Chapter 284

【You follow Luya and several maids from the second courtyard.】

【You see green bamboo lining the path on both sides, moss covering the ground, and a winding pebble path in the middle.】

【Until the very end, after passing the shadow wall.】

【The group stops, and you look up.】

【Above are five small rooms with porches, all with freshly carved patterned partitions.】

【A plaque hangs above.】

【Three large characters, inscribed "Hong Jing Yuan".】

【You also saw these three characters from afar while on the boat in the lake, and remembered the three characters in the lake.】

【These three characters only have the form but not the spirit; the spirit is in the lake water.】

【The group stops again, waiting quietly for the steward at the door to report.】

【At this moment, you suddenly feel a cold gaze coming from the side, and you cannot help but turn your head to look.】

【But you see not far from here, a pavilion stands with wings, and several people are standing in the pavilion, staring at you, their expressions unfathomable.】

【It is exactly the few people you just saw in the lake; the pavilion they are in is exactly the direction where the water ghost disappeared, and among them is an acquaintance—Xie Renfeng's head maid, Shilan.】

【A thin young master in brocade clothes is leisurely throwing fish food into the lake, the fish food in his hand lightly tossed, but a sneer hangs on his face, directed at you.】

【Beside him, an old man wearing a fur hat, with an ugly face and eyes full of resentment, is also staring at you.】

【You look around, only to see several maids from the main courtyard, all with their heads lowered and their expressions blank.】

【The most strange one is Luya, who is usually lively and active, but at this moment she lowers her head and says nothing, as if captured by some power.】

【Looking at the steward who has already gone in to report, he has now retreated from the entrance of the main hall.】

【Facing this matter... you decide.】

1. Give up entering Xie Hong's courtyard. (Hint: You may face punishment, fearing for your life, your studies will be hard to continue, and Sister Wu Tong will be implicated.)

2. Enter Xie Hong's courtyard. (Hint: You may turn danger into safety and get a chance to study.)

3. Participate personally. (0/3)

The text on the great cauldron slowly freezes.

Yu Ke looks at the three options above and lowers his head to think.

Could it be that this report to enter the courtyard is not for the Old Matriarch Xie? How could this situation happen?

There are endless storms in this main courtyard; just such a banquet, and it will actually lead to life-threatening danger.

Moreover, this situation cannot be avoided.

Yu Ke does not struggle.

He chooses directly!

2. Enter Xie Hong's courtyard. (Hint: You may turn danger into safety and get a chance to study.)

【You withdraw your thoughts, and the steward looks at you with some scrutiny.】

【"Young Master Guan, the Old Matriarch invites you in."】

【Upon hearing this, you look back at the few people in the pavilion, respond softly, and then walk in calmly, following inside.】

"This time Xie Guan is afraid he will suffer a severe punishment. If his words are wrong, the matter of beating a concubine's son to death is not without precedent."

Zhao Yang looks at Xie Guan's back as he walks away, his face full of smiles.

"It's just quite strange, why would he be allowed to enter the main hall? Today in the main hall, there are noble guests from all clans, plus Second Master Xie returning to the estate, I thought he would be taken directly to the clan to be punished."

At this time!

The old man Shen Kuan, wearing a fur hat, shakes the flag in his hand lightly.

Ghostly black shadows emerge silently from the feet of Luya and several maids at the door, lingering like morning mist, and then fly back suddenly, the whole process silent.

No one notices.

Luya and the others hold their foreheads, their expressions confused, as if they have just woken up from a long dream, looking at each other, their eyes full of confusion and incomprehension, having no impression of what just happened.

Zhao Yang exclaims at this.

【"Old Shen, your technique of obedient ghosts is truly a strange skill in the world, which is breathtaking."】

Shen Kuan shakes his head and takes back the flag with heartache.

【"This technique is just a minor skill, it is okay to deal with some weak women, but if you encounter a cultivator who cultivates the spirit, or a martial artist who has entered the grade, it is like a breeze blowing on a stone, and it has no effect."】

【"Even those scholars who have read a lot of books and have the righteous spirit of the literary heart, this technique is also helpless."】

Shen Kuan drinks a sip of wine, his face gloomy, recalling the ghost infant with intelligence that he had worked so hard to raise, and he feels a burst of regret in his heart.

That ghost infant cost him a lot of hard work, spent a lot of spirit money, and was fed with heart blood every day. He didn't expect that today it would "disappear" for no reason in the lake, making his mind chaotic and almost causing him to go into qi deviation.

He feels angry at Zhao Yang for making trouble out of nothing, but thinking that he still has to "rely" on this young master to raise souls later, he has no temper to vent on him.

After all, many maids in the Zhao mansion were thrown into the lake after being humiliated by Zhao Yang, and their souls were all collected by Shen Kuan.

Shen Kuan naturally does not dare to kill and seize souls openly. After all, there is still an academy in Bianjing, there are also the Imperial Observatory and divine catchers in the court, and there are also upright people like Su Xiang.

Evil cultivators will never be tolerated.

However, some "bloody" things among the major families are their own business when the doors are closed, and no one will care.

Thinking of these, Shen Kuan attributes all the resentment to Xie Guan.

Shen Kuan swears secretly that he must teach Xie Guan a lesson and avenge the "ghost infant".

He forgets that this ghost infant was made by him by cutting open the belly of a nine-month-pregnant woman and abandoning the baby in a mass grave.

The resentment of the abandoned baby was refined by him into this ghost infant.

【"It's really a pity!"】

Shen Kuan feels regret in his heart, but adds a bit more resentment.

And the sword intent in the lake that just surprised him, it seems that these major families have their own foundations, so he should be careful in the future.

So he no longer attacks Xie Guan, but just diverts the disaster.

Instead, he uses the hands of these maids, uses the soul flag to control several people, leads them into the main hall of Xie Hong Yuan, and gets a name of "disrespect".

A concubine's son with no one to rely on, with no one to speak for him, is enough for him to suffer, maybe he will lose his studies and his future will be ruined.

【"If this master Xie Guan dies, his maid should be this young master's."】

Zhao Yang naturally notices the anger on Shen Kuan's face, but as his guard, he naturally cannot be negligent, so he comforts him:

【"Old Shen, calm down, I will let Sister Wu Tong apologize to you later."】

Shilan lowers her head and does not answer, with sadness in her eyes.

It was clearly these two who wanted to seize someone else's maid first, and now they want to harm Xie Guan.

It seems as if Xie Guan owes them something.

Shen Kuan's face becomes worse and worse, and he pours a pot of wine into his belly.

He stands up and slaps Shilan hard on her roundest part.

Only hearing a "slap" sound.

He rubs it hard, only feeling warm and lingering.

Shen Kuan says happily: "Damn it!"

After all, he does not continue to do it. After all, this Shilan is the head maid beside Xie Renfeng, and maybe she will become Xie Renfeng's bed maid in the future, so her status cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

Shilan's eyes redden, tears slide down silently, but she bites her lips tightly, not daring to let the crying sound overflow.

Entering this deep mansion, these servants have long been unable to control themselves.

Inside the main hall of Hong Jing Yuan, the atmosphere is solemn.

The steward just reported in the hall: "Young Master Guan of the main courtyard requests an audience!"

Before the words fell!

The Old Matriarch at the head of the table was rarely "furious", her voice carrying unquestionable majesty.

Lady Yuan's face was also livid, her brows revealing obvious displeasure, as if she was extremely disgusted by this matter and did not want to entangle here.

【"Let Xie Guan go to the clan to plead guilty himself, what kind of occasion is today, how dare he disrespect his elders!"】

The crime of disrespecting elders is a major crime in the clan, and its severity even exceeds the lewd act of having an affair with a woman.

Once convicted!

Not only will the road to the imperial examination be hopeless, but even the opportunity to study will likely vanish into thin air.

The people from other families present just watched silently.

And the ladies in the Xie Fu courtyard showed surprise, such a crime is not small.

Sister Wu Tong's face changed greatly, she was anxious, almost rushing out to plead for the young master.

Once the young master is punished by the clan, his future will be ruined.

However, just as she took a step, she was pulled by the sleeve by Xie Yuan.

Sister Wu Tong pulled her sleeve hard, trying to break free.

But Xie Yuan's voice came calmly: "If you want to harm your young master, go ahead."

【"Don't you look at your own status, a maid, how dare you intervene in the lady's affairs? With so many people from major families watching, if you are willing to add chaos, go!"】

Xie Yuan's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Sister Wu Tong's heart hard.

Only then did she calm down, realizing that her impulsiveness might bring greater trouble to the young master.

She bit her lips tightly, tears swirling in her eyes, but she held back and didn't let them fall.

What should she do!

【"Don't worry, I, Xie Yuan, will never let Brother Guan suffer punishment for no reason."】

He was about to stand up, but was interrupted by a sudden sound.

【"Lady Yuan, is this punishment a bit too harsh?"】

The voice was thick and steady, and everyone followed the sound to look, only to see Sima Ting had walked slowly into the hall.

As a Military Governor of a province, he had an illustrious status, and as Lady Yuan's future son-in-law, his appearance at this moment naturally had a special weight.

Upon hearing this, Lady Yuan frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure rising in her heart.

When was it the turn of an outsider to intervene in the Xie family's affairs? But seeing it was Sima Ting, she couldn't help but attach importance to him because of his status.

The Old Matriarch Xie sat in the main seat, without saying a word, but had already restored the majesty and demeanor of the head of the family.

Xie Ying also stood up, gently tugging at Sima Ting's sleeve, and said softly: "Brother Ting, Mother has always managed the family well, with clear rewards and punishments, you can rest assured."

Lady Yuan heard Xie Ying's words, and her brows gradually relaxed.

Her tone also became gentle, and she continued: "This Xie Guan, his mother was a person who disrespected her elders, and there is a son if there is a mother. In the memorial impeaching the master, there were many things caused by his mother."

Bringing up old matters, Lady Yuan's face couldn't help but add a bit of coldness, and she said in a deep voice:

【"A few years ago, that storm, how many illustrious nobles were alarmed? Even people with high positions like Su Xiang raised criticism against the master."】

【"In the memorial of impeachment this time, the so-called lack of private morality and failure to teach the son are all troubles caused by Xie Guan's mother, eventually leading to the master being stripped of his Marquis title, and the hard work of two generations being wasted."】

How did this matter start?

Lady Zhuge present naturally knew, but it was just those nobles in the court who took advantage of the master Xie Ling's defeat to suppress the Xie family.

Xie Guan's mother's act of holding the child to seek fame years ago became the handle and sharp blade in their hands.

This is also the reason why Xie Guan is so unpopular, especially not favored by the Old Matriarch.

The Old Matriarch Xie snorted coldly, "Really a disaster in the mansion."

Lady Yuan changed the subject, "However, since General Sima has pleaded for him, let's reduce his punishment."

【"Go to the clan to receive a 'not knowing the rules'."】

Xie Ying wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Lady Yuan with a wave of her hand.

【"Ying'er, I know you have old ties with his mother, but this is the Xie family law after all."】

Lady Yuan instructed the steward:

【"Why don't you go down yet."】

The steward hurriedly responded: "Yes!"

【"Wait!"】

Just as Xie Yuan was about to stand up again, another gentle voice sounded:

【"Lady Yuan, I often hear Brother Yuan mention this person. In the past year, he has been studying hard and has been greatly influenced by Xie Guan. It seems that he is not a person who does not follow the rules."】

Zhuge Jian walked into the pavilion and said with a smile:

【"Confucianism says, 'Be virtuous and righteous', Xie Guan, although a concubine's son, can influence others, so he must not be a scholar who doesn't know etiquette."】

Lady Yuan felt even more surprised.

Xie Guan, a concubine's son with no one to rely on, today first had Sima Ting stand up for him, and then Zhuge Jian came forward to speak for him.

What is this all for?

Lady Zhuge saw her brother speak, and also smiled:

【"Sister, why not exempt Xie Guan from punishment. A few years ago, he and Brother Yu were about the same age, and I still remember that they were born on the same month and day."】

【"Although his mother was guilty, Xie Guan was probably ignorant at that time."】

Xie Yu stood behind his mother Lady Yuan, looking handsome, but he didn't remember having such an older brother in his memory.

Lady Yuan examined everyone in the hall. Whether it was Sima Ting or Zhuge Jian and others, they were all important figures today. They all spoke for Xie Guan, which made it difficult for her to make a decision for a while.

【"However, Xie Guan broke into the Grand View Garden without permission, which is also against the rules. The Old Matriarch once said that idlers are not allowed to enter privately."】

【"However, since the crime can be exempted, and my sister and Mr. Jinghu rarely plead for mercy."】

【"Then let the clan deduct his two months' allowance as a punishment."】

Sister Wu Tong heard this, and her face finally relaxed, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

It seems that the young master is fine, just two months' allowance, and life will be a bit tight.

Zhuge Jian bowed: "Lady Yuan is indeed good at managing the family!"

This matter has been settled here.

【"Big Sister, Xie Guan entering the Grand View Garden was let in by me, it has nothing to do with him."】

【"If you want to punish, punish me."】

Lady Yuan has already sat back in her seat.

Looking for the sound, it was Xie Qiyue behind Xie Hong who said it.

Xie Qiyue's face was serious, she just felt that she had given a guarantee to Sister Yuzhi, if Xie Guan was still punished.

It would make it difficult for her to explain, so she simply took the responsibility herself to avoid losing face.

Lady Yuan was in a dilemma, looking at Xie Qiyue's appearance of lowering her head and admitting her mistake.

Why are there so many twists and turns in punishing a concubine's son?

Today, it is obviously impossible to punish Xie Qiyue of the second courtyard, otherwise, the Old Matriarch would not be able to explain it.

After all, Xie Hong returned to the estate today, and if he punished his favorite daughter just after returning, it would be inappropriate.

Xie Hong was calm, seemingly not caring about this.

Lu Hua hid under the white gauze bamboo hat, feeling that this scene was quite interesting.

Lady Yuan then asked: "Old Matriarch, what do you think should be done?"

The Old Matriarch pondered for a moment and said: "Don't argue anymore, let Xie Guan come in, and see this son of Ling'er."

【"Yes, Old Matriarch."】

The servant responded and retreated to pass the message.

Everyone then sat down.

Before long!

A young man with a steady demeanor walked in from the door.

He crossed the threshold, his pace neither fast nor slow, and walked into the hall. He was just wearing ordinary plain clothes, but it was hard to hide his elegance and handsomeness.

(End of chapter)