Chapter 33: Absolutely True

As Cheng Zhijie cast his gaze upon them, the old steward from the Zhangsun residence, along with the servants behind him, felt an icy chill rise along their spines. They shivered uncontrollably, as if caught in the midst of winter. Though they were well aware of Cheng Zhijie’s notorious fierceness and his uncompromising hatred of wrongdoing, today’s visit to the Cheng estate was at the command of their mistress; they had come seeking justice, compelled by circumstances beyond their control. The arrow was nocked—they could not turn back now.

Having steeled himself, the old steward lowered his head with a resentful sigh. “My Lord, we are here today on Lady’s orders, hoping to seek justice from your noble self.” Even his voice faltered, betraying his apprehension. The pressure Cheng Zhijie exerted was overwhelming, and, truth be told, the Zhangsun household had never held him in high regard. Even Zhangsun Wuji himself was wary of being struck by him.

Though adept at handling matters with tact, the old steward feared saying the wrong thing and earning a beating. “Justice?” Cheng Zhijie’s face froze in surprise, unable to grasp the situation. He frowned at the steward. “What’s going on? Tell me everything, clearly.”

“Yes, My Lord!” The steward nodded hastily. He recounted the entire affair from start to finish, then stood anxiously, not daring to utter another word.

Cheng Zhijie listened and finally understood. It turned out his eldest son had given Zhangsun Chong a severe beating—so much so that the boy was bedridden. The Zhangsun household, following Lady Zhangsun’s orders, had come to clarify matters and seek restitution.

“This rascal, how could he be so savage?” Cheng Zhijie frowned angrily. “It’s one thing to teach that boy a lesson, but how could you be so heavy-handed?” He knew well that Cheng Chumo, like himself, was straightforward and hot-tempered, always getting into trouble outside. But he hadn’t expected his son to have beaten Zhangsun Chong so severely this time—and then returned without saying a word. It was, indeed, a bit excessive.

Still, with the Zhangsun delegation watching, he needed to maintain appearances. As for Cheng Chumo, he would deal with him later.

Suddenly, Cheng Zhijie slammed his palm onto the square table, nearly splintering it, his face stern and imposing. He regarded the Zhangsun group coldly and waved them off. “You may go. I will handle this matter impartially and give you the justice you seek.”

The old steward and his companions felt their faces twitch. Coming to the Cheng estate was, they realized, a beautiful mistake.

Indeed, a tiger’s cub is no dog—like father, like son!

But none dared contradict Cheng Zhijie. The old steward could only nod obediently, echoing, “Yes, My Lord. We trust you will give our young master justice. We take our leave.”

“Someone, see them out!” Cheng Zhijie’s face was twisted in a cold smile.

“My Lord, please stay; we are overwhelmed with fear,” the old steward stammered. With that, the Zhangsun group slipped away, lacking the courage to linger—afraid that, if they tarried, they might suffer the same fate as their young master.

Once the Zhangsun party departed, Cheng Zhijie rose, flexing his fists with irritation, and barked at his steward, “Go fetch my eldest son!”

“Yes, Master.” The steward hurried off, secretly pitying Cheng Chumo.

Before long, he returned. Cheng Zhijie was somewhat taken aback and frowned, “What’s the matter, has that rascal run off again?”

“No, Master.” The steward hesitated, replying, “The young master is bathing; he says he’ll be here soon.”

“Very well, withdraw.” Cheng Zhijie nodded. He went to his room and retrieved the ruler reserved for Cheng Chumo’s discipline, then returned to the main hall. Seated majestically, he sipped his tea, waiting leisurely for his son.

After a brief moment, Cheng Chumo appeared in fresh clothes, his mood buoyant as he entered the hall.

“Your son greets you, Father.” Seeing Cheng Zhijie drinking tea in contentment, Cheng Chumo bowed respectfully, secretly delighted. “Father seems to be in a good mood today. Surely, he’ll let me go enjoy myself again soon. Pingkang Lane, here I come…”

But just as Cheng Chumo was savoring his beautiful anticipation, a swift shadow suddenly struck.

With a sharp crack, the ruler reserved for Cheng Chumo landed firmly on his body, leaving him stunned and aching, utterly at a loss for what had transpired.

“Father, why did you strike me out of nowhere?” Cheng Chumo clutched his shoulder, rubbing it vigorously, and cast a plaintive glance at the ruler.

“What’s the matter? You dare feign ignorance before me, you rascal?” Cheng Zhijie gave a wry smile and struck him again. “You cause trouble outside, beat up Zhangsun Chong, and leave him bedridden?”

“How have I taught you all these years?”

“It’s fine to fight, but we must be reasonable. You mustn’t cripple or injure people at your whim. Everything is subject to the laws of the Great Tang!”

“Now, tell me—why did you injure that good-for-nothing Zhangsun Chong?”

Cheng Zhijie kept raining blows as he interrogated his son, the ruler landing every few breaths, imparting a lesson born of disappointment at his son’s failure to live up to his expectations.

“Father, I didn’t hit him!” Cheng Chumo protested, hopping about like a monkey before his father, dodging punishment, tears nearly streaming from the pain. “Father, you can’t just beat me without evidence…”

“Nonsense!” Cheng Zhijie roared, striking him again. “You dare argue with me?”

Crack! Crack! Crack! Several more blows fell, before Cheng Zhijie finally stayed his hand. “Let me ask you—did you go out today?”

“I did!” Cheng Chumo nodded.

Crack! Another blow landed. Cheng Chumo was speechless. He suddenly stepped back, full of confusion. “Father, why are you beating me? At least give me a chance to explain!”

“Hmm?” Cheng Zhijie paused, realizing the logic. He sat back down, took a deep drink of tea, and asked, “Did you beat Zhangsun Chong today?”

“No!” Cheng Chumo replied honestly, his tone resolute.

Seeing his father about to strike him again, Cheng Chumo hurriedly raised his hands and explained, “Father, I just went to the market today. I didn’t even see that good-for-nothing Zhangsun Chong, much less beat him!”

“Are you sure?” Cheng Zhijie frowned, ruler raised.

“I truly didn’t!”

“You swear it?”

“Father, I swear it’s the truth!”

Cheng Chumo was utterly aggrieved.

Did his father really have so little basic trust in him?