Chapter 151: How Dare You Ask for Compensation

The womenfolk of the rear courtyard had just finished the banquet and were now resting over tea. Once they had rested enough, they would move on to the theater to watch a performance.

Upon learning that the younger generation of the clan had come to pay their respects, the old matriarch of the Hou Fu said cheerfully, "Quickly bring them inside. It's freezing out there—don't let them catch cold. Go summon the Second Master. The younger generation of the clan has come to pay respects; it wouldn't do for him to be absent."

The servants carried out the order.

Liu Liu Guanshi received the instruction but did not immediately lead everyone into the main hall to pay their respects. Instead, he brought them to the side rooms and rehearsed the steps, positioning, and order of the greeting.

Chen Chen Guanlou and Chen Chen Guanxin took the lead—one was the wealthiest among the younger generation, the other was the eldest uncle's youngest son. Both had studied and knew how to speak with propriety.

After spending some time rehearsing, and once the Second Master arrived, they led everyone into the main hall.

The whole room was fragrant.

The moment they stepped into the main hall, before they could even look at anyone, all kinds of scents rushed into their nostrils—every one of them wafting from the women. Some were strong, some delicate; some smelled of osmanthus, some of plum blossom… the list went on.

Chen Chen Guanlou kept his eyes lowered and his thoughts to himself as he led the group forward to pay their respects, though in truth his eyes kept darting sideways. Both sides were filled with womenfolk, and whether old or young, every one of them was dressed in splendid finery. What a portrait of beauties gathered in the inner court of a great clan. The young Misses, who by seniority were all his younger sisters, were each and every one as lovely as flower and moon.

When it came to the Chen clan, one dared not boast of much else, but in looks—whether man or woman—they were all exceptionally outstanding. Not a single ugly one had ever been seen. That lecher Chen Chen Guanqing, for instance, actually had quite regular features; it was just his middle-aged greasiness and far too lecherous bearing that ruined his good looks.

If any family produced an ugly child, one would have to suspect whether it was truly of Chen blood.

"Your grandson pays his respects to the old matriarch. May the old matriarch enjoy blessings, longevity, and good health!"

Led by Chen Chen Guanlou, everyone dropped to their knees in unison and performed a grand salute.

"Good, good, good—all fine children. Quickly, get up."

The old matriarch of the Hou Fu bore the surname Ma—Chen née Ma.

The greeting gifts had long been prepared. After telling them to rise, the old matriarch called each person forward one by one, asked their name, which family they belonged to, and what they did day to day, then presented them with a greeting gift.

Chen Chen Guanxin was the first to step forward; Chen Chen Guanlou was the second. When the old matriarch learned he served at the Heaven Prison, she visibly paused. "This old body has heard of you. Have you studied?"

"Reporting to the old matriarch, your grandson studied for two years and can recognize a few characters."

"It's good that you've studied. Have you thought of doing something else? Let the Second Master find you a post at some yamen—no need to be shy about it."

"Your grandson thanks the old matriarch. I don't yet know what I'm suited for, so for now I'm gaining experience at the Heaven Prison."

"That's fine too! Though it's a humble trade, it's still better than idling the days away—at least one can get by." The old matriarch seemed quite pleased with Chen Chen Guanlou's tact and discretion, that he had not seized the chance to climb higher. So she picked out the largest pouch and handed it to him. "Do your duty well!" And with that she sent him off.

After paying respects to the old matriarch, they went on to pay respects separately to the two Ladies and to the Second Master.

The Second Master was a textbook example of Chen family looks—a refined, handsome middle-aged man; nothing more to say. As for the two Ladies and the two young Madam, they were truly like plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—each with her own distinction.

Every one of them was beautiful. Even the two Ladies, though well along in years, were still beautiful women, with not the slightest trace of time upon them. The two young Madam need not even be mentioned—to describe them as "dazzling" would be no exaggeration.

Chen Chen Guanlou even believed that the looks of his two sisters-in-law would be more than sufficient to pass the palace selection for imperial consorts.

In the past, when he heard Tutor Du speak of the two Ladies and the two young Madam, he had imagined them as stiff, worldly, wooden, humorless women with perpetually long faces.

Now that he had seen them in the flesh, he knew his own experience had been shallow.

When a great noble house takes a bride, how could they possibly bring an ugly woman back into the household and ruin the looks of their descendants? Throughout every dynasty, the first thing examined for an official post was appearance. No matter how learned, how capable, how powerful one's backing, if one was ugly, one could forget about rising to high position.

If one wished to show one's face before the Emperor and earn his favor and regard, one must first grow a handsome face—otherwise, don't even bother.

Looks are justice; the Emperor is no exception to the rule.

The Emperor is simply the biggest face-connoisseur in all the world.

If the favored minister Jiang Tu had been even the slightest bit ugly, he could never have won the old Emperor's heavy reliance. He would have died eight hundred years ago, and the grass on his grave would be taller than a man by now.

After paying respects, they chatted idly for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. When the Second Master lifted his teacup, the group took the cue and withdrew.

The entire proceeding was warm and harmonious, the etiquette impeccable, host and guests alike delighted—a task successfully completed.

Back in the outer courtyard flower hall, they resumed the banquet. From the kitchen, dishes to accompany the wine kept arriving at the table without end; by the look of it, they would not stop until nightfall.

Chen Chen Guanlou could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, refused no one, and drank table after table under.

The banquet did not break up until the moon had risen.

A cold wind blew, and the slight tipsiness vanished in an instant.

Chen Chen Guanqing had been dogging his heels the whole time.

The moment he turned his head and glared, Chen Chen Guanqing was so startled he let out a drunken hiccup. What on earth had this lad learned at the Heaven Prison? So young and yet possessed of such a heavy killing aura.

Chen Chen Guanqing braced himself and stepped forward. "Brother Lou, you're not drunk, are you?"

"You're not drunk, so how could I possibly be? What do you want?" Chen Chen Guanlou was in no mood to humor the man.

Chen Chen Guanqing gritted his teeth, swallowed his anger for the moment, and said, "You treat the little widow as your exclusive property—fine, I won't fight you for her. But shouldn't you compensate me a little?"

"What did you say?" Chen Chen Guanlou picked at his ear, thinking he had misheard. "You want me to compensate you. You son of a bitch, you actually want me to compensate you."

He laughed in spite of his anger.

Bizarre things happen every year, but this year there are especially many.

What nerve Chen Chen Guanqing had, to ask him for compensation.

"Of course you should compensate me." Chen Chen Guanqing, steeling himself, fierce in voice but weak in courage, roared, "For the sake of the little widow, I spent no small amount of energy and scheming. Now one word from you and you want me to back off—if you don't give me some compensation, this won't sit right. Even if we brought it before the clan for judgment, you'd be the one in the wrong."

Chen Chen Guanlou clenched his teeth until they ached.

He had always known that the old lecher Chen Chen Guanqing was no good, but he hadn't expected him to be such a shameless rascal—what a disgrace! The Chen clan's face had been utterly lost.

He smiled, half amused, half not. "How exactly do you want me to compensate you?"

Chen Chen Guanqing, hearing this, thought there was hope. "I don't ask for much—give me one… fifty taels of silver, and we'll call it square. I can even help you block the other toads, like that bastard Chen Ergou."

Chen Chen Guanlou burst out laughing. "Fifty taels, is it? Chen Chen Guanqing, have I been giving you too much face?"

He reached out, pinched the man's earlobe, and started dragging him toward a dark alley. "What on earth makes you think I'm a soft persimmon you can bully, daring to ask me for money…"

"Ow ow ow ow… Chen Chen Guanlou, you son of a bitch, let go of me!"

"Playing Laozi in front of me? Chen Chen Guanqing, Chen Chen Guanqing, you've really gotten above yourself. Today I'll take it upon myself to teach you a proper lesson on behalf of your father, so you'll know who the real Laozi is."