Capital City, Marquis Yong'an's Estate, main hall.
"Mother, Sister Xi, I—I really didn't mean to..."
Zhang Heng knelt on the floor, looking pitiful. "That wastrel from the Wang Family insulted Father first. I only shoved him in a fit of anger. Who knew he'd lose his balance and break his leg?"
After explaining, Zhang Heng stood up and said, "I did it, so I'll take responsibility. I'll go to Jingzhao Prefecture and confess, then serve my time in prison. I won't drag the family into this."
"Don't talk nonsense."
Marquis's Wife Qin Xuehua chided him. "You're the Marquis Estate's Second Young Master. You have a status to uphold. How could you go to some filthy prison?"
Zhang Heng's elder sister, Zhang Wanning, said anxiously, "Mother, Heng is frail and has been since childhood. How could he endure that damp, filthy prison?"
"But the Wang Family are Imperial Relatives, and they've been sworn enemies of our Zhang Family for generations. If we don't give them an explanation, this may alarm Your Majesty."
Qin Xuehua wore a troubled expression. The Wang Family weren't people to trifle with. Someone had to take responsibility.
Zhang Wanning sneered. "Send Zhang Yu. Let him take the blame for his younger brother... Anyway, it was dark that day, and the other party didn't get a good look at Heng. All they know is that a young master from the Marquis Estate attacked him."
When she said Zhang Yu's name, her face was full of disdain.
Who in the estate didn't know that the Eldest Young Master, brought back from the countryside three years ago, was a complete "people-pleaser"?
To secure his place in the Marquis Estate, Zhang Yu fawned over everyone with a sycophantic smile.
If Marquis's Wife furrowed her brow, he'd kneel all night. If Zhang Wanning sneezed, he'd scour the whole Capital City for a doctor.
Sending such a spineless man to take the blame would be giving him the perfect chance to show off.
He'd probably even be grateful, thinking the Marquis Estate finally valued him.
At this, Lady Qin's thoughts stirred.
That was right. Zhang Yu had grown up on the estate, used to a hard life. A few days in prison wouldn't hurt him.
If he took the blame, he'd surely think it was a chance to earn merit for the Marquis Estate and become part of the family.
At worst, I'll praise him a couple of times, Qin Xuehua decided silently.
"Nanny Zhou,"
She regained the dignified composure of the mistress of the estate and instructed her confidante, "Go fetch the Eldest Young Master."
"Yes, ma'am."
Nanny Zhou withdrew, understanding and contempt flashing in her eyes.
She thought the Eldest Young Master was about to get exactly what he wanted.
Kneeling on the floor, Zhang Heng let the corner of his mouth curl into the faintest, triumphant sneer, hidden from everyone's view.
Zhang Yu, Zhang Yu. For three years, you've grovelled like a dog. Wasn't this pitiful little bit of recognition all you wanted?
Today, I'll give it to you. Go make a fine show of yourself in prison.
Better yet... stay there forever and never come back to offend my eyes.
About the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea later, a figure followed Nanny Zhou into the main hall without a sound.
The newcomer wore a slightly worn indigo cotton robe. Tall and slender, he walked with steady steps.
It was the Eldest Young Master, Zhang Yu, who had been brought back three years ago.
"You're here."
Lady Qin sat upright, her tone warm but distant, as though she were bestowing a favor.
It was as if Zhang Yu weren't her own son at all, but a servant.
Zhang Yu stepped forward and bowed, his movements flawless. "Your son pays his respects to Mother. Greetings, Sister Xi and Heng."
His voice was even, his tone respectful, not a single fault to be found.
Seeing his obedient manner, Lady Qin felt the last trace of unease in her heart disappear.
She lifted her teacup and spoke as though giving an order to a servant. "I've called you here today because there's something you need to do to ease the Marquis Estate's burden."
She spoke as if it were a trivial matter of no importance.
Zhang Yu answered respectfully, "Please tell me, Mother. Your son will do everything in his power."
"It's nothing major."
Qin Xuehua briefly explained what had happened, then concluded, "Your younger brother has gotten into legal trouble, but he's been frail since childhood and can't endure prison. Go confess to the crime and serve a few days in his place."
With her arms folded, Zhang Wanning watched at her leisure, waiting to see how her "good elder brother" would perform his "loyalty" and "gratitude."
Zhang Heng bowed his head, his shoulders shaking as though he were struggling with "guilt." In truth, he was desperately suppressing his triumphant laughter, which threatened to spill from his throat.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhang Yu slowly raised his head.
His face showed none of the expected fear, hesitation, or ecstatic delight at finally being "needed."
Zhang Yu naturally had no intention of going to prison.
He was a transmigrator. The Eldest Young Master abandoned by the Marquis Estate at the estate had died three years ago, starved to death.
His birth parents doted on their youngest son, Zhang Heng. Just because Zhang Heng made one false accusation, they abandoned the original body in a rural estate for ten years.
The people at the estate fawned on those above them and trampled those below, cruelly mistreating Zhang Yu. Three years ago, the servants had tortured the original body to death.
Even on his deathbed, the original body had hoped his parents would come see him just once.
After transmigrating, Zhang Yu had planned to figure out how to take revenge on the Zhang Family and avenge the original body.
But, as luck would have it, Zhang Yu had awakened the Persona System. His first persona was the people-pleaser persona, which required him to do everything in his power to please everyone in the Marquis Estate and his Fiancée.
At that moment, Zhang Yu was stunned.
He could accept transmigrating, but why did he also have to be a simp, pleasing that bunch of cold-blooded relatives who had caused the original body's death?
His first thought was to refuse. He even wanted to flee immediately.
But faced with the system's terrifying punishment, he could only bow his head.
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