Miss and farmhand

Huang Xingtong and Shen Xuying dared not speak, afraid that they might say something wrong or that the family's story wouldn't match up.

Shen Xuying, in particular, had only just learned what had happened at home behind her back, and then this huge trouble followed. She was practically suffocating. She locked herself in the door and hit Huang Xingtong several times. Now, she couldn't help but worry about Huang Chu, but she didn't dare to speak up. She reached into her sleeve and pinched Huang Xingtong's lower back, urging him to step forward and say a few words for Huang Chu. Huang Xingtong grabbed her and pressed her down, his heart pounding with anxiety, but he had to grit his teeth and endure the pain.

He said to Huang Xingyu, "Brother, Mother is ignorant, and Aunt Luo meant well. We don't need to argue with those two women. Even if we report it, a reprimand will only mean we take them home to discipline them. Why bother? Brother, please be lenient and let them off the hook."

He was unaware that the people outside were not actually following Huang Xingyu's orders, and that they believed he was in charge of everything, which was why they were asking him for help.

In reality, Huang Xingyu himself was also a bit confused.

He agreed with Huang Xingtong's statement, thinking it was no big deal and that he could simply step in and give him a few words of reprimand.

When Shen Jingzong made the arrangements for Huang Xingyu, he didn't tell him the truth, and Zhu Xiaoxu naturally wouldn't either. If Huang Xingyu were a sensible person, knowing that his brother's value to the academy didn't lie in whether he worked or abused his power, he would naturally understand that he was acting as Shen Jingzong's shield, covering up his greater conflict with Huang Xingtong. He could enjoy some superficial glory, but in private, he had no say in any practical or concrete matters.

But he didn't understand. He suffered from the common ailment of all frustrated scholars: he felt his talents were not being recognized, and that those more capable than him had simply had good fortune and were overrated to achieve their current positions. He believed that sooner or later, Huang Xingtong's inflated reputation would be exposed, and his superiors would see through his true abilities and realize that he didn't deserve everything he had achieved. And if he were to replace Huang Xingtong, he would do a better job.

The current situation perfectly confirms the delirium of his decades of unfulfilled ambitions in the first half of his life. He has been exonerated, he has finally been placed in the position he deserves, Huang Xingtong has returned to the evaluation he should have received, and he has been punished for the inflated reputation he had in the first half of his life.

Huang Xingyu's thoughts were limited to this; he could only see this much. He couldn't see anything else that seemed strange, such as Zhu Xiaoxu's involvement, Shen Jingzong's implied meaning, or even Luo Shutao's unease. He only thought about his own triumph and his right to pronounce judgment on his brother's family.

The fact that Huang Xingtong was so open and cooperative with him, and that his daughter's safety was in Huang Xingtong's hands, gave him a surprisingly good feeling, as if this was how a head of the family should be.

He deliberately prolonged this feeling. He enjoyed seeing the anxious expressions on his younger brother's family's faces when he was silent, pleading with him, saying nice things to him, and then going to persuade Shen Yurui, treating her as his second-in-command, saying things like, "Please persuade your elder brother, he will listen to you." But Shen Yurui didn't say anything to him, because she already knew he wouldn't listen to her. Every time others said "your elder brother will listen to you," it was another blow to her self-esteem, which was something Huang Xingyu was happy to see.

He delayed, maintaining his most habitual silence. His silence used to be a sign of good temper, a sign of his tolerance and forbearance. Now, in such a short time, no one found his silence considerate anymore; they only felt he deliberately wanted to see others plead humbly, to see their powerless punches land on cotton. He took pleasure in making others anxious by not responding, still to compensate for his past frustrations, to retaliate against the neglect and injustice he had suffered. And that was indeed him.

Only when everyone in the room had reached their limit of impatience did he finally speak, seemingly with magnanimity: "Have someone block that up tomorrow. Don't do such a foolish thing again next time."

It's as if he's bestowing a favor upon others, looking down on them with disdain, and expecting them to thank him.

Huang Chu couldn't help but wonder if her uncle was really like this all along? She had never suspected it. Even when she was sold in her past life, she always thought it was just Shen Yurui orchestrating it, and Huang Xingyu didn't seem like the type to get involved in such things. But now, seeing Huang Xingyu's almost smug and self-satisfied demeanor, she was really not sure anymore.

However, since this is the kind of petty person in charge, they have no other choice but to tolerate it as long as he is willing to let it go this time.

Huang Xingyu was finally satisfied with his show of force late at night. He even genuinely believed what Huang Chu and Luo Shutao had said, and didn't intend to blame Luo Shutao, letting her get up and go back with them.

Watching their departing figures, Huang Chu, having experienced so many twists and turns in one night, was truly exhausted. Her mind relaxed, and all she wanted to do was see the guests off as soon as possible.

Before Huang Xingyu and his entourage even left the main hall, they were greeted by Zhu Xiaoxu.

It's practically a deadly harbinger of doom.

Even Huang Xingtong and the others at the back immediately perked up and prepared for the worst, knowing that the trouble was far from over. Huang Xingyu, however, seemed completely unaware. He nodded to Zhu Xiaoxu and said, "Thank you for coming tonight. I've already reprimanded them. It wasn't a big deal; it was just two timid women causing a fuss. It's all over now."

Zhu Xiaoxu smiled and didn't refute him, but instead said in agreement, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."

There were people following behind him, and seeing his signal, they went up and restrained Luo Shutao, dragging her aside.

"What are you doing! Let me go!" Luo Shutao struggled and shouted.

Shen Yurui certainly wouldn't defend Luo Shutao, but she couldn't quite understand why. Although it was satisfying to have Luo Shutao dragged out like that, it was a loss of face for Huang Xingyu in front of everyone. If she, as his wife, didn't speak up and make a scene as a woman, Huang Xingyu would have to do it himself, as if he were being reduced to the status of a woman, which would be even more humiliating.

Especially compared to his previous arrogant silence, anything he said now seemed weak and insecure.

He held his breath and said in a rough voice, "I already said I've reprimanded her. This is my aunt. You should know some manners. What do you mean by arresting my people in front of me?"

Zhu Xiaoxu remained smiling, even bowing slightly as he said, "My men are clueless, please be understanding, sir. Don't hold it against them. I'm afraid you can't bring yourself to harm your own people, so I'll handle this troublesome matter. If you find it too much trouble, you may return home. I can manage here, sir. Don't worry."

Shen Yurui could tell the difference between this repeated use of the title "Master" and the previous use of the titles "My Concubine" and "Huang Chu's Cousin." She snorted inwardly, knowing that she and her husband were one, she was happy to see him suffer some humiliation at the hands of someone more capable than her.

Ironically, Huang Xingyu himself couldn't tell. Zhu Xiaoxu spoke politely, so he assumed there was still room for negotiation: "What else do you want to ask? There's no rush. After all, you're part of my family. Tomorrow I'll go with you—"

Zhu Xiaoxu had no patience to listen to another word he said. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Master, go back now." Then he led his men to the back.

Huang Xingyu stood there stunned until he heard a disdainful sneer. He turned around and saw that Shen Yurui had already led her people out first.

Zhu Xiaoxu escorted Luo Shutao in, and without his orders, his men were about to pull Huang Chu away.

Huang Xingtong stepped directly in front of Huang Chu: "Let's see who dares to move!"

Zhu Xiaoxu spoke to him without any pretense, his frankness was terrifying: "Sir, if you're willing to give me another handle to implicate you as well, I'd be more than happy to do so. Lord Shen would probably be even more willing than I am."