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

Chapter 64: Rich or Poor

Jiang Yuan glanced at Lin Kong's playful expression, knowing she was up to something, perhaps trying to take advantage while eating candied hawthorn.

She noticed the money pouch hanging from Lin Kong's waist and shrugged helplessly, "Don't you have your own money?"

With money, Lin Kong could buy things herself; there was no need for Jiang Yuan to do it.

Lin Kong, hearing this, realized Jiang Yuan was teasing her. She just preferred the hawthorn Jiang Yuan bought, believing it was somehow different.

Still, she reached for her pouch, which was more decorative than functional, completely empty after giving her last bit of silver to Zeng Tu, with no chance to save again since.

Staring at Jiang Yuan with wide, blinking eyes, Lin Kong seemed to say, "All the money is with you, so you must buy my candied hawthorn forever."

Jiang Yuan pretended not to understand, continuing to eat her hawthorn. When Lin Kong didn't speak after a while, she started to walk away.

Panicked, Lin Kong grabbed her hand, shamelessly saying, "Kong'er has no money now, so you must take care of me forever."

Her voice grew softer, feeling like a kept man, but she truly had no money, relying on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan, seeing her earnest yet shy demeanor, laughed generously, "Alright, I'll buy you candied hawthorn for the rest of your life."

Lin Kong beamed, her eyebrows arching joyfully. She knew Jiang Yuan was the best, realizing being penniless wasn't so bad when she had everything she needed.

Jiang Yuan added slowly, "But I might only buy a few a year, depending on my mood."

Lin Kong: "..." Having money is more reliable.

They continued strolling, hand in hand, stumbling upon a tea house where a storyteller was at work.

The storyteller animatedly recounted tales of a past emperor's incompetence before criticizing the current emperor for his weakness. He spoke of the emperor's secret outings to brothels, saying he indulged with women and was now too weak for court, leaving state affairs to the prince and the prime minister. Despite their usual discord, they were miraculously in sync this time.

Lin Kong remembered the removed roof tiles and the well-dressed man inside, realizing he was the emperor. She whispered to Jiang Yuan, "Wife, the man I saw was the emperor?"

Having heard Lin Kong's story of Fengyue House, Jiang Yuan pieced it together, pondering how the emperor's brothel visit became public knowledge so quickly. It seemed someone was watching him closely.

Determining whether Jing Anrui or Song Qingwei was behind it was difficult.

Lin Kong continued the topic; speaking too much in the capital could invite trouble. Jiang Yuan casually said, "The emperor is human too."

Humans have desires, but the emperor's incompetence was astounding, getting caught at a brothel and nearly seen by Lin Kong.

Thinking of Lin Kong almost witnessing such an event, Jiang Yuan felt uneasy, as if her cherished innocence was tarnished by worldly dirt.