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

Chapter 61: What is Seen and Heard

Just as Jiang Yuan was about to leave, a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder, pulling her backward. Before she could fall, another hand steadied her waist, pulling her into a somewhat unfamiliar embrace.

Jiang Chen held Jiang Yuan by the waist, her brow furrowed with anger, though not directed at Jiang Yuan. "Have you lost your skills?" she asked, incredulous.

Hearing the disbelief in her voice, Jiang Yuan nodded. "Yes."

She casually stepped away from Jiang Chen's embrace, uncomfortable with the unfamiliar touch. However, recognizing that Jiang Chen's tug was merely a test of her martial abilities, she wasn't offended. She explained, "I lost them when I woke up."

Jiang Chen's expression grew colder. Jiang Yuan knew the original owner had been skilled, and losing her abilities so suddenly was indeed a blow, especially for Jiang Chen, who had trained alongside her from a young age.

Jiang Yuan was about to say that martial arts weren't particularly beneficial to her, and she couldn't learn them, when her waist suddenly felt lighter.

"Thud!" The jade pendant she always carried slipped and fell to the ground with a heavy sound.

Jiang Yuan had kept the pendant to return it to Song Keyan, knowing they wouldn't have many private opportunities later. Song Keyan had only fallen behind slightly and should soon reach the capital.

Fearing it might break, Jiang Yuan crouched to pick it up. The pendant was not only a pure green but also intricately patterned, clearly valuable.

She carefully wiped it with her sleeve, intending to put it back, when Jiang Chen's insistent voice interrupted, "Let me see it."

Jiang Chen seemed to have never called the original owner "sister," and Jiang Yuan couldn't bring herself to call Jiang Chen "Ah Chen" affectionately. Their exchanges felt like those between strangers, perhaps colder.

Feeling it was odd but harmless to show Jiang Chen, Jiang Yuan hesitated, "It's a family heirloom of a friend."

Jiang Chen, like a stubborn child, reached out, "Let me see."

Realizing Jiang Chen's interest wasn't baseless, Jiang Yuan reluctantly handed it over.

Jiang Chen examined it closely, her gaze darkening. Though her lips smiled, her eyes brimmed with hostility. "Who's your friend?"

...

Lin Kong hadn't barged into someone else's room; she saw through a slightly open window.

Since leaving marks on Jiang Yuan during their intimate moments, Lin Kong often reflected on how to improve. She approached it like a diligent student and immediately let go.

The scenes unfolded again, visible through the sheer red curtain. Though the murmured sounds were typical, what surprised her was the clapping from the onlookers.

Realizing the scene was a performance for paying customers, Lin Kong was both curious and embarrassed, her face heating. Watching secretly, she felt guilty, as if betraying Jiang Yuan.

Unwilling to stay longer, Lin Kong found the sounds overwhelming and feared becoming tainted by them.

As she turned to find Jiang Yuan, she accidentally kicked a post, making a "thud," followed by a shout from inside, "Who!"

Realizing many were watching inside, Lin Kong felt the place was filthy, private moments exposed to prying eyes.

Feeling dirty for her part in it, she longed to find Jiang Yuan.

After the shout, several guards emerged, clad in dark uniforms and clearly skilled. Not wanting trouble, Lin Kong used her agility to leap onto the roof.

Unexpectedly, the tiles had been removed, revealing the room below. The two women were still within the red curtain, and Lin Kong averted her eyes.

She focused on a tall man in luxurious clothing, though his thin hair and pale, lifeless face betrayed his indulgence.

A row of guards stood by him.

The madam who had greeted them earlier flattered, "Young Master Huang, were the ladies' performances to your satisfaction?"

The man, called Young Master Huang, raised a hand, smiling, "Very good, a reward."

The madam beamed, her face creasing, "Thank you, Young Master Huang. Tonight, Chun Ge and Liu Ying will serve you well."

"Very good," Young Master Huang said, approaching the bed eagerly, eyeing the young women.

Knowing what would happen next, Lin Kong wanted to return but hesitated, aware that guards still searched below. She heard the women's giggles and Young Master Huang's coarse words.

Disturbed, Lin Kong covered her ears, watching until the guards settled at the door.

She used her skills to quietly navigate the building, finally reaching the window of the room where she had met Jiang Chen.

Feeling a sense of homecoming, Lin Kong peeked in, relieved not to see Jiang Chen. She slipped inside.

"Who?" Jiang Yuan turned, alarmed, quickly pocketing the pendant. Seeing Lin Kong, her tension eased, "Kong'er, why are you coming in through the window?"

"I... I..." Lin Kong, recalling what she'd seen, felt ashamed, unable to meet Jiang Yuan's gaze. She checked the room, ensuring they were alone, "Wife, where's Jiang Chen?"

"She just left," Jiang Yuan replied casually, though Jiang Chen's words lingered, unsettling her.

"Oh." Lin Kong lowered her head, speaking quickly. In Jiang Chen's presence, she felt constrained.

Jiang Yuan approached, noticing Lin Kong's lingering blush, teasing, "What did you see to turn so red?"

In a place like this, encountering unsavory sights was easy.

Not wanting to lie, Lin Kong confessed to her rooftop ordeal and the scenes she'd witnessed.

Jiang Yuan, amused, said, "You went out only to witness people in bed?"

"Well... sort of," Lin Kong admitted, feeling a shiver of discomfort.

She realized her mistake, knowing her eyes controlled her actions. She had watched, and couldn't deny it. Correcting herself, she said, "Wife, I was wrong."

She hung her head, ready to accept punishment, her ears red.

Jiang Yuan, resigned, ruffled her hair, touching the pendant, and suddenly asked, "Kong'er, do you still want revenge?"

"Yes." Lin Kong's head shot up, fearlessness replacing her earlier hesitation.

Though she hadn't dwelled on revenge daily, she'd been training, though some questions awaited Shi Qi's guidance.

Initially thinking Jiang Yuan meant to warn her against focusing solely on intimate matters, Lin Kong realized otherwise, asking seriously, "Wife, did you learn something? Did Jiang Chen tell you?"

Knowing Jiang Chen understood her enemy better, Lin Kong eagerly sought answers about the family massacre.

Jiang Yuan, holding the pendant, said gravely, "I know who it is now."