Chapter 31

Tao Yu felt a jolt when Huo Shu suddenly appeared. He couldn’t help but glance back at the You family, feeling a strange sense of guilt, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.
As if to dispel any misunderstanding, he quickly said, “The banditry outside is severe. Even You Lingxiao was attacked by bandits and had his hand broken. Does Brother Huo know?”
Huo Shu got up from the tree trunk and looked at Tao Yu. Seeing that his complexion was normal, his eyes weren’t red, and he didn’t seem to be in grief.
He then asked, “You went to see him?”
Without waiting for Tao Yu to answer, Ji Yangzong chimed in, “The You family was afraid to encounter bandits when going out, so they asked Tao Yu to go first. His mother went with him. After all, they are from the same village. Even though the affection is gone, they still need to know what happened.”
Huang Manjing raised an eyebrow upon seeing the father and son.
They were so eager to explain themselves without anyone saying anything.
Huo Shu acknowledged with a sound and didn’t ask further about You Lingxiao.
Ji Yangzong suddenly said, “Manjing, you take Little Taozi home first. I have a few words to say to Huo Shu.”
“Alright.”
Huang Manjing replied, “Little Taozi, let’s go home.”
Tao Yu blinked at Huo Shu, “Then I’ll head back first.”
Huo Shu nodded.
Watching the mother and son walk away, Ji Yangzong walked forward with his hands behind his back, and Huo Shu followed tacitly.
The two walked aimlessly. Seeing that no one was around, Ji Yangzong hesitated before saying, “This matter with You Lingxiao, is it…”
Ji Yangzong cautiously voiced his doubts. He always felt that You Lingxiao’s incident was too coincidental, and Huo Shu had said some unfathomable words to him before.
With all these factors combined, he had to suspect.
Huo Shu’s eyes were calm. He didn’t directly confirm or deny, but only said, “With his future not yet set and his character like this, it will only lead to more trouble.”
Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened as his guess was confirmed. A chill ran down his spine, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of apprehension towards Huo Shu’s methods.
However, what he said was indeed reasonable. You Lingxiao, merely a scholar, resorted to such despicable means. If he were to embark on a path of officialdom, with power in his hands, who knows how much more sinister he would become.
At that time, it would be easy for him to harm the Ji family.
On a larger scale, if people with such character became officials, what hope would the common people have?
“But you’re too daring. After all, he’s a scholar who has already passed the imperial examination. A slight misstep could lead to disaster!”
Ji Yangzong felt a lingering fear, worried that You Lingxiao would uncover the matter, and Huo Shu would be in inescapable danger.
In the end, this was the Ji family’s business, and Huo Shu could have ignored it. Ji Yangzong knew very well why he had done this.
He was touched that Huo Shu was willing to go to such lengths to eliminate future troubles for the Ji family, but he was also afraid that his actions would harm him.
“I don’t need to take action against a scholar who can’t even lift a chicken.”
If he were to truly take action, it would be to take a life, not just a hand.
However, since he had already decided to live a peaceful life, he would not risk getting his hands stained with human blood and causing trouble.
“Reassured, the village chief. This matter is indeed the work of bandits. I merely acted as a catalyst.”
The development of the situation to this point was also something he hadn’t expected.
The banditry had been causing unrest these days. The Ji family had to escort taxes and grain to the city. He had specifically gone to investigate the bandits’ movements within the territory to avoid any accidents.
However, after his investigation, he found that most of the bandits were still far from Tongzhou City and were evading pursuers.
Only a few scattered bandits were active in the villages near Tongzhou City, occasionally causing trouble to distract the government’s pursuit.
Huo Shu had discovered several bandits operating between Tongzhou City and Mingxun City. It happened that You Lingxiao was entering the city. He thought about how this young man was living a good life despite harming others and was even buying property and settling down in the city.
He had wanted to teach this young man a lesson for a long time. Originally, he had planned to start with the Xue family, but when he saw this opportunity, he took advantage of it and leaked the news that You Lingxiao was carrying a lot of money.
These bandits already had the intention of causing trouble, so they quickly took the bait.
Most of these bandits were composed of disaster-stricken farmers, and their main objective was money and grain. Unless it was an extreme conflict, they would not have taken lives.
Who would have thought that the bandits would hit You Lingxiao with a stick, and he wouldn’t faint? He covered his head and shouted in fear, “How dare you attack a scholar? You are all going to jail!”
Unexpectedly, the bandits were not intimidated but became enraged. They struck him down with a heavy hand, knocking him unconscious, and then proceeded to beat him.
“Scholar! Bah, I hate these bookworms who only know how to read sage books, are greedy, hoard wealth, oppress the people, do nothing, and live luxuriously.”
“We toiled to death on the ground without a shred of pity. Due to natural disasters and poor harvests, they blamed the farmers for being lazy and squeezed them relentlessly! If it weren’t for these gentry, we wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
“Break his hand, and see how he can still be so arrogant!”
Ji Yangzong listened with a pounding heart, but upon learning that Huo Shu had not taken action, he breathed a sigh of relief.
In recent years, the imperial court had been corrupt, and the scholars below and those who had not yet passed the examinations followed suit, using their positions to protect merchants, annex land, and oppress farmers and tenants, leading to increasing resentment.
It was no wonder there was so much resentment. You Lingxiao was indeed unlucky to have become a vent for the bandits’ anger.
He sighed but felt no sympathy. This incident would let him know that ruining someone’s reputation is like ruining their future.
Ji Yangzong remained silent for a moment, then warned Huo Shu, “You and I are the only ones who know about this. From now on, never speak of it to anyone else. Let it be buried with us.”
Huo Shu acknowledged.
The incident at the You family’s house quickly spread throughout the village.
You Lingxiao’s right hand was broken. Several doctors from the city were invited, but their efforts were in vain. He was destined to be crippled.
Sun Yuan Niang blamed the You family for delaying the best treatment time by calling for a doctor late. She shouted that she would never protect anyone else in the You family.
The You family saw that the house in the city, which they had jointly funded, had not been bought yet, and the money had been robbed. Seeing Sun Yuan Niang’s clamor, they also asked her to return the money.
The families no longer cared about their faces and argued loudly every day in public, their shouting audible from two miles away.
Sun Yuan Niang, like a madwoman, got into several fights with her sisters-in-law.
The villagers were happy to watch the You family fight among themselves, saying that You Lingxiao was getting his just deserts for betraying his benefactors. This time, his ruined future was God’s will.
The matter continued to be tumultuous for some days.
You Lingxiao lay in bed every day, taking medicine and changing bandages, his hair disheveled and his eyes vacant. Within a few days, he had lost so much weight that his face had sunken, and he looked emaciated.
He still couldn’t believe that he had become crippled overnight. Everything seemed to have happened without any warning.
With his right hand disabled, it meant he could no longer write or compose, nor could he participate in future imperial examinations.
Even with the title of scholar, he might wait for a vacant official position, but as a cripple, he could not serve as an official.
He was completely cut off from a future in officialdom. Every time he thought of this, a sharp, suffocating pain would hit his chest.
He had calculated everything, but he had never expected that one day his future would be ruined because of being crippled, not due to insufficient study or inferior talent compared to others.
“Lingxiao, you should eat something. Your health is important. Even if…”
Sun Yuan Niang cried day and night and also quarreled with the You family. She was sallow and haggard, but at least she could walk and move, unlike You Lingxiao on the bed.
“No matter what, we are scholars. If we manage well, we can still have wealth and honor.”
You Lingxiao waved away the porridge that was being offered to him, “With this broken body, what is the meaning of living!”
Sun Yuan Niang was startled by the spilled porridge and quickly took out a handkerchief to clean it up. “Lingxiao, if you’re gone, then mother will just go with you!”
“Mother, why me? Why me?”
You Lingxiao asked Sun Yuan Niang with red eyes, “Why did the bandits harm me and not others? Those were just ordinary people, but I am a scholar!”
“I already told them I was a scholar, and they still dared to strike me so ruthlessly. Mother, don’t you think someone was jealous and did this intentionally?”
“Yes, it must be. Someone must be jealous of me!”
You Lingxiao seemed to have found an outlet for his anger. He suddenly sat up from the bed, “No, I must go find Master Xue and have him do justice for me!”
Sun Yuan Niang looked at her son, who seemed possessed, feeling both alarmed and grieved.
“Lingxiao, you should rest and recover now.”
“No, I must go find Master Xue to do justice for me!”
You Lingxiao insisted on reporting to the authorities in the city. Sun Yuan Niang, unable to persuade him, had to hire a carriage to go to the city.
The mother and son did not go to the prefectural office but went directly to the Xue residence.
The gatekeeper of the Xue residence was dozing with his hands clasped. Hearing the sound of someone knocking, he opened his eyes and saw a pair of haggard mother and son. He initially thought they were beggars and immediately shouted,
“Go away, go beg on another street. Don’t you know what kind of place this is?”
“Little Wu, it’s me.”
When You Lingxiao spoke, the gatekeeper recognized him.
“It’s Scholar You! I should be beaten! My eyesight is terrible.”
You Lingxiao had visited the Xue residence many times, and the gatekeeper recognized him.
However, the scholar who usually appeared so refined now had a pale face and his hand was bandaged. Even the most unobservant person would know that something had happened.
“What happened to Master You?”
“Something happened. Please inform the gatekeeper brother. We wish to see Master Xue.”
The gatekeeper quickly went inside to report. After a short while, only You Lingxiao was summoned inside to see someone.
Sun Yuan Niang was invited to wait in the guest room. It was her first time at the Xue residence. The vast courtyard with pavilions, towers, rock gardens, and flowing water dazzled her.
The grandeur of the official’s residence made her humble, but a sigh arose in her heart.
“Oh my! Lingxiao, what happened to you?”
Xue Yansheng was already troubled by the banditry. Hearing the gatekeeper’s report, he initially didn’t want to see guests. However, upon hearing that You Lingxiao had something urgent to discuss and recalling their past acquaintance, he still let him in.
Seeing a person as pale and haggard as paper, Xue Yansheng was greatly surprised.
“Teacher, you must do justice for your student.”
When You Lingxiao saw Xue Yansheng, he forgot to even bow and immediately cried, “Your student suddenly fainted on the way into the city. When I woke up, not only was my money stolen, but I was also beaten and left in the wilderness. If not for a kind person who found me and sent me back, I would have no chance to repay my teacher.”
Xue Yansheng’s expression turned serious, “You encountered bandits in the territory? How dare they! These desperate criminals even attack defenseless scholars, they are utterly inhuman!”
“Your student did not see the faces of the attackers, only half of a covered face in a daze.”
You Lingxiao said, “Whether it was bandits or someone hired them, it’s hard to say. I implore my teacher to seek justice for your student!”
“Even my student dares to inflict such serious harm. I will surely seek justice for you.”
After speaking, Xue Yansheng looked at You Lingxiao’s hand, “Is your injury serious? I’ll have the doctors in the residence examine you. You’ve even lost weight!”
You Lingxiao hesitated slightly upon seeing this and said,
“Thank you for your concern, teacher. My hand is not seriously injured, only fractured. I have already had a doctor examine it, and it will heal in a few days.”
Xue Yansheng’s brow furrowed slightly, “Very well, you must take good care of yourself. The prefect is currently worried about the banditry in the territory, and I need to assist him wholeheartedly. I will assign someone else to look into your matter and ensure you do not suffer any injustice.”
“You should go back and rest well.”
Seeing Xue Yansheng’s usual kindness towards him, You Lingxiao felt a little relieved, “Yes.”
As soon as the You mother and son left, Xue Yansheng sent someone to inquire about which doctors in the city had treated You Lingxiao.
“Sir, if you are concerned about Scholar You, why don’t you directly ask the doctors to examine him instead of going through so much trouble to inquire? There are many doctors in the city, how can it be easy to find them?”
“He was unwilling to let our household doctors examine him. Seeing his appearance, he must have been severely injured. Although there are many doctors in the city, there are only a few who are skilled in treating fractures, so it won’t take much effort.”
Xue Yansheng let out a sigh, “It’s a troubled time, and nothing goes smoothly. Looking at him like this, he probably won’t have a chance in next year’s spring examination.”
“Then what about Miss…”
Xue Yansheng did not answer.
Late at night, the people sent by Xue Yansheng returned with the news.
Upon hearing the doctor’s diagnosis brought back by the servant, Xue Yansheng’s chest heaved twice, and his brows furrowed deeply.
Then came the sound of a cup shattering.
Xue Han Xue, who was about to pay her respects, was startled, “Father, what’s wrong!”
Xue Yansheng looked at his daughter who entered and suppressed his anger.
“From now on, you must not associate with You Lingxiao anymore.”
“Why is that!”
Xue Han Xue walked towards Xue Yansheng, confused, “Did Lingxiao brother do something to anger you?”
“I heard from the servants that Lingxiao brother visited the residence today and seemed to be injured. What exactly happened?”
Speaking of this, Xue Yansheng’s anger flared up again, “He is now crippled. If you continue to associate with him, it will only ruin your life.”
“Wh-what…”
Xue Han Xue suddenly received such devastating news and took two steps back in disbelief, “How did this happen all of a sudden… Father, is this true or false?”
Xue Yansheng sighed, “He came with his right hand hanging today. I asked a doctor to examine him, but he deliberately avoided it. The person I sent to inquire earlier brought back his pulse records. If you don’t believe me, you can look for yourself.”
He handed over a page of pulse record.
Xue Han Xue looked at the clear writing on the paper, her hands still trembling, “How did his hand get crippled? Who dares to be so bold as to attack a scholar!”
“He claims it was done by bandits outside, but he insists someone harmed him deliberately. Today he clamored to come and ask me to seek justice for him.”
Xue Yansheng shook his head, “I initially thought he had no chance in the spring examination, but I didn’t realize he had no chance in the same examination hall.”
“Father…”
As a young woman in love, Xue Han Xue couldn’t help but feel heartbroken, “Why don’t you help Lingxiao brother? He has outstanding literary talent.”
“It’s a troubled time. Why waste more energy on a useless person?”
Xue Yansheng also felt regret. You Lingxiao was indeed talented. If not for that, he wouldn’t have paid special attention to him among the ordinary scholars who came from humble backgrounds and allowed his only daughter to associate with him.
“Unpromising. Whether it was banditry or deliberate action, he is now useless. Without any caution or self-preservation, even if he were to enter officialdom in the future, it would be nothing more than this.”
Seeing that his daughter was still infatuated, he warned her, “Don’t forget that he was already engaged but still entangled with others. Although it’s common among scholars, and the education officials don’t manage it much, it still sounds bad if it gets out. Previously, because of his promising future, I could turn a blind eye and let him handle things properly. But now, he is absolutely not a suitable match for you.”
“Your maternal grandfather has already written a letter. The Ministry of Personnel has been notified. Once father’s term is completed, father will be transferred back to the capital. Although father was not in the capital when you were young, you don’t know the talented and well-born individuals in the capital. At that time, it will be better to choose a family for you from home.”
Xue Han Xue opened her mouth upon hearing this, but ultimately said nothing more.
However, You Lingxiao did not know that his seemingly kind teacher had made such a quick decision to discard him from the chessboard.
He was recuperating at home, waiting anxiously, feeling uneasy.
Thinking that something was not right, even if his teacher had immense influence, he had not inquired about the details of his attack, so how could he find out who was responsible.
After thinking for a moment, he went to the Xue residence again, but to his surprise, he could no longer see Xue Yansheng no matter what.
Not only that, but even Xue Han Xue, who always loved to go out and play, could no longer be seen. Seeing the Xue family’s gatekeeper’s attitude becoming increasingly hostile, almost resorting to physical action,
You Lingxiao finally realized that the Xue family had abandoned him.
You Lingxiao felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had gone dark. He felt completely hopeless. Old wounds were aggravated by new illnesses, and he was bedridden again, unable to get up.
The other branches of the family came to demand money every day, and there was no peace in the household.
Ji Yangzong felt secretly pleased seeing the You family in such a state. Although he held grudges against You Lingxiao and his mother, as the village chief, he should have gone to persuade them.
But he didn’t have the time. He rallied the strong men in the village. After hearing that the banditry outside was not a serious threat, he prepared to send the grain to the city.
The end of the year was approaching, and with the banditry incident, many households in and around the village needed to slaughter livestock. Some for their own consumption, some to sell for money to celebrate the New Year, and some to ensure their own safety. In short, there were more families slaughtering livestock than in previous years.
Huo Shu, along with Qiao the Butcher, was busy running around, often visiting one family in the morning and another in the afternoon.
“Huo Shu, you learn things so quickly. It’s only been a short while, and you’re already proficient, like a seasoned craftsman.”
Qiao the Butcher took a piece of meat from his basket and gave it to Huo Shu, saying cheerfully, “Look, this is from old Mr. Zhang’s family. He specifically asked me to give it to you. He said you did a good job!”
Generally speaking, farmers who hired a butcher to slaughter livestock would pay a fee, and if they felt the work was done well, they would also give meat as a token of their appreciation.
Recently, Qiao the Butcher had been bringing Huo Shu along to slaughter livestock, and the farmers not only gave meat to him as the master but also gave some to Huo Shu.
Qiao the Butcher was also happy about this.
Huo Shu took the meat, “Master is too kind.”
Qiao the Butcher continued, “I’m not just saying pleasantries. I know how you work.”
“In a couple of days, I have to go to my father-in-law’s house in Nan’yu County. He is unwell, and my wife is worried, so she wants to take the children to see him. I have to accompany them.”
“I’m not here during this time. The matter of slaughtering livestock will be entrusted to you. I’ve asked that kid Fang He to look after the shop in the city. Although he’s clumsy, he’s quick-witted.”
Huo Shu said, “Master, rest assured. If anyone needs it, I will go.”
Qiao the Butcher nodded with satisfaction, “Good, I’ve been busy all day and I’m tired. You go back first. I’ll go to the village chief’s place and inform him.”
————
“Busy man, what brings you here today?”
When Qiao the Butcher arrived at the Ji residence, Ji Yangzong had just returned from notifying the households with strong men about escorting the grain to the city.
He poured a cup of tea and was about to drink it under the shed when he saw a guest arrive.
“No matter how busy I am, it’s just trivial matters at home. The village chief is busy with all the village affairs, that’s true busyness.”
“Alright, alright, let’s not flatter each other.”
Ji Yangzong called Tao Yu to get some new tea.
“Is there something you need?”
Qiao the Butcher sat down under the shed, “The banditry outside is causing a great stir, and my father-in-law is coincidentally ill. My wife and children want to go back to see him, so I have to accompany them.”
“When? I remember your father-in-law lives in the county town below. You must be careful at this time.”
“It’s precisely because I’m worried about my wife and children going alone that I’m accompanying them.”
Ji Yangzong nodded, “This is your busy season for business, and you can’t get away easily, but it’s necessary to visit your seriously ill father-in-law.”
“Master Qiao, please have some tea.”
Qiao the Butcher quickly accepted the tea brought by Tao Yu and thanked him with a smile.
Then he said to Ji Yangzong, “I came specifically to inform you about this matter. I should contribute to escorting the taxes and grain to the city, but it’s just bad timing.”
“It’s alright, family illness can be understood.”
“There’s one more thing. After I leave, I will entrust the matter of slaughtering livestock in the village to my apprentice. Please help inform everyone.”
Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened upon hearing this, “You mean Huo Shu?”
“He’s only been with you for a few days, and you’re already entrusting him with everything?”
Tao Yu, who was about to go inside, turned his steps upon hearing Qiao the Butcher mention Huo Shu, and went to the side to sort through the clothes that had just been dried. He secretly listened to their conversation.
“That boy Huo Shu is capable! Don’t underestimate him. I haven’t taught him much, but he’s very quick with these tasks.”
Qiao the Butcher said with great pride, as if it were his own achievement, “When I take him to slaughter livestock, people are already giving him meat. When I leave, you can confidently ask the villagers to call him. He can handle it!”
Tao Yu narrowed his eyes, Is that true or false?
How did he remember that some people had cut their hands on their first day of learning, and mumbled about their clumsy hands and feet?
“It’s all thanks to your good teaching.”
Ji Yangzong, seeing Qiao the Butcher, who was usually picky, praise Huo Shu so highly, also smiled.
Qiao the Butcher waved his hand, “It’s because you recommended him.”
“Let’s speak honestly, my old friend. I think Huo Shu is a good person, although he seems a bit unfriendly.”
Qiao the Butcher lowered his voice, “My second daughter is not young anymore, and her mother is bent on finding her a husband in the city. But there are many families in the city, and most of them have high expectations. There are too many considerations, and it’s not as good as the men in the village.”
“Although Huo Shu doesn’t have much property, he is capable of doing things. I will hand over my family’s shop to him in the future. If the business can be passed down, it will relieve one of my worries. The times are not good, and even the Tongzhou region is unsettled. Who knows what the future will be like? Perhaps someone like Huo Shu is more reliable.”
The smile on Ji Yangzong’s face instantly disappeared.
He coughed and said awkwardly, “You make sense. However, I think children’s matters should be decided by their own will. Although there are parental orders and matchmakers, if the children are unwilling, then it’s all in vain.”
“That child is young and doesn’t know how to judge people or matters. She finds someone who can talk and coax her and thinks it’s a match, completely unaware of character. On the contrary, someone who is dull and reliable is better. However, they suffer from being quiet and unable to speak. If parents don’t arrange for their children and let them act recklessly, aren’t they harming them for life?”
Ji Yangzong forced a smile, “That’s not entirely unreasonable.”
Tao Yu on the side pursed his lips, his fingers twisting the corner of his clothes, his brows furrowed.
The iron nest has become a coveted prize.