Chapter 27: The Rich Man’s Foolish Son

The next morning, Xu Yi washed up and prepared to leave for General Chen’s estate. He no longer ate breakfast at the Xu mansion, wary of poison from Chang Ruyue. He usually bought cheap, filling food on the way, sometimes timing his arrival perfectly to mooch off the General.
As he exited the gate, he bumped into Xu Gan, resplendent in a new official’s robe, radiating pride. It was his first day at his new post. Still smarting from their father’s scolding the previous night over Xu Yi, Xu Gan glared at him.
“Xu Yi, skulking about dawn to dusk… what mischief are you up to? Remember, the Xu family has standing. Don’t bring shame upon us!”
Xu Yi smiled brightly. “No worries! Harming the Xu family? Perish the thought! My early starts and late returns? I’ve just been secretly digging up your ancestral graves.”
Xu Gan’s face froze in outrage. Just then, Xu Ziming emerged, catching Xu Yi’s words. Steam practically rose from his head.
“Wretch! Is the Xu family not your own?!”
Xu Yi laughed coldly. “Is it? Then hand over the property deeds.”
“You… insolent cur! Is your madness returning? Spouting nonsense at daybreak! Today marks your elder brother’s first day! Can you not offer well-wishes?”
Xu Yi snorted and walked away without another word. What rotten luck seeing them this morning. Well-wishes? Fine. I wish his career path riddled with pitfalls and every promotion a stumbling block.
“Wretch! Utter wretch!” Xu Ziming fumed behind him. Xu Gan stared venomously at Xu Yi’s retreating back, baffled by his father’s tolerance.

Xu Yi ignored them. After a quick roadside breakfast, he arrived at the General’s estate and began his training. Around noon, as he contemplated mooching lunch off the General, Qi Yuanzhong informed him someone was at the gate asking for him.
Puzzled, Xu Yi walked to the entrance. A luxurious carriage stood before the mansion, driven by a powerfully built man. As Xu Yi wondered, the carriage curtain lifted, revealing the aristocratic face of Prince Jing Hong.
“Lan Xing! Up here!”
Xu Yi was surprised. “Master Jing? What brings you?”
“Are you free?” the Crown Prince (disguised as Prince Jing) smiled. “I’d like to treat you to lunch.”
Xu Yi hesitated. “I have training this afternoon…”
“It’s just a simple meal. It won’t delay you.”
“Very well.” Xu Yi climbed into the carriage.
“To Tianfu Lou!” the Prince ordered. Xu Yi’s eyes lit up. Tianfu Lou’s roast duck was legendary in the capital – a luxury far beyond his means.
“Master Jing,” Xu Yi asked curiously, “is there a specific reason for this invitation?”
The Prince smiled. “Must there be? Can friends not share a simple meal?”
Xu Yi eyed him skeptically. “Truly no agenda?”
“Just a meal!”
Xu Yi shrugged. “Alright. I thought maybe you wanted a poem.”
“And if I did want a poem?”
“See! I knew it! What kind? Since you’re buying lunch, I’ll give you a discount.”
The Prince chuckled. “You’d charge a friend?”
Xu Yi looked at him as if he were simple. “Brother, clear accounts preserve friendships. Friendship is friendship, business is business… I despise freeloaders.” (Though I make an exception for myself…) he mentally added.
“Are you that short of funds?” the Prince inquired.
“Is anyone not?” Xu Yi pulled out a few meager silver pieces. “See? My entire fortune.”
“You have five hundred taels stored with my father.”
Xu Yi rolled his eyes. “Brother, is five hundred taels a lot? My family’s dead. I’m alone.” (Metaphorically, since they’re awful). “I need to buy a house! Property here is insanely expensive. Five hundred might get me a shack on the outskirts. Then there’s marriage, children… dowry money? Who’d marry a pauper like me? It all costs money! Five hundred taels is nothing!”
The Prince’s eye twitched slightly. ‘Family dead’? His life in the Xu house must be truly wretched.
The Prince offered, “Declare yourself as Lan Xing. With your talent, countless noble daughters would vie for your hand.”
“Absolutely not!” Xu Yi shook his head vehemently. “Tall trees catch the wind. I want silver, not fame.” If Xu Ziming knew my poems were worth money, he’d drain me dry before letting me escape that house. If I seek fame, it’ll be after I’m free.
Suddenly, Xu Yi burst out laughing, staring at the folding fan in the Prince’s hand.
“What’s amusing?”
“I just find it funny how you noble sons cling to fashion. Carrying a fan in deep winter? Cultivating an image should respect the seasons!”
The Prince glanced at his fan, then laughed. “A fair point. Here… take it.” He tossed the fan to Xu Yi.
“Huh?” Xu Yi caught it, bewildered. Then, swiftly tucking it into his robe, he added, “This is too kind!” The jade pendant alone looks valuable. Easy silver. He thanked the Prince profusely, discreetly glancing away. Could have sworn I just saw ‘Rich Man’s Foolish Son’ flash above his head…

Soon, they arrived at Tianfu Lou. Expecting the common hall, Xu Yi was led to a private room. Dishes arrived swiftly, covering the table – including the coveted roast duck. Xu Yi’s mouth watered.
“Master Jing, shall we?” he asked, famished from training.
“Just the two of us. No formalities. Please!” the Prince gestured.
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony!” Xu Yi grabbed a duck leg and dug in. “Would be perfect wrapped in a thin pancake with sauce, cucumber, and scallions.”
“You know your cuisine too?”
“Not really… just enjoy eating.”
Suddenly, the door crashed open. A disheveled young woman, about seventeen or eighteen, tears streaking her face, stumbled in. Seeing Xu Yi closest, she threw herself towards him, sobbing. “Young Master! Save me! Please, save me!”

Chapter 28: Beating the Fifth Prince

Before Xu Yi could speak, three men strode through the door.

The leader was a young nobleman dressed in rich silks, his face flushed crimson with drink. The pungent smell of alcohol clung to him as he stumbled forward. Behind him followed two men in practical short tunics – clearly servants.

"Where do you think you're running, little wench? Come back with me... I'll ensure you live a life of luxury," the drunken nobleman leered, weaving unsteadily towards Xu Yi and the trembling woman.

"Sir, save me! Please, help me!" The woman shook violently, tears streaming down her face like rain-soaked pear blossoms, clutching at Xu Yi as her last hope.

Xu Yi glanced at Jing Hong. The latter frowned slightly, displeasure evident on his face.

"Little wench, come here, come back with me..." the nobleman slurred, his breath reeking. "Make me happy, and you'll be well rewarded."

The woman pleaded desperately, "Sir, please let me go! I'm betrothed... I beg you, spare me!"

"Betrothed? Break it off!" the nobleman scoffed arrogantly. "No one refuses a woman I fancy! Come back with me willingly... or else, with one word from me, your parents, brothers, sisters – all of them will be in prison by tomorrow!"

As he spoke, he lunged forward, grabbing for the woman to drag her away.

Xu Yi stood up, placing himself squarely between them.

The drunken nobleman squinted at Xu Yi. "Where did this scum crawl from? Daring to block my path? Looking to die?"

Xu Yi forced a conciliatory smile. "Esteemed Sir, why trouble this young woman? How about sitting down for a drink instead? If you desire companionship, I'll take you to the pleasure houses later. The ladies there are yours to choose from. What do you say?"

"Who the hell do you think you are? Playing the hero?" the nobleman sneered. "Do you even know who I am?"

One of the servants chimed in, puffing out his chest. "Listen, punk, my master's status is exalted, far beyond your kind. Take my advice: scram now if you value your life."

Xu Yi's face darkened. At that moment, Jing Hong stepped closer and whispered urgently in his ear, "Lan Xing, stay out of this. We can't afford to offend this man."

Xu Yi's heart jolted. Jing Hong was a prince! If even he couldn't afford to provoke this man...
"Who is he?" Xu Yi whispered back.

Jing Hong lowered his voice further. "The Fifth Prince."

Xu Yi's pupils contracted sharply. That identity was indeed terrifying.
"Doesn't the Emperor do anything about his behavior?" Xu Yi hissed.

Jing Hong explained quietly, "Who dares report him? Even if it reached the Emperor, at most he'd receive a reprimand... but the Fifth Prince's retaliation afterwards? No one could withstand it."
"Lan Xing, listen to me... stay out of it. We can't afford this."
"Risking the Fifth Prince's wrath for some unrelated woman? It's not worth it!"

Xu Yi remained silent, his face stormy. He truly couldn't afford to offend the Fifth Prince.

"Master Jing," Xu Yi said tightly, "I know your status is also noble... Could you help this girl?"

Jing Hong shook his head firmly. "Apologies. I've only met the Fifth Prince a handful of times; we're barely acquainted... I cannot help this young lady." Xu Yi’s expression darkened further. It’s not that you can’t, it’s that you won’t risk offending him.

"Men, take her away!" the Fifth Prince commanded with a lecherous grin.

His two servants seized the woman's arms and began dragging her towards the door. She was no match for their strength and was hauled bodily out of the room.

"Sir, save me! Please, help me, I beg you..." The woman's desperate eyes locked onto Xu Yi as she was pulled away.

Jing Hong spoke again, voice low and urgent, "Lan Xing, don't be rash. This is beyond us... The Fifth Prince could crush us like insects!"

The woman disappeared through the doorway.

Jing Hong turned back to the table. "Lan Xing, let's finish our meal... Pretend nothing happened."
"That woman is a stranger. No need to ruin yourself for her."

Xu Yi sat rigid, his face like stone. The image of the woman's despairing eyes as she was dragged away burned in his mind.

Suddenly, Xu Yi took a deep, shuddering breath, as if reaching a decision.
"Master Jing, enjoy your meal. I'm full. Farewell."

Without waiting for a reply, Xu Yi strode towards the exit. On his way downstairs, he snatched a dirty rag from a waiter's shoulder and swiftly tied it over his face like a mask.
Gag... The stench was vile, nearly making him retch. But he ignored it. He burst out of the Tianfu Lou and sprinted towards the main entrance.

A lavish carriage stood waiting. The Fifth Prince's two servants were forcing the struggling woman towards it.

"Hey! Wait up!" Xu Yi shouted.

The Fifth Prince instinctively turned.

Xu Yi exploded into action. He charged like a sprinter, closed the distance in a heartbeat, and drove a devastating elbow strike straight into the Fifth Prince's chest.
Baji Quan: Dingxin Zhou (Heart-Piercing Elbow).

Thud!

A sickening thump echoed as the Fifth Prince was launched backward. He slammed into the carriage wheel, rebounded, and crashed face-first onto the cobblestones.

Screams erupted from passing pedestrians.

Before the stunned servants could react, Xu Yi was already on the downed prince. He grabbed a fistful of hair, yanked the head back, drove a knee hard into the spine, and pressed the cold edge of a dagger against the exposed throat. It was the very dagger Jing Hong had given him – now a vital tool.

"Halt!"
"Insolent cur! Do you know who you've attacked?" the servants bellowed, their voices thick with fear.

Xu Yi laughed coldly. "Don't move! Unless you want me to slit his throat. Nobility or not, he only has one life."
"Release her! Or I carve him open now."

The servants looked frantically at their master.

The Fifth Prince trembled violently, teeth chattering. "Fools! What are you waiting for? Let her go!" he shrieked.

The servants released the woman instantly.

"Run! Now!" Xu Yi shouted to her.

The woman hesitated, eyes wide with fear and concern for Xu Yi.
"Go! Don't wait!" he barked.

"Sir... take care!" Tears streamed down her face as she bowed deeply in gratitude. Then she turned and fled, stumbling into the crowd.

"You... you know who I am?" the Fifth Prince managed, his voice trembling with rage and terror.

Xu Yi answered by smacking the prince's head sharply several times with the flat of the dagger blade.
"Of course I know who you are. You're a beast, a mule, a jackass – anything but a man!"
Suddenly, Xu Yi leaned closer. "Do you know who I am?"
"W-Who are you?" the prince stammered.
Xu Yi rapped his head again with the dagger hilt. Clang! Clang! "What's it to you, beast? Scum like you don't get to ask questions!"
"Do you have any idea what you've done? The consequences?" the prince spat through gritted teeth.
Xu Yi's grin turned feral. "Keep talking, and I'll send you straight to hell right now."

Xu Yi had crossed the Rubicon. The deed was done, regret useless. Now, only action remained.
He'd died once already, crossing into this world. Dying again held little fear.
"Fool! Was it worth it? Risking everything for some nobody?" the prince hissed.
"If I think it was, that's enough," Xu Yi stated, each word deliberate. "If justice vanishes from this world, I'll take up the blade and be the Judge of Hell myself."
The prince ground his teeth. "I let her go. Now release me!"

Xu Yi calculated the woman had enough of a head start.
He exploded upward. Before the prince could react, Xu Yi delivered several vicious kicks straight to his head, then spun on his heel and sprinted away.

The Fifth Prince nearly blacked out. His face slammed onto the stone pavement. Two front teeth snapped off, his lips split and bleeding profusely.
"After him! Don't let him escape!"
"Stop, you bastard! You won't get far!" The servants gave chase.
"Stop! Get back here!" the Fifth Prince roared, his voice garbled and whistling through the gap in his teeth.