Lingdang looked equally puzzled and said to Xiao Yun, "Commander Yun, do you think that brat might have misunderstood and thought we were secretly meeting in the woods? What if he blabs around the village and ruins our reputations?"
Xiao Yun stroked his chin and said, "Knowing Tang Shi and Zhang Zhaocai as I do, it’s quite possible. Tang Shi’s always been at odds with our General’s wife, and Zhang Zhaocai is always causing trouble. If he saw the two of us alone in the woods today, who knows what kind of mess he might stir up!"
Lingdang scratched his head. "I’m not too worried about the villagers’ gossip, but since we have to follow the General’s orders and live as ordinary villagers, if any nasty rumors spread, the lady might get worried. Ugh, that troublesome brat Zhang Zhaocai! Maybe I should go find him, scare him a bit, and coax him into keeping quiet."
"Alright." Xiao Yun nodded. To these two top spies of the Xiao family, Zhang Zhaocai was just a harmless brat—something Lingdang could easily handle with a few words.
Lingdang had to apprentice at Su Li’s Vegetarian Bistro during the day, so this was the only time he could deal with Zhang Zhaocai.
By now, Zhang Zhaocai had run all the way home in one breath. When Tang Shi saw her son return, she exclaimed, "Zhaocai, why are you empty-handed? What happened to your traps?"
Zhang Zhaocai was in the depths of despair, snapping at Tang Shi to get lost. He plopped down on the bed, his mind a complete mess.
Lingdang actually went with that dumb country bumpkin... No way they really...
Zhang Zhaocai scratched his head hard.
That country bumpkin might look alright, but he’s a dead-end. If Lingdang went with him, he’s in for a rough time.
Zhang Zhaocai couldn’t help but picture Lingdang’s fiery spirit, feeling both sad and frustrated inside, but with no way to vent it. He felt completely deflated.
Tang Shi saw her son’s bad mood and didn’t dare provoke him. Seeing the time was near, she grabbed her carrying pole and headed to Su Li’s field to sell vegetables.
As Tang Shi stepped out and opened the yard door, she was surprised to see Su Li’s new apprentice, Lingdang, standing right there, holding several of Zhang Zhaocai’s traps.
"Oh my, I wondered why the doorway was glowing—turns out it’s Miss Lingdang herself!" Tang Shi said with a sour tone, "Miss Lingdang is no ordinary girl; she’s Su Li’s direct apprentice with a bright future. Why would she lower herself to come to our shabby yard? Aren’t you afraid of dirtying your shoes?"
Tang Shi’s snide remarks made Lingdang frown. She thought, why does this woman always make me want to punch her? If it weren’t for General Xiao’s order to keep a low profile as ordinary villagers, Lingdang would have long ago taught Tang Shi a lesson she wouldn’t forget.
But for now, Lingdang had to grit her teeth and respond. She pointed at the traps in her hand and said, "Your son dropped these traps. I picked them up and kindly brought them back. Where’s Zhang Zhaocai? Tell him to come out."
Tang Shi jumped up with a shout, sizing up Lingdang as she yelled, "Lingdang, don’t leave! Wait right here!"
Then she slammed the yard gate shut and hurried inside, her face lit up with excitement. Grabbing Zhang Zhaocai, she said, "Son, you’ve really done well—caught yourself a rich girl!"
Zhang Zhaocai was completely baffled and snapped, "Mom, what medicine did you take?"
Tang Shi, flustered and babbling, said, "That Lingdang, Su Li’s apprentice—you know who she is, right? She’s right outside our door, saying she wants to see you!"