The entrance to the Southern Manor was crowded with onlookers, whispering and gossiping.
Although the Southern Manor had held two funerals consecutively, it had nothing to do with the common people. Even if some felt pity for Nan Chaoyyin, they were quickly rebuffed by others: "He's an imperial official living in luxury, why should a commoner like you pity him!"
"I never expected, truly never expected, that Lord Nan would be such a sinister and cunning scoundrel."
"We all thought Lord Nan was an incorruptible and just official, upright and kind. Now it seems he's nothing but a hypocrite!"
"Perhaps you're only realizing this now? As soon as the wicked deeds of his secondary wife, Lady Liu, became known to the world, I knew Lord Nan was birds of a feather. I refuse to believe that as Lady Liu's pillow companion, he was truly unaware of her despicable actions."
"So it's true that karma is a cycle and retribution is always served. Lady Liu was reduced to a 'human pig' by the Prince, and Nan Chaoyyin not only revealed his true colors but also lost a young son and his primary wife."
"If you ask me, the most pitiful is the Princess Consort. She lost her mother at a young age, was abused as a child, and after finally reaching adulthood, was forced to impersonate the fourth young lady and marry the Prince. If it weren't for her profound blessings, the grass on her grave would likely be two zhang high by now. Even so, she's called a jinx who brings misfortune to her father and mother, and her reputation is slandered behind her back by the ladies of official families."
"Speaking of which, I feel like this Lord Nan is more of a jinx than the Princess Consort. His official career was smooth sailing, masking his ill fortune. Now that his career is faltering, he can no longer suppress his bad luck, thus causing the deaths of his son and primary wife."
"Alas, what you say has some merit!"
The commoners watched the shopkeeper, who was bound and thrown on the ground, and listened as Jia Huan enumerated Nan Chaoyyin's offenses. The topic of conversation began to diverge in various directions, all centering on Nan Chaoyyin. All the rumors circulating about the Southern Manor were linked together, with everyone babbling about something different. Some even thought Nan Chaoyyin had encountered something unclean, which was why he was experiencing such misfortune.
The gatekeeper peered out through the gap between the two large gates. The vast crowd seemed poised to surround the Southern Manor. He anxiously looked back. Guard Zhen had gone to report to the master a long time ago, but why hadn't he returned yet? The Prince's people were shouting from outside. What if, in a little while, they decided to kick down the door? The previous gatekeeper of the Southern Manor had been dragged out to the street and beheaded by guards from the Prince's manor for the same reason. Would he suffer the same fate!
The more the gatekeeper thought about it, the more fearful he became, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Inside the study of the Southern Manor.
Nan Chaoyyin sat calmly behind his desk, holding a wolf-hair brush, diligently practicing calligraphy. It was as if he hadn't heard Guard Zhen's report.
Guard Zhen lowered his head, held his breath, not daring to breathe heavily.
Nan Yujin kicked open the door and entered. The door slammed open with a "clang." Nan Chaoyyin's brushstroke faltered, ruining a perfectly written character. He frowned, threw the brush onto the desk, his eyes flashing with sharp anger, and berated, "Who taught you manners, to barge in without knocking?"
Nan Yujin's rising anger paused, his emotions momentarily disrupted. He couldn't connect the dots. He was initially filled with rage and fury, but being scolded by Nan Chaoyyin like this actually helped to calm his agitated emotions. He withdrew from the study and stood outside the door, knocking to request an audience.
Only then did Nan Chaoyyin allow him to enter.
"Father, outside..."
Nan Yujin still couldn't quite control himself. As soon as he entered and before he had even settled, he couldn't help but speak. Nan Chaoyyin raised his hand, halting his words: "I know."
"Then..."
Nan Chaoyyin glared at Nan Yujin, reprimanding him with displeasure, "Always so impatient. How many times have I taught you, that handling urgent matters with composure and concealing your emotions is the way of an official."
"You are already of age, and after your marriage, you will directly take up your post as the governor of a prefecture. If you still have this temperament, how can your father be at ease?"
"Father, your son knows his mistake."
Nan Yujin lowered his head. He was momentarily dazed. Did his father truly love him? Was his mother's death really his father's doing? He couldn't see through his father, couldn't fathom or guess him. He stood right there, diligently teaching him the ways of officialdom and the ways of life, yet he still couldn't be sure how much calculation was hidden within this fatherly love, and how much affection remained.
Nan Chaoyyin balled up the ruined calligraphy sheet and threw it on the ground. He then spread a new piece of Xuan paper on the desk, picked up his brush, and continued to write.
The single Guard Zhen, who had been standing by respectfully, now became two people standing side by side.
The Southern Manor remained silent and unresponsive. The voices of discussion outside grew louder. The patrol soldiers hurried to the scene. Li Hao dispersed the crowd and saw the Prince's guards standing at the entrance of the Southern Manor, enumerating Nan Chaoyyin's crimes. He immediately felt a headache coming on.
Why is it this person again!