Yan Xingsheng and Yan Yonghe insisted on “upholding justice even against family,” demanding to personally escort Yan Xiaobao to the yamen. Old Master Yan, heartbroken for his child, wept and clung to him, refusing to let go.

Yan Xiaobao first stared in disbelief, then wailed like a ghost, claiming it was all Wang Ergou’s idea—that Wang Ergou had forced him into everything.

Uncle Zheng had only known that Wang Ergou coveted the tofu recipe from Yan Xiaoyu’s family, which was why he wanted to marry him. He was unaware that Wang Ergou and Yan Xiaobao had colluded to frame Yan Xiaoyu with such a vicious scheme.

Upon learning the truth, Uncle Zheng flew into a rage when Yan Xiaobao shifted all blame onto Wang Ergou. He joined Wang Ergou’s family in a fierce quarrel with the eldest branch of the Yan family.

The households and their members clashed violently, the scene chaotic and tumultuous.

Later, the herbalist from South Ridge Village arrived to tend to the injuries.

Yan Xiaobao’s face and body were covered in bruises, his nose bleeding profusely. Though he looked badly hurt, it was nothing serious—just a broken nose.

Wang Ergou, however, was truly in a terrible state.

While the others’ injuries would heal with time, Wang Ergou’s private area had been kicked by Yan Xiaoyu. Already injured, his Fulang then sat on top of him to beat him. The force of the blows aggravated the injury further.

According to the physician, Wang Ergou might never regain his manhood.

The villagers murmured in disbelief, the men especially gawking at each other in stunned silence.

In Xiling Village, Yan Xiaoyu had become a legend overnight.

Though young, Yan Xiaobao had been well-fed since childhood, growing into a sturdy, robust figure that rivaled grown men. Add to that Wang Ergou—a man who could subdue Yan Xiaoyu even with a drugged weapon—yet ended up beaten, wounded, and crippled. This young lad’s sheer spirit was truly astonishing.

The men who had once considered proposing to him all abandoned the idea, truly afraid.

If they really married him, what if, after the wedding, a single word displeased him? Wouldn’t that mean the lives of their entire family would be in jeopardy?

They dared not marry him, truly dared not!

Yan Shaoxuan noted with satisfaction that the young men who had been hovering around Yan Xiaoyu, even competing with his elder brother to work at Yan Xiaoyu’s home, had suddenly gone quiet.

His heart swelled with pride, certain these men had witnessed Yan Xiaoyu’s affectionate gesture toward him earlier.

They knew full well who Yan Xiaoyu had set his heart on.

Yan Shaoxuan felt sweetly pleased. When Ji Wenyan later suggested staying the night at his place, he agreed without a second thought.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Ji Wenyan had been all smiles while watching the commotion earlier, but once the excitement died down, he found himself in an awkward position.

Earlier on the mountain, he had sided with Yan Xiaoyu in his accusations against Yan Xiaobao. Now, facing Yan Yonghe and the rest of the Yan family, he felt awkward and uncomfortable. Yet, his carriage driver was still at the Yan residence.

Though the Yans dared not turn him away, and Yan Yonghe still made overtures to win his favor, Ji Wenyan had no desire to stay at the Yans’ residence.

He’d only come this time because Yan Yonghe had mentioned Yan Shaoxuan in passing. Now, he’d ended up staying at the Yans’ place.

Ji Wenyan, both awkward and delighted, took his coachman to the Yan residence and even tagged along with Yan Shaoxuan to Yan Xiaoyu’s house for a free meal.

After a day of turmoil and a fierce fight—though it was one-sided—Yan Xiaoyu was thoroughly exhausted.

Yet Yan Shaoxuan had gone out of his way to help him this time, even attempting to provide false testimony. Deeply moved, Yan Xiaoyu rallied his spirits at dinner and personally prepared a dish of braised pork knuckles for Yan Shaoxuan.

Yan Shaoxuan and Ji Wenyan couldn’t stop eating.

Ji Wenyan claimed, “I’m not hungry, just trying a bite,” yet once he picked up a knuckle, he gnawed at it faster than Yan Shaoxuan.

Watching the refined scholar devour pork knuckles like a contest, Yan Xingmao and his wife stared in astonishment.

Yan Xingmao and He Qiuhua had initially felt somewhat awkward around Ji Wenyan, but watching him devour four pieces of pork knuckle made him seem more approachable.

Yan Shaoxuan acted swiftly, scooping a meat-filled knuckle into Yan Xiaoyu’s bowl before Ji Wenyan could reach it.

Yan Xiaoyu’s heart swelled with emotion.

—The saying “You can’t bite the hand that feeds you” is wrong after all! Seeing Yan Shaoxuan favor him now, he must have been won over by his culinary skills, bowing down before his spatula!

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

The next morning, Niu Fugui led several village men in an oxcart, following Ji Wenyan’s carriage to escort Wang Ergou and Yan Xiaobao to the county yamen to face punishment.

Yan Yonghe was also among the group, though he rode in the village chief’s oxcart.

Ji Wenyan’s carriage held Yan Shaoxuan and Yan Xiaoyu—there seemed to be no room for him.

Besides, Ji Wenyan had not invited him, so he couldn’t very well ask to ride in their carriage.

When the village folk saw this scene at departure, they buzzed with fresh gossip. Who would’ve thought the distinguished guest Yan Yonghe had invited was so close to Yan Shaoxuan?

Yan Shaoxuan had never boasted about knowing the magistrate’s son.

However, the situation inside the carriages turned out somewhat different from what they had imagined.

Contrary to what others had expected, Ji Wenyan was actually clinging to Yan Xiaoyu the entire time.

Ji Wenyan had eaten Yan Xiaoyu’s braised pork knuckles yesterday, sampled his scallion pancakes this morning, and even took some of his salted pepper mooncakes before leaving.

Now he was already a loyal patron, and on the way to the county office, he kept urging Yan Xiaoyu to open a food stall near the county school.

“I saw your tofu business only made a few dozen wen this morning—it’s really not much. With your skill, you could set up a stall near the county school selling scallion pancakes. And you’d make far more than that. The food in the county school cafeteria is awful, and the cooks at the nearby eateries can’t hold a candle to your skills. Only Tongchun Tower serves decent food, but they just keep repeating the same few dishes—I’m sick of them…”

Yan Xiaoyu had already been considering opening a restaurant. Hearing him talk about the county school cafeteria and the surrounding eateries naturally piqued his interest.

He listened intently, his gaze focused, though the dark circles under his eyes were unmistakable.

Last night had run late, and with his mind unsettled, sleep had eluded him long after he’d climbed into bed. Thinking of having to go to the county seat today, even though He Qiuhua and Yan Xingmao had taken on the tofu-making job, he still rose early. By his reckoning, he’d only slept three hours all night.

He really hadn’t rested well.

Ji Wenyan chattered nonstop, while Yan Shaoxuan’s brows furrowed slightly: “He got up before dawn today and still has to go to the county office to listen to that person explain himself. How long are you going to keep complaining? Can’t you let him rest for a bit?”

“You’re so ungrateful, spouting off without a care!” Ji Wenyan retorted indignantly. “Brother Yu is your neighbor. He makes delicious food and eagerly brings it over to you. I have such a skilled cook by my side, yet I rarely get to eat his creations. Is it so wrong to mention it a few times?

Ji Wenyan grew more aggrieved as he spoke: “It used to be the same. My father wanted me to study under Master Luo, but he wouldn’t take me. To win him over, I went to his courtyard every day in the dead of winter to recite my lessons. Not only did you show no understanding, but you also complained that I was shivering and stumbling over my words…”

Hearing this, Yan Xiaoyu nearly burst out laughing.

Ji Wenyan caught his expression and shot him a sulky look. “Go ahead and laugh if you want. I know he looks down on me. He’s always been impatient with me.”

“Not at all!” Yan Xiaoyu replied earnestly. “He’s just not one for words.”

Truthfully, he was just a bit eccentric, but to protect his ally from offense, Yan Xiaoyu racked his brains to defend him.

“Brother Yan is reserved by nature. He might seem cold at first glance, but once you get to know him, you realize he’s incredibly loyal—an amazing friend! When we first met, he didn’t talk much to me either. I thought he was impatient with me, too. But look at yesterday—when I was in danger, he was the first to rush to my aid!”

While praising Yan Shaoxuan, Yan Xiaoyu couldn’t resist taking a dig at Yan Yonghe: “Brother Yan is nothing like my cousin. When Yan Yonghe saw Yan Xiaobao bullying my sister, he never once stood up for us. Brother Yan is different—he’s kind-hearted. Even if it’s a stranger being mistreated in front of him, he’ll step in! We’d never spoken before, but when I fell into the lake and nearly drowned, he was the one who pulled me out.”

“Oh? He’s that kind of person?” Ji Wenyan found it hard to believe. He shot Yan Shaoxuan a skeptical glance, only to see the man’s eyes lowered, his face flushed, almost as if he were shy.

Ji Wenyan rubbed his eyes in disbelief, wondering if he’d seen wrong.

Though Yan Shaoxuan seemed slightly displeased, Yan Xiaoyu still felt fondness toward him. Seeing his obvious fatigue, he continued to urge him along.

The carriage fell silent as it jolted along the road. Yan Xiaoyu’s eyelids grew heavy with sleep. Soon, leaning against the window, he drifted off into a drowsy slumber.

‌ Moments later, the horse hit a muddy pothole, sending the carriage jolting violently. Just as the sleeping boy seemed poised to tumble to the floor, a pair of strong hands reached out, catching him securely in a firm embrace.

Ji Wenyan’s eyes widened as he pointed at Yan Shaoxuan. “You! You’re holding him—”

Yan Shaoxuan flushed and glared at him. “Shut up!”

Yan Xiaoyu was utterly exhausted, his eyes barely open. He vaguely sensed he’d been moved to a new spot to rest against, but the place felt exceptionally comfortable. The scent wafting to his nose also gave him a sense of security. His consciousness grew hazier and hazier, and soon he was drifting back into a sweet slumber.

Ji Wenyan was still muttering breathlessly, “How could you hold him? You’re a man, he’s a ger, not your fulang—”

Mid-sentence, he abruptly halted. Slowly turning his head, he studied Yan Shaoxuan intently. Noticing the boy’s flushed earlobes and the cautious expression guarding the person in his arms, he finally understood.

—Well, well, Yan Shaoxuan! Master Luo had praised him for being single-minded in his studies, free from distractions. Turns out he’s even devoted to his fulang.

No wonder he looked so displeased when I mentioned Yu-ger earlier!

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

With irrefutable evidence, upon arriving at the county yamen, both Yan Xiaobao and Wang Ergou confessed without resistance, arguing only briefly over who was the mastermind.

But Yan Yonghe, stepping before the magistrate, first wore an expression of heartfelt anguish and took the initiative to plead his brother’s case.

He then explained that, having been away at the county academy for so long, he never imagined his younger brother would stray from the path. He had failed in his duty as an elder brother.

He then begged the magistrate to punish him instead, arguing that as a scholar, he should hold himself to the highest standards and set an example.

Finally, Yan Xingsheng stepped forward, declaring that the eldest son had repeatedly cautioned the youngest during every homecoming. This time, the youngest had committed a grave error, and the responsibility lay entirely with Tao Cuiqing.

Through this father-son maneuver, they indeed secured Yan Yonghe a fresh wave of favorable reputation.

Yan Xiaobao and Wang Ergou weren’t so fortunate.

Wang Ergou had a history of petty theft, and this time he was punished severely. He would spend the next year behind bars.

Yan Xiaobao, not yet a full adult, could have his punishment reduced by paying a fine. But the Yan family didn’t have enough silver. They still had to scrape together the money to redeem him.