IDWBE -Chapter 109 Got Beaten Again

She opened the back gate of the courtyard and suddenly let out a sharp scream in fright.

Sun Yi hurried over. Taking a closer look, he saw a few gray-furred squirrels darting back and forth among the trees outside.

The old lady kept patting her chest and said, “These rats are incredible—they can even climb trees!”

Sun Yi laughed. “Those aren’t rats, they’re squirrels. There are some in the mountains near Ankang City too. You just don’t leave the city much, so you haven’t seen them.”

Squinting, the old lady pointed toward a horned animal poking its head out from the riverside grass. “Then what’s that?”

Sun Yi smiled. “That’s a deer.”

“I’ve seen those before,” she said. “Just don’t know if they bite.”

“All the dangerous animals were driven back into the mountains long ago,” Sun Yi replied. “Besides, there are patrols every day. They wouldn’t dare come down easily.”

When he had first arrived in Baiyun City with the prince, wolves and leopards would often sneak down from the mountains. But after the orphanage was built, the prince, concerned for the children’s safety, ordered daily patrols to drive away wild beasts.

Now, seeing even a slightly ferocious animal in Baiyun City was rare. Only deer, squirrels, and those particularly vindictive monkeys remained.

“That’s good, that’s good.”

The old lady nodded and sighed. “Everything else about this place looks fine, but the heat is just too harsh. My skin’s practically scorched.”

Sun Yi smiled and went to boil water for tea.

Once the family gathered around the table, he turned his gaze to his younger brother, Sun Cheng.

Sun Cheng said resentfully, “I didn’t want to come. Father dragged me here.”

Sun Du sighed. “Ever since he entered the Imperial Academy, he’s been hanging around with a bunch of people planning to submit a petition at the palace gates! Isn’t that nonsense? Good thing I pulled him away. Otherwise, not just his head—even our whole family’s heads wouldn’t be enough to pay for it!”

“Nonsense indeed!”

Sun Yi slapped the table so hard it trembled.

Sun Cheng lifted his chin stubbornly. “The eunuch faction is bringing disaster upon the nation. As scholars, we should—”

“Shut up!”

Sun Yi gritted his teeth. “If you lose your own life, that’s one thing. Don’t drag the whole family down with you.”

“I’ll bear the consequences myself,” Sun Cheng insisted.

Sun Yi snorted. “You think if you tell He Jin not to kill your whole family, he’ll listen? If he listened to you, why would you need to submit a petition in the first place?”

Sun Cheng flushed red and fell silent.

Sun Yi pulled out a sheet of paper from his sleeve and placed it in front of him. “Sanhe isn’t like other places. It has its own laws. Study them carefully and explain them to Father and Mother. Everything must be done according to the rules. Rest here for now. When the time’s right, I’ll swallow my pride and find you a position.”

Sun Cheng muttered, “I don’t want to be a stable hand like you.”

“You want to be a stable hand?” Sun Yi snapped. “Dream on!”

Was being a stable hand at the Prince He’s residence that easy?

Even if Commander Shen gave him face and let Sun Cheng in, he wouldn’t dare send him. His brother was a bookworm who’d read himself stupid. If Commander Shen didn’t kick him to death, Chief Steward Hong might.

For the sake of his own reputation—and his brother’s life—it would be better to send him to the Military Commission Office. Those old scholars there were both learned and skilled in martial arts. Maybe Sun Cheng would improve under their guidance.

Sun Yi hadn’t given up on his brother taking the imperial examinations. He was just waiting for the right time to send him back to the capital to sit for them.

“It’s too early to talk about that,” the old lady said. “Let him rest first. We’ve spent over a month traveling—never suffered like that in my life. It’s just a pity about those two horses and the carriage. Sold cheap in Nanzhou. And taking that boat—makes me nauseous even now.”

“But you’ve arrived, haven’t you? If you hadn’t taken the boat, it would’ve been even slower.”

After settling his family, Sun Yi hurried back to the prince’s residence for duty.

Ma Gui was dozing by the side room. After being woken by Sun Yi, he grumbled, “You were gone too long.”

“My parents arrived today,” Sun Yi said with a bow. “I had to get them settled.”

Ma Gui’s eyes lit up. “You moved fast—already brought them over?”

“To be honest, I thought Sanhe was a barren place and didn’t want them to suffer. But now that we’ve stayed here a while, we know it’s better than wasting away in the capital.”

Ma Gui sighed. “I should think about sending word back too. Better to have them nearby.”

“Of course.” Sun Yi clapped him on the shoulder. “After our shift, let’s go to Jinfeng Restaurant. I’ll treat.”

“Has Han Deqing not returned yet? Are you guarding the gate alone now?”

“He’s gone to Bird Island, filling in for Zhang Mian.”

“The navy’s nice,” Ma Gui said. “Wonder when we’ll get a chance like that.”

“I don’t want to go,” Sun Yi laughed. “Guarding the gate suits me fine.”

Otherwise, how would he have managed to build such a large courtyard house?

With Han Deqing gone, he was thinking about who could fill in. His two apprentices couldn’t leave. The guards were all fighters—none had the tact needed for gate duty.

Fang Pi? Mischievous, yes—but clever and sharp. Perfect to guard the gate with him.

He’d have to find time to speak with Commander Shen.

After Ma Gui left, Ye Qiu limped over, face bruised, and sat down beside Sun Yi.

Sun Yi sipped his tea and said with ill-hidden glee, “Got beaten?”

He never liked Ye Qiu much. Simply put—the man lacked warmth.

Ye Qiu sighed. “That woman was way too heavy-handed.”

“Who?”

“The one holding a child. Hard to tell her age. I’ve never seen her around these past days.”

“Looks like she’s come out of seclusion,” Sun Yi said.

He didn’t need to think to know it was Consort Wen.

“She doesn’t even reason things out. So fierce,” Ye Qiu complained.

Sun Yi snorted. “How did you offend her?”

He had to admire Ye Qiu’s courage. Consort Wen’s martial arts were unfathomable. Rumor had it she could beat Chief Steward Hong without him being able to fight back.

“I was watering flowers in the side courtyard,” Ye Qiu said. “I’d never seen anyone there before. And you know how it is—nature calls. Who knew someone would open the door right then? Without asking anything, she slapped me!”

“Nature calls… in Consort Wen’s courtyard?”

Sun Yi was stunned. He patted Ye Qiu’s shoulder and consoled him, “Brother, the fact that you’re still alive is already a miracle. Getting beaten is nothing.”

“So I just take it?”

“Can you beat her?”

“…”

Ye Qiu lowered his head to his chest.

Prince He’s residence was truly a brutal place.

In the past thirty years combined, he hadn’t been beaten as much as he had in just half a month here!

And the key point—he’d never even been beaten before those thirty years!