After the coquettish fake master was driven away - Chapter 1

The 21st year of the Jianyuan era, the planet Mars guards the heart.

The emperor seeks immortality, neglecting state affairs; eunuchs dominate the court, and sycophants are everywhere.

Beyond the palace, barbarian tribes invaded multiple times, only to be repelled by the Northern Garrison Army, which seemed to have its own hidden motives.

However, General Yan Yi of the Dingwei troops died suddenly on the battlefield, his body never recovered. The Northern Garrison Army, having lost its backbone, and with supplies delayed, exhausted of arrows and men, could not hold, and was steadily defeated.

The world was in turmoil.

The following year, the 22nd year of Jianyuan, late summer.

At the Xie Mansion in the capital, around 9:45 a.m.

The pavilions and towers were arranged with grace; strange stones dotted the grounds, secluded pathways wound through the estate, water trickled, and birds and butterflies flitted about—it was like a paradise on earth.

Behind an artificial rock formation, a young boy dressed in deep purple silk held his breath, trying to catch a faint discussion in the distance.

He was exceptionally handsome, with delicate features, rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and lips like red coral. The elaborate gold embroidery on his sleeves added to his noble air.

A crimson-and-white jade belt cinched his slender waist, adorned with jingling charms: golden and jade gourds, red beads from the South Seas—all showing his wealth and status.

This was none other than Xie Jinning, the most favored young master of the Xie family, in charge of the family’s shipping business.

It was supposed to be his nap time, but he was restless and couldn’t sleep, so he decided to take a stroll.

His ears twitched slightly as he caught key words, and Xie Jinning frowned, signaling his page to stay silent, and moved closer.

This time, the voices became clearer.

A few idle maids were gossiping. One said, “Have you heard of Young Master Xie Zhu? I’ve been at the mansion for years and never knew the master had such a relative.”

Another replied, “Isn’t that right? The things sent to Zhu Pavilion are all top-notch; I’ve seen them, and they aren’t any worse than what the young master has.”

Someone else whispered, “I heard when he first came, he was in rags, covered in dust. The guards almost hit him, thinking he was a beggar. Luckily, Young Master Xie Zhu was generous and didn’t make a fuss.”

Everyone chattered about “Xie Zhu”—this suddenly appearing poor relative whom Xie Jinning regarded as a freeloading intruder.

He hummed lowly in displeasure.

It wasn’t about the money. The Xie family, founded by ancestors who were loyal to the empire, had long managed the shipping business, expanding their fleet to control nearly 90% of the waterways. One Xie Zhu, even hundreds, could be supported without strain.

But ever since Xie Zhu came to the mansion, something about him felt off. Xie Jinning’s unease had grown daily into outright disgust.

Just as he was about to leave, a comment froze him in place:

“Don’t you think Young Master Xie Zhu looks a lot like the master when he was young, just a bit darker?”

Like cold water poured on oil, sparks flew.

“You think so too?”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, there’s some resemblance.”

“The other day I saw him from the side—he’s almost a carbon copy of the master!”

“Actually, if I say—”

“Stop! Don’t say that!”

Xie Jinning couldn’t hear anything else.

What young master? That poor relative Xie Zhu is no young master! And he even looks like him? Could he possibly be more like his father than himself?!

The page, Ah He, noticed his master’s change in expression and shouted, “How dare you!”

The maids panicked, rushing out of the corner, dropping to their knees and begging for mercy.

Normally, the usually gentle young master might have smiled and let it go, but today his lips were tightly pressed, cheeks tense—everyone could see he was angry.

Yet the lingering baby fat on his cheeks made him look adorable, like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.

“What were you trying to say just now?” he asked.

Gossiping about the master was a grave offense; no one dared answer, especially after exchanging glances—they kowtowed, tears streaming.

“Please forgive us, Young Master, we won’t do it again!”

“Please be merciful and don’t kick us out…”

The Xie Mansion was famous for its generosity; the monthly wages were high, rewards constant, and the Jin Garden was particularly lucrative.

Seeing the maids’ pitiful cries, Xie Jinning’s frown gradually relaxed.

He turned away, clearly still upset, but waved his hand. “Get up. This time… consider it as if I didn’t hear anything.”

Ah He immediately shouted, “What are you waiting for? Move! Don’t let me catch you gossiping again!”

The maids, as if pardoned, thanked him repeatedly and hurriedly dispersed.

After everyone left, Ah He looked at his back, hesitating, and complained, “Young Master, that maid who said her family was sick—last time I saw her mother, she was perfectly healthy. I think they were just flattering you; if you ask me, they all should be driven out.”

Xie Jinning shot him a glance.

“But what if they were really sick?”

“If they were, would they have time to gossip, instead of working?”

Xie Jinning paused, eyes widening.

“Heh, you little rascal, I’ll deduct your wages for that!”

Ah He pouted, “Nooo, Young Master—”

Their playful banter eased some of his frustration. Still, on the way back, Xie Jinning’s curiosity lingered—what had the maid wanted to say about him?

…

Whenever Xie Jinning thought of Xie Zhu, anger welled up.

Half a month ago, returning from a trip, he found a strange boy in the mansion.

In rough cloth clothes, yellow-skinned and lean, as if crawling out of some rural backwater, he carried himself with dignity.

The Xie family had few close relatives; initially, Xie Jinning had been inclined to befriend him.

Though wealthy, the Xie family had few heirs: only Xie Jinning’s father, Xie Qing, with his wife Lin Jinhua, had two sons.

The elder brother, Xie Zhaoming, was steady and mature; Xie Jinning had been pampered since childhood.

Having been weak and often near death as a child, he had been meticulously cared for, developing a spoiled personality.

Knowing the family inheritance would go to his brother, his parents only wished for his health, so he grew up carefree—a notorious playboy of the capital.

After Xie Zhu moved in, he tried to befriend him but was repeatedly rejected.

Though the same age, Xie Zhu was frighteningly mature, calm, and taciturn, with deep black eyes that seemed distant and cold, as if Xie Jinning had offended him.

“Thank you.”

“No need.”

“I have matters to attend to, excuse me.”

Accustomed to being adored, Xie Jinning had never been treated coldly like this. Repeated cold receptions frustrated him; eventually, he would snub Xie Zhu, sometimes even bumping into him on purpose.

Xie Zhu, taller and thinner, never reacted; Xie Jinning’s shoulder would be red for days.

This grievance naturally went onto Xie Zhu’s account.

Soon, the entire mansion knew that the new Xie Zhu had offended the young master, yet Xie Jinning, seeing the unusual attention around the mansion, felt his place being slowly usurped.

More servants began going to the bamboo pavilion, bringing finer gifts, and worse, Xie Zhu was often present when he visited his elder brother.

The two sat together, conversing happily, like true siblings.

Seeing his position encroached upon, Xie Jinning felt a pang of jealousy but held his composure, venting in private by tearing flower petals from a vase.

His father, Xie Qing, was often away on business; late at night, when he sought him, he found Xie Zhu still with Xie Zhaoming in the study.

The three conversed by candlelight; Xie Jinning’s attempts to charm them revealed nothing.

All of this made him feel gradually excluded.

Fortunately, his mother Lin Jinhua treated him as usual. He thought: no matter how capable Xie Zhu was, he was just a distant relative—how could he compare to me?

Yet a shadow of unease quietly took root.

Rubbing his chest, Xie Jinning kicked a stone down the path, imagining it was Xie Zhu.

“Go away!”

Back in the courtyard, Ah He slapped his forehead. “Young Master! Didn’t Mr. Cheng invite you to listen to a story today?”

“Story? Don’t scare me like that.”

Xie Jinning lazily propped his chin, sleeve slipping to reveal a jade-like wrist. “Which tea house in the capital haven’t I been to? Same stories, very boring.”

“They say there’s a new play today—very exciting,” Ah He said, eyes sparkling.

“Of course not…” Xie Jinning dragged the word, seeing Ah He’s pout, then said slowly, “Maybe I will?”

“Yay! Young Master, you’re the best!”

Cheng Yi, third son of the Ministry of Rites, waited in a private room; he and Xie Jinning were close friends.

The play began downstairs.

It was indeed thrilling.

Xie Jinning did not expect a story about “an illegitimate child seeking revenge.”

The character meticulously gained the family’s trust, poisoned the stepmother, framed siblings, and eventually killed his father to seize the inheritance. The bloody scenes made Xie Jinning grip his snacks in fear, unable to eat.

When the storyteller said the illegitimate child “was slain by a righteous hero,” the audience applauded—but Xie Jinning froze.

In his mind, the scene of bl00d in the Xie Mansion played out: brother wronged, parents dead… and the black-clad killer slowly turned…

It was Xie Zhu’s face.

Those cold eyes stared at him, raising a knife—

A silver flash cut across his vision. Xie Jinning jumped back, hitting the chair hard.

“Xiao Ning!” Cheng Yi, startled, quickly withdrew the fan he was waving. “Are you okay?”

Xie Jinning, dazed, shoved his friend aside and ran out without even calling for Ah He, shouting, “I’m leaving!”

He nearly collided with two men carrying a half-height bronze mirror.

Blushing, eyes misty, he panted, staring at the mirror on the ground.

The tarnished surface reflected his image—not clear, but enough for him to admire.

Breathing heavily, he felt an unprecedented clarity.

He seemed to realize what the maid had left unsaid.

“Young Master! Wait for me!” Ah He ran up, supporting him. “Are you okay?”

Then scolding the men: “How do you carry things?! What if you hurt my young master?!”

The men apologized helplessly.

“Never mind them,” Xie Jinning said, pressing his racing heart, stepping aside.

Once they left, he asked seriously:

“Ah He, answer me truthfully. Between Xie Zhu and me, who looks more like Father?”

Ah He trembled, smiling nervously. “Of course it’s you, Young Master. You’re Father and Mother’s precious son. That Xie Zhu… can’t compare.”

“Be honest, or I’ll deduct half a month’s wages.”

“Ah…”

Ah He slumped. “Well… Xie Zhu… does… look a little like Father.”

Quickly adding: “But still not as much as you…”

“Just a little?”

“No, he looks more like Father than you!”

“Why are you asking this?”

Xie Jinning didn’t answer, picking up a golden jade gourd from his belt, a gift from his father on a business trip.

Throughout his life, every trip his father went on brought treasures from different places; the Jin Garden’s storerooms could barely contain them.

But this time, after his father left for Xuzhou, he brought nothing back. Xie Jinning’s chest ached with sourness.

Even Ah He noticed the resemblance; likely many in the mansion thought so.

Xie Zhu looked more like his father than him.

An illegitimate child in the mansion…

A sudden insight struck. The frightening events in the story he heard overlapped with Xie Zhu’s image.

All the unusual occurrences of the past days made sense: Xie Zhu was not just a distant relative, but his father’s illegitimate son!

With crystal-clear apricot eyes flaring, Xie Jinning clenched his fists, teeth gritted:

“Ah He, take me back to the mansion immediately!”

His mother had surely been kept in the dark. He had to tell her—before his father formally recognized Xie Zhu—and kick him out!

Ah He glanced at the sky. “It’s still early. Don’t you want to wander a bit more?”

“Wander?!” Xie Jinning glared. “If we wander any longer, my young master will suddenly have a brother!”

“Oh… ah??”