Unexpected Fortune

Chapter 24: Unexpected Fortune

"Yes!"

The Zhen family's butler quickly responded and soon returned with a man who looked to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

He was Zhen Xiaoren's cousin, Zhen Xun, a Brigade Leader in the Imperial Guard.

"Uncle, what business did you have calling me here?"

"Xun'er! You're finally here!"

Zhen's mother grabbed his arm:

"Your cousin has been beaten like this, all his limbs are broken! You must get justice for him!"

Before Master Zhen could speak, Zhen's mother cried heartbrokenly, complaining to Zhen Xun.

Then, Master Zhen recounted the entire sequence of events.

The more Zhen Xun listened, the tighter his brow furrowed, his expression shifting between grim and uncertain.

"Uncle, you just said the person who injured my cousin is named Bai Yan?"

"That's right. I heard he's the new son-in-law Ye Youcai just recognized, and he's also with the Imperial Guard. What, Xun'er, do you know this person?"

"Know him? How could I not?"

Zhen Xun gave a wry smile:

"Bai Yan is a newly promoted Company Commander in the Imperial Guard."

"Although he is young, his strength is formidable, and he has already broken through to the Innate realm."

"Just today, he publicly fought at the Pacification Bureau and severely injured another Company Commander."

"Uncle, Aunt, we absolutely cannot afford to provoke this person!"

Speaking of Bai Yan, Zhen Xun's face was grave, filled with apprehension.

Coincidentally, Zhen Xun was also present when Bai Yan clashed with Zhao Gaozhong today. He personally witnessed Bai Yan cripple Zhao Gaozhong with a single palm strike.

The thought of Bai Yan's ruthless methods sent shivers down Zhen Xun's spine.

"Fought at the Pacification Bureau?"

"Severely injured a Company Commander?"

"Is this person so brazen?"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhen and Zhen's mother turned pale with fright, unable to speak.

Compared to Bai Yan's actions at the Pacification Bureau, injuring their son seemed almost trivial.

If he dared to strike a fellow Company Commander, what was the son of a mere wealthy merchant to him?

"He injured a colleague at the Pacification Bureau, and yet he wasn't punished?"

Master Zhen couldn't help but ask.

He understood some of the Pacification Bureau's rules and knew that fighting was strictly forbidden there, with severe penalties for violations.

If Bai Yan could injure someone without punishment, did he have someone powerful backing him?

Zhen Xun nodded:

"Rumor has it that Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan values Bai Yan highly and has been grooming him."

"Not only is this person inherently powerful, but he also has a strong background."

"Uncle, Aunt, in my opinion, we absolutely cannot afford to provoke this person."

"Although my cousin is severely injured, his life is at least out of danger. This already shows Bai Yan held back."

"If we continue to provoke him, we risk inviting disaster."

Master Zhen's face darkened. After a long silence, he finally sighed helplessly:

"It can only be this way. Circumstances are beyond our control, what can we do!"

After saying this, Master Zhen looked ten years older, his face etched with exhaustion and defeat.

"My lord, we can't!"

Seeing that Master Zhen was about to give up on revenge, Zhen's mother jumped up anxiously, screaming:

"Our son was beaten like this, how can we just let it go!"

Before she could finish, Master Zhen interrupted her sternly:

"Shut up!"

"It's all because of you! If you hadn't spoiled him rotten all these years, never disciplining him strictly, how would he have ended up like this today?"

"We can't afford to offend that person, so we can only try to de-escalate!"

"If you still want your son to live safely, then behave yourself and don't entertain any of your foolish ideas!"

"If you cause a major disaster, even I won't be able to save you!"

When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head.

Whether it was a matter of strength or connections, his Zhen family was no match for Bai Yan.

With no leverage and no advantage, the Zhen family had no choice but to swallow their pride.

Old Master Zhen turned to Zhen Xun, his tone softening slightly.

"Xun'er, tomorrow you will prepare ten thousand taels in banknotes and personally deliver them to Bai Yan. Tell him that my Zhen family's upbringing is lacking, and my son offended him. I, an old man, am deeply apologetic and thank him for showing mercy."

"What? We have to send him money?"

Mother Zhen scrambled to her feet, staring at Old Master Zhen in disbelief.

"Have you lost your mind? Not only are you not avenging our son, but you're sending money to his enemy?"

"I told you to shut up!"

Old Master Zhen, unable to take it anymore, raised his hand and slapped Mother Zhen across the face.

Slap!

He sent her sprawling to the ground, dazed and disoriented, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

"What do you know!"

Old Master Zhen's chest heaved violently as he pointed at her and cursed.

"I'm doing this for the Zhen family! For your son! What if Bai Yan showed mercy on the surface but intends to strike at the Zhen family in secret?!"

"By giving him a gift, I want to completely extinguish his anger! As long as he accepts these ten thousand taels in banknotes, it means this matter is over, and only then can my Zhen family truly be at peace!"

"Do you understand, you foolish woman!"

Old Master Zhen grew angrier as he cursed, truly regretting marrying this woman at this moment.

Not only was she jealous, but she also lacked any sense.

Aside from her looks and some vulgar tricks in her youth, she had been of no help to their family or business.

If he hadn't been foolish back then, fallen for this woman's beauty trap, and accidentally caused a death.

He would never have married this woman.

Casting a cold glance at Mother Zhen, Old Master Zhen turned to Zhen Xun and instructed.

"Xun'er, I'm entrusting this matter to you, Uncle."

Zhen Xun cupped his hands in a salute.

"Uncle, please rest assured. Bai Yan doesn't seem like a narrow-minded or two-faced person. I believe he will be willing to let this matter pass."

"That would be for the best, truly for the best."

Hearing this, Old Master Zhen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he failed to notice Mother Zhen, who he had knocked to the ground, staring at his retreating back with eyes as venomous as a vengeful ghost. The murderous intent churning in her eyes was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

The next morning, Bai Yan strolled into the Pacification Bureau's main gate, munching on a freshly baked sesame flatbread.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw someone approaching him.

"Your subordinate, Zhen Xun, greets Company Commander Bai."

"Zhen Xun?"

Bai Yan took a bite of his flatbread, and upon hearing the surname, he instantly guessed the visitor's purpose.

"You're here about Zhen Xiaoren?"

"Yes, your subordinate is Zhen Xiaoren's cousin. My younger brother is young and ignorant and has offended you, Lord Bai. Your subordinate is here to apologize on his behalf."

Zhen Xun's posture was extremely humble, and he bowed respectfully.

"This is my uncle's gift to Lord Bai as an apology. I hope Lord Bai will accept it."

As he spoke, Zhen Xun presented a box of osmanthus cakes.

But Bai Yan knew perfectly well that the so-called apology gift was definitely not as simple as a mere box of osmanthus cakes.

Bai Yan waved his hand and said with a smile, "I'm not holding a grudge about this matter anymore. Forget about any apology gifts."

Zhen Xun repeatedly said, "This entire matter is my own reckless ignorance. This gift is something my uncle specifically instructed me to deliver. Please, Lord, you must accept it."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Bai Yan accepted the osmanthus cakes with a look of reluctant compliance and said, "Since that's the case, I'll accept it."

"When your cousin recovers from his injuries, you must also discipline him well."

"Yongtang City is full of powerful figures. Don't think you can be arrogant and look down on others just because you have me backing you."

"It's fortunate you offended me this time. If you offend someone with a greater background next time, you might not be able to keep your life."

"One careless mistake could implicate your entire family."

Zhen Xun bowed respectfully.

"You are right, sir. I will discipline him strictly when I return!"

"Alright, you may go."

With that, Bai Yan nodded and swaggered towards the Company Commander's office.

Watching Bai Yan's retreating back, Zhen Xun let out a sigh of relief. The heavy weight on his heart had finally lifted.

Since Bai Yan accepted the reparations, it meant he wouldn't pursue the matter further. It was settled.

Walking down the road, Bai Yan opened the osmanthus cake box. What greeted his eyes was a stack of banknotes.

The banknotes were all for one thousand taels each, ten in total.

"Ten thousand taels. These wealthy families are truly generous."

Bai Yan happily stuffed the banknotes into his robes.

Money that came to him willingly, why refuse it?

Besides, he genuinely hadn't intended to pursue the matter further. His magnanimity wasn't that narrow.

After all, he had settled the score immediately. Who had time for that "a gentleman's revenge takes ten years" nonsense?

Bai Yan could guarantee that after today, he wouldn't lift a finger against Zhen Xiaoren ever again.

As for what might happen to Zhen Xiaoren in the future, that would be none of Bai Yan's concern.