Chapter 28

"Impossible!" Shimu jumped up, staring at Yanzhi with wide eyes.

Yanzhi sneered, "Young Master Ji has already moved into the Wei residence and will soon come to the Tranquil Heart Garden. Then you'll know if it's true or not. How could I, Yanzhi, ever have lied to you?"

Shimu shivered all over as he listened.

Although he didn't know that Madam had completely given up on giving him a chance, he at least knew that in Madam's eyes, he was not as good as Shimeng.

Shimeng, like Shimu, was a personal servant to the young master, but his position only handled daily life, not studies, making it much easier than being a study companion. Moreover, he was naturally cautious, didn't give rash advice, and had the support of the head of the Wei family's outer house, so his image in Madam's eyes was much better.

In the past, there were two positions, one for Shimeng and one for himself. Although he knew Madam didn't like him, he wasn't too afraid, always hoping that the young master could help him.

Now there was only one position left, and his hopes were greatly diminished. How could he accept this?

"How can this be? How can this be?" At this moment, Shimu was pacing around, shaking his head repeatedly: "There's only one position left... I can't compete with Shimeng, I can't compete with him!"

Seeing Shimu's appearance, Yanzhi sneered inwardly. Tang Jie was right; he is indeed a useless waste. However, she said, "What? You're giving up already? I thought so highly of you!"

"What can I do, then?"

"You! You're such an idiot. Do I have to remind you? Don't forget, Ji Ziqian isn't officially a servant student yet; he's just staying here temporarily. You still have a chance. Just get rid of Ji Ziqian, and you'll be fine."

"How can I? What do I have to get rid of him? He's the young master of the Ji family, the young master's cousin!" Shimu shouted.

Yanzhi snorted, "If you can't get rid of him, can't the young master?"

Shimu was startled, "The young master?"

Yanzhi said fiercely, "Yes, the young master! Don't forget why he's here. He's here to be a servant student! A servant student is a servant! He's here to serve the young master. Once he's here, he's not the young master of the Ji family or the young master's cousin, but a servant of the Wei family. Understand?"

Shimu suddenly understood Yanzhi's hint. His eyes flashed with a glint: "That's right. He wants to compete for the position of servant student, huh? Humph, let him learn how to be a servant first! If he can't serve the young master, what kind of servant student can he be?"

With that, Shimu bowed to Yanzhi, "Thank you, Sister Yanzhi, for your advice!"

Yanzhi lazily replied, "Just a thank you?"

Shimu suddenly realized and hurriedly took out all his money and handed it to Yanzhi, "A small token of my appreciation."

Yanzhi accepted it, "I won't be polite, but remember, you can't do this alone. You need Shimeng and the young master to help you."

"How can they possibly help me?" Shimu said helplessly, "This has nothing to do with them..."

"Who says it has nothing to do with them? You're the young master's confidant, and this is a big deal!" Yanzhi rolled her eyes, "Listen to me..."

She leaned in and whispered a few words in Shimu's ear, making his eyes light up. He bowed to Yanzhi, "Thank you, Sister, for your guidance!"

"Then I wish you good luck. When you achieve success in cultivation, remember that I helped you."

"Shimu will never forget Sister's great kindness!"

Yanzhi sneered, "Don't talk about great kindness yet. I'm telling you, opposing the young master of the Ji family is risky. Think carefully about what you're going to do. Don't blame me for not warning you. What I say here, I won't acknowledge once you leave. If you try to implicate me..."

"Please, Sister, rest assured, I won't!" Shimu quickly agreed, then his face turned fierce, "So what if I oppose the Ji family? I came to the Wei residence to enter the academy and cultivate. If someone tries to block my path, I'll fight back! Even if it means we both die, no one will enter the immortal gate!"

The young man's righteousness and blood were boiling!

"Good, you've made up your mind." Yanzhi sneered and left.

Daring to oppose the young master of the Ji family, Shimu was doomed to fail, whether he succeeded or not. But he had no hope anyway, so Yanzhi didn't mind giving him a push.

Even if the plan failed, it wouldn't matter because Tang Jie had already found a way out for her. No matter what conditions the Ji family offered the Wei family, they couldn't match what a servant was willing to do. Without considering family ties, the Wei family would still prefer a servant.

So her actions were actually solving a problem for the Wei family.

Some things the master can't do, the servants take the initiative to handle, showing loyalty!

With this way out, Yanzhi wasn't worried.

Besides, she was just one of many...

---

That night, Wei Tianchong learned about Ji Ziqian's arrival.

This surprised him, "Why didn't I know about this?"

Beside him, Shimu replied, "The people from the Ji family came and went straight to see Madam. Everything was discussed with Madam. We only learned about it from the servants' gossip. The news has already spread throughout the Tranquil Heart Garden, and now everyone knows."

"So I was the last to know? And why didn't they come to see me?" Wei Tianchong was very surprised. He didn't care much about a new servant student, but the fact that the Ji family people only went to see Madam made him feel uncomfortable.

He had classes during the day, so it was understandable that he didn't see them. But now it was evening, and they still hadn't come to see him. What did they think he was?

This is for me to have a servant student!

No one likes to feel disrespected!

Shimu, who could see the young master's feelings, sneered, "The Ji family is here to compete for a servant student position, not to serve the young master. Whether they respect the young master is a question."

Wei Tianchong's face immediately darkened.

Shimeng, standing nearby, sensed the hidden meaning in Shimu's words and frowned but said nothing.

From his perspective, competing for two positions was better than one. Just like Tang Jie couldn't guarantee he would get the only position, Shimeng also didn't have that confidence.

So if possible, he didn't want the Ji family to get involved. However, he wasn't as insecure as Shimu, so his anxiety wasn't as high, and he was reluctant to get involved.

But even if he didn't want to get involved, someone was forcing him to.

Seeing Wei Tianchong's unhappy face, Shimu continued, "Actually, a servant student position isn't a big deal. I can give it up. But if I do, it will be hard for Shimeng. Originally, two of us served the young master, and when we entered the academy, it was one master and two servants. The young master might have to make do. Now, with Young Master Ji coming, it will be one servant and two masters. Shimeng will be overwhelmed."

Wei Tianchong was very dissatisfied, "Nonsense! He's here to be my servant student. Why should I use my servant for him?"

Though they were cousins, they had only met once two years ago, and the memory was already blurry. In terms of affection, he cared more for his own servants.

Even Shimeng realized the problem when he heard this. He couldn't accept a one-servant-two-masters situation either.

Especially for servants who were competing to enter the academy, their ultimate goal wasn't to serve but to cultivate.

Two servants serving one master meant they could still have half the time to cultivate.

One servant serving two masters meant they would be truly serving, with no time to cultivate. What was the point of going then?

In the face of imminent personal loss, anyone would become short-sighted, irritable, and even impulsive. Shimeng, who hadn't thought of this before, was now provoked by Shimu.

Shimeng quickly said, "Young Master, if I serve both of you, no matter how hard it is, I have no complaints. But I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of you. If something happens because of Young Master Ji, it will affect your affairs..."

Wei Tianchong shouted, "You're my servant, you don't need to listen to others. No matter what, I won't agree to this."

"But Young Master, this is a decision by Father and Madam. Refusing directly might not be appropriate. We need a more tactful approach," Shimu said.

Wei Tianchong was frustrated, "What tactful approach?"

Shimu sneered, "Since Young Master Ji is here to be a servant student, treat him like a servant! If he can do my job, I'll give up my position. Besides, it's natural for the young master to give him orders. How can he refuse? Once he's here, he's not a young master anymore. This is the Wei residence, not the Ji family!"

Wei Tianchong was stunned, then laughed loudly, "Well said! Let's do it!"

But after a moment, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face, and he muttered, "But if Mother finds out, she might beat me again..."

Shimu and Shimeng sighed together, knowing that this young master was outwardly fierce but inwardly timid. To really get Wei Tianchong to oppose Ji Ziqian, a few words wouldn't be enough.

---

At the same time.

The second and third managers of the Wei family were drinking in a room.

"So, it's settled?" the third manager, Zhu Qing, asked.

"Yes, he's staying in Qingyang轩. They say he'll stay for a few days to see how he gets along with the young master, but I think it's just a delay," the second manager, Yan Chen, replied while drinking.

"Qingyang轩? Why there? It's quite far from the Tranquil Heart Garden. How did Qin Yuan arrange this?" Zhu Qing was puzzled.

Yan Chen chuckled, "The farther, the better. Only if he stays far away will it be inconvenient to come and go. Only if he stays far away can they settle in early, even failing to meet the young master today... Manager Qin's move is quite clever."

The third manager's eyes lit up, "You mean, Qin Yuan did this on purpose..."

"Who can say for sure? Maybe, as he said, he just wanted to find a quiet and elegant place for the young lady and Young Master Ji," Yan Chen took another sip of wine.

"Hmph, nice words, but who doesn't know what he's up to?" Zhu Qing said disdainfully.

"Indeed. Young Master Ji's arrival is a threat to Tang Jie, and to Shimu and Shimeng as well. If the boys compete and lose, we can accept it. But now, with Young Master Ji coming in, who can accept it?"

"Exactly!" Zhu Qing took a fierce sip of wine, "Tang Jie is good at dealing with people and respects both of us. Last time, when the master rewarded him a hundred taels of silver, he used most of it to benefit the Wu family's elders, but he didn't forget us. Even though Shimu has caused him trouble, he hasn't retaliated. Last time, it was because of him that Shimu kept his position as a study companion. Whether you say he's deep or patient, at least he has a good heart. If he succeeds, he won't make things difficult for us, and we can accept it. But what is Ji Ziqian? Don't be fooled by his polite appearance. I, Old Zhu, can see through him. He doesn't even look at us! If he becomes an immortal, we won't even get to drink his foot-washing water!"

Yan Chen didn't respond, just said calmly, "Lü Sister came to see me today."

Lü Sister was Wei Tianchong's wet nurse and Shimu's patron. Although she was younger than everyone else, her husband was the head of one of the Wei family's outer house businesses, one of the earliest followers of the old master, and even Wei Danbo respected her highly. Therefore, the managers also called her Lü Sister.

"Oh? What did Sister say?"

"Of course, she was very dissatisfied. I heard Manager Qin has also talked to her and Shimu..."

Yan Chen didn't continue, but Zhu Qing understood, "So, no one welcomes their arrival?"

The master and madam's dislike was known.

The Ji family's attempt to play the 'paying back on arrival' game was misplaced, making the madam very unhappy from the start.

Of course, if given time, Ji Weilanxin might have realized and fixed it, but someone wouldn't give them the time.

"Unfortunately, the old master and the old madam still like this grandson," Yan Chen said meaningfully.

"Then let them dislike him too," Zhu Qing said coldly.

They looked at each other and suddenly burst into a satisfied laugh.

---

Interest is a chain, and everyone is just a link in that chain.

The Ji family's disregard for the rules and strong intervention had already caused a huge impact on everyone in the Wei residence, or rather, on the entire chain of interests of the Wei family's servants.

Of course, under normal circumstances, these people, each fighting for themselves, wouldn't have the courage to oppose the Ji family.

But if someone orchestrated it and someone volunteered to lead the charge, the group effect would make even the most timid person dare to speak up.

This was not only a struggle of interests but also a struggle of classes, and no one could change it!

By stirring the desire in people's hearts, Tang Jie had tied everyone in the Wei family to one rope, forming an invisible anti-Ji family alliance.

Ji Ziqian's days in the Wei family were destined to be bleak...