I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Ruan Caixiong naturally knew why his wife came here, his expression frozen, somewhat awkward.

Chen Ming hurriedly stood up and saluted Lady Ruan, "I am Gu Xianyu, nice to meet you, sister-in-law. Just a moment ago, Brother Ruan praised how beautiful and virtuous you are. Now that I’ve met you, it’s indeed true, Brother Ruan is truly fortunate."

Lady Ruan covered her mouth and laughed lightly, appearing quite pleased, "I’ve heard of you, it’s you who defeated Young Master Wushuang in the martial contest of the Money Gang and won the beauty, correct?"

"That’s me."

"Don’t just stand there, have a seat."

Lady Ruan sat beside Ruan Caixiong, invited him to sit down, personally poured wine for her husband, and gave him a look.

Such actions and glances were no different from an apology.

Ruan Caixiong’s expression softened a bit, he picked up the cup of wine and drank it down, accepting her apology.

Chen Ming observed the interaction between this couple married for over ten years, feeling inwardly a sense of lament; a man after marriage, even a First Grade master, has to humble himself before his wife. Truly pitiful.

After this small incident passed, the three began to chat and laugh together.

Lady Ruan accompanied them, occasionally chiming in a word or two, looking at her husband with gentle eyes from time to time. Anyone who saw it would praise them as a truly loving couple.

If Chen Ming hadn’t seen her charge in earlier with such fierceness, he would have believed it.

Having drunk enough, Chen Ming stood up to take his leave.

Lady Ruan said, "Little Gu, bring your wife to our residence next time."

"If there’s an opportunity, for sure."

Chen Ming picked up the two swords placed aside and hung them at his waist, turned, and left.

Lady Ruan’s gaze fell on the swords at his waist, her eyes slightly narrowing, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.

Ruan Caixiong noticed his wife’s oddity and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Ah—"

Lady Ruan used a handkerchief to dab her eyes, covering her expression, her tone sorrowful, "Whenever I think of my husband staying away from the Capital City for over ten years because of me, it makes me sad..."

Ruan Caixiong quickly said, "Don’t say that, I just feel a connection with this new subordinate..."

...

Chen Ming returned to his residence and asked Xiao He, "Brother Jiang’s injuries, there hasn’t been any relapse, right?"

Though Xiao He had also seen Jiang Wushuang dressed as a woman, given her cleverness, she likely already guessed it. Nonetheless, he still habitually referred to Brother Jiang.

Xiao He replied, "There hasn’t been any. However, after nightfall he sent people to ask several times, Master, perhaps you should go and see him."

Chen Ming looked at the maid sent by the Gu Family to serve Gu Xianyu, asking, "Xiao He, do you think, after I and Miss Xia bowed to each other. Did she take it seriously?"

Xiao He lowered her head, "This, I don’t know."

"You do know."

"What does Master mean?"

Seeing her still feigning ignorance, Chen Ming broke it bluntly, "The matter regarding Miss Su."

Xiao He lowered her head even further, "Master means..."

"The maid beside Brother Jiang should have sought out you for information about me, right? You can appropriately reveal some to them."

"Understood, Master."

"Let’s go, visit Brother Jiang."

Chen Ming changed into a set of clothes, then went to Xia Mudan’s place, as usual, he took her pulse and chatted a while.

She leaned against the bed, eyes like flowing water, causing Chen Ming’s heart to itch, and he thought of the Lady Ruan he had seen earlier.

Back then, she too must have been this tender and affectionate in front of Ruan Caixiong. But after being married for over ten years, she became what she is now.

Calling her a shrew might be excessive, but she surely is not easily dealt with, holding Ruan Caixiong tightly.

At thirteen, Xia Mudan could take on two roles by herself, deceiving the world, the Young Master Wushuang’s name spreading throughout Xiazhou.

She is not one of those delicate ladies, it’s crucial not to be fooled by her current tenderness. Women like her have strength and means. Once caught in her emotional web, there are no thoughts of freedom in the latter half of life.

Thinking of this, Chen Ming shivered, swiftly found an excuse, and slipped away.

Back in his small courtyard, he took out the visualization map, focusing on cultivation.

In this world, only cultivation is real!

...

The next morning.

Chen Ming arrived at the Six Gates, Zhang Dingce was waiting there for him again, "Sir, Sir Ruan is summoning you."

"Alright."

He went to the pavilion from yesterday, no need for a report, he went straight in.

Ruan Caixiong said sternly, "Follow me, Sir Zhong wants to see you."

"Sir Zhong wants to see me?"

Chen Ming felt a chill in his heart.

In the Six Gates, there’s only one who Ruan Caixiong would address as "Sir Zhong," which is Xiazhou’s highest-ranking officer, the Super Grade Red Robe.

When he reported in, the Sir Zhong had not seen him, enough to express his attitude, treating him, the noble’s descendant, with cold reception.

Ruan Caixiong smiled, "It’s good news. Since you have Third Grade Cultivation, according to convention, your rank should be raised. This Admiral role, I’ll surely secure it for you!"

"...Thank you, Sir."

Chen Ming felt a bit of a bitter smile inside. He just wanted to safely stay in the prison to gain experience, not interested in anything else.

This Third-Grade Admiral role, he has no desire for it.

It’s known that any position from Third Grade upwards must be reported to the Capital City for central appraisal. By then, one has to go to the Capital City to present reports, only after an audience can the title be formally conferred.

As an imposter, how could he dare to go to the Capital City and face the king?

However, Ruan Caixiong meant well, he even has no reason to refuse.

...

"Heard you’ve been sparring with those Third Grade prisoners in the prison these days?"