Chapter 51 - 50 Stop Fighting, I’ll Go Back with You

Xia Jingfeng clutched the book in his hands tightly, a glint of obstinacy flickering in his eyes. "Mr. Du said that one must not slack off in their studies. I am reviewing my books here, Madam; there is no need for you to worry!" He felt an extreme aversion. This woman surely had no good intentions. If he went back with her, he wouldn’t be able to come out again. Surely, they would also chase Mr. Du away. They want to prevent him from studying! How could that be acceptable? He still needed to study diligently and go to the Capital City to find his eldest sister! His sister was in poor health and all alone in the Capital City; he couldn’t be at ease! In the past, when his sister was home, she took his beatings and scoldings for him. She protected him with all her might and saved all the best food she could find for him. Now that his elder sister was not at home and he had grown up, later... It would be his turn to protect her! Seeing Xia Jingfeng’s unwillingness to return, a trace of ferocity flashed in Lady Yao’s eyes. She then pulled over Xia Weifeng and Xia Ruyi, the treasured boy and girl twins she had given birth to, and squeezed out a few tears. "How can you be so heartless, child? Your younger brother and sister cry and fuss every day wanting to see you. Even your father can’t bear it..." "Dear child, Mother knows she was wrong in the past. Please, for your younger brother and sister’s sake, come back with us!" The young pair exchanged a glance and both contemptuously turned their heads away. "HMPH! Who cries and fusses to see him!" Xia Ruyi pouted. Exactly! We don’t care for him at all! Father also said his favorite is me! Xia Weifeng thought, his face full of resentment. "Mother, why are you begging him? Let’s go back and forget about him!" Xia Weifeng urged. "Mother, let’s leave! This place is so shabby, and Yi’er is so cold!" Xia Ruyi whined. Do you think I want to come to this wretched place? If not for the silver this jinx Xia Jingfeng has, why would I bother? Thousands of taels—that’s no small sum! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the trouble to send people to find this dilapidated hovel. Although Lady Yao was inwardly fuming, she knew she had to continue the act. "You two little imps! Jingfeng is your older brother. Don’t talk about him that way, understand?" Lady Yao scolded. "He’s not my brother!" Xia Ruyi shouted. Xia Weifeng also rolled his eyes. "Exactly! I don’t acknowledge him as my brother either! Father said he’s just an invalid!" That two barely three-year-old toddlers dared to be so arrogant and presumptuous showed they were usually spoiled rotten in the Xia Residence. Xia Jingfeng didn’t care about their attitude, but when he heard those words, he suddenly looked up. His eyes filled with shock, followed by waves of disappointment and despair. His father actually despised him for being an invalid! Heh... He should have realized it earlier. He hadn’t been home for half a year, and his father never once inquired after him. It turned out all his hopes were now placed on his younger son. Indeed, he was no longer the only legitimate son. What was the point of returning? To continue being humiliated by their family? Xia Jingfeng concealed the hurt in his eyes and said to Lady Yao, "I will not go back. Please do as you see fit!" With that, he lowered his head and continued to turn the pages of his book. Lady Yao became frantic. Her glare hardened at her twin children, and she slapped their bottoms a few times. "I told you to stop talking nonsense! Stop spouting rubbish!" "What did we come here for today? Have you forgotten what Mother taught you at home?" Xia Weifeng and Xia Ruyi had been coddled and held in high esteem within the residence since they were young. Never having suffered such humiliation, they started to wail the moment the beating commenced. A little self-inflicted suffering might do the trick, Lady Yao thought, her eyes darting around. So, she continued the beating. She knew very well she had hardly used any force. The siblings’ wretched cries were surely not from pain but from feeling wronged! HMPH! What was a little indignity in the pursuit of silver! And so, the small courtyard filled with an uproarious cacophony of rising and falling cries! The two children, only three years old, were "beaten" by Lady Yao until they cried buckets. And Lady Yao kept at it, showing not the slightest intention of stopping. After about a quarter of an hour, Xia Jingfeng could bear it no longer. "Stop hitting them! I’ll go back with you!" Overjoyed, Lady Yao quickly stopped. "Jingfeng, Mother always knew you were a good child..." She didn’t wait for Xia Jingfeng to say anything more and immediately signaled to the workers. "What are you all standing around for? Didn’t you see that the Second Young Master is returning to the Xia Residence? Hurry up and help him pack his things!" A few of the loyal-looking workers exchanged glances, hesitating and not moving an inch. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up!" Lady Yao urged again, her voice shrill and urgent. "Hold on!" Xia Jingfeng interjected. "Mother, I am only going back to celebrate the New Year. After the New Year, I will return here to study, so there’s no need to pack anything. I’ll go with you." Xia Jingfeng was not truly foolish. How could he not know what Lady Yao was thinking? A cat crying over a dead rat—it was certainly false compassion! "Ah...?" Lady Yao was taken aback. "Jing... Jingfeng, studying is a good thing, but this place... it’s just too rudimentary," Lady Yao said, forcing a smile. "It’s better if you go back. We can let the workers take care of this place. After the New Year, Mother will have someone renovate your courtyard and invite your Mr. Du over as well. What do you think?" "This..." Xia Jingfeng hesitated. He glanced at Lady Yao’s greedy and impatient face. Since Lady Yao managed to find this place, she must be absolutely determined. If I don’t think of something, I won’t be able to shake her off today. Xia Jingfeng fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I’ll return after the New Year to continue my studies. However, my belongings can be moved back first. What do you think, Mother?" Upon hearing this, Lady Yao understood: his belongings would return, but he would not! Internally, she was so excited she felt like going mad! What I want are the belongings; who gives a damn about this sickly son! Once the silver enters the Xia Residence, it won’t escape even if it grows wings! Still, as pleased as she was, she knew it wouldn’t be proper to show it too openly. She feigned a few more words of concern before taking her leave with a flourish, her children in tow. 「In the afternoon, servant boys from the Xia Residence came to move his belongings.」 In reality, what possessions did he have? Apart from a few boxes of books and some everyday clothes, he had long since hidden away everything his eldest sister had given him. Those were gifts from Eldest Sister; no one else is allowed to touch them! 「On New Year’s Eve, the Xia Family also had their reunion dinner.」 Old Master Xia felt a bit estranged, and even shocked, by his son’s sudden return. "Jingfeng... you’ve grown quite a bit!" In just half a year, he had not only grown taller but also sturdier. He even seemed to possess a scholar’s refined grace. It appears he truly has been studying, Old Master Xia mused. Xia Jingfeng sat to one side, his expression unchanged. "Thank you for your concern, Father." His heart was utterly undisturbed; no reason was needed. Old Master Xia was very pleased. He nodded, stroking his beard, his gaze then shifting to Maternal Aunt Wen. "And who knows what that good-for-nothing son of yours has run off to do! One by one, their wings have hardened, and they all learn not to come home!"