Chapter 83: A Pleasant Conversation and a Clash of Courtesy

“Congratulations on your promotion, young master.” Sheng Hong smiled as he approached Xu Minghua.

“Thank you, cousin! How is Auntie lately?” Xu Minghua asked.

“Mother is in good health; thank you for your concern.”

“Good, good, please come inside, come in.”

Sheng Hong and several of the Xu family’s younger generations nodded, then followed the servants to the men’s guest courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, Sheng Hong looked around and saw mostly military officers.

The guests paused slightly at the sight of Sheng Hong’s civilian attire, but he made no show of superiority—instead, he bowed to them as an equal.

Yuan Bingkai, the Marquis of Zhongqin, turned and walked over with a smile.

“Master Sheng?”

Sheng Hong’s eyes darted as he recalled the man’s identity: “Marquis Yuan?”

“We met briefly before; I didn’t expect to see you again. Congratulations on your commendation from the Ministry of Personnel—your transfer to the capital can’t be far off.”

“You flatter me, Marquis.”

Hearing this, other noble families realized this was a rising civil official and promptly bowed in greeting.

As they spoke, Yuan Bingkai waved toward a nearby spot, and two young men approached.

“This is my eldest son, Yuan Wenchun.”

“Greetings, Master Sheng.”

“This is my second son, Yuan Wenshao.”

“Greetings, Master Sheng.”

“Ah, wasn’t it you, second son, who came with the Marquis to the Xu residence that day?”

“Master Sheng has a remarkable memory.”

An Xu family steward announced it was time to be seated, and the noble military officers were properly assigned to their tables.

Seeing Sheng Hong chatting well with Marquis Yuan, the female attendants naturally seated the two groups together.

Having served as an official for years, Sheng Hong was utterly polished—he chatted amiably with several military officers, making them feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

This pleased the officers who had long endured condescension from civil officials; the table flowed with laughter and clinking cups, harmonious and warm.

As hosts, Xu Minghua led his son, while Sun Shi led her daughter, to toast and thank the guests.

During the toasts,

Xu Zaijing watched as Master Sheng and Marquis Yuan conversed with great delight,

hearing them speak of continuing their discussion at Pan Lou after the feast—on officialdom’s culture and the hardships of life.

After all, one had suffered abuse from a concubine in childhood, the other had seen his family’s fortunes decline.

Both had known hardship.

At the women’s side, Sun Shi chatted and laughed with the female guests, offering fruit drinks.

Lady Xie, the eldest daughter of the Viscount Xie family, had not seen her own daughter in a long while.

Seeing that Xie Er still smiled as she had in her natal home, with no trace of gloom in her eyes,

she asked the attendant who had come with her, and learned that Sun Shi had not placed any maids in Zhaoduan’s chamber, and that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along well—her heart eased.

She even went specifically to Lady Wu’s table to toast her with fruit wine, lavishing praise upon her.

On the other side,

the four ladies of the Huyan family and the ladies of the Ruyang Marquis sat together, given their marital ties.

Previously, under the influence of the Jinghai Marquis’s dowager, they had been accustomed to mocking the third, fourth, and fifth branches—but clearly, they had received instructions this time.

After all, Xu Minghua was now the nephew of the Huyan dowager and the direct superior of the Bao family’s master; offending Lady Pan might invite trouble.

These ladies understood clearly,

if the Xu family were like the wealthy but powerless Rong family of Fuchang Marquis, with no strong heirs to sustain their status, it might be different.

But in the Upper Four Armies, such as the Tianwu Army, the commander of a division was not easily replaced.

But!

The Xu family was not like that!

Whether from their ancestral Dai Prefecture or from Sun, Zhu, Cao families in Bianjing, or their allied Xie family, or the soon-to-be-connected Gu family—there were plenty of young men eager to join the military.

Outside, even noble youths sought to curry favor and build connections.

You can’t do it? The Xu family has plenty who can.

So when Sun Shi approached, the Huyan and Bao family ladies all rose, smiling warmly.

Sun Shi naturally did not favor one over another or speak mockingly—there was no deep grudge—she merely exchanged a knowing smile with Lady Pan before leaving.

After visiting several tables, Sun Shi arrived at the table where her sister-in-laws sat.

Her elder sister Xu Shi, mother of Zhu Qinghu, was also there, being looked after by her in-laws.

The ladies chatted and teased, making Pingmei and Anmei blush.

After confirming Xu Shi was untroubled, Sun Shi moved on to the next table.

The most important table in the courtyard was the one where Lady Wu and Lady Bai sat.

Lady Bai, through her habit of giving lavish gifts at every banquet, had already established herself among Bianjing’s noble ladies, and with Gu Yan Kai’s recent merits,

the reputation of Gu Tingyu and Gu Tingye as filial sons had long since lifted her far beyond her origins as a merchant’s daughter newly arrived in Bianjing.

Also present were the wife of the British Duke’s eldest son, Lady Zheng (wife of Zheng Jun), and others—all from powerful, prestigious families.

Once an outsider at such gatherings, Sun Shi had risen to become a third-rank noble lady, thanks to her husband’s promotion, the promising future alliance, and her excellent son.

After light conversation, everyone returned to their meals, sipped tea, listened to music, and most importantly, exchanged gossip.

The men’s side remained harmonious; a few officers tried to drink with Sheng Hong, who did not refuse, downing several cups readily.

When Sheng Hong returned from changing clothes, he saw Gu Yan Kai bowing to Xu Minghua—and leaving early.

“Must be something urgent,” Sheng Hong thought.

In the courtyard,

the Qiguo Duke’s servant Buwei accompanied Qi Heng here, accompanied by two young men, around twenty, with agile stances.

This was Princess Pingning’s lesson learned—she had assigned guards to protect Qi Heng.

Buwei saw Qingyun and felt deep gratitude and affection; Qingyun had once protected Qi Heng during the Rong Xian incident, saving Buwei from a beating.

If Qi Heng had been frightened or injured, Buwei would have been punished without mercy.

Buwei warmly called out, “Brother Qingyun.”

Qingyun nodded.

Gu Tingyu was now explaining to Zheng Xiao why Bai Gao could not defeat Da Zhou, speaking clearly and logically.

Qi Heng bowed and greeted them:

“Uncle Tingyu, Uncle Tingye, Brother Xiao, Brother Zhang, Brother Jing.”

Everyone nodded at the polite young man.

At that moment,

Gu Tingyu’s servant Youqing whispered in his ear:

“Master, the Marquis has left—he said he had urgent business.”

“Understood. Go.”

“Yes, Master.”

When everyone dispersed to their tables to eat, Gu Tingye took Qi Heng and the others to play chess and cards.

Xu Zaijing approached Gu Tingyu.

“Brother Tingyu, what’s wrong?” Xu Zaijing asked.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s young but mature eyes, Gu Tingyu shook his head:

“Nothing. Father had business and left early.”

“Brother Tingyu, do you feel confident about this autumn’s provincial exam?”

“I’m confident I’ll pass; the ranking depends on the exam questions.”

Gu Tingyu also asked Xu Zaijing about questions from the county exams,

and as they spoke, Qingcao hurried over, looking anxious; seeing Gu Tingyu beside them, she hesitated.

Xu Zaijing said, “Brother Tingyu isn’t a stranger—speak freely, Qingcao.”

Qingcao suddenly dropped to her knees, but Xu Zaijing swiftly caught her—she didn’t want to draw attention.

Qingcao whispered, “Master, Miss Qingzhi was stopped by a young master—he was touching her improperly.”

She glanced at Gu Tingyu, who narrowed his eyes:

“Is this related to my household?”

Qingcao replied:

“Yes—it’s Marquis Hou’s eldest son, Gu Tingyang.”

“Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

As they spoke, Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingyu followed Qingcao to a side courtyard of the Marquis Hou residence.

A low, oppressive voice came from inside the room:

“Kneel down!”

“Slap!”

The sharp sound of a slap echoed clearly.

“A mere maid dares to snap at me? You little whore!”

Looking at the tray and wine flask scattered on the ground, Xu Zaijing told Qingcao:

“Clean this up, and wait in the corridor.”

Then he entered the courtyard.

Behind him, Gu Tingyang ordered Qingyun and Youqing to guard the courtyard gate, then followed inside.

Outside the side courtyard house

Gu Tingyang’s servant smiled ingratiatingly, about to speak—when Qingyun punched him straight in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Inside the side courtyard house.

Gu Tingyang stared at the maid he had dragged in—she was young, yet strikingly beautiful, especially her eyes, which were exceptionally lovely.

But this maid didn’t scream like his own servants did; it took away some of the fun.

“Your mistress is to marry into my Ningyuan Marquis House this year—we’ll have plenty of chances to get close. This is just an introduction.”

As he spoke, he backhanded her again.

“I said, kneel down.”

Gu Tingyang saw surprise flash across the maid’s face—before he could make sense of it, he felt himself toppling backward.

An arm like a python coiled around his neck, slowly tightening.

He tried to turn his head, but it wouldn’t move—an agonizing pain shot through his topknot.

He wanted to call for his servant, but no sound came out.

Slowly, he felt death drawing near.

The maid, who had refused to kneel even after being slapped, now knelt down.

He couldn’t see or hear clearly what she was saying, but surely kneeling meant she was pleading for him.

He was of the Ningyuan Marquis House—who would dare kill him?

Yet the arm beneath his neck kept tightening.

“Gggk…” Gu Tingyang weakly slapped at the arm around his neck.

“Young Master, Young Master, let go! If this noble guest dies, the Marquis House will face great trouble!”

Xu Zaijing glanced at Qingzhi but said nothing.

Gu Tingyang stepped to one side,

closed one eye, took a deep breath, then patted Xu Zaijing on the shoulder.

“Jing-ge, let me handle this. No need to take on a murder charge.”

After several breaths, Xu Zaijing said:

“Does he act this way in your Gu family too?”

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing looked at Gu Tingyang.

Gu Tingyang’s face was grim.

“He’s a direct heir of the Ningyuan Marquis House. If something happens, no one escapes blame. With his father protecting him, he behaves like this in the house—but he won’t dare act this way again.”

Xu Zaijing released his arm.

“I trust you, Yu-brother.”

Gu Tingyang’s eyes had rolled back, his tongue slightly out, urine and feces leaking—he lay limp on the ground like a dead fish, unconscious.

“Youqing, come in.”

After discussing with the editor-in-chief, we’ve decided to launch on Friday.

After launch, we’ll release a burst of chapters.

First, one ten-thousand-character chapter; subsequent ones will depend on how much I can write—I’ll release them all.

That’s all.

Thank you all for your support.

Especially the recent donations, big and small—they’ve greatly encouraged the author.

Gratefully thanked!

Again, deeply thanked!

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(End of Chapter)