nagpurpolice Chapter 27 The Widow
Chapter 27 The Widow
Du Ren and Meng Chen walked like beggars going from street to street for money. After walking for more than half an hour, they arrived at a courtyard.
The courtyard was very grand, a high-class residence, but there was a white plaque on the door, as if someone had just died there.
"This is Yan Hu's house, or more precisely, Yan Hu's father-in-law's house, because this house belongs to his father-in-law. Now only a widow lives here!" Du Ren said, hands on his hips.
Meng Chen then realized that the Yan family Du Ren mentioned was not the Yan family of Laolongtan, but Yan Hu's Yan family.
It was past noon, but the autumn sun was still scorching.
As a native of Dazexiang, Meng Chen knew the three sons of the Yan family very well. He heard that Yan Hu's wife was surnamed Di and was the only daughter in the family. Her father was the clerk in charge of the household registration in the county government, and the family was already wealthy.
Yan Hu got married four years ago but had no children. His father-in-law passed away three years ago, and Yan Hu then took over the position of clerk in the county government's household registration office.
"I remember that ever since Yan Hu died, his wife has been taking care of Master Yan's illness at Laolongtan, hasn't she?" Meng Chen asked curiously.
"They were just sent back a couple of days ago." Du Ren chuckled and lowered his voice, "Yan Long hasn't come back yet, but his wife has returned with the child! That woman is incredibly fierce; I don't know why, but she sent this Di woman back."
As Du Ren walked towards the house, he kept reminding her, "Before, Madam Di had Yan Hu to look after her, so she didn't have to worry about anything. But her father is dead, her husband is gone, and her sister-in-law doesn't treat her well. Think about it, she has land outside the city, shares in two or three shops in the city, and a cloth shop. These are all properties she owned before her marriage, all part of her dowry. The Yan family can't take them away! Doesn't she need to bring in some outside help and cultivate some loyal followers?"
Meng Chen understood; this was an attempt to take advantage of the situation, a classic case of trying to make a quick buck even if there was no real chance. He then asked, "What is this lady's temperament like?"
"Gentle, polite, obedient, and sensible." Du Ren raised an eyebrow at Meng Chen.
Meng Chen understood what he meant: that Di was soft-hearted and easy to manipulate.
The two arrived at the gate, and Du Ren asked Meng Chen to knock on the door. Soon the door opened, revealing a small old man.
Du Ren gave his name, and the old man clearly recognized him. He nodded, glanced at Meng Chen, and then ushered the two inside.
After they sat down in the main hall, a maidservant led a woman in from the back hall.
This dynasty was founded on military strength, and its people have always been known for their fierce and unruly nature. It is common for women to show their faces in public, and it is also common for them to meet with foreign guests in public.
The woman was dressed in plain clothes, with a round face and big eyes. She was of average appearance, but she looked like a weak and easily bullied person with no opinions of her own.
"Sister-in-law..." Du Rengang was still grinning, but now his eyes were red. He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and wanted to say something, but it turned into a sigh.
Meng Chen knew Du Ren was cunning ever since he met him, but he never expected him to be so skilled. He wanted to learn from him, but he was too embarrassed to do so.
As expected, Madam Di shed tears. She wiped her eyes, forced a smile, and had her maid serve tea.
"Today I went to the yamen to see my brother. My brother said that when Di Shibo was alive, the old man took good care of him, so he asked me to come and see him on his behalf." Du Ren's voice was full of vicissitudes, clearly indicating that he was overwhelmed with sorrow.
Meng Chen finally understood that Du Ren had come under Li Xiang Sheng's name.
"It's kind of you, Brother Li, to still remember my late father. But my father found the Yan family for me to rely on, I never imagined... I've long advised your second brother to learn from Brother Li and accumulate good deeds, but he wouldn't listen..." Madam Di couldn't continue. She wiped away her tears and looked at Meng Chen, asking, "Brother Du, who is this young man? Is he a disciple of your martial arts school?"
"Not bad." Du Ren perked up and said, "His name is Meng Chen. My brother specially introduced him to our family. His aptitude is not bad. He passed the second stage in less than three months after entering the martial arts school. He is from Niujia Village in Daze Township, which is separated from the Yan family by Laolongtan."
Meng Chen clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, "Madam."
Madam Di rose to return the greeting, then carefully examined Meng Chen before nodding slightly and saying, "Three months to break through the second barrier? I don't understand martial arts; is that considered fast or slow?"
Meng Chen finally understood: the Zhang and Wang families were very knowledgeable about everything in the county, and they were reluctant to get close to him just by hearing his name. This Di family, on the other hand, knew nothing at all; they were not only laymen but also completely blind!
"Of course it'll be soon!" Du Ren said decisively, "but it still can't compare to Yan Long."
Di was a little confused, "That's not bad at all. Practicing martial arts is hard work, please have some tea, Brother Meng."
"Sigh, being able to endure hardship isn't enough; these days, everything is about money," Du Ren chimed in. "He comes from a farming family, is honest and kind, and is extremely grateful. It's a pity that he can't afford to study now, given all his talent."
Du Ren spoke very bluntly, unlike his more tactful remarks when speaking to the Zhang and Wang families.
Madam Di wasn't stupid after all; she finally understood Du Ren's purpose. She scrutinized Meng Chen carefully for a moment, then said, "When your second brother was alive, there were always yamen runners guarding the house. Now that he's gone, things have cooled down, and my sisters-in-law don't like me anymore. It's not what it used to be."
She sighed and whispered a few words to the maid beside her. The maid then went into the inner courtyard and returned in a moment with a packet of silver.
"Brothers Du, I am a weak woman with little knowledge and experience. I only know how to do rough work like knitting and sewing. I relied on my father before, then on my husband, but now I can't rely on anything." Madam Di personally handed the silver to Du Ren, and then said, "I don't understand the affairs between you men, but who doesn't have difficulties in life? Since Brother Meng was recommended to your family by Brother Li, he must be of excellent character. This silver isn't much, so please let Brother Meng take it."
Although Du Ren was worldly and shrewd, the fact that the other person had revealed their true feelings left him speechless.
After accepting the money, Du Ren exchanged a few more polite words and then left with Meng Chen.
After leaving the Yan family's gate, Du Ren sighed and tossed the envelope of silver to Meng Chen.
"Senior brother..." Meng Chen didn't know what to say, only feeling that the silver had been tricked into giving him.
"Back when her father was still alive, he knew she was too gentle and kind, which is why he sought protection from the Yan family. But how could Yan Hu possibly be worthy of them?" Du Ren sighed. "It makes us look like shameless scoundrels trying to freeload."
Meng Chen agreed, weighed the silver in his hand—about twenty taels—and returned it to Du Ren, saying, "Senior brother, you keep it."
"Keep it. You can give it to me when you make big money!" Du Ren stroked his chin, then looked Meng Chen up and down, saying, "I have another way to make quick money. Do you want to try it?"
"I'd love to! As long as it doesn't involve murder or arson!" Meng Chen said.
"You're not bad looking, you're just too tanned. If you lighten your complexion and wear some decent clothes, you'll be a dashing young man!" Du Ren chuckled and said, "I have connections, want to give it a try?"
How did you, a senior martial arts master, end up in the business of pimping?
"Let's just forget about it," Meng Chen politely declined.