Chapter 27: Is your husband impotent?

Seeing the expression on Mu Qingqing’s face, the little girl immediately covered her small mouth. She realized she had said something she shouldn't have. She really was quite clumsy. How could she discuss such intimate matters between herself and her husband with an outsider?

"At least that fellow is still a decent man; he didn't lay a hand on a child!" Mu Qingqing said coldly, the anger in her heart subsiding slightly.

"A child? Big sister, what are you talking about?" The little girl looked at Mu Qingqing, completely bewildered.

"You are so young; aren't you still a child?" Mu Qingqing asked.

"Ah? Age?" The little girl’s face suddenly flushed red, and she lowered her head, looking very shy.

"What else did you think I was talking about?" Mu Qingqing frowned.

"I thought... big sister, you meant..." The little girl stole a glance at Mu Qingqing’s chest and trailed off, her small face as red as a ripe apple.

"You... I’m talking about your age, and you’re talking about that?" Mu Qingqing was speechless, her own face flushing slightly as well.

"Big sister, I have already come of age," the little girl said softly.

"I really couldn't tell. I suppose it was just a misunderstanding," Mu Qingqing sighed. Then, she asked curiously, "You mentioned earlier that you are already married but haven't consummated the marriage. How did that happen?"

The little girl shook her head, pursed her lips, and whispered, "I don't know what my husband is thinking, but... perhaps he thinks I am too young..."

Mu Qingqing: "???"

"The ways of this world are truly strange. What I consider a burden and discard is exactly what you yearn for so deeply." Mu Qingqing sighed again.

Su Yan'er looked at her, full of confusion. What did this big sister mean? Did she not like having a large figure? She herself envied it so much. If only she had such a size... The little girl imagined what it would be like if Mu Qingqing’s stunning proportions were on her own body; it would certainly have a unique charm. But this was a shameful thought, and as she pondered it, her face turned even redder. Then, she felt a sense of annoyance. How could she think of such scandalous things? If her husband were to find out... She dared not continue that train of thought and simply buried her head.

Mu Qingqing said, "Actually, your husband may not be rejecting you; there could be other reasons."

"Other reasons?" Upon hearing this, the little girl blinked and asked hurriedly, "What reasons?"

Mu Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "For example... is he perhaps incapable in that regard?"

"Impossible! My husband is definitely fine!" The little girl blurted out.

Although she had only just met Su Yan'er, Mu Qingqing, who had spent years in officialdom and seen countless people, could tell at a glance that the young girl was very naive. Combined with her cute and petite appearance, Mu Qingqing found herself genuinely liking her and felt an urge to tease her.

She smiled and glanced sideways at the little girl. "That shouldn't be the case. You haven't consummated the marriage, so how can you be sure he’s fine?"

"Regardless, my husband is definitely fine!" The little girl’s face turned bright red as she asserted confidently.

"Then how do you explain him not consummating the marriage with you?"

"My husband has his own considerations," the little girl said firmly.

"I have seen all sorts of people over the years, and I understand men better than anyone. Men are creatures who think with their lower halves," Mu Qingqing said. "A girl as cute and beautiful as you, sleeping in the same bed with him—if he were fine in that regard, could he really resist? I don't believe it!"

"My husband is not that kind of person." The little girl was not eloquent and didn't know how to argue, so she could only offer such a stiff and clumsy rebuttal.

"What kind of person? Is he not one to think with his lower half, or is he actually incapable?" Watching the little girl’s dazed and adorable expression, Mu Qingqing liked her even more, and a curve formed at the corner of her mouth.

"Neither!" The little girl said definitively.

"Little sister, you are just wishing for something that isn't so. This kind of thinking isn't good for you," Mu Qingqing laughed.

"I... I’m not talking to you anymore." The little girl looked at her, feeling unhappy. "My husband saved you, and yet you are trying to sow discord between us."

"Little sister, you really are ungrateful. I am trying to help you analyze the problem; how is that sowing discord?" Mu Qingqing said calmly. "Besides, those are two separate matters."

"I don't need you to analyze it for me. My husband is a very, very good person, and I won't allow you to speak ill of him," the little girl said earnestly.

"Alright, alright, I won't say it." Mu Qingqing continued, "I know a very famous doctor who is exceptionally skilled at treating such... issues. Originally, out of gratitude for you saving me, if your husband were truly incapable, I would have been willing to have that doctor treat him. It seems I’ve saved myself the trouble now."

Ah? So that was what this big sister meant! The little girl suddenly felt conflicted. Since she hadn't consummated the marriage, she couldn't be entirely certain. If her husband was fine, but she pandered to this big sister, wouldn't that mean she wasn't on the same page as her husband and was intentionally trying to humiliate him? But if her husband really did have a problem, and she offended this big sister because of her own pride, preventing him from getting treatment, wouldn't she be harming him?

"I don't want to embarrass my husband, but his health is more important. I want my husband to be well." Su Yan'er thought seriously and decided that her husband's health took precedence. If he was fine and she had lost face for him, he could punish her however he liked! She just wanted him to be healthy.

She quickly grabbed Mu Qingqing’s long, fair, and delicate hands and said softly, "Big sister, I misunderstood you. I’m sorry. Please don't be angry, okay?"

"Why would I be angry? Your husband isn't having any problems, after all." Mu Qingqing smiled brightly. "Besides, he is your husband, not mine. Whether he has any issues only affects you, not me."

"I... I’m not entirely sure. Big sister, you are generous and magnanimous, please don't hold it against me," the little girl said, humbling herself.

Mu Qingqing had only been teasing her because she found her cute and wasn't trying to make things difficult. She smiled and said, "Alright, alright, I was just joking with you. If your husband is truly fine, that’s the best thing. If he does have a problem, given the kindness you’ve shown me, I won't stand by and do nothing."

"Then thank you, big sister," the little girl said happily.

"Do you have anything to eat? I'm hungry." Mu Qingqing was not at all formal, asking for food quite naturally.

"Yes, yes, please wait a moment, big sister." Su Yan'er then left the room.

Before long, she returned with some food for Mu Qingqing. It was mostly leftovers from the evening. Mu Qingqing didn't mind and ate with great relish. Although she held a high position and usually dined on delicacies, she often spent her time in the field chasing criminals and had endured plenty of hardships. Naturally, she wasn't a picky eater.

...

After Xu An left the house, he followed the moonlight all the way to Li Erzhuan's home. Before he even entered, he heard the sound of wind being broken by movement coming from the courtyard. Pushing open the gate, he saw Li Erzhuan practicing boxing. His father, Li Dade, was smoking a dry pipe and offering guidance from the side.

This was a style of boxing Li Dade had learned in the military, taught to him by an old comrade. It was not only for strengthening the body but also for invigorating one's vital energy. Every move was fierce, with immense lethality. Years ago, it was precisely this boxing style that allowed him to survive; otherwise, he wouldn't have just been injured, but would have lost his life.

Under the moonlight, Li Erzhuan moved like a ferocious tiger, agile as a rabbit. Every punch contained a terrifying force, producing dull, booming sounds. Xu An was momentarily mesmerized. He could tell that this was a true killing technique, far removed from the flowery, useless forms of the so-called masters from his previous life. Given the strength Li Erzhuan was displaying, Xu An estimated that even if seven or eight of himself attacked at once, they wouldn't be able to defeat him.

At that moment, a desire to learn martial arts rose in Xu An’s heart. In the modern era, with guns and artillery, learning kung fu wasn't of much use. But this was an age of cold weapons; mastering a skill was highly beneficial.

Just then, Li Erzhuan spotted Xu An and ceased his movements. "Xu An? Are you here for something?"

"Yes, Brother Erzhuan, there is something I would like to discuss with you." Xu An greeted Li Dade with a smile and a nod before turning to Li Erzhuan.

"What is it?" Recalling Xu An's reputation in the village, Li Erzhuan said, "Xu An, if you're here to borrow money, don't ask me. You know the situation at my house."

Xu An felt awkward and said, "Brother Erzhuan, it’s a misunderstanding. I’m not here to borrow money; I’m here to bring you a way to make money."

Hearing this, the guarded look on Li Erzhuan’s face intensified. "Xu An, don't try to trick me. You’ve nearly squandered all your family’s property; I know exactly what kind of person you are. Don't even think about dragging me down."

*Am I really that untrustworthy?* Xu An was speechless. He immediately took out a silver ingot and placed it in Li Erzhuan’s hand. "I said I’m bringing you a way to make money, so that’s what I’m doing. We’re from the same village; villagers shouldn't cheat villagers. Why would I need to lie to you? Go ahead, bite it and see if it's real."