Chapter 17

Chapter 17

It was mutual—both were smitten.

Over the next few days, they didn't meet but kept up a correspondence that brought them closer.

Han Zhang wrote nothing out of the ordinary, treating Shen Qinglan like a regular brother and friend.

The letters didn't discuss romance or private feelings, only the pros and cons of essays and casual chatter about what he'd been reading.

He shared funny stories from his daily life: sparrows brawling outside the academy window, the new candy figurines on the street, or his dreams of a future official career.

Every word reflected an honest gentleman; he never willingly hinted at anything more intimate.

It wasn't that he didn't want to write about other things, but… he was afraid his future father-in-law might investigate and find out he'd been deliberately seducing the guy's son—and then he'd get his ass kicked!

But then again.

Han Zhang was all about propriety and following rules, but Shen Qinglan was a different story.

A young man whose heart had just bloomed with first love couldn't contain his burning passion.

Not only did he write every day, he'd often have the messenger bring fresh flower branches, brushes, ink, books… and then shamelessly demand something in return!

What choice did Han Zhang have?

He naturally indulged his 'worthy brother's' little whims and went along with it.

After all, since his worthy brother had made the request, how could the elder brother let him down?

Thus, with every reply he'd include a little gift.

Either some street food he thought was good, a pressed-flower bookmark he made himself, or modern kids' toys like a wind-up frog.

He also teased: 'Worthy Brother is really dainty; he reminds me of my younger siblings back home.'

The reply made Shen Qinglan's heart pound in panic, almost convincing him his identity was blown!

But soon, Shen Qinglan cheered up, his heart brimming with sweet anticipation.

On one hand, he wished Han Zhang would find out he was a gē'er (a man who could bear children); on the other, he played it cool and teased back: "If your little brother were a gē'er, what would my worthy elder brother do?"

A fantastic question.

Han Zhang replied honestly: 'A face like the moon reflecting pure light—I dare not speak too loud, afraid to scare it away.'

He was praising his extraordinary beauty, as if he were an immortal too dazzling for a mortal to look at straight on.

"Brother Han sure knows how to talk!"

Shen Qinglan was so delighted he dove into his quilt and rolled around a few times before stopping, beaming with springtime joy.

…

Meanwhile, Han Zhang and Shen Qinglan's relationship was heating up, progressing smoothly, and growing stronger every day.

Elsewhere.

Xiucai Luo, who had come to pick a fight and mock but ended up slinking away in disgrace, grew more and more resentful.

The more he remembered his public humiliation, the more he hated Han Zhang.

He also felt some panic and worry.

Because judging from Shen Qinglan's simple yet high-quality clothes, Luo deduced he was no ordinary rich kid but probably a young master from a powerful family.

Without Luo knowing, Han Zhang had managed to cozy up to such an important figure!

And that person had even stood up to defend Han Zhang. If he found out the Luo family was suppressing the Hans, and Han Zhang turned to him for help, would that person step in?

The likelihood was too high.

The more Xiucai Luo thought about it, the more panicked he became. He immediately went home to tell his family and discuss a plan with his father and the Luo elders.

The head of the Luo clan said grimly.

"Our Luo and Han families have been at odds for years, already irreconcilable. After the tenant farming and corvée incidents, we've dropped all pretenses. Since we've already formed a mortal feud, we can't give the Han family any chance to recover—we have to crush them!"

Luo's father furrowed his brow, full of worry. "The Han family's only hope now is Han Zhang. But Han Zhang himself holds the title of scholar, protected by imperial law."

"If we go after him directly and aren't careful enough, leaving evidence, it could backfire and hurt Ying'er's future."

The capital was full of high officials and nobles, and the laws were much stricter than in remote counties far from imperial oversight.

Xiucai Luo planned to pursue an official career, so he had to protect his reputation.

However, they absolutely couldn't stand the idea of the Han family using some possible benefactor to turn the tables.

The Luo clan head's eyes glinted with ruthlessness as he lowered his voice. 'In that case, we'll use a cat's paw. We don't have the means to do this cleanly, but Master Sun does—the Sun family has officials at court. Let the Sun family take the lead.'

"Master Sun is shrewd. Would he go along with being our tool?"

The clan head snorted. 'Whether it works or not, we have to try.'

'Let Brother Ying go see Miss Sun and drop some hints… Master Sun might weigh the pros and cons, but Miss Sun is head over heels for Brother Ying. If she can help him get rid of his biggest worry, she'll be more than willing.'

Xiucai Luo had thought the same way, but out of scholarly pride, he hadn't dared to suggest using a woman's feelings—it was good that the clan head brought it up now.

Using the Sun family to deal with the Han family—if it worked, great; if it failed, the Sun family would face the consequences!

Luo was very good at sweet-talking girls.

This was obvious since, even though he was less handsome and talented than the original guy she'd been interested in, Miss Sun had overlooked that guy and chosen Luo.

—

Sure enough.

After listening to his twisted version of events, Miss Sun immediately came to hate Han Zhang.

"That Han guy is such a lowlife, a backstabbing jerk! How dare he humiliate you like this! Absolutely disgusting!"

"Brother Ying, why didn't you tell me you'd been wronged? I'll have my father teach that scoundrel a lesson and get even for you!"

Luo was delighted inside but put on a righteous front, advising her with false magnanimity.

"Yun Niang, absolutely not! I'm not telling you this to ask you to defend me, but only... only to keep you from being deceived by his hypocritical facade in the future."

"Do you know, that bastard Han Zhang has long been trying to attach himself to you. I've heard that your father even once considered betrothing you to him... Though our engagement is set, we haven't married yet, and I truly worry that your father might change his mind."

"Moreover, Han Zhang holds a scholarly title after all. If your family takes action against him and draws criticism that tarnishes your uncle's official reputation, what then?"

"Yun Niang, I only ask that you understand my heart. That is enough for me. Do you understand?"

He said as much, but the look of humiliation was still clearly written all over Xiucai Luo's face.

As for the news that Han Zhang might have already attached himself to a powerful patron, he kept that to himself...

Miss Sun, being spoiled by her family and concerned for her fiancé, would naturally not let the matter rest.

So, she immediately went to tattle to Master Sun, "Father, you must stand up for us!"

"Han Zhang bullied Luo Ying? I think it's Luo Ying who bullied Han Zhang!"

"That Han Zhang, this old man has met him—an honest, steadfast, and studious sort. On the other hand, that Luo Ying boy has a heart full of holes like a sieve, good only for fooling you!"

Master Sun was displeased after hearing the matter.

His eyes were not blind; he could see the character of both men clearly.

Originally, he had wanted to make Han Zhang his future son-in-law, but who would have expected his daughter to be so bewitched by Luo Ying's silver tongue, insisting on marrying none other than him?

He was not blessed with many children—only a son and a daughter from his legal wife—and he doted heavily on this daughter.

After much fuss and unable to sway her, he ultimately had to agree to the match.

He thought that in the future, he would just give less support and keep Luo Ying in check to treat his daughter well for life.

But he never expected that no sooner had the engagement formalities been completed, before they had even married, the Luo family would so readily leverage the Sun family's influence to settle a private vendetta!

Master Sun said, "Earlier, when I helped the Luo clan suppress the Han clan, it already drew no small amount of criticism and gossip behind my back. If I act again now and corner the Han family, how will others view our Sun family? They will surely think our Sun family bullies the weak and is as vicious as a tiger!"

"If this news reaches the ears of your uncle's political enemies in the county office, it will give them ammunition and surely bring disaster upon our Sun family. Do you understand the gravity of this?"

Miss Sun understood the gravity of the situation, but her mind had already been clouded by Xiucai Luo's words.

So she shot back immediately, "But Father, we have already offended the Han family. If we do not strike while they are weak and crush them thoroughly, are we to wait for Han Zhang to rise in the future? By then, if we put ourselves in their shoes, will they let our Sun family off easily?"

"As long as we do it cleanly and leave no obvious evidence, even if there are some rumors or criticism, what does it matter?"

"Brother Ying is my future husband. He and Han Zhang are irreconcilable enemies. If Han Zhang has a bright future ahead, how will Brother Ying feel inside? Will our days together be peaceful and happy?"

"You still have the nerve to say that!"

Master Sun snorted in anger, pointing at his daughter as he scolded.

"That Han Zhang, whether in looks or scholarship, excels Luo Ying a hundred times over! Yet you are bewitched and insist on marrying down to Luo Ying! If you suffer hardship with him later, it is your own doing—you deserve it!"

Miss Sun wouldn't back down: "Han Zhang may be good, but he is a blockhead. Brother Ying may lack in many ways, but he treats me with genuine affection. That is what I like."

"Father, will you agree to take action against Han's family or not? If you won't, I... I'd rather die! Rather than suffer humiliation when the Han family rises in the future while I follow Brother Ying!"

"Besides, Father, are you willing to see the Han family rise and then have to bow low and apologize to them in the future..."

Miss Sun alternated between pleading and threatening.

In the end, Master Sun could not give in to his daughter's persistence and agreed.

The reason was simple.

What his daughter said was not wrong: he could bow and scrape to high-ranking officials for the sake of family interests.

But he absolutely could not accept having to grovel in the future before a poor peasant family that once relied on his favor to get by.