Nightmare Begins

After nightfall, Xie An had Qiu Lan bring him ginseng chicken soup again. He downed four big bowls before finally falling into a deep sleep.

Xie An felt that he had slept exceptionally, exceptionally deeply.

He even had an incomparably realistic dream:

Heavy snow swirled through the air, and a lone carriage stood alone.

Xie An took Zhao Hu to Li Family Village to investigate the mass flight of tenant farmers.

At the village entrance, tax clerks beat bronze gongs to demand taxes; a line of grain payers, withered like dead vines, stretched onward; corpses hung densely upside down from a crooked old locust tree; an old Daoist performed rites... Children played and chased through the village, peddlers shouted their wares, and Li Degui fawned and groveled...

"Night will soon fall. Young Master, why not rest at my humble home for the night? Tomorrow, I'll take you door to door to make inquiries."

"There's no need to stay the night. Help me fill the hot-water bottle with hot water."

Xie An took the hot-water bottle filled with hot water and was about to leave when he suddenly heard a piercing clamor of bronze gongs:

"Clang, clang, clang... Time to collect grain! Time to pay taxes..."

Fuck!

Xie An suddenly cried out and jolted upright from the bed.

All around him was the familiar bedroom: silk bedding, a dressing table, and a warm brazier.

There was no Li Degui, no sound of bronze gongs, and no cries demanding taxes.

It had only been a nightmare...

Xie An shook his head and brought up the panel.

[Ten-Thousand Questions Martial Arts Model Lv1]

[Qi and Blood: 1.0]

[Spirit: 1.0]

[Martial Arts Realm: None]

[Talent: None]

[Taishan Fist: Mountain-Suppressing Stance (Complete)]

The information displayed on this panel could be adjusted. Xie An had removed the host's name, gender, age, and identity.

"No wonder I feel so much stronger. My qi and blood have reached 1.0—the baseline for an adult man. It seems the Mountain-Suppressing Stance made up for all the deficits in my body."

Not long after, Qiu Lan arrived carrying a water basin, washbasin, and toiletries, attending to Xie An as he washed up and changed clothes.

After changing into a brocade robe, draping a fox-fur cloak over himself, and putting on cloud-patterned boots, Xie An headed out for his meal.

In truth, the West Courtyard where Xie An lived had its own separate kitchen. Qiu Lan could cook herself, or summon a cook from elsewhere to prepare food. However, according to the household rules, whenever his father was home, Xie An had to eat in the flower hall of the central courtyard.

The customs of Great Qian were much like those of ancient times in his previous life. They placed particular emphasis on the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues: loyalty, filial piety, righteousness, propriety, a kind father and filial sons, friendly elder brothers and respectful younger brothers.

After walking out of the main residence, Xie An did not see Zhao Hu and could not help asking, "Where is Zhao Hu?"

Zhao Hu was a martial artist hired by the Xie Household specifically to protect Xie An. He normally lived with Qiu Lan in the side rooms of the West Courtyard, ready at all times to heed Xie An's orders.

Qiu Lan muttered, "Who knows what's gotten into him? Zhao Hu is usually so diligent, but not only did he get up very late today, he also said he wasn't feeling well and went to the apothecary outside to get medicine."

Xie An looked up at the falling snow. "It's been snowing heavily for days. Catching a chill is nothing unusual. Later, make sure his medicine money is paid."

Qiu Lan puffed out her cheeks. "Young Master is just too kind-hearted. Let's hurry to the flower hall in the central courtyard. Master and Second Madam are waiting for you—especially Third Miss. She's probably been craning her neck waiting for you."

Xie An's mother had died when he was three. After that, he had been raised by his second mother, Zhou Lan.

The Third Miss Qiu Lan spoke of was Second Mother's only daughter, Xie Xiaoyu. She was six years old this year, obedient and adorable.

Xie An passed through layer after layer of corridors and, from afar, saw a little girl in a pink padded jacket standing at the hanging flower gate of the central courtyard, looking anxiously from side to side. The moment she saw Xie An, she spread her arms and ran toward him, her plump little face wearing an utterly innocent and radiant smile.

"Big bwother, Big bwother..."

Six-year-old Xie Xiaoyu ran on her short little legs, stepping deep and shallow through the snow. Her body swayed as though she might tumble over at any moment.

Everyone liked children.

Especially such a pretty, lovable little girl.

The sight eased Xie An's heart considerably. He crouched down and gathered Xie Xiaoyu into his arms.

Mwah!

"Big bwother, I missed you so much! I wanted to see you yesterday, but Mother wouldn't let me. She said Big Bwother fainted from fright and needed to rest quietly." Xie Xiaoyu planted a fierce kiss on Xie An's cheek, wrapped her arms around his neck, and asked worriedly, "Big Bwother, are you all right?"

Xie An's mood immediately brightened. He reached out and pinched her soft, rosy cheek. "Isn't Big Brother standing right in front of you, perfectly fine? What could possibly be wrong?"

"Mm-hm!"

Xie Xiaoyu nodded hard. "What frightened Big Bwother yesterday? Hurry and tell Little Yu!"

Xie An carried Xie Xiaoyu toward the central courtyard. "Aren't you afraid it'll scare you unconscious if I tell you?"

Xie Xiaoyu counted on her tiny fingers, her soft pink lips pursed as she muttered, "I'm a little, little bit scared. But Mother told me I have to practice martial arts well so I can protect Big Bwother in the future. After Father passes away, Mother also wants me to help Big Bwother manage the family business."

Xie An could not help freezing for a moment.

His father was in the prime of life... Why was she already talking about after he passed away?

Only an innocent little girl like her would dare say such things.

Still, Xie An was quite touched, and he also understood Second Mother's intentions.

Though Second Mother Zhou Lan had been with his father for more than ten years, she had always remained a concubine and had never been elevated to principal wife.

Thus, Xie An was the Xie Household's only legitimate son.

Second Mother had Xiaoyu practice martial arts so she could protect him in the future... She was placing herself firmly in the proper position of a concubine.

Of course, that was partly because his father managed the household well, but Second Mother herself came from a scholarly family and was gentle and sensible. She had never harbored any desire to overstep her station.

Xie An liked this kind of clearly ordered family relationship.

One had to know that in ancient wealthy households, wives and concubines fighting for favor was all too common. Some concubines even poisoned the sons of other concubines to rise in rank. Some went so far as to poison even their own sons...

As for brothers fighting over the family fortune until they turned against one another like enemies... There were even more such cases.

If he had ended up in that sort of family, it would have been terribly vexing.

Fortunately, Xie An felt that he was very lucky.

Carrying Xie Xiaoyu into the flower hall, Xie An saw Xie Zhengtang sitting ramrod straight in the seat of honor, dressed in the robes of a wealthy gentleman. Beside him sat a middle-aged beauty in a pale green silk high-waisted skirt. She wore neither gold nor silver, with only a simple silver hair ornament tucked into her bun.

It was none other than Second Mother Zhou Lan.

Seeing Xie Xiaoyu sprawled against Xie An's chest, Zhou Lan hurriedly rose and scolded, "Xiaoyu, you're becoming more and more unruly. Eldest Young Master has not yet recovered. Yet you're climbing all over him like this—what if you harm his health? Get down at once."

Xie Xiaoyu immediately pouted in grievance. "I just like Big Bwother."

Zhou Lan continued to scold her. "Even so, you must wait until Eldest Young Master is fully recovered. Get down now, or I'll spank you when we get back."

Zhou Lan had always kept her status properly in mind, ever cautious and fearful of overstepping the household rules.

Having lived two lives, Xie An naturally understood Zhou Lan's thoughts. After taking his seat, he placed the aggrieved Xie Xiaoyu, who was nearly crying, on his lap and smiled. "Second Mother, don't blame Xiaoyu. I'm the one who likes holding her."

Xie Xiaoyu immediately brightened and glared at Zhou Lan. "See? Big Bwother likes Little Yu too."

Since Xie An had spoken, Zhou Lan could no longer continue scolding her. She turned toward Xie Zhengtang in the seat of honor, her face full of guilt. "Master, it is all my fault for failing to teach Xiaoyu properly. That is why she has become so unruly, not even understanding the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born children, high and low."

Xie Zhengtang chuckled. "Isn't it good for a family to be happy and harmonious? Today, we speak not of legitimate or concubine-born, high or low—only of family. Cai Xia, serve the dishes."

At the family head's command, the head maid Cai Xia, who had long been waiting nearby, immediately called for the maids and cooks to begin bringing out the food.

The dishes were abundant: pepper-salt grilled beef ribs, braised pork belly, fish in soy sauce and vinegar, hen-and-ginseng soup, lotus seed porridge...

Sitting on Xie An's lap, Xie Xiaoyu gripped a grilled beef rib with both little hands and gnawed at it wildly, her face slick with grease. Zhou Lan scolded her repeatedly to mind her manners, but Xiaoyu had Big Bwother backing her up and refused to listen.

In the end, Xie Zhengtang burst into laughter. "It's fine. This is quite good."

A smile appeared at the corner of Xie An's lips as well.

Yes.

This was good for a family.

He liked this atmosphere very much.

After the meal had gone through five flavors.

Xie Zhengtang set down his bowl and chopsticks, stretching out a hand slightly. Cai Xia immediately presented him with a hand towel.

After wiping the grease from the corners of his mouth, Xie Zhengtang took a puff from his dry tobacco pipe. "Mingxi, I heard you asked Uncle Shui for an introductory martial arts manual. How is your reading going?"

Xie An wolfed down his ginseng soup and answered vaguely, "I only just started reading it."

"Do you find it difficult?"

"It's all right."

Hmph.

Xie Zhengtang felt that Xie An's answer was rather arrogant. He then felt that Xie An's attitude toward martial arts was improper, so he sternly corrected him.

"Do you know what an unrivaled genius your Uncle Shui was in his youth? Even with other martial arts as a foundation, it still took him one year and nine months to cultivate Taishan Fist to completion. Martial arts are arts of killing and must never be treated as child's play. If you truly wish to practice martial arts, you must be more humble. Whenever you encounter something you do not understand, seek Uncle Shui's guidance more often. You must never be rash and arrogant."

Wait...

I thought saying "it's all right" was already being low-key. How had it become arrogance by the time it reached Father?

Though Xie Zhengtang was a merchant, the authority he carried was extremely imposing.

Still, Xie An was fine.

He had been a father in his previous life too, so he naturally understood Xie Zhengtang's painstaking intentions. Thus, he did not argue. "Father's lesson is correct. Your son understands."

Seeing that Xie An had corrected his attitude well enough, Xie Zhengtang finally showed a faint smile. "That is the right attitude. If you can endure the hardships of martial arts training, it is better than loafing around outside. If you cannot endure them, there is no need to force yourself. Your father is still in the prime of life and can continue to look after you."

Warmth rose in Xie An's heart. He then asked about Li Family Village. "How does Father intend to handle the matter at Li Family Village?"

Xie Zhengtang's pupils contracted. He had not wanted to tell him, but seeing that Mingxi had indeed become much more sensible lately, he decided to cultivate him a little and said one more thing. "I have invited Daoist Li Yunfeng of Returning Dragon Abbey. Six days from now, he will conduct a sacrificial rite at the entrance of Li Family Village to soothe the dead souls of the tenant farmers and dispel their resentment. Once the rite is over, the matter of Li Family Village will be considered settled."

Xie An nodded. "Father's arrangements are most appropriate."

According to the county annals, whenever strange incidents had occurred in Qingwu County in the past, peace would return as long as the Daoists from Returning Dragon Abbey went to perform rites and hang lanterns.

After lunch, Xie An cupped his hands to his father and Second Mother, then left beneath Xiaoyu's reluctant gaze.

Returning to the main residence of the West Courtyard, Xie An sat cross-legged on the bed and entered meditation, opening the second level of Taishan Fist.

"The first level, Mountain-Suppressing Stance, is already complete. Now I can transplant the second level, Mountain-Taming Fist..."