Chapter 54: You're Going to Drive Me to an Early Grave Sooner or Later

Chapter 54: You'll Anger Me to Death Sooner or Later

The Zhang family of three was sold off. Although the villagers sighed with pity, they didn't feel it was an injustice; they all felt they had gotten what they deserved. Old Man Zhao had intended to plead for mercy, but Ershan stopped him. In the eyes of the Zhao family, Ershan could now speak with influence before the Young Master and would likely handle affairs for him in the future, transforming him into the most promising member of the family. His words carried weight now. After weighing the pros and cons, the old man gave Ershan a long lecture of words of concern before heading back.

To ensure Tang Mo believed that most people on the manor were honest, Manager Yang processed the Zhao couple as quickly as possible and rushed to Tang Mo's side. He first offered his apologies and then detailed the couple's transgressions, which included their collusion in stealing grain.

"Stealing grain?"

Stealing grain on the manor was a grave offense. "How did they do it?"

Manager Yang explained, "No matter how careful a farmer is, they cannot guarantee that all the grain will make it into the granary. For example, when harvesting wheat, the stalks are brittle, and the ears of wheat can easily fall off. Kind-hearted families allow people to go into the fields after the harvest to pick up the fallen ears; whatever they find becomes theirs."

"Those harvesters intentionally knocked more wheat ears loose so their own kin could go in and pick them up. That is a form of indirect theft."

He added that most people on the manor were honest. While no one was perfect, people like the Zhang couple were rare. Most were clean-handed; even if some families favored their sons, they treated their daughters passably well—at least they didn't torment them to death. There were several girls on the manor who were well-nourished and lively.

"I previously thought that aside from some petty theft, there were no major issues, and how people treated their children was their own business and hard to regulate. I didn't expect someone to be so mindless as to conceive such a scheme."

This was the Young Master of a Marquis Household; what kind of beauties had he not seen? Setting aside distant ones, the Second Young Mistress before him was so beautiful that those below her dared not look directly at her. The Zhao couple must have lost their minds. A new official usually makes a grand entrance with "three fires," and the Second Young Master would surely light one upon his arrival this time. It seemed they were merely looking for an excuse, and the couple had walked right into it. They deserved it!

Manager Yang's attitude was sincere, though he felt uneasy. Fortunately, Tang Mo did not pursue the matter further, only stating that if such an incident ever occurred on the manor again, it would not be tolerated.

Although the matter was settled, the anger in Tang Mo's heart remained. He was still fuming even as he went to bed. Xin An was speechless. "Why is your temper so short? Stop being so angry. It's not that big a deal; it's bad for your health."

"You've established your authority because of this today, and it achieved its purpose. It's a blessing in disguise."

*You've already died once from anger; how can you not change?* she thought.

Lying down, Tang Mo suddenly sat up and spoke fiercely, "If you want this 'blessing,' you can have it! A dignified, elegant Young Master of a Marquis Household, so noble, yet rumors are spreading that he's become the son-in-law of a farmer who sold himself into service. It's infuriating!"

"Your husband is being eyed by someone with yellowed teeth, and you aren't even angry?"

"Can't you put yourself in my shoes? If someone with slanted eyes, a red nose, yellow teeth, and a protruding chin started shouting that you were his wife, would you not be angry to death?"

Xin An froze for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. Before she could speak, Tang Mo grew even angrier. "You can still laugh? We still have a few days of intimacy left as husband and wife, don't we? Where is your heart?"

"I came here wanting to find an excuse to establish authority, but not like this."

Xin An suppressed her laughter. "Who doesn't want to strike it rich? That's just a thought. Besides, having yellow teeth just means they want you as a son-in-law; it's not like they're trying to come over and kiss you. Is it really worth—"

"What did you say?"

Tang Mo was even more enraged, feeling a sense of disgust. "You'll anger me to death sooner or later."

Xin An pressed a hand to her forehead. She finally understood: this man was indeed handsome and capable, but he was narrow-minded and temperamental. To avoid being angered to death early in this life, she patiently comforted him. "Alright, alright. The people have already been sold. If you keep being angry, are you going to chase after them and beat them to death?"

"When have the people on this manor ever seen someone as elegant and wealthy as you? It's understandable they'd have some delusions. Ultimately, it's your own fault for being too outstanding. Just standing on a field ridge, how many men and women do you enchant?"

Tang Mo:...

He didn't feel comforted at all.

Xin An leaned closer. "Don't say it, but you really shouldn't deny it—this Young Master is indeed quite handsome. Even an old lady like me is tempted."

That single sentence successfully triggered Tang Mo's memory of the morning, and his expression instantly turned strange. "A woman being so glib... Hmph, sleep."

Xin An was amused. Aside from her brother, this was her first time coaxing a man. Suddenly, she understood Princess Qionghua from her past life; her princess manor always had many handsome youths, and she would tease them whenever she was bored, filling the manor with laughter.

Life was becoming increasingly interesting.

Seeing her still laughing even after lying down, Tang Mo looked at her suspiciously. "What are you thinking about?"

Xin An turned to face him. Seeing that he was indeed quite handsome, she reached out and stroked his face. Tang Mo froze instantly, his eyes widening in anger. "I knew you weren't thinking anything good!"

*Damn it, he was being flirted with!*

*How can this woman be so bold!*

Xin An laughed out loud, laughing very heartily. Tang Mo sat up in exasperation. "You naughty thing, don't think such things!"

Xin An laughed even harder, even tearing up. "Oh dear, what do I do? I can't stop. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much, hahahaha~~~"

Seeing her laugh so hard that her face distorted, the anger in Tang Mo's heart quickly vanished without a trace. He sighed helplessly. *This woman is quite mad.*

Xin An's laughter was so loud it reached the next room. Mrs. Wang felt a sense of curiosity; if not for her years of upbringing restraining her, she would have gone to eavesdrop. What could be so funny?

Chunyang, who had been eavesdropping, was utterly confused. She hadn't heard anything particularly funny, so why was she laughing like that? Could it be that the Second Young Master was performing acrobatics?

When Xin An finally grew tired of laughing, she rubbed her aching cheeks. Tang Mo said irritably, "If you keep rubbing them, you won't be able to look at them. You'll look hideous."

Seeing his face, Xin An wanted to laugh again. She hadn't expected herself to laugh so heartily. "Turn around and sleep. Don't face me. Every time I see you, I want to laugh."

Tang Mo rolled his eyes. The Xin An before him was nothing like the Xin An in his memories from his previous life. In his past life, she was almost like a nun—dressed like a widow, always maintaining a stoic expression, or always plotting. When had he ever seen her laugh like this? He even suspected that the person who had returned wasn't the same person.

"I'm staying facing you. I'll laugh you to death."

Xin An laughed again. Even after falling asleep, the corners of her mouth remained slightly upturned. In a half-asleep state, Tang Mo was jolted awake by her arm hitting him. He sighed helplessly; she wouldn't even stay still while sleeping.

After a good night's sleep, Xin An was in high spirits and dressed very prettily. Tang Mo spoke snidely, "Who's going to see you while we're riding in the carriage? It's exhausting to dress up like this."

Xin An turned her head. "Just tell me, do I look good or not?"

As she spoke, she even winked at him. "Don't you think I look ethereal and breathtakingly beautiful? Let me tell you, even if I vomit from the jolting of the carriage, I will be a haggard, beautiful maiden."

A meticulously styled bun, an exquisite and beautiful hairpin, bright eyes, and white teeth; a string of pearls made her fair neck look even more slender and delicate. Moving further down... Tang Mo looked up and let out a breath. He had to admit, she did indeed look quite beautiful.

(End of Chapter)