TFWYH – Chapter 89 The Third Son of the Ling Family

“Your Yu-langjun’s younger uncle is back—that Ling Cangshun. Aiyo, you wouldn’t believe it, but he actually had an affair with Widow Hong, and Doctor Zhang caught them red-handed!”

“Who would’ve thought? He always looked so proper, like a scholar, but turns out he’s just another lust-driven fool.”

“It was a huge commotion. They say when Doctor Zhang caught them, Ling Cangshun didn’t even have time to pull on his big shorts—ran out bare-bottomed! But Doctor Zhang swore that, even though he didn’t see the face, he’s sure it was Ling Cangshun.”

“Because he had treated Ling Cangshun before, and knew he had a mole on his butt.”

“Doctor Zhang went to make a scene with Widow Hong, but do you think that shrew would admit it? She fought back fiercely and even beat him out of her house!”

…

Aunt Yang’s gossip was always this explosive.

Tang Wan thought to herself, If I ever can’t make a living, I could always go around threatening the villagers of Huanshan Village—

I know your secrets, want me to keep quiet? Then pay me hush money!

Still, she was curious and casually asked, “A consultation? For what illness? Why would he need to check the butt?”

This era didn’t even have injections, so why would you need to take someone’s pants off?

Aunt Yang froze, staring at her in confusion. Then suddenly she realized, and the little flames of gossip in her eyes nearly burst into a bonfire.
“You… you mean to say Ling Cangshun and Doctor Zhang, the two of them might have…”

“I don’t know, I was just curious!”

“Heavens! That’s disgusting!”

Tang Wan irresponsibly tossed out this vague remark and slipped away.

Sure enough, within three days, rumors of a twisted love triangle between Doctor Zhang, Widow Hong, and Ling Cangshun were flying everywhere.

Some said the three of them had definitely “ridden together,” otherwise how would Doctor Zhang know Ling Cangshun had a mole there?

Others were even more blunt, adopting Tang Wan’s wild guess directly, claiming Ling Cangshun was actually a rabbit master—a man who had “that kind” of relationship with Doctor Zhang!

Tang Wan: It wasn’t me, don’t drag me into this!

Well, whatever.

In short, Ling Cangshun had become the talk of the town. Barely back for a few days, and there were already leering villagers loitering outside his door every day.

They didn’t mean harm—they just wanted a look.

At first, Old Madam Liu didn’t know about any of this. With her son back, she served him fish and meat, as festive as New Year’s.

Later, when she heard the rumors, she was so furious she stormed outside to fight with the villagers—and even lost.

Old Madam Liu nearly coughed blood. Every day at home she cried and wailed:
“These damned people! Nothing good ever comes out of their filthy mouths! My poor son, you’ve been wronged!”

“Enough noise.” Old Man Ling, annoyed by the racket, puffed on his dry tobacco and asked Ling Cangshun, “Tell me honestly, did you and that Widow Hong really have a thing?”

“You old fool, are you joining those beasts outside in slandering my son? My son is a tongsheng! How could he possibly fancy that rotten woman Widow Hong?”

“Shut up. I’m asking Third Son.”

“What’s there to ask? Of course not! And even if something did happen, it was that rotten woman seducing my son!”

The old couple were soon quarreling again.

Ling Cangshun: …

He inched step by step toward the door.

Old Man Ling caught sight of him and immediately ignored Old Madam Liu, pointing a finger at him and shouting angrily:
“Why are you running? So it’s true, you really did have an affair with Widow Hong?”

Ling Cangshun froze, quickly shaking his head.
“Father, how could I? I just happened to be passing her house!”

Unlike his two brothers, Ling Cangshun—though nearly thirty—had been pampered since childhood by Old Man Ling and Old Madam Liu.

He couldn’t lift or carry, but he dressed decently, looked refined, and acted proper.

It was just that, beneath the surface… it was better left unsaid.