TRBDM -Chapter 38 Better to Separate Early

All night long, Xie Lan stayed close to Shi Yi, changing the damp cloths to cool him again and again.

The darkness of dawn swallowed the last remnants of night.

Xie Lan sent all the servants away and remained alone by his side.

A lantern on the corner of the table glowed quietly, casting a faint light on Shi Yi’s face.

He was like a wisp of wind—slight carelessness, and he could slip through one’s fingers.

After the last beat of the night watch, Shi Yi slowly opened his eyes.

His vision shifted from blur to clarity, and Xie Lan’s face appeared before him.

Xie Lan’s right hand was propping up his head; he had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

But his sleep was restless. His eyes flickered constantly, and suddenly he jolted awake, panic flashing across his face.

Meeting Xie Lan’s clear, steady gaze, he blinked rapidly.

“Shi Yi, you’re awake?” Xie Lan hurried to feel his forehead.

It was ice-cold.

The fever had finally broken.

“Third Master, you should go back and rest. After sunrise, you still need to go to Mr. Dong’s place to study.”

Shi Yi’s thoughts immediately went to Xie Lan’s studies. There was only a month left—if he couldn’t stay, the Third Master’s path would become even harder.

Finally, an opportunity to change his life had appeared, and he had to seize it firmly.

“Did you finish the homework Mr. Dong assigned yesterday?” Shi Yi asked.

Xie Lan wiped his face, helpless: “You nearly lost your life, and you’re worried about homework?”

Shi Yi tugged at the corner of his mouth, his voice hoarse: “I am but a worthless life—how could it compare to the Third Master’s future?”

The Third Master had the brightest path ahead: he would become Mr. Dong’s disciple, earn his degree, and obtain a position in the court. With the right patron, his career would rise steadily, becoming the pillar of the Xie household.

And he, Shi Yi, would be the Third Master’s most loyal servant, forever following him faithfully.

“Don’t talk nonsense. If I hear that again, I won’t forgive you,” Xie Lan said angrily.

“You’re not my servant. You’re my best friend, my confidant. Your life is not worthless. In my heart, it’s more important than my own.”

These were Xie Lan’s heartfelt words.

Shi Yi felt a sting in his nose from emotion: “Young Master, you’re foolish.”

Hearing his voice only made Xie Lan more uncomfortable: “Stop talking. Get some rest. When you wake up, I might already be at the Dong residence. Don’t look for me. As soon as I finish my lessons, I’ll come see you immediately.”

“Mm—”

Xie Lan stayed by the bed until Shi Yi, exhausted, closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Only then did he light the oil lamp and review the homework Mr. Dong had left.

At dawn, Xie Lan packed up his studies and instructed the servants of Lan Courtyard to take good care of Shi Yi.

Before leaving the mansion, Xie Lan went alone to Anhe Courtyard.

Wei Zhaorong hadn’t risen yet, but he didn’t wait for formalities and asked Nanny Qi to wake her.

“Mother, sorry for disturbing your rest so early.”

Wei Zhaorong understood his purpose: “You’ve come for Shi Yi.”

“Yesterday, Shi Yi was punished by Second Brother but fortunately survived. I need to study at the Dong residence during the day and cannot stay with him. If anyone harms him, I won’t be able to stop it in time. Mother, I have an unreasonable request: could you assign someone to protect Shi Yi?”

Even if Xie Lan hadn’t asked, Wei Zhaorong was already preparing to do exactly that.

Shi Yi was one of her bets, and she could not afford to lose.

“Don’t worry, no one will dare harm Shi Yi from now on.”

Xie Lan’s eyes were dark with determination as he bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Mother.”

Wei Zhaorong thought for a moment and said, “Lan’er, your birthday is coming up. I want to hold a grand birthday banquet for you.”

Her meaning was clear: Xie Lan needed an official occasion to make a proper appearance.

Xie Lan understood the implication.

“Mother, could we wait until I pass Mr. Dong’s trial period?”

Wei Zhaorong raised an eyebrow. “Do you have confidence you’ll stay?”

“Yes.”

Xie Lan clenched his fists, his gaze firm.

“Good. I look forward to that day.”

Wei Zhaorong instructed Nanny Qi to assign a few capable people to guard Lan Court, and also informed everyone in the Xie residence that Shi Yi was Xie Lan’s personal companion reader—a special position not to be treated lightly.

When Xie Sheng returned to Quyang Court after finishing his duties, he sensed something off the moment he stepped through the gate.

“Zhizhi? Zhizhi?”

He called while searching for her, but no one answered.

When he reached the side hall, he finally saw Wei Zhaorong was there.

Shen Zhizhi, like a small, humiliated daughter-in-law, shrank to one side, not daring to speak.

“Mother, you’re here.”

“If I hadn’t come, Lan Courtyard would have been torn apart by you. Xie Sheng, you regard Lan’er as a thorn in your eye, and you whipped his companion reader Shi Yi for no reason. Do you understand your mistake?”

“I’m not in the wrong,” Xie Sheng said. “I was only disciplining a book boy. Who told him to be cunning and not answer my questions?”

“How could a companion reader answer your questions? If you want answers, you should ask me directly.”

“Fine. Since Mother says so, I really do have a few questions. Xie Lan became a disciple under Mr. Dong—is that true?”

The resentment Xie Sheng had been holding in for days—unable to eat or sleep—now burst out without restraint.

“Xie Lan barely knows a few characters, yet he was accepted by Mr. Dong. The reason isn’t hard to guess. Mother, how much did you gift Mr. Dong for him to agree?”

“There were indeed some gifts from me,” Wei Zhaorong replied openly.

“Mother! Why do you show such favoritism? I am your own son. When I took Mr. Dong’s assessment, you didn’t give him gifts or use connections. But now, for Xie Lan, you’ve done so much. Tell me, how could I not be angry?”

Wei Zhaorong looked at him coldly. His failure was his own doing, yet he blamed others.

Mr. Dong’s judgment was precise. That he allowed Xie Lan a month of trial meant Xie Lan had merit.

Xie Sheng had been in private school since he was three, with the best teachers the residence could hire—yet he couldn’t even pass the assessment. Who was to blame for that?

“Who told you that Lan’er barely knows a few characters?”

“He’s never been to a private school; how could he know characters?” Xie Sheng wasn’t being arbitrary—he genuinely believed Xie Lan was incompetent.

Once someone’s perception is deeply rooted, it’s hard to change. Trying to convince them otherwise is foolish.

So Wei Zhaorong spoke not of reasoning, but of results: “I don’t care if he knows characters or not; I’m sending him to learn. Being accepted by Mr. Dong is his own merit. I also gave you and Xie Chuan chances back then—you both failed. Time passes; there’s no need to blame heaven. When skills fall short, one should reflect, not take it out on those better than oneself.”

“I came here to give you a final warning: Lan’er is my son. If you dare provoke him again, don’t blame me for losing my temper. Also, Shi Yi is not a mere book boy—he is Lan’er’s companion reader. If you injure him without cause, his medical expenses will be deducted from the second branch’s share, along with the cost of his supplements and any clothes damaged by you, all converted to silver and deducted together.”

“…”

Xie Sheng refused to accept it. “He’s just a servant. Why make a fuss? Lying down for two days and he’ll be fine.”

Seeing Xie Sheng unrepentant, Wei Zhaorong’s anger surged. “Xie Sheng, you repeatedly refuse to heed my words. In that case, it’s better to separate the households early. You now have an official post and a salary enough to support the second branch. There’s no need to annoy me in person.”