Fortunately, this official was also someone who understood propriety. After leaving the city and finding an opportunity, he waited for the right moment when the Earl’s residence convoy stopped to rest and replenish supplies before approaching to request an audience with Third Old Master Song on behalf of Xiang Yunzhang.
But even so, Third Old Master Song was so angry that his entire body nearly trembled. He almost smashed the gold-painted water pot in his hand at that official’s head, furiously calling repeatedly for the steward to come drive the man away. “Who let him in?! Is it now the case that just anyone can come before me and say a few words?!”
Guo Yantang glanced at the red-faced official. He knew in his heart the ways of those below, and while lifting the teapot to pour himself tea, he consoled Third Old Master Song: “Uncle needn’t be angry. After all, Master Xiang was formerly a scholar who believed in the saying that ‘all pursuits are lowly, only study is exalted.’ Now he’s finally fallen into the mundane world and rolled around in it for a while—I’m afraid he’s suffered quite a bit. He finally understands the principle of setting aside his pride, which is why he’s come to plead for help.”
Third Old Master Song found it amusing. He was indeed so angry that he laughed. He turned his head to ask the somewhat trembling official: “He sent you to come—what did he say?”
The official breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that Third Old Master Song would have someone beat him up. He repeatedly stated Xiang Yunzhang’s requests: “Master Xiang wants to ask you to let him travel together with the Earl’s residence convoy on the road… He also doesn’t have winter clothes to keep warm… and also wants to see Miss Xiang…”
He really didn’t consider himself an outsider at all, nor did he have any awareness that he had already severed all ties with the Song family. One truly didn’t know whether to say he was thick-skinned or that such a grown man still harbored a naive heart.
Even Guo Yantang felt that Xiang Yunzhang was truly somewhat indescribable. The hand holding the teapot paused in mid-air for quite a while.
Third Old Master Song finally couldn’t restrain the violent rage in his heart. He stood up with a swoosh, accidentally knocking the teacup on the table to the floor where it shattered. “I’m going to take a look!”
The post station was full of people coming and going. He didn’t want to air family dirty laundry, and even more so didn’t want Xiang Yunzhang to make an issue of this matter, which would later implicate Xiang Mingzi’s reputation. He was determined to personally go teach Xiang Yunzhang a lesson.
Old Madam Song, Song Chuyi, and Xiang Mingzi were sitting in a private room on the second floor, and they happened to hear the entire exchange clearly.
No matter how composed Xiang Mingzi was, she couldn’t help but have her eyes redden from Xiang Yunzhang’s thick face. She hung her head, both hands gripping her teacup tightly, the veins on her fair, delicate hands showing prominently.
Old Madam Song couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh at first, but then seeing Xiang Mingzi like this, she felt both unable to bear it and felt it wasn’t worth it for Xiang Mingzi. She sighed and consoled her: “Why are you crying? What does he have to do with you now? Your mother reconciled her marriage with him, and you’ve also been removed from the Xiang family’s ancestral hall—you’re an outsider with a different surname. When we return home, I’ll discuss with your grandfather and simply change your surname to our Song surname. Don’t shed tears for such unworthy people. Otherwise, how are you different from your mother?”
Xiang Mingzi fought back her tears so hard that her shoulders rose and fell. Song Chuyi placed her hand on her back and patted gently, just in time to hear what seemed to be some dispute starting downstairs.
She gave Yushu and Yulan a look, and the two opened a crack in the window.
Looking through this crack, they could see a refined young man wearing white python arrow sleeves relentlessly grasping Guo Yantang’s lapels and refusing to let go.
White python arrow sleeves weren’t something just anyone could wear—at the very least, one’s family had to have a title, making them an established prestigious family.
Qingzhou didn’t seem to have any titled families, so this must be someone passing through—a young master from a prestigious family who was still outside at this time, not having returned home for the New Year…
“I’m telling you to let go!” Guo Yantang seemed somewhat annoyed. After several failed attempts to shake off the young man’s hand, a flash appeared in his eyes. He changed his palm into a chop and struck straight down at the young man.
This strike had considerable force. The young man finally had no choice but to let go of Guo Yantang’s hand and retreat several steps. Yet he still didn’t know when to quit while ahead. With his hands behind his back, he laughed once, his tone full of provocation: “Guo Yantang, why are you still acting like this? Bullying the weak in the academy was one thing, but you’re also like this outside… I’m too ashamed to admit that you and I were taught by the same teacher!”
The same teacher?!
Song Chuyi looked at the somewhat familiar features of that young man and thought for quite a while before finally recalling this young master’s identity.
The legitimate grandson of the late Duke of Han, the legitimate son of the current Marquis of Jinxiang—Han Zhi.
She had heard that this Young Master Han Zhi’s health was very poor. When he was born, the Imperial Physicians had declared he wouldn’t live past fifteen. The Han family had always raised him like a girl, never letting him step out of the main gate or the secondary gate, never allowing him to go out.
To treat his illness, they had expended great effort, seeking out every famous physician they could reach under heaven.
Old Madam Song clearly also recognized the young man’s identity, frowning with some confusion: “Han Zhi? How could he appear here, especially when the New Year is approaching?”
This was quite far from the widely proclaimed story of never stepping out of the main gate or the secondary gate.
Song Chuyi looked through that crack to examine Han Zhi more carefully. The smile on her face paused for an instant, and in her eyes was hatred hidden extremely, extremely deep.
This Young Master Han Zhi—she truly couldn’t be more familiar with him.
Shen Qingrang’s close friend, good cousin, and moreover, the person who had given Song Chuning advice on how to deal with Song Yan back then.
On the surface, he always pretended to be gentle and harmless, but privately he was versed in everything from cockfighting to dog racing. He was an honored guest in the household of Prince Jiujiang, Zhou Weiqi, in her previous life.
Here her thoughts had already rapidly reviewed Han Zhi’s past and present lives, while below, Guo Yantang and Han Zhi had already come to blows. Fortunately, those serving at their sides were all quick-witted and quickly pulled the entangled pair apart.
Song Chuyi raised her teacup and took a sip of tea. Her throat ached sourly, somewhat irritating. She watched Han Zhi below putting on the appearance of a righteous messenger and felt quite nauseated.
The Marquis of Jinxiang had certainly taken great pains, describing his son as so frail and delicate, proclaiming everywhere that he only hoped Han Zhi could live peacefully and that would be enough. In reality, however, he had raised him to be extremely cunning and calculating.
Xiang Yunzhang’s matter had caused quite a commotion in Qingzhou City, to the point where it was known to every household. Yet Han Zhi, who was from the same academy as Guo Yantang, acted as if he knew nothing about it and even deliberately came out to champion justice. What purpose he harbored was as obvious as Sima Zhao’s intentions—known to all passersby.
Sure enough, upon hearing whispers from his own servant, Han Zhi’s expression changed. He quickly glanced toward the private room where Song Chuyi and the others were located, then respectfully began apologizing to Guo Yantang.
Third Old Master Song returned from teaching Xiang Yunzhang a lesson just in time to witness Han Zhi’s scene of apology, momentarily somewhat confused.
It was only when Han Zhi himself bowed in apology that Third Old Master Song finally figured out some of the situation, laughing once with some surprise: “So you’re that boy from the Han family? In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown this big?”