Who Has No Way to Live?

Jia Songlin, Earl of Zhongqin was a military general who loved excitement and drinking. Every day he would either go out to drink with friends or invite them to his home for drinks.

He had just finished a few drinks with his friends at home and was having Gao Xing when a servant came to report that Mister Kumu's steward Kang An, had come to see him.

"Huh? I, Old Jia, have absolutely no connection with Mister Kumu. Why would he send a servant here?" Jia Songlin muttered to his friend in confusion, but still ordered, "Please let him in."

"Mister Kumu has always been arrogant and haughty. He usually ignores people when we greet him on the street. But today he actually sent his steward to your residence, which shows that you have caught his eye. You are truly remarkable, my lord." His friend's flattery made Jia Songlin extremely happy.

Although Kang Shilin held no official position or title, his status was exceptional. Most importantly, he had high standards and looked down on most people. Therefore, being able to catch his eye was an honor in itself.

Therefore, Jia Songlin did not go elsewhere to receive Kang An, but simply stopped drinking, washed his hands, and sat down on a chair to show his respect for Mister Kumu.

A moment later, a servant led Kang An in.

"My lord, Kang An greets you." Kang An bowed.

"No need for formalities." Jia Songlin his hand and asked curiously, "May I ask what brings Mister Kumu here?"

Those friends stopped eating and drinking, and all turned to look at Kang An.

Kang An calmly bowed again and recounted how Jia Junze had set a trap for Ge Wu, and how Zhao Ruxi, unaware of the truth, had hired Ge Wu. He then recounted exactly what Jia Junze had said to threaten Zhao Ruxi in Beining today.

To ensure he could do this well, he made a point of contacting Gao Weiqiang and Uncle Lu before leaving the art academy, carefully inquiring about every word Jia Junze had said and memorizing it.

Jia Songlin filled with shock and anger, repeatedly muttering, "This unfilial son, this unfilial son..."

"These are the exact words of your esteemed young master. I have repeated them word for word, without adding or subtracting a single word. When our patriarch heard these words, he nearly fainted. After being helped up, he sent me here in tears, begging you, Lord Earl, to show mercy and spare the Earl of Suiping's Residence, including dozens of people, and his beloved disciple."

With that, Kang An knelt down in front of Jia Songlin.

Jia Songlin jumped up as if stung by a scorpion, avoiding Kang An's kneeling, and quickly went to help him up himself. "It's my son's fault, my son's fault! Steward Kang, please don't say that. My son was just talking nonsense, just spouting threats off the cuff, don't take it seriously. I, Jia Songlin, am just a minor earl, a fourth-rank military officer, how could I possibly have the power to ruin the Earl of Suiping's Residence? It was just my son making things up. Go back and tell the old master, he absolutely mustn't take it seriously."

Despite his unremarkable appearance, Kang An was chosen by Kang Shilin and kept by his side for many years not only because of his strong abilities and excellent acting skills, but also because he was skilled in martial arts.

Even when Jia Songlin pulled hard, he wouldn't get up, crying with snot and tears streaming down his face. The fifty-something-year-old man looked particularly pitiful. "If he didn't have the ability, how could your esteemed young master dare to say such a thing? Since he said so, he must have the ability. Besides, he also said he wanted to force himself on my master's young apprentice..."

"My poor old master took on a new apprentice after twenty years, and he doted on his youngest disciple immensely, never daring to utter a harsh word to her, yet she was humiliated like this by your esteemed son. At that time Fifth Miss Zhao was about to commit suicide, but the people of the painting academy stopped her. Everyone in the academy wanted to plead with your esteemed family, begging you to show mercy and spare the Earl of Suiping's Residence and Fifth Miss Zhao. But my old master stopped him, saying he still believed he had some influence. Perhaps the Marquis, out of consideration for his old face, might spare his youngest disciple's life. Therefore, he sent me to try and see if the Marquis could give him some face and spare his youngest disciple."

These words sounded truly pathetic. The friends sitting next to him all wore strange expressions, and their gazes towards Jia Songlin were also odd.

At this point, Kang An kowtowed deeply to Jia Songlin, pleading, "Please, Lord, spare the Earl of Suiping's Residence and spare Fifth Miss Zhao!"

Jia Songlin's old face had already turned a deep, liver-colored red.

Who is Kang Shilin? He's the kind of person who dares to scold even the Emperor, and the Emperor is willing to let him scold him. And what is Jia Songlin? In front of these friends, he might be a nobleman or a military general, but in front of Kang Shilin, he's nothing. If Kang Shilin keeps targeting him, it's questionable whether he can still hold onto his fourth-rank military general position.

You must understand that in the Emperor's eyes, his uncle Kang Shilin was irreplaceable; but Jia Songlin, a fourth-rank military officer, could be replaced at will.

Jia Junze had made a mistake, and Kang Shilin came knocking on his door and started yelling at him, he wouldn't be afraid. But since the old gentleman had already scolded him, the matter would just be over. Even the Emperor wouldn't say much, at most he'd casually remark during a meeting about official business, telling him to discipline his son more. People in the capital would just gossip a bit and then move on.

But the old man was unpredictable. He casually sent a steward to kowtow to him, putting him and the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence in a precarious position with no way out.

Is Kang Shilin's head so easy to lower? Are the words "please" so pleasant to hear? Is Steward Kang's head so easy to accept? They've forced the old gentleman to lower his proud head and send someone to plead for mercy. The four words "arrogant and spoiled" in the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence will probably be engraved on his forehead and can never be erased.

His son just threatened to ruin someone's family, and now someone has sent a servant who can directly cause their family's ruin.

What a ruthless tactic!

It's still an open scheme that no one can break!

The friends had also figured this out, and seeing Jia Songlin, they became even more uneasy, unsure whether to leave or stay. They were extremely embarrassed.

"Steward Kang, listen to me, let me explain. My scoundrel, you might not know, he's a man who speaks without restraint and talks nonsense. In fact, he wouldn't dare to do anything even if he had a thousand lives. But for him to say such things to a young girl is absolutely wrong. Even without the old gentleman saying anything, I would break his legs."

As he spoke, he tried to help Kang An up, as if he would kneel down opposite Kang An if Kang An didn't get up.

How could Kang An allow him to kneel? If he did, wouldn't the nature of the situation change completely?

He stood up, wiping away his tears, and said, "Lord, please don't say 'I wouldn't dare.' No matter what kind of person your son is, he shouldn't humiliate my master's youngest apprentice like this. Fifth Miss Zhao is still my master's youngest apprentice, and she is the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Suiping. If your son dares to humiliate and threaten her like this, then other people without power or influence would probably have no way to survive. Isn't Ge Wu a living example?"