My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 27 Part 3

Since returning home, Taoyu had been restless. He was still reeling from the revelation that You Lingxiao had actually hired someone to spread rumors and ruin his reputation. The truth left him both furious and chilled to the bone.  

You Lingxiao’s actions were too much for him to bear. On top of that, he worried about Huo Shu, would he be able to catch Wang niangzi?  

The Li family was notorious for their shameless, unruly behavior. Most families couldn’t handle their unreasonable tantrums, would Huo Shu be any different?  

He paced back and forth in the yard, his anxiety written all over his face.  

Huang Manjing thought he had been subjected to scorn outside and couldn’t handle it, so she tried to console him, but he brushed her off.  

By noon, Ji Taoyu still hadn’t seen Huo Shu return. Instead, his father came home first.  

Ji Yangzong walked in with his hands behind his back, his face long and grim.  

Huang Manjing knew the situation wasn’t good. She sent Ji Taoyu to the kitchen to watch the pot before asking, "How?"  

Ji Yangzong shook his head: "No one admits to hearing any rumors. On the surface, they all act righteous, but they’re whispering behind our backs."  

Huang Manjing sighed: "That’s to be expected. Who would dare admit to gossiping about this to our faces? No one wants to offend us, so they keep their mouths shut."  

The couple was at a loss. Rumors were always hard to deal with, and their only clumsy solution was to ask around and try to find the source.  

But things were never that simple.  

Ji Yangzong was frustrated. On top of urging tax collections, he now had to chase down the source of these rumors.  

If this dragged on, the gossip would spread like wildfire, ruining his ger and even affecting the other children of the Ji family.  

Every day wasted was another day of risk. How could the couple not be frantic?  

After running around all morning, Ji Yangzong was sweating despite the winter chill. He said, "Let’s eat first, then figure it out."  

Just as he spoke, a knock sounded at the gate. Ji Yangzong suppressed his irritation and went to answer. "Who is it?"  

As soon as the door opened, he saw the towering figure of Huo Shu. His brow furrowed, why was this man here at mealtime instead of eating at home?  

"What’s the matter?"  

Ever since Ji Yangzong realized this man had designs on his little cabbage, his gratitude toward this former benefactor had evaporated. 

Huo Shu said, "I have urgent business to discuss with the village head."  

Ji Yangzong was already irritated. These past few days had been nothing but trouble, one thing after another, leaving him dizzy with stress.  

He looked at Huo Shu and said, "If you’re here to see Xiao Taozi, he’s doing alright. But with the rumors spreading so viciously, you should let go of your previous intentions. This is a good season for matchmaking, ask your foster mother to find you another match."  

"Whether or not I marry someone else can wait. Right now, I’m here about the You family."  

Ji Yangzong’s expression shifted. Suddenly, Ji Taoyu’s delighted voice came from behind: "Is that Brother Huo?"  

Ji Yangzong stepped aside: "Come in and sit."  

Huo Shu wasn’t one to beat around the bush. Knowing the Ji family must be anxious, he went straight to the point: "I found the rumor-monger. We talked, and they agreed to clarify the matter."  

Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened: "You’re serious? You found the person spreading the rumors?"  

Remembering that Huo Shu wouldn’t joke about such things, Ji Yangzong couldn’t help but ask again.  

"Yes."  

With Huo Shu’s confirmation, the Ji couple was overjoyed.  

Huo Shu briefly explained the situation, including the terms he had negotiated with Wang niangzi and her son.  

"Is You Lingxiao out of his mind?! I’ve given him leeway again and again, and now he’s trying to destroy us!"  

With a loud crash, Ji Yangzong smashed a teacup on the ground, shattering it to pieces.  

"After all the effort I put into helping him, this is how he repays me? That ungrateful white eyed wolf deserves to be struck by lightning!"  

Ji Yangzong’s eyes were bloodshot, his breathing ragged. Huang Manjing, seeing how worked up he was, quickly patted his back: "Getting angry won’t help now. Don’t make yourself sick over this."  

"I never would’ve suspected the You family! A scholar, so vile and immoral, I ought to report him to the education intendant!"  

[学政 (xué zhèng): Education Intendant, a Qing Dynasty-era official responsible for overseeing civil service examinations, confucian schools/education, and scholar-officials' conduct in a province]

Huang Manjing said, "Unless it’s murder or arson, the officials won’t care. If you accuse him, you’ll just get beaten for nothing. He’s a juren, he won’t even be punished."  

Ji Taoyu added, "Father, calm down. Right now, clarifying things in the village and stopping the rumors is what matters."  

Ji Yangzong took a deep breath: "As long as Wang niangzi is willing to come forward and clarify, any condition is acceptable. We’ll let bygones be bygones."  

"Endlessly yielding to the You family only emboldens them. This time, no matter who he’s currying favor with, I won’t hold back. I’ll shame him in front of the whole village until he can’t show his face again."  

Huang Manjing patted his hand: "Right now, we need to gather the villagers and set the record straight."  

Ji Yangzong immediately stood up: "I’ll have Da Niu notify everyone to assemble."  

Seeing his father rush off to make arrangements, Ji Taoyu’s earlier worries faded, and he sighed in relief.  

He glanced up at Huo Shu secretly.  

Unexpectedly, Huo Shu looked down at the same moment, and their eyes met. Ji Taoyu’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly averted his gaze.  

"Huo-lang, we truly don’t know how to thank you. You’ve helped our family yet again."  

Huang Manjing said, "Thank you for going to the Li family and persuading Wang niangzi. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known what to do."  

Huo Shu replied, "Thanks can wait. Right now, the most important thing is for the Li family to clarify matters."  

Huang Manjing nodded in agreement: "You’re right. Huo-lang, stay for a simple meal. No need to go home and come back again later."  

Ji Taoyu’s eyes brightened, and he looked at Huo Shu expectantly.  

Even if Ji Taoyu hadn’t shown it, Huo Shu wouldn’t have refused the invitation.  

"Alright."  

Huang Manjing smiled faintly, pretending not to notice her ger’s poorly concealed delight.  

She sighed inwardly. Even if she hadn’t noticed Huo Shu’s interest in her ger before, his tireless efforts for her her now made it impossible to miss.  

She wasn’t sure whether this was good or bad, but right now, she had no energy to dwell on it. The immediate priority was the battle ahead.  

"You two sit for a while. I’ll cook some dishes."  

Ji Taoyu jumped up eagerly: "Mother, let me help. Since Brother Huo is here, we should add a few dishes. I’ll make braised bamboo shoots."