Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Jin Mucong’s hair stood on end. Just for threatening and pointing at him, Tian Thirteen and Tian Fourteen had their limbs broken and were left for dead in their homes. So, what would happen if he were to actually hit Shen Lang? Wouldn’t this bastard tear him to shreds? Moreover, from Shen Lang’s posture, it looked as if he was about to write down Jin Mucong’s name right then and there.
"Brother-in-law, what brings you here?"
Jin Mucong hastily dropped the iron club in his hand and smiled.
"Uh, it's nothing, nothing at all… I ate too much, so I'm just wandering around."
"I thought I heard someone shouting about hitting me earlier?"
"That never happened. Who shouted that? Daring to hit the Count's son-in-law, they must have a death wish! W-well then, Shen Lang, you carry on with your writing. I-I have to go now."
Jin Mucong quickly ran out. It was an incredibly agile movement, belying his portly figure. Shen Lang couldn't hold back any longer at his foolish appearance and let out a "Pfft" of laughter.
* * *
As soon as Jin Mucong ran out, he came face to face with the great demon king he feared most: his mother, the Countess. In that instant, the Countess, with a terrifying expression, began to pull Jin Mucong's ear.
"Well, well. A scoundrel like you came to beat up Shen Lang? If I don't beat you to death today, I'll no longer be a member of the Count's family."
The heir, Jin Mucong, cried out loudly in pain.
"Mother, Mother! I didn't hit him. I haven't hit him yet!"
"So you haven't hit him *yet*, which means you were planning to? It seems you haven't been beaten hard enough today. Don't worry, Jin Mucong. I'll be sure to satisfy you. Your brother-in-law just brought great honor to our estate today, and you dare try to hit him? I have no son like you."
"Mother, how did you know and get here so quickly?"
"Xiao Bing ran and told me. I couldn't believe it when I heard, but it was true… It seems you've grown some nerve."
Jin Mucong really wanted to cry. Tears welled up in his eyes.
‘Xiao Bing, I came to beat up Shen Lang to avenge you, but you betrayed me. I thought of you as a sister, but did you think of me as an enemy?’
Overwhelmed with bitter sorrow, tears streamed down Jin Mucong's face.
‘Heavens, what sin did I commit in my past life for you to punish me like this?’
No one knows a mother better than her son. His mother was beautiful and elegant, with a noble and gentle disposition, but only Jin Mucong knew that a terrifying tigress lived within her heart. If she said she would beat him half to death, she would absolutely do it. Just then, Shen Lang walked out of the room.
"Mother-in-law."
The Countess's expression changed in an instant. A moment ago, when facing Jin Mucong, she was as fierce as a winter gale, but now, looking at Shen Lang, her face was as warm as a spring breeze.
"Lang'er, my apologies. I will be sure to discipline this child properly."
Shen Lang shook his head and said,
"Brother-in-law just came to talk with me. We didn't fight, not even an argument, so you don't need to punish him."
The Countess asked in a gentle voice,
"Is that true?"
"It is."
*Smack!*
The Countess slapped Jin Mucong's back with all her might. The impact was so powerful that Jin Mucong nearly passed out. Suddenly, Shen Lang suspected that this unfortunate boy might have become a simpleton from being beaten by his mother-in-law since childhood.
"Look how kind your brother-in-law is, pleading for you. You worthless brat! But Lang'er, you don't need to plead for this fool. I'm going to beat him into submission today. That's the only way he'll learn to respect you in the future."
After she finished speaking, the Countess began to beat Jin Mucong. It hurt just for Shen Lang to watch.
"Mother, spare me, spare me!"
Shen Lang quickly stepped forward to stop her.
"Mother-in-law, please stop. You mustn't get so angry that you harm your health. Brother-in-law is honest and simple; perhaps it would be better if I spoke with him directly?"
The Countess's eyes instantly turned gentle and warm again.
"Very well. Lang'er, you are his brother-in-law, so please teach him well in my stead. If he doesn't listen, you can hit him directly. Understand?"
The Countess turned and left. Jin Mucong let out a long sigh.
‘I'm alive! That was a close call!’
But... the Countess suddenly turned back, grabbed Jin Mucong's ear, and twisted it.
"You dare to sigh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Watching him, Shen Lang's heart ached. He felt that Jin Mucong had his own hardships and that his life must not have been easy.
His mother-in-law released Jin Mucong's ear and said,
"For Lang'er's sake, I'll spare you today. If you show even the slightest disrespect to your brother-in-law, I'll skin you alive."
As she walked away, she lamented inwardly. If only her son were half as good as Shen Lang.
Jin Mucong patted his chubby chest and said,
"Brother-in-law, a mere thank you is not enough for such a great favor. I, Jin Mucong, will remember the kindness you've shown me today. If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word. I may not look it, but I'm a very loyal person."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. Then let me ask you one thing. Who put you up to hitting me?"
Jin Mucong shrank back, shaking his head.
"Th-that... I can't say. I can't betray him. Loyalty is the most important thing for a person."
While Jin Mucong's insistence on loyalty was foolish, it could be considered a good quality, so Shen Lang didn't press further. If he ever needed a scapegoat in the future, he could pin it on Jin Mucong, so for now, he decided to let him uphold his beautiful virtue.
"You truly are a man of deep sentiment, brother-in-law. I'm deeply impressed."
"The more you get to know me, the more you'll realize what a great guy I am!"
After that, the fatty stayed in Shen Lang's study for a while longer before yawning repeatedly and heading back to sleep.
Shen Lang closed all the doors and then took out a sack of moldy black barley. And he began to scrape off the ergot fungus from the barley. If someone who knew the effects of ergot were to see this, they would probably be trembling with fear, wondering who Shen Lang intended to harm with it. Shen Lang was preparing this as a contingency against his enemies. With this, he would have an ace up his sleeve to turn the tables in an unforeseen situation.
* * *
The next morning, Mulan still hadn't returned by the time Shen Lang woke up. Since his beloved wife was so busy with military affairs, the handmaiden Xiao Bing attended to Shen Lang.
"Bing'er, I have a question for you."
"Please ask."
"Do you know why white tigers are so rare?"
Xiao Bing's eyes widened. After thinking for a moment, she said,
"Is it because most tigers are yellow?"
"No, it's because time is worth a thousand gold pieces, and not even a moment of it can be bought."
Xiao Bing's beautiful eyes filled with confusion.
‘What does that have to do with tigers? The Young Master only spouts nonsense.’
Seeing his joke fall flat, Shen Lang's heart felt as desolate as a snowfield.
‘Sigh! A girl shouldn't be so uneducated. She doesn't even know she's being teased.’
Then, Xiao Bing said,
"I'll ask the Young Mistress what it means tonight."
Shen Lang's hair stood on end. After a moment, feigning indifference, he asked,
"Xiao Bing, by any chance, did you cry yesterday?"
Xiao Bing answered in surprise,
"No, why would I cry?"
* * *
After breakfast, the Count's confidant, Jin Zhong, appeared before Shen Lang.
"The Master has ordered you to study with the Young Lord so that you do not abandon your scholarly pursuits, Young Master."
Having said his piece, Jin Zhong left immediately.
Shen Lang was taken aback by Jin Zhong's words, but given the current atmosphere, he thought it best to follow his father-in-law's instructions.
Besides, he was just about to go near Jin Mucong to find out the truth anyway. Who on earth held such enmity toward him that they would incite someone to beat him up?
* * *
The Count's estate had a dedicated academy where about a hundred students attended classes. Most were students of the same age as Shen Lang and Jin Mucong.
When the students in the academy saw Shen Lang enter, a clamor arose. The reason was very simple. He was the man who had married Jin Mulan.
Jin Mulan was the woman every man in the academy dreamed of. A dozen or so young men with simple, rough thoughts exchanged glances and prepared to surround Shen Lang.
Just then, Jin Mucong came to Shen Lang's side, put an arm around his shoulder, and said,
"What do you think you're doing to my brother-in-law? From now on, treat him with respect. Or else I won't let you off easy."
After saying that, he brandished his chubby fist. It seemed Jin Mucong held considerable sway in the academy. Thanks to him, the other students all backed off.
Jin Mucong patted his chubby chest and said,
"Brother-in-law, I'm loyal, right? If I sit next to you, no one will dare to touch you."
A short while later, the teacher entered. He was an old master, with half-gray hair and beard, and was very thin. Everyone called him Old Master Lin. He was not only the tutor to the Count's heir but also one of the Count's trusted advisors, and his level of scholarship was extremely high and profound.
This class was on the *I Ching*. This was a great philosophical work of ancient China, encompassing heaven, earth, and humanity, leaving nothing out. The *I Ching* was a study where the more one learned, the more one realized their own ignorance, so Shen Lang found the class fascinating, while the others had long since zoned out. Indeed, the study of the *I Ching* must have been incredibly difficult and tedious for them.
"We have a new student today, I see?"
Shen Lang said nothing, muttering inwardly. *You're only just noticing.*
"So handsome. It's a pity you're a man," the old master said.
Shen Lang was even more speechless at the old master's words. *For a man of his age, he's rather improper.*
"You must be the Shen Lang who studied for ten years at the Hanshujin Academy yet couldn't even finish the introductory class before being kicked out? A few of the teachers here at the estate were privately saying that you're a disgrace to the scholars of Xuanwu City."
Shen Lang's eyes narrowed. *Is this old master provoking me?*
"Have you read the *I Ching* before?"
"I've read a little," Shen Lang replied.
The old master, with a thoughtful look in his eyes, said,
"As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement. How do you interpret this passage?"
"The movement of the Heavenly Dao is cyclical, beginning anew after reaching its end; it never stops or rests, and no one can halt it. A gentleman should emulate the Heavenly Dao, establishing and strengthening himself, striving ceaselessly without pause."
"The arrogant dragon will have cause for regret, for what is full cannot long endure! How do you interpret this passage?"
"If a dragon flies too high, it will surely have cause for regret. This is because when things reach an extreme, they are bound to reverse. Likewise, when people do things, they should not seek excessive perfection but leave a little room for imperfection."
As Shen Lang interpreted it perfectly without the slightest error, the old master was slightly puzzled. *Is this really the rumored imbecile with no learning or talent?*
‘Rumors are truly absurd. However, merely interpreting passages from the *I Ching* is useless. One must understand their meaning and know how to apply them to reality. That is true wisdom; rote memorization is pointless. I shall test this handsome young man with a difficult question.’
The old master asked,
"Today, the New Policies are being implemented with fierce momentum, old and new powers are shifting, and many ancient noble families are losing their fiefs and military authority. If you were to explain the essence of these matters to the Count and persuade him, which passage from the *I Ching* would you choose?"