Chapter 31 2/2

Yu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment and said:

“Thank you for your concern, Teacher. My hand is not seriously injured, just a bone fracture. I’ve already had it checked by a doctor, and with some more rest, it will be fine.”

Xue Yansheng’s brow furrowed slightly. “Very well, but you must take care of yourself. Governor Zhang is currently troubled by the banditry within the territory, and I need to assist him. I will personally pay attention to your matter and ensure that you don’t suffer unjustly.”

“You should go back and take care of yourself.”

Yu Lingxiao felt considerably relieved seeing Xue Yansheng’s kindness as usual: “Yes.”

As soon as the mother and son left, Xue Yansheng immediately sent someone to enquire about which doctor in the city had treated Yu Lingxiao.

“Why does the master bother asking about Mr. Yu’s condition instead of directly letting a doctor diagnose him? There are many doctors in the city. It’s not easy to find.”

“He refuses to let our household doctor examine him. Judging from his appearance, his injuries must be severe. Although there are many doctors in the city, there are only a few who specialise in treating bone injuries, so it’s not much trouble.”

Xue Yansheng sighed. “Nothing seems to be going smoothly these days. Looking at his condition, I’m afraid he won’t have a chance in next year’s imperial examination.”

“What about Miss…”

Xue Yansheng didn’t answer.

Late at night, the person Xue Yansheng sent out returned with news.

After hearing the diagnosis from the doctor, Xue Yansheng’s chest rose and he fell deeply twice, his brows furrowing tightly.

Then came the sound of a cup shattering.

Xue Hanxue, who was about to pay her respects, was startled. “Father, what’s wrong?”

Xue Yansheng looked at his daughter and calmed his anger.

“In the future, you must not have any more contact with Yu Lingxiao.”

“Why?”

Xue Hanxue walked towards Xue Yansheng puzzledly. “But what did Lingxiao do to make you angry, Father?”

“I heard from the servants that Lingxiao came to the residence today and seemed to be injured. What exactly happened?”

Hearing this, Xue Yansheng’s anger flared up again: “He’s already a useless person now. If you continue to associate with him, it will only delay your future.”

“W-what…”

Xue Hanxue was suddenly hit with this bad news, taking two steps back in disbelief. “How could this happen? Father, is this true?”

Xue Yansheng sighed. “Today he came with his right hand hanging, and when I asked the doctor to examine him, he seemed to deliberately avoid it. The person who went to enquire brought back his medical records. If you don’t believe it, you can take a look for yourself.”

He handed over a page of medical records.

Xue Hanxue looked at the clearly written words on the paper, her hands trembling: “How did his hand become crippled? Who dares to lay hands on an imperial scholar like this?”

“It seems like the work of bandits outside, but he insists that someone deliberately harmed him. He came today to ask me to seek justice for him.”

Xue Yansheng shook his head. “I thought he had no chance in the upcoming imperial examination, but I didn’t expect him to be completely out of contention for the examination hall.”

“Father…”

Xue Hanxue, being a romantic at heart, couldn’t help feeling sorry for him: “Why don’t you help Lingxiao brother? He’s so talented.”

“In such troubled times, there’s no need to waste energy on someone useless like him.”

Xue Yansheng also regretted it. Yu Lingxiao did have talent. Otherwise, as an ordinary scholar, he wouldn’t have singled him out and allowed his daughter to associate with him.

“He’s so incompetent. Whether it’s the banditry or someone deliberately causing trouble, he’s useless now. He doesn’t even have the ability to protect himself, let alone climb the official ladder in the future.”

Seeing his daughter’s stubbornness, he warned her, “Don’t forget that he already had an engagement, yet he’s still entangled with others. Although it’s common among scholars, it’s not something the government would approve of. Previously, considering his potential, I turned a blind eye to it and let him handle things on his own. But now, he’s absolutely not suitable for you.”

“Your maternal grandfather has already sent a letter, and everything has been arranged by the Ministry of Personnel. When my term ends, I can return to the capital. Although I haven’t been in the capital during your upbringing, you don’t know the many talented and well-born individuals there. When the time comes, it will be better for you to choose a family to marry into.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Hanxue opened her mouth but didn’t say anything more.

However, Yu Lingxiao didn’t know that his mentor, whom he thought had treated him well, would make such a quick decision to abandon him.

He rested at home, waiting anxiously for a resolution, feeling restless.

Realising that something was wrong, his mentor didn’t seem too interested in investigating the details of his attack. How could he find out who was behind it?

After some contemplation, he went to visit again, but this time he couldn’t even see Xue Yansheng.

Not only that, but even Xue Hanxue, who used to enjoy going out, is now inaccessible. The attitude of the Xue family’s gatekeepers became increasingly hostile, almost reaching the point of laying hands on him.

Yu Lingxiao finally realised that the Xue family had abandoned him.

Feeling like everything was falling apart, he lost all hope and became bedridden, unable to get up again.

The neighbouring families came to quarrel over money every day, and there was no peace in the house.

Seeing the situation at the Yu residence, Ji Yangzong felt a sense of satisfaction. Although he bore a grudge against Yu Lingxiao and his mother, he felt it was appropriate to advise them.

But he didn’t have the time. He called upon the strong men in the village and, after hearing that the banditry around Huo Shu had diminished, began preparing to send grain to the city.

With the end of the year approaching, many families in the village were slaughtering livestock, whether for their own consumption or to sell for money to celebrate the new year. There were more families slaughtering livestock than in previous years.

Huo Shu himself was busy running around with Qiao Tuzi, often going from one family to another in the morning and afternoon.

“Huo Shu, you’ve really learned fast. In just a short amount of time, you’ve become so skilled that you could almost be considered a master.”

“Qiao Tuzi took out a piece of meat from the back basket and handed it to Huo Shu, saying happily, ‘Look, this was sent by Zhang Lao specifically for you. He said you do a good job!’

Generally, when farmers hire a butcher to slaughter livestock, besides paying for the work, if they feel satisfied, they will also give meat as a gesture of appreciation.

Recently, Qiao Tuzi took Huo Shu to slaughter livestock, and not only did the farmers give meat to him as the master, but also separately to Huo Shu.

Qiao Tuzi was also happy to see this.

Huo Shu took the meat and said, ‘Master, you’re too kind.’

Qiao Tuzi added, ‘I’m not just being polite to you; I know your work well.’

‘In a few days, I have to go to my father-in-law’s house in Nanyu County. He’s not feeling well, and your master is worried, so she wants to take the child back to see him. And since the banditry hasn’t subsided yet, I have to accompany her.’

‘When I’m not around, I’ll leave the butchering to you. I’ll let Fang He, that kid, take care of the shop in the city. Although he’s clumsy, he’s smart.’

Huo Shu said, ‘Master, don’t worry. If anyone needs anything, I’ll go.’

Qiao Tuzi nodded in satisfaction and said, ‘Good, you’ve been busy for most of the day today, so go back first. I’m going to visit the village head and talk to him.'”

—

“Busy man, what brings you here today?”

When Qiao Tuzi arrived at the Ji family, Ji Yangzong had just gone to a household with strong men to notify them about escorting grain into the city.

Pouring a cup of tea and about to drink it under the shed, they saw a visitor.

“Even if you’re busy, it’s just dealing with trivial matters at home. Dealing with village affairs is the real busyness.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not flatter each other.”

Ji Yangzong called Taoyu to bring some fresh tea.

“Is there something you need?”

Qiao Tuzi sat down under the shed and said, “There’s turmoil outside, and unfortunately, my father-in-law is ill again. My wife and child want to go back to see him, and I have to accompany them.”

“When? I remember your father-in-law’s family is in the county below. You need to be careful during this time.”

“I’m not comfortable letting my wife and child go alone, so I’ll go with them.”

Ji Yangzong nodded. “This is the time when you’re busiest with your business, but it’s necessary to go see your father-in-law if he’s seriously ill.”

“Master Qiao, have some tea.”

Qiao Tuzi quickly thanked Taoyu for the tea she brought.

Then he said to Ji Yangzong, “I came here specifically for this matter. I should contribute to escorting the tax grain into the city, but unfortunately, I’m too busy.”

“It’s okay; everyone understands when family members are sick.”

“Another thing, after I leave, I’ll leave the butchering of livestock in the village to my apprentice. Can you help spread the word to everyone?”

Ji Yangzong’s eyes widened. “You mean Huo Shu?”

“He’s only been with you for a few days. Are you sure you can trust him with all of that?”

Taoyu was about to go inside, but when she heard Qiao Tuzi mention Huo Shu, she turned around and went to the side to fold some clothes that had just been dried, secretly listening to their conversation.

“Huo Shu is capable! Don’t underestimate him. I haven’t taught him much, but he’s very efficient in his work.”

“Qiao Tuzi spoke with great satisfaction, as if basking in glory: ‘I took him to slaughter livestock, and now everyone is giving meat to him. When I leave, you can confidently call him to the village; he’s capable!’

Taoyu squinted her eyes. Is this true?

How could he remember that some people had their hands scratched on the first day they learned the craft, and yet they bragged about being clumsy?

“It’s still your good teaching.”

Ji Yangzong, seeing Qiao Tuzi, who was also a discerning person, praising Huo Shu so much, also smiled along.

Qiao Tuzi waved his hand and said, “It’s your good recommendation.”

“Let me say something from the heart. I think this kid, Huo Shu, although he seems a bit aloof, is actually a good person.”

Qiao Tuzi lowered his voice: “My second daughter is not young anymore. Her mother, you know, is determined to find a good family for her in the city. But in the city, families are numerous, and they have high standards. There are too many considerations, which are not as simple as the men in the village.”

“Huo Shu may not have much wealth, but he can get things done. In the future, I’ll let him take care of our shop. If someone can carry on the family business, it will put my mind at ease. With the coming years not looking good, even the state isn’t safe anymore. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe someone like Huo Shu is the reliable one.”

Ji Yangzong’s smile disappeared instantly.

He cleared his throat and said with some annoyance, “That’s reasonable. But I still believe that when it comes to children’s matters, we should consider their wishes. Although parents have authority, if the child is not happy, then everything is in vain.”

“The child is young and doesn’t understand people or things. They just find someone who can sweet talk them and think they’re suitable. They have no idea about character. It’s the silent ones who are more reliable. But they suffer from saying too little. If parents don’t set boundaries for their children and let them do as they please, isn’t that harming them for life?”

Ji Yangzong forced a smile. “That’s also reasonable.”

Taoyu on the side pursed her lips, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, and her brow furrowed.

Things have really changed.