Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 53 - 41: Betrothal (Part 1)

"How dare they! My daughter is right here..."

In the end, Chen Song went out.

Two tables were set up in the courtyard. Chen Wanqing served up the dishes again, and Xu Su Ying and Chen De’an carried them out.

A fine son, a fine daughter, and a wife so virtuous and capable—soon, voices from outside rose in flattery.

Chen Song replied modestly, but he was inwardly pleased. His foul mood, a result of the trouble the old lady had caused, improved considerably.

Everyone was exhausted, so there was little talk. When the food was served, they wolfed it down and quickly filled their bellies.

After the meal, there was an inevitable round of thanks: "Thank you, Madam Xu," "You’ve worked so hard," and "Our young miss must be tired out too."

Xu Su Ying offered a few polite words in return, then had De’an carry hot water into the east room. The constables, who had been working hard all day, hurried inside to wash up.

After each man had a bowl of piping hot ginger soup, they all turned in for the night.

The east room was used to house the constables. There weren’t enough beds, but there was plenty of room.

In the course of their investigations, these constables had slept in everything from cellars to on top of firewood stacks; sleeping in a sheep pen in the dead of winter wasn’t out of the question. To now have a warm room and a cozy quilt—this was the good life. Who could possibly complain?

Besides, the floor was covered with thick straw mats and a brazier warmed the room. Sharing quilts between two men, the whole group slept soundly.

Chen De’an, meanwhile, took his things and went to sleep with his father. Xu Su Ying would be sharing with her daughter for the night.

As the night grew late and the people she was expecting still hadn’t arrived, Xu Su Ying became restless.

Chen Song thought she was worried about something else. "Don’t worry," he said. "I won’t go up the mountain later tonight. I’ll stay here and watch over you both."

Although he trusted the integrity of his colleagues, Chen Song still took precautions when necessary.

His wife was uncommonly beautiful, and his daughter was like a blossoming flower. He worried that if he went up the mountain to relieve the guard later, leaving his wife and daughter alone in the same courtyard with his colleagues from the county government, people would gossip. He also worried a colleague might get muddled with sleep and wander into the wrong room.

For the sake of his wife and daughter, he didn’t mind slacking off a bit.

When Xu Su Ying heard this, she couldn’t help but shoot Chen Song a sidelong glance.

"Who’s worried about that?"

’She and her daughter were hardly helpless. If his colleagues behaved themselves, all would be well. But if they did have any ill intentions, it was far from certain who would be teaching whom a lesson.’

Chen Song was aware of this, so he just nodded. "It’s mostly me. I’m a worrier, and I can’t help but be concerned for you... By the way, before dinner, you said that if I didn’t eat then, I might not get the chance to eat at all. What did you mean? Is someone coming over, or is something going to happen tonight?"

Chen De’an pointed to the door. "Dad, Mom, should I make myself scarce for a bit?"

The two of them seemed to notice him for the first time. They both shot him a look. "What are you doing here?"

Speechless, Chen De’an looked to the heavens. "Do I need to remind you that I’m sleeping in here tonight? Mom, you’re my own mother. You wouldn’t really make me spend the night with our old ox, would you?"

Xu Su Ying scoffed. "It’s not out of the question."

Chen De’an let out a dramatic wail and was about to cause a scene when a low male voice suddenly called from outside, "Is Dasong home?"

Only the elders of the Chen family, his uncles and grand-uncles, would call Chen Song "Dasong."

The couple exchanged a glance. Xu Su Ying muttered, "Well, here they are. You wanted to know what was going to happen tonight? You’re about to find out."

Chen Song stepped outside, his mind a complete muddle.

Two lanterns hung from the eaves outside the main door. They had been lit specifically so the constables could eat in the courtyard.

The lanterns had not yet been extinguished, and they illuminated the scene in the small courtyard perfectly.

There in the courtyard stood three elderly men. One was Chen Song’s father, Chen Dachang. Another was his grand-uncle, Chen Dalong. The third was also a grand-uncle, named Chen Dasheng.

With his elders at the door, Chen Song wouldn’t dare put on airs. He hurried down the steps. "Uncle Dalong, Uncle Dasheng, Dad. It’s so late, what brings you all here?"

Chen Dalong and Chen Dasheng looked at Chen Dachang, but he just took one puff after another from his pipe, unable to utter a single serious word.

The two brothers looked at him, furious at his weakness, yet they were the ones who had to clean up his mess. They were both fuming and anxious.

"We came because we have something urgent to discuss with you." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Uncles, please hurry inside. It’s cold out here; you’ll catch a chill. Suying, please make some hot tea!"

Chen Dalong looked annoyed. "No tea for us. My mind is already buzzing with troubles. Tea will only keep me awake."