Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Title

Ye Qingshang and Mu Huaiyun had followed Zhou Hanguang, but he remained occupied all morning—either reviewing ledgers or heading to review ledgers. Even after returning to Zhou Mansion, he didn’t pause.

Ye Qingshang grew drowsy staring at cramped numbers until faint noises drifted from the rear courtyard.

A woman’s voice gradually clarified.

“Brother, please help me.”

It was Zhou Yuanyi and Zhou Se.

Zhou Se wore an exasperated expression. “Yuanyi, need I remind you? An unmarried lady asking me for silver—for him? Are you so smitten? How could a poor girl like Fang Meiyong ever deserve you?”

“Brother…” Zhou Yuanyi softened her tone. “I’ll marry no one but her. Just take a little silver from the treasury—a tiny sum. Please…”

Zhou Se sighed. “Why must you be so stubborn? How should I explain this to Father? He’s auditing the accounts strictly—every coin in the treasury catches his eye.”

Zhou Yuanyi pleaded, “Hide it from Father for now. Buy us time. Once Fang comes to propose and our union is settled, what’s done can’t be undone. Father couldn’t stop us then.”

Zhou Se countered, “The Fangs live humbly. You’ve known only silks and feasts, yet you’d scrub laundry and eat coarse grains in their home. Are you certain?”

“Absolutely.”

“Very well. A grown daughter belongs elsewhere—seems Zhou Mansion can’t keep you, Yuanyi…”

“Brother…”

Zhou Yuanyi’s devotion struck Ye Qingshang profoundly.

While wealthy maidens were said to be confined to lofty chambers, Zhou Yuanyi differed—she chose her own spouse and even supplied her own betrothal gifts. Yet why couldn’t such sincerity secure her future with the Fang family’s daughter?

“Miss.” A maidservant hesitated nearby. “Are you truly doing this?”

Zhou Yuanyi explained, “The Fangs are scholars; Uncle Fang holds a xiucai degree. They’d never accept this silver. Yet without it, the betrothal gift becomes an impossible burden. I must write to convey my heart—sparing them the shame of begging for funds.”

The maid fretted, “But Miss, if this spreads, your reputation—”

“No matter. For her, it’s worth it.”

“Miss Zhou, your devotion is one in ten thousand,” Mu Huaiyun remarked after long silence.

Ye Qingshang concurred, “Indeed, yet how unfortunate…”

Both silently foresaw the outcome and chose not to elaborate.

*

Seven days later, Fang Meiyong and Fang Xun arrived at Zhou Mansion to propose.

Besides Fang Meiyong, the Fangs had a daughter named Fang Hanyu. Unrestrained by decorum, she’d badgered her way along to meet her future sister-in-law. Unable to refuse, Fang Xun settled her in a side hall.

Meanwhile, Zhou Hanguang and his wife presided in the main hall.

Zhou Hanguang took the teacup, lifted the lid to skim off the foam, and said deliberately, \"Elder Fang, your purpose is clear. As the saying goes, men must marry and women must wed—we approve this match. But to marry Yuanyi, I have one condition.\"

Fang Xun responded, \"Mr. Zhou, please speak.\"

Zhou Hanguang continued, \"First, answer me: how did you gather such lavish betrothal gifts in under ten days? Where did the silver come from?\"

Fang Xun lowered his gaze. \"From… friends and family.\"

\"Oh…\" Zhou Hanguang drew out the syllable, then added, \"Thank you for your honesty. My condition is this: Fang Gongzi must become a *live-in son-in-law* at Zhou Mansion!\"

Fang Xun gasped, \"What?!\"

Fang Meiyong’s voice trembled. \"Uncle Zhou, have I offended? You… you promised betrothal gifts alone would—\"

Zhou Hanguang cut her off. \"I’ve reconsidered. Yuanyi shan’t suffer in marriage. If you truly care, you’d see joining *our* household is best. Refuse, and I’ll wed her elsewhere!\"

Fang Xun sighed. \"Is there no alternative?\"

Zhou Hanguang stated coldly, \"A wise man knows I don’t jest.\"

*A scholar’s pride cannot be bought*. Forcing them to accept a live-in marriage trampled their dignity. The Fang family would never yield—this proposal was doomed.

Ye Qingshang shook her head silently.

Meanwhile, unaware of the main hall’s turmoil, Fang Hanyu slipped toward the rear courtyard.

She sought Zhou Yuanyi’s quarters but halted at a corridor corner where a figure blocked her path.

Zhou Se’er—tipsy and sullen—leered at her. \"A… beauty?\"

Fang Hanyu frowned. \"Who are you? Why linger here?\"

Without warning, he lunged. As her robes tore, she kicked his groin hard.

…

\"Father!\" Zhou Yuanyi knelt tearfully before Zhou Hanguang. \"You know the Fangs’ plight! This demand crushes their honor! How could—\"

\"Enough!\" Zhou Hanguang roared. \"Zhou Yuanyi! Did my indulgence make you steal from our vaults? An unwed girl obsessing over *them*—where’s your propriety? Our house shan’t bear this shame!\"

Zhou Yuanyi paled. \"You… know?\"

\"Thanks to Se’er exposing you before greater loss!\" Zhou Hanguang snapped. \"The Fangs took our silver—now they’ll send a son-in-law! Or this marriage ends!\"

Zhou Yuanyi collapsed. \"My… my *brother* betrayed me?\"

\"Disaster! Disaster!\" A maid scrambled in.

Zhou Hanguang scowled. \"Hysterics? Control yourself!\"

The maid trembled. \"Sir—Young Master Se’er… he’s gravely hurt!\"

Zhou Hanguang froze. \"What?!\"

*

Fang Hanyu’s kick had drawn blood from Zhou Se’er’s vitals.

Doctors streamed through Zhou Mansion well past nightfall. Every physician in town agreed: Young Master Fang’s sudden injury was incurable—his bedchamber abilities weakened, heirs unlikely.

*Your son is ruined.*

Zhou Hanguang turned ashen. The Fang-Zhou engagement dissolved instantly. Enraged by his son’s maiming and daughter’s defiance, he confined Zhou Yuanyi to her chambers.

Ye Qingshang despised such conduct: his son got injured and couldn\’t function as a man—that was his own doing—but the daughter was innocent. How could he be so biased as to lock her away?

She cast a glance and remarked, \"Truly, appearances deceive. I’d thought Mr. Zhou cherished his son, respected his wife, unlike merchants who scorn those beneath them. Yet it seems he couldn’t escape such vulgarity.\"

Mu Huaiyun added, \"Mr. Zhou is indeed narrow-minded. But given Zhou Se’s condition, no wonder he’s desperate enough to summon a Taoist.\"

His words proved timely. Three days later, Zhou Se woke from his coma.

Learning the truth, Zhou Se nearly lost his mind. He smashed everything in the room, clutching Zhou Hanguang’s hands in agony. \"Father, you must avenge me! Father… looking like this, I’d rather die!\"

Zhou Hanguang soothed him, \"Se’er… my Se’er, I won’t abandon you. Focus on recovery. There will be a way.\"

What followed was familiar to Ye Qingshang and Mu Huaiyun: Zhou Hanguang summoned Steward Liu to fetch a Taoist from the city.

This Taoist, rumored to wield formidable power and act with thunderous resolve, wore robes that flowed like a celestial being—the Flame Beast in disguise.

Adopting a respectful air, Zhou Hanguang poured tea himself. \"Steward Liu must’ve explained our situation. Venerable Taoist, given your wisdom, can this be resolved?\"

The Taoist smiled. \"I claim no medical expertise. If Young Master Zhou is ill, seek a physician. Yet for your other request…\" He leaned forward. \"Elaborate.\"

Unease prickled Ye Qingshang’s heart. If Zhou Hanguang had deceived them from the start, and the Flame Beast’s aid wasn’t for healing Zhou Se… what bargain compelled silence even as his son faced death?

Beside the sandalwood chair, Zhou Hanguang narrowed his eyes, uttering words that sickened her: \"The Fang family has a daughter, Hanyu. Trained by a master since childhood, she possesses cultivation foundations—untouchable by ordinary folk. Yet she dared harm my Se’er. Considering a father’s devotion, I beg you to teach her a lesson.\"

The Taoist’s smile deepened. \"And how would you have me proceed, Mr. Zhou?\"

A flash of malice crossed Zhou Hanguang’s face. \"A small matter: end Fang Hanyu’s life. Succeed, and name your reward.\"

The smile reaching the Taoist’s eyes seemed pure mockery to Ye Qingshang.

\"Done.\"