Insufficient balance

  Yang Ling stood in the courtyard, brushing his teeth with a willow branch and some cucumber pulp. He exhaled, and there was still a hint of alcohol on his breath, and his head felt slightly dizzy. Tonight, Nian Niang didn't let him drink medicinal wine, but instead bought self-brewed high-gluten sorghum liquor from the small wine shop in town, so he had a few more cups than usual.

  In the evening, Nian Niang had wild vegetables and stewed a small chicken, inviting Lian Er to come over and have dinner together. Before it got dark, she sent her back to her room, but until now, she hasn't returned, and no one knows what they talked about. Yang Ling didn't even bother to pay attention.

  When the truth is not told, it will lead to chaos. One's true feelings cannot be expressed to anyone. It's impossible to deceive Ma Lian'er for another two years with a lie that she must die within two years. If Han Youniang finds out, it would be self-destructive.

  Yang Ling was thinking, when Han Youniang walked into the courtyard. Yang Ling had a salted plum in his mouth and nodded at her: "Did you send someone back?"

  "Uh-huh!" Han Youniang responded, walking to Yang Ling's side and hesitating not to enter the house. Yang Ling rinsed his mouth, seeing her standing beside him, that face which couldn't hide its emotions clearly showing she had something to say, couldn't help but smile indulgently, pinched her nose, saying: "Stupidly standing here doing what, come on, go back inside".

  Yang Ling sat in the main room, stretched out his hand to touch the teapot, and found that the careful young daughter had already poured a pot of tea for him, which was now warm and just right for drinking. The chair against the wall was a warming wall built by the post office, the wall was warm as the day, and the house was warm and cozy.

  At a glance, Han Youniang's slender fingers were anxiously intertwined and twisted, wandering aimlessly around the room for two laps, stealing glances at him with an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating. Yang Ling found it interesting and thought: "Youniang has never shown such a difficult expression before, what's so hard to say? Ah, I remember hearing from my father-in-law that he was raising money to find a daughter-in-law for Han Wei, could it be that she wants to borrow money?"

  When dozens of Yang's family members came to eat and drink, she generously bought them food and clothes without hesitation. She even worried that her own family would blame her for not taking good care of the Yangs, which made it difficult for her natal family to borrow money from them.

  Yang Ling couldn't bear to see her struggling and proactively asked: "Nong Nang, is there something you want to say?"

  "Ah?" Han Youniang's body shook, and she hastily shook her head: "Yes, no... uh... the tea has gone cold, hasn't it? I'll go boil some more water."

  Yang Ling chuckled and said, "You, are you short of money for your brother's wedding? I heard he's very close to that Zhang girl who escaped into the city with him. Is it true that they're running low on funds for the wedding preparations? You don't need to ask me about this sort of thing, just take charge and use whatever amount you need."

  "Not at all!", Han Youniang pouted, sat down on the chair beside her with a thud, and gave him a coquettish glance: "It's not for family matters, Father said that brother will have to rely on his own efforts to marry a wife, and Master has already found jobs for Father and two brothers, they are very grateful".

  "Look what you're saying", Yang Ling laughed brightly: "I should be grateful to my father-in-law for giving me such a lovely and gentle daughter-in-law, and also grateful to my elder brothers for being born earlier than you, otherwise how would we have been so well-matched? Isn't that right, my little daughter-in-law?"

  Yang Ling saw her lovely appearance, couldn't help but feel a surge of lust, and forgot what he wanted to ask. He happily leaned in and wrapped his arms around Nong's fragrant shoulders, kissing her cheek.

  Han Youniang blushed and struggled free from his shoulder, pulling on Chang Yong's arm and scolding him: "Sir... you're drunk!"

  "Wow, I don't like the smell of wine in your mouth, I'll execute family law, call you to stand naked in the courtyard", Yang Ling pretended to be drunk and didn't know if he was teased by You Nang or not, only feeling the flames of desire burning, for a moment he couldn't help but use his magic hands on You Nang's soft chest and buttocks.

  Han Youniang's face turned red with shame, and she twisted her body to avoid his attack, panting softly: "Go away, who punishes their own wife like this?"

  She gently patted Yang Lingmei, suddenly her eyes flashed, and she thought that if her husband really punished himself like this... She was momentarily stunned by her own bold thoughts, her face flushed bright red, covering her face, stomping her feet and twisting her shoulders: "Husband is talking nonsense, how embarrassing..."

  That daughter's coquettish look made Yang Ling's bones feel light, and he really wanted to execute the young lady on the spot. He took a deep breath, picked up the young lady's slender body and placed it on his lap, and gently kissed her cheek. He actively changed the subject and said: "Alright, husband is not making trouble anymore, tell me, what do you want to say to husband?"

  Han Youniang smiled shyly and glanced at him, saying coquettishly: "The master wants to enforce family law, I'm afraid, so I forgot".

  Yang Ling saw her laughing with a red flush on her cheeks, her beautiful eyes shining brightly, and that coquettish expression was quite charming. The suppressed lust suddenly surged up again, and for a moment his lower body was hard as iron.

  Han Youniang giggled and teased her husband, her delicate buttocks slightly shifting, suddenly touching something hard. At first, she was stunned, then like a rabbit hit by an arrow, she jumped out of Yang Ling's arms, covering her face with both hands, her cheeks flushed like fire, stuttering: "Husband... you... I... I... Youniang won't tease you anymore."

  Yang Ling forced a smile, feeling his nose getting stuffy as if he was about to get another nosebleed. He hastily drank the cooled tea and cleared his throat twice, putting on a dignified air: "Little girl, what's taking you so long? What is it that you want to tell me?"

  Han Youniang slowly opened her fingers, sneaked a glance at Yang Ling, and then slowly put down her hand, saying with a blush: "Master, I...I know that Lian'er sister likes Master very much. Youniang thought...if Master agrees, another day I will talk to Lian'er sister, and we can...we can bring her over as well. Master's character is exceptional, the best under heaven, and it won't be a loss for her family either."

  Yang Ling's face changed, and he frowned: "Who told you? Was it... Man Cang who said that?"

  "Master, I've already heard that a woman's reputation is important. I heard that Big Brother Ma is leaving with the southern army and it's not suitable for Rong Er to stay here without a name or status. The seventh anniversary of her husband's death is approaching, if we don't let her remarry now, she'll have to wait three more years. If you agree, let's give her a name first, even if the formal remarriage is later."

  In ancient times, when parents passed away, it was a heavy filial piety for children. According to the system, they had to observe mourning for three years, but there were several situations that could be flexible, and the ancients were not so rigid. For example, Ma Ang's joining the army, and as an important official of the imperial court, due to national needs, the monarch personally persuaded him to stay, which was called "duo qing".

  In folk customs, there is also a situation where parents pass away within 49 days of the wedding, which is called "冲喜" (rushing happiness). The common saying goes: "A thousand coffins leave the door, and the family prospers." This means that due to the departure of the deceased, more life is brought to the family, with many children and grandchildren, and the incense fire continues forever, which is not considered unfilial.

  Yang Ling looked at Nian Niang for a long time, her clear eyes had a hint of grievance and a hint of resentment, but more was the worry for Ma Lian'er and unconditional trust in him.

  Yang Ling slowly shook his head and said, "Others are talking nonsense, don't follow them blindly. I've investigated, every April, there will be foreign skin merchants passing through Jīmíng to go south. At that time, I'll arrange for them to take care of Miss Ma's coffin and send it back to her hometown."

  Han Youniang blinked her eyes and said in a puzzled tone: "But... you and she..."

  Gently pressing his lips to her cherry-red mouth, he cut off her next words, then Yang Ling slid to her ear and whispered softly: "Between me and her, it's not as complicated as you think, be good, after a long time, no one will mention it again, Miss Lian'er won't think about these things either, understand?"

  "Oh!" Han Youniang obediently closed her mouth, although she didn't quite understand what her husband said. The corners of her eyebrows floated up with a hint of relaxation and joy. She had originally wanted to obtain the throne but was able to gaze at Shu instead. What more could she be unhappy about?

  Yang Ling lay on the bed, his head propped up in his hands, eyes slightly closed as he pondered: Nian Niang also knew about him and Ma Lian'er's affair, it seemed that quite a few people were aware of this matter. However, when Ma Lian'er returned to Jinling with her coffin, everything would naturally dissipate like smoke, and from then on they would be separated by the heavens, and even if she was still infatuated, since there had been no substantial development between them, would she still remember him?

  It's likely that after a year or so, she'll put down this feeling and start her life anew. Yang Ling believed in this point, he hadn't become self-absorbed to the point where he thought that if a woman liked him, it would be an unforgettable, lifelong commitment; he was just an ordinary man, without that kind of charm.

  Her cheek itched, Yang Ling opened her eyes to see Nong Yao sitting beside her, looking at her gently. Her long hair was a bit damp and cool against her face, the little girl had just taken a bath.

  The pure and delicate face between the beautiful hair, still with a rosy glow after bathing, fluffy eyelashes, and wet eyes, was inexplicably captivating. Yang Ling's worries and thoughts were suddenly swept away, he sighed, and began to think of how to break the deadlock. Such a lively and charming little girl was placed in front of him, making him feel like he couldn't eat or sleep, or else he would get sick.

  Han Youniang didn't know what was wrong, her face full of joy, and an indescribable charm, as if... there was also a flattering smile, Yang Ling blinked his eyes, suspecting it was his own illusion.

  She was wearing a short jacket, lying on the kang, leaning against Yang Ling's side, brushing her hair forward and smiling as she started chatting with him: "Husband, today I went up the mountain to dig wild vegetables with Lian'er sister, and someone saw that an old locust tree hundreds of years old in front was struck by lightning two days ago and caught fire."

  She was petite and charming, her chest unintentionally brushing against Yang Ling's elbow, soft and gentle. The fresh scent of a young woman wafted from her body, causing Yang Ling's lower body to involuntarily react with an erection once again.

  Han Youniang's delicate body leaned closer to him, her face pressed against his chest as she excitedly told the story: "I heard from the old man living in the mountains that it was because the old locust tree was going to become a spirit, and the Thunder God was angry. In the past, people half-believed and half-doubted it, but since you, husband, have also seen gods, I didn't dare not believe it, so I pulled Li'er's sister to walk around it. Husband, if that old tree can't be split open, can it really become a demon?"

  "Girl, I don't know if the old locust tree will turn into a demon or not, but I do know you're about to become one, and me... I've already reached the first level of Human Cannonball, got it? Little demon!" Yang Ling gritted his teeth in thought.