Chapter Seventy: A Lesson

Steward Xing was not surprised to think of the possibility of dividing the family. No clan could grow stronger forever; at some point, division was inevitable. Such cases were not rare, but rather abundant. When internal conflicts in a clan reached an irreconcilable level, splitting up became a necessity.

"If Zhen Qian really divides the family...?" Steward Xing's heart suddenly burned with excitement. The thought that the position of chief steward in the Zhen family was still held by Wang Qun made him grit his teeth. That old man had ruined countless opportunities for him, and... Steward Xing couldn't help but let his mind wander further.

In feudal society, clans were the basic unit; the size of a clan determined its voice and influence. If harmony prevailed within, no one would foolishly suggest dividing the family.

Although Steward Xing had no say in whether Zhen Qian would split the clan, the matter was intimately tied to his own interests—it brought both advantages and disadvantages. Weighing the pros and cons in his mind, he saw a maidservant hurriedly run over. "Second Steward, someone is looking for you at the back gate. They say it's urgent."

"Who is it?" Steward Xing instinctively asked, puzzled about who would seek him out today.

As he pondered who should not appear, his gaze full of doubt, the maid replied, "It’s the three shopkeepers who often deliver vegetables to the Zhen residence, and a woman with a child. She said her house was robbed..."

Before the maid had finished speaking, Steward Xing felt as if his mind had been struck hard—his whole world spun. This was disaster! If he still didn’t understand what was happening, his head might as well be filled with water. Just remembering Zhen Qian’s sudden outburst earlier, first exposing his affairs before the Xing family, then summoning those connected to him—a dizzying series of moves left him utterly bewildered.

No, something was off!

After a brief moment of distraction, Steward Xing realized the issue: timing! Yes, timing. Shouldn’t these people have appeared when his misdeeds were being exposed? Could it be Zhen Qian’s oversight? That shouldn’t be possible! Confused, Steward Xing could not figure out why they had only now been called in.

But the people were already here, and he could not avoid meeting them. With things as they were, he could only steel himself and proceed.

Like a lost soul, Steward Xing ran to the back courtyard gate, where he found a crowd gathered. He saw several familiar figures speaking to others. He dared not linger, silently praying for nothing to go wrong—otherwise, today would truly be his end.

Yet in the next moment, Steward Xing was completely stunned, staring in disbelief at those before him. "What’s going on here? Why is Wang Qun here?"

If asked whom Steward Xing hated most in the Zhen household, the answer was not Zhen Qian, but Wang Qun—the chief steward, who handled all the Zhen family’s external business and assets. The flow of money and resources under his control had driven Steward Xing mad with envy.

Steward Xing knew well that his position as second steward of the inner court was owed to the Xing family, but ousting Wang Qun required the second master’s approval. Yet Wang Qun’s stewardship was flawless—finding grounds to remove him was as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Seeing Wang Qun at the back gate, Steward Xing cursed inwardly and hurried forward, only to find Wang Qun smiling and chatting with the three shopkeepers. As Steward Xing approached, Wang Qun turned and gave him a cold glance. “Steward Xing, just in time. The eldest son’s courtyard bought some ingredients today. Please record it in the accounts.”

Steward Xing nearly jumped up in anger, but with the words on his lips, he dared not speak them aloud. This was Zhen Qian and Wang Qun collaborating to put him in his place. They had just given him a warning, and now, veiled and indirect, were encroaching on his territory—was this a prelude to driving him out?

Though his heart screamed in protest, he forced himself to endure, especially in front of these people. If his cover as a bribe-taker were blown, he would be finished at the Zhen residence.

Thinking this, Steward Xing shot a fierce glare at his concubine, who was eager to step forward, then turned and replied in a low, submissive voice, “If the chief steward needs ingredients, just say the word, no need to trouble yourself.”

Wang Qun’s expression remained unchanged, but his tone was meaningful. “Today is the mistress’s birthday. I thought you’d be busy and unable to handle small matters, so I came by at leisure. Since you’re available, I won’t overstep.” With that, he instructed the servants to carry the ingredients into the Zhen residence and strode away, leaving Steward Xing dumbfounded and speechless.

Seeing Wang Qun depart, the three shopkeepers hurried over, all speaking at once and equally bewildered, asking Steward Xing what was happening.

Steward Xing was frustrated but could not explain, forcing a smile uglier than bitterness. “Don’t worry, today is the mistress’s birthday. I was distracted and made a small mistake. It’s all settled now.”

Despite his words, the shopkeepers remained confused. Having been summoned inexplicably to the Zhen residence, only to encounter Wang Qun instead of Steward Xing, they speculated that the purchasing arrangements might have changed, wondering if Steward Xing had fallen out of favor, and thinking it wise to prepare in advance.

After placating them with a few words, Steward Xing quickly dismissed the troublesome group. As if today’s worries were not enough, he had no time for pointless disputes. Once they left, he finally had a moment to examine his concubine and son, his heart already dead with despair. He hurried away, dragging his concubine to a secluded spot before asking in a low voice what had happened.

Keeping a concubine was not much different from modern-day mistresses. In these times, wealth brought a man three or four wives home, as long as the main wife did not roar like a lion from the east, he could enjoy the pleasures of many women. But for a mere household steward to keep a concubine, the matter could be trivial or grave. At best, it meant Steward Xing was greedy and lustful; at worst, it could ruin the reputation of the entire Zhen family—a serious affair!

Steward Xing, furious, demanded, “What happened? Didn’t I tell you never to come to the Zhen residence?”

His concubine knew her place—otherwise, Steward Xing wouldn’t keep her outside. Thinking of her situation, she flared with anger. “When have you ever cared for me, cared for this family? The child is four years old and still can’t tell anyone who his father is. I can’t go on like this!”

Steward Xing was annoyed as well. “Why say such things? Am I not helpless myself? I give you twenty or thirty strings of cash every month, what more do you want? Tell me—why did you come today? Was someone threatening you, what did they say?”

“There really was a thief!” The concubine, no longer willing to argue, explained what had happened.

Hearing that a thief had indeed broken in—boldly, in broad daylight, while the concubine was cooking—and stolen all the silver hidden at home, Steward Xing realized she wanted to report the crime but dared not. If anyone asked about her husband, how could she answer? Thus, she had no choice but to seek him out.