Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 190 Extra Chapter: Long Wind (2)

Changfeng was cleaned up and led by Wang Shi through the long corridor to Yan Mingzhang's residence.

Yan Mingzhang was reading in the pavilion, which was surrounded by mosquito netting that swayed in the wind.

A scene that brings peace to the soul.

"Zhang'er..." Madam Wang called out gently.

Yan Mingzhang turned around, quickly put down the book in his hand, and bowed respectfully: "Mother..."

Madam Wang lovingly patted Yan Mingzhang's hand: "It's getting colder these days. Wear an extra layer while reading in this pavilion, lest you catch a cold..."

Yan Mingzhang nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Mother. It was my fault for being greedy for coolness and causing you worry."

Madam Wang led Changfeng over, squatted down, and said to him, "This is Zhang'er. Zhang'er, this is Changfeng. He will be studying with you from now on. You two must get along well..."

Yan Mingzhang nodded obediently in response.

Although Changfeng agreed to help Wang protect Yan Mingzhang, he had always looked down on these weak scholars. In addition, with the huge changes in his family, he couldn't help but feel some strange emotions when he looked at Yan Mingzhang. Why could he have his parents' protection? Why could he live a life without worry about food and clothing?
Yan Mingzhang had witnessed the fickleness of human relationships and knew all too well whether someone was truly sincere. Besides, Changfeng made no attempt to hide his disgust.

As soon as Madam Wang left, Changfeng spoke up: "Don't think that just because you're my master, I won't listen to you. Madam has been kind to me, and I only promised her to protect you, you good-for-nothing. You're so weak you can't even lift a sword, do you?"

Yan Mingzhang put down his book and calmly looked at Changfeng: "Sometimes, to accomplish something, you don't necessarily need force; you need brains..."

Changfeng scoffed, "Rely on your brains? Let's fight and see who wins!"

Yan Mingzhang remained lukewarm: "The Yan Family Instructions state that a gentleman should cultivate himself and act prudently. I cannot fight with you."

Changfeng had never seen anyone like this before. The calmer Yan Mingzhang remained, the more frantic Changfeng became. The pain he had suppressed for the past few months was about to burst forth: "Bookworm, what skills do you have? You only have good parents! You're just a good-for-nothing!"

After all, he was only five years old. The moment his parents were mentioned, Yan Mingzhang became furious and stood up: "Don't talk about my parents!"

Seeing that Yan Mingzhang was angry, Changfeng suddenly laughed, feeling very relieved: "Oh, young master is angry? Am I wrong? If your parents knew how spineless you are, I wonder if they would regret having you! If you've got the guts, let's fight!"

Yan Mingzhang's face turned red with anger. He clenched his fists, held back for a moment, and then threw a punch at Changfeng's face.

The two immediately began to wrestle. The servants saw this and quickly pulled them apart, preventing them from suffering more serious injuries. Since Yan Lizhe and Wang Shi were not in the mansion, the head nanny quickly separated the two and had a servant take them to get medicine.

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After applying the medicine, Changfeng sat down to rest on a chair in the corner, while two servants chatted as they packed up their medicine boxes.

The two muttered under their breath, complaining softly, "Children without parents just have no manners..."

Changfeng jumped to his feet, glaring at the two men: "What did you say?"

One of the shorter servants looked wary: "What do you want? Are you going to hit someone?"

Another tall servant, seeing Changfeng's muscular arms, quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Young man, we're not talking about you, why are you getting so worked up? We're talking about that young master!"

Changfeng looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"

The two servants looked around a few times to make sure no one was watching before quietly telling Yan Mingzhang about his rescue, his parents' disappearance, and his adoption: "Young man, such a big thing, you didn't know?"

Changfeng stood there, filled with endless regret. He suddenly realized how deserving of death he was. No wonder he got so agitated when he mentioned his parents. If anyone mentioned his parents, he probably would have killed them.

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Yan Mingzhang and his family of three were having dinner when Yan Lize and Wang Shi returned. The head maid had already informed them of the incident, but the reason for the attack remained unknown.

"Zhang'er, why did you fight with Changfeng today?" Wang asked, placing a chicken leg on Yan Mingzhang's plate.

Yan Lizhe's face darkened, but he still wanted to hear Yan Mingzhang's explanation.

Yan Mingzhang carefully put down his chopsticks and replied, "Father, Mother, I got into a fight today. I started it. I'll go to the ancestral hall and kneel as punishment later. I don't want to tell you the reason right now... but I feel I did nothing wrong..."

Yan Lizhe was furious: "You..." Wang Shi quickly gave him a warning look: "Why are you being so fierce? Don't frighten the child. I believe Zhang'er has his reasons for doing this. He'll speak when he wants to. Let's eat first..."

Yan Lizhe was somewhat dissatisfied and muttered, "A doting mother spoils her son!"

Wang turned her head to look at Yan Lizhe: "Hmm?"

Yan Lizhe pursed his lips and didn't dare to say anything more.

After the meal, Wang told Yan Mingzhang about Changfeng's background, which seemed to touch Yan Mingzhang's heart.

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Inside the quiet room, a small child knelt obediently on a prayer mat.

The door creaked open, and another small figure slipped in.

Yan Mingzhang looked up, somewhat wary: "What are you doing here?"

Changfeng, somewhat embarrassed, retorted, "I ate too much and came for a walk, is that not allowed? I just came to take a look."

Yan Mingzhang turned his head away and ignored him.

Changfeng was getting a little anxious: "Hey, why aren't you saying anything?"

Yan Mingzhang, without glancing to the side, said, "The master said, 'Living with good people is like entering a room filled with orchids; you will naturally become fragrant over time. Living with bad people is like entering a fish market; you will naturally become smelly over time.' You are no gentleman! I will not be your friend..."

Changfeng was speechless and a little embarrassed to speak, so he said hesitantly, "Do you think I want to be friends with you? I just... just came here..."

Yan Mingzhang looked up at him.

Changfeng gritted his teeth, thinking he was going to risk it all, and whispered in a voice barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry..."

Yan Mingzhang was somewhat surprised. How could this person change so quickly?
Changfeng continued sincerely, "I didn't know about your...your situation. I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry!"

Yan Mingzhang also felt a little awkward: "I shouldn't have made a move either..."

Changfeng scoffed, "You could punch me twice more and I wouldn't be hurt. Those punches are like cotton, they have no power at all!"

Changfeng wanted to say more, but Yan Mingzhang stopped him with a look, and he didn't dare to say the half-sentence he was about to say.

Changfeng thought for a moment and then said, "Let's call this a draw, but I won't stay at the Yan residence any longer. I'm going to take my revenge!"

Yan Mingzhang had a general understanding of Changfeng's situation, and looked up to ask, "Then who do you want to take revenge on? And what will you use to take revenge?"

Changfeng was caught off guard by the question and felt a little guilty: "I don't know, but I must take revenge!"

Yan Mingzhang's eyes were firm as he retorted, "That's still better than your recklessness! I will definitely investigate my parents' affairs thoroughly, but not now! I will study hard so that I will be able to do what I want to do in the future."

Changfeng nodded thoughtfully, "You're right, but I'm not cut out for studying. So I'll practice martial arts diligently and one day avenge my enemies! Let's pinky swear! It's a promise!"

Yan Mingzhang scoffed, "Are you a three-year-old? Pinky promise? Childish!"

Yan Mingzhang's words, coupled with his still somewhat childish face, were inexplicably strange, instantly infuriating Changfeng: "How can you talk like a teacher, more like a scholar? How boring! I'm a three-year-old, and you're a stubborn old relic! Let's swear by a high five!"

Yan Mingzhang nodded, extended his hand, and said "okay."

The two children made a vow together.

Yan Lizhe and Wang Shi, who were secretly observing the two children from the doorway, smiled with satisfaction.

Wang said softly, "Husband, let's find a martial arts teacher for this child another day. I think he has some talent."

Yan Lizhe smiled and replied, "Alright, I'll do whatever you say, Madam."

The two smiled at each other.