Chapter 15: Your Majesty, Please Forgive Me

Xu Ziming was furious when he discovered that Xu Yi had sneaked out.

He feared that Xu Yi might spill what had happened recently. If the news reached Emperor Jing, it would be a disaster.

Xu Ziming waited anxiously but Xu Yi didn’t return. Instead, a palace eunuch came with a summons.

Hearing that Emperor Jing wanted to see him, Xu Ziming’s heart pounded with unease.

He quietly slipped some silver to the eunuch, hoping to find out why the emperor was calling him.

The eunuch accepted the bribe but honestly didn’t know the reason.

Following the eunuch, Xu Ziming arrived at the imperial study.

At the door stood Chief Eunuch Quan, wearing a tight-lipped, insincere smile.

Xu Ziming’s stomach twisted with dread. He quickly knelt and called out, “Your servant, Xu Ziming, requests an audience with Your Majesty!”

“Shh… Minister Xu, the emperor is busy with state affairs. No noise. Just wait patiently,” Quan whispered.

With no choice, Xu Ziming knelt outside the door.

He longed to pry information from Quan, but the eunuch turned and disappeared inside.

Two long hours passed on his knees.

A scholarly official by nature and physically weak, Xu Ziming’s knees burned, stars swirled before his eyes, and his back ached as if about to break.

But since the emperor had not summoned him inside, he had no choice but to endure.

Just as he was about to collapse, Chief Eunuch Quan reappeared.

“Minister Xu, come with me to see His Majesty.”

Struggling to stand, Xu Ziming’s legs trembled uncontrollably. After kneeling so long, his blood circulation stalled. When he rose suddenly, the world darkened and he nearly fell.

Summoning all his strength, he steadied himself.

To lose composure before the emperor was a grave offense.

Trembling, he entered the study and knelt again, shouting, “Your servant, Xu Ziming, pays respects to Your Majesty!”

The emperor’s cold gaze lifted from the memorial scroll in his hands and fixed on him.

Cold sweat beaded on Xu Ziming’s forehead.

The emperor did not invite him to rise—an ominous sign.

“Minister Xu, do you think I am too merciful?”

Xu Ziming was shocked and confused but stammered, “Your Majesty is a benevolent and righteous ruler, unmatched in both civil governance and military achievements. The people…”

Before he could finish, the emperor snorted harshly.

“A benevolent ruler? You mean I’m too merciful, so you dared to defy my orders?”

Xu Ziming’s mind went blank, unsure how to respond.

With a loud thud, the emperor slammed the memorial down onto the dragon-engraved desk.

“Minister Xu, I commanded you to treat Xu Yi well. What have you done?”

“Why is he gravely wounded and bedridden for a month?”

Xu Ziming nearly fainted.

He had carefully hidden this from everyone—how could the emperor know?

Could there be spies planted inside his household?

The emperor’s anger blazed on.

“In your Xu residence, Xu Yi suffers severe injuries, silver has gone missing, new clothes were stolen… Minister Xu, is this your estate or a den of bandits?”

“That one hundred taels of silver note was a gift from me to Xu Yi.”

Xu Ziming’s vision darkened and he almost lost consciousness.

So that hundred taels—Emperor Jing himself had bestowed it.

To rob something bestowed by the emperor was an offense punishable by death.

Cold sweat drenched Xu Ziming’s brow and back, his whole body shaking as he repeatedly kowtowed, “Your Majesty, please forgive me, please forgive me…”

The emperor looked at him coldly.

Xu Ziming was terrified, bowing desperately for mercy.

“Enough. Are you planning to kowtow yourself to death here so I get a reputation for cruelty?”

“Your servant dares not, Your Majesty, please forgive me…”

Meanwhile, Xu Yi had eaten his fill and returned to the outer courtyard walls of the Xu residence.

He stepped onto a stone at the corner and climbed over.

This time, there was no Xu Mao with his thugs waiting for him.

“Uncle Chai, Uncle Chai…” Xu Yi called as he headed toward Chai’s room.

The door creaked open.

“Fourth Young Master, you finally returned! I was worried sick.”

Xu Yi smiled and stepped inside, pulling a paper-wrapped package from beneath his cloak.

“Uncle Chai, look what I brought you to eat.”

Chai looked at Xu Yi with concern.

“Fourth Young Master, though I’m but a servant, I must dare to advise—don’t do anything illegal or disorderly.”

Every time Xu Yi went out, he returned wearing new clothes and carrying food.

This cloak looked expensive.

Xu Yi smiled, “Uncle Chai, don’t worry. I only earn honest money.”

Just then, he noticed a packed bundle on the bed.

“Uncle Chai, why are you packing?”

Chai’s face darkened, and he sighed.

“Fourth Young Master, I’m leaving. I won’t be able to take care of you anymore.”

“After I’m gone, you must keep your temper in check. Don’t anger Master. And try to avoid the Madam.”

Xu Yi frowned. “What’s going on? Is someone forcing you out?”

Chai shook his head, smiling weakly.

“No one’s chasing me away. I’m old and can’t work like before. It’s time to retire.”

“But without me, you must take good care of yourself.”

Xu Yi didn’t believe him. If no one had forced him, Chai wouldn’t leave.

Though lame in one leg, Chai was still strong and capable. He could work for years more.

And Xu Yi could see the unwillingness and worry in Chai’s eyes.

Damn it—it had to be Chang Ruyue and her son.

For some reason, Xu Ziming’s attitude toward him had drastically changed. Since Chang Ruyue dared not move against him directly, they targeted Chai instead.

Xu Mao had already said they wanted to drive Chai out.

So devious.

“Uncle Chai, was it Chang Ruyue who made you leave? Tell me honestly, and I’ll take care of it for you.”

Chai shook his head.

“Fourth Young Master, truly I’m leaving by my own choice. This house holds little for me now. The only thing I worry about is you… you must protect yourself.”

Xu Yi’s brows knitted tightly. The one person in the household who treated him well was leaving—and his heart ached.

“Good-for-nothing slave! Have you packed yet? Hurry up and get out!”

Suddenly, Xu Xing’s voice rang out from outside.

It had been a month—Xu Xing’s head wound had long since healed.

Xu Yi’s face darkened like iron. Sure enough, Chang’s family was forcing Chai out.

And Chai being expelled was entirely because of him.

“Bastards! This is outrageous…”

Xu Yi flew into a rage and stormed toward the gate, grabbing the wooden door latch as he went out.

“Fourth Young Master…”

Chai tried desperately to stop him, but lame in one leg, he couldn’t keep up.

Xu Xing and Xu Mao stood in the courtyard with several guards.

Xu Gan was absent—he had performed exceptionally in the exams and was preparing for tomorrow’s imperial test.

The imperial exam was a direct evaluation by the emperor; a good showing meant immediate official appointment.

Xu Xing and Xu Mao were startled to see Xu Yi appear with a club in hand.

They had suffered losses under Xu Yi before and were visibly backing away in fear.

Chapter 16: Pushed Too Far

Xu Xing and Xu Mao couldn’t take their eyes off the luxurious cloak draped over Xu Yi’s shoulders.

Unlike Xu Yi, who had grown up in hardship, the two brothers had been coddled in wealth since childhood. They recognized at a glance that the cloak was no ordinary garment—it was worth a fortune.

“Xu Yi, where did you get that cloak?” Xu Mao demanded loudly.

The last time, his elder brother had brazenly taken a hundred taels of silver from Xu Yi, and Xu Yi hadn’t dared to utter a word of protest. Now, Xu Mao had his sights set on the cloak.

Xu Yi replied coldly, “None of your damn business.”

“You motherless bastard! No manners, no upbringing—is that how you speak to your elder brother?” Xu Mao sneered.

“Xu Yi, just a few days ago, Mother had a cloak made for me. Before I could even wear it, it was stolen… And now, here you are with it. History repeats itself, doesn’t it?”

Xu Mao had decided to use the same trick again.

“A thief in our own home! Xu Yi, you thieving bastard—hand over that cloak to your elder brother now! If Father finds out about this, you’ll wish you were dead,” Xu Xing chimed in, backing up his brother.

Xu Yi couldn’t be bothered to explain. What was the point? False accusations needed no proof.

With an icy expression, he said, “Want it? Come and take it.”

Xu Mao glanced at the heavy staff in Xu Yi’s hand and hesitated.

“You little thief! Strip it off and throw it over here now, or I’ll have the servants take it from you by force!”

Xu Yi’s voice was sharp as a blade. “Try it.”

Damn it. If only the latrine weren’t outside—he’d show them what it meant to wield a shit-stained mop like Lü Bu in battle.

Seeing that Xu Yi wasn’t going to back down easily, Xu Mao’s eyes darted around before landing on Old Chai.

“You useless old dog! Why are you still here? Get out of this estate now!” He turned to the servants. “Search his belongings. He’s in cahoots with Xu Yi—who knows what he’s stolen?”

Old Chai’s face twisted with humiliation, but he placed his bundle on the ground for inspection.

“I’d like to see who dares,” Xu Yi growled.

Xu Xing smirked. “Xu Yi, you haven’t even cleared your own name yet. Worry about your own mess before meddling in others’ affairs.”

Xu Yi’s grip on his staff tightened, knuckles turning white. “No one is driving Old Chai out. Touch his things, and I’ll break every bone in your body.”

Xu Xing scoffed. “Do you really think you can take all of us on?”

“Fourth Young Master, forget it… Let them search. The innocent have nothing to fear,” Old Chai interjected, pulling Xu Yi back.

The memory of Xu Yi being beaten unconscious by a mob of servants was still fresh in his mind. There was no way Xu Yi, weak and frail, could win against so many.

Xu Mao sneered. “Xu Yi, don’t interfere. This is Mother’s order. That old dog is useless—our estate doesn’t keep deadweight. If you stand in our way, we’ll beat you too. Even Father won’t care.”

Xu Yi’s rage burned white-hot, his fingers clenching around the staff until his knuckles turned bone-white.

Xu Mao wasn’t exaggerating. Chang Ruyue was the daughter of the Left Minister. Even if Xu Ziming found out, he wouldn’t punish her.

It seemed Old Chai couldn’t be saved this time.

If he fought back, he’d only drag Old Chai down with him.

Maybe it’s for the best.

Old Chai would only suffer more if he stayed. Once Xu Yi had his own place, he’d bring him back.

“No need for you to search. I’ll show you everything myself,” Xu Yi said through gritted teeth.

He didn’t trust them. They might plant something in Old Chai’s bundle to frame him.

One of the servants glanced at Xu Mao and Xu Xing.

Xu Yi had guessed right—they had planned to plant evidence.

When the bundle was opened, all that lay inside were a few tattered garments.

“See anything stolen with your own eyes?” Xu Yi spat.

Xu Xing, undeterred by the failed scheme, smirked. “Search his person. What if he’s hiding something?”

“You’ve gone too far!” Xu Yi’s voice trembled with fury. “You’re neither officials nor bandits—what right do you have to strip a man of his dignity?”

Xu Mao laughed. “Dignity? In my eyes, he’s just a worthless old dog. What dignity does he have?”

Xu Yi’s rage exploded. “All men are born equal. The only reason you’re above him is the womb you crawled out of—not because you’re worth a damn!”

“Old Chai worked for this family for decades. Must you humiliate him on his way out? Can’t you let him leave with his dignity intact?”

Xu Mao shrugged. “Mother’s orders. Take it up with her if you dare.”

Old Chai, though humiliated, didn’t want Xu Yi to suffer for his sake. “Fourth Young Master, let them search. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Xu Yi shook his head. “They’re not searching you—they’re degrading you. Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one will lay a finger on you.”

As someone from a modern world, Xu Yi found such acts of dehumanization utterly despicable.

Xu Mao’s grin turned vicious. “You’re digging your own grave.”

“Search that old dog. Anyone who gets in the way is defying Mother—show no mercy.”

The servants advanced, clubs in hand.

Xu Yi stood his ground, unflinching.

Old Chai was the only one in this house who had ever treated him with kindness. He wouldn’t let them humiliate him.

“Fourth Young Master, don’t fight them! Just let them—”

“Wait!” Xu Xing suddenly called the servants off. He smirked at Xu Yi. “No need for bloodshed over a lowly servant. I’ll make you a deal—return the cloak to Third Brother, and we’ll let the old man go untouched.”

Xu Yi trembled with fury.

But he knew the odds. If it came to a fight, he’d lose—and Old Chai would suffer alongside him.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll train with General Chen. I need to get stronger—strong enough to protect what’s mine.

Without hesitation, Xu Yi unfastened the cloak and threw it at Xu Xing. “Remember your word. If you break it, one of us dies today.”

Xu Xing flinched at the murderous glint in Xu Yi’s eyes but forced a laugh. “I’m your elder brother. Would I lie?”

Xu Yi tossed the cloak over. “Keep it safe. One day, I’ll take it back myself.”

Xu Mao eagerly wrapped himself in the garment, sneering. “Don’t worry. Mother had this made for me. I’ll treasure it.”

Without another word, Xu Yi repacked Old Chai’s belongings, took up his staff, and helped the old man toward the gate.