TRBDM -Chapter 36 Zhang Xiuzhuan Stirs Trouble

Shen Zhizhi’s smile froze on her face. “Second Younger Sister, really, she shouldn’t speak such things recklessly.”

“Rumors spread like wildfire. In less than a hundred days, the gossip about Sheng’er divorcing his wife will likely reach every corner of the capital.”

Hearing the words “divorce his wife,” Shen Zhizhi felt as if ants were crawling all over her body—an unbearable discomfort. How could something so calm suddenly involve her?

“Wisdom stops rumors. In the future, Second Younger Sister must also speak with caution,” Shen Zhizhi said, her voice trembling.

“From now on, if I hear anyone gossiping and uttering the words ‘divorce his wife,’ they’d better weigh the consequences carefully, understand?” Wei Zhaorong’s voice was stern and heavy.

“You’re right, Mother. When I return to Quyang Courtyard, I will strictly supervise everyone there.”

Even after leaving Anhe Courtyard, Shen Zhizhi still felt a lingering fear.

She had always been calculating. Even a casual remark from Wei Zhaorong was carefully noted in her mind.

Which man in the world doesn’t love a beauty? Although Xie Sheng currently harbored no other intentions, who could guarantee he never would in the future?

No, she needed to be on guard in advance—she couldn’t allow some outside woman to snatch her husband away.

Not long after Shen Zhizhi left, Dou Shuyao arrived.

“Mother, was your punishment of Second Younger Sister today because of Shuxin?”

Dou Shuyao felt uneasy. Their mother’s discipline was strict, and even he had felt a pang of pity.

“There is a reason related to Miss Dou, but it’s not entirely because of her. Previously, I had been too lenient in discipline, which allowed Wanyi to develop an arrogant and overbearing nature. As long as she hasn’t married, she is part of our Hou residence and represents its reputation. Small quarrels within the residence are fine, but if she behaves the same outside, people will say I fail in raising my children.”

Dou Shuyao nodded silently, saying nothing further.

Dou Shuxin, who had long been oppressed by Xie Wanyi, finally felt some relief from her mother’s punishment. Hopefully, Wanyi could take the lesson to heart and temper her temperament, becoming as gentle and amiable as her name suggests.

“Did Chuan’er take his medicine properly today?” Wei Zhaorong asked.

“Yes, three times a day, and I personally watched him finish each dose.”

“And you? Have you been taking your medicine on time?”

Dou Shuyao was momentarily startled, then replied, “On schedule. Physician Xiao truly is a divine doctor. These past days, I’ve felt much better, and my complexion has improved too.”

Looking at him, Wei Zhaorong noted it was true—Dou Shuyao’s face now had color, and his once rigid demeanor appeared brighter.

“Once Chuan’er has fully recovered, you must have a child quickly. After the Marquis passed, the residence has been rather quiet. A child will bring warmth and liveliness.”

Dou Shuyao nodded, blushing.

The next day, Wei Zhaorong brought Xie Lan and Shi Yi to the Dong residence.

Mr. Dong was proud and aloof. Wei Zhaorong and the two children waited in the front hall for a long time before he finally arrived, moving at a leisurely pace.

The moment he entered, his gaze fixed on Xie Lan.

Xie Lan felt uneasy under his scrutiny, yet he maintained a straight posture, showing no trace of discomfort on his face.

The examining gaze was like a thousand-pound hammer, but Xie Lan withstood it.

“Madam Xie, I will take Xie Lan under my tutelage. You may leave now.”

Wei Zhaorong did not linger either. She stood and left.

Whether Xie Lan could stay or not over the next month depended entirely on himself.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t worried, but worrying would not help.

Halfway home, Wei Zhaorong stopped at Xiangshan to pray to the Bodhisattva, hoping Xie Lan would be successfully accepted by Mr. Dong.

Nanny Qi thought to herself: In the past, even when Second Young Master underwent Mr. Dong’s evaluation, Madam never had been this concerned. It seems she has very high expectations for Third Young Master.

Ever since Xie Wanyi was punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall, the Hou residence had been relatively calm for a few days.

Lately, Shen Zhizhi seemed to be busy with something; apart from paying her morning respects, she rarely visited Anhe Courtyard.

Xie Sheng, preoccupied with repairing his relationship with Zhang Xiuzhuan, ran himself ragged. After verbal disputes and having all his gifts returned, he was in a constant flurry of worry.

A few days later, Zhang Xiuzhuan unexpectedly approached him.

“Xie Sheng, you and I have known each other for many years. I have wholeheartedly tried to recommend you to the Hanlin Academy and have mediated on your behalf for many days. Yet the Hou residence handles matters so harshly, leaving no room for courtesy. It puts me in quite a difficult position.”

“Brother Zhang, this is all my half-brother Xie Lan’s fault and has nothing to do with me. These past days, we’ve grown further apart, I can’t sleep at night, and I’ve even lost some weight. Brother Zhang, I swear on my sincere intentions—surely you have seen it.”

Desperate for advancement, Xie Sheng was like a dog chasing after a red apple dangling on a string right before his nose—Zhang Xiuzhuan held the apple, and Xie Sheng ran after it without hesitation.

“Oh? Sincere intentions? And how do you prove that?”

“Brother Zhang, whatever you ask of me, I will do my utmost to accomplish it. Just say the word, and I will never refuse.”

The bait had been taken. Zhang Xiuzhuan suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and, feigning some difficulty, said, “I heard that your half-brother has entered Mr. Dong’s tutelage.”

“What!!!”

Xie Sheng was shocked; he genuinely had no idea.

Wasn’t Xie Lan still at Mr. Shen’s private school? How could he possibly have joined Mr. Dong’s tutelage?

“Brother Zhang, is this true? Mr. Dong’s tutelage is not open to just anyone. Xie Lan barely knows how to read—if Mr. Dong took him in, it would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on your own foot.”

Xie Sheng doubted the truth of the matter immensely.

He prided himself on his exceptional talent, and even he had failed Mr. Dong’s assessment. How could Xie Lan possibly succeed?

“Whether it’s true or not, why not ask Madam Xie? For Mr. Dong to break his principles and take in a talentless fool, your mother must have orchestrated quite a bit behind the scenes.”

Orchestrating, of course, meant connections and gifts.

Just how many gifts would it have taken to make this happen?

Xie Sheng still bore a scab on his forehead from Xie Lan’s previous blow, and the occasional stabbing pain reminded him that Xie Lan was no good.

“Fine! That Xie Lan—these past days, who knows what intoxicating words he’s fed to mother, getting her to handle everything for him. Not only did he injure me and affront the Zhang household, he’s also meddled with Mr. Dong’s mind—outrageous!”

Anger coursed through him, his fists creaking as he clenched them.

Old grievances and new grudges combined—how could he not be furious?

“Xie Sheng, to be frank, Xie Lan has long held a grudge against my younger brother Zhang Lin. Because of him, my brother has withdrawn from Mr. Shen’s private school. But now, he has gone to Mr. Dong’s tutelage. I cannot swallow this insult. If you can get Xie Lan to leave Mr. Dong’s tutelage, all previous matters can be forgiven, and I will still recommend you to the Hanlin Academy.”

Without hesitation, Xie Sheng agreed immediately. “Brother Zhang, rest assured. Not only you, I cannot swallow this insult either. A half-brother climbing over a legitimate son to throw a tantrum—if word got out, it would be laughable. Mother is so partial; I certainly cannot stand by idly.”

Satisfied with Xie Sheng’s promise, Zhang Xiuzhuan smiled. “I await good news from Brother Xie.”

All day, Xie Sheng was distracted. Once class ended, he immediately returned to the Hou residence.

Though his mind simmered with anger, he did not rush to Anhe Courtyard to confront anyone. Instead, he went to Quyang Courtyard to find Shen Zhizhi.

“Husband, why are you back so early today?”

Xie Sheng waved the others away.

Shen Zhizhi asked, puzzled, “What’s the matter?”

“Xie Lan has entered Mr. Dong’s tutelage. Did you know?”

“No, no one in the residence mentioned it.”

“Hmph, mother really kept it well-hidden—not a single whisper.”

Xie Sheng’s face darkened. “Send someone to bring the book boy from Lan Courtyard here.”