The Prime Minister's Deceitful Husband - Chapter 2

“Second Aunt, Eldest Brother… am I going to be disfigured…?”

 

Luo Shuheng had encountered that scholar three times in his past life.

 

The first time was when he had become a beggar. He hadn’t managed to beg for any money or food and was on the verge of fainting from hunger. The scholar had given him two steamed buns, which revived him.

 

The second time was ten years later. He had become a hired hand for another family; though his life wasn’t easy, he finally no longer had to worry about starving. The scholar, meanwhile, rode a tall horse, his once-faded scholar’s robe replaced by a dark red official’s gown and a black gauze cap. He was followed by a retinue of soldiers, looking every bit the powerful official.

 

The third time they met, the scholar walked leisurely down the main street, his jade belt cinching his straight waist. His gaze drifted carelessly over the surrounding stalls.

 

The County Magistrate, who had once seemed like an insurmountable mountain to Luo Shuheng, now followed behind the scholar with a slight stoop and a face plastered with a fawning smile. “My Lord, please look…” he pleaded, his voice dripping with flattery.

 

Not long after, Luo Shuheng heard that the County Magistrate had been dismissed from office and was about to have his family’s assets confiscated.

 

He took a day off work specifically to witness the seizure of the magistrate’s property. The once-mighty County Magistrate looked much older, dressed in a prisoner’s uniform and shackled at the ankles. His hair was disheveled as soldiers marched him into a prisoner’s cart.

 

The County Magistrate’s Son, a beast in human form, wore a prisoner’s robe and was bound in a wooden collar and shackles. His mind seemed adrift, and he incessantly cursed the people around him until a soldier’s whip lashed him into silence.

 

Witnessing their downfall, Luo Shuheng finally vented the long-simmering rage in his heart, unable to stop himself from both laughing and crying.

 

He wiped away his tears and spotted the scholar in the crowd. A faint smile touched the man’s lips, but his eyes were piercingly cold. Their gazes met for a fleeting moment, and a chill ran down Luo Shuheng’s spine. He quickly looked away, unable to meet that gaze again.

 

He considered the scholar his benefactor and was deeply grateful. Yet, he lamented that the Luo Family had somehow preserved their wealth and status, continuing to live in luxury until the day he died of illness.

 

Later, he heard that the scholar had become the Grand Secretary—a position of immense power, a rank ordinary people would never see in a lifetime.

 

“That’s an official from our village, you know? From Cloud Field Village. His name is Xu Zeyan. I even held him as a baby!”

 

He never expected to see him here.

 

*Xu Zeyan.*

 

Luo Shuheng chewed over the scholar’s name, a sudden thought taking root.

 

*If… if I could borrow his power, could I finally avenge myself?*

 

*But why would he help me?*

 

A shadow of worry creased Luo Shuheng’s brow.

 

“Let’s keep going if we’ve rested enough, or we’ll be too late.”

 

He Lin Yue’s voice snapped Luo Shuheng back to his senses. He rose and continued climbing the mountain.

 

As they reached Rongshan Temple, Luo Shuheng spotted Xu Zeyan again, just a few dozen steps below the temple.

 

The man had spread an old cloth on the open ground beside the stairs, placing several snow-white rabbits on it. He was engrossed in a book with curled edges.

 

Luo Shuheng glanced at him for a moment, then looked away and followed He Lin Yue forward.

 

“There are indeed many *ge’er* from wealthy families here,” his friend’s voice interrupted Xu Zeyan’s thoughts. “Looks like our rabbits will sell out in no time.”

 

Xu Zeyan looked up from his book and glanced toward the temple. Just then, he saw a slender figure cross the final step and gradually fade into the distance. He turned back to his friend and teased, “Not feeling so gloomy now, are you?”

 

“Heh heh, no, no.”

 

The main hall was crowded with people offering incense. He Lin Yue led Luo Shuheng to the prayer mats before the Buddha statue, where they bowed respectfully, lit and placed three sticks of incense, and dropped their donation into the merit box.

 

Luo Shuqing tugged at He Lin Yue’s hand and pleaded, “Mother, I want the Master to read my marriage fortune. Please take me to him.”

 

He Lin Yue chided, “A  ge’er like you, acting so shameless.”

 

Luo Shuqing muttered softly, “I’m almost sixteen. If I don’t hurry, all the good men will be snatched up.”

 

“You always have an answer for everything. Fine, Mother will take you.” He Lin Yue turned to Luo Shuheng. “Heng’er, come along.”

 

Luo Shuheng shook his head. “Second Aunt, I want to pray for Grandmother’s well-being.”

 

Luo Shuqing rolled his eyes. “Always putting on an act. There are no outsiders here, who are you trying to impress?”

 

“Qing’er, how can you say such things?” He Lin Yue scolded him gently. “Heng’er is truly filial. In that case, I’ll take your cousin. We’ll come find you later.”

 

Luo Shuheng replied softly, “Alright.”

 

He Lin Yue and her son left a servant with Luo Shuheng before departing with the others.

 

Luo Shuheng wandered aimlessly through the temple for a while. After shaking off the servant, he arrived at a secluded side hall. He tossed over a dozen coins into the merit box, knelt before the Buddha, and prayed fervently.

 

*Buddha, please bless my grandmother with good health… and help me find the evidence soon to avenge my parents’ wrongful deaths.*

 

“This temple fair truly has many beauties,” a voice remarked. “But alas, they are all commoners. I fear they wouldn’t catch Young Master Du’s eye.”

 

“Chengxi Town is just a small town, so its beauties naturally can’t compare to those in the county seat. However, I’ve heard that Brother Luo’s family has a *ge’er* who was a beauty from childhood. Now that he’s grown, his looks are even more stunning. He also practices dance year-round, so his figure is incredibly supple. Many people are eager to catch a glimpse of his grace.”

 

“So Brother Luo’s family has such a beauty. It’s a pity I didn’t get to meet him when I visited that day. What a shame.”

 

Hearing this voice, Luo Shuheng’s mind went completely blank. It felt as if all the blood had been drained from his body. His face turned deathly pale in an instant, and he began to tremble uncontrollably. Terror flooded his eyes.

 

Suddenly, a flash of red crossed his vision. He was kicked to the ground, his head striking the floor with a dull thud. The world spun violently as a barrage of fists and kicks rained down—on his head, stomach, legs, and back… He curled into a ball from the excruciating pain, the scent of blood filling his nostrils. He couldn’t even cry out for help.

 

*How could I be here?*

 

Luo Shuheng froze, standing as stiff as a wooden board on the prayer mat, motionless.

 

“My younger cousin is indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, he was gravely ill when Brother Du visited, which is why he couldn’t come out to greet you. I hope you can forgive us.”

 

Luo Shuheng’s fists clenched tightly at his sides. This voice belonged to his eldest cousin, Luo Shuyi.

 

“No matter. Fate is a mysterious thing; one cannot force it.”

 

Luo Shuyi’s voice continued to echo: “However, Mother also brought my younger cousin to offer incense today. She should be in the temple right now. Let me go look for her.”

 

“It seems Brother Du and the young master of the Luo family are truly destined to meet.”

 

“The figure of that Ge’er on the prayer mat does bear some resemblance to my younger cousin. I’ll go take a look.”

 

The footsteps grew closer and closer, each one like a hammer blow to Luo Shuheng’s heart. He bit his lower lip hard, repeatedly telling himself to stay calm.

 

“This Ge’er…”

 

Luo Shuheng’s heart skipped a beat.

 

“Brother Du, Brother Luo, Brother Cheng, you’re here for the temple fair too? What a coincidence.”

 

“Brother Li.”

 

Luo Shuheng breathed a sigh of relief. Taking advantage of the others’ distraction, he quickly rose and left the side hall.

 

Outside the hall, the sunlight was bright, and the stream of people offering incense was endless. The sounds of talking and laughter mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere, yet Luo Shuheng felt a chill deep in his heart.

 

When Luo Shuyi was studying in the county seat, he had befriended the County Magistrate’s son. He was desperate to get closer to the man but had no good way to do so. Later, upon learning that the County Magistrate’s son had a weakness for beauties, he hatched a plan to use him to climb the social ladder.

 

This temple fair was likely a deliberate scheme by his Second Aunt’s family. If they succeeded, he would relive the tragedy of his past life.

 

Images of fists raining down on him flashed through his mind.

 

Luo Shuheng clenched his fists.

 

*No! I can’t let them succeed… But what should I do?*

 

His mind was in turmoil. Unconsciously, he walked out of the temple and onto a hillside.

 

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.

 

I have a plan.

 

When Luo Shuheng reappeared in the crowd, a servant who had been following him emerged from nowhere, urgently grabbing his hand and pulling him in one direction. “Fifth Young Master, this place is crowded and chaotic. How could you run off like that? I had to search everywhere for you! Madam asked me to bring you over.”

 

The servant pulled hard, and Luo Shuheng felt a sharp pain in his wrist as he was forced to keep up.

 

Upon reaching the entrance of a side hall, the servant let go and stepped behind Luo Shuheng, bowing respectfully. “Fifth Young Master, please forgive my rudeness in my haste. Madam and the Eldest Young Master are waiting for you inside. Please, go in.”

 

As the pain in his wrist subsided, Luo Shuheng’s furrowed brow relaxed. He let out a soft breath and stepped inside.

 

The moment he entered, a figure approached and linked arms with him, leading him forward. It was He Lin Yue.

 

“Speak of the devil! Young Master Du, this is my Heng’er.” He Lin Yue brought Luo Shuheng before a man. “Heng’er, this is Young Master Du Chengwang, the County Magistrate’s son.”

 

Luo Shuheng quickly glanced around and saw the three men he had encountered earlier, including Du Chengwang. However, Luo Shuqing was nowhere to be seen. Suppressing his resentment, he bowed. “Young Master Du.”

 

Du Chengwang returned the salute, his gaze subtly sweeping over the person before him. “Fifth Brother Luo.”

 

He Lin Yue said in a gentle voice, “Heng’er, take off your veiled hat. Young Master Du is your brother’s friend, not a stranger. There’s no need to be so formal.”

 

Luo Shuheng replied in a low voice, “Second Aunt, please don’t. I’m not fit to be seen like this.”

 

A flicker of displeasure crossed He Lin Yue’s eyes, but her tone remained soft. “My Heng’er has a face as beautiful as a national treasure. How could you not be fit to be seen? You’re just being shy.”

 

Luo Shuheng still refused. “Second Aunt, I really can’t. I’m afraid I’ll be impolite.”

 

“How could you be impolite? You’re just too shy. Here, Second Aunt will help you.” Seeing the impatience flash in Du Chengwang’s eyes, He Lin Yue continued her gentle persuasion as she reached out and lightly tugged the veiled hat off.

 

Luo Shuheng closed his eyes and quickly turned his head away. A gasp of horror echoed in his ears.

 

“Ah! How… how did he end up looking like that?”

 

Half of Luo Shuheng’s face was swollen, covered in several red and purple pustules. The sight was so hideous that everyone present was startled.

 

Du Chengwang felt a wave of nausea and wanted to vomit. He didn’t want to look at Luo Shuheng for another second. “So this is the beauty you spoke of?”

 

Someone else chimed in, “Brother Luo, he’s hideous! How could you deceive Brother Du like this?”

 

Luo Shuyi flustered. “No, my cousin truly is beautiful. He—he must have just fallen ill by accident…”

 

He turned to Luo Shuheng and demanded sharply, “Heng’er, what happened to your face?”

 

Luo Shuheng feigned panic, snatched back his veiled hat, and pulled it on. He sobbed, “I—I don’t know! The wind was so strong just now that it blew the veil open, and a leaf fell on my face. Then it started itching, and—and then it turned like this… Second Aunt, Big Brother, am I… am I going to be disfigured?”

 

His sobs grew louder and louder.

 

He Lin Yue’s heart sank, but she showed no sign of panic. Instead, she reached out and gently stroked the top of Luo Shuheng’s head to comfort him.

 

Then, she smiled faintly at Du Chengwang. “My apologies, Young Master Du. This poor child must have accidentally touched some poisonous sap, causing his face to swell like this. Once he recovers, I will bring him to apologize to you.”

 

Luo Shuyi also regained his composure and bowed with a forced smile. “It was our fault for frightening you, Brother Du. My family happens to have a Duan inkstone, an early acquisition of my father’s. Its texture is warm and smooth, and the stone itself is exquisitely fine. Unfortunately, I did not bring it with me today. I will certainly visit you another day to present it as a token of my apologies.”

 

Du Chengwang’s expression softened. He glanced with disgust at Luo Shuheng, who was hiding behind He Lin Yue. “Fifth Brother Luo has also suffered an undeserved calamity. He must be terribly frightened. You should take him to a physician quickly, lest he frighten others.”

 

He Lin Yue exchanged a few more pleasantries before leading Luo Shuheng out of the side hall and instructing a servant to summon Luo Shuqing.

 

Once Luo Shuqing arrived, the group hastily descended the mountain.

 

Back at their home, He Lin Yue summoned a physician to examine Luo Shuheng.

 

After the examination, the physician confirmed that Luo Shuheng’s face had been splashed with poisonous sap. He prescribed several medications, saying, “The toxicity of this sap is quite high. I cannot guarantee that Fifth Young Master’s face will return to its original state. I can only prescribe a few medicines for now to see if they work.”

 

After sending the physician away, He Lin Yue offered a few words of comfort to the continuously weeping Luo Shuheng before leaving.

 

The moment she returned to her own room, her expression turned icy. “He only brings trouble. If that face of his can’t be healed, it will be useless to me.”

 

When Second Uncle of the Luo Family returned home that evening and learned of the situation, he came to see Luo Shuheng. His eyes were filled with disgust and even a hint of resentment. “Since you’re ill, stay in the courtyard and recover. Don’t go out until your injuries have healed, lest your condition worsens.”

 

In truth, this was just a disguised way of confining Luo Shuheng.

 

Luo Shuheng wasn’t in a hurry. He quietly stayed in the courtyard to recuperate.

 

After more than ten days, his face still hadn’t returned to normal. Second Aunt gradually stopped visiting him, seemingly having given up on him.

 

Later, he heard from others that Du Chengwang and his group had left Chengxi Town.

 

He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Now, he should be safe.

 

In the main courtyard, Luo Shuqing gently massaged He Lin Yue’s temples. “Mother, is Luo Shuheng really disfigured?”

 

He Lin Yue replied, “It seems so. I think those red spots are permanent.”

 

Luo Shuqing didn’t quite believe it. “I actually have a method we could try.”

 

Although he detested Luo Shuheng, that face was indeed useful to them. He didn’t want it to be ruined before they could even put it to use.

 

He Lin Yue asked, “What method?”