The Foolish Husband of the Landlord's Family (GL)

Chapter 16: Handprint Agreement

Jiang Yuan scanned the bustling street, filled with vendors and aristocrats, all unfamiliar faces, yet there was no sign of Lin Kong.

This was unexpected. Jiang Yuan had only been momentarily distracted by the storyteller, not anticipating that Lin Kong would suddenly disappear from sight.

Lin Kong was usually obedient, unlikely to wander off without a compelling reason. With no acquaintances in the city and someone possibly watching them, Jiang Yuan was anxious about what might happen to Lin Kong.

Her worry was hard to describe but didn't show on her face. After scanning the area for Lin Kong, she decided to retrace her steps along the street.

As she walked back, she unexpectedly encountered a familiar face—Song Keyan.

Concerned Song Keyan might cause trouble, Jiang Yuan planned to avoid her by slipping behind a street stall.

However, Song Keyan seemed to have her in her sights, calling out smugly, "Hey, why are you hiding? Am I that scary?"

Hearing footsteps approaching, Jiang Yuan turned around, spotting Song Keyan and her entourage. She greeted her politely, "Miss Song, good day. I'm in a hurry, so I can't chat."

With that, she tried to leave, continuing her search for Lin Kong, her anxiety growing with each passing moment.

Song Keyan followed her, noting Jiang Yuan's calm exterior but detecting the underlying worry. "Are you looking for someone?" she asked with a hint of schadenfreude.

Since their last encounter, Song Keyan hadn't forgotten Jiang Yuan or Lin Kong. The thought of Lin Kong touching her chest still infuriated her, making her want to chop off Lin Kong's hands.

After reflecting, she realized she shouldn't have targeted Jiang Yuan, a pauper, but as a prime minister's daughter, admitting fault was beneath her.

Visiting Xu Prefecture unexpectedly, she was surprised to find Jiang Yuan again, feeling a smug sense of satisfaction.

Jiang Yuan, unaware of Song Keyan's thoughts, ignored her presence. Frustrated, Song Keyan stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"I'm indeed looking for someone," Jiang Yuan said urgently. "Please, Miss Song, don't cause trouble today."

Song Keyan, surprised by her bluntness, instinctively reached for her whip, a habit when upset, though she hadn't actually done anything wrong.

Jiang Yuan paid no mind, continuing her search, eyes scanning the crowd.

Song Keyan smirked, calling out as Jiang Yuan moved away, "Looking for that fool, aren't you?"

Jiang Yuan paused, her relief palpable as she turned back, "Do you know where Kong'er is?"

"Calling him Kong'er so fondly, are you really... lovers?" Song Keyan feigned disgust, though she felt an odd resistance to the idea. Smugly, she added, "Of course, I know where he is."

Suppressing her impulse to ask immediately, Jiang Yuan confirmed, "Do you know what color she's wearing today? Is she wearing a hat?"

Trusting Song Keyan's words somewhat, Jiang Yuan was cautious, wary of being tricked and wasting time.

"You don't believe me?" Song Keyan felt slighted, irritated at Jiang Yuan's dismissiveness. "Abu, tell her what that fool was wearing."

"Yes, Miss," Abu stepped forward, "The young man wore a light blue outer robe, no hat, and held a sugar figurine. We saw him at..."

"That's enough," Song Keyan interrupted, smirking at Jiang Yuan.

Relieved by the confirmed sighting, Jiang Yuan sincerely thanked them, "Please, Miss Song, could you show me where you saw Kong'er? I'd be most grateful."

"So, your name's Jiang Yuan," Song Keyan teased, "But what will you do for me? Chop off that fool's hands, perhaps? Or..."

"If you're toying with me, then farewell," Jiang Yuan replied coldly, turning to leave.

Song Keyan, feeling bored, remarked, "We saw him at Taixing Tavern."

"Thank you, Miss Song," Jiang Yuan said, hurrying to the location. She found Lin Kong sitting alone, holding an unfinished sugar figurine, finally easing her mind.

Lin Kong spotted Jiang Yuan, eyes brightening as she stood up. Seeing Song Keyan behind her, she angrily ran over, glaring at Song Keyan, forgetting her previous transgression.

Song Keyan, equally irritated, couldn't publicly confront someone perceived as foolish, so she found a seat nearby.

"Wife..." Lin Kong corrected herself, "Ah Yuan, why are you with that bad girl? Kong'er doesn't want to see her. You see, my face still has marks."

Song Keyan: "..."

Jiang Yuan glanced at Song Keyan's frostbitten expression, then at Lin Kong's smooth face, thinking the slap mark had faded long ago.

She sighed, "Why'd you run off without telling me? I searched for you everywhere. Miss Song helped me find you."

Song Keyan's mood slightly improved.

Lin Kong scratched her head, offering Jiang Yuan the sugar figurine, "Ah Yuan, look, sugar! I saw a vendor and chased after them while you listened to the old man. Then I met..."

She handed Jiang Yuan a folded paper, seeking praise. Noticing Song Keyan's disdain, Lin Kong raised her chin, unaware of her boyish appearance and childish behavior.

Taking the paper, Jiang Yuan asked, "Who gave you this?"

"The white-haired old man," Lin Kong explained, pulling Jiang Yuan to sit, offering a sweet, "Ah Yuan, the osmanthus cake here is delicious. Kong'er wanted to find you, but the old man insisted I eat first and pack some for you."

Jiang Yuan accepted the cake, hearing Song Keyan's derisive laugh, likely amused by their interaction, truly seeing them as lovers.

"What old man?" Jiang Yuan asked, unfolding the paper, scanning the text, shocked. "Kong'er, did you make a handprint here?"

"Handprint?" Lin Kong, puzzled, looked at the paper, laughing, "Oh, that! I thought it was fun and pressed it. Did Kong'er do wrong, Ah Yuan?"

Jiang Yuan: "..."

She wasn't sure if it was a mistake, but it felt like she was nearly sold off.

---

Author's Note:
Song Keyan: Hmph, filthy lovers! &lt(￣3￣)&gt Hmph!
Lin Kong: Hmph, bad girl! ╭(╯^╰)╮
Jiang Yuan: (ー_ー)!!
Commentator: Is this... a sign of infidelity? Grass growing on your head?
Jiang Yuan: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

[Author's desperate survival instinct]
Author: My angels are too aloof.
Evil sidekicks: Then make them chirp daily.
Then...
Angel 1: Chirp—
Angel 2: Chirp chirp—
Angel 3: Chirp chirp chirp—
Author: (°ー°〃)