Chapter 13, temporarily skipped.

"Is it Miss Yun?"

Zhuang Jin’s heart stirred. Because of the matter with Song Lan that day, he shared a small bond with her—just a hint of acquaintance. In recent days, when they crossed paths, they’d nod in greeting. Compared to the other important figures in the Shen family who might handle this situation, having ‘Miss Yun’ intervene was clearly more advantageous for him.

Guo Jun’s pupils contracted slightly; he hurried forward with a servile smile, saying, "Steward Chen, is that you? It's nothing, nothing—just a bit of misunderstanding."

Though he was a servant of the second rank, in the Shen household, his status was actually below that of a first-class maid in the outer court. And those maids, being connected to respected figures within the inner court, had influence he could not hope to match; thus, he dared not treat them lightly.

Chen Yun arrived, listened to the details, and nodded slightly.

"Master Guo, you are at fault here," she declared, settling the matter with a single sentence. After a brief pause, she continued, "The recruitment of martial students is an affair that concerns the master himself. How could you bring unrelated people in and disturb their training?"

Her attitude clearly favored Zhuang Jin.

"This young lady is certainly beautiful, but her words and actions are so biased!"

Earlier, Hou Yong had been called a ‘good-for-nothing scoundrel’ by Zhuang Jin, who looked as if he might devour him whole. Now, being labeled ‘irrelevant’ by Chen Yun, Hou Yong dared not so much as twitch, stooping and listening meekly, venting his frustrations only in silent complaint.

He might have swaggered before his beggar underlings, but within the Shen household, what was he worth? Even a first-rank servant required his flattery, much less someone whom even his own patrons treated with utmost caution. Even when scolded, he had to take it quietly.

"Yes, I truly did wrong by causing trouble for Steward Chen," Guo Jun said, eager to let the matter drop without escalation.

He then apologized to Zhuang Jin, "Sorry, I failed to keep things in order and offended you, young Zhuang. I promise, he will not disturb your martial training again."

This statement was meant for both Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun, as a guarantee.

Chen Yun made no comment, turning to Zhuang Jin to seek his opinion.

"If you are willing to grant me this favor, I would not dare refuse. Let’s leave it at that," Zhuang Jin replied, feeling a weight lift from his chest. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t want the matter to escalate, for escalation meant losing control. Being able to secure a peaceful month of training was already a fortunate outcome.

"Then let it be so. I hope Master Guo keeps his word," Chen Yun said, turning her gaze to Guo Jun, her emphasis ensuring he wouldn’t dare make any sly moves.

"Of course, of course!" Guo Jun replied, smiling obsequiously as he led Hou Yong away.

Zhuang Jin watched them depart and then thanked Chen Yun, "Many thanks, Steward Chen!"

His gratitude was sincere. Had the matter blown up, Guo Jun and Hou Yong would surely have fared poorly, but he too would have left a troublesome, trouble-making impression with the Shen family. Worse still, his past as a beggar couldn’t be concealed from such a powerful household. If everything were laid bare, his glib tongue would likely be punished, and he might even be expelled.

He wanted to avoid that outcome, a mutual destruction neither side could afford. After all, fine jade should not collide with earthenware; best to avoid disaster when possible. He truly owed Chen Yun for this.

—Of course, if Guo Jun and Hou Yong knew Zhuang Jin’s thoughts, they’d probably grab his collar and demand, "Who’s the earthenware, and who’s the jade? You certainly are confident!"

"It needn’t be so formal. It’s friendlier to call me ‘Miss Yun’ as before; no need to thank me. Let’s just say today’s favor repays the kindness for my sister Lan," Chen Yun replied, her smile gentle and elegant, like a rose blooming in the corner of a wall. She paused, then added, "I’ll keep an eye on things for now. In the outer court, there’s little trouble, but if you leave, I’ll be powerless to help. You should be cautious and try your best to stay."

"Thank you for the warning, Miss Yun," Zhuang Jin replied, fully aware that this was only a temporary reprieve. If he failed in his martial training and had to leave, trouble would surely follow. Conversely, if he succeeded and became a formal martial artist within the month, then nothing would threaten him—and Hou Yong would be the one to fear.

Afterward, Zhuang Jin returned to his quarters. Xiong Lei hurried over and asked, "Jin, what happened just now? I saw you arguing suddenly. I was about to come over, then Miss Yun arrived. What did she say to you?"

Zhuang Jin glanced at him, sensing that even though he was the one in trouble, this fellow seemed more interested in ‘Miss Yun.’

He shook his head, "It’s nothing. Let’s go get our Opening Vein soup."

After collecting the soup, Chen Yun departed. Many martial students looked at Zhuang Jin with peculiar expressions.

...

"Master Guo, I’m sure that’s the ‘mute boy’!" Hou Yong grumbled as they left the training grounds.

"So what if it is? Will you drag him out by force?" Guo Jun cast Hou Yong a sidelong glance. "If you can trick him into leaving, fine, but inside the Shen household, what can you do? What would you dare to do?"

Hou Yong was immediately silenced by this reprimand.

Guo Jun looked at him with some satisfaction—Hou Yong seldom caused trouble and paid his monthly dues without fail. Reflecting on this, his tone softened, "Just wait. Every martial student recruitment brings in a hundred and twenty, but how many stay? Seven or eight at most. If that boy fails, he’ll be out in a month, and then you can deal with him as you please."

Though Chen Yun’s attitude favored Zhuang Jin, he believed her main concern was to protect the martial students from disturbance, not out of any close relationship with Zhuang Jin. After all, these recruits had only been here a few days—how could they have bonds with Chen Yun?

A month from now, if Zhuang Jin—or the ‘mute boy’—fails to stay, he will be relegated to a different class, never to see Chen Yun again, so there will be no need for caution.

"Yes, Master Guo. I understand," Hou Yong replied, feeling relieved.

‘Just wait till you’re out, brat!’ he vowed inwardly.

As for Zhuang Jin becoming a formal martial artist and staying? Ha! Impossible. Hou Yong himself had participated in the recruitment—of thirty in his training ground, only two succeeded, and both were from a neighboring dormitory. His own dorm had none. He refused to believe that the ‘mute boy’ could be so lucky as to become a true martial artist.

Still, just in case, he asked, "But, Master Guo, what if—just what if—that ‘mute boy’ succeeds?"

Guo Jun glanced at him, "If he becomes a true martial artist and stays in the Shen household, then he’s Zhuang Jin, and has nothing to do with your underling ‘mute boy.’"

"Uh..." Hou Yong was dumbfounded, but soon realized the logic: If Zhuang Jin failed and remained a beggar, so be it. But if he truly became a formal martial artist and stayed, he would be untouchable—a different person, no longer the mute beggar under Hou Yong’s thumb.

Such flexible standards.

"Don’t worry. If that happens, prepare a gift, apologize for today’s offense, and that’ll be enough. I still have some influence in the outer court," Guo Jun added after a moment’s thought.

"I’ll do as Master Guo says," Hou Yong agreed, though the possibility still made him feel aggrieved and uneasy. Yet, thinking of how unlikely it was, he felt reassured.

‘A sparrow is still a sparrow—how could it ever become a phoenix? Even if it perches on a branch and flutters its wings, it remains a sparrow,’ he scoffed inwardly. ‘Let him enjoy his little triumph for now, just as Master Guo said.’

...