Volume One, Chapter 11: Would You Like Me to Help You?

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Fan Xiu stared fixedly at Scarface, his eyes showing not a trace of retreat. It wasn’t that Xiao Ruoqing was so important to him. Rather, as someone who had traveled from the 21st century, he inherently despised this kind of betrayal! He had said before that Xiao Ruoqing was his wife; if he couldn’t protect her, how could he face the world? More importantly, in front of someone like Scarface, he could not show even the slightest weakness, or he would be pushed into a corner with no way out. Watching Fan Xiu stand protectively before her, Xiao Ruoqing felt a sudden surge of emotion. This guy actually stood up to defend her. For that alone, once she returned to the palace, she would no longer castrate him—she would even reward him with an official title! Wait a moment! She was on the verge of bursting with urgency.

“Then settle the debt!” Scarface sneered.

“Cough, cough!” At that moment, Steward Wang cleared his throat heavily and said, “Um... Manager Zhang, having a scholar like Fan in the Fan family is a blessing for all of Zhiyuan County. What you’re doing is a bit excessive.”

Fan Xiu frowned. What was Steward Wang up to? He could tell Wang was far more difficult to deal with than Scarface. Scarface’s voice turned cold: “What do you mean?” Fan Xiu looked at Steward Wang, but then Xiao Ruoqing tugged him gently. He looked down in confusion and sharply noticed her slight, uncontrollable trembling, her face twisted in pain, and her legs tightly crossed. That expression... In an instant, Fan Xiu understood—Xiao Ruoqing urgently needed to relieve herself. Quickly, Fan Xiu whispered so only she could hear, “Hold on... hold on a bit longer, Your Majesty!”

Xiao Ruoqing was overwhelmed by a crushing shame, furious and humiliated beyond words. So embarrassing! The illustrious Empress of Dayin, standing before so many, had to beg a man for help with such a humiliating matter! Steward Wang chuckled, “I have a proposal. Let’s renegotiate the debt. Manager Zhang, for the one hundred taels owed, Scholar Fan can use the Fan family’s land and property deeds as collateral. If the debt isn’t repaid in ten days, the land and house will be forfeited.”

At that moment, Fan Xiu seized the opportunity when no one was paying attention, grabbed the chamber pot from under the bed, and in a swift motion shoved it roughly into Xiao Ruoqing’s bedding. Then, he gave her a secretive look. Xiao Ruoqing nearly broke down in tears, glaring at him with a mix of anger and shame. What was Fan Xiu implying? Was he really expecting the Empress of Dayin to relieve herself in bed in front of all these people?

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This shame was even more unbearable than Fan Xiu’s stealing of her first kiss, changing her clothes, or groping her. Scarface pondered for a moment and said coldly, “One hundred and forty taels!” Fan Xiu gritted his teeth, “Fine! Let’s talk outside!” Ten days of grace was better than nothing. The principal was lost and now they had to resort to underhanded means. Li Chuntao’s face was full of grief, “No, where will you get so much money in ten days?” The others in the Fan family looked equally hopeless. How could they possibly gather one hundred and forty taels in ten days? Fan Xiu asked, “Then what? Should they just take the land and house now?” Li Chuntao fell silent, only despair lingering in her eyes. Xiao Ruoqing tugged at Fan Xiu’s clothes again, her cheeks burning as if about to drip water. Fan Xiu knew he couldn’t wait any longer.

“Steward Wang,” Fan Xiu said quickly, “shall we talk outside?” Steward Wang glanced at the noble yet dependent woman beside Fan Xiu, then nodded seriously, “Fine.” He led two servants outside. Fan Xiu looked at Scarface. Scarface greedily eyed Xiao Ruoqing before snorting coldly at Fan Xiu and walking out. The others followed. Fan Xiu finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Xiao Ruoqing, “Alright, it’s over.” Xiao Ruoqing’s eyes were vacant as she said, “You... you should leave too.” “Don’t you want me to help?” Fan Xiu asked. Her eyes instantly sharpened with anger. “How else could you help me?” “Uh…” Embarrassed, Xiao Ruoqing smiled awkwardly, “I’ll go out first.” She slipped outside quickly, closing the door behind her. Outside, Fan Xiu eyed Steward Wang warily, “Why are you helping me so much? What do you want?” Steward Wang chuckled, “It’s simple. If Scholar Fan transfers the tax exemption privilege to our Zhao family, the one hundred and fifty taels will be forgiven, plus we’ll give you fifty taels as a bonus.” The privileges of a scholar were many: no court appearances, no kneeling before officials, and most importantly, tax exemption! The Fan family brightened at the news. Such a good deal?

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Li Chuntao urged Fan Xiu, “What are you waiting for? Agree to it!” “No!” Fan Xiu refused outright. “Your Zhao family is dreaming too big.” Come on! He was going into business; how much tax could he avoid with a scholar’s status? There was no way he would give two hundred taels to the Zhao family! Li Chuntao cried out, “Are you crazy?” Steward Wang asked puzzled, “This doesn’t harm you. You’re still going to take the imperial exams, so the tax exemption isn’t much use.” Fan Xiu pondered for two seconds, then replied, “Tell Zhao Yuanwai I will never give him the tax exemption. But there is a business deal—if he’s interested, we can talk.” Steward Wang cupped his hands, “I will faithfully convey your words.” Then he bowed to Fan Shoucheng, “Sorry for the trouble today, we shall meet again.” With that, he and two servants turned and left. Scarface glared viciously at Fan Xiu, “You have ten days! If you don’t repay within ten days, not only will you lose your property, but your entire Fan family will be dragged off to settle the debt!” He kicked over a stool and strode out. The courtyard was left strewn with crushed lanterns, overturned pots, and toppled stools. Once vibrant with celebration for the scholar’s success, the Fan family now lay in ruin. “Ah!” Li Chuntao shouted in anger, leaning on her husband Fan Yuanyuan and weeping bitterly. Fan Dayuan steadied his wife, staring at the ruined home and despondent parents. This silent man’s eyes reddened and his jaw clenched. Lady Zhou sat on the ground, holding the still-sobbing Fan Yi, her gaze vacant and dazed. Fan Shoucheng slumped to the ground, tears streaming, muttering, “Such calamity... such calamity...” Many villagers remained in the yard, but their expressions were completely different now. When they first came, they wore flattering smiles. Now, only scorn and disdain remained, with fingers pointing and whispers spreading. “So what if the Fan family has a scholar?” “They can barely keep their home.” “...” Hearing the taunts, Fan Xiu glanced at his stunned mother and tear-streaked nephew. A flame of fury mixed with refusal to accept his fate surged to his head. “What are you looking at?!” Fan Xiu kicked a broken tile fiercely, shouting hoarsely, “What’s there to see?! Get lost! Studying? Damn studying!”