Chapter 10

Huang Zhixing was sent to gather information on the proposed marriage between the Liu and Jiang families. While he didn’t learn when the marriage had been arranged, he discovered that the two families had recently had a heated argument over the herb fields.

Killing two birds with one stone, he quickly reported back to Ning Muyan.

“Any reasonable person can see the Liu family is bullying the Jiang family. Yet, being the local power, ordinary villagers can do nothing.”

Ning Muyan frowned. “A minor household like the Lius dares act so boldly?”

Huang Zhixing spoke cautiously: “In these rural lands, the powerful protect each other, leaving the poor to suffer silently. When I inquired, I found Master Jiang and young Bai Lan deeply upset. After such injustice, their hearts must be heavy. How does young master wish to handle the Liu family? I will follow your orders.”

Ning Muyan’s gaze darkened. Acting personally would be risky—intervening too rashly could draw criticism. He considered briefly, then said, “I heard the other day that the Liu family has a son working in the outer courtyard. Send someone to fetch him immediately.”

Huang Zhixing did not dare ask further, responding with respect, “Yes, young master, I will handle it at once.”

“Truly foolish. Letting a mule trample the Jiang family’s herbs is one thing, but leaving footprints too! Not even trying to make it look like an accident, leaving evidence that leads straight home. Why not leave a signpost pointing the way while you’re at it?”

After the Jiang family left, Liu Jin shut the door and scolded Liu Wu all morning: “If the village head hadn’t intervened, Master Jiang and his son, along with the villagers, would have made this situation unmanageable.”

Pacing with his hands behind his back, Liu Jin berated Liu Wu—not for destroying the field, but for being too stubborn and inflexible. “You’re no better than your elder brother. How did your father end up raising such a useless child?”

Liu Wu, long frustrated by constant comparisons to his elder brother, could no longer hold back. He shot back:

“Big brother is good at everything; I’m nothing like him! If the Jiang family dared come today, it’s because I didn’t teach them a proper lesson. I’ll go settle that father and son myself!”

Before Liu Jin could respond, Liu Wu stiffened his neck and ran out. Unfortunately, he hadn’t reached the gate before a commanding shout froze him in place:

“Where do you think you’re going? Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Liu Wu realized his elder brother had returned. Just as relief began to rise, the stern tone sent a chill through him, and he was dragged back inside.

“What’s going on? Today isn’t even a day off from the mansion.”

The eldest Liu son, though not as tall as Liu Wu, carried such an imposing presence that Liu Wu immediately felt crushed. “This calls for asking what Old Wu has been up to!”

“W-what do you mean?”

Liu Jin was puzzled. A little trouble in the village hardly seemed worth involving the eldest son, yet here it was.

The eldest Liu’s temper flared as he glared at Liu Wu, who just moments ago had been brash and now cowered, unwilling to meet his gaze. It took him a while to calm down before speaking slowly.

Liu Wu had been doing chores at the estate when he heard that the young master had gone to inspect the lands at Lukou Village. Early this morning, someone had brought a message urging the household to show proper deference to the young master. Liu Wu had hoped it might bring praise for his father’s hospitality toward the young master, but misfortune struck instead.

Joyful at first, he had ridden quickly to the estate, only to be left standing in the courtyard for nearly two hours. His calves ached, his legs numb. Working in the mansion had taught him that when a master summoned you and made you wait, it meant you had done something wrong.

Sitting or standing, he endured it, anxious because Ning Muyan never personally handled the servants. Finally, he was called inside. Kneeling low, he didn’t dare breathe; Ning Muyan merely said, “Go check on your father and fifth brother.”

Liu Wu left, bewildered. Seeing Huang Zhixing, he pleaded, “Young master seems very angry. I rarely have the chance to meet him in the outer courtyard. I have no idea what I did wrong. Huang Zhuangtou, you must know—where did I slip up to displease him?”

Since both worked for the Ning estate in Lukou Village, Huang Zhixing gave him a small favor: “Do you know the Jiang family in the village?”

“Yes, the herbalist family?”

“They have a son whom the young master seems to favor.”

With this, Liu Wu understood. He didn’t press further, thanking Huang Zhixing before returning home to ask a long-term laborer, who explained everything.

“You really messed up. You fancied Bai Lan from the Jiang family, politely proposed marriage, and they refused. Yet you send livestock to trample their fields? How could you be so stupid!”

Thinking of the humiliation and the troubles yet to come, Liu Wu lifted his foot to kick Liu Wu.

Though Liu Jin loved his eldest, he stepped forward to restrain him. “Your brother acted in a fit of anger. The Jiang family is a minor household. Even if they refused, your fifth brother acted rashly, but it was for the family’s sake.”

“For the family’s sake!” Liu Wu snorted, nostrils flaring. “Bai Lan isn’t insane. Did he have to choose a toad?”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Liu Jin exclaimed.

Liu Wu continued: “Bai Lan is the young master’s choice. And yet you fight over him, commit this foolish act, and now drag me into the mess!”

“What did you just say?” Liu Jin’s eyes widened.

“Otherwise, do you think I’d stand there nearly two hours at Zanyu Manor, trembling, not knowing why I was summoned by the young master? If it weren’t time for lunch, I might still be standing there clueless!”

“Oh heavens, what a disaster!” Liu Jin, previously sympathetic, now seethed at Liu Wu. “Completely useless!”

Liu Wu hadn’t imagined the chain of trouble he’d caused. He knew the Ning estate’s power was immense. Offending the young master could endanger not just himself, but the entire family.

“Brother, what do we do now?” he asked, crawling before Liu Wu. “I didn’t know Bai Lan was under Ning young master’s protection. If I had known, I wouldn’t have dared, even with ten lives’ courage.”

“All we can do is fix this quickly and apologize to the Jiang family.”

Bai Lan spent the morning tending the fields with Jiang Zichun, salvaging the three trampled plots. By noon, the herbs were collected.

The post-rain sun beat down. Bai Lan cooked lunch in the kitchen, while Jiang Zichun spread the recovered plants in a basket to dry. As he straightened the herbs, he looked up to see the Liu family approaching—led, unexpectedly, by the rarely seen eldest son.

Jiang Zichun set down the herbs, expecting trouble. Yet Liu Da’s face was full of apology. “Master Jiang, I heard my brother caused trouble. I came first thing to apologize on his behalf. We truly are sorry.”

Bai Lan stepped out of the kitchen, noticing the Liu family’s sudden change in demeanor—from rude to polite and respectful. He wondered what the Liu family was up to this time.

The gate was open—Jiang Zichun hadn’t invited them in, yet the Liu family entered on their own. Smiling but without malice, Jiang Zichun asked, “Liu Da, what is this about? Earlier, your father and fifth brother refused to admit anything. Why the sudden apology?”

“He did wrong and feared punishment, so he hid it. My father didn’t know either,” Liu Da explained. “I happened to return and, after asking him carefully, only then understood the situation.”

With that, Liu Da grabbed Liu Wu and stepped forward, sternly scolding, “You did a foolish thing and still haven’t apologized to Master Jiang!”

Liu Wu lowered his head, trembling. “I’m sorry, Master Jiang. I acted rashly. I swear I won’t do anything so foolish again.”

“Is that how you apologize?!”

Liu Da scoffed and kicked Liu Wu, who landed with a thud on the ground before Master Jiang. Surprised, he stammered out, “I… I am sorry, Master Jiang! Punish me as you see fit! If you are not merciful, I will kneel here until I die!”

The boy’s desperate display was a stark contrast to his defiant, head-held-high attitude from that morning. Jiang Zichun had by now fully experienced the Liu family’s unpredictable nature.

Seizing a pause, Liu Da quickly handed over a pouch of silver. “I know growing herbs isn’t easy, Master Jiang. Please accept this as compensation. I hope you won’t hold a grudge.”

The herbs had indeed been trampled, so taking the money was appropriate. Yet Bai Lan, overhearing in the kitchen, wasn’t about to let this end with just money. If wrongdoers could settle matters with cash alone, it would only encourage lawlessness.

He strode outside. “Our Jiang family may not be influential, but we are not to be bullied. If Liu Da comes sincerely to apologize, then Liu Wu should clarify in the village who was truly at fault. That way, no one can claim the Jiang family tried to extort money. A proper explanation is far better than kneeling here to coerce my father into honesty.”

Hearing this, Liu Jin didn’t want to argue. Clarifying the matter would publicly reveal their family’s wrongdoing. As he opened his mouth to argue, Liu Da tugged his sleeve and smiled apologetically at Bai Lan. “Bai Lan is right. We will go back and clear things up so the villagers know it wasn’t the Jiang family’s fault. Is that agreeable?”

Bai Lan’s brow relaxed. “That would be perfect.”

The Liu family paid the compensation and repeatedly apologized before leaving. Even then, Liu Da didn’t let Liu Wu off easily, giving him a few more slaps and kicks.

Bai Lan didn’t follow them to see if they truly clarified matters with the villagers. If they did, the villagers would surely inform him anyway.

Jiang Zichun murmured, watching the Liu family leave: “Liu Da truly is deserving of his upbringing in a scholarly household… much more reasonable than his father or brother.”

Bai Lan, already suspicious of the affair, brightened at his father’s quiet remark.

“Father, let’s go inside for lunch. I’ll head to Zanyu Manor this afternoon to follow up with the patients I saw earlier.”