Chapter 247: Pointing at the mulberry and scolding the locust

In the garden,

watching the sons of the three Marquis Prefectures inside, who were swinging their fists and fighting in a group,

Duke Ling Lu family's Zhang Zhang Sanlang and Duke Han Han family's Fifth Young Master smiled triumphantly.

The Qi family servants beside them wanted to pull them apart, but were blocked by the young servants of the two Duke Prefectures.

Han Fifth Young Master held a folding fan and said:

"No need to go. They are just playing around; they will be fine in a while."

Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang said:

"They have some misunderstandings. Making a scene and venting is fine, it's nothing."

The sons of the three Marquis Prefectures, who had drunk wine, were already fighting with red eyes.

Fu'an Marquis family's Wei Faqi was ridden by the son of the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family and was beaten until the corner of his eye was bleeding.

The son of the Jinxiang Hou Ma family kicked Wei Faqi, but because he had drunk wine, he lost his aim and kicked the leg of the Sha family son.

The Sha family son stood up without a word, then punched over.

Wei Faqi, who found a gap, stood up. Looking at the servants fighting in a group beside him,

he found the Sha family son and pounced on his back.

The Jinxiang Marquis family son, who was beaten dizzy, looked at the Lu family and Han family beside him.

Having drunk wine, a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his brain, and he shouted:

"You two thieves, watching us fight, wouldn't it be... thinking of letting us make a fool of ourselves?"

"This way... you can... in front of the Chai family..."

Hearing this shout, the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family son looked over.

He looked at his cousin Han Chengyun, who was bright and beautiful, then looked at his own disheveled appearance, and pounced on Han Chengyun without a word.

But he was blocked by the young servant beside Han Chengyun. Then, he was pushed, and having drunk wine, he didn't stand steady and staggered a few steps, falling to the ground.

"Pinching the butt, stop fighting!"

Hearing the Sha family son's roar, the Sha family servants stopped.

"Beat Han Chengyun, this pickled beast, for me!"

"Young Master, that is our family's relative!"

A servant said, twitching the corner of his mouth that was beaten in pain.

"Beat him anyway!"

Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang to the side wanted to retreat, but Wei Faqi shouted:

"Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang, don't think you will be fine either!"

As he spoke, he flew and kicked over.

The Qi family servant who was blocked just now finally had no one blocking him, so he hurriedly stepped forward to pull them apart,

but was punched by the young master who had drunk wine.

At this time, Buwei brought the Qi family's young servants to the gate of the garden.

"Pull them apart!"

Because Qi Heng was almost "accidentally injured" by Rong Xian when he was young, the young servants following Qi Heng were all quite skilled.

With Buwei and these few entering the field, the situation was quickly controlled.

The young masters who were pulled apart were still kicking their feet,

"That sister of yours is so sharp-tongued and mean, she deserves to be slapped!"

"Thief bird, what did you say about my sister?"

Someone directly pulled off the jade pendant from their waist and threw it out.

Xu Zaijing and his party surged into the courtyard.

Buwei frowned and waved at the maids of various families at the gate of the back courtyard.

Hearing that he was scolded as a "bird," Rong Xian, who had drunk wine, had his face stiffen, and his hand moved, wanting to roll up his sleeves and go forward.

But he suddenly thought of something, stopped his figure, panted a few times, and looked at the few people in the courtyard with a smile.

Seeing the few people who were pulled by the Qi family servants to a place not far from him,

all of them had crooked hair buns, loose hair, some had bleeding corners of mouths and noses from being beaten,

and others didn't know if they were punched in the stomach or if the wine intent rose, and were retching.

Looking at the appearance of the few,

Rong Xian didn't know which laughing point of his was touched, and actually laughed out loud.

"Pfft~ Hahaha! Ouch~"

"Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang, you... hahaha... you also have today..."

"Qi Ge'er, hehe, does it hurt?"

"Rong Xian, you splashy talent..."

The few who were held by others looked at Rong Xian's annoying appearance and struggled a few times, but were fixed firmly by the Qi family servants.

Rong Xian saw this situation, shook his head triumphantly, and even made a ghost face:

"Why? Come hit me..."

The few were immediately so angry that they couldn't be more angry.

"Blech!"

The one who was retching finally vomited out of anger. Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang struggled a few times again,

but he had drunk wine and his strength was almost used up. In a fit of anger, feeling the dry mouth:

"Heh~ Ptooey!"

A mouthful of white phlegm was spat out fiercely.

The other few were inspired and followed suit one after another.

Rong Xian heard the sound of spitting and hurriedly dodged backward.

After dodging,

Rong Xian wiped the saliva on his face and looked at his clothes again,

finding that he hadn't been "hit."

Rong Xian wanted to continue mocking, but felt the resentment from the side.

Immediately, he turned his head to look to the side, but found that Liang Han, Gu Tingye, and Qiao Jiulang beside him,

were all biting their teeth, looking uncomfortable, with distorted faces, wiping the filth on their faces, or temples, or clothes.

Subsequently, they all looked at it extremely disgustedly, just like Liang Han,

the saliva mixed with broken vegetable leaves and rotten meat threads that was wiped on their trembling palms.

"Ah!!!"

Liang Han screamed and rushed out, hitting Wei Faqi, who spat on him, at the waist.

Rong Xian couldn't care about the feeling of someone wiping their hands on his clothes behind him: "Sixth Young Master, you cold..."

Before he finished speaking, Rong Xian was kicked by Zheng Xiao, who had finished wiping his hands, and fell into a dog-eating-shit, just lying in front of Zhongshan Marquis Sha family.

Xu Zaijing naturally dodged it and grabbed Gu Tingye, who had already started to kick.

Gu Tingye struggled and shouted:

"Jing Ge'er, let me go!!! Ah!!! Disgusting to death!!!"

Before Xu Zaijing could speak, Qiao Jiulang had already run a few steps and pounced on Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang.

The garden, which had just calmed down, was in chaos again.

Xu Zaijing stuffed Gu Tingye to Changbai and Zhique beside him: "Hold him."

After speaking, Xu Zaijing walked a step faster and dragged Han Chengyun and Lu Zhang Zhang Sanlang, who were jumping the most fiercely, by their necks to the flower bed, leaving the center of the melee.

"Xu! Zai! Jing!"

"You beast! Let go of me!!!"

Madam Sun's roar made everyone in the garden look over.

As she spoke, Madam Sun had already walked here. Behind her, Princess Pingning also arrived at the gate, looking at the chaotic situation in the garden,

frowned and glared at Qi Gong and Qi Heng, who had also just arrived.

And the noble ladies who followed Princess Pingning hadn't entered the garden gate before they heard Madam Sun's roar.

Madam Bai and Madam Wu raised their eyebrows and smiled at their eldest daughter-in-law, Pingmei.

Beside the gloating Kang Wangshi, Wang Ruofu exchanged glances with Rulan worriedly, and then her gaze collided with the Zheng family's Xie Eldest Madam who was at the same table just now.

The Xu family's daughters-in-law were from the Xie and Sheng families.

The Rong family's Eldest Madam didn't have much reaction; after all, her voice wasn't low usually.

Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi pulled her mother's sleeve, looking like she couldn't wait to watch the excitement. Hearing this roar, she whispered:

"Mother, it's just like when you shout at me at home."

Responding to Fifth Da Niangzi was Madam Zhang's finger that flicked her head fiercely.

After flicking her daughter, Madam Zhang smiled helplessly and exchanged glances with the Zheng family's Eldest Madam.

And beside Madam Zhang, Madam Chai,

she walked over with Chai Zhengzheng arm in arm. Hearing this roar, Madam Chai grabbed Chai Zhengzheng's hand even tighter,

and then whispered:

"This, just now I saw Madam Sun was very quiet and dignified, how..."

Before Chai Zhengzheng could speak, Madam Chai said again:

"Zhengzheng, listen! Just listening to this voice, I know she is a bright and straightforward temperament!"

"That kind of person with sinister thoughts who tortures sons and daughters... can't shout like this."

Rong family's Eldest Madam to the side heard this and hurriedly nodded, saying:

"Madam is right!"

Listening to the chuckles of the noble ladies and young ladies beside her, Rong Feiyan frowned somewhat embarrassedly.

Subsequently, she looked up at the garden not far away, but there was some joy and hope in her eyes.

Chai Zhengzheng beside Madam Chai, hearing her mother's words that changed halfway, felt much less embarrassment in her heart.

If the "daughter-in-law" in Madam Chai's mouth was said, Chai Zhengzheng felt she would have no face to be here.

They were about to enter the garden soon. Thinking of Madam Sun's roar, Chai Zhengzheng thought: "He is in the garden."

Thinking of these,

everyone followed Princess Pingning into the garden.

Hearing her mother's roar, the sons of the Lu and Han families, who were thrown to the ground by Xu Zaijing, were being helped up by servants.

When the noble ladies like Madam Chai entered the garden, they saw Madam Sun twisting Xu Zaijing's ear with one hand and patting Xu Zaijing with the other.

"You, can't you just stop for me?"

"Ah? Fighting again! Fighting again!"

Xu Zaijing, whose stature was already taller than Madam Sun, lowered his head, letting his mother twist his ear, his mouth hissing non-stop while saying:

"Mother, I didn't fight!"

"Still arguing! Slap!"

Another slap hit Xu Zaijing's back.

"Mother, it hurts."

Not seen for more than ten days,

Chai Zhengzheng's memory of Xu Zaijing still stayed on that morning in the mountain stronghold, that beautiful young man who wore armor, was full of heroic spirit, had a sharp momentum, was young and steady, and took off his helmet in the sun.

Where had she seen the appearance of Xu Zaijing, who was grinning and being taught a lesson by his mother while being grabbed by the ear?

Looking at the grimacing Xu Zaijing, Chai Zhengzheng hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, revealing only her smiling eyes.

And in Rong Feiyan's gaze, the clothes on her brother's butt were full of dust, as if someone had hugged him and slammed his butt to the ground. At this time, he was covering his butt with pain and tears in his eyes.

And on the other side, Zheng Xiao saw the Fifth Da Niangzi beside the British Duke's wife and hurriedly shook his shoulders.

After shaking the servant who was pulling him to the side,

he covered the face of Wei Faqi, who was spitting out his tongue in his arms, with his palm.

After pushing Wei Faqi into the servant's arms, Zheng Xiao patted the wrinkles on his clothes gracefully and coolly,

then raised his chin triumphantly toward Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi.

When he saw the Zheng family's Eldest Madam who had followed in, Zheng Xiao's raised chin stuck in mid-air, and he scratched his neck with his hand.

Princess Pingning came before the crowd and asked the Qi family servant with a stern expression: "What's going on?"

The Qi family servant to the side shivered and hurriedly bowed, saying in a low voice:

"Replying to the Princess, the young masters who were at the same banquet went to change clothes together. When passing by here to return to the hall, they quarreled a few words and then started fighting."

Looking around, the servant said in a low voice:

"The little one heard that it seems like the noble ladies of several families said something, which was different from what was discussed before."

Princess Pingning scolded in a low voice: "Why didn't you stop them?"

"Princess, the little ones went to stop them, but the young masters of the Duke Ling and Duke Han Prefectures dragged the little ones and others and wouldn't let them pull them apart, saying it was just a small scuffle and it would be fine after venting."

Hearing this, Princess Pingning's eyes narrowed slightly. She understood in her heart that fighting in the Qi family would not be good for the Qi family's reputation if it spread out.

"How did Ye Ge'er and the others from the other banquet table get involved?"

The servant said in a low voice: "Those young masters came to watch the excitement, but Rong family young master said a few words, and those..."

Listening to the servant's report, Princess Pingning frowned in disgust.

After the servant finished speaking, he glanced to the side and said in a slightly louder voice:

"The young masters of the British Duke Prefecture and the Marquis Yongyi Prefecture were both helping, and didn't make a move."

Watching Madam Sun, the mother-in-law who was preparing to kick her youngest son, stop her action embarrassedly,

Xie Shi and Hualan, the two daughters-in-law, exchanged glances while holding back laughter,

and hurriedly walked to Madam Sun's side, supporting Madam Sun's two arms:

"Mother-in-law, you should rest for a while."

Madam Sun took the opportunity to let go of the hand that was twisting the ear.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who was rubbing his ear,

Madam Sun's face floated with a kind smile, wanting to pat Xu Zaijing's head.

It was a bit high.

Looking at the red ear again, Madam Sun turned to pat Xu Zaijing's arm.

"My son, your butt hasn't healed yet, and you are injured again? Who did it?"

The Rong family's Eldest Madam's voice came.

The noble ladies and young ladies of various families hurriedly went to look at their own sons and older brothers.

Everyone, before they could say a few words,

Rong Xian saw Xu Zaijing winking at him, as if there was something to express.

Watching Xu Zaijing look around and wink at him again.

Rong Xian frowned and looked at Xu Zaijing with confusion: Hmm?

Watching Xu Zaijing sigh and shake his head,

Rong Xian learned from Xu Zaijing and looked around, then his gaze froze. He saw Madam Chai, whom he had seen in the morning, not far away.

When he saw the young lady standing beside Madam Chai, whose appearance and temperament were not inferior to his sister's and who was smiling with curved eyes, his eyes widened.

In an instant, Rong Xian had a flash of inspiration, his heart gave birth to wisdom.

He cleared his throat and said loudly:

"Mother! I was just playing around with the young masters I'm on good terms with! It's just a needle-eye-sized matter!"

"You go back to the inner courtyard, I still have to drink a few more cups with several brothers!"

Xu Zaijing, who was about to speak, was choked.

As he spoke, Rong Xian pushed Madam Rong to the gate of the garden leading to the back courtyard.

In Madam Rong's puzzled gaze, Rong Feiyan pursed her lips and hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Brother, continue to have fun, Mother and I will return to the inner courtyard."

Rong Xian nodded at his sister,

then bowed to Madam Chai with what he thought was a handsome gesture,

and after receiving Madam Chai's appreciative and grateful gaze and Chai Zhengzheng's bow of thanks,

Rong Xian turned around, flicked his sleeves, and walked toward the front courtyard with a limp.

While walking, he winked at Xu Zaijing and the others.

Xu Zaijing grinned under Madam Sun's gaze:

"We were just making a big noise playing around, it was really rude! Sorry to worry the Princess and all the aunts! We haven't eaten or drunk enough yet, so we will go back first!"

Saying this, Xu Zaijing also bowed.

Gu Tingye hurriedly echoed: "Jing Ge'er and Xian Ge'er are right. Mother, you and the noble ladies should all go back! We were just playing around! We still have to drink a few more cups!"

"Cough!"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Zheng Xiao, under the gaze of his sister-in-law, the Zheng family's Eldest Madam, said yes, pulled Wei Faqi over, held him in his arm, and walked toward the front courtyard.

"Who is who with us!"

After speaking, Zheng Xiao whispered in Wei Faqi's ear: "If you don't move, I'll treat you to Pan Lou. If you move, I'll beat you once every time I see you."

Wei Faqi stopped moving, put his hand around Zheng Xiao's waist, and waved toward the back.

Liang Han followed and smiled, saying:

"How could we really fight? Only families without manners would be so rude, hehe."

Madam Wu scolded with a smile: "Why don't you roll back and drink!"

As she spoke, Liang Han bowed and turned to walk toward the front courtyard. After turning around, Liang Han looked at his clothes disgustedly and disdainfully.

With this commotion of the young men, the atmosphere lost the tension just now.

Madam Bai also smiled: "It's really a bunch of people who owe a beating. They don't have a sense of proportion when they make a scene! Princess, don't take it to heart. I will punish this brat when I get home."

Princess Pingning's stern expression relaxed, and a smile floated on her face.

"I was also a bit small-hearted, thinking that the hospitality was not thorough, making the young masters of various families unhappy."

Madam Sun shook her head and said with hatred for iron not becoming steel: "These arrogant beasts, I will make them kneel in the ancestral hall when I go back!"

As they talked, the noble ladies in the garden also scattered toward the inner courtyard one after another.

On the way back,

the noble ladies no longer had the urgency just now.

Fifth Da Niangzi walked quickly to Anmei's side, touched the cute cat, and whispered:

"Anmei sister, just now the words said by several noble ladies, is it what the book calls pointing at the mulberry and scolding the locust?"

Anmei put the cat into Fifth Da Niangzi's arms:

"Speak less, suck the cat more."

Front courtyard,

everyone returned to the banquet table.

Qi Heng and Chai Jin held their cups, looking at the sons of various families like the Duke Han, who had cleaned up generally.

Chai Jin smiled and said:

"Those who respect others are always respected by others. Today the Chai family is hosting a banquet at the Duke Prefecture. The hospitality is not thorough, please forgive me."

Listening to the polite words, the few people who sat down raised their cups perfunctorily.

Qi Heng and Chai Jin toasted three cups of wine and returned to the table where Xu Zaijing and the others were.

Upon entering the door, they saw Rong Xian proudly clinking glasses with Qiao Jiulang:

"Jiulang, you flatter me! This is also my quick wit! And the heart-to-heart with Jing Ge'er."

As he spoke, Rong Xian raised his eyebrows at Xu Zaijing.

"What heart-to-heart, if it weren't for you, how could we be..."

Liang Han, who had taken off his clothes and washed his face, said unhappily.

The banquet held by the Chai family at the Duke Qi Prefecture began to disperse around the Shen hour (5 PM).

When the guests left, everyone had a valuable piece of material as an apology.

Wang Ruofu and her sister, when getting on the carriage, could no longer see the bickering because of Minglan's few words just now, but were discussing the material in the hands of the maids behind them intimately.

Kang Zhao'er was wearing somewhat worn summer clothes, with a summer shirt given by the Yu family's Eldest Da Niangzi inside, six or seven parts new.

Kang Yuan'er saw it and scolded Kang Zhao'er: "What kind of broken goods do you want."

The Kang and Sheng families got on the carriage.

Seeing Mo Lan looked at Minglan, who was talking to Rulan, with great dissatisfaction.

The British Duke family and the Zheng family had also left.

The guests were almost gone.

Rong Feiyan bowed, followed her mother and brother, who were reluctant to part with the words of thanks from Princess Pingning and the Chai family, and got on the carriage.

Rong Feiyan, through the carriage curtain lifted by her brother,

happened to see the Gu family, Xu family, and Liang family's noble ladies walking over together. In the golden sunset, several young men were laughing happily.

Before the carriage curtain fell,

in the words of her mother praising her brother for being smart, Rong Feiyan saw that young lady Chai Zhengzheng bowing.

After sending off Madam Bai and Madam Wu,

Madam Chai kept Madam Sun until the end, and let Princess Pingning return to the inner courtyard.

Princess Pingning knew Madam Chai had something to say, so she didn't stay and walked back directly.

Madam Chai dismissed the maids and servants around, looking at the Xu family's daughters-in-law and daughter who were boarding the carriage, and Xu Zaijing who was preparing to mount his horse.

Madam Chai held Madam Sun's hand and said sincerely:

"Regarding Zhengzheng's matter, I see that even Madam Wu didn't know! Madam, I am grateful in my heart, I won't say much else! Let's interact more in the future!"

"The words said at the banquet, until your family's young master discusses marriage, all count."

Madam Sun squeezed Madam Chai's hand forcefully: "This is what I should do! Otherwise, I will thank you for your kindness on behalf of that beast!"

Madam Chai nodded.

Madam Sun got on the carriage. Xu Zaijing rode his horse, nodded to Madam Chai and Chai Zhengzheng, and followed the carriage out of the Qi family.

Walking on the street, listening to the chatter of his mother and sister-in-law in the carriage, Xu Zaijing sighed. He had to go to school again tomorrow.

Arriving at Quyuan Street,

Xu Zaijing saw Zhao Meifeng at the gate.

Zhao Meifeng wasn't wearing the official uniform of the Imperial City Division and was talking to that brat Chu Zhan at the stall.

Beside him sat several dusty old people, women, and children.

Those children saw the horse under Xu Zaijing and their eyes widened.

Seeing everyone coming, Zhao Meifeng stood up. Those few people hurriedly followed and stood up.

Subsequently, he brought these few people and followed the carriage team into the prefecture.

Xu Zaijing dismounted and walked with Zhao Meifeng, his eyes full of questions.

Zhao Meifeng walked while stroking the skin of the horse:

"The families of those few little generals of the Bai Gao Kingdom were sent by the Imperial City Division."

Jiying Lane.

Sheng family.

Sheng Hong, wearing the casual clothes he had just changed into, rushed to Jin'an Study.

Seeing Wei Shuyi holding the child,

Sheng Hong's anger subsided slightly. He frowned and said: "You come here, I have something to tell you."

Wei Shuyi thought of the banquet process Minglan told her after returning home.

After handing Changmei to Xiaodie, she followed.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 248 =====

Beside them sat several old men, women, and children who looked travel-worn.

When those children saw the horse Xu Zaijing was riding, their eyes widened instantly.

Seeing everyone approach, Zhao Meifeng stood up, and those few people hurriedly followed suit.

Afterward, he led them to follow the carriage train into the manor.

Xu Zaijing dismounted and walked with Zhao Meifeng, his eyes full of questions.

As they walked, Zhao Meifeng stroked the hide of the Long Ju and said:

"The families of those few young generals from the Bai Gao Kingdom were sent over by the Imperial City Division."

Jiying Lane.

The Sheng family.

Sheng Hong, wearing the casual clothes he had just changed into, arrived at Jin'an Studio in a fit of anger.

Seeing Wei Shuyi holding the child,

Sheng Hong's anger subsided slightly; he frowned and said, "Come here, I have something to say to you."

Wei Shuyi, thinking of the banquet details Minglan had told her after returning home,

handed Changmei to Xiao Die and followed him.

(End of chapter)