C10 The 10th Chapter

Even someone as patient as Huang Bingquan was getting frustrated. He and Yan Xiuchuan had grown up together, so he didn't speak with the usual caution of a servant. "Sanlang, if you keep this up, it'll be daylight soon. When you go to greet the master and mistress looking all worn out, what am I supposed to say if they ask?"

"Just tell them my wound hurts and I couldn't sleep," Yan Xiuchuan replied, turning over again. This time, he moved too much and accidentally pressed on the wound on his hip, crying out in pain.

"I told you we should apply some medicine!" Huang Bingquan carefully helped him lower his pants. "Good heavens, how did it get worse?" He muttered while applying the ointment, "And all this dirt... I shouldn't have left you alone there. Sanlang, was it a thief who hurt you?"

Annoyed by the questioning, Yan Xiuchuan grumbled, "I've told you three or four times already, it wasn't a thief. A wild cat jumped down from a tree and scratched me. I couldn't dodge in time and fell. Stop nagging. Oh, and tomorrow, see if you can find out if there's a girl around fourteen or fifteen in the house, wearing a light blue outfit, skilled in martial arts, and very beautiful."

Huang Bingquan didn't dare talk back, but he grumbled to himself. Probably not a thief, more like a fox spirit. There must be dozens, if not hundreds, of girls that age in the house. And as for wearing a light blue outfit, wouldn't she have changed by now? And saying she's very beautiful—well, even old Mrs. Li who sells tofu on East Street is quite pretty.

"Alright, I'll look into it tomorrow. You can rest easy now, my dear friend."

Yan Xiuchuan nodded gloomily, pulling a thin blanket over himself. "Okay, you can go. First thing in the morning, get a car ready for me. I need to visit the Wang family."

Huang Bingquan nodded in agreement, closed the door, and lay down on the small cot in the outer room.

He had just started to doze off when he heard Yan Xiuchuan call out from inside, "Huang Bingquan, blow out a couple of those candles. It's too bright to sleep."

The Yan and Xie families were both influential, one residing in the east of the city and the other in the west. Both had fathers and brothers serving in government positions, and both had a wayward son in the family. Birds of a feather flock together, and Yan Xiuchuan and Xie Zixiao hit it off immediately, becoming close friends. This hunting trip was organized by Xie Zixiao to mediate between Yan Xiuchuan and Wu Chengzhao.

Upon arriving at Xie’s private residence, a servant was already there to take the horse. Xie Zixiao took his hand, "I knew you'd come, my friend. Do me a favor and don't hold a grudge today. Let's have some fun."

Yan Xiuchuan realized Wu Chengzhao was also there. If Xie Zixiao hadn't been holding his arm so tightly, he would have left immediately. After standing awkwardly for a moment, he huffed, "I'll just pretend he's a country bumpkin."

Xie Zixiao nodded, "Exactly."

When discussing Wu Chengzhao, it's essential to mention his father. There was a saying among the people, "Wu and Li share the world," which referred to his father. Wu Fann was a renowned statesman, serving two dynasties. The previous emperor regarded him as a pillar of the state, elevating him to the highest ranks. Unfortunately, the emperor passed away young, leaving many sons who vied for power, causing chaos in the court. Many officials got entangled in factional struggles, leading to dismissals, executions, or sudden promotions. The government was in disarray, and the people suffered. As the saying goes, "When the state prospers, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer."

In the midst of this turmoil, Wu Fann stepped forward, rallying his old allies to support the fourth prince's ascension to the throne, who is now the current Emperor Liang Ming. Grateful for Wu Fann's loyalty, Emperor Liang Ming appointed him as the imperial tutor and granted him a noble title with autonomous lands. Since the selection of talent in the state was based on recommendations, favoring noble families, and the recommending officials were appointed by the prime minister, those chosen to serve in the court had to respectfully acknowledge Wu Fann as their mentor.

Amidst various power dynamics, the Wu family had become deeply rooted and unshakeable. Fortunately, Wu Fann remained humble and dutiful, never boasting of his achievements. Once, after a night of drinking, the emperor invited him to rest on the imperial bed, but Wu Fann politely declined, saying, "Your Majesty is like the sun, shining upon all. How can I, your servant, dare to presume?"

Wu Fann was over fifty and had two sons. His eldest son was born to his beloved wife, and naturally, Wu cherished him like a treasure. The boy was just like Wu Fann, showing intelligence and charm from a young age. As he grew, he excelled in both academics and physical skills, seemingly capable of anything. Tragically, at fifteen, he succumbed to a sudden fever. Wu's wife was heartbroken and soon followed their son in death. Within a year, Wu Fann lost his dearest ones and fell gravely ill. The emperor visited him several times and sought the best doctors across the land, eventually pulling him back from the brink. However, Wu Fann never regained his former ambition.

Besides his ill-fated eldest, Wu Fann had another son from an earlier affair. Over a decade later, his wife discovered this and brought the mother and son into their home. Unfortunately, Wu Chengzhao, the second son, had been raised in the countryside by a mother with limited vision, spoiling him to the point of arrogance. After they moved in, Wu Fann paid them little attention, seeing them merely as extra mouths to feed. So, when his eldest passed, and he remembered this other son, even a man of his stature found it too late to make a difference. Wu Fann's reprimands fell on deaf ears, and his beatings left no lasting impact. Once healed, Wu Chengzhao continued his reckless ways.