Chapter 111: The Birthmark

Yan Hongwen sat with Zhang Zhongliang and Zhang Zhongheng, appearing unusually at ease. Seeing Zhang Zhongheng’s frustrated expression, it was clear that Zhang Zhongliang had already scolded him. After some polite small talk and casual chatter, the two Zhang brothers remained stiff and awkward, while Yan Hongwen alone drank and ate heartily.

As the conversation progressed, Yan Hongwen decided to play the gracious host and asked Zhu Fang to bring the gift list. “This is a wedding gift from the Yan family. Though it is sent a little early, it is because we might not have time to attend the ceremony later. I hope Young Master Zhang will not mind.”

Zhang Zhongliang seemed to have anticipated this and looked at Zhang Zhongheng, silently urging him to accept the gift quickly. Zhang Zhongheng opened the list and his eyes immediately widened. The gifts listed were all valuable, clearly intended to make him swallow his pride and officially marry Xu Ruojin as his lawful wife.

Having just been reprimanded by Zhang Zhongliang and recalling the old patriarch’s warning, Zhang Zhongheng felt intimidated. Yet looking at Yan Hongwen’s arrogant demeanor, he was displeased. “The gifts are far too extravagant; I dare not accept them.”

Zhang Zhongliang was taken aback, his face darkening. “Don’t be ungrateful!”

“Each item here is worth hundreds of taels of silver. I’m just a humble country boy; how could I possibly accept such generosity from Lord Yan? I’m timid...” Zhang Zhongheng’s mood soured, and Zhang Zhongliang was about to lash out.

Yan Hongwen stopped him, smiling as he looked at Zhang Zhongheng. “If you think the wedding gifts are too much for you to bear, then I will find a reason you can bear.”

“What do you mean?” Zhang Zhongheng asked bluntly. “You want me to keep quiet? I can’t control what the common people say.”

“No, no,” Yan Hongwen waved his finger. “Don’t quiet things down; the more turmoil, the better.”

Both Zhang brothers were shocked. What was he planning?

“The focus must be on Liang Xiao,” Yan Hongwen said more loudly. “Make Liang Xiao out to be a despicable scoundrel and portray Miss Xu as an innocent victim. If possible, have her publicly accuse Liang Xiao—that would be perfect.”

Zhang Zhongliang suddenly understood why Yan Hongwen had personally come to Zhonglin County. “Isn’t he already down and out? You still hope he might make a comeback?”

“They say he’s injured and can’t practice martial arts, but who knows if it’s true? A snake not fully killed can still bite back. I heard Liang’s wife has close ties with the Loyalty and Courage Marquis’s household, and it’s said the Marquis’s daughter was once betrothed to Liang Xiao as children.”

“That must never happen. If the Marquis supports him and he returns to the capital, the situation will be uncontrollable!”

Yan Hongwen’s ruthless expression even made Zhang Zhongheng’s palms sweat; he hadn’t expected such hatred for Liang Xiao.

“I can’t interfere with the Xu family’s affairs, but personally, I’m very dissatisfied with Liang Xiao. I will make sure this matter is settled!” Zhang Zhongheng gritted his teeth.

Yan Hongwen nodded. “Then I leave it to you. I’ll be waiting for good news.”

Zhang Zhongheng raised his glass, slammed it down hard, and drained his drink. Though still uneasy about marrying Xu Ruojin as his lawful wife, with the old patriarch’s pressure, he knew he had no choice; otherwise, his entire branch would suffer severe repercussions.

All his resentment was now to be vented on Liang Xiao. If he didn’t ruin Liang Xiao’s reputation and life, he wouldn’t be Zhang Zhongheng.

Zhang Zhongliang eagerly joined in, persistently urging Yan Hongwen to drink, and the three men laughed and joked until they were all quite drunk.

Zhang Zhongheng even ordered a few singing girls to accompany them. Yan Hongwen, already tipsy from midday drinking, got thoroughly drunk again that night, staggering as he tried to walk.

When he wanted to go to the washroom, Zhu Fang helped him outside and draped a cloak over his shoulders, but Yan Hongwen pushed it away. “Too hot—I’d rather strip off all my clothes than wear this. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yan Hongwen’s drunken eyes gleamed with a lascivious smile. Rolling up his sleeves only emphasized his restlessness.

As he stepped out of the private room, Yan Hongwen almost collided with someone. He staggered, barely catching himself on the wall.

“Are you blind?” Yan Hongwen shouted, and Zhu Fang quickly followed.

Watching the departing figure’s back, Zhu Fang’s eyes narrowed. That man looked like Liang Xiao.

Yan Hongwen, impatient, rushed to the washroom and only returned after some time.

Zhu Fang stood still, and Yan Hongwen frowned, scolding him, “What are you looking at? Why aren’t you helping me?”

“Master, that person just now looked very familiar—it might have been Liang Xiao.”

“Liang Xiao?”

Yan Hongwen was stunned, as if sobering up instantly. “Didn’t he leave the Liang family?”

“But not necessarily Zhonglin County.”

“Hahaha, good. Since Liang Xiao is here, all the better!” Yan Hongwen’s smile was particularly satisfying. “I want to see the day he falls!”

“Master, perhaps we should go back first?”

Zhu Fang noticed the two singing girls and was displeased. In the capital, Master never consorted with outside women to avoid trouble. Although they were now in Zhonglin County, if Madam found out about Master’s reckless behavior, he would likely be scolded as well.

“Let me indulge just this once...” Yan Hongwen said, then dove back into the private room, mingling with the singing girls.

Zhu Fang could only watch outside, powerless to prevent damage to Master’s reputation.

The man earlier had indeed been Liang Xiao. Though injured, he still had keen ears honed over many years; he clearly overheard Yan Hongwen and Zhang Zhongheng’s conversation from the next room.

The laughter of the singing girls made him particularly uncomfortable and angry.

As he left, just as Yan Hongwen headed to the washroom, Liang Xiao glanced once and immediately departed.

When he first heard Yan Hongwen and Zhu Fang had come to Zhonglin County, Liang Xiao was surprised. Even if Lord Yan had arranged the marriage with the Xu family, he wouldn’t expect the son himself to be sent to handle the matter.

Judging by Yan Hongwen’s words, it was clear he was targeting Liang Xiao personally. Liang Xiao only smiled lightly, treating him as a mere clown.

Did Yan Hongwen think this could ruin his childhood engagement to the Loyalty and Courage Marquis’s daughter?

But Liang Xiao despised relying on marriage alliances to make a comeback. While others might see it as a shortcut, to him it was pure humiliation—something he would never tolerate.

Thinking of Yan Hongwen’s recent expression, Liang Xiao suddenly stopped in his tracks.

On his arm was a small, vivid red birthmark, no larger than a fingernail, yet strikingly clear.

Why did it seem familiar?

He thought carefully and was suddenly shocked when he recalled someone with the same birthmark—Xu Ruojin!

At the county magistrate’s feast, when she rolled up her sleeves to serve drinks, he had inadvertently seen an identical birthmark.

Xu Ruojin...

Could she be connected to the Yan family?