The Xu Household Bared Its Fangs

Xu Mao's eyes slid sideways, sweeping Bai Jing from head to toe.

Her skin was as lush and tender as a freshly peeled lychee, her waist swaying like a willow brushed by the wind. A wicked heat surged through his loins, and some lewd remark was already on the tip of his tongue.

But the middle-aged steward had a keen eye. Seeing what Xu Mao had in mind, he immediately cupped his fists. "Please forgive us, Madam Xu. My young master speaks without thinking. He was merely curious about that white cat."

Xu Mao glanced at his steward. Only after seeing the look the man gave him did he purse his lips and let the matter drop.

Born into a great clan, yet he hasn't a shred of sense. A mocking smile touched Xu Mingxian's lips.

"What did you say, brat?"

Enraged that even a child dared mock him, Xu Mao shot to his feet with a shout.

"Are you, a grown man, going to argue with a six-year-old child?"

By the time Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu were born, the Xu Household was no longer as poor as it had once been.

Xu Chuan, his wife, and the girls' older brothers had all doted on them. They had grown somewhat mischievous and had always spoken their minds.

The middle-aged steward smiled. "Young master, you said we had no eye for things. What did you mean?"

"That's a Fierce Tiger cub in my sister's arms. You called it a white cat. Doesn't that make you blind as a bat?"

The middle-aged steward froze.

Xu Mao burst out laughing. "A Fierce Tiger cub? You think I've never seen a Fierce Tiger? What kind has white fur?"

"Mistaking a white cat for a Fierce Tiger—you really are Xu Chuan's children."

Xu Mingshu flared up too. She pointed at Xu Mao. "Little White, bite him."

Little White seemed to understand her. Its crimson-gold eyes flashed fiercely as it looked at Xu Mao.

It opened its mouth, baring tiger fangs that had not yet fully grown.

"Xueji, who are you telling it to bite?"

"Haven't I told you not to let Little White bite people whenever you please?"

An easygoing voice came from outside the gate.

Xu Chuan then entered the courtyard with Xu Mingwei, Sun Fugui, and Qian Youcai.

Outside stood seven or eight simply dressed, burly men beside several handcarts.

The carts carried baskets upon baskets of Jade Pears.

"Dad, you're back!"

Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu called out and ran toward Xu Chuan.

Bai Jing breathed a quiet sigh of relief and smiled. "You're back, husband. Young Master Xu and the others have been waiting for a while."

Xu Chuan nodded and turned to Xu Mao with a smile. "Brother Xu, it's been a long time."

"Dad, that man insulted you just now."

Xu Mingshu bared her little tiger teeth as she tattled to Xu Chuan.

"You little brat." Xu Mao glared at Xu Mingshu, his face dark with anger.

"Master Xu, my young master was only joking. Please don't take offense."

The middle-aged steward smiled apologetically, trying to smooth things over.

"For Third Master Xu's sake, I won't. But the Xu Household has much to do today, so I'm afraid we can't entertain you."

The middle-aged steward frowned slightly.

Xu Mao acted as if he had not understood and sneered arrogantly. "As if you'd dare!"

"Those outside are this year's Jade Pears, aren't they? Hand them over, and I won't hold your daughter's offense against her. The Xu Lineage isn't stingy. We won't short your household on payment."

"Brother Xu, are you talking nonsense?" Xu Chuan chuckled and stroked Xu Mingshu's head. "Why would I give you my pears?"

"My household is opening a Fruit Shop in the county seat. These Jade Pears are going there for tomorrow's opening."

The middle-aged steward understood.

They could only return empty-handed today.

The Xu Household had handed its Jade Pears over to the Xu Lineage year after year because the Xu Lineage held the upper hand. They had merely endured it and bided their time.

"Xu Chuan, you dare refuse me? Do you mean to offend the Xu Lineage?!"

"What a thing to say. If I don't sell you what belongs to me, that's an offense? Then would your lineage sell me the medicinal herbs you've cultivated on twenty mu of land for thirty percent below market price?"

"If you would, I might consider the deal."

"What a joke!" Xu Mao laughed in fury.

The middle-aged steward did not want relations between the two households to worsen further. He hurriedly cupped his fists to Xu Chuan. "Since Master Xu already has plans for those Jade Pears, we won't trouble you any longer."

With that, he dragged Xu Mao away.

Xu Mao looked thoroughly unwilling to leave.

"Steward Wang, why did you drag me away? Xu Chuan doesn't know what's good for him. I was about to teach him a lesson."

"With the men we brought?" the middle-aged steward asked in return. "Even if we could, he won't sell. Are we supposed to rob him? Aren't you afraid he'll file a complaint at the County Yamen, accusing us of stealing his Jade Pears?"

"Then the Xu Lineage would suffer a serious loss and lose the good name it has across all the surrounding villages."

"We'd best go back and tell Third Master Xu, Second Master Xu, and the family head. Let them decide."

"Hmph!"

After the steward said that, Xu Mao had no choice but to return home, however unwillingly.

At the Xu Lineage's compound.

"Xu Chuan really said that?"

Third Master Xu sat at the head of the hall. After hearing the middle-aged steward's account, he stroked his beard. "So be it. Things have come to this; there's no point holding out hope."

"I underestimated Xu Chuan. I thought he was nothing but an honest, timid farmer."

"But as long as the Xu Lineage manages its other businesses well, we can still flourish."

After a pause, he added, "Steward Wang, you said the Xu Household's Fruit Shop opens in the county seat tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Make some inquiries, then take a congratulatory gift over for the opening tomorrow."

"We're both in Dongxi Village. We should at least keep up appearances."

"Yes, Third Master Xu." The middle-aged steward acknowledged the order and withdrew.

"As for you, stay home for a while. Don't go out stirring up trouble. Ah, our branch will have to pin its hopes on Gan'er."

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mao was still seething.

Xu Chuan used to bow before him like grass flattened by the wind, bending at the waist like a tattered rag. How dared he treat Xu Mao this way after only a few years?!

The foul breath lodged in his throat burned worse than a swallowed coal!

Hmph. I may not be able to deal with you, but I have a fine son.

Gan'er is learning martial arts from his second uncle at the Black Wind Martial Hall. He's the one in the Xu Lineage most likely to become our next First-Class Martial Artist.

Xu Chuan, your Fruit Shop opens tomorrow, does it? Let's see how you manage that if trouble breaks out.

Xu Mao ignored his father's warning and rode straight to Qingjiang County Seat.

When the middle-aged steward learned Xu Mao had left the Xu Residence, he immediately reported it to Third Master Xu.

Third Master Xu waved a hand. "Let him go to the county seat and clear his head, so long as he doesn't provoke the Xu Household."

"I only ask that the two households keep to their own wells and leave each other alone."

At the Xu Household.

"Shitou, take Sun Fugui and Qian Youcai and deliver the Jade Pears to A Yuan. Go now."

"All right, Dad." Xu Mingwei nodded.

Xu Mingxian looked at Xu Chuan and asked curiously, "Dad, why didn't you teach that Xu fellow a lesson just now?"

"Yeah! Xueji doesn't like him, and neither does Little White."

"Awoo~" The little white tiger had its head patted and joined in.

"A man like him is a worm eating away at the Xu Lineage. Isn't he more useful alive, gnawing the lineage hollow until it collapses?"

A knowing smile curved Xu Chuan's lips. "Besides, Dad has a use for him. Tomorrow I'll take you to the county seat to watch a good show. If things go well, we can vent some of this anger too."

Xu Chuan patted both girls on the head, then added, "It's not noon yet. Go practice your punches a little longer."

"But Dad, didn't we practice this morning?" Xu Mingshu pouted unhappily.

Xu Chuan's face turned stern. He said nothing.

At the sight, the two girls obediently began practicing their punches in the courtyard.

The little white tiger escaped Xu Mingshu's clutches.

It sprawled in the corridor, yawned, and basked lazily in the sun.

After half a month, it had grown used to its new life and listened closely to Xu Mingshu.