Chapter 87: The Qi Family Makes a Scene and Strives Forcefully [Many Thanks to the Readers for Their Support!]

Outside the Zhu family gate, Xu Xu Zaijing looked with some curiosity at his own cousin, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

The crowd mounted their carriages and horses.

The Xu family then returned to the Hou Fu.

After several days of toil, Sun Shi, having soaked her feet and feeling comfortable, lay in bed beside her husband.

With her eyes closed and drowsy, Sun Shi said:

"After the New Year, Auntie in Yang Zhou will turn sixty; our family must make a gesture."

"What the Lady says is true; I sent someone to the estate Auntie gave to Xu Pingmei, and the messenger reported it is indeed excellent."

"Mm, Gu Dalang must look after his wife, Yuan Erlang must prepare for the imperial examinations, so let the third son go."

"Mm, with him going, my heart is also at ease."

The north wind blew the dark clouds, stripping the trees bare as well, and brought with it white snowflakes.

The cold wind howled as Seeing Seeing Qingcao, overcoming immense laziness, dressed herself within her quilt.

The weather grew ever colder.

The palm of Seeing Seeing Qingcao's hand, holding the lantern, began to feel hot and itchy again.

As Xu Xu Zaijing's little maid, she had received a cotton vest with a brocade face.

It was very warm.

They said that such a garment, even in Bianjing, was worth over ten taels of silver.

This was higher than the price Seeing Seeing Qingcao herself had fetched when entering the household.

Watching the white breath she exhaled, Seeing Seeing Qingcao suddenly thought of the Bo Xia Gong she had eaten with her Young Master at a restaurant a few days prior, and the steaming heat rising from the table,

and she also recalled the aroma of roasted meat wafting from the evening market stalls,

"Gurgle..."

Seeing Seeing Qingcao swallowed her saliva; she was somewhat hungry.

Entering the hut by the field,

and shifting the shoes the old coachman had placed on the water tank to the other side, Seeing Seeing Qingcao continued to watch her Young Master practicing flying axes in the biting wind.

A personal soldier, who enjoyed accompanying her Young Master in practice, panted heavily with exhaustion as he left the field and came to the doorway.

Seeing Seeing Seeing Qingcao sitting quietly inside the room, he grinned broadly.

Seeing Seeing Qingcao had long grown accustomed to the scar on this man's face; habitually, she offered him hot water from the stove.

"Good girl."

At that moment, this senior personal soldier suddenly stopped smiling and looked puzzled toward the direction of the Xu family's side gate.

"Someone is approaching on horseback."

The personal soldier said.

The sun slowly rose.

The sky became fully bright.

Xingguo Ward.

The Duke of Qi's Residence.

Princess Princess Pingning was eating breakfast under the attendance of her personal nurse.

"Heng'er, eat your vegetables."

The Princess said softly.

Qi Heng paused for a moment, and without saying a word, put the vegetables he had just picked out back into his mouth, chewed them vigorously, and swallowed.

The Duke of Qi looked at the vegetables on his own chopsticks, about to be picked out, then pulled them back and placed them into his bowl.

At this time, a female official from the Princess's residence hurried to the outside of the hall; seeing the masters of the house eating, she halted her steps.

Princess Princess Pingning glanced at her husband and son; since they had nearly finished eating, she looked toward the female official outside.

The personal nurse walked out and let the person in.

"Princess, the young attendant at the front gate just reported seeing two young masters of the Xu family wearing large cloaks and riding horses to the Gu family."

Princess Princess Pingning said nothing; if noble descendants merely passed by her gate, what was there worth reporting? Without a sufficient reason, someone would be punished.

"The attendant said the two young masters were riding very fast; as you know, the descendants of the Xu family are not the type to whip their horses through busy markets."

"Very well, go down. Reward him with half a string of cash."

"Yes."

Princess Princess Pingning sneered:

"What trouble has my uncle's family gotten into now?"

The Duke of Qi said:

"It has only been a short while since the marriage; for the Xu descendants to rush to the Gu family like this is too much, especially since their daughter is already a member of the Gu family."

Princess Princess Pingning glanced sidelong at her husband without speaking; if she had a natal brother who treated her this way, she would not be so domineering in the Duke of Qi's Residence, earning herself a bad reputation.

Xu Xu Zaijing and his second brother, Xu Xu Zaizhang, entered the front courtyard of the Gu family.

Gu Gu Tingye entered the front hall to keep them company; seeing the poor expressions on the faces of the two Xu brothers, he also looked somewhat embarrassed:

"Pei Erge Xu, Han Wulang, have some tea."

Xu Xu Zaizhang said: "We cannot afford to drink; please ask Brother Yu to come out and speak."

At this time, Qingxia, the personal maid attending Xu Pingmei, walked over.

Her eyes were somewhat red, and although her expression could not be described as desolate, she appeared somewhat frightened.

Seeing Xu Xu Zaizhang and Xu Xu Zaijing sitting in the hall, she said with eyes full of grievance:

"Second Young Master! Fifth Young Master! Bai Wu Daniang is currently confronting the Marquis and is temporarily unable to disengage; Brother Yu and the Miss are also there."

Xu Xu Zaijing asked:

"Speak up, what is going on! The messenger reported that a Sister-in-Law Zhu from my eldest sister's side is about to be beaten to death by this Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu? What exactly is happening!"

Just as Qingxia was about to speak, a voice drifted over,

"Two worthy nephews, please have some tea."

As he spoke, a middle-aged man slightly younger than Gu Yankai walked in.

Qingxia whispered from the side, "This is the Fifth Master of the Gu family, Gu Lunkai."

Although Xu Xu Zaijing was in a bad mood, since Gu Lunkai was of a senior generation, he still stood up; Xu Xu Zaizhang glanced at him, then also stood up with his head tilted, refusing to look at the man.

Gu Lunkai stroked the beard under his chin and said with great indifference:

"Two worthy nephews, it is merely an old servant woman; why is it worth you two making a special trip! Just give her family some silver and the matter will be settled, won't it?"

Seeing the Xu brothers not engaging with him, Gu Lunkai's expression turned unpleasant.

"Is this how the Xu family conducts its etiquette?"

Xu Xu Zaizhang was just about to speak when Xu Xu Zaijing pulled him back.

Then Xu Xu Zaijing pushed him down into a chair.

Xu Xu Zaijing also sat back down in his chair.

He looked at Gu Lunkai, his eyes curving into crescents and the corners of his mouth lifting; though it was clearly a smiling face, there was no trace of laughter in his eyes as he stared fixedly at the man's neck.

Being stared at by Xu Xu Zaijing made Gu Lunkai feel somewhat uncomfortable.

The imperial physician had said that if his son were strangled for even a few more double-hours, no medicine could save him, and the chief culprit was this not-yet-older Xu Xu Zaijing.

His expression became awkward, and he shut his mouth.

"Qingxia, you speak."

"Young Master, the Miss's maid Sister Qingzhi brews excellent soups and teas; somehow this became known, and yesterday afternoon, the Wei Xiaoniang of Luomei Courtyard heard of it and borrowed Sister Qingzhi over."

Xu Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Gu Tingye, who had lowered his head.

Xu Xu Zaizhang said, "Did Sister-in-Law Zhu follow her there?"

Qingxia replied, "Yes; this was your strict order—that any maid leaving the Miss's courtyard must be accompanied by a Sister-in-Law Zhu. We dare not disobey."

Gu Lunkai said with a cold face:

"Tch, having gained a bit of power, you come to my Gu family, founders of the nation and helpers of fortune, and act all high-and-mighty with your rules."

Crash!

Smack!

The teacup beside Xu Xu Zaijing was directly swept onto the wall, shattering into pieces upon impact.

Xu Xu Zaizhang looked in surprise at his younger brother's action.

Gu Gu Tingye was so startled by the teacup flying past him that he shivered.

"Naturally, it is to guard against beasts."

"You?!!"

"Continue speaking!" Xu Xu Zaijing said.

"When Sister Qingzhi arrived at Luomei Courtyard, she was taken by a female servant of Mei Wei Xiaoniang to a side courtyard, while Sister-in-Law Zhu was blocked outside.

We originally thought that since it was the inner quarters where women reside, nothing would happen, but then Sister-in-Law Zhu heard Sister Qingzhi screaming, knocked down three old servant women from Luomei Courtyard, and entered the side courtyard, where she saw, she saw—"

"She saw a female servant from the Fifth Branch tying up Sister Qingzhi."

"Nonsense! Clearly it was your Xu family's little whore who didn't understand the rules and offended my eldest brother's concubine! In your mouth, right and wrong are inverted, and suddenly it becomes my Gu family's fault!" Gu Lunkai shouted angrily.

Xu Xu Zaizhang's breathing became rapid.

Xu Xu Zaijing's breathing, however, grew increasingly long and deep, while Brother Qingyun, standing behind his Young Master, was thinking about how to strike before his Young Master did, lest his Young Master beat someone to death.

Xu Xu Zaizhang stood up and said, "I heard that you too have studied books; how can you utter such filthy language! Explain yourself clearly—what do you mean by 'the Xu family's little whore'!"

"Smack."

Xu Xu Zaizhang, copying the example, also swept a teacup to the floor.

"Rip."

The armrest of an expensive chair, as thick as an adult's wrist from the Gu family, was snapped off by someone.

Everyone in the hall, except Brother Qingyun, was startled by this action.

"What else?"

"Bai Shi Da Da Niangzi wanted to punish the old servant women of Luomei Courtyard, but she was rebuked by the Fifth Master, who said that since the Xu family's maid did not understand the rules, it was Sister-in-Law Zhu who should be punished."

"What about Sister-in-Law Zhu?"

"She was protected by Wu Wu Daniang and the Master. However, this morning, an old servant woman from Luomei Courtyard was found dead in the outer courtyard; Mei Wei Xiaoniang went to the Marquis weeping and complaining, and thus—"

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "Go tell your Master: this Sister-in-Law Zhu is the widow of an officer who fell in the military formation of the Western Army."

Gu Lunkai sneered: "Hmph, she is nothing but a low woman, the wife of some soldier brute; does she really think herself so precious?"

Xu Xu Zaijing did not get angry; instead, he looked at Gu Lunkai in disbelief.

He did not even want to utter a single word of 'fool (beep)' from his mouth, because he felt it would soil that word.

"Since a life has been lost in Luomei Courtyard, then let the experienced coroner from the Bianjing Prefectural Office come to examine the corpse! I originally thought this a minor matter, but now we must invite the family elders to come out. Qingxia, continue to report,"

"Yes, Young Master."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, some panic appeared in Gu Lunkai's eyes, and he was about to say something when Chang Mama from Bai Shi's side walked in and said:

"Young masters of the Xu family, Da Da Niangzi invites you to come over."

Gu Lunkai walked ahead of Chang Mama.

The two Xu brothers and their young attendant followed behind Chang Mama, while Gu Gu Tingye also followed behind the two of them.

Gu Gu Tingye whispered, "Jing-ge'er, it was I who carelessly spoke those words—"

Xu Xu Zaijing: "Oh? Thank you."

Arriving at the courtyard where Bai Shi resided,

an old woman who had long since lost her breath lay outside the house.

A robust sister-in-law from the Zhu family and Sister Qingzhi stood to one side.

Behind his own eldest sister stood three other sisters-in-law from the Zhu family.

Xu Xu Zaijing saw a woman in the main hall; even the thick winter clothes could not conceal her figure, which resembled a weak willow swaying in the wind. Dressed in elegant winter attire, she held a dark-colored hand warmer, secretly shedding tears yet holding her neck high, projecting an air of forcing composure to stand up for others and uphold justice, surrounded by several female servants and old women.

On the other side was Bai Shi, with her eldest sister Xu Pingmei standing behind her, and Gu Gu Tingyu seated at the lower position beside her.

A group of people rushed in with a whoosh.

Xu Xu Zaizhang and Xu Xu Zaijing did not neglect propriety; they bowed and offered greetings.

Gu Gu Tingyu bowed his head slightly toward Xu Xu Zaijing, full of apology.

"Uncle Gu, I have already sent someone to fetch the coroner from the Kaifeng Prefectural Office; he will arrive shortly," Xu Xu Zaijing said.

"What? This is a domestic matter of the Hou Fu; why summon yamen runners and a coroner?" Gu Yankai frowned and stood up abruptly.

"It concerns a human life; we must be extremely cautious. Moreover, the Fifth Master of the Gu family stated emphatically that my eldest sister's servant must pay with her life!"

Xu Xu Zaijing bowed and said, "Uncle Gu, for such an important matter, must household servants be present as well?"

As he spoke, Xu Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Yankai's concubine.

"Young master, it is simply that this deceased old woman treated me with great care; having been murdered, how could I sit by and do nothing?" Her voice was clear and refined, quite pleasant to the ear.

Xu Xu Zaijing ignored her; instead, it was Xu Xu Zaizhang who spoke to Gu Yankai:

"Senior Uncle, although we military nobles lack the excessive rituals of scholarly families, may I ask if the concubines in your household are also permitted to interject?"

"The coroner is unnecessary; deal with the old woman outside the hall, one life for one life, and let this matter end here," Gu Yankai said.

Hearing these words, a flash of anger crossed Bai Shi's face.

Gu Gu Tingyu comforted his own Da Da Niangzi, Xu Pingmei, then glanced at the concubine opposite, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

Xu Xu Zaijing bowed and said:

"Senior Uncle, the 'Zhou Xing Tong, Volume Twenty-Eight' states: 'If one witnesses kidnapping, beating, broken teeth or fingers, or rape, even those not related may arrest and detain the perpetrator to deliver them to the authorities.'

It further states: 'If one hears cries for rescue and fails to assist, the punishment shall be reduced by one degree, eighty strokes of the staff.'

My eldest sister's maid cried for help; this sister-in-law was certainly obligated to save her, otherwise she would have violated the law."

Gu Yankai glanced at Bai Shi, then turned to look at the woman below the hall; a breeze blew past, carrying the scent of incense items unique to Lady Da Qin.

This inadvertently reminded him of the aggrieved appearance Lady Da Qin had when scolded by the previous generation's Lady of Lady Ningyuan Hou shortly after their marriage, as if separated by a lifetime.

Now that he was already the Marquis of Lady Ningyuan, he would certainly not allow her to suffer grievances again.

"It was the female servant of Gu Dalang's household who offended her; as the mistress of Luomei Courtyard, her decision to discipline them was without fault. Moreover, it was merely binding them for punishment; yet your old woman rushed in to strike people—how unreasonable!" Gu Yankai said.

Xu Xu Zaijing quickly followed up with:

"Senior Uncle, is my eldest sister's female servant a subordinate of Luomei Courtyard?"

It is not that the author intentionally ended on a cliffhanger; truly, this is all that has been written.

Readers, please do not beat the author.

Hiss, it is truly cold at dawn; I am going to burrow under the covers.

When I wake up, I will check the donations; if they reach twenty thousand, I will add an extra chapter.

Thanks again for the support!

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(End of Chapter)