C13 How Do You Want to Die?

Xiao Ming scratched his head, feeling that battling his past life's foes was a breeze compared to his current predicament.

The words that had slipped out earlier weren't intentional.

After discerning Tang Qing's stance the previous night, Xiao Ming understood that broaching the topic of a sham marriage would likely leave Tang Qing heartbroken.

His anger had flared when Soong Xixue spoke earlier; reflecting on it now, he admitted to himself that he had been rash.

Just then, Tang Qing's voice floated in from the courtyard.

"Is someone coming over tomorrow?"

She emerged, draped in her coat.

"Mom, why are you awake? You went to bed so late, you should rest more."

"Ah, sleep eludes me in old age. Was that Xixue who stopped by earlier?" Tang Qing noticed the box in Xiao Ming's hands and let out a sigh, "Even after marriage, she's the same."

Xiao Ming was taken aback. "Has she visited before?"

"I've never actually met her," Tang Qing sighed, "But there were always knocks at the door. When I'd check, I'd find just a box of medicine. The doctor said it was exactly what I needed for my condition, and all of it was top-quality, very expensive."

"At first, I was curious and sneaked a peek a couple of times, only to see it was a young woman. But then it dawned on me—every time Xixue returned home, the medicine would follow. Coincidence? I think not."

Xiao Ming pondered; this was a chapter of the story he hadn't anticipated.

Tang Qing went on, "It's not just us, either. Any family in the village struggling to get by has been quietly supported by their in-laws. They all signed IOUs back then, but no one's come to collect."

Xiao Ming, puzzled, inquired, "Then why do the villagers say..."

"They're just gossiping," Tang Qing sighed, "They're envious of others' good fortune. Plus, Xixue's grandmother took her to the city years ago and never returned, and the health of her in-laws..."

She trailed off, choosing not to elaborate further.

Xiao Ming was aware that his mother, despite her rural roots, was exceptionally well-raised and even somewhat learned. Such a background was the only explanation for a family like theirs raising a college graduate.

Tang Qing wasn't one to speak ill of others behind their backs, and he certainly wouldn't have said a word today if the conversation hadn't taken that turn.

"Tomorrow, you should really take some things back with you. I've been so muddled. You've just gotten married; how could I keep you here at home? It wouldn't look good if word got out, and your wife might have something to say about it."

"What's the harm? You're not well, and it's only right that I stay by your side. Besides, she's my wife; she won't mind."

"Nonsense."

With a gentle tap, Tang Qing chided Xiao Ming.

"Now that you're a son-in-law living with us, we owe your family so much. I know it's not fair to you, and I blame myself for not being more capable... and for my failing health..."

Seeing Tang Qing tear up, Xiao Ming held back any further words, quickly soothing him while feeling a sense of helplessness.

Dealing with worldly affairs was indeed a headache. Being a live-in son-in-law was no easy task.

Ultimately, at Tang Qing's insistence, Xiao Ming gathered his belongings and set off for the Soong residence.

Pausing at the Soong family's threshold, Xiao Ming pondered deeply. His previous visits had been too rushed to take it all in, but now, he realized that the mansion was quite ingeniously designed.

The village was traditionally built along the mountain's contours, but the Soong estate sat opposite, with its triple-entry courtyard aligning mysteriously with the principles of feng shui, clearly the result of meticulous planning.

Logically, if the estate were just ten feet closer to the mountain or river, it would tap into the land's prosperity, propelling the Soong family to greater heights. Yet, that very ten feet altered the entire feng shui, turning what should have been wholly auspicious into a mix of fortune and misfortune.

Given the estate's layout, it was highly unlikely that such an error was made by accident. The builder would have known better, making such a happenstance nearly impossible.

Reflecting on the Soong family's reputation in the village, Xiao Ming's eyes narrowed. If it were merely a stroke of bad luck, the Soong family was certainly ill-fated. But if it was the result of someone's deliberate actions, then this affair was far from settled.

Being the nominal wife of Medical Saint Zixuan was not a position that left one vulnerable to just anyone's schemes.

Amidst his contemplation, a series of shouts echoed through the mansion. Xiao Ming, whose hearing was exceptional, caught the gist of the commotion.

"Soong Wei, my dad's not here. What are you doing here?"

Deep within the estate, Soong Xixue, in the midst of packing, was seething with rage. She had already endured enough from Xiao Ming, and now she had to deal with this nuisance.

Soong Wei, her cousin and the son of her great-uncle, resided in the provincial capital. Their past interactions had been lukewarm at best.

Xixue had little regard for someone who squandered his family's wealth and indulged with the wastrels of the capital.

Soong Wei let out a cold laugh. "I'm here for you. Really, using marriage as a ploy? Are you out of your mind? What's so bad about Young Master Wang that you'd run back to marry some poor kid in secret?"

"Soong Wei, mind your language. You may be my cousin, but even if you were my brother, you have no say in whom I marry. Don't think I'm oblivious to your ulterior motives. Just get out of here," Xixue retorted, her fury unabated. She might have once considered familial respect, but now her anger had nowhere else to go.

"Pah!" Soong Wei scoffed. "Do you have any idea how much effort I've put into currying favor with Young Master Wang? He's a man of stature. It's a privilege for him to notice you. One word from him could obliterate the Soong family. Now, come with me to apologize to Young Master Wang. Make him happy, and we can talk."

In that moment, Xixue was shaking with a murderous rage.

What kind of person was this? To treat his own cousin as a bargaining chip to win favor, and to do so with such self-righteous conviction.

"Get out, just get out!"

For a lady of her standing, this was the height of her verbal wrath.

"I'm taking you with me today, no matter what. Even if Uncle were here, it wouldn't stop me. Be smart about this," Soong Wei insisted, undeterred as he made his way to grab Xixue.

Soong Xixue instinctively retreated, reaching for the vase on the table to use as a weapon.

But just then, a figure stepped in front of her, blocking her path—it was Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming's fury was palpable, a seething rage that had reached its peak.

Soong Xixue was his woman, after all.

The audacity of the man before him, to brazenly suggest that Soong Xixue entertain another man, was unthinkable.

Did he really believe Medical Saint Zixuan could be trifled with so easily?

Moreover, the morning's misunderstanding with Soong Xixue had left him simmering with frustration.

Though there were numerous ways to handle the situation, Xiao Ming now opted for the one that would give him the most satisfaction.

He fixed a cold stare on the man before him, oblivious to the catastrophe that loomed.

Without a hint of emotion, Xiao Ming asked, "How would you prefer to die?"