Chapter 987: Calculating Scholar 42

Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Tang family house.

Seeing them return together, Mother Li shot Ye Qingtong a vicious glare. But afraid he might come looking for trouble, she immediately turned and went back inside.

“Bah! Shameless pair of adulterers!” she cursed as soon as she entered. “My Afu is still lying in bed injured, and they still have the nerve to show up together like this!”

Hearing her words, Li Fuze—whose arm had been broken and was still recovering—quickly asked, “Mother, you didn’t get into a conflict with them, did you?”

“No,” Mother Li replied hurriedly. “I was worried he might really drag us into trouble, so I came back right away.”

Only then did Li Fuze relax slightly.

He had always assumed that both Tang Wan and Ye Qingtong cared deeply about their reputations, which was why he had acted without fear. But now, he had been forced into retreat instead. If this matter really went to court and left a record, it could affect his chances in the imperial examination.

That was his only path to rising in life. He absolutely couldn’t let it be ruined because of Tang Wan.

Meanwhile, Tang Wan and Ye Qingtong had already finished packing. With his help, she gathered two boxes of clothes and a few daily necessities.

“That’s enough for now,” Tang Wan said. “We can move the rest slowly later.”

Ye Qingtong nodded. “Alright. Once our new house is built, we’ll move everything over properly.”

“Okay,” she replied with a smile.

The two hurried back before the sun set. By the time they arrived, Mother Ye had already prepared dinner.

Seeing this, Tang Wan said apologetically, “I feel ashamed. I should have been the one cooking and serving you, but instead I’ve made Mother do all the work.”

Mother Ye immediately waved her hand dismissively. “What’s there to be ashamed of? I’ve been cooking for years—it’s nothing new. Come, you must be hungry. Eat first.”

As she spoke, she enthusiastically served Tang Wan a large bowl of rice, thinking to herself that the girl had been through so much the previous night. She must still be shaken—how could she be expected to cook so soon?

After dinner, however, Ye Qingtong suddenly thought of something important.

Traditionally, after a wife entered the household, she would take over tasks like cooking. But Wan Wan’s cooking…

If his parents tasted it, wouldn’t that be a disaster?

So, as soon as the meal ended, he found an excuse to help Mother Ye carry water and followed her into the kitchen.

“Mother, I need to tell you something,” he said, choosing his words carefully.

“What is it?” Mother Ye asked while washing the dishes.

“Well…” Ye Qingtong hesitated, then lowered his voice. “Can you find a reason not to let Wan Wan cook?”

Mother Ye paused, surprised. “Why?”

Her son wasn’t the type to neglect his parents after getting married—why would he suddenly not want Tang Wan to cook?

Ye Qingtong gave her a slightly complicated look. “When I was working in Tangjia Village, didn’t I eat lunch at Wan Wan’s house every day?”

Mother Ye nodded.

“The dishes she makes… look very good,” he continued. “But the taste…” He paused, then said bluntly, “I had diarrhea the first time I ate it. I’m afraid if you and Father try it, Wan Wan will feel hurt if you react badly.”

Mother Ye’s expression stiffened, the corners of her mouth twitching.

“Is it really that bad?” she asked skeptically. “Can’t she at least stir-fry something simple?”

“If you don’t believe me,” Ye Qingtong replied seriously, “let her cook one dish tomorrow. You’ll understand.”