Chapter Twenty: Expecting

"Stay behind closed doors and calmly watch things unfold," Su Yang said.

"Very well. From today onward, our gates will remain shut. No visitors allowed, and no one may leave the Wang family estate unless absolutely necessary," Liu Wenxiang nodded in agreement. Wang Chunxiao frowned slightly. In front of that scholar, her mother had become increasingly compliant.

"By the way, there's one more matter I must report to you, Mother-in-law."

"What is it?"

"Peach Blossom—she is with child!"

The moment those words fell, the three women shot to their feet in unison, faces alight with shock and disbelief, eyes fixed on Su Yang. Wang Xiahua's mouth hung agape.

Even the three maids—Xi Liu, Xi Chun, and Xi Xia—stood wide-eyed, staring at their young master in astonishment, half-suspecting they had misheard.

"Brother-in-law… did you say Peach Blossom is pregnant?" Wang Xiahua stammered.

"Yes, I had her pulse taken. She's with child. It happened just these past few days," Su Yang confirmed.

"This fast? Is that even possible?" Wang Xiahua exclaimed in disbelief.

"Young Master, is this true?" Liu Wenxiang was now at a loss, and a hint of displeasure colored her face. After all, her son-in-law had not yet shared a room with her daughter, and yet he had fathered a child with a maid—even if Peach Blossom was a bedchamber maid.

Should word of this get out, it would be no small scandal.

"Of course it’s true, Mother-in-law."

"Hmph." Wang Chunxiao gave a cold snort, and her gaze toward Su Yang nearly sparked with fire. Biting her lips, she declared, "When the child is born, they will carry the Wang name!"

With a surge of jealousy, she tossed out that line, set down her chopsticks, and strode out the door. Xi Chun hurried after her.

"Brother-in-law, that was really quick. No wonder my sister can't accept it," Wang Xiahua muttered, watching her sister's retreating figure.

"It’s not as though I can control such things," Su Yang sighed helplessly.

Liu Wenxiang, at a loss for words, chose silence. After all, the matter of the bedchamber maid had been suggested by her own daughter, Wang Chunxiao, only a short while ago.

After the meal, everyone retired to their rooms, but not before reminding Su Yang not to forget the family banquet at the main house for the master's birthday the next day. Su Yang, meanwhile, took up a jug of wine and headed for Shen Lian's home.

The world was descending into chaos; it was no harm to befriend men of the local authorities.

...

Inside Wang Chunxiao's room.

Liu Wenxiang's personal maid, Xi Liu, arrived once again. The two sat in silence for a long time before Xi Liu finally spoke, breaking the quiet:

"Now that Peach Blossom is pregnant, she can no longer serve the Young Master. We need to think of something. Today, the way he looked at Xiahua was different. Has he given up on the mistress and set his sights on her?"

"You know what Xiahua is like—innocent and naive. And the Young Master, so handsome and scholarly, it wouldn't take much to lure her in. If that happens, things could spiral out of control!"

"A live-in son-in-law, and yet he would marry both daughters of the family. If he weren't a son-in-law, it wouldn't matter, but he is! Should this become public, the Wang family would be a laughingstock."

Xi Liu finished, and Wang Chunxiao fell silent. Her jealousy had long since shattered, leaving only bitterness in its wake.

"Aunt Liu, what do you suggest we do?" Wang Chunxiao asked.

"In my view, there are two ways. Either you, Miss, reconcile with the Young Master and sleep beside him every night, so he won't stray. Or, give him another bedchamber maid—better that than him luring in the second young mistress," Xi Liu replied.

The moment she finished, Wang Chunxiao's eyes flashed coldly. "Aunt Liu, it was your foolish idea last time as well."

"Chunxiao, do you want your sister Xiahua to be sacrificed, or a maid? Think carefully. Or perhaps, you could take the initiative—after all, he is your husband."

Xi Liu sighed. "I am just a servant, and shouldn't speak so freely to my mistress. But I've watched Xiahua grow up and truly don't wish to see her… Please forgive me, Miss."

"Ah!" Wang Chunxiao let out a long sigh, powerless. "Let me think about whom to send."

"Miss, be careful not to pick someone plain, or else the Young Master won't be held in check—and that could cause trouble!"

...

The Wang Family Main House.

Tomorrow was the master’s birthday, and already the Wang estate was bustling. Lanterns were hung, servants and maids swept the courtyards, arranged the banquet hall, strung up red lanterns, pasted couplets, and assigned duties for the morrow. The entire compound was festive and jubilant, a stark contrast to the bloody battles raging atop the city walls.

"Where is your brother? I haven't seen him," Wang Shangfu asked, running into his eldest son.

"Haowen didn’t return last night. He had a ninth-rank martial artist with him, so he should be fine," Wang Hewen replied.

"Tomorrow is the banquet, and that boy still finds ways to worry us… Ah," Wang Shangfu sighed, not knowing his son had vanished with the flames, never to be seen again.

There were no civilian homes near the City God Temple, so when the fire broke out last night, no one interfered. By dawn, only ruins remained. Clearing the wreckage was the authorities' responsibility, but these days, who could expect much from them?

...

A constable, even in Yanggu County, was a person of some standing. Shen Lian, therefore, had his own little courtyard and lived comfortably.

"I’m honored by Scholar Su's visit," Shen Lian said as he drank with Su Yang.

"Brother Shen, how much longer do you think Yanggu County can hold out?" Su Yang asked.

"Who can say? The government troops fell into an ambush and were disastrously defeated—of a thousand men, only six hundred made it back. General Zhao Mangong was wounded. These past days, a thousand townsmen have been conscripted to defend the walls, and even this morning, hundreds fell in battle."

"In my opinion, the end is near..."

"I'm lucky to be left in charge of keeping order inside the city. But as more men die on the walls, I won’t be able to run forever." Shen Lian sighed, then caught his sister as she brought over food.

"Scholar Su, though we’ve only met a few times, I believe you are a trustworthy man. If I fall on the walls, I entrust my sister to your care. Will you look after Yushui for me?"

Half-drunk, he pressed his sister's soft hand into Su Yang's, solemnly.

"Brother, what nonsense are you saying? You won't die," Shen Yushui responded with equal seriousness.

Su Yang gave Shen Yushui a quick appraisal—tall, elegant features, a hint of heroic spirit on her face, long legs taut and straight. She looked every bit the martial heroine. Such a woman would certainly add flavor to one’s household. And her hand was indeed soft.

"Enough, you," Shen Lian continued, emboldened by drink. "My sister’s only flaw is her strong-willed nature. She’s practiced martial arts since childhood, and by looks alone, is a true beauty. Yet no one dares marry her. Even the matchmakers avoid our door, for who wishes to wed a woman quick to draw knife or spear? But I see you, Brother Su, are no ordinary man—you could surely handle her."

"Brother Shen, that won’t do. I already have a family. How could I entangle your sister? Even if to make her a concubine, I wouldn’t dare," Su Yang quickly refused.

Were it not for his marriage, he wouldn’t mind such a wife. He’d seen all kinds in his former life—even women who wielded weapons were nothing new, and Shen Yushui was the very image of a heroic beauty. But he already had a wife, and as a respectable man, Shen Lian would never let his sister become a concubine. No doubt, these were just drunken words—Su Yang paid them no mind.

"To marry you would be Yushui’s good fortune!" Shen Lian murmured, eyes closing as he slumped over, overcome by drink as usual.

"Yushui, take care of your brother. I’ll take my leave and not disturb you further," Su Yang said, preparing to go.

"All right," Shen Yushui nodded.

"Don’t mind what your brother said just now."

"Of course."

Withdrawing her hand, Su Yang left the courtyard. Watching her brother collapsed at the table, Shen Yushui declared firmly, "Brother, with me here, you will not die. I promise!"

Her words fell, and a surge of qi and blood filled her veins. Her jade bones gleamed, and the roar of tigers and leopards echoed within her—it was the mark of a sixth-rank martial artist!

After leaving Shen Lian’s house, Su Yang stopped by the pharmacy, intending to buy herbs to pair with sheep’s hearts for capturing heart-eating worms and refining control-worm venom.

The once bustling streets were now deserted. Only corpses littered the gutters, soon to reek. The authorities had too few men for corpse collection, and couldn't keep up.

A burly man brazenly accosted a woman in the street, tearing at her clothes as she struggled. Her shrill scream cut through the air—the brute had his way. Elsewhere, masked thugs broke into homes, and soon women's cries and men's pleas for mercy rang out—grain was stolen, women seized.

Old grudges among neighbors surfaced as they donned masks and played at being bandits, committing evil under false identities. Yanggu County was descending into chaos, and the rebels had not yet entered the city.

If the rebels did come, things would only worsen.

Shops were shuttered, including the pharmacy. After knocking a few times, an apprentice answered, saying the shop was closed. But the sound of silver changed his mind, and Su Yang got the herbs he wanted.

At the slaughterhouse, he purchased several sheep’s hearts—cheap and plentiful. He could experiment with the refining process; if he failed, he’d just buy more.

On his way home, he noticed two figures squatting in the alley opposite the Wang house, stealing glances at the estate with ill intent. Su Yang even recognized one of them.

"Seems the Wang family is keeping to themselves—no sign of extra martial artists. Counting their useless scholar son-in-law, there are only four men in the house. Let’s tell the others and strike tonight. Even in decline, the Wang family is worth more than those other households we’ve robbed," one said.

"Exactly. They’re richer than the rest."

The two exchanged a look and prepared to leave, only to be halted by a voice behind them. "Gentlemen, please wait."

"Scholar Su?"

"Is there something you need, Scholar Su?"

"I’d like to ask a favor of you."

"What favor?"

"To die."

At that, the two froze, hands moving to draw their blades. But Su Yang’s qi and blood surged, and with two blows like falling meteors, he shattered their ribs and hearts, sending them flying. Blood sprayed through the air as they hit the ground, dead on the spot.

"Ah, I forgot to ask if they had accomplices," Su Yang lamented, eyeing the bodies. He remembered them from earlier that day, when they were assaulting an old woman. When he said "to die," they showed no fear, only murderous intent. When they reached for their knives, Su Yang was sure he’d killed the right men.

On his status panel, the family quest now read 2 of 10. If he’d left one alive, the task might’ve been nearly complete. What a pity.

Even now, with the Wang family so diminished, there were still criminals targeting them. It was time to show some of his own martial prowess. Otherwise, these lowlife thieves would never give up, and could cause real trouble if they ever slipped into the compound and harmed one of the girls.

Back in the courtyard, Su Yang began following the instructions for [Control-Worm]—first, he refined the worm’s favorite incense, "Heart Worm Fragrance." It took three tries to succeed; the first two were ruined by poor timing. In the end, he produced a small bottle of pale red incense.

He also made special feed for the worms from medicinal herbs. Pig and sheep hearts could be used as daily feed, but they were inconvenient.

After nightfall, Su Yang paid a visit to the corpse house, handing over two pounds of grain. Uncle Ninth, who watched the place, was so happy his eyes nearly popped out. He eagerly explained the causes of death of each of the seven corpses: two had died in their sleep, both elderly; the other five had died in fights and had already been partly cremated that day.

As for the militiamen and soldiers killed on the city walls, those with families were claimed and buried; the rest burned unceremoniously—for there were too many dead, and they could not be buried outside the city for fear of plague. They were not brought to the corpse house.

"Young Master, call me if you need anything," Uncle Ninth said, lugging away the grain, delighted that it would feed his family for days.

Su Yang used a thin bamboo stick to dab heart worm incense under each corpse’s nose, waiting patiently for the time it took a stick of incense to burn. If no heart-eating worm emerged, the body had not been infested—a rare thing.

Halfway through, from the nostrils of one corpse, a golden worm with a faint silver stripe along its back—ant-sized, seven-legged—crawled out.

It scurried to the heart worm incense and began to gorge itself. The mixture not only lured the worm out but also induced a stupor. All Su Yang needed was patience.

Soon, a second heart-eating worm emerged from the same corpse, and Su Yang was delighted at his luck—two worms in one night.

Once both were sated and unconscious, Su Yang placed them in prepared clay jars, tucked them away, and took them home. That same night, he fed each worm a secret concoction of his own blood and herbs, pressed into a piece the size of a fingernail.

After ten days of such feeding, a heart-eating worm could kill the five poisons. After another ten days of feeding on the hearts of creatures poisoned by those five, the control-worm would be complete, forming a golden bead half the size of a grain of rice. Swallowed or slipped into food or drink, it would nest within the victim; when triggered, it would burrow into their heart and gnaw until they died.

Su Yang mused—it was not true control, but a threat. Still, he liked its simple, brutal effectiveness.

...

"Young Master! Young Master! The eldest miss’s personal maid, Xi Chun, is here—she says you’re to pick another bedchamber maid!"

Peach Blossom burst in from outside, her face flustered and anxious.