Chapter 42
Chapter 42
"We were prepared to rescue the Young Master at the time, but unexpectedly, he turned the situation around himself, escaped the crisis, and even trapped the Prefect in front of the crowd. The Prefect must have been forcing a smile while grinding his teeth in frustration."
Hearing this, the Count found the situation hard to believe.
"Tell me in detail what happened."
Jin Hui recounted the tale of how Shen Lang had displayed his prowess at the gambling den.
"What? He... he dared to go to a gambling den? And he won that much money? He didn't bring that money back to the estate, did he? If he brought back money he won from gambling, the centuries of sterling reputation our estate has built would be shattered in an instant."
If Shen Lang were to bring back gambling winnings, a rumor would spread like wildfire throughout the State of Yue that the Count of Xuanwu's Estate was so destitute it had to send its live-in son-in-law to a gambling den to win money. Such a thing would deal a heavy blow to the estate's reputation.
"No, my lord. The Young Master did not bring back a single gold coin. He scattered all the money to the people of Xuanwu City. Furthermore, he declared that his actions today were not for money, but to redress the grievances of the countless citizens of Xuanwu City. He said that since Tian Heng's gambling den had ruined so many families, the money that came from the people should be returned to the people.
The Young Master also proclaimed that he could no longer stand by and watch Tian Heng exploit and deceive the people of Xuanwu City to enrich himself, and that he had acted solely out of a sense of justice. And he stated that all of this stemmed from the Count's teachings.
The crowd there cheered loudly, 'Long live the Count!' and many of the people came to see the Young Master as a hero."
The Count was speechless. Had this insolent brat used this opportunity to bolster the estate's reputation? The Countess's beautiful eyes sparkled. She imagined how magnificent Shen Lang must have been in that moment.
Jin Hui then detailed how Shen Lang escaped an even greater crisis and ensnared Prefect Liu Chengyan.
"The Young Master pressured Tian Heng into writing an IOU for seventeen thousand gold coins, then ran inside the House of Riches in front of everyone, presented the IOU to the Prefect, and asked him to collect the debt. He also announced that all the money collected would be used to help the poor of Xuanwu City.
In doing so, not only did he stop the conspiracy Liu Chengyan and Zhang Jin were about to unleash, but he also dropped a hot potato right in the Prefect's lap. All the while, Tian Heng remained unconscious, having never regained his senses."
The Count and Countess could just imagine the scene: Prefect Liu Chengyan, inwardly seething with rage, yet forced to agree to Shen Lang's request.
"The cunning rascal. Where on earth did he learn such terrifying schemes?"
The Countess said.
"They say you must fight a villain with a villain's methods. Even if Lang's schemes seem wicked, I trust his good nature. He's a kind boy, endlessly devoted to his parents."
No one could have imagined that Shen Lang, all by himself, would venture into Xuanwu City to confront Tian Heng and not only emerge unscathed but achieve a complete victory. He had not only shown the fate of tyrants like Tian Heng who relied on their power and influence in Xuanwu City, but had even made him cough up blood in front of a crowd. Moreover, Prefect Liu Chengyan had been thoroughly trapped.
The Count had never thought his son-in-law could be so formidable. He was inwardly triumphant, yet his joy was tinged with a slight anger.
"That insolent brat! Even though he won today, it was far too dangerous."
The Count was also anxious.
"And I worry this incident will only make him more reckless in the future. This won't do. I must crush his arrogant spirit this time. My lady, you must play along with me later, and do not make a mistake. Otherwise, I fear this insolent pup will think he can touch the sky."
The Countess smiled.
"Don't worry, my lord. I'll be sure to back you up when you scold him."
***
Shen Lang returned just as the sky began to darken. He hunched his shoulders as he entered the estate gate, then quickly darted toward his own courtyard. He absolutely had to avoid his father-in-law. Although he had accomplished something that shook the entirety of Xuanwu City, going to a gambling den was still an audacious act for the son-in-law of the Count's Estate. Besides, there had been moments of danger... Even though he had won completely, his father-in-law's temperament would surely disapprove of the risks he had taken. His stubborn father-in-law would undoubtedly punish him and use this opportunity to lecture him even more severely.
Shen Lang had no desire to endure such an ordeal, so he planned to hide quietly in his courtyard, pretend to be ill, and avoid him for a few days. But the moment Shen Lang opened his door, he was met with the stern face of his father-in-law.
The Count spoke coolly, his face expressionless.
"Well, well, has the God of Gamblers returned?"
*Why is a man as upright as you using such a strange tone, Father-in-law?*
Shen Lang's face was a mask of perfect innocence, belying his inner thoughts. Without a second word, he immediately stood at attention.
"Father-in-law, I am sorry!"
"Shen Lang, you have some nerve. You said you had a way to defeat Tian Heng, and I was anticipating some brilliant method, but was it just to go to a gambling den and demand money? In our estate, for hundreds of years, not a single child has ever..."
Before the Count could finish, Shen Lang bowed deeply and said.
"Father-in-law, I will never do it again."
"Shen Lang, your actions today were..."
The Count's hand trembled as he pointed at Shen Lang, who stepped forward and placed the Count's finger on his own forehead, speaking earnestly.
"Father-in-law, I will never set foot in a gambling den again. This was all my fault and my mistake, so it is only natural that you scold me. But I fear only that you might strain your health on my account."
"You, you..."
The Count's whole body trembled with rage at Shen Lang's audacity, preempting his every word.
"Everything Father-in-law says is right, and all his teachings are correct. From now on, I will humbly follow Father-in-law's guidance!"
Just then, his mother-in-law entered and began to comfort the Count, patting his chest with her pale hand.
"There, there. Don't be angry. Lang is still young. You can explain things to him properly. Besides, though his methods were a bit flawed, his motives were good. You shouldn't keep scolding him."
The Count was left speechless.
*I haven't even started scolding him, and you've already stopped me. What did I just tell you? I said you needed to play along when I scolded him so he wouldn't get a big head!*
The Count shot his wife an aggrieved look, and the Countess, remembering her earlier promise, deliberately put on a solemn expression as she looked at Shen Lang.
"Lang, you mustn't go to places like gambling dens anymore. If you go again, I will be the one to punish you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mother-in-law!"
"Good, Lang. You must be hungry. Let's go eat."
"Yes!"
The Count stared dumbfounded, looking back and forth between his wife and Shen Lang, but he could say no more.
*My dear wife, is that really the end of his lesson?!*
*My lady, they say a doting mother raises an unruly child! A doting mother spoils the child! Is that not why you are usually quite strict with your own son? How can you lose that resolve in front of your son-in-law? Is it because he's handsome? Is it because he's a sweet-talker?*
Seeing Shen Lang acting as meek as a lamb in front of his mother-in-law, the Count's anger flared.
*You wicked boy, do you think I have no way to deal with you?*
The Count said.
"Shen Lang, you are hereby confined to the estate, starting today."
Shen Lang was taken aback, but the Count continued without pause.
"You may move about within the estate, but you are not to take a single step outside. Do you understand?"
Shen Lang feigned fear and stammered.
"Father-in-law, th-then when will the confinement be lifted?"
"Until I feel I can trust you again."
That condition was far too vague.
"Perhaps Father-in-law could set a condition, and if I complete it, you could lift the confinement? For example..."
"No memorizing books, no solving couplets. This time, there will be no conditions."
The Count cut Shen Lang off with a loud voice. The mere mention of the word "condition" brought back unpleasant memories for his father-in-law.
"No matter what tricks you try, it will be useless. Starting today, you will cultivate your mind and body within the estate. When I believe you will no longer go out and cause trouble, I will let you out."
How could the Count forget the lesson from last time? Yesterday, when he had confined Shen Lang and ordered him to memorize *The Jin Clan's Family Maxims*, he thought he could keep Shen Lang dutifully tied down for a month or two.
The Count had gritted his teeth and granted him his freedom to honor his promise. But who would have thought that the moment Shen Lang stepped out of the estate gates today, he would cause such a massive incident...
No matter that he had won, no matter that he had fought well, how perilous his actions had been! The Count was proud of Shen Lang for his complete victory, but he also sincerely hoped his son-in-law would not be harmed by the inevitable backlash from their enemies. But the Count would never voice such feelings. If this insolent brat knew how much he cared, how much more would he think he could touch the sky?
"Everyone, listen. From this day forward, Shen Lang is not to take a single step outside the estate. Anyone who sees him trying to leave must stop him. Do you all hear me? This will be so until I formally lift his confinement."
The Count announced loudly.
"Yes!"
Everyone shouted in unison, looking at Shen Lang with strange expressions. Their gazes seemed to hold a hint of schadenfreude at his current predicament.
***
The heir, Jin Mucong, was reading a book on military strategy. He believed the reason his mother had scolded him this morning was because he was reading the *Classic of Poetry*. The classic contained many verses about the dalliances between men and women, so he could understand his mother's reaction. That was why Jin Mucong had decided to read a book on military strategy.
"Father and Mother want me to carry on the great work of our ancestors, so they'll surely be pleased if they see me reading a book on military strategy."
A short while later, his father and mother entered the room.
"Father, Mother. I was reading a book on military strategy. I will certainly uphold our ancestors' legacy and master the art of war," the heir said, as if trying to curry favor.
"Stop reading and bend over!"
The Countess said. A moment later, the chubby young man was placed over a large chair in a familiar fashion by the pair. The man held a whip, the woman a ruler, and they began to strike him. *Swat, swat, swat.*
"Ow! Why are you doing this?"
Jin Mucong cried out. He hadn't done anything wrong; he had been quietly reading his book on military strategy.
*Why did they hit me this morning and now again at night?*
"Ow! Ouch! Father, Mother, why are you hitting me!"
The Count and Countess didn't answer. After the beating, they left immediately. Left behind, Jin Mucong choked back sobs, unable to speak. He didn't even know why his parents were hitting him.
In truth, both the Count and Countess had come to see their son with the same thought in mind. The more clever and brilliant Shen Lang acted, the more his son's foolishness was highlighted.
The more their already disappointing son was compared to their clever and witty son-in-law, the more an inexplicable anger welled up inside them. Jin Mucong was beaten unfairly, all because of Shen Lang, but he would never know the truth.