"Childish!"

Sanlang Brooks shouted, "If you want to get beaten at the yamen, just try making a move."

Carter and Mason looked at each other, and sure enough, were stopped in their tracks.

In Jing County, the atmosphere was upright and the laws were strict. Although they came from wealthy families, they had no real power. If they beat someone in the street—especially a scholar—and Sanlang Brooks reported them to the county office, things would get out of hand. After all, Sanlang Brooks was not some penniless pauper.

"No guts, huh? Well, a good dog doesn't block the way. Please step aside."

Sanlang Brooks walked away at a leisurely pace.

The two rich young men were left behind, so angry that their tempers flared. They had thought that by blocking Sanlang Brooks in the alley and giving him a scare, they could make him collapse in fright and embarrass himself. Who would have thought that in the end, they were the ones who got scared?

"Something's not right. Something feels off."

Guitang Carter muttered.

Jintai Mason scratched his head. "Exactly, how did this bookworm suddenly become a different person?"

Sanlang Brooks's behavior was clear-headed, calm, and composed. He saw through the pros and cons at a glance, completely different from the old image of a nerd who only knew how to bury his head in books.

"Sigh..."

Unable to figure it out for the moment, they both sighed in unison, feeling humiliated, and gloomily went to Drunken Spring Pavilion for a drink.

Drunken Spring Pavilion was the only brothel in the county, much loved by men, and every evening it was packed with guests.

After a few drinks, Jintai Mason slammed his cup on the table. "I just can't swallow this!"

Guitang Carter said, "So what can we do?"

"We can't do it ourselves, but others can."

"What do you mean?"

Jintai Mason said, "Money makes the mare go. I think Riley Wood is a good choice."

At the mention of "Riley Wood", Guitang Carter's eyes lit up too. "So how do we go about it?"

Jintai Mason said coldly, "He wants to take the children's exam? We'll make sure he doesn't get his wish... Drink up!"

Just then, the girls who accompanied the guests came in. They didn't want to discuss this in public and risk being overheard, so they pretended to focus on drinking. As for the details of their plan, they would discuss it later when no outsiders were around.

...

As soon as he entered the house, Sanlang Brooks heard voices in the main hall—very familiar ones. His heart leapt with joy, and he hurried inside to see a burly figure sitting in a chair.

It was his second brother-in-law, Casey Johnson.

And sitting next to him—wasn't that his second sister?

"Sanlang, you're back."

"Greetings, Second Sister. Greetings, Second Brother-in-law."

Sanlang Brooks greeted them respectfully, then sat to the side.

He had two older sisters. The eldest had married far away in Nanyang Prefecture and rarely returned home. The second sister had married nearby, in Gaotian Township in the same county, just ten miles from town.

Second brother-in-law Casey Johnson was a butcher, born with great strength and skilled with a knife. It was said his knife skills were passed down through generations. When butchering a pig, he could separate bone and flesh in moments, with lean and fat clearly distinguished—a bit of a "Butcher Ding dissects an ox" style.

Relying on his knife skills and the family’s accumulated wealth, their household was well-off and considered a prominent family in the township.

Casey Johnson was strong and generous, willing to help others, and had a certain charisma.

Second sister, however, had a sharp tongue. She had heard about her younger brother's recent odd behavior and, worried, had rushed home. As soon as they met, she fired off a barrage of questions.

Sanlang Brooks had just started to answer the first question when the second and third came one after another, leaving him speechless. He glanced at his brother-in-law for help.

But his brother-in-law sat upright, eyes downcast, calm and unmoved.

After the scolding, second sister felt a bit thirsty, picked up her tea, and took a big sip. She asked, "Sanlang, what exactly are you planning?"

Sanlang Brooks exhaled. "I've already registered for this year's children's exam."

Second sister tried to persuade him earnestly, "Sanlang, you're already of age. You should know better. As the saying goes: 'If it's meant to be, it will be; if not, don't force it.' If you can't get into the academy, you have hands and feet—you won't starve. Why keep taking the exam? Look at Mother, her hair is turning white. Can't you just settle down, find a job, and help ease the family's burden?"

Second brother-in-law couldn't help but interject, "Second Sister, Sanlang is a scholar. Isn't it only right for him to take the exams and seek a title?"

Second sister shot him a look. "If he could pass, why would I stop him? But he's been taking the exam for years, and he knows he can't pass..."

"Second Sister."

Mrs. Brooks was afraid she would be too blunt and hurt Sanlang Brooks's feelings, so she quickly spoke up.

Second sister's nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Mother, I'm only thinking of Sanlang's good."

Sanlang Brooks stood up and said, "Second Sister, I know you mean well. Just let me try one more year. If I still fail, I'll go learn butchering from Brother-in-law."

Second sister couldn't help but laugh through her tears. "With your build, you can't even lift a butcher's knife, let alone butcher a pig."

Second brother-in-law asked, "Sanlang, I heard you've started learning martial arts?"

Sanlang Brooks replied, "I just feel weak, so I want to train a bit."

Second sister scolded, "Nonsense."

But in the end, her heart softened, and she didn't scold him further.

At noon, the family had a warm and harmonious meal together. After eating, second sister and second brother-in-law prepared to leave the city and head home.