“I heard that to bury your father, you borrowed usurious money from Samuel Grant. This is compound interest—once you’re in, it’s almost impossible to get out. Hurry up and sell this burial plot; you can at least get thirty-five taels of silver for it!”

“Not only can you pay off your debt, but you’ll even have three taels left over, enough for you to go to school. It’s killing several birds with one stone!”

Edward Jr. Sutton listened, his face darkening. He stood up abruptly, the tall, handsome youth radiating a volatile energy: “Get out, get out of here! No matter what, I will never sell my ancestral tomb!”

The wandering Taoist’s eye twitched, but this was within expectations. When it comes to selling burial plots, eight out of ten people react this way. He quickly said, “I’m being sincere. Your family’s misfortune began when your ancestors’ tomb was damaged. If you want to pass the scholar’s exam, sell the ancestral tomb quickly, or it will drag you down! Otherwise, you’ll face a bloody disaster!”

“Besides, your debt is due in ten days. How will you repay it?”

“A man must stay alive first to comfort the spirits of his ancestors.”

“Get out! Out!” Edward Jr. Sutton grabbed a broom and drove him away, seething with rage. Orphaned, with creditors hovering at the door, and now this Taoist colluding with them to seize the last family burial ground—how could this be tolerated!

“The burial plot can’t be sold. It’s been in my family for three generations. Never mind its value—selling it would be the height of unfilial conduct. With that reputation, forget about earning honors; I’d be lucky not to end up in court.”

“The Foster Family would turn against me immediately. Who is scheming so hard to destroy me?”

Perhaps the old Edward Jr. Sutton would have been tricked, ending up ruined and disgraced. But the current Edward Jr. Sutton saw through it at a glance and shouted without hesitation, “Get out!”

Chapter Two: The Sutton Family Boxing Technique

Although the Taoist had been prepared, his face immediately darkened at this treatment, and his mood soured. In truth, he actually felt a bit of pity for Edward Jr. Sutton, but for the sake of the promised Daoist secret, he had no choice. Now, however, he shook his head.

“So blind to the times—he deserves to die.” With that thought, the Taoist shot a fierce glare, then turned and left.

After this incident, Edward Jr. Sutton became instantly alert. He glanced ahead and saw a few figures on the road. Whether he was being paranoid or not, he took advantage of the remaining daylight to escort Brian Foster home.

The shop was at the end of the main street, a bit of a walk away. He had no mind to admire the ancient scenery along the way… The whole city was covered in snow, and the women and girls were all bundled up in thick cotton clothes—there was nothing much to see.

But the county town wasn’t large. Soon, a willow tree appeared ahead, with a cloth awning over the storefront. Entering the shop, he could see it was a bookstore made up of three rooms. A middle-aged man was minding the shop, coughing from time to time.

“Uncle Foster!”

The shopkeeper was Henry Foster, a slightly plump middle-aged man. As soon as he was called, Brian Foster started chattering about what had happened. At first, Henry Foster listened with a smile, but his expression gradually darkened, as if lost in thought. After a long pause, he finally said, “Edward Jr..”

“Yes.”

“If you’re going to take the exam, don’t come tomorrow. Stay home and study… And remember, you must not sell the burial field. It would be considered unfilial and would greatly hinder your pursuit of honors.” Henry Foster gave Edward Jr. Sutton a deep look, offering sincere advice.

“I understand. I won’t sell it.” Edward Jr. Sutton agreed, then brought up the Taoist’s visit about the feng shui: “Uncle Foster, I think he’s in league with someone, trying to trick me.”

Henry Foster frowned and pondered in silence. Edward Jr. Sutton asked, “Am I wrong?”

“I never heard of your father having dealings with this man. It is a bit suspicious. But whether he’s working with the moneylender, I’ll have to look into it. Still, this Taoist isn’t simple—he once identified a feng shui site for the The Reed Family. He’s a real geomancer.” Henry Foster’s words were surprising.

Edward Jr. Sutton was stunned: “Is it that incident with the two big families, Charles Reed, in this county, who fought over a feng shui treasure site, and seven people ended up dead?”

“You know about that? Yes, that’s the one.” Henry Foster looked at him in surprise. The Charles Reed families fought fiercely over a feng shui site, resulting in seven deaths—a sensational event in the county.

“Charles Reed are no ordinary families. For both to fight to the death, there must be something to it. If you have time, go check your ancestral tomb, in case something really does happen.”

At this point, Henry Foster showed a look of exasperation: “Also, you insisted on giving your father a lavish burial. It may be a bit old-fashioned, but it’s out of filial piety. Why didn’t you discuss it with me?”

“Why did you hide it from us and borrow fifteen taels, which turned into thirty-three taels of usurious debt in three months?” Don’t you know, this kind of loan is a trap—once you borrow, you can never shake it off?

How can I be at ease with you being so impulsive?

“Uncle Foster, I was confused for a moment. I know I was wrong.” Edward Jr. Sutton immediately bowed in apology.

Henry Foster might have some family wealth, but he’d been ill for years, spending a lot on treatment, and his fortune had dwindled… Even so, when Edward Jr. Sutton’s father died, the The Foster Family gave a lot of help—kindness that can’t be measured in material terms.

Don’t be fooled by Brian Foster’s stern face; she was the one who always brought cakes and meat.

Originally, Edward Jr. Sutton was too proud, feeling he owed The Foster Family too much and refused to borrow money from them. The current Edward Jr. Sutton was no longer so naive and admitted his mistake at once.

“Sigh, what’s done is done. When the three months are up, I’ll think of something. For now, the county exam is only a few days away. Focus on your studies and don’t worry about anything else.”