“F-Father…”
Zhuo Fengru started with a nip of tea. “You have an extra three thousand silver taels in your room, yet I don’t remember giving that sum to you. Growing up, you’ve never had a woe when it comes to your sustenance. In fact, you’re virtually built out of gold and jade. Why? Why would you covet some spare change?”
“F-Father, you misunderstand. The money did not come from Miguo Branch. When I went to collect land rent from the farmers last time, they were so adamant that I could not turn them down, so…”
Zhuo Fengru ambled over to Zhuo Yupin, then shook his head. “You couldn’t turn them down, you say?”
“Yes, yes.”
“So you accepted a bribe? Did you do the wrong thing?”
Zhuo Yupin looked down and, in a quiet voice, answered, “I understand I am in the wrong.”
“In that case, you have to accept your punishment.”
“… I understand, Father.”
Zhuo Fengru slapped Zhuo Yupin so hard that his son rolled three rotations across the ground. He pulled his son up, then said, “You collected land fees last month, but the three thousand only showed up in your room recently.”
“I was thinking that it could be used to earn interest, so I loaned it to some friends for until recently.”
“Oh, really? In other words, usury?”
Slap! Slap! Slap! There wasn’t a single pause between the slaps and tumbling that echoed in the room.
“You really are something, my young master. I spent decades associated with bandits, but I never dared to engage in any illegal business, yet you’ve already learnt usury? Why don’t you teach your old father?”
“My bad friends persuaded me. I will not do it again.”
“Hmph!” Zhuo Fengru stopped chasing his son across the floor. “I’m done wasting my breath. I have only one question: is there any truth to a single word you’ve said since setting foot in this room?”
Faced with his father’s menacing stare, Zhuo Yupin could only stammer, “Dad, I, I…”
Zhuo Fengru sneered. “Trying to cover one lie with another is wrong. Most laughable, though, is that even your lies are unbelievable!”
Slap!
“Your mother didn’t even need to search to find the money you stashed in your room. It’s been three days since we found it. Do you really think your father can’t trace back anything from the codes on the cheques?!” Zhuo Fengru threw the stack of notes in his shirt to the ground, some sheets landing on his son’s red, swollen face. “I raised you. You’ve never left my side since you were three. I know exactly what you’re thinking.” In a low voice, he demanded, “Tell me everything else you’re hiding from me.”
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Zhuo Yupin dropped to his knees, snot and tears pouring down his face. “Dad, I realise my wrongs! I came here tonight to confess. I accepted money from Miguo Branch to have people tail Brother Hua and Ming, then provide reports to Miguo Branch.”
“Why did you do that? Are you short on money?”
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“N-no.” Zhuo Yupin took a much-needed breath, then, speaking through his teeth, explained, “I do not trust those two; they do not treat you as one of their own! They are constantly ridiculing and testing you. Why should you have to put up with their unwarranted attitudes? Additionally, I personally heard that Ming boy meet with one of Liu Shan Men’s upper echelon. Liu Shan Men has always been picking a bone with you. He is unmistakably a spy Liu Shan Men sent in to our place.”
“Should we be afraid of an investigation?”
“… No.” Zhuo Yupin’s bravado died the instant he met his father’s gaze.
“Without Young Hero Ming’s protection, Young Master Hua probably would still be missing, and Yanran might be dead already. Don’t forget Miguo Branch is guilty of killing your uncle. They are our enemies. Are you inviting the wolf in just because you can’t control your emotions?”
Frankly, Zhuo Yupin never spared it so much thought as the people who approached him were but hooligans, the small-timer types that people in Yichang recognised at a glance. Now that his father enlightened him to the things he wasn’t thinking about, he genuinely feared his mistake would escalate into something more serious. “I will accept any mistake for my error, Father.”
Zhuo Fengru heaved a heavy breath. “You didn’t make only one mistake.”
Even if Zhuo Yupin knew what his father meant, he wouldn’t dare to respond.
Zhuo Fengru exhaled heavily again. “You claim to have betrayed them because they appear untrustworthy. In truth, you’re just jealous Yanran and Young Master Hua are close.”
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Zhuo Yupin lowered his red face, indicating to Zhuo Fengru that he hit the nail on the head.
“Your uncle and I are brothers. Without Xu Clan, I wouldn’t have what I have today; he supported me when I was just starting out. I’ve never stopped feeling grateful for what he did. I was hoping you would be able to take care of Yanran once you married her as a means of repaying him. I’m glad you like the poor girl, and I was hopeful you’d get along with her. Now, though, before thinking about whether she’d respect you or night, I can’t trust you with her.”
Zhuo Yupin, having never been reproached so harshly, couldn’t stop his tears.
“Stop it. I can’t stand men crying.”
Zhuo Yupin wiped his tears. “Yes, Father!”
“You’re going to clean up your own mess. Apologise to them first thing tomorrow morning.”
“But they… Understood.”
Zhuo Fengru sighed a breath of relief. “Leave now. Don’t forget what I told you.”
“I have carved it into my heart.” Zhuo Yupin bowed out.
Zhuo Fengru remained standing at the centre of the room for ages, unmoving until someone behind the screen said, “I wonder how he will react when he finds out his father has been working for His Excellency. I’m dying to find out.”
“Please pardon the unsightly scene.”
The man attired black stepped out from hiding, but his mask kept his facial appearance a secret. “If it wasn’t for your son, you wouldn’t be so subservient. A parent’s love truly is noble.”
Zhuo Fengru saluted the man. “Zhuo Fengru is at your service, Apostle.”