WT 10 - Footsteps of singlehood
Heng Zhen Gan eyed his student. "Why did you not ask for your marriage fortune as well? It is the right time for you to start considering your marriage."
Not even an hour had passed after Liu Bing's return and Prince Heng had already started to ask about his trip to the temple. Liu Bing felt that his teacher was acting rather strange lately. He could not make sense of his teacher's actions. Was he lonely and trying to hint something to his student?
Such as telling him to not follow in his footsteps of singlehood…?
Right after he thought of that, Liu Bing felt a rush of sympathy for his teacher's unrequited love. With his looks and prestige, he could easily pick a suitable wife from the crowd that will cherish and devoted to him. But alas, he was ruined by the Empress Dowager’s beauty!
After knowing his student for years, how can Prince Heng not know what he was thinking? "Don't think up foolish things. You should start to consider your future well. Career is important, but don't let it take over your life."
Liu Bing nodded like a clever, obedient student. "I understand, teacher."
"A wife will be your supporter and stand beside you steadfastly. Household matters can also be left under her care and your burdens will lessen. A wife is very different from an assistant, for you can trust the former wholeheartedly."
Liu Bing's gaze on his teacher slowly changed as he silently listened to his teacher imparting advice about life.
"It is true that without any relatives, we are free to do anything. It is pitiful without family and it's important to continue our bloodline, but one should not focus too much on surnames."
Liu Bing looked confused, but also gradually dawned with understanding as his teacher's lecture went on.
"As long as you have more sons, there will be enough for both bloodlines to continue."
By now, Liu Bing already understood why his teacher was acting strange, such as pressing him to go to the temple and saying such things. Meeting Madam Wan and the subject of marriage was actually one topic in the end!
Liu Bing hesitantly asked, "Teacher, are you trying to match me with… Miss Wan…?"
"You just realize?" Prince Heng's gaze was rather self-diminishing to Liu Bing.
"But we don't match!" Liu Bing protested, very flustered. He had never viewed Miss Wan as a potential wife, for they hardly know each other. The conversation mostly consisted of greetings or him passing his teacher’s words.
To be honest, Miss Wan's personality was not really to his liking.
"Miss Wan is a simple, innocent girl, only that she expresses her love rather brazenly. It's not her fault that her way in conveying her feelings was seen as improper by others’ narrow belief." Prince Heng eyed his student with knowing eyes.
Liu Bing hunched his back like a scared tortoise hiding in its shell. "Teacher, I understand that Miss Wan grew up as a courageous lady due to the teaching and influence of Mister Wan. But I'm not looking for a wife yet."
Although most fathers in noble families hardly interacted with their daughters, leaving their education to his wife or nanny, that was not the case for Mister Wan. Wan Ting was the only child of Mister and Madam Wan. They do feel disappointed in regard to Wan Ting's gender, but they did not love her any less. It was also understandable if Mister Wan taught his daughter some things that were usually shared with a son.
Word was also passed around that Mister Wan had hired a teacher to teach his daughter the basics of martial arts. Keeping a body healthy was just a front reason for allowing her to do so. The reason for Mister Wan doing, was it not because he does not want his daughter to be bullied, and to have the means to protect herself in face of danger?
However, having a wife that learned martial arts, which will be helpful in protecting herself, was also a good point to Liu Bing that will advance his career in politics.
Lightly, Liu Bing's resolve shook, no longer determined in disagreeing with Miss Wan being his wife.
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Just like other working days, whenever it was time for Wan Ting to go home from work, her maidservant, Chu Jin, was already waiting for her at the backdoor of the shop.
Fruity Herb shop only allowed the owner, landlord, and customers to use the front door.
"Master and Madam had already closed the store and walked back home," Chu Jin reported.
Madam Wan had Chu Jin helping out with the shop when Wan Ting was working because she was good at arranging books and counting stocks. Chu Jin also has a clean temperament, with slight cuteness that will be her good feature when she grows up. Her face will be welcomed by the customers.
Wan Ting would go to her family's bookstore every day after work before going back together, but today she had worked a little bit longer. The rumor had affected her concentration and speed, which she had no choice but to work till late to finish her daily quota. The sky was rapidly darkening and she hoped they would reach back home before it gets dark.
"Let's walk faster," Wan Ting urged.
"Miss, I know a shortcut that will take half the time for us to return. Do you want to use it?"
Wan Ting's expression brightens. "That's even better! Lead the way."
Chu Jin led them away from the crowded streets and gradually to an alley far away from the population with the path mostly covered with shadows. It looked like a dangerous path that parents would urge their children not to take.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Wan Ting asked doubtfully, her eyes glancing around. The surrounding buildings look abandoned, without proper cleaning.
"We just need to pass by this alley. Nothing will happen, Miss. I will protect you."
Chu Jin's promise to protect her was not reassuring, but having a maid with her does reduce some fear of the unknown.
However, just a few steps in, a young boy suddenly ran out from the alley and bumped into Wan Ting.
"Ouch!" Wan Ting exclaimed and rubbed her painful thigh from the rough collision. She had thought this kid would continue running away or gave a brief apology, but he did neither.
"Please… Help me!"
With the attention finally away from her pain, Wan Ting finally saw the child's appearance. The young boy in dirty clothes clutched onto Wan Ting's sleeve, begging with a frightened expression that looked wrong on a little kid's face.
Normal children, no matter how scared they get, would never have this kind of deep, soul wounded fear in their eyes. When he saw Wan Ting, his eyes surged with a strong ray of hope that she would be able to save him.
"Remove yourself from Miss!" Chu Jin scolded, moving forward with the intention to pull the boy away but Wan Ting stopped her with a shake of her head.
"What's wrong?" Wan Ting asked and grew alarmed when she further noticed the boy had no shoes. His bare feet were dirty with mud and dirt. There were likely to wounds beneath them too.
"Big sis, we need to hurry and run! Please bring me away!" The boy tugged her sleeves urgently.
"I will," Wan Ting firmly promised. The kid does not seem like a beggar, and the fear in his eyes was real. He does not look like bait for a kidnapping attempt. "Let's get out of here first."
The little boy had run out from the dark alley, so the danger might be from there. Wan Ting suspected the kid was being kidnapped, as she also noticed there were signs of him being tied up around his thin, bruised wrists.
Chu Jin spoke up. "Miss, this alley is the shortcut…"
"We will use the normal path," Wan Ting cut in.
"Passing this alley, we will be able to reach the clinic faster," Chu Jin reasoned. "The boy is severely injured."
Unfortunately for Wan Ting, she was not familiar with her current surroundings and had to trust Chu Jin's words despite the alley giving her an uncomfortable feeling. The sky was darker now, and the alley looked even more dangerous without any light.
Should she trust the boy or Chu Jin?
"No! Don't go in!" The boy violently protested and started pulling Wan Ting's sleeve, tugging her to the opposite direction of the dark alley. "He's there!"
Wan Ting's eyes narrowed at the boy that failed to move her with his feeble strength. "Who's there?"
"It's me~"
