Chapter 342: Extra: Fierce Neighbor Qu Sixty-Five (Supplementary Update)

Extra: Fierce Neighbor Qu Sixty-Five (Supplementary Update)

Compared to Yin Fengxuan and Wang Chuan and the others, Liu Hai was indeed more thorough in his thinking. After all, though Liu Hai could also act recklessly at ordinary times, he was still very shrewd, and when it came to serious matters, he had always been clear-headed.

So, in Liu Hai's view, Pei Yaoguang's method was decent, but if Zhang Guifei could directly step in and persuade Jin Jingwen to come back, that would still be the best. And when Wang Chuan and Zhao Chenglong heard this, after thinking it over briefly, they also felt this made sense.

Regardless, this matter was temporarily suppressed by Liu Hai and the others.

But compared to the optimism of Liu Hai and the others, Yin Fengxuan felt this was a lost cause. So, even though Yin Fengxuan had been persuaded by Liu Hai and the others the previous day, it didn't take two days before Yin Fengxuan could hold back no longer. Thus, on the second day, after seeing Jin Jingwen enter the palace and still no news coming from the palace, on the third day Yin Fengxuan directly launched a fierce "offensive" against Jin Jingwen.

Therefore, from this day onward, one could only see Yin Fengxuan by day leading people to beat gongs and drums at the door to apologize, setting up a scene in front of the Jin family's gate to wail and confess; and by night, even setting up ladders and climbing over walls to rush next door to chat with his wife... and for the sake of the ten large wolfhounds in the neighboring courtyard, Yin Fengxuan even prepared in advance several big basins of fragrant meat, then dumped it all at once into the neighboring courtyard!

All that meat had been laced with copious amounts of sleeping potion. The wolfhounds couldn't tell the difference and went straight up to gnaw on it. The result was obvious—before long, the originally fierce wolfhounds were all staggering about!

……

Yin Fengxuan had completely gone wild. And right now was the New Year's season, with less than two days before the New Year. Every household had already prepared what needed preparing for the holiday and was just idling with nothing to do, so once Yin Fengxuan started making this ruckus, it immediately drew the attention of all the common people in the capital!

For a time, the entire capital was abuzz. In marketplaces and teahouses, wherever there were people, there was no one not talking about it. Of course, as the fuse of this matter, Han Yinshuang was naturally brought up by everyone.

The masses' eyes were sharp, and they immediately dug up all sorts of speculations about Han Yinshuang's appearance. Some even went so far as to dig out everything Han Yinshuang had done back in the day. And that Han Yinshuang was clearly no good sort—say nothing and you'd never know, but say it and it would startle you. In an instant, they labeled her a white lotus, a scheming woman… Han Yinshuang's true nature was completely exposed before the public!

Add to that the fact that Han Yinshuang had now gone to Gong Wangfu to cause trouble, and Han Yinshuang's notoriety was instantly spread far and wide!

While Yin Fengxuan was making a ruckus on this side, on the other side, the Jin family residence appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, it was not so!

The story goes that ever since she flung a Divorce Document at Yin Fengxuan that day, Jin Jingwen had returned to her own home in a rage, then shut herself in her room, seeing no one.

The servants of the Jin family residence didn't know what was going on, nor did they dare to ask more. In the end, they learned some of the situation from Dong'er, and were immediately furious!

But angry as they were, what could they do? So at first, when faced with people from the neighboring residence coming over to ingratiate themselves and probe, they could still roll their eyes and be a bit rude. But as time went on, everyone started to feel uneasy.

After all, though Jin Jingwen came from a noble family and was favored by people in the palace, at the end of the day she was still a woman, and once a woman married, she was supposed to follow her husband. But now that things had blown up like this, even resulting in a divorce, it was ultimately not good!

To put it plainly, no matter how you looked at this matter, Jin Jingwen was the one who came out worse!

So gradually, the servants in the Jin family residence began to worry. And right at this time, Yin Fengxuan happened to start his ruckus, all day long thinking up different ways to apologize and make amends, crying in the street and begging for forgiveness. Though everyone felt this fellow was truly a bit unreliable and improper, in their hearts they also vaguely felt that a grown man, and a dignified Prince of the imperial dynasty to boot, giving up all face just to find his wife—seemed like he was actually serious!

The world had always been more lenient toward men.

Thus, amid such sentiments, the views of the servants in the Jin family residence gradually changed, and they even began thinking of ways to find opportunities to put in a good word for Yin Fengxuan in front of Jin Jingwen!

As for this, though Jin Jingwen said nothing on the surface, in her heart she cursed Yin Fengxuan up one side and down the other!

Actually, ever since leaving Gong Wangfu that day, Jin Jingwen had felt somewhat regretful!

Of course, what Jin Jingwen regretted was not losing her temper with Yin Fengxuan and writing the Divorce Document, but rather feeling that as the proper and legitimate Princess Consort of Gong Wangfu, she had been driven away in anger all because of that low creature Han Yinshuang and her low creature of an elder half-sister—truly a bit stupid!

Damn it!

How could she have been so impulsive?

At the very least, she should have dealt with that little wretch before leaving?!

No wonder everyone said impulse was the devil! To have let her off like that and walked away—what a stifling feeling!

So much so that when, not two days later, she heard from the servants below that that bastard next door had already driven away that little wretch surnamed Han, Jin Jingwen still felt stifled inside!

Pah!

You dead bastard, what were you doing back then?!

Only now you know to drive someone away... too late!

But angry as she was, Jin Jingwen still had a clear sense of certain things. So when someone came from the palace saying that the Dowager Consort summoned her, Jin Jingwen was not surprised at all. She then simply tidied up and followed the young eunuch delivering the message straight into the palace.

Entering the palace and seeing Zhang Guifei, everything went just as Jin Jingwen had expected. Zhang Guifei tried her utmost to make her stay, said a heap of kind words, and made a pile of promises, but Jin Jingwen said nothing throughout.

Zhang Guifei couldn't quite read Jin Jingwen's thoughts, and Jin Jingwen didn't explain. With no other option, Zhang Guifei could only let Jin Jingwen go back first.

That Jin Jingwen said nothing on the surface didn't mean her heart wasn't moved. But Zhang Guifei was Zhang Guifei, and Yin Fengxuan was Yin Fengxuan—on this point Jin Jingwen was very clear. At the same time, after calming down a little, Jin Jingwen actually sometimes felt that she herself had been somewhat in the wrong back then!

At the very least in this matter, she hadn't handled it well! She had even forgotten about the future prospects of her little nephew Jin Liangyu. But why she had been so impulsive at the time, Jin Jingwen still couldn't quite figure out!

But regretful as she was, Jin Jingwen had no intention of compromising with Yin Fengxuan. And right at this time, Yin Fengxuan started his ruckus, instantly infuriating Jin Jingwen half to death!

Fuck!

Is this damn dead bastard sick in the head or what?!

Carrying on like this—you may not care about your face, but I still care about mine!

But no matter how furious she was inside, to learn from her previous lesson, on the surface Jin Jingwen remained completely unruffled. And since she said nothing, the Jin family servants didn't dare make a sound either, and could only shut the big gate, letting Yin Fengxuan make his ruckus outside.

But one day passed, two days passed, and in the blink of an eye it was the twenty-ninth of the twelfth month, and Yin Fengxuan was still carrying on! Now Jin Jingwen could hold back no longer. Add to that the fact that this fellow wasn't satisfied making trouble by day—he wasn't quiet by night either. This time Jin Jingwen truly couldn't hold back anymore, and immediately ordered a counter-offensive!

Then, bright and early on New Year's Eve, just as Yin Fengxuan had set up his scene, the Jin family's great gate, which had been tightly shut for many days, finally opened. But before Yin Fengxuan could even crack a smile, a basin of dishwater came splashing down, drenching Yin Fengxuan from head to toe!

Everyone & Yin Fengxuan: "……"

In front of everyone, Yin Fengxuan was drenched like a drowned rat. Jin Jingwen won the first battle!

But what kind of person was Yin Fengxuan? Would this little setback be enough to bring him down?! So though he'd been splashed soaking wet, Yin Fengxuan wasn't annoyed at all. He turned around, went home, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and then continued his ruckus!

A tree without bark is doomed to die. A person without a face is invincible under heaven!

Yin Fengxuan was now at the invincible-under-heaven stage. And seeing Yin Fengxuan shamelessly refusing to leave no matter what she did, Jin Jingwen immediately felt anger flare up inside, but at the same time felt a tiny bit of smugness!

……

Perhaps women were just like this—no matter how fierce, no matter how angry at the time, they were always soft-hearted in the end!

And originally everyone thought that given Yin Fengxuan's character, he'd make a ruckus for a couple of days and that would be that. But to everyone's surprise, even after the New Year had passed and nearly half a month had gone by, Yin Fengxuan still showed up at the Jin family's gate every day in a grand manner to beg for forgiveness, rain or shine!

Seeing this situation, everyone was astonished. But compared to those people outside, Jin Jingwen, who had been staying at home the whole time, frowned more and more!

Damn it, what exactly was this dead bastard trying to do?

What day was it already after the New Year? Shouldn't the imperial court have resumed its sessions long ago? How was this bastard still outside making a ruckus all day?

Could it be he was skipping work? Or had he been dismissed from his post?

Jin Jingwen was both puzzled and angry, to the point she wanted to rush out and grab Yin Fengxuan by the ear and curse him out! But Jin Jingwen wouldn't go out, and the more she didn't go out, the more anxious she felt inside.

And so, another three days passed in the blink of an eye. This morning, Jin Jingwen rose as usual, washed up and dressed, ate breakfast with her little nephew Jin Liangyu, then took her little nephew for a walk before arranging his studies... And after everything was in order, Jin Jingwen returned to her own room, reached for the book she hadn't finished reading, but after turning just one page, Jin Jingwen's hand paused, and without lifting her head, she said to Dong'er beside her:

"It's quite peaceful today, isn't it~!"

Jin Jingwen said this as if casually. Hearing this, Dong'er beside her was momentarily taken aback, then quietly listened to what was outside, and sure enough, heard no commotion.

Eh, miss not saying, but the servant didn't notice—why is it so quiet outside today? Normally at this time, the prince would already be howling outside, but today there's no sound.

Donger was a little surprised, after all these past days, every morning when it was time to eat, the outside would start wailing like ghosts and wolves, but now it's this time and it's so quiet outside—this is clearly off!

Donger couldn't figure it out. But upon hearing that, Jin Jingwen let out a cold snort.

What's strange about that? I guess they've made enough noise; anyway, it's good—those who keep making a ruckus outside all day are just annoying!

Jin Jingwen said that, but her tone was clearly not good. Shortly after, she flipped another page of the book, then impatiently flung the book in her hand to one side, then stood up and walked straight to the courtyard.

Seeing this, even a fool could tell Jin Jingwen was in a bad mood. Donger didn't dare to speak, nor dare to say good things for Yin Fengxuan, so she could only silently follow behind, while quietly signaling the maid Xiao Feng next to her to go inquire, to see what's really going on next door today.

Xiao Feng turned and ran out. But not long after, she came rushing back.

While running, she panted and shouted.

"Miss, miss… miss, something's wrong!"

Xiao Feng was usually a clever and sensible maid, but she had rarely been so clumsy and panicked. And Jin Jingwen, already annoyed, upon hearing Xiao Feng's flustered state—so much that she even forgot propriety—saw her already unpleasant face darken instantly.

"What's wrong, what's wrong, what's wrong? I, Miss, am fine! Making a ruckus first thing in the morning—do we still have any propriety?"

When Jin Jingwen scolds people, it's not just scary. Instantly Xiao Feng hurriedly closed her mouth, then with a plop knelt on the ground.

Xiao Feng trembled with fear, and even Donger beside her grew tense. Seeing this, although Jin Jingwen was irritated, she wouldn't quarrel with a little maid. So after taking a slight breath to calm down, Jin Jingwen then spoke again.

"All right, don't stay kneeling—get up!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Feng obediently rose. At that moment, Jin Jingwen couldn't help but glance at Xiao Feng.

"Speak, what just happened? What's wrong?"

"Yes, miss."

Earlier, Xiao Feng had gone out to inquire about Yin Fengxuan's affairs, which Donger had privately arranged. But now Xiao Feng dared not conceal anything, and immediately told everything in detail.

As it turned out, early this morning Yin Fengxuan had originally planned to go cause a fuss at the Jin family's gate. But after making all preparations and just as he was about to set out with his retinue, someone came from the magistrate's office saying that something had happened at the horse farm outside the city.

The horse farm outside the capital is one of the most important in the Jingji region, a large part of it used to prepare warhorses! And the horse farm falls under the management of the Imperial Stables; as Yin Fengxuan holds the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Stables, he naturally bears responsibility!

So, although Yin Fengxuan still wanted to go to the Jin family's gate to ask for a bride, he usually didn't attend to affairs, and not working was fine—but now that such a matter had arisen, how could he possibly ignore it? Thus, having already reached the gate, upon hearing that the horse farm had trouble, Yin Fengxuan hesitated a moment, but then mounted his horse and rode off at full speed.

Xiao Feng spoke in great detail, but upon hearing that, Jin Jingwen furrowed her brows.

"The horse farm had trouble—he, as Vice Minister of the Imperial Stables, just went to see what was wrong; what's bad about that?"

"Miss, if it were just that, there'd be no problem, but afterward the servant heard from Zhang Bo that shortly after the prince left, Young Master Liu and Young Master Wang and a few others came to the Wangfu; Zhang Bo casually asked, but unexpectedly, Young Master Liu and Young Master Wang had no idea about this! They even said they had just come from the Imperial Stables office and had never heard of any trouble at the horse farm!"

Having said that, Xiao Feng, who originally feared Jin Jingwen, grew more urgent in tone. Meanwhile, Jin Jingwen's expression instantly stiffened, and she sharply turned her head to look at Xiao Feng.

Jin Jingwen's eyes were like two blades, staring straight at Xiao Feng, her face turning cold as well.

"What are you saying? The Imperial Stables hadn't received any notice, yet someone went to find the prince claiming the horse farm had trouble?"

"Yes, miss, that's exactly it! Then the servant also heard that Young Master Liu and the others were a bit confused, they specially ran to the office, but there was nothing of the sort. Moreover, the office didn't even send anyone to the Wangfu to look for people! So miss, you can see there's clearly something going on here!"

"This is so simple, nobody would miss it. So as soon as Xiao Feng finished speaking, Jin Jingwen's eyes flashed, and without another word she directly told Donger."

"Prepare the horse!"

Having said that, Jin Jingwen didn't wait for Donger to reply, not even putting on her cloak, and strode straight out.

……

"After all, Jin Jingwen had received little information. Even so, she knew this was someone plotting against Yin Fengxuan."

Jin Jingwen's heart began to panic for no reason; she went out the gate straight to the neighboring Gong Wangfu. At that moment, the Gong Wangfu was also in chaos, and Liu Hai and the others happened to be there, so upon seeing Jin Jingwen arrive, everyone first stared, then Liu Hai and the others hurriedly greeted her, and without further ado directly told her the situation.

"At this point, no one was still holding onto past grievances. Although Jin Jingwen had previously tossed over a divorce document, in everyone's eyes she remained the legitimate consort of the Gong Wangfu. And Liu Hai and the others' account was basically the same as Xiao Feng's, so as soon as they finished speaking, Jin Jingwen, without a second thought, began issuing orders."

"Wang Chuan, go to the Imperial Stables right away and have its people re-check to see whether the horse farm really had trouble! Liu Hai, take my waist tablet and rush into the palace to see the emperor, then report this! Zhao Chenglong, go to the Capital Prefecture immediately to find Magistrate Pei and investigate who sent the prince this morning's message!"

Jin Jingwen's orders were given swiftly; after finishing with Liu Hai and the others, she turned and walked out, then immediately mounted her horse and rode straight toward the outskirts……

"I came back too late last night, stayed up writing!"