novelkee Chapter 519 Reunion of Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
Chapter 519 Reunion of Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
From Nanjing to the estuary, and then from Songjiang to Dengzhou, even though the Qionghai Navy's ships were far faster than those of the time, it still took more than half a month. For most people, this was a tedious journey, but for Liu Ye and Liang Xiaoming, the company of two famous courtesans made the trip less monotonous.
Liu Ye was curious as to why Dong Xiaowan was unwilling to enter the palace, and Dong Xiaowan replied: "Xiaowan is used to a free and unrestrained life, and enjoys the beauty of nature. I do not want to enter the palace and become a caged bird. I believe that Sister Xiangjun thinks the same way as me."
Liu Ye asked, puzzled, "Ever since we parted ways at Leyun Tower in Suzhou, until we met again in Jinling, I have always been cold to you. Why do you always turn to me for help when you have problems?"
Dong Xiaowan sighed softly: "I do know a few sons of noble families, but why would they stand up for me against a powerful figure like Father-in-law Tian? Just because I've played a few tunes for them? Just because I've recited a few bad poems with them? Even the vows of eternal love between Sister Xiangjun and Hou Fangyu are no match for Father-in-law Tian's power, so why should I do something useless? The only one who can help me is you, Earl of Pingnan."
Liu Ye smiled and said, "How can you be so sure that I will help you, and that I can help you?"
"To be honest, I can't be sure either. I can only take a gamble." Dong Xiaowan looked at Liu Ye with clear eyes and a calm expression. "But seeing how you lifted the three of us up high and put us down gently in Meilou, saying a lot of threatening things, and then letting us go unharmed in the end, I'm convinced that you're a soft-hearted person who's all talk and no action. And since you were able to save Xiangjun from Tian Guozhang, you can certainly save me too."
Liu Ye joked, "Now that I've saved you, how will you repay me?"
Dong Xiaowan said solemnly, "Words like 'offering myself in return' are meaningless, since the Earl of Pingnan has no shortage of wives and concubines, and he might not even look at me. Xiaowan solemnly swears: My life was saved by the Earl of Pingnan, and Xiaowan is willing to enter the Liu family as a slave and maid for life, serving the Earl of Pingnan and all the ladies. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
It turns out he still remembered the words he said to her when they parted in Suzhou. Liu Ye sighed and said, "I can't possibly take advantage of such a talented and beautiful maid. I'm not one to take advantage of people in distress. You're homeless now, so come with me for now. We'll talk about how to arrange things later."
Dong Xiaowan gave a curtsy and obediently replied, "This servant is now a member of the Liu family, and will serve you like a slave, obeying your orders, sir."
Liu Ye raised an eyebrow. This role has changed so quickly, it's a bit hard to get used to. Back in Suzhou, Dong Xiaowan was very proud, she wasn't like this at all.
After Dong Xiaowan left, Liang Xiaoming quietly approached and whispered, "Didn't you like Dong Xiaowan quite a bit back then? Now that she's come to you, why are you acting all high and mighty?"
Liu Ye rolled his eyes: "I was too harsh on her back then, and she's been holding a grudge ever since. Although she escaped from Tian Guozhang's clutches through my help, she'd rather be a slave or a beast of burden than offer herself to him or become his concubine. And I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of others in their time of need; I can't force myself on someone. Do you believe this explanation?"
Liang Xiaoming shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "I don't believe it!"
"Okay, even you don't believe me, so I can't keep making this up."
Liang Xiaoming analyzed seriously: "She is a courtesan who has been freed from the status of a prostitute. She has no one to rely on. Following you is the best destination for her. The so-called slavery is just an excuse for both of them to stay by your side. As long as you say a few sweet words when no one is around, won't that little thing from before be forgotten? In my opinion, she is not holding a grudge or harboring resentment. She is just afraid of being humiliated by you again if she throws herself into your arms. She just wants a way out."
Liu Ye's eyes widened in surprise as he said, "Wow, Mingzi, your emotional intelligence has really improved after being with me for so long! Your analysis is so insightful."
Liang Xiaoming smiled smugly: "With my high IQ, it's not hard for me to figure out the relationship between men and women when I'm serious."
Liu Ye suddenly asked, "Since you've figured it out, how come Li Xiangjun has said less than ten sentences to you in total?"
Liang Xiaoming was caught off guard and suffered a huge blow. He covered his face and exclaimed, "This is too embarrassing! Let's change the subject!"
Liu Ye smiled and put his arm around his shoulder: "Outsiders see things more clearly than those involved. It's normal to be able to talk a good game about others but not understand your own situation. Li Xiangjun has suffered such a huge blow and change, she needs time to recover, don't rush it. As for Dong Xiaowan and me, well, it's not that I'm putting on airs, but after returning to Qiongzhou, I have to fulfill my promise to marry Governor Lin's daughter. Given Lin Shiyue's family background, she can't be a concubine, she can only be the principal wife. In that case, Tang Yu and Su Wen are one thing, but if I take a concubine at this critical juncture, especially a famous courtesan from Qinhuai, without her consent, I'm afraid there will be discord in the family and trouble in the backyard."
Liang Xiaoming gave a thumbs up in admiration: "You're really something, you thought of everything."
Half a month later, the fleet arrived in Shandong and disembarked in Dengzhou.
Compared to Nanjing, Shandong could be considered half the home ground of the Qionghai Army, and the governor of Dengzhou was one of their own, so the treatment they received was vastly different from that in Nanjing.
Lin Tianming was overjoyed to learn of his "prospective son-in-law's" arrival and led all the officials of Dengzhou to greet him three miles outside the city. Such a grand welcome shocked Li Xiangjun and Dong Xiaowan.
Li Xiangjun asked blankly, "Isn't everyone saying that the governor is the local tyrant? Why are you giving him so much face?" This question was actually directed at Liang Xiaoming.
Despite the lack of address or even a simple "hello," Liang Xiaoming was still very happy. This was the first time she had spoken to him on her own initiative. She quickly explained, "Governor Lin and my brother have an extraordinary relationship. They are future father-in-law and son-in-law. Moreover, my brother helped him secure the governorship by spending money and effort. How could he not be enthusiastic towards us?"
Dong Xiaowan's heart pounded. She hadn't expected him to be so capable. Manipulating events in Nanjing was not his limit; he could even control the position of governor. What in the world couldn't he do? She had been so blinded by love that she had missed him perfectly in Suzhou.
Upon seeing Liu Ye, Lin Tianming greeted him with a smile and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, Earl of Pingnan!" Emperor Chongzhen had already announced to the world the capture of Gao Yingxiang by the Qionghai Army and the conferment of the title of Earl of Pingnan. Lin Tianming naturally already knew that his "prospective son-in-law" had been promoted and ennobled.
Liu Ye feigned great alarm: "What is the Governor doing? You are making me feel extremely embarrassed."
He knew that Lin Tianming's position as governor was a minor post, ranking no higher than the fourth rank according to the standards of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, seemingly lower than a general, but with far greater actual power and political status. A noble title, however, was different. In the Ming Dynasty, it was far more difficult for civil officials to be granted titles than for military generals; even an earl was a lifelong goal for a scholar like Lin Tianming. Therefore, he respected the title, not the official position, which was understandable. But since the other party was his future father-in-law, he couldn't accept it without feeling comfortable; he had to be humble.