Chapter 8: Jiang Yi Protects His Wife

The effective range of a standard three-eyed gun is between fifty and eighty meters, but after Jiang Yi’s modifications, the range can reach about one hundred meters.

"This is a trump card I designed. If it’s forged, its range will be thirty to forty paces."

Jiang Yi was being modest; the three-eyed gun would definitely be effective against a tiger.

"It just looks like a thicker iron rod. Husband, do not deceive me. I usually listen to you, but sometimes you must listen to me."

"I would not lie to you. Once it is crafted, I will let you witness the power of this weapon."

It was understandable that Shen Rong was skeptical; her concern was primarily for Jiang Yi’s safety.

"Since this object is so powerful, I believe you."

Shen Rong chose to trust and support her husband, not wanting to cause discord between them over a trivial matter.

An hour later, the couple arrived outside Hanyang City. Each person had to pay two copper coins to enter, and the ox cart cost three. After paying the entry fee, they walked through the city gate. They headed first to the Qian Family Silk Shop to buy clothes and fabric, planning to purchase other daily necessities afterward.

"You go buy the clothes and fabric; I will stay outside and watch the ox cart."

There was no suitable place to tether the ox near the shop, so someone had to remain outside. Quite a few people dressed in flashy, expensive clothing bypassed the couple as they entered the shop, clearly looking down on them for their worn-out attire. One look was enough for them to judge the couple as poor, and their faces were filled with disdain.

Shen Rong felt a sting of discomfort; they had not provoked anyone, yet they were being treated with contempt. In truth, while their clothes were threadbare, they were not dirty.

Jiang Yi thought to himself, "These people may be dressed in finery on the outside, but their hearts are likely filthy." He looked at them with contempt, finding them ugly and repulsive.

"When running a business, one should not chase away customers."

Shen Rong smiled and nodded at Jiang Yi, clutching the several dozen taels of silver she had in her pocket. She agreed with her husband that in business, one should not judge by outward appearances. Shen Rong walked into the silk shop, carefully keeping her distance from others. The people who shopped here were either wealthy or noble, and she wanted to avoid trouble. When others saw her tattered clothes, they dodged her in disgust, fearing their own garments might be soiled.

Jiang Yi watched from outside, ready to rush in and defend his wife if she were bullied. While other customers were being attended to, no one approached Shen Rong after she entered. She walked up to the counter.

"Excuse me, does your shop have high-quality sheepskin coats and wool quilts?"

She knew the approximate prices for these items, and the money they had brought was sufficient.

"A top-quality sheepskin coat is five strings of cash, and a top-quality wool quilt is eight."

Sheepskin coats and wool quilts came in low, medium, and high grades; Jiang Yi had instructed her to buy the best.

"I will take two top-quality sheepskin coats and one top-quality wool quilt. May I see your proprietor?"

The owner of the Qian Family Silk Shop was a cousin of Li Cuiyun; meeting with her personally might secure a better discount.

"Our proprietor is currently discussing business with an important guest. If you wish to see her, you will have to wait."

The shopkeeper of the Qian Family Silk Shop was not the type to be cold simply because a customer’s clothes were worn.

"I will wait, then."

Waiting a while longer was no hardship, and saving a little extra money was worth it. After a short time, a young woman walked over and shoved Shen Rong aside. The woman pushed with great force, causing Shen Rong to fall to the ground.

Shen Rong stood up, annoyed. "I was not blocking your path; why did you push me?"

Shen Rong had not provoked Wang Li, yet she had been shoved, so she naturally demanded an explanation.

Wang Li looked arrogant. "You were blocking my path. Filthy commoners have no business shopping here."

"This shop does not belong to you. If you can come here, why can’t I?"

"A poor, pathetic commoner like you is not worthy of this place. Pushing you was light; your clothes have dirtied my hand."

Wang Li pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe her hand, looking at Shen Rong with disgust. She was the wife of the Marquis of Hanyang and had only recently arrived in Hanyang with her husband. She was already in a foul mood, and the sight of people she deemed inferior only angered her more.

Shen Rong felt frustrated and aggrieved. "I was not in her way; she just pushed me."

Seeing his wife shoved to the floor and witnessing Wang Li’s arrogant refusal to apologize, Jiang Yi strode into the shop, his eyes filled with a chilling murderous intent. His voice was icy.

"Apologize to her immediately."

"You want me to apologize to this lowly commoner? And who do you think you are?"

Jiang Yi did not waste words. He gripped Wang Li’s neck with his right hand and lifted her off the ground with ease. He tightened his grip slightly, making it difficult for her to breathe.

"I am the wife of the Marquis of Hanyang! If you dare disrespect me, do you believe I won't have you flogged and thrown into a dungeon?"

"You insulted my wife; that is your fault. Apologize to her, and I will let you go."

Jiang Yi would never stand idly by while his wife was humiliated. To insult her was to insult him.

"I will not apologize to her! She is a lowly commoner, and you would never dare to kill me."

Jiang Yi tightened his grip further, ensuring she would be uncomfortable without actually killing her. At that moment, several guards from the Marquis’s residence rushed in. Seeing Wang Li being held by the throat like a rabbit, they shouted:

"Release her!"

The guards bellowed at Jiang Yi, shocked by his audacity.

"As soon as she apologizes to my wife, I will let her go."

"If you dare to harm me, you and your wife will pay a terrible price."

A crowd gathered, and the commotion drew the attention of the proprietor of the Qian Family Silk Shop.

"Could you grant me a favor? Please release her first."

Jiang Yi looked toward the voice and saw a tall, beautiful young woman. He released Wang Li, granting Qian Muyun the courtesy.

"We came to buy clothes and fabric. She shoved my wife. Asking her to apologize to my wife is only right, is it not?"

The onlookers dared not speak, but they agreed that Jiang Yi was in the right. If a man watched his wife be bullied and did nothing to protect her, he would be looked down upon.

"Madam, since you were in the wrong, just apologize to her."

Wang Li pointed at Jiang Yi. "I will not apologize to her. She should be apologizing to me!"

To apologize to them would be a loss of face for her and for the Marquis of Hanyang.

"Is it so difficult to say you are sorry? After all, you were the one who acted first."

Qian Muyun observed Jiang Yi’s expression, which remained entirely fearless despite his worn-out clothing.

"If she does not apologize, this is not over. If I remain indifferent while my own wife is wronged, what would others think of me?"

Jiang Yi did not fear offending the Marquis of Hanyang; in fact, the more widely known this incident became, the better it was for him. If something were to happen to him, everyone would know it was the work of the Marquis.

Jiang Yi’s attitude was resolute. "She must apologize to my wife, otherwise, I will not let this matter rest."

"Just apologize to his wife. If you cause the Marquis to lose face, do you think things will be easy for you later?"

Pushing someone to the ground was Wang Li’s fault. She looked around, but no one came to her defense.

"She was blocking my path. I only gave her a light push; who knows if she fell on purpose?"

Jiang Yi heard her sophistry and stepped toward her. Wang Li retreated, fearing he would grab her by the neck again.

"This is your last chance. Apologize to her. Otherwise, I will make sure everyone in Hanyang City knows how arrogant and overbearing you are."

Wang Li looked at Jiang Yi’s aggressive stance. "Fine, I will apologize to her, but only if you can defeat the guards I brought with me."

If he wanted to protect his wife so badly, she would let Shen Rong watch her husband being beaten until he knelt and begged for mercy. She would let everyone see the fate of those who offended the Marquis of Hanyang.