TRBDM -Chapter 28 Xie Lan Makes a Move

A few days earlier, Xie Lan had offended Scholar Zhang, causing the relationship between Xie Sheng and Scholar Zhang to plummet.

Xie Sheng had swallowed his pride—apologizing repeatedly, offering gifts, lowering himself to coax Scholar Zhang for several days—before their relationship was finally restored.

And so today, in a good mood, Scholar Zhang mentioned that a batch of fine wine had arrived at his home and invited Xie Sheng over to taste it together.

Xie Sheng was delighted.

At the Marquis Manor, Shen Zhizhi disliked him drinking, so he rarely had the chance. But since the invitation came from Scholar Zhang, Shen Zhizhi would certainly have no complaints.

Beaming with anticipation, Xie Sheng arrived at the Zhang residence. Who would have thought that not only did he not get to taste any fine wine—he did not even get to sit down before Madam Zhang, her face full of fury, drove him out.

“Second Master Xie, from this day forth, the Zhang residence will sever all ties with the Marquis Manor. Our Zhang family cannot accommodate a single Buddha from the Xie family. Go back where you came from. From now on, anyone with the surname Xie is forbidden from stepping through the gates of the Zhang residence.”

“Madam Zhang, why such anger? Is there some misunderstanding?” Xie Sheng was stunned.

“A misunderstanding?” Madam Zhang’s face hardened. “Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, you should ask Third Master Xie of your manor. Leave at once—I do not wish to see you.”

After leaving the Zhang residence, Xie Sheng burned with rage. He did not even step into Quyang Courtyard but headed straight for Lan Courtyard.

“Xie Lan, what good deed did you do at the private academy to anger the Zhang family so badly?!”

Without asking for details, Xie Sheng immediately pinned the blame on him.

Xie Lan set down his brush and stood up. “Second Brother, you know about it?”

“So it was you!”

Xie Sheng grabbed Xie Lan by the collar. “Whatever you did, go to the Zhang residence immediately to apologize. Kneel, beg for forgiveness, kowtow in apology—use whatever means necessary. You must obtain the Zhang family’s pardon.”

Xie Lan was short and frail. With Xie Sheng’s tall frame yanking him up, his feet nearly left the ground.

His heart pounded violently, yet the words he spoke sent Xie Sheng’s fury straight to the top of his head: “I did nothing wrong. The one at fault is Zhang Lin. He must withdraw from the academy—or we’ll settle it at the magistrate’s office.”

“What did you say?”

Xie Sheng wondered if his ears were failing him. He finally understood why Madam Zhang had thrown him out.

Several possibilities had crossed his mind, but never had he imagined that Xie Lan would dare demand that Zhang Lin withdraw from school.

Xie Sheng tightened his grip. “Xie Lan, do you even know who you are? You’re nothing but a bastard—what are you being arrogant for? Don’t think that just because you moved into Lan Courtyard you can compare yourself to us legitimate sons. You’ve studied at the academy for a few days and already forgotten who you are? Should I remind you? You’re just a dog of our Marquis Manor—no different from the servants in the back courtyard.”

His eyes swept disdainfully over Xie Lan’s new clothes. “Even if you drape yourself in imperial yellow robes, you can’t hide the lowborn bones beneath. A few days of good living and you’ve forgotten your origins. Your mother was a lowly maid who schemed her way into Father’s bed and gave birth to trash like you.”

Such humiliating words—Xie Lan had heard them since childhood.

Before the old marquis passed away, he had at least enjoyed a sliver of protection. But after the old marquis fell ill and was bedridden for years, his attention to Xie Lan naturally waned.

Xie Sheng became even more unscrupulous.

Though Xie Lan bore the Xie surname, no one in the entire manor acknowledged his status except the old marquis.

Over time, he truly became the “lowly trash” in Xie Sheng’s mouth, fit only to eat and live alongside the servants.

The harm had never stopped—and it would never fade.

Xie Lan clenched his teeth, his fists tightening until they crackled.

If they bullied him, he could endure it. But to drag his mother through the mud like this—he could not tolerate it.

Wei Zhaorong’s words from earlier that day echoed in his ears: “Don’t worry about causing trouble. No matter how big it is, I’ll bear it for you.”

His patience had reached its limit. He had promised his mother earlier that he would never again be a soft persimmon to be squeezed. Now, he absolutely could not disappoint her.

Before Xie Lan could make a move, a small dark figure suddenly darted out and crashed into Xie Sheng.

With Xie Sheng’s solid build, how could a tiny child like Shi Yi knock him over? But the attack was so sudden that, in dodging, Xie Sheng released Xie Lan’s collar.

“Shi Yi, don’t act recklessly,” Xie Lan stopped him.

Shi Yi’s rib injury was still severe—he could barely even stand upright.

Tonight, Xie Lan didn’t allow Shi Yi to practice calligraphy with him. Instead, he told him to lie on the couch and rest.

Just a moment before Xie Sheng entered, Shi Yi had been resting with his eyes closed.

Now, the moment he moved, the pain turned his lips pale blue.

“You little bastard—how dare you climb over my head and act wild? Men, lock him in the woodshed. I’ll deal with him later.”

Very quickly, Shi Yi was dragged away.

“Xie Sheng, let Shi Yi go!” Xie Lan shouted anxiously.

“Don’t rush. I’ll deal with you first.”

Xie Sheng shoved Xie Lan to the ground. He knew Xie Lan wouldn’t dare fight back.

Years ago, Xie Sheng had once pushed Xie Lan into a pond. He had watched with his own eyes as Xie Lan struggled in the water before walking away in satisfaction.

After who knew how long, Xie Lan had crawled out by himself.

Just as Xie Sheng had expected, Xie Lan hadn’t told anyone.

And now, it would be the same.

However, just as Xie Sheng’s fist shot toward Xie Lan’s face, Xie Lan seized the moment. He grabbed the paperweight, gathered all his strength, and struck Xie Sheng squarely on the head.

A sharp pain exploded. Something warm trickled down from his forehead.

Xie Sheng instinctively touched it—then the metallic scent of blood burst into the air.

“Oh no! Second Young Master is bleeding!”

A servant shouted loudly.

“Quick, fetch the physician!”

“Go get the Old Madam!”

Footsteps clattered everywhere. In an instant, chaos erupted.

Before long, the usually neglected Lan Courtyard was filled with people coming one after another.

The first to arrive was Shen Zhizhi.

“Husband, what happened to you? Husband—!” Shen Zhizhi’s crying voice reached the room before she did.

“Heavens, why is there so much blood? Physician—has the physician arrived?”

At that moment, the estate physician, carrying his medical case, had just stepped in. “I’m here, I’m here. Second Madam, don’t panic. Let me take a look first.”

The physician carefully examined Xie Sheng’s wound. Blood was still flowing steadily, and he quickly pressed a clean cloth against Xie Sheng’s forehead to stop the bleeding.

Xie Sheng had never suffered like this before. He groaned incessantly in pain.

Each cry made Shen Zhizhi sway on her feet.

“Physician, how is my husband’s injury? Is there… any danger to his life?”

“There is none, Second Madam. Please rest assured.”

But Shen Zhizhi felt no relief. Especially after learning that it was Xie Lan who had injured Xie Sheng, she no longer bothered to pretend kindness.

“Xie Lan, I’ve always treated you decently. The day you moved into Lan Courtyard, I even worried about the injury on your face. I never expected you to repay kindness with enmity and dare to strike my husband. Our Marquis Manor was once harmonious—yet it’s you who has stirred up turmoil in this household. I will ask Mother to preside over justice and give our Second Branch a fair explanation.”

Justice had never existed in this marquis household.

The legitimate son, who possessed every advantage, speaking of fairness to a concubine-born son—how laughable.

Xie Lan’s thin lips pressed into a straight line.

“Xie Lan, are you even human? My husband has been beaten into this state, and you won’t even utter a word—no apology at all. I used to defend you, but clearly my good intentions were wasted on you. In your bones, you’re nothing but a despicable villain.”

“Who are you calling a despicable villain?”