Chapter 81

Chapter 81

The banquet came to an end.

Han Zhang and Shen Qinglan left the Shen residence together, heading home.

In the carriage, Shen Qinglan clutched his stomach and burst out laughing.

"Hahaha... husband, did you see Second Brother's face just now? The moment he heard you'd be attending the Imperial Academy with him, he looked like he'd been struck by lightning—he nearly dropped his chopsticks into his soup bowl!"

"Husband, what exactly have you been doing to torment Second Brother these past days? He used to be afraid of nothing—when out on outings and hunts, he'd even take aim at tigers with his bow. And now he's scared half to death like this? Hahaha, I can't stop laughing—my stomach's killing me..."

Shen Huaizhi's face had been way too obvious during the meal, and Shen Qinglan had caught every bit of it.

He'd held it in at the table to save his second brother's face, but now he just couldn't hold it in anymore.

Han Zhang couldn't help but smile. "How is it me who's tormenting Second Brother? It's Second Brother who's tormenting me! He's not stupid at all—he just flat-out refuses to learn. These past days, just to spur him on, I've poured every last bit of my energy into it. I'm surprised I've got any hair left."

With that, he reached up and touched his head, putting on a deeply worried expression.

He wasn't exaggerating. Lately, all his ability had been used up on his brother-in-law, leaving no extra energy to take care of his own body. He'd been toughing it out day after day.

When you're burning the candle at both ends, who wouldn't lose some hair?

If not for his ability as his golden ticket, he'd probably be bald by the time he hit thirty.

...!

Shen Qinglan's smile disappeared at those words. Worry immediately crept onto his face as he reached out to touch Han Zhang's face, which looked more haggard than usual. His heart ached for him.

"Husband, you're not as handsome as before... you've got dark circles under your eyes. How about... how about we just stop teaching Second Brother? Let Father find him another tutor, and you can just give him pointers once in a while."

Though it sounded a bit like he was choosing his husband over his brother, he felt his brother's future didn't matter as much as his husband's health.

If Second Brother couldn't pass the imperial exams and ended up as a merchant, he'd only lose a bit of social standing. But if his husband wrecked his health, that would be a lifelong problem—he had no desire to become a widower.

Han Zhang was pleased to know how much he mattered to his man, but he couldn't help thinking his husband's priorities were a bit off.

He let out a deliberate sigh. "My dear, you only care about whether I'm still good-looking?"

If looks fade and love fades with them, would his husband's heart start to wander if he lost his looks?

Shen Qinglan caught the teasing doubt in his eyes and turned bright red. He raised his fist in fake anger and pounded Han Zhang's chest. "Husband, you're teasing me again!"

Of course, the punch that landed carried no real force at all.

Han Zhang laughed, caught the hand, brought it to his lips, and pressed a gentle kiss to his fingertips before speaking in a warm voice.

"But speaking of which—if it weren't for this face of mine, how could a poor scholar like me have won the hand of such a beauty? So... my dear, when we get home today, would you be willing to personally make me a bowl of soup to nourish this body of mine?"

"Smooth talker..." Shen Qinglan's cheeks grew even redder, but he stubbornly shot back, "You want soup made by my own hands? Fine—I'll stew you a pot of ginseng chicken soup, with two ounces of licorice thrown in. I guarantee it'll leave you with a taste you won't forget."

Han Zhang refused to back down, reaching out to tickle his beloved. "Oh? My dear is getting bolder by the day—trying to kill off your own husband? It seems I need to lay down some rules today, so you know exactly who's in charge..."

With that, he grabbed him and mercilessly tickled him.

Shen Qinglan was extremely ticklish. He curled up into a ball, laughing and squirming around. "Hahaha... husband, spare me! I was wrong, really wrong... I won't do it again..."

The playful sounds of the couple drifted out of the carriage, light and cheerful in the quiet street.

The accompanying maids and page boy exchanged glances, covering their mouths with knowing smiles.

...

Inside the carriage, warmth and laughter filled the air.

Meanwhile, back at the Shen residence, it was a whole different scene.

The moment Shen Huaizhi got back to his room, he hugged his pillow and wailed, complaining to his wife.

"I knew Father couldn't stand to see me comfortable! Studying hard with Brother Han for two hours every night has already taken half my life. If he's going to be studying alongside me from now on, will I have any room to breathe at all?"

"Wife, you have no idea how Brother Han throws himself into his studies—he's practically a god! I asked around with my old classmates at Xiangnan Academy—he spends ten out of every twelve hours buried in his books. I can't survive that kind of pace..."

He admired Brother Han, but he had no desire to imitate him.

Li Huilan knew well her husband's lazy nature, but this was a rare opportunity for advancement, and she couldn't let him let it slip away. A merchant's life could never compare to the prestige of officialdom.

"Husband, the ancients said: 'When Heaven is about to assign a great task to a person, it must first torment his mind, exhaust his muscles and bones, and starve his body.' No pain, no gain. Brother-in-law may be gifted, but the reason he's achieved such learning today is precisely through such relentless day-and-night study."

"Now that you have the fortune of his guidance, how can you waste this golden opportunity? Even if you can't match his complete devotion, that's fine—just do your best, husband."

As she spoke, Li Huilan gently picked up their infant son, who was sucking on his fingers in his swaddling clothes, and placed him into Shen Huaizhi's arms. Her eyes reddened as she continued.

"Husband, right now we rely on Father and Mother, enjoying the dignity and honor of an official family. But when they're gone and the household is divided, if we're reduced to merchants, what will become of our child?"

"If you'd never woken up, I'd say nothing. But now that you've found your way, if you don't seize this chance—who will your son rely on? And Lan Geer, too—he's counting on you as his second brother to stand behind him. Can you truly continue being lazy?"

"If so... then it would be better for the two of us to be reborn early, to spare ourselves future suffering. You can go on living your carefree life..."

With that, she began to sob quietly.

The baby in her arms seemed to sense his mother's sorrow and immediately burst into loud wails.

Mother and son cried louder and louder, each more pitiful than the last, as if disaster were imminent.

Shen Huaizhi was at a loss, guilt flooding back over him. He nodded hastily.

"Alright, alright—wife, stop crying. I... I'll work hard, okay?"

"Really?"

"No lies. Wife, you can hold me to it from now on!"

Shen Huaizhi made the promise quickly.

Li Huilan immediately said, "Then go read your books right now."

Shen Huaizhi: "..."

Left with no choice, Shen Huaizhi grudgingly lit the lamp and began studying.

He might be lazy and unreliable, but he wasn't truly selfish—he cared deeply about his mother, his younger brother, his wife, and his child.

If no one pushed him, he'd let things slide.

But now that his wife had pleaded with tears like this, how could he face himself as a husband and father if he continued to half-heartedly go through the motions?

Even if it was just for show, he had to make an effort.

Reading was just too grueling, too mind-numbingly dull.

Shen Huaizhi figured this kind of "good fortune" was joy shared, joy doubled—how could he keep it all to himself?

That's what brothers are for—sharing the good times and the bad!

And so.

Before Han Zhang's school transfer had even gone through.

The day after the banquet, Shen Huaizhi got himself all spruced up and went calling on the residences of Pan Taining, Wu Xuelin, and Zhao Yongchang—and he made sure to time his visits for when all three guys were out.

With the three men absent, the elders of those households naturally had to receive him themselves.

And when they met, some polite small talk was unavoidable—like, "So what brings you to our door today?"

This was Shen Huaizhi's moment to shine. He immediately hamming it up and started bragging.

"In answer to your question, Auntie Pan, I haven't come for anything major today. It's just that in this month's academy exam, I lucked into first place in my class. I was so thrilled I took the liberty of dropping by to share a drink or two with Brother Pan to celebrate."

"What? You actually took first place in your class this month?"

As expected, Mother Pan was flabbergasted on the spot, nearly dropping her teacup.

After all, she knew exactly what kind of riffraff her son hung out with.

Wasn't this kid Shen Huaizhi even more hopeless than her own son?

Every time the Imperial Academy held exams, Shen Huaizhi always brought up the rear, Zhao Yongchang second from last, Pan Taining third from last, and Wu Xuelin fourth from last—never once changing.

And now Shen Huaizhi was somehow class valedictorian?

Mother Pan instinctively turned to the old nurse beside her and ordered: "Go outside and check—has the sun started rising in the west today?!"

Shen Huaizhi: "..."

Did he have no dignity at all?

Still, shocked as she was, if Shen Huaizhi dared to brag about taking first place so openly, it was probably true. And it was the real deal, not some trick—otherwise the academy wouldn't dare post the results.

So after the shock wore off, Mother Pan urgently pressed on:

"Nephew, who's been tutoring you lately? To get such amazing results! Is that tutor still taking new students? Nephew, you and Taining are sworn brothers—you've got to put in a good word for him!"

If even that blockhead from the Shen family could smarten up, her son couldn't afford to fall behind.

Was Shen Huaizhi happy to make the introduction? You bet he was.

"Don't worry, Auntie. Taining and I are like brothers—how could I ever forget him when something good comes along? I came today first to celebrate, and second to invite Brother Pan to study with me. The tutor who's been helping me is none other than my brother-in-law, Master Han..."

Then Shen Huaizhi launched into a nonstop spiel, singing Han Zhang's praises to the heavens and back.

His whole goal was to get Mother Pan so tempted that she'd send her son to study with him and suffer right alongside him.

Then he pulled the same stunt at the Zhao and Wu houses.

As for whether Han Zhang would be willing to teach? Hell yes, he would!

After all, Brother Han was such a loyal, righteous guy who loved playing the teacher, and he'd hit it off with Brother Pan and the others before.

Whether you're herding one sheep or a whole flock, it's the same deal—teaching just three more students would earn him a huge debt of gratitude from the Pan, Zhao, and Wu families. Only an idiot would turn down students like that.

Brother Han was no dummy—how could he pass up a deal this sweet?

Shen Huaizhi, dead set on dragging his brothers down with him, was feeling mighty pleased with himself, convinced he was a genius.

Pan Taining: "..."

Zhao Yongchang: "..."

Wu Xuelin: "..."

Han Zhang: "..."

What a total pain in the ass!