Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Young Master, Please Take Me In!

Qin Bao watched as Qin Sheng spat blood and fainted, his eyes devoid of the slightest trace of pity.

Qin Sheng had never harbored good intentions.

He always claimed that Qin Bao was his most beloved son, but the loathing and schemes in his gaze were as clear as day to Qin Bao. The original owner of this body had suffered at the hands of Qin Sheng and the stepmother’s family, and Qin Bao remembered every bit of it, determined to settle the scores one by one.

Qin Bao ordered, “Thirteen, fetch water.”

Wang Thirteen came in and dumped a basin of water onto Qin Sheng, who shivered and woke up with a resentful glare, grinding his teeth. “How could you do this?”

Qin Bao asked, “Was saving the Qin family not enough?”

Qin Sheng trembled with rage, his anger flaring. “I won’t take this official post.”

“That’s not up to you,” Qin Bao replied coolly, sipping his hot tea. “His Majesty’s decree has already been issued. You’ve received the appointment. If you defy the edict now, are you planning to commit treason?”

Qin Sheng’s entire body shook with fury.

Defying an imperial edict! Deceiving the Emperor!

What misfortune had befallen the family to produce such a rebellious son? Not only did he refuse to contribute to the family or his younger brother, now he set traps specifically for his father.

With trembling hands, Qin Sheng gripped the imperial edict. Rising, he looked at Qin Bao coldly and said in a low voice, “I know you harbor resentment in your heart.”

“But if you think this is the way to take revenge on me and the Qin family, you are gravely mistaken.”

“I have lived over forty years; the salt I’ve tasted is more than the roads you’ve walked.”

“You are not enough.”

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Qin Sheng swept his wide sleeves and said, “We’ll see. Sooner or later, you’ll come begging me.”

With that, he strode away.

Qin Bao chuckled lightly. “As the new official, you’d best consider well the duties of the Ministry of War’s Arsenal Division. This was Dou Ji’s position; now you’ve replaced him. The Dou family will not let this go.”

Qin Sheng stopped abruptly, his face taut, chest heaving, his eyes nearly spitting fire.

He had taken the Dou family’s position.

That meant Dou Zheng, the head of the Dou family, would certainly blame him, and the entire noble faction would target him as well.

It seemed like an official post, but in reality, he was about to face raging storms.

A bitterness rose in Qin Sheng’s throat—he nearly spat blood again, but forced it down, gasping as he dragged his heavy steps away.

He would never yield to a rebellious son!

He would find his footing in the Ministry of War!

And when he reached the pinnacle, he would make this unfilial son beg to be accepted back.

Watching Qin Sheng leave, Qin Bao reminded him, “Don’t forget the tribute. If His Majesty is angered, the Qin family will not escape easily.”

Qin Sheng nearly stumbled to the ground. He returned to the Qin household, burning with fury—it was already late at night.

The night was as dark as ink. Qin Sheng sat in the main hall, his mood foul.

That wretched son!

He had actually schemed against the Qin family.

Perhaps those previous hundred thousand taels of silver were also extorted by that scoundrel.

What kind of hatred drove such enmity against his own family?

But rage aside, he still had matters to handle. He sent for Lady Wu and Qin Youde, informing them they would have to donate two hundred thousand taels of silver in exchange for the official post of Arsenal Division Director in the Ministry of War.

Lady Wu, distressed, tried to comfort him. “Though we spent two hundred thousand taels, at least you’ve secured an official position. We’ll earn it back in time.”

Qin Youde saw no loss in this.

It was just money!

His eyes gleamed with hope and delight. “Father, now that you hold power, why worry about money? Besides, our family has businesses. I’ll have Chen Liuyuan cut back on materials at the Raincloud Brocade, and the dye house can economize too. We’ll make it back.”

Qin Sheng stroked his beard and said slowly, “Without a ruthless heart, business won’t thrive. You can cut back on materials, but do it gradually; don’t let it be noticed all at once. Also, reduce the monthly wages of stewards and craftsmen where appropriate.”

“I understand, Father,” Qin Youde replied gleefully.

After arranging the finances, Qin Sheng retired with Lady Wu. Boiling with anger, he needed Lady Wu’s comfort.

Qin Youde, busy plotting how to cut corners, was too excited to sleep.

Now that he was in charge of family businesses, great achievements lay ahead.

At dawn, Qin Youde left Xianyang and journeyed thirteen miles south to the Raincloud Brocade Weaving House.

Inside, many laborers bustled about.

Chen Liuyuan, the chief master of weaving, was in his early sixties. His hair was white, his back slightly bent, but he remained vigorous and strong. Wearing a light brown linen robe with sleeves rolled high, his muscled arms were exposed.

When Qin Youde entered, he ordered, “Call Chen Liuyuan here.”

Usually, it was Qin Bao who came.

Both the weaving and dye houses were managed by him. The former Qin Bao had been a diligent workhorse, always putting the Qin family first, eager to please them.

Chen Liuyuan approached—a face full of wrinkles, voice calm but firm. “Second Young Master, what brings you here today?”

Qin Youde got straight to the point. “Old Chen, I’m here to inform you: reduce the raw materials for Raincloud Brocade by twenty percent. The same goes for the dye house.”

“No,” Chen Liuyuan shook his head. “If we reduce materials, both the brocade and dyed cloth will suffer.”

Qin Youde’s anger flared. “That’s an order.”

Chen Liuyuan refused to yield. “These workshops are under the eldest young master’s charge. I only take his orders. Forgive me, but I cannot obey yours.”

Qin Youde’s hatred for Qin Bao ran bone-deep.

Because of Qin Bao’s lack of cooperation, his marriage to the Sun family had failed. Because of Qin Bao’s schemes, he had been sent to the magistrate’s office.

It was all Qin Bao’s fault.

At the mention of Qin Bao, Qin Youde’s temper exploded. He shouted, “Let me tell you—Qin Bao has already been expelled from the Qin family.”

“Now, I am in charge of the weaving and dye houses.”

“In short, if you want to work here, do as I say. If not, get out!”

He sneered, “You’re an old wretch with one foot in the grave. Without the Qin family, you’d have been devoured by stray dogs long ago!”

“You think you’re in any position to negotiate with me?”

“If you won’t do as I say, leave!”

His words were nothing but contempt and force.

Chen Liuyuan’s gaze turned cold at Qin Youde’s bullying. “Compared to the eldest young master, you’re not even fit to carry his shoes. I won’t serve here any longer.”

With that, he strode off.

Qin Youde sneered. The weaving and dye houses would function just fine without Chen Liuyuan.

The old man was too full of himself.

Chen Liuyuan packed his belongings, called his three apprentices, and announced, “The eldest young master has been expelled, and Qin Youde has taken over Raincloud Brocade and the dye house. I won’t stay. If you wish to leave with me, speak up.”

“I will follow you, Master,” said the youngest apprentice, Hu Ankang.

The eldest apprentice was silent for a long time before saying apologetically, “Master, I was born into the Qin household and cannot leave.”

The second apprentice said, “Master, I just married; my family depends on me. I need a stable life.”

Chen Liuyuan chuckled, waving his hand. “Everyone has their own path. I won’t force you. Come, Xiao Hu, pack your things. We’re leaving.”

“Yes, Master,” Hu Ankang replied.

Master and apprentice left the weaving house. Hu Ankang, a little lost, asked, “Master, where will we go now?”

“To find the eldest young master,” Chen Liuyuan replied without hesitation.

Hu Ankang grinned. “The eldest young master is a good person. He won’t abandon us.”

But Chen Liuyuan, though his brow was furrowed with worry, said nothing. The eldest young master had been cast out—who could say how he was faring?

Still, they had to try.

They returned to Xianyang, sought out acquaintances near the Qin residence, and soon learned that Qin Bao was living at Jade Verdure Garden. They headed straight there.

Near midday, Chen Liuyuan arrived at the gates of Jade Verdure Garden. The mansion was grander and more imposing than the Marquis of Changping’s residence, which made him even more uneasy.

The eldest young master was only a guest here—would he take them in?

Taking a deep breath, Chen Liuyuan approached the gatekeeper with a smile. “Please inform Young Master Qin Bao that Chen Liuyuan wishes to see him.”

“Wait here,” the doorkeeper replied, turning to deliver the message.

Hu Ankang, nearly twenty and sturdy with a simple, honest look, gazed at the grand estate, nervous. “Master, do you think we’ll see the young master?”

“How would I know?” Chen Liuyuan shook his head.

As Chen Liuyuan waited anxiously, a brisk set of footsteps approached. He looked up and saw Qin Bao striding out in a sky-blue robe, dignified and radiant.

Overcome with emotion, Chen Liuyuan hurried forward and bowed. “Young Master!”

Hu Ankang followed, “Young Master!”

Qin Bao approached and lifted Chen Liuyuan’s arm with a warm smile. “Master Chen, what wind brings you here?”

Hearing the respectful address, Chen Liuyuan was deeply moved. “Master Chen” was what Qin Youde called him—sometimes even just “old Chen.” But “Master Chen” was a mark of respect from the eldest young master.

The eldest young master was truly gracious.

Chen Liuyuan fell to his knees. “Today Qin Youde came to the weaving house, ordered a twenty percent cut in material for Raincloud Brocade and the same for the dye house. I refused, we quarreled, and I was dismissed.”

“Now I have nowhere to go. I beg you, young master, to take us in.”