Font Size:
After dinner, He Cheng and his mother returned to Yuling Courtyard. He Cheng was limping slightly, which Lu Man assumed was due to tripping. Feeling a mix of sympathy and annoyance, she scolded him for his recklessness, remarking on his usually composed demeanor and sudden restlessness.
Song Mo was resting on a bed in the east side room of the main house. The little fellow hadn’t enjoyed himself at the village and would surely cause a commotion if sent back home.
The pot containing the suspected Night Yellow flower was placed right under Lu Man’s window, she was hesitant to relocate it elsewhere. She instructed Mrs. Wei to tend to it three times a day, with Lu Man paying her one tael of silver monthly. Furthermore, she entrusted her close maids to watch over the flower, forbidding anyone else from meddling with it.
As she entered her bedroom, Lu Man was informed by Liu Ya that Liu Xin was requesting an audience.
Given the late hour of Liu Xin’s visit, Lu Man anticipated urgent news.
Lu Man proceeded to the main hall and welcomed Liu Xin inside.
Liu Xin limped in, bowing respectfully to Lu Man, sporting a lengthy cut on his face and his left arm bandaged and suspended across his chest. He remained silent, prompting the other attendants in the room, Liu Ya, Tao, and Xing to withdraw.
Concerned by Liu Xin’s injuries and recalling He Cheng’s situation, Lu Man inquired, “What happened?”
Liu Xin knelt down, apologizing, “I have failed to protect Young Master.”
Anxiously, Lu Man urged, “What exactly happened? Get up and tell me.”
Standing up, Liu Xin explained, “Two days ago, Young Master Huang Liuye celebrated his sixteenth birthday at the Drunken Spring Pavilion, inviting your brother…”
Lu Man had previously instructed Liu Xin that if He Cheng couldn’t avoid unavoidable social events, he was to personally accompany him with a few more attendants.
Despite turning down numerous invitations from wealthy young men for He Cheng to dine at various restaurants, citing his sister’s disapproval, he had agreed to attend Young Master Huang’s celebration as he was close to him. Huang Liuye had mentioned only inviting Xie Jiuye and two other friends, causing He Cheng to accept and even buy a birthday gift.
However, upon arriving at the restaurant, they found out that Song Xian, had unexpectedly shown up, along with some troublemaking young men, including Wang Haobai. They weren’t invited by Huang Liuye but seemed to have received some information and decided to join in. Along with Huang Liuye’s group, there were a total of ten individuals.
Upon seeing the rowdy troublemakers and the potential for chaos if they got drunk, Liu Xin quietly informed He Cheng to wait for about half an hour, then fabricate an urgent matter to leave promptly. He Cheng, naturally reserved and disliking crowded gatherings, especially with this unsavory group, agreed with a nod.
The group even brought along ten courtesans, one for each gentleman, including He Cheng. He Cheng, unaccustomed to such scenes, found the overwhelming scent of perfume choking, and his face turned crimson. He shook his head in refusal, but one courtesan audaciously sat on his lap, prompting He Cheng to firmly push her away. This led to laughter and lewd comments from the others, especially Zhu Jinqi from the Duke of Jinchang’s residence, who was astonished by He Cheng’s reaction.
Young Master Xie and Young Master Huang intervened, advising the group that He Cheng was young and shouldn’t be led astray. They redirected the courtesan to another gentleman.
After half an hour, He Cheng stood up, claiming an urgent matter required his immediate departure.
Song Xian and his companions, reluctant to release him, insisted that he could leave after each person toasted him. Zhu Jinqi, in particular, was becoming increasingly agitated, causing a scene.
Despite the efforts of Young Master Xie and Young Master Huang to mediate, He Cheng, feeling helpless, reluctantly sat back down.
Sensing the situation deteriorating, Liu Xin discreetly sent a servant to find Prince He (Song Ming) or, if unsuccessful, seek help to the Yamen and find Third Master Jiang.
Initially contacting Prince He due to the proximity of his residence, as Lu Man had previously assisted the old Princess He and Song Mo, it was likely that Prince He would lend a helping hand.
As the drinking escalated, some individuals began acting unruly, especially Zhu Jinqi, who showed blatant disrespect towards He Cheng. Enraged, He Cheng, with red eyes, stood up to leave.
Zhu Jinqi intervened, blocking his path and attempting to restrain him. Young Master Xie, displeased with the situation, smashed his cup and shoved Zhu Jinqi aside. This led to a scuffle between the two factions.
Liu Xin shielded He Cheng, while Young Master Xie and his men protected him. However, He Cheng became a target, enduring several blows.
As the brawl intensified, a few patrolling constables arrived but hesitated to intervene with the young nobles, merely attempting to calm the situation.
Just as the situation seemed to spiral out of control, Prince He arrived with dozens of guards. The instigator, Zhu Jinqi, had two ribs broken, Wang Haobai had his arm fractured, and Song Xian was severely injured. Song Xian knew that He Cheng was covered by Song Ming, and he coaxed him very much, and he didn’t dare to be too much to He Cheng, but because he was the head of these troublemakers, Song Ming was not soft on him at all.
After that, Song Ming went directly to the palace to ask for fault, and the Duke of Zhou, Old Marquis Wang, and the Duke of Jinchang, who learned the news, entered the palace to complain. Subsequently, old Duke Xie also entered the palace to complain, stating that Xie Jiuye was unable to walk after the altercation. Princess Changting, self-proclaimed guardian of He Cheng, also lodged a complaint in the palace, with the old Marquis following along for the commotion.
Both sides vehemently accused each other, each pointing fingers. What initially was a serious and angry matter turned into a bit of a farce when the old Marquis successfully plucked the Duke of Jinchang’s long beard, holding on tight, causing the Duke’s face to crumple in pain until finally being pried loose, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
Even after being released, the old Marquis continued to mutter, claiming that bullying his granddaughter’s brother was akin to bullying his grandson—it was simply intolerable!
The Duke of Jinchang’s jaw was sore from the hair pulling, impairing his speech. He dared not retaliate due to fear of Princess Changting, leaving him fuming yet unable to strike back.
The scuffle reached the Emperor’s ears, with the younger ones striking the older ones. Enraged, the Emperor ordered fifty lashes for each side, sternly reprimanding Prince He and the heads of the families. Additionally, Prince He was required to pay three hundred taels of silver each to the Wang and Zhu families for medical expenses and two hundred taels to Song Xian.
Although it was stated that both sides received fifty lashes, it was evident that the Emperor favored Prince He. Despite the severe beating, they only received a scolding and were required to pay a total of eight hundred taels of silver.
Empress Wang was displeased and summoned the old Marquis Wang and Lady Wang to the palace, reprimanding her for her poor parenting, allowing her son to behave violently…
Upon returning, He Cheng was frightened and full of self-blame, feeling responsible for causing trouble for his sister and the Princess. When the Princess and the old Marquis returned home from the palace, he went to the Crane Hall to apologize. The Princess comforted him, alleviating his distress.
Later, Liu Xin mentioned that when Lu Man was absent from home, Sixth Young Master Jiang Zhanxun frequently came to spar with He Cheng in academics. He Cheng was reluctant to engage with him, and even the Eighth Young Master Jiang Zhankui couldn’t persuade him. Eventually, the Fifth Young Master Jiang Zhanyu had to intervene and successfully convince the Sixth Young Master to leave. This incident reached the heir, Young Master Jiang Zhanju’s attention, resulting in a stern reprimand towards the Sixth Young Master…