Chapter 20: Madam, Please Be Gentle

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Shen Ruojin recalled how this man had taken a cold bath in the middle of the night, and then suddenly disappeared. She smiled faintly and said, "I slept quite well. For no particular reason, why have you been sleepless all night?"

Qin Lang gave her a meaningful glance, letting her understand without words.

Shen Ruojin smiled gently and placed a piece of date cake into Qin Lang’s bowl. "This date cake is subtly sweet, sweet but not cloying. You should try some."

Qin Lang was not fond of sweets.

But since it was his wife serving him, he said nothing and ate it slowly and thoughtfully.

"Er Lang stayed in the accounting office all night?"

The princess was extremely surprised, casting a knowing look around the young couple.

Could it be that because they didn’t share a bed on their wedding night, these two were still too shy to sleep together?

That shouldn’t be the case.

Er Lang was not someone easily embarrassed.

The Duke of the North was displeased the moment he saw Qin Lang. "Not sleeping in your room in the middle of the night, and instead counting silver? All day long you’re either at the theater or gambling house. What else do you do besides burning money?"

Qin Lang was used to such remarks and didn’t even raise his eyelids. "Speaking of burning money, how could I compare to you? We both spend Mother’s silver, but I have never said a word against you."

The court had long lamented the empty treasury, and frontier generals rarely received their military pay on time. The Duke of the North commanded the northern army of two hundred thousand soldiers, a fearsome title indeed, yet he also faced difficulties when asking the court for funds.

The Duke was luckier than other commanders, having married the eldest daughter of the wealthiest family in the south, the Lin family, as his princess. When supplies and provisions ran short, she would always inject money to support him.

Maintaining an army was costly, like throwing silver notes into a fire.

Young Lord Qin might throw thousands daily on frivolities, but even he didn’t spend as much as the Duke of the North.

The noble ladies secretly mocked the Duke for marrying a merchant’s daughter as his princess, saying that sentiment, wealth, and beauty were all disposable; what mattered was the financial power of the richest family in the south.

The Duke disliked this step-princess and naturally had no fondness for the son she bore.

"What nonsense are you talking?"

The Duke of the North slammed down his chopsticks in anger.

Qin Lang also put down his chopsticks. "I was just—"

He had only uttered two words when Shen Ruojin stepped on his foot, abruptly cutting off the rest.

Thus ended the father-son quarrel just as it was beginning.

The secret exchange under the young couple’s table went unnoticed by others.

They exchanged a glance.

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Shen Ruojin whispered, "Don’t say angry words."

Never lose your temper with those closest to you, or you will be the one to regret it.

This was a lesson she had learned only after losing her uncle and brothers.

Qin Lang smiled slightly. "I’m just speaking the truth."

"You!" The Duke of the North hated seeing him act as if nothing mattered, as if he had no respect for anyone, neither brother nor father. "Come with me to the training grounds!"

"What are you doing, Your Grace? And you, Er Lang! How can you have the nerve to speak back to your father in front of Ruojin? Father and son can’t even finish breakfast in peace together. What kind of example is that?"

The princess called out to both father and son with one sentence.

The Duke fell silent, though his face remained dark with anger.

Qin Lang, however, smiled. "Father doesn’t want to discipline me in public, so he’s moved it to the training grounds. My wife’s got quite the face."

At this, both the Duke and the princess shot him sharp glances.

Shen Ruojin pressed harder on his foot.

At times like this, how could he keep quiet?

"Please, wife, ease up," Qin Lang leaned toward Shen Ruojin, whispering softly, "It hurts."

The Duke and princess observed them, their expressions subtly shifting.

Shen Ruojin withdrew her foot without a trace and feigned innocence, "What did Er Lang say?"

Qin Lang didn’t reveal her part either.

"Ahem! You two," the Duke of the North cleared his throat. If we’re using breakfast time, what are these newlyweds doing under the table?

Such an unruly son, and corrupting the new bride!

The princess shot the Duke a sharp look, signaling, You’d better not stir up trouble.

The Duke scowled silently and resumed eating his porridge.

With the heir absent, the family of four sat together for breakfast at the Duke’s residence. Shen Ruojin and the princess each held one side, making the meal relatively peaceful.

After breakfast.

The Duke of the North’s face was stern as he instructed Qin Lang, "A few days ago, you injured Li Xiang’s second son because of some actor. Li Er’s nose was broken and his face disfigured. The Prime Minister’s household did not make trouble but sent a generous gift asking you for mercy. You must go to the Prime Minister’s residence to apologize and settle this matter."

"That was Li Er looking for a fight," Qin Lang scoffed. "It’s my business, no need for Father to interfere. Even if Li Er seeks revenge later, he’ll come after me alone, never you, Duke of the North."

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Qin Lang’s words were loaded with implication, which made the Duke of the North furious enough to want to drag him off to the training grounds again.

If he didn’t beat this wayward son into submission with every weapon known, he might forget who his father really was.

Li Xiang was cunning and protective of his family. Even if his sons were no good, others couldn’t just strike them at will.

The Prime Minister’s household was now playing the role of the aggrieved party, first sending gifts and apologies. If Qin Lang didn’t go to resolve the matter, and the Prime Minister submitted a memorial to the emperor, the blame would fall entirely on the Duke’s household.

The princess understood this well. She disliked the Duke’s habit of always scowling when speaking to their son and gently advised, "Er Lang, this is your fault. Even if you despise Li Er, you must show proper courtesy. You can’t give outsiders a reason to find fault. Appearances must be kept up."

The Duke shot the princess a glare and lowered his voice, "Is this how you usually teach Er Lang?"

The princess ignored him. "What’s wrong? Am I wrong?"

Shen Ruojin watched the quiet quarrel between her in-laws and averted her gaze to the eaves, pretending not to hear or see anything.

Qin Lang was too lazy even for appearances. "That scoundrel Li Er, I’ll hit him whenever I see him. Father wants me to apologize at the Prime Minister’s house—is he hoping I’ll fight him there?"

"You!" The Duke’s face darkened. "Do you think I won’t punish you just because you have a new wife?"

"Enough, enough," the princess stepped in, "If Er Lang won’t go, sending someone else won’t make a difference. Li Xiang didn’t ask Li Er to come, right?"

"That’s because Li Er was beaten to a pulp by this wayward son and too ashamed to show his face."

The Duke was speechless, turning away to breathe deeply several times before calming slightly.

"Let’s go." Qin Lang gave Shen Ruojin a look and turned to leave, as if accustomed to such scenes.

As a new wife, Shen Ruojin couldn’t be so casual. Before leaving, she bowed and took her leave from the Duke and princess.

"Ruojin," the Duke suddenly called after her, "I had no objection when you bought the theater. If you want to do other business, go ahead. But gambling houses do great harm. I have long decreed that no one in the Duke of the North’s household shall engage in this ruinous trade. I hope you will think carefully."

"Very well." Shen Ruojin replied softly, "Your Grace’s advice is deeply appreciated. I will manage the gambling houses throughout the realm responsibly."

The Duke nodded. "Then you may go."

Shen Ruojin left with Qin Lang.

The princess was so angry she jabbed the Duke with her elbow. "Your Grace, you’re so imposing. It’s one thing to always scowl at Er Lang, but why be so harsh with your daughter-in-law too?"