Chapter Ten: The Snare

  "Second Brother An."

  "Second brother."

  Shu Mu Lu Zhiyuan calmly accepted the bow of his third brother, Zhi Cheng, and fourth brother, Zhi Hao. Zhi Cheng had always acted as the eldest son of the Duke's mansion, with a low official position, but he carried the hereditary title of assistant commander, making him a number one figure in the capital city. He couldn't compare to the genuine eight hundred noble relatives of the imperial family, but his birth mother was a princess of the imperial family, and among the non-imperial yellow and red sash princes, Zhi Cheng was addressed as "master". Why did second brother Zhiyuan put on an air of seniority from the moment they met?

  Zhi Cheng was very composed, with a flash of displeasure in his eyes, but he quickly stood up and adjusted his sleeves, his eyes shining with sincerity, his eyelids slightly red. "Second brother, you must be tired from the long journey, please come in and rest, Mother has been thinking about you constantly and sent someone to ask after you several times. After seeing Mother, I'll accompany Second Brother for a few cups of wine and talk about things in the capital, listen to Second Brother's stories about Huizhou."

  "What's this?" Zhi Cheng, who was talking eloquently about the feelings of parting from his brother, was shocked by Zhi Yuan's grand courtesy.

  Zhiyuan said, "Among the hundred good deeds, filial piety comes first. Third brother, fourth brother, take my place in front of Mother and show your filial respect, receive Second Brother's bow." Zhiyuan performed the ritual with utmost sincerity, unlike his previous empty courtesy towards Zhicheng. Even the servants and attendants surrounding them could see that Young Master Zhiyuan was truly grateful.

  Outside the Duke's mansion, Zhiyuan, who had just returned to Beijing, paid his respects and thanked his two younger brothers for their filial piety. The news spread that Zhiyuan was a filial son, and his previous arrogance was not representative of him looking down on his brothers after being promoted in the capital. It was common for younger brothers to pay their respects to their older brother, following the order of seniority. However, this was a sore spot for Zhicheng, who gazed at Zhiyuan's calm and composed demeanor. As long as Zhiyuan continued to rise through the ranks, he would always be like a great mountain weighing down on him.

  He was deliberate, must have been deliberate, returning to the capital to compete for the title, his brows furrowed slightly. Was there a superior behind him directing him? Or did Zhiyuan gain the favor of some noble person? Having served as an official in the south for over ten years, he was now transferred back to the capital, with no small ambitions.

  "Trouble Third Brother to arrange a place for me to stay." Zhiyuan said to Guajia in the carriage, "Madam, thank you for Third Brother and Fourth Brother's trouble."

  Guarjia's mouth is curved, Zhiyuan is not Zhi Cheng. They think of sinister and hidden heart machines, are cautious and guard the teachings of propriety, no matter how many circles they set up, he always stands on the grand road, playing tricks and schemes will eventually be a side door, can't get on stage, bright and upright can be resolved without shape, but let the ghosts and villains be frightened, Zhiyuan's heart has nothing to ask for, whether or not to inherit the title is not in his mind, his chest is open and honest, and he doesn't tolerate anything.

  Of course, Guajia wouldn't ignore Shumuluzhi's straightforward and honest nature, and with a hint of sympathy, she glanced at Zhicheng, who was clearly lost in thought, still unaware of the trap set by his two younger brothers.

  Guarjia said in a low voice to Shuyao: "You take a closer look, how Mother is going to make her way through the Duke's mansion. The trap they set up is not just what you see now, but also the fierce struggle for power in the back palace. After returning to Beijing, I have to establish rules and regulations in front of Old Lady. Your mother is an official, and she doesn't have many opportunities to accompany Old Lady. Old Lady is someone who cannot be neglected, she can help the eldest son born out of wedlock get a title, and also holds the power and wealth of the Duke's mansion. After half a lifetime of ups and downs, it's not going to be easy." "Who would dare to refuse her? Can they even drive her away?"

  Shu Yao didn't quite understand what they were fighting for. Her mother, Guan Jia Shi, was very wary of Shu Yao, who had never seen her before, but the competitive spirit in her eyes couldn't be hidden. The place in Huizhou, Guangdong was too small, and the opponent was too weak to allow her mother to show off her skills. Only when one encounters a worthy opponent can they play their best game of chess. After weighing herself carefully, Shu Yao firmly hugged Guan Jia Shi's arm, "Mother, I won't leave you."

  Since it can't be avoided and she's no good at fighting, following her mother is the safest option. Maybe there'll be excitement to watch and meat to eat.

  Guar Jia's daughter had a straight fringe that reached her eyebrows, and Shu Yao knew Guar Jia's temperament very well. Perhaps she was like her husband, and schemes were not necessarily better than straightforwardness. Her daughter wasn't someone who couldn't tell right from wrong or good from bad, nor could she see who was kind and who had ill intentions; she just didn't bother to calculate these things.

  "The old lady has lived a life of honor and wealth, what she values most is the power in her hands, it's the hardest thing for her to let go. You letting her live out her days in comfort is more unbearable than killing her. The person who inherited the title, in her eyes, can't be Ah Ma, not because you're not filial, but because he's too good at talking, the old lady can't handle him."

  Xiuyao nodded slightly: "Yes, what Ama said is all reasonable and cannot be refuted."

  Gua Lijia hugged Shu Yao, "You, just like your mother, have the same temperament as her. How did you learn my competitive spirit?"

  "It's just that daughter is too silly and can't learn from her mother's cleverness." Shu Yao rubbed against Guar Jia Shi's chest, "Mother, don't look down on me."

  Guarjia comforted her daughter by patting her back, hoping that Shuyao would grow up happily and get married properly. She didn't want her to have too many worries or troubles, as long as she became the legitimate wife and didn't commit any of the seven evils, no one would dare to bully her. Guarjia believed that a husband and wife should be mutually supportive and trusting, respectful and courteous to each other. But in reality, Guarjia knew Shuyao's true nature - behind her seemingly innocent and carefree appearance, she was actually very calculating and ruthless.

  The horse carriage entered through the main gate, and Zhiyuan was about to greet Zhicheng with a humble phrase when he was disappointed again. Zhicheng walked in through the side door, while Zhiyuan strode in through the main gate with confidence, as if he were the master of the duke's mansion. The book pavilion that had just paid respects to Zhicheng sighed and said: "Third Uncle is indeed very thoughtful, opening the middle gate and main gate to welcome his elder brother, demonstrating brotherly affection and respect for elders. Third Uncle is a man who upholds etiquette, and must be well-versed in the classics. I will definitely ask Third Uncle for guidance tomorrow." Zhicheng's face turned red with embarrassment upon hearing this, "I am far inferior to Second Brother in terms of learning." "Third Uncle is truly too modest," he said. "I've heard from Mother that there is a library in the mansion that stores rare and authentic copies of classics, which have been passed down by our ancestors. As Third Uncle has inherited an idle position, apart from being filial to Mother, he must have read through all the books. Third Uncle's learning must be very good."

  Zhi Cheng said to Shu Xuan with a serious expression, without any hint of joking. It was as if he thought it was only natural for someone in a leisurely position like his to read books. Who would bother to study and read diligently? It seemed that the honest and simple-minded eldest grandson was actually quite cunning. No wonder Zhi Cheng valued Shu Xuan highly, being the eldest grandson who had even achieved a minor third rank in Guangzhou. Zhi Cheng thought again, they were intentionally doing this, and with a few swift moves, they would thoroughly eliminate all his carefully laid plans. Looking foolishly honest, they were actually the most cunning of the two.

  "Haha, haha, Big Young Master is joking, hurry up and pay respects to Mother in the main hall, don't keep them waiting."

  Zhiyuan and Shuxuan were closely following, with big smiles on their faces. Book Yi was secretly on high alert, but didn't need to make a move as Zhiyuan and Shuxuan directly took care of things. Not only did they not fall into San Shu's trap, but also made him unable to gauge the depth of the situation. Book Yi found it extremely amusing. "San Shu, I wonder how long you can hold on," he said with a smile. "Big Brother's question has left even the most learned scholars speechless. How long can you withstand this, San Shu?" Book Yi was eagerly anticipating his response.