Chapter 30: The Unfaithful Husband

  The next day, at the team meeting, Wang Lingji thought that Sanqing Opera House was the largest theater in Chengdu. Since they had invited them to perform this time, but Yang Xing's hospitality was too general, asking everyone to eat in the military camp was not good. He suggested that on behalf of the model team, invite the masters of Sanqing Opera House to have lunch at Zuixian Building today.

  Yang Xing immediately opposed: "Commander Wang, the training has just gotten on the right track in the past few days. At this critical moment, we, the main officers, are leaving. It's really not good."

  I don't know how it happened, but this time Tao Ze Kun surprisingly agreed with Wang Ling Ji's opinion and immediately said: Everyone has worked hard, you can also relax. Let's go together at noon today, just me, Deputy Captain Yang, and Wang Ling Guan.

  Yang Xing stood up and said: Captain, isn't this bad?

  Tao Zejun waved his hand and said, "Zhen Dong, what's wrong with this? This is good. I should have thought of it for you a long time ago, considering I'm your teacher and superior."

  Yang Xingzhang and the two monks were confused and asked: "Director Tao, what's going on?"

  Tao Zejun stood up and announced the dispersal of the meeting, looking at Yang Xing's expression and saying: "Zheng Dong, it's a good thing, really a good thing. You didn't say that Wang Lingguan was such a person, I hadn't discovered it, but he actually did."

  Watching Tao Zekun and Wang Lingji's distant backs, Yang Xing shook his head repeatedly.

  On the road, Tao Zejun smiled and said: Zhengdong, what do you think of this Meng Yuxian Meng Ban?

  Yang Xing replied truthfully: Born with a beautiful appearance, I see that you are still lovely.

  Tao Ze Kun burst out laughing and said: Zheng Dong, this time you're being honest.

  Yang Xing smiled and said: "Director Tao, I'm just telling the truth."

  Tao Zekun and Wang Lingji burst out laughing and rode their horses away.

  Upon arriving at the elegant room of Drunken Immortal Building, Kang Zilin, Meng Yunxian and others had already taken their seats. Tao Zekun smiled and said: Everyone, today is our Deputy Commander Yang's proposal to express gratitude for your visit to our model regiment's performance.

  Everyone thanked in unison and took their seats.

  It was surprising that at the wine table, Tao Zekun and Wang Lingji repeatedly toasted Yang Xingzhi with wine, and also asked Kang Zilin, Meng Yunxian and others to toast Yang Xingzhi with wine.

  Seeing Yang Xing getting drunk, Meng Yuxian asked with concern: "Commander Tao, is Deputy Commander Yang okay?"

  Wang Lingji smiled and said, "Master Mengban, it's nothing, really nothing. He came this time just to get drunk once and for all. You don't believe me? You can ask Deputy Commander Yang beside you."

  Meng Yunxian's face was full of surprise: "Deputy Commander Yang, what's wrong with you? Are you okay?"

  He lifted his head and shook it, saying: Nothing, really nothing.

  Wang Lingji pointed at Meng Yuxian and said to Yang Xing: "Deputy Commander Yang, I told you, I told Captain Meng."

  Yang Xing didn't know it was a trick and said with a big smile: "Wang Lingguan, don't worry, just say what you want to say, really, there's nothing to worry about."

  Wang Lingji was overjoyed and secretly pondered the success of his sinister plan. He immediately pulled Meng Yuxian to one side and said, "Meng Banzhu, what do you think of our deputy commander?"

  Meng Yunxian was startled in her heart and said after a long while: gentle and amiable, young hero.

  Wang Lingji nodded and said: Meng Banzhu, then you know what our deputy commander means by this?

  At the mention of this, her cheeks flushed red, and she said intermittently: Commander Wang, don't joke around. How could I, Meng Yuxian, a mere actress, be worthy of Vice Captain Yang's affection?

  Wang Lingji smiled and said, "Meng Banzhong, you didn't know this, did you? Do you know that this time we invited the Sanqing Troupe to perform for our model regiment, all expenses were paid by Deputy Regiment Commander Yang. Poor Deputy Regiment Commander, he was born into a poor family, only took office as deputy battalion commander of the artillery battalion at the beginning of this year and was promoted to deputy regiment commander of the model regiment just this month. He spent all his savings just to get a few more glances at you, Meng Banzhong."

  Meng Yunxian was shocked and after a long while said: He came to see me, this fool... then why didn't he come to watch the play in the past few days?

  Wang Lingji smiled and said: "Master Meng Ban, your female students have thin faces, but our Deputy Commander Yang has an even thinner face, so he asked me to help him say a few words."

  Meng Yunxian's face grew even more bashful, her hands fidgeting with her costume. Wang Lingji knew it was time and gazed at Meng Yunxian from afar, saying: Don't believe me? I'll ask Vice Captain Yang in front of you.

  Yang Deputy Commander, do you like it? Are you happy?

  With Yang Da Niu's support, he lifted his head and smiled: Of course I like it, of course I'm happy. What's wrong, Wang Lingguan?

  Wang Lingji was overjoyed and laughed: "Deputy Commander Yang, don't worry. I'll handle it, you can rest assured."

  Meng Yunxian became even more shy and embarrassed, Wang Lingji said: Meng Banzhuan, are you relieved now? How could a good and honest person like me possibly cheat you?

  Meng Yunxian's heart was delighted and she said: Oh, Wang Yingchang, how dare I think you're deceiving me? I'm so happy I can hardly contain myself!

  Wang Lingji smiled to himself and said, "Master Meng, you young people seem to want to talk about romance. Vice Captain Yang and I will chat with you later, is that okay?"

  With a nervous heart, he forced a smile and said: "Commander Wang, that's great."

  Wang Lingji smiled and said: Later, we will send Deputy Captain Yang to your room?

  Shaking his head repeatedly: This won't do, Commander Wang, think of the young lady's reputation, this isn't good.

  Wang Lingji smiled and said: Meng Banzhu, it's settled then. Tell me, which room are you in?

  Meng Yunxian's hands trembled and after a long while, she said: Wang Yingchang, I...I live in... Room 2 on the third floor.

  Turned around and left with covered face.

  Wang Lingji was overjoyed, winked at Tao Zekun, and then called Yang Xing's guard Yang Daniu. He smiled at Yang Xing and said: Deputy Commander Yang, let's go ahead first.

  Wiping the sweat from his face with a towel, he said: "Wang Lingguan, where are we going?"

  Wang Lingji smiled and said: You will know after you go.

  He was immediately supported by Yang Da Niu into a strange guest room.

  The room is small but very clean and has a faint scent of fragrance inside.

  Yang Xing fell onto a soft bed, his mind constantly pondering, where did Wang Lingji and Yang Daniu send me? This doesn't seem like my room, does it?

  At this moment, a soft voice of a girl was heard, and the voice was slightly trembling: Officer, wipe off your sweat, your face is full of sweat.

  With great effort, she lifted her head, and to everyone's surprise, it was Meng Yunxian, a famous Sichuan opera actress. She looked so shy and delicate, and that tiny, exquisite Ru house made one's blood pressure suddenly surge.

  Two hours later, Yang Xing slowly woke up and heard a girl's intermittent crying. He was shocked, lifted his eyes, and saw that it was Meng Yuxian.

  Patting his head, he said: Meng Ban Zhu, what's wrong with you? Why are you crying?

  Hearing Yang Xing ask this, she cried even harder and suddenly felt a faint bloodstain on the mat. She was shocked and said: Meng Banzhu, I, I didn't do anything, I'm sorry to you?

  Wiping away tears from her face with her hand, she threw herself at him and said: Zheng Dong, I've given you everything, don't let me down.

  Yang Xing was shocked and grabbed Meng Yunxian's hands: "You, what did you say?"

  That night, Yang Xing returned alone to the model regiment.

  That night, when Yang Xing was inspecting the barracks, he faintly heard the sound of sighs coming from the barracks. Some soldiers were secretly discussing Meng Yuxian and Yang Xing. Yang Xing knew that this was a trap set by Wang Lingji to undermine his prestige in the model regiment.

  The next day, at the Imperial Censor's residence, Yin Changheng looked into Yang Xing's eyes and smiled after a long while: "Yang Xing, ah, a real man should be like this. I'm your teacher, how could I not have thought of this for you? It was actually Wang Lingguan who was meticulous. You should thank him properly."

  Yang Xing felt extremely disappointed and shook his head repeatedly, explaining: Great Commander, this is not what you imagined?

  Yin Changheng burst out laughing: "Zhēng Dōng, what's the big deal? Men are supposed to be like this. Look at me, my wife didn't even come through the door, and I've got a few on the outside, haven't I? One of them is even a tailor's wife! As long as you like it, there's nothing wrong with it. Meng Ban's owner is still pretty good, although he's just an actor, but now we're in the Republic, everyone's equal."

  Dragging his tired body back to the camp, everyone on the training ground was still following orders, but he felt that everyone's eyes looking at Yang Xing were strange.

  Of course, there are those who admire, those who envy, and even more who try to curry favor.

  The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. That night, Yang Xing brought his fourth son to Zui Xian Lou, making Meng Yunxian's face reveal a joyful expression. As soon as she saw Yang Xing, she pulled him into the room and pointed at the gifts on the table: "Zheng Dong, I didn't expect you to have such good connections, even the Grand Commander has sent gifts! Look, this is the 200 taels of silver sent by the Grand Commander, along with a lingzhi mushroom from last year. This is what your Tao Team Leader sent, and this is what your Wang Camp Leader sent..."

  Sat on one side, laughed for a long time and said: Miss Meng, if I say that I was deceiving you yesterday, do you believe me?

  The whole body swayed over and said: Zheng Dong, what did you say? What nonsense, this was yesterday's angry words, don't take it seriously.

  Holding Meng Yunxian's face, he said: Miss Meng, regarding yesterday's matter, I feel extremely regretful. All I can say is that it was a coincidence after multiple misunderstandings. I'm deeply sorry for what happened yesterday.

  Greatly shocked, she shook off Yang Xing's arm and said: What did you say? Could it be that you really despise me?

  Grabbing her arm and saying: "Miss Meng, how could I, how could I? I just don't want a loveless marriage."

  She said with a sad face: You, you mean, you don't want to marry me and abandon me like Wang Kui?

  Shaking his head: No, Miss Meng, I think we can start over. I think we can talk about love first, slowly, slowly, just talk about love.

  Struggling free from Yang Xing's hand, she said: No, you're lying. If you want to talk about romance, it can be after marriage too, I know my own inferiority, I can be a concubine for you, yes, as a concubine also can, but, Zheng Dong, you cannot abandon me.

  He sat paralyzed in the chair for a long time before saying: Miss Meng, everyone's personality is equal. I don't want to marry a concubine, I just want to marry a wife like others do. So, I hope we can sit down and slowly talk about love.

  Her eyes wide with excitement, she stared at Yang Xing and laughed several times: Can't I be a concubine either?

  Get up, hold the jade in front of your eyes, and reveal a smile: Miss Meng, we are all new youths, we should abandon traditional etiquette, men do not take concubines. So, we can talk about love first, if everyone is willing, it's not too late to get married.

  Pushing Yang Xing away, her face revealed a wave of hatred: "Yang Xing Yang Zhengdong, who are you deceiving? You don't even allow me to have a concubine, yet you talk about romance. Who can you deceive? Leave, leave immediately, I never want to see you again, go!"

  Pushed to the door, Yang Xing turned his body and pulled Meng Yuxian's hand: Miss Meng, a long way tests a horse's strength, and time reveals people's hearts. Let's talk about love first, then get married, this thing should be acceptable to everyone, right?

  That night, after seeing Si Wawa, Yang Xing asked: Si Wawa, after I left, was there any problem?

  Fourth girl hehe smiled and said: Deputy captain, after you left, everyone was saying that you are a liar. Everyone was saying how it's possible to talk about love first and then get married. They all said, how is it possible that even the concubine doesn't agree, they all say you're deceiving people.

  Yang Xing burst out laughing: "Fourth child, now it's the Republic of China era, we should adopt monogamy. Taking concubines is something men might be willing to do, but it's disrespectful to women."

  But unfortunately, when Yang Xing rushed to the Drunken Immortal Building again two days later, he heard from the boss that San Qing had left early this morning.

  The boss took out a jade pendant and handed it to Yang Xing, saying: Deputy Commander Yang, Mr. Meng asked me to give this to you.

  Taking over the jade pendant, I felt very ordinary and asked: Does Mr. Meng have any words left for me?

  The boss smiled and said: Deputy Commander Yang, Old Master Meng said that this jade pendant was given to her by her mother when she was a child. She said that she has always carried this jade pendant with her, and taking it is like taking her life.

  Yang Xing was shocked and tightly grasped the boss's hands: "Boss, didn't Old Man Meng say anything when he left?"

  The shopkeeper shook his head and said: It's very normal, nothing, really nothing.

  Received the jade pendant, feeling exceptionally heavy, riding a war horse, new horse galloping on this plateau.