After thinking for a moment, he said to Zhao the jailer, “Can I see my son, Si Lang, first?”
Zhao the jailer nodded and informed him, “Brother Zhang, you truly have the qualities needed for examination! Yesterday, he has been studying diligently!”
Zhang Laotou was surprised; could it be that his youngest son had really changed for the better? The recent crushing of his sweet dreams had left him emotionally distressed, but hearing that Zhang Fang was earnestly studying gave him comfort and started piecing together the fragments of his dreams.
When he arrived outside the cell, Zhang Laotou looked at Zhang Fang. Zhang Fang had heard the footsteps long ago but did not shift his focus, his eyes were intently fixed on the book.
Seeing this, Zhang Laotou felt satisfied in his heart. A long-lost smile appeared on his face as he lovingly spoke to Zhang Fang, “Si Lang, your father is here.”
Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Fang put down his book, looked up at him, and smilingly stood up to walk over.
However, upon seeing the bruises on Zhang Fang’s face, Zhang Laotou instantly turned pale, asking, “Did you get beaten?”
Zhao the jailer hadn’t left yet and, fearing that Zhang Laotou would misunderstand, quickly pointed at Liu Mu, saying, “He did it! I’ve already separated them!”
Zhang Laotou glared angrily at Liu Mu.
Liu Mu’s expression was awkward, feeling nervous and uneasy.
Zhang Fang shifted the focus and said, “Father, I ran out of ink.”
Only then did Zhang Laotou retract his furious glare from Liu Mu, returning his gaze to Zhang Fang, nodding, “I heard from the jailer. But I didn’t bring any money into town today, so I can’t buy ink for you. Let’s get it tomorrow!”
Zhao the jailer reached into his pocket, took out some money, and handed it to Zhang Laotou, “I have some money here; take it to buy ink! We can’t let Brother Zhang’s studies be delayed!”
Zhang Laotou looked at Zhao the jailer in surprise, hesitating in his expression.
But Zhang Fang pointed at Liu Mu, saying assertively, “Father, he hit me, and he should pay!”
Zhang Laotou thought this made sense! He immediately told Zhao the jailer, “My son shouldn’t have to suffer this beating in vain!”
Zhao the jailer also felt that Liu Mu should apologize to Zhang Fang, but considering that Liu Yun was the county magistrate’s chosen one, who would soon enter the magistrate’s inner court, he wondered if this could lead to favor. If he offended the Liu family, it would backfire on him when Liu Yun spoke to the magistrate. Hesitatingly, Zhao the jailer was unsure whether to help Zhang Fang demand compensation.
Just as Zhao the jailer felt conflicted, Zhang Fang said again, “Brother Zhao, just pretend you don’t know about this. Let my father go to his house to ask for money!”
Zhao the jailer nodded and said to Zhang Fang and his father, “You two can talk. Call me if you need anything!”
Once the jailer left, Liu Mu quickly apologized to Zhang Laotou, “Uncle Zhang, I’m sorry for what happened to Brother Zhang! But this was also an unavoidable situation!”
Zhang Laotou felt anger rising and was about to scold him, but Zhang Fang covered his mouth.
“Father, we are helping the Liu family; they are willing to pay two taels of silver!” Zhang Fang’s voice was very low, so even Liu Mu couldn’t hear clearly.
Two taels of silver!
Zhang Laotou’s eyes widened, and he began to look at Liu Mu with a kinder gaze.
Zhang Fang explained, “The county magistrate has taken a liking to his sister and imprisoned Liu Mu to force her to become a concubine. I plan to hide them in our home. They are willing to pay two taels of silver for refuge.”
The corners of Zhang Laotou’s eyes twitched; a moment ago, he was looking at Liu Mu kindly, but now it turned into a glare fixated on a huge trouble, and in a lowered voice, he reprimanded Zhang Fang, “Si Lang, you are being foolish! Offending the county magistrate, do you still want to take the examination? It’s not worth it for two strangers!”
“Father, it’s worth it. Two taels of silver; the Zhang family won’t lose anything. This is also a good deed, and the gods will definitely look upon my kindness, bless my health, and ensure I succeed in the examination.” Zhang Fang earnestly persuaded Zhang Laotou.
Zhang Laotou opened his mouth but found no rebuttal. He felt that his youngest son had fallen ill during the recent provincial examination because he hadn’t gained the blessing of the gods, so he often went to the temple to pray for his son’s well-being. If he helps the Liu brothers and sisters, he might indeed gain the gods’ favor, and his Si Lang could really succeed in the examination!
The allure of passing the examination was too great for Zhang Laotou! This obsession was even deeper than Zhang Si Lang’s. Faced with the choice between avoiding trouble and passing the examination, Zhang Laotou chose the latter!
Thus, after leaving the jail, Zhang Laotou found the Liu family’s residence, knocked on the door, and bellowed, “Liu Mu, you scoundrel! You beat my Si Lang! Pay up!”
Liu Yun was crying inside the house and, upon hearing the commotion outside, was so frightened that her tears stopped.
Hastily wiping her tears, she walked outside. Upon opening the yard door, Liu Yun saw an old man and asked nervously, “What is the matter?”
Zhang Laotou stated directly: “Your brother injured my son in jail; pay up!”
This spectacle was deliberately staged for everyone to see. As long as Zhang Fang and Liu Mu had grievances, no one would suspect that the Liu siblings were hiding in the Zhang family.
Liu Yun turned pale with fear, nearly losing her footing, and was about to close the door.
Zhang Laotou threw a piece of cloth on the ground and threatened Liu Yun, “I won’t leave until you pay!”
Seeing that the piece of fabric on the ground was the same as Liu Mu’s clothing, Liu Yun sobbed profusely, pitifully begging Zhang Laotou for how much compensation was needed.
Zhang Laotou demanded one tael of silver.
“I don’t have that much money…” Liu Yun immediately knelt down before Zhang Laotou; one tael was too much! She couldn’t dare handle so much money!
Zhang Laotou coldly snorted, “Since your brother agreed, your family must have this money!”
Liu Yun was in a panic, unsure of what to do.
Seeing so many neighbors gathered to watch, fearing that Zhang Laotou would make a bigger scene, she could only cry as she returned home for the money.
Once she got the money, Zhang Laotou left without looking back.
Since Zhang Fang needed paper and ink for writing his novel and Zhang Laotou had that amount of money, he gritted his teeth and took some of it to buy a lot of paper and ink, bringing it back to the jail for Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang let Zhang Laotou return home to make preparations; after Liu Mu was released, he would find an opportunity to secretly bring the siblings back to the Zhang family.