Wen Tian’s heart sank. His grip tightened around his brush. “Tell them to come back. There’s no need to keep watch anymore.”
The servant bowed and retreated. Wen Tian stared at his book, but the words refused to register.
He left it open in front of him, trying to distract himself with something—anything—to ease the growing dread in his chest.
He picked up his brush again, but his hand trembled, dragging a long black line across the page.
Frustrated, he scribbled all over the paper, venting his emotions in ink. Then he flung the brush aside and shot to his feet, pacing restlessly around the study.
He had tried so hard to win over those elders. He had hoped, at the very least, to shift the balance in his favor.
But now… it seemed all the silver he’d handed out had been a complete waste. Things were slipping off the track he had so carefully planned.
Memories of his past life came flooding back. Wen Tian clenched his fists and slowly crouched down, burying his face in the crook of his arms.
He took a few deep breaths, willing himself not to panic. You still have the upper hand. You still have a chance.
But the shadow of that previous ending loomed like an unshakable storm cloud overhead. A wave of helpless terror surged up, threatening to drown him.
Wen Tian bit down hard on his arm to keep the stinging heat behind his eyes from turning into tears.
“Young master?” Dai Fu peeked hesitantly through the doorway, unsure whether to come in.
“What is it?” Wen Tian quickly rubbed his face on his sleeve, took a deep breath, and stood up, forcing himself to appear composed.
“Someone from Elder Wang’s household is waiting in the main hall.”
Wen Tian’s eyes lit up. He slapped his cheeks lightly to perk himself up and hurried toward the hall—only to stop abruptly at the entrance.
He quickly smoothed the anxious look off his face before stepping inside with calm, measured steps.
The visitor was Elder Wang’s personal servant. Upon seeing Wen Tian, the young man gave a respectful bow before passing along the elder’s message.
“Elder Wang said Master Wen came by this morning asking for a favor. Out of respect for the young master, the elder asked me to come deliver this message to you personally.”
“It’s said that Master Wen and the magistrate of Nanming Commandery share a bit of a connection…”
The servant didn’t say whether Elder Wang had agreed to Wen Boli’s request—but the mere fact that he had sent someone to inform Wen Tian implied he still valued their relationship.
Wen Tian politely thanked him and asked Dai Fu to escort the man out. Once alone, he slumped back in his seat and buried his face in his hands, rubbing hard.
So after all that effort… Wen Boli still managed to pull strings with the Nanming magistrate.
Wen Tian stood abruptly. He needed to speak with his mother. He couldn’t think of a solution on his own, but maybe she could.
The magistrate held authority over an entire region—far beyond what they could oppose. If Wen Boli succeeded in convincing him to intervene, they’d have to act fast on the divorce.
Chu Xiangtian had been busy these last few days but had kept an eye on the Wen family’s affairs. Worried Wen Tian wouldn’t be able to handle it alone, he rushed over as soon as his hands were free.
But Wen Tian wasn’t in the East Courtyard.
After asking around, Chu Xiangtian headed toward the main hall. Halfway there, he spotted Wen Tian walking from the opposite direction, head down and deep in thought.
He called out, but Wen Tian didn’t respond—so he simply stood still, waiting for him to walk closer.
Wen Tian, too distracted to notice, walked straight into Chu Xiangtian’s chest.
“Haven’t seen you in two days, and you’re already throwing yourself into my arms?” Chu Xiangtian grinned, wrapping his arms around him.
Wen Tian was a full head shorter, and his forehead fit perfectly under Chu Xiangtian’s chin. It only took one move to pull him into a secure embrace.
Wen Tian rubbed his sore nose and pushed himself out of the hug with a scowl.
“Why don’t you watch where you’re standing?!”
Chu Xiangtian raised a brow and replied innocently, “You were the one not watching where you were going.”
Wen Tian faltered, snorted, and brushed past him, continuing on his way.
Chu Xiangtian followed after him.
“I have good news. Want to hear it?”
Wen Tian ignored him and kept walking. Chu Xiangtian had tricked him once—he wasn’t going to fall for it again.
Watching the flustered little rabbit storm ahead, Chu Xiangtian didn’t press. Instead, he followed quietly, figuring he’d let Wen Tian finish whatever urgent matter he had. Then he’d share the good news.
Maybe the little noble would even jump with joy when he heard it.
Wen Tian headed to the main residence, only to find it empty. A servant told him that the lady of the house had gone to the shop early that morning. He hesitated—should he wait or go find her?
In the end, he decided to come back later that evening.
He asked the maid to notify him as soon as his mother returned, then trudged back, shoulders slumped.
Chu Xiangtian followed him into the East Courtyard and raised an eyebrow when Wen Tian went straight into the study. Curious, he stepped in behind him.
Wen Tian ignored the bandit leader’s presence and pulled out a book, flipping it open slowly.
He already knew the text by heart—but understanding it fully was a different matter.
He read carefully, line by line, marking anything confusing and comparing it against others’ commentaries until he could grasp it completely.
Reading was dull work, but if he focused hard enough, it brought him a rare sense of peace.
Chu Xiangtian picked up one of the books from the table.
The pages were clearly worn from use, and the margins were filled with neat little notes—questions Wen Tian had jotted down while studying.
He had assumed the boy’s desire to study was just drunken talk. But now, seeing the proof, he realized: Wen Tian was serious.
Chu Xiangtian took a seat across from him, flipping through the books before finally asking, “Why don’t you hire a tutor?”
Wen Tian was clearly starting from scratch. Studying on his own had to be exhausting. A tutor would make things easier.
“I’ll read on my own first,” Wen Tian replied, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
“You really want to take the imperial exam?”
Wen Tian hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“It’s better to have a title than to remain a commoner. At least then… people won’t dare push us around so easily.”
He frowned slightly, his voice serious. It was clear he was scared—and desperate to carve out his own path.
Chu Xiangtian didn’t know what he’d been through, but the fact that he had tried to win over the elders himself spoke volumes about his mistrust of the authorities.
Sighing inwardly, Chu Xiangtian finally spoke.
“I just got news—the magistrate of Nanming is under investigation for embezzling massive sums of silver. The county officials and elders of Sifang and Lehe Towns are implicated too.”
“The capital has already sent a royal inspector to conduct a full investigation.”
Wen Tian’s head snapped up, eyes wide. Chu Xiangtian added, “So relax. They won’t be able to threaten your family anymore.”
It was Chu Xiangtian himself who had the emperor send the inspector.
He and Zhou Chuanqing were only responsible for gathering evidence—they had no patience for the drawn-out legal process.
If it were up to them, heads would’ve rolled already.
“Is that true?” Wen Tian’s voice trembled with hope. The news came like rain after a long drought—almost too good to believe.
Chu Xiangtian pinched his cheek.
“It’s true. The inspector passed through West Mountain—Changxi saw them with his own eyes.”
Wen Tian didn’t even pause to question the details. If what Chu Xiangtian said was real, then he no longer had to worry about Wen Boli’s attempts to bribe the magistrate.
In fact, he even hoped Wen Boli would get caught in the act.
The gloom between his brows vanished. His eyes and nose were still red, but a smile finally bloomed across his face.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely.
Chu Xiangtian smirked.
“So… how are you going to thank me?”
Wen Tian froze. Puffing out his cheeks in thought, he ventured, “I’ll have Dai Fu tidy up a guest room in the East Courtyard. You can stay as long as you want.”
“And if you like any of the shops or estates under my name, you can pick whichever one you want…”
He twisted his fingers nervously.
Seeing Chu Xiangtian’s grin widen, he added, “Or—if there’s something you want, as long as it’s within my ability, I’ll do my best to give it to you.”
What a silly little thing, Chu Xiangtian thought, amused. He had only shared a piece of news—but the earnest young master was already offering up his entire fortune.
Shaking his head with a smile, Chu Xiangtian narrowed his eyes and said warmly:
“No need for anything else. Just give me a guest room in the East Courtyard.”