Misfortune In The Family

The Qi family had two young masters: Second Young Master Qi Qingzheng and Third Young Master Qi Qingyuan. Usually, when people talked about the young masters, they were referring to the second young master, Qingzheng.

Qi Qingzheng was Qi Qingran's twin brother, and he was infamous among the pampered youths of Changxiang City, known as a "boiling water vase."

A "boiling water vase" referred to someone who was fragile on the outside but boiling hot on the inside. A slight jolt would shatter him into pieces, scalding anyone nearby.

Everyone in Changxiang City said that the reason Qi Xiang spent so much effort cultivating Qi Qingran was that his son was hopeless.

Five years ago, Qi Xiang collaborated with the elderly Yang Dingtu to establish the Dianjiang Academy. This new type of school was highly controversial, so Qi Xiang took the lead by enrolling his son there. The elders and teachers unanimously praised Qi Qingzheng, saying he was extremely intelligent and destined for greatness, ensuring the Qi family had a worthy successor.

Dianjiang Academy had a nine-year curriculum: two years for the junior phase and seven years for the youth phase. Despite often being criticized for imitating the Jiangdong Lu family's methods, it was a groundbreaking initiative in the Western State. The junior phase mainly taught etiquette, norms, basic knowledge, physical fitness, and preliminary training. Many outstanding youths completed it in just six months, after which they paid respects to the Ancestor Hall and entered youth training for formal education.

Unexpectedly, five years later, the "exceptionally intelligent" Qi Qingzheng had grown old enough to marry and receive titles, yet he was still leisurely lingering in the junior phase.

Every teacher at Dianjiang Academy knew of Qi Qingzheng's special status and took great care in nurturing him. However, despite their efforts, Qi Qingzheng couldn't pass the preliminary exams. In the first two years, he refused any special treatment, claiming he wanted a solid foundation. Considering his young age and apparent wisdom, the teachers approved and waited for him to grow up. After two years, Qi Qingzheng's excuses began. During each biannual exam, something would happen: first, he was ill; second, his mother was ill; third, his sister was ill... When there was no excuse left, Qi Qingzheng obediently took the exams but always failed two subjects—one of which changed each time, while the other was consistently etiquette.

Qi Qingzheng maintained a delicate balance, failing just enough to avoid being promoted or expelled. This continued for three years until a teacher finally realized the truth—Dianjiang Academy was next to the Lanzhi Girls' Institute, where noble girls learned etiquette and social skills. Qi Qingzheng had gathered a group of friends who spent their days idly chatting up the girls.

When this truth reached the highest levels, the elderly Lord Yang personally approached Chancellor Qi for a discussion. Qi Xiang, helplessly, admitted that his busy schedule and poor parenting left him with no other choice but to let his son be. The teachers, not wanting to cross the Chancellor, also stopped trying to discipline Qi Qingzheng.

Gradually, Qi Qingzheng grew up.

One day, perhaps inspired by the moonlight or the spring breeze, he became curious about the flat chests of the noble girls. Some said they were wrapped in cloth, others said it was natural. Someone argued that even maids had chests, so why didn't the noble girls? Another challenged Qi Qingzheng to find out, promising he would become their leader if he did.

Qi Qingzheng, of course, had the guts. Instead of sneaking a peek, he openly chose Fourth Miss He Yingning from the He family.

For three months, Qi Qingzheng used all his charm and intelligence to pursue her. With his impeccable family background and outstanding looks, Miss He was smitten and soon besotted. Feeling the time was right, Qi Qingzheng asked her to meet secretly and, blushing, said, "Let me take a look. I won't touch, or be disrespectful…" Miss He, dizzy with infatuation, nervously unwrapped her chest. Qi Qingzheng then mockingly shouted out the window, "I saw it! So small, it's fake. I'm not playing anymore."

Miss He, humiliated and devastated, didn't eat or drink for days and contemplated suicide. When her mother found out, she sent a furious letter demanding an explanation.

This was not a simple "explanation."

In the Western State, sixteen noble families had ruled for generations. Before the national war, the He family was known for its military prowess. Although weakened after the war, they still held significant influence. Their territory in Mulan Prefecture was deeply rooted, and they commanded the southern army, guarding Changxiang City's south gate. He Peiyu's father, He Langfei, was a figure who could rival even the venerable Lord Yang and Chancellor Qi, with the latter two often giving him deference.

During the critical period when Qi Xiang was welcoming the Emperor back to the capital, offending the He family was unthinkable.

No one knew what Lady He's letter contained, but Lady Qi, upon reading it early in the morning, didn't wait or call for anyone. She led a group of servants straight to Qi Qingzheng's residence, summoning all the school-related servants.

Everyone knew calamity had struck. Even the gatekeepers and stable hands were summoned, all kneeling, hoping the young master would quickly admit his fault to calm Lady Qi's rage.

However, the obstinate young master nonchalantly accepted his fate, having caused trouble many times before and not taking it seriously.

Lady Qi said nothing, merely ordering Qi Jiafu to be brought in.

Qi Jiafu, listening to Jia Xi's hurried recounting along the way, initially didn't think much of it. Gradually, his frown deepened—this time, the young master had indeed caused a monumental disaster. Not only was the young master implicated, but even Lady Qi and the eldest daughter might not fully grasp the severity.

"Jia Xi, stay here," Qi Jiafu patted Jia Xi's shoulder. Before he could protest, Jiafu nodded towards the house, "Uncle De is probably inside."

Jia Xi's face changed, saying nothing more. "Uncle De" was his father, a loyal old servant and Lady Qi's confidant. Twelve years ago, he had castrated himself to serve the Qi family more faithfully, earning Lady Qi's deep trust.

"Brother Jiafu, take care. Lady Qi is furious. Just listen and don't talk back." Jia Xi nodded, making a circle motion on his stomach as he left. Jiafu understood and nodded.

Lady Qi was six months pregnant. Strangely, while her previous four children were born in times of chaos without proper medical care, all were safely delivered. Now, in peaceful times, her pregnancies became troublesome. The doctor had repeatedly advised her to stay calm, but Lady Qi's temper flared uncontrollably, growing worse by the day. Even Chancellor Qi avoided arguing with her.

Qi Jiafu braced himself and entered Qi Qingzheng's small courtyard, finding it packed with kneeling servants, all silent with heads bowed. Inside, Lady Qi's scolding echoed loudly.

"You reckless fool! 'What's the big deal'? A girl's reputation! The He family's honor! The Qi family's image! How is this not a big deal?"

With each rebuke, the servants bowed lower, nearly prostrating by the end. Lady Qi, who usually doted on Qingzheng and rarely scolded him, was truly furious today.

Qi Jiafu quickly entered the house, seeing Lady Qi half-sitting, half-leaning on a chair, her maid Hanyu behind her. Qi Qingzheng was reluctantly kneeling at her feet, looking disheveled, wearing a loose light blue robe, one boot on, and the other foot in a slipper. He had clearly just woken up, still puffy-eyed and yawning.

As he yawned, Lady Qi abruptly stopped scolding. She lifted her eyes to see Jiafu entering, then picked up a bowl of tea and hurled it at him, "I told you to watch over the young master. What have you been doing?"

Jiafu dared not speak, quickly kneeling.

Qi Qingran lifted her dress and walked past him quickly, forcing a smile as she approached her mother, "Mother, please don't get too upset…"

"Don't get upset? Look at what your brother has done!" Lady Qi slammed the table, "And you! You're a young lady mingling with men all day. Don't you hear what people say about you? You still dare to smile? You and your brother are close. I don't believe you didn't know about this! Your father told you to learn how to manage the household. Perfect timing, show me how to handle this and set an example for your brother!"

Qi Qingran was at a loss, unable to decide whether to plead or be serious. Everyone else was kneeling, leaving her standing awkwardly. She composed herself, "Yes, yes, Mother. I will immediately prepare a generous gift and apologize to Sister Yingning."

Lady Qi sneered, "Ran'er, are you muddled? The He family's honor and reputation are at stake. What good is an apology from you, a girl? The Qi and He family matters are not for you to worry about. Just tell me how to punish these servants for failing to protect the young master."

Qi Qingran, sweating slightly, replied, "Yes, yes… um, Jiafu, who were the ones escorting the young master to school?"

Jiafu answered, "The young master's escort included the 7th, 13th, and 19th squads of the Wind Riders, rotating in shifts. Chancellor Qi had set up the Wenwu Twin Steles outside Dianjiang Academy, requiring all officials and guards to dismount before entering. The three squads have been strictly watching from outside, never daring to intrude. The young master's personal guards are six 'Shadows,' whose identities are top secret. Chancellor Qi's orders were clear: no matter who asks, we must not reveal their identities."

Although his tone was respectful, his words shut down Qi Qingran's inquiry. Qi Qingran was momentarily embarrassed, and Lady Qi's expression also became much less pleasant as she snorted, "Jiafu, according to your words, the Wind Riders are without fault?"

Qi Jiafu took a sharp breath but could only nod. "Yes. Madam, please understand, once the young master enrolled, the responsibility for his education was transferred to the school teachers. If the young master behaved inappropriately, the school bears the responsibility. Similarly, if Miss He from the He family faced issues at the Lanzhi Girls' Institute, the first to be held accountable would be the female teachers and matrons there."

Qi Qingran was about to speak, but Lady Qi waved her hand to stop her. "Fine, let's not discuss the Wind Riders. Continue."

Qi Qingran breathed a sigh of relief and thought for a moment. "Xichen and Xiyue are the young master's personal attendants. They should be punished with one hundred strokes each. As for those involved in the incident in the young master's quarters, they should all receive fifty strokes."

Qi Qingzhen raised his voice in protest, "Sister, are you crazy?"

Qi Qingran glared fiercely at his mouth.

Xichen and Xiyue were already cowering in a corner, now even more so. One was thirteen, the other fourteen, both bought just last spring. Lady Qi thought it didn't look good to have only armed servants around the house, so she found a couple of delicate-looking children to fill the void. Qi Qingzhen hardly ever spoke to them, and certainly never included them in his mischief. Now, the two attendants were about to speak up for mercy, but Jiafu subtly shook his head behind them, indicating they should remain silent.

Lady Qi, seated high above, noticed this and smiled slyly at Qi Qingran. "Ran'er, is this your idea of punishment? As a young lady, you should observe more and speak less. Xichen, Xiyue, what do you two... prefer? Do you want to be sold to officials, or receive fifty strokes?"

Qi Qingzheng realized something was wrong and panicked. "Mother, what are you doing? I'll take responsibility for my actions."

Lady Qi's face darkened. "Today, I want you to understand that as long as you bear the Qi name, responsibility is not yours to bear alone! Guards, take them away!"

Under Lady Qi's wrath, the room fell silent. She was not a delicate lady. Once, she had beaten a drum for three days and nights, arrows raining down around her without retreat, rallying morale. She had also once held a child in her arms and shouted to the people of the city: "On the day the city is breached, my Qi family will live or die with you all! When the time comes, without the Northern Marquis laying a finger, I'll throw these two children myself."

Even if Qingran and Qingzheng were too young to remember, Qi Jiafu, who had lived through those years, knew that when Lady Qi was determined, not even the Chancellor could stop her. She was determined to set an example; without at least two lives lost, this matter would not be resolved. He glanced back to see Xichen and Xiyue trembling on the ground, their faces pale. Urgently, he whispered, "Quickly, tell the Madam you choose to be sold to officials!"

Realizing the gravity of their situation, Xichen and Xiyue, preferring a chance at survival, began to kowtow and plead, "Madam, we are at fault, we deserve to die, but please do not sully the Qi family name by keeping us here. We are willing to be sold to officials."

Four household servants with wooden sticks had already approached. Upon hearing this, they all looked up, waiting for Lady Qi's decision.

Lady Qi's face turned from blue to white. The attendants who served the young master and miss probably knew many household secrets. Selling them would be a joke. But with everyone watching, the words had been spoken and couldn't be taken back. She suppressed her anger and nodded, 

"Fine, fine, fine. He De, take them to the Imperial Servants Office and find them good homes. Xichen, Xiyue, why haven't you thanked the commander for sparing your lives."

Half-crying, the two young attendants, now being dragged away, called out, "Thank you, Madam, for sparing our lives—thank you, Commander, for your mercy—"

Hearing the term "Commander," a shiver ran down Qi Jiafu's spine.

Lady Qi's gaze finally fell on him. "Jiafu, why are you looking down? This Qi family will soon be under your authority. What are you afraid of?"

Jiafu bowed hastily. "Madam, I didn't supervise properly. I am willing to accept punishment."

Lady Qi laughed softly, coldly. "Jiafu, Jiafu, I've watched you grow up and become more and more powerful every day... I think the esteemed commander might have forgotten his own surname, haven't you? Willing to accept punishment? Well, then, choose for yourself. Would you prefer to be sold to officials, or to receive fifty strokes?"

Qi Jiafu was stunned, speechless.

Not just him, everyone in the room looked up, trying to confirm if the Lady was serious. Jiafu might be a slave by birth, but as the head of the Wind Shadow Cavalry, he was the Marquis's trusted right hand man. Even within the Qi family, he was hardly seen as a servant. Outside these doors, common officials, even some ordinary civilians, wouldn't dare to utter the word "slave" in his presence. 

"Answer me!"

"Madam…"

Lady Qi's voice remained icy. "Oh, I remember, the esteemed commander's value is so high that there aren't many families in Changxiang City that could afford you. Let's not trouble them. Guards, beat him for fifty strokes."

Qi Jiafu felt his blood drain. Normally quick-witted, he was now at a loss. As he struggled with his emotions, a blow landed squarely on his back, sending him sprawling forward. With all his strength, he resisted the urge to retaliate.

Qi Qingran, drenched in cold sweat, pushed her brother. "Qingzheng, what are you waiting for? Apologize to Mother immediately!"

Qi Qingzheng stood up abruptly. "Mother, what do you want from me? I'll go and apologize to that He girl, alright?"

Lady Qi was relentless, her face like ice. "Hit him."

Qi Qingzhen wasn't backing down either. "Who dares!"

The mother and son were at a standoff, practically fighting tooth and nail.

"You insolent child…" Lady Qi, losing her patience, slapped him hard across the face. "Kneel."

Qi Qingzheng's teeth were grinding audibly, his eyes starting to redden, "Mother, you're being unreasonable! A'fu ge follows father all day, he doesn't even know who He Yingning is! What does he have to do with this?"

In his urgency, he shouted "A'fu ge," and the entire room fell silent.

Lady Qi's face changed drastically. She slammed the table with a "crack," and her jade bracelet shattered into four pieces on her wrist. "What did you call him?"

Qi Qingzheng stood frozen.

In Lady Qi's eyes, there was a dangerous glint as she leaned on Han Yu and slowly stood up. "Come, hold the young master back for me. Today, I want to see if a Qi family servant really is immovable."

Qi Jiafu couldn't hear what they were arguing about anymore. The two attendants behind him had shown some restraint, their vertical force touching his skin, sliding sideways to avoid causing damage to his tendons and internal organs. But this couldn't last long. Three strikes, five strikes, ten strikes... Soon, he lost count. The intense pain burned in his back, his torn clothes tearing at his flesh, blood flowing out and spreading across the white stone floor, forming a large crimson cross.

He was born in the Qi family, grew up in the Qi family. During the years of national war, the lord hadn't come down from the city walls for ten years, and the lady had mostly followed the army into battle. When the Qi family was in ruins, they took all the adult servants and slaves to join the army. In that ruined home, during those isolated years, he was the leader of a group of children. At first, they would still observe the distinctions of status, but gradually, everyone called him A'fu ge. In the war, the lord knew, the lady knew, and the lord even encouraged and praised him, telling him to take care of the young master and miss just like he took care of his younger siblings.

He took it seriously, as children easily do. Countless times, he took down Azhen from the tree branches, rubbed Azran's feet in the cold winter, and held Ayan, telling him it would be over tomorrow. Every time the city gates were in danger and chaos erupted again in the city, a group of children would huddle around the only roofed fire pit, sleeping in a bundle, no matter where he was, Qingzheng , who claimed to be fearless of everything, would always squeeze into his arms, with snot hanging from his nose, and laugh himself to sleep.

By the end of the war, Qingzheng didn't even recognize which of those ecstatic people was his father.

The war ended, and identities became clear. Qingran was the smartest, the first to learn to change his address, Qingyuan was timid, reprimanded several times, and spoke less, only Qingzheng was stubborn, calling him Afu ge behind his back no matter what.

The Lord had told him to endure, endure a little longer, in troubled times, everyone had to wrap themselves in a thick shell of mud, whoever peeled off the shell first would disappear first.

He understood, he was waiting too, but today Lady Qi couldn't wait any longer. Today, Lady Qi wanted to break that shell, to see whether he was a wolf or a dog.

Qi Jiafu tightly closed his eyes, the fire imprisoned in his bones pounding inch by inch towards his head, banging his brain into a blank space. He was about to lose control, he knew, when he opened his eyes, there would be a blade.

The black copper finger guard on his left index finger buzzed—"Weng weng"—that was the Wind Riders' signal, skilled intruders had entered the upper city defenses, should they pursue or intercept? They awaited his command.

Qi Jiafu couldn't hold on any longer, he hugged his head, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and began to roll under the cane, blood turning into a fierce mass, but the cane still followed him closely, his waist, back, buttocks, legs... the pain of the venomous snake penetrated his brain, he couldn't make judgments or give orders.

Yes, he had just provoked Ling Zichong, the Four Young Masters of the capital were not easy characters to deal with, they would definitely come to retaliate. They came too quickly, in a moment from the middle city straight into the upper city, they must have been well prepared, wanting to test the sharpness of the Wind Riders.

Qi Qingran panicked and stammered, attempting to plead with her mother, "Mother, Qingzhen has apologized, please spare him. It's a crucial time now, and Jiafu, he..."

Lady Qi showed no signs of softening. "Speaking of which, my body has really deteriorated over the years. I actually feel faint at the sight of blood, and Wuer has been restless all along. It's really... I'll have to find a doctor to take a good look at me later..."

Jiafu's teeth were almost shattered, he heard all his bones cracking, his blood calling for fire, fire calling for a blade. Lady Qi's probing was coming to an end, and his patience with Lady Qi was coming to an end too.

The ring on his little finger also hummed, the final line of defense of the Qi family—Qi Jiafu remained motionless. Let them come if they were coming. It was just as well.

[*Note: "Afu ge" is a term of endearment for older brother in Chinese.]

Qi Jiafu pressed one hand against the ground, preparing to leap up—since you want to expose my true nature, then, don't regret it.

"Mother! It's you who forced me!" A figure rushed in front of him, knocking aside a servant behind him and pulling out a waist knife from the crowd. "If you want his life, you might as well take mine too!"

Lady Qi was furious. "Seize him!"

The servants immediately surrounded them, but Qi Qingzheng's eyes were already red. The blade pointed at his own throat, and he raised his head fiercely. "Who dares? Back off, all of you! Mother, I'm your son. As long as you say the word, I'll return this life to you!"

No one dared to approach. Although the second young master's martial arts skills were not exceptional, he had always been skilled at shattering jade. Whether it was a major event or a minor one, he never let anything slip through the cracks.

Lady Qi's face turned icy, and she sneered in anger. "Fine, fine, fine! You're a good son! You, you have the guts to, to—"

She held her waist, trembling all over, but she couldn't force it too hard.

Qi Qingran wiped her sweat and hurriedly stepped forward. "Mother, please calm down. Azhen is just like this. You won't be able to change him in a day or two... Mother, we've been courteous to the He family, but we can't afford to ruin our own for the sake of outsiders. If something happens to Azhen, it'll be a major event. If you kill him now, it'll be hard to find someone to take over for a while, then who will command the Wind Riders? Father... Father, if he makes a mistake in his defense, Mother, you'll regret it. Mother, please show mercy."

Lady Qi remained silent.

Qi Qingran scanned the room, and all the servants knew what to do. They all pleaded together, "Madam, please show mercy!"

Lady Qi sighed, bowed her head, and pondered.

Qi Qingran turned back to look at Qi Jiafu with a fierce glare and a slightly trembling voice. "Jiafu! You idiot! Hurry up and apologize to Mother!"

Qi Jiafu slowly straightened up, licked his lips, swallowed the blood in his mouth, and spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. "Madam... Jiafu belongs to the Qi family, and his life belongs to the Qi family. It's not worth mourning, but I'm afraid of delaying the master's important affairs... Please show mercy, spare me this once..."

Lady Qi's expression finally softened a bit. "Fine, I'll give you a lesson. If there's a next time, I'll flay you alive. Qingran, I'm tired too. Accompany me back, and we'll discuss how to handle this matter. Qingzhen, from now on, you don't need to go to school. Stay at home and reflect—put down the knife, don't scare me with that. What does a little child's tantrum mean in the face of so many big events? Let's go, Qingran. We need to get back quickly. My back is killing me..."

Qingran supported her mother's left arm, keeping her head down and not daring to say much. As they passed by Qi Jiafu, she only glanced at him, closed her eyes silently, and sighed.

As Lady Qi walked, she glanced at the blood on the floor. "Remember this beating, all of you in this house. If anything happens to the young master again, I'll take all your heads."

The whole house felt as if a death sentence had been lifted as they respectfully escorted Lady Qi back to her room, leaving only Qingzhen and Jiafu in the room.

It wasn't until Lady Qi left that the knife in Qingzhen's hand fell. He rushed to Jiafu's side, trembling. "Jiafu ge... Are you alright? Let me help you up, or should I call someone—"

Jiafu didn't even bother to get up; he just lay on the ground, resting his forehead on his arm, and looked at Qingzhen. "Young master, can you... change your way of addressing me? Spare my life."

Qingzhen's face turned red with embarrassment, and tears suddenly streamed down his face. "Ah—I'm—sorry! I—I didn't mean it. I didn't know what to call you... It's all my fault!"

Seeing the handsome young master cry with snot almost reaching his mouth, just like when he was a meatball as a child, Jiafu looked at him for a long time, reached out to wipe his tears, and the blood on his hand smeared on Qingzhen's face, getting dirtier and dirtier as he wiped. Jiafu withdrew his hand thoughtfully. "My hand's dirty. Go clean your face yourself. You're all grown up, but you still bubble up when you cry. Alright, I'm fine. Those two behind didn't go all out. I have my own way of protecting myself... Don't cry, everything's fine."

Qingzhen shook his head. "I don't believe you! Aren't you disheartened? You've been in the Qi family for so many years. If she says she'll beat you to death, she'll beat you to death! If she doesn't even trust you, who else can she trust? Tell me, what if she really killed you today? What would you do?"

There was a hint of tears in Jiafu's eyes too. He raised his hand to his wrist, where the word "Qi" was engraved. "Young master, I belong to the Qi family, and my life belongs to the Qi family. Don't you understand?"

For the first time, Qingzhen looked at the word seriously and fell silent for a moment. "Stabbed?"

"Branded. The one on my neck is the stab mark." Jiafu forcefully retracted his hand. "Madam spared my life. I'm just grateful. I'll serve the Qi family twice as hard in the future, regardless of being disheartened or not."

Before Qingzhen could say anything, there was a cold sneer outside the window. "What a good dog!"

The figure flashed by and headed straight for the west gate.

Qingzhen was shocked. He was about to call someone when Jiafu pressed his shoulder and swayed to his feet. "It's alright. They came for me."