Chapter 5: Revenge for Every Grievance

Yan Jiu chuckled and said, "With that foolish appearance of yours, how could you possibly catch any prey? Xue Liang, it would be better for you to honestly speak the truth in front of the young master."

A woman burst into the room and suddenly threw herself onto Ding Hao. Zhuang Ding, caught off guard, hurriedly exerted force to the side, narrowly missing her forehead as he struck down, hitting her shoulder instead. The pain made her body shudder violently, but she managed to stop Zhuang Ding and immediately rolled and crawled to Ding Chengye's feet, clinging to his legs and pleading desperately: "Second Young Master, my son must be innocent; he has always been honest since childhood and would never steal anything from anyone."

Ding Hao glanced around at the several strong and fierce village guards, gritting his teeth in silence. A true man can endure and adapt; Han Xin was able to endure humiliation beneath others' legs, so can I not bear this moment of anger? Given my current status, I cannot resist head-on. Yan Jiu, Ding Chengye, I will remember this kneeling of mine.

It was eighteen years ago when Master Ding's first wife had just given birth at her family home. Bandits and robbers suddenly attacked. Mrs. Ding, weak after childbirth, was unable to escape with her child, so she instructed the servant Yan Jiu to take the young master to safety while she took her own life by jumping into a well to preserve her honor. Although Yan Jiu was a lowly servant, he was filled with loyalty and righteousness. He endured countless hardships and traveled a long distance to bring the second young master back to the Ding family. Along the way, he truly suffered greatly, and his face bore the scars from rolling down a hillside while carrying the second young master, scratched by grass and tree branches.

Yan Jiu coldly laughed and said: "You two have no sense of propriety, actually stealing the New Year's goods prepared in the kitchen to roast food here. The kitchen over there really needs to be put in order."

Second Young Master! He suddenly climbed up, gritting his teeth to support his almost completely numb body, swaying as he stood up, and loudly said: "Second Young Master, this property belongs to the Ding family. You are the young master of the Ding family, responsible for overseeing your own family's assets, which is not wrong. However, although I am a servant, I cannot be wrongfully accused without reason. You say that I stole something; you should at least provide evidence. Just based on Yan Jiu... the words of the steward Yan, you condemn me; I refuse to accept it!" However, although I am a servant, I cannot be wrongfully accused without reason. You say that I stole something; you should at least provide evidence. Just based on Yan Jiu... the words of the steward Yan, you condemn me; I refuse to accept it!

Second Young Master, Butler Su, my son has always been honest, as you both know. He would never steal anything; my son must be wronged. He has just recovered from his illness, how could he withstand such punishment? If Second Young Master is not angry, then strike me instead; Yang is willing to take this beating for my son

Ding Chengye was furious, kicking Yang aside with a sudden motion, and exclaimed: "You scoundrel, so what if you were wronged? In the eyes of the second young master of your family, you are worth even less than a dog. If you were to be killed, it would merely be a bundle of mats dragged out and buried. The second young master deals with his own thieving servants, and the authorities have no business interfering with me..."

Ding Chengye laughed in anger: "You didn't steal? Is that right? A mother who steals people, yet has a son who hasn't stolen anything? Beat him, beat him until he submits!"

Several bailiffs, without further ado, rushed forward to subdue the two individuals, swinging their large sticks and engaging in a fight. The blows landed on Ding Hao's body, causing him to convulse in pain as he clutched the back of his head to protect his vital areas, gritting his teeth and enduring the assault. Unbidden, he recalled the words of the Dong family matron, realizing that this seemingly dignified second young master of the Ding family was indeed someone who would seek revenge for even the slightest grievance. Having had his good fortune disrupted once, he was now determined to reclaim his honor at the first opportunity.

I did not steal anything from Ding's family!" Ding Hao gritted his teeth and said word by word

Yan Jiu laughed and said: "You little rascal still want to mess with me? Your family’s Ninth Master does not tolerate any nonsense. Did you hunt this yourself? Very well, come back with me and speak in front of the Second Young Master"

Yan Jiu cast a glance at Ding Hao and sneered, "You lawless wretch, why aren't you kneeling? Do you think you are the young master of the Ding family?"

Ding Hao looked at the woman who suddenly barged in with astonishment, noticing a trickle of bright red blood running down her forehead. Yet she seemed oblivious to it, merely clinging to Ding Chengye's leg to plead for herself, causing his heart to tremble.

He, with red eyes and arms outstretched, was ready to fight desperately. At that moment, a cold reprimand suddenly came from the doorway, clear and crisp like pearls rolling on a jade plate: "Enough! Ding Chengye, you have quite the authority. With your father and elder brother present, when did it become your turn to take charge?"

Ding Tingxun, grateful and eager to repay kindness, entrusted him with the duties of an internal steward to enjoy a life of ease. Yan Jiu, being quite perceptive, continued to personally serve the second young master, attending to him closely and inquiring about his well-being. Although the second young master, Ding Chengye, is known for being ungrateful and indifferent, he is quite close to this loyal servant. This is largely because Yan Jiu not only refrains from stopping him in his extravagant and gambling ways but also assists in concealing them.

After a dozen blows, the muffled groans of the two men turned into cries of despair, as if the lower halves of their bodies no longer belonged to them. At that moment, a sorrowful voice cried out: "Second Young Master, do not hit him, my son would never steal, he would never steal."

Xue Liang crouched beside him, timidly tugging at his pant leg, while Ding Hao glared fiercely at Ding Chengye, his eyes blazing with anger

Yan Jiu was leading Xue Liang and Ding Hao, proudly carrying the charred roe deer, as they returned to the residence. The two were brought into a hall within the third courtyard. The hall featured a clean brick floor, and the supporting columns were made of anti-corrosive and insect-resistant nanmu wood. On either side, eight strong men held torches aloft. Ding Chengye sat at the head of the table, with one leg crossed over the other, his thin lips pressed together, and a hint of hostility on his handsome face

The two individuals quickly turned their heads to look, only to see a thin man in a long robe with a blue collar standing on the slope. His gaunt figure and a fierce, painted face made one feel a chill in their heart. Xue Liang exclaimed, "Ninth Master."

He gritted his teeth and forced a smile, kneeling down beside Xue Liang. Ding Chengye cast a glance at Ding Hao, his brows slowly arching, and a cold, sinister smile appeared on his face: "You audacious scoundrel, breaking the rules of the Ding family and engaging in clandestine activities, do you still intend to deceive me with your smooth words and false demeanor?"

Xue Liang knelt before him and pleaded, "Second Young Master, Second Young Master, that roe deer was truly not stolen"

As soon as Ding Hao finished speaking, Ding Chengye became furious: "What do you mean? Do I need your guidance in my affairs? You two dogs really have some nerve! Today, with my father and elder brother not at home, I, the second young master of the Ding family, have the final say. Yan Jiu, carry out the family law for me!"

Xue Liang, with a苦 face, said: "Ninth Master, you have misunderstood. This roe deer was hunted by me myself."

Xue Liang hurriedly said: "Second Young Master, I and Ding Hao would never dare to steal anything from the manor. This roe deer... indeed, I caught it in the woods outside the estate."

The servants on both sides were about to rush forward to seize him, and Yang hurriedly stepped in front of Ding Hao, only to be yanked aside by a servant and stumbled to the ground. Upon seeing this, a surge of nameless anger ignited fiercely within Ding Hao. What does it mean to have a mother? This is what a mother is! I am also a man and cannot endure this! It is a blessing that I did not die, but if I have to live like this, I might as well die a quick death. I should have been finished when Old Xu hit me that time; living these past few days is just a bonus for me.

As soon as Xue Liang called out, Ding Hao quickly recalled the identity of this person. His name was Yan Jiu, the chief steward of the Ding family estate. Despite his scarred face and the fact that he wore a blue silk robe that hardly conveyed any grandeur, within the Ding family, his status was such that even the two beautiful concubines of Master Ding, Ding Tingxun, had to respectfully address him as "Master Jiu." This was because Yan Jiu had rendered great service to the Ding family; he was a loyal servant whose acts of loyalty were recorded in the annals of Bazhou Prefecture.

Ding Hao felt a pang in his nose, and suddenly, his vision became somewhat blurred

Ding Hao had always observed coldly, as he had never been a servant and could not easily lower himself to address others as "young master" or "little one" to plead for mercy. However, upon seeing Yan Jiu firmly accuse them of theft, and with Ding Chengye seemingly intent on punishing them, he could no longer hold back and said: "Second Young Master, has any of the New Year goods prepared by the residence gone missing? We could just call the kitchen staff to inquire and find out. Master Jiu is loyal to the Ding family and will not tolerate anyone betraying us from within. This loyalty is known to all of us... but in the midst of busyness, mistakes can happen, and it is inevitable that there may be oversights."