Little Constable, Don't Force Me to Beg

County Lieutenant Qin rose in anger, his smiling face contorting. His once straight back now sagged considerably.

He strode out the door and invited the brat he'd been calling "a hoodlum with no manners" inside.

Xiao He.

Seeing this face, Xiang Yuan's eyelids twitched. He knew he was in for bad luck today, but he hadn't expected it to be this bad.

"Little Yuan, I asked you to come get my umbrella, why didn't you? Did you forget?"

Xiao He grinned, circling Xiang Yuan playfully. Xiang Yuan remained silent, ignoring him. County Lieutenant Qin, smiling broadly, orbited Xiao He, but Xiao He didn't even glance back, as if they were mere air.

They can be so similar!

Old Liu watched the scene with surprise. Being the shrewd man he was, he immediately guessed Xiao He's background was extraordinary. He just couldn't understand when Xiang Yuan, who came from the same humble beginnings, had gotten acquainted with such a person.

And it looked like the initiative was coming from Xiao He's side.

That's truly bizarre!

In Old Liu's opinion, if it were him, he would have fawned over Xiao He without needing any prompting.

Old Liu looked at Xiang Yuan, who merely shook his head slightly, remaining silent.

Xiao He's warm greeting met a cold shoulder, but he showed neither anger nor disappointment. He turned to County Lieutenant Qin instead, looking down his nose at him. "Who are you, bothering me with all that noise?"

"This subordinate is Qin Yun, the County Lieutenant of Fengxian County. Do you recall, Young Master? When you first arrived, Lord Sima and Lord Wu hosted a welcoming banquet for you. This subordinate even poured you two cups of wine!" County Lieutenant Qin's back bent even lower.

"Oh, so it was you. I vaguely recall something like that."

Xiao He blinked, his expression clearly indicating he no longer remembered who Qin Yun was. "Noble people are forgetful. I hope Lord Qin will forgive any offense."

"You jest, Young Master. There are no 'Lords' here," County Lieutenant Qin said obsequiously.

"Hold on, don't smile yet. I heard you quite clearly just now. You asked who the newcomer was, what kind of brat raised him, right?"

Xiao He narrowed his eyes. "My father is Xiao Yan. Any rascal I am is thanks to his upbringing. If you don't believe me, you can go to Zhendian Prefecture in Guanshan Dao and question him."

In an instant, County Lieutenant Qin was drenched in sweat. Trembling, his face turned as pale as paper. He stammered, "This subordinate misspoke. I beg the Young Master to be lenient and not to alarm King Zhao."

King Zhao!

The ruler of eight prefectures, the Grand Prefecture of Guanshan Dao.

This kid has such a powerful background?

Xiang Yuan gasped in disbelief. Xiao He, from head to toe, inside and out, showed no trace of a prince's son. Is this the typical case of a strong father and a weak son, a hero begetting a beast?

Old Liu was also stunned. He had more common sense than Xiang Yuan and had heard about King Zhao's household, including an amusing anecdote about the King.

Years ago, a Taoist priest had told Xiao Yan that he was destined to have ninety-nine sons, and only when all ninety-nine were accounted for would his destiny be complete.

Xiao Yan had been busy procreating. Finding his pace too slow, he had taken in many adopted sons. By now, he must have had eighty, if not ninety.

It makes perfect sense, then, to send his most troublesome and unruly son to Fengxian County, out of his sight and mind.

Old Liu's surprise wasn't about Xiao He's lineage. It was, as he'd said before, when did Xiang Yuan get tangled up with this sort of person, and to the point of being utterly captivated?

Why hasn't anyone ever treated me this well?

Meanwhile, Xiao He had Qin County Lieutenant firmly in his grasp, leveraging his father's power over eight prefectures to torment Qin County Lieutenant mercilessly.

Once he'd had his fill, he slowly asked, "Little Qin, who were you hosting this banquet for? This Constable and Little Yuan here?"

"Little Yuan..."

County Lieutenant Qin shot Xiang Yuan a resentful look. Why didn't you tell me you had connections earlier? What a mess this is. I'll have to punish myself with three cups later. I'll definitely be more careful from now on.

Little Constable, don't force me to beg you on my knees!

Sensing County Lieutenant Qin's look, Xiang Yuan, no matter how reluctant, had to accept Xiao He's favor in resolving the situation. He slowly said, "Young Master Xiao, Old Liu and I worked hard on a case and achieved great merit. County Lieutenant Qin specifically prepared this feast to reward us."

"Precisely, precisely," County Lieutenant Qin nodded repeatedly, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead and forcing a tearful smile.

Old Liu, being of low status, had no right to speak. He simply nodded in agreement, confirming that County Lieutenant Qin was indeed the host today.

"I knew it. Little Yuan has such a good temper, he couldn't possibly offend anyone..."

Xiao He stepped forward, slinging an arm around Xiang Yuan's shoulders, and loudly declared, "Why 'Young Master Xiao'? We hit it off immediately, kindred spirits, like brothers separated at birth. How about it, want to become sworn brothers tonight?"

That's called kindred spirits. Don't use idioms if you don't know how.

And who is kindred spirits with you!

Xiao He continued to babble incessantly. "My old man still needs a few more adopted sons to make up the numbers. There's still room for my sworn brothers. I'll write a letter to him; he hates me the most, so to get some peace, he'll definitely agree on the spot. Then we'll truly be brothers."

The words were too much for Xiang Yuan to handle, so he responded with silence.

Xiao He's warm face had met a cold shoulder, so a warm face came to warm his cold shoulder. County Lieutenant Qin stepped forward, invited Xiao He to take the head seat, called for the waiter, and spared no expense.

Before taking his seat, Old Liu tugged at Xiang Yuan's sleeve and said, "Great fortune awaits. Seize it, don't be like me, like dust and grass."

Old Liu had already made up his mind. No matter how many sons King Zhao had, it wouldn't change the fact that Xiao He was his flesh and blood. If Xiang Yuan could latch onto this powerful figure, he would surely prosper in the future. The five taels of silver didn't need to be repaid; all Xiang Yuan needed was this favor, and he could repay it when he became a big shot.

It's okay if it's not repaid yet. Five taels is nothing. I can grit my teeth and treat it as a lost bet.

It is indeed a great fortune, but...

Xiang Yuan glanced at Xiao He and County Lieutenant Qin, who were already clinking glasses and drinking. He mused that this fortune felt strange, as if it were a setup.

What if County Lieutenant Qin had known Xiao He long ago? Seeing he was extraordinary, and failing to get the umbrella, he specifically waited for him at the yamen's gate. When he came out, he called two family retainers... and so it came to be that this table was set.

Thinking this, Xiang Yuan made himself laugh.

Yes, he had found a famous master and learned divine skills, but who knew about it?

Someone like Xiao He, who was utterly useless and couldn't even use idioms correctly, could he figure this out?

Don't be ridiculous. The Heartless Daoist was meticulous, covering his tracks completely. Xiao He didn't have the ability for this, let alone the foresight for such a scheme.

Xiang Yuan laughed at his own wild imagination, thinking that just because he'd learned a little, he'd become arrogant and believe everyone had to cater to him, revolve around him, and fawn over him. The truth was simple: Xiao He was just a clown. Clowns had peculiar thought processes, and everything today was just a coincidence, a chance encounter.

If anything, the umbrella was the catalyst. Him holding the umbrella for Xiao He was the cause, and Xiao He helping him out of trouble was the effect.

With this thought, Xiang Yuan's mind instantly cleared. Xiao He was indeed a fated person for this transitional period. The umbrella served as a bridge, leading to King Zhao, Xiao Yan, through Xiao He.

This was what the Heartless Daoist had spoken of regarding his future circumstances.

Master, your disciple understands now. I will overcome countless obstacles and find a way to reunite with my adoptive father!

Not to mention, there really was a small path in the middle of the hall.

"Hehehehe..."

After three rounds of drinks, Xiao He clamored to find some girls. County Lieutenant Qin quickly threw some silver and called for a few girls who could sing and play instruments.

Proper ones.

As a mere ninth-rank official, he wouldn't dare take the son of the Grand Executioner to a brothel, even if he had ten times the courage. If word got out, let alone Zhendian Prefecture, Sima Changhui, who represented the interests of the Noble Families, wouldn't let him off lightly.

Xiang Yuan didn't drink. At his age, he wouldn't look out of place at the children's table. He kept his head down and ate the whole time, responding to whatever Xiao He and County Lieutenant Qin said with a simple, "Ah, right, right, right."

"Little Qin, ever since I came to Fengxian County in Dezhou, I've studied poetry and books daily. In my leisure time, I don't even have a playmate, which has been terribly difficult for me."

"What does Young Master Xiao mean?"

County Lieutenant Qin's eyes lit up, and he started flattering, "Your status is noble, and the yamen should indeed send someone to protect you. Although the older ones understand the rules, they are rigid and don't know how to adapt, which might displease you."

"Makes sense."

"This subordinate thinks this young brother here is very good. He's quick-witted, eloquent, skilled in martial arts, and righteous. With him protecting you, he can also keep you company during your leisure time."

"Brother Yuan is a Constable and has official duties. It might not be appropriate... right?"

"It's suitable, more than suitable. This subordinate will go back and issue an order to have him assigned to protect you personally."

In just a few words, public resources were being used for private gain.