Chapter 22: Gone

Hearing Chen Fan’s words, Fan Wei’s expression changed instantly. This aligned perfectly with what the Taoist Qingxu and his disciple had claimed. Furthermore, the fact that the Taoist Qingxu and Master Qingyang had gone up the mountain last night was known only to him and a few trusted servants of the Fan family. It was absolutely impossible for Chen Fan to have known about it. This confirmed that Chen Fan’s words were no lie.

"Steward Fan, it is said that the vengeful spirit is incredibly powerful. Whoever offends it will find that even dying becomes a luxury!" Chen Fan said, his face full of fear. "You should take that land quickly! Otherwise, it will implicate the Su family sooner or later, and since I am now a member of the Su family, I fear I will be implicated as well!"

At this moment, Fan Wei did not harbor the slightest suspicion toward Chen Fan’s words and immediately displayed a look of terror. He was deathly afraid that his actions over the past few days had offended the vengeful spirit.

"Steward Fan, please, take that land!" Chen Fan urged nervously. "My father-in-law said that as long as you are willing to take that land, he is prepared to give you some money."

"Get out!" Fan Wei shoved Chen Fan away. "Your Su family can give that land to whoever they want; I don't want it anymore."

"Steward Fan, please have some mercy and take the land! Otherwise, it will remain in the hands of the Su family, and the vengeful spirit will not spare them," Chen Fan pleaded anxiously.

"Get him out of here," Steward Fan ordered his servants. Soon, Chen Fan was escorted out by two of them.

"Pack your things immediately! We are going to continue searching for a geomantically auspicious site," Fan Wei said anxiously to the surrounding servants. The servants looked at one another in confusion. Hadn't Fan Wei been desperate to secure the Su family’s ancestral gravesite to claim credit? Why was he suddenly rejecting it?

"Why are you just standing there? Pack up! If we’re late, we might all die here!" Fan Wei roared at the bewildered servants. Despite not knowing what had happened, they hurried to pack. Less than an hour later, Fan Wei led his entourage out of the inn and departed Dongyang County.

Dongyang County was small, and word of this incident spread quickly. Some claimed that Su Yi had bribed Fan Wei, while others suggested that Fan Wei had offended the ancestors of the Su family and been taught a lesson. Still others whispered that the Su family’s ancestral grave was an ill-omened place and that Fan Wei had provoked the vengeful spirit residing there.

Rumors flew across Dongyang County, but everyone knew one thing: the crisis facing the Su family had been resolved. The men of Dongyang County began to look upon Chen Fan with envy. At first, they had mocked him, thinking he would be dragged down by the Su family shortly after his marriage. They never expected the crisis to be resolved so quickly, leaving this poor boy not only with the prize of the Su family’s exquisite twin daughters but also with the backing of the powerful Su clan.

The Su family was one of the four wealthiest merchant families in Dongyang County, with deep pockets, and since Su Yi had no sons, only these two daughters, Chen Fan was effectively the only male heir to the household. Once Su Yi passed on, the family fortune would likely fall into Chen Fan’s hands. The men of the county were consumed with envy and jealousy.

Meanwhile, Chen Fan had already arrived at the Su residence with Yingchun and Yingxia. With the crisis over, the servants had returned, and the house was bustling with activity once more.

"Husband, thank you," the sisters said in unison, looking at Chen Fan with gratitude.

Chen Fan smiled slightly. "Why say such things between family? The Su family's business is my business." He then gave the sisters a mischievous wink. "If you really want to thank me, I have a few new positions we could try tonight?"

Hearing this, and noticing the servants passing by, the sisters flushed a deep, fiery red.

"Cousin!" Just then, a cute little girl walked toward them, followed by an alluring woman—the sisters’ aunt, Su Wenqi. Seeing Chen Fan, Su Wenqi immediately remembered the events of that night and blushed. Chen Fan felt a moment of awkwardness, but fortunately, the sisters’ attention was fixed on Su Wenqi’s daughter, Lanlan.

"Lanlan, you’ve become even prettier in the few days since I last saw you," the sisters said.

"Cousins, you’re the same! You’ve become even more beautiful since getting married," Lanlan replied with a sweet voice.

Chen Fan turned his attention to the little girl. She was a budding beauty with rosy lips and white teeth. He was certain that in a few years, she would grow into a woman of stunning beauty.

"Are you my cousin-in-law?" Lanlan asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. For some reason, as Lanlan looked at him, Su Wenqi felt an inexplicable sense of nervousness.

"That’s right! I am your cousin-in-law," Chen Fan said, softening his voice. Perhaps it was a common trait among men to adopt a gentle tone when speaking to cute little girls.

"You’re very handsome; you and my cousins are a match made in heaven," Lanlan chirped. The sisters and Chen Fan burst into laughter, though the expression on Su Wenqi’s face remained complex.

Nearby, Su Yi and Wang Wei watched the scene. Su Yi smiled, but Wang Wei’s expression darkened. "That poor boy is simply not worthy of our daughters. I shudder to think how much they will suffer by his side," she muttered with dissatisfaction.

"I actually think Chen Fan is quite good. He is clever. Though he is poor now, I believe that with the support of the Su family, his future achievements might even surpass ours," Su Yi replied with a smile.

Wang Wei did not believe him. The Su family’s wealth had been built over generations. Even with all his efforts, a poor boy like Chen Fan could never surpass them.

"Master, do you remember Zhao Hongwei, the son of Magistrate Zhao?" Wang Wei asked suddenly. Su Yi frowned, already guessing his wife's intent. "What are you trying to say?" he asked.

"Zhao Hongwei is already studying at the Imperial Academy and will take the imperial examinations next year; he is destined to become a high-ranking official," Wang Wei said sternly. "I heard he is coming to Dongyang County with his tutors for an inspection, and I had someone sound him out. He still hasn't forgotten our daughters. Why don't we have them remarry Zhao Hongwei? Being a high official's wife is far better than suffering alongside that poor boy, Chen Fan."