Volume One, Chapter Seven: Simply Unbearable

The Old Madam spoke with annoyance, "Then you should try to be worth something. I don’t expect you to achieve great feats like your eldest brother, but surely you could at least hold down a minor official post."

Her eldest son had secured three different positions for him, but he found fault with every single one. With little talent and immense ambition, he was forever failing to reach his goals. In the end, he had even been stripped of his title for absenteeism and consorting with courtesans.

Her own reputation had been dragged through the mud because of this useless wretch! Nowadays, all her glory and face depended entirely on the eldest son’s household. Even if the eldest daughter-in-law had a temper—or was truly unfilial—the Old Madam dared not openly clash with her! She might harbor petty grievances or enforce strict rules in the shadows, but she never dared to bring such confrontations into the light.

*The whole family looks down on me!* Second Master Shu seethed with hidden resentment. Knowing he could no longer rely on his mother, he calculated silently while masking his emotions and retreating.

Once Shu Zijun left the Old Madam’s presence, he took Little Kaixin straight to the Royal Stables on the outskirts of the capital. No one noticed a young maidservant sneaking out of the side gate of the General's Manor.

At the Prince of Anyang’s estate, in the courtyard of Princess Fukang, the maidservant knelt primly. Princess Fukang smashed a tea cup, her face twisted with malice. "Are you saying this little brat is likely Shu Zijun’s biological daughter? And that a shameless woman is coming to the capital to find him soon?"

The maidservant pressed her forehead to the ground, not daring to look up, and trembled, "It is not certain if she is his own, but judging by the attitude of the Third Young Master and his wife, they will certainly raise the child as their own until the matter is fully investigated."

Princess Fukang paced back and forth, agitated, before coldly saying, "Whether the child is his or not, it is better to kill an innocent than to let a threat survive! Shu Zijun’s firstborn son and daughter can only be born of me! Any other seductive harlot who dares to compete with me for him will wish they were dead!"

"Yes, Princess. I will do everything in my power to relieve your worries," the maidservant replied, trembling.

Princess Fukang’s expression softened slightly. She pulled a gold hairpin from her hair and tossed it before the girl. "Take this as a reward. Handle the matter cleanly, and there will be more benefits for you."

The maidservant picked up the hairpin, held it respectfully in both hands, and backed away cautiously. "Rest assured, Princess. I will spare no cost to clear your path. I take my leave."

At the same time, Liu Yanran placed a silver ingot into the hand of another maid. "Go and leak the news to Song Xiang'er that this little wild brat is likely Brother Zijun's biological daughter. And mention that they are currently at the Royal Stables." The maid took the silver and curtsied before departing.

Upon arriving at the stables, Shu Zijun was immediately blocked by several men in fine silks—the same group who had been clamoring that morning to compete for the role of the child's father.

The men shoved Shu Zijun aside and swarmed around Little Kaixin.

"Little Kaixin, I’m Father Song Qing, let me take you to play!"

"Little Kaixin, he’s an idle good-for-nothing who can’t even ride a horse properly. You should stick with me; I’m Father Lin Yaozu."

"Both of them are amateurs. I, Father Zhou Chong, am the most skilled horseman among all the dandies in the capital."

"I am Father Yang Chenghe, and I have actually trained in the military. Compared to me, those few are just humiliating themselves..."

Little Kaixin’s expression turned serious. She shook her head and emphasized solemnly, "None of you are as good-looking as my father. I don’t want any of you to be my father."

Rejected! The men clutched their chests, feigning broken hearts. They weren't exactly ugly, but compared to Shu Zijun—the man dubbed the most handsome in the capital—they were lacking by a significant margin.

Since force had failed, the men exchanged glances and initiated their second plan.

"Little Kaixin, did you know that the more fathers you have, the more people there are to cherish and love you?"

Hearing this, Little Kaixin nodded immediately. "My brother also said, who says you can only have one father? Whoever I like, I can make my father."

"Get lost! If you scare my daughter, I’ll strip your skin off!" Shu Zijun fought with all his might, finally pushing his way back to Little Kaixin’s side and chasing them off without mercy. Competing with him for his daughter? They were dreaming!

The failed fathers-to-be gathered to whisper, gritting their teeth. "Why should that unlucky wretch Shu Zijun get such a cute little doll? We must find a way to snatch her away," Yang Chenghe said, voicing the group's sentiments.

"Doesn't your sister have a lot of schemes? Have her use some special methods," Song Qing suggested, bumping Yang Chenghe’s shoulder.

Yang Chenghe glared at him. "My sister is a dim-witted girl; she can't even get near the hem of Shu Zijun’s robe. You can't rely on her. What about your third sister?"

Song Qing shook his head quickly. "She’s even more useless."

Everyone looked at Zhou Chong.

Zhou Chong chuckled. "My sister is useless too, so I’ve already sent word for my concubine-mother to come. She can be our strategist." The others gaped, stunned by Zhou Chong’s audacity.

While the men plotted openly, Little Kaixin pouted at the pony Shu Zijun had chosen for her, insisting that if she were to ride, she wanted the fiercest horse available.

Shu Zijun was stunned. "What? You want to ride the fiercest horse?"

"That one," Little Kaixin said, pointing to a tall black stallion.

Shu Zijun stumbled. "Good heavens! That’s the untamed King of the Grasslands! It’s been half a year since it was offered as tribute from Northern Meng, and no one has been able to ride it!"

Little Kaixin pouted and tugged on his sleeve, acting spoiled. "Father—Father—Kaixin wants that one."

Shu Zijun’s heart melted, and he agreed without principles. "Alright, wait here. Father will tame it for you."

The professional stable hands were dumbfounded. Was the young General Shu out of his mind? With his mediocre skills, trying to tame the King of the Grasslands was suicide! They had seen people spoil their children with their fortunes, but never with their lives!

As Shu Zijun walked toward the black stallion, a trainer rushed to stop him. "Young General Shu, please reconsider. This horse is vicious. Even my master was thrown by it and broke his ribs; he’s still bedridden."

Shu Zijun hesitated. The trainer’s master was Zongzheng Da, the greatest horseman in the empire. If even he couldn't conquer it—

Shu Zijun glanced back at Little Kaixin. Why did this little ancestor have to pick that one?

"Father is the best! Go, Father, you can do it!" The little girl looked at him with such anticipation, her eyes filled with worship...

He couldn't resist! He couldn't handle it!

*To hell with it!* Shu Zijun gritted his teeth, pushed the trainer aside, and kept walking.

"Young General Shu, think twice!" The other trainers ran over to block his path. General Shu, the eldest son, and the second son were all fighting on the Northwest front. If the young master were to have an accident at their stables, it would affect the war effort. The Emperor wouldn't let them off, and they wouldn't forgive themselves either!

Little Kaixin tilted her head, watching the trainers who looked as if they were about to kneel before Shu Zijun. "Why are you stopping my father?"