Chapter 71

Chapter 71

When in a lowly position, one should indeed keep your head down.

But that doesn't mean you have to endure humiliation everywhere. When they're walking all over you, there is no need to be polite anymore.

After all, he was not really just some poor scholar from a humble family with no cards up his sleeve or any backing.

Han Zhang pointed a finger at the noses of his two brothers-in-law, almost outright calling them good-for-nothings.

The two were truly enraged. When had they ever been so insulted by someone beneath them?

They jumped to their feet and bellowed:

"Han Qinzhang! You are nothing but a mere xiucai from a poor family. How dare you treat us like this?"

Han Zhang doubled down, snickering coldly: "So what if I humiliate you? What are you going to do about it?"

For a moment, the hall was explosive, ready to blow.

Shen's father slammed the table in anger: "This is outrageous!"

Damn it, these damned scoundrels really didn't take him, the father-in-law, seriously at all.

But indeed they didn't.

Shen's father was completely ignored; no one paid attention to his scolding.

Chai Wenxuan finally stopped staying on the sidelines.

He looked at Han Zhang, a smile on his face but his eyes were cold:

"Second brother-in-law truly has some nerve. With merely the status of a county scholar, you dare to be so disrespectful to the son of a Third-Rank Official and an imperial clan heir."

"You should know that a scholar is good for nothing. I wonder, if one day you lose your scholarly rank, or if some enemy breaks your legs, as the promising son from a humble family, what will you do then?"

Zhao Hongji and Fan Zixu, those two useless good-for-nothings, didn't have the ability to touch Han Zhang.

But he, the Earl's heir who actually holds power, that was a different story.

Who would have thought that Han Zhang did not show fear, but instead chuckled.

"A fine 'scholar is good for nothing' indeed! So this is how the mighty Jinyang Earl's residence views the scholars of the world? If I were to spread your words, young earl, what would you do then?"

"You..."

This time it was Chai Wenxuan's turn to change expression.

If these words spread, it would be equivalent to offending all the literati in the world.

The pen of scholars is like a knife or sword. Even the Jinyang Earl's residence couldn't withstand such public outrage.

The lower someone's status, the easier they seem to bully.

But the backlash from those at the bottom is all the more troublesome.

Precisely because they have nothing, those with nothing to lose are fearless. When pushed to the brink, they would do anything.

"My family background is not as distinguished as the three younger brothers-in-law. It is understandable that you look down on me, and I don't really care."

"But Qinglan is my husband. Although I, Han Qinzhang, cannot give him riches and fine clothes now, if anyone insults my husband, they will have to step over my dead body!"

"As for today's events, if the three of you are dissatisfied, you may come to me anytime in the future—I'll be waiting with keen interest."

Han Zhang looked around at Chai Wenxuan and the others, in a resolute tone.

Having said that, he turned to Shen's father, made a formal bow with clasped hands: "Forgive my rudeness, Father-in-law. We have eaten and drunk enough. I will now take Qinglan and take our leave."

With that, he took Shen Qinglan's hand and walked away with steady, firm steps.

The whole hall fell dead silent.

After a long while, everyone snapped out of it.

Having failed to mock and threaten and instead been humiliated, Chai Wenxuan and the others felt disgraced and had no desire to stay any longer. They all said in unison, "Father-in-law, excuse us, we take our leave!"

Then they angrily pulled their respective husbands and wives away.

——

When there were no outsiders left in the room.

Old Master Shen could no longer contain his fury. He grabbed a cup at hand and hurled it hard, his chest heaving with anger as he cursed loudly:

"Those bastards! I am their father-in-law! Father-in-law! Do they have any respect for me as their father-in-law?"

Madam Shen rolled her eyes and said dryly: "Come on, isn't this what you brought on yourself? The ones who don't respect you are Shuang Jieer's and the others' husbands. My Lan Geer's husband is polite and well-mannered."

Hearing this, Shen's father was furious: "You are still making snide comments? Shuang Jieer's husbands are disgraceful, but doesn't that Han kid know to swallow his pride for a while? Given his family background, he should have endured this grievance temporarily and waited until he rises high to get his revenge."

"But no, he insisted on going toe-to-toe with Chai Wenxuan and the others! He feels good now, but has he thought about the future? Isn't he afraid that they might secretly take his life?"

"I never thought that after being shrewd for half a lifetime, I would misjudge these 'worthy sons-in-law'... Not one of them is an easy pushover!"

Shen's father was panting with anger.

Shen Huairen was also annoyed: "It's all because of Second Brother-in-law's pride. He offended Third Brother-in-law and the others, and now he's dragged us all into this. Father, how about we quickly prepare generous gifts and personally visit the mansions of those brothers-in-law?"

Regardless of what those brothers-in-law might become in the future, they do have backgrounds now.

Shen Huaizhi retorted unconvinced: "Apologize? Chai Wenxuan and the others never treated our Shen residence as their in-laws' home. Father's face has already been trampled into the ground. If we still shamelessly go and ingratiate ourselves, how will others view our Shen residence? We'll just be waiting to be bullied in the future."

Madam Shen nodded in agreement: "Huaizhi is right. If you are willing to be humiliated, go ahead, but don't drag me into it. I don't believe that Shuang Jieer's husbands can actually bring down our Shen residence."

Shen Huairen said anxiously: "But if we don't appease the anger of Third Brother-in-law and the others, if the Fan residence, the Vice General's mansion, and the Jinyang Earl's residence all make trouble for us, what will happen to father's official career? I'm still waiting for an assignment at the Hanlin Academy. Won't my prospects be endangered?"

Shen Huairen was very worried about his own future.

He couldn't help but advise Shen's father: "It's just a matter of temporary face. As long as it can lead to a smooth official career, what's the harm in enduring some grievances? As you said, once we reach high positions, we can get our revenge later."

Madam Shen rolled her eyes again and ruthlessly exposed this son's true colors:

"After all, it's not you who has to endure the humiliation of being treated coldly by your sons-in-law, right?"

Then she looked at Shen's father and sneered: "My lord, you really are something, raising such an ambitious, filial son. He's truly devoted."

Shen Huaizhi added insult to injury: "Big brother, isn't this the kind of filial piety that makes the whole hall laugh?"

Shen's father: "..."

Shen Huairen's face turned bright red. "Mother! Second Brother!"

"Enough!" Shen's father waved his hand in annoyance. "I have my own plans for this matter. All of you, leave."

They could only leave, disappointed.

---

Main Courtyard.

Shen Huaizhi followed Madam Shen into the room.

Seeing that no one else was around, his previously relaxed and cheeky demeanor turned serious.

"Mother, I know the character of those three bastards—Chai Wenxuan and the other two—quite well. Brother Han sure embarrassed them today. They won't take that lying down."

"And there's Shuang Jie'er and Bai Ge'er. They've never liked seeing Lan Ge'er do well. If Chai Wenxuan and his cronies go after Lan Ge'er's husband, they'll not only not stop them but will cheer them on and even offer suggestions..."

"Brother Han is Lan Ge'er's husband. We can't just sit back and do nothing."

Madam Shen gave a reproachful smile. "This concerns your brother—do you even need to say it? Don't worry, we don't need to fret over this. Your father will step in."

"My father? What can he do? With his character, he'll be too busy trying to suck up to them for his official career. What would he dare to do?"

Shen Huaizhi's tone was dismissive. "Even if Father doesn't listen to Eldest Brother and act like a coward, after he gets over his own anger, he'll probably just let it go. After all, the Jin Yang Earl's Manor is involved."

His father was only a minor fifth‑rank official—how could he possibly go up against them?

"Not necessarily..."

Madam Shen took a sip of tea to moisten her throat before sighing softly. "Don't underestimate your father. He's much more capable than you think."

"The reason his career has gone smoothly all these years is indeed partly because I oiled the wheels with silver, but if he didn't have some tricks up his sleeve, how could he have transferred from a remote local post to the capital to secure his current position?"

"Throughout history, the self-made men from humble backgrounds who climbed to high positions—unless they were extremely lucky—were never pushovers."

"Why do you think Little Han dared to go head-to-head with Chai Wenxuan and the others today? Because people like him and your father—self-made men who came from nothing—have nothing to lose. They're willing to risk everything, and even princes and nobles would come out battered."

"To advance his career, your father has always been shameless. He tolerated Shuang Jie'er and the others stealing the marriage prospects, and he tolerated the humiliation and mockery Lan Ge'er suffered from being repeatedly jilted..."

"Now, Chai Wenxuan and his lot don't respect your father as their father-in-law at all. Shuang Jie'er and Bai Ge'er have flown the nest..."

"From these marriages, your father has gained nothing but losses—downies and face. How could he swallow that anger?"

Madam Shen gently touched the hairpin at her temple and said softly, "I may not know how to please your father, but I know very well what matters most to him."

"Do Concubine Mei and Concubine Song really think I've held my position as Madam Shen only because of my dowry and maiden family?"

Shen Huaizhi looked thoughtful. "Mother, do you mean..."

"Didn't you say before that Little Han once had the fortune to meet His Majesty and was well appreciated? Go and leak that information to your father."

"Also, let Concubine Mei and Concubine Song know—their young masters and misses are truly accomplished now. Today their sons‑in‑law backed up Shuang Jie'er and Bai Ge'er by giving your father a good dressing‑down. With such sons-in-law backing them, they can finally hold their heads high..."

"Children who have flown the nest, sons-in-law who look down on the in-laws... and a son and a son‑in‑law who, even if headstrong, know how to protect the family's interests and have a bright future. Your father knows which side to choose."

Madam Shen's tone was full of schadenfreude.

Hadn't her husband always looked down on her Lan Ge'er, thinking Shuang Jie'er and Bai Ge'er were closer to his heart?

Now, her husband had no choice but to pave the way for her Lan Ge'er!