Chapter 7: Distance

Over the next few days, Su Tang practiced his internal breathing when he felt energetic, teased little Ke’er when he was tired, or took walks inside and outside the castle. His days passed very leisurely.

However, the way the people in the castle looked at Su Tang changed slightly, because the events of that day had already spread. Zhu’er had ordered that the two people who stole the specially made venison jerky be tied to wooden stakes. She then had someone bring a pig-slaughtering knife, preparing to cut open their stomachs. This terrified the two men so much that they wet themselves and honestly confessed how they stole the food, as well as other small thefts they had committed.

Little Forest Castle was located in a remote area. Compared to other places, the living environment was relatively quiet and peaceful. Because someone was going to have their stomach cut open just for stealing food, it was so cruel… Was this still the kind-hearted young master from before?

Some people were worried, some were afraid, and naturally, some were happy. Especially the servants who followed Zhu’er’s lead; they often expressed their feelings in private, saying that the young master had finally grown up and now had a bit of the style his father once had.

There were eleven servants in Little Forest Castle in total. Their leader was named Shang Bin, who had gone to the battlefield with Su Tang’s father, Su Xiang, years ago. After losing an eye, he was kept at Little Forest Castle by Su Xiang to retire. Shang Bin was strong and generous, and he held great prestige in the castle. It was because of his support and that of Steward Chang that Zhu’er held great power; otherwise, who would be willing to listen to a weak woman?

Shang Bin was willing to obey Zhu’er’s orders partly because Su Tang was somewhat disappointing and didn’t focus on the right things, and partly because the Madam had decided before her death that both Zhu’er and Ke’er would become the young master’s women. They would eventually run the household, so listening to Zhu’er followed the rules.

Interestingly, the old Su Tang had hated Shang Bin because Shang Bin often urged Su Tang to work hard on practicing the Martial Formula, but Su Tang hated wielding blades and spears. At first, he could barely manage to brush him off, but eventually, he grew tired of the nagging and simply kicked Shang Bin out, forbidding him from stepping foot into the Inner Castle again.

Looking at the past from a completely new perspective, Su Tang discovered that he had done too many foolish things. Shang Bin was just one example. How could he have liked the useless Qian Biao while pushing away the hardworking Shang Bin?!

From what he heard from Ke’er, after Shang Bin was kicked out of the Inner Castle, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol every day. Fortunately, Zhu’er knew what was right, and she did not decrease but instead increased the allowance given to Shang Bin. Otherwise, forced by life, Shang Bin might have left Little Forest Castle long ago.

Su Tang knew very well that if Shang Bin had always been working in the Inner Castle, the order would never have become so messy. Therefore, he should find a way to repair his relationship with Shang Bin.

One day, Su Tang took Ke’er to the training ground of the Inner Castle. He had his own plan. If he went directly to find Shang Bin, it would be too abrupt and easy for people to suspect. He would first get close to the other servants, and then casually mention Shang Bin. Someone would surely feel that Shang Bin had been treated unfairly. Then, feeling touched, he would lead the servants to find Shang Bin. This would be reasonable.

The servants were resting, and one of them was telling a story he had heard from somewhere. Su Tang wanted to join in the fun, so he picked a segment and told a legend about a certain kind of magical peach. Of course, he changed the content quite a bit. The effect was okay at the beginning, but when he reached the part where the protagonist subdued several girls in the peach garden and then jumped into the tree to eat heartily, the servants burst into laughter together.

“What is it?” Su Tang felt confused.

“The young master can really joke. Where is there such a fool?” an old servant around fifty years old replied with a smile. “Subduing several girls and then going to eat some peaches… hahaha…”

“If it were me, I would definitely pick two girls and carry them home, hehe…” another servant said, winking.

“Yes, yes.” The others nodded one after another, clearly speaking their minds.

“Stop making a fuss! The young master hasn’t finished yet!” Ke’er shouted discontentedly.

Su Tang’s interest was completely gone because of the noise. He suddenly discovered that the longest distance in the world was not about being face-to-face or whether one loved another, but this gap in ideology.

“You know nothing!” the servant who was telling the story just now looked at his companions with a mocking gaze. “The young master was talking about an expert at the Grandmaster level. Do you think they are like you, unable to move their legs the moment they see a woman?”

Su Tang remained silent. He had grown up here since childhood and had almost never been outside. The farthest he had been was the county town. He was a complete country bumpkin and didn’t know much about this world. However, the word ‘Grandmaster’ immediately triggered Su Tang’s memory.

Long ago, when his father Su Xiang mentioned Grandmasters, his face was always full of awe. That was a group of people who stood high above; they could influence the direction of the world and decide the life and death of countless people. The storms that stirred the entire continent were always raised by them, and eventually ended under their will.

Su Tang suddenly had a doubt. He wanted to live and work peacefully in Little Forest Castle, spending his whole life eating and drinking well while staying away from conflict. But was that possible?

His father, Su Xiang, had died on the battlefield. Rights and obligations always existed together. As the Lord of the castle, while enjoying the support of many farmers, he also had to fulfill one obligation: military service.

Once the Duchy went to war externally, Su Tang would have to go to the front line. If he refused, or failed to arrive for other reasons, Su Tang’s qualification as the Lord would be stripped by the Duchy. Moreover, since he had no other brothers, Little Forest Castle would have to belong to someone else.

To achieve his ideal, unless wars stopped happening outside!

Once he really went outside, what did a castle lord even count for?!

After a moment, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of Su Tang’s mouth. He had lived very quietly before because he was under eighteen and had not reached the minimum age for military service. The rules of the Duchy were flexible and not too harsh, but how much longer could this peace last?

“I haven’t seen Blind Shang for many days. Did he go on a trading trip with Steward Chang?” Su Tang asked.

The servants looked at each other. The servant who was telling the story earlier replied tentatively, “Young master, you were the one who kicked him out. You didn’t allow him to step into the Inner Castle again. You even said… if you saw him again, you would make him truly blind…”

“I was just saying a few angry words. Did Blind Shang actually take it seriously?” Su Tang said thick-skinned. “So… how has he been lately?”

Hearing that Su Tang intended to reconcile, the servants became excited. The old servant replied, “Young master, don’t you know Shang Bin’s character? After you kicked him out without a word, how could he be in the mood for anything else? All day long, besides drinking, he just sleeps. He’s almost ruined.”

“Yes, yes. Shang Bin’s old spirit is gone. It’s heartbreaking to see,” the other servants echoed.

“My fault, it’s all my fault.” Su Tang slowly stood up and looked at the old servant. “You lead the way and accompany me to see Blind Shang.”

“Alright!” The old servant seemed very happy. Su Tang already had an attitude of admitting his mistake, which meant that Shang Bin was coming back.

Taking Ke’er and the old servant, he had just walked out of the Inner Castle gate and encountered a group of people. The leader was about the same age as Su Tang, but his dress was much more sophisticated. The people behind him were all servants, surrounding him and giving the impression of stars orbiting the moon.

“Brother Su, what a coincidence,” the leading youth smiled.

“Liu Mingsheng?” Su Tang frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing?” The youth shook his head. “Aren’t you asking a question you already know the answer to? Brother, have you forgotten how much money you owe Black Wind Castle? Actually… our friendship is so good that I really didn’t want to come and press you for it, but even brothers must keep clear accounts. Otherwise, I won’t be able to explain it to my old man, haha… I’m not like you, an only child who can do whatever he wants. I have a big group of brothers and brothers in my family. If something goes wrong, I’ll have to be pushed aside in the future. I think you can understand my hardship…”

“Liu Mingsheng, what are you here for again?” An angry shout came from inside the gate, and then Zhu’er’s figure appeared at the door. “Are you ever going to stop?!”

Zhu’er walked out while speaking, intentionally or unintentionally blocking Su Tang behind her.

“Little girl, I am talking to your young master. What qualification do you have to interrupt? Get out of the way!” the youth shouted.

“This is Little Forest Castle, not your Black Wind Castle. There’s no need for you to point fingers!” Zhu’er’s momentum did not decrease but increased. “The one who should get out is you. Leave! Our Little Forest Castle does not welcome you!”

It seemed he didn’t expect a maid to dare clash with him head-on. The youth froze for a moment, and his expression slowly became gloomy. “A life for a life, a debt for money. This is the way of the world! Su Tang, it seems we should go to the county’s Judgment Office together to talk reason.”

“Go then, who are you trying to scare?” Zhu’er sneered. “But you can’t. You aren’t qualified to sue our young master. Go back and invite your elders. Oh, and remember, the debt contract says it will be paid in full after this year’s autumn harvest. Liu Mingsheng, I know you’ve always lacked manners, but I didn’t expect you to be this stupid. Do you understand ‘autumn harvest’? Do I need to explain to you what autumn harvest means?”

The youth was scolded by Zhu’er and gritted his teeth in anger, but he happened to be unable to refute her, because the debt contract indeed stated that the debt would be paid after the autumn harvest. Coming to demand money now was simply unreasonable.

“There are still a few months left, and you rush over here to demand money now. Liu Mingsheng, have you gone crazy from poverty?” Zhu’er pursued the victory. “If you’re out of money, just say so. I can give you a few small coins to spend, but you want to come here and act like a big boss? Not a chance!”

“Su Tang, are you just going to watch this undisciplined wench be so insolent?!” The youth could finally not bear it and shouted loudly.

“You brought this on yourself,” Su Tang said indifferently. “Listen to me, just leave.”

Su Tang’s answer was unexpected. In the past, whenever Zhu’er had a dispute with outsiders, regardless of who was right or wrong, Su Tang would step forward to apologize. But this time, Su Tang’s words were mixed with a sense of schadenfreude.

“Fine! Very well!” The youth took a deep breath. This was Little Forest Castle, and he didn’t want to make a big scene because the county’s judgment would certainly lean toward Su Tang. Looking at it another way, if Su Tang went to Black Wind Castle to cause trouble, he could likewise sue and win. “If the debt is not paid after the autumn harvest, don’t blame the Liu Family for being unkind! When Little Forest Castle changes owners… haha…”

“When has your Liu Family ever been kind?” Zhu’er mocked. “Who doesn’t know the Liu Family’s intentions? Give a message to your elders: when eating, one should at least have the manners of a master. Don’t be too greedy, like a stray dog that hasn’t eaten for years. It only makes people laugh!”

Zhu’er’s last few words were very excessive, leaving no way back for herself. If the Su Family fell, her fate was predictable. However, it also proved Zhu’er’s determination from another side. If the castle stood, the people stood; if the castle fell, the people fell. At worst, it was just a matter of a rope. She didn’t need any other future.