Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter 102: Rebirth

Hearing the loud shouts of several men at the door, Su Dingfeng’s ears immediately perked up, and deep lines of anger furrowed his brow as he glared fiercely. Yet, instead of retreating, those men only grew more brazen and provocative.

“Ah!”

Su Dingfeng suddenly appeared at the doorway, striking down and knocking over all those who had accused him of being a scoundrel and worse.

Brushing the dust off his clothes, he was about to relax when another man appeared about ten meters away to the right of the Su family courtyard gate, shouting with an arrogant tone, “Su Dingfeng is a bastard, a scoundrel!”

The words were unchanged, but the tone became even more insolent.

“Damn it!”

Forced to action, the disciple personally trained by the head of the Bashan Sword Sect cursed fiercely, appearing again and closing in, throwing punches that brought down his opponent. Unsatisfied, he landed two more blows.

“Hmph, I…”

Before he could speak, yet another man called out sharply from ten meters away, repeating, “Su Dingfeng is a bastard, a scoundrel!”

Seething with rage, Su Dingfeng appeared for the third time right before them. Just as he dealt with the latest challenger, another appeared seamlessly ten meters away, and so on. Gradually, he was forced farther and farther from the Su family gate until he vanished completely.

Yuan Yunfei then arrived and stopped at the courtyard entrance, casually running his hand through his hair with a contemptuous smirk. “Hmph, I thought the disciple of the Bashan Sword Sect’s leader would be formidable, but he’s just a simple brute with a clever head.”

“Ah, this trick of luring the tiger away from the mountain is truly skillful. No wonder I am the son of the National Protector General.”

After his self-praise, he slowly took out a cane from behind and hobbled into the Su family courtyard. There was no choice—his leg was fine when the wound was treated, but now… he had to walk on three legs.

Inside the Su family courtyard, preparations for Chen Chang’an’s funeral were underway, but only a few family members wore somber expressions, looking deeply distressed. As for the second and third uncles and aunts, they laughed and chatted casually, utterly unaffected by any grief.

“Cough, cough!”

Yuan Yunfei cleared his throat loudly at the door to attract attention.

Without a doubt, he succeeded. Countless eyes immediately turned toward him: Su Qingtang and his wife, the second son Su Wanqing and his wife—all four furrowed their brows, knowing that no good would come of this.

Either it was revenge for Su Dingfeng’s assault yesterday, or they had heard of Chen Chang’an’s death and were here to pressure for a marriage.

Fortunately, the values of Su Wanqing, Su Qingtang, and Qin Fuluo, influenced by Chen Chang’an, had become upright and resolute. They all felt aversion and resistance; otherwise, they might have rushed forward to express their stance long ago.

Of course, if they refused to be sycophants, others would gladly take up the role.

The second uncle of the clan was the first to approach with a cheerful smile: “Well, well, isn’t this Yuan Yunfei, the esteemed eldest son of the National Protector General?”

Yuan Yunfei glanced at him indifferently. Seeing the man’s sincere attitude, he casually asked, “Who are you?”

“Oh!” The second uncle was flattered. “Yuan Young Master, I am Su Qingtang’s uncle, and the uncle of Wanqing and the others!”

Since Su Wanqing was the second son of the Su family, Yuan Yunfei was delighted: “So you’re also Wanqiu’s uncle!”

Hearing this, the second uncle quickly remembered how the National Protector General’s eldest son had long shown interest in Su Wanqiu, and nodded repeatedly, “Exactly, exactly!”

At the same time, an elderly woman hurried over and introduced herself: “Young Master Yuan, and I am Wanqiu’s third aunt.”

“Hmm.”

Yuan Yunfei responded coldly, inwardly pleased that there were still members of Su’s main household willing to flatter him.

After giving the second uncle and the third aunt a look that said, “I accept your flattery,” he hobbled over to Su Qingtang and his wife.

“Yuan…”

Before Su Qingtang could finish his surname, Yuan Yunfei cut straight to the point: “Uncle Su, Aunt Qin, I’m here today for two reasons. First, I heard your son-in-law unfortunately passed away—what a relief! I’m here to offer my condolences. Second, to discuss marriage with Wanqiu.”

“You said yesterday that because Wanqiu was married, she couldn’t marry me. Now, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Su Qingtang and Qin Fuluo were speechless. The other’s words were just… too blunt.

Helpless, Su Qingtang forced a smile. “I’m afraid… that might be inconvenient, and it could damage the reputation of Young Master Yuan and the General.”

Qin Fuluo added, “Yes, marriage is a major matter. Even if Chen Chang’an is dead, we must still ask Wanqiu’s opinion.”

One must admit, Chen Chang’an’s influence was remarkable—he had transformed the values of this couple who once dreamed only of marrying their daughter into the Yuan family; now, they were not only upright but resolute.

Yuan Yunfei was displeased, thinking: The blind son-in-law is dead and gone, a corpse, so why are you still so stubborn?

The second uncle at the door rolled his eyes and immediately smelled an opportunity. He scolded, “Qingtang, Fuluo, how can you speak to Young Master Yuan like that?”

“I have to criticize you both. Young Master Yuan’s status in Chang’an City commands universal respect and admiration—his father is the illustrious National Protector General!”

“Now he isn’t ashamed of our Su family’s decline, nor does he mind that Wanqiu is a widow. You’re utterly ungrateful.”

No sooner had he finished than the third aunt launched an onslaught: “That’s right! If Wanqiu marries into the Yuan family, your status in Chang’an will be immeasurably honored. Do you know how many people dream of this but have no chance?”

They secretly hoped for a granddaughter to win Yuan Yunfei’s favor, but lacking one, they made the next best choice: to say flattering words and hope for benefits.

Sure enough, Yuan Yunfei cast them a look of approval, as if to say: Well done; rewards shall be abundant!

Excited, the second uncle and third aunt prepared more flattery.

“Enough! Stop talking!”

Before they could speak, Su Wanqing emerged from the inner hall, where she had been silently burning paper money. Her tone was harsh and displeased. “This is Chen Chang’an’s funeral. Are you crazy, making such a racket?”

Her attitude was extremely hostile and clearly upset.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that Chen Chang’an had stood up to the constables who arrested and brutally beat her husband Zhu Jiawen—saving him and even avenging him—was a debt she would never forget.

That gratitude alone was enough to make her confront Yuan Yunfei, who had previously been treated with deference.

Zhu Jiawen was Su Wanqing’s weakest point, her soft spot, the key to truly changing her. Moreover, her earlier disdain for Chen Chang’an and attempts to flatter Yuan Yunfei were mostly to leverage Yuan’s status to help her husband, who had failed the imperial exams three years running, find a chance in officialdom.

But recent experiences had made her realize only Chen Chang’an could stand up and protect her husband and the whole family when it mattered.

Startled by Su Wanqing’s outburst, Su Qingtang and Qin Fuluo were speechless, unable to believe this daughter was so different from before.

“Y-You… second sister, please reconsider!” Yuan Yunfei gritted his teeth in anger but forced himself to hold back.

Su Wanqing showed no mercy. “What’s to think about? Today is Chen Chang’an’s funeral. Young Master Yuan, show some respect.”

“You… you all…” Yuan Yunfei was furious.

The second uncle quickly put on a sulky face and commanded, “Wanqing, apologize to Young Master Yuan immediately!”

The third aunt placed her hands on her hips, spitting wildly: “Exactly! Don’t you know how many noble families in Chang’an dream of marrying into the Yuan household? And here Young Master Yuan comes to propose, and you don’t appreciate it!”

The word “ungrateful” still echoed in the air when the second uncle swiftly added with earnestness, “Qingtang, I’m not blaming you, but in life, you must think clearly and see things properly. Don’t make a lifelong regret with a single foolish decision!”

“Hurry up and agree to the marriage between Young Master Yuan and Wanqiu!”

Rustle! Yuan Yunfei pulled out a stack of papers and said with a long face, “Uncle Su, Aunt Qin, if you agree to my marriage with Wanqiu, I’ll offer two hundred thousand taels of silver notes plus a four-entry, four-exit mansion in the Fuxing District for you to enjoy your old age!”

Su Qingtang and Qin Fuluo widened their eyes and fell silent, their minds drifting. It seemed anyone could be swayed if the money was enough.

The second uncle and third aunt’s eyes shone greedily as they swallowed hard.

Sensing the subtle change in the Su couple’s expressions, Yuan Yunfei turned to Su Wanqing: “Second sister, if I’m not mistaken, your husband has failed the imperial exams three years in a row. With my status as the National Protector General’s eldest son, I can help smooth things over for him.”

“Uh…”

Su Wanqing fell silent.

The atmosphere and situation seemed to reach a boiling, decisive point. No one noticed that in the hall, Chen Chang’an lay on a wooden plank covered with white cloth, his fingers twitching slightly as he slowly opened his eyes.

He deliberately touched himself, “Damn, so wet… twelve hours, just as I thought!”

Then, bending at the waist, he sat up straight and looked toward Zhu Jiawen, who was calmly burning paper money and ignoring the commotion outside.

Zhu Jiawen lamented, “Chang’an, to be honest, I was very uncomfortable seeing you marry into the Su family and face so much exclusion. But as a fellow son-in-law, what could I do?”

“There were many times I subtly tried to treat you better in front of my in-laws, but they never listened.”

“Fortunately, since Princess Changning’s mysterious disappearance and the Su family’s near annihilation, you’ve proven yourself through your actions and earned the family’s acceptance.”

“Such a pity…”

“Alas!”

He sighed deeply. “Too bad you never had time to enjoy family harmony before you suddenly passed. Do you remember I promised to help repay your kindness by taking care of your third sister after you saved me from those henchmen at Jingzhao Prefecture? Looks like that chance is gone too.”

“All I can do is look after your third sister for you.”

“Of course, you—your spirit in heaven—must bless me to pass this year’s imperial exam!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll bless you!” Chen Chang’an responded, picking at his ear while listening to every heartfelt word.

Zhu Jiawen nodded, “Thanks!”

But then he realized something was wrong. Suddenly looking up, he saw the once gray, scarred face had vanished, replaced by a complexion even fairer and handsomer than a fortnight ago. Chen Chang’an was blinking at him and grinning with clenched teeth.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Zhu Jiawen’s breath caught, lips quivering, unable to utter a word, only his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously.

“Ah oh!”

Chen Chang’an yawned lazily and lightly patted his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m not dead. What’s going on out there?”

“Out there…”

“Out there…”

Zhu Jiawen took a long moment to recover from the shock of Chen Chang’an’s ‘resurrection’ and replied mechanically, “Outside is Yuan Yunfei. He heard you died and came to marry Wanqiu…”

“Yuan Yunfei… so it’s him!”

After some thought, Chen Chang’an asked curiously, “What’s wrong with his leg? Still using a cane?”

“Yes…”

Zhu Jiawen swallowed hard. “He’s been insisting since last night on marrying Wanqiu, but your brother-in-law beat him up!”

“Damn!”

Chen Chang’an raised his fists and shook them in front of him, shouting and exhaling sharply, a bright smile on his face. “My brother-in-law’s got guts—if someone comes for my sister, he really fights!”

“I’ll give him a few more punches. If the General’s mansion asks later, we’ll say he did it!”

With that, he stood up straight and strode toward the door.