Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Is There No More Rule of Law?! (4000 words, Combined Chapters)

In a small room beside the lecture hall stood several children.

The three kids on the left were bruised and beaten, especially one called Haizhi, who had lost a front tooth and spoke with what sounded like a leaky windpipe.

On the right stood three more kids. Ming stood upright, Pengda looked tense, while Qingwan held her chin high with pride. Her little hand tightly gripped Ming’s sleeve, as if to say, “Who dares touch my Brother Ming!”

Before these children sat Mr. Xiao and a man dressed in python robes.

Ming glanced up at the man in python robes a few times.

This man smiled constantly.

Noticing Ming’s gaze, the python-robed man nodded at Ming.

If Ming remembered correctly, according to the *Military Dynasty Code*, python robes were imperial gifts, meant to be worn with jade belts.

Python robes resembled the emperor’s dragon robes but weren’t official attire; instead, they were special rewards for favored officials in the Military Dynasty.

Receiving such an outfit was considered a great honor.

This man must hold a high position.

At least, he was clearly favored by the emperor of Wu Kingdom.

“Zihong, don’t laugh at me,” Mochi chuckled. “You arrived today to see such a lively scene.”

Suzihong shook his head. “Our dynasty is founded on martial prowess. It’s no surprise that even among young ones, fists are exchanged. In the imperial court, debates often escalate into physical altercations. The more capable the officials, the more likely they are to resort to violence. This shows these young ones will become pillars of our nation.”

“Zihong, you’re still teasing,” Mochi laughed helplessly, shaking his head and looking at the children. “Speak up, young friends. Why did this happen?”

“…”

Silence filled the room.

Mochi turned to Ming, whom he admired most. “Ming, speak first.”

“…I bow to you, Master. I truly do not know.”

“You don’t?” Mochi smiled. “Didn’t you knock out their teeth?”

“I admit I acted, Master, but it was because my brother was attacked. How could I stand idly by? As for the reason, I truly do not know…” Ming scratched his head, sounding both righteous and innocent. He felt quite blameless. After all, he had controlled his strength. Their teeth falling out might just mean they were losing baby teeth?

“Exactly!” Qingwan quickly chimed in. “Though we aren’t close with Pengda, his sister is our best friend. How could we sit back when Snow’s brother was bullied?”

“As to why Haizhi and others fought with Pengda…”

“Who? Who dared harm my son!”

“Is there no law left!”

Just as Mochi was about to question Haizhi and the others, three women stormed in loudly.

Both Mochi and Suzihong frowned slightly.

“Mother! Mother! My teeth are gone!”

“Mother! They kicked me so far away!”

“Mother! I almost couldn’t see you anymore!”

Seeing their mothers, Haizhi, Lishan, and Wangwu rushed over, clinging to their mothers’ legs.

The three ladies, seeing their children bruised and dusty, some even missing front teeth, were heartbroken.

“Relax, relax! Who hit you? Mother will take care of this!” said the wife of the Minister of War, stroking her son’s face.

“It was him!”

Haizhi and the others pointed at Ming.

“It wasn’t Brother Ming, it was… it was me!”

Pengda swallowed hard, pale-faced, standing in front of Ming, trembling.

Ming and Qingwan were surprised by Pengda’s sense of responsibility but thought, ‘Stop shaking your legs.’

“It was us first…” Just as Qingwan was about to step forward to argue, Ming pulled her hand and stepped ahead. “It was me.”

“You!” The Minister’s wife was furious, her chest heaving. “Whose child are you?”

“From Xu Guo Mansion, the Fifth Lady’s son.” Ming replied.

“The Fifth Lady from Xu Guo Mansion?” The Minister’s wife pondered. “A mere illegitimate son—whose audacity gave you this courage?”

As she moved to slap Ming, Su Zihong frowned and prepared to intervene but was stopped by Xiao Mochi.

Just as her hand was about to strike Ming, who was about to dodge, her slap was caught by a slender, white hand.

The Minister’s wife looked up.

Before she could react, Phoenix raised another hand and slapped her across the face.

“Phoenix! You dare hit me?!” The Minister’s wife was enraged, her face turning pale.

“Yes, I dare.” Phoenix stood before Ming, hands crossed in front of her, coldly glaring at the Minister’s wife. “What a grand display of power, Mrs. Xiong! To dare lay a hand on someone from our Xu family—are we Xu people non-existent then? I’ll have my brother report this to His Majesty and ask how Minister Xiong teaches his wife!”

“You…”

The Minister’s wife’s face alternated between red and white.

Though Phoenix’s father had been dismissed, her brother was still in the imperial court, serving as Censor-in-Chief. If her husband became the target of those censors, it would surely cause trouble.

“Mrs. Wang! We are reasonable people. Our children have been harmed so severely. Shouldn’t you offer an explanation?” Mrs. Li stepped forward, giving Mrs. Xiong a way out.

Phoenix frowned slightly, turning her head to glance behind her at Ming and Pengda, questioning with her eyes.

Ming also looked at Pengda.

Ming truly didn’t know why the fight started.

Based on his observations over the past few days, Pengda’s personality was actually rather gentle, not prone to conflict.

But Pengda merely lowered his head, saying nothing.

Phoenix looked at Haizhi and the others, who immediately bowed their heads, looking very guilty and unwilling to speak.

“How about this?”

Xiao Mochi noticed something amiss. The reason for the fight might not be something suitable for public discussion.

“It’s noon already, and none of the ladies or children have eaten. Ladies, please take your children home first. This incident is my oversight, and I will certainly give each of you an explanation. Mo Chi apologizes to you all.”

With that, Xiao Mochi stood up, bowing deeply in apology.

The ladies were startled and quickly said, “Master, this is unnecessary. Since Master says so, we trust Master.”

“We trust Master’s fairness.”

“It’s just a matter among children, probably not serious. We’ll go home first.” The others quickly added.

Even though Xiao Mochi currently holds no official position, the ladies had heard from their husbands how sought-after this master was. If they persisted further, it would leave a bad impression.

Not to mention the man in python robes beside Xiao Mochi—it wouldn’t be wise to make a scene.

After casting a final glance at Phoenix and the others, Mrs. Xiong bid farewell to Xiao Mochi and left the school with her children.

Phoenix sighed in relief, turning around and bowing slightly to Xiao Mochi. “Today’s incident has disturbed Master.”

Xiao Mochi shook his head. “Lady, don’t say that. It’s all due to my negligence. I will visit each of your homes to apologize.”

“Master speaks too much.” Phoenix nodded. “Then I’ll take my misbehaving son and leave.”

“Madam, please walk slowly.”

Phoenix glanced at Pengda, Ming, and Qingwan, signaling them to follow her.

“Ming, stay behind for now. Master has some questions for you.” Just as Ming was about to leave with Phoenix, Xiao Mochi called out.

Phoenix turned around and bowed slightly. “Master, Ming is still young. Does Master…”

Xiao Mochi smiled and shook his head. “Madam worries too much. I simply have some questions for Young Ming, nothing else.”

Phoenix looked at Ming uneasily.

Ming said, “Big Sister, please take Pengda and Qingwan back. I know the way.”

“Alright.” Phoenix nodded. “Your mother doesn’t know about this yet. I won’t tell her. Please explain yourself later.”

Ming nodded. “Thank you, Big Sister.”

Qingwan wanted to stay with her beloved Brother Ming but was eventually pulled away by Phoenix.

“Master.”

After everyone left, only Ming remained, bowing respectfully to Xiao Mochi.

“Ming, I heard you said before hitting Xiong Haizhi, ‘They’re all officials from the Ministry of War, so it’s easy.’ What did you mean by that?” Xiao Mochi asked with a smile.

“According to the *Wu Kingdom Code*, all positions in the Ministry of War are earned through battle achievements. Without military merit, one cannot serve in the Ministry of War.

Moreover, I’ve heard from Lady Qin that all sons of Ministry officials must practice martial arts. The Ministry culture values speaking through fists. If any child cries after being beaten, it’s considered their own incompetence.

I admire the straightforward style of the Ministry. Even if I injured the children of the Minister and two Vice Ministers, they wouldn’t blame me or bother my mother. Otherwise, they’d be ridiculed by their colleagues in the imperial court.”

“Hahahaha.” Su Zihong laughed. “Exactly as you say. Upon hearing their sons were beaten, they wouldn’t dare to cause trouble for fear of being mocked by the civil officials for bullying a child. But how can a five-year-old boy be so precocious?”

“I just think too much.” Ming replied.

Xiao Mochi liked Ming more and more, sensing a natural scholar’s air about him.

Such an aura would be well-liked by civil officials in the imperial court.

It’s unfortunate that such a talented child is an illegitimate son. Xu Mansion.

Pengda followed his mother toward their courtyard.

Phoenix walked quickly.

Pengda had to jog a few steps every now and then to keep up.

Pengda glanced at his mother’s profile.

Her expression was cold.

Pengda’s heart raced, sensing trouble ahead.

After returning to the courtyard, Phoenix closed the door and turned around, fixing a cold stare on Pengda. “Kneel down!”

Pengda didn’t dare disobey his mother. Setting down his small bookcase, he knelt before her, lowering his chubby head.

Phoenix picked up a branch and struck Pengda’s body, scolding as she beat him. “I told you to study! Not to fight! Who do you think you can beat? Fighting!

Let you fight!”

Each strike landed on Pengda’s body as Phoenix’s tears fell.

“Mother, I’m sorry…”

“Mother, I’m sorry…”

“Waaaah, I’m sorry, Mother…”

Pengda’s tears fell in large drops onto the ground, but he didn’t beg for mercy, only continuously apologized to his mother.

After seven or eight strikes, Phoenix wiped her tears forcefully. “Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”

“Mother, I’m sorry… really sorry… but Pengda didn’t do anything wrong!” Pengda choked out.

“Not wrong? You don’t know what you’ve done wrong!”

Phoenix grabbed the branch again, striking Pengda repeatedly.

“Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”

“Pengda didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Do you know what you’ve done wrong?”

“Pengda didn’t do anything wrong, waaaah, Pengda didn’t do anything wrong…”

“You…” Phoenix’s chest heaved in anger as she threw the branch beside Pengda. “How could you not be wrong!”

“They can insult Pengda, but they can’t insult Mother! Pengda didn’t do anything wrong… I won’t admit fault!” Pengda cried, wiping his nose, feeling the burning pain of the welts under his clothes.

Phoenix froze, staring dumbfounded at her child.

Pengda wiped his nose and tears, sobbing intermittently:

“They said… they said Mother is useless, even a concubine… even a concubine is better than Mother. They said Mother will be kicked out of the Xu family sooner or later. They said Sister is talented, but it has nothing to do with Mother. They said Mother deserves to be neglected.

It’s all because Pengda is useless, all because Pengda can’t cultivate.

Pengda can’t even read properly, the poems I write are laughed at by others.

It’s all because Pengda is useless, I fall asleep in class, and I don’t understand what Master teaches.

It’s all because Pengda hasn’t reached a noble rank, letting Mother be insulted… Mother, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Listening to her child’s explanation, seeing his tearful state, Phoenix felt as if all her strength had been drained, collapsing heavily onto the ground. No wonder, when Master Xiao asked for reasons earlier, her child didn’t reveal it in front of everyone. Looking at her hands, at the child kneeling before her, she recalled how Pengda wouldn’t inherit the family title, and how she had neglected him. Was the inheritance of titles something she should give to Pengda, or was it just her vanity?

“What am I doing!”

Phoenix raised her palm, slapping herself repeatedly.

“What am I doing!”

“What am I doing!!!”

[These last two days have been chapters of 4000 words each. Originally, I intended to split them into two parts of 2000 words each, but since writing flowed without a clear break point, I decided to combine the two chapters.

During the free period, daily updates consist of 4000 words. After going premium, I’ll see if I can increase the updates.]