Poisonous Peasant 'Concubine' Ch 87 - Hyacinth in Bloom

May 8, 2026

Chapter 87 — Got Sick • Sixth Master

The next morning, Ling Jingxuan still woke early as usual. Now that the household had grown larger, running laps around the courtyard was no longer practical—one full circle would probably leave them exhausted. So instead, the whole family began running around the pond.

Led by Ling Jingxuan, the two buns, and the two wolf cubs, Ling Chenglong and the others gradually joined in as well. Having worked laboriously for years, their physical condition was already strong, so the benefits of running weren’t particularly obvious for them.

But Ling Jinghan was different.

After being bedridden for so long, even though he had recovered, his body remained weak. In the beginning, he couldn’t even complete a single lap, often having to rely on Song Shuisheng to help him walk back. Yet after about half a month of persistence, he finally managed to finish a full lap on his own.

Though he was often left gasping for breath, both he and the others could clearly feel that his energy and vitality were steadily improving.

Because of this, the entire family became even more determined. Every morning, after washing up, the first thing they did was run their laps.

“Daddy, why hasn’t Father gotten up yet? Aren’t you going to the town with us?”

After their run, the two buns practiced their martial routines as usual. By the time they climbed onto the table to eat, it was nearly chen hour. Only then did everyone realize that Yan Shengrui was nowhere to be seen.

Normally, he was the earliest to rise—often exercising alongside the children and guiding their martial training. Today’s absence was unusually out of character.

“Maybe he slept too late last night. You two eat first—I’ll go take a look.”

Ling Jingxuan was puzzled as well. Patting the children’s heads, he turned and walked off.

He, Yan Shengrui, and the two children all lived in the row of rooms on the right. For now, the two buns shared a room—though they already slept in separate beds. Another room was occasionally used by Tiewazi when he stayed over. Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui each had their own rooms, maintaining a degree of personal space. The last room at the far end remained empty.

On the left side lived Ling Chenglong and his wife in one room, while Ling Jinghan and his brother each had their own. The last room there was also vacant. As for Song Gengniu and the others, they stayed in the servants’ quarters—though in truth, their living conditions were no worse than those of an ordinary farming household.

Knock, knock.

“Shengrui? Are you up? Shengrui?”

Standing outside the third room on the right, Ling Jingxuan raised his hand and knocked. There was no response from inside.

Just as he was considering whether to pry open the door latch with a dagger, the tightly shut wooden door suddenly opened from within.

Yan Shengrui appeared in the doorway, his cheeks flushed red.

“Mmn… Jingxuan… I think I’m sick?”

Letting his body fall forward, he leaned heavily against him. His entire body burned with heat, and his breath came out hot against Ling Jingxuan’s shoulder.

“Let’s get you inside first.”

Reaching up to feel his forehead, Ling Jingxuan supported him into the room and led him straight into the open inner chamber. After settling him on the bed, he sat down beside him and took his pulse.

“It’s a chill—some fever as well. We have herbs at home. I’ll have Aunt Song brew some medicine for you later.”

They had drunk a bit the night before and played in the water for quite a while. With the night wind blowing, it wasn’t surprising he had caught a cold.

“Jingxuan… I feel awful…”

Grabbing the hand Ling Jingxuan was about to withdraw, Yan Shengrui pressed it against his chest. His cheeks, flushed from the fever, made him look almost pitiful as he blinked up at him—like a child seeking comfort.

Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes.

“Stop pretending to be pitiful. I’m going to town with the children later. After you take your medicine, just get some sleep. You should be fine by noon.”

He had long grown used to Yan Shengrui’s occasional shameless antics. As he spoke, he pulled his hand back.

It wasn’t that he didn’t feel for him—he simply couldn’t show it. With Yan Shengrui’s personality, if he showed even a hint of concern, the man would cling to him the entire day without letting go.

“I’m already sick and you still won’t stay to take care of me? Jingxuan… stay home with me today, won’t you?”

Lying on his side atop the bed, gazing at him with a mix of grievance and pitiful pleading, Yan Shengrui did not disappoint—he fully embodied the very pinnacle of shamelessness.

Ling Jingxuan let out a deep sigh. Rising to his feet, he leaned down and pressed a light kiss to his forehead, soothing him in a tone one might use with a child.

“Stop fussing. You need rest. By the time you wake up, I’ll probably be back.”

“You’re really treating me like a child now?”

A dark shadow crossed Yan Shengrui’s face. He flopped back flat onto the bed. If he pushed it any further, even he would start to feel embarrassed. His Jingxuan was becoming less and less adorable—no sympathy at all.

Well then—their Prince Sheng was throwing a tantrum.

Ling Jingxuan couldn’t help but laugh. Poking his shoulder, he teased, “Why are you acting like a child anyway?”

“I wouldn’t mind being your child,” Yan Shengrui shot back, suddenly sitting up and wrapping his arms around Jingxuan’s waist. He buried his face against his chest, protesting in a mournful tone. “Just look at how well you treat Xiao Wen and the others, then look at how you treat me. It’s like heaven and earth.”

As for dignity—he had probably long since chewed it up and swallowed it whole.

“I wouldn’t dare have a child as big as you.”

“You—”

The complaint that slipped out in response was instantly reignited. Ling Jingxuan bent down and brushed a quick kiss against his lips, then rested his forehead lightly against his, smiling.

“If you really became my son, what would I do then? Be good—rest properly. I’ll come back soon and keep you company.”

“That’s more like it.”

Finally satisfied, Yan Shengrui lay back down contentedly. Ling Jingxuan leaned over to pull the thin blanket up over him, planted another kiss on his cheek, and only then turned to leave.

A bit later, when he instructed Song Yang-shi to prepare medicine, the little buns overheard and immediately set down their bowls and chopsticks, rushing off to check on him. Ling Chenglong and the others also asked about his condition. Only after confirming that it was nothing serious did the family feel at ease.

Not long after, Han Fei brought Tiewazi over, carrying his schoolbag. Ling Jingxuan went to the cellar to retrieve two jars of grape wine, and then set off with them by carriage.

“Go on. After I finish discussing business with Shopkeeper Zhang, I’ll come see you.”

The road was straight and smooth, and the carriage moved swiftly. In less than a quarter of an hour, they arrived in front of Qingchen Bookshop. Ling Jingxuan tidied each of the four children’s clothes before letting them climb down.

Over the past month, the children had learned more and more characters and had already moved on to the second stage of the Analects. Every day at home, he could hear them reciting “The Master said…” in sing-song voices. Ling Jingxuan knew that Chu Ci had been teaching them with genuine care.

“Mm, I’ll tell Uncle Chu first. Daddy, we’re going now.”

Ling Wen nodded obediently, speaking on behalf of the group. After lifting the curtain, they climbed down one by one with the help of Song Gengniu, who had been waiting outside. Only after watching them enter the bookshop did the carriage set off again.

Inside the carriage, Ling Jingxuan leaned back with his arms crossed, eyes half-closed in thought.

Over the past month, while making fruit jam, he had also been working with Zhao Dalong, using the knowledge in his mind to research fine steel—and even further, stainless steel. They had already achieved some results. A few days ago, Zhao Dalong had followed his design sketches and forged two surgical knives using a small amount of refined stainless steel.

He hadn’t told Yan Shengrui about it.

Not because he didn’t trust him—but because he wanted to give him a surprise.

If one day Yan Shengrui had to leave them and return to the battlefield, then in this age of cold weapons, the only thing Ling Jingxuan could offer him… was a fully developed method of steelmaking.

“Master Xuan, we’ve arrived at Xinyuan Restaurant.”

Before long, the carriage came to a halt again, and Song Gengniu’s voice sounded from outside.

Ling Jingxuan opened his eyes, picked up one jar of grape wine, and lifted the curtain.

What greeted his sight first was not the grand entrance of Xinyuan Restaurant—

but an exceedingly luxurious carriage.

Its body was a deep purplish sandalwood, crafted from the finest timber, exuding a faint natural fragrance. Intricate carvings of flowers and foliage adorned its surface, each petal and leaf layered with exquisite detail—so finely done that even the veins of the leaves could be seen clearly upon close inspection.

At the front, two snow-white steeds were harnessed to the carriage. Each horse was tall and powerfully built, with strong limbs—anyone, even without expertise, could tell they were of the highest quality.

Despite visiting Xinyuan Restaurant many times, this was the first time Ling Jingxuan had seen such an extravagant carriage.

Could it be… that some great figure had arrived in Datong Town?

“Master Xuan?”

Hearing no response for quite a while, Song Gengniu, who was waiting nearby, couldn’t help but raise his head and call out. Though his eyes were filled with undisguised curiosity, he was clever enough to know that this master disliked unnecessary chatter, so he held his tongue and did not ask further.

“You wait here for me.”

Snapping back to his senses, Ling Jingxuan nimbly jumped down from the carriage. Carrying the wine jar, he walked straight around it and into the restaurant.

It was a quiet hour for the establishment—there were hardly any customers. Strangely, however, Shopkeeper Zhang was not at the counter.

“Ah, Ling-gongzi, you’ve arrived. Please wait a moment—our shopkeeper is currently attending to an honored guest.”

A sharp-eyed server, who had been sweeping, quickly stepped forward to greet him. Since Ling Jingxuan frequented the restaurant, all the staff recognized him and treated him with particular courtesy.

“An honored guest?”

Ling Jingxuan lifted his gaze toward the third-floor railing. A whole row of maids stood there. With so many attendants coming and going, could it be the wife of some official?

“Yes. I hear it’s our proprietor—he suddenly arrived this morning. Even the shopkeeper was startled.”

People loved gossip. Seeing Ling Jingxuan’s curiosity, the server leaned in and spoke in a hushed, mysterious tone. That person was truly a rare beauty—he had worked at Xinyuan for nearly two years and had never seen anyone more stunning.

“Hehe… is that so? Then I’ll wait on the second floor. When Shopkeeper Zhang is free, let him know I’m here.”

Ling Jingxuan smiled faintly and headed upstairs. The server hurried after him.

“Of course, Ling-gongzi. Shall I bring you a pot of hot tea?”

“No need. Just bring me a pot of plain hot water.”

Tea so early in the morning? His stomach wasn’t up for it.

“Right away!”

The staff here were all perceptive. Who didn’t know about Ling Jingxuan’s relationship with Shopkeeper Zhang? Even if he had asked for a pot of cold water, they wouldn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.

The two made their way to a private room on the left side of the second floor. After seeing him inside, the server went downstairs to prepare the hot water.

Meanwhile, in the luxurious private room on the third floor—never opened to the public—

A man dressed in crimson embroidered robes reclined lazily on a chaise. Two beauties in green stood on either side of him. Morning sunlight streamed in through the open window, and under its glow, the man’s skin appeared almost translucent—not the pallor of sickness, but a fine, smooth fairness tinged with a healthy blush.

His narrow, fox-like eyes seemed to hold a thousand expressions; his nose was straight and elegant and his lips full and vividly colored. His entire face could be described in a single word:

Beautiful.

From any angle, his beauty was breathtaking. If not for his attire and the unmistakable Adam’s apple at his throat, one might have mistaken him for a woman—a woman of devastating allure, capable of stealing one’s soul.

“Sixth Master, may I ask what brings you to Datong Town this time?”

Standing before him, Shopkeeper Zhang spoke cautiously, his tone tinged with unease.

The man was named Zeng Shaoqing, the youngest son of Marquis Wei Yuan. Twenty-seven years old and still unmarried, he was also the proprietor of Xinyuan Restaurant. Though he possessed an almost bewitching beauty, anyone who had dealt with him knew well—he was anything but harmless. If one were deceived by that overly exquisite face, they would likely be devoured whole, bones and all.

Reclining on the chaise, Zeng Shaoqing cast him a casual glance and smiled—a languid, almost seductive smile.

“There’s no need to be nervous, Shopkeeper Zhang. A few days ago, I visited Zhen’guo Temple to pray for a talisman for my mother. By chance, I heard that your branch has been doing exceptionally well lately. Only after speaking with the prefecture’s manager did I learn that you’ve introduced a cooling dessert especially suited for those suffering from summer heat. So I came by on a whim to take a look.”

On a whim? That “whim” had taken him quite a distance.

Shopkeeper Zhang couldn’t help but twitch his lips. Though he had never met this master before, he often heard of him during annual profit reports at the prefecture. This man was not the type to wander about idly. Clearly, his visit had another purpose.

But Shopkeeper Zhang was no fool. Since the proprietor chose not to say more, he certainly wouldn’t pry. The affairs of one’s master—the more one knew, the more dangerous it became.

“I’ve heard the one supplying your fruit jam is just an ordinary farmer?”

Seemingly satisfied with his deferential attitude, Zeng Shaoqing slowly sat up, crossing one leg over the other as he asked in an offhand manner.

Pinyin & Notes