Chapter 109: The Scumbag

Backyard.

Faint sobbing drifted through the air.

Yang Xuan paused, a slight headache pressing upon him.

The crying gradually ceased, and soon Yi Niang emerged.

“Have you told her?”

“Yes.” Yi Niang sighed softly, “Such a pitiful pair of siblings.”

“Ask her what she wishes to do.”

Yang Xuan, having promised Zhang San, naturally arranged something for Zhang Siniang.

Yi Niang chided, “What else could she possibly do? A frail young woman, and quite a beauty at that. Alone out there, she’s like a child carrying gold through a bustling market. I think since no one tends to you, my lord, having her serve tea, fetch water, or wash clothes would be fitting.”

Yang Xuan turned away.

“Alright then.”

Yi Niang paused in surprise, clapped her hands, and teased, “Has my lord begun to fancy women?”

She then gleefully went in to share the good news with Zhang Siniang.

“My lord?”

Tears still glistened on Zhang Siniang’s face as she spoke timidly, “What I’ve learned... it’s... not something proper.”

“Start from the beginning.”

Yi Niang said confidently, “I’ve seen almost everything women can do in this world. Learn well, and your fate will naturally unfold. One day, you will stand alone...”

Zhang Siniang choked on her words, “Yes. But my brother...”

Yi Niang’s gaze never wavered from her; hearing her mention her brother, the coldness in her eyes finally softened.

“Rest assured, someone has taken care of everything properly. Soon you will go to guard the vigil.”

She turned and left the room with a faint smile.

She had been observing Zhang Siniang’s temperament all along, waiting until she was completely at ease before gently guiding her.

If Zhang Siniang forgot her brother before attaining wealth and status, no matter how beautiful she might be, Yi Niang would report to her lord and have her sent elsewhere.

“The palace, huh!” Yi Niang walked with a straight back, smiling, “That’s a deep pit. Whoever digs a pit for my lord, I’ll bury them!”

In the front courtyard, the old rogue’s voice was as loud as ever.

“Second son, want to learn? If you’re willing, just kowtow, and I’ll take you as my disciple.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t like digging up corpses.”

“Nonsense, that’s called excavation,” the old rogue snapped, irritated.

Yi Niang appeared at the doorway.

“Old rogue!”

He turned, “Yi Niang, what’s the matter?”

Yi Niang said calmly, “Lately you’ve been using your right hand injury as an excuse to be idle, expecting everything handed to you—food, clothes...”

Cao Ying, who was discussing matters with Yang Xuan, looked up, “I even helped him pull up his trousers this morning...”

Wang Lao’er suddenly jumped up, pointing at the old rogue, “I’ve been feeding you these past days, old rogue!”

A few fierce glares instantly locked onto the old rogue.

Moments later, a brutal beating ensued.

The old rogue quickly begged for mercy.

Yang Xuan, curious, asked, “Since you’re left-handed, why do you usually use your right hand?”

The old rogue was momentarily taken aback, memories flickering in his eyes.

“My ancestors made a living from tomb raiding, and for as long as anyone can recall, they were all left-handed. Tomb raiding is perilous; sometimes partners betray you, sometimes a hand gets trapped.”

“Trapped by what?” Wang Lao’er asked, intrigued.

The old rogue replied indifferently, “Things you don’t know.”

Suddenly, everyone in the room felt a chill run down their spine.

“One ancestor practiced with his right hand from a young age. Once, while tomb raiding, he found treasure but was suddenly attacked by a companion who severed his right hand. When the man laughed triumphantly, the ancestor picked up a short knife with his left hand and, with a single strike, killed him. Since then, the Jia family descendants use their right hand in daily life.”

“Can the left hand not strike?” Wang Lao’er asked.

The old rogue smiled faintly, “Why don’t you try?”

Wang Lao’er, skeptical, drew a horizontal blade with his left hand and swung a few times, nearly twisting his waist.

“This man has a story,” Zhuque whispered, slipping into a romantic mode.

Yi Niang exploded, “Old rogue, when you recover, you’ll carry water for a month!”

The old rogue immediately changed expression, pleading, “The secret of the left-handedness is passed down from Jia men, not women...”

“Carry!” Wang Lao’er laughed triumphantly.

Yi Niang placed her hands on her hips and shouted, “The tiles in the backyard are quite damaged; Second son, go replace them.”

“Yi Niang!” Wang Lao’er wanted to explode.

“Mm!” Yi Niang’s face turned cold.

A roar came from afar.

“Are you planning a rebellion?”

Yang Xuan rubbed his ears and resumed discussing matters with Cao Ying.

...

“Master Sun, those women have all been taken to the county office.”

Wang Zhangyi said bitterly.

The side room was dim.

A ruthless gleam flashed in Sun Yu’s eyes. “Severed?”

Wang Zhangyi nodded. “Already cut off. This time, we’ve been gravely wounded.”

Sun Yu exhaled deeply. “As long as the business continues, this doesn’t matter.”

“That dog official...” Wang Zhangyi’s eyes darkened with cruelty. “Should we send someone to assassinate him?”

Sun Yu knelt quietly, murmuring, “That dog official!”

...

“Commander!”

In the Lin’an county office, Lu Qiang entered the main hall holding documents.

“What is it?” Liu Qing rubbed his eyes. “Old age, my eyesight isn’t what it used to be.”

“Burning the midnight oil harms the liver!” Lu Qiang teased. “This is Yang Xuan’s assessment.”

“Yu Mountain? Why is it so thick?” Liu Qing took the large envelope, used a small knife to open it, and smiled. “I feared young Yang Xuan might cause trouble, but youth has its merits. He repelled the bandits twice. Looks like I misjudged him.”

He pulled out several booklets.

Lowering his head, his brows tightened.

Lu Qiang noticed the gathering fury and glanced back, preparing to avoid the storm. If Liu Qing lost his temper, who knew if he might throw some hidden weapon.

He looked down and saw a meditation cushion, and his joy was instant.

Isn’t this a natural shield?

“Despicable dog slave!”

A roar echoed.

Lu Qiang raised the cushion.

Bang!

A booklet flew over.

Lu Qiang set down the cushion. “Commander, please calm down.”

“I cannot calm down!” Liu Qing slammed the table and roared, “Yu Mountain is a corrupt official, taking bribes, and turning a blind eye to the vermin ravaging the city!”

Lu Qiang’s heart tightened. “Is that so?”

Liu Qing pointed at the booklets on the floor. “You’ve learned well—always bring a shield with you.”

Lu Qiang forced a dry laugh, picked up a booklet, and flipped through it.

Liu Qing sneered, “Do you know how Yang Xuan evaluated this man?”

Lu Qiang looked up.

Liu Qing raised his right index finger, enunciating each word sharply:

“Corrupt and unjust, utterly shameless!”

“Guards!”

A familiar roar echoed from within the office. Outside, the townsfolk departed with satisfaction.

“Send these documents to the Ministry of Personnel via swift horse.”

...

Early morning.

Yang Xuan opened his eyes.

“Good morning.”

Zhuque’s voice was crisp.

Then came the sound of flowing water and birdsong.

“What’s the temperature today... I don’t know.”

“What’s the humidity today... I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know?” Yang Xuan gradually awakened.

“Because there’s no internet, no sensors.”

Up he rose, to cultivate.

To study!

“Today’s lesson is physics...”

After class, Yang Xuan opened the door and stepped out.

Outside, Zhang Siniang stood timidly.

“My lord.”

“Hmm.”

Yang Xuan felt awkward, uneasy all over.

Yi Niang appeared, smiling brightly. “My lord, from now on, let Fourth Miss serve you.”

Zhang Siniang prepared his washing utensils and attended to him.

But Yang Xuan had grown up in hardship, never accustomed to such treatment.

“Perhaps... you should go back first.”

He felt he needed time to adjust.

Zhang Siniang looked up, tears streaming down her small face.

Plop!

Yang Xuan’s hand was quick; he hurriedly pulled her up, whispering, “Why kneel?”

Zhang Siniang choked back sobs, “Does my lord disdain me? I... I’m not dirty. Those people said they would only hand me over after the big official arrived, but I...”

Only then did Yang Xuan feel the softness of the small hand in his palm; lightning-fast, he withdrew.

“My lord!”

Zhang Siniang knelt again, “I have nowhere else to go.”

“What is happening?”

Yi Niang, busy with breakfast, heard the crying and came over.

“My lord, don’t be impatient.” She smiled like a mother hen, helped Zhang Siniang up, and said, “My lord is the gentlest and kindest.”

“I’m not—”

“All right, all right.”

Yi Niang cut off Yang Xuan’s protest. “It’s nothing. Fourth Miss will help me in the kitchen.”

“I really am not—”

Yang Xuan was at a loss for words.

“You touched her small hand and now you want to deny it? Irresponsible scoundrel!” Zhuque teased gleefully. “Little Xuanzi, isn’t she pretty?”

Yang Xuan answered instinctively, “Yes, she is.”

At that moment, he thought of Zhou Ning in Chang’an City.

...

The late autumn wind swept through the narrow path of the Imperial Academy.

Zhou Ning carried a few textbooks, walking slowly.

Fallen leaves swirled around the hem of her dress, drifting to the ground.

She glanced up at the remaining leaves clinging to the branches and adjusted her tortoiseshell glasses.

“Assistant, Assistant Zhou.”

A young clerk came running, out of breath.

Zhou Ning turned. The clerk said, “There’s a letter for you.”

“Thank you.” Zhou Ning took the letter, gazing at the familiar envelope, a faint blush rising on her face.

Her demeanor was cool and serene, imbued with a touch of sanctity. Now, with a blush, she seemed like a fairy descended to the mortal world.

The clerk was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Ning furrowed her brows slightly; the clerk hastily saluted and ran off.

Zhou Ning approached a large tree, placed her textbooks on a cluster of fallen leaves, and opened the letter.

— Assistant, I greet you in spirit.

— I have arrived in Taiping County. There are many prisoners here, and they seem rather obedient.

Zhou Ning suddenly pursed her lips, a playful gesture unnoticed by others.

Prisoners are never obedient.

He’s trying to coax me!

But why is he coaxing me?

She continued reading.

— Taiping is a vast, boundless grassland—blue skies, endless wilderness, the wind bends the grass revealing cattle and sheep.

This passage painted a vivid image in Zhou Ning’s mind: an endless prairie where the wind gently stirs the grass, and cattle and sheep lazily graze.

— There are some horse bandits here. They attacked soon after I arrived. You know my skills; they’re just a bunch of vermin, easily defeated.

Boasting!

Zhou Ning wrinkled her nose.

— Assistant, the northern frontier is bitterly cold. Countless nights I have tossed and turned, unable to sleep, only finding rest thinking of your name, resting my head on your name.

An Zi Yu stood at the path’s end, about to call out to Zhou Ning, but stopped.

Zhou Ning leaned against the tree trunk and slowly looked up.

In her right hand she held a letter, the breeze gently fluttering its pages.

Amid the swirling leaves, the young woman gazed at the sky with hopeful longing.

...

Grateful thanks to “Old Ju!” for the second alliance leader’s generous support.