkwardly letting go of his hand. Even so, the atmosphere remained exceptionally ambiguous; he was caught in a dilemma, neither able to embrace nor push away, his face flushed bright red. It is worth noting that his girlfriend, Xiao Jing, is an extremely traditional girl. In three months of dating, he had not even held her hand, which is truly embarrassing to admit. Now, it is even worse; he has no chance to hold hands, and to make matters worse, fate has sent him a cheap wife who looks strikingly similar!

Father, have you become senile? This prodigal son is someone whom others avoid at all costs, yet you still want to bring him back? Let him fend for himself!