Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Everyone stared at the little boy across from them, whose face bore a striking resemblance to Han Zhang—maybe five or six parts in ten—their eyes filled with shock and disbelief, including Han Zhang himself.

They looked so alike—uncannily so.

It wasn't just the child; even the beautiful woman beside Kang Zhanxun had eyes and brows that were also somewhat similar to Han Zhang's—maybe three parts in ten.

"This, this..."

The crowd's gazes darted back and forth between Han Zhang and Xiang Lian and her son, and for a moment, no one said a word.

They wanted to ask if the two families were related by blood.

But because of the earlier scandal where Kang Zhanxun had "doted on his concubine and neglected his wife"—which led to his wife taking him to court—everyone had heard about Xiang Lian, that formidable concubine.

She was just a poor farm girl who'd been sold into servitude and had climbed her way up step by step.

And while Han Zhang also came from a farming family, if he had female or male relatives who had been sold off, his reputation wouldn't be nearly as clean as it was now. Those jealous classmates would have long since seized on such a weakness to make a fuss and go after him.

Because scholars, no matter how rotten they were inside, all cared about saving face on the surface.

Most poor scholars, even in dire straits, would at most marry off their daughters or younger sons to families with generous betrothal gifts but minor flaws—they would never lightly sell a family member into servitude.

Once someone in the family fell into the despised class, it was a stain that could never be washed away. Even if future generations of that family rose to prominence, they'd never escape the world's scorn.

So logically, Han Zhang and Xiang Lian and her son couldn't possibly have any connection.

But the problem was... the three of them looked so much alike that it was impossible not to be suspicious.

In truth,

Kang Zhanxun had brought Xiang Lian and her son today not just to let his beloved concubine and young son get some fresh air, but also to use the facial resemblance as an excuse to build a closer relationship with Han Zhang.

Then he'd find a chance to have his son become Han Zhang's nominal adopted son, giving his concubine and child a powerful backer!

Kang Zhanxun had no choice.

He'd been poisoned for years, and even if the poison could be neutralized to extend his life, he figured he probably didn't have much longer to live.

Although Han Zhang came from a humble family, his talents were outstanding, his social skills were polished without lacking integrity, and he was bound to make something of himself in the future.

If he could establish this nominal kinship, then Xiang Lian and her son—a widow and an orphan—could at least borrow some of that authority, right?

With that in mind,

seeing the crowd's shocked expressions, Kang Zhanxun stepped forward first, clapping Han Zhang on the shoulder with a hearty laugh:

"Brother Han, don't you think my son looks a lot like you? They say 'five hundred years ago, we were all one family.' I never believed it before, but since meeting Brother Han, I see the ancients weren't lying!"

With that, he introduced them: "This is my wife Xiang Lian, née Liu; and this is my son Kang Chenyi... Yi'er, come greet your Uncle Han."

"Greetings, Uncle Han."

Little Yi'er was too young to hide his feelings. After bowing, he stared at Han Zhang with wide, bright eyes and blurted out in wonder: "Uncle Han, you look just like me!"

Xiang Lian also curtsied gracefully: "Greetings, Master Han."

To be honest, when she first saw Han Zhang, she'd been startled too.

Earlier, her husband had said that Master Han resembled her Yi'er, but she hadn't thought much of it without seeing him in person. Now, though, she could understand why her husband had been so insistent on asking about her maternal family.

Just looking at their features, they really did look like family.

But she knew that was impossible—a man of Master Han's stature was not someone she could presume to claim kinship with.

Han Zhang, however, looked at Xiang Lian and her son, and a certain thought crossed his mind.

So after a brief moment of surprise, he nodded gently: "Greetings, Madam Liu... I was momentarily lost in thought—please forgive my rudeness. I truly never expected to share such a connection with Brother Kang, that your son should look so much like me."

With that,

Han Zhang turned his gaze to Little Yi'er, studying the boy's youthful features carefully, and smiled playfully:

"You're called Yi'er, aren't you? You really do look like your uncle—who knows, maybe our ancestors really were one family. Yi'er, do you know where your mother's maternal family lives?"

"Yes, Mother's maternal family is in Liu Family Village on the outskirts of the capital."

Little Yi'er answered obediently.

Although Xiang Lian deeply hated the family that had sold her, the world valued filial piety above all. Even if you'd been sold by your family, failing to acknowledge them after making something of yourself would still invite gossip and criticism.

So over the years, while she hadn't helped her natal family rise, she still publicly sent money back on a regular basis—though she'd secretly find ways to swindle the silver back again.

She hadn't hidden her maternal family's location from her son either, lest the child be asked about it someday and know nothing, unfairly earning a reputation for disrespecting his elders.

Shen Qinglan, standing nearby, held back again and again, but finally couldn't help himself.

He gently tugged at Han Zhang's sleeve and whispered: "Husband, Liu Family Village... isn't that right next to Shangpo Village, our village?"

It was common for neighboring villages to intermarry, so maybe Xiang Lian's maternal family really did have a daughter or younger son from the Han clan married over, and the two might actually be related.

But the thought had barely formed before Han Zhang dismissed it in his mind.

The reason was simple—the reputation of neighboring Liu Family Village was the worst in the whole region!

The Han clan had always cherished their sons and daughters and would never push them into such a fire pit. The clan had never made any marriage alliances with Liu Family Village.

This was also why Kang Zhanxun only planned to establish a nominal kinship with Han Zhang rather than directly claiming a blood relation.

He had investigated thoroughly—his beloved concubine and the Han family truly had no connection whatsoever. The resemblance was purely coincidental...

Kang Zhanxun was pretty regretful about that too!

After a brief round of pleasantries,

given the occasion, although everyone remained inwardly suspicious, they didn't dwell too much on Xiang Lian and her son's features. They quickly moved past the topic and returned to discussing their earlier plan to gather for tea and refreshments, as well as today's archery exam.

Shen Huaizhi and the others had long-standing grievances against Kang Zhanxun, and their tongues were itching to provoke him again.

Shen Huaizhi raised his chin smugly: "Kang Zhanxun, haven't you always bragged about being unmatched in archery at the Imperial Academy? Today my Brother Han will show you that there's always someone better, and always a mountain beyond the mountain."

Pan Taining nodded excitedly: "Exactly! And you can't weasel out this time—we've even prepared the incense burner. If you lose to Brother Han in archery, you have to kneel and burn incense on the spot, and call us 'Elder Brother'!"

Zhao Yongchang puffed out his chest: "Don't worry, we're all magnanimous men. Once you become our little brother, all our past grudges will be settled, and we'll take care of you from now on."

Wu Xuelin chimed in enthusiastically: "That's right, that's right! Kang Zhanxun, you're not allowed to cheat today, or you'll be a little dog..."

The four of them reveled in their fantasies of becoming elder brothers, grinning in the most insufferably smug way.

If it were any other day, Kang Zhanxun would have already gotten into a full-blown argument with them, but now, for Han Zhang's sake, he could only bite his tongue.

"Archery has always been my strong suit. Today, it's anyone's guess who'll come out on top. If I truly lose, I'll take the loss like a man and call you all my elder brothers."

"But if Brother Han happens to lose—then from now on, you'll all have to answer to me. Shen Huaizhi, do you dare to wager this round with me?"

Kang Zhanxun jutted his chin out, egging them on.

A concession was one thing, but he wasn't about to let these smart-mouthed jerks walk all over him.

Shen Huaizhi and the others had full confidence in Han Zhang, and besides, they weren't about to lose face.

They immediately responded, "A wager it is—who's afraid of whom? Whoever plays dirty is a coward!"

At worst, they'd just have to eat crow later. After all, even without this bet, they could only trade barbs with him, since they were no match for that beast Kang Zhanxun anyway!

All five of them were fired up, each dead set on winning, none willing to budge an inch.

Such childish antics made Li Huilan and the others cringe with embarrassment: their husbands were grown men, so why were they still squabbling like kids?

Shen Qinglan, however, was thrilled and jumped in, "Second Brother, my husband will surely win! There's a betting pool over there—Earl Kang's odds are 2:1, while my husband's are 5:1. Let's go put some money down!"

Clearly, it wasn't just Kang Zhanxun who had confidence in himself; the guys at the academy also thought he'd win.

Which made sense, though. Kang Zhanxun came from a military family and had trained in martial arts and archery since childhood. Han Zhang, on the other hand, was from a poor family and had spent years with his nose in books—how could he have had the time or money to master archery?

The fact that Han Zhang had beaten Kang Zhanxun in hand-to-hand combat just showed he was good at fighting; archery was a whole different ballgame.

In truth, Jiang Wencheng and An Yongyan also had their doubts about Han Zhang, but for their friend Shen Qinglan's sake, An Yongyan still decided to play along.

"Lan Geer, I believe in you. I'll put a hundred taels on Master Han."

"Then we'll throw in a bet too..."

Li Huilan and the others reluctantly went along with it—they couldn't exactly embarrass their husbands in public, could they?

Seeing everyone back Han Zhang, Kang Zhanxun didn't get mad. After all, they were friends and family on Han Zhang's side, so supporting him was only natural.

He pulled out a banknote too and said, "Then count me in—I'm betting on myself!"

"Father, Yi'er supports you too."

Little Yi'er yanked the jade pendant off his neck, held it up high, and cheered his dad on.

Han Zhang felt a surge of affection for Little Yi'er and teased the kid again, grinning, "Little Yi'er, this jade pendant looks quite valuable. If you lose, you mustn't cry about it."

"Father won't lose! Father is the best!"

Little Yi'er clenched his small fists, defending him earnestly.

Hearing this, Shen Qinglan stepped forward, took a few pine nut candies from his pouch, and stuffed them into Little Yi'er's mouth with a beaming smile: "My husband is the best one—your father can't compare."

"Mmph, mmph—"

Little Yi'er tried to retort, but his mouth was full of candy, leaving him sputtering and speechless.

This uncle was good-looking, sure, but why was he such a jerk, picking on a little kid!

And Shen Qinglan, watching the little one puff up in frustration, felt no shame—rather, he took pride in it, without the slightest guilt about teasing a child, thinking himself terribly clever.

"Little Yi'er, since you're not saying anything, that means you agree my husband is better, right? Wonderful, Little Yi'er has great taste. This whole pack of pine nut candies is yours—take your time, no need to be polite."

Shen Qinglan planted his hands on his hips and laughed smugly.

Little Yi'er, with his mouth stuffed full of pine nut candies: ...!!!