Chapter 20 - 19 Zhuoshui County 1

Ever since Old Master Xia returned, he had been beside himself. He didn’t even eat dinner, just lay in bed, dazed. "Master, what’s the matter with you? Is there something you can’t tell me?" Lady Yao moved closer. Lady Yao was the second wife Old Master Xia had married. She wasn’t much to look at but relied on her youth and fertility. In her first year in the household, she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, who were now only three years old—truly a late-life blessing for him. Normally, Old Master Xia doted on them like precious treasures, while his other children were treated as if they were foundlings, utterly ignored! "Tell me, why on earth would the Capital City suddenly send an Imperial Censor?" Old Master Xia was somewhat out of sorts. That Imperial Censor doesn’t seem to be from the Ministry of Personnel. What on earth could this be about? My heart is pounding! "Look at you, so spineless!" Lady Yao said with disgust, poking his forehead with her finger. "If you haven’t committed corruption or taken bribes, who can do anything to you?!" she added through clenched teeth. If only he were a bit smarter, she wouldn’t have to live such a poor life, unable to even afford decent jewelry. At the last tea party for the madams, she had lost so much face! It made her not want to go out even now! "That’s true!" Old Master Xia’s dim old eyes briefly lit up. "I haven’t engaged in corruption or bribery, nor have I oppressed the common people! What do I have to fear?!" It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be corrupt, but rather he had the heart of a thief without the courage. The County Magistrate he had replaced here was beheaded for corruption! The amount was significant, and the Imperial Court had punished him ruthlessly! Ever since then, whenever he thought of corruption, he would have nightmares! Old Master Xia cheered up again. "You truly are my good wife! You always think things through so clearly!" As he spoke, he moved closer, starting to get handsy. "Old lecher!" Lady Yao spat. "And who made you my wife?" he retorted, then pounced on her. A certain discordant noise soon filled the room, causing the young Maids guarding the door to blush and slip away! Early the next morning, Imperial Censor Zhou came to visit and stated his purpose. "These Silver Taels and jewelry have been bestowed by Lady Xia from the palace, intended for Young Master Xia Jingfeng’s education and the hiring of a tutor," he said. Imperial Censor Zhou opened the box, revealing silver notes, Silver Taels, and jewelry—all clearly itemized and exact in number. There were five Silver Notes of one thousand taels each, ten silver ingots of fifty taels each, and half a box of Red Gold and Jade Jewelry, totaling roughly six to seven thousand Silver Taels. Old Master Xia stared dumbfounded; he had completely forgotten he even had a daughter in the palace! Lady Yao, meanwhile, stared intently at the contents of the bundle, her eyes gleaming with greed. "Oh... oh my... Our Eldest Miss is truly filial! Knowing the hardships at home, she specially sent Silver back! This... how could we possibly accept this!" Lady Yao’s smile was brighter than any flower; she wished she could immediately reach out and snatch the box into her embrace. Several thousand Silver Taels! That’s more than the Old Master’s lifetime salary! I’m going to be rich! Imperial Censor Zhou’s expression darkened slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched. Old Master Xia also came to his senses. Xia Jingfeng? Oh, that’s my legitimate second son! "Many... many thanks, Imperial Censor... This..." he stammered, somewhat at a loss. "If Old Master Xia wishes to express thanks, it should naturally be to Lady Xia. I am merely following orders!" Imperial Censor Zhou replied, his face devoid of expression. "Many... many thanks to Lady Xia! The Honored Lady is truly filial!" Old Master Xia finally reacted, a smile appearing on his face. He finally breathed a complete sigh of relief in his heart; so it was good news after all! Lady Yao became even more attentive. While trying to put the box away, she eagerly curried favor, "Rest assured, Imperial Censor! We will absolutely not disappoint the Honored Lady’s kind intentions!" "Your Lordship has come from afar, why not stay for a few more days..." Seven thousand taels! Enough for a prosperous New Year, enough to make several gorgeous outfits. Wearing this jewelry out will surely make those madams green with envy. Let’s see who dares to mock her then! Seeing Lady Yao’s covetous expression, Imperial Censor Zhou’s face instantly turned black! He abruptly reached out and intercepted the box. "Madam seems to be mistaken. These items are for Young Master Xia Jingfeng, not for Old Master Xia and yourself!" "I must ask Old Master Xia to summon the Second Young Master so I can present these items to him in person!" Startled by this, Lady Yao dared not retort. She could only retract her hand sheepishly with an embarrassed smile. "Yes... I was presumptuous! I’ll go fetch the Second Young Master right away. Please wait a moment, Your Lordship!" With that, she scurried away with her tail between her legs. Damn that Second Young Master! Is that weakling really worth thousands of taels? That bitch’s bastard and his sister are two peas in a pod, scheming from miles away to spite me! I am the legitimate main wife now! Honored Lady? Bah! She still has to call me ’Mother’ when she sees me! Compete with me? Not a chance! That weakling won’t get a single coin of those thousands of taels! Xia Jingfeng emerged feebly. Upon seeing him, Imperial Censor Zhou’s expression grew even more grim. Isn’t he... ten years old? This child looks only six or seven! So thin, just skin and bones, and his hair is as yellow as withered grass! Before I left, Xiao Xizi, from Lady Xia’s side, specifically found me and told me about the situation. Could I have remembered it wrong? Seeing this, Lady Yao hurriedly offered an apologetic smile and explained, "This child has always been frail. He fell seriously ill not long ago and still hasn’t fully recovered. Please excuse his appearance, Your Lordship!" As she spoke, she put an arm around the child’s shoulder. "Come, Jingfeng, greet the Imperial Censor!" Xia Jingfeng shuddered and instinctively shrank back, as if terrified of Lady Yao. "I..." "Don’t be afraid. Imperial Censor Zhou was sent by your elder sister to bring you gifts!" Lady Yao’s voice was gentle, her face wreathed in smiles, as she drew a little closer to the child. Xia Jingfeng recoiled even more sharply, shaking his head incessantly, his face paling with fright. Lady Yao suppressed the vicious anger in her heart and was about to coax him further when Imperial Censor Zhou interrupted her. He slowly approached Xia Jingfeng. This time, the boy didn’t shy away, merely looking at him with wide eyes. "Don’t be scared. Your sister has sent you Silver so you can hire a good tutor and study hard!" His voice had softened considerably. Imperial Censor Zhou led him back to his own seat, explained everything to him once more, and then handed over all the items. "Why don’t you open it and take a look?" Xia Jingfeng hesitated, not moving. After a moment, he asked timidly, "When will Big Sister come back?" He didn’t understand the concept of several thousand Silver Taels; he only knew he hadn’t seen his elder sister in a very long time. "Ah?" Imperial Censor Zhou was somewhat taken aback. Xia Jingfeng continued, "They all say Big Sister has entered the palace and won’t return. But I know she will come back; she wouldn’t abandon me!" Imperial Censor Zhou had served the Emperor for many years, known for being sternly impartial and highly skilled. Yet now, questioned by a child, he was rendered speechless, a pang of sorrow in his heart, unsure how to respond. He reached out and gently stroked the child’s withered, yellow hair, saying softly, "Your elder sister has entered the palace and cannot return. However, she said for you to study diligently. When you become capable, you are to go to the Capital City to find her!"