Last time, when he visited the Wang family and sat for that half an hour, Samuel Barker, at Frank Warren's firm request, stopped calling him "little young master" with every sentence, and, like the other elders in the village these days, changed the way he addressed him. At this very moment, he put down the pole loaded with bright red candied hawthorns, wiped his sweat, looked around, and, seeing only James Gold nearby, finally said, "The matter you asked me to help with—I went into town yesterday and tried to bring it up in front of people. But it seems that before I even mentioned it, someone was already spreading rumors that you bought your nephew as a slave. I'm afraid if I keep spreading it as you instructed, it will only further damage your reputation, and then I'd be doing more harm than good."

Someone was already spreading it? That was fast—could it be that James Gold's situation was a trap from the start?

"At this point, even if things backfire, it's all my own fault. Samuel Barker, you were just chatting idly, and that's already a huge help to me. I'm deeply grateful."

Frank Warren thought for a moment, then sincerely bowed deeply to the old man. Seeing him hurriedly return the gesture, he smiled and said, "Second and third sisters guessed you'd be back today, Samuel Barker, and thinking of your candied hawthorns, they steamed some lotus cakes in the kitchen early this morning. When you finish selling your candied hawthorns and return to the village, take some home for your family to try—just a little token from us."

Previously, Samuel Barker had agreed to help only because he was momentarily soft-hearted and couldn't bear to refuse, and also because he found Young Scholar Warren to be a pleasant person. Now, hearing that the Wang family's second and third ladies had specially prepared a return gift, the old man felt a warm glow in his heart. The pride of being respected by a scholar was far greater than the joy he felt when wealthy families bought his candied hawthorns and gave him a few extra coins.

After bidding farewell to Samuel Barker, Frank Warren finally left from under the big pagoda tree with James Gold. If, at first, he had only a vague idea when he asked Samuel Barker for help, now it was time for him to make a decision. They hadn't walked far before he stopped and said to James Gold, "You know where the clan leader's house is, right? Take me there."

Earlier, when asked why he didn't go to the clan elders or even the clan leader to seek justice, James Gold had remained silent. Now, seeing Frank Warren suddenly wanting to go to the clan leader's house, he froze on the spot. But thinking of how he had already been sold off by his brother with a death contract, and that the master-servant relationship was set—he absolutely could not disobey his master—he could only bite his lip tightly and lead the way in silence.

To Frank Warren's surprise, the clan leader's house was not one of those grand courtyards he had seen from afar the first time he left home, but rather an old Huizhou-style building on the west side of the village.

Frank Warren's visit was unexpected, and the clan leader, David Warren, was quite surprised. This branch of the Wang clan had migrated from Xiuning County to Songming Mountain generations ago, and after more than a dozen generations, nearly everyone in the village bore the Wang surname—out of ten families, nine were Wangs, with over a hundred clan members. Even as clan leader, he couldn't possibly know everyone by name, especially the younger generation. Of course, Frank Warren had always been dedicated to his studies since childhood and had just passed the student exam this year, so he certainly recognized him.

However, Frank Warren's father was notoriously stubborn, and that incident years ago had offended several close relatives. Frank Warren himself was also reclusive and socially awkward, so David Warren never felt close to him. Thus, although he had heard some rumors, he figured they were just gossip. Since the wealthiest families in the clan hadn't said anything, as clan leader, he simply pretended nothing was happening.

At this moment, he asked casually, "Did Brother Lynn recover from his injuries?"

These days, Frank Warren had been doing morning exercises and rehabilitation, greeting people, and occasionally chatting to gather information. He already knew it was the fourth year of the Longqing era, but since ordinary villagers always used honorifics for the Wang clan's upper members, he couldn't just go around asking who Mr. Nanming was, so he hadn't learned much more. The only gain was that he was now even more integrated into Songming Mountain village than the original Frank Warren who had lived here for over a decade. He knew that he and his father had always kept people at arm's length, so he didn't mind the clan leader's distant attitude.

"Thank you for your concern, uncle. I'm almost fully recovered. Today, I've come to ask you to make a decision on something." Frank Warren glanced at James Gold, who immediately understood and hurriedly excused himself from the room. Only then did he turn to the somewhat puzzled David Warren and say, "Uncle, do you recognize him?"

David Warren, not understanding, simply replied perfunctorily, "He looks a bit familiar..."

"He's Autumn Warren's younger brother." As Frank Warren spoke, he took out a neatly folded piece of paper and pushed it toward David Warren. "Please take a look at this, uncle."

As soon as David Warren heard the name Autumn Warren, his brows immediately furrowed. Though he was the clan leader, he wasn't the richest or most powerful, and his family had produced only one scholar in recent years. It was only because his branch was from the main ancestral line that he was able to manage clan affairs and the genealogy. Unfolding the paper, he saw it was a contract. He quickly read through it, and his headache grew worse.

That Autumn Warren was notorious for being a rascal, and it was said he had dealings with several minor officials at the county yamen. Now, with Mr. Nanming idle at home, the Wang clan of Songming Mountain was keeping a low profile and didn't want any trouble. Moreover, Autumn Warren was from a collateral branch of the clan. In the past, even if he heard about him mistreating his younger brother, he would at most have someone remind or scold him—after all, these were family matters, and sometimes you just had to turn a blind eye. But this time, it had really gone too far!