IDWBE -Chapter 504 Let Him Be Wild, Let Him Be Wild

She had parents, but in their eyes, she had never truly existed—they looked at her as if she were a rat in a filthy ditch.

Even now, facing them, she trembled so much she couldn’t utter a single word.

She couldn’t imagine the kind of harsh life a girl like her—unloved by her parents and burdened with a disability—would have faced without her master.

Perhaps at this very moment, she would have ended up like some of her weaker friends, sinking her head into a river, feeding her body to the fish and crustaceans, her bones buried in the silt at the riverbed.

There would have been no “Lord Hong” in official robes today, wielding a long sword, commanding respect from everyone.

For her master, she held genuine reverence from the bottom of her heart.

She was fearless of pain, seldom cried, rarely felt sorrow.

But like many, she also carried a deep, instinctive fear.

Her master, aside from Lord Lin, showed no sentiment to anyone. Even her senior brother, Tan Xizi, could be struck by a single slap for saying the wrong thing, lying in bed for half a month.

When she first began learning martial arts under her master, she was never allowed the slightest laziness, even when she could barely keep up. Occasionally, her master would relent only when Lin Lin himself found her perseverance commendable.

As Fang Pi put it, the Grand Steward had been a childhood shadow over all of them.

So, concerning her relationship with Wang Dong, she had never dared speak to anyone about it.

She hadn’t expected her master already knew—and had even agreed.

“Hmph. Some things, you should know, cannot be hidden from your master.”

Hong Ying snorted coldly.

“Your disciple knows her mistake,” Hong An replied honestly, “I didn’t mean to hide anything from you, Master.”

“Know this: when a man grows, he should marry; when a woman grows, she should wed. It has always been so. Since you love him, your master sees no reason to stop it.”

Hong Ying lifted his eyelids and addressed the air lightly, “You scoundrel, come out! Hiding and peeking won’t do—this isn’t the behavior of a grown man.”

Hong An froze, wondering whom Master was speaking to, only to see a figure appear beside her—it was the blind Wang Dong.

“Greetings, Grand Steward.”

The blind man hesitated, then knelt beside Hong An, “Thank you, Grand Steward, for granting us your favor.”

“A blind man paired with a crippled girl—well matched indeed. No need to thank me. Even if your master didn’t permit it, presenting yourselves before Lord Lin would be the same,” Hong Ying snorted coldly.

“Just remember this: Hong An bears my surname. While she is nominally my disciple, I treat her as my own daughter. If you are unfaithful or treat her poorly, you know my methods.”

Hong An didn’t wait for Wang Dong to respond and quickly said, “Master, rest assured, Brother Wang treats me extremely well.”

“Now it’s your turn to speak?”

Hong Ying’s tone was cold. “Increasingly disrespectful.”

“I dare not,” Under her master’s pressure, Hong An lowered her head further.

The blind man held Hong An’s hand and looked up, addressing Hong Ying, “Grand Steward, rest assured. I, Wang Dong, am not worthy of Sister An’s esteem, but if I ever betray her, I shall face heaven’s wrath!”

“Brother Dong…”

Hong An cried even harder.

“You two need not act like lovesick fools before me,” Hong Ying said expressionlessly. “Since you’ve decided to be together, report it to Lord Lin and make the arrangements promptly.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Thank you, Grand Steward!”

The two spoke in unison.

“That’s better,” Hong Ying continued, “You were bought from your parents with my silver. Logically, since they are unkind, you need not feel bound by them; you had nothing to do with them anyway. Now that you are the leader of the women’s regiment, on your wedding day, they won’t sit at the high table, but if they are absent, it leaves room for gossip that could affect your official reputation. You should inform them.”

Hong An hesitated, “Master, I have long severed ties with them. My appointment as commander is thanks to Lord Lin. Why concern myself with their words?”

“You insolent child,” Hong Ying said coldly, “You speak lightly, yet you are my disciple. If you act carelessly, and rumors spread that Lord Lin caused conflict between mother and daughter, it will be a mess.”

“Your disciple knows her mistake.”

Hearing this, Hong An reluctantly agreed.

“Good. Now, quickly arrange a home for yourselves. As pillars of the Great Liang Nation, your wedding need not be extravagant, but also not too frugal. The people are suffering; Lord Lin encourages consumption to stimulate demand,” Hong Ying said lightly, “Hold your ceremony as a respectable wealthy household would, and help the needy where you can.”

“Yes.” The two replied in unison.

Hong Ying continued, “My niece is a rustic girl, inexperienced and reckless, but strong-willed. I have served Lord Lin by his side and had no time to teach her proper training. Your guidance will help her improve.”

“My master, rest assured. Your disciple will do her utmost and not fail you,” She, though not clever, had learned enough from time in government offices and military life to understand nuance.

On the surface, her master was asking her to teach her niece martial arts—but in reality, it was unnecessary.

Her master was a Grandmaster undefeated in the realm. Even monks who had achieved so-called innate skills couldn’t match him in a fight.

Teaching her niece martial arts was merely an excuse—her true role was to ensure the safety of this family outside the city, keeping away troublemakers.

Hong Ying glanced at the moonlight, shook his dust whisk, and by the time Hong An looked up, he was gone.

“Brother Dong, get up,” Hong An helped the blind man rise, softly saying, “Sorry for the trouble tonight.”

He smiled, “My martial arts were taught by the Grand Steward, my master. Kneeling before him is only proper.”

Hong An rested her head against him, sighing, “I don’t want to see them.”

The blind man knew her well and comforted her, “The Grand Steward is right. On our wedding day, if they’re absent, it is only proper.”

At that moment, he perked his ears. “Greetings, master Xi, long time no see. I’ve missed you.”

Hong An quickly moved her head, wiping away tears, seeing senior brother Tan Xizi leaning at the gate, she asked, “Senior Brother, sneaking around at this hour, what are you up to?”

“Hehe, sorry, sorry,” Xizi stepped carefully into the courtyard, looked around, and whispered, “Has Master left?”

Hong An said, “Lord Lin never leaves Master for long.”

Hearing this, Xizi straightened, glanced at them, and smiled, “I came at an inconvenient time, interrupting your happiness.”

Hong An rolled her eyes, “Senior Brother, nonsense again.”

“Hehe, congratulations!” Xizi glanced at their expressions, “Seems Master has agreed. Don’t forget me on your wedding day—I’ll come share a drink and some of your joy.”

Hong An teased, “Senior Brother, I’m your junior sister. What will you give me?”

Xizi, now a powerful eunuch, laughed, “Whatever my junior sister wants, even the moon itself, I’ll get it for you.”

Hong An thought for a moment, then said, “Master said the wedding shouldn’t be simple; it would shame him. But I’m just a humble girl—money is tight. A house alone might not even cover the wedding clothes.”

Xizi laughed, “No worries, junior sister. A house? I’ll gift you a villa. Tomorrow, I’ll have it ready. As for silver, here’s an advance wedding gift.”

He handed over a silver note.

The night was dark; Hong An couldn’t read the amount, but the note’s color alone revealed its value.

Without hesitation, she grabbed it happily, “Senior Brother, you’re so kind!”

Xizi beamed, “Naturally.”

“Senior Brother, it’s late. Why are you here?”

Xizi, unusually generous, smiled, “Whatever you command, junior sister, I’ll do my utmost!”

“Grandmother is here. Shouldn’t I pay my respects?”

Hong An asked curiously, “Master bought a villa this afternoon—was that your doing?”

Xizi said, “I merely helped relieve Master of worry, a duty I could not refuse.”

The blind man, previously silent, said, “You’re very filial.”

Xizi frowned, annoyed but restrained—after all, the man was a Grandmaster, a favored figure before Lord Lin.

He spat lightly on the ground, “The Grand Steward spoils them too much.”

He Lian emerged from the shadows, offering tea.

Xizi snorted, “Let him be wild, let him be wild. The breeze brushes the hills; he acts as he pleases. The moon shines on the river; only those who laugh last are true winners.”

A saying of Lord Lin’s, always remembered.