Chapter 175: You Are Under Arrest
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
About forty li away from Sheng Capital, there lay a small county town where a breakfast shop thrived.
The shop served simple yet beloved dishes such as fried dough sticks, savory tofu pudding, soy milk, and tea eggs. Despite their simplicity, these dishes were exceptionally popular due to their outstanding taste. The tofu pudding was savory and flavorful, the soy milk was rich and smooth, the fried dough sticks were crispy on the outside and tender within, and the tea eggs were seasoned to perfection.
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man in his forties known as Uncle Miao, was highly regarded in the county.
Uncle Miao had an excellent reputation for several reasons. First, his appearance was refined. Despite nearing fifty, his figure remained lean and well-maintained, unlike many other men his age who had grown overweight and greasy. His demeanor and good looks made him appear to be in his early thirties. Though faint wrinkles adorned his face, they only added a touch of maturity and charm.
With his handsome face and scholarly aura, it was no surprise that many young women and married ladies in the town found themselves captivated by him. Some even expressed a willingness to become his second wife.
Another reason for his sterling reputation was his unwavering loyalty. His wife had been bedridden for years. Although Uncle Miao had some assets and only one daughter—with no son to carry on the family name—he had never entertained the idea of divorcing his wife or taking a concubine. His devotion to his ailing wife became one of his most admired qualities.
The occasional melancholic expression in his brows further endeared him to many, causing young women to claim they would marry no one but him. However, in those days, most women’s marriages were dictated by their families. Even if they were smitten with Uncle Miao, their parents would not approve of such a match.
Yet there was one exception: a young orphan girl.
This orphan girl, whose family had once been well-off, had settled in this town with her parents before they passed away. Since she had no relatives in the area, she managed to keep her family’s modest inheritance intact. Over the years, many suitors had proposed marriage, but the girl’s heart remained steadfastly set on Uncle Miao. Despite being only a few years older than his daughter, she did not mind the idea of becoming his second wife.
But Uncle Miao had always turned her down.
The girl now stood quietly, watching the bustling breakfast shop with a hint of bitterness in her heart. She had fallen for Uncle Miao ten years ago at first sight. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, Uncle Miao never reciprocated her feelings. Even when she offered to be a concubine and care for his bedridden wife, his refusal was firm and absolute.
Now, at forty-plus years old, Uncle Miao showed no signs of aging. His maturity and charisma were captivating as ever. She had once caught a glimpse of his wife, a woman whose years of illness had left her gaunt and unattractive. Bedridden, she could not even sit up unaided and had lost control over basic bodily functions.
The girl could not understand why Uncle Miao clung to such a woman. After all, the woman’s parents had once looked down on him, lamenting their daughter’s poor judgment in marrying an older man. They had even deemed Uncle Miao’s very existence a disgrace. Yet, Uncle Miao had never paid these criticisms any mind and continued to treat his wife with unfaltering kindness.
Years later, when the woman’s parents both died in accidents, life finally became a bit easier for Uncle Miao. And as if fate pitied him, his wife’s condition worsened, leaving her confined to bed.
“Uncle Miao, when will you finally look at me?” the girl murmured.
“Silly girl.” The sudden voice startled her, and she turned to see Uncle Miao’s familiar, handsome face. Her cheeks instantly flushed.
“Uncle… Uncle Miao!”
Uncle Miao’s expression softened as he gazed at her. His eyes carried a depth of pain and care that made her heart race. “These years must have been hard on you,” he said gently.
The girl’s face turned bright red as she nervously twisted her fingers. Her heart pounded as she tried to decipher his words. What did he mean? His gaze was so profound, like a vast ocean she felt herself drowning in.
“Uncle Miao, I… I admire you! I have admired you all these years!”
Under the intensity of his gaze, she could no longer keep her feelings hidden.
She had a premonition—if she didn’t confess today, she might never have the chance again!
Perhaps, just perhaps, by confessing today, Uncle Miao might actually accept her feelings.
“Is that so?” The refined man’s voice carried a touch of inquiry, but his eyes deepened with affection.
“It is!”
“You truly like me that much?”
“I do! I like you so much that I would do anything for you! Even if you told me to die right now, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second!”
The refined man seemed momentarily taken aback, but then he offered a gentle smile. “Good girl.”
“Tonight, at midnight, I will come to you.”
The orphan girl felt her heart race.
Midnight.
As she lay on the bed, her face flushed, the thought of what was about to happen filled her with equal parts joy and shyness.
After all these years, she was finally seeing the clouds part and the moonlight shine through.
Beneath the red quilt adorned with playful mandarin ducks, her half-bare skin trembled with nervous anticipation. Would Uncle Miao be satisfied?
Finally, the hour of midnight arrived.
Outside, the watchman’s cries echoed through the long street.
A knock sounded at the door.
Her heart skipped a beat. Straining her voice to sound steady, she called, “Come in, the door isn’t locked.”
With a creak, the door swung open.
But the person who entered was not Uncle Miao. Instead, it was a tall figure cloaked in black, their gender indiscernible.
The orphan girl jumped in fright. “Who are you?”
She sat up abruptly, suddenly aware of her undressed state. Hastily, she pulled the quilt tightly around herself.
Her delicate face, framed by the red quilt, appeared especially pale.
The cloaked figure said nothing, their long strides bringing them steadily to the bedside. Their movements were calm and measured.
If not for the blade in their hand, one might have believed they were merely on a leisurely visit.
“Stay back! Don’t come any closer! Uncle Miao! Uncle Miao, save me!”
In her moment of desperation, she could think of no one but her beloved. She fervently hoped he would descend like a hero to rescue her.
But alas, what awaited her was the glint of the intruder’s blade.
Just as the blade was about to strike, the cloaked figure’s other hand swept aside their hood, revealing their face.
The orphan girl’s eyes widened in shock.
The refined man gazed at her with an almost admiring smile. Yet his hand betrayed no hesitation as he struck.
The blade was mere inches from her when a sudden whistle of wind cut through the tension. Something struck the refined man’s wrist with force, knocking his hand off course and sending the blade clattering to the ground.
The refined man’s expression darkened.
Sensing danger, he didn’t waste time analyzing its source. Instead, he turned and bolted.
But outside, a squad of constables armed with long blades awaited him, blocking his escape.
He was forced back into the room, only to find another figure standing there.
This time, it was a woman—elegant and serene, with a beauty that seemed otherworldly.
“Li Qing Miao,” she said, her voice calm but firm, “you are under arrest.”