Gu Qingyan hadn’t even had time to react when the child suddenly dropped to his knees and began kowtowing heavily. He was so earnest that his forehead quickly swelled up from the force.

“Quick, get up. Don’t do that.”

Before his forehead broke open, Gu Qingyan hurriedly pulled him up. “If you keep kowtowing like this, I won’t dare meet you again in the future.”

The boy’s forehead was red and swollen as he looked up at him, flustered and confused.

Zhang Cheng walked over, exasperated. “Who kneels and kowtows the moment they meet someone? Anyone who sees this would think we’ve been abusing you. What would others think seeing this?”

“Cousin, benefactor, I—I know I was wrong,” the boy mumbled.

“You really are a wooden fish head,” Zhang Cheng scolded, flicking the boy’s forehead.

“Brother Gu, don’t be scared—this is my younger cousin Zhang Nian. He’s a good kid in every other way, just incredibly stubborn.”

Gu Qingyan didn’t seem to mind. He held Zhang Cheng’s hand and said, “Just don’t do this again. You’ve met me, and you’ve kowtowed. Now go home and live your life well.”

“You hear that? Your uncle and aunt’s enemies have been avenged. You should live well too, so they can rest in peace,” Zhang Cheng earnestly advised his cousin.

The boy’s eyes reddened, and he nodded firmly. “I will live well so my parents can be at peace.”

“That’s the spirit.” Zhang Cheng felt reassured. Then he added, “Brother Gu, cousin, today I’ll be the host. Let me treat you both to a good meal. We’ll eat and chat—come on.”

Gu Qingyan didn’t decline and was just about to follow.

“Young master…” a woman’s voice called out pitifully from the side.

She had just nearly been knocked over by Zhang Nian and looked quite disheveled. The cold had her shivering terribly.

Gu Qingyan looked at her and sighed inwardly. “Brother Zhang, wait a moment.”

“Hey, don’t go over. You might get entangled,” Zhang Cheng whispered.

“It’s fine.”

Gu Qingyan still walked over. The woman’s eyes lit up with hope, fixed on him.

“Young lady, here.”
Gu Qingyan slipped a small piece of silver into her hand. “Buy yourself a thick padded coat. From now on, live properly. Don’t come looking for me again—it’s useless.”

He didn’t wait for her reply and turned away, dragging Zhang Cheng and the other boy along.

Behind them, the woman clenched the piece of silver in her hand tightly, her eyes surging with emotion.

On the way, Zhang Cheng avoided his cousin and spoke privately. “Don’t go feeling sorry for that woman and end up taking her in. If she clings to you, your future could be ruined. There was a case like that at the county academy.”

“I won’t take her in. We’re not related. I just happened to run into her—if I can help a little, I will,” Gu Qingyan explained.

But Zhang Cheng remained unconvinced. “You think she’s a good woman? For all you know, it could be a honey trap.”

Gu Qingyan replied, “Even if it was, a girl in the middle of winter dressed so thinly, her hands full of frostbite… she must have her hardships.”

“Alright, enough about her. So what are you treating me to? If it’s not tasty, I’ll complain.”

Zhang Cheng saw he knew what he was doing and didn’t press further. “It’ll be delicious, guaranteed.”

The three entered a restaurant. Zhang Cheng had already prepared a table full of good dishes. As soon as they sat, he said, “Cousin, quickly give Brother Gu a toast to show your thanks.”

It was obvious Zhang Nian had rarely been to restaurants and fumbled clumsily.

“Benefactor, I toast to you!”

He downed his cup in one gulp.

Zhang Cheng sighed, exasperated. “I told you to toast Brother Gu—who drinks before even pouring him a cup?”

Zhang Nian grew even more flustered, fumbling to pour Gu Qingyan wine.

Gu Qingyan quickly said, “I’ll do it myself.”

“Honestly, I didn’t do much. It was all Magistrate Hong’s doing. You’re making a big fuss with all this gratitude—it’s a bit embarrassing.”

“No, no, if not for you, my parents’ spirits wouldn’t be able to rest. That bastard surnamed Bai had entrenched himself in Lingchuan County for years, and I didn’t even know my enemy was right under my nose.”

As Zhang Nian spoke, he looked like he might drop to his knees and bang his head again.

Gu Qingyan raised his cup and clinked it against Zhang Nian’s. “Then I’ll shamelessly accept your thanks. But after this, don’t mention it again.”

Since the downfall of Registrar Bai, Gu Qingyan had already received a flood of thanks—and felt unworthy of them.

After all, it had started because Registrar Bai targeted him deliberately, trying to cut off his path to the civil service exams. That was why he fought back.

It wasn’t out of any lofty patriotism or devotion to the people.

“A great kindness like yours—I can never forget it,” Zhang Nian said.

Gu Qingyan could tell Zhang Cheng hadn’t exaggerated—this cousin of his really was that stubborn.

Still, his sincere gratitude and earnest expression made him hard to dislike.

Gu Qingyan gave Zhang Cheng a pleading look, hoping he’d rein in his cousin.

Zhang Cheng gave a small cough. “A-Nian, what use is verbal gratitude? Show something concrete.”

“Brother Zhang…” Gu Qingyan sighed. This guy just loved watching drama.

Zhang Nian was plainly dressed, clearly having lived in poverty since his parents died.

Zhang Cheng shifted gears. “What I mean is, the weather is freezing. Brother Gu drives his own cart every day. If something happens on the road, there’s no one to help. A-Nian, since you’re idle anyway, why not serve as Brother Gu’s cart driver for a while? That’ll fulfill your wish.”

“No, no.”

Gu Qingyan refused at once. “I like driving. I don’t feel cold.”

Besides, the ox-cart came from the system—it knew the way on its own and didn’t need his guidance.

But Zhang Nian clearly took it seriously. “That’s great! I want to drive for my benefactor.”

“A-Nian, right? Don’t listen to your cousin’s nonsense. I really don’t need it,” Gu Qingyan insisted.

He shot Zhang Cheng a glare, and the latter just rubbed his nose and chuckled.

“Brother Gu, just accept him. This kid’s so stubborn—if you don’t take him, he’ll obsess over it day and night.”

Gu Qingyan sighed. “Why don’t you send him to drive for Magistrate Hong?”

“I would, but Magistrate Hong doesn’t lack people. You, on the other hand, do.”

Zhang Cheng grinned. “Brother Gu, you’re studying at the county academy now. Driving your own cart every day is undignified. And when you go sit the imperial exams, you’ll need someone to take care of you.”

“You’ve only got a foster mother and two younger sisters. You’re not going to make them accompany you to the capital, right?”

Gu Qingyan hadn’t thought that far ahead, but it still didn’t feel appropriate. “No, no, there are plenty of people in my clan.”

“Benefactor, please let me serve you. I don’t want any wages. I just want to drive your cart,” Zhang Nian said.

Gu Qingyan was about to refuse when Zhang Cheng subtly tugged at his sleeve.

He leaned in and whispered, “Just use him for a few days. If it works out, keep him. If not, I’ll take him back.”

Gu Qingyan was about to refuse, but then saw Zhang Cheng making a pleading gesture.

He frowned and looked again at Zhang Nian, beginning to hesitate.

Zhang Nian was small and skinny, with ordinary features, but his eyes were filled with sincere gratitude.

He looked up at Gu Qingyan eagerly, just like a little black dog afraid of being abandoned by its owner.

“Alright then. Until the New Year, you can come and drive the carriage for me—but I insist on paying you.”

Zhang Nian immediately brightened up, nodding his head like a pounding garlic pestle.

“A-Nian, go add another pot of water for us,” Zhang Cheng said, sending him off.

While Zhang Nian was out, Gu Qingyan pulled Zhang Cheng aside. “What kind of Hongmen Banquet is this? Trying to trap me?”

“Brother Gu, I’m sorry—this is all my fault.”

Zhang Cheng quickly apologized. “I really didn’t plan this from the start, it just happened by coincidence.”

“Zhang Nian is a very stubborn kid. Ever since his parents passed away, he’s been relying on himself. Our clan can only help him a little—resources are tight—so he’s been struggling to get by.”

“My father once suggested letting him work at our place, but he refused. Said he didn’t want to trouble us.”

“He’s a good kid, just had a rough life. I figured since he’s willing, why not let him be your coachman for a while? I’ll give you the money, and you can pass it on to him. Let him have a better winter and a good New Year.”

Zhang Cheng promised, “Once the New Year’s over, if you still don’t want to keep him, I’ll come pick him up myself. We’ll just say the time to repay kindness is up, and I’ll find him something else to do.”

After hearing that, Gu Qingyan sighed at Zhang Cheng’s well-meaning plan.

He softened. “How old is the kid? He looks really young.”

“Already thirteen. Just hasn’t been eating enough, so he looks small.”

Zhang Cheng sighed. “His uncle passed away when he was only five. He’s grown up through sheer hardship.”

Thirteen?

Gu Qingyan was surprised. Judging by his size, he wouldn’t have guessed more than ten.

“Alright. I’ll keep him for now. We’ll talk about the rest next year.”

Zhang Cheng stood up and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Brother Gu.”

“Here, take this silver for now. Just give it to him later.”

Gu Qingyan rolled his eyes. “Are you trying to insult me? If he’s working for me, then of course I’ll pay him.”

Zhang Cheng laughed heartily. “Brother Gu, you’re truly righteous—I feel ashamed in comparison. Come, let me toast you.”

And so, after all the persuasion, Gu Qingyan finally brought the boy home.

Zhang Nian was small and a little stubborn, but he drove the carriage very steadily.

Gu Qingyan was curious and asked—only to find out the kid had actually driven carriages before, with over a year of experience.

Once home, Gu Qingyan introduced him to Madam Liu and the other two servants. “Let him stay in the west wing. He’ll live and eat with us, and drive for me during the day.”

Madam Liu readily agreed, saying, “We should’ve hired a coachman long ago. It’s so cold these days—my heart aches for you, but you kept refusing.”

“Now it’s better. With this child by your side, we can feel more at ease.”

Then she took Zhang Nian’s hand and said with a smile, “Good child, don’t worry. You’re welcome here.”

The two young women curiously observed the newcomer—especially Gu Shuyan. She used to be the youngest in the household, and now, seeing someone smaller than her, she suddenly felt like an older sister.

But to her surprise, she found out Zhang Nian was actually two years older than her—he just looked small because of his thin build.

Gu Shuyan was quite disappointed for a while.

Gu Qingyan patted her head and, after some thought, went inside and brought out a cotton-padded jacket.

“Mother, the one he’s wearing is all torn. Can you help alter this one for him?”

Zhang Nian quickly shook his head. “Benefactor, there’s no need. This coat still works—I’m very warm, not cold at all.”

Gu Qingyan took his hand. “Your hands are freezing—how can you say you’re not cold?”

“I’ll go alter it right now. It’ll be ready soon,” Madam Liu said with a smile.

Zhang Nian’s face turned red. “I can’t accept things from my benefactor.”

“You’re driving my carriage. I pay you a wage. Clothes come with the job—it’s only fair.”

Gu Qingyan deliberately put on a stern face. “If you can’t even accept that, then I’m afraid I can’t keep you around.”

Hearing that, Zhang Nian didn’t dare argue anymore. He was so anxious that sweat appeared on his forehead.

Gu Qingyan chuckled. “Alright, from now on, don’t call me ‘benefactor.’ Just call me by my name. I’m a few years older, so you can call me Brother Gu.”

Zhang Nian thought about it, then said, “Brother Gu.”

“That’s better. Now that you’ve entered our home, you’re family. No need to be so distant,” Gu Qingyan said with a smile.

Although Zhang Nian was only staying until the New Year, there were still three months to go.

Madam Liu worked quickly—before long, Zhang Nian was wearing his new cotton jacket.

He looked shy wearing new clothes, his cheeks flushed red, and he lowered his head, saying softly that it fit well.

Madam Liu smiled. “I left the sleeves and pants hem loose—when they get short, we can let them out, and the clothes will still fit.”

“Thank you,” Zhang Nian said earnestly, stroking the hem of the jacket.

The west wing room was small, but tidy enough to sleep in after being cleaned up.

That night, Zhang Nian ate dinner with the Gu family. He didn’t dare eat too much, afraid of being looked down on. When Gu Qingyan put down his chopsticks, he quickly finished his bowl of rice.

The jacket was new. The quilt was new too. Even the bedding underneath wasn’t straw—it was cotton.

Zhang Nian had never slept in such a warm bed. It was so hot at night that he kept tossing and turning, and finally stuck his feet out from under the quilt to feel some coolness.

Before dawn, Zhang Nian had already gotten up.

Gu Qingyan was awakened by the sound of chopping wood in the back courtyard. Curious, he got up to take a look.

Zhang Nian was wearing his old clothes, chopping wood, and had already built up a small mountain of firewood.

“Zhang Nian?” Gu Qingyan asked in surprise. “When did you get up?”

“Just a little while ago,” Zhang Nian quickly replied. “Brother Gu, did I wake you?”

Gu Qingyan looked at the pile of wood. “This doesn’t look like ‘just a little while.’”

“It really was just a bit—I’m strong and chop fast,” Zhang Nian explained.

Gu Qingyan thought to himself, this kid’s just arrived—if he doesn’t get to work, he probably feels uneasy.

So he gave a reminder, “Just chop for a while—no need to do it all.”

Sure enough, Zhang Nian beamed with joy. “Okay!”

It didn’t take long before Gu Qingyan realized he’d found a gem.

Despite his age, Zhang Nian was capable of doing quite a lot.

Chopping firewood, carrying water, cooking meals, driving the carriage—he could even sew. From household chores to outdoor tasks, there was nothing he couldn’t do.

In comparison, Gu Qingyan was a young master who knew nothing but reading, with idle hands and no knowledge of farming or daily life.

Madam Liu also praised him, “Ah Nian is really hardworking. Ever since he arrived, the three of us have felt much more at ease.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingyan felt a pang of guilt. “Mother, I usually don’t help with household matters. I’ve burdened you all.”

“We don’t farm anyway, so the housework isn’t anything serious,” Madam Liu quickly replied.

But a few days later, Zhang Nian came back and said, “Brother Gu, I cleared two patches of wasteland behind the house. We can grow some vegetables there so the family can always have the freshest produce.”

Gu Qingyan could only marvel at his good fortune.

For the price of a regular carriage driver, he had hired someone with ten different skill sets.

There was no denying it—ever since Zhang Nian arrived, Gu Qingyan’s life had become much more comfortable.

When he woke up in the morning, his clothes were already laid out. After breakfast, the carriage was warm and ready.

He could relax on the way, chatting with the aunts in the carriage.

At the end of the school day, there was no need to walk to the courtyard to fetch the ox cart. He could board the carriage right outside the county academy—quick and direct.

The hand warmer in the carriage was always hot. Zhang Nian would replace the charcoal in time to keep it at a steady temperature.

Gu Qingyan felt he didn’t even need to wear his rabbit fur cloak anymore. From the house straight into the carriage, then from the carriage into the destination—he never even felt a gust of wind.

If Zhang Nian ever left, Gu Qingyan would definitely be unused to it.

From frugality to luxury is easy; from luxury to frugality is hard.

Gu Qingyan felt this deeply.

About a month and a half before the New Year, the verdict for Registrar Bai was finally delivered.

Immediate execution.

The laws of Great Zhou were strict, but most criminals were executed after the autumn trials. It was rare for anyone to be sentenced to death before the New Year.

This judgment made it clear just how much the authorities loathed Bai’s crimes.

“Bai Yu wants to see me?”

Upon receiving the message, Gu Qingyan was surprised.

Gu Dashan nodded. “He’s about to be executed. In prison, he’s crying and screaming to see you. Magistrate Hong said, since that’s the case, you might as well meet him. Maybe he’ll give you some clues.”

Gu Qingyan frowned.

He had no friendship with Bai Yu—in fact, there was enmity. Why would he want to see him now, at the edge of death?

“Brother Gu, could that scum be planning something even now?” Zhang Nian asked nervously.

Gu Dashan said, “He’s locked up in the dungeon. Even if he wanted to harm you, he couldn’t.”

“Lord Hong also said, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. It’s up to you.”

After thinking it over, Gu Qingyan decided to go.

He wanted to know why Bai Yu wanted to see him at the end of his life.

The day before the execution, Gu Qingyan went to the dungeon.

[You have successfully signed in at the Lingchuan County Dungeon. You have obtained a complete set of the Ten Tortures.]

Gu Qingyan nearly spat in disgust.

What was he supposed to do with a manual for the Ten Tortures? Who would he use it on? This system was broken—he was a decent man, not some sadist obsessed with torture.

He didn’t even look at it and left it idle.

The dungeon was gloomy and filled with a strange stench. As soon as he entered, Gu Qingyan covered his nose and mouth.

Seeing his discomfort, Gu Dashan reassured him, “The dungeon always smells bad. Everyone’s like this the first time. Don’t worry, I’ll go in with you. I won’t let him harm you.”

The dungeon was a restricted area. Only Gu Dashan could accompany him with the magistrate’s order—Zhang Nian had to wait outside.

“I wasn’t afraid of him when he was an official, let alone now that he’s about to die,” Gu Qingyan said dismissively.

Gu Dashan saw he truly wasn’t afraid and relaxed.

The jailer added, “We caught a lot of people this time. The dungeon’s packed full.”

“Good thing it’ll be emptied tomorrow.”

“The market square’s going to be lively.”

Gu Qingyan glanced at the cells on both sides. Sure enough, they were crammed with people, all weak and barely breathing—clearly tortured.

When they saw him enter, hateful glares pierced toward him.

Gu Qingyan met their gazes with cold eyes.

“What are you looking at? You all committed sins worthy of divine punishment. Even in the afterlife, you’ll walk through blades and flames. Still daring to glare? I’ll beat you to death,” the jailer cursed.

“A bunch of beasts. You killed so many people. An immediate execution is too merciful. Even slow slicing wouldn’t be enough to appease the people’s rage,” Gu Dashan spat.

Everyone in Lingchuan County wished they could devour these criminals alive.

“There he is.”

As the mastermind, Registrar Bai was held in a solitary cell. He curled up in the straw, his entire body covered in wounds, without a patch of unscathed flesh.

Gu Qingyan did not feel the slightest pity for him.

Compared to the common people he had harmed—killed without even leaving behind bones, with families destroyed and homes ruined—Registrar Bai was only detestable.

“You wanted to see me?”

The curled-up figure moved slightly. From beneath his filthy, matted hair, a pair of bloodshot eyes stared at him.

Gu Qingyan frowned slightly.

The jailer beside him was startled by the gaze and shouted, “Damn it, who are you trying to scare? Your head’s coming off tomorrow!”

Gu Dashan instinctively stepped in front of Gu Qingyan protectively.

“Heh heh—send them away. I want to speak with you alone,” Bai Yu rasped, his voice like a ghost crawling out of hell.

Gu Dashan immediately objected, “No way! Who knows what he’s up to? You can’t trust the words of a beast like him.”

Gu Qingyan also felt an ominous, eerie air emanating from Bai Yu. “What do you want to say?”

“It concerns your life. Send them away, or I won’t say a word,” Bai Yu said with difficulty.

Gu Qingyan frowned and turned to the others. “Please, give us some privacy.”

The jailer readily agreed.

Gu Dashan was still very much opposed. “Qingyan, he’s probably bluffing. Don’t believe him.”

“Cousin, he’s in there and I’m out here. He can’t hurt me,” Gu Qingyan reassured him.

After much persuasion, Gu Dashan finally agreed to step away—but he didn’t go far. The moment Gu Qingyan raised his voice, he could rush in to help.

Gu Qingyan looked at the man inside the cell. “Can you speak now?”

Bai Yu crawled forward a few steps, getting closer to the bars. “Come closer.”

Gu Qingyan lifted his robe and squatted down.

At such a close distance, he could smell the stench coming off Bai Yu—a putrid odor like a corpse rotting for days, sickening to the core.

“Gu Qingyan, you are destined to die,” Bai Yu sneered.

Gu Qingyan’s expression remained unchanged. “You went through all this trouble to curse me? If that’s all, I have no time for your dying words.”

“No, no, this isn’t a curse. It’s your fate.”

With a hoarse voice, Bai Yu said, “You thought I wanted to kill you? You’re completely wrong. Heh heh, I didn’t even know who you were before this. Why would I want to kill you?”

“Someone wanted to use me to take your life.”

Gu Qingyan raised an eyebrow slightly. “That’s all you wanted to say?”

“I didn’t need you to say it. From the first day you confronted me, I already guessed it—it’s the Li family of Qingzhou Prefecture, isn’t it? They want me dead.”

“They’re afraid my existence threatens Li Jingting, might get in the way of him becoming the Li family’s eldest young master, so they don’t want me going back to Qingzhou Prefecture.”

“If someone instigated you, it’s either Li Jingting—or Madam Xu.”

At the mention of Madam Xu, Gu Qingyan felt a dull ache in his chest.

Though they had never been close, they had been mother and son for fifteen years. For her to turn on him so quickly—Gu Qingyan couldn’t deny that it hurt.

He would rather it be Li Jingting who was behind it all.

“Am I right?” Gu Qingyan asked calmly.

Bai Yu, a heap of human wreckage, suddenly burst into laughter, his whole body trembling like he was possessed.

“You think it was Madam Xu and Li Jingting?”

“No, you’re wrong. It’s not them. Madam Xu? She’s nothing—a mere concubine. That greedy, foolish woman. I am a dignified official of the court. Why would I take orders from her?”

Gu Qingyan frowned slightly and looked at Bai Yu.

Bai Yu raised his head with effort and reached out toward him. “Help me, and I’ll tell you who the real mastermind is.”

“Help you?” Gu Qingyan laughed.

Bai Yu clung to his last hope. “Help me escape. Only if I live can I save your life.”

“You?” Gu Qingyan stood up without hesitation.

Bai Yu, panicked, reached out and grabbed the hem of his robe. “I know who’s behind this. Someone wants you dead, Gu Qingyan. Aren’t you afraid? There’s a hand in the shadows, always around your neck.”

Gu Qingyan looked down at him from above. “You’re just trying to talk your way out of death with nonsense.”

He kicked Bai Yu’s hand away and turned to leave.

“It’s true!”

Bai Yu shouted desperately. “None of them take me seriously, but Lingchuan County is my domain. I know everything that happens here.”

“Believe me. Get me out, and I’ll tell you who the mastermind is.”

“Otherwise, you’re as good as dead. They won’t let you go. They’ll cling to you like evil spirits and take your life.”

Gu Qingyan didn’t stop walking.

Just then, Bai Yu shrieked, “I have proof!”