Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 28 A Letter from the Prefectural City
Chen Qing has indeed been exercising these past few days.

The day after he sent the Gu brothers to jail, Mr. Yang, who was telling stories at the teahouse, was released by the yamen.

Because he now has a fixed address, many people saw him in Niluo Lane that day, and he did not go out, so he had no time to commit the crime.

Furthermore, since the authorities had already identified the real culprit, Mr. Yang was no longer a suspect and was naturally released quickly.

After he was released, Chen Qing went to Niluo Lane that very day to express his sincere gratitude to the storyteller.

In the following days, apart from going to Anrentang to "recruit workers," Chen Qing spent most of his time visiting Mr. Yang in Niluo Lane. He wanted to learn from Mr. Yang about methods for strengthening the body and also to tell Mr. Yang some simple stories he had come up with.

As for spreading the story, Chen Qing didn't have any other intentions. He just wanted to give the storyteller some unique tips so that he and his daughter could have a better life in the future.

After a few days, Chen Qing hadn't learned any impressive skills. He had only followed Mr. Yang in standing meditation for a few days and learned a little bit about breathing techniques.

Although he was far from mastering the basics, after a few days, Chen Qing's originally somewhat weak body seemed to have really improved. At least when he ran, his stamina had improved slightly.

It's unclear whether it was Mr. Yang's method that really worked, or the result of his own running training.

Or perhaps...it's just psychological?
In any case, Young Master Chen's training during this period has yielded some results; at least his previously sickly body has now recovered to the level of a normal person.

However, it is clear that it still has a long way to go before it becomes truly strong.

Chen Qing was determined to take the path of building a strong physique. In the other world, physical strength was just that—physical strength. But in this world, physical strength could sometimes change many, many things.

In the evening, Young Master Chen had a simple meal at a roadside restaurant in Deqing County before returning to his own courtyard in the Gu family compound.

By this time, the weather had warmed up considerably. After returning to his courtyard, Chen Qing asked the Gu family to bring in some hot water. He had just taken off his clothes and was about to take a bath when he heard a gasp from behind him.

Chen Qing glanced back and saw Xiao Yue standing in the courtyard with a food box, looking panicked. Young Master Chen calmly put his clothes back on and said with a smile, "I've seen this before when I was applying the medicine, what's the panic?"

Xiaoyue spat lightly: "Who saw your body before? You're just talking nonsense!"

Young Master Chen fastened his belt, turned around to look at the food box in Xiaoyue's hand, and said with a smile, "I ate outside this afternoon."

"This is not food."

Xiaoyue lifted the food box and said with a smile, "These are pastries. I went out to buy them this afternoon. Miss asked me to bring some over for you to try, young master."

Chen Qing exclaimed "Eh!" and invited Xiaoyue into the room, saying with a smile, "This is the first time I've received such treatment."

Xiaoyue placed the food box on the table, opened it, and said with a smile, "Miss is very happy today."

Chen Qing casually picked up a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, asking indistinctly, "Why are you so happy?"

"Young Master's methods are indeed superior."

Xiaoyue smiled and said, "Today, all the Gu family members who followed Young Master Shouzhuo came to the mansion to apologize to you, Miss, and beg you to allow them to return to work in the shop."

"It's a pity you're not here today, young master, otherwise I could have really gloated."

At this point, Xiaoyue said angrily, "These people don't know what's good for them at all. Over the years, it's clearly the master who has been good to them, but they've turned around and come to our house with Young Master Shouzhuo to make things difficult for the young master."

"If it weren't for your skill, young master, they might have wronged you!"

Chen Qing shook his head slightly and said with a smile, "Taking their jobs was my idea, but the matter with the yamen earlier wasn't necessarily my doing."

In the past few days, Chen Qing has reviewed the cause and effect of this matter. Looking back, he understands why Magistrate Hong was so easy to talk to and cooperative.

It's likely that there's a significant influence from Master Gu, and... Chen Qing's father as well.

If Chen Qing had absolutely no status, Magistrate Hong might still have handled the matter impartially and dealt with it the same way he has now, but his attitude towards Chen Qing would probably have been very different.

These officials, who had passed the imperial examinations, had very high standards and would never look down on ordinary people.

Xiaoyue scratched her head, not understanding what Chen Qing was saying. She took out a piece of pastry from the box and naturally fed it to Chen Qing's mouth. Seeing that the young master Chen opened his mouth and ate it, Xiaoyue smiled and said, "Miss didn't agree. She insisted that they come and beg the young master. There are almost twenty people waiting for the young master at home all afternoon."

"They couldn't wait for you, young master, so they left. I estimate they'll come to your house early tomorrow morning to beg you."

Chen Qing swallowed the pastry in his mouth, reached out and took a piece, handed it to Xiaoyue, and then said indifferently, "Begging me might not be of any use."

“This morning, I went to Anrentang and saw that Manager Lu said that the newly hired workers, after working for a day or two, are already no worse than the previous workers.”

Chen Qing took a sip of tea, swallowed the last bit of pastry, and said calmly, "Over the years, they have mostly relied on being members of the Gu family and have not been willing to put their heart into their work."

"Besides," Young Master Chen said calmly, "they won't know gratitude unless they go hungry for a few meals."

Chen Qing certainly hadn't done them any favors, but Master Gu had genuinely shown them kindness. However, over the years, everyone had become accustomed to this kindness and had taken it for granted, so they no longer noticed it.

Xiaoyue looked up at Chen Qing, clapped her hands and laughed, "Young Master, you are indeed educated; your words are truly satisfying."

"I'm so angry these days!"

Young Master Chen looked at him and said speechlessly, "I was beaten up and I'm still not dead from anger, how come you're dead from anger?"

Xiaoyue clenched her fists: "Those people are so wicked. Of course I'm angry that they bully people like this!"

Chen Qing shook his head and said calmly, "The yamen will be holding a trial in about the next day or two. Soon, they won't be able to bully people anymore."

Xiaoyue looked at Chen Qing and asked, "Will Young Master Shouzhuo be beheaded by the county magistrate?"

Chen Qing shook his head: "He didn't kill anyone. At most, he'll be exiled three thousand miles away."

"It might not even qualify as exile."

At this point, Young Master Chen tapped the table, lost in thought.

Xiaoyue took out a letter from her bosom and placed it in front of Chen Qing, saying, "Oh, right, young master, there's also this letter. Miss asked me to give it to you."

Chen Qing snapped out of his daze and said with a smile, "A letter your young lady wrote to me?"

Xiaoyue shook her head and said with a smile, "You live so close by, why don't you just have me come and pass on your message? There's no need to write a letter."

"This letter was sent from the prefectural city."

Xiaoyue glanced at Chen Qing's expression and said, "It seems to be from Madam Chen, sent to Master."

Chen Qing then turned his attention to the letter.

Sure enough, the envelope bore the name of Mr. Gu.

The signature consisted of three characters.

Chen Li Shi.

Upon seeing these three words, Chen Qing frowned.

According to custom in that era, concubines did not take their husbands' surnames.

Her own father had already made her his official wife?

Not too possible.

In this era, the risks of elevating a concubine to the status of wife were too great. His father, Chen Huan, could not bear such risks. He only took money from the Li family and would coax Madam Li on a daily basis.

Thinking of this, Chen Qing pushed the letter back and shook his head, saying, "Since it's a letter to Uncle Gu, I won't read it."

Xiaoyue said "Oh" softly, "It was sent by the Chen family. It seems they said... they're coming to visit you, young master."

At this point, she sat down opposite Chen Qing and looked up at him.

"Young master, don't be afraid."

Xiaoyue looked very serious.

"If she dares to come to Deqing and bully people, we will all stand on your side, young master!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing smiled wryly.

"Don't worry, I've figured some things out now."

Young Master Chen looked up at the moonlight outside the window.

"She can't bully me anymore."

(End of this chapter)