Chapter 94 - 86: "Young Master, the Profound Array Department... also has brothels?

Chapter 94: Chapter 86: "Young Master, the Profound Array Department... also has brothels?

Those two adorable, innocent big eyes were already swollen and red.

"Alas," Aunt Lin sighed. "I thought the Enlightenment Academy in the Capital City would be better, but I never expected Hu Zi to still be bullied."

Zeng Anmin’s eyes turned cold. He took a deep breath and looked toward Hu Zi.

"Be a good boy, Hu Zi. Tell Daddy what happened."

He took Hu Zi into his arms, patting the boy’s back gently with the softest tone he could muster. Hu Zi was already six this year, well past the age to begin his schooling. However, Hu Zi only sobbed continuously, not uttering a single word. He was clearly extremely upset to be acting this way.

"Who accompanied Hu Zi at the academy?"

Zeng Anmin narrowed his Dan Feng eyes, suddenly erupting with a terrifying aura. His voice wasn’t loud, but the entire room was filled with a chilling intent.

"Reporting to the Young Master, it was me."

A servant stepped forward from the doorway, trembling. He didn’t dare to look up, constantly swallowing his saliva as he felt the mountain-like pressure. Servants took their master’s surname. His name was Zeng Tian, and he had been with the Zeng Mansion for ten years. He was an honest and simple man who wasn’t good with words. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have entrusted him to take Hu Zi to the academy.

"What exactly happened at the academy today?" Zeng Anmin asked, looking at Zeng Tian with icy eyes.

Zeng Tian shakily raised his head. After glancing at Zeng Anmin, he quickly lowered it again and said, "Young Master Hu Zi started his schooling a little late, so he couldn’t keep up with his studies. He didn’t know all the characters, so the Tutor punished him by making him write a few words."

"That’s it?" Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes, his voice still ice-cold.

If that were all, he wouldn’t stand up for Hu Zi. Poor academic performance being punished by a teacher was a matter of course. But if that was the only issue, why would Hu Zi cry like this? Others might not know Hu Zi’s temperament, but how could he not know?

Zeng Tian spoke again, "A few older children wanted to make friends with the Young Master. After asking his name..." At this point, he was somewhat afraid to continue.

"Go on."

"Ever since Young Master Hu Zi came to the mansion, although no one paid it any mind, his original surname is Duan, and the academy uses the surname Duan for him as well. The children were ignorant. After chatting for a bit, they asked about Young Master Hu Zi’s residence...

"Young Master Hu Zi said his father was you... Then those children said you weren’t his biological father, and that his biological father should also be surnamed Duan... After that, Young Master Hu Zi didn’t speak for half the day.

"He didn’t start crying until he returned home and saw Madam Lin."

Zeng Anmin listened quietly to Zeng Tian’s explanation. He sat on the chair with Hu Zi in his arms, his legs crossed, gently patting the boy’s back. Feeling Zeng Anmin’s familiar chest, Hu Zi finally felt a sense of security.

"Why didn’t you stop them when those children were asking questions?"

As soon as Zeng Anmin said this, he felt he was being too harsh. Although Hu Zi was young, he would have to know these things sooner or later.

Zeng Tian gave a bitter smile and said, "How could we servants have the right to enter the academy’s halls? I only found out about this by seeking out those children and asking them after seeing that Young Master Hu Zi was in a bad mood."

"I see."

"Daddy, who... who is my daddy?" Hu Zi finally looked up. His innocent eyes still held tears as he pursed his lips and looked at Zeng Anmin to ask.

A six-year-old child, though not old, wasn’t too young either. In this world, it was the age to start understanding the ways of the world.

Zeng Anmin sighed and revealed a smile. "Your daddy was a brave Grand General."

Memories of his cousin’s husband slowly flowed into Zeng Anmin’s mind. The Earl of Zhongyuan’s estate. A family full of loyal martyrs. Yet, because of that war years ago, even after dying on the battlefield, they could not find An Ning, and their home was confiscated by the Court. His cousin was completely disheartened that year and had intended to follow her husband into the afterlife.

"Mhm." Hu Zi buried his face into Zeng Anmin’s shoulder, as if this was the only way he could feel safe.

A long time later, Hu Zi looked up again, his eyes full of anticipation. "Can you tell me about him?"

This...

Zeng Anmin’s expression froze slightly. His predecessor didn’t have many memories of his cousin’s husband and hadn’t even met him more than a few times.

"Wait until Daddy goes back and reads some books, then I’ll tell you all about it when I return." He chuckled and said, "Sleep peacefully for today. Daddy will tell you next time I come back."

Fortunately, Hu Zi was indeed tired. He nodded obediently. "Okay, Daddy, you have to remember."

"I will."

Zeng Anmin left with Dachun.

After Zeng Anmin had completely gone, Aunt Lin looked at Hu Zi in her arms with a face full of heartache. She reached out her pale hands to hug him tight, not knowing what to say. She could only sigh.

Hu Zi looked up at Aunt Lin innocently. "Mom... Should I call Daddy ’Uncle’?"

Seeing his young face, Aunt Lin felt a sudden, inexplicable pang of pain in her heart.

The next day.

Zeng Anmin woke up early. He had originally wanted to go to the Imperial College to read some books about that war and find out about his cousin’s husband’s heroic deeds in killing the enemy to tell Hu Zi. But after leaving the house, he remembered that today was a day off. No matter how fast he wanted it, he would have to wait until tomorrow.

However, since he was already out, he decided to take Dachun for a stroll on the streets.

"Do you want to listen to some music?" Zeng Anmin raised an eyebrow at Dachun.

The two of them were walking through the bustling streets, each leading a horse. Dachun looked at the Young Master in confusion.

"Listen to music?"

In his twenty years of life, Dachun truly didn’t know what it meant to listen to music.

"It’s to cultivate your character. And the best place to listen to music is the brothel," Zeng Anmin patiently explained.

"No, no! We can’t go to a place like that. If my dad finds out I took you there, he’ll beat me to death," Dachun quickly shook his head. He might not know what listening to music meant, but he definitely knew what a brothel was.

"It’s fine!" Zeng Anmin waved his hand dismissively. "Aren’t I studying the Six Arts of the Gentleman? The art of music requires listening to more of it. If Uncle Qi finds out, just tell him we went there to study."

Going to a brothel, to study??

This was the first time Dachun had ever heard of such an inexplicable combination. He blinked his wise eyes and slowly nodded. "Well, my dad did say that I should take you out to study more."

"Exactly!" Zeng Anmin looked at Dachun’s slow-witted reaction and secretly amused himself.

"Oh my, little Immortal from the Profound Array Department, I really can’t go any lower! If I sell it to you at that price, we’ll lose money!"

A merchant’s voice caught Zeng Anmin’s attention. He subconsciously looked over. They wore black robes adorned with flowing gold ribbons running from shoulder to waist. Around their waists were reflective leather belts. Their loose trousers were tucked into a pair of straight leather boots, which were imprinted with profoundly mystical patterns.

Two men wearing this uniform were buying something by the street. Zeng Anmin had seen this uniform before. When he arrested Qi Xianlin in Liangjiang Commandery, a female disciple from the Profound Array Department had been dressed just like this. Speaking of which, although that woman looked a bit naive, her appearance was truly quite striking.

Thinking of this, Zeng Anmin subconsciously reached into his robes and pulled out a crystal-clear Jade Pendant.

"Take this Jade Pendant. If you ever come to the Capital City in the future, bring it to the Profound Array Department to find me. I will definitely thank you properly."

Sai Chuxue’s evasive expression surfaced in Zeng Anmin’s mind. His heart stirred, and a smile crept onto his face. "Dachun, let’s go! To the Profound Array Department!"

With that said, he led his horse and headed in the direction of the Profound Array Department.

All Spiritual Artifacts in the world originated from the Array Department.

Those few words alone meant Zeng Anmin had to make a trip there. It should be known that the Relief Longbow currently in his hands was nothing more than an ordinary item. If he could obtain a Spiritual Artifact longbow produced by the Profound Array Department... Then he felt that his Martial Artist’s Heart could definitely unleash even greater power!

"Huh?"

Hearing the Young Master’s words, Dachun was utterly confused. He hurriedly chased after him and asked Zeng Anmin in bewilderment, "Young Master, does the Profound Array Department... also have a brothel?"

As soon as those words came out, he felt as if their surroundings fell silent for a moment. The pedestrians around them looked at the master and servant duo as if they were fools.

Zeng Anmin’s mouth twitched. He glared at Dachun. "Talk less and just follow me!"

Saying that, he mounted his horse and whipped the reins. "HYAH!"

He fled the area as if making an escape...