I Crossed Over with My Enemy, Only to Find Him Running the Empire - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: In Disguise

Wu Tieniu took the silver and weighed it in his hand. Finding it quite heavy, he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I can definitely win.”

Li Qiaoqiao sighed softly and tucked the dried ginseng and dried lingzhi into the wooden box under the bed.

This day at the Wu family home felt exceptionally long.

Before the sun had completely set, every branch of the family had closed their doors early. The courtyard was so quiet that one could hear the rustle of the wind blowing through the old locust tree.

In the main room, Zhang Jinhua lay on the bed, facing the wall without moving.

Throughout the day, she had not touched a drop of water or a grain of rice; it was as if her soul had been sucked out. Two sons in a row had faced the family discipline, and her third son had been beaten until his flesh was torn; the heart of a mother suffered more than anyone else’s.

Li Qiaoqiao carried a bowl of ginseng water and walked in lightly. Seeing her mother-in-law in such a state, she felt uneasy as well.

In the original book, Zhang Jinhua was angered to death. Her death actually paved the way for the ungrateful male lead, Wu Canghai, allowing him to be free of attachments and rise to power while driving the rest of the Wu family to their deaths.

“Mother, have some water,” Li Qiaoqiao called out softly.

Zhang Jinhua did not move, only her shoulder trembled slightly.

It was only when Li Qiaoqiao leaned closer that she heard faint sobbing; this habitually strong mother-in-law was actually weeping in silence.

“Mother, your body won’t hold up like this,” Li Qiaoqiao urged, carefully handing the ginseng water to the bedside. “I steeped some ginseng slices; moisten your throat.”

Zhang Jinhua finally turned around. Her eyes were red and swollen, completely stripped of her usual sharpness.

She looked at the clear ginseng water in the bowl and asked hoarsely, “Where did the ginseng come from?”

“I saved some money to buy it a while back, just keeping it for emergencies.” Li Qiaoqiao didn’t dare say it was brought back from the modern world, so she remained vague. “Please drink it; the family still needs you to hold things together.”

These words struck a chord in Zhang Jinhua’s heart.

She forced herself up, took the bowl, and took small sips. The ginseng water carried a faint bitterness, but after drinking it, she felt a bit warmer.

“Qiaoqiao, do you think I’ve failed as a mother?” Zhang Jinhua suddenly asked, her voice carrying a rare fragility.

Li Qiaoqiao hurriedly said, “Mother, don’t say that. Every family has its bumps. Second Brother and Third Brother were just muddled for a moment; it will be fine once we get past this hurdle.”

Zhang Jinhua sighed long and hard and said nothing more, silently finishing the ginseng water.

Seeing her emotions stabilize slightly, Li Qiaoqiao felt somewhat relieved. As long as Zhang Jinhua lived, the future powerful official Wu Canghai would always have a knot in his heart as a weakness. For the rest of the Wu family, this was both a bad thing and a good thing.

In the courtyard, Wu Duofu sat on the threshold, puffing away on his dry tobacco pipe, his brow furrowed into a deep frown.

Old Man Wang from next door peered over the wall and inquired, “Brother Duofu, why was there such a big commotion at your house today?”

Wu Duofu exhaled a cloud of smoke and waved his hand. “It’s nothing. The boys weren’t listening; they’ll be honest after a beating. Which family doesn’t hit their kids?”

Old Man Wang chuckled. “I saw Tiegen crying out quite pitifully. I hope he wasn’t beaten into a bad state.”

“He’s thick-skinned and tough; he won’t die!” Wu Duofu spoke toughly, but his hand gripping the pipe tightened.

Just then, the door to the third branch’s room creaked open. Mrs. Liu walked out with her head down, a clear handprint visible on her face.

Old Man Wang, being sharp-eyed, immediately asked, “Tiegen’s wife, what happened to your face?”

Mrs. Liu lowered her head in panic and said quietly, “I accidentally hit the doorframe.”

Wu Duofu’s expression darkened. He knew exactly what had happened but found it hard to say anything. He only said to Old Man Wang, “Go about your business; my family matters are none of your concern.”

After sending the neighbor away, Wu Duofu glanced at Mrs. Liu and whispered, “The Third did it again?”

Tears welled in Mrs. Liu’s eyes, but she only shook her head. “I really hit it, Father; don’t overthink.” After saying that, she hurried toward the kitchen.

Wu Duofu sighed heavily, smoking even more aggressively. Life was truly becoming more and more distressing.

…

At dinner time, every room was quiet.

The second branch stayed behind closed doors; from the third branch, only Mrs. Liu came out to grab some food. Li Qiaoqiao and Wu Ya ate a simple meal. In the main room, Zhang Jinhua was finally persuaded to drink half a bowl of porridge, though her complexion remained poor.

After the sky turned pitch black, low sounds of crying and arguing drifted from the third branch’s room again. Although suppressed, they were clearly audible in the silent night.

Li Qiaoqiao and Wu Ya exchanged a look, both seeing determination in the other’s eyes.

As the hour of the Rat (11 PM – 1 AM) approached, the entire village fell into deep sleep.

Li Qiaoqiao and Wu Ya slipped back into their room soundlessly and once again joined the halves of the Concentric Lock.

In Li Qiaoqiao’s modern apartment, the two moved quickly.

Wu Ya went straight to the bathroom to rummage for cosmetics, while Li Qiaoqiao pulled out some clothes she didn’t often wear from the wardrobe.

“I have to be made up so that even my own mother wouldn’t recognize me,” Wu Ya said to the mirror, skillfully picking up an eyebrow pencil and foundation.

Within fifteen minutes, the person in the mirror had completely changed.

Wu Ya was transformed into a fierce man with a full beard, while Li Qiaoqiao became an ugly servant with moles and pockmarks on her face.

“Still missing an outfit,” Wu Ya assessed himself. “This look doesn’t seem like someone who could enter a gambling house.”

Li Qiaoqiao checked the time; it was already past 10 PM. “The shops are all closed at this hour.”

Wu Ya thought for a moment. “I know a tailor shop where the owner lives on-site.” He skillfully dialed a number and spoke a few words in a tone that brooked no refusal.

Half an hour later, the two knocked on the door of a high-end tailor shop. The owner opened the door bleary-eyed and was startled to see Wu Ya’s appearance, but immediately swapped his look for a smile upon seeing a stack of cash.

Wu Ya chose a brocade robe topped with a mink vest, looking exactly like a nouveau riche merchant. Li Qiaoqiao changed into the blue cloth clothes of a servant.

“Remember, my name is Zhao Tabao, and I’m here for the medicinal herb trade,” Wu Ya adjusted his expression toward the mirror, his gaze instantly becoming arrogant and fierce. “You are my personal servant, named Laifu.”

Li Qiaoqiao nearly burst out laughing but cooperated by bowing. “Yes, Master.”

When they traveled back to ancient times again, they had completely transformed.

Wu Ya swaggered in front while Li Qiaoqiao followed behind with a bowed head and a servile manner, a perfect master-servant duo.

The Xiongtian Gambling House in town was at its most boisterous. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, and people coming and going made it very lively. Two doormen stood at the entrance, their eyes darting around as they sized up the guests.

Wu Ya strode forward. Li Qiaoqiao quickly took a step ahead and said haughtily to the doormen, “My master is here to play a few rounds. Hurry up and welcome him in!”

The doormen sized up Wu Ya’s outfit and, seeing his extraordinary aura, immediately smiled apologetically. “This master looks very unfamiliar. Is this your first time?”

Wu Ya gave a huff and did not reply.

Li Qiaoqiao immediately pulled out one tale of silver and stuffed it into the doorman’s hand. “My Master Zhao is in the medicinal herb trade; he’s passing through this fine place and looking for some fun. Serve him well!”

Taking the silver, the doorman’s face instantly lit up. “Master Zhao, please come in! May Master’s luck be prosperous and may you sweep the board!”

Only then did Wu Ya speak, his voice intentionally low and raspy: “Lead the way.”

Entering the gambling house, a wave of heat mixed with the smell of alcohol and sweat hit them. The massive hall was packed with people. Gamblers crowded around several tables; shouts, the sound of dice, and the clinking of silver mixed into one.

Li Qiaoqiao’s palms sweated from nervousness, but Wu Ya was like a fish in water. His sharp gaze scanned the various tables, finally settling on the one furthest inside where dice were being played.

“Right there.” He walked over with large strides.

Li Qiaoqiao followed close behind, silently praying in her heart: Tonight, only success is allowed; failure is not an option.