Chapter 18

The visitors were none other than the eldest son of the Zhan family, Zhan Dabo, and his wife Tian Shi.  

Though Tian Shi’s mouth was stuffed with food, her eyes remained busy, darting one glance after another at Zhan Jianxing.  

Since becoming a Study Companion at Prince Dai Manor, not only had Zhan Jianxing’s Tuition Fee been waived, but she was also provided a midday meal each day—a significant saving for a poor household. With more financial leeway, Xu Shi had gone out of her way to outfit her with new clothes, shoes, and hats. Now, as February approached, Zhan Jianxing wore a Blue-gray lined robe, her hair tied up neatly beneath a Black velvet cap. Her posture was tall and graceful, her face fair and refined. Though only twelve or thirteen years old, she already carried the poised bearing of someone coming into their own.  

Tian Shi stared in astonishment, the bun in her mouth turning sour. She swallowed it with difficulty, freeing her mouth to exclaim, “Xing-ge’er, you and your mother living in the city—you’ve really turned into city folk! Look at these clothes, they’re no worse than what the young master of Zhu Laoye’s family wears at the village head!”  

As she spoke, her hand reached out, grime embedded in her fingernails and between her fingers, as if to touch Zhan Jianxing. She prattled on, “Is this silk or satin? Such fine fabric—even if you don’t think of your elders, shouldn’t you at least spare a thought for your elder cousin—”  

“What are you doing?!”  

Xu Shi, who had just finished washing her hands, stepped out of the house and saw the scene. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest in alarm as she rushed over, shielding Zhan Jianxing behind her.  

Tian Shi, denied the chance to touch the fabric and even shoved aside, nearly dropped the remaining half of her bun. Furious, she pointed at Xu Shi. “I’m Xing-ge’er’s aunt, not some kidnapper! What, will a touch break him?”  

To Xu Shi, these two were no different from kidnappers. The older Zhan Jianxing grew, the more she feared her daughter’s true identity would be exposed and exploited by the Zhan family—perhaps even sold off. So she replied, “Eldest sister-in-law, my eyes must have failed me for a moment. I didn’t recognize you and thought you were a stranger.”  

Yet her body remained firmly planted in front of Zhan Jianxing, refusing to let her step forward.  

Zhan Dabo saw through the act, his expression darkening. “You didn’t even come home for New Year’s, of course we seem like strangers to you. At this rate, you’ll forget even your own parents soon.”  

Xu Shi dared not shoulder the accusation of “filial impiety.” Forcing a smile, she replied, “We didn’t mean to stay away. I fell ill during the holidays, and Xing’er had to care for me. That’s why we were delayed in the city.”  

Tian Shi immediately countered, “And after you recovered? Still no sign of you. Mother misses Xing-ge’er terribly—she kept talking about him even during the Lantern Festival. If not for her old rheumatism acting up, she’d have hitched the cart and come with us today.”  

Xu Shi didn’t believe a word of it. The old Madame Zhan had never liked Zhan Jianxing, disliking her reserved demeanor as inauspicious—but when they had first arrived in the countryside, it was to deliver a coffin. Zhan Jianxing had just lost her father—how could she possibly put on a cheerful face? Later encounters had only worsened after the falling-out, when Xu Shi had nearly been forced to remarry a paralyzed man. There was no chance of harmony now.  

“We miss a single day’s work, and our next meal is uncertain. Eldest sister-in-law, have some compassion for us widows and orphans,” Xu Shi said firmly. “Besides, if we return, we’d only consume more grain and burden you with extra chores. I’d feel terrible about that. Better for everyone if we save the trouble.”

“Sister-in-law, don’t try to fool me. If you’ve got the connections to involve the prefectural governor himself, how can you claim life is hard?” Tian Shi clicked her tongue. “Just look at what Xing’er is wearing—far better than what our eldest son has. Doesn’t look like a country boy at all.”

Xu Shi replied, “Xing’er only has one or two presentable outfits. He can’t compare to his cousin. It’s just that you’re usually too busy to dress your son properly, sister-in-law.”

Tian Shi wasn’t busy—she was lazy. But she had no self-awareness of this and actually preened at the remark. “That’s true,” she agreed.

But she quickly remembered her real purpose for coming and pressed on, “Sister-in-law, you still haven’t answered my question. How did someone as lofty as the prefectural governor agree to handle your affairs? When he came to our home before New Year’s, he caused such an uproar. We rough folk could take it, but the elderly parents were nearly frightened out of their wits.”

Without waiting for Xu Shi’s response, she abruptly changed tack, “Well, that’s all in the past. We’re not here to quarrel with you about it now. But you must explain how this came about. Back then, the parents took pity on you for being widowed so young and found you a new match. You refused vehemently, swearing you’d remain chaste. Now you’re still a daughter-in-law of the Zhan family. If you’ve done anything disgraceful with outsiders—”

“Sister-in-law, how can you say such things?” Xu Shi flushed with shame and anger. “How could you slander me like this without a shred of evidence?”

She had assumed Zhan Dabo and his wife were still coveting the confiscated furniture, returning now that two months had passed and the commotion died down. Never did she imagine they’d harbor such vile suspicions!

Tian Shi wouldn’t let up. “Then why would the prefectural governor intervene for you?”

“Because of me.”

Zhan Jianxing shook off Xu Shi’s protective grip and stepped forward, her voice icy.

Tian Shi was momentarily stunned. “What?”

“I was the one who sought out Prefectural Governor Luo.”

Tian Shi couldn’t believe it. Slapping her thigh, she laughed exaggeratedly. “Xing’er, what nonsense are you spouting? You’re just a child. Why would the prefectural governor bother with some brat like you?”

Zhan Dabo, who had remained silent earlier to maintain his dignity as the elder, now interjected sternly, “Xing’er, your mother has spoiled you rotten. Daring to lie to your elders like this! You and your mother have always been eccentric—insisting on moving to the city back then, and the family indulged you. But this can’t continue. Who knows what bad habits you’ll pick up staying with her. Since my younger brother passed early, as your uncle, I must take responsibility for your upbringing. You’re coming home with me today.”

His rough hand reached out abruptly to grab Zhan Jianxing.

Xu Shi screamed in alarm, “Don’t touch her!”

She lunged forward to shield her child, but Zhan Jianxing stood firm, blocking her mother while barely flinching—though Zhan Dabo’s farm-hardened grip on her shoulder sent sharp pain through her bones. Suppressing any outcry, she fixed her uncle with a glacial stare. “If you want to take me away, Uncle, that’s fine. But first, we’ll need to ask Prince Dai Manor.”

Zhan Dabo’s grip slackened, his face twisting in shock. “What?”

Zhan Jianxing spoke clearly and deliberately, “Prefectural Governor Luo favored me and selected me as the Royal Grandson’s Study Companion in Prince Dai Manor. Earlier this year, Prefectural Governor Luo helped us reclaim the property that my uncle and third uncle had seized. That was the reason—it had nothing to do with the slander my aunt just hurled at my mother.”

Zhan Dabo and Tian Shi exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions as if they had seen a ghost—Prince Dai Manor?

Prince Dai Manor?!

Living in the countryside, their news was far from timely. When the yamen servants had come to confiscate their belongings, claiming it was on Prefectural Governor Luo’s orders, they had been full of doubts and heartache. Unable to resist the servants, they had no choice but to watch their ill-gotten gains vanish into thin air.

But resentment naturally festered. The yamen servants had been ruthless, taking almost everything in sight—they had even lost some of their own possessions in the process!

Thus, they cursed Xu Shi and Zhan Jianxing eight times a day at home. After waiting until now and seeing no further developments, they had grown restless and come to probe the situation.

Zhan Dabo dared to grab Zhan Jianxing for two reasons: first, Xu Shi’s humiliated and indignant demeanor convinced him she truly hadn’t won the favor of the prefect; second, as an elder, even if he made a mistake, Zhan Jianxing, a mere nephew, would have to endure it—what could he possibly do in retaliation? By controlling the child, he could also manipulate Xu Shi into compliance.

But never had he expected Zhan Jianxing to bring up Prince Dai Manor!

“Xing-ge, you’re just a child who doesn’t understand the gravity of things. Don’t go spouting nonsense,” Tian Shi said, her voice dropping to a whisper. She refused to believe it, yet couldn’t help feeling uneasy. She added, “And who said we stole from you? When your family was in trouble, your uncle happened to be in town and saw your shop wide open. He was afraid thieves would take everything, so he safeguarded your belongings for you—it was all out of kindness.”

Zhan Dabo, sharper, snapped out of his daze and said, “Wasn’t your family’s trouble caused by offending Prince Dai Manor? The case even went to court. Even if you were eventually released, the grudge remains. How could they possibly want you as a study companion for the royal grandson?”

Zhan Jianxing replied coldly, “If you don’t believe me, Uncle, let’s go to Prince Dai Manor right now and verify it. What do you say?”

Her confidence was too palpable. Zhan Dabo and Tian Shi exchanged another glance, hesitating.

Tian Shi forced out, “Xing-ge, you’re either lying to scare us or you’ve truly lost your mind—that place is the gates of hell. How could anyone go there?”

Her voice grew even quieter toward the end, afraid someone might overhear.

Zhan Jianxing said, “Uncle and Third Uncle left my mother and me with nothing but four bare walls. With no way to survive, we had no choice but to take a desperate gamble. Right now, I serve as the study companion for Seventh Master of the Second Prince of Commandery’s household. Uncle, Aunt, if you want to go to Prince Dai Manor with me to confirm this, let’s go now. If you don’t dare, then stop blocking our way—we still have a business to run.”

Her words were neither polite nor respectful, but the firmer her tone, the more Zhan Dabo and Tian Shi realized she might not be lying—otherwise, how could she have moved Prefectural Governor Luo before? And now, how could she dare to disregard them so completely?

Tian Shi looked at Zhan Jianxing, then at Xu Shi, and finally blurted out, “Have you both gone mad?!”

This matter had always been a hidden worry for Xu Shi. Hearing this, she retorted angrily, “You drove us to this!”

With even Xu Shi confirming it, Zhan Dabo and Tian Shi finally lost their last shred of hope.

Now the expressions on their faces weren’t just “as if they’d seen a ghost”—they genuinely looked like they’d seen one.

To ordinary commoners, Prince Dai Manor might as well be the gates of hell. While officials with their double-tongued words could oppress people, there was at least some pretense of law to struggle against—one could still argue a bit. But with Prince Dai Manor, even that sliver of reason didn’t exist. Walking down the street minding your own business, if they took a dislike to you, they could beat you to death. Who wouldn’t fear such sudden calamity?

Now the Prince of Dai was dead, but that whole nest of troublemakers in Prince Dai Manor was still alive and kicking.

Tian Shi nearly dropped the half bun in her hand as she tugged at Zhan Dabo. “Husband, let’s go. We have other matters to attend to.”

Zhan Dabo also felt unsteady on his feet, but his fear gave way to anger. “This is utter nonsense! Let me make this clear—whatever trouble you’ve stirred up, you deal with it yourselves. Don’t you dare drag the family into this, understand? The family knows nothing about any of this!”

After delivering this stern warning, he shot Zhan Jianxing a glare before turning to leave with Tian Shi.

They didn’t look back, walking away at a brisk pace.

…

Zhan Jianxing was speechless.

Though she’d intended to use a tiger to ward off wolves, she hadn’t expected the name of Prince Dai Manor to be so effective.

However, Xu Shi’s worries resurfaced, so scaring off Zhan Dabo and his wife didn’t bring her any joy. She sighed instead.

Hearing this, Zhan Jianxing turned to comfort her. “Mother, don’t overthink it. I’ve been studying at the manor for half a month now, and everything’s been fine. If I’m careful and don’t provoke trouble, nothing will happen—”

Her words abruptly stopped. Their argument at the stall had drawn a crowd of curious onlookers. With Zhan Dabo and his wife gone and no more spectacle to see, the bystanders gradually dispersed. But two figures remained standing not far away, unmoving, making them stand out.

It was Zhu Chengjun and his young attendant, Qiu Guo.

Zhan Jianxing was immediately astonished. She had no idea why Zhu Chengjun had left the manor or why he was here. Watching as Zhu Chengjun met her gaze and then led Qiu Guo toward her at a leisurely pace, she didn’t have time to think it through. She cupped her hands in greeting. “Ninth Young Master.”

Then she quietly introduced him to Xu Shi. “Mother, this is one of the Royal Grandsons who studies with me.”

Xu Shi was surprised. “Ah?”

She flustered—the day the Prince of Dai died had been chaotic, and she no longer remembered Zhu Chengjun. In her panic, she instinctively fell back on the manners used for ordinary families. “Young master, you look so spirited. It’s almost noon—why don’t you stay and have a meal with us?”

Zhu Chengjun seemed visibly taken aback. He paused, then nodded.

Xu Shi regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth, feeling her manners were too crude. But seeing Zhu Chengjun actually agree, she relaxed and brightened immediately. Turning to Zhan Jianxing, she instructed, “Xing’er, stay here and entertain our guest properly. I’ll be back soon.”

She grabbed an extra handful of coins, worried she might not be able to buy fresh meat and vegetables if she went too late, and hurried off.

Left alone at the stall with Zhu Chengjun, Zhan Jianxing was at a loss for words.

Her mother had just uttered a casual pleasantry—and he’d actually accepted?

What was he thinking?

She had nothing to say, but Zhu Chengjun did—and he was very direct. “I heard everything,” he told her. “You’ve been using Seventh Brother’s name to scare people outside.”

Then came the threat. “Write five pages of calligraphy for me, or I’ll tell Seventh Brother.”

Zhan Jianxing: “…”

Author’s Note:

*Covering face* Xiao Jiu is more mischievous than everyone imagined. Jianxing can handle those troublesome relatives on her own without his help. Not only did he not play the hero to rescue the beauty, he even made things worse…

As for the issue of not getting update notifications, is it because you subscribed to the author instead of the story? If you subscribed to the story, you should receive notifications. By the way, please consider adding this to your favorites (* ￣3)(ε￣ *)

Here’s a little skit:

Bully and slacker Zhu Xiao Jiu: “Do my homework for me, or I’ll make your life miserable.”

Cold and brilliant student Zhan Jianxing: “Let’s see who makes whose life miserable.”