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CHAPTER 22
Chapter 22
Regarding the matter of a certain prestigious family investigating the accounts of a clan woman, Xiang Yu initially found it utterly absurd. However, the more he thought about it, the more something seemed off. Upon learning that the person who wrote about this matter lived nearby, he decided to meet them at the temple.
Before he left, he didn't forget to instruct Xiang Ning, "Wait here for your elder sister. Don't wander off, understand?"
Xiang Ning obediently nodded, but she found it strange. How did she, the elder sister, become the one being admonished?
She wanted to regain some dignity, but the young man was already off, moving as if he had wheels on his feet.
Xiang Ning sighed.
......
Xiang Yu calculated that his elder sister would arrive soon. He thought it would be best to meet the scholar before his elder sister arrived. However, he almost collided with someone before reaching the back gate of Anluo Temple.
The person, upon seeing him, paused for a moment, then blinked rapidly, recognizing him. "Yuer, is it you?"
Tan Jian, managing to reach the foot of the mountain, quickly found an excuse to escape his brother. He claimed he was going to cross from the rear and gather some fresh snow from the pine forest for tea. This way, he could catch his breath away from his brother's pressure.
Coincidentally, he encountered a familiar face.
Tan Jian knew that Xiang Yu and Xiang Ning had moved to Qingzhou County, but he had never seen them at the Tan family's door. During festivals, he had asked his sister-in-law if they should invite them over, but she always declined, mentioning Xiang Yu's busy studies and the preference to stay near the academy.
Tan Jian could only shrink back under Xiang Yu's diligence.
[TN: For those who don't understand this, it means that Tan Jian recognized Xiang Yu's diligence and was aware that he couldn't compare.]
However, this didn't diminish his favorable impression of and growing fondness for Xiang Yu. At least, they were close in age and both hadn't participated in the provincial examinations.
With high spirits, he approached Xiang Yu.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Yu sidestepped a few steps, furrowing his brow as he looked at Tan Jian.
"Lord Tan, what can I do for you?"
Something felt off about his tone, but Tan Jian realized that Xiang Yu had also recognized him, so he became even more delighted.
"Why the formality between us?" he said, laughing. "You're my sister-in-law's brother, and I'm her brother. Aren't we half-siblings from different mothers?"
"Why be polite when brothers meet?" he continued, reaching out to pat Xiang Yu's shoulder. However, Xiang Yu swiftly dodged, leaving Tan Jian in an award position, embarrassed.
He looked at Xiang Yu, only to hear an enigmatic remark from him, "I dare not. Lord Tan is the second son of the Tan family, while I am just a commoner of the mountains. How can I call you brother?"
Now, Tan Jian finally sensed that something was amiss. Observing Xiang Yu's expression, it seemed like there was animosity. Terrified, Tan Jian dared not speak.
Just then, someone approached – the person Xiang Yu had arranged to meet at the back of the mountain.
"Are you both students from Qingzhou Academy?" Tan Jian shook his head, and Xiang Yu walked forward, directly questioning the newcomer. "I am Xiang Yu. Are you the one I made an appointment with to come here?"
Upon hearing this, the person quickly confirmed, and Xiang Yu politely exchanged greetings. Watching from the side, Tan Jian realized that Xiang Yu was courteous but intentionally avoided such formality.
Why was this happening again?
Seeing Xiang Yu engaged in conversation with the newcomer, Tan Jian awkwardly prepared to leave. However, at that moment, Xiang Yu asked the person a question, "Regarding the matter mentioned in the letter about a prominent family suspecting the impropriety of a woman and investigating her, which family is it exactly?"
Despite asking in his letter, the person couldn't provide clear details, mentioning hearing it from his uncle and needing to clarify with him. Before the person could respond, Tan Jian, standing nearby, suddenly staggered a step.
Xiang Yu curiously glanced at Tan Jian.
Listening to his own heartbeat, Tan Jian felt an inexplicable sense of impending disaster. Suddenly, he began to understand why Xiang Yu had shown him no favor.
Swallowing hard, Tan Jian, about to leave, heard the person speak. This person was none other than Fu Yao, the nephew of the owner of the auspicious seal shop Jiang, who had just returned to Qingyuan County yesterday to inquire with his own uncle. However, for some reason, his uncle was tight-lipped, advising him not to ask further.
Fu Yao apologized, "I'm sorry, Brother Xiang. My uncle refused to tell me anything, perhaps because that influential family is too powerful."
Upon hearing "too powerful," Xiang Yu furrowed his brows. Tan Jian, standing nearby, broke into a cold sweat. He didn't dare say anything more to Xiang Yu and quietly turned to leave.
Xiang Yu paid little attention to him, merely asking Fu Yao, "Do you know where Brother Fu's uncle is from? What is his occupation?"
Fu Yao directly provided the information, "My uncle lives in Qingyuan County and runs a seal shop called Auspicious Seal Shop."
Fu Yao was about to mention that next time Xiang Yu could send letters directly to his uncle's seal shop. However, before he could continue, he noticed Xiang Yu suddenly widening his eyes.
"Shopkeeper Jiang?!"
Fu Yao was surprised, "Brother Xiang knows? That's indeed my uncle."
As the words landed, Xiang Yu's eyes suddenly reddened. If Shopkeeper Jiang knew about things he couldn't disclose, what could it be other than a family matter? Recalling Fu Yao's account of the situation, everything seemed eerily similar to his elder sister's predicament!
He looked at Tan Jian, who was sneaking away, took two steps forward, and firmly stared at Tan Jian. "Tell me, did your Tan family have a hand in this?!"
The reality was undeniable, and Tan Jian couldn't deny it.
Tan Jian broke into a cold sweat, wanting to calm Xiang Yu and ease his anger, but he didn't know how to articulate it. Meanwhile, as Xiang Yu thought of so many people from the Tan family besieging his elder sister, scrutinizing her accounts, and no one standing up for her, speaking in her defense—only she, relying solely on her innocence—he felt his blood boiling intensely.
His eyes turned red, terrifying Tan Jian.
"Yu Ge, please, calm down…"
"Calm down? How can I stay calm when your Tan family humiliates and bullies my elder sister?!"
Terrified, Tan Jian trembled, and finally, Fu Yao on the side understood. The woman being mistreated was none other than Xiang Yu's elder sister!
At this moment, urgent words came from nearby young monks.
"...Master Tan personally brought the ladies of the Tan family here. The abbot has asked us to go and welcome them!"
The young monks ran towards the front courtyard after finishing their words.
In Xiang Yu's hearing, a crucial term stood out — Master Tan from the Tan family had also arrived...
Without a second thought, Xiang Yu abandoned Tan Jian and headed straight for the front courtyard.
He moved incredibly fast, creating a whirlwind beneath his feet.
Tan Jian hadn't even had a chance to breathe when he realized something.
"Yu Ge, what are you planning to do?!"
Before the words were even out, Xiang Yu had disappeared from sight.
......
Anluo Temple's largest source of incense money every year came from the Tan family of Qingzhou.
When the abbot received the message from the Tan family, he had already made some preparations. Seeing the Tan family's young master personally coming, he was both surprised and impressed.
In previous years, the Tan family hadn't organized such a grand memorial ceremony for the deceased mother of the Xiang family's lady. Although he was willing to accommodate them, the Xiang family lady's requests were minimal — only vegetarian offerings and lighting lamps. He didn't want to say much about it.
But this time was different.
The abbot astutely noticed that Xiang Yi and Yang Zhen had gone to a nearby ancient pine tree. He then turned a corner in the outer corridor of the main hall and spoke softly to Tan Ting.
"Master Tan, rest assured. The exclusive surname waterway for the Xiang family lady's deceased mother has been vacated for seven days. When the time comes, I will mention it to the Xiang family lady as a blessing bestowed by the Buddha."
The abbot made his words clear, wanting to confirm the matter with this young master from the Tan family once again.
After all, this matter sounded incredibly bizarre.
Tan Ting nodded, his gaze momentarily pausing on the ancient pine tree not far away, where she was talking to Yang Zhen, before he spoke.
"Yes, as long as you don't mention my involvement, it's fine."
As he finished speaking, a violent gust of wind swept from the other side of the corner.
Xiang Yu's angry shout pierced into Tan Ting's ears.
"We don't need your pity!"
Tan Ting turned to look and saw Xiang Yu's uncontrollable rage.
He heard him gritting his teeth, saying, "Your Tan family is a noble and prestigious clan, yet in your eyes, my sister has always been a lowly commoner, even as a virtuous woman. That's why you can casually scrutinize her accounts, completely disregarding her dignity and questioning her integrity!"
Xiang Yu sneered repeatedly, "If you look down on us, why bother hypocritically offering money now? Do you think throwing money at us can make us bow our heads just because we're considered lowly?!"
His anger reached its peak. After this vehement questioning, a deathly silence fell over Anluo Temple, not even a bird's chirp was heard.
Tan Jian, who had caught up from behind, froze, not daring to even meet his elder brother's gaze.
Tan Ting's expression stiffened, but he didn't defend himself amid Xiang Yu's questioning.
He didn't consider them lowly, nor did he want to use money to make them submit. He instinctively turned his head and saw Xiang Yi, who had hurriedly caught up with them.
Initially, when Tan Ting proposed bringing them over, Xiang Yi sensed something amiss. Considering her brother's temperament, she feared a clash with Tan Ting. The last encounter left Xiang Yi uneasy after learning about it.
During the county-level examination, mischievous acts against her brother were manageable due to the Tan family's influence, but in the provincial examination, reputation might not be as effective. They might need Tan Ting's assistance.
Xiang Yi had never wanted Xiang Yu and Tan Ting to fall out, considering these factors.
However, she never expected Xiang Yu to find out about the investigation into the accounts and then confront Tan Ting.
In her anxiousness, Xiang Yi hurriedly ran forward. Tan Ting, upon seeing her, felt an inexplicable tightening in his heart. He feared she might share Xiang Yu's sentiments. Just as he was about to say something, she abruptly pulled Xiang Yu aside.
"Yuer, do you even know what you're saying?!"
Upon seeing his elder sister, Xiang Yu recalled that "interesting story" he had made Xiang Ning write in the letter, and Xiang Yi's reply contained not a single hint about herself. It was clear she didn't reveal a word.
He couldn't dare to imagine what her feelings were at that time!
His voice trembled, "Sister, the Tan family has gone too far…"
"Enough, say no more!"
Xiang Yi, with her typically emotionless face, turned extremely solemn.
Her reaction caught Tan Ting off guard.
In the next moment, he saw her turning around, deeply bowing to him.
"Xiang Yu is young and doesn't understand restraint. Master, please forgive him for his childishness. Allow me to apologize on his behalf."
Beneath her pure white attire, her pale face revealed deep concern as she half-lowered her eyes.
But he didn't blame Xiang Yu. This matter was his fault, his wrongdoing. She shouldn't have apologized to him...
The eaves' bells beneath the grand hall remained still.
In the frozen air, Tan Ting's gaze fell on his wife, who was bowing her head in apology. He felt a strange, stifling sensation in his chest.
He tried to reach out to support her, but she subtly evaded his touch.
The sensation in Tan Ting's chest grew unbearable.
He hadn't found an opportunity to apologize to her earlier. She didn't seem to want to hear those words. Some words had been left unspoken in his heart.
But now he knew that those words had to come from his own mouth. Regardless of whether she listened or not, he had to say them.
"You don't need to apologize for Yuer," he said, his voice calm. "What he said was justified. This matter was originally the Tan family's fault, and more so, my fault."
He paused, locking eyes with her. "I'm sorry for making you suffer."
These words, which he had kept within his heart for so long, were finally spoken.
However, Xiang Yi couldn't help but lift her head slightly at his apology.
Tan Ting knew she probably didn't expect this, but just as he was about to continue, Xiang Yu coldly snorted, "And then?"
He asked, and Tan Ting's gaze became more focused on her.
He wanted to make amends, but he feared she wouldn't accept…
Seemingly understanding his thoughts, Xiang Yu snorted again, "Although the Xiang family is poor, we don't need the Tan family's money!"
"Xiang Yu!" she called out to him.
He hesitated for a moment before he spoke sincerely.
"If Yuer wants me to do something, just tell me."
Xiang Yu wanted to know how Tan Ting would respond. When he heard his words, he sneered.
He wished he could say, "Please
, Lord Tan, immediately separate from my sister." However, in the stern expression of his elder sister, he could only express his hatred with a single sentence.
"Tomorrow, I will take my sister back to the Xiang family!"
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