Chapter Thirty-Five: Fishing

As soon as Xue Fanzhi entered, a wooden pillow flew at him. Had Xiao Yi not rushed in to block it, Xue Fanzhi’s head would have been split open. The sharp clatter of the pillow hitting the ground left everyone stunned, staring in shock at the furious Xue Yang.

For a moment, the air froze.

Then, Xue Jingren erupted in anger. “Patriarch, she is your own daughter. Are you intent on killing her for real?!”

Even Jin Shi, who had always treated Xue Fanzhi as nothing, turned pale and no longer wished to defend Xue Yang.

Xue Jiaoyue, too, looked half scared to death.

Xiao Yi longed to drag this old scoundrel out and execute him again, to simply rid the world of him. Yet his face was all smiles as he said, “I had intended to recommend the Xue family’s patriarch as a censor to my elder brother the Crown Prince, since you are currently at leisure and have the old general to vouch for you. You were the most suitable candidate. But if you are so lacking in kindness as to attempt to kill your own daughter, how could you be trusted to assist the Crown Prince and become a pillar of the state? I must have been blind.”

What? The Ninth Prince intended to recommend him for office!

Only after striking out did Xue Yang realize Xiao Yi had entered. Instantly, regret washed over him. Now, hearing Xiao Yi’s words, his intestines twisted with remorse.

He had long wondered why the Ninth Prince would come to their home—was it not to recruit talent?

The current emperor had more than a dozen sons. To vie for the throne, mere personal strength was not enough. The Ninth Prince’s mother was said to come from noble lineage of the previous dynasty, presented as tribute to the emperor and bore only the Ninth Prince. It was never heard that he was close to any of his brothers—perhaps he hid his intentions well.

As for himself, he was a prime candidate to be courted—after all, he had General Xue’s military backing.

But now, this vital personage was angered.

“Ninth Highness!” Xue Yang tried to get up, but his leg throbbed with pain. He called out anxiously, “Ninth Highness, I did not actually strike her, see? She’s perfectly fine! I am her father—if I wanted to beat her, she’d have been dead long ago!”

Just because your blows didn’t kill does not absolve your guilt!

Xiao Yi thought the Xue family remained as stubborn as ever.

But Xue Fanzhi was still a child, and he could not yet remove her from the manor, nor did he have imperial authority to kill as he pleased. He would have to spar with Xue Yang a while longer.

With a half-smile, Xiao Yi said, “So you mean I’ve misunderstood you, Patriarch Xue? Are you truly so gentle with your children?”

“Of course!” Xue Yang looked at Xue Fanzhi. “Tell the Ninth Prince yourself—has your father not treated you well?”

Xue Fanzhi only stared blankly, silent.

Xue Yang was speechless.

All at once, the room sensed something was wrong. Why had the one who was beaten remained silent all this time?

Before entering, Xiao Yi had made a plan with Xue Fanzhi: he would extend an olive branch, implying Xue Yang might enter the Crown Prince’s service, hoping to restrain him. But neither expected Xue Yang would try to kill as soon as they arrived.

Now matters had changed, and Xiao Yi had no idea what Xue Fanzhi would do next.

He had been preoccupied arguing with Xue Yang and hadn’t noticed Xue Fanzhi’s innocent, spring-water gaze turn blank and dazed. Startled, he wondered if Xue Yang had frightened her senseless.

In his previous life, he had never lived in the Xue household, let alone witnessed this. Xue Fanzhi had not become dull-witted then—after all, she was just a little girl.

Could it be that his interference had driven his future wife mad?

“Xue Eight?”

“Xue Eight?!”

Xue Jingren noticed his sister’s expression was different from her usual daze. Anxiously, he hurried over. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Still, Xue Fanzhi did not move. Xiao Yi patted her shoulder urgently, calling her name. Suddenly, he felt her tense at his touch—she was afraid. Looking closer, her blank expression hadn’t changed. He understood; she was feigning.

Xiao Yi’s mind raced. He realized what Xue Fanzhi was attempting. Since his wife was acting, he must play along.

He raised his voice, “Xue Eight, have you lost your wits?!”

Then, turning to Xue Yang, he said, “And you still call yourself a loving father? I’ll have to mention this to both the Emperor and the Crown Prince when I return—and to the Censorate as well.”

Since the days of Cao Wei, the court had shifted from the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers to the Nine-Rank System. Now, officials were not recommended by high ministers, but by local censors who would recommend their subordinates, cascading downward.

If blacklisted by the censors, how could anyone ever be recommended? He could forget about holding office for life.

Xue Yang’s heart quaked with terror. “Ninth Highness, this is a misunderstanding—please, be magnanimous and forgive my transgression!”

“Besides, Eighth Daughter is my own flesh and blood. I’m injured now and she didn’t come to see me—is it wrong for me to lose my temper a little?”

A little? That was a murderous rage. No one would strike so viciously, even towards a stranger.

Xiao Yi replied, “If that’s so, then if your daughter says she’s unharmed, who am I to meddle?”

Relieved, Xue Yang thought, Just have Eight speak. This daughter of his, for all her faults, at least was unusually obedient.

“Eight Daughter!” Xue Yang called hastily, “Quickly tell His Highness you’re fine! Tell him your father never abused you, never lacked kindness, that I care deeply for you—quickly, tell him...”

With a thud, the blank-faced Xue Fanzhi collapsed to the floor, unmoving, as if she had fainted.

Xue Yang was struck dumb.

It couldn’t be such a coincidence.

“Xue Eight!” he shouted, livid. “Get up right now!”

Xiao Yi knew it was his cue to perform. “She’s fainted, and you still claim to be a loving father?”

Fearing someone would check if Xue Fanzhi had truly fainted, he called to Xue Jingren, “Why aren’t you taking your sister back and calling a physician?”

Xue Jingren hurriedly scooped Xue Fanzhi into his arms and dashed away.

There was no way Xue Yang could catch up. He hollered after them, “Ninth Highness, what about my matter?!”

Xiao Yi turned back with a smile. “If only you could show a little more kindness, would things have come to this?”

“I truly am kind!” Xue Yang was nearly in tears. “It’s all because…” Suddenly meeting Xiao Yi’s warning gaze, he realized that even complaining now would count as unkindness.

He changed his tune at once, barking at Jin Shi, “Why are you still standing here? Go see if Eighth Daughter is ill!”

Jin Shi, who did care for her daughter, turned pale and hurried out.

Xue Jiaoyue, who saw through everything, fell silent.

With Jin Shi gone, Xue Yang truly believed he had been exceedingly benevolent—hadn’t he just sent Jin Shi to check on Eighth Daughter? In the past, he would never have shown such concern.

“Ninth Highness!” Xue Yang said ingratiatingly, “You see, I really am not unkind. So about that official position…”

Xiao Yi turned back with a sudden smile. “As long as the family head is a kind and loving person, and does not harm his children, I’ll have every reason to recommend you, wouldn’t I? But I have witnessed everything with my own eyes. Whether I have misunderstood you or not, there’s no need to fret. Time reveals a horse’s strength, and a person’s heart is known over the years. I’ll be watching.”

With those words, he turned and left, leaving Xue Yang behind, pondering the meaning of kindness.