Chapter 3

Liang Xiao was greatly surprised, not knowing where he had found the courage to respond with a cold laugh.

"Wang Bo, if you say so, then I have to ask who this Mr. Huan is. My mother and I have lived here for over ten years, and we've never seen him. From the look of his clothes, he seems to have just been released from prison. I wonder what crime he committed and how he was released. You say this place used to be his home, does he have a deed? Can you show it to us?"

Wang Fengshi was greatly surprised and turned to look at Liang Miao. "Mrs. Liang, your little one has really grown up, daring to argue with me and making a lot of sense. What's this, I let you live here for over ten years, and instead of being grateful, you've accumulated resentment?"

Liang Miao hurriedly apologized. "Wang Bo, don't take it out on the little one. Xiao'er was sick a few days ago, and his mind is a bit confused. We even called Aunt Chu to exorcise his soul yesterday, and you saw it yourself. Just treat his words as nonsense, don't take them seriously."

"I'm not really trying to argue with him, but if he goes around spreading rumors, I'll be in big trouble." Wang Fengshi glanced at Liang Xiao, snorted, and drew out his words. "For so many years, you and your son have never been registered or assigned land. Now that he's grown up, if you don't register, many things can't be done, and I'm in a difficult position too."

Liang Miao became even more nervous and kept apologizing. Liang Xiao frowned but picked up on some clues from Wang Fengshi's words, becoming even more certain.

He laughed lightly. "Wang Bo, an increase in the household register is a good thing. Whether it's the Chancellor or the County Magistrate, they wouldn't refuse to register us. What I'm worried about is that if they ask why we haven't been registered for over ten years, it will be hard for you to explain, right?"

Although Liang Xiao wasn't an expert, he knew that for the Han Dynasty's government, an increase in the household register was a political achievement, and no one would prevent people from registering. The Liang family had been in Guangling for so many years without registering, existing as illegal residents, which meant a loss of tax revenue for the government. As the head of the neighborhood, Wang Fengshi had a responsibility.

Thinking deeper, Wang Fengshi had no relation to the Liang family. Why would he take them in and help them hide their status? Naturally, he had received some benefits. Liang Miao was skilled at weaving brocade, and she sold all her brocade to the Ding family at a low price, earning just enough to live on, while the Ding family made a huge profit. The Ding family must have given Wang Fengshi a cut.

Without such a benefit, would Wang Fengshi have been so kind?

So, it wasn't that the Liang family was afraid of being registered; it was that Wang Fengshi was afraid. Liang Miao hoped that Liang Xiao would become an official after growing up, which required registration. Wang Fengshi didn't want to deal with this, using this opportunity to silence Liang Miao and extort some money.

Wang Fengshi's face turned red and then white.

To him, the Liang family, being widowed and orphaned, and being outsiders, relied on him to establish themselves in Guangling. He thought he could manipulate them as he pleased. He didn't expect that the usually carefree Liang Xiao would see through the logic and not fall for his tricks.

For a moment, he was in a difficult position, unsure how to respond. He wanted to argue but was afraid that Liang Xiao would really cause a fuss, as the boy wasn't a good person. He wanted to back down but couldn't save face.

At this moment, the prisoner said, "I was originally a minister of the Wu Kingdom, and I offended by following the Wu King. Today, I received a pardon and was released as a commoner. You're right, this isn't my home, but a friend's residence. You and your son aren't the owners, am I wrong?"

Liang Xiao looked at his mother, Liang Miao. He didn't know these details and needed to ask her. Liang Miao nodded repeatedly to confirm.

Liang Xiao couldn't help but sigh with sorrow. He had always thought they were just poor, but now he realized they were very poor. Not only were they poor, but they were also illegal residents, and the house they had lived in for over ten years wasn't even theirs.

Wang Fengshi immediately perked up, his eyes becoming extremely stern.

The prisoner waved his hand to stop Wang Fengshi. "Let's do this: I'm alone and don't need much space. You can just clear out a room for me. We'll be neighbors for a while, and when I find a new place, I'll move out. How about that?"

Liang Xiao had no objections. When you're poor, you have to be humble. It was already good that the prisoner wasn't driving them out, and he couldn't be too demanding. However, the prisoner, though lame and blind in one eye, had a strong presence. Living under the same roof, conflicts were inevitable.

"What, are you afraid of a cripple?" The prisoner seemed to see through Liang Xiao's concerns and said with a half-smile, "You weren't like this earlier outside the city."

"You two..." Wang Fengshi and Liang Miao were both surprised. It turned out they knew each other.

"Oh, we met once outside the city," the prisoner said with a faint smile, waving at Wang Fengshi. "Alright, let's settle it this way. You go about your business, and if there's anything, I'll find you."

Wang Fengshi nodded obediently, bowed, and called Liang Miao aside to give her some instructions before leaving.

The prisoner looked Liang Xiao up and down, then extended his hand. "Can I see your crossbow?"

Liang Xiao hesitated for a moment, then handed over the crossbow he had been holding but didn't give him the bolts.

The prisoner didn't mind, picked up the crossbow, aimed, and sighed, looking a bit lost. After a while, he smiled wistfully and returned the crossbow to Liang Xiao. "Have you robbed graves?"

"Don't say such things!" Liang Xiao looked around nervously, especially at his mother. In the past, he didn't care, but now he didn't want his mother to know about his past misdeeds.

"This is a weapon made by the Wu Kingdom and was used for burial. If you didn't rob a grave, it wouldn't be in your hands." The prisoner smiled and added, "Can't you read? Didn't you see the inscription?"

Liang Xiao picked up the crossbow and saw some seal script characters but didn't recognize them.

"If you don't want me to report you, prepare a good meal for me." The prisoner smiled. "It doesn't have to be too lavish, just some chicken and wine. I've been eating prison food for over ten years, and my stomach might not be used to rich food."

The prisoner walked to the hall, sat down slowly, patted his lame leg, and looked at Liang Xiao teasingly. "Do you regret not pushing me into the river when we met outside the city?"

Liang Xiao's eyes darted around. "No problem, there's still a chance now." As he spoke, he drew the crossbow, took out a bolt, and placed it in the groove. "I've only been practicing with the crossbow for a short time, and my skills are average. Be careful, I might accidentally hit you."

The prisoner remained still, calmly observing Liang Xiao.

Liang Xiao slowly raised the crossbow, aiming at the prisoner's throat, raising his eyebrows to look as menacing as possible. Only by doing so could he intimidate the prisoner and establish who was in charge.

The two faced each other, one sitting in the hall and the other standing in the courtyard, less than ten steps apart. Neither moved, and the atmosphere became tense. After a while, Liang Xiao's arm started to ache, and the crossbow began to wobble. But he refused to back down, gritting his teeth and holding on.

The prisoner suddenly laughed. "What a waste, such strong arms can't even hold a crossbow for a short time."

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