At this moment, Chen Zhancai arrived at the gate of the Fan family.
He straightened his clothes and sleeves, took a few steps forward, and forcefully knocked on the door knocker.
"Open the door, open the door, your master's father-in-law is here."
The gatekeeper came out to open the door when he heard the noise. When he saw Chen Zhancai, he immediately curled his lip and said, "Why are you here again?"
"How rude of you! How dare you, a servant, speak like that? What do you mean, 'I'm here again'? Am I not allowed to come?"
Chen Zhancai raised his chin, looking arrogant and haughty.
"Go quickly and inform your Master Fan that his father-in-law has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. Tell him to come out and greet him immediately."
The servant frowned and waved his hand with disgust. "Our Fan family's father-in-law is long gone. Who do you think you are, father-in-law? Get out of here!"
Chen Zhancai was so angry he gritted his teeth, and raised his hand to point at him.
"You damned lackey! Even a mad dog doesn't bite indiscriminately like you, daring to so disrespect your scholar master!"
"You're dead meat this time. When you see your master Fan later, I'll make sure he punishes you severely."
"Get out of my way! Who do you think you are? What's so great about passing the lousy imperial examination? If you keep acting tough with me, I'll teach you a lesson!"
The servant chuckled as he spoke.
"Let me tell you, my uncle is the magistrate of Anyang County. Even he wouldn't dare to speak like that to my Fan family. What are you yelling about? If you really think you're something special, wait until you become the top scholar in the imperial examination before you come back to show off!"
"You, you, you are truly outrageous! ...This is utterly disgraceful." Chen Zhancai's face flushed red, and it took him a long time to finally utter these words.
The servant snorted and was about to close the door when a carriage stopped in front of it.
He quickly put on a big smile, trotted over to the sedan chair, and lifted the curtain.
"Master, you're back! You must be exhausted. Come in and rest. Third Madam has prepared tea and is waiting for you!"
Fan Tong bowed as he stepped off the carriage, not even glancing at the servant, and began to walk inside.
Chen Zhancai suppressed his dissatisfaction and greeted him with a smile, "Good son-in-law, you're back."
Fan Tong stopped in his tracks, frowned slightly, and looked Chen Zhancai up and down. His tone was indifferent. "Who are you?"
"Young master, you really have a bad memory. I am Ruolan's biological father, your father-in-law."
Chen Zhancai cleared his throat and continued solemnly,
"Now that your father-in-law has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, I've come to inform my son-in-law and also to visit my daughter Ruolan so we can all have some fun together."
Fan Tong then remembered that he did indeed have such a poor relative, and that the jinx had mentioned that his father was a scholar.
Seeing Chen Zhancai's fake smile, Fan Tong felt extremely disgusted.
But he knew he absolutely couldn't offend this guy; what if that bastard suddenly got a fever and hit the jackpot?
If one actually passes the imperial examination and becomes the top scholar, wouldn't that just create more trouble?
Fan Tong's eyes darted around, and his face immediately plastered with a fake smile. "Great news, truly great news! Father-in-law, please come inside."
"Very well, please, son-in-law." Chen Zhancai was extremely pleased with himself; it seemed the scholar's status was indeed extraordinary.
He glanced coldly at the servant, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
He then followed Fan Tong into the Fan family's gate.
As soon as Chen Zhancai entered the courtyard, he was attracted by the magnificent pavilions and couldn't help but admire in his heart how grand the rich man's house was!
After entering the hall and exchanging pleasantries, the guests and hosts took their seats, and servants served tea.
Fan Tong smiled and raised his hand to indicate, "Father-in-law, please have some tea."
"Alright, alright, son-in-law, you don't need to be so polite."
Chen Zhancai watched the maids and servants coming and going, feeling a pang of envy.
Ruolan has truly fallen into a golden trap. When I see her later, I must make sure to spend some money.
He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Good son-in-law, Ruolan has been married into the Fan family for more than half a year. I miss her very much. Could you please call her over so I can see her?"
Fan Tong was startled, but his face remained expressionless. Ever since his passionate night with that jinx, he had thought that marrying her would make her a beautiful woman, someone he could enjoy every night.
Who would have thought that after that night, he would become impotent, and could finish the act of consummating with any woman in a matter of seconds.
He was furious. He was convinced that Chen Ruolan was a jinx, and to avoid seeing her and getting annoyed, he had already given her away.
He didn't know whether she was alive or dead. Now that her biological father had come to see her, he wouldn't have bothered with an ordinary person.
But Chen Zhancai was, after all, a scholar, and he should be given the respect he deserved. How could he possibly ask for his help?
If she were to give him away, he would definitely cause a huge scene, which would be incredibly embarrassing.
Just as he was caught in a dilemma, Shi Taishou shook his head with a sorrowful expression, "My dear in-law, Miss Ruolan, she..."
Chen Zhancai's heart tightened, and he looked at Fan Tong, "Son-in-law, what's wrong with Ruolan?"
Shi Taishou kept giving Fan Tong meaningful glances, and Fan Tong immediately understood, feigning sadness as he wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes.
“Father-in-law, I’m so sorry. I didn’t take good care of Ruolan. Ruolan, she fell seriously ill last winter and has passed away.”
"What?! My Ruolan is dead!" Upon hearing the devastating news, Chen Zhancai's mind went blank. Although he loved money, he had pampered and doted on his daughter since she was a child. How could she just die like this?
He shook his head incredulously. "No, it can't be true."
"Father-in-law, please accept my condolences. I was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle this blow, so I didn't go to announce the death. If you blame me, just scold me!" Fan Tong said, tears streaming down his face, his face full of self-reproach.
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