Neither Ye Mingde nor Zhou Yu had expected Xie Bohuai to intervene in this matter. Wasn’t Zhenfu Si supposed to be extremely busy?
The sunlight was particularly bright today, casting a softer glow on Xie Bohuai’s face than usual. He looked at Zhou Yu and said, “As officials, we must act with clear consciences. Hanlin Zhou, there have been enough rumors about you in Jingcheng lately. You should consider whether you’ve offended anyone.”
Otherwise, if this reached the Emperor, how would His Majesty view it? Would fellow officials still be willing to associate with Zhou Yu?
Not to mention others, Zhou Yu had already thoroughly offended the Ye Family.
Zhou Yu was sweating profusely.
Ye Mingyue immediately chimed in, “Indeed, Zhou Yu. While I cannot see the Emperor, my elder brother can submit memorials. Since we know you have no money, you should mortgage your residence to the Ye Family.”
“Absolutely not!” Zhou Yu refused outright. Without their home, where would his family live?
“This isn’t for you to decide,” Ye Mingyue said, pulling his elder brother to leave. “Brother, let’s first report this to the authorities and see what face Zhou Yu will have left to remain in Jingcheng.”
Zhou Yu anxiously tried to stop them, but his injuries prevented him from catching up with the Ye brothers.
Mother Zhou, listening anxiously inside, pushed Xu Zhuling aside and rushed out. Pointing at Xie Bohuai, she scolded, “Who do you think you are? What business is our affair with the Ye Family of yours?”
Her words made even Ye Mingyue halt in his tracks.
Everyone knew that Xie Bohuai of Zhenfu Si was like the King of Hell reborn. For Mother Zhou’s words alone, Xie Bohuai could have her killed.
Ignorant of the consequences, Mother Zhou didn’t know who Xie Bohuai was, nor was she aware of his high position. Seeing everyone staring at her, she continued, “You may look decent, but you love meddling in others’ affairs. You might as well cut off that thing in your trousers and become a woman at the village entrance… Ah!”
A scream pierced the air, startling sparrows from the tree branches.
Xie Bohuai had thrown a dart that sliced through Mother Zhou’s hair bun and embedded itself in the doorframe behind her.
Her hair loosened, revealing a bald patch in the middle. She touched it, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
With such a large bald spot, she would never dare show her face in public again.
Xie Bohuai turned to Zhou Yu. “If this happens again, it won’t be her hair that gets cut.”
Xie Bohuai’s murderous aura made Zhou Yu tremble involuntarily. He knew Xie Bohuai was capable of killing.
“Xie… Xie Bohuai, you…”
“Me what?” Xie Bohuai scowled. “Do you think I’m patient enough to entertain your games? Today, I’m meddling in this affair. Either repay the debt, or I’ll accompany the Ye brothers to report you to the authorities. Choose one. I’ll give you only three counts to decide.”
“One.”
“Two.”
…
“I’ll give you the house!” Zhou Yu loudly interrupted Xie Bohuai’s count.
He couldn’t let this go to the authorities. Absolutely not.
If it reached the officials, the rumors would be confirmed, and Zhou Yu’s career would be over.
He could always buy another house, but his future was what mattered most.
Ye Mingyue extended his hand. “In that case, hand over the property deed. You must move out today.”
“So soon?” Zhou Yu frowned.
“Indeed, we show no mercy,” Ye Mingyue said with a laugh, glancing at his elder brother. “Brother, take the deed back. I’ll stay here to oversee the Zhou family’s move. My sister and the others are waiting anxiously and will want to hear the good news quickly.” He then thanked Xie Bohuai.
Xie Bohuai waited until Zhou Yu produced the property deed before leaving with his men.
Qingshan followed his master back to the Xie Family, his mind filled with questions. But his master’s face was dark as thunder, and even someone as slow-witted as him knew better than to ask anything at this moment.
Shuyan came to report that the master wished to see him.
Xie Bohuai raised his thick eyebrows. “What for?”
“It seems to be about your marriage, Third Master,” Shuyan replied, holding his breath. The situation in the Xie Family was complicated—the master and his wife had argued countless times over their son’s marriage.
Xie Bohuai, born of a concubine and the youngest son of Master Xie in his old age, was disliked by Madam Xie despite his outstanding qualities. She had only picked daughters from ordinary families for him, while Master Xie, placing high hopes on him, had personally taken over the selection of a bride after expressing dissatisfaction with Madam Xie’s choices.
“I won’t see him,” Xie Bohuai said curtly, sitting down to read.
No sooner had he spoken than Master Xie strode across the threshold.
“You’re putting on airs now, making your own father come to you!” Master Xie’s hair was half-gray, but his voice boomed like a bell. “I’ve arranged leave for you. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to the Hubu Shangshu’s residence. Over the years, you’ve handled affairs for the Emperor with ruthless efficiency and made many enemies. If you don’t secure a powerful in-law, who will protect you after I’m gone?”
“I don’t need it.”
“What do you mean, you don’t need it? Do you think you’ve gotten this far on your own? Without me, you’d be nothing!” Master Xie slammed the table and stood up.
Xie Bohuai’s brow furrowed deeply, but his imposing demeanor didn’t waver in the face of his father. “Then why don’t you die and show me who I need to protect me?”
“You! Xie Bohuai, you unfilial son!” Master Xie gasped for breath. “You reject this one, disdain that one—what kind of woman do you even want to marry?”
This was a question Qingshan also wanted to know the answer to, and he instinctively glanced at his master.
Xie Bohuai shot Qingshan a glare. “What I want, naturally, is the finest young lady in all of Jingcheng. Stop sending every misshapen melon and defective date my way. The Hubu Shangshu’s daughter has a birthmark on her face. If you’re so eager to form a marriage alliance, why don’t you divorce your wife and marry her yourself?”
“Xie Bohuai, where are you going? Get back here!” Master Xie was so enraged he could barely catch his breath, leaning on Shuyan as he sat down. “You who serve him—don’t you ever advise him? What young man behaves so recklessly, with no regard for his reputation? Shuyan, tell me—your master repeatedly refuses to meet any prospective brides. Does he have someone in his heart?”
“Or has he taken up with someone outside?” Master Xie believed Xie Bohuai was capable of such a thing.
Shuyan shook his head. “No, Third Master is occupied with official duties, leaving early and returning late every day. It’s impossible for him to keep an Outside Woman.”
“Then I find it strange. He’s twenty-one years old and shows no interest in women. Could it be that he’s Good Longyang?” Master Xie frowned deeply. “If he dares to commit such an outrageous act, I will surely disown him and cast him out of the family!”
Shuyan thought to himself that his master would be more than happy to leave the Xie Family. If not for the master using filial duty to pressure him, Xie Bohuai would have long since established his own household.
An Outside Woman was certainly out of the question, but as for a sweetheart…
Shuyan curved his lips almost imperceptibly. After seeing the master off, he disposed of all the teacups Master Xie had used—his master disliked keeping items others had touched in his rooms.
As the sunset glow deepened, Xie Bohuai rode past the vicinity of the Zhou family and spotted Zhou Yu’s carriage passing by. Just as he was about to return to the Zhenfu Si, Ye Mingyue waved to him.
“Lord Xie, thank you for speaking up for us today.” Ye Mingyue had studied together with Xie Bohuai, their friendship neither deep nor shallow, but Ye Mingyue had always held a favorable impression of Xie Bohuai. “When you have time another day, I’ll treat you to drinks.”
“No need for another day.”
“What?”
“Today is fine.” Xie Bohuai happened to be in the mood for drinking.
Ye Mingyue wanted to say his family was waiting for him to return home, but the person before him was Xie Bohuai—what a perfect opportunity. After a moment’s consideration, he said, “If Lord Xie doesn’t mind, why not come back to the Ye Family with me for a visit? After all, we are distant relatives.”
Having prepared himself for Xie Bohuai’s refusal and already thinking about nearby taverns, Ye Mingyue was taken aback when—whether it was his imagination or not—Xie Bohuai, known for his stern demeanor, seemed to smile faintly before uttering a single word of agreement: “Good.”