AD (QT) Chapter 137

Liu Jiahua took several deep breaths, exhaling the turbid air in her chest. Once she steadied herself, she glared at Han Ze and spat a final threat: “Han Ze, you truly are my ‘good’ son. Just you wait; since you are so unfilial, the Heavens will collect your life sooner or later.”

Han Ze arched an eyebrow. “Don’t worry. With Han Xingwang and Han Chengming around, the Heavens won’t come for me first. They are far more rotten than I am.”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Liu Jiahua’s heart skipped a beat, and she shouted with false bravado.

“Don’t you know best in your own heart, Mother?” Han Ze sneered. “Don’t tell me that after living with Han Xingwang for half a lifetime, you still don’t know what kind of man he is. My mother isn’t that stupid.”

“What would I know? I don’t know anything!”

Liu Jiahua’s old face turned beet red. Having been married to Han Xingwang for all these years, bearing him four children and having several grandsons, she would indeed be a fool if she didn’t know his character.

Even though she knew he was full of schemes, she still followed his lead and plotted for Han Ze’s silver. She did it because it benefited her and because her four children were his. Han Xingwang’s endless calculations were for the sake of this household, wasn’t it? So, she simply closed one eye and pretended not to see.

Han Ze was indifferent. “Then pretend you know nothing. It doesn’t matter; no matter what you think or how you plot, I simply won’t play along, so it’s all useless.”

Liu Jiahua was stifled once again. Realizing her scheme had failed, she didn’t bother arguing further. Thinking of the servant who had run to find Chengming, she stomped her foot in frustration. If that servant really dared to say what Han Ze told him to say at her house, the whole village would know. How could she face anyone? At that thought, she hurried to catch up with the servant to stop him.

Han Ze let her go. Aside from manipulating Liu Jiahua to plot against him, what else could Han Xingwang really do?

…

Since the County Exams, Han Shubuo hadn’t returned to the academy; he stayed home every day to read and practice calligraphy.

Han Ze was busy planting flowers and hadn’t noticed the boy’s routine. Once he finished planting, he saw that Shubuo was rising before dawn to read. After breakfast, the boy plunged straight into the study and didn’t emerge until noon. After lunch, he skipped his nap and went right back in. As for after dinner, he was invariably in the study.

In short, out of the twenty-four hours in a day, aside from eating, sleeping, and using the latrine, he spent every moment reading and writing.

Han Ze frowned. He didn’t scold the boy—there was no reason to scold a child for being diligent. However, the next morning when Shubuo rose before dawn, Han Ze rose with him. He went to the study and said brooking no argument, “Come run with me.”

“Run? Why?” Han Shubuo was dazed. What was “running”?

Han Ze glanced at him. “Follow me.”

Han Shubuo looked hesitantly at the book in his hand. “Dad, I’m reading.”

“I’m not stopping you from reading, but early morning is the best time for exercise. Don’t let your books delay your physical health,” Han Ze said. “The Imperial Exams require a strong body. Even if you have genuine talent, it’s useless if you collapse in the examination shed because you couldn’t hold out.”

“Fine… then!” Han Shubuo stood up reluctantly. Exercise? Only his Dad could find so many reasons for it.

The father and son began to jog along the manor paths. Seeing that his son didn’t quite believe him, Han Ze said slowly, “For the County Exams, you enter each day and leave when finished, returning the next morning. You don’t spend the night, and the duration is short, so no one faints… But the Departmental Exams last three days, and you must stay in the shed the entire time. If you don’t have a strong physique, fainting is a common occurrence.”

“Is it really that serious? It’s just an exam; people actually faint?” This was the first time Han Shubuo had heard of this, and he was clearly a bit spooked.

Han Ze smiled. “In the future, for the Provincial and Metropolitan Exams, you have to live in the testing cells. With the nerves, poor food, and lack of sleep combined with the harsh environment, one can easily fall ill if not careful. Back then, even more scholars and juren would faint. Do you still think it’s not serious?”

Han Shubuo frowned and thought for a moment. “In that case, academies shouldn’t just teach the knowledge for the exams; they should also teach students how to survive the exam process safely. Academies ought to add martial arts or physical training to strengthen the students’ constitutions.”

Han Ze couldn’t help but look at his son in a new light. This child was truly bright, knowing how to infer other things from a single point. He wasn’t just a little relieved; he was immensely gratified. He laughed and said, “You can mention this to your teacher. However, hiring a martial arts instructor isn’t easy; your tuition would likely increase accordingly.”

Han Shubuo replied, “Since physical strength is so vital to the exams, I believe parents wouldn’t object to a small increase in tuition.”

Han Ze said, “Let’s not worry about that for now. Since you’re studying at home lately, run with me every morning.”

Han Shubuo: “…”

…

In early May, Han Chengming and his sons returned from the provincial capital. Seeing the joy on Han Chengming’s face, the villagers guessed that perhaps both Han Jixue and Han Jiwen had passed. Were they both tongsheng now? As it turned out, no—only Han Jiwen had passed.

The reason Han Chengming was happy was that between his two sons, one passed and one failed; he finally didn’t have to struggle with a choice. Since Jiwen passed and was now a tongsheng, he would continue his studies.

As for Jixue, he had seemed capable before, but he had performed poorly in these two exams and failed the Prefectural level, not even becoming a tongsheng.

The family was poor, so Chengming could only helplessly let him return home. At least the boy was literate; he could work as a bookkeeper in the future and avoid a life of grueling labor in the fields. As a father, Chengming felt he had done right by him.

But how could Han Jixue be content with being a mere bookkeeper? It was just one failure! If he tried again next time, he was certain he could pass. Did his father really have the heart to make him give up on the exams?

The happiest person was Han Jiwen. Although he ranked near the bottom of the list, he had at least passed. He wanted to burst into laughter; he was a tongsheng now! But seeing his brother’s grim face, he suppressed his joy with great effort. He hadn’t expected his brother to fail; was he really not that much worse than his brother after all?

Han Jixue caught the sight of Han Jiwen’s mouth, which he couldn’t seem to keep closed, and found it incredibly eyesore. He had always prided himself on his superior intellect and looked down on his younger brother. He simply could not believe that in two consecutive exams, he had lost to this “dunce” of a brother.

Han Chengming also noticed his eldest son’s gloom and patted his shoulder. “Don’t be too sad. You seemed better at your books than Jiwen, yet you didn’t pass. It can only be said that this is fate.”

Fate?

Han Jixue sneered inwardly. It’s just that you don’t want to work hard for my sake. I don’t believe in fate; even if it is my destiny, I refuse to be a bookkeeper or a peasant.

He looked at Han Chengming. “Dad, let me try one more time. If I don’t pass then, I won’t ever take it again. Please?”

Han Chengming was in a difficult position. After these two exams, the family was almost out of silver. Given his family’s reputation, it was nearly impossible to borrow more. He frowned and said, “It’s not that I won’t let you, but the family has no silver left.”

How could Han Jixue believe that? Even if his parents were out, his grandparents certainly had some. He pleaded, “Dad, just one more time. Just once. Is that really impossible?”

Seeing his son’s sorrowful and lost face, Han Chengming felt a trace of pity. He sighed. “Your grandparents have saved some private silver, but that is for your two uncles to find wives. How can they give it all to you? Your uncles wouldn’t agree.”

The two younger brothers were at the age to marry. If the silver was spent and Jixue passed, it might be fine, but if he failed, Chengming could already imagine how the status of the eldest branch would plummet in this house.

Han Jixue pursed his lips. In other words, there was silver in the house. At that thought, his eyes flickered. He glanced at Han Jiwen out of the corner of his eye. If he could get the silver to continue his studies, he didn’t want to get his hands dirty. But there are no secrets in this world; he would avoid acting if he could.

…

When the peonies bloomed in April, Han Ze collected another sum of silver. Instead of letting it sit, he went to the county seat and bought some land on the outskirts. Being near the city, the land was expensive; five thousand taels only bought one manor with seven hundred mu. He spent the remaining silver on gold and silver jewelry for his daughters.

By now, Han Ze personally owned about two thousand mu of land and had large courtyards in the town, the county seat, and the capital.

When he returned home and the family learned he had bought another seven hundred mu, they were slightly shocked, despite knowing his earning power.

Han Ze took out the jewelry boxes and handed them to his daughters, saying gently, “I didn’t know what styles you liked, so I bought a few pieces for each of you that looked pretty. Go ahead and wear them.”

The sisters happily gathered their boxes and went to their small loft. Han Xiaodong looked on with intense envy. She shot several looks at her Big Brother, but seeing him ignore her, she felt aggrieved.

Wang Lanhua glared at her. Serves you right. Your brother is as sharp as an old fox; you dare to act up in front of him? Just wait to be dealt with.

Han Ze swept a glance at Han Xiaodong. His tone was flat but authoritative: “I’ve bought you plenty of jewelry in the past. Why have I never seen you wear any of it?”

Han Xiaodong bit her lip and twisted her fingers, saying nothing.

“Speak!” Han Ze’s voice suddenly rose.

Han Xiaodong shuddered and looked to Wang Lanhua for help.

Wang Lanhua turned away and ignored her. It’s time Han Ze gave her a lesson.

Seeing that her mother wouldn’t help, Han Xiaodong lowered her head. Her eyes turned red, and soon large tears began splashing onto the ground.

Han Maode sat nearby with his eyes lowered, smoking his pipe. He let his son discipline the sister. In the past, when Han Ze was a scoundrel, Maode would have worried, but in the last few years, Han Ze had taught the sisters, bought them clothes and jewelry, and even prepared lavish dowries. Even as a father, Maode hadn’t been as good to Xiaochun and Xiaodong as their Big Brother had. If Xiaodong was being disobedient, she deserved to be disciplined. They couldn’t be soft; she shouldn’t think that just because the family was rich, she could be arrogant.

Han Ze looked at her stubborn face, frowned deeply, and suddenly said, “If you really want to marry that tongsheng from the neighboring village, it’s not impossible.”

Han Xiaodong snapped her head up, her tearful eyes filled with surprise.

Han Ze waved a hand. “Let me finish before you make a decision.”

Han Xiaodong wiped her eyes. Han Ze arched an eyebrow. “If you marry that tongsheng, then the dowry I promised you will be canceled. Are you still willing to marry that boy?”

What he didn’t say was: Without that massive dowry, would that boy even still want you?

Han Xiaodong froze. “But… didn’t you promise?”

He promised the sisters dowries! Xiaochun got hers—how could he not give her one?

Han Ze smiled. “When I prepared Xiaochun’s dowry, I said I’d give you an equal share. But I also said that I provide dowries because I feel it is worthwhile. Brother-in-law Yao is a scholar who can promote Shubuo—in fact, he is already a juren now.”

Over the past two years, Wang Lanhua had arranged countless matches for Han Xiaodong, but she had refused them all. To their surprise, she had secretly developed a romantic entanglement with a tongsheng from a nearby village.

Han Ze didn’t mind a young girl having feelings of affection, but he heard from his stepmother that in just a few months, Xiaodong’s jewelry had all been pawned off. It had all been schemed away by that tongsheng.

Even without meeting him, Han Ze could imagine what kind of man he was. If a scholar were truly decent, how could he plot for a young girl’s silver?

Han Xiaodong said hurriedly, “Qian Hong is a tongsheng! He will pass the xiucai exams! Once he does, he can promote Shubuo too!”

Han Ze stated bluntly, “But I don’t trust his character. I believe he only wants to marry you for the dowry.”

Han Xiaodong looked at him with resentment and blurted out, “Impossible! He said, he…”

Before she could finish, Wang Lanhua slapped her across the face. Han Xiaodong clutched her cheek, looking at her mother in disbelief as tears fell. “Mom, you hit me?”

Wang Lanhua’s body was shaking with rage. “If you want to marry him, marry him! As for the dowry, not a single copper!”

Han Ze added from the side, “If you have no dowry and that Qian Hong is still willing to marry you, then I will acknowledge him as a brother-in-law.”

Han Xiaodong looked at him hatefully. “Do you think everyone is as vulgar as you, seeing only silver?”

Wang Lanhua wanted to slap her again, but Han Ze said, “Yes, I only see silver. In that case, do as you wish. I am your elder brother; the gold and silver jewelry I bought you in the past will count as your dowry. I assume that in the future, even if you are eating coarse rice or going hungry, you won’t come back to your natal home for help. After all, ‘love is enough to fill the belly,’ isn’t it?”

Han Xiaodong’s face turned pale and then flushed. She felt a pang of regret; she shouldn’t have said those words. She knew how well her brother had treated her, but… but why couldn’t he see the good in Qian Hong?

Han Ze looked at Han Maode and gave a light laugh. “Dad, tomorrow tell the villagers that our Xiaodong doesn’t value silver, so we won’t be preparing a dowry for her. Once Qian Hong knows Xiaodong’s heart, he should be coming to propose.”

Han Xiaodong’s face turned even paler. She stood in the courtyard in a daze, a faint sense of uncertainty blooming in her heart. Would Qian Hong really come to propose?

…

However, since Han Ze announced he wouldn’t provide a single copper of dowry—not even a change of clothes—Wang Lanhua sent Xiaodong to live with her other two sons. Don’t you find silver vulgar? Don’t you think your brother only sees money? Fine, since silver is vulgar, go live a life without it.

The girl had studied a few books and thought herself superior. Being pampered with good food and drink by Han Ze had made her naive and ignorant of the world, seeing only romance. Let her suffer a bit and see if she still thinks silver is ‘vulgar’.

Han Xiaodong couldn’t believe her parents and brother would really just abandon her. Seeing their stubborn faces, she got angry too. Fine, I’ll leave. She waited for Qian Hong to come propose and prove them wrong.

But the days passed. It was almost her eighteenth birthday, and Qian Hong hadn’t sent a matchmaker. Meanwhile, she had spent nearly a month eating coarse steamed buns with her other two brothers. She hadn’t tasted a piece of meat in a month; she was so hungry she’d salivate just smelling a neighbor’s cooking. She never knew she was such a glutton.

She could finally take it no longer and went to find Qian Hong personally. No one knew what he said to her, but she returned home with red eyes. After sulking in her room for half a day, she emerged to find Han Ze. Looking at her brother, she said mockingly, “Big Brother, you were right. ‘Love filling the belly’ is just a story in a book. To actually live a life, you can’t do without silver.”

Han Ze looked at her. “Went to see Qian Hong?”

Han Xiaodong was strangely calm. “He got engaged today to the daughter of a butcher in town. It’s said the butcher bought him a shop in town.”

Han Ze gave an “Oh” and ignored her, continuing to weed his flowers.

Han Xiaodong was stunned. That’s it?

Wang Lanhua appeared from somewhere and said with a dark face, “What are you doing here?”

Han Xiaodong looked at her mother, feeling aggrieved. “Mom, Qian Hong is engaged.”

Wang Lanhua also gave an indifferent “Oh.” “What does his engagement have to do with me?”

Han Xiaodong: “…”

Wang Lanhua waved her off. “If you have nothing else, go back to your brothers. Don’t let our family’s ‘vulgarity’ rub off on you.”

Han Xiaodong’s face flushed with shame. She grabbed her mother’s arm and suddenly knelt on the ground, pleading, “Mom, I was wrong. I was really wrong. Please forgive me.”

Wang Lanhua had been shocked by the girl’s stubbornness. She never knew her daughter could be so naive and selfish. She said, “You were wrong? How could you be wrong? We were the ones who were wrong. You were never wrong.”

Han Xiaodong sobbed, “Mom, you won’t forgive me?”

“Go back to your brothers.”

Wang Lanhua pulled her arm away and steeled her heart to go inside. Silly girl, you’ve offended Han Ze; what’s the use of my forgiveness? Han Ze is the head of this house. You have to get him to forgive you before I can let you back. If I let you back while he’s still angry, what would he think? Why can’t you understand how difficult it is for me as a stepmother?

…

Han Shuxin and her sisters were helping their father weed the flowers. Looking at their aunt’s retreating back, they hesitated.

Han Ze saw their expressions and said tonelessly, “Think your father is heartless?”

Han Shuxin shook her head and said after a thought, “Youngest Aunt must regret it now.”

Han Ze didn’t comment on whether she regretted it. He asked instead, “What do you think of your aunt and that Qian Hong? And what do you think of your own future marriages?”

Han Shuxin was at the age for marriage proposals. Hearing her father’s question, her face turned red, but she whispered, “The command of parents and the words of a matchmaker… we are young and have seen little of the world; we don’t know how to judge people. I… I trust Father.”

Han Ze smiled with satisfaction and said sternly, “If any of you dare to act like your aunt, I’ll break your legs.”

The sisters shook their heads hurriedly.

The second girl, Han Shuqing, felt that her aunt wasn’t just silly, but foolish. To use her own jewelry to support an outsider—even if the man had promised to marry her, it was a losing deal. Not to mention, it was never certain he would marry her. To entrust one’s life to the unknown—if that isn’t foolishness, what is?

Han Ze added, “Your elder sister is right. You are young; how many people have you met? Though our family isn’t some great clan, we have a solid foundation here. I provided so much for your aunt Xiaochun—how much more for you, my own daughters? To stop those with ill intentions, I will personally investigate every marriage prospect before any engagement is made.”

The sisters all blushed and kept their heads down.

Han Ze smiled. As Shubuo was about to go to the prefectural city for the Departmental Exams, he didn’t have much energy to waste on a disobedient sister who saw only romance. However, through Xiaodong’s situation, he had learned the temperaments of his daughters and felt somewhat relieved. These children weren’t like their aunt; they could tell right from wrong.

Still, if he could help his two sisters, he would. If they were truly beyond help, then given the Original Owner’s personality, he wouldn’t care too much. With him around, even if Han Xiaodong was “rotten wood,” her life wouldn’t be too bad—it would just be similar to most other village girls.

…

Han Ze spent his days planting flowers and teaching the children, rarely going into the village. One day, Han Maode returned from outside with a face full of excitement. Han Ze looked at him in surprise. “What’s got you so happy?”

Han Maode clicked his tongue and looked at Han Ze. “Having fewer sons has its benefits. I only have you, so all the family property is yours; at least the house is at peace.”

Han Ze laughed and shook his head, taking a sip of tea.

Seeing him not biting, Han Maode couldn’t hide his excitement and continued, “Han Xingwang has many sons, and look what’s happened! His three sons are fighting over his private silver…”

His eyes were full of smugness. Han Ze gave him an amused look.

Han Maode took a drink of water and continued, “When they started fighting, Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua had to try and break it up. That’s where things went wrong.”

Han Ze prompted, “Were they accidentally hit by their own sons?”

Han Maode slapped his hands together. “Exactly! Han Xingwang wasn’t strong even when he was young—he was a scholarly type—so what strength does he have in his old age? His sons are all strong laborers and the whole family is ruthless. When they fight, they fight hard. They were trying to stop it, but the sons were too angry and kept swinging. Liu Jiahua hurt her waist, and Han Xingwang’s leg is broken! Serves him right for having so many sons!”

Han Ze laughed. “Dad, that has nothing to do with the number of sons. As you said, they are just a ruthless family.”

There were plenty of families with many sons who didn’t fight over property. It was a matter of character.

He had expected this. With three sons, unless Han Xingwang and Liu Jiahua could be perfectly fair, trouble was inevitable since the sons were all predatory. Moreover, as far as he knew, Han Chengming’s silver was nearly gone. Given the family’s nature, either Jixue or Jiwen would have to stop studying. Since Jixue failed to become a tongsheng, it was obvious who Chengming would choose.

But Han Jixue was no saint; he was arrogant, selfish, and cruel. He would never willingly go home to farm. He would definitely find a way to force Han Xingwang to pay for his studies. Who knows which of the three brothers actually started this fight?

…

For the trip to the prefectural city, Han Ze and his son traveled with the other candidates from the academy. The teachers didn’t go this time. Because of some older candidates from previous years, there were eight students in total.

As everyone introduced themselves, Han Ze noticed that Qian Hong—the one involved with Han Xiaodong who later married the butcher’s daughter—was among them. He had wondered why this man was acting so evasively upon seeing him; now he knew.

He had only heard about this man from Wang Lanhua—that he was plotting against Xiaodong. He hadn’t expected the boy to be so spineless.

He glanced at Qian Hong, thinking: Forget the fact that you’ve married someone else and can no longer have a relation to my family; even if you weren’t married, I wouldn’t do anything to you. You really don’t need to be this scared.

Qian Hong jumped when he saw Han Ze looking at him. He had decided so quickly to marry the butcher’s daughter precisely because of Han Ze’s reputation. It was said this man was incredibly overbearing and would reach for a weapon at the slightest disagreement. How could he dare marry his sister while having schemed against her? Furthermore, he had indeed swindled quite a lot of silver from Xiaodong. Seeing Han Ze now, he was terrified.

Han Ze glanced at him again. This kind of character? What did Xiaodong even see in him?

Meeting Han Ze’s eyes, Qian Hong’s legs shook, and he could barely stand. Han Ze decided the man was likely mentally ill and stopped looking at him.

Qian Hong, trembling, reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack of banknotes. He counted them, took one out, and secretly handed it to Han Ze.

Han Ze looked at him strangely. “What is this for?”

Qian Hong whispered hurriedly, “I… I owe your family.”

Han Ze looked at the number on it: thirty taels? He arched an eyebrow. This boy had actually managed to get thirty taels from Xiaodong; likely the proceeds from selling her jewelry. He had assumed the boy would have returned it to Xiaodong once he got engaged; he hadn’t realized Xiaodong truly didn’t care about the silver.

Han Ze took the silver, thinking to himself: Since she doesn’t care about silver, I won’t be giving these thirty taels back to her either.

Qian Hong breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Han Ze didn’t retaliate, thirty taels was a price worth paying. After all, the silver was swindled from Han Xiaodong in the first place.