AD (QT) Chapter 117

In private, Han Ze had the System scan his silly son’s body, and the results were a pleasant surprise.

The boy wasn’t actually a fool; he was simply a late bloomer when it came to speaking. In that case, curing him was only a matter of time. There was a famous person in modern times who couldn’t speak at age three and only became fluent at ten, yet later became a physicist, thinker, and philosopher. One cannot judge a child’s future based on how early or late they start talking. Of course, Xiaoliu couldn’t be compared to that genius, but he certainly wasn’t a natural-born fool.

[System: Host, logically, Xiaoliu shouldn’t have been this late to speak, nor should he have acted like a fool. He was likely frightened into this state by the Original Owner’s constant beatings and scoldings.]

Han Ze couldn’t help but curse inwardly. He asked, “Can the Medical Department treat this kind of condition?”

[System: Medicine can only serve as an auxiliary treatment. The primary issue is psychological.]

Han Ze nodded. “Have the Medical Department prepare the medicine first.”

The medicine from the Medical Department couldn’t be shown to others; it had to be given to Xiaoliu secretly. He still needed to find a skilled doctor outside to treat the boy. Otherwise, if Xiaoliu suddenly got better for no reason, it wouldn’t make sense—he needed a plausible explanation.

With Xiaoliu’s situation addressed, the remaining issue was the girls. When the Original Owner was eight, he received a large amount of silver and land from his uncle. Since Han Maode only had one son, he naturally held high expectations for him and sent him to the town school at a young age. Unfortunately, the Original Owner wasn’t cut out for studying. After years of schooling, he achieved nothing worth mentioning, let alone passing the exams. He merely learned enough characters to not be illiterate.

The Original Owner was now twenty-nine. He married at sixteen. The eldest daughter, Da Niu, was twelve this year. Er Niu was eleven, San Niu was nine, Si Niu and Wu Niu were twins aged seven and a half, and the son, Xiaoliu, was six. Likely due to the strain of consecutive births ending with Xiaoliu, Ge Hongbu’s health had failed, and she could no longer conceive. Otherwise, there would likely have been even more children.

“It is easier to change mountains and rivers than a person’s nature.” Da Niu was twelve and Er Niu was eleven; the personalities and values of children that age were basically formed. Changing them wouldn’t be easy. But no matter how difficult, he had to make them change. With their cowardly and timid temperaments, they might be okay if they were lucky enough to marry into a kind family, but otherwise, no matter how much dowry he gave them, they wouldn’t be able to protect it.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too late. They weren’t married yet.

Han Ze wouldn’t debate whether knowledge could change one’s destiny, but based on his experiences over several lifetimes, the attitude toward life between those with knowledge and those without was vastly different.

As a certain famous person once said, “Without knowledge, it is impossible to give a correct interpretation of life.” Han Ze agreed deeply. Moreover, the ancients held great respect for those who were literate. Since he wanted to effect change, he would start by having the girls read and recognize characters.

Although the Original Owner was poor at studying, the house still had books, paper, and brushes. However, because they had been neglected for so long, the study was covered in dust. This wasn’t a big deal. After lunch, Han Ze ordered Ge Hongbu to clean out the study.

Ge Hongbu looked at Han Ze hesitantly. Han Ze frowned. “What is it?”

Only after speaking did he remember that while the Original Owner didn’t like studying, he was very protective of his study. Even if he didn’t use it, he didn’t allow anyone else inside.

He said impatiently, “I told you to clean it, so clean it. What are you worrying about?”

He didn’t really want to keep using this tone, but since that was the Original Owner’s personality, he had to transition slowly.

Ge Hongbu sighed softly in her heart, bowed her head, and went to the study. Looking at the brushes on the desk, she held them as if they were precious treasures, wiping them down with extreme care before placing them back exactly where they belonged.

Han Maode sat in the courtyard and asked, “How come you’re willing to let your wife into the study?”

Han Ze leaned back in his lounging chair and said smugly, “Da Niu and her sisters are my children. Even if they are girls, our family doesn’t lack for food or silver. I can’t raise my daughters to be as timid as housemaids. Even the maids in those wealthy households have more spirit than them. I’ve been thinking, and this just won’t do. The girls take after their mother in looks—they’re quite pretty. I’m going to groom them well so they can marry scholars in the future. I don’t have much talent myself, and I can’t count on Xiaoliu yet, so maybe I can rely on my sons-in-law to let me live like a grand old master in the future.”

Han Maode puffed on his pipe. He had been an honest man his whole life, and this boy had definitely inherited his mother’s selfish nature—everything he did was for himself. Trust this kid to come up with a plan just to live as a “grand old master.”

However, even a crooked path can lead to a good destination. Was this kid actually planning to let his granddaughters study? He had previously worried about the girls’ personalities; they had no temper at all and would surely be bullied once married. Letting them read and learn a few things might help them understand the ways of the world.

“Are you really planning to let Da Niu and the others study?”

Han Ze glared. “Would I lie about that? Hmph, Han Chengming still wants me to pay for his two sons to go to the town school. I’d rather use that silver on my own girls. It’ll save them from being as stupid as their father and getting tricked into giving away the family’s things.”

He gritted his teeth toward the end of his sentence.

Han Maode let out a huff from his nose. Thinking of the absurd things this rascal had done in the past, he felt a surge of irritation. “At least you know you were stupid.”

Han Ze thought to himself: Stupid or not, I’m still your son, so you’re stuck with me.

Han Maode looked at the boy. Realizing that because Han Ze had been tricked by Liu Jiahua and Han Chengming, he no longer trusted them and was instead focusing on treating his grandson and educating his granddaughters—Maode didn’t know whether to thank Liu Jiahua and Han Chengming or hate them. Still, it was better for his son to focus on his own children than on the offspring of that villain Han Xingwang.

It was currently the slack season, so there wasn’t much work in the fields. The next day, Han Ze called the children to the study, intending to teach them characters. The sisters stood in the room, filled with dread, not understanding what their father wanted. When they saw him bring out paper and brushes and tell them in a relatively mild tone to sit on the low stools by the desk, they felt a wave of relief. However, they still didn’t dare relax, sitting as straight as pins for fear of making him angry and triggering another beating.

Han Ze sighed softly. The Original Owner had left too deep an impression on the children. Changing it would take time. He didn’t say much, only stating, “From today on, you five sisters will study with me. Those who learn well will be rewarded.”

The sisters all stared blankly at their father but didn’t dare say a word. Whatever their father told them to do, they did—that was a long-standing habit formed to avoid his wrath.

On the first day, Han Ze didn’t plan to teach too much. Their moods were still unstable; they wouldn’t absorb much if he pushed. After half a day of lessons, Han Ze noticed that while all the children were timid, they had different traits.

As the eldest, Da Niu took great care of her sisters. However, when it came to studying, she wasn’t as quick as the others. Han Ze wasn’t discouraged. He wasn’t training them for the Imperial Exams; he just wanted to change their outlook.

Er Niu had quite a talent for studying. He had taught them twelve characters that morning, and for a first-timer, she memorized them very quickly. San Niu, Si Niu, and Wu Niu were average—neither good nor bad.

After learning the characters, Han Ze began teaching them how to write. In his past lives, he was used to teaching children, so he had plenty of patience. Besides, these children were far more obedient than the ones in his previous life; he didn’t even have to find ways to motivate them. They did exactly what he said. This made him satisfied, but also a bit saddened—they didn’t act like children at all.

Despite his pity, Han Ze still assigned them homework: five pages of calligraphy each. After Han Ze walked out, Wu Niu, being the youngest, couldn’t sit still and began fidgeting.

Da Niu glanced at her. “Wu Niu, hurry and write. Don’t make Dad angry.”

If they made him angry, they would be beaten again.

Wu Niu lowered her head, twisting her fingers. She whispered, “Big Sister, I don’t like writing characters. Why does Dad want us to write?”

Da Niu quickly looked outside. Seeing no sign of her father, she breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Wu Niu. “If Dad says write, we write. Just listen to him.”

Si Niu also whispered, “Big Sister, I don’t like it either.”

Er Niu spoke up from the side, “Do you both want to be hit?”

Si Niu and Wu Niu shuddered and immediately fell silent, picking up their brushes with their small hands to write slowly.

Da Niu relaxed, but San Niu remarked, “Dad didn’t hit us today.”

Er Niu looked at San Niu with a serious little face. “He didn’t hit us today, but if you don’t listen, do you think he won’t hit us then?”

San Niu thought about it and realized she was right. Her small shoulders slumped. She truly wished her father would always be as “good” as he was today.

Da Niu said softly, “Just hurry and finish your pages.”

Only then did the children settle down to write.

As Han Ze stepped into the courtyard, he saw Liu Jiahua walking over. He arched an eyebrow slightly.

When Liu Jiahua saw Han Ze, her face lit up with joy. She stepped forward to grab his arm, but Han Ze dodged her.

Liu Jiahua looked embarrassed, and Han Ze said unpleasantly, “What are you doing here?”

Liu Jiahua was a bit displeased, but remembering yesterday’s events and the fact that she still needed Han Ze’s silver, she put on a smile again. “Can’t I come see my own son? What, is it not allowed?”

Han Ze shot her a look. “It’s exactly that—it’s not allowed. I feel like I’m getting the short end of the deal.”

Liu Jiahua was stunned. “What deal?”

Han Ze looked at her. “You never looked after me when I was little, yet I was so good to you, sending you every good bit of food and clothing I had. How is that not a losing deal?”

Liu Jiahua was choked for words, but she refused to admit she had mistreated him. She said, “I gave birth to you; I’m your mother. A son being filial to his mother is only right and natural.”

Han Ze retorted sharply, “Then a mother raising her son is also right and natural. Did you raise me?”

Liu Jiahua stammered, “This… this… how can that be the same?”

Han Ze said, “I don’t see how it’s different. You didn’t raise me, so why should I support you? Besides, you lied to me, saying Han Chengming was my father’s son and my brother. Your mouth is full of lies; who knows what’s true or false.”

Liu Jiahua quickly explained, “Even if Chengming isn’t your father’s son, you both have the same mother. That much is true, isn’t it?”

Han Ze’s face was cold. “That might be true, but why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why did you keep lying?”

Liu Jiahua laughed awkwardly.

Han Ze said coldly, “Can’t say it, can you? I know why without you saying it. You just wanted to trick me into being a sucker who provides you with food and drink, right? If I hadn’t overheard the truth this time, were you going to trick me into paying for Han Chengming’s son’s schooling too?”

Liu Jiahua denied it, saying it wasn’t like that, but in her heart, she was cursing. Even if that was the case, Han Ze’s complete lack of restraint in saying it out loud made her resentful. She was his mother; how could he give her zero face?

Han Ze added, “No matter what you say, I don’t believe you anymore.” He thought for a moment and then said, “As for those twenty mu of land I rented to your family… you haven’t paid a single cent of rent in all these years. If you don’t give me the rent after this autumn harvest, I’m taking the land back.”

When Liu Jiahua heard he wanted to take back the twenty mu, she cried out, “No!”

“If it’s a ‘no,’ then pay the rent. Otherwise, I’ll go talk to the village chief.”

Liu Jiahua raged, “I’m your mother! You wouldn’t dare!”

Han Ze arched an eyebrow. “Why don’t you wait and see if I dare?”

Liu Jiahua pointed at him. “You…”

Han Ze said, “Mother, you know my temper. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have manipulated me so much in the past under the guise of ‘doing what’s best for me,’ telling me lies about relying on Jixue and Jiwen for my old age. I don’t believe any of it now. You’d better think carefully about when you’re going to give me that rent.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll sue you for unfilial behavior?”

When Liu Jiahua met Han Ze’s chilly gaze, she felt a shiver of fear. She couldn’t afford to provoke this brat right now. She decided to go back and scheme with her old man on how to win Han Ze’s heart back.

Once Han Ze took back the land he rented to them, their family’s life would be ruined. She absolutely could not give those twenty mu back to him.