Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

The next day, Ye Changyan got up before daybreak. When he came to the yard, he saw Fang Xiaotong and Fang Xiaomei, one making a fire and the other preparing breakfast.

"Master, you got up so early. The porridge is just cooked and the steamed buns are in the pot."

Seeing Ye Changyan coming into the yard, Fang Xiaotong hurriedly greeted Ye Changyan, while Fang Xiaomei smiled shyly but did not stop kneading the dough.

"You two are at the age of growing up, so just wait until the daybreak before getting up."

No one told the brother and sister to do anything, so they got up early and made breakfast for everyone. Ye Changyan was not too surprised, as he had high hopes for the brother and sister's personalities and conduct.

After hearing what Ye Changyan said, Fang Xiaotong and his sister nodded and continued to cook.

At about 3:00 p.m., Ye Changyan's family was having breakfast when Liu and her son knocked on the gate of the Ye family's courtyard.

It was Fang Xiaotong who opened the door. Liu was a little stunned for a moment. Could it be that he got up too early? But this was indeed the Ye family's manor. Just when Liu and Silang were looking suspicious, they heard Lian calling them.

"Second sister-in-law, Silang, have you eaten yet? Come and have something to eat with us."

After hearing Lian's call, Liu looked at Fang Xiaotong while walking towards the yard. As soon as she entered the yard, she saw a pretty girl standing by the stove, holding a bowl in one hand and eating a steamed bun in the other.

Seeing this, Liu became even more confused. She walked a few steps to Lian, quietly pointed at Fang Xiaotong and his sister, and asked softly in Lian's ear.

"His Third Aunt, what is this?"

"This is the helper that Boss Zhong arranged for us to come here."

Ye Changyan had made instructions last night to tell everyone that Fang Xiaotong and his sister were servants arranged by Boss Zhong, so Lian just passed it over with one sentence and did not explain much to Liu. She then invited Liu and Silang into the house to eat.

Mother and son Liu simply packed up the old house, carrying the gifts they had prepared last night, and rushed up to the farm before they had time to eat breakfast.

Seeing that everyone in the third room was having breakfast, Liu and his son did not hesitate to pick up the bowl and chopsticks that Fang Xiaomei had just brought over and started eating.

After dinner, Ye Changyan gave some instructions to Wulang and Erniu, asking them to take the Fang brothers and sisters to get acquainted with the place, and then he went towards the county town with Liu's mother and son.

According to the head of the village last night, Tang Laizi should be recuperating in a small courtyard next to the Baotong Money House in the county town. This small courtyard is mainly a place for the shopkeeper and clerks of the Baotong Money House, as well as some related personnel to rest and gather on weekdays.

When Ye Changyan and Liu's mother and son arrived in the county town, they went straight to Baotong Money House. Soon they arrived at the small courtyard described by the head of the village.

Ye Changyan took the gift from Silang, walked up to the door, grabbed the knocker, and knocked on the door. After a moment, someone inside opened the door a crack and looked outside.

"Who are you looking for?"

Ye Changyan looked through the crack in the door and saw a burly man standing behind the door, looking at him and asking questions.

"May I ask this warrior, is Mr. Tang Shenghu recuperating in this courtyard?"

Ye Changyan had learned Tang Laizi's name from the head of the village yesterday, and then he asked the strong man who opened the door.

"Why are you looking for him?"

The sturdy man saw a young man who looked like a scholar outside the door. He didn't have any impression of him, but he looked friendly.

"I heard that he was injured two days ago, so I came to visit him."

"Who are you?"

"It's like this. The one who injured Mr. Tang was my cousin. I came here today with my cousin's mother and brother to visit him sincerely."

The sturdy man stuck his head out from the crack of the door and looked outside. Sure enough, he saw a middle-aged woman and a teenager standing not far away.

"You guys just wait."

The sturdy man said this and closed the door.

After hearing what the sturdy man said, Liu and Silang were both frightened and looked at Ye Changyan anxiously, and then they heard Ye Changyan say.

"Don't be afraid. It's broad daylight now. He should be going to make an announcement."

Soon the gate of the courtyard was opened wide, and five or six burly men, each holding a stick, stood at the gate.

Seeing this, Liu and Silang were so scared that they took several steps back. Then they saw a short young man with bruises on his face and a tall middle-aged man walking out of the yard.

"Uncle Huo, it was that woman's man and son who beat us up, and this kid also helped at the time."

The short young man with bruises on his face pointed at Liu and Silang and spoke to the middle-aged man called Uncle Huo.

When Liu and Silang saw that it was the young man who came with Tang Laizi that day, and that he was accusing them and their mother with a middle-aged man who looked intimidating without even getting angry, they subconsciously took two steps back.

"Who is this?"

The middle-aged man glanced at Liu and Silang, then turned his gaze to Ye Changyan who was standing not far from the door.

"Sir, the one who injured Mr. Tang was my cousin. Today, I have brought my aunt and cousin to visit Mr. Tang. I wonder if you can help me?"

The slender middle-aged man is Huo Chong, the second manager of Baotong Money House. He is usually responsible for managing brokers like Tang Laizi who make a living from the money house and a group of thugs, and mostly comes into contact with the black and gray forces in society.

But the young man in front of him had the image of a gentle and refined Confucian scholar, and it was hard to associate him with a thug who not only did not pay back his debts but also hurt people. Huo Chong sneered and spoke.

"My dear brother, this courtyard is a den of dragons and tigers. It is full of filth. For a scholar like you, I think it is better not to go in."

Hearing the other party say this, Ye Changyan smiled and said to Huo Chong.

"Sir, my aunt and nephew are here to visit Mr. Tang sincerely to see how he is doing. I hope you can help me."

Facing his verbal threats and the scene in front of the courtyard gate, the young man remained polite in his words but firm in his attitude. Huo Chong admired the young man's magnanimity to some extent, so he moved aside with an evil smile on his face, making way for Ye Changyan.

Ye Changyan walked into the gate of the courtyard. Liu and Silang both had fear on their faces. They were anxious and afraid, and they dared not step forward.

Seeing Liu and Silang hesitating to move forward, Huo Chong winked at the people around him, and the courtyard gate slammed shut. Liu and Silang outside the gate hurriedly went forward to knock on the door, but no one came to open the door for the mother and daughter.

When Ye Changyan entered the courtyard, he saw burly men standing on both sides of the flower path. Ye Changyan walked along the flower path inside, while Huo Chong followed closely behind. He really admired the courage of this young man.

Soon Ye Changyan came to a room. He ignored the ferocious looks given to him by the two people standing at the door and walked straight in. He saw a man lying on the bed. There were obvious scars from burns on his face and scalp. This man must be Tang Laizi.

Ye Changyan moved closer and took a closer look, and saw that Tang Laizi had fallen into a deep coma. Although his breathing was indeed weak, Ye Changyan's intuition told him that Tang Laizi was very energetic and the situation should not be as bad as he had imagined.

Ye Changyan placed the gifts he brought on the bedside cabinet and then left the room.