A Rough Man Has A Handsome Husband (BL) - Chapter 14

Tang Xiaofu took a clay pot filled with spiritual spring water and stepped out of his space.

The old doctor had excellent medical skills. The original owner of this body had been frail since childhood, constantly taking medicine, which was how he had managed to grow up healthy.

Using spiritual spring water to brew medicine would enhance its effects.

Unfortunately, as a modern person, Tang Xiaofu had no idea how to properly brew medicine in an ancient clay pot. In the end, he made a smoky mess and was kicked aside by Madam Li with a scolding.

“You brat! How can you be so bad at brewing medicine? If I hadn’t come, you might’ve set the whole yard on fire!”

“Hehe, but Mom loves me the most!” Tang Xiaofu grinned cheekily, leaning on Madam Li’s arm like a spoiled child.

Even though his mother was technically a ‘man’ in this world, Tang Xiaofu genuinely felt the warmth of home.

Madam Li smiled, playfully tapping Tang Xiaofu’s forehead. “It’s a good thing you’re marrying into a family instead of marrying out. Otherwise, your mother-in-law would work you to death.”

“Mother-in-law” was called 婆么 (póme) in this era.

“Hehe, I guess I’m just lucky!”

Tang Xiaofu smiled brightly, sitting next to Madam Li and fanning him.

Suddenly, angry shouting came from the Shi family’s house next door.

“You little brat! You’re still so young, and you already dare to reject the marriage we arranged for you?”

“Waaah! Mom! Zhang Dazhuang’s last wife was beaten to death! I don’t want to marry him!”

It was Madam Shi and Yan arguing over the marriage arrangement.

Tang Xiaofu’s eyes lit up. He grabbed a small stool and excitedly ran to the wall to watch the drama unfold.

Before he could get there, Madam Li grabbed him. “What are you doing by the wall? There are mosquitoes everywhere, and you always attract them.”

Saying this, Madam Li walked up to the fence next to the Shi family’s yard and quietly removed a wooden plank.

It created a perfect viewing hole into their courtyard.

Tang Xiaofu’s almond-shaped eyes widened. He gave his mother a thumbs-up.

“A true expert!”

He stretched his neck and peered through the hole, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Then, he pulled out an oil-paper bag and handed half a piece of osmanthus cake to Madam Li.
“Here, Mom, try this. It’s Guangshun Zhai’s osmanthus cake. It’s delicious!”

“You little rascal.”

Madam Li chuckled, but she didn’t refuse. She ate while watching the drama unfold.
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Inside the Shi family courtyard, the fight was getting intense.

Madam Shi, with her sharp eyes and domineering expression, scolded loudly,
“You don’t even realize how lucky you are! The Zhang family eats meat every day! Marrying into their family is a blessing. I’m doing this for your own good!”

Yan bit his lip, his voice choking with tears.

“This isn’t for my good! It’s all about the twenty taels of silver! Zhang Dazhuang is a monster—he beat his last wife to death! Mom, I beg you, don’t marry me off to him!”

Madam Shi waved her hand dismissively. “Sons are just money-drainers anyway. You’re meant to be married off. What’s wrong with you earning some silver for the family? That money is for building a house and finding a wife for your younger brother.”

Yan’s eyes dimmed. He lowered his head and whispered,
“Mom… please… I’ll do all the chores at home. I can wash clothes for others. Just… don’t marry me to the Zhang family…”

“Hah! Forget about Lin. I heard that Madam Lin already plans to marry a young man from the county. Stop dreaming. The wedding is in seven days. Get ready to be married!”
“No, no! Mom, I’m your real son! You can’t do this! Waaah!”

Just then, the youngest son started crying inside the house. Madam Shi immediately rushed in, fussing over him.

Yan was left alone, collapsed on the ground, his face covered in tears.

His quiet sobbing occasionally broke the silence.
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Sigh… Madam Li stirred the medicine and let out a deep sigh.

“The Shi family is truly heartless. Their eldest son was so beautiful and dutiful, yet they sold him for fifty taels to be a concubine for a fifty-year-old rich man in town.”