When people were in Qin, they captured Zhao and questioned Qin.

Chapter 15 Young Lord

Zhao Heng's question made Ji Cheng and Luan Ding, who were only in their early twenties, so embarrassed that they couldn't lift their heads and their necks turned red.

Then Meng Ben's eyes reddened as he said, "After the Qin hostage incident, we were filled with remorse, but by then it was too late, and there was nothing we could do. We were already disheartened and only wanted to resign before the mistress after capturing the murderer, as we had no face to remain in the manor any longer. However..."

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes even more bloodshot:

"But today in the hall, the young master vehemently refuted the eunuch's order, saving our lives; in the afternoon, he presented us with silk, saying, 'The manor has wronged you all.' Those eight bolts of white silk placed beside the couch were like eight slaps to the face, making the four of us extremely uncomfortable. We remained silent for half a day... The young master treats me like a national hero; how can I continue to be a coward?"

Gongsun Yang smiled wryly and said, "When you asked during the day, 'Was it abandoned for other reasons?' we knew that you were as clear-headed as a mirror. If that's the case, to continue to conceal it would be to deceive your master and be shameless."

At this point, Ji Cheng kowtowed heavily, saying in a loud voice without regard for the consequences, "Our lord is now far away in Xianyang, so you, young master, are our master. Bringing Zhao Su here tonight is both a pledge of loyalty and an attempt to atone for our sins… The lives and futures of the four of us are all entrusted to you, young master. Please decide our fate!"

After saying that, the four of them knelt down again.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Su's struggle intensified. He twisted and turned desperately, his eyes filled with despair, like a dying beast uttering its final mournful cry.

Zhao Heng didn't even glance at him.

He held a lantern, looked down at the four kneeling men, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "Aren't you all afraid of offending...that powerful figure behind Zhao Su?"

Ji Cheng raised his head, his young face flushed with excitement under the lamplight, full of youthful vigor, and blurted out:

"When you saved our lives from the eunuch today, did you fear offending the King of Zhao's close attendants? When you presented the silk this afternoon, did you fear wasting your wealth and incurring criticism? You were not afraid, so what do we have to fear! Even if we offend the King of Zhao, it will only mean death. You treated us with your life, so why should we hesitate to repay you with ours?!"

These words were blunt, yet their sincerity was deeply moving.

Zhao Heng stared at him silently for a moment. Then his gaze shifted to Meng Ben, Luan Ding, and Gongsun Yang.

"Aren't you all afraid that what I've done today is nothing more than a child's occasional cleverness, audacious behavior relying on my status? In reality, I'm still an incompetent child, impulsive, willful, and short-sighted? You've staked your lives and futures on this; what if... you've made the wrong bet?"

Meng Ben and the other three looked at each other.

Finally, it was Gongsun Yang, the oldest and usually the quietest, who slowly spoke:

"Yu Rang once said, 'A scholar will die for one who understands him.' Although you are young, you know that we have suffered injustices but do not look down on us, value our lives but do not kill us indiscriminately, and care about our reputations but do not humiliate us. You treat us as scholars, and all you ask for is loyalty."

If that's the case, and we still look down on you because you're young, and shrink back because your future is uncertain... then how are we any different from those who are greedy and treacherous, those who waver between two sides? How are we any different from beasts?

After saying this, Gongsun Yang suddenly kowtowed again!

His forehead touched the ground, and he remained motionless for a long time.

"I, Gongsun Yang, am willing to serve the young lord as my master. I will follow him for life, even through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I will not hesitate to die!"

"Meng Ben is willing to serve the young lord as his master!"

"Ji Cheng is willing to serve the young lord as his master!"

"Luan Ding is willing to serve the young lord as his master!"

The four voices rang out one after another, echoing in the quiet courtyard, hitting the walls, and bouncing back, layer upon layer.

Zhao Heng stood holding a lamp and received a bow from the four people.

A young man in white stood in the courtyard, with a dark bedroom behind him and a retainer kneeling and kowtowing before him. Below him was a steward slumped like a limp rag.

A night breeze blew by, and the lamplight flickered.

Amidst the chaotic dance of light and shadow, Zhao Su ceased all struggle and stared blankly at the scene.

The last trace of color drained from his face, leaving it ashen and pale. He seemed to be witnessing something terrible happening right before his eyes. Power, loyalty, people's hearts... were quietly changing hands in a way he couldn't understand or stop.

Zhao Heng suddenly smiled.

Then, he stepped back, not looking at the four kneeling men, nor at Zhao Su on the ground, but instead carrying the lantern and turning towards the shadows deep in the corridor.

"As the teacher said during the day, we people of Zhao value righteousness more than life and death, and we cherish our promises."

He raised his voice slightly, as if speaking into the darkness:

"Now it seems that what the teacher said... was indeed true."

As soon as he finished speaking, a soft, appreciative laugh came from the shadows.

Meng Ben and his three companions were startled.

They instantly looked up, their muscles tensing, their hands instinctively reaching for their waists. However, they weren't carrying swords; it was just a subconscious, instinctive action.

Four pairs of eyes stared intently into the shadows of the corridor, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Wei Jia slowly walked out from behind the pillars.

He was carrying a white lantern, and as he stepped out of the shadows, he gently pressed a spot on the bottom of the cage, and it suddenly lit up.

He walked to the courtyard and first nodded slightly to Meng Ben and his three companions, who looked as if facing a formidable enemy: "Four brave warriors, I have taken a humble place here. I apologize for my intrusion."

Only then did the four recognize that the visitor was none other than the young master's teacher, Mr. Wei Jia. Seeing him emerge from the shadows, clearly having witnessed the entire scene, they were immediately filled with shame and prostrated themselves again, saying, "We are so sorry for making you laugh, sir."

Wei Jia waved his hand, said nothing more, and turned to Zhao Heng.

"When you came to my study this evening, you said, 'Although Meng Ben and the other three have committed minor transgressions, their blood is not cold and their will is not broken. Today, observing their words and actions, their remorse is heartfelt and genuine. Such people deserve to be treated as scholars and moved by sincerity.'"

He looked at his students, then at the four of them, and smiled, "Now it seems that what you said, young master, was not untrue."

Zhao Heng and Wei Jia exchanged glances.

Both men had meaningful glances in their eyes. Zhao Heng had an expression that said, "Just as the teacher predicted," while Wei Jia rarely showed such admiration, saying, "This child understands immediately."

For a moment, in the courtyard, under the lamplight, the master and apprentice looked at each other and smiled.

Zhao Su, who was listening to the conversation, realized that everything that happened tonight was part of Zhao Heng's plan, and his face turned ashen.

Meng Ben and the other three were stunned.

Did you discuss us with Mr. Wei this evening, young master? And why such a high evaluation?

Suddenly, a surge of scalding heat rushed up from deep within their chests, making their eyes burn.

Zhao Heng handed the bronze lamp to the maid who rushed over. When she saw Wei Jia appear, she finally realized that the matter was over and hurriedly came out, at a loss for what to do.

Zhao Heng simply stepped forward and personally helped Meng Ben and the other three up one by one.

"Since you acknowledge me as your master, there's no need for such formalities," Zhao Heng said gently. "In our future interactions, simply treat each other with sincerity."

Meng Ben took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in his chest. He looked at Zhao Su, who was slumped on the ground, a sharp glint in his eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "Young Master, what should we do with this man?"

A final glimmer of hope appeared in Zhao Su's eyes. He blinked frantically, his eyelids almost cramping, and he made even more urgent "oohs" sounds in his throat.

Zhao Heng walked up to Zhao Su and squatted down. He reached out and pulled the burlap out of Zhao Su's mouth. The burlap was stuffed in very deep, and some saliva came out with it when he pulled it out.

Zhao Su gasped for breath a few times, then coughed again, his face turning red. As soon as the coughing subsided, he immediately raised his head, disregarding his disheveled state, and began to wail at the top of his lungs:

"My lord! This old servant is innocent! This old servant is utterly loyal to my master. It is these scoundrels who have framed me! They must be acting under the orders of outsiders to sow discord between you and me, my lord—"

The person was so moved to tears, and their acting was so superb that it seemed as if they could make a fake cry look real.

Ji Cheng, his face flushed with anger, clenched his fists so tightly they cracked. He took a half-step forward, about to unleash a torrent of abuse, but Luan Ding, standing beside him, held his arm firmly. The latter shook his head at him, only glancing at Zhao Heng, indicating that he would await the young lord's decision.

Zhao Heng waited quietly.

When Zhao Su's wailing changed from high-pitched to hoarse, and then to intermittent sobs, his face was covered in snot and tears, making him look pitiful and pathetic.

Then he spoke, his voice calm, without even a hint of anger:

"Zhao, if I really wanted to kill you, you would already be a corpse by now. Tomorrow, the manor will only have one more obituary: 'The steward died suddenly from an illness.'"

Zhao Su choked. His crying stopped abruptly, as if someone had grabbed his neck.

Zhao Heng stopped looking at him, stood up and said to Meng Ben, "Untie him."

Ji Cheng said urgently, "Young Master! This person..."

Zhao Heng waved his hand: "I have a use for him."

Although the four did not understand, since they had acknowledged a master, they had to obey.

Ji Cheng gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Zhao Su, and then stepped forward to work with Luan Ding, using both hands and feet to untie the tightly bound cowhide rope.

The rope dug deep into Zhao Su's flesh, chafing him in places. Enraged, Ji Cheng used excessive force, kicking and stomping, causing Zhao Su to groan repeatedly, but no longer daring to scream.

The knot was finally loosened, and Zhao Su collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, looking at Zhao Heng with suspicion and uncertainty.

Zhao Heng looked down at him.

At this moment, the clouds parted slightly, and the cool moonlight shone down, mingling with the light from the lanterns and bronze lamps, illuminating half of Zhao Heng's face, creating a striking contrast of light and shadow. His still somewhat childish features, under the interplay of light and shadow, revealed a sharpness beyond his years.

"Domestic supervisor, I roughly know who's behind you," he said. "You want to live? Fine."

Zhao Se's eyes suddenly lit up, like a dying man grasping at a straw, and he hurriedly said, "This old servant is willing to serve you, young master, like a slave, even if it means going through fire and water..."

"From this day forward," Zhao Heng interrupted him without giving him a chance to say another word, "you will remain the steward of the Chunping Lord's household, and everything will continue as usual. Continue doing what you were supposed to do."

Zhao Su was stunned.

"But there are three things..." Zhao Heng held up three fingers and bent them down one by one in front of Zhao Su.

"First, all matters concerning the household, large and small, shall still be reported to Mother as before, but a separate copy must be made and secretly sent to me."

"Secondly, if anyone contacts you again, I need to know the time, place, person, and words."

"Thirdly, today's events, including your kidnapping, Meng Ben and the other three surrendering to me, and my teacher being here..."

Zhao Heng narrowed his eyes. "Once you leave this courtyard, it will all be as if nothing happened. You are still the Zhao family steward who is 'loyal' to the lord, they are still those four 'incompetent guards,' and I am still the young master who is 'recovering from illness and recuperating.' Do you understand?"

Zhao Su was stunned. Was he to become a double agent? To continue working for his master while simultaneously reporting to Zhao Heng? This…

Zhao Heng seemed to see through the scheming in his mind, and simply leaned forward slightly, adding:

"Of course, if you want to inform on us to your master, go ahead. But before you do, think about how cold the water under the Ox-Head Bridge is, and think about—"

He smiled slightly. The smile was warm, yet it sent a chill down Zhao Su's spine.

"After you betray me, who will die first, me or you?"

Zhao Su lay on the ground, trembling like a leaf.

He glanced at Zhao Heng, then at Meng Ben and the other three, and finally at Wei Jia, who stood silently to the side. In the moonlight, their faces were blurred, only their eyes shone brightly, like the eyes of beasts in the darkness.

Finally, he prostrated himself on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "This old servant... understands."

Zhao Heng stopped looking at him and turned to Meng Ben: "Send the steward back to his room, and tell everyone that the steward fell and was injured at night and needs to rest for a few days."

Meng Ben obeyed the order and stepped forward to pull the limp Zhao Su up. Zhao Su's legs were so weak that he couldn't stand up at all and was practically hanging on Meng Ben. Ji Cheng, growing impatient, stepped forward, grabbed Zhao Su's other arm, and half-dragged, half-lifted him up like a sack of potatoes.

The four men bowed respectfully to Zhao Heng and Wei Jia respectively. Meng Ben said in a deep voice, "Young Master, Sir, we shall take our leave."

Zhao Heng nodded slightly.

Just as the four turned to leave, Zhao Heng suddenly spoke again: "I will have the doctor take a good look at your back injuries tomorrow. Don't skimp on the necessary medications. Since you've followed me, your health is your capital. Only by taking good care of yourselves can you have a future."

These words, though spoken casually, caused Meng Ben and the other three to pause, their tense hearts inexplicably easing slightly, and a complex warmth welling up within them.

Before the four could express their gratitude, Zhao Heng paused for a moment, then specifically instructed Ji Cheng and Luan Ding: "Keep tonight's events to yourselves. In the future, when you are in the manor, you and Zhao Su should act as before."

Ji Cheng and Luan Ding solemnly replied, "Don't worry, Young Master."

Zhao Su was half-dragged, half-carried away, his figure staggering as he disappeared outside the moon gate of the courtyard. Meng Ben and the other three dispersed, their footsteps quickly swallowed by the night.

The courtyard fell silent again.

Only Zhao Heng, Wei Jia, a single copper lamp, a white lamp, and the clear moonlight covering the ground remained.

Wei Jia smiled, carrying the white lantern, and took a few steps closer: "Young master, how did you feel about the first test of the 'Sword of Shadows' today?"

Zhao Heng looked up at the night sky.

The clouds had mostly dispersed, and the moonlight, clear and cool, shone on the bluestone slabs of the courtyard, like a thin layer of frost.

"More unexpected than I imagined."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But it feels more reassuring than I imagined."

Wei Jia nodded: "Swords have no inherent good or evil; it is the wielder who wields them who has a heart. If you treat others with sincerity today, they will surely repay you with sincerity. This is the way to govern subordinates, and it is also... the way of the king."

Zhao Heng seemed to be deep in thought.

Wei Jia handed him the white lantern: "It's cold at night, young master, you should rest early. Tomorrow's lessons will proceed as usual."

He turned and stepped into the shadows of the corridor. His dark brown robes blended into the night and he soon disappeared from sight, only his voice drifting out from the darkness.

"By the way, the key to the art of breathing exercises is perseverance. The Yin energy is at its peak at midnight, and the Yang energy is at its peak at noon; these two times are the most effective. Now that you have grasped the basics, you should pay close attention and try to understand them."

Zhao Heng held the still-warm bamboo handle of the lantern, stood there, and looked in the direction where his teacher had disappeared. After thinking for a long time, he finally went back to his room.

The maidservant served him as he washed his feet with trepidation. She dared not look Zhao Heng in the eye, her fingers trembling. When she picked up her handkerchief, it accidentally fell into the water and became soaked instantly.

Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and she froze, at a loss for what to do.

Zhao Heng simply said gently, "It's alright. Nothing's going on tonight, you should go and rest."

The maidservant felt as if she had been granted a pardon and hurriedly withdrew.

Zhao Heng sat alone by the couch, but did not lie down.

He placed two lamps on the low table beside the couch, one bright and one dim. Then he closed his eyes and reviewed the day's events one by one.

From Gao Qu's coercion in the early morning, to the teacher's lecture, from presenting silk to the retainer in the afternoon, to the conversation with his mother in the evening, from practicing breathing techniques, to the four people in the courtyard who pledged allegiance and the punishment of Zhao Su...

In a single day, the power structure within Lord Chunping's residence quietly shifted.

At the age of eleven, Zhao Heng acquired his first truly personal power.

Four capable retainers, an unfathomable teacher, the full support of the mother, the mother's tacit acceptance of letting go, and even a double-dealing housekeeper who can be used as a pawn...

He thought for a moment, and after confirming that there were no oversights, he blew out the copper lamp, leaving only the white lantern given to him by Wei Jia in the corner, and went to sleep peacefully.

In a couple of days, once the turmoil has subsided and the spies in the mansion are settled, it will be time to go to Weifeng Lane.

Some situations, once you're in, you have to go all the way in.