Chapter 46

Hu Xiaotian feigned alarm: "Extermination of the nine clans? Scared! I'm really scared!" The servants behind him burst into laughter, helping to flatter their master, which was their duty.

Shi Xuedong sneered: "Now you know fear? Isn't that too late?"

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, hehe laughed: "But if this trinket wasn't bestowed by the Emperor, but you bought it cheap from a street stall, then you're guilty of deceiving the sovereign, falsely claiming imperial orders to swindle, tarnishing the Emperor's name—this crime not only means extermination of the nine clans, but also the annihilation of your nine clans!"

This remark made Shi Xuedong's face change abruptly; the jade pendant was nothing but a cheap trinket he bought from a street stall, which he had constantly used to swindle people, never failing until he met Hu Xiaotian, who saw through it at a glance.

Hu Xiaotian coldly eyed Shi Xuedong's entourage of fair-weather friends and said: "Don't stand so close to him; when the nine clans are exterminated, you'll be counted in too!"

Clamor, the fair-weather friends all stepped back, leaving only Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian facing each other alone; in these times, loyalty is the cheapest thing.

Shi Jingde silently cursed: "This brat dares to say anything; when did the Emperor ever grant our Shi family a jade pendant? How could I not know about this? This nephew is truly clueless; today he's met his match—just who is this kid? Doesn't he know how formidable our Shi family is?" He quietly asked Murong Feiyan: "Who is he?"

Seeing Shi Xuedong's aura completely suppressed by Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan secretly rejoiced; it seemed her decision to drag Hu Xiaotian into trouble was absolutely correct. Hearing Shi Jingde's question, she certainly dared not conceal anything, leaning close to his ear she whispered Hu Xiaotian's identity to him.

Upon hearing this, Shi Jingde suddenly realized: after all this, it turns out he's the son of the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei—no wonder the brat is so arrogant.

Shi Xuedong angrily retorted: "Do you know who I am? My father is a current third-rank official, the Minister of Personnel, Shi..."

"Shut up!" Shi Jingde bellowed, cutting off his nephew's nonsense; at such a moment, flaunting his father's title before everyone is sheer folly—others don't blacken you, you yourself actively smear the Shi family's reputation; this nephew is simply stupid.

Although Shi Xuedong's words were cut off by his uncle, Hu Xiaotian understood clearly: "Third rank, I say—didn't little Murong say his father was fifth rank? Third-rank Minister of Personnel, I say—that's not Shi Buyi? He's my father's close friend!"

At this moment Hu Xiaotian finally realized he had been set up; the one who set him up was none other than little Murong. Hu Xiaotian burned with anger; glaring at Murong Feiyan, what infuriated him further was that this little girl didn't even glance at him—was she guilty or pleased? "Damn her grandmother, I say, you old geezer!" Hu Xiaotian's lungs were about to explode from rage. No, it's not related to her grandfather—grievances have heads, debts have masters; I say, you! Old man, I won't let this rest—you set me up, yet I've implicated my father; today isn't just a real-life 'pitfall father' drama—if my father finds out, he'll surely not let me off.

Shi Jingde's face sank: "Take them both away!" By now, with things having developed this far, there's no need for spectators; continuing will only cause more trouble.

Murong Feiyan wasn't worried about Hu Xiaotian; given his background, Shi Jingde couldn't possibly harm him. Her true concern was the father and daughter Fang Zhitang; she quietly asked Shi Jingde how to deal with the Fang family. Shi Jingde obviously had no mind for such trifles; learning that Fang Zhitang was unharmed, he waved his hand and said: "Give the father and daughter twenty taels of silver, and tell them to keep quiet."

It wasn't that Shi Jingde didn't want to seek justice for his nephew; rather, after clarifying the whole story, he realized the incident was surely the nephew's doing—this kid kept escalating, even teasing the blind girl, and word of it would disgrace the Shi family's reputation. Originally Shi Jingde didn't need to produce twenty taels of silver to settle matters, but Hu Xiaotian's involvement made things somewhat thorny.

Shi Buyi and Hu Buwei's friendship was clear to Shi Jingde, especially now when the two families should not fall into conflict. Shi Jingde had people take the two reckless youths outside; once alone, he dismissed the crowd and summoned them to the wind and rain pavilion.

Shi Buyi also now knew Hu Xiaotian's identity; although they stared at each other with mutual hostility, neither spoke harshly, for they both understood that blowing this up would benefit no one—this counts as a kind of cultivation and breadth expected of officials' sons, whose sense of the greater good is naturally stronger than that of ordinary folk.

Shi Jingde sighed: "Talk about a flood drowning the Dragon King's temple—family members not recognizing each other. If your fathers knew you two were out here doing this, fighting to the death, what do you think they'd feel?"

Hu Xiaotian hung his head, silent; although he despised Shi Xuedong intensely, today he had been set up, used as a pawn by Murong Feiyan, and that sense of defeat was indescribable.

Shi Xuedong also said nothing; his silence stemmed from guilt—he knew exactly what had happened. Because he found the blind girl Fang Fang somewhat attractive, he'd played a little trick: as he passed her, he deliberately bumped into her, casually tossed the jade pendant to the ground, smashing it, and framed Fang Fang. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way; inwardly cursing his bad luck, he also hated Hu Xiaotian intensely, being narrow‑minded, and having been slapped twice by Hu Xiaotian in front of everyone—a huge humiliation he couldn't let go—but now was not the time for revenge.

Shi Jingde spoke earnestly: "Your fathers serve together in court, bound as close friends, assisting the Emperor, dedicating themselves wholly. Even if you two can't relieve your fathers' worries, don't constantly stir trouble and add to their burdens. Today's affair fortunately didn't blow up; I think we should just let it be, as the saying goes, 'No fight, no acquaintance.' From now on, when you meet, you'll still be brothers." Shi Jingde stepped in as the mediator.

Hu Xiaotian didn't say much; this guy was used to playing both sides. Though he despised Shi Xuedong, today he'd gained the upper hand, so he appeared unusually magnanimous—especially since the arbiter was Shi Xuedong's own second uncle, who had already given him face by ruling the match a draw. So Hu Xiaotian didn't feel like pressing the issue; as the saying goes, 'He who knows the times is a true talent.' Even though Shi Xuedong is no good, outward courtesy still must be observed.

Although Shi Xuedong hated Hu Xiaotian to the core, this fellow was after all an official's son, raised in such an environment, subtly versed in the court's false sincerity and superficial compliance—he actually managed to squeeze out a smile: "Brother Hu, I truly didn't know you were Uncle Hu's son; I'm ashamed, ashamed. It's truly a flood drowning the Dragon King's temple—family members not recognizing each other, causing this misunderstanding; it's all my fault, entirely my fault."

Hu Xiaotian also went along with it, stepping forward warmly to grasp Shi Xuedong's hand: "Brother Shi, today's mess is all my fault. If you're angry with me, just give me a good beating—I won't fight back."

Shi Xuedong silently cursed: "Beating you once would be too lenient; even killing you wouldn't quell my hatred, brat—this matter between us isn't over!"

These two boys are hypocritical to the extreme, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, overly friendly, acting as if nothing happened. Seeing this, Shi Jingde also felt greatly relieved, for after all, grievances should be resolved, not perpetuated; if a major incident really broke out, it would benefit neither the Shi nor the Hu families.

Shi Xuedong said: "Brother Hu, I have a favor to ask."

Seeing this fellow still clutching his hand and refusing to let go, Hu Xiaotian was about to break free when he heard the fellow had a request; wariness stirred in him—could this guy be unwilling to give up, still thinking about that blind girl Fang Fang? Does he want me to stay out of his affairs? No! Principle admits no compromise! Yet his face broke into a genial, spring‑breeze smile: "Brother Shi, please speak!"

Shi Xuedong said: "As the saying goes, 'No fight, no acquaintance.' Although our first meeting wasn't pleasant, I don't know why, but my feelings toward you, younger brother, are not only free of resentment—I actually feel close to you. I intend to become sworn brothers with you; what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian's head swelled: "I say, you damn fool, you don't even bother to wipe your own piss and look at yourself—your reputation is infamous, your morals corrupt, your name is notorious; if I became sworn brothers with you, wouldn't that be tantamount to inviting disaster upon myself?"

Though Shi Xuedong's heart is narrow, this fellow's superficial skills are top‑notch; he looked at Hu Xiaotian with full expectation.

Again, begging for votes for the Dream Cup!