Wife, Don't Be Like This!

Chapter 3 - My Throat is a Little Sore

That figure was one and the same.

Even her attire was exceptionally similar; the only thing missing was that veil.

My wife's younger sister? The woman from the cave these past two days?

Even though in fifteen years, Song Yan's temperament had long since become imperturbable, he was still shocked at this moment, even forgetting to offer his greetings!

The three Luo brothers originally only detested the Song family's shamelessness and held no ill will towards Song Yan. But seeing him act like this, their impression of him plummeted.

"Song Yan, do not be impolite." Song Hongtao's face was grim.

This youngest son was truly lacking in upbringing and ignorant of etiquette. Staring at an unmarried young lady in public, how was that any different from a lecher?

As expected of a concubine's son, unfit for high society.

Luo Tianyi also furrowed her delicate brow and raised her eyes slightly:

"Is there something?"

Her voice was slightly hoarse, with a hint of a mature, commanding tone.

Song Yan, however, let out a small breath. The voice was different. The white-robed young woman in the cave had a voice as clear and crisp as a sweet spring. It probably wasn't the same person.

"It was I who was rude. Second Young Miss, please do not take offense."

Luo Tianyi glanced at Song Yan, then retracted her gaze, her expression calm, without the slightest abnormality.

This was just a small interlude. Seeing that the matter had passed, the First Mistress Yang Shi put on a wide smile and said:

"Three Young Masters, Second Young Miss, this is our Song Yan... It is no exaggeration to say he is refined, handsome, and a fine figure of a man. This child has been smart since he was little, his learning enough to fill five carts. Although he was born of a concubine, I have always treated him as my own son."

Song Yan lowered his head and did not reply, but in his heart, he couldn't help but curse silently: My own son? Which family's own son is imprisoned in the backyard, unable to step out for nine years? Which family's own son is poisoned from time to time, with every effort made to kill him?

Seeing that none of the four from the Luo family spoke, Yang Shi felt a little awkward:

"Moreover, Song Yan is a person of deep fortune and blessings. When he was little, he and Concubine Mei ate a poisonous fruit by mistake. Concubine Mei became simple-minded, but Song Yan returned to normal in just three to five days. In his childhood, he had a sudden high fever with convulsions and fell into a coma, but after just a night's sleep, he was like a normal person again."

"If Song Yan marries into the Luo family, perhaps he can really wash away the First Young Miss's illness..."

Yang Shi blabbered on with a heap of praises, but in her heart, she was grinding her teeth in hatred. Wasn't he a person of deep fortune? The several attempts to poison him were useless. She deliberately had sick people deliver his food to pass the illness to Song Yan, and without the mansion's physician prescribing medicine, she thought he would surely die. But in just two or three days, he was alive and kicking again.

His life was frighteningly tenacious.

For Yang Shi, who did not want any concubine-born young masters in the Duke's mansion, this was simply a thorn stuck in her heart. One couldn't describe how unpleasant it was.

Yang Shi wanted to say more, but the Luo family's Eldest Young Master, Luo Tianshu, had already stood up:

"Duke Song, First Mistress, we still need to go back and report this matter to our mother. Everything will be decided by her."

The four from the Luo family all rose and cupped their fists, clearly not wanting to stay any longer. They didn't spare Song Yan another glance.

They had come this time precisely to see what Song Yan's character was like. If he were a good person, marrying into the Luo family wouldn't be bad. Although they didn't believe in the superstition of rushing away ill-fortune with a joyous event, what if it worked?

Even if the event failed and Luo Tianxuan passed away, they would not treat Song Yan unfairly.

But from the current looks of it, this Song Yan was already disqualified. Though still young, he already had the air of a lecher.

A wrecked ship still has three jin* of nails. Although Luo Yuheng's name had been expelled from the Imperial Jade Record and the Luo family held no title, the Grand Princess's family was large and wealthy, and not just anyone could marry into it.

[N: 1 jin = 0.5 kg]

"Yan'er, go see them off..."

Song Yan bowed his head in acknowledgment and followed behind the few from the Luo family.

"The Song family is truly shameless. They actually want to use a mere concubine's son to replace a legitimate son? Although Eldest Sister is gravely ill, she is still the legitimate eldest daughter of the Luo family. How could a mere concubine's son be worthy of her?"

Just as they left the Duke's mansion's main gate, the Luo family's Third Young Master, Luo Tianyang, began to mock him coldly.

Originally, he thought Song Yan was a bit pitiful, but ever since this guy stared foolishly at his Second Sister, that slight bit of pity immediately vanished into thin air.

Could this guy be planning to marry into the Luo family, and then conveniently marry Second Sister after Eldest Sister passes away? What kind of pipe dream is that? Second Sister has the bearing of an immortal; how could a lecher like this be qualified to covet her?

The Eldest Young Master, Luo Tianshu, however, glared at Luo Tianyang, signaling him to talk less. He then looked at Song Yan with a hint of apology in his eyes. After all, his Second Sister was naturally beautiful, and almost every man who saw her would have the same expression. Furthermore, he observed that although Song Yan was staring at his sister at the time, there was no obscenity in his eyes, but more of shock.

Although Song Yan was just a concubine's son, Luo Tianshu was still polite and courteous:

"My third brother is straightforward and blunt. Ninth Young Master, please don't take offense."

Song Yan smiled lightly: "It's nothing."

He turned his head for a look. They were already some distance from the Duke's mansion gate, and the gate-keeping servant boy probably couldn't see what was happening here. Pursing his lips, Song Yan extended his right hand towards Luo Tianshu. In his palm were several white, tablet-like objects.

"Ninth Young Master, what is the meaning of this?" Luo Tianshu asked, somewhat surprised.

The others also cast curious glances.

"This item, twice a day, half a tablet each time. After three days, the symptoms of consumption* can be alleviated. In two years, it might be completely cured," Song Yan said slowly.

[N: Tuberculosis, an infectious disease, historically known as “consumption”]

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expression changed.

Since ancient times, consumption has been an incurable disease. Once contracted, one would only have one or two years to live. It was only because the Luo family was large and wealthy, spending countless amounts of money seeking doctors and medicine, and even having masters transfer qi to extend her life, that Luo Tianxuan had lived until now. Even the Divine Physician of the Ning Kingdom, Sun Shuji, the successor of the Medicine King, could only alleviate the symptoms of consumption's flare-ups.

Now, a mere concubine's son from the Duke Song's mansion dared to say he could cure consumption?

Who did he think he was? Could his medical skills be even better than Sun Shuji's?

For a moment, the gazes of the three Luo family young masters towards Song Yan were filled with contempt. This person was truly unscrupulous in order to marry into the Luo family, even stooping to say such things. Truly shameless.

Moreover, how dare he bring just any old thing for their Eldest Sister to consume? They had never seen medicine that looked like this.

Luo Tianyang had a savage and fiery temper. With a casual swing, his right hand struck Song Yan's wrist, and the tablets scattered on the ground.

"Get lost... I originally thought you were a bit pitiful, but who knew you were a swindler. If this damn thing can cure diseases, I'll eat shit while doing a handstand."

After thinking for a moment, Luo Tianyang added: "Three jin!"

Look how hungry the kid is, he's even conning people for food and drink.

Three jin in one meal, aren't you afraid your belly will burst?

Luo Tianshu and Luo Tianquan both covered their faces with their hands, completely speechless. For the Luo family to have such a third brother was a disgrace. He completely lacked the slightest bit of a Luo family member's gentle refinement; instead, nonsense just came right out of his mouth.

Luo Tianyi, however, silently looked at the white tablet-like objects scattered on the ground, her brow slightly furrowed, it was unclear what she was thinking. After a few breaths, she actually slowly knelt down and picked up all the tablet-like objects:

"Many thanks to the Ninth Young Master for bestowing this medicine.”

It was still that slightly hoarse and very magnetic voice.

Song Yan smiled lightly and nodded: "Remember the dosage."

After saying this, he turned and left.

After Song Yan left, Luo Tianyang finally couldn't hold it in any longer. He looked at Luo Tianyi with a face full of astonishment:

"Second Sister, you don't actually believe that kid, do you? He's definitely a liar."

Luo Tianyi's gaze was fixed on the tablet-like objects in her hand. She carefully put them away before saying:

"Use your brain and think about it. Young Master Song just said, half a tablet at a time, twice a day. Three tablets would be enough for three days. But there are a full nine tablets here. Why is that?"

"He took too many." Luo Tianyang gave the answer directly without even thinking.

A vein suddenly bulged on her smooth forehead. Luo Tianyi desperately suppressed the urge to smash her fist into Luo Tianyang's head:

"Young Master Song's meaning is that we can use the extra tablets to find other consumption patients to test the medicine's effectiveness, you idiot!"

"To dare to do this shows that Young Master Song is very confident in the medicine's effectiveness. We might as well go back and give it a try."

Luo Tianyang came to a sudden realization. These scholars are just disgusting. If you have something to say, why not just say it plainly? Why make people guess? There's something wrong with them.

But, if this medicine is really effective, then wouldn't I have to eat three jin of shit? A real man can't go back on his word.

Damn it all, that bastard Song Yan, he deliberately didn't explain it clearly. Could it be he was just trying to trick me into eating shit?

As expected, the hearts of scholars are all dirty... Besides, this guy's learning fills five carts. I've heard the teacher at the clan school say that 'learning fills five carts' is used to describe a scholar who has read many, many books. Then his heart is probably completely black.

But if it can really cure Eldest Sister, forget three jin, I'd eat thirty jin...

Thinking like this, his mood instantly improved a lot: "Oh right, Second Sister, what's with you today? Your voice sounds a bit off?"

Luo Tianyi's eyelids lowered, a trace of unnaturalness flashing across her pretty face:

"My throat... is a little sore."

…...

Re-entering the Duke's mansion, although it was still oppressive, the corners of Song Yan's mouth curved up slightly.

He had finally seen a glimmer of dawn.

"My Lord, the Luo family is truly delusional. A good-for-nothing with consumption actually wants to marry our Zhen'er? Zhen'er is a heroic youth; how could he possibly marry a woman who could die at any moment... What bad luck!"

In the reception hall, after the Luo family left, Yang Shi's expression immediately changed. She didn't even pay much attention when she saw Song Yan return, just glanced at him lightly and said:

"Song Yan, don't you feel that Luo Tianxuan is not good enough for you just because she has consumption. No matter what, she is still the legitimate eldest young miss of the Luo family. If you marry into their family, you will be the Luo family's young master-in-law. You'll have whatever you want."

"Even if that woman dies right after the wedding, the Luo family will definitely not treat you unfairly."

Listen to how she talks... She was clearly making him take Song Zhen's place and marry into their family, yet she insisted on making it sound like it was all for his own good.

As thoughts turned in his mind, Song Yan bowed his head and acknowledged. With his current status and strength, he had no qualifications to resist. Even a slight struggle... no, even just talking back might get him branded with the crime of defying his father and defying his legitimate mother. Even if he were beaten to death, he would deserve it.

Therefore, he could only choose to submit for now, obediently marry into the Luo family, and then plan his next move.

Once the Luo family witnesses the effects of Isoniazid, even as a live-in son-in-law, they probably won't treat him poorly. At the very least, lying down and living off a woman should be no problem.

Leaving the reception hall, he returned to the small courtyard.

Ever since his mother was poisoned to death, Song Yan had lived here alone. Although he was already used to the solitude, he would still feel a sense of desolation occasionally.

His mother had been dead for six years.

To this day, Song Yan still didn't understand why his mother, who had been simple-minded for many years, had gone mad that day at noon, snatching the lunch and desperately stuffing it into her mouth.

Crying while eating...

His fists clenched subconsciously until waves of stinging pain came from his palms. Only then did Song Yan let out a heavy breath. He glanced around, slipped into the small hut, lifted a floor tile, and took out an ancient book with a yellowed cover from inside.

Hundred Treasures Compendium!

I hope this is a martial arts secret manual. To survive in this world, being strong yourself is fundamental. External forces will eventually prove unreliable.

Taking a deep breath, Song Yan suppressed the restlessness in his heart and opened the cover. With just one glance, his expression instantly became a little strange.

The book didn't contain many words; instead, it was mostly pictures. And, they were in color. In this world, this should be considered quite precious.

It's just that, the contents inside:

A Solitary Branch in Bloom!

Two Swallows Fluttering!

Three Pearls in Spring Water!