Chapter 21: Scholar, I Despise You!

Fang Ning glanced at the greasy scholar, a twitch forming at his temple. He was actually wearing powder! Truly a walking greaseball!

Just then, Yu Dong arrived and saw so many people from Xu family village gathered. His face darkened. “You all started the fight and still dare to come make trouble in our Futian village?”

“Village Chief Yu,” the scholar said calmly as he stepped forward, “it is actually your Futian village that has harmed people from our Xu family village. Do you really intend to escalate this to the county magistrate? If so, I will accompany you all the way!”

Yu Dong’s expression shifted slightly when he recognized the scholar. “Xu scholar, what do you mean by that?”

Xu scholar glanced at Fang Ning. “Your village speaks of going to the county magistrate; I cannot pretend not to see that. Your Futian village has committed assault, kidnapping, and extortion—each a violation of the laws of Daliang!

“Of course, there is a way to resolve this. Since the Fang family has injured so many from our Xu village, if the Fang family members kneel and apologize, and compensate each injured person five taels of silver, then this matter can be settled.”

“Dream on!” Old Lady Fang was furious, nearly falling backward. “My old man was beaten till his head was bloodied, and you still want me to pay compensation and kneel in apology?”

Xu scholar fanned himself with a slight smile. “Madam, scholars speak only according to the law. If you insist on taking this to the county magistrate, so be it. But I fear your Fang family will not be able to bear the consequences.”

Few in Futian village had any schooling, and Xu scholar’s threats frightened them. They all urged Old Lady Fang, “Aunt Fang, it’s better not to involve the officials. I hear they punish first and ask questions later.”

Xu scholar’s face filled with pride. “Madam, are you sure you want to go?”

Old Lady Fang clenched her fists, trembling all over.

“Go? Why wouldn’t we?” Fang Ning stepped forward. “I want to ask the county magistrate if all scholars twist right and wrong like you, shamelessly blaming the victim and turning the tables. I want to ask if a scholar is allowed to do whatever he pleases.”

Fang Ning paused, then looked at Old Lady Fang. “Grandma, if Xu village wants to go, then we will see it through to the end! Some people think that just because they studied a few days, their words are the village’s decree. Compensation? I want them to repay tenfold for those injured in Futian village!”

Xu scholar suddenly snapped his fan shut. “Boy, what do you know?”

Fang Ning sneered, “I may not know much, but at least I’m not as shameless as you, stuffing books down a dog's belly!”

“Impertinent! That is Master Scholar Xu you’re talking about, one who need not bow before the county magistrate! Who do you think you are?” Xu Village Chief roared. “Dare to be rude to Master Scholar is high treason!”

“Just a scholar, and not even qualified for office. What master are you?” Fang Ning scoffed. “At thirty-five and still can’t pass the provincial exam—what a failure!”

Xu scholar’s face darkened with rage. “How dare you, ignorant brat!”

“Come on, Xu scholar, let’s go to the county magistrate and settle this!”

“You insolent child, how dare you defy a scholar?”

“Enough talk. Let’s go to the county magistrate.”

Xu scholar pointed at Fang Ning, speechless for a moment.

“I look down on you!”

Xu scholar’s anger boiled over.

Yet he truly dared not go to the county magistrate.

The county magistrate of Changping County was famous for being stern and impartial; if the case reached him, Xu scholar would surely be implicated.

He was only bluffing, counting on the villagers’ ignorance to scare them with the threat of officials.

Fang Ning approached Yu Dong and pointed at Xu scholar. “Uncle Yu, Xu village is just bullying us because we have no scholars. Xu scholar talks big about going to the county magistrate—do you think he really dares? We’re not afraid of him. Let’s all go with him!”

Yu Dong, of course, noticed Xu scholar’s reaction.

Xu scholar’s face flushed. “When I pass the provincial exam, don’t regret speaking this way to me! Even if you kneel and beg, I won’t spare a glance.”

“Fine, I’ll wait!” Fang Ning stared at him. “Xu scholar, I hope I live to see that day!”

“You—you…”

“Are we going to the county magistrate or not, scholar?”

“I don’t stoop to argue with you crude peasants. Just wait—today’s humiliation will be repaid tenfold someday!”

With that, Xu scholar fled in panic, afraid Fang Ning would say more to utterly disgrace him.

Fang Ning glanced sideways at the people from Xu village. “Do you want to go to the county magistrate or kneel down and apologize?”

With Xu scholar gone, Xu village’s confidence vanished.

Everyone lowered their heads, silent.

“If you don’t kneel and compensate, then starting tomorrow, I’ll go to the town and reveal how your Xu village bullies our Futian because you have a scholar. Then we’ll see what fate your scholar meets. I hear the county magistrate is famed for justice and integrity!”

“Fu Gui, did you hear that? If my son’s future is ruined because of you, I’ll make sure you’re all driven out of Xu village,” Xu Village Chief warned anxiously.

His son had run away in anger, proving Fang Ning’s words were true.

He wouldn’t gamble on his son’s future for anything.

“Remember this, Futian village folks—don’t come begging my son.”

He glared fiercely at the Futian villagers.

“Begging your son, that useless whelp, I’d rather study and succeed myself. If your son ever passes the provincial exam, pigs will fly,” Fang Ning said mockingly.

She had a keen eye; Xu scholar’s thick powder couldn’t hide his face, worn from excess indulgence. His scholar’s status was likely a fluke.

“You? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard. Can your useless father even afford that? Dream on! My son wouldn’t take a student like you!”

Indeed, Xu scholar had become a tutor, running a small private school at home.

Because his tuition was cheaper than the town’s, he had taken in a dozen or so students.

“Your son isn’t worthy to be my tutor,” Fang Ning scoffed. “Enough talk, kneel and apologize. After my father finishes the medicine, we’ll settle the silver. Uncle Yu, have them taken there.”

Yu Dong waved his hand.

Villagers immediately stepped forward, pushing the Xu villagers along.

Xu Village Chief’s face turned a dark purple, grinding his teeth in fury.

Fang Ning snorted and followed.

The people of Futian village marveled—it was the first time in years of fighting over land and water with Xu village that they had such a decisive moment.

And this moment of triumph came from the very troublemaker they usually despised.

For a time, their looks toward Fang Ning were filled with complexity: could one death really have enlightened the main branch of the Fang family?

Xu Fu Gui and the others still felt burning pain in their eyes, resentment, and deep dissatisfaction.

Two other injured men were carried back to the Fang family’s old estate, awaiting treatment from Fang Cinian.

Xu Fu Gui and the others were brought to the Fang family estate but stubbornly refused to kneel or apologize.

Fang Ning kicked the backs of their knees from behind, and they collapsed with a thud.

“Will you apologize or not?” Fang Ning pointed a stick at Xu Fu Gui’s throat, pressing just enough that the tip seemed ready to pierce the skin.