Chapter 10

(Tou blood for recommendation)

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Hugging his two emaciated sons tightly, Chen Xiliang looked towards Sanlang, who was huddled in the corner... Of course, from his perspective, it seemed that his son, who had caused trouble, was showing fear. His heart ached, and he moved the two younger sons to his left arm, freeing his right arm to say, "Sanlang, come to Father..."

‘No way...’ Chen Sanlang shuddered and hugged his arms tighter. Although he truly regarded Wulang and Liulang as his younger brothers, he couldn’t accept having such a father.

"Come here, Father doesn’t blame you..." Seeing this, Chen Xiliang felt even more pity.

‘Damn, no choice, I’ll just have to endure it.’ Since he was playing the role of Sanlang, he had to be professional. He silently repeated to himself: ‘I am Chen Sanlang, I am Chen Sanlang...’ While self-hypnotizing, he slowly moved over.

Chen Xiliang had been holding his right arm up, almost to the point of it aching, when Sanlang finally came, and he pulled him into a tight embrace.

Chen Sanlang immediately broke out in goosebumps, his back feeling cold. His mind was filled with one thought: ‘I’m being hugged by a man, and so tightly...’ His back involuntarily tensed up.

Feeling his son’s unease, Chen Xiliang, still thinking it was out of fear, gently patted his back and said, "Don’t worry, Father is back."

Although he felt uncomfortable all over, Chen Sanlang felt a warmth in his heart. Only heaven knew how helpless and desperate he had been, how much he had wished for a savior.

After a moment of father-son affection, Chen Xiliang carried Liulang, and led Sanlang and Wulang, walking briskly toward the main house.

In the main house, Chen Xishi and Lady Hou were sitting and lying respectively. Their two sons were also ordered to stand on either side to maintain the scene. The couple’s faces were full of anger as they watched the four of them enter.

Chen Xiliang put Liulang on the ground and bowed deeply to his brother and sister-in-law, saying, "Brother and Sister-in-law, your younger brother has returned."

The two ignored him, turning their heads away in a show of anger.

Chen Xiliang was not bothered by this and stood up, speaking solemnly, "I never thought that in just over forty days, so much would happen. All the mistakes are mine. I was too focused on my studies and neglected my responsibilities as a father. I was too lenient, leading others to think they could take advantage of us..."

The couple found the first part of his words acceptable, but the latter part was like a sharp thorn. A scholar’s insults didn’t need dirty words; he was clearly accusing them of having no family ties, bullying children, and being devoid of conscience.

Lady Hou couldn’t hold back any longer and launched a full attack, "I thought Brother Two was a cultured man, but he has raised some thieving, disrespectful brats! Out of respect for the family’s face, we didn’t send them to the authorities. I expected you to come back and discipline them, to apologize to me, who nearly died. But you storm in here, not only without remorse, but also turning the tables. I see now, like father, like son. The root of the problem lies with you, the father." She groaned, "There’s nothing to say, we must report this to the authorities, we must report this..."

This woman’s attack was formidable, clearly well-prepared. She then delivered the final blow, "Don’t think that because we don’t know many characters, we don’t know the Song Dynasty laws. Assaulting or plotting to kill grandparents, grandmothers, or uncles and aunts is a heinous crime, punishable by death!"

This statement sent shockwaves through Chen Sanlang’s heart. He hadn’t realized the consequences could be so severe... even more terrifying than what the hired workers had said. He didn’t know that this was also the result of his uncle and aunt’s last-minute preparation.

Sanlang couldn’t help but glance at Chen Xiliang, who showed no surprise, clearly indicating that this was common knowledge for people of a certain level. He couldn’t help but sigh, ‘Not knowing the law is no good. If I can get through this, I’ll definitely find a copy of the Song Dynasty Criminal Code and memorize it...’ But for now, he was at a loss and could only rely on this new father.

You have to be strong, Father...

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"Brother-in-law is right, the Song Dynasty Criminal Code does indeed have a clause for ‘wicked rebellion.’" Chen Xiliang, who was usually quiet, now spoke coldly, "But you only know part of it. Our dynasty is founded on virtue, and the purpose of the law is not punishment but education and reform. Therefore, there are the ‘three pardons’ and ‘three leniencies’ in the criminal code."

Lady Hou was stunned. She didn’t understand the Song Dynasty criminal code at all. The charge she had mentioned was word-for-word taught by Chen Xishi. Now, hearing about ‘pardons and leniencies,’ she was completely lost.

Chen Xishi also remained silent. The Song Criminal Code was vast, and only someone like his younger brother, who was preparing for the imperial exams, would study it in detail.

"The ‘three pardons’ refer to the elderly, the young, and the mentally challenged. Their criminal responsibility is considered, and their sentences may be reduced or waived. The ‘three leniencies’ refer to unintentional, forgetful, and accidental crimes, which are not intentional and thus receive lighter sentences." Knowing the severity of the situation, Chen Xiliang had rushed back. On the way, he had been thinking about how to exonerate Sanlang... He had considered lowering his stance and begging Lady Hou to spare Sanlang, but if she didn’t drop the case, it would be a future threat.

After much deliberation, he decided to take a strong stance to show Lady Hou that this was not in anyone’s best interest. He recited his prepared speech, "According to our laws, those over seventy, under fifteen, or severely ill are not subject to interrogation and can be fined for crimes below exile. Those over eighty, under ten, or severely ill, if they commit heinous crimes like rebellion or murder, can request a reduction in sentence. For theft or assault, they can pay a fine."

"My son Sanlang was born in the ninth month of Jingyou Year Three, making him nine years and seven months old, which falls under the ten-year-old reduction clause. A child under ten doesn’t understand the Song Dynasty laws or the crime of ‘wicked rebellion,’ so he also qualifies for leniency. Although ‘assaulting a senior’ is a form of ‘wicked rebellion,’ it is less severe than ‘plotting to kill a senior’ and is punishable by exile. In court, I will request a reduction. The magistrate must petition the court, and the current emperor, a benevolent ruler, will surely show leniency to my son!" Chen Xiliang said confidently.

"How do you know the emperor will show leniency?" Chen Xishi finally couldn’t hold back.

"Because my son’s actions are understandable!" Chen Xiliang said firmly.

"Understandable, what a joke!" Lady Hou huffed, "No matter how you argue, he’s still in the wrong!"

"Did you not beat my youngest son until he bled from the nose and mouth, and knock out my third son? Should I, as an older brother, just stand by and watch?" Chen Xiliang’s face darkened.

"I was disciplining Liulang, and your two sons attacked me. I only slapped and pushed them. Who knew your son was so weak?" Lady Hou argued, "Even if I did, so what? With their parents away, I, as their aunt, have the responsibility to discipline them!"

"What did they do wrong that required your discipline?" Chen Xiliang’s eyes turned cold.

"Stealing chickens and dogs, that’s not a small matter!" Lady Hou argued, "Stealing chickens as a child leads to stealing silver as an adult. How could I not discipline them?"

"That’s impossible! My sons would never steal chickens!" Chen Xiliang said decisively.

"Are you blind? My rooster was stolen and eaten by them. I found the evidence on Liulang. Ask them, did they do it?" Lady Hou demanded.

"What a ridiculous claim!" Chen Xiliang laughed bitterly, "Eating their own chicken, how can that be called stealing?"

"That’s my chicken!" Lady Hou shouted.

"Brother-in-law, when did we divide the family?" Chen Xiliang asked coldly.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Lady Hou was speechless.

"If we haven’t divided the family, then everything in the Chen household belongs to our ancestors. Is it Chen or Hou?" Chen Xiliang took a deep breath.

‘Impressive...’ Chen Sanlang couldn’t help but admire his new father. It seemed he needed to reassess this irresponsible father.

"Taking without permission is stealing!" Chen Xishi, seeing his wife at a loss, stepped in.

"Why take without permission? Because asking wouldn’t help!" Chen Xiliang slammed the table, "Tell me, why were my sons driven to that shack? Are they stray cats and dogs? Tell me, why do my sons, who are under ten, have to do heavy labor and go without food if they make a mistake? Are they your slaves? Tell me, why, when my son fell into the water, did you not treat him and deny him food for days? Are they your enemies?"

"You don’t answer these questions but focus on my son eating a chicken," Chen Xiliang laughed in anger, "You’re not ashamed, but I am! You ask why the emperor would show leniency, you must be out of your minds!"

Chen Xishi was speechless.

Chen Xiliang sighed heavily, softening his tone, "Brother, we are brothers from the same mother. Even if you can’t treat my sons as your own, you shouldn’t abuse them. What do you want, just say it."

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Brother Xiliang is so strong, I’m begging for recommendations!! We need to hold the rankings, dear readers!!

Uh, the scene where Sanlang stabs Lady Hou is removed, not because of legal issues, but because it felt too violent. Bloodshed is not the same as courage. I apologize for the mistake, and it won’t happen again...

The next update will be around 8 PM. I’ll stick to 8 AM and 8 PM updates... Extra updates will be calculated separately.

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