Even with a slow mind, Yang Zhongqing realized something was wrong. Ever since leaving the capital, nothing had gone smoothly, as if an invisible hand was orchestrating everything.
Without money, he couldn't move an inch. Both he and his mother were already exhausted. He had planned to find an inn after a meal and rest for a few days, but then their money was gone.
Once the first time happened, there would be a second. When he started to do "that thing" again, he spent a long time building up his courage. Having tasted the sweetness of it, he felt he was becoming quite skilled.
Feeling a little proud of his improved technique, Yang Zhongqing, who had taken someone else's money without them noticing, was startled by a sudden shout: "Quick, quick, catch the thief!"
Only then did he realize everyone was looking at him. He bolted. The young master from a wealthy family, who had just left a pleasure house, heard the commotion and was rather amused. He had rarely seen what a real thief looked like. After a moment's thought, he felt his money pouch, and finding it empty, motioned to his guards, who were following close behind, to chase after the man.
For some reason, had his martial arts declined? Why did most people he encountered completely overwhelm him? After waiting for a long time, he still couldn't shake off the person behind him. He couldn't help but feel disheartened when suddenly his leg went numb. His knees buckled uncontrollably. By the time he tried to get up, it was too late.
The pursuer snatched the money pouch from his hand and then shouted, "You're a grown person with hands and feet. Find some honest work, and you can earn money. Why resort to petty thievery?"
Before Yang Zhongqing could reply, the wealthy young master's guard caught up.
"This is your money, isn't it? Return it to its owner. Tell your young master to be more careful next time he goes out."
The guard watched the man who had handed him the pouch and then left with a flourish. He was still a bit dazed. He had never met anyone like this before – someone who did good deeds anonymously and then gave all the credit to him.
"Stealing without looking where you're going, and daring to steal from our young master! Today, we'll teach you a good lesson." With that, a barrage of fists rained down on Yang Zhongqing. He had been on the battlefield and sustained injuries, but this was the first time he had been beaten so shamefully.
By the time they got tired of beating him and left, Yang Zhongqing was already black and blue, pain radiating from every part of his body. A crowd of onlookers stood around. He lay there on the ground, not knowing where to go.
Yang Mu stood rooted to the spot, waiting and waiting for her son, but he didn't return. She heard people discussing how a thief had stolen money, tried to escape, but had his leg broken and was now lying on the ground, with everyone saying he deserved it and brought it upon himself. Although Yang Mu felt it might not be her son – after all, he was a great general, skilled in martial arts – she couldn't be sure.
Standing by the roadside, she wrestled with her thoughts. Finally, as the sun began to set and her son still hadn't returned, she stopped someone and asked for the specific location. Following their directions, she hurried over.
When she arrived, she saw only one person lying quietly on the ground. Looking at his clothes, she knew it had to be her son. She rushed to his side in a panic, choked with sobs, "My second son, how are you?"
The person on the ground didn't react. Yang Zhongqing wasn't unconscious; he simply didn't know what face to show his mother.
But Yang Mu didn't know this. She thought her son's leg was truly broken and he was unconscious, as others had said. In her distress, she fainted. When her mother's body pressed down on him, he grimaced in pain.
"Mother, get up quickly, you're pressing on my wound." But no matter how much he shouted, there was no response. It was only then that he sensed something was wrong. He used all his strength to try and slowly move her. Whether it was because he was weak or because his mother was a bit stout, after struggling for a long time, there was no reaction. Su Dan Novel Network
How he wished someone would pass by and help him. But this place was relatively secluded, and it was getting dark. Everyone had gone home. Finally, after managing to move his mother aside, he lay on the ground, panting, unable to recover for a long time.
After a while, he slowly pinched his mother's philtrum. Soon, Yang Mu woke up. Seeing her son, her eyes were filled with heartache. "Those damned people, how could they beat you like this? My son, you've suffered so much. You don't know how worried I was when I saw you lying there motionless."
Seeing her weeping uncontrollably, Yang Zhongqing knew she wouldn't stop unless he comforted her. He said helplessly, "Mother, stop crying. I'm fine."
"How can you be fine? Look at yourself now. If it weren't for your clothes, Mother wouldn't recognize you." As she spoke, tears streamed down Yang Mu's face again.
Yang Zhongqing felt his head start to buzz. He really didn't know what to do with his mother. Wasn't the priority to find a place to settle down? All she did was cry. What use was crying? If it could solve problems, he would cry with her.
When Yang Mu finally stopped crying, she wiped her tears. A gust of wind blew, making her feel cold all over. She exclaimed in annoyance, "Oh dear, where will we stay tonight?"
"Mother, can we knock on doors, one by one, and see if anyone will kindly take us in for the night?" Yang Zhongqing voiced the solution he had already thought of. If it were summer, they could sleep outdoors. But in this season, without blankets or warm clothes, sleeping outside for a night would surely lead to illness. Lack of money was a matter of life and death.
"How can we do that?" Yang Mu immediately refused. She was a lady from a prominent family, and a ranked official at that. How could she do such a thing that beggars did? It was too undignified. What if they refused? How embarrassing would that be?
"What time is it? If I weren't unable to move freely, I would go myself. But look at me. Wouldn't opening the door scare people away? In this weather, if we sleep like this, think about the consequences?" Yang Zhongqing closed his eyes, suppressing the anger in his heart, and patiently explained.
Yang Mu hesitated for a moment, then realized that what her son said was true. She could only steel herself and walk to the first door. She raised her hand for a long time, but couldn't bring herself to knock. Under her son's urging, she finally hardened her resolve.
The door was opened by a young woman. She put on what she considered her most gentle smile and said politely, "Miss, hello. My son is injured, and we would like to ask for lodging for the night. Would you be willing?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged woman came out from inside and peered out. Seeing Yang Zhongqing lying on the ground, she exclaimed in surprise, "Your son, he wouldn't be him, would he?"
Yang Mu nodded, not understanding. In the next moment, there was a "bang," and the door was shut tightly in their faces. She kept knocking, but this time, no one paid them any attention.