Chapter 104: Who Are You?

Hearing that the Qin family had come for a prison visit, the guards stopped sipping their tea and set their cups aside to head out and welcome them.

It was not out of genuine warmth, but because Qin Wenyuan knew how to handle people. Every time his family came to visit, they brought not only items for him but also extra wine, food, and miscellaneous goods to share with the guards. This was one of the reasons everyone had grown so familiar with him. With the Lunar New Year approaching, they knew for certain the Qin family would bring them plenty of benefits once again.

...

Upon stepping outside, they found it was exactly as expected; no one was disappointed. The lovely young lady of the Qin family led the way, followed by a string of porters and servants carrying cured meat, live chickens, rice wine, and fabrics—all highly sought-after goods for the New Year—piled up in the courtyard of the guard room.

"Oh!" the head guard stepped forward to greet them. "Is the young lady here to see Master Qin again? Why bring so many things? With us brothers looking out for him, you can rest easy—he lacks for nothing!"

Qin Miaoniang had been managing the household for a while now and was no longer the naive young girl she once was. She replied with a polite smile, "What are you saying, sir? You brothers don't earn much, so we certainly couldn't let you spend your own money on us."

At this point, Qin Fu stepped in front of his mistress at the right moment and took over the conversation. "It’s almost the New Year, after all." He gestured toward the items in the courtyard. "Our young mistress specifically had me prepare these festive goods for all you officers. Please don't take offense; do take some home with you later."

"Ah..." The head guard knew full well that this cured meat and live poultry was meant for his group, but he had to maintain appearances. "How could we let the young lady go to such expense?"

"What expense?" Qin Wenyuan’s voice echoed from behind. "If you hold me in such regard, then stop with the polite talk!" He continued, "After the New Year, I am to be sent to Yizhou to serve my sentence. Once I am gone, won't the affairs of my household rely heavily on the support of you good neighbors?"

The head guard was delighted. "If you put it that way, Master, it would be unfeeling of us brothers to refuse." He turned and bowed to Qin Miaoniang. "My thanks to the young lady of the Qin family! Come, everyone, help yourselves, and don't disturb the father and daughter as they reunite." He signaled the other guards to move the goods, all the while calculating how much money he would save on his own New Year expenses this year.

...

With the guards out of the way, the Qin family could finally speak freely. Wu Ning stood by the side, observing Qin Wenyuan closely. He thought to himself that the old man looked quite well; round and plump, he hadn't lost a bit of weight despite his time in prison. Feeling a bit smug, he mused, "I suppose I’m his benefactor now, aren't I?"

Just then, Qin Miaoniang went to greet her father. Qin Fu and Manager Qian remained still. Wu Ning knew it was his turn. He stepped forward, but just as he began to raise his hands in a greeting, Qin Wenyuan grabbed Qin Miaoniang and said, "Come, inside with me!" His tone was extremely harsh.

Wu Ning stood frozen. *Seriously? Can you not see a grown man standing right here?*

"Father..." Miaoniang, mindful that Brother Ning was behind her, tried to pull away to introduce him. "This is..."

But Master Qin was in no mood to listen. His mind was entirely preoccupied with the fact that the "Wu Laojiu" fellow was working as a bookkeeper in his home. He glanced at Wu Ning with utter indifference and was startled. *Where did this servant come from? Why is his face covered in pockmarks?*

"Enough, enough! We'll talk about that later!" He waved his hand dismissively at Wu Ning. "Young man, show some initiative! Go help the guards move the things. Why are you just standing there like a fool?" Without another word, he pulled Qin Miaoniang toward the room. Before entering, the old man remembered something else. "Qin Fu! Old Qian! Both of you, get in here too!"

...

Wu Ning: "..."

*Are you actually blind?* Wu Ning thought, *Am I really being ignored just like that?*

Could Wu Laojiu accept this? Taking advantage of the fact that the door hadn't closed yet, he squeezed his way inside.

"Why are you coming in?" Master Qin was already in a foul mood. Seeing the pockmarked face enter the room, his eyes widened. "Where did you find this dim-witted servant? Why is he so utterly lacking in common sense?"

"It's not..." Qin Miaoniang was caught between laughter and tears, and hurriedly tried to explain, "This is..."

"Enough!" Master Qin snapped, his patience worn thin. "Did I ask you to speak? You girl, you are becoming more and more unruly!"

"But..."

Manager Qian realized he had to speak up. This was the nephew of the esteemed Assistant Magistrate Wu; his master could not afford to offend him! "This is..."

"You shut up, too!" Qin Wenyuan's authority as the head of the family was in full force. "I haven't even finished with you yet!" He pointed at Manager Qian’s nose and began to scold him: "I told you to keep watch! How did you watch over things for me? Tell me, what is the meaning of that Wu Laojiu fellow? How did he end up working in my home?"

*Huh?*

Wu Ning, who had been feeling slightly confused, was stunned. *What did I do? Why is he bringing me up?*

Manager Qian was equally stunned. *My heavens, Wu Laojiu is standing right here!* He looked at Wu Ning instinctively, wondering what was going on.

...

On the other side, Master Qin was frantic. After scolding Old Qian, he turned to Qin Fu. He rushed over to Qin Fu and poked him in the forehead. "How did you manage this household? Don't you know I despise that Wu Laojiu more than anyone?" He gestured toward Qin Miaoniang and Old Qian. "They are both muddle-headed, but you? How could you let such a wolf into our home?"

Qin Fu felt wronged. "That... that was approved by the young mistress. What say does a servant like me have?"

"You..." Master Qin was furious. *Good, you've even learned to talk back to me?* "I'll settle the score with you later!"

He turned his gaze to his beloved daughter. "You are such a fool..."

Well, Master Qin got halfway through his scolding before his heart softened, and his expression turned mournful. "My daughter..." The old man pleaded earnestly, "That Wu Laojiu is no good!"

Wu Ning: "..." (Negative emotion +100)

"You mustn't let that brat bewitch you!"

Wu Ning: "..." (Negative emotion +100)

"I've spent decades in this world, and even I couldn't get the better of that kid—how could you, a mere girl, hope to?"

Wu Ning: "..." (Negative emotion +100)

"Listen to your father: fire that boy, and stay far away from him! Otherwise, you'll be swindled of your fortune and your virtue, and you'll have nowhere to go when you're left crying."

Wu Ning: "!!!" (Negative emotion +10000!!!)

"It's too late for that..." Wu Laojiu suddenly blurted out.

"What's too late!?" Master Qin looked toward the sound. *Why is this pockmarked face still here?* "Get out of here!"

Wu Ning shook his head. "I can't leave now. Since we've reached this point, we really ought to have a proper talk, you and I." *Damn it, did I dig up your ancestors' graves, or did I jump into a well while holding your daughter?*

Wu Laojiu rolled up his sleeves and pressed toward Master Qin, his pockmarked face twisted into a knot. "Let me tell you, Father-in-law..."

"Don't you think this is a bit of a misunderstanding?"

"..." Qin Miaoniang felt awkward on her father's behalf; she really couldn't understand how things had escalated to this point. She decided to keep quiet and let Brother Ning handle it. "Father, catch your breath!" she said, patting his back. She was terrified that if the old man realized the person in front of him was actually Wu Ning, he might have a stroke.

Manager Qian decided he could no longer stay in the room. "Well, Master, don't upset your health. I'll be going now..."

Qin Fu... he didn't even say a word; he just turned and left. *When the gods fight, a small ghost like me had better stay far away.*

"No..." Master Qin was baffled. "All of you, come back! Come back!"

...

But who would listen to him?

"Who are you!?" With only Wu Ning left in the room, Master Qin had no one else to yell at. "Who is your father-in-law?"

"You are!" Wu Laojiu’s shameless side took over. "I am that very Wu Laojiu who swindles people of their fortunes and virtue!"

*Gasp!*

Just as Qin Miaoniang had feared, Master Qin choked on his anger, nearly losing his life on the spot.