Chapter 2

A carriage stopped at the gate of the Ning residence.

Servants hurriedly brought over a step stool.

A tall, handsome young man dressed in fine silk was the first to step down from the carriage.

This young man was Ning Gan, the eldest son of the Ning family.

Immediately after, a man in his fifties, with a refined appearance and an extraordinary demeanor, stepped out of the carriage.

He was none other than the current Minister of Rites, Ning Ziming.

Ning Gan rudely pushed aside the servants and, with a solicitous expression, helped Ning Ziming down from the carriage.

"Ning'er, I've already instructed someone to stew an old hen. You should eat more at dinner to replenish your strength; you must have been exhausted these past few days."

These past few days were the triennial imperial examinations, and Ning Gan had just finished taking them. Ning Ziming had personally come to pick him up, and they had just returned.

"Thank you, Father!"

Ning Gan supported Ning Ziming as they walked inside.

As soon as they entered, they saw Ning Mao, his third brother, leading several household servants, each holding a club, looking like a gang of thugs.

Ning Ziming's brows furrowed slightly. "What are you doing?"

Seeing his father, Ning Mao's fierce expression immediately turned to one of grievance.

"Father, you must stand up for Second Brother."

Ning Ziming asked in a stern voice, "What happened to your second brother?"

"Father, Ning Chen, that wild... he stole Second Brother's jade pendant. When Second Brother went to demand it back, Ning Chen not only acted shamelessly but also hit Second Brother on the head with a porcelain pillow."

"If Second Brother hadn't run fast, he might have lost his life."

Ning Mao sobbed, forcing out a couple of tears.

Ning Ziming's face darkened, worried but also surprised... Ning Chen had always been meek and submissive, even afraid to speak loudly in his presence. How could he have been so violent?

Ning Gan said angrily, "We provide him with food and clothing. How have we wronged him? He actually dared to harm his own brother so cruelly. He's a white-eyed wolf who doesn't know gratitude."

Ning Ziming thought for a moment. "Where is Ning Chen?"

Ning Mao quickly replied, "In the West Courtyard."

The West Courtyard was where the servants lived, but no one in the Ning family thought it was inappropriate for Ning Chen to live there.

Ning Ziming and the others went to the West Courtyard.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Ning Chen standing on a pile of firewood, holding a torch.

The air was filled with the smell of pine oil.

"Ning Chen, what are you up to now?"

Ning Mao shouted in rebuke.

Ning Gan, who was more composed, said, "Ning Chen, what are you doing? You haven't even greeted Father... have you forgotten all the rules you were taught?"

Ning Ziming looked at Ning Chen with disgust.

Some people, once they achieve success, try to erase their past humiliations.

Ning Chen was a source of shame for Ning Ziming.

Ning Ziming was extremely proud and cared about his reputation.

He didn't want anyone to know about his past, especially that his former wife was a village girl, which made him lose face.

Ning Chen looked at Ning Ziming calmly and said, "Do I have a father? I don't remember."

Ning Ziming's face turned extremely ugly.

"Rebellious son, do you know what you're saying?"

Ning Gan took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. "Ning Chen, you're being too much... Father provides you with food and clothing. Without Father, you would still be begging on the streets."

Ning Chen laughed sarcastically, his eyes full of ridicule.

"Providing me with food and clothing?" Ning Chen tugged at his thin shirt. "This piece of clothing was given to me by Minister Ning when I entered the residence. It's been two or three years now, hasn't it?"

"And food? I am the fourth son of the Ning family, but I can't even sit at the table. I have to eat the leftovers, and sometimes there aren't even any leftovers."

Ning Ziming frowned; he didn't know about this. The household expenses were managed by his wife, and he had never been involved.

To be honest, he wasn't uninvolved; he just didn't care about Ning Chen.

Ning Gan quickly said, "Ning Chen, don't talk nonsense... Mother never neglected you when she bought clothes for us."

"And when we eat, we send someone to call you, but you refuse to come to the table."

Ning Chen shook his head and laughed. "You're a good son to your mother, aren't you? You know how to cover for her, afraid she'll get a bad reputation for being cruel and vicious?"

"Ning Minister, my two good brothers... it's already autumn. If I had a thicker coat, I wouldn't have caught a cold."

"Pouring water on my bedding, making me sleep in a cold and damp bed, even the thickest coat wouldn't help."

Ning Gan was both shocked and angry. How could Ning Chen, who was usually meek and submissive, suddenly change so much?

He said angrily, "Ning Chen, you're talking nonsense, distorting the truth, and defaming your father and mother. You should be caned thirty times."

"That's your father and mother, not mine."

"Last night, I almost died sleeping in that cold and damp bed. If I hadn't been lucky, I would have been dead."

Ning Chen roared in anger.

Many servants were eavesdropping, and Ning Gan was worried that if they continued, it would damage his mother's reputation. He changed the subject: "Ning Chen, stop talking about things that don't exist... I'm here because you hit Ning Xing."

"He's your brother, who has always treated you well. Why did you harm him so cruelly?"

Ning Chen laughed coldly. "Treated me well? Treating me well means bullying me every day, beating and cursing me, and accusing me of stealing his things?"

"In the past, I was despicable, craving that pitiful bit of family affection. I endured everything, not fighting back, just hoping you would look at me a little more."

"After escaping death last night, I finally realized... to hell with family affection."

Ning Gan and the others finally understood. So this was the reason for Ning Chen's sudden change in character?

Ning Chen threw the torch at Ning Ziming's feet.

"Ning Minister, I hit your precious son. Now I'll give my life back to him. The firewood at my feet is drenched in pine oil. Just pick up the torch, and you can avenge your precious son. Come on!"

Ning Gan and Ning Mao were so scared they took several steps back... Was this guy crazy?

Ning Ziming was moved, momentarily lost in thought... but then he was overwhelmed by anger.

What was this?

Was this boy threatening him?

Old Uncle Chai, terrified, fell to his knees. "Master, please calm down... Fourth Son is delirious from fever. He doesn't know what he's doing."

"I'm not delirious. I'm more clear-headed than ever."

Ning Chen's expression was manic as he roared, "Ning Minister, what are you waiting for? Do it!"

Ning Ziming's face turned from green to white, filled with rage.

"Rebellious son, do you think you can get my attention by acting crazy and using this method?"

Ning Chen was stunned!

Damn!

Where did this guy get his confidence?

Ning Chen almost burst out laughing, but he felt sorry for the previous owner of this body!

He wondered what sins the previous owner must have committed in a past life to end up with such a father worse than a pig or a dog.

Ning Ziming said in a stern voice, "Rebellious son, the more you act like this, the more I despise you!"

Then, Ning Ziming had someone extinguish the torch and left in a huff.

Ning Gan and Ning Mao looked smug.

They thought Ning Chen was trying to get his father's attention with this method.

Unfortunately, it backfired, and now their father despised this boy even more.

Ning Chen looked at the two of them and suddenly bent down to pick up a piece of wood, throwing it at them.

The wood whizzed past Ning Gan's ear.

Ning Gan was so scared he froze.

"Ning Chen, you madman, bastard..."

Ning Mao cursed, but seeing Ning Chen bend down to pick up more wood, he was so scared he pulled Ning Gan and ran away.