Chapter 48

  The servants of Xiaoshangongfu are no match for Jinmaoshu, the famous figure in Jianghu. They're just adding fuel to the fire.

  Before long, they were sprawled out all over the floor, exhausted.

  "Zhan Zhao, what do you think?" Bai Yutang walked up to Zhan Zhao with a sword in his arms, looking pleased with himself as he asked.

  "Zhan Mou is fine." Zhan Zhao supported himself on the table and struggled to get up.

  Lu Xiaofeng stretched out his hand and pressed him back down again. "What are you showing off for? Take a break." Then he turned to the trembling wonton shop owner standing aside, "Re-boil a bowl, this time don't add ingredients casually." These ordinary people had no room to resist against the powerful Small Merchant King, not even the Grand Tutor could do anything.

  This place is relatively quiet and there aren't many onlookers, otherwise Chi Wen wouldn't have been so bold as to loudly declare that he would abduct her in the middle of the street.

  Pffft!

  They really rely on Emperor Zhao's courtesy to the Chai family and have become lawless.

  The boss nervously agreed.

  The imperial nobility and the common people of the rivers and lakes, none of them can be trifled with.

  Bai Yutang looked at Yi Mei with a hint of a smile, "I say, you're really quite open-minded." Even though this place is a bit secluded, but as an unmarried young lady, you're feeding a man in the main hall's courtyard, if word gets out, your reputation will be ruined.

  "Are you talking about feeding?" Little Phoenix Maiden had a face full of innocence, "Feeding a little cat, what's there to be embarrassed about?"

  Zhan Zhao: "......"

  Bai Yutang burst out laughing.

  Xiaohe couldn't help but laugh too, her family's young lady always had astonishing words bursting out, making people's ears and eyes feel refreshed.

  What was originally a seemingly ambiguous and flirtatious behavior, instantly became a hilarious farce after being explained by the young lady. The young lady had been treating the noble cat as if it were a real cat, which is simply too ridiculous.

  Xiao Feng was eating the freshly cooked wontons from the owner of Wonton Shop without any scruples, as if she had selectively forgotten about the thrilling close call just now.

  "Miss, from now on you must be more careful. Chai Wen is relying on his family's legacy and has become arrogant." Zhan Zhao couldn't help but feel worried.

  On the streets, they brazenly kidnap people in broad daylight. How dare they be so arrogant and contemptuous of others?

  "I believe in one sentence," Lu Xiaofeng said slowly and deliberately, "Heaven's principle is clear, and retribution will not be absent. Often walking by the river, who can avoid getting their shoes wet? One day he will kick an iron plate."

  Bai Yutang said that while it was equivalent, there were still other objections. "But if we just let it go like this, isn't it also really infuriating?"

  Lu Xiaofeng finished the last dumpling in his bowl, wiped his mouth and said seriously: "That is a fact, the title of Xiao Shang Wang can only be passed down naturally, that is to say, only when the current King Chai passes away, will Chai Wenyi inherit the title. At that time, no matter what heinous crimes or inhumane acts he commits, it would truly be up to heaven to punish him."

  "Now, as long as Lord Chai remains vigorous and healthy in his old age, Chai Wen's evil deeds will be punished, and there will naturally be an executioner's sword waiting for him at the residence of Magistrate Bao."

  The cat and mouse were both staring at her, waiting for the next part. Because they all thought there should be a next part, but Little Phoenix simply didn't have one.

  Lu Xiaofeng swallowed the rest of the words directly into his own belly: Besides, who knows what kind of disaster or calamity is waiting for Chai Wenyi that scum ahead.

  Bai Yutang carefully savored the meaning of his sworn sister's words again, and he seemed to have understood a little.

  Zhan Zhao's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he thought of Shi Wen Yi, that scoundrel, after being enfeoffed, and the Longquan sword in his hand couldn't help but want to come out of its scabbard.

  Tonight's Lantern Festival was really not very good!

  Back at the Taishi Mansion, Lu Xiaofeng's servants naturally wouldn't say anything.

  But there is no wall that doesn't let wind through, and what's even more infuriating is that after returning to the capital, Lord Chai actually sent a matchmaker to propose on behalf of his son!

  Pang Taishi was furious and intended to be disrespectful to my daughter, but he still had the nerve to come to our door to propose a marriage?

  Nature is a flat refusal, with no room for further discussion.

  However, Master Tai turned his head and called his adopted daughter over for questioning.

  "When did you get so close to Zhan Zhao from Kaifeng Prefecture? Did you go on an outing with him during the Lantern Festival?" Now, rumors are flying everywhere outside.

  "Dad, why are you so angry with the cat? Think about it, if Xian Zhao hadn't been there that day, I would have been taken into the Xiao Shang Wang Fu by that scoundrel Chai Wen Yi." Little Phoenix completely reversed cause and effect.

  Pang Taishi: It seems like something is off, but it also feels like nothing is wrong.

  No!

  "As your father, I'm asking you, is there something going on between you and Zhan Zhao?"

  "Heaven and earth are my witnesses, Father. Although I, your daughter, may occasionally act out of line, I would never do anything that goes against the teachings you've instilled in me."

  The Chai family would naturally intentionally tarnish my reputation in order to make Father agree to marry me off, making it seem like the Chai family is magnanimous and genuinely wants to resolve the grudge between the two families caused by Pang Yu's injury.

  Pang Taishi hesitated.

  Madam Pang on the side was already furious, "Old master, although this small merchant's family has the legacy of the ancestors' protection, but this is simply deceiving people too much."

  Yu'er had studied medicine with Gong Sun Ce in Kaifeng, and during that time, there were no rumors or gossip about them. How did so many rumors arise after Chai Wen Yi's improper behavior?

  "Isn't this trying to cover up but instead making it more obvious?"

  Lu Xiaofeng: My foster mother is really powerful!

  Pang Taishi slapped the table and angrily said: "The Chai family is indeed too deceitful."

  They didn't expect that Xiaofeng's bold behavior on that day would give the servants of the Shangguan Mansion a chance to gossip, and also gave Chi Wenyi an opportunity to intervene with his self-righteousness.

  Everyone knows that Bao and Pang are incompatible, and Master Pang would never allow his daughter to have a private affair with Zhan Zhao from Kaifeng Prefecture. This way, he naturally has more opportunities.

  So it is said: Behind every second-rate person, there is a silent and cunning military strategist who comes up with rotten ideas.

  A scumbag like Chai Wenyi must be paired with a stupid dog-headed strategist to create the conditions for God to harvest him at any time.

  Heaven is fair, although sometimes it's a bit cruel.

  But we must understand with a humanitarian spirit the lonely, empty and cold heart of God in the boundless and endless years of the gods!

  Long live understanding!

  "Father and mother are angry, great anger hurts the liver, we don't deserve to hurt our own bodies for those people." Little Phoenix Maiden is a filial daughter.

  "What if rumors spread and damage your reputation, what then?" Mrs. Pang was worried that her daughter's future marriage would be affected.

  "Mother, rumors are like a vat of muddy water. The more you stir it, the muddier it gets. If you ignore it, with time, it will naturally clear up."

  Moreover, the best way for you all to forget a piece of gossip is to create a new one, and people will naturally slowly forget the previous one.

  Mr. Pang's eyes lit up, "That makes sense."

  Lu Xiaofeng's eyes rolled around and he said in an uncertain tone, "Dad, when I was traveling outside, I accidentally heard a piece of news."

  "What is it?"

  "It's about Chai Wangye and Chai Zheng."

  Mr. Pong became even more interested, and even Mrs. Pong came over with interest.

  "What is it?" The couple chimed in unison.

  Lu Xiaofeng then told the story of Chai Zheng and the Palace Master of the Liao State's Protector God Temple.

  Anyway, the plot has its own corrective power, and no one can shake its foundation. So, it doesn't matter if you spoil the story a bit.

  "Father, if this matter is true, then isn't it possible that the Chai family's pardon and protection will no longer be valid?"

  Pang Taishi stretched out his hand and said, "Be quiet."

  Lu Xiaofeng nodded silently, covering his mouth with his hand to indicate that he understood.

  Some things are better left unsaid, and Master Taishifu will take care of the behind-the-scenes operations.

  "This matter you didn't mention, and your father also hasn't heard."

  Lu Xiaofeng nodded.

  Mrs. Pong nodded along.

  Soon after, the romantic encounters of Xiao Shang Wang Chai Zheng spread like mushrooms in the capital city, with many versions and various schools of thought.

  The creative power of the masses has always been underestimated.

  The fat aunt in the kitchen of the Pang Mansion often brought back different versions to tell her young mistress and young master, who listened with great relish.

  When the rumors of Xiao Shang Wang Chai were spreading all over the city, An Le Hou Pong Yu was already able to walk on the ground, but he couldn't make large movements to avoid pulling on the wound in his abdomen.

  "Sister, are you planning to leave Beijing?"

  Lu Xiaofeng helped him sit down on the thickly padded couch, saying: "The other day, because of the rumors, Father didn't allow me to go out. Now that it's all right, I'd better leave early, lest that Chai Wenyi think up some new trick."

  Pang Yu had a different view, "Third sister, in the capital, Chai Wenyi still has some scruples, but once she leaves the capital..." What about Chai Wenyi jumping over the wall in desperation?

  Lu Xiaofeng would certainly not tell An Le Hou that after leaving the capital, Zhai Wenyi was no longer restrained, and she had nothing to worry about either. The five mice on Trap Island were even more convenient to move around.

  Some things are better left behind closed doors.

  Just focus on doing things well, and naturally there won't be any excesses.

  The latter is even more important!

  "Sister, don't go?"

  "I'm not saying I won't come back."

  "Sister," Pang Yu grasped her hand, looking seriously into her eyes, "I know that you don't like these luxurious cages, and you like to be free and easy. If it's just that you don't want to get married, that's alright, our family won't force you." He didn't say anything, but he couldn't help feeling a little something, and Father probably understood too.

  Lu Xiaofeng patted Pang Yu's hand and smiled, "Pang Yu, I don't like to be restricted, but since I've acknowledged you as my family, I naturally won't leave without looking back."

  "But I still hope my sister can stay in Beijing."

  Lu Xiaofeng shook his head, "The prosperity under the emperor's feet is indeed superior, but, Pang Yu, where there is prosperity, there are also many right and wrongs. I hope to live a simpler and more relaxed life." He didn't want to be like in his previous life, struggling and rushing about, wanting to be kinder to himself, not wanting to continue living with the weight of his family's mission and honor on his shoulders.

  Pang Yu was silent for a while before saying, "If this is what Third Sister wants, then as her younger brother, I won't try to dissuade you anymore."

  "Good boy."

  Pang Yu glared at her, "I'm not a kid anymore."

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled playfully and said: "Really? Can get married and have children now?"

  Pang Yu's face turned bright red, and his mother was indeed something else. When it came to marriage, she didn't even know how to keep a few things from her third sister, letting her get the upper hand and tease him whenever she wanted.

  "Miss, the imperial physician has arrived." Xiao He came in from outside the door, followed by the imperial physician who had come to change the dressing for Pang Yu.

  "Thanks for your trouble, Doctor."

  "How dare I, how dare I." This imperial physician had personally witnessed the young lady's surgical skills and felt a deep, inexplicable sense of awe and admiration for her.

  It's not easy for a woman to achieve this level, especially at such a young age.

  Lu Xiaofeng said to Pang Yu, "We'll leave first."

  Pang Yu nodded, "Okay."

  Leaving Pang Yu's residence, Lu Xiaofeng pulled Xiao He and headed to the backyard, saying: "Xiao He, are all things packed up?"

  "It's almost done, Feng Si and the others have also finished packing up the horse carriage."

  "Let's take another look and see if there's anything else missing. Once we're on our way, I'm not afraid of ten thousand things, just the one thing that might go wrong."

  "I know."

  The master and servant arrived at the backyard, just in time to see Mr. and Mrs. Feng about to load a trunk onto their horse carriage.

  Seeing them coming over, Feng Si stopped what he was doing and went forward to greet them, "Miss."

  "Is there junk in the box?"

  "Yes, some roads need to be used. The young lady's luggage and clothes will only be packed by Xiaohuo tomorrow."

  "Is there anything missing?"

  "There shouldn't be any more, Miss's requirements have been remembered by Lao Niu all along, and the missing ones in the past are not missed this time."

  "That's good." Lu Xiaofeng thought for a moment, then said: "This time we leave the capital, we may have to stay outside for a while longer. If there are any unfinished matters in the capital, it's better to deal with them before leaving."

  "Yes."