The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 101: Liao Cang

Chapter 101: Liao Cang

Yun Cheng regarded him coldly. “If you truly were my brother, your limbs would’ve been broken by now.”

Du Yunzhe’s face froze.

“When the family split, it wasn’t just the property that was divided—it severed the bond between your branch and ours. Otherwise, given the vile things you’ve done, do you think you’d still be walking free in this village?”

“Do you remember Zhao and Du Yunfu? For destroying crops, they were branded and exiled to the frontier in accordance with the law. If it hadn’t been for your mother’s unborn child and Grandfather’s intervention, your punishment would’ve been far more severe.”

“Du Yunzhe, if you truly seek redemption, the first lesson is learning contentment.”

Yun Cheng’s words left Du Yunzhe shattered—helpless and disoriented. In his desperation, he clutched Yun Cheng’s sleeve.

Panic and grievance mingled in his heart, and whatever restraint he’d planned dissolved. He poured out his disjointed thoughts in a rush.

“Brother, I know I was wrong. I really do. Please—could you speak to the Township Lord and the Scholar Master? Let me join the clan school.”

“All the village boys are studying, even some of the girls. Only the three of us are left out. Brother, don’t you care about us?”

“I’m your closest blood kin. If I pass the imperial exams and become an official, won’t that benefit you too?”

But Yun Cheng was unmoved. He calmly pulled his sleeve free.

“You’ll never become an official. Even if you did, you’d bring disaster to the Du clan and to the people under your charge. Twisted minds should never be allowed near books.”

That final refusal shattered the last of Du Yunzhe’s hope. The grievance and fury he’d buried inside came surging to the surface.

His eyes reddened. Rage clouded his judgment, and he shouted hoarsely.

“Just one mistake and I’m ruined forever? You talk about family, about brothers, about Grandfather and uncles—but it’s all a façade! You just don’t want me to succeed!”

“You got the best of everything—property, a city house, the top academy. Cun Lan, that wretched girl, and Yun Ying, who was barely around, were both adopted by military officials. And I’m the one stuck in a crumbling thatched hut, not even allowed into the clan school everyone else attends!”

Du Yunzhe trembled, his fists clenched. “Why are you all treating me like this?!”

The commotion drew attention—those building the clan school looked over.

Many of them, unaware of the history, saw Du Yunzhe’s frantic state and assumed Yun Cheng, the elder brother, was bullying him.

Qiu Huanian furrowed his brow, preparing to step in, but Du Yunse caught his arm.

“Let’s see how Yun Cheng handles this.”

Qiu Huanian hesitated, then nodded.

Their status in the village had grown. Few dared confront the Scholar or the Township Lord now. The divide of rank was deeply entrenched in the villagers’ minds.

Du Yunzhe had trailed behind Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, but he hadn’t dared approach them directly—only Yun Cheng.

Under the weight of so many eyes, Yun Cheng remained composed, voice steady.

“As the sages taught: ‘To recognize one’s faults and correct them is the noblest virtue.’ But Du Yunzhe—have you, or your family, truly repented? Truly changed?”

He laid bare the truth.

“Your family received one mu of irrigated land and three mu of dry land. If you had worked diligently and lived modestly—with Grandfather’s occasional support—was that not enough to support your studies? Yet after the split, you chose laziness and self-pity. And now you have the audacity to blame others?”

“You want to enter the clan school? During its construction, many villagers pitched in. Did your father contribute even a day of labor? Did your mother bring so much as a single meal? What have you done to help?”

“You think only of yourself, never once feeling guilt for those you’ve harmed. Never once attempting to make things right. Is it any wonder your life remains stagnant?”

Having delivered his judgment, Yun Cheng turned and walked away.

“I’ve said what needs to be said. Even if you beg Grandfather, you won’t be allowed into the school. And from now on, stop pestering Brother Yunse and Sister Huanian.”

Du Yunzhe’s bloodshot eyes followed Yun Cheng’s back, his fists twitching as if ready to strike—but under the crowd’s scrutiny, he slinked away into the reeds.

Yun Cheng faltered briefly, then walked faster.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, who had witnessed everything, returned home with uneasy hearts.

That evening, the clan elder learned of the incident.

Sitting in the main room, he looked at the hesitant Bao Ren and sighed.

“Are you worried I’ll go plead with Yunse and Huanian to get Yun Zhe’s children into the school? I’ve not lost all self-respect.”

Bao Ren chuckled awkwardly. “Just being cautious. After all, Yun Zhe should’ve been turned over to the authorities. If he gets a free education now, what would Second Brother say?”

At the mention of Bao Yi, the clan elder’s expression darkened.

“Any word from Bao Yi?”

“Only the letter from ten days ago. He says the family is well and sent a fox pelt for your winter hat.”

The elder leaned on his cane, his figure seeming smaller.

“Before winter, the Tatars raid most frequently. Bao Yi is probably hiding the worst of it.”

“Luckily, he serves under General Wu. With Yunse’s connections and the goodwill we’ve sown, he’ll get some protection.”

As he aged, the clan elder increasingly sank into his memories. Ever since Bao Yi’s family left, his regrets had only grown.

“Did he say when he’d visit?”

“No, perhaps things are too chaotic on the border.”

“…Best not to return. Let it be.”

Bao Ren and Meng Fuyue looked at Yun Cheng for guidance, but he simply shook his head.

“Dinner’s near. I’ll fetch Brother Ling from town. We promised to eat at Uncle’s house—don’t wait for us.”

Lately, the Du clan school had become a sensation in the county. Du Yunzhe was not the only one to stir up trouble over admission.

One day, while chatting with Qiu Huanian, Wei Liuhua brought up someone else.

“My sister-in-law Qiaoxing’s son, Li Jia, also wants to attend the school.”

Qiu Huanian raised an eyebrow. He’d only heard of Qiaoxing. Never met her.

Qiaoxing had once taken embroidery orders in the city, passed them to Wei Liuhua, and pocketed the profits. Qiu Huanian didn’t think highly of her.

“Isn’t she married to a county shopkeeper? Can’t her son go to school there?”

“He could. But her husband lost his job recently, and now they’re desperate to get into the clan school.”

“Lost his job?”

“It’s related to you and Brother Hua,” Wei Liuhua said, clearly amused.

“Her husband used to manage Chengxiang Jewelry Shop. The owner asked Uncle Baoshan to see if Yunse would write a plaque for the store, remember?”

“But then the clan passed new rules, and Uncle Baoshan returned everything. The owner panicked—afraid he’d offended the Scholar—and started looking into things.”

“He discovered Qiaoxing’s family’s past with you. Terrified, he fired her husband at once.”

Qiu Huanian was surprised. He hadn’t expected that a simple plaque would ripple this far.

Though he and Du Yunse had no intention of retaliating, others assumed the worst and scrambled in fear.

Wei Liuhua snorted. “Back then, Qiaoxing treated us like beasts of burden. Now, for her kid’s education, she suddenly plays nice? Does she think I’m blind?”

Just then, Youge, playing nearby, asked, “Mother, what does ‘shameless’ mean?”

Wei Liuhua smacked her lips. “Oops. I forgot Youge was here.”

Qiu Huanian waved Coral over, who whisked Youge away to play.

“After we were expelled from the clan, only you, Yunhu, and Youge remained registered. Baoquan’s entire family was removed. So technically, Qiaoxing’s kid isn’t eligible.”

Wei Liuhua nodded. They drifted into a conversation about family affairs.

“After they left, Zhao and Du Yunfu were exiled. Du Yunjing teaches privately in the county now. Li Guer vanished.”

“Du Yunjing hoarded all the family land and abandoned his father. Now, the old man survives off Qiaoxing’s family. She resents feeding him, treats him as a burden, and even sends him to our house with sarcastic remarks.”

“After the harvest, Yunhu sent over two dan of grain so the old man could finally eat.”

Wei Liuhua’s expression was a mixture of annoyance and helplessness.

“Yunhu didn’t mention it?”

“He didn’t dare. He saved up the pocket money I gave him and picked up extra jobs to cover the cost, hoping I wouldn’t find out.”

Qiu Huanian was silent. Wei Liuhua smiled faintly.

“Zhao abused us and mistreated Youge. The old man ignored it. Of course I hated him. But now that they’ve all had their retribution, I won’t begrudge him a meal—for Yunhu’s sake.”

“He’s fed, but Qiaoxing makes life harder each day. Since her husband lost his job, she’s been unbearable.”

Qiu Huanian looked at her anew.

“Sister-in-law, you’ve got a generous heart.”

“Yunhu’s no sage, but better than most,” she said, quoting lightly.

They both laughed. Wei Liuhua’s gaze fell on Youge and softened.

“Yunhu’s too softhearted. He can’t bear to see his own father starve. I understand.”

“But I’ll keep control.”

“I have Youge, after all.”

Later, Yunhu came to fetch Wei Liuhua and Youge. He was drenched in sweat from helping at the clan school. His callused hands scratched Youge, who refused to be held.

Qiu Huanian came out, and Yunhu greeted him.

“You’ve worked hard,” Qiu Huanian said. “Next year, when Youge attends the school, he’ll know his father helped build it.”

He handed over a sandbag toy to Youge, then turned to Yunhu with meaning in his voice.

“But not everyone can walk into the clan school. If we let rulebreakers in, no amount of silver could cover the cost.”

“Since I’m close to Liuhua, I’ll personally prepare writing supplies for Youge next year.”

Yunhu understood. Qiaoxing had been trying to manipulate him again.

He rubbed his hands, looked to Wei Liuhua, and stammered, “Don’t worry, I haven’t promised her anything. The school has rules. She’s not part of the clan anymore.”

Qiu Huanian nodded. “Filial piety’s not a fault. But don’t let the unworthy hurt the ones who matter.”

With that, he turned and went inside.

Yunhu tugged Wei Liuhua’s sleeve. “Liuhua, I—I—”

His guilt was evident.

Wei Liuhua sighed.

“You think I wouldn’t know? You’re terrible at hiding things.”

Yunhu bowed his head, ashamed.

“I only did it once. Qiaoxing threatened to starve Father. I won’t go behind your back again.”

Wei Liuhua smiled. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Yunhu crouched, hoisting Youge onto his shoulders. The boy giggled with joy as they walked together.

Ahead, Wei Liuhua’s smile turned genuine.

Days later, the clan school neared completion. The carpenter’s order of furniture would arrive soon.

Liao Cang, the teacher Du Yunse had invited, finally arrived.

Before traveling, he had sent a letter. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse estimated the date and prepared to receive him.

Outside Du Village, Liao Cang asked for directions. As soon as people learned he was the new teacher, they scrambled to help, leaving him both amused and speechless.

“Yunse, what on earth is going on? Is your whole village planning to enroll in this school?”