I'm the Farmgirl You Can't Mess With

Chapter 1388: Side Story: Fan Zijin (4)

Editor: Atlas Studios

Since no one present was a fool, how could they not know the truth when they saw Eldest Young Master’s reaction?

Even Fan Zixiao’s wet nurse, who had rushed over, could tell that he was guilty. She knew that Fan Zixiao must have pushed Fan Zijin into the water and refused to admit it. That was why today’s incident happened. Discover more novels at novel⚑fire.net

She glanced at everyone and knew that this matter could not be kept under wraps anymore. The Eldest Young Master actually dared to push his younger brother into the water at such a young age. This not only exposed the crime of a concubine’s son murdering the legitimate son, but it also showed just how vicious he was. If this matter spread, what future would the Eldest Young Master have?

Since Fan Zixiao’s wet nurse could think of this, the people around Fan Zijin and Qi Haoran naturally could too. They looked at each other and started to stop the servants who wanted to enter the water to pull Fan Zixiao out.

Because of Eldest Young Master, not only were they flogged, but they also had their monthly allowances deducted. Most importantly, Old Master was biased towards Eldest Young Master and always made Second Young Master suffer grievances. Implicated by Eldest Young Masters, even his servants were constantly looked down upon by the others in the residence.

Fan Zijin and Qi Haoran’s thoughts weren’t as deep as theirs. Seeing that Fan Zixiao was in a sorry state, they cheered up instantly. As they stood on the shore, they made faces at him and taunted. “Serves you right. I’ll see if you still dare to push us next time.”

“Fan Zijin!” Fan Siwen shouted and strode over with a cold expression.

Startled, Fan Zijin stood there with a pale face.

Qi Haoran was also startled, but he still took a step forward and shielded Fan Zijin behind him. With a pale face, he stammered, “U—Uncle, I was the one who pushed him…”

Fan Siwen took a deep breath and forced a smile at Qi Haoran. “Haoran, move aside. When he pushed him, everyone was watching. You can’t shoulder the blame for him.”

Upon hearing this, Fan Zijin was livid. He pushed Qi Haoran away and puffed out his chest. “So what if I pushed him? He pushed me first. I almost drowned back then. Just because only the three of us were present when he pushed me, you don’t believe me? Are you blind? There’s mud on his clothes from the fall and his footprints here. You’re biased, you’re biased.”

’Pa!’ Fan Siwen couldn’t help but slap him.

Fan Zijin’s ears were ringing, and for a moment, he couldn’t hear anything from the outside world. He only saw Qi Haoran step forward to hug him and glare angrily at his father.

He was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness and tears flowed down his face.

Fan Siwen looked at his wailing son and froze for a moment, feeling regretful. Seeing that his eldest son had already been pulled out of the water, he hesitated for a moment and was about to go forward to pull his legitimate son up.

However, Fan Zijin had already recovered a little. After glaring at Fan Zixiao angrily, he wiped his tears, got up, and ran away with Qi Haoran.

Fan Siwen watched the two children run away with an ugly expression. He could only turn around and warn the servants and his eldest son who was huddled at the side, “No one is allowed to spread what happened today.”

Then, he said to Fan Zixiao, “You don’t have to go to school for the time being. Confine yourself at home and reflect.”

Fan Siwen went to look for Xia Tong gloomily. This matter had blown up and too many people had witnessed it. If he wanted to completely isolate the news, Xia Tong had to cooperate.

Of course, Fan Siwen wasn’t a fool. How could he not know about the evidence that even Fan Zijin could find?

But at first, he really did not believe that Zijin had been pushed into the water by Zixiao.

Fan Zixiao was only eight years old this year and had always been timid and weak. When he heard Fan Zijin accuse Fan Zixiao of pushing him into the water, he didn’t believe it no matter what. His first thought was that Xia Tong had instigated Zijin to slander Zixiao in order to suppress Zixiao and Madam Liu.

However, after yesterday’s argument, his rationality gradually returned. His wife’s grief and indignation were not fake. Coupled with the look in Fan Zijin’s eyes when he defended himself which left a deep impression on him, he could not help but ask Fan Zixiao questions.

At that time, Fan Zixiao was sitting on his bed, shivering under the blanket. Fan Siwen could tell at a glance that something was wrong. If he had really been reading in the garden at that time, then Zijin and Haoran falling into the water had nothing to do with him. Why was he so afraid then?

If Zijin and Haoran were slandered for no reason, the two boys would definitely jump up and defend themselves angrily. Even if Zixiao was timid, he should not be so terrified with not the slightest hint of anger.

Fan Siwen’s expression darkened. After asking a servant to show him the clothes worn by Fan Zixiao today, everything was clear to him.

After Zijin said that Zixiao had pushed him into the water, Haoran was furious and pushed Zixiao back. Since the mud by the lotus pond was not hard, Zixiao’s shoes or clothes would definitely be stained.

Fan Siwen glanced at his eldest son and didn’t say anything. He knew that this matter mustn’t spread, or his eldest son’s future would be ruined.

He had plotted to murder his younger brother. Not only was this a vicious act, it was also highly sensitive since it was the concubine’s son plotting to murder the legitimate son.

Fan Siwen really doted on this son, so he’d already gotten someone to secretly wipe away these traces. How could there be any footprints or things left by the lotus pond?

He knew that he had let Xia Tong and Zijin down, but he did not dare to let them know. Otherwise, with Xia Tong’s relentless personality, she might cause trouble.

However, he did not expect Fan Zijin to be so unyielding and vicious at such a young age. He actually pushed his eldest brother into the water and exposed what happened yesterday in front of everyone.

This matter must not be spread. Otherwise, not only would Zixiao be ruined, but Zijin would also be criticized.

He had pushed Fan Zixiao into the water just to vent his anger and make Zixiao admit that he was the one who pushed him. Although the people outside would say that Fan Zixiao was vicious, Fan Zijin wouldn’t be any better off.

If it was known at once that the Fan family had two unfilial sons, his other children would definitely be affected, too.

Xia Tong widened her eyes, shocked that her son would do that. She became anxious. A gentleman should be upright. If news of her son’s extreme actions spread…

Xia Tong’s expression was ugly. Just as she was about to ask her husband for help, she saw his gloomy expression. Her heart skipped a beat, and then she became sad.

Fan Siwen came to look for her right after the accident. He didn’t say what to do, but he only told her that Zijin had pushed Zixiao into the water. However, he deliberately played down Fan Zixiao’s matter. It could be seen that he was guarding against her.

Xia Tong flew into a rage out of humiliation and said, “Let it spread. Zijin is only five years old. What does he know? He’s just aggrieved and wants to seek justice.”

Fan Siwen’s face stiffened. He knew that he couldn’t fool his wife anymore.

At this moment, Fan Zijin was huddled in the corner, crying sadly. Qi Haoran was anxiously paced around as he said in a childish voice, “I’ll help you hit him back. Don’t cry.”

Fan Zijin lowered his head and ignored him. After a while, he said aggrievedly, “Why won’t Father like me?”

Qi Haoran scratched his head and said, “My big brother said that some people’s hearts are naturally biased. That’s an illness that can’t be cured. My father doesn’t like me either. It’s fine, we can just not like him back.”

Fan Zijin felt even more aggrieved. “But I just want him to like me.”

A frown appeared on Qi Haoran’s round little face, making him look troubled. In the end, he gritted his teeth and said with difficulty, “Then I’ll accompany you to study hard. I heard that adults like children who study well. If you’re smart and can bring honor to your ancestors, Uncle will like you.”

Fan Zijin raised his tear-filled face and asked, “Who told you that?”

“My wet nurse said so.” Qi Haoran said smugly. “My wet nurse told me that adults like obedient, sensible, and smart children. If I can do this, even if I didn’t grow up by Father’s side, he will still like me.”

Fan Zijin fell deep in thought.