Chapter 992: Calculating Scholar 47

The very next day, news spread through the Ye household that Tang Wan had accidentally scalded herself with boiling water and ruined her face.

For a time, those who had once seen her beauty couldn’t help but sigh in regret. Such a stunning girl—now disfigured.

When Li Fuze heard the news, he sat up straight from his sickbed in excitement. “Is it true? That woman’s face is really ruined?”

Mother Li was equally delighted. “Of course it’s true! I heard a large patch of skin was burned off—half her face is gone! Serves that little wretch right!”

She had refused to marry her precious son, yet chose to be with that hunter. Now she had her retribution.

After confirming the news, Li Fuze felt as though all his aches vanished. His back no longer hurt, his injuries seemed lighter, and he even ate two extra bowls of food. His mother was right—this was karma.

Not long after, Boss Liu from the jade shop also received the news.

“What? Are you sure her face is really ruined?” he asked in disbelief.

“It’s true, boss,” the man reported. “She slipped while boiling water and burned her face. Half of it looks terrifying now.”

Hearing this, Boss Liu’s shock slowly turned into regret.

“What a pity,” he muttered.

Originally, he had thought that with a bit of money, a village girl like her could easily be taken. But now that her beauty was gone, she was no longer worth the trouble.

After the news spread, Tang Wan began deliberately altering her appearance whenever she went out, adding details to enhance the illusion of disfigurement, and wearing a dark veil to conceal her face. As expected, no man stared at her anymore.

Only then did Ye Qingtong truly see the advantage of her “disfigurement.”

Still, he couldn’t fully relax.

What if one day the truth came out?

What if Boss Liu discovered that her beauty was never lost?

At that point, trouble would surely come knocking.

He had to prepare in advance.

And more importantly—since Boss Liu had dared to covet Tang Wan, he couldn’t let it go so easily. Even if he couldn’t deal with him now, one day, he would.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the twelfth lunar month.

Around this time, the Li family began arranging a marriage for Li Fuze. Now that he was a scholar, many families were eager to marry their daughters to him. After much picking and choosing, he selected a girl from an ordinary family, but with a delicate and attractive appearance.

Soon after the new year, the two were married.

Li Fuze, skilled in manipulation, quickly had the naïve girl wrapped around his finger. She listened to him in everything.

Half a year later, he suggested taking her to town to buy jewelry and clothes. Naturally, he chose Boss Liu’s jade shop—and made sure to go when Boss Liu was present.

Though Li Fuze had little personal interest in period dramas, he knew many wealthy young ladies enjoyed them. To better connect with such circles, he had previously familiarized himself with those styles. Drawing from that knowledge, he deliberately dressed his wife in a refined, elegant manner reminiscent of noblewomen.

The effect was immediate.

With her appearance enhanced and styled uniquely, she stood out at once.

The moment Boss Liu saw her, his interest was piqued again.

And soon, he ordered someone to investigate her identity.